January 2010

Panasonic introduces LUMIX TS2, waterproof to 33 feet
In an attempt to catch up with Olympus and Canon in the waterproof camera market, Panasonic introduced the new LUMIX DMC-TS2, a successor to the company's first rugged digital camera designed for active outdoor use, the LUMIX DMC-TS1. Featuring HD video recording capability, the new 14.1-megapixel LUMIX TS2 further strengthens its toughness when compared to its predecessor and is waterproof to 33 feet, shockproof to 10 feet, freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and dustproof. The TS2 has a 4.6X optical zoom that starts wide at 28mm, and a 2.7-inch high-res LCD. No word on pricing and availability yet. -- Posted Thursday, January 28, 2010 by chb

CIPA: 106 million digital cameras shipped in 2009
According to the Japan-based Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA), 106 million digital cameras were shipped worldwide in 2009, down from 119 million in 2008. Of the 106 million units, 96 million were compacts and 10 million digital SLRs. For 2010, CIPA predicts total shipments of 110 million units, 11 million of which dSLRs. -- Posted Tuesday, January 26, 2010 by chb

Eye-Fi Fo Fum
Looks like Google has an irresistible offer where you get a free 4GB Eye-Fi wireless SD card if you sign up for their Picasa 200GB storage plan. Read more... -- Posted Wednesday, January 20, 2010 by chb

Polaroid instant film and cameras are back!
Things looked dismal for Polaroid and its fans not so long ago, with the company bankrupt and production of instant film terminated. Well, Polaroid lives on as a new company which not only introduced new technology (cameras with integrated printers), but apparently will also offer an old-style instant film camera again. Film will be available, or IS available, thanks to The Impossible Project that launched Polapremium. -- Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2010 by chb

Casio, too, releases four new cameras
At CES, Casio unveiled four new digital cameras. The HIGH SPEED Exilim EX-FH100 (10.1 mp CMOS sensor, 10x optical zoom, starting wide at 24mm, 40 shot/second burst rate, high-speed movies at 1,000 fps, 420 fps, 240 fps, or 120 fps), the Exilim EX-H15 (14.1 mp, 10x optical starting wide at 24mm, 3-inch high-res 460k pixel LCD, active stabilizer), Exilim EX-Z2000 (14.1 mp, 5x optical starting wide at 26mm, 3-inch high-res 460k pixel LCD, active stabilizer), and the Exilim EX-Z550 (14.1 mp, 4x optical starting wide at 26mm, 2.7-inch high-res 230k pixel LCD, active stabilizer). All models can do 720p HD movies. The latter three all feature Casio's Dynamic Photo function that lets users edit and combine different moving images right on the camera. -- Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2010 by chb

Canon: Four new A-Series PowerShots
Canon unveiled the following four new entry-level cameras: PowerShot A3100 (12.1 megapixel, 2.7-inch LCD, 4X optical, optical image stabilization, US$179.99), PowerShot A3000 (10 megapixel, 2.7-inch LCD, 4X optical, optical zoom, image stabilization, US$149.99), PowerShot A495 (10.0 megapixel, 3.3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, special modes, US$129.99), and the PowerShot A490 (10.0 megapixel, 3.3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, US$109.99). The new cameras include tools to vary contrast and hue, max ISO is up to 3200, there is SDXC card support, and upload of pictures and videos is easier than ever. And a 10-megapixel Canon PowerShot for around $100? Gotta love it! -- Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2010 by chb

Kodak unveils four new cameras
Kodak introduced the following new digital cameras: EASYSHARE M580 (shown; 14MP, 8X optical wide angle Lens, 3-inch LCD, HD video, HDMI, US$199.95), EASYSHARE M575 (14MP, 5X optical wide angle, 3-inch LCD, HD video, US$179.95), EASYSHARE M550 (12MP, 5X optical wide angle, 2.7-inch LC, US $149.95), EASYSHARE M530 (12MP, 3X optical, 2.7-inch LCD, US$129.95). As you can see, great res even on the most basic model. If you pay more, you get a larger display, more megapixel, and HD video. As the name implies, Kodak also emphasizes easy sharing of pictures and videos to sites like Facebook, Kodak Gallery, Flickr and YouTube. All models come in various cool colors. -- Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2010 by chb

Kodak introduces rugged waterproof HD vidcam
Eastman Kodak Company introduced the KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera, a rugged, durable and pocket-size HD video camera with a 2-inch display, a SDHC card slot for up to 32GB, and ability to capture full 1080p HD video. There's HDMI output (cable included), face tracking, electronic image stabilization, the camera can handle ten feet of water without extra housing, you can also capture 5-megapixel stills, and it'll be available in April 2010 for just US$149. -- Posted Wednesday, January 6, 2010 by chb