Pocket-lint.com : Cameras

REVIEWS: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX60 compact camera

Chris Hall — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:44:38 +0000

Does this smart compact pack a punch?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX60 offers a comprehensive front line spec to appeal to all those who need to tick the right boxes with their compact camera. It comes with a 12-megapixel sensor, the ability or shoot HD video footage and the promise of good low-light performance from the Leica lens. But does it deliver on these promises?

The FX60 is a good looking camera. It has a premium sheen about it thanks to a metal body and a relatively slim profile, but is carrying a little weight compared to similar spec rivals like the Canon IXUS 120. It measures 97.2 x 54.1 x 19.4mm and weighs 147g all-in with memory card and battery.

Around the back you'll find a 230k-dot display measuring 2.7-inches on the diagonal and offering 100% field of view. It gives great colour reproduction making it a pleasure for previewing images with excellent viewing angles - ideal for sharing images with friends.

Controls are conventionally placed on the top plate and the back of the camera. The top sees the power switch and shutter button encircled by the zoom ring. A mode dial sits neatly on the back edge, falling comfortably under the right thumb. On the back the controls continue, giving you a switch to move from shooting to playback. Otherwise you are left with a four-way controller with the usual shortcuts and finally display and quick menu toggles.

The construction is good, it feels solid and there is a nice precise action to the buttons, the mode dial and the switches. There is no chance of turning this on in your pocket or accidentally changing to video over regular stills shooting. The switch for playback or shooting does mean that you can't simply flip between the two without physically sliding something, which adds an extra step over the more common single press option.

Shooting modes offered on the dial look rather limited, offering Panasonic's iA (or Intelligent Auto), auto, scene, video and a final "clipboard" setting, which takes low res shots and will ultimately be ignored. There is no sign of manual control for more advanced shooting, but all is not lost, because the quick menu does offer up some options for those wanting a little more.

A Leica branded 5x zoom (25-125mm 35mm equiv) F/2.8 lens sits on the front of the camera and isn't the fastest in zooming or deployment, but does offer quite a range from such a compact bundle. There is noticeable barrel distortion at the wide angle as is often the case with compacts.

Focusing gives you the option of the usual face detection and macro and so on, but also 11-point AF and AF tracking with metering thrown in. A neat AF lock is easily accessible meaning you can lock on to your focal point and aim off for creative effect and it works very well. Normal focusing is a bit hit and miss however, sometimes failing to grab the point of focus you want first time.

Another headline boast tackles the area of low-light shooting. The FX60 has a normal shooting range running up to ISO 1600. You can keep this under control by selecting an upper maximum, to stop the camera bumping the ISO to capture a low light image when it really needs a longer exposure. That said, you can't select the value you want, only limit the range to a maximum of 400, 800 or 1600.

Noise is evident in dark and shadow areas at ISO 400 and gets progressively worse up to ISO 1600, where it is really invasive. The FX60 doesn't bump the ISO high for no reason though, so indoors you'll often find you are shooting at ISO 400, where rivals might take you higher.

Image noise on the crowded 12-megapixel sensor can be a bit of a problem for the FX60, with 100% crops showing this noise bringing in softness in normal shooting that can take the edge off some photos, but this will only bother those who like to crop closer to the detail or who are planning to print at full size.

Boosting the low light performance is Panasonic's famed Power OIS, or optical image stabilizer, giving some compensation for camera shake. It works too, letting you hand hold shots of a longer exposure than you'd often consider, but giving you plenty of warning that shake is possible through icons on the display.

Metering is generally good with great colour results coming out of everyday shooting. You can expect luscious greens and authentic flesh tones, but it does sometimes lose grip on details in tricky sky areas and highlights can lose detail, a common problem on compact cameras. Some purple fringing is evident on high contrast shots.

There is no continuous shooting option, but you are offered burst shooting which will give you three full resolution shots in quick succession. Strangely, this is one of the options that is hidden away in the full menu and not through the quick menu.

Scene settings allow you to take advantage of the preconfigured options to get the result you want in lieu of much direct control. All the normal suspects are in here, from night portrait to pets, including the option to name and age those pets in the picture, if that rings your bell.

Image results overall are generally good, with the iA mode scanning the scene and choosing the appropriate settings. For many point and shooters this will suffice for the majority of everyday shooting, with scene modes being automatically picked out, for example taking indoor shots without using the flash.

Video gives you several options of resolution up to 1280 x 720 at 30fps. HD video capture gives some good results but suffers from noise in shadow areas and in low light. There is plenty of detail at the highest setting however and for those candid moments, you'll get video that is perfectly acceptable on your TV in the lounge. As is often the case, the mic is a little exposed to wind noise.

The battery life is impressive and we managed to get close to the documented 360 shots from a single charge. In terms of connectivity you'll find a flap opens to reveal two bespoke connections and if you want to hook-up to your HDTV you'll need to buy Panasonic's DMW-HDC2 Component accessory cable for an extra ?25, or settle for the bundled Composite cable, which won't let you take advantage of your high resolution video.

Verdict:

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX60 is an easy to use point and shoot, demonstrating excellent build quality and giving results that great for the majority of everyday shooting. The HD video capture will please those who like to bring a little quality to their home movies and the battery life will see you through your average wedding.

The FX60 stumbles on noise however, with crammed sensor showing its hand and bringing in noise sooner and many rivals. However, if you most print album shots and share online this won't be much of an issue as you'll be able to make use of most shots anyway.

It is a little on the expensive side for the range of controls on offer, but overall it is a competent little camera.

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras Panasonic Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX60 12 megapixels

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX60 compact camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:44:38 +0000

NEWS: The low down: Best Digital Camera 2009

Dan Sung — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:11:30 +0000

A closer look at the best snappers of the year before you cast your vote

Day 3 of our Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 nominees round-up means it's camera time. With these little devils getting more and more sophisticated, it's hard to keep up with just what it is that makes the best in show these days.

So, before you head over to the voting page to mark your choices, here's a little run down of the pick of the crop this year.

Olympus Pen E-P1

Type: Micro Four Thirds
Release date: 16/06/09
Price: ?520
PL review rating: 9/10

The E-P1 is basically the most beautiful camera around. It's got a stunning retro design with not a clunky part or poor piece of thought put into it anywhere. It will turn heads and and then make them green with envy. Of all this, there is no doubt. Sadly, the contest is not one of looks alone but, fortunately, Olympus has done an excellent job making this Micro Four Thirds system an excellent picture taker too.

The lack of viewfinder and flash - both of which have to be strapped on - are frankly a pain in the arse, but the rest of what you get is top quality. It has a healthy ISO of up to 6400 with little noise at the top end, it takes 720p HD video, even in widescreen if you ask it too, and the standard 17mm lens is nothing short of magnificent. With all the technology of the Olympus E range tucked away in the casing, this camera has all the power and quality of a DSLR and all the fun and convenience of a compact. The only other downside is that it does cost a fair whack too.

Canon PowerShot S90

Type: Compact
Release date: 19/08/09
Price: ?329
PL review rating: 9/10

Bringing together the sort of manual control found on the new G11, with dimensions closer to a typical compact, the Canon PowerShot S90 has proved an irresistible appeal to those looking to get a little more from their pocket camera. Lurking under that matte black exterior is the same sensor as you'll find in the G11, again with the DIGIC 4 processor, and all Canon's usual technologies.

The lens offers you an impressive F2.0 max aperture which, when combined with image stabilisation, means it’s a contender for better low light shooting, which you can even take to ISO speeds of up to 12800 so long as you can handle the drop to 2.5-megapixel resolution. Sitting around the bottom of that 28-105mm (35mm equiv.) lens is the new Control Ring, which is also one of the key and most exciting features of the camera which allows easy change of settings, with a "Ring Func." Button on the top to let you program it just how you like.

Fantastic flexibility and superb control at an increasingly reasonable price.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Type: Micro Four Thirds
Release date: 02/09/09
Price: ?584
PL review rating: 9/10

The Lumix GF1 is a direct competitor to the Olympus Pen, but where the latter has that Parisian 60s chic, Pansonic's offering is more akin to Soviet minimalism. It's an Eastern Bloc of a chassis. Apart from that, what you get inside is very similar. There's the 12.1 effective megapixels from a 13.1-megapixel LiveMOS sensor, 720p HD video shooting and an excellent pancake lens.

There's a nice bit of one-upmanship in that it does have an in-built flash but you still have to rely on the EV to compose your shots. While we're at it, the 3-inch LCD display is a better quality too. What you don't get are the gorgeous looks and quite the same sense of desire, but shooting is as fantastic as ever proving just how hot the competition is this year.

Fujifilm FinePix 200EXR

Type: Compact
Release date: 04/02/09
Price: ?170
PL review rating: 8/10

The FinePix F200EXR is a 12-megapixel compact that offers a Fujinon 5x, 28-140mm wide angle optical zoom lens and a 3-inch 230,000 dot LCD. All sounds pretty normal for a compact, and on the surface it is. The real genius behind this snapper is that it's next to impossible to take a bad picture on it. The reason is because of the EXR system, which takes two pictures at different exposure settings every time you press the button and superimposes them onto one another so you get the best shot possible, and it works bloody well.

The only real issues with this FinePix are that it's not very pretty and that the system starts to crumble at high ISOs when you'll get speckles on your shots. It does have an intelli-flash and and excellent auto selection mode and between all the features you'll find that you rarely get disappointed. A real bargain for ?170.

Nikon D5000

Type: DSLR
Release date: 14/02/09
Price: ?449 & ?50 cashback
PL review rating: 9/10

As the only DSLR on the shortlist, the Nikon D5000 has got some representing to do. It sits above the D60 but below the D90 in the Nikon range, with a feature set culled from the latter, but priced towards the former.

It has a 12.3MP CMOS sensor and a new tilt, turn, swivel 2.7-inch LCD and with 720p HD movie capability it is, well, a cracker. The idea behind the model is that it's a camera for all the family. It's got all the manual and exposure controls an enthusiast would want, lots of nice friendly menus and diagrams for the keen learner and all the point and press functionality for children, so long as you can trust them not to drop it in the sea.

The swivel screen is the first for Nikon and adds the fun feel to this DSLR plus with the inclusion of the ?50 cashback offer this Christmas, it's excellent value for money.

The low down: Best Digital Camera 2009 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:11:30 +0000

REVIEWS: Pentax K-x DSLR camera

Gavin Stoker — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:09:09 +0000

A sufficiently solid alternative to Canon or Nikon?

With a design based on its previous starter model in the Pentax K-m, and some trickle down features from the higher end K7, the new K-x in offering 12.4 effective megapixels from a 12.9-megapixel CMOS sensor should in theory offer a best of both worlds’ solution, providing potential owners trading up from a point-and-shoot compact a pretty sound investment for their cash.

With conventional looks and control layout the K-x shouldn’t prove cause for operational confusion either; its auto picture option the most prominent setting found on the 14-strong shooting mode dial. This also includes the regulars of program, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual settings along with an increasingly ubiquitous video shooting option. As an answer of sorts to the Art Filters on Olympus E-series DSLRs, Pentax here offers its own user selectable creative digital filters: toy camera, high contrast, soft, star burst, retro, extract colour, fish eye, custom.

Pick the camera up and, feeling deceptively lightweight and plasticy out of the box, added sturdiness is leant to the K-x via the insertion of the four alkaline AAs required for power into the base of the grip. At this point the camera, with 18-55mm equivalent test lens attached, immediately feels rock solid. The combo is not so weighty or huge however at 615g that carrying it around all day taking pictures will result in neck or back injury.

And, while the slots for AAs, readily indicative of a budget model, is initially a disappointment – for the overall price we’d expect a rechargeable lithium-ion cell – Pentax claims if using NiMH batteries up to 640 images can be captured as opposed to the so-so 210 using bog standard alkalines.

Flick the on/off switch encircling the K-x’s shutter release button and you’re up and shooting instantly, rear LCD displaying essential shooting information in a clear and colourful format and a cool Samsung-like blue light illuminating on the top plate. Unlike Sony’s rival Alpha DSLR models the display information doesn’t flip through 90 degree if you turn the K-x on its side. However, in common with that range, the camera does feature in-body anti-shake, here Pentax’s own sensor-shifting Shake Reduction (SR) mechanism compatible with most of the manufacturer’s K-mount based lenses, old and new. And the K-x’s grip is of sufficient size to achieve a reassuringly firm hold.

Usefully, a dedicated "LV" (Live View) button in the middle of the back plate means that it’s easy to switch between optical viewfinder and screen below when composing shots, the internal mirror flipping out of the way and viewfinder itself blanking out when doing so. With rivals such as Canon’s DSLR range the user has to first wade through many menu settings to first enable the feature.

More unusually still at this level, the K-x’s light sensitivity settings can be boosted to a semi-pro equivalent ISO 12,800 for flash free photography in the near dark and 16:9 widescreen format HD video recording – at 1280 x 720 pixels, 24fps, rather than Full HD 1920 x 1080 – marking this out as an affordable all-in-one device.

However, there’s not the HDMI port we might also expect to find in attendance; just a combined AV/USB out hidden under a small plastic flap on the DSLR’s left flank (when viewing the camera from the back).

For those looking to shoot in lower light and achieve the best results possible, non-expanded light sensitivity settings otherwise run from ISO 200 to ISO 6400; pretty much what we’d expect to find at this level. We also get a pop-up flash and top-mounted hotshoe for the addition of supplementary flash if required, and the regulars of shooting JPEG, RAW and both file formats in tandem.

Examining results straight out of the camera, even exposures are the norm, colours a little cool but realistically so with the camera left on its default settings. Unadulterated images benefit from the application of Unsharp Mask and we did notice some obvious pixel fringing in evidence when enlarging sections of an image in Photoshop to check detail. In the main though, the camera and basic kit lens configuration performs very well.

Verdict:

Ultimately the K-x is a camera that will endeavour to provide both beginners and more experienced users with their, er, kicks. It’s an affordable, well-featured all-in-one device and very capable with it too, making it a tempting proposition for those not already wedded to a rival system due to ownership of pre-existing lenses.

Tags: Cameras DSLR cameras Pentax Pentax K-x 12 megapixels

Pentax K-x DSLR camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:09:09 +0000

NEWS: Philips offers personalised PhotoFrames

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:30:49 +0000

Pre-load pics or get the frame engraved for special pressie

Philips is offering a new gift service with its PhotoFrame range of digital picture frames that sees the displays customisable for a more personal gift.

Those buying one of the frames at the Philips Online Shop can use the service - for free - to pre-load images or engrave a personal message on the frame, as well as take up options to bundle in a personalised gift card or have it delivered in a fancy gift box.

The five frames available are made up of one 7-inch model, the SPF2017, and four 8-inchers, the SPF4008, SPF5008, SPF7008 and SPH8208.

All models offer a 800 x 600 resolution display in 4:3 ratio, Philips' imagen Pro and RadiantColor tech, slide-show mode, auto orientation, a minimum of 512MB built-in memory and boast low power consumption.

Three models – the SPF5008/7008 and SPH8208 – get border touch control while the SPF7008 and SPH8208 add Bluetooth connectivity. The SPH8208 also boasts a docking station and a 2-hour rechargeable battery for viewing away from the power plug.

Pricing for the frames range from ?69.99 to ?139.99 while the personalised extras are free.

Tags: Cameras Digital photo frames Philips

Philips offers personalised PhotoFrames originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:30:49 +0000

NEWS: Olympus Pen E-P1 gets Swarovski treatment

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:10:57 +0000

Crystal Roc blings up Micro Four Thirds model, now on order at Harrods

The retro-styled Micro Four Thirds Olympus Pen E-P1 digi-cam has been ruined, sorry enhanced with a "dazzling makeover" by Crystal Roc.

Now covered in hundreds of "sparkling" Swarovski crystals it will be available exclusively to order from Harrods' Micro Anvika department.

In a special limited edition wooden box, which includes "two lenses" (no details provided - presumably the 14-42mm zoom and the 17mm "pancake" lens) and a matching flash, the crystal-encrusted Pen gets a price tag of ?1999.99.

Those not interested in stuck-on crystals would do well to hang on for the launch of the next-gen, slightly tweaked Olympus Pen E-P2, due in January.

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras Olympus Olympus Pen Micro Four Thirds Harrods Crystal Roc Swarovski Micro Anvika

Olympus Pen E-P1 gets Swarovski treatment originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:10:57 +0000

NEWS: Creative unveils third gen Vado HD with new design

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:24:33 +0000

"The design looks so cool people will stop you on the street and ask you where you got it"

Creative has announced the third generation Vado HD pocket video camcorder, claiming to combine a "sleek design with stunning HD video quality".

The new model is said to see improved quality of video in low light or brightly lit conditions, gets external stereo microphone support, a headphone output, "motion detection mode" that means it will start recording when it senses movement, still photo capture mode and the out-of-the box Mac and PC compatibility.

With simple on-board editing and one-click uploads, the third gen Vado HD can record up to 120 minutes of HD quality video or up to 7000 still photos with its 4GB of built-in storage (half that of the previous gen) while the rechargeable battery is said to be good for more than 2 hours of recording or viewing.

The 4GB third generation Vado HD is up for pre-order in the States in black or white for $179.99, no news on a UK launch just yet.

Tags: Cameras Camcorders Creative Creative Vado HD Digital cameras

Creative unveils third gen Vado HD with new design originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:24:33 +0000

NEWS: Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards date confirmed and tickets on sale

Stuart Miles — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:13:14 +0000

Get your tickets today

The Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards are back, letting you know what the best products of 2009 really are.

Now in its sixth year, the Pocket-lint Awards, thought to be the longest running in the UK, pick the best gadgets and gizmos from the last year from around the world.

Pocket-lint's vigorous vetting process means that all the gadgets up for nomination have to have been seen by a member of the Pocket-lint team (so far over 600) and have to have been available in the UK between December 2008 and December 2009.

The awards, voted by a panel of leading gadget journalists from around the world, including the staff from the Pocket-lint team, will decide the real must-have gadgets of the year, rather than those simply deemed cool or anticipated, being the definitive guide for consumers looking to buy gadgets.

Nominations for the award categories are being taken now and the final list of nominations (five per category)?will be announced on Monday 16 November with the winners being announced at the awards party on 7 December 2009.?

TICKET DETAILS

You are welcome to buy as many tickets as you like, and can bring journalists and others from your company.

We will be providing drink and nibbles on the night.

Tickets will be on a first come first served basis.

So just to recap:

What:?The 6th Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards?
Where:?The Light Bar, E1?
When:?7pm Monday 7th December?
Dress:?Smart casual (not black tie)?
Price:??25 a ticket
Drinks/nibbles:?Included?

Any queries etc give me a shout on email or phone.

Stuart

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 Pocket-lint Awards

Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards date confirmed and tickets on sale originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:13:14 +0000

NEWS: Firebox launches the Digital Video Memo

Amy-Mae Elliott — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:11:13 +0000

The 21st century way to say "your dinner's in the dog"

The high-tech version of the sticky yellow Post-It note, the new Digital Video Memo from Firebox offers a 21st century way to leave a note to your significant other, offspring, housemates or colleagues.

The tiny device (it measures just 5.6 x 5.5 x 1.1cm) has a magnetic back so is fridge or filing-cabinet friendly and can record a 30-second video message.

Charged up by USB and boasting a 1.5-inch OLED display, the gizmo has an LED light that flashes to alert that there's a message recorded and ready to go which will play at the press of a button.

The Digital Video Memo is on sale from Firebox now for ?29.99.

Related links:

Shop - Firebox

Tags: Gadgets Home And Kitchen Firebox USB gadgets Cameras Camcorders Kitchen gadgets Office gadgets

Firebox launches the Digital Video Memo originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:11:13 +0000

NEWS: Daily news roundup: Xperia X10, Apple tablet, Nokia N900 and more

Ben Crompton — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:29:22 +0000

Links to the biggest stories of the day in one place

Want to know what's been hot in the world of technology and gadgets today? Of course you do. The news roundup always aims to bring you a nice mix of the stories from the last 24 hours and today is no exception as we have a myriad of news as well as a cheeky review creeping in there.

First up is the story that Sony Ericsson's Nexus Android skin - designed to give a? more graphical user interface - might be available on devices other than the Xperia X10. Keeping with the Xperia X10 theme, if you're keen to find out some initial thoughts on the new handset you'll want to check out our First-Look review.

There's also news that the Apple tablet has been delayed due to the introduction of an OLED screen, the Nokia N900 goes on sale in the US minus a carrier for $649 and the Sony Reader Daily Edition is now available for pre-order.? Here are the top stories from the last 24 hours:

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness

Daily news roundup: Xperia X10, Apple tablet, Nokia N900 and more originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:29:22 +0000

NEWS: Next-gen Flip camcorder to boast Wi-Fi

Stuart Miles — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:55:11 +0000

EXCLUSIVE: Cisco buy-out sees networking functionality added to popular range

Cisco will launch a new Wi-Fi-enabled Flip digital camcorder to go on sale in the early half of 2010, Pocket-lint has learnt.

The new model will be the first to leverage Cisco's networking technology since it bought Pure Digital in a multi-million dollar deal in early 2009.

Details are thin on the ground at the moment, but we've been informed by a Cisco spokesperson that the new model will feature "a large screen that slides to reveal the record and menu buttons underneath" allowing users to see what is going on when they are recording video.

The screen itself won't be touchscreen however, presumably in an attempt to keep costs down.

Owners of the new pocket video camcorder will be able to record video footage and then upload it straight from the camcorder over Wi-Fi networks both private and public, a feature currently being offered in some DSLRs.

We will keep you posted.

Tags: Cameras Camcorders Cisco Wi-Fi Pure Digital Flip

Next-gen Flip camcorder to boast Wi-Fi originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:55:11 +0000

NEWS: Casio Exilim G EX-G1 rugged snapper launches in the States

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:26:37 +0000

Mean, lean picture-taking machine

Casio is offering a tough-as-old-boots camera to rival the likes of Olympus and Pentax with the launch of the Exilim G EX-G1.

Aimed at "life adventurers" and launching with such claims as the fact it offers "endurance engineering as its cornerstone", we think we'd better skip to the specs in order to keep on track.

The 12.1-megapixel EX-G1 takes microSD cards, is resistent to shock, dirt, humidity, snow, temperature and water to varying degrees, gets a 2.5-inch LCD and a 3x zoom lens.

For those that value pocket space, the big sell is that it apparently boasts the world's thinnest profile of 0.78-inch (19.9 mm) (apart from sticky-out bits) in a shock resistant digital camera.

It will go on sale in the States for $299.99 in December, while UK pricing is ?279 and it's due to touchdown here in January.

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras Casio Waterproof Casio Exilim G EX-G1

Casio Exilim G EX-G1 rugged snapper launches in the States originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:26:37 +0000

NEWS: Vodafone Pocket-lint Awards 2009 public vote is now live

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:30:29 +0000

Call to vote as we give you the chance to have your say in the final results

The Vodafone Pocket-lint Awards 2009 public vote is now live, letting you - our valued readers - have your say in which gadgets you think should be crowned top for 2009.

As you will see over on the voting page, each of the nine categories has five products that have been nominated as the best of the year.

We need your help to narrow the five down to one overall winner for each category, the result of which will be announced at our Awards ceremony on 7 December.

The public vote will count towards 10% of the overall scores, with the other 90% weighting from the official Pocket-lint judges (a panel of industry professionals from around the globe) so your vote will make a real difference to the final winners.

Head over to the voting page now where there's simple instructions on how to cast your vote and stay tuned for the results on 7 December.

Tags: Audio Pocket-lint Awards Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness

Vodafone Pocket-lint Awards 2009 public vote is now live originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:30:29 +0000

NEWS: Win one of ten Eye-Fi Share Cards

Ben Crompton — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:41:26 +0000

Share and enjoy

Pocket-lint has teamed up with Eye-Fi to celebrate the launch of its cards in the UK,and subsequently are giving away 10 Eye-Fi Share Cards with an RRP of ?69.99 each.

The company states that you can "say goodbye to cables with Eye-Fi, the first wireless memory card that automatically sends your memories from your camera to your computer and the web. Eye-Fi has landed in the UK just in time for Christmas and provides the perfect stocking filler for anyone from simple snappers to photography enthusiasts".

To get started, all you do is plug the card reader and Eye-Fi card into your PC or Mac for configuration. All the software is on-board for both Windows and Mac users, meaning there is no fiddling around finding the right software. Configuration is simply a case of setting your network details and defining your preferences.

The competition for the Eye-Fi share card, which, incidentally, has also been nominated for Best Gadget 2009, will last for for 2 weeks and all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is click through on this link to the competition page, where you'll be required to answer one simple question. Before you do however you might want to check out Pocket-lint's full review,
?as well as 10 perfect Christmas presents for photographers.

Tags: Cameras Camera accessories Eye-Fi Memory cards Competitions

Win one of ten Eye-Fi Share Cards originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:41:26 +0000

NEWS: 10 perfect Christmas presents for...photographers

Dan Sung — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:34:01 +0000

What to get that they won't already have

Welcome and merry Christmas, in that November kind of way, to the first of our Pocket-lint guides on the perfect presents to buy this year. Yesterday we started the ball rolling with our 101 superb online stores but if that didn't cause any inspiration, or if you just don't have the time to go digging, then today is the day we start to get specific.

The idea of this series is to come up with the best suggestions from our team on what you can buy the people in your lives who already have everything. If you happen to know a keen photographer, you might not fancy buying them a camera. Firstly, they'll already have one; secondly, they'll have a better idea of which they want next and, thirdly, cameras are really expensive. So, instead here are 10 ideas for gifts or camera accessories for them to enjoy.

Eye-Fi

The Eye-Fi card allow users to wirelessly upload photos and videos to their computer and the web when in range of a Wi-Fi network. They work with any camera that takes an SD card and require no extra software or anything more complicated. In the States, where the cards debuted in 2007, the range is larger and includes a geo-tagging option as well as access to hotpsots where you can upload too. Fingers crossed that'll come to our shores eventually but, for now, the Eye-Fi is still a good tool if you're takng a lot of shots in a studio or any kind of venue with a wireless network.

The 4GB Eye-Fi cards range between ?49.99 to ?119.00 depending upon how generous you're feeling and are either the Eye-Fi Home Video, the Eye-Fi Share Video and the Eye-Fi Pro each with slightly more functionality. As it happens we're all also running a competition to win one of 10 Eye-Fi Shares, so you've also got the chance of getting hold of them for free.

Camera cuff links

Sadly only really for the male photographer but these camera cuff links will make you the beau of the shutter bug ball. They're made of highly polished rhodium plate and come with a bullet-back toggle for on/off ease. They're a fairly reasonable ?40 and you can get them shipped from the US without a hitch. Do make sure your donee has an appropriate shirt or perhaps you could bu him one for next year.

Printing credits

Many of us spend so much taking snapping away and uploading that we never actually get round to printing our photos out. The sad truth of it is that it's all to easy for digital shots to get lost if not backed up orsimply forgotten about. So, one easy gift is to buy someone credit with one of the many online printing services. They can then choose to have individual prints in all sorts of sizes, buy frames or even have albums made up. Try any of Photobox, Snapfish, Kodak or even Cafe Press or Photo-Canvas for something a little different. Digital is great but hard copies look even better.

Lens filters

They may not sound like the world's most fascinating gift but they're cheap and they make excellent stocking fillers. You'd also be surprised how many keen DSLR owners don't actually have them. UV filters can be excellent for adding sharpness to shots by eliminating that part of the spectrum and you can also get filters to add warmth, blur, colour or even star effects too. You'll need to take a sneak at the giftee's camera to find out what size you need but once you've got that, head over to somewhere like PicStop and Bob's your auntie's live in lover.

Camera Cube

Constantly taking that are a little skewy without intending to, and then being forced to blame it on artistic license? We've got a nifty solution for you. The Camera Cube snaps into your flash mount and contains a pair of spirit levels, which you can line up to make sure that you're on the same plane as the rest of the world. It's best for when you're using a tripod or your shaky hands will neutralize any of the good it's doing. It also relies on whatever you're taking a photo of being straight in the first place. Great for landscapes but not necessarily wall hangings. It's $15 in the US only but look into postal forwarding services if you're interested.

Roll Film Clock

The last of the Kodak Gold may have gone out of production but you can still enjoy the 35mm format and look like you was there back in the 80s with the Roll Film Clock. It measures 208 x 172 x 96mm, weighs 390g, props itself up on a table and is powered by an AC adaptor. It looks rather good and will tell you the date and time - down to the second - on a very fitting red digital read-out. You can pick on up for $62 and worldwide shipping is available.

Pet's Eye View

For a slightly different methodology of capturing those magic moments, how about the Pet's Eye View camera? It's an automatic snapper that has enoughonboard memory for 40 shots at 640 x 480 resolution. The idea is that you strap it onto your pet's collar and set it to go off at either 1, 5 or 15 minutes intervals and you can see what your fury friend gets up to while your out. It's USB connected, has a rechargeable battery and an LED light to make sure that the shots come out even in dark conditions. Just make sure you don't get upset when your dog takes better photos than you do. ?39.95 from Firebox.

T-shirts & badges

Not for everyone but definitely worth a look over at Zazzle's selection of photography inspired t-shirts, badges and the odd bag as well. It's up to you as to which you think your loved one would appreciate most butsome of the highlights for us were t-shirt prints that included phrases "Kiss me I'm a photographer" and "Can I shoot you with my Canon?" amongst some retro look mugs andkey-rings with pictures of Polaroids, Bolex cameras and the odd Rollei too. They start anywhere from a couple of pounds and will ship to the UK and Europe for free with orders over ?25.

Seattle Solo Bag

If you're going to buy someone a camera bag - you'll know they need one by the tell tale cursing when they're trying to change lenses - then you may as well get them all protecting waterproof one. Photography equipment is expensive, after all. The Seattle Solo from Camera Armour provides watertight transport for your DSLR camera body with the lens attached, and will protect against dirt, dust, sand and water. Its adjustable shoulder strap is padded for comfort as is the back of the bag to ensure comfortable hip carrying, but there is also a carrying handle if you prefer. Your to give away with a smile from a very reasonable ?46.

Gorilla Pod/Smartpod

Whichever you go for both of these portable tripod solutions are a real winner. The provide sturdy grips on random objects while out and about and offer structures that you can literally bend to your will. They'll take any weight of camera from compact to DSLR and mean that you can grab steady or hard to reach shots wherever you are without either the hassle of having to carry around something bigger or the need of a flat surface to shoot from. They start at around ?25 - Gorillapod; Smartpod.

Of course, if you feel really flush and actually want to buy someone a camera than take a look our Top Products section which will hepl guide you through to a suitable model and offer you only the best of the ones Pocket-lint has review. And, as always, if you get have any red hot tips for gift ideas of your own, then do let us know in the commentc below. Good luck.

Related links:

Features - 101 life-saving Christmas shopping websites

Tags: Cameras Camera accessories Camera bags Features Christmas Eye-Fi

10 perfect Christmas presents for...photographers originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:34:01 +0000

NEWS: CES 2010: What new gadgets will be announced?

Stuart Miles — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Trends that are going to be hot topics

The countdown to?CES 2010, the biggest electronics trade show on the planet, has begun, but what can we expect from the show, and what should we start to get excited about? Here are six areas that are going to dominate the news come January.

Don't forget, Pocket-lint will be bringing you all the news, reviews, comment, photos and video as it happens in the run up to CES and live from Las Vegas for the duration of the show.

You can bookmark our CES coverage at pocket-lint.com/CES2010

Digital Living

Technology has gone mainstream supposedly, so that means the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center will be filled with technology launches that embrace all of us rather than just a select few. In real terms that means everything from gadgets for kids, gadgets for mums and dads that look after kids, and gadgets for the silver surfer. Expect new toys for health, parenting and higher education.

Apple

Don't get too excited,?Apple isn't attending CES, regardless of how many rumours you hear, but that doesn't mean companies that work in the Apple eco-system aren't going to be in Vegas launching new gadgets. With a whole area dedicated to the iPod,?iPhone?and Macs, expect a fair share of iPod speakers, cables to connect to something else in your life and the usual array of cases to protect it all.

eBook readers

If you're planning on getting an ebook reader for Christmas you might want to think again. The ebook market has exploded in the US with Amazon,?Barnes & Noble?and?Sony?all fighting over each other to offer you the digital reader you supposedly need. Plastic Logic has already confirmed that it will be launching a new ebook at CES and there is bound to be other manufacturers like?Spring Design?and iRex offering new models.

3D

Riding on the wave of euphoria that Avatar will no doubt give the industry, consumer electronics manufacturers like?Sony, Toshiba, LG?and?Samsung?will be likely to be pushing?3D TV?hard at CES 2010. IFA 2009 already showed us the concepts, CES will show us the reality. Expect new televisions, announcements from the Blu-ray Disc Association, television makers, graphics card companies like Nvidia and movie companies all trying to get in on the action.

Netbooks

While most people have surely moved on from the popularity of netbooks, CES organisers CEA believe netbooks are going to still be big news at CES 2010. What that means is a barrage of computers that don't do much but let you surf the Web and write the odd document. Of course manufacturers will be trying to tell us otherwise with improved graphics courtesy of Nvidia and ATI. You should also probably expect a barrage of tablet devices with touchscreens allowing you to surf the Web around the home.

Green

With the economy making a comeback, manufacturers can once again turn their eyes to saving the planet. Although the idea of being green for green's sake is still very niche, generally manufacturers will be trying to tell you to ignore the thousands they are spending on lighting their booths and the sheer carbon emissions the show creates, by concentrating instead on how they've made advancements in the glass they use or the boxes your favourite gadgets go into. At least you can sleep at night knowing that we haven't had to chop down any trees to let you read this.

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness CES2010 ebooks Televisions Netbooks Sony LG Samsung Toshiba Apple iPod iPhone 3DTV Laptops Eco Amazon Barnes and Noble Spring Design

CES 2010: What new gadgets will be announced? originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

NEWS: IWOOT launches IWOOTPG.com

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:08:01 +0000

New photo gifts service goes online

Gift and gadget etailer iwantoneofthose has announced the launch of new site -? iwantoneofthosephotogifts.com - or IWOOTPG.com as it will henceforth be referred to on this site, because life is too short and RSI all too close.

In a nutshell, iwootpg.com can photo-ify pretty much any objet you might care to stick a cute photo of your girlfriend/child/puppy/stick insect on.

There's classic photobooks from ?6.00, canvases from ?27, make-your-own calendars from ?5, a set of ten greetings cards from ?4 and a ton of other bits and bobs that you can plaster with your photos such as playing cards, mousemats, mugs, clothing, hats, bags, etc, etc.

To see the full list of photo gifts hit up IWOOTPG.com now.

Tags: Gadgets IWOOT Cameras shopping Online Websites

IWOOT launches IWOOTPG.com originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:08:01 +0000

NEWS: VIDEO: Tech Week in View - Murdoch, violent games and the Twitter bubble bursting

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:18:15 +0000

Stuart Miles looks at the week's big tech news

The latest episode of Pocket-lint's Tech Week In View has hit the small screen as a moustachioed Stuart Miles brings his unique take on the big tech stories of the last week or so.

Miles considers Rupert Murdoch's threat to build a pay-wall for News Corp's online content to stop everyone "stealing" it and there's the old faithful of the debate over violent video games as Modern Warfare 2 heads to the top of the charts.

Future tech also goes briefly under the microscope as Miles muses the technology he's seen of late and its implications for the near future.

Finally, has the Twitter bubble burst? An 8% dip in Twitter use in the States during October has seen nay-sayers suggesting that the micro-blogging site has peaked. Hit play on the video above to see Stuart's take on all this.

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness Video Comment

VIDEO: Tech Week in View - Murdoch, violent games and the Twitter bubble bursting originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:18:15 +0000

REVIEWS: Canon PowerShot S90 digital camera

Chris Hall — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:48:52 +0000

How much fun can you pack into a compact?

The Canon PowerShot S90 was singing to us as soon as it was announced and from our first hands-on with the high-end compact, it was clear that there was something special going on. Having lived with the S90 for a couple of weeks, that special impression is still with us - it's a magnificent compact camera.

It doesn't quite come in as small as some of the other compacts on the market, with dimensions of 100 x 58.4 x 30.9mm, but it is still small enough to slip into the pocket of your jeans. The simple all-black livery brings to mind Leica and Ricoh models and of course the Panasonic Lumix LX3, giving the impression of a compact that is packed full of power.

The most distinctive feature of the S90 is the front-mounted Control Ring, which accounts for some of the depth. The Control Ring gets a corresponding button on the top plate named (rather amusingly) Ring Func, which gives you an extra control option, more on which later. On the side you have AV and (mini) HDMI connections.

Across the top plate you get the power button and the shutter release, ringed by the zoom controls, as normal. There is also the mode dial, letting you switch around from Auto, through Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual and Custom (user defined) modes. The same dial continues to give you access to the Scene presets as well as a separate Low Light shooting mode and finally video.

Splitting out Low Light accepts that hunting through the preset Scenes isn't always the first thing on your mind, so is a real convenience for those less familiar with the advanced features on offer. By contrast, the additional Custom setting (and shortcut button on the back) means you can set it up for certain styles of shot or shooting conditions that you often encounter, something that will appeal to enthusiasts.

The back offers the normal direct controls over the likes of the flash and engaging the macro setting, but also delivers another surprise. The normal four-way controller (with central ok/Set button) is again ringed with a ridged scroll wheel. This offers direct control over exposure compensation in most shooting modes, another little touch that makes you feel a bit more in control of proceedings.

The Shortcut button on the rear can be set to toggle a number of useful features (face select, ISO, metering, white balance, custom white balance, servo AF, digital tele-converter, red-eye correction, i-Contrast, AE lock, AF lock, display off). Some of these functions are easily accessed elsewhere, but things like the i-Contrast toggle is well hidden in the menus. It's a useful addition with the likes of AF lock expanding your creative options.

The 3-inch LCD display on the back gives you 461k-dots, something of a bump over many rivals. The result is that image previews look spectacular on the display and given the control options this camera gives you, that's a good thing. Not only does the screen deliver, but the image playback is really slick, especially as you scroll through images using that ridged scroll wheel.

Sitting at the core of the S90 is a 10-megapixel CCD, backed by Canon's DIGIC 4 processor. It's commendable that Canon haven't just bumped up the pixels on the sensor – 10 megapixels is plenty for a compact and it means things run along at a fair lick, without giving you those huge image files blighted by noise.

Lets talk about that Control Ring. In Auto, you could almost forget it is there, as it gives you focal length setting, duplicating the zoom toggle around the shutter button. But flip into a more advanced shooting mode and it really comes into its own.

In aperture priority mode, for example, the Control Ring will allow you to change the F setting, supported by feedback on the screen. The neat thing is that as you change the focal length, the scale greys out over that part of the aperture range you can't use. This is a great visual reminder that the widest angle offers the largest aperture and draws you into experiment – recompose your shot to use the hardware to best advantage.

The Ring Func button, means that you can change the function of the Control Ring too, using the ridged scroll wheel on the back as a double act. Switch the Control Ring to change the ISO level and the scroll wheel will take over AV function. This sort of creative control really opens up the options the camera gives you and before long you'll be trying things you perhaps wouldn't normally. For enthusiasts it means it is really easy to get to settings and change them as you are shooting; for newcomers it means you can really experiment and any camera that encourages you to do that should be commended.

The same things applies to the shutter speed selection. Too many compact cameras will have you diving into a menu, moving it up and down. Here you can make changes on the fly, making the S90 a powerful compact from a creative point of view.

The flash hides in the body and powers out of the top of the camera when you need it. It has that "premium" look and feel to it, but you do need to make sure you're not gripping the camera at that point when it wants to deploy. We can envisage some will always get in a muddle with this.

If there was another minor design criticism, and we'll repeat minor, it's that we were forever pressing the mode dial over the shutter button in those fleeting point-and-shoot moments. Sure, part of it is a familiarity issue, but we’d have liked a touch more prominence on the shooting button.

The menus are typical of Canon compacts, giving you a main menu and quick access function settings, so you can dive in and change the options available to your shooting mode.

The 3.8x zoom lens gives you a 28-105mm (35mm equiv) range, with F/2.0 at the widest aperture, making this a better performer in lower light than some rivals. There is fairly severe barrel distortion at the wide angle of the lens, although this is effectively corrected by software in the camera. If shooting RAW then you'll have to allow for it and be prepared to change the focal length and recompose your picture, or use it to artistic effect.

The ISO range runs from 80 to 3200. Shadow noise creeps in around ISO 800 and above. Some pictures at ISO 2000 were acceptable however; at ISO 3200 things do look rather mottled, but if you only need a 6 x 4 print or a candid website shot, it should work out fine, which is impressive performance. It's worth acknowledging that the manual controls do at least mean you have other options besides turning up the ISO.

You get RAW shooting, something that enthusiasts will appreciate, where you'll be able to work out more detail if you are that way inclined.

Colour representation is good, if a little flat at times, but reds will sometimes come out a touch over-saturated, we like the punch that this brings so it isn't always a negative. High contrast scenes bring some purple fringing to edges, but this is relatively well controlled.

Shutter lag wasn't a noticeable problem, nor buffering. Start-up to first shot was around 3 seconds. Focusing was generally solid, but once a subject gets close, you'll have to deploy Macro, listed as working down to 5cm. If shooting in the Auto mode, the S90 identifies the scene and selects a setting, although it does tend to flip back and forth, so if you are set on using scenes, then you might want to set them manually. Some work nicely, like the fireworks setting, for example.

Autobracketing is offered, ideal for those who want to indulge in a touch of HDR photography with some post-processing, as well as continuous shooting, but only at around one frame a second. Focusing is limited to centre or face focus through the menus, and the AF lock is a little clunky, not offering a visual indicator of the focal point on the screen, so after the heady highs of getting really stuck into the creative options of offer here, you come down with a gentle bump. But the biggest bump is reserved for those interested in shooting video.

The S90 shoots video at VGA resolution, 640 x 480, which comes as something of a surprise in a camera pitching at this level. Canon explained this away as a pricing issue. However, the results are rather good. It doesn't compete with 720 or Full HD rivals, but there is VGA video capture from devices that is much worse. It holds a nice solid 30fps, so is good enough for passing video clips.

Video does get digital zoom, so best avoided, and the creative controls on offer elsewhere in the camera don't come into play here.

The battery will give you somewhere around 200 shots, which is fairly average performance for this type of camera. To prolong the battery you can turn down the screen brightness and turn off the screen without shutting the camera down, so you are ready to jump into shooting in an instant.

Verdict:

The Canon PowerShot S90 brings some powerful creative controls in a package that fits right into your pocket. But it is a compact camera first, and as such, delivers impressive point and shoot performance. For those looking for a little more fun, then the S90 delivers it by the bucket load.

It isn't alone in this regard, with Canon taking some of the lessons from the popular G10 and giving you a tighter pocket-friendly (if not wallet-friendly) package. It joins cameras like the Panasonic Lumix LX3 which still stands as perhaps its biggest rival and on paper, perhaps the more attractive package.

But in the hand the S90 is an absolute delight, with the Control Ring flirting with the playful side of photography, putting controls literally at your fingertips. Yes, it costs a lot for a compact, but it really puts power in your pocket.

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras 10 megapixels Canon Canon Powershot S90

Canon PowerShot S90 digital camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:48:52 +0000

NEWS: Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 Nominations in full

Stuart Miles — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

And the nominees are...

Here is the full list of nominations for The Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009.

The following products were chosen because we feel they represent the best of the best in the category, and ones that given the money we would recommend you buy or at least try. All have gone on sale in the last 12 months that are available in the UK.?

The nominations are:

Now in its 6th year, the Pocket-lint Gadget Awards, thought to be the longest running in the UK, pick the best gadgets and gizmos from the last year released in the UK.

Winners will be announced at an Awards evening in London on Monday 7 December.

If you would like to order tickets to the event please visit our awards event page.

Public voting will start on Wednesday 18 November.

Related links:

Link - Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness Pocket-lint Awards Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 Nominations in full originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000

NEWS: Product of the Year 2009 nominations

Stuart Miles — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

And the nominees are...

Here are the nominations for the Product of the Year in The Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009.

The following products were chosen because we feel they represent the best of the best, and ones that given the money we would recommend you buy or at least try. All have gone on sale in the last 12 months and are available in the UK.

The nominations are:

HTC Hero mobile phone

Spotify

Apple Mac Book Pro

Etymotic/ACS hf2 custom fit headphones

Canon PowerShot S90 digital camera

Now in its 6th year, the Pocket-lint Gadget Awards, thought to be the longest running in the UK, pick the best gadgets and gizmos from the last year released in the UK.

Winners will be announced at an Awards evening in London on Monday 7 December.

If you would like to order tickets to the event please visit our awards event page.

Public voting will start on Wednesday 18 November.

Related links:

Link - Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness Pocket-lint Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Product of the Year 2009 nominations originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

NEWS: Best Gadgets 2009 nominations

Stuart Miles — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

And the nominees are...

Here are the nominations for Best Gadgets in The Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009.

The following products were chosen because we feel they represent the best gadgets on sale in the last 12 months that are available in the UK.

The nominations are:

Dyson Air Multiplier

Eye-Fi

Livescribe pen

Logitech Wireless Guitar

Sony e-reader Pocket Edition

A notable commendation should also go to the Messless charging station.

Now in its 6th year, the Pocket-lint Gadget Awards, thought to be the longest running in the UK, pick the best gadgets and gizmos from the last year released in the UK.

Winners will be announced at an Awards evening in London on Monday 7 December.

If you would like to order tickets to the event please visit our awards event page.

Public voting will start on Wednesday 18 November.

Related links:

Link - Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Tags: Gadgets Dyson Cameras Livescribe Eye-Fi Logitech Gaming ebooks Sony Pocket-lint Awards Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Best Gadgets 2009 nominations originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

NEWS: Best Digital Camera 2009 nominations

Stuart Miles — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

And the nominees are...

Here are the nominations for Best Digital Camera in The Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009.

The following products were chosen because we feel they represent the best digital cameras on sale in the last 12 months that are available in the UK.

The nominations are:

Olympus Pen E-P1

Canon PowerShot S90

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1?

Nikon D5000

FujiFilm FinePix F200EXR

A notable commendation should also go to the Canon 500D.

Now in its 6th year, the Pocket-lint Gadget Awards, thought to be the longest running in the UK, pick the best gadgets and gizmos from the last year released in the UK.

Winners will be announced at an Awards evening in London on Monday 7 December.

If you would like to order tickets to the event please visit our awards event page.

Public voting will start on Wednesday 18 November.

Related links:

Link - Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras Compact cameras DSLR cameras Nikon Canon Olympus Panasonic Fujifilm Pocket-lint Awards Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009

Best Digital Camera 2009 nominations originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

NEWS: Leica M7 Edition "Hermes" announced

Amy-Mae Elliott — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:05:21 +0000

Very special edition with an orange or etoupe calfskin leather finish

Leica has introduced a "very special limited edition" (read: very expensive) version of its classic 35mm rangefinder system camera the M7 with the launch of the new Leica M7 Edition "Hermes".

The second Hermes partnership that Leica has entered into, the special M7 comes in silver chrome with a choice of two calfskin leather finishes - orange and "etoupe".

Just 100 of each colour will be made available, and each individual camera will have a special sequential serial number between 001/200 and 200/200.

The Leica M7 Edition "Hermes" set includes a Leica SUMMILUX-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. wide-angle lens, a matching classic round lens hood, a LEICAVIT M rapid winder and a real leather carrying strap matched to the colour of the camera, all delivered in a linen-covered, silk-lined box.

Looks-wise there's a few changes from the standard M7. The top plate is engraved with the Leica name in classic script, the red Leica logo has been nixed to stop a colour clash and the normally red "AUTO" and settings on the shutter speed dial have been replaced by the shade of the camera's leather. ?

The Lecia M7 Edition "Hermes" will be available in the UK from December from authorised Leica dealers and the Leica Store Mayfair for an eye-watering ?8550.

Tags: Cameras Leica Hermes Rangefinder cameras

Leica M7 Edition "Hermes" announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:05:21 +0000

NEWS: PHOTOS: Olympus E-P2 digital camera

Duncan Geere — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:30:52 +0000

Hands on with the new PEN

Olympus has unveiled the second edition of its PEN series, the E-P2, and we were lucky enough to get hands-on and have a little play with it. As you might hope, it retains the chunky body and reassuring weight of its predecessor, while still being small enough to stick in a jacket pocket.

We were only able to grab the briefest of looks in a dimly lit room, so we didn't get much chance to play with the new art modes, but the hot-shoed electronic viewfinder was impressive, as was the level of detail able to be captured in relatively low-light conditions from the camera.

Whether it's worth the extra ?150 over its predecessor, however, is more open to debate. It's certainly an improvement, but it's questionable whether price premium is a little too steep. Be sure to have a little play with both models before making a firm decision.

Tags: Cameras Prosumer cameras Micro Four Thirds Olympus 12 megapixels Olympus E-P2 Photos

PHOTOS: Olympus E-P2 digital camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:30:52 +0000

NEWS: Olympus unveils E-P2 camera

Duncan Geere — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:17:31 +0000

Second edition of the Micro Four Thirds snapper

Olympus has unveiled a new version of its E-P1 camera called - you guessed it - the E-P2. The second edition matches its older brother in every way, but exceeds it in several, too.

For starters, there's now an electronic viewfinder available, that plugs into the hot shoe on the top and Olympus reckons it's twice as bright and packs three times the contrast of any other model on the market. It can also capture 7 minutes of HD video along with high-res still shots.

There's two new art filters - "Diorama", which captures tilt-shifted images, and "Cross Process", which alters colours to create a "surreal" look to a picture. Both can be applied to both stills and video. The other addition is that of AF tracking - keeping focus even if a subject moves around - and a colour adjustment mode called iEnhance.

The camera will be available in black only from January 2010 and costs ?850. The E-P1 will continue to be sold alongside it, for a little less cash, so the option is yours.

Read

Tags: Cameras Prosumer cameras Micro Four Thirds Olympus 12 megapixels Olympus E-P2

Olympus unveils E-P2 camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:17:31 +0000

NEWS: Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards nominations to be revealed on Monday 16 November

Amy-Mae Elliott — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:49:33 +0000

The five finalists for each category to be unveiled very soon...

Since we announced the Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards, nominations have been flying in to Pocket-lint headquarters at a rate of knots.

With a lot of lists, flow charts, pie graphs, copious amounts of coffee and a fair few, shall we say, heated discussions, we're almost ready to reveal the final lists for each category.

The numerous nominations have been narrowed down to five products in each of the categories, which will then see the sparks really start fly as our panel of judges whittle those down to the one winner from each.

Check back on Monday when we will reveal the five finalists for each of the nine categories, one from each which will ultimately be crowned best of 2009.

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 Pocket-lint Awards

Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards nominations to be revealed on Monday 16 November originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:49:33 +0000

NEWS: Flickr and Snapfish announce online printing deal

Amy-Mae Elliott — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:41:29 +0000

Create "photo prints, books, collages, calendars and more"

Yahoo's Flickr has announced it is teaming up with HP's Snapfish to give Flickr members worldwide a range of photo printing options direct from the photo sharing site.

The Snapfish partnership will now mean Flickr members can transfer, organise, and print photos, as well as create "unique photo gifts" using their Flickr photostream, say the companies.

Flickr and Snapfish have developed what's said to be "an integrated and intuitive experience" that sees the printing options show up on member's pages in the photo sharing site.

In a blog post, Flickr says: "Now, all Flickr members can create photo prints, books, collages, calendars and more and get them shipped to most anywhere in the world. We're thrilled that Snapfish has direct local facilities in 22 countries for fast, simple and affordable printing".

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Tags: Software Flickr Snapfish Cameras Photo sharing websites Biz

Flickr and Snapfish announce online printing deal originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:41:29 +0000

NEWS: Casio intros Exilim EX-FS10S camera

Duncan Geere — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:11:35 +0000

With golf-swing assistance mode

Casio has unveiled the Exilim EX-FS10S - a digital camera designed to help improve your golf swing. Using a special burst mode, onboard software can detect your club and the position of your elbows, arms and head, and offer advice on how to improve your posture.

Despite being a little on the niche side, the snapper actually has some reasonable specs. It has a 9.1-megapixel sensor, 720p video recording at 30ps, a 3x optical zoom, and weight of 139g. It only has 32MB of onboard memory, but we suspect it'll support a memory card of some sort, too.

It's not clear how much it costs, and nor is it clear when - or indeed if - it'll be available outside of Japan. But if it does turn up over here, we'll be sure to bring you full pricing and availability info.

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Tags: Cameras Casio Casio Exilim EX-FS10S Golf Sports Fitness

Casio intros Exilim EX-FS10S camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:11:35 +0000

NEWS: Panasonic launches MW-10 multimedia audio system photo frame

Amy-Mae Elliott — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:09:09 +0000

Complete with iPod dock

In the States Panasonic has announced the launch of its first audio system with an iPod dock that takes the form of a photo frame.

The mixed-up MW-10 ("the ultimate multimedia solution for den, office, bedroom, dorm room or living room") offers a built-in CD player, FM radio tuner, and a universal dock for iPods and iPhones.

With a 9-inch WVGA LCD, the MW-10 can display photos from a CD, SD memory card and internal memory with transfer from a PC via USB.

It boasts a 4GB internal memory (not bad for a digi-frame) and can display a clock and iPod track menu, calendar and photos, clock and photos, or audio and calendar.

Complete with remote control, Panasonic's MW-10 will be available in December 2009 for $299.95.

Tags: Audio iPod speakers Panasonic Digital photo frames Cameras CD

Panasonic launches MW-10 multimedia audio system photo frame originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:09:09 +0000

REVIEWS: Eye-Fi Share Video wireless SD card

Chris Hall — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Wi-Fi your digital camera

It you take a lot of photographs then you know that workflows are all-important. Wireless transfer of your files is nothing new: some DSLR systems will let you shoot with a wireless connection to your computer - many will let you shoot with a wired connection, stepping around the need to plug-in and download files. Eye-Fi brings this sort of sophistication to any camera that takes an SD card, using Wi-Fi.

The system has finally made its way to the UK having enjoyed successes in the US and we've always been keen to take a look, as on paper, it sounds like a crazy concept. Open the packaging and you have the 4GB SD card and a USB card reader.

Once done, you can remove your Eye-Fi SD card from the reader, replace it in your camera and you are ready to start shooting. You don't need to make any changes to the camera – essentially, the camera has no idea what the SD card is doing, it just writes the data as usual. We didn't find any slowdown in camera performance over a regular card using a Canon PowerShot S90.

The system works by sending the image files from the SD card via your Wi-Fi network to a PC or online, or both. The software interface is browser-based and lets you look at your file transfer history, as well as tinkering with all the settings. The Eye-Fi servers online sit behind the operation and move the image files from one place to another.

The important part of the operation is your camera, as this needs to be on long enough to send the files out via the Wi-Fi network. If you snap a full resolution picture and then turn it off, it won't arrive at your PC. Generally we found that the images were sent before our test camera went into power saving mode and turned off, so as long as you are aware of what you are doing, it isn't a problem.

The Eye-Fi Manager offers a Relay option, which lets you send the images to the Eye-Fi servers whilst your computer is turned off, so they will be delivered when you turn your PC back on again, and/or delivered straight to your online sharing site of choice. It's has great potential, as you don't need your PC sitting around turned on, in fact you don't need your PC after configuration of the card. You could simply arrive at a friend's party, configure the card to send your photos to Flickr via their Wi-Fi network and off you go. Of course, you need to establish general rules for the card via your computer: once set, they stay the same.

The online sharing options include most of the big name sites – Facebook, Flickr, Picasa and so on – and you simply have to plug in your details through the browser and set any permissions that are needed.

The Eye-Fi card could also be useful for the sort of person who takes lots of pictures in a studio environment, without having to return to the computer to transfer files, or who has someone else working on image processing.

The system also works with video, so you can transfer video files and have them uploaded directly again to Facebook or to your YouTube account, as well as others. It's incredibly simple and it just works simply and easily.

The biggest stumbling block might be figuring out how you want to use this new freedom? Given the range of Wi-Fi networks, you could very well be able to roam around a particular venue taking pictures and have them remotely collected at your PC. It might be that you have a studio in a different part of the office building, or you want to take pictures around the school site, or of a particular event.

You can configure numerous locations on a card so if your venue is covered by a number of networks, you can set them all up. In the software setup, the detection of wireless networks is done by the Eye-Fi card, so you can see the contrast to those that your PC finds. From this you'll quickly deduce that the Eye-Fi card is somewhat limited in range compared to say you mobile phone or PC. You'll also find that it takes some time to register on a network and start sending - so if moving around a lot you need to be mindful of this.

For those working in real time with images, it takes a step out of the equation. For some others, it might just mean you don't need to use a USB cable when you return from a day out with a camera. Because it contains and stores the 4GB of photos as normal, the card can work in both ways.

But the potential here is still slightly locked away. Those in the US can also use Wi-Fi hotspots from Wayport to upload images as they go, but you need the Eye-Fi Explore card which gives you a year free Wayport access, but thereafter it will be $14.99 a year. For some it will work, for others, you'll want to guarantee that you'll have convenient access before you part with your cash. For those in the UK, you'll have to wait to see what happens.

A geotagging option is also available at extra cost too, but is a more common feature in modern cameras. The geotagging feature works by identifying Wi-Fi networks (if you opt for this feature) which isn't going to give you the same result as using a camera with a GPS module for a true position, so we probably wouldn't make it a priority.

You can also opt for notification messages so you know the status of a file transfer, so if you are on location and relying on the Eye-Fi to transfer images back to a central controlling computer, you'll know if things are interrupted, as the camera has no way of indicating this. However, after setup, we didn't get these working.

Is it a flawless system? No, it doesn't seem to be. Used with the PC on, we found that images dropped in quickly with no problems, but using the relay to instantly upload, we found that some photos never arrived at our chosen sharing site. They did arrive on the PC when it reconnected to the network, as well as being stored on the memory card, but we're guessing the Eye-Fi server didn't pass it on, or encountered some unreported problem.

Verdict:

There is oodles of convenience that comes with the Eye-Fi card, but it doesn't come cheap. The basic 4GB card will set you back ?49.99, compared with about ?6 for a standard SDHC card, so you are paying a lot for novelty. If it is going to take a chunk of time or effort out of your workflow, then you might see this as a justifiable cost.

Of course the other consideration is that the card needs power to send, and that power is going to come from your camera battery and reduce the number of shots you can take before you need to swap out or recharge.

We love the technology offered by Eye-Fi and despite a few quirks in the system, we found it cut out lots of connections we'd normally have to make. It may be expensive, but it's impressive none the less.

Tags: Gadgets Cameras Memory cards Wi-Fi Eye-Fi

Eye-Fi Share Video wireless SD card originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

NEWS: Parrot Android-packing designer photo frame announced

Stuart Miles — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:46:14 +0000

Grande Specchio debuts 17 November

Parrot has followed up on last year's launch of the designer Parrot Specchio by contemporary French artist Martin Szekely with an even bigger version called, you guessed it, the Grande Specchio.

Packing Google's Android operating system, the 10.4-inch, 26 x 26cm photo frame, like the original, doubles as a mirror when not it use and can be rested on a surface or hung on the wall.

Costing $650 dollars when it goes on sale next week (it will also be hitting the UK although no price confirmed yet), the frame will come with not only the ability to view your favourite images, but stream content from Flickr, and browse the Web with its built in web browser.

Taking the idea of what photos you display on the frame one step further, Parrot is opting to let you embrace the generic photo frame picture to the max by selecting a "People" mode that will automatically search the Internet for a "never-ending slide show of faces of the world". Those not fussed with random people can opt instead for "Holidays", whereby you choose a place on Google Maps and it will then grab a selection of images associated to that place (Slough anyone?).

Beyond photos the frame will come with an email address so you can send it photos to display, Picasa and Flickr support, the ability to stream RSS feeds and Windows Live FrameIT and FrameChannel feeds to the digital photo frame.

A spokesman for the company has confirmed to Pocket-lint that it will be developing further apps for the frame, although doesn't expect popularity to be massive as there is no easy way to get them installed on the hardware.

Connectivity comes in the guise of USB, SD, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, meaning you shouldn't have any problems getting your images on the device's 200MB memory.

Expect an official announcement on 17 November.

Tags: Cameras Gadgets Digital photo frames Parrot

Parrot Android-packing designer photo frame announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:46:14 +0000

NEWS: Google "dramatically" cuts Gmail and Picasa online storage costs

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:32:04 +0000

"Twice as much storage for a quarter of the old price"

Google has "dramatically" reduced the cost of its online storage linked to its Picasa Web Albums service and Gmail accounts.

The online giant is now offering twice as much storage for a quarter of the old price of its 20GB plan, on top of the free allowances available to everyone.

Picasa and Gmail users can now buy 20GB for $5 per year, apparently a result of not just hard drive storage prices dropping, but because Google has been "working hard to improve our infrastructure to reduce your costs even further".

Google says 20GB is enough space for more than 10,000 full resolution pictures taken with a 5-megapixel camera.

Price plans also include 80GB for $20 per year, 200GB for $50 per year, 400GB for $100 per year and 1TB for $256 per year.

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Tags: Software Online Websites Storage Google Picasa Cameras Gmail

Google "dramatically" cuts Gmail and Picasa online storage costs originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:32:04 +0000

NEWS: Pocket-lint is hiring in US

Stuart Miles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:18 +0000

Positions in New York and San Francisco opening

Fancy being a part of one of the leading global gadget news and reviews sites in the world? Thought you did.?Pocket-lint is looking to fill positions in?New York and?San Francisco, the roving reporters joining the team will replace Stuart, who is heading back to the UK.?

Ideally you will be well connected within the gadget scene and be available to chase down briefings, meetings and attend events when needed.

You will have to be able to get into either New York city or San Francisco for meetings, come with your own computer and digital camera and of course be able to access the Internet without excuses.

Work amount and schedule is based on your ability to generate original stories and we are looking for you to take the lead rather than be spoonfed ideas.

Salary, etc., will depend on work and experience.?

The ability to file quickly at events is also a must.

To apply, email us via the feedback form with links to two examples of your work and the answers to the following two questions:

1. Why should we hire you?

2. If you were a product on a supermarket shelf what would you be and why?

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness

Pocket-lint is hiring in US originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:18 +0000

NEWS: Understanding the Ricoh GXR

Chris Hall — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:10:00 +0000

What's going on inside?

To best understand what the new GXR interchangeable lens camera from Ricoh is all about, take a look at the diagram above we grabbed from the press presentation.

The lens units are so much more than optics: they are a complete imaging unit. Packed in behind the glass you have the sensor, which will differ between lenses, as well as processors and motion sensors. The "camera" won't be limited by what you have in the main body, moreover, it will be defined by what you have in the lens unit.

The launch lenses are the GR Lens A12 50mm F2.5 Macro and the Ricoh Lens S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC (vibration compensation). The properties of these lenses are entirely different – it isn't just the focal length.

The GR lens has a 12.3-mexapixel 23.6 x 15.7mm CMOS sensor and it is capable of 720p HD movie capture: it costs ?600 and will give you a 16:9 aspect image. The Ricoh lens has a 10-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor and will only be good for VGA quality video: it's half the price of the GR lens, giving you a 4:3 aspect image.

The former is what you might expect from a DLSR camera, the latter, a compact camera. But what happens if you don't want to bump down to a lesser quality sensor just because you want a zoom lens?

The other side of the diagram shows what is packed into the body itself: another image processor, the battery, memory, flash, LCD and all the connectivity. Not only will you be able to buy different lens units, but in the future, potentially, you could be buying an entirely different body that fits with the system.

The two are connected by a single interface and as a sealed unit, you don't have to worry about dust and debris getting onto your imaging sensor, which Ricoh are pushing as a significant bonus of the system.

Check out the magnesium alloy body below and if you want to get heavy with pictures, head over to our hands-on photo gallery.

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras Ricoh Ricoh GXR

Understanding the Ricoh GXR originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:10:00 +0000

REVIEWS: Ricoh GXR digital camera - First Look

Chris Hall — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Is this a Micro Four Thirds competitor?

When we first heard what Ricoh was planning with the GXR we had to stifle a giggle. One of the things we like about using a DSLR is swapping components around to best suit your environment, but the idea of sliding off the front of the camera seemed a little odd to us.

But the Ricoh GXR system gives enthusiast photographers a degree of control over components that is missing from compact cameras. High-end compact units such as the Canon PowerShot G11 will let you add a flash, but you are restrained by the focal length on offer.

The Ricoh GXR goes up against Micro Four Thirds more directly, hitting not only a similar price point, but offering a similar principle of interchangeable lenses. The first Micro Four Thirds models we saw – the Panasonic Lumix G1 and GH1 – sit in a slightly different category with their mini DSLR appearance. But the recent Lumix GF1 and Olympus Pen models both compete in this compact enthusiast area.

Micro Four Thirds has a distinct advantage over the GXR, in that it uses a fairly conventional lens connection system, so you aren't depending on Panasonic or Olympus to launch a whole new range of lenses, as an adapter ring will give you access to existing system lenses.

One thing that Ricoh has in its corner is an existing range of compact cameras that reside in the higher end, so the GXR is likely to appeal to those who want a little more flexibility, but don't want the burden of a full DSLR rig.

The body of the camera measures 113.9 x 70.2 x 28.9mm excluding any protrusions. It won't compete in the pocketable stakes alongside many compact digital cameras, but it comes in smaller than the Micro Four Thirds options out there. The body, in effect, is the power and control for the camera.

Around the back is a 3-inch 920k-dot LCD display with the controls sitting to the right-hand side and across the top. At first glance it resembles Ricoh's GR models. The main controls fall under the right thumb without too many problems, although there isn't a great deal of space for your thumb to lie.

The grip is a decent size, however, and the first observation would be that depending on what lens you put on the front (and whether you add any accessories, such as a wide angle converter), the extent of your grip will change as the balance of the camera shifts.

So on to those lens units. On the front of the camera you'll find a release catch which will allow you to disengage the lens unit. It slides away easily, but the catch is plenty secure. When in place, there's no rattle or movement – it feels like a complete one-piece camera. Aligning a new lens unit for the first time takes a few goes, but once you have the action, you can switch lens in a matter of seconds. The tracks on the back stop you from getting it wrong, so it is relatively simple.

The electronic viewfinder is excellent quality, as we've seen previously from the likes of the Panasonic GH1. We still prefer using an optical viewfinder, but the high-resolution 920k-dot EVF does give a 100% field of view. It is also vari-angle, so you can tilt it up to make those low-angle shots easier to compose. It's a shame it costs ?219 on top of the camera price.

One of the big elements that Ricoh is pushing with the GXR is its simple Direct menu, which gives you easy access to your most often used controls. Main shooting modes are controlled through the Mode dial on the top, however it doesn't have a movie mode on it, despite the camera offering movie recording (at variable quality depending on the attached lens).

Verdict:

We didn't have long with the camera, and Ricoh wouldn’t let us take it out of the briefing room, so we weren't really able to give it a thorough testing. However they were happy for us to take away the memory card with a few test shots, as long as we declared that the software wasn't final, so there will be tweaks before the camera comes to market.

The Ricoh GXR seemed easy enough to use, however the focusing did seem a little slow in our tests with the 24-72mm lens. The camera is happy enough to snap away indoors without resorting to the flash, with acceptable results in Auto mode in the few test shoots we took. We've included a test shot below shot using the teleconversion kit and hood, handheld at F/2.5, 1/30sec exposure, ISO 400 and there seems to be a good deal of punch to blues on the bottles, and sharp reflection detail.

We'll have to wait until we get our hands on the Ricoh GXR to evaluate the true performance and image quality in a full review. From what we've seen from our initial hands-on, however, the idea of changing lens units no longer seems so laughable.

Ricoh GXR digital camera - First Look originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

NEWS: PHOTOS: Ricoh GXR hands-on

Chris Hall — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

All the pieces, all the angles

Pocket-lint was on hand to grab some shots of the new Ricoh GXR interchangeable unit system camera.

The GXR takes the fight to Micro Four Thirds, offering a system which lives in the small form factor of a compact camera, whilst offering interchangeable lens units.

Each lens unit pairs up the glass with the sensor and a processor unit, rather than using a sensor built-in to the body of the camera. The body, in effect, becomes little more than a battery pack and control unit.

Those sealed lens units offer the advantage of being sealed, so protect the sensor from dust or dirt ingress, an inherent problem with traditional SLR/DSLR cameras and the new Micro Four Thirds system cameras.

The hotshoe offers an accessory attachment point which, like the Panasonic Lumix GF1 or Olympus Pen EP-2, can accept an electronic viewfinder or a flash.

Feast your eyes on our hands-on pics below and why not head over and read the news story, or check out our First Look of the GXR? Links below.

PHOTOS: Ricoh GXR hands-on originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

NEWS: Ricoh GXR interchangeable unit camera system launches

Chris Hall — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Compact body, changeable lenses

Ricoh has announced the launch of the GXR, which they are calling an "interchangeable unit camera system".

It is a new system for the company, as Ricoh tackles the challenge of increasing quality whilst still remaining compact. The name comes from a fusion of the GX and XR series of Ricoh cameras.

Kazunobu Saiki, General Manager Ricoh Europe, described the GXR as "drastically expanding the shooting range" available to photographers.

The GXR features interchangeable lens units which slide on to the main body of the camera. This allows the body of the camera to stick to small dimensions whilst giving the user the flexibility to chop and change lenses depending on their shooting requirements.

The GXR body features a built-in flash and 3-inch 920k-dot screen around the back, with the option of purchasing an additional electronic viewfinder which connects to the hot shoe on the top. The dimensions of the body are 113.9 x 70.2 x 28.9mm.

The real unique feature of the GXR system is the use of a sealed lens unit which also contains the imaging sensor, meaning that there is no risk of dust or dirt ingress – which is a risk on DSLR cameras and their smaller Micro Four Thirds challengers.

At launch you'll be able to get two lens units: the GR Lens A12 50mm F2.5 Macro and the Ricoh Lens S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC. The GR lens gives you 12.3-megapixels on a CMOS sensor, whilst the Ricoh lens presents you with 10-megapixels and a CCD sensor.

Ricoh is looking to launch more lenses in early Q2 2010 to expand the offering.

The Ricoh GXR will be available from December 2009 and the pricing lines this up as an enthusiast model. The GXR body will cost you ?419, the GR lens ?600, the Ricoh lens ?330. The EVF will be ?219 and the accessory flash will be ?239.

Why not check out all our hands-on photos?

Related links:

Photos - Ricoh GXR hands-on

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras Ricoh Ricoh GXR

Ricoh GXR interchangeable unit camera system launches originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +0000

NEWS: VIDEO: HP tilt shift "Create Amazing" ad - director's cut

Stuart Miles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:51:21 +0000

Advert turns world into model village

HP?is to use tilt shift photography in a major campaign launching soon, the photographer behind the project has said.

Using the tilt-shift technique that makes real life shots look like they are actually a model village, videographer Keith Loutit's new work is a play on his previous tilt shift videos filmed in Sydney.

Called "Create Amazing", Loutit has built on his previous video shooting in Shanghai, New York, Santorini, London & Istanbul, with further set work in LA to give the video a more world view.

No word from HP as to when the adverts will be going live or when we can expect to see them.?

UPDATE: The video seems to have been pulled, however you can enjoy more of Loutit's work here:?http://www.vimeo.com/keithloutit/videos

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Tags: Cameras HP Advertising Video

VIDEO: HP tilt shift "Create Amazing" ad - director's cut originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:51:21 +0000

NEWS: Ricoh GXR digital camera breaks cover early

Stuart Miles — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:38:08 +0000

Swap out lens and sensor

Ricoh?is expected to announce a new digital camera tomorrow called the GXR, which features a number of different interchangeable lens components in what it hopes will be a breakthrough in the way cameras work, according to a video posted by mistake by Which.co.uk.

The camera will come with interchangeable lens compartments that slot into the camera casing, which, looking at the video, appears to be nothing more than a battery and flash housing.?

The move makes it smaller than the current?Micro Four Thirds?offerings from Olympus and Panasonic, according to Which.co.uk journalist Ben Stevens in a video which has since been pulled from YouTube.

Ricoh will start the new system off with two lens/sensor combos 24-72mm F/2.5-4.4?with a 10-megapixel sensor and VGA film capabilities. ?

The A12 will come with a 50mm F/2.5 Macro lens, shoot video in HD and come with a 12-megapixel sensor.?

Launching in December, Which says the body will cost ?420 while the two 50mm macro ?600 and the 24-72mm ?300.

Ricoh has declined to comment on the news.

Expect more details, very shortly.

UPDATE: This is now official. You can find out more information at our?Ricoh?homepage

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras Ricoh Ricoh GXR 10 megapixels 12 megapixels

Ricoh GXR digital camera breaks cover early originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:38:08 +0000

NEWS: Daily Tech Deal: Samsung ES19 digital camera from Currys

Ben Crompton — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Money saving deals, offers and innovations

To get the tech deals up and running this week we have the Samsung ES19 digital camera from Currys, who has seen fit to price the product at ?69.99.

For your 70 notes you get a pretty straightforward specifications list, but one that should be fine for no nonsense every day snapping. Apart from the 12-megapixel sensor you'll get a 2.5-inch LCD to view you pictures on, 3x optical zoom, face detection, digital image stabilisation and a beauty shot feature.?

The high res sensor means that anything you print up to A3 should still look decent and the camera can also shoot 640 x 480 VGA resolution videos at a frame rate of 30fps.

Currys is offering free delivery and is willing to pick up the old product for recycling. This link will take you to the Currys website and we'll have another tech deal for you tomorrow.

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Samsung Samsung ES19 12 megapixels Currys Daily Tech Deal

Daily Tech Deal: Samsung ES19 digital camera from Currys originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

REVIEWS: Medion Life S47000 pocket camcorder

Chris Hall — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

A pocket camcorder to take on the piste?

The pocket camcorder market has enjoyed successes over the past year, more recently taking the step up to high definition and offering better overall quality and performance than many mobile phones would offer. Medion have now joined the race with the Life S47000, an all-weather pocketable which appears to be a reskinned DXG model.

To differentiate itself from the likes of the popular Flip Ultra HD models or Creative's Vado HD, the S47000 pitches itself as a sports camcorder, offering a degree of protection against the ingress of moisture. Despite this, the dimensions are still relatively compact measuring 65 x 105 x 23mm.

The overall design makes it comfortable in the hand and it looks good too, with sporty touches like the top attachment point a practical consideration. Grip seemed secure enough too thanks to the profile of the black trim edging the camera, although we'd have perhaps chosen to make the main recording button a touch larger to make it more appealing to those using gloves. The bottom of the camcorder has a standard tripod mount.

The S47000 offers a usable internal memory of 85MB, which equates to less than a minute of video capture. Your main memory option is provided by the SD card slot hiding under the flap on the side, sharing the same bay as the rechargeable li-ion battery. A memory card is not provided, so you'll have to consider one at the point of purchase.

In terms of accessories in the box, the S47000 really does Medion credit, expect for the lack of SD card of course. You get the camcorder itself and the battery, the battery charger and a case. On top of this you get an HDMI cable, AV cable, USB cable and a set of headphones, which rounds out the package nicely.

The camcorder therefore offers connection points for all these cables, with the mini variety of HDMI lurking under a flap along with the AV/USB connection. You don't get an onboard USB plug proper like the flip offered but the trade-off is a more compact overall package.

A 3.5mm headphone jack will let you check the quality of the recorded audio, or playback your movies without disturbing others, but it doesn't let you do live monitoring of the audio – it's a playback feature only. And before you get excited, no, it doesn't double as an external mic input.

The screen on the back is 2-inches, so you have plenty of space to see what you are doing and watch back your movies. It will playback MOV files from other cameras as well as view JPGs from the SD card, but we found the folder interpretation was rather random. Dumping MP3 files in a Music folder will mean you can playback tracks as well, so if you need something to keep you entertained whilst sitting on the chairlift, this should sort you out.

On the back you get a central four-way controller, with the main record button in the centre. A Mode button lets you switch between playback and recording, with a power and delete button for erasing files. Menu entry is toggled through a simultaneous press of the Mode and Del buttons.

Menu choices are kept to a minimum, which keeps things simple. You get regional options so you can switch between NTSC and PAL and 50 or 60Hz, set the date or format the memory, but chances are you'll not touch these options once the camera is set-up.

Video capture is fixed at 1280 x 720 pixels, so qualifies as HD, if not earning the Full HD tag. You don't get the option to turn down the resolution, but its unlikely to deter anyone and does save you from accidentally recording at settings lower than optimum. The output is 16:9, so it will fit nicely on your HDTV at home via the HDMI.

It is a fixed focus camera, which does limit your creative options, but suits recording on the fly. There is no option for macro focus like on the Kodak Zi8, so you won't be able to get too close, but for everyday shooting that might not be a problem. A digital zoom gives you 2x zoom, but as with most digital zooms, you probably want to leave it alone.

Startup is relatively fast, so you'll be recording in about 2 seconds. The S47000 copes with changing light conditions fairly well, but as with most camcorders of this ilk, there is a slight delay as it adjusts from dark to light. It is a F/2.8 max aperture lens, so low light performance is pretty standard for this class of camcorder. Shadow noise is prominent and noise shows all over as the light drops.

The S47000 records at a fairly solid 30fps, so the results are generally fairly smooth and free from judder. Purple fringing and highlight blowout seem to be the biggest problems that the camera faces in normal shooting conditions, with high contrast scenes presenting the biggest problem, but that's no different to rival devices.

Quality is good overall, giving you a noticeable boost over the VGA offering of most mobile phones give you. Colours are reasonable, perhaps lacking the punch that the Flip HD offered, but supplying vibrancy and definition.

Audio capture is generally good, with some noise coming in from manipulation of the S47000 in the hand. The range on the mic is limited, meaning that audio capture drops off over distance but works fairly well for close subjects. The mic is exposed, however, so wind noise will soon blight things.

We managed to get a couple of hours from the battery, which is average for this class of camcorder.

Verdict:

Overall we were impressed with the performance of the S47000. If offers a slightly different proposition to some rivals, giving a touch of environmental proofing and a complete package in the box that comes in at an affordable price, offering better value for money than rivals.

Music and JPG support means that you can do a little more than on some other devices. The move away from the convenience of the type of device that comes with an integral USB connector is perhaps less of an issue because of the use of an SD card.

Sure, better quality HD or Full HD video is offered by some of the more expensive rivals, but at under ?100, the Medion Life S47000 looks like a winner.

Related links:

Buy it! - Medionshop.co.uk

Tags: Cameras Camcorders Medion Medion Life S47000

Medion Life S47000 pocket camcorder originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

NEWS: Canon 7D firmware update rids you of the ghost in the machine

Stuart Miles — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:28:11 +0000

Fixes known bug

Canon?has released a new firmware update that fixes a known issue with its top of the range?Canon EOS 7D DSLR camera, which was launched back in September.

The new firmware update, version 1.1.0, corrects a recently discovered problem where remnants of the previous photo are visible in continuous photo mode.

Users of the new camera are advised to download the new firmware update. Canon offers both Mac and Windows software versions.

Read

Tags: Cameras DSLR cameras Canon Canon EOS 7D

Canon 7D firmware update rids you of the ghost in the machine originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:28:11 +0000

NEWS: Win a TomTom XL Live IQ Routes Europe

Ben Crompton — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:42:25 +0000

Just comment on a story for a chance to win

First off congratulations to Paul Story who won last month's comments comp for his comment on the story "Amazon Kindle UK import orders begin". For those who didn't win, don't fret, because the kind folk at TomTom have sent a TomTom XL Live IQ Routes Europe unit for us to dish out for our November comments competition.

The rules of the competition are simple, you can enter as many times as you like by simply commenting on any story. It doesn't have to be in depth, detailed or technical, but it does have to be useful, helpful or funny.

You don't have to sign up to comment on the stories, we just ask for your name, location and email address - that does not show up online and is not passed on.

The TomTom device measures 123 x 80 x 18mm and features 4.3-inch touch display, the screen being bright and a convenient size enabling ease of use whilst driving.

Along with Live HD Traffic, now with added support for Europe, the TomTom XL Live has excellent route guidance and with the added MapShare feature, it allows for easy updating of maps within the TomTom community.

To be in with a chance of winning this top-notch effort just comment on any story during the month of November. At the end of November the Pocket-lint team will take a look and choose what we believe is the best one.

Make sure you take a look at Pocket-lint's full review where it received a 9/10 score.

Tags: Audio accessories Biz Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness TomTom GPS Competitions

Win a TomTom XL Live IQ Routes Europe originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:42:25 +0000

NEWS: "Call for Artists" from The Flickr Collection by Getty Images

Amy-Mae Elliott — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:31:16 +0000

Any Flickr member can now submit pics for consideration

As The Flickr Collection by Getty Images has hit over 60,000 images, the site has announced a "formal Call for Artists".

This means that any of the 40 million-plus Flickr members can submit their work to be considered for the collection through the Call for Artists group on Flickr, rather than wait to have their image spotted by the Flickr team.
?
There's detailed guidelines over on the group page, but basically all Flickr users can now submit 10 images "that represent what you consider to be the best of your work".

The Getty Images creative team will then evaluate submissions based on style, subject matter and technical skill and let sucessful members know if their images will get into the group for possible licensing.

Tags: Software Online Websites Flickr Getty Cameras

"Call for Artists" from The Flickr Collection by Getty Images originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:31:16 +0000

NEWS: Digipix Memories offers photo scanning and digi-frame gift pack

Amy-Mae Elliott — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:00:46 +0000

Get up to 100 hard copy pics scanned in for display on 7-inch frame

A new digital photo service has been launched which scans in consumer's photos and sticks 'em on a digi-frame to save the consumer the trouble.

Perfect for the lazy, or technically inept, the Digipix Memories service will scan in up to 100 hard copy photographs to be displayed on a 7-inch digital photo frame.

From Digipix: "Customers simply choose their best-loved printed pictures and post them in a pre-paid envelope provided with the gift pack. Digipix Memories will then transfer these onto an SD memory card and return this - and the photos - back within 10 working days".

The frame offers a remote control and slide show functionality. The entire gift pack costs ?49 - plus P&P - and is available now over at http://www.digipixmemories.com.

Tags: Cameras Digital photo frames Digipix Memories

Digipix Memories offers photo scanning and digi-frame gift pack originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:00:46 +0000

NEWS: Olympus Pen E-P2 announced

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:52:46 +0000

"The next chapter: Back to black"

Olympus has followed up the June launch of its retro-chic Pen E-P1 with the new E-P2 Micro Four Thirds digital camera.

Adding a port for an electronic viewfinder or external microphones, the E-P2 gets two additional "Art Filters" as well as the new i-Enhance function, said to be "for even more creativity and image enhancement", AF tracking, remote slideshow control (via HDMI) and perhaps the biggest improvement of all - the ability to record 7 minutes of AVI format movies in 30fps at 1280 x 720p HD resolution.

Specs include a 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor with dust reduction and image stabilisation, up to ISO 6400, 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD, 20 shooting modes, face detection and the camera takes SD or SDHC memory cards.

Available in classic black from January 2010, Olympus are hoping these improvements over the original will see consumers shelling out around ?850 for the new snapper - a ?100 more than the dearest E-P1 bundle.

Tags: Cameras Olympus Micro Four Thirds DSLR cameras Olympus Pen E-P1 Olympus Pen E-P2

Olympus Pen E-P2 announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:52:46 +0000

NEWS: Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 - digital cameras

Dan Sung — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:59:14 +0000

Who should be the nominees for best digital camera 2009?

2009 has seen the digital camera arms race continue at an ever increasing speed. With Canon announcing that its profits were down over 80% in the fourth quarter of last year and the rise of the cameraphone, one might have thought it was going to be a tricky time for the imaging industry. Think again.

Just a glance at our cameras category on Pocket-lint will give you some idea of what a hotly contested gong the Pocket-lint Best Digital Camera Award 2009 is going to be. So long as it takes a snap, then it counts.

DSLRs

Starting with the biggest, and mercifully fewest, to contend with, it's been an important time for the top end of the camera world. One of the main focuses has been to attract the growing snap happy, photo uploading market of users to the more professional equipment. One way to do this has been in the interfaces of the devices themselves with Pentax, Olympus and Nikon offering camera usability, simplicity and even advice in their models such as the Pentax K-x, the Olympus E600 and the Nikon D3000.

The second most major way to add value to their products has been to bring in HD video as well, seen in cameras such as the Nikon D5000, the Canon 500D and the Pentax K7 all the way up into prosumer and professional products in the very desirable and very expensive shapes of the Nikon D300s, D3s, the Canon 7D and the 1D Mark IV - although it is unlikely that the last of these will make it out in time to qualify for the award. What's more these bigger boys have continued to raise the bar in speed, focus and light sensitivity with up to 9fps shooting, 51-point AF and near pitch black recording ISOs of 102,400.

A special mention should also be made to two other DSLR manufacturers for two very different reasons - Leica, for making our eyes cry tears of blood at the ?16,000 Leica S2 DSLR with a photo format of its very own, and Sony for the leaps and bounds made with the company's Alpha range of DSLRs that have finally made it a brand to take very seriously in this field.

Compacts

Never before has there been such an enormous and specialised range of snappers in the compact department. Gone are the days of the straight forward point and press. Even phones have got smile, beauty and blink modes as well as a thousand and one scene set ups too. The manufacturers have had to think more niche and by jove have they been creative this year. Among the hundreds of new models that seem to have come in two major deluges at the beginning of the year and just in time for Christmas, are those for style or affordability such as the L-series from Nikon, the CyberShots (including Party Dock) from Sony, the Z35 Finepix from FujiFilm and the all touch Canon IXUS 200 IS, there seem to so many to remember that it just makes your brain hurt.

One of the really big categories this year has been the super-zooms. As the technology has advanced they've managed to stuff more and more into those tiny chassis with over 20x magnification and full DSLR processors inside almost as standard, plus the inevitable HD video shooting too. See Samsung's WB5000, the Panasonic FZ35 & 38, the Powershot SX20 & S90 and the Nikon P90 for some excellent examples. Take it one stage further and you meet the compact cameras that cost more than the low end big versions. Designed as walkabout cameras for professionals, where perhaps a DSLR might get in the way, you'll find the Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR and the upgrade of the hugely successful G10, the Canon G11.

It's now even possible to mistake the level of sophistication that lies within these super gadgets with a trend towards old school looks burning a strong line this year, particularly with the rise of the micro four thirds system most famously in the Olympus EP-1 but also with great grace in the Panasonic GF1, the cooler cousin to the high spec of the Lumix GH1 with its HD video improvement on last year's model. At the same time there have been equal levels of excitement over the return of the Rangefinder in digital form although few will ever use it with it coming at Leica prices.

Finally the sub-category has produced machines that'll simply record anywhere with rugged and waterproof models from Olympus, Canon and GE and, best of all, there's been the down right bizarre with the dual screen Samsung ST550 & ST500, the dual lensed 3D-shooting FujiFilm W13D and the dual functioned retake on the insta-matic with the POGO camera from Polaroid as well as the return of the original itself.

If that lot wasn't enough, just about every device has become better connected, as is our want, as the power of the interweb grows, and it's regular business to see cameras with GPS, Wi-Fi and all sorts of native support for Flickr, Facebook and YouTube uploads. What on Earth will they think of next?

Camcorders

If you need us to point out the most obvious trend in the camcorder department, then you've been on another planet for the last 12 months. No, we're not talking about HD but pocket-sized recorders - which as it goes, are pretty much all HD now anyway with only a small clutch not quite as Full as the others. The huge success of the of the Flip Mino spawned not only the 720p Flip Mino HD but also latterly the premium Flip Ultra range with more memory and resolution than ever before.

Creative has followed suit with the Vado HD and Kodak has continued to show us there is life after film with the impressive Zi8. Naturally, Samsung has spotted the same gold rush and come up with something special all of their own with the HMX-U10, while Toshiba has decided to do it their own way, for better or for worse, with the Camileo S10 at the beginning of the year and more recently the upgraded S20 and higher spec, larger form friends at IFA 2009. Even Medion, who seems to be popping up in all sorts of unexpected award categories, has pitched in with some style and purpose, as well as the usual value, focusing on rugged utility with the Life S47000.

With high resolutions and impressive frame rates already well established in more serious camcorders, this year provided an opportunity for the industry to do something that technology does when it has nothing better to do - make everything the same but smaller. However, what was recognised was that with greater power comes a greater responsibility and both battery life and stability have been well looked after, while developing their two greatest enemies - memory space and zoom. The choice for the former seems to have been to stay away from inefficient, energy consuming HDDs and either go with SSD or memory card solutions from the Canon LEGRIA series to the superb selection of Sanyo Xacti Dual camcorders all the way back in Q1. Perhaps the most interesting technology here though has come from Sony in the CX505VE Handycam, still positioned as the only camera at this level to feature 3-dimensional stability control - pitch, roll and turn all cancelled out.

Mobile Phones

Resolution has been on the rise for quite some time now in mobile phones but when the compact business decided that HD recording was the new megapixels, someone forgot to tell the handset manufacturers. The Samsung Pixon12 was the first to catch up with the dedicated gadgets but there have been plenty of others with the same functions, features and nigh on glassware as the compact cameras - if with slightly lower megapixel counts. Take your pick from the LG Viewty Smart, the Sony Ericsson W995, the Nokias N86 and N97 and even the HD video shooting of the Samsung i8910. While no one would suggest that these phones offer as much as the dedicated cameras, it's hard to argue that the shots you can get out of them are certainly good enough. The next assault will be to get optical zoom sorted.

The Rest

Beyond the quality snappers, there's a whole world of digital imaging out there that doesn't need that same level of finesse but are excellent gadgets noe the less. Webcams managed to go HD this year with the Microsoft Lifecam and even take on a new form with IP cameras, essentially for surveillance of one kind or another that you can network and view from anywhere on line. The Y-cam and Compro IP50 are good examples as any.

Finally, there's the pseudo-novelty angle with keychain spycams, dangerously probe-like USB snakecams and even something to see a day in the life of your pet too. Oh yes, and Apple added a video camera to the nano. Enough to consider? Now, go choose.

What do you think?

But these are just some of the fantastic choices our readers have had in 2009. What would you like to see held aloft as the winner of Pocket-lint Best Camera 2009? Who have we missed out? Which are your unsung heroes and of those we've already mentioned, which would get your vote? Let us know in the comments below and you can help our panel decide which make the shortlist of nominees to be announced here on Pocket-lint on 16 November. We'll have all out coverage of the Vodafone Pocket-lint awards 2009 right here. Don't miss a minute of it.

Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 - digital cameras originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:59:14 +0000

NEWS: Daily Tech Deal: Half price photo calendar from SnapFish

Ben Crompton — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Money saving deals, offers and innovations

There is no denying it, the end of the year is in sight with all its usual festivities, and with it there is the usual extra push on consumers to spend their hard-earned cash.

One way you might want to do this is in the creation of a personalised photo-calendar, if so, then Ebuyer's photo service - SnapFish - can help in not only the creation, but by offering a 50% reduction of the usual cost - taking it to ?7.50. With this you'll also get credits for 30 free 6 x 4-inch prints when you upload your first photo to the site.

A point you might want to consider before going ahead is that the delivery of the calendar will cost you ?1.99, taking your total spend to ?9.49. For this ?1.99, however, SnapFish says the calendar will be delivered "straight to your door" (As opposed to dumping it at the end of the street?), which is good of them.

You'll need the coupon code "50CAL" to claim the discount and the offer is available for 2 weeks only, finishing on the 16 November 2009.

This link will take you straight through to the SnapFish registration page and we'll have another tech deal for you tomorrow.

Tags: Cameras Printing services Ebuyer Snapfish Daily Tech Deal

Daily Tech Deal: Half price photo calendar from SnapFish originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

REVIEWS: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 camera

Gavin Stoker — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Does the Micro Four Thirds GF1 beat Olympus's Digital Pen?

Panasonic’s first two Micro Four Thirds system cameras – last year’s G1 and this spring’s GH1, which added high-def video – based their designs on that of traditional digital SLRs. Even though technically they weren’t, having junked the integral mirror box mechanism in order to bring lens and sensor closer together.

In theory this promised more diminutive camera bodies and lenses, yet in practice neither G1 nor GH1 are much smaller than the latest entry-level DSLRs based around regular APS-C sized sensors.

But that aspect is about to change. As the advertising blurb runs, the new Micro Four Thirds Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is like a DSLR – in that lenses can be changed and image quality is a step up from a bridge camera – only smaller.

Its styling is closer to a compact camera, albeit one that will be a snug fit for even the deep pocket of an overcoat; the busy top plate control layout recalling the look of a high-end rangefinder camera. It is the manufacturer’s answer to, and direct rival of, Olympus’ E-P1, otherwise known as the Pen.

While that camera’s hybrid nature was deemed revolutionary on release, it omitted a couple of fairly crucial features for the photo enthusiast – especially one spending ?600 on a body without lens.

Fortunately the similarly solidly built (but fractionally lighter) GF1 has shoehorned in one of its rival’s omissions – a flash of the pop-up variety to maintain the Lumix’s boxy lines – whilst, doubtless partly due again to size, still failing to deliver an optical viewfinder.

However it does offer an electronic viewfinder (EVF) like those incorporated on the G1 and GH1, as an optional extra that clips onto the vacant top plate hotshoe. This costs around ?160, compared to ?100 for an optional optical viewfinder for the Olympus Pen.

Photos are composed on the GF1 in its absence via the 3-inch, 460k-dot resolution LCD with Live View; double the resolution offered by the E-P1, which in our eyes makes for a much smoother, more life-like display image.

Headline resolution is otherwise nigh on identical, at 12.1 effective megapixels from a 13.1 megapixel LiveMOS sensor, and, like the Pen is basically a concertinaed Olympus E-series DSLR, so the GF1 squeezes the functionality of its G1 and GH1 forebears into a more manageable shape.

This includes a mono HD video mode with a dedicated recording button, and a choice of AVCHD or (more widely compatible) Motion JPEG compression, resolution being the lower 1280 x 720 pixels rather than the Full HD 1920 x 1080. A side mounted HDMI port is also provided for hooking the camera up to an HD TV, though the required cable costs extra.

If you really want the most compact camera solution, then opt for the 20mm non zoom "pancake" lens we had on test, equivalent to 40mm in 35mm terms, which, when bought in conjunction with the Panasonic body, will set you back a not-so-cool ?800. We found it works best for shooting portraits and close ups, where a shallow depth of focus, blurring distracting backgrounds, proves a specific aid to creativity.

If we’ve one true criticism it's that the blocky, rectangular GF1 lacks anyway in the way of a decent grip, with only a thin raised strip on the front providing purchase for the fingers when shooting handheld. Still, it’s also possible to use the camera as a gloried point and shoot courtesy of Panasonic’s reliable intelligent Auto (iA) mode, whereby it recognises common scenes and subjects and adjusts settings automatically, saving the user otherwise fiddling around with controls and dials to achieve similar results.

With the GF1 powering up for action with DSLR-approximate swiftness in just over a second, other built-in aids to creativity include its "My Colors" modes that come across as Panasonic’s re-interpretation of the Olympus Pen’s Art Filters. They even include a pop art style "Dynamic Art" option.

We also get film simulation modes "borrowed" from its G1 and GH1 siblings and a Peripheral Defocus Mode that blurs potentially distracting backgrounds – even when you’re not shooting with a 20mm lens. Left on standard default settings colours are rendered beautifully natural and life-like with a crispness few standard fixed lens compacts could match. Impressive stuff – though of course it comes at a price.

Verdict:

So does the GF1 beat the Pen as the best, most affordable DSLR/compact hybrid to date?

Of course the answer depends on your personal requirements, but used as a tool for general purpose photography, the clearer, smoother LCD for shot composition and review, plus built-in flash inevitably take the Panasonic up a notch.

It therefore gets our vote as the current most successful marriage of DSLR functionality with compact portability and usability. But with further incarnations of the Pen promised very soon by Olympus, it’s unlikely to stay that way for long.

It’s also worth noting that for the near ?600 UK asking price for the GF1, one could buy a very capable APS-C sized DSLR with lens included.

PHOTOS: Panasonic Lumix GF1 digital camera

Tags: Cameras Micro Four Thirds Compact cameras DSLR cameras 12 megapixels Panasonic Panasonic Lumix GF1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

NEWS: Kodak launches Pic Flick App for iPhone

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:16:14 +0000

Print wirelessly

Kodak has introduced the Pic Flick App, a new, free iPhone and iPod touch app that lets users upload pictures to a Kodak W1020 wireless digital frame or print them wirelessly on the Kodak ESP 5250 all-in-one Wi-Fi-enabled printer.

"The Kodak Pic Flick App provides a fast, easy and fun way to print, display and share within seconds of capturing a moment at home or away from home", said Randy Brody, vice-president of marketing inkjet systems, Eastman Kodak Company. ?

The Kodak Pic Flick App works on Apple iPhone and iPod touch devices using OS version 2.2 and above and is available in the States on the App Store for free.

There's more information over at www.Kodak.com/go/PicFlick .

Tags: Phones iPhone apps Kodak Cameras

Kodak launches Pic Flick App for iPhone originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:16:14 +0000

NEWS: Gentlemen start your Mo

Stuart Miles — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:35:49 +0000

Hairy times ahead

Movember is upon us once more and that means plenty of talk about moustaches, moustache gadgets and of course not forgetting the main reason for the facial hair growth - helping raise awareness for?prostate Cancer.

Over the next 30 days the Pocket-lint team and others will be growing a moustache for charity. It's a tough job that from experience means we will be ridiculed, stared at, and worse still not get many kisses.

But fear not my hairless friends (that's you), it is not too late to join our hairy(ish) team.

We will be keeping a mo diary on the site so you can see our progress and expect plenty of related features exploring everything "Mo".

Men of tech! (that's you) join our brethren.

Read

Tags: Gadgets Bathroom gadgets Movember Comment Audio Car And GPS Dad Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness

Gentlemen start your Mo originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:35:49 +0000

NEWS: VIDEO: Flip does a T-Mo with flash mob dance on Bondi beach

Amy-Mae Elliott — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:41 +0000

All started by a fat man in red Speedos

Pocket camcorder brand Flip has emulated T-Mobile's popular Liverpool Street Station dance event with a similar effort in the decidedly more sunny setting of Australia's Bondi Beach.

Performed as part of a promotion for the launch of the Flip Mino HD video camera, the corporate flash mob is kick-started by a man in Speedos dancing alone to Ben Lee's "Catch My Disease" until 200 other dancers join the routine. Hit play to see action from the impromptu sequence now.

Read

Tags: Cameras Camcorders Flip Advertising Video Pure Digital T-Mobile

VIDEO: Flip does a T-Mo with flash mob dance on Bondi beach originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:41 +0000

NEWS: Daily Tech Deal: Quidco offers 10% cashback on Jessops online purchases

Ben Crompton — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Money saving deals , offers and innovations

Photographers, amateur and professional alike might well be interested in today's tech deal as Quidco is offering 10% cashback on all online purchases from Jessops until Monday 2 November.

This is all part of Jessops' tenth anniversary celebrations and as well as the 10% cashback you can get free delivery on all purchases over ?50.

Jessops are cited as having one of the "most comprehensive selection of compact digital cameras and digital SLR cameras", so if you're in the market yourself or perhaps looking for a prezzie for someone then this might be worth checking out.

The link below takes you through to the Quidco website and we'll have another tech deal for you tomorrow.

Tags: Cameras Jessops Quidco Daily Tech Deal

Daily Tech Deal: Quidco offers 10% cashback on Jessops online purchases originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

NEWS: Motorola launches digi-frames with dual displays and Wi-Fi

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:23:26 +0000

Christmas range from ?50 and up

Motorola has launched a new range of digital photo frames, including dual display frames and a Wi-Fi model that allows images to be sent directly to the frame by email.

The LS1000W offers a 10.4-inch display, boasts 512 MB built-in memory, MP3 player and speakers, as well as an alarm clock and calendar function.

The ?200 frame gets Wi-Fi connectivity as well as content from the thousand FrameChannel online channels that can be viewed on the device including internet radio.

The ?80 LS420 Duo offers two 4.2-inch displays, one of which can be selected to view calendar and clock info. The LS720D offers the same theory, but larger 7-inch displays as well as MP3 playback, speakers and a remote control for ?130.

Other models include the LS700, a ?50 basic 7-incher and the LS1000 for ?150 that's basically the same as the other 10-incher but minus the Wi-Fi. The new range is available at Argos.

Tags: Cameras Digital photo frames Motorola Wi-Fi Argos

Motorola launches digi-frames with dual displays and Wi-Fi originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:23:26 +0000

REVIEWS: Canon EOS 7D DSLR camera

Doug Harman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:52:20 +0000

We get down with the advanced mid-range model

The new EOS 7D is a fully redesigned EOS with high performance in mind so the new, extremely well-specified, EOS marks a step change for Canon's EOS models featuring an 18MP APS-C sized sensor and HD video to name two of the key features.

At first glance the EOS 7D seems to be like many other Canon EOS DSLRs with the familiar, slightly swooping top plate design and deeply recessed handgrip. The pentaprism housing hosts a useful pop-up flash unit and it is this that starts to mark the 7D out as being a little different from recent EOS models, such as the 5D Mark II, to which it is closely allied.

However, the 7D is a quite radical departure for the EOS marque, one designed to slot between the 50D and 5D Mark II and a not insignificant price tag of just shy of ?1700 may need some justifying for many tempted by its treats.

It is also a camera designed to help Canon pull back market share that competitors have been nibbling away at over recent months, to provide a professional level of control and performance within a body priced at the semi-professional level.

Headline changes are impressive, a new APS-C sized, 18MP CMOS sensor and 19 zone (all cross type) AF setup, which sports its own processor making AF accurate and blisteringly fast, particularly when tracking fast moving subjects.

8fps sequence shooting is very good indeed, the AF tracking across the frame proving no problem. However, slightly more challenging were subjects moving directly at the camera, which were less well handled.

However, given the camera is shooting at a class leading 18-megapixels at 8fps - for up to 126 JPEGs - that's not bad. Though to get that speed and buffer power, you'll need to use UDMA CF Type I/II storage.

This is key when shooting RAW; the buffer starts to bulge at 15-images but the camera's all new image engine, dual DIGIC 4 image processors, means that while the frame rate does drop as the buffers fills, it'll continue to shoot at around 3fps as the camera gulps down the huge, (up to) 30MB gobbets of RAW image data. Still, the only camera to compete with it in terms of speed is the 10fps professional-level EOS 1D Mark III.

You can fully customise the AF set-up; the AF points used for both camera orientations as well as the AF mode used can be changed or tweaked to how you want them; you can also build-in specific AF tweaks for specific lenses if required. The 7D’s AF makes use of the camera's accelerometers, which also provide data for the camera's rather natty built-in electronic spirit level system.

One caveat to the AF speed is when shooting in Live View, which has three focus modes of Live mode, Face AF Live mode and Quick mode. The latter is relatively fast, as you'd expect, but the other two settings are slower and of course when shooting in Live View, you have to factor in the time needed to get the mirror up and out of the way; then back again and between each exposure.

One of the best things about the 7D is its new, clear and bright viewfinder; the 7D is the first EOS offering a 100% field of view finder, at 1.0x magnification and it's probably the best APS-C DSLR viewfinder we've come across.

We particularly like the transmissive LCD used for a clever heads-up-display for framing and AF point selection indication, and it provides a comprehensive level of shooting data that helps make this finder a joy.

A 22mm eyepoint makes using the finder excellent when wearing spectacles, but only just, as the bottom extremes of the data information are only just visible. The large pentaprism “hump” denotes the camera from its older 50D sibling and hides the aforementioned pop-up Speedlite, a useful addition for those moments where a puff of flash can lift a backlit shot, say.

One disappointment centres on the otherwise superb 3-inch Clear View II LCD screen, with its 920k-pixel resolution. It is not articulated and while it features a wide 160-degree viewing angle (Canon has stripped away the air gap between the protective cover and liquid crystal found on previous iterations of such screens to improve contrast and reduce glare, which it does) reflections can still be an issue in bright conditions when using the screen at such oblique angles.

A magnesium alloy body has a suitably tactile covering, so holding the thing is reassuring and making it easy to hang on to in the rain –?while environmental seals ensure the camera is in no way compromised by such shooting conditions.

Wireless flash control means the 7D has another EOS first. It's the first EOS to have an integral Speedlite transmitter, allowing remote control of (up to) three groups of four flashguns - an impressive pro' level of performance at the price.

In terms of the physical controls, the most obvious thing is they are larger than on both the 50D and 5D Mark II, ideal for use wearing gloves in inclement weather and, now there's a dedicated switch for Live View and movie shooting with an integral Start/Stop button for recording. This marks a step change because at last the camera's movie mode is an integral camera system, part of the default kit and operations, as opposed to a seemingly add-on feature as on previous EOS models.

Otherwise, the layout is typically EOS, though the control dial lock and power switch have been separated; the on/off switch now nestles below the mode dial on the top plate, along with other adjustments, a much more logical - and welcome - handling enhancement.

A couple of new controls include a dedicated button to quickly change the selected image quality setting to RAW + JPEG and a new “Q” button, which activates an interactive display of your control options on the screen, which you can browse and select using the control dial, the multi-selector control and the Set button.

This is nice since those familiar with the physical controls of an EOS, and the menus, can carry on as before, while those less familiar to the camera (or EOS models, if trading up or across to the 7D) can still get at everything, quickly and simply and importantly, learn the controls and what they do as they go.

And it is here that we get even closer to the beating heart of the 7D since, despite all the new kit and the 1080p movie making frills, it still looks quite pricey. Yes, it has significant enhancement over the 50D, but the question is simply this: “Should I consider trading up to this model?”

If you looked at the 7D as an EOS 5D Mark II “lite”, it might not look good value. The APS-C format means there is a 1.6x field of view adjustment needed for any focal length you use compared with the full frame 5D Mark II. Although the additional depth of field control this provides, certainly where portrait or macro work is involved, and the extra leg it gives any telephoto optics or zooms, arguably outweighs this as a possible niggle, compared to the full frame 5D Mark II.

However, throw in the fact the 5D Mark II costs around ?1000 more, and you realise that much of your hard-earned cash would make a great fund towards more (or better) optics; it is certainly not as straight forward an equation as it might at first seem. So now consider this…

Compared to the ?4000 (body only) EOS1D Mark III, the Canon it most closely resembles in terms of speedy performance, say, and suddenly you get another complexion completely. You could buy two 7D bodies for the price of one 1D Mark III and have plenty of change over for another lens.

Okay, so you loose a couple frames per second continuous shooting compared with the 1D Mark III but then you gain a greater sensitivity range; ISO 100 to a boosted ISO 12,800. And you get Full HD movies (with stereo sound when using optional stereo microphones) plus a superb new viewfinder.

Also bear in mind, the build quality is on a par with the 1D Mark III but the camera control is (arguably) better than the more expensive Mark III sibling. Oh! And you'll have a spare back-up 7D body into the bargain.

Metering and exposure control are pretty faultless, a new Focus Colour Luminance system measuring (as the name suggests) focus, and colour and luminance across 63 zones, while switching between the four metering modes of evaluative, partial, centre-weighted average and spot metering, provide differing “looks” to the same scene, depending on where you meter in a scene. On balance, my preference was for centre-weighted average, which gave the best overall metering balance overall.

Detail and colour are excellent; shooting RAW+JPEG gave superb results though the auto WB setting left things looking a tad warm. Processing the RAWs (I shot RAW + JPEG throughout) using the supplied Canon Digital Photo Professional software was easy, even if said software is a tad slow, particularly when exporting the RAWs as JPEGs.

One of the most impressive aspects of the 7D is the low noise performance at higher ISOs. Shooting between ISO 100 and ISO 2000 was a delight, since noise is non-existent at the lower end of that scale and almost invisible at the higher end.

A series of ISO test images show the amount of detail retained up to ISO 2000 is good, above ISO 3200 details starts to drop away but noise is still well controlled. Above ISO 6400 and detail is stripped away making images seem rather fuzzy, which is a shame.

The dual DIGIC IV engine really struts its stuff in the 7D, but arguably overdoing it a bit at ISO 5000 to 12,800. Noise processing can be adjusted (as can much of the camera settings) to your preference.

The only other slight niggle is some purple and blue fringing on some high contrast subjects shooting using the cameras new EF-S 18-135mm IS zoom; in RAW you can process this away if needed, but the net effect otherwise, is to give a slight softness to the images in which the fringing is present and add another level of work to post shoot processing.

The EOS 7D is the third EOS to sport Full HD at 1920 x 1080-pixels after the 5D Mark II and EOS 500D. Shot at 29.97fps the 7D provides superbly smooth widescreen video with sound. Stereo sound can be recorded with optional stereo microphones that can plug straight into the camera. Clips up to a second shy of 30-minutes can be shot in HD, providing you use UDMA CF cards. Otherwise the longest clip possible is of a lowly, 5 seconds duration. You also get full manual control over shutter speeds and aperture settings during shooting, though focusing adjustment needs to be done manually.

The camera's custom control interface is another example of how this camera's handling has been enhanced. Here, a simple diagrammatic representation of the camera control layout is shown providing a fast ready reckoner of what button does what. Each camera control location has a highlight and a range of adjacent options to change the behaviours of the buttons or control in the display, and that makes sorting your preferred custom camera control very easy and provides an almost endless range of options.

I shot around 1300 images for this test and all of that on two charges of the LP-E6 battery pack. The last charge is still at 80%, checked from within the camera's menus system; after a full, 2 days of shooting, I still had 23% of power to spare on the first charge and that after plenty of reviewing on the screen, frequent Live View shooting and a modest amount of (built-in) flash photography. This is very impressive power performance indeed.

Verdict:

Well made, quickly intuitive to use, fleet-of-foot across most performance measures and able to produce stunning results, even at high sensitivity settings, all means the Canon EOS 7D is both a cleverly realised combination of professional specification and semi-professional pricing.

The EOS 5D Mark II is the step down model for those social photographers working on a tighter budget compared against the 1Ds Mark III, here, the EOS 7D provides the same job for sports or wildlife photographers compared with the EOS 1D Mark III.

The 1.6x APS-C field of view crop boosts your lens focal lengths, helping you help tuck your subject tight into the frame, while the smaller 18MP CMOS sensor (than the full frame chip in the EOS 5D Mark II) means it can be blisteringly fast too.

There's no compromise on image quality apart from (arguably) shooting above ISOs of 6400 and the purple fringing evident in some high contrast shots. The 7D might not be the natural substitute for those social photographers thinking of the 5D Mark II, but for those shooting sporty stuff or where longer focal lengths need to be considered for wildlife work, and you're on a tighter budget, the 7D makes a lot more sense than the EOS 1D Mk III. Looked at in that way, it also represents superb value for money as well.

Tags: Cameras DSLR cameras Canon Canon EOS 7D 18 megapixels

Canon EOS 7D DSLR camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:52:20 +0000

REVIEWS: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 beta

Stuart Miles — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Do the improvements make it better or worse?

If you're a disorganised photographer then chances are you store your digital photos on your computer, back them up and then forget about them until someone says:

"Do you have a picture of a women on a bus in London eating a sandwich?"

Of course you do, but how the devil do you find it. In steps Adobe's Lightroom package that allows you to catalogue your photo collection and edit your photos without getting too "Photoshopy" and then print them or publish them to the Web.

Lightroom has been around for sometime, but with a new version, Lightroom 3, entering public beta, what can we look forward to in the new model, and should you start using it from today.

The first thing you should note is that this is very much a beta and Adobe is keen to express that. What that means is that there is no official support for the software and there are a number of features Adobe says are yet to come. It also means that you can't import your current Lightroom 2 catalogue into the software package just yet and that's probably not that much of a bad thing - you don't want all your metadata corrupting do you?

So for the purpose of our review we imported a number of images into the catalogue and ran the software side by side measuring the performance and keeping a close eye on the differences.

So what's new? Well one of the main things that isn't is the interface. While there were fairly large changes from Lightroom to Lightroom 2 in the look and feel of the package, here, the transition to Lightroom 3 is going to be minimal. For us that's a good thing. While not everything is perfect, we are happy with the structure of Lightroom and find it fairly easy to navigate around the package. The same can be said for Lightroom 3. The panels are all in the same place and apart from the odd new button or panel, everything is how you know it.

The main focus therefore has been on how the program works with your images and how you get them in.

The import window sees the biggest overhaul with a completely redesigned interface that is not only more in keeping with the design style of Lightroom, but also in functionality.

Split into three panels, you can select the source from the left, the target on the right and see the images you're importing in the middle, whether it's from a disk, drive or memory card. You now also get "Loupe" ie single image view and can choose to add, copy or move them into the catalogue. There is also the option to add metadata or keywords as before and save all those options so it's just a press of a single button the next time. If you aren't interested in any of that you can compact the import view to a single bar, which gets to work straight away. Overall it's a massive improvement and makes getting your images into the system quick and simple, especially in comparison to Lightroom 2.

Those familiar with Lightroom know that the package is split up into different zones; Library, Develop, Slideshow, Print, and Web.?

Library

New features to the Library include adding photo uploading services support so you can now upload images directly to flickr and the like. Within the beta you can only upload to flickr, although Adobe says that other galleries, presumably like their own Photoshop online service will be added.

The system works as a gateway to the service rather than just an uploader and that means you have control over what is online, what isn't and the ability to sync it with comments for example.

Interestingly you can also create a synced folder that doesn't have to be online but on a network drive or even your iPhone. With the system you can then sync photos to and from that device. It's easy and if you are transferring images on an external hard drive it's a good way to "check-in" and "check out" images from your catalogue.

Elsewhere multiple info views have been added to the Loupe view, there is the ability to auto sync in library mode (something that was only available in develop previously) and greater import control into specific folders. A small detail, but nonetheless one we've found helpful is the ability to see within sub-folders. And lock filters from folder to folder.

Develop

Develop has seen the most "under the hood" development, after all Adobe has got to justify the upgrade from 2 to 3 somewhere. Here you get improvements to the processing options for RAW and jpeg.

The imaging improvements are there but for the most part subtle. Zoom in 1:1 and you'll see the changes, work from afar and you'll be wondering whether it's done anything, but they are there.

New tools and sliders to master include sharpening, colour noise reduction, a re-structuring of the vignette tool for a more natural effect as well as the ability to control the colour and highlighting vignette to boot.

You can also add a grain effect for those looking for more of a "film" look, although we personally haven't found a reason to use this yet.

There is also a camera calibration mode now that allows you to try and correct chromatic aberration, however this isn't an automated process like some software packages, which would be a really nice addition.

Finally Brushes has had a good overhaul and its now a lot easier to use on your photos.

When the package is finally ready you'll also be able to choose whether or not to reimport your Lightroom 2 images in with the new settings or leave them as they were - either way doing so will change the look of the image.

The good news is that in the beta the processing and general performance of the software was good, nippier in most cases than Lightroom 2, although we aren't ruling out the possibility that it's because our Lightroom 2 catalogue has over 16,000 (yes 16,000) photos in it.

Slideshow, Print, and Web

Slideshow gets a brief look in via the ability to add music from your music folder to your images. A nice touch is that the software will automatically change the length the photos are shown so it fits the music to save you having to try and work it out. You can then dump the slideshow into H.264 to do as you will.

Likewise Print gets more "interactive" templates that make it easier to create printouts for your clients all at the drag of a mouse, rather than having to actually really understand anything.

As for web support? Easier watermarking and that's about it for the moment.

Verdict:

Lightroom 3 looks to be taking the software in the right direction, although for beta users you will be mainly seeing under the hood changes rather than anything that will visually knock your socks off from the get go.

Adobe is clearly following Microsoft and the Windows 7 route here by allowing its user base to get to grips with the software in order to hear how they use it so the package can be improved. It's a new way of developing software but one that is worth the input.

I think the biggest disappointment is the inability to upgrade my current catalogue - doing so would allow people to give it a good run for its money rather than treating it like a sandbox. If this was the case it would allow you to really get to grips with what does and doesn't work by the time the software eventually comes out.

Promising, but without the ability to import your own catalogue you'll find this is a weekend intrigue rather than your new favourite software package until the final version is released.

Tags: Software Mac software PC software Photo editing software Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Cameras

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 beta originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +0000

NEWS: ThinkGeek offers image.jpg photo frame

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:07:24 +0000

An analogue digital picture holder

ThinkGeek is offering, what it calls, the first ever analogue "digital" photo frame.?

The frame features a Mac software window silk-screened onto it described as "a manually-applied representation of a computer interface which holds your printed image which was probably taken on a digital camera".

The wooden photo frame measures around 5 inches wide by 3 inches high and offers a pressboard kickstand-style stand. It's on sale now for $24.99.

Related links:

Shop - ThinkGeek

Tags: Home And Kitchen Frames Cameras ThinkGeek

ThinkGeek offers image.jpg photo frame originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:07:24 +0000

REVIEWS: Sony S-Frame DPP-F700 digital photo frame - First Look

Stuart Miles — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Can this show off your photos and your prints?

"Oh that's a nice picture" you hear one of your family or mates say when they are around your house looking at a photo on your mantle piece. "Can I have a copy?"

You've then got the hassle of finding that picture, printing it out and then probably sending it to them as the whole process has taken so long they've given up and gone home. Sony is hoping to cut out the waiting with the launch of a digital photo frame with a built-in printer, so you can create and deliver the print there and then.

Sounds great, but is it?

The DPP-F700 sports a 7-inch, 16:10 WVGA screen with a resolution 800 x 480 and can print 4 x 6-inch, 300 x 300 dpi photos in 45 seconds.

The frame, which features a large black boarder offers touch-sensitive controls, that like other frames on the market, appear only on touch, however for some reason Sony has opted to use a different non-gloss material - a matt plastic it seems, which doesn't work.

Controls allow you to navigate through the basic menu system and here you can edit images before printing with options including enlarge, reduce, crop, date stamp on/off, border/borderless as well as brightness, contrast, hue, and sharpness adjustment.

Images can be transferred onto the frame via USB from a PC, and there is an array of memory card slots around the side including support for SD, MMC, Compact Flash and xD.

Failing that, there is 1GB of on-board storage. Storage levels will vary, with Sony boasting 2000 images as a headline grabbing number, but as this is only at a 2-megapixel resolution, expect this number to be around 200 if you're using a 7-megapixel or higher camera.

The DPP-F700 uses dye-sublimation as the printing technology, the print quality was good, not amazing, however they were able to be handled straight away when we played with the printer at a trade show.

The concept is perfect, unfortunately the realisation isn’t. The biggest problem isn't the quality of prints, or the software interface, it's the form factor.

As you might imagine adding a printer into a photo frame will add some bulk to a photo frame. Sony has surprisingly done a pretty good job of hiding this underneath the frame (see pictures) and the end result therefore is that it looks like you've perched a regular digital photo frame on to a box, no problem there.

The problem, however, is that rather than then put the photo paper tray within this box or to the side, it sits rather awkwardly out the front giving the game away that there is a printer hiding inside.

Yes it is detachable, but that's not the point. There is no way you could place it anywhere like a window ledge or mantle piece because of the width of the overall footprint. So you might as well give up on the idea altogether and use a small compact printer.

Verdict:

In the future, if we are still printing photos, all digital photo frames will have a printer built in. It makes sense, it's a nice idea and we can see why someone at Sony approved the making of the DPP-F700.

However, it seems that "approving person" walked away after they were pitched the idea, as the end result neither looks good or has a form factor that would make it suitable (from our brief play) for where it should live in the living room.

This really is one of those moments where the end result could have been so much better.

The DPP-F700 digital photo frame-printer will be available in the States for about $200 in January.

Tags: Cameras Sony Digital photo frames Printers Photo printers Sony S-Frame DPP-F700

Sony S-Frame DPP-F700 digital photo frame - First Look originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

NEWS: VIDEO: Tech Week in View: Magic Mouse, Social Search and Nokia sues Apple

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:05:00 +0000

See Stuart Miles' take on the week in tech

Stuart Miles brings us his customary comment from NYC with a look at the talking points from this week in tech.

Under the spotlight in this instalment is Apple's Magic Mouse and whether this is the beginning of the end for the button and the launch of Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system.

Miles also muses the rise of real-time search with the news that Google and Bing are due to integrate Twitter content into their search results as well as offering thoughts on Google's Social Search.

The fact that Nokia is suing Apple for patent infringement is the final topic under consideration - is the Finnish giant protecting its patents or looking for a quick cash injection? Hit play for more...

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness Comment Video

VIDEO: Tech Week in View: Magic Mouse, Social Search and Nokia sues Apple originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:05:00 +0000

NEWS: PHOTOS: Sony S-Frame DPP-F700

Stuart Miles — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:07:28 +0000

Hands-on with the digital photo frame printer

Sony has recently announced a new digital photo frame?with a built-in printer, but what does it actually look like in the flesh? Pocket-lint was on hand to snap a photo gallery when it made a quick pit-stop in New York.

The new?Sony digital S-Frame DPP-F700?is an all-in-one device that gets a 7-inch display with an 800 x 480 resolution and can print 4 x 6-inch, 300 x 300 dpi photos in 45 seconds.

The idea is that you'll be able to print out a photo when you get the usual comment of "Oh I love this one, can I have a copy?"

You'll be able to edit the images in frame, meaning you won't have to worry about a PC, however the large form factor and ugly-looking paper tray means this is unlikely to find space on your mantle piece.

The DPP-F700 digital photo frame-printer will be available in the States for about $200 in January.

Tags: Cameras Sony Digital photo frames Printers Photo printers Sony S-Frame DPP-F700

PHOTOS: Sony S-Frame DPP-F700 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:07:28 +0000

NEWS: Daily Tech Deal: Jessops.com 10-year celebration

Ben Crompton — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Money saving deals, offers and innovations

Until the 2 November Jessops is offering discounts on a variety of digital cameras and accessories to celebrate 10 years of Jessops.com.

Today sees the Nikon Coolpix S640 on sale with a ?199 price tag and free standard delivery, Although a good price - we haven't seen it cheaper - Amazon is charging around the same.

This 12 megapixel effort has 5x optical and 4x digital zoom coming from its Nikkor lens, whilst other features include a 2.7-inch "wide viewing angle LCD" and all the usual modes you'd find on a camera of this ilk. Subject tracking, advanced face priority and 4x anti-blur all help in your quest for that perfect shot. Nikon's smart portrait system on the other hand includes a smile timer, blink warning and skin softening - which adjusts un-even skin tones - ensuring that everyone will be struggling to recognise themselves when you finally get round to printing the pictures.

The deals change daily so if this doesn't take your fancy it might be worth having another visit as the week goes on for more offers, meanwhile make sure you check back to Pocket-lint tomorrow as we'll have another tech deal for you to cast your eyes over.

Related links:

Shop - Jessops.com

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras Nikon Jessops Daily Tech Deal

Daily Tech Deal: Jessops.com 10-year celebration originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

REVIEWS: Canon PowerShot G11 digital camera

Gavin Stoker — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Do less pixels than the G10 make for a better camera?

We’ve not come across many – if any – digital camera upgrades that have taken a step back in terms of "specification".

But, on perusing the enthusiast targeted G11’s headline features, when compared with the G10 it appears that is exactly what has happened: 10 megapixels instead of its predecessor’s 14.7, a smaller LCD screen at 2.8-inches rather than 3, battery life at 390 shots from a full charge falling short of its forebear’s 400, and even a reduced burst mode of a lowly 1.1fps rather than 1.3fps.

At least the stabilised optical zoom has stayed the same at 5x, with a broader than average focal range of 28-140mm, making it as well suited to landscapes and group portraits as paparazzi-style close ups.

So what gives? Well, while reducing pixel count, Canon has kept the same size 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor as the G10, the inference being that less pixels crammed into the same space may produce a better performance in terms of reduced noise/grain when shooting in low light and at higher ISO settings.

This theory is born out upon discovering that maximum user selectable ISO has been raised from a previous ISO 1600 to ISO 3200, with a further ISO 12,800 equivalent option now achievable via a low light mode on the camera’s top mounted shooting dial – albeit with resolution dropping to 2.5 megapixels at this expanded setting.

The smaller LCD is also explained away by the fact that it is now of the vari-angle, rotate and twist variety, rather than the G10’s standard fixed display.

This is a boon for those who want to experiment with shooting from creative angles where it would be otherwise impossible to get an eye level with the optical viewfinder directly above – and the manufacturer claims its implementation was the result of customer requests. It can further be folded screen inwards to the body to provide an added degree of protection.

Worry not though, as the overall construction of the G11 is, as expected, reassuringly rock solid with chunky lithium-ion rechargeable battery and optional (yet essential) SD media card inserted. Its ruggedness practically matches that of an entry-level DSLR that you could alternatively buy for this compact’s ?569 UK price tag.

Weight without such accessories is a manageable 355g, though its shape – not too dissimilar to Panasonic’s similarly priced rival in the new GF1 – means it is one for slipping into the deep pocket of an overcoat rather than your skinny fit jeans.

Indicating that this camera is aimed at the more advanced user, even if it does feature the usual full auto options, are the array of rangefinder-like dials and controls festooning the top plate.

These allow the manual adjustment of exposure (+/- 2EV), the aforementioned ISO settings, plus the choosing of shooting modes. On the G11 we have the usual program, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual modes, plus 17 pre-optimised scene settings and a video mode, though sadly recording in standard definition 640 x 480 pixels rather than the increasingly ubiquitous high definition. The optical zoom can’t be used either when shooting video, which is a pain.

In contrast to the busy top plate, which also throws in a hotshoe for optional flashgun, the G11’s front plate looks rather spare. It’s dominated by lens with automatic cover that slides open on activation as its barrel extends to maximum wide-angle setting in just over a second. A filter thread is provided for the attachment of supplementary lens converters, while a subtly sloping padded ridge to the front provides purchase for the fingers.

Oddly though, we couldn’t find anywhere identifiable to place our thumb at the G11’s back plate when gripping for a handheld shot, leaving it to wander over the operational controls, one of which is the delete button.

Once you’ve lined up a shot via the adequately clear LCD or optical viewfinder above, press the shutter release button encircled by the zoom lever, and, with no noticeable shutter lag, a maximum resolution JPEG is committed to memory within 2-3 seconds.

The camera offers maximum quality, unprocessed RAW file capture too, selectable via a L-shaped toolbar on screen. Take a further shot in this mode and any difference in writing speed is barely noticeable, suggesting operational speed and image quality need not always be separate bedfellows.

Verdict:

So is it really worth spending as much, or more on the G11 than an interchangeable lens camera such as Panasonic’s GF1 or Olympus EP-1, or a full-blown digital SLR with standard APS-C sized sensor?

If the choice is a straight one, arguably not: we’d prefer the ability to swap lenses any day. But everyone’s requirements are different and the G11 does present photographers with a rather neat all-in-one solution, so there will be those thinking "so what that you can’t change the optic in use? What’s there is as much as I need".

It’s worth noting however that despite Canon trumpeting that with the G11 it has greatly improved low light photography, reducing noise and delivering a two-stop advantage, the camera has to first find a subject bright enough to focus on – in spite of its admittedly powerful AF assist lamp.

Even when it does, at maximum ISO 12,800 setting resultant images take on a watercolour effect, detail smudged. However, stick less ambitiously at ISO 3200 on the dial, and you get a result comparable to lesser compacts at ISO 800; much more impressive.

Shooting in less challenging daylight conditions the G11’s focus remains sharp with just a touch of barrel distortion at max wide angle and pixel fringing upon close inspection. We welcomed the ability to add punch to colours via a vivid "My Colours" option, plus apply a neutral density (ND) filter setting to preserve detail in landscapes when shooting images with contrasting dark foregrounds and bright backgrounds.

Taking all of the above into consideration however, unless you regularly shoot in low light and/or low to the ground or over the heads of a crowd whereby that flexible LCD screen might aid composition, sticking with the 14.7 megapixel G10 – identically priced at the time of writing – seems the sensible option.

But for those who do prefer that extra flexibility to "push" the image without resorting to the use of flash, the G11 is a solid contender in every sense.

PHOTOS: Canon PowerShot G11

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras Compact cameras Canon Canon PowerShot G11

Canon PowerShot G11 digital camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000

NEWS: RC helicopter rig flies your camera sky high

Stuart Miles — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:26:26 +0100

Up, up and away

A new camera rig for your DSLR camera or camcorder is hoping to take your photography airborne thanks to a little help from a remote controlled helicopter.

Called SkyShutter, the custom built remote controlled helicopter allows those looking to create aerial photography on the cheap by mounting any device up to about 6lbs (your average video camera or DSLR) and taking it into the air.

Created to order, the miniature helicopter costs around $9,000 and comes with two remote controls; one for the copter and one for the mount so you can control the direction of the camera.

The company behind the creation says the "Helicam can easily manoeuvre through a narrow street to chase a car from one foot off the ground to 400 ft up".

The best recommendation from the designer Jason Lam when we spoke to him? Get some one who knows how to fly remote controlled helicopters else it could prove a very expensive shot.

Come on, admit it, you want one.?

Read

Tags: Cameras Gadgets Helicopters

RC helicopter rig flies your camera sky high originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:26:26 +0100

NEWS: PHOTOS: Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

Stuart Miles — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:56:28 +0100

Hands-on with the new flagship DSLR camera

Canon has only just announced the new EOS 1D Mark IV, but that hasn't stopped us from having a brief play with the new camera when it made a quick pit stop in New York City on Friday at the PDN PhotoPlus conference.

The big, and we mean big, new camera is described by Canon as "a high-speed, professional digital SLR designed to empower photographers to capture split-second moments in high resolution, under the most challenging of conditions". ?

What that means is that you to get a 16.1-megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor as well as a new, advanced 45-point auto focus system with dual "DIGIC 4" processors, allowing for shooting of high-res pics at up to 10 frames per second. This is backed up with the widest ISO range ever to feature in a Canon camera with extended ISO ranges from a low of 50 to 102,400.

The new DSLR is robust and weatherproof with a full magnesium alloy body, can capture 1080p high definition video at 30, 25 and 24fps and 720p footage at 60 and 50fps.

There's a 3-inch Live View LCD display, revamped buttons and updated picture styles while the EOS 1D MARK IV is compatible with all existing EOS 1D Mark III accessories, EF lenses and EX Series Speedlite flash units.

In the hand and its an impressive piece of kit, which was quick to respond, and those two memory card slots (SD and CompactFlash) can be set to receive images in a variety of ways including jpegs on one and raw on the other, as a RAID solution (ie to both at the same time) in tandem and more.?

We were sneaky enough to slip in a Compact Flash card and shoot some pictures, however it seems we needn't have bothered as no software application we have in Pocket-lint towers (Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Canon's own professional RAW manager) will allow us to open the files. Doh!

We will add the test shots in as soon as our software lets us open them.

The EOS 1D Mark IV is due to be available from the end of December 2009 priced at ?4499.00 or 5499.00 euros.

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras Canon DSLR cameras 16 megapixels Photos

PHOTOS: Canon EOS 1D Mark IV originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:56:28 +0100

NEWS: Daily Tech Deal: Panasonic DMC-FX150 under ?150

Ben Crompton — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Money saving deals,offers and innovations

With the vast array of compact cameras available, if you're in the market for one it can possibly be a bit daunting to choose. So, as ever, Pocket-lint's tech deal will attempt to point you in the general direction of one of the better efforts, whilst keeping a close eye on the cash.

Play.com are currently selling the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150 for just shy of ?150. Although they are claiming a saving of ?100 on the original ?250 RRP, from what we've seen in reality it's a saving of around ?30 on the next-best price.

The first thing to grab your attention is the 14.7-megapixel CCD sensor which makes use of the decent 28mm wide-angle Leica zoom lens, giving you 3.6x optical and 4x digital zoom.

All of your pictures can be viewed on the 2.7-inch LCD display, whilst the camera itself is feature packed with intelligent auto mode, AF tracking, scene selector, ISO control up to 1600 and scene selector.

The Panasonic DMC-FX150 is given the full run down on the Play.com website but we'd recommend visiting Pocket-lint's full review first, where the camera received a not-to-be-sniffed-at 8/10 score.

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras Compact cameras Panasonic DMC-FX150 Play Daily Tech Deal

Daily Tech Deal: Panasonic DMC-FX150 under £150 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0100

NEWS: Movember 2009: Join our TechMo team

Stuart Miles — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:45:19 +0100

Men of this world, this is your calling, your calling to sign up to become a real man, the kind of man that can present the news (Ron Burgundy), the kind of man that can be a private dick (Magnum PI) and not laugh about it, the kind of man....

Okay you get the gist. Movember is now almost upon us, and that means you need to sign up and get your moustache thoughts in gear.

Once again Pocket-lint will be going Movember for November in aid of charity and we are asking for your help.

We aren't asking for money (although you can pledge if you want), we aren't asking you to run hundreds of miles, all we want from you is to join our TechMo team, grow a moustache in November and help rid the world of the disease that kills thousands of men each year.

What many people don't appreciate is that one man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK, more than 35,000 men will be diagnosed this year and that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK.

The more that join us, the more we can "change the face of men's health" through raising awareness and the money that will be raised.

Let's do this - register and grow a moustache as a Mo Bro, or sign on as a Mo Sista.

To join this Movember team go to http://uk.movember.com/register/7181 and follow the steps.

Once registered you'll be sent all the information you need to get growing.

Let's "Change the Face of Men's Health".

Stuart Miles and the Pocket-lint team.

P.S PR's of this world. Pledge money and we will give you a big shout out on the site for helping us in a good cause.

Related links:

Link - Movember TechMo team page

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness Movember

Movember 2009: Join our TechMo team originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:45:19 +0100

NEWS: Adobe Lightroom 3 beta released

Stuart Miles — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:36:10 +0100

New features for new free software

Adobe?has announced the availability of Photoshop Lightroom 3 as a free download for photographers to try.?

The new application, which allows photographers to catalogue their photo collections as well as perform basic editing processes to their pictures will add a host of new features according to Adobe.

“While we’re still hard at work on Lightroom 3, we recognise the value our customers bring to the development process and want their input so we can deliver the best final product possible", said Kevin Connor, vice president of product management for Professional Digital Imaging at Adobe justifying the move.

Supposedly completely redesigned under the hood to be faster, a bug bear of the Lightroom 2, the new software promises better handling of "image libraries and improved responsiveness with a higher-quality processing engine".

In the Library module, Adobe is promising a rebuilt import system bringing photos into the software more intuitive as well as allowing users to "easily specify the source and destination of their images, and save common processing, metadata or destination settings as easy-to-reuse presets".

In the Develop module, an overhauled processing engine allows users to create the highest quality images. Improved "Capture Sharpening" and "Colour Noise Reduction" tools apparently provide decent results while still preserving an image’s edge detail and contrast. A new Grain tool adds a film-style grain to images, and two new Vignette modes help photographers get a more natural look.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 beta is available as a free download to anyone on both Macintosh and Windows platforms. Adobe has yet to announce when a full version of the software will be available and how much it will cost.

Read

Tags: Software PC software Mac software Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Photoshop Lightroom 2 Photo editing software Cameras

Adobe Lightroom 3 beta released originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:36:10 +0100

NEWS: Sony digital S-Frame DPP-F700 offers built-in photo printer

Amy-Mae Elliott — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:29:18 +0100

All-in-one device displays and prints pics

Sony has announced the launch of a new multi-tasking digital photo frame - the S-Frame DPP-F700 - that offers a built-in photo printer.

The all-in-one device gets a 7-inch display with an 800 x 480 resolution and can print 4 x 6-inch, 300 x 300 dpi photos in 45 seconds.

The frame allows the user to edit images before printing with options including enlarge, reduce, crop, date stamp on/off, border/borderless as well as brightness, contrast, hue, and sharpness adjustment.

Images can be transferred onto the frame via USB from a PC, with support for Sony's memory card formats as well as SD, MMC, Compact Flash and xD.

Complete with remote control, the DPP-F700 digital photo frame-printer will be available in the States for about $200 in January.

Related links:

PHOTOS - Hands on photo gallery

Tags: Cameras Sony Digital photo frames Printers Photo printers Sony S-Frame DPP-F700

Sony digital S-Frame DPP-F700 offers built-in photo printer originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:29:18 +0100

NEWS: Jessops offers two new digi photo-frames

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:28:01 +0100

8- and 10-inch displays available for Christmas shoppers

Jessops has announced the launch of two new digital photo frames to add to its range in time for the Christmas shopping frenzy.

The own-brand photo frames come in 8-inch and 10.4-inch screen sizes with a black frame and have multi-card slots for SDHC, SD, MMC, CF, MS, XD as well as USB.

Both offer 2GB of internal memory, auto rotate functionality for portrait pics and a "magic window function" that displays multiple images at one go.

Offering a 4:3 display ratio, the frames will also playback video and MP3 music in slideshow mode, as well as boasting a clock with alarm and a calendar.

Complete with remote controls, the new frames are priced at ?99 and ?139 and are available now from stores or online.

Tags: Cameras Digital photo frames Jessops

Jessops offers two new digi photo-frames originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:28:01 +0100

NEWS: Tech week in view: Tourists on Segways, the Kindle in the UK and trouble in the cloud

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:42:19 +0100

Stuart Miles opines from New York on the week's big stories

After a brief summer break, Megawhat is back on Pocket-lint with a brand new Tech Week in View episode for your viewing pleasure.

Pocket-lint's Stuart Miles talks tourists on Segways and tells us why he thinks the new Sonos S5 is a tidy bit of kit.

Miles also considers the Amazon Kindle's UK launch (was it a bit of a rush job?) and looks at what the? T-Mobile Sidekick data loss might mean for the cloud computing industry.

Watch the video above now to see it all play out, and stay tuned for more comment from Pocket-lint soon.

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness events Comment Video

Tech week in view: Tourists on Segways, the Kindle in the UK and trouble in the cloud originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:42:19 +0100

NEWS: VIDEO: Canon EOS 1D Mark IV's advanced auto focus

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:06:11 +0100

Get an official overview of new pro snapper's 45-point auto focus abilities

We brought you news of the launch of Canon's new EOS 1D Mark IV digital SLR but can now offer a video overview of the new pro snapper's auto focus abilities.

As well as the advanced auto focus, ideal for fast-moving subjects, the new DSLR boasts dual "DIGIC 4" processors, 16-megapixels, ISO up to 102,400 and 1080p video capture.

Hit play now on the box above to see a run through of the revamped auto focus system, while there's also a look at image quality on the CanonClub's YouTube channel.

Tags: Cameras Canon DSLR cameras Video

VIDEO: Canon EOS 1D Mark IV's advanced auto focus originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:06:11 +0100

REVIEWS: Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR digital camera

Gavin Stoker — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Does a three-way sensor mean three times the fun?

Joining Fujifilm's current F200EXR and S200EXR models comes an attractive, largely metal build, pocket compact incorporating the same innovative "switchable" Super CCD EXR sensor and, for the first time in the series, marrying it to a 10x optical zoom (27-270mm equivalent in 35mm terms). It does this whilst maintaining a depth of a relatively slender-for-the-spec 22.7mm, and all for a price that, on initial inspection, suggests very good value.

Aimed, apparently, at "the gadget lover who likes to be in control", as we noted in our review of the DSLR-styled S200EXR, Fujifilm's unique EXR sensor technology allows the user to utilise the F70EXR's chip in three different ways. To kick off, photographers can shoot maximum resolution JPEGs - here 10 effective megapixels - or, secondly, capture images with increased dynamic range. The camera does this by taking two shots in quick succession - one at a high ISO (light sensitivity) setting, the other at a low ISO setting - combining them as a single 5 megapixel image.

The third user-selectable EXR option aims for high sensitivity but low noise; achieved by coupling together same colour pixels to achieve larger light gathering pixels. Again final resolution is 5 megapixels.

Can't decide which setting best suits? Well, in addition there's an auto EXR option that allows for point-and-shoot operation, the camera comparing the scene before it with six pre-programmed settings and deciding which EXR mode fits. Like rival intelligent auto modes, Fujifilm's offering gets it right most of the time, allowing the user to concentrate on subject rather than settings if so desired. Anti-shake is offered in the form of CCD shift to cancel out any effects of hand wobble shooting in low light or maximum zoom.

With the camera powering up in 2 seconds, in the main, the F70EXR's buttons and controls are of a decent size and similarly responsive, though we found the zoom lever a tad loose. Images are composed via an adequate 2.7-inch, 230k dot resolution LCD monitor at the rear, while EXR and regular auto shooting modes are selected via a dime-sized mode wheel set into the top right hand corner of the camera's back plate, where it naturally falls under the thumb.

Other options include the more regular program AE and manual modes, plus video capture (disappointingly at a standard definition 640 x 480 pixels, whereas HD would have really helped this camera to shine), scene modes (including pro focus and pro low light modes alongside the regular pre-optimised beach, snow and firework settings), along with Fujifilm's separate natural light and natural light with flash modes. Take a shot and the camera commits a full resolution image to memory - here a 47MB internal cache or removable SH/SDHC media - in less than 2 seconds.

Worth singling out for further attention are those pro focus and pro light options, as Fujifilm is claiming the F70EXR can deliver a "DSLR-like" performance in these modes. The first is, effectively, a focus bracketing mode that takes several images and combines them into a single shot to deliver a shallow depth of field effect, blurring distracting background detail and therefore making it best suited to portraits.

To get it to work properly you need both subject and camera to stay completely still, therefore use of a steady surface or tripod is a must. Ditto when selecting pro low light mode, which itself combines four frames taken at high ISO.

As on the S200EXR, helping the F70EXR to stand further apart from the pack - and make the most of its manufacturer's analogue heritage - are additional eccentricities such a trio of film simulation modes located by pressing the quick-access "F" (for "Foto") at the rear, as are the essentials of image quality and ISO settings - here up to a whopping ISO 12800 equivalent on offer.

With an identical range of offerings to its sibling, F70EXR photographers can aim to match the look of shooting with the naturalistic Provia (the camera's default setting), the warmer, flattering Velvia, or smoother, softer Astia film (Slightly wishy-washy for our tastes), plus more commonly found black and white or sepia colour effect options.

Use of the F70EXR will be intuitive for anyone who has previously handled a Fujifilm compact - there are many common family traits - whilst, for new converts, point and shoot operation will ease them in gently.

To our eyes, images straight out of the camera were naturally coloured if a little flat looking when left on default Provia setting. We welcomed the in-camera Velvia setting therefore for capturing the first colours of autumn. If, inevitably, the lower resolution shots look a little soft and almost painterly in comparison when downloaded and viewed on the desktop, a subtle application of Unsharp Mask in Photoshop can add the missing crispness.

Shooting at top ISO 12800 equivalent setting similarly delivers results more closely resembling a watercolour than photograph, but that said cheaper digital compacts deliver comparable results at a much lower ISO 1600. On this Fujifilm, users can shoot up to that ISO 1600 setting with surprisingly minimal amounts of noise. Plus you have all the additional features to tailor your images in camera we've already outlined.

Verdict:

More than most of its ilk, the F70EXR suggests itself as an ideal travel companion best suited to spur of the moment snaps. That said the broad focal range and EXR and film simulation modes do provide a wealth of creative possibilities, ably allowing the photographer to take in everything from landscapes to candid close ups. With the F70EXR suggesting excellent value even at its top UK recommended price of ?260, the ultimate winner here is the consumer.

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras 10 megapixels Fujifilm Fujifilm FInePix F70EXR

Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR digital camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

NEWS: DigiLife sticks projector into pocket HD camcorder

Lars-Göran Nilsson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:44:53 +0100

First of its kind, but unlikely to be the last

Although we admit that Nikon was first to combine a camera and a projector, Taiwanese DigiLife appears to be the first company to add a projector to a pocket HD camcorder.

The DDV-JF1, as it's called, combines a Flip-style camcorder with a pocket projector in a package that is no bigger than most current pocket projectors on the market.

The camera part of the device shoots video at 1280x720 pixels at 30fps, although 848x480 at 60fps and 320x240 at 30fps are also available options.

The lens is fixed focus and the camcorder offers 3 x digital zoom. The video is recorded in H.264 to an SDHC card with cards up to 32GB are supported.

On the back of the camcorder is a 2.5-inch LCD display with 960x240 while below the screen are controls which seem to have at least borrowed some of its inspiration from the Kodak Z6 in terms of layout.

The projector isn't very bright at 8 lux and with a resolution of Q720p which isn't as good as it
sounds as in reality this is only 640x360 pixels.

We don't know how much the DDV-JF1 is going to cost, but we have a feeling that it won't be worth whatever the initial price will be...

Tags: Cameras Camcorders Pico projectors DigiLife

DigiLife sticks projector into pocket HD camcorder originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:44:53 +0100

NEWS: Canon EOS 1D Mark IV announced

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:53:31 +0100

?4499 DSLR out in December for pros

Canon has announced the new EOS 1D Mark IV describing it as "a high-speed, professional digital SLR designed to empower photographers to capture split-second moments in high resolution, under the most challenging of conditions". ?

Angled as ideal for action, sports, news events and wildlife photography, the EOS 1D Mark IV gets a new Canon 16.1-megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor as well as a new, advanced 45-point auto focus system.

Dual "DIGIC 4" processors allow for shooting high-res pics at up to 10 frames per second and this is backed up with the widest ISO range ever to feature in a Canon camera with extended ISO ranges from a low of 50 to 102,400.

The new DSLR is robust and weatherproof with a full magnesium alloy body, can capture 1080p high definition video at 30, 25 and 24fps and 720p footage at 60 and 50fps. ?

There's a 3-inch Live View LCD display, revamped buttons and updated picture styles while the EOS 1D MARK IV is compatible with all existing EOS 1D Mark III accessories, EF lenses and EX Series Speedlite flash units. ?

The EOS 1D Mark IV is due to be available from the end of December 2009 priced at ?4499.00 or 5499.00 euros.

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras Canon DSLR cameras 16 megapixels

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:53:31 +0100

NEWS: Firebox offers USB Snakescope camera

Amy-Mae Elliott — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:44:37 +0100

Budget borescope

Almost falling into the NSFW category, Firebox is offering the USB "Snakescope" camera, a still slash video borescope for under ?30.

With a "robust", semi-flexible insertion tube, the camera head and cable are waterproof, so ideal for checking out your, er, plumbing. There's also a clip-on magnet that will help to retrive metal objects.

Complete with software that allows you to view, edit and save down recordings, the snakescope records in VGA quality and works with Windows-based PCs.

Related links:

Shop - Firebox

Tags: Cameras Firebox Digital cameras USB gadgets Gadgets Camcorders

Firebox offers USB Snakescope camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:44:37 +0100

NEWS: HANNspree Photo Alarm Clock launches

Amy-Mae Elliott — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:16:21 +0100

Does what it says on the tin

HANNspree is tacking the Christmas shopping market from a new angle - an all–in-one Photo Alarm Clock.

Described as "the perfect bedside gadget", as you'd expect it features alarm clock functionality with three alarms and snooze and sleep options, a photo viewer as well as an FM radio and digital music player.

The 4.3-inch colour LCD screen can be set to display seven different clock face styles, a calendar or photos with a slideshow option while USB connectivity means file transfer for photos, as well as MP3 or WAV music files is said to be easy.

The HANNspree Photo Alarm Clock is available now from www.misco.co.uk for ?44.99.

Tags: Gadgets HANNspree Alarm clocks Cameras Digital photo frames Misco Radios

HANNspree Photo Alarm Clock launches originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:16:21 +0100

REVIEWS: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj digital camera

Chris Hall — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:30:48 +0100

Does a projector belong in a camera?

It is probably safe to start this review by saying that the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj is the one with the projector. A bold move by Nikon, perhaps, launching a device that mashes together the trend for pico projectors with a regular 12-megapixel camera.

If you are really wondering how you combine a camera and a projector, then it is worth glancing at the iFixit teardown of the camera that lays out its innards. It's probably not as exciting as you'd expect, it simply adds the small projector into the mix.

This does of course mean that the camera carries a little weight, making it larger than other 12-megapixel compacts. So you do make something of a compromise for your pocket projector but it's not devastating. The measurements swell to 99.5 x 62.5 x 23mm, average dimensions for compacts a few years back, but well above the likes of a comparable modern camera. It will still slip happily into your jacket pocket and it isn't as though it is wasted space – there's a projector in your pocket after all.

Build quality is good and the S1000pj feels solid in the hand, free from creaks as you manipulate it. Controls are logically laid out, with most of the options sitting to the right of the 2.7-inch display on the back, where they fall neatly under your right thumb.

Across the top of the camera you get the usual shutter button surrounded by the controls for the 5x zoom. You also get a dedicated projector button and a slider so you can get the thing in focus depending on your distance from the surface you are projecting on to.

The extra bulk of the camera means the 5x optical zoom is housed internally, without the need to slide out the lens as is common on smaller models. Startup is reasonably swift and zooming is fast, if a little noisy. You get a 28-140mm (equiv) range from the lens and when out of use it sits behind a lens cover. No protection is offered to the projector lens, however, which sits in the centre of the camera under the flash.

Menus are easy to navigate using the four-way controller and ok button on the back. Although no manual control is offered, the Auto mode does offer you the likes of limiting the ISO range, or indeed picking the option you want, right up to the top ISO 6400, albeit accepting a drop to 3 megapixels at this setting, and the 3200.

Menus change based on whichever shooting mode you have currently selected and once you dive out of the regular Auto mode you find your options are limited, usually to the overall resolution and nothing else. Direct controls through buttons let you selection flash firing mode, self-timer, exposure compensation and macro mode (good from 3cm) however.

The usual scene selections are in here, as well as a Smart portrait mode which combines all the technical gubbins to try and eke out a good shot: face detection, skin softening, smile timer and blink detection. Why this isn't simply bundled into the Scene options too we don't know. You also get Subject tracking which is a neat focus lock, whether you use it to track a subject across the lens or to reposition a focal point to aid composition.

Video capture is supported at an average top setting of 640 x 480 (which holds a fairly solid 30fps). The results are good in daylight, but even in shadow or shade outdoors does pick up a lot of noise bands, with lower light video very noisy overall. The front mounted mic is relatively good though, giving good results, but exposed to wind noise and the like outdoors.

As a camera the S1000pj gives you results you'd expect from an experienced company like Nikon and it is good to see that image quality hasn't been compromised to deliver the novelty of the projector.

Colours are well represented, with nice punchy blues, giving great rich skies. Reds can be a little over-saturated at times, but not to a degree that detracts from the overall image and you do get colour presets in the menu if you want? something different. Exposure and metering is good, with clear on-screen symbols of when camera shake is likely to occur, when the included vibration reduction tries to help out.

Low light performance is reasonable, with the ISO 6400 taking on something of a mottled appearance. It won't stand 100% views or cropping, but if your plan is sharing online, then it works well enough. With the lens packing a max aperture of F/3.9, it isn't as versatile as some rivals in low light. However the best results come out of restraining the ISO range through the menu to stop Auto running wild, something we like a lot. High contrast scenes are handled relatively well with purple fringing kept under control and certainly no more of a problem than in other compacts out there.

We did notice some darkening in corners when using the camera at the widest angle with some barrel distortion too, but once you know it is there it can be used to artistic benefit – see the Cenotaph sample image.

Sitting at the left-hand end of the top plate is the projector button. Press it once and the projector fires up and you have your image beamed out the front. It is rated at 10 lumens, so best results come in a darkened room. Daylight with the lights off is certainly possible, but you really need to pull the curtains or close the blinds to get the greatest impact. Outdoors, in daylight, you won't get a visible image.

The throw is from 26cm (5-inch image) up to 2m (40-inch image) and the slider on the top will help you get it in focus across this range. Resolution of the projected image is 640 x 480 which is to be expected from a projector this small. It supports zoom however, so you can zoom in on parts of a photo to see more detail if you wish.

Options are limited, but you can set-up slideshows so you don't have to keep pressing the buttons and it even comes with music tracks. In the box you'll also find a small stand, giving the camera an angle to raise the projection off the end of a table. You also get a remote control, so you can show your images with ease, or use it for remote capture, a much preferred option over the usual self timer, with zoom controls too.

You can only project those photos and videos you have taken, you can't use it as a giant Live View option – you'd be looking at what you were projecting, so you'd be left with a feedback loop and little else anyway. It isn't designed for playing back media from other devices, but it did project other image files we had on our memory card.

Battery life is rated at 220 shots, although using the projector cuts this drastically and we found with mixed snapping and projecting we managed nearly 100 before we got a battery warning: some of this can be put down the excitement of having a projector to show off though.

Verdict:

So the camera delivers decent results and the projector works too. But the real question is what you are going to do with it. We guess that if you are interested in the camera you can already see the benefits of having projection in the same device.

If you spend your time taking shots and then instantly plugging into a computer to show them off again, then this saves that step for sure. We don't know who might do this, but the S1000pj makes it possible. But then we've all been in that situation when someone shows you a shot on the back of a camera. Give yourself a darkened room and you'll be able to entertain wedding guests or party goers with shots of the day. Kids love it too and there seems to be limitless entertainment in taking photos or video and projecting it onto the wall or ceiling.

Nikon have stuck to their principles and delivered a compact camera which performs as you would expect it to, so you don't lose out in opting for the S1000pj, except in pocket bulk.

If you've never been in the situation where you need to instantly share your images you'll get the same imaging quality in a smaller package for less money elsewhere. You do pay a little over the odds for the camera, but what price do you put on novelty?

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras Compact cameras Nikon Pico projectors Nikon Coolpix S1000pj 12 megapixels

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj digital camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:30:48 +0100

NEWS: Vicon Revue camera launched

Duncan Geere — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:16:08 +0100

Takes a photo every thirty seconds, all day long

Vicon has announced that within the next few months it'll be launching its intriguing Vicon Revue digital camera. The idea behind the Revue is that it sits on a cord around your neck all day taking photos at predetermined intervals - as often as every thirty seconds.

It also has a few sensors built in that can take photos at specific times. An accelerometer, temperature and light sensor can detect when you're entering a new environment and snap a photo of that, or an infrared sensor can take a picture when it detects the body heat of a person in front of you.

It has a 1GB memory, but the images taken are in pretty low resolution so it can fit 30,000 of them into that space. The lens is fisheye, though, so you'll get to see a bit more of your surroundings than you otherwise might.

The Revue was originally developed as the SenseCam by Microsoft, with the idea of allowing Alzheimers and Dementia patients to more easily recall the events of their day. Studies showed that use of the SenseCam helped long-term recall, too.

?Vicon has licensed the technology from Microsoft, though, and is making it available to consumers. Vicon's MD, Imogen Moorhouse, says that Microsoft took the decision to license the tech because it couldn't keep up with demand for the devices.

Vicon will be selling the unit for ?500, and it'll initially be marketed to researchers. That'll go on sale before Christmas, and a consumer version should also show up in 2010. We'll bring you more news of that when we get it.

Read

Tags: Cameras Vicon Revue Twitter

Vicon Revue camera launched originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:16:08 +0100

NEWS: Is Kodak coming back?

Dan Sung — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:48:20 +0100

Is it possible for the photography giant to own digital as it once did film?

Twenty years ago you couldn't help but marvel at the site of a stadium twinkling with thousands upon thousands of camera flashes and wonder just how much money Kodak was raking in. This year the last roll of 35mm Kodachrome colour film will leave the production line, bringing to an end a great part of history. At the dawn of the digital age, Kodak saw 35mm film sales plummet from $15 billion to $200 million in under 5 years. If you haven't heard much from the tech giant in the interim, aside the odd photoframe, it's because it went from a consumer facing family name to a 70% B2B specialist at almost the click of a shutter.

A few years on and Kodak is on the march once more with its familiar gold logo appearing on our shelves on increasingly desirable products. 97% of cinema films are still printed on Kodak - for the time being, at least - but now half of the company's 19 lines are digital, including consumer photo printers and more recently the Kodak Zi8 - arguably the top pocket camcorder on the market today. What's more, even though time may have been unkind to film, the number of photos we're taking has hit astronomical figures and, as far as Kodak is concerned, there's a huge part to play in that. It may have been a while since consumers saw the brand on a daily basis but Kodak still has one thing that you simply can't buy. Trust.

This year has seen Kodak reach out even further to the public with a series of blogs, a Facebook app and an iPhone app that connects consumers directly to the Kodak Gallery, a user site for uploading images where they're safer and higher in resolution than any other such service on the net. The latest step from the company in its embrace of the digital age has been to conduct a survey of the birth of the digital family called The Future of Reconnectivity. Entitled both with the public's concern over our increasingly virtual lifestyles and as part of Kodak's fact finding for future product strategy, the report sampled 2,500 consumers from France, UK, Germany, Italy and the US and asked them just how they use photos in social networking and what they hold dear in their digital lives.

By far the most telling stats were those associated with Facebook. It turns out that people with more Facebook photos have more friends. Now, that could be that they have more photos because they have more friends who take more pictures of them in the first place. They also discovered that people who smiled more in photos had more friends too. Perhaps we all like to know happier people? But probably the one that's harder to explain is that those who post more videos have more people in their networks. The report describes these users as part of a growing "digital aristocracy" and, for those who simply must be a part of it, you can help yourself out with photo editing software that will automatically remove frowns from pictures and turn them into smiles. In reaction, you'll also find groups on Facebook for people who like images of sad and angry faces. Good for an amusing browse.
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In general, there were also patterns that emerged in what kinds of pictures were taken by different age groups. Those in their 20s predominantly took what the study referred to as "vertical photographs" - those in which the subjects were mainly on their feet. Probably something to do with youth and all that energy they have. By the 30s it was more what was described as "10 o'clock photos" where subjects were mostly sat down and largely more sedate. By our 40s, it's all about photos more for business and by 50s and 60s, it's all about family shots which seems to make sense.

The concern for Kodak more specifically is how to get the most out of our digital photo stock or how to bring out the "digital shoebox" as Kodak chief marketing officer Jeff Hayzlett puts it. On the virtual side of things, Kodak is looking at easier methods of sharing digital photos both across networks and anywhere in the home between photoframes that are yours and those perhaps at another family member's house hundreds of miles away. A large focus of the company's business now is, of course, home printing of shots but for those that wish to send their stills in the other direction, it's actually possible for to get metadata from scanned hard copy photographs. The paper on which Kodak prints were made contains all sorts of detail including when and where the printing was done. Very useful for mass digitisation and sorting.

There's clearly plenty of inroads for Kodak and enough faith from the general public in the name of the brand the world knows so well. The big question is whether or not the products and services can deliver as well as the competition. This time there's no relying on George Eastmen to invent the revolution. The technology is already there and Kodak has been behind the digital pack so far but with a combination of legacy and innovation anything is possible. What we can say for sure is that we'll be seeing more from the New York company in the consumer space to come but it's another thing altogether of how the B2B side of the business will cope as more and more cinemas go digital too.

Is Kodak coming back? originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:48:20 +0100

REVIEWS: Ricoh CX2 digital camera

Doug Harman — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

A strong choice for the enthusiast?

The Ricoh CX2 is basically the same as the CX1, it looks stylish and is undoubtedly well made; once again we had the black liveried version to test, though silver and a two-tone version with a coloured top plate are available. A simple control layout belies the underlying complexity; a small mode dial perched on the rear corner joins with a small on/off button and a combined zoom control and shutter button.

The lens zoom lever controls a very nice 28-300mm (35mm equivalent) lens that has a respectable F/3.5 to F/5.6 maximum aperture range that is only slightly reduced compared with the CX1’s F/3.3 to F/5.2 aperture range.

The lens is very sharp and helps gather and direct light on the same 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor as found in the CX1, but what is more remarkable is the fact that such a large lens can be folded away into the camera’s svelte 29.4mm wide body. Though slim, the camera’s handling is actually rather good, although the long focal lengths on offer mean reduced apertures, and so camera shake can become an issue, particularly in low light and at the longer end of the 300mm zoom.

The Smooth Imaging Engine IV returns and combines with the sensor to give high-speed image processing for an improved 5fps shooting an impressive frame rate as good as some entry level DSLRs. It can also shoot in an “enhanced” ultra high continuous shooting mode, that provides VGA sized images at up to 120fps. These images are combined into one final Multi-Picture Format image.

An M-Continuous Shooting Plus mode joins the high-speed snapping systems and provides a way to shoot images at 15fps or 30fps, the camera storing the 1 or 2-seconds worth of frames just prior to removing your finger from the shutter release.

In other words, keeping your finger on the shutter button until just after the key event has finished, you can be sure you’ve captured it on one or more of the preceding 15 (or 30) frames, each shot at 2MP necessary to achieve the high frame rate.

The screen stays active throughout – so you can pan along and compose with fast moving action – even though the refresh rate is reduced. Ricoh’s high-speed shooting system works very well, with the caveat on the image file size, but even an 2MP, astute use of image editing software should give reasonable sized prints if required.

One of the other features developed for the CX1 and found here also, is the rather tongue twisting Dynamic Range Double Shot Mode, thankfully, DR for short. DR is designed to boost the camera’s effective dynamic range – something often seen as the Achilles heel of digital cameras – to around 12EV, at least according to Ricoh. In essence, the system works by combining two images, or rather, the properly exposed portions of two images shot at different exposures, one biased to the highlights, the other shadows.

An obvious downside is immediately obvious if you try this hand held, or with moving subjects; the combined image is blurred and so DR is only really effective on static subjects that are shot using a tripod. However, when it works the effect is akin to an HDR image and helps get more shadow and highlight information from otherwise hard-to-expose scenes.

So, a tripod and careful use of DR can provide a powerful tool for hard to expose shots or where (perhaps) you might want to dig out more detail than would otherwise be achievable. Of course, the inclusion of a RAW shooting mode, something lacking here, might have helped too as you can claw back extra highlight and shadow detail when playing with RAW files on a PC. But, the extra processing “at home” this needs, may be a step too far for the potential, “snapper” oriented market?

The “strength” of the DR effect can be adjusted in four steps from “very weak” to “strong” but that necessitates a certain amount of trial and error to learn which strength is best for specific subjects; practice is important then here and on balance it’s better to shoot four (or rather eight!) images at each level and be safe than waste time fiddling, since you’ll need to “test” the effect for each subject you use it on.

However, the excellent screen makes this experimentation in-camera and when in the field achievable, since its 920,000-pixel resolution provides enough detail to see what’s going on. However, the cleverest bit about this is that Ricoh’s boffins developed an algorithm that compensates for overexposure within the green segments of the R, G, B, Bayer colour filter matrix (green allows more wavelengths of light through, than does the red and blue sectors of the matrix) used to reconstruct colour in the images. It re-calculates lost green values from surrounding blue and red sections of the Bayer filter helping get better and more natural colours.

Just like the CX1, there’s a dedicated processor for this, so it does not slow image capture or image processing and it is always active, can be used in the DR mode and on the two DR images (see above) to give a much more dramatic boost, if needed. Another big plus for those needing high quality images, is this system works without affecting the sensitivity, so does not have the problem of increasing image noise within images.

The CX2’s white balance control includes Multi-Pattern Auto White Balance. This is great for scenes where you have mixed lighting such as flash, sunlight and tungsten, for example. The camera can define the “correct” white balance for each section of the image and fit the white balance to the proper level for each zone within the image. This seems to be an accomplished system, as some of my abstract fibre-optic lamp shots, taken in low and mixed light, have been handled extremely well and with few noise artifacts.

Indeed, colour rendition and saturation are great, easily on a par with the CX1, as you’d expect, and yet lifelike, with a deep richness that is natural looking rather than overblown as some consumer oriented digital compacts tend to be.

The Multi-Pattern Auto White Balance is also great for fill-flash work shooting portraits, where you have mixed lighting – natural light with flash – say, and as you’d expect (and just like the CX1), you still have all the “normal” WB presets to choose between such as sunlight, cloudy and shadows. The set of manual WB setting, set via a single press of the display button, once this mode selected from the menus.

The next feature of note is the focus system. AF is very good, the multi-AF system works well and will pick a range of options within a complex scene to give a correct focus range encompassing the lot, or you can pick a single (central for example) focus point if preferred, ideal for macro or portrait work.

Alternatively, Multi-Target AF shoots seven, quick-fire images with a variety of focus points based on elements within the scene, and you can then choose the most appropriately focused image. Interestingly, Ricoh recommends this focus mode for macro work and given the excellent closest focus point of 1cm, it can help get the correct focus point if you don’t have the time to set up on a tripod, for example. A new mode is continuous AF, which makes shooting a sequence of a moving subject much easier to do – and keep the shots sharp.

Multi, centre-weighted and spot metering are very good; exposure control overall is excellent, particularly given exposure compensation can be quickly accessed via the ADJ(ust)/OK button on the back. This mini joystick, while a little fiddly to use, also provides fast access to WB, resolution, ISO and focus controls; adding to the camera’s armoury further is the auto exposure bracketing mode, and there’s flash exposure compensation too.

Other back plate controls include a “Fn” or function button that can be assigned up to 11 separate function, from Macro focus point selection to WB bracketing, or limiting the minimum aperture that can be used by the camera; useful if you need further control the amount of light reaching the sensor to help prevent camera shake or add an element of control for depth of field.

The excellent digital spirit level remains, via a small graph-style indicator on the screen to show whether the camera’s horizontal or vertical, an excellent handling bonus on a svelte camera such as this. And so there’s plenty of complexity crammed into the CX2, all reached via menus presented as two large lists.

Just like the CX1, the menus seem rather daunting at first. The more enthusiast user will not be put off, but given most users will simply point and shoot and (probably) won’t delve into menus unless something goes wrong, this is a menu layout that may make a few users tremble in trepidation, should they should dip in.

However, the detailed menus are easy to read, thanks largely to that stunning LCD with its high-resolution, 920,000-pixels. The screen is good to use for composition in most conditions, but only just in direct sunlight, when even with the low reflection coating, it’s often a challenge to compose (or check the correct focus point has be selected) for a shot.

The lack of an optical viewfinder means you have no fallback composition tool either, or should you need to conserve battery power; having said that, for power consumption, Ricoh claims a full charge will provide enough juice for around 290-shots. Actually that’s about average performance at this level in the market.

There are a couple of new shooting modes to join the array already present and carried over from the CX1. The Easy Shooting mode remains for those that want to leave the “thinking” to the camera. However, when shooting both the focus and exposure areas can be shifted within the scene to anywhere, making fine tuning of exposure and focus in portrait or macro work easy and eminently controllable.

One of the new scene modes is the very clever “Miniaturize” mode, which blurs an area at the top and bottom of the image to give the impressions you’ve shot a miniature scene. A little bit of creative fun then but how useful it is remains to be seen. The new High Contrast B&W mode seems more useful and, as you’ve probably guessed, it boost contrast and shoots a mono image akin to that from grainy black and white film.

And the CX2 now has its own “Manner”. No, not an area in East London, but a scene mode for snapping indoors, a mode more commonly called a “museum” mode on other makes of camera. Here, operational beeps and whizzes are muted; flash and the AF auxiliary light are also cancelled, so you can shoot with impunity inside a museum, for example.

In terms of image quality, the CX2 offers an extremely good performance; with the slightly over saturated colour from the CX1 tamed nicely here, out of the box. Sensitivity is usually the key to image quality, or rather noise at higher ISOs. For the CX2, things are as rosy below ISO 400 as was the CX1, at ISO 800 noise is obvious and at the top ISO 1600 setting, as expected, noise becomes intrusive.

Detail does not suffer the image processing working to preserve detail, even if that means more visible noise in the final shot, but the film-grain like quality at least allows you to make a more (arguably) creative decision on its inclusion, should the high ISO mode be your only option, given there’s still no optical image stabilisation on offer and the longer focal lengths make camera shake even more likely than with the CX1.

The slight smoothing of detail from the CX1 at low ISO is less prevalent so that’s an improvement, and so, overall the image quality, metering, focus and WB setup is excellent and better than the CX1. And yes, the image processing, used to pull detail out of the highlights works and actually does help get more subtle tones from within highlights and detail within shadows.

Verdict:

The CX2 is, well, just the like the CX1 – only more so. A relatively minor update might furrow some brows as to why the CX1 needed replacing so soon. The longer focal lengths are (arguably) more useful, but the flip side is problems with camera shake and low light. However, this is a highly specified, well-crafted camera with a host of very clever and new features that work.

The Ricoh CX2 is undoubtedly a machine for the more advanced user, but offers image quality to match for those that know what they’re doing and is easy enough to use. The all-auto and scene modes have useful tweaks but to get the most from the camera you’ll need to keep control to yourself and you’ll be amply rewarded with some stunning shots.

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras Ricoh Ricoh CX2 9 megapixels Ricoh CX2

Ricoh CX2 digital camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

NEWS: VIDEO: Nikon D3S in action

Stuart Miles — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:06:20 +0100

Moon over the water under the stars

With an ISO settings of over 100,000 you would expect the new Nikon D3S?to be able to capture shots in the dark, and that's what this video sets out to show.?

Shot by photographer Vincent Munier and titled Summer Variations, the footage was shot in Norway and Finland across 2 weeks and is pretty stunning, even if it's not 1080p.?

The new "S" update of the D3 pro model follows Nikon's trend of tweaking existing models.

Adding to the D3's already impressive spec sheet is a new FX CMOS sensor. Although it maintains the 12.1-megapixel resolution of the original D3, the sensor has been redesigned to add enhancements to the performance and a new Dust Reduction System.

Retailing for ?4199.99, the Nikon D3S is going to be available from December.

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras DSLR cameras Nikon Nikon D3s 12 megapixels Video

VIDEO: Nikon D3S in action originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:06:20 +0100

NEWS: What the Google Street View car could have looked like

Stuart Miles — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:32:45 +0100

Camera-van perfect car for photographers

Google might have its camera-van recording everything it sees as it drives around cities across the world, but it's got nothing on this van.

Covered in over 2700 cameras (yes you read that right), the van has been created to promote a new film called Automorphosis, a film about people that do car art.

The film is being shown at the Royal Flush Festival in New York on 17 and 18 October.

Other van's and cars in the film include a van covered with 15,000 dollar coins and brass objects, a homage to the Dutch painter Mondrian, and an interactive Mariachi inspired music car.

Related links:

Link - automorphosis.com

Tags: Car And GPS Cars Google Cameras Digital cameras Compact cameras

What the Google Street View car could have looked like originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:32:45 +0100

NEWS: Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 announced

Stuart Miles — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:42:59 +0100

What are the best gadgets of 2009?

The Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards are back letting you know what the best products of 2009 really are.

Now in its 6th year, the Pocket-lint Awards, thought to be the longest running in the UK, pick the best gadgets and gizmos from the last year.

Better still, because we don't have a print publication to worry about, we haven't had to call the decision early meaning the best gadgets of 2009 get a chance to win rather than those just announced in the first half of the year.

This year's categories are:?

Best music gadget
Best car gadget
Best digital camera
Best laptop
Best software/service/app
Best game
Best gaming hardware
Best home cinema device
Best mobile phone
Best gadget
Product of the Year 2009

What do you think are the best gadgets of 2009? What should be included for nomination? Let us know in the comments below:

Tags: Audio Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 Pocket-lint Awards

Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:42:59 +0100

NEWS: "Premium" version of Flip MinoHD announced

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:36:29 +0100

$30 for added extras

In the States, Pure Digital has launched a new "premium" version of its Flip MinoHD pocket camcorder that sees a few feature additions for an extra $30.

Priced at $229 and boasting 8GB of storage for 2 hours of 720p video, a larger 2-inch screen and an HDMI port, the premium model gets either an aluminium shell or a personalised design from Flip's website. ?

There's also a new version of the FlipShare software with an "automatic Magic Movie mode" that auto-trims and edits clips before uploads.

There's no news on a UK launch for the new higher-end model just yet, but the second generation of Pure Digital's Flip Ultra line only went on sale here in June.

Read

Tags: Cameras Flip Camcorders Pure Digital

"Premium" version of Flip MinoHD announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:36:29 +0100

NEWS: PHOTOS: Nikon D3S

Chris Hall — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Hands-on the new pro model

Nikon has announced the "S" upgrade to their popular D3 model, in what they are calling "the most significant S update" they've made.

The Nikon D3S features a redesigned 12.1-megapixel (effective) full frame FX CMOS sensor, with a new Dust Reduction System and a new Hi3 ISO option, which brings the effective ISO range up to 102,400.

Nikon are pitching the D3S as the best camera for low light work, frequently mentioning that the D3S will let you shoot things "your own eyes can't see clearly".

Of course you get that 720p movie mode, at 24fps too, although some might question why there is no Full HD option. Nikon addressed this question in their briefing, responding that the D3S is a professional stills camera and the video should be judged by its quality.

Movies are captured in AVI format, using Motion JPEG, which will only support file sizes of 2GB, which gives you 5 minutes of 720p video. It does have the option to trim start and finish points in-camera, as well as grab a JPEG straight from the movie, although it is only really good for web use or smaller prints (e.g. 6 x 4).?You do get full aperture control in movie modes as well as access to the full ISO range, opening up the possibilities for low light filming.?

Various other tweaks have been made, including some minor changes to buttons and the battery to make it easier for gloved hands, responding to customer feedback. You also get 100% viewfinder coverage in FX shooting mode.

There is a new NEF RAW image editing system built-in, which is designed to enable you to tweak an image and extract the JPEG you want, so you can send it straight out for publishing or print directly from the camera.

Yours for ?4199.99, it will be on sale from the beginning of December.

Related links:

News - Nikon D3S brings video and ISO 102,400

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras DSLR cameras Nikon Nikon D3s 12 megapixels Photos

PHOTOS: Nikon D3S originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

NEWS: Nikon D3S brings video and ISO 102,400

Chris Hall — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

In-camera RAW editing too

Nikon has announced the "S" update of the D3 pro model, following its trend of tweaking existing models.

The most noticeable enhancement is the new Hi3 ISO setting, giving you an effective ISO of 102,400. The D3 was known for its noise suppression at high ISOs and Nikon claims that with the D3S, you'll be able to capture things "your own eyes can't see clearly".

You also get a new in-camera NEF RAW editing system with easy-to-use menus to tweak all the settings, such as white balance, exposure, etc, just as you would in post-processing on your PC. This will allow you to create the JPEG you want to send out instantly.

There has also been an increase to the buffer, so you can save up to 36 RAW files, or 124 large JPEGs in full resolution continuous shooting at 9fps.

And then of course you have D-Movie mode. Video capture is possible at 1280 x 720 at 24fps, so gets the HD sticker, but not the full-fat variety you'll find elsewhere.

You can take advantage of the high ISO settings for movies too, with the option of trimming clips to extract (selecting start and end points) and you can save movie frames as individual JPEGs (albeit not at full resolution). There is a mono mic on-board, with the option of adding an external mic.

Retailing for ?4199.99, the Nikon D3S is going to be available from December.

Related links:

Photos - Nikon D3S

Tags: Cameras Digital cameras DSLR cameras Nikon Nikon D3s 12 megapixels

Nikon D3S brings video and ISO 102,400 originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

NEWS: iMovie adds iFrame support, yet another movie format

Stuart Miles — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:34:09 +0100

Not to be confused with html iframes

Apple has released an update to its iMovie video editing software package and with it support for yet another movie standard.

While the main focus of the update is to fix bugs, compatibility and stability issues as well as add support for the newly announced iPod nano, it also adds, "improved compatibility with camcorders using the iFrame video format".

According to Sanyo, who launched two American versions of its cameras that record in the iFrame (the Sanyo Xacti VPC-FH1?and Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000)?format on Tuesday, the new format is designed specifically to allow users to easily import, edit and share high quality videos because it is the same format used to edit on a computer.

The result "dramatically speeds up the processes of importing, editing and sharing movies across multiple platforms and devices", says Sanyo.

iFrame shoots at 960 x 540 pixels compared to 1080P which is 1920 x 1080.

The update is recommended for all users of iMovie ’09.

Tags: Cameras Video editing software iMovie Sanyo Apple

iMovie adds iFrame support, yet another movie format originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:34:09 +0100

NEWS: Nikon D3S breaks cover

Stuart Miles — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:17:16 +0100

BJP confirms existence with scant details

The British Journal of Photography has spilled the beans on Nikon's latest camera expected to be launched on Wednesday.

"Last week I travelled to St Andrews for the pre-launch of the Nikon D3s, a camera that can see what the eye cannot, by virtue of its extraordinary sensitivity to even the most low lit environments, boasting 'standard' ISO settings up to 12,800, a boost mode up to 102,400 - something that would have been unfathomable to film photographers 20 years ago", says the journal's editor Simon Bainbridge in a post that has gone presumably live ahead of schedule considering Nikon doesn't currently offer a D3S.

The rest of the article keeps details thin on the ground with Bainbridge instead preferring to talk about where digital photography it going rather than specifics on the actual camera itself.

Expect more details on the D3S?very shortly.

Read

Related links:

Via - nikonrumours.com

Tags: Cameras Nikon DSLR cameras Digital cameras Nikon D3s 12 megapixels

Nikon D3S breaks cover originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:17:16 +0100

NEWS: Polaroid re-launch announced

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:18:03 +0100

600 film and Polaroid One, Two and Three incoming soon

Summit Global, the licensee of the Polaroid brand, has officially announced the world re-launch of Polaroid, with both instant photography products and digital offerings due to be re-available.

The new Polaroid will manufacture a range of instant film products like the Polaroid 600 instant film, and also re-introduce a range of instant cameras including the "Polaroid One".

A great success for the Impossible Project, campaigners who worked hard to see instant film back to realistic prices, it's thought this move will bring Polaroid to a whole new audience, as well as appease retro-photography fans.

In addition to film-based efforts, Polaroid will also work on ZINK tech with ZINK Imaging, a team-up last seen in the Polaroid POGO instant digital printer.

Along those lines, there are also plans to market the digital Polaroid "Two"and plans have been revealed to produce a Polaroid "Three" - an instant digital camera that produces 4-inch by 3-inch instant digital photos.

Tags: Cameras Film cameras Polaroid Biz Printers Digital cameras Compact cameras Zink

Polaroid re-launch announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:18:03 +0100

REVIEWS: Adobe Photoshop.com Mobile for iPhone

Stuart Miles — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:30:46 +0100

Can this improve the iPhone's picture option?

We all know the iPhone camera isn't the best, we also know that chances are you take pictures that are good, but maybe need a little help on the improving side. Yep, there is an app for that. But has the imaging software company cracked it, or is this one Adobe app you shouldn't bother to download??

Available for the iPhone, the app is currently free, however isn't available in other countries like the UK. You can however get it on Windows Phone handsets.

Fire it up and you are presented with three main options: edit a photo, view your online Photoshop.com gallery and upload your images to the service.

Opt for the editing process and you can either select a photo from your camera roll or take a fresh photo to then edit.?Once you've got your photo loaded you can then start manipulating it. There are a plethora of options from cropping (1:1, 3:4, 4:3 ratios or custom) to rotating your image to flipping horizontally or vertically.

But it's not just about cropping out the random dude in your photo, Exposure, Saturation, Tint and Black & White are also available to you. All the editing features are controlled via your finger simply by moving it from one side of the screen to the other. The editing process is incredibly easy and luckily Adobe has thought to add a numbering or colouring system to each editing filter so you can achieve the same settings each time on different pictures. You can't punch that in as a number, but at least you can replicate it.

All that's good, but where would a photo editor be without the ability to create crazy image effects? Here you get a range of them. Two - Sketch and Soft Focus - will actually change the image drastically, with the Sketch option making it look like a drawing. The other photo effects are based on colour washes, most of which are fun rather than useful. We can't really see you wanting to "Rainbow" or "Pop" many pictures (see images for example), however used on the right photo and Black & White, Warm Vintage, and Vignette Blur could be very handy.

Once you've created and edited your work of art you can then save it to your Camera Roll as a new image or chose to upload it to Photoshop.com, Adobe's picture service.?As you would expect the app gives you access to that space so you can view images stored on the service and you get 2GB free with the option to add more storage at a price.

Uploading is simple but limited as you can only upload your image to the Photoshop.com service. There is no social networking functionality, no Flickr support, no Facebook support, no nothing. It's a shame because if you want to do upload anywhere else you have to come out of that app and then start up another app (i.e., Facebook) to get the job done. It's no biggie, but it would have been nice to have been able to do it from the one application.

With live access to your Photoshop.com galleries you can then bore the world with your favourite images from the palm of your hand and you can play albums and images as a slideshow, but you can't play it back to music or anything.

On the PC or Mac you can access the site via a standard browser.

Verdict:

The Photoshop Mobile for iPhone app is impressive when it comes to editing your images, especially as it is free.

The big catch is that it is isolated to the one service, something that makes this more of an advert for Photoshop.com rather than an all powerful imaging app that will make you dump all the others you've downloaded on your phone.

If that doesn't bother you and you just want a basic image editor with some fun features then you might as well give it a spin, after all it's not going to cost you anything.

Tags: Phones Mobile phone apps Adobe Apple iPhone iPhone apps Photoshop Mobile for iPhone Cameras Photoshop Mobile for iPhone

Adobe Photoshop.com Mobile for iPhone originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:30:46 +0100

NEWS: Jessops captures exclusive on Fuji Finepix F72EXR

Amy-Mae Elliott — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:28:13 +0100

With EXR tech

Jessops has announced it's bagged the exclusive on the Fuji Finepix F72EXR compact digi-cam. The Fuji F72EXR is a 10-megapixel, 10x optical zoom compact with Fuji's EXR tech.

The EXR technology claims to use the sensor in three different ways to optimise resolution, dynamic range or low-light performance and has previously featured in higher end models.

With a black metal body the Fuji F72EXR gets a 2.7-inch display, a "super intelligent" flash, face detection, red eye removal and takes SD cards.

The Fuji Finepix F72EXR is priced at ?279 and is available now at Jessops stores or online.

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras Fujifilm Fuji Finepix F72EXR Jessops

Jessops captures exclusive on Fuji Finepix F72EXR originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:28:13 +0100

NEWS: Daily Tech Deal: Free kit with Olympus E-30 and E-620 cameras

Ben Crompton — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Money saving deals, offers and innovations

Olympus are offering an interesting deal on two digital SLRs at the moment in the form of the Olympus E-30 and the Olympus E-620.

Both cameras are pretty high-end, the E-620 retailing at around ?500 and E-30 ?600, but if you're in the market you can now get bonus equipment for free.

Coming with the E-620 is a li-ion rechargeable battery (BLS-1) worth around ?60 which will go nicely with its now standard power grip, and with the E-30 you'll get a choice of a free power grip worth around ?200 or alternatively a FL-36R wireless flash normally ?289.

For those who have adopted the E-system already, Olympus are also offering cashback on selected lenses, in order to claim these offers, simply buy a featured product and register online before the end of January.

A link to the Olympus website is below, as well as links to reviews of both the cameras.

Daily Tech Deal: Free kit with Olympus E-30 and E-620 cameras originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0100

NEWS: Eye-Fi wireless memory cards to launch in the UK

Amy-Mae Elliott — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:43:21 +0100

Give your camera Wi-Fi upload abilities

Eye-Fi's wireless memory cards will soon be available in the UK, it's been officially announced.

Due to hit shop shelves on 19 October, Eye-Fi cards allow users to wirelessly upload photos and videos to their computer and the Web when in range of a Wi-Fi network.

Three 4GB Eye-Fi cards will be available in the UK - the Eye-Fi Home Video, the Eye-Fi Share Video and the Eye-Fi Pro.

The Eye-Fi cards can be used in most cameras and devices that take the SD card format. In the States, where the cards debuted in 2007, the range is larger and includes a geo-tagging option.

Priced from ?49.99 to ?119.00 the cards will go on sale at Amazon, Apple, Computer Warehouse and Dabs.

Tags: Cameras Memory cards Eye-Fi Wireless Camera accessories

Eye-Fi wireless memory cards to launch in the UK originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:43:21 +0100

REVIEWS: Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR digital camera

Gavin Stoker — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0100

A viable all-in-one alternative to a DSLR?

With the trend of late for ever-larger zoom lenses crammed within ever more miniscule camera bodies, Fujifilm’s new S200EXR – which offers a 14.3x optical variety – comes as a something of a shock.

Upgrading the S100fs?and ape-ing a digital SLR "proper" in design and control layout – not to mention price – this 12-megapixel bridge model is unapologetically chunky and substantial at an 820g body-only weight.

Hefting this latest super zoom out of the box and holding it firmly in both hands, construction feels rock solid too; the digits of the right comfortably wrapping around the large grip, while the left encircles the prominent zoom barrel with manual focus ring. To zoom in or out you simply twist said barrel, which feels much more satisfying than merely pressing a button with thumb or forefinger.

Though a broad focal range equivalent to 30.5-436mm in 35mm film terms proves ideal for both candid portraits and amateur wildlife photography, plus its Tonka toy-like physical dimensions are what make the biggest initial impression, again with this camera it’s what’s on the inside that counts – as much if not more.

For this is Fujifilm’s third camera (after the pocket-sized F200 and F70) and its first bridge model to feature the company’s innovative Super CCD EXR sensor technology that allows the user to utilise said chip in three different ways. EXR option one is to simply shoot regular 12-megapixel maximum resolution images (as JPEG or RAW files), while the second is to capture images with increased dynamic range. The camera does this by taking two shots in quick succession – one at a high ISO (light sensitivity) setting, the other at a low ISO setting – combining them as a single image.

The third user-selectable EXR option aims for high sensitivity but low noise; achieved by coupling together same colour pixels to achieve larger light gathering pixels.

Additionally there’s an auto EXR setting found on the top plate mode dial that allows for point and shoot operation, the camera itself choosing which of the trio of options best suits subject and conditions. Other shooting modes include the more regular program, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual modes.

Though this all sounds like fun, at times the differences between shots taken in the various EXR modes are very subtle – particularly in daylight conditions – leading us to conclude that, for general-purpose usage, one shouldn’t be swayed to buy this camera for its "EXR" properties alone.

Fortunately, helping the S200EXR to stand further apart from the pack – and make the most of its manufacturer’s analogue heritage – are additional curiosities such a trio of film simulation modes.

Photographers can aim to match the look of shooting with the naturalistic Provia (the camera’s default setting), the warmer, flattering Velvia, or Astia film, plus more run-of-the-mill black and white or sepia. These options are accessed via the easy to read and intuitive to navigate menu screens, a dedicated button for the selection of which is located at the centre of the four-way control pad on the camera back.

With the camera powering up ready for the first shot in just under 2 seconds, pictures are composed via fixed 2.7-inch LCD or electronic viewfinder (EVF) directly above the larger screen (and in place of the optical alternative). It would have been good to see a higher resolution screen and a tilting one at that for maximum visibility, but what’s provided is adequate.

The camera is commendably fast to determine focus and exposure if left on auto setting, though when shooting handheld at maximum telephoto, even with image stabilisation on board, we found we sometimes needed to take two or three shots to get one that was nicely crisp. Purple fringing can also be a problem when shooting subjects framed against bright skies, though that’ true of most of Fujifilm’s competitors.

Whilst both pop-up flash and hotshoe for supplementary alternative are offered, so is up to ISO 12,800 light sensitivity for those who want to switch off any artificial illumination and go for the natural look.

In practice however noise intrudes noticeably from ISO 800 upwards when left on the camera’s default settings, detail softening at ISO 1600 which is a little disappointing, as is the fact that the S200EXR’s video resolution is a mere standard definition 640 x 480 pixels rather than the latest high-def 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720.

More positively the full extent of the zoom can be utilised when recording, focus automatically adjusting – and quickly – as the user moves through the range.

Verdict:

So does the Fujifilm S200EXR offer pretty much all that a DSLR does, whilst saving the need to swap lenses or invest in additional optics? No, but it gets a fair degree of the way there, the combination of Super CCD EXR sensor and bolted-on Fujinon branded lens delivering an impressive degree of sharpness under most conditions.

That said, as we usually find with Fujifilm cameras with the camera left on its default settings, colours can look a tad wishy-washy, particularly on overcast days. Therefore we welcomed the added punch provided by selecting the Velvia film mode, which for us often delivered results closer to those seen by the eye.

So, while results straight out of the camera at times benefit from further tweaks in the image-editing package of your choice, the Fujifilm’s intended audience of photo enthusiasts who’ll want to get hands-on shouldn’t be dissuaded from purchase – even if the suggested retail price still smarts.

Tags: Cameras Prosumer cameras 12 megapixels Fujifilm Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR

Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR digital camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0100

NEWS: Nikon S1000pj gets torn apart

Stuart Miles — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:32:09 +0100

iFixit team find out what's inside

Wondered what the insides of a digital camera with a projector built in looked like? Thought you did, and so did the chaps over at iFixit who this time have taken apart a Nikon S1000pj for all to see.

What have we learnt from the experience? Not much is seems, apart from Nikon not wanting you to try this at home with the camera hard to take apart. Oh and the light for projecting images is supplied by a very powerful LED that even has its own heat sink to conduct heat to the aluminium front panel.

See, now you don't have to try this at home to find out.

Follow the Read link to see more images and take apart notes.

Read

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras 12 megapixels Projectors Nikon Coolpix S1000pj Nikon

Nikon S1000pj gets torn apart originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:32:09 +0100

NEWS: Digicam pioneers get 2009 Nobel Prize for Physics

Duncan Geere — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:25:46 +0100

Inventors of fibre optics and CCD sensors rewarded

The pioneers of fibre optics and the CCD sensor have jointly won the 2009 Nobel Prize for Physics. Charles K Kao, Willard S Boyle and George E Smith all shared the award, with Kao being awarded half the prize, and Boyle and Smith getting a quarter each.

Charles K Kao was awarded his half "for groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication". He calculated in 1966 how it'd be possible to transmit light more than 100km in cables by removing impurities in glass. At the time, fibre-optic cables could only manage about 20 metres.

Willard S Boyle and George E Smith received their quarter-awards "for the invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit – the CCD sensor". The two created the "charge-coupled device" sensor while working at Bell Labs in 1969. It used Einstein's photoelectric effect to transform light into electronic signals - the team had to work out how to turn those signals into pixels in a rapid period of time. Today, CCDs are used in digital cameras, astronomy, and medicine, as well as other fields.

The prize total is 10 million Swedish Kronor, and so each prizewinner will get a share of that sum. Nobel Prizes are awarded for Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Economics and Literature and are awarded every year "to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind".

Read

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Tags: Cameras Nobel Prize Digital cameras

Digicam pioneers get 2009 Nobel Prize for Physics originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:25:46 +0100

NEWS: Win a Nokia 5530 XpressMusic

Ben Crompton — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:30:10 +0100

Just comment on a story for a chance to win

First off, as far as the winner for last month goes, we'd like to offer our congratulations to Tony Hedges for his comment on the HTC Hero review and all his input during its release. We'll be sending him a TomTom XL Live IQ Routes Europe.

For the month of October Pocket-lint has teamed up with Omio to bring you the chance of winning a Nokia 5530 XpressMusic.

The phone features a 2.9-inch touch interface and a homescreen that offers one touch shortcuts to the likes of Facebook and MySpace, and as with similar Nokia phones, the 5530 gets the scrolling "Contacts Bar" for direct access to 20 people and their latest conversations and updates.

Being an XpressMusic model playback is all important and it doesn't disappoint with up to 27 hours of playback time, as well as a 3.2-megapixel camera along with Wi-Fi rounding off the package.

If you're weren't sure of what Omio is all about, here's a quick run down in their own words:

?Omio.com is a mobile phone comparison site that uses an innovative interface to help users navigate the vast array of mobile phone deals and phones from all the major mobile manufacturers".

"Users can filter over half a million deals by anything from price to colours, ensuring they get the right deal at the right price. Whether you're looking for a new phone or simply want to research what's available, Omio.com offers the most up-to-date information".

The rules of the competition are simple, you can enter as many times as you like by simply commenting on any story. It doesn't have to be in depth, detailed or technical, but it does have to be useful, helpful or funny.

You don't have to sign up to comment on the stories, we just ask for your name, location and email address - that does not show up online and is not passed on.

So get commenting and the winner will be chosen at the end of October.

Related links:

Video - Nokia 5530 XpressMusic

Tags: Audio Biz Car And GPS Dad Gadgets Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness TomTom GPS Competitions Nokia 5530 XpressMusic

Win a Nokia 5530 XpressMusic originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:30:10 +0100

NEWS: General Imaging launches waterproof G3WP compact digi-cam

Amy-Mae Elliott — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:49:26 +0100

As well as sub-?100 J1050

General Imaging has added two new models to its current range of compact digital cameras in the form of the waterproof G3WP and the budget 10-megapixel J1050.

The G3WP is a 12-megapixel compact with a 4x optical zoom boasting features such as face, blink and smile detection, as well as auto scene detection and "Pan Capture" for panoramic shots.

General Imaging says the underwater modes deliver "sharp, true-to-life colour stills and movie images". Waterproof to a depth of 3 metres, it offers a 2.7-inch LCD screen and a wrist strap.

Available in ocean blue, graphite grey and raspberry red, the GW3P will be available from mid-October for approximately ?140.

The J1050 has a 5x optical zoom, the same auto modes, a 2.7-inch display and image stabilisation. It will be available "soon" in red, pink, silver and black for around ?90.

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras General Imaging Digital cameras Waterproof 12 megapixels 10 megapixels

General Imaging launches waterproof G3WP compact digi-cam originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:49:26 +0100

NEWS: Panasonic reveals HDC-TM350 camcorder

Duncan Geere — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:33:24 +0100

Limited edition, and high definition

Panasonic has dropped us word of a camcorder that it'll soon be launching - the HDC-TM350. It's strictly limited edition - only 200 will be available - and it's a sister model to the HDC-TM300, which has won multiple awards.

It's rather on the advanced side - with three seperate colour sensors to process red, green and blue, and 1.6 lux low light recording. It does full HD, and can record still images at 10.6 megapixels, and can do both video recording and still image recording at the same time too - though those are limited to 8.3 megapixels.

There's an intelligent auto optical image stabiliser, and AF/AE tracking which will keep focus and exposure locked onto a subject even if they stray to the edges of the picture. It comes with 64GB of built-in flash memory, along with an SD card slot for pumping that up further.

The HDC-TM300 will be available from mid-October, and will cost approximately ?1200. But don't delay - there's only 200 available.

Related links:

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Tags: Cameras Panasonic Digital cameras Compact cameras Camcorders 10 megapixels Panasonic HDC-TM350 Camcorder

Panasonic reveals HDC-TM350 camcorder originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:33:24 +0100

REVIEWS: Canon PowerShot D10 digital camera

Chris Hall — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100

The camera of choice for action heroes?

The most striking feature about the Canon PowerShot D10 might well be the range of funky colour choices you get, from blue through to camouflage. Pitched directly to action fans, the D10 is battling it out alongside the likes of Olympus' Tough cameras.

In that vein, one of the defining features of the D10 is it's environmental sealing. Yes, the D10 name is matched by waterproofing down to depths of 10 metres and the promise of operating in minus 10 degrees too. It also features shock resistance, so will take the odd bash.

We are quite taken with the looks; with action heroes in mind, the butch styling is something to admire, but it won't be the most pocketable camera around. Essentially, given the 12-megapixel sensor backed by the DIGIC 4 processor and the 3x optical zoom (35-105mm equiv.) it is a similar offering to some of the recent IXUS models from Canon.

With the styling giving a little more scope for external features, you'll find a neat twist lock attachment points on each corner. It looks good, but does limit you to buying the official accessories, rather than just using a normal anchor point.

The biggest bulk, however, is in the housing that covers the lens, giving the D10 a distinct bulge to the front, but allowing all the lens zooming to take place in a sealed environment. Fewer moving parts on the outside means less to go wrong when it gets covered in mud or sand.

Minimalist isn't the word, with a rich collection of buttons and controls arranged around the body. The top gives you a power button adjacent to the shutter button - perhaps not the best placing, but it does mean you can power on and shoot with one hand. The zoom buttons which often sit in the top move down to the back, which makes them easy to see, but they are too small to use with gloved hands.

Further controls lie both to the top of the 2.5-inch 230k-dot display and to the right-hand side. The top row gives you - perhaps rather randomly - the print controls, playback and the shooting mode selection. Selecting shooting mode needs the use of the four-way controller and the Func/Set button, which generally makes it a two-handed operation.

However, the Auto mode is pretty smart and will identify the scene it is looking at and pick out the best settings for you. It works pretty well too, as we've found in other Canon models using the same technology. The menus, however, are typical Canon fare, and easy to navigate and pick out the settings you want using the Func button and menus.

There's no sign of manual controls, so you'll have to make do with the Program mode, which gives you control over ISO, white balance, metering and colour tints, but that's about it. For those wishing to use it underwater, there is a dedicated Underwater "scene" mode. This camera doesn't float, so make sure you use a strap of some sort.

The ISO range runs from 80 up to 1600 in Auto modes or via selection in P mode. An ISO 3200 mode is also selectable for those must-have low light shots, although it only shoots at 2-megapixels. Noise races into shadows at ISO 800 but shots remain usable, while at ISO 1600 noise blights most aspects of the image. The ISO 3200 mode still suffers high noise, but perhaps makes the better choice for candid indoor shots for sharing online, if you want to avoid the flash.

Aiding the low light performance is image stabilisation, which takes some of the shake out of longer exposures or the far end of the zoom and a fairly typical F/2.8 max aperture on the lens. Combined, they provide good scope for capturing indoor shots (in daylight) without having to deploy the higher ISOs.

The 2.5-inch display is wonderfully bright and gives colours real punch, making the D10 a great camera for shooting and showing to friends. The screen is a little small by current standards, shrunk to fit in with the design. There is no optical viewfinder.

Video capture comes in at a rather miserly 640 x 480 max, but does give you a nice solid 30fps with good, rich, colours. Audio is not so good, with noticeable noise from hand movements and also struggling to cope with wind noise.

Overall performance for still shooting is very good, with nice bold colours leaping out. Beautifully rich greens are perhaps offset by a tendency to over-saturate reds, but these things are easily adjusted post-shoot and it doesn't mar the images overall.

High-contrast scenes are handled rather well, with a small amount of purple fringing around edges and the occasional blow-out of light tones in bright conditions, but it copes as well, if not better than many other compacts out there. Barrel distortion is easily noticeable at the wide end of the zoom.

The flash is unusually placed over the top of the chunky lens housing and does seem to be a little under-powered. It's location, however, does mean that you can have a nice solid right-hand grip on the camera without the risk of obscuring it with a wayward finger.

Startup is relatively fast, flashing on in about a second and giving you your first shot about 2 seconds later. Continuous shooting gives you about 1 shot per second, not the fastest, but it will happily chew through plenty of shots without buffering being a problem. Shutter lag is not a noticeable problem either.

The battery gives you a recorded 220 shots, which we found to be about right.

Verdict:
As Canon's first foray into the world of pocket bomb-proof cameras, it's a compelling offering. It is a little more bloated than Olympus rivals, but it does give you something to grip onto when using it in more remote locations, such as diving or climbing, where it sits nicely in the hand when you want to grab it and shoot.

The price, although at the upper end of compact cameras, is reasonable considering the versatility of the D10. The performance is very much in line with models from the top of the IXUS range, which is a good thing: imaging hasn't suffered to give you the weatherproofing.

Those hitting the slopes might want something more compact, but for those who want something easy to grip and happy in all weathers, the Canon PowerShot D10 is well worth a look.

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras Canon 12 megapixels Canon PowerShot D10 Sports Fitness Canon PowerShot D10

Canon PowerShot D10 digital camera originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Pocket-lint.com : Cameras

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