40MP Pentax 645D camera gets video demo, one step closer to release

Pentax’s huge medium-format 645D digital camera has had a public outing in Toronto this past weekend, demonstrating its updated Kodak 44 x 33 mm sensor – that has climbed from 30- to 40-mexapixels since we first saw the concept back in early 2009 – and general all-round awesomeness. Shooting a single frame per second, the Pentax 645D is apparently intended for scenery and other still-life photography, rather than anything faster moving. Scolirk grabbed some hands-on time and a demo video you can see after the cut.[slashgear]

Sigma to introduce a 14M high-end digital camera 'DP2s'

SEOUL, Korea (AVING Special Report on 'PHOTO & IMAGING 2010') -- Sigma presented its new compact digital camera 'DP2s' with a 14M FOVEON X3 direct image sensor in Korea market during the PHOTO & IMAGING 2010. As a successor model to the DP2, the DP2S incorporates a new AF algorithm, a Power Save Mode and a new rear design.

The new AF algorithm provides high speed auto focusing, ensuring convenient shooting. The Power Save Mode lowers the battery consumption. When this mode is enabled, a greater number of pictures can be taken with a single charge of the battery. The new rear design aids quick recognition of the controls. The addition of red markings has been used to enable easier operation of the cameras controls.

Incorporation of a new noise reduction algorithm reduces Chroma and Luminance noise when processing X3F files taken at ISO400 or more. It is possible to adjust the level of reduction for noise just by moving the slider in the control pallet. With the Macintosh version, functions such as JPEG conversion and batch white balance settings, which were previously incorporated into Windows versions, have been added. In addition, the print function and the display speed for the review window and thumbnails have also been improved.[aving.net]

Frequently Asked Questions: The SLR Basics...

What is a film SLR camera?
"SLR" stands for "Single Lens Reflex" and broadly refers to the fact that an angled mirror means that the image projected to the eyepiece is exactly what will be on the film.
The difference between a D-SLR camera and a SLR camera?
DSLR - Digital Single Lens Reflex (digital image only) SLR - Single Lens Reflex (uses film only)
Which is better a digital slr camera or a film slr camera?
The Digital SLR camera, because you won't have to pay soo much money buying new film, where as the digital camera, you jut have to upload your pictures from the memory card onto your computer.
Which one is better in nikon slr camera and canon slr camera?
A Nikon and a Canon are equivalent in quality. The Nikon is significantly more costly than the Canon. Most Nikon buyers would disagree but do some research before you buy. Make sure you compare the specifications between the two, in order to really find out which specific model is better, not just by basing it on what brand. Different models vary specifications, thus by just merely looking for a brand is not enough. There are specific models from Nikon, which has the edge over a specific model from Canon. Just like any gadgets eg Mobile phones. To know more about phones, just click this link http://www.quicktips4tech.com.

Polaroid DVF-130TC Pocket Camcorder For Just $38.70

Here’s your chance to grab one of this Polaroid DVF-130TC for as low as $38.70 (regular price $59.99) at Amazon. This pocket camcorder features a 1.3-megapixel image sensor, a 2-inch LCD display, 4x digital zoom, a 64MB of internal memory, a microSD card slot and an integrated USB connector. The device is able to record 480 x 640 VGA video at 30 fps, which is ideal for all your YouTube video creations.

A New Point & Shoot Camera From Praktica

German-based company, Praktica has recently rolled out its latest point & shoot camera called the luxmedia 12-Z5. Measuring 92mm x 59mm x 23mm and weighing 120 grams, this entry-level camera sports a 12-megapixel CCD image sensor, 5x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch TFT color display. It also comes with a built-in 32MB memory, a microSD card slot, a USB 2.0 interface, a rechargeable battery and is capable of recording video in 720 x 400 pixels at 30fps. The Praktica luxmedia 12-Z5 sells for €120 (about $181). [Praktica]

Venturer HD Camcorder – Pocket-Sized HD Video Camera

Create 1080p videos with the all new Venturer HD Camcorder (CVMR-DV22). Measuring only 98mm x 50mm x 23mm, this pocket-sized HD video camera is able to capture both 1920 x 1080p or 1280 x 720p video at a stunning 30fps as well as 8-megapixel digital still images (interpolated mode). This compact device is equipped with a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, 4x digital zoom, a 2-inch TFT LCD display, a 14MB of internal memory, a microSD card slot, a USB 2.0 interface and an HDMI interface for outputting video to your HD compatible TV. It also comes with rechargeable battery that can last up to 2 hours of video recording. The Venturer HD Camcorder will set you back $128.54.

Creative Unveils Third Gen Vado HD Pocket Camcorder

Creative has once again updated its Vado HD pocket camcorder series by unveiling the third generation model. Coming in a stylish, glossy new look, the third generation Vado HD brings several new improvements over the last generation. Some of the new features you’ll find include:

• Improved quality of video in low light or brightly lit conditions with manual exposure adjustments
• External stereo microphone support for better audio recording
• Headphone output for private listening
• Motion Detection Mode enables users to program the camera to begin recording as soon as motion is detected
• Out-of-the box Mac and PC compatibility
• Still Photo Capture Mode

The third generation Vado HD will hit the market in mid-December for $179.99.

Casio Exilim EX-FH25 Digital Camera

Casio today introduced its latest Exilim camera that focuses on improving the low-light image quality. Known as the EX-FH25, the camera provides a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor with a 3-inch LCD screen, a 20x of optical zoom, and an ISO range of 100-3200. This camera is able to shoot at 40 frames per second in burst mode at a resolution of 3456 x 2,592 or at a 1000 frames per second in burst mode at a resolution of 224 x168. Casio will launch the Exilim EX-FH25 in Japan on November 27th, 2009 for an estimated price tag of $558. [Impress]

Upcoming Limited Edition Leica M7 Hermes

Word has it that the Leica M7 Hermes digital camera will be released on Monday, November 16th, 2009 for a hefty $14,000 a pop. It is a limited edition digital camera that will be available only 100 units. For your info, the Leica M7 Hermes camera was showcased in Tokyo two weeks ago. Stay tuned for more updates.

Jobo ScanViewer Digital Picture Frame With Photo Scanner

The new ScanViewer digital photo frame from Jobo is a unique high resolution 8-inch multimedia digital picture frame that comes with a built-in photo scanner. The device is able to digitalize up to 4-inch x 6-inch printed photos and display them directly on its high resolution screen. The Jobo ScanViewer comes jam packed with a 1GB of internal memory and a USB connectivity for easy transfer of scanned pictures to PC. The Jobo ScanViewer will be available in December for €259 ($387). [Image-acquire]

Sealux’s Underwater Housing For Panasonic Camcorders

Sealux today unveiled an underwater housing for Panasonic camcorders. Dubbed as the Sealux HSD300, the case is usable at depths of up to 90 meters under water. With the application of the case, the Panasonic camcorders can still record videos in HDV and DV quality in the 16:9 or 4:3 formats and HD photos of up to 10.6 megapixels. Panasonic camcorders compatible with the Sealux HSD300 casing include the HDC-SD300 and HDC-HS300. The Panasonic Sealux underwater housings will be released in July 2010. The price ranges from $209.84 to $249.95, depending on the model.

Fujifilm Finepix F70EXR In Pink And Brown

Fujifilm has announced two new color options ‘Pink and Brown’ for its Finepix F70EXR digital camera line-up. These new color options will hit Japan in mid-November for around 40,000 Yen (about $442). As a reminder, the F70EXR is equipped with a 10-megapixel Super CCD image sensor, 10x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD screen, Dual Stabilization, Face Detection 3.0, Automatic Red-eye Removal and a microSD/SDHC card slot. [1001 Noisy Cameras]

Dynex DX-WEB1C 1.3MP Webcam

Here’s another affordable webcam ‘Dynex DX-WEB1C’ for you to grab, in case your laptop or netbook doesn’t come with a webcam. Priced at $39.99, this compact webcam is perfect for making two-way real-time video calls or attaching photos and video to email. It features a 1.3MP image sensor, a snapshot button, a built-in microphone, Smart Face Tracking for keeping the focus on your face, a USB 2.0 interface and has the ability to capture both 1280 x 1024 video as well as 5-megapixel digital still images (interpolated mode).

The Red Light Camera Detector

Here’s another useful device that can save you from red light cameras and speed cameras, the Red Light Camera Detector. The gadget sports a 1.6-inch OLED display and a built-in GPS that comes pre-loaded with approximately 6,000 red light and speed camera locations in the U.S. and Canada. So here’s how it works, whenever you’re approaching a camera or passing over the speed limit, this smart device will automatically warn you using its voice or visual alerts. What’s more, the database can also be updated every month via the manufacturer’s website for free for a year and then $19.95 per month thereafter. The Red Light Camera Detector will set you back $199.95.

Minox DC 1211 Digital Camera

Minox has recently released a new compact 12-megapixel digital camera in the form of the Minox DC 1211. The camera comes jam packed with a 5x optical zoom, a 3.0-inch LCD display, an electronic face recognition, a smile detection, an optical image stabilization, and a panorama and continuous shooting function. The Minox DC 1211 is also able to capture video. You can save all recorded videos and captured pictures on SD cards of up to 8GB (SDHC), or in the internal 32MB memory. The DC 1211 supports the PictBridge interface that makes it possible to connect the camera directly to the PictBridge-enabled printer without requiring a computer. Sadly, there is no info on pricing so far.

Spy Camcorder Clock From Brando

Brando has launched the Tiny Spy Camcorder Clock that features a tiny pinhole lens, which is able to record 740 x 480 video at 30fps in AVI format. Measuring 4.3cm x 4.6cm x 1.8cm, the spy camcorder comes with a 4GB storage space and a built-in rechargeable battery which provides enough juice for up to 2-hours. You can also backup the recorded video to your PC via USB port. The Spy Camcorder Clock is currently available for $47 a pop. [Brando]

PI-CamStick Micro Camcorder

Here’s another super compact video/audio recorder for your collection, the PI-CamStick. This thumb-sized device is able to record high resolution video in 640 x 480 resolution at 20fps in AVI format. It also comes with a 1GB of storage, a microSD card slot (up to 8GB), a USB port and a rechargeable battery that can last up to 2 hours of recording time. If you’re interested, the PI-CamStick Micro Camcorder will set you back $99.95.

Ricoh GR DIGITAL III Firmware Version 1.21

Ricoh today rolled out the firmware update version 1.21. for the GR Digital III. The new firmware fixes several issues including:

• Under certain conditions the image window position is incorrect
• [Manual Focus] and power off, then on, focus becomes infinity.
• In Manual focus, if you enlarge the center part of the image, the enlarged part may become black-out rarely.
• With the GW-2 attached there may be rare occasions that the Exif information will not be recorded correctly
• When switching between macro and normal mode, the resolution in surrounding parts may change

Click here to download the firmware software. [Ricoh]

Blue Microphones Eyeball 2.0 USB Webcam Microphone

The Blue Microphones Eyeball 2.0 is a USB webcam and microphone combo that comes equipped with a high quality 2MP camera that can capture HD video with up to 1600 x 1200 pixels resolution. The device is portable and small so you can place it to the laptop lid for video conference. The Blue Microphones Eyeball 2.0 connects to your PC via a USB port. If you are interested, you can purchase this USB webcam microphone for at Amazon.

Phase One 645DF Medium Format Camera

Phase One has introduced its new medium format camera called the 645DF. The new camera offers many performance improvements over its predecessor including high flash sync speeds – up to 1/1600 of a second, an option to dial between predefined modes, capture responsiveness and improved autofocus speeds – up to 5 times faster performance in a typical fashion set up. The Phase One 645DF will go on sale in Q4 2009 for about $5,990. [DCViews]