Sony's Cyber-shot T900, T90, W290, W230 and H20 do the thinking for you

It's official, folks -- PMA is on. Er, almost on. At any rate, it's on enough for Sony, FujiFilm and Samsung to dole out a smattering of new cams today in their respective lineups. Today, Sony is introducing five new Cyber-shot models, all of which seek to remove the burden of taking the perfect picture from you. The DSC-T900, DSC-T90, DSC-W290 and DSC-H20 all feature an intelligent auto mode, which automatically detects scene conditions and adjusts settings to best take advantage of the situation. The whole April-bound lot sports Optical SteadyShot and Smile Sutter, while the W290, H20, T90 and T900 all feature 720p movie recording at 30fps. Here's a rundown of the specs for each:

• DSC-W230: 12.1 megapixels, 4x (30mm) Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens, 3-inch LCD; available in silver, black, blue and red for about $200.
  
• DSC-W290: 12.1 megapixels, 5x (28mm) Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens, 3-inch LCD; available in silver, black, blue and bronze for $250
  
• DSC-T90: 12.1 megapixels, 4x Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar optical zoom, 3-inch touchscreen LCD; available in silver, black, pink, blue and brown for $300
  
• DSC-T900: 12.1 megapixels, 4x Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar optical zoom, 3.5-inch Xtra Fine touchscreen LCD; available in silver, black, red and bronze for $380
  
• DSC-H20: 10.1 megapixels, 10x Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar optical zoom, 3-inch LCD; available in black for about $280

[ Via: Engadget ]

[ Tag: cyber-shot, DSC-H20, DSC-T90, DSC-T900, DSC-W230, DSC-W290, H20, INTELLIGENT AUTO TECHNOLOGY, IntelligentAutoTechnology, sony, T90, T900, W290 ]

• AT&T pays out $8.2 million settlement over school E- rate program

Samsung expands SL camera lineup: SL820, SL620, SL202 and SL30

It was but merely a month ago that Samsung introduced two new ones in its blossoming SL series, and now the company's shooting out four more in the run-up to PMA. Kicking things off are the SL820 (pictured) and SL620, two 12.2 megapixel shooters which sport three-inch LCD monitors and a 5x optical zoom. With the former, users are presented with a 28mm wide angle lens, while the SL620 offers a standard 35mm lens. The pair also touts Optical and Digital Image Stabilization, while the SL820 steps it up with 720p video recording (compared to the SL620's VGA mode) and HDMI connectivity. Moving on, we've got the SL202 and SL30, which both arrive with 10 megapixel sensors and a 3x optical zoom. Beyond that, everything's about as plain as it gets, so we'll just skip right to the prices while hosting up the full release after the break. The May-bound SL820 will go for $279.99, while the March-bound SL620, SL202 and SL30 will sticker for $199.99, $149.99 and $99.99, respectively.
SAMSUNG EXTENDS POPULAR SL-SERIES WITH FOUR NEW MODELS
Four New Digital Cameras Elevate Stature of SL-Series with High-Performance Features
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – February 17, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America today extended its popular SL-Series with the introduction of four new models, comprising two 12.2 mega-pixel and two 10 mega-pixel digital cameras. Stylish and advanced, the new SL-Series models elevate the stature of the user-friendly family of digital cameras, allowing consumers to experience higher-end features and performance at more affordable price points.
The SL820 and SL620
Samsung's new 12.2 mega-pixel SL820 and SL620 offer users large three inch LCD screens and powerful 5x optical zooms. With the SL820, users have access to a 28mm wide angle lens, while the SL620 offers a standard 35mm lens. Both the SL820 and SL620 are paired with Optical and Digital Image Stabilization to help reduce blur caused by hand movements. Shooters have the option of simply using Optical Image Stabilization, ideal for well lit environments, or choosing Dual Image Stabilization and combining the strengths of Optical and Digital Image Stabilization.
A first for Samsung's SL-Series, the new SL820 offers consumers high-definition video recording at a resolution of 720p, as well as HDMI connectivity, allowing the camera to be connected to an HDTV through a cradle for reviewing footage and photos. The camera also utilizes H.264 compression, an advanced codec that allows users to record video for longer periods of time. The SL620 offers users advanced MPEG-4 video recording at a resolution of 640x480. For added versatility, with both the SL820 and SL620, consumers can use the cameras' 5x optical zooms and Optical Image Stabilization while recording video.
The new SL820 and SL620 offer an array of automatic controls, including Samsung's Smart Auto mode. When selected, Smart Auto will automatically choose from one of the cameras' 11 scene modes, determining which best suits the environment the user may be shooting in. For example, if the user is taking a photo of a mountain range, Smart Auto will automatically select the Landscape scene mode. If the user then proceeds to take photo of an individual, Smart Auto will switch to the Portrait scene mode - no manual interaction is required.
In addition to Smart Auto, the SL820 and SL620 also feature Samsung's proprietary Smart Album program. In addition to Smart Auto, the SL202 features Samsung's Smart Album program. Smart Album is useful tool which allows users to easily search for a specific image they have saved on their memory card. Smart Album automatically organizes the user's digital images and gives them the ability to narrow their search based on specific criteria. Users can quickly sort by the date or week the image was taken, the overall color tone, as well as whether they're searching for portraits or specific file types, including photos, videos, or voice memos.
Other automatic features found on the SL820 and SL620 include Face Detection, Blink Detection, Smile Shot, and Beauty Shot. Designed to help capture better portraits and group shots of family and friends, Face Detection technology detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure to ensure better composition and image quality. Smile Shot automatically triggers the SL820 and SL620 to take a photo only when a smile is detected on the subjects' faces, and Blink Detection will automatically fire two consecutive shots if a subject's eyes are closed. Beauty Shot is a unique functionality which will automatically brighten and even out skin tones as well as remove blemishes.
The SL202 and SL30
Ideally suited for families and entry-level shooters looking for an easy-to-use digital camera, the 10 mega-pixel SL202 and SL30 present users with a range of features that will help them effortlessly capture digital images without having to worry about becoming entrenched in technical specifications or terminology. The SL202 and SL30 offer consumers a quality Samsung lens with a 3x optical zoom, as well as Digital Image Stabilization to help reduce blurry images.
The SL202 boasts a stylish, compact design which is accentuated by an elegant, brushed metal finish. Powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, the SL202 gives users the ability to record high quality MJPEG video at VGA resolution with a frame rate of 30fps. The video, along with photos, can be reviewed on the SL202's 2.7 inch LCD screen. Furthermore, the camera's advanced movie mode will allow users to pause and then resume recording video without having to save the clips as individual files.
When it comes to snapping digital images, the new SL202 does a bulk of the work for the user thanks to a host of advanced automatic features, including Samsung's new Smart Auto mode and Smart Album program. Other automatic controls found on the SL202 include Face Detection, Blink Detection, Smile Shot, and Beauty Shot.
For added convenience, the SL30 is powered by easily available, AA alkaline batteries, assuring end-users that they can find a replaceable power source no matter where they may be. Like the SL202, the SL30 also offers users MJPEG, VGA video recording, Face Detection, which detects up to nine faces and automatically adjusts focus and exposure, as well as Beauty Shot, which automatically enhances subjects' skin tones. Photos and videos can be reviewed on the camera's 2.5 inch LCD screen.



[ Via: Engadget ]

[ Tag: 720p, digicam, point and shoot, point-and-shoot, PointAndShoot, samsung, sl, sl-series, SL202, SL30, SL620, SL820 ]

Canon's CES 2009 VIXIA camcorder lineup gets priced and dated

Like most everyone else at CES, Canon failed to disclose pricing and availability for its 11 new VIXIA camcorders. Now, however, CamcorderInfo has the details you've been craving, and the good news is that most of the models should be on store shelves before April draws to a close. The flagship HF S10 will ring up at $1,299 in early March, while the low-end ZR960 will sport a $249.99 sticker and an early April ship date. For everything in between, give the read link a look.



[ Via: GadgetReview ]

[ Tag: camcorder, canon, DIGIC DV III, DigicDvIii, flash camcorder, FlashCamcorder, hd camcorder, HdCamcorder, HDV, HF S10, HF S100, HF20, HF200, HfS10, HfS100, HV40, price, prices, pricing, vixia, VIXIA HF S10, VIXIA HF S100, VixiaHfS10, VixiaHfS100 ]

Panasonic's HDC-HS300 HD camcorder reviewed, thoroughly enjoyed

Panasonic's HDC-HS300 was unleashed amidst a flurry of other camcorders at CES this year, but according to Trusted Reviews, it won't be hiding under the shadows of everyone else for long. Rather than bogging you down with details, we'll just get right to the punch -- critics didn't hesitate to suggest that this "could well be the best [consumer] camcorder released all year." The most important aspect (yes, we're talking about image quality) was said to be "nothing short of stunning in virtually all conditions," and low light performance was deemed "particularly amazing." There were plenty of outputs, a swank touchscreen LCD and a very impressive cross-shaped array of microphones that could record 5.1 audio. Add all that up, and you've got a real winner; in fact, these guys suggested that even Canon's stellar line of VIXIA camcorders should watch closely, 'cause the HS300 is stepping all up in that rarefied air.

[ Via: Engadget ]

[ Tag: ]

• Smartphones offer hope in declining cell phone biz

Nikon unveils Fabre Photo EX DSLR-based stereoscopic microscope

Sure, we've seen homebrew digital microscopes built out of old webcams and proper digital 'scopes with USB interfaces, but if you're really serious about your closeups, Nikon's new Fabre Photo EX system is probably calling your name. The stereoscopic microscope can be fitted to a Nikon DSLR back to capture images, with max magnification based on sensor size and crop factor -- FX backs will yield 20x zoom, while a DX back will let you keep tabs on your favorite c. elegans at 45x. Various attachments can boost that up to 66x, and there's even an adapter that'll let you mount various Coolpix compacts to the system -- although we doubt that'll look nearly as imposing on your lab bench. Mad scientists can order as of February 20th, provided they're in Japan and have an extra ?108,150 ($1214) for the microscope and ?37,800 ($424) for the DSLR mount handy. On more pic after the break.



[ Via: Slashgear ]

[ Tag: fabre, fabre photo, fabre photo ex, FabrePhoto, FabrePhotoEx, microscope, NAS-L1, nikon ]

• Fuji expands A-series with A150 and A100 boringcams

Fuji expands A-series with A150 and A100 boringcams

Although we're expecting big things from FujiFilm's Super CCD EXR-packing F200, we can't say we're nearly as intrigued with the two new A-series compacts the company also saw fit to release this morning. The A100 and A150 are pretty much the basic kit you've come to expect at the bottom end of things: both have 10 megapixel sensors with ISO 1600 sensitivity, 3x optical zooms with image stabilization, face detection, QVGA video recording, and a bunch of scene modes that shouldn't be too hard to completely ignore. The only difference between the two are the screen sizes -- the A100 does it at 2.7 inches, while the A150 sports a three-inch screen. No word on pricing, but we'd guess cheap.



[ Via: Engadget ]

[ Tag: a-series, a100, a150, fuji, fujifilm ]

• Verizon axing Test Drive, making New Every Two program less awesome

Pentax Optio E70L plays 'spot the difference' with E70, loses

If the 10 megapixel Optio E70 was just a wee bit off from what you wanted, Pentax has introduced the E70L, a camera whose differences with its predecessor are astoundingly minimal. That added 'L' gives you an extra 0.1 megapixel, a tighter ISO range (80-6400 versus 64-6400), a more square body, a slightly varied button layout, and a less colorful exterior. Both still sport the 3x optical zoom, 2.4-inch LCD, shake reduction, face recognition, smile detection, and a hunger for AA batteries. Look for this one next month for about ?100 ($142).



[ Via: Engadget Spanish ]

[ Tag: e70l, optio, optio e70l, OptioE70l, pentax, pentax optio, pentax optio e70l, PentaxOptio, PentaxOptioE70l ]

• Samsung to release 12 megapixels of cameraphone foolishness this month?

Samsung to release 12 megapixels of cameraphone foolishness this month?

It's been a few years since Samsung unleashed its 10 megapixel cameraphone onto the world. Now we're hearing that Samsung will push the limits of absurdity to a full 12 megapixels "this month," likely at Mobile World Congress. The phone is expected to hit the production lines in February with a European debut shortly thereafter. No details are provided other than the picture above used (but not attributed) by Unwired View. If this is the unannounced phone then we can obviously expect GPS geotagging, DivX video capture, and WiFi with DLNA support. One thing is clear: Samsung thinks that Europeans are pixel braggarts with little concern for image quality.
Update: Nope, that image is just a Photoshop of an 8 megapixel Innov8 -- still, we wouldn't be surprised to see the same feature set and industrial design in a 12 megapixel handset.



[ Via: Engadget ]

[ Tag: 12 megapixel, 12Megapixel, cameraphone, divx, geotagging, mwc, mwc 2009, Mwc2009, rumor, samsung, wifi ]