Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
A German online retailer, Fotobrenner has listed the Sony A850 for 1.999,00€, which is a discount of about 500€ off the A900.
Fotobrenner has also posted an image of the A850 on its product page, which is either the same body as the A900 or is a Photoshop job to give us something to look at.
Recall that the Sony A850 manual was leaked directly from Sony a couple weeks ago.
What do you think? Legit? Or is Fotobrenner just following the rumor trail like the rest of us?
[via Dyxum]
PhotoScatter is a pretty cool looking iPhone App that lets you share your iPhone photos on a variety of photo sharing sites instantly. You can upload to Facebook, Flickr, Shutterfly, Photobucket, Picasa and Twitter with just a few taps on the screen, as you can see in the above video.
You can check it out closer at PhotoScatter.com. They’ve also lowered the price to $0.99 for a short time.
Just last week, we saw a Nikon D4 surface on an online store, alleging that it was coming soon. Now, another site (Thai camera cafe) has jumped on the Nikon D4 bandwagon with a product page for the camera, as you can see from the screen shot above.
[via Nikon Rumors]
Here’s a few videos that show off the new Nikon D300s and give you a little taste of what you can expect from the video capabilities.
I don’t know that we needed the subtitles on the last one; however, it was nice to see a little more of a home cooked version of video from the D300s. More info about this camera is available on Photography Bay’s Nikon D300s Reviews and Resources.
underneath a star by jaeWALK
Every year, I try to make it to the beach with my family if possible. Since we don’t live near the beach, it’s always special for us to see the ocean, play in the sand and splash in the waves. It’s also a challenge to try to get above average beach pics.
There are so many things competing against good photos at the beach – midday sun, tons of people, keeping track of kids, that fat guy that’s always in the background and keeping sand out of your camera. Below, you’ll find 23 awesome beach images that beat the elements and the odds. Granted, these are not your typical family vacation photos; however, with a little bit of effort, there’s no reason you can’t bring a few images like these back from your next trip to the beach. [Read more…]
The Samsung TL225 and TL220 are 12.2-megapixel point and shoot cameras featuring dual LCD screens – one on the front and the back of the camera. The Samsung TL225 rear LCD panel display is a 3.5-inch screen, while the front screen is a 1.5-inch LCD.
The Samsung TL225 and TL 220 will be available in September 2009 at an initial retail price of $349.99 and $299.99, respectively.
It shoots good pictures, has a decent zoom lens and is easy to control and use.
The DualView proved to be a great idea, and is not gimmicky; it provides people who have to rely on others to take the picture the freedom to shoot themselves without help.
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – August 13, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., today announced the Samsung DualView Cameras, the TL225 and TL220. These 12.2 mega-pixel, innovative compact digital cameras feature Dual LCD screens, with one LCD on the front of the camera, and a second one on the back of the camera, to give consumers the ability to truly step out from behind the camera and put themselves in the picture.
Delivering an unrivalled user experience, the 1.5” LCD located on the front of the Samsung DualView Cameras now allows consumers to take first-rate photos whether they are behind the camera or in front of it. Samsung’s new TL225 also features a 3.5” wide touch-screen back LCD. At 1,152K resolution, the TL225’s LCD delivers almost four times more resolution than traditional cameras and also comes complete with haptic vibration feedback for ease of use. A 12.2 mega-pixel CCD and 27mm wide-angle Schneider-KREUZNACH lens with 4.6x optical zoom gives a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, producing clear, clean images with balanced resolution from the center of the image to the edges.
“These cameras are the very first of their kind,” said Sang Jin Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “The use of digital imaging technologies has evolved and we are offering functionality and capabilities that no other digital camera manufacturer has yet addressed. It has become more common for the photographer to switch roles and become the subject of his or her photo, especially given the rise in popularity of self-portraits or profile pictures for use with today’s popular social networking sites. The Dual LCD on the TL225 and TL220 allows consumers to become part of the picture in a way that they simply were unable to do so before. These cameras will be must-haves for those individuals that use popular social networking Web sites and for families that want to get everyone, including the photographer, in the picture.”
Showcasing further innovations, Samsung’s Smart Gesture User Interface (UI) with built-in Gravity sensor means that once the camera is on, a simple tap on the front LCD activates it and the camera is automatically set to Self Portrait mode with smile detection. This means that if users want to take a self portrait, they only need to tap and smile, and the picture will be taken automatically without pressing the shutter button. Teamed with innovative Samsung technologies such as Smile Shot, Smart Face Recognition and Smart Auto, users are given the ability to take the perfect image with ease.
Additionally, just by tilting the camera in a certain direction, users can go directly to a different mode or view their saved images. A simple touch or hand gesture is all it takes to access the cameras’ full range of key features. For example, with Samsung’s Smart Auto feature, the worry of photos being washed out, too dark, or out of focus is also now a thing of the past. Smart Auto, which is able to recognize 16 different potential scenes, analyzes key elements of your composition and subject, and then selects the appropriate scene settings in response.
Samsung’s innovative Smart Face Recognition technology will memorize up to 20 faces and adjust the focus and exposure to the most high-ranked faces on the camera. It also allows users to sort images by registered faces and scroll through to find images of people in their Smart Album instead of viewing every single photo.
Alongside professional-grade photos, the TL225 and TL220 record 720p HD video at 30 frames?per-second in H.264 format, providing twice as much recording capacity as MPEG4 format, and four times more than using MJPEG format, all in the palm of your hand. HDMI connectivity means that your HD videos can be enjoyed on any HDTV or HD Monitor.
Samsung DualView Cameras provide the easiest way to take the perfect self-portrait every time with Dual LCDs. On the front of the cameras is a 1.5” LCD that shows you what the picture will look like, so you can now be a subject of the picture, as well as the photographer. Key features of the Dual LCDs include:
· When the camera is turned on, activate the front LCD by tapping the screen. It will automatically be set in Self-Portrait mode, ensuring that the user will always be framed exactly the way they want. You can also turn on the front LCD with a simple selection through the intuitive interface. When in Self-Portrait mode, the camera will also engage its smile detection technology, automatically taking a photo when it recognizes a smile.
· In Child Mode, the front LCD plays a fun animation to capture a child’s attention while taking their photo.
· Shutter Info ensures you take a photo of your subject while they’re smiling. When using Shutter Info, the front LCD will display a “smiley face” when the photographer has the shutter button pushed halfway down, giving the subject a signal that you’re ready to take the photo.
· Function Info helps you keep track of what flash and macro value you’re currently using, as the front LCD provides a visual readout of key camera settings.
· When taking a group photo using the Self-Timer, the front LCD will show a preview of the shot as well as a visual countdown timer so that everyone knows exactly when the photo will be snapped.
When it comes to smart, user-friendly features, the TL225 and TL220 lead the way. Take for example the cameras’ innovative Smart Gesture UI with built-in Gravity sensor, which lets you quickly access and use key features with either a simple tilt or a hand gesture. To turn on the front LCD, simply tap the screen to activate the display automatically and immediately.
Using other advanced features is just as simple. With the Smart Gesture UI you can quickly scroll through your photos by slightly tilting the device in either direction or by selecting the appropriate photos for a slide show. You can also easily delete photos from your library using the Smart Gesture UI by marking an “X” on the screen using your finger, or you can simply save your favorite photos into a separate folder. Additionally, if you want to rotate an image, you can draw a circle (O) on the screen, and if you want to see the next image in your library you can drag it on to the screen with a sweep of your finger or by simply tilting the device.
With 1,152K resolution, the 3.5” wide touch-screen LCD located on the back of the TL225 offers some of the sharpest images of any camera available today, delivering almost four times more resolution than traditional displays. Unlike other digital cameras, the LCD touch-screen uses Samsung’s unique haptic technology, providing users with a slight vibration and audible beep whenever they select an option within the touch-screen display.
Samsung DualView Cameras come fully equipped with a true color-filtered 12.2 mega-pixel CCD and boast a powerful 4.6x optical zoom, providing sharp and detailed images. Whether you’re indoors or out, shooting a landscape or friends around a table, the 27mm-wide angle lens plus 4.6x optical zoom gives you a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, delivering greater flexibility than traditional 35mm lenses. Capture images of beautiful landscapes, entire wedding parties, and skyscrapers without having to back up to get the shot. The precisely cut, high?quality 27mm optical lens from Schneider-KREUZNACH delivers clear, clean images with balanced resolution from the center to the edges. Each lens surface is multi-coated to minimize ghosting or flaring for a great shot every time.
Samsung’s Advanced Dual Image Stabilization (IS) technology allows you to capture crystal?clear, blur-free images. The TL225’s and TL220’s true Dual IS combines both Optical and Digital Image stabilizers to produce sharp images without the confusion commonly found in other cameras. The Optical IS intelligently compensates for hand trembling by shifting the lens in the opposite direction. When Optical IS isn’t quite enough, the Digital IS automatically takes over to ensure blur-free images.
Besides the ability to take high-quality digital still images, Samsung DualView Cameras also offer impressive 720P HD video recording at 30 frames per second. The TL225 and TL220 use the H.264 format which allows you to record twice as much content as MPEG4, and four times more than MJPEG, the format typically used in other digital cameras. The TL225 also offers HDMI connectivity (adapter sold separately) so that you can enjoy your HD video, as well as digital still images, on an HDTV or HD monitor.
Samsung’s Smart Auto feature ensures that users never have to worry about their photos being washed out, too dark or out of focus. Smart Auto analyzes key elements of your composition such as color, brightness, motion and subject and then selects the appropriate scene mode which will produce the best results possible.
With Samsung’s convenient Smart Album feature, you can quickly scroll through your entire library of images and organize them in the way that’s best for you. This unique feature allows you to organize photos by Favorite (if tagged as a “favorite” photo), Face (someone you’ve taken many photos of), Timeline (date photos were taken), Week, Color, and Content (photos, videos, voice-note).
Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System takes the guess work out of shooting beautiful portraits. Key features of this system are Samsung’s Smile Shot and Blink Detection technologies which automatically detect when your subjects are smiling and if their eyes are closed, allowing you to capture them looking their best. Another advanced feature is the Red-eye Fix mode. This in?camera feature automatically fixes the typical red-eye associated with the use of the flash, before the photo is produced, a significant time saver as you don’t have to spend time afterwards removing red-eyes from your photos.
Sometimes the focal point of your picture is not always in the center of the frame. In cases like this, the TL225’s and TL220’s Smart Touch Auto Focus feature allows you to focus on a different part of the shot by simply touching the desired area. That means your subject, no matter where in the frame it may be, will always be in focus. Once you’ve selected the focal point, you can simply leave your finger on the screen for two seconds or push the shutter button to take the picture.
The TL225 and TL220 feature Samsung’s advanced Face Recognition technology which automatically stores up to 20 preferred faces to the cameras’ internal memory. While taking a portrait, the TL225 and TL220 will automatically recognize if one of the user’s preferred faces is in the frame and identify them as a priority for focus and exposure. Users can also save time sorting through their photos by searching only for those that contain a specific face.
Samsung’s Beauty Shot feature lets you remove all the imperfections on your subject’s face such as wrinkles, blemishes, and moles. Simply select one of two editing options to even out skin tone and complexion.
Samsung DualView Cameras are designed to help you enhance your creativity when it comes to digital imaging. Samsung’s Photo Style Selector allows you to transform your photos from simple memories to works of art. Choose from a wide selection of artistic treatments ranging from classic black and white to something more vivid, giving you full control over the color tones of your image. Additionally, with Samsung’s unique highlight feature, you can focus on one area of your photo and blur everything around it, turning a normal photo into something much more complex.
The Samsung CL65 is a 12.2-megapixel point and shoot camera with built-in geo-tagging capability. The CL65 also features Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity and a 3.5-inch touch-screen LCD. The CL65 captures 720p HD video at 30 fps and contains a 5x optical zoom.
The Samsung CL65 should be available in September 2009 at an initial retail price of $399.99.
Check availability on Amazon.com.
More details below. [Read more…]
The Sony A700 is rather aged at the time of this review in DSLR years. I expect a refresh soon; however, I had one on my hands while working on the Sony A330 Review and thought it would be worthwhile to share my thoughts on this camera – mainly, because I really like it.
The Sony A700 was Sony’s first serious DSLR. It was the second Alpha-series DSLR to be released and followed the introductory A100. It was and still is a worthy second offering. To find out why I think so, keep reading. [Read more…]
A new iPhone App promises to help optimize your iPhone and iPod Touch photos. It runs $2.99 in the iTunes App Store and uses the same technology that you see in commercial photo kiosks.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
Several folks have emailed in regarding a Nikon D5000 recall. It’s been a few weeks since the “recall” and we didn’t post an update when it came out. Nikon refers to the occurrence as a “service advisory.”
While Nikon takes great measures to assure high quality in its imaging products, it has come to our attention that an electronic component related to power control in some Nikon D5000 digital SLR cameras does not meet factory specifications and may, in certain circumstances, prevent the camera from turning on, thus preventing operation of the camera.
Indications of this issue include:1. The camera cannot be operated when the power switch is on, even with a fully-charged battery.
2. The camera cannot be operated with the EH-5a AC Adapter connected through the EP-5 Power Connector and the power switch on.The solution:
Nikon has isolated the issues related to this and has effectively resolved them. Preparations have been made at a special Nikon repair facility to streamline the processes associated with the solution. Service related to this issue, including the cost of shipping affected D5000 cameras to Nikon, as well as their return to customers, will be free of charge. To further minimize customer inconvenience, Nikon will return serviced cameras to customers promptly, employing (whenever possible) transportation that limits transit time to two days.
There’s a way to check the serial number on your Nikon D5000 and get more details on this page.