Remember the Polaroid Spectra from the 1980′s? And no, I don’t mean those hipster versions that kids are wearing for belt buckles. Well, Polaroid has shoved a very modern 14 megapixel and a Zink printer into a decidedly retro case.

Camera Features:

• 14.0 megapixel digital camera
• 2.7” bright color LCD for viewing images
• SD compatible for expanded memory
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery

Integrated Printer Features:

• Snap, print, share—no computer connections needed
• 3X4” full-color prints
• Smudge-proof, water-resistant, tear-resistant photos
• No Ink. No Hassles.™—no ink cartridges or ribbons to throw away using ZINK® Zero Ink® Printing

Technology from ZINK Imaging

• View and crop images on camera before printing
• Option to print date, file number
• Add a fun and useful border to your photo including the Polaroid Classic Border Logo format
• Upload custom borders
• Print up to 25 photos per full battery charge

Costing $299, with the Zink printable paper costs about $20 for a pack of 30, this is a cool way to get back that old school Polaroid feeling. Even shake and blow on it for old times sake.

[ Links: Polaroid ]

Lytro, the first light field camera is up for pre-sale with an expected delivery date starting in early 2012 at prices that range from $499 for the Red Hot (red) 16gb or $399 for the Graphite (grey) or Electric Blue (cyan) 8gb. The 16gb version will hold 750 pictures and 8gb will hold 350 pictures.

So what’s so special about Lytro?

Technology: Lytro Light Field Sensor and Lytro Light Field Engine 1.0.
Lens: 8x optical zoom; Constant f/2 lens.
Controls: Power button: Shutter button; Zoom slider; Touchscreen.
Display: 1.46 in | 33 mm back-lit LCD display with glass touchscreen.
Exposure: Tap on touchscreen to set exposure.
Battery: Long-life Li-Ion internal battery.
File Output: Light field picture file (.lfp).
Light Field Resolution: 11 Megarays: the number of light rays captured by the light field sensor.
Software: Includes a free desktop application for importing, processing and interacting with living pictures from the camera. It is built for Mac OS and requires Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. A Windows application is in development.
Picture Output: Produces HD-quality interactive, living pictures.
Picture Storage: Free storage for living pictures on Lytro.com, subject to the Terms of Use. (Internet access required)
Picture Viewing: View and interact with living pictures on the Lytro camera as well as any internet-connected computer, smartphone or tablet supported.
Light Field Engine: Version 1.0. This is the software that processes light fields to produce interactive pictures. Keep watching this space!
Shell: Ultra-light anodized aluminum structural skin.
Grip: TPSiV-Injection Silicon Rubber.

That equates to a picture that you can zoom in and out of without having to reshoot the picture. So if you see something interesting going on in your background, you can zoom in at a later date – take a look at the Adobe Flash based photo gallery. This takes picture bombing to a new level.

The software is Apple Mac only at the moment, but there is a Windows version in development.

[ Links: Lytro Light Field Camera ]

Samsung Digital Imaging released its 10 megapixel high-end compact digital camera EX1 in the Korea market, designed specifically for today’s advanced and enthusiast photographers.

The new flagship of the company’s compact digital camera family, the new EX1 incorporates a full-range of advanced features, including a high-performance imaging sensor and one of the most impressive lenses ever found on a compact camera – a 24mm ultra-wide angle Schneider KREUZNACH lens, f/1.8.

The Samsung EX1 is sure to turn heads thanks to its f/1.8 Schneider lens. The impressive f/1.8 lens offers photographers a wider range of aperture steps and shallow depth-of-field, giving them the ability to blur out the background of their images while maintaining focus on their subjects. The ultra-fast, f/1.8 lens also allows users to take better photos in low-light environments as more light is passed through to the new high-performance 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor.

The high-end Schneider lens offers a 24mm, ultra-wide focal length and 3x optical zoom. Much wider than traditional compact cameras, the EX1′s 24mm ultra-wide angle lens allows photographers to capture more of a desired scene, such as beautiful landscapes and large groups of friends or family. For blur free images, the EX1′s lens is also paired with Samsung’s Dual Image Stabilization technology.

Composing and reviewing images on the EX1′s three-inch, swiveling AMOLED screen is a pleasure. The rotating AMOLED display will allow photographers to precisely frame their images the way they want and shoot from just about any angle, including overhead or low-to-the-ground shots. Compared to the traditional TFT-LCD found on most digital cameras, the EX1′s AMOLED provides users with a higher contrast ratio, deeper blacks and more accurate, vivid colors, even when viewed from an angle or in direct sunlight.

The EX1 supports RAW and gives enthusiasts full control over their images thanks to its shutter priority, aperture priority and full Manual shooting modes. When using these settings, shooters can experiment with features such as slower shutter speeds and depth-of-field; however, for those who prefer ease-of-use over manual controls, the EX1 also offers Samsung’s Smart Auto 2.0 (Still & Movie) scene recognition technology.

The Samsung EX1 is available in Black and Silver.

Link to the original article…

Not since Sony purchased Minolta’s DSLR’s and repackaged them as the Sony Alpha DSLR series have I been anticipated a Sony camera. Sure, their point and clicks are also cool, but for those of us that have invested in lenses for the Sony Alpha series – or just continued to use the Minolta AF lenses like I did – the Sony NEX-5 allows for continued usage of those aforesaid lenses and mates that with a lightweight, small body.

Unlike conventional DSLR models, the “mirrorless” construction of the new models reduces the thickness of both camera bodies to just about an inch at their slimmest point (excluding grip and mount portions). The NEX-5, constructed from magnesium alloy, and the NEX-3, with a polycarbonate casing, offer a newly developed 14.2 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor. About 60 percent larger than sensors in micro four-thirds cameras, and up to 15 times larger than in many point and shoot cameras, the sensor is key to the exceptional image quality, extremely low image noise and creative defocus effects that are familiar to DSLR users.

Alongside the NEX-5, the NEX-3 was also announced. The NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras, which come with the camera body and SEL16F28 lens will cost about $750 and $650 respectively.

[ Links: Sony, Sony NEX-5 ]

Olympus presented its 12mp DSLR camera SP-600UZ with a 15x optical zoom lens at the Photo & Imaging 2010 in Seoul, Korea.

Use Skype? Love to use the video calling features? Hate how some of the higher priced Microsoft and Logitech cameras claim to be better; but really don’t measure up until you’ve spent over $100 or so? FREETALK has introduced their FREETALK® Everyman HD Webcam (TALK-7140) that has the following specs:

• Skype-certified High Definition camera
• High-performance optical lens
• 24-bit true color depth
• Auto Exposure and Auto White Balance
• Auto Focus capability
• Supports HD video encoding at resolutions up to 1280×720 at up to 22 frames per second
• Universal clip for supporting wide variety of displays

And all for the lovely price of $49 USD. Do want.

[ Link: Skype, Skype Shop, In Store Solutions ]

Part camera bag, part 007 James Bond spygear, the Cloak Bag is actually a cool idea that means that protecting your camera doesn’t equate to missing some shots because you have to unpack, turn on, and then start to shoot. Sometimes, the zippers get in the way or worse… you just miss the shot because the bag is on your hip or on your back and you’re just trying to protect your DSLR.

I know that’s happened to me quite a few times.

Florida design group Naranja Studio released the Cloak™ Bag, the world’s first shoot-through camera bag that allows a user with an SLR camera to take photos without removing the camera from the bag. This ability allows on-the-go photographers to take photos at a moment’s notice and avoid drawing the attention of tourist-targeting thieves. The release of the bag coincided with the launch of its accompanying website, www.cloakbags.com

Made from high-quality nylon, this is seriously, this is an idea that it’s time has come. I could see myself using this while stalking people it’s raining or it’s too sunny outside indeed. Priced at $49 and is available in two attractive colors: a brown called “coffee tree” and a slate gray called “fog & turquoise”.

[ Links: Cloak Bags ]

HP will introduce five point-and-shoot digital cameras and three camcorders with features such as LCD displays, up to 5X optical zoom and fashionable colors.

Adding to its growing portfolio of touch-enabled notebooks and desktops, HP now features LCD touchscreen displays on select cameras and camcorders. In addition, select models feature a new intuitive user interface that makes them a snap to use. Interface improvements include a high color contrast to help ensure better visibility of menus and a choice of more than 25 scene modes to help ensure photos are of the highest quality.

In particular, the premium HP CW450t point-and-shoot digital camera features 2.7-inch LCD touchscreen displays and a newly designed touch interface for viewing photos with the simple swipe of a finger. It also has 4X optical zoom and supports up to 32GB SD/SDHC memory.

The CW450t is available in two colors-blue and merlot, and priced at $109.

Link to the original article…

PENTAX has shown their slim and stylish digital camera Optio I-10, which comes with a design inspired by the classic look of film SLR cameras.

The new Optio features a flash unit and speaker in the upper mid-section of the SLR-shaped body while the camera’s front panel is embellished with high quality leatherette texture and the classic PENTAX logo placed front and center.

The Optio I-10 features a wide angle, 5X optical zoom lens (28mm-140mm equivalent), a 12.1 megapixel high resolution CCD sensor, a 2.7 inch widescreen LCD, and HD video capture at 720p and 30 FPS. For optimal image capture, the camera features a mechanical sensor shift Shake Reduction system for blur-free images as well as Smile Capture, Blink Detection and improved Face Detection that spots up to 32 faces including dogs and cats. It also offers Eye-Fi connectivity capability for use with Eye-Fi wireless memory cards.

The Optio I-10 is remote control compatible (sold separately) and will ship in February 2010 in a choice of Classic Black and Pearl White for $299.95.

Link to the original article…

Fujifilm North America Corporation announced the launch of the FinePix XP10, the first in a new category of super-tough, ‘Four-Proof’ digital cameras – Waterproof, Freezeproof, Shockproof and Dustproof.

Resulting from a redesign of Fujifilm’s best-selling FinePix Z33WP, the FinePix XP10 is an ergonomically “life proof” camera housed in a metal uni-body chassis with a tactile grip finish.

The FinePix XP10 sports a 12-MegaPixel CCD sensor, a 2.7″ High-Contrast LCD for better viewing in bright sunlight and a high-precision, Fujinon 5x periscopic optical zoom lens with a reinforced protective lens barrier. The FinePix XP10 is only 21.7mm thin, and retains the chiselled design of a conventional compact camera. It comes in a choice of three different colors – silver, black and green – making it the perfect camera for an extreme outing or just a relaxing night out on the town.

Link to the original article…

JVC has added a new high definition camera to its recently-announced 2010 Everio line, giving the series three HD models priced under 0. The new Everio GZ-HM340 features 16GB of internal flash memory plus an SD/SDHC card slot.

The GZ-HM340 includes all of the new features and improvements found throughout the 2010 Everio line, including advancements in low light capabilities and image stabilization, while convenience is enhanced with a new auto recording feature and time lapse recording.

For a steadier picture, JVC this year introduced Advanced Image Stabilizer (A.I.S) that ensures steady images even while walking, and is especially effective when shooting bright scenes from full wide to 5x zoom. Available on all models, Advanced Image Stabilizer uses a wide-angle image sampling area that is four times larger than that of conventional systems. A.I.S delivers powerful compensation for camera shake.

Time-Lapse recording is a sophisticated but easy-to-use feature for time-lapse shooting in one- to 80-second intervals, enabling hours-long segments to be reduced to seconds, such as the continuous recording of changing sky patterns spanning an entire day.

Like all 2010 HD Everio cameras, the new GZ-HM340 features a KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS, currently one of the world’s smallest and slimmest HD lenses. In the GZ-HM340 it offers a 20x optical zoom.

Everio high-definition models automatically switch between two internal media for continuous, uninterrupted recordings. Users can shoot seamless, drop-out-free recordings using dual SD cards or flash memory. HD-model enhancements also include Face Flow Thumbnail, which displays thumbnails from a particular section of a video by automatically selecting and zooming into human faces.

The 2010 Everio series features an all new, slim design that’s fashionable, easy to carry and comfortable to hold. Portability has been further enhanced with a redesigned grip belt that now works in two handy ways, as a conventional handle-style grip when both ends are snapped in place or as a strap when one end of the belt is released.

The new Everio GZ-HM340 is available later this month for $499.95.

Link to the original article…

Panasonic introduced the new FH-Series to its 2010 line of LUMIX digital cameras, which includes the LUMIX DMC-FH20 (14.1-megapixels), LUMIX FH3 (14.1-megapixels) and LUMIX FH1 (12.1-megapixels). The LUMIX FH-Series are slim, pocketable models that pack a 28mm wide-angle lens with 8x optical zoom for the FH20 and 5x optical zoom for the FH3/FH1. All models can record High Definition video and thanks to iA (Intelligent Auto) are extremely easy to use.

The LUMIX FH-Series features High Definition (HD) 720p motion jpeg video recording capabilities. By recording 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480), the LUMIX FH-Series makes it easy to view videos on a PC or upload it seamlessly to YouTube with the bundled PHOTOfunSTUDIO version 5.0 software. All models are compatible with Microsoft Windows 7 and can take HD-quality still photos that fill a 16:9 HDTV. Users with a Panasonic VIERA HDTV can enjoy a slideshow of photos simply by inserting an SD Memory Card into the HDTV’s SD Memory Card Image Viewer slot.

Panasonic’s popular iA mode, a suite of technologies that engage automatically – with no setting changes needed by the user – makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos. Panasonic iA includes the following: MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) to help reduce blurry photos due to hand-shake; Intelligent ISO Control to help reduce blur when the subject is moving; Face Detection to ensure registered faces are captured in focus with appropriate exposure and unwanted red eyes are digitally corrected; and Intelligent Scene Selector which selects the best option from: Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and newly-added Sunset. There is even a dedicated iA button, letting users engage easily with one click. The three models also have a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD, meaning the LCD detects the lighting conditions and controls the brightness level in 11 fine steps, to display with the most appropriate setting.

Link to the original article…