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

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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.

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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.

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

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Type

Micro Four Thirds

Release date

02/09/09

Price

?584

PL review rating

9/10

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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.

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Fujifilm FinePix 200EXR

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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.

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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.

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Nikon D5000

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Type

DSLR

Release date

14/02/09

Price

?449 & ?50 cashback

PL review rating

9/10

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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.

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Related links:

• Feature - The low down: Best Car Gadget 2009
• Feature - The low down: Best Music Gadget 2009

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

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

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.

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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

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

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

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.?

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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

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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

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

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:

• NEWS:Sony Ericsson's Nexus Android skin promised for more devices
• NEWS:Apple tablet delayed by late decision to add OLED display
• NEWS:Nokia N900 goes on sale in US
• NEWS:PS3 Remote Play for Android "makes sense"
• NEWS:MS Office 2010 beta now available
• REVIEW:Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mobile phone - First Look
• NEWS:TomTom for iPhone updated
• NEWS:Sony Reader Daily Edition available for pre-order
• NEWS:Want a big TV? Don't move to California
• NEWS:WEBSITE OF THE DAY - Fingertips

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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

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

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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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

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

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

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:

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Best Music Gadget 2009

Sonos S5 ZonePlayer

Monitor Audio Airstream 10

Etymotic/ACS hf2 custom fit headphones

Griffin myPhones headphones

Apple iPod touch 3G

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Best Car Gadget 2009

TomTom XL Live

CoPilot for iPhone

Navigon 8410

Jabra SP700

TomTom One IQ

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Best Digital Camera 2009

Olympus Pen E-P1

Canon PowerShot S90

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1?

Nikon D5000

FujiFilm FinePix F200EXR

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Best Laptop 2009

Apple MacBook Pro

Sony VAIO VGN-Z21ZN/X

Dell Adamo XPS

HP Envy

Toshiba NB200

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Best Software, Service, or App 2009

Spotify

Windows 7

Tweetie 2

Dropbox

Sky Player for Xbox

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Best Video Game 2009

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Guitar Hero 5

Battlefield 1943

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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Best Home Cinema Device 2009

Philips 56PFL9954H Cinema 21:9 television

Panasonic DMR-BS850 Freesat Blu-ray recorder

LG 37LH7000 television

Sony PlayStation 3 Slim console

Humax Freesat+ FOXSAT-HDR recorder

?

Best Mobile Phone 2009

HTC Hero

iPhone 3GS

Palm Pre

BlackBerry Bold 9700

HTC HD2

?

Best Gadget 2009

Dyson Air Multiplier

Eye-Fi

Livescribe pen

Logitech Wireless Guitar

Sony Reader Pocket Edition

?

Product of the year 2009

HTC Hero mobile phone

Spotify

Apple Mac Book Pro

Eytmotics 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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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

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

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

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

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".

Read

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

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.

Read

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

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

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.

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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

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.

Read

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

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?

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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

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.

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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

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.

Related links:

• News - Ricoh GXR Interchangeable Unit Camera System launches
• First Look - Ricoh GXR digital camera

Tags: Cameras Compact cameras Digital cameras Ricoh Ricoh GXR Photos

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

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?

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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

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.?

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

Read

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

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

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

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

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.

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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

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.
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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

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

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

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.

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Related links:

• Feature - Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 - car gadgets
• Feature - Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 - music gadgets
• News - Vodafone Pocket-lint Gadget Awards date confirmed and tickets on sale

Tags: Cameras Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2009 Pocket-lint Awards Camcorders Webcams Mobile phones DSLR cameras Compact cameras Nikon Canon Olympus Panasonic Features

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

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

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

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

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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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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

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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Related links:

• News - WEBSITE OF THE DAY - Kodak Gallery
• Features - Five great rangefinder cameras

Tags: Cameras Camcorders Kodak Kodak Zi8 Printers Features Facebook Surveys

Is Kodak coming back? originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:48:20 +0100

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

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

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.

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 somewhere in the world 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.

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

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 an awards party at the beginning of December.?

What do you think are the best gadgets of 2009? What should be included for nomination? Let us know in the comments below:

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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

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

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

Nikon has announced the "S" update of the D3 pro model, following its 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Related links:

• Reviewed - Olympus E-30
• Reviewed - Olympus E-620
• Link - Olympus

Tags: Cameras DSLR cameras Olympus E-620 Olympus E-30 Olympus Daily Tech Deal

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

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

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

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

Related links:

• News - Netflix prize awarded to BellKor's Pragmatic Chaos

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

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

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

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:

• News - Panasonic launches Lumix FP8

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