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November 29, 2007

CNET Reviews Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S700

CNET recently reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S700 digital camera. The camera has a 7.2MP sensor, 6x digital zoom, and recorded video as well. The media used for recording is memory Stick PRO Duo.

CNET says the pros for the camera are respectable performance for its class. The bad issues are that the camera has issues with photo quality.

The verdict is that the camera is not as good as other models out there when it comes to a budget digital camera. CNET rated the DSC-S700 a 6.2 out of 10 equating to a good rating.

Via CNET

Posted by shane at 11:16 AM

November 26, 2007

Olympus E-510 DSLR Review

DPReview has posted a review of the newish Olympus EVOLT E-510 DSLR camera. The camera has 10-megapixels and can shoot continuous at 3fps. The LCD is a 2.5-inch TFT and the camera measures in at 5.4 x 3.6 x 2.7 inches.

Pros for the E-510 include lightweight and compact design, dust removal, and good value among others. Cons for the camera include less dynamic range than competitors, serious highlight clipping in bright days, non-titling LCD, and only three focus points among others.

The final verdict is that the reviewer was very impressed with the camera and calls the E-510 impressive and hugely rewarding. The E-510 scored high marks all around and earned the Highly Recommended award.

Via DPReview

Posted by shane at 11:31 AM

November 20, 2007

Sony Launches Two Pro Camcorders in the UK

Sony announced two new HDV camcorders in the UK today aimed at professional users. The HVR-Z7E and the HVR-S270E both feature interchangeable lenses, native progressive recording and hybrid media flexibility.

The Z7E is a handheld camera and the S270E is a shoulder mount version. Both use the new 1/3-inch 3 ClearVid CMOS sensor system. The sensor allows the cameras to shoot in low light conditions down to 1.5 lux.

Both use standard 1/3-inch bayonet mounting attachments for lenses and both sip with a 12x zoom Carl Zeiss optics lens. The cameras can record 60 minutes of video to a miniDV tape and record in 1080i resolution.

Via Sony

Posted by shane at 10:12 AM

November 19, 2007

CNET Reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10K

CNET has recently reviewed Panasonics entry level DSLR camera called the Lumix DMC-L10K. The camera has a 10.1MP sensor and a Live MPOS optical sensor style. The camera weighs 16.9 ounces and measures 5.3 x 3.1 x 3.8 inches.

Full manual control via two knobs and a supersonic Wave Filter is offered to keep the sensor clean. CNET says the good points are a nice body design and articulated LCD. Bad points are that the camera is only available as a kit and has a hard time focusing in low light.

The bottom line is the camera is a nice entry-level DSLR camera, but a pricy kit lens makes the camera too expensive at around $1299.95. The camera gets a 7.1 rating overall.

Via CNET

Posted by shane at 12:44 PM

November 16, 2007

Sony DCR-SR42 Camcorder Reviewed

CamcorderInfo has reviewed the entry-level Sony DCR-SR42 camcorder, which records to HDD and retails for $549. The camera has 40x optical zoom and 2000x digital zoom along with the ability to shoot still photos and video.

Manual focus is accomplished by touching the touch sensitive screen where you would like to zoom in. The camcorder also has a special night shot mode as well.

Overall, the DCR-SR42 wins out in ease of use over its competitors according to CamcorderInfo. However, they say the video performance won’t impress anyone. If you want lots of manual controls they say go for the JVC GZ-MG155.

Via CamcorderInfo

Posted by shane at 11:02 AM

November 12, 2007

Nikon Coolpix P5100 Reviewed

DPReview has posted its review of the Nikon P5100 digital camera. The camera features a 12MP CCD, 3.5x optical zoom and lens shift vibration reduction. Other features include SDHC card compatibility, face identification, 1:1 aspect ratio shooting and more.

DPReview says the good points of the camera include compact size, excellent handling, solid build, good price and more. The bad points to the camera include frustrating user interface, frustrating manual controls, unimpressive burst mode, slow focus and overall performance is slow.

In the end, DPReview says the camera was a disappointment and is ideal for hose learning photography and not ideal for shooting fast or in low light. The camera earned the recommended award.

Via DPReview

Posted by shane at 10:51 AM

November 9, 2007

Kodak Easyshare V1253 Reviewed

Laptop Magazine has reviewed the Kodak EasyShare V1253 digital camera. This camera has 3x optical zoom, image stabilization and 12.1MP. The display is 3.1-inches and the camera stores images to SD and SDHC cards.

Video can also be recorded at 720p resolution and the camera only weighs 6.4 ounces and measures in at 4 x 2.2 x 0.9 inches. Laptop says the pros are 720p video quality, face recognition and intuitive interface.

Cons are grainy image with stabilization mode, doesn’t reproduce colors well and lackluster LCD along with slow performance. In the end, the camera garners a mere 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Via Laptop Magazine

Posted by shane at 12:33 PM

November 8, 2007

HP Looking to Get Out of Digital Camera Business

HP announced today that by the middle of 2008 it intends to find a new OEM to make its line of digital cameras. That means the cameras will still carry the HP brand, but will be built, sourced and distributed via a different company.

HP says this move is to allow it to accelerate its investment in its Print 2.0 technologies. These technologies are aimed at making it easier to print from the web among other things.

HP is saying that because of the sale it will take a pre-tax charge of approximately $30 million USD for the fourth fiscal quarter than ended on October 31, 2007.

Via HP

Posted by shane at 11:15 AM

November 7, 2007

Pen Camcorder Records Digital Video and Writes

There isn’t much in the way of details on this slick camcorder pen that Gizmag is reporting to be forthcoming from Pacific Defense. Supposedly, the pen will be able to record 30fps video and audio.

The form factor is a pen shaped device measuring in at 0.55-inch x 5.7-inch with the ability to send video wirelessly to other sources via Bluetooth. The camera is said to operate well in low light.

Recording can be activated by motion detection or when the mic picks up sound. The pen is supposedly still under development and specs are subject to change. As it is now video is stored to microSD cards. The camera is rumored to be headed to retail in March 2008.

Via Gizmag

Posted by shane at 11:43 AM

November 6, 2007

Canon HR10 Camcorder Reviewed

CamcorderInfo has reviewed the Canon HR10 camcorder recently. This camcorder records directly to DVD and stores still images to miniSD cards. This camera has a 10x optical zoom with a focal length of 6.1-61mm.

Canon equipped the camcorder with a flash for still shots and a light for shooting video in low light conditions. In the end, CamcorderInfo thinks the HR10 is the runt of the AVCHD litter.

They recommend that you opt for a hard drive or flash storage based camcorder. If however, you are looking for a camcorder that you can record on and then simply pop the DVD into the DVD player, the Canon HR10 may be worth a look.

Via CamcorderInfo

Posted by shane at 10:04 AM

November 5, 2007

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Reviewed

DPReview has just posted a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 digital camera. The camera features a mega 18x optical zoom equivalent to 28-504mm and an 8.3MP sensor. The camera can do ISO as high as ISO 1600 and has an ISO 6400 high sensitivity mode.

The camera also features face detection and a 1cm macro mode. The street price is $360. Pros for the camera include sharp images, huge zoom, effective image stabilization, and fast focus among others.

Cons of the camera include lack of crispness, occasional low ISO artifact, and occasional focus hunting at low ISO. In the end, DPReview says it’s not, a camera recommended for low light usage, but has lots to like about it. The camera received the recommended award.

Via DPReview

Posted by shane at 12:06 PM

November 2, 2007

CNET Reviews the Handycam HDR-SR5C

CNET has a review of the Sony Handycam HDR-SR5C 100Gb camcorder. The camera was given an overall ranking of 7.0, equating to very good on the CNET scale. The camcorder has a touch-screen LCD, a 1100Gb HDD, and a 1/3-inch 2.1MP ClearVid CMOS sensor.

The camera can record in 1080i HD and shoot still images as well. The hard drive is large enough for 13 hours of video at full resolution. The good points of the camera were face index feature and a bundled dock. The bad points were no eye-level view-finder, no wind filter, no USB port on camcorder, and a small touchscreen.

The final verdict is that the camera isn’t worth the price due to video quality and performance. Seems odd to say the camera isn’t worth the money, and rate it a 7 to me.

Via CNET

Posted by shane at 12:51 PM

November 1, 2007

Olympus FE-300 Reviewed

CNET reviewed the Olympus FE-300 digital camera and rated is 6.4 out of 10. That breaks down to a good rating on the CNET scale. The camera features a 12MP sensor and has a 3x optical zoom. The camera is 0.9-inch thick and weighs only 4.9 ounces with the weird xD memory card.

CNET says the good points are that the camera is slim and light, and the perfect shot preview is handy. That is one short list of pros for sure. The bad points were performance and poor picture quality especially at high ISO.

The verdict is that while the camera is inexpensive, the pictures aren’t as good as the price. I would think if the pictures and performance were that bad, it would have scored worse. The camera also lacks manual exposure controls.

Via CNET

Posted by shane at 11:04 AM