Blog for Photo Nerds » Upcoming Digital Cameras

Ricoh G700 Waterproof Digital Compact Camera

Jane — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:38:57 +0000

Ricoh G700 is a 12-megapixel camera with waterproof, shockproof and dustproof features. It spots 5x optical zoom, 3-inch 920,000-dot LCD screen with automatic brightness adjustment and numerous pre-set creative options.

The lens features 28mm wide angle of view yet it not very bright - it offers only f/3.5 aperture value when zoomed out. There’s only Digital image stabilization in the camera, which means raising ISO level in unfavorable lighting conditions. On the positive side, you can attach an optional wide conversion lens to a build-in one and enjoy 22mm angle of view.

The camera’s body can withstand falls from 2.0 m even with the power on. The camera can be used in the rain as well as for underwater shooting - down to 5 meters for up to 2 hours. The camera can also ensure dust and sand and operate in sub-freezing temperatures. In addition, the buttons are optimized for shooting with gloves on.

The G700 offers point-and-shoot operation ideal for those who prefer to rely on the camera’s “brains” and deal with the composition of the shots only and still get quality images. There’re also some pre-set creative functions like High Sensitivity, Firefighting, Skew Correct, Text, Zoom Macro where Skew correction mode gives your photos the feel that they were shot directly. It is useful when photographing message boards and display panels, as they are not distorted and readable in the final image.

The camera offers 103Mb of internal memory and a lot of enhanced security and file management functions for your images. It is possible to connect the camera directly to a printer without using a PC.

Ricoh G700 - Specifications:

1/2.3″ CCD Image Sensor
12.10 Megapixels
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 3:2
3.0 in. LCD Monitor with 920,000 dots
5x Optical Zoom
Digital Image Stabilization
Focal Length Equivalent: 28 - 140mm
Aperture Range: f/3.5 (wide) - f/5.5 (tele)
Focusing: AF (multi / spot), MF
Macro: 0.4″ / 1 cm
Metering: 256-segment multi, center-weighted, spot
Sensitivity: ISO 64 - 3200
Shutter Speed: 8 - 1/1500 sec
Exposure Modes: Program
Creative Scene Modes: High Sensitivity, Firefighting, Skew Correct, Text, Zoom Macro, Movie
103MB Built-In Memory
SD, SDHC, MMC Memory Cards
Power Source: 2 x AAA Batteries
Shockproof: up to 2.0 m drop
Waterproof: down to 5.0 m

KODAK EasyShare M590 Ultra Thin Point-and-Shoot

Jane — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:14:15 +0000

Eastman Kodak Company launches the new camera model, the Easyshare M590 that is advertised as the world’s thinnest digital camera to feature 5x optical zoom. The camera spots 14-megapixel resolution, 2.7-inch LCD screen and an array of automatic features - all housed in a stylish body measuring just 15mm in the thinnest part.

The lens offers rather a modest field of view with its 37mm angle of view at the wider end. On the positive side, however, the lens features optical image stabilization that prevents blur caused by camera shake and thus extends the possibilities of handheld shooting in low-light.

The M590 features point-and-shoot operation and is targeted at those who’d like to get great photos with ease. Kodak’s Smart Capture feature ensures that the pictures are taken fully automatically and look great & true-to-life.

There’s also a Face Recognition function in the camera to help you take cool portraits of your friends and family as it automatically detects faces in a frame and optimizes focus and exposure for them.

At last, the camera makes it simpler to share your photos online. It has a dedicated Share Button that allows you send your pictures to your accounts on popular social sites as Facebook, KODAK Gallery, Flickr, Orkut and Youtube. It saves your time as it is possible to send them to different directions with a push of a button!

KODAK EasyShare M590 -Key Features:

14-megapixel Image Sensor
5X Optical Zoom
Focal Length Equivalent: 35-175mm
Optical Image Stabilization
Face Recognition
Smart Capture
2.7-inch LCD Screen with 230,000 Dots
HD Video Capture
Micro SD/Micro SDHC Memory Cards
Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery
Share Button
Body Colors: Silver, Red, Purple, Blue
15mm Thin
MSRP US: $199.95

Nikon D3100 User-Friendly DSLR Camera

Jane — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:50:20 +0000

Nikon D3100 is a new DSLR camera from the company. It is the most user-friendly SLR model aimed at those who want to get high-quality photos without much effort. It succeeds the D3000 camera and would be a perfect DSLR for the whole family.

The camera features 14.2-megapixel SMOS sensor, 3-inch LCD screen, Live View shooting and full High Definition (HD) video capture. It offers an array of creative automatic functions alongside with manual exposure controls. There’s also a Guide Mode that will help you learn how to get exactly what you want.

The D3100 offers the Scene Auto Selector and Scene Recognition functions to identify the scene being shot and select the most appropriate setting for it. The Active D-Lighting function, in its turn, provides for evenly exposed light and shade areas. You can also choose from lots of photo effects and pre-set scenes stored in the camera.

The camera’s Face Detection feature can detect up to 35 faces in a frame and optimize focus and exposure for them. The 11-point autofocus system ensures quick and precise focusing while AF tracking function helps keep moving subjects in focus.

The camera utilizes the effective dual integrated Dust Reduction System that includes Image Sensor Cleaning and Airflow Control systems to protect the sensor from dust and ensure clear spotless images.

Nikon D3100 - Specifications:

23.1 x 15.4 mm CMOS Sensor
14.2 Megapixels
Optical Viewfinder: Pentamirror, 18 mm Eye OPoint, 95% Frame Coverage, Dioptre Adjustment
3.0″ TFT LCD Monitor with 230,000 pixels
11 area TTL phase detection Autofocus
AF Area mode: Single, Dynamic, Auto, 3D Tracking (11 points) Closest Subject Priority Dynamic
Focus tracking
Metering: Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot
Sensitivity: ISO 100 - 12800
Shutter Speed: 30 to 1/4000 sec, Bulb
Exposure Modes: Programmed auto (P), Shutter-priority (S), Aperture priority, (A) Manual (M), GUIDE mode
Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait
Easy Operation Modes: Auto, No flash, Distant subjects, Close ups, Sleeping faces, Moving subjects, Landscapes, Portraits, Night portrait
Advanced Auto Modes: Soften backgrounds, Bring more into focus, Freeze motion (for people or vehicles), Show water flowing
Movie Mode: 1920 x 1080 24p Full HD; MOV, H.264
SD / SD HC / SDXC Memory Cards
Nikon F Lens Mount
Price (Body + 18-55mm VR Lens): US $699

Canon PowerShot S95 Advanced Compact Camera with f/2.0 Bright Aperture

Jane — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:33:41 +0000

Canon PowerShot S95 is a 10-megapixel premium compact camera featuring 3.8x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD screen and full manual controls. Unlike its predecessor, the PowerShot S90, the new model is able to shoot 720p HD movies and takes high-capacity SDXC memory cards.

The camera’s lens is as bright as it was: the f/2.0 aperture expands the possibilities of low-light shooting while the Lens-Shift Optical Image stabilizer minimizes blur caused by camera shake. Furthermore, the lens delivers 28mm angle of view for wide scene capturing.

The camera incorporates the large 1/1.7″ high-sensitivity CCD Sensor that is bigger than conventional compact digicam sensors. It offers a greater dynamic range, which results in natural-looking photos with accurate tonal gradation and rich detail.

The S95 features automatic as well as manual shooting modes. Its Smart Auto mode utilizes Scene recognition technology to help the camera take the best shot possible. There’re also 18 shooting modes and 11 My Color image parameters to choose from. You can find the peculiar High Dynamic range mode among them for evenly exposed images of high-contrast scenes.

The camera’s manual shooting options are offered in its Aperture priority (Av), Shutter priority (Tv) and Manual (M) modes. The setting can be controlled with the help of enhanced lens Control Ring and Multi-Control Dial for additional convenience.

Canon PowerShot S95 - Specifications:

1/1.7″ CCD Sensor
10 Megapixels
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9, 3:2, 1:1, 4:5
File Format: JPEG, RAW; MOV
3.0 inch PureColor LCD II Monitor with 461,000 pixels
3.8x Optical Zoom
Focal Length Equivalent: 28-105mm
Aperture Range: F2.0-4.9
Lens-Shift Image Stabilization
Focusing: Auto (TTL, 9-point AiAF/ Face Detection, 1-point AF/center); Manual
Macro mode: 5 cm
Metering: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center)
Sensitivity: ISO80 - 3200
Shutter Speed: 15-1/1600 sec
Exposure Modes: Smart Auto, Program AE, Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, Manual
High Dynamic Range Mode
18 Scene Modes
11 My Color Options
Smart Flash Exposure
Continuous Shooting: up to 1.9 shots/sec.
Movie Mode: (HD) 1280 x 720 @ 24 fps
Hot Shoe for External Flash
SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus memory Cards
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery

Fujifilm FinePix S2800HD Advanced UltraZoom Camera

Jane — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:43:15 +0000

Fujifilm announces the launch of the world’s smallest ultrazoom camera, as it claims. The new FinePix S2800HD features a generous 18x optical zoom housed in a compact and lightweight body. The camera also boasts 14-megapixel resolution, 3-inch LCD display and the ability to take 720p HD movies.

While offering long zoom distance the lens has wide-angle properties as well: its angle of view is 28mm when zoomed out, which is typical of modern compacts. The lens is supported by in0camera sensor-shift image stabilization, which allows taking clear and blur-free images in low light.

The S2800HD model is easy to use with its Smart Scene recognition function hidden in its Intelligent Auto mode and 16 pre-set scene modes to your choice yet it offer full manual controls for those who want to achieve maximum creativity in shooting process and makes the camera do exactly what they want it to do. There’s also Auto panorama function in this camera.

Portrait shooting is simple; you can achieve great picture with this camera as it offer Face detection for bright and sharp faces detected in a frame, Blink Detection to warn you in case your subject blinks so that you can immediately retake the photo, and Smile detection function that ensures you never miss the moment as it automatically presses the shutter button just the moment your subject smiles.

It is also worth mentioning that the camera is powered by 4 standard AA batteries, which makes power supply easier as you can buy a new set every time anywhere without the necessity to charge the battery (unlike many digicams with proprietary batteries inside).

Fujifilm FinePix S2800HD - Specifications:

1/2.3″ CCD Image Sensor
14.0 Megapixels
18x Optical Zoom
Focal Length Equivalent: 28-504mm
Aperture Range: F3.1 - F5.6
Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
3.0-inch LCD Monitor with 230,0000 pixels
AF Area Modes: Multi, Centre, Tracking
Macro Mode: 2cm
TTL 256-zones Metering
Sensitivity: ISO 64 - 6400
Shutter Speed: 8 - 1/2000 sec
Exposure Modes: Programmed, Aperture & Shutter Priority, Manual
Scene Recognition Auto
16 Scene Pre-set Modes
Face Detection
Blink Detection
Smile Shot Mode
Auto Panorama mode
Continuous Shooting: up to 3.3 frames/sec
Movie Mode: 1280 x 720 pixels, 24fps
23 MB Internal memory
SD / SDHC Memory Cards
Power Source: 4 x AA batteries
Dimensions: 4.3 x 2.9 x 3.2 in