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.

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…

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…

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…

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., today announced the Samsung NX10 – an innovative digital camera that provides users with optimum image quality in a sleek, compact body. Delivering creativity without compromise, users can now be as creative as they want on the move, without having to compromise perfect images. The NX10 will be on display during the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 7-10, in the Samsung booth #11026 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The NX10 incorporates a fast and decisive auto focus (AF), 14.6 MP APS-C size CMOS sensor and unique, large 3.0″ AMOLED screen, allowing users to easily view their images, even in bright sunlight.

Link to the original article…

Canon Consumer Imaging today rolls out EOS-1D Mark IV, a high-speed, professional DSLR camera in the Korea market, which is designed to empower photographers to capture split-second moments in high resolution, under the most challenging of conditions.

Ideal for shooting action, sports, news events and wildlife photography, the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV delivers speed, power and high-resolution images, creating the perfect camera for photographers who require reliability in fast-paced, high-pressure situations.

Developed incorporating feedback from professional photographers, the EOS-1D Mark IV features a new Canon 16.1MP APS-H CMOS sensor and a brand new 45-point Auto Focus (AF) system with 39 f/2.8 sensitive cross-type points, providing a wide selection of precise focus areas across the frame. Dual ‘DIGIC 4′ processors provide the power to shoot continuous, high-resolution images at up to 10 frames per second (fps), as well as delivering the widest ISO range ever to feature in a Canon camera.

Link to the original article…

Casio expects to release EX-G1, a shock-resistant, waterproof, dustproof digital camera in the United States, which is the first in the company’s new EXILIM G brand of digital cameras. With its smart design featuring functional beauty, the EX-G1 embodies Casio’s endurance-minded features and specifications in a sleek 0.78-inch low-profile camera.

The EX-G1 is designed with shock-resistant elements throughout the camera, both inside and out, creating a smart look in a slim-line camera with functional beauty. In addition to capturing high-resolution 12.1 effective megapixel images, the EX-G1 also features modes such as interval shooting and multi-image capture which utilize the camera’s endurance qualities.

And the EX-G1 is to be priced around $299 USD.

[ Casio EX-G1 ]

Casio has released two digital cameras EXILIM EX-FH25 (shown above) and EXILIM EX-FC150 in the Japanese market starting on November 27. To be equipped with 10.1M back-illuminated CMOS sensors, the EX-FH25 and EX-FC150 deliver 20x optical zoom and compact body respectively.

No word on an American release yet.

Link to the original article…

Panasonic has announced the upcoming launch of its hybrid digital camera LUMIX GF1 which is based on the Micro Four Thirds system.

The 4/3-type 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor featured in the GF1 offers the best of both worlds – the superior image quality of a CCD sensor, and the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor. Advanced technology that makes it possible to read 4 channels of data simultaneously also helps the GF1 deliver 60 frames-per-second Full-time Live View images, while faithfully reproducing high-resolution images with fine detail and rich gradation.

Link to the original article…