September 2010

Ever at the very forefront of new technology and always adding features no one else has, Casio has released the 14.1 megapixel Exilim EX-H20G Hybrid GPS camera. Part of its Exilim Hi-Zoom lineup, the new H20G not only has a 24mm wide-angle, 10x optical zoom lens that actually offers a 15x zoom range, but differentiates itself with GPS-tagging that works indoors! It does that by starting with the last-known actual GPS coordinates, then uses motion sensing and internal maps to know where it is. Very clever. [See press release]

Can Samsung catch up with Canon and Nikon?
While Korea's Samsung and LG dominate vast areas of the world's consumer electronic markets, they've been underachieving in the digital camera sector. The Korea Times ran an interesting article entitled "Can Samsung elbow away Canon, Nikon?" that examines Samsung's current position. [Read article] -- Posted Monday, September 27, 2010 by chb

1080p HD video everywhere: Microsoft's new LifeCam
All of a sudden 1080p HD video is everywhere, and very affordably so. Microsoft just introduced a new addition to its LifeCam series with the LifeCam Studio that can do true 16-9 aspect ratio 1080p video. The cam will be available for an estimated retail price of US$99.95 at BestBuy. [See LifeCam Studio product page] -- Posted Wednesday, September 15, 2010 by chb

Casio adds two Exilims with new single frame SR zoom
Casio announced two new EXILIM cameras, the Card EX-S200 and Zoom EX-Z800. Both cameras sport advanced features in a slim, compact and stylish body, including a single frame SR Zoom that maintains image quality through 1.5 times the range of the optical zoom. Both have 14.1mp resolution and a 4X optical zoom that starts wide at 27mm. The card-sized S200 retails for $179.99 and the Z800 for $149.99. -- Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 by chb

Canon released the G12, now the HD video
If there's more need for proof on how fast the digital camera market advances, take Canon's G-Series of high-end compacts: the company just introduced the 12th generation "G", now with 720p high-definition video at 24fps. The 1/1.7-inch CCD remains at 10-megapixel, there's a 2.8-inch articulating LCD with 460k resolution, a 5X zoom (28-140mm equivalent) that starts wide at 28mm, a nice new HDP scene mode, but still no internal memory to tide you over if your card is full or you forgot to put it in (it happens!), all at a price of US$499, the same as the new Coolpix P7000. [See Canon G12 product sheet] -- Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 by chb

The Nikon Coolpix P7000
Perhaps a little sick and tired of all the attention Canon has been getting over the years with its G-Series of premium compact cameras, Nikon introduced the P7000, a compact, high-performance 10.1-mp digital camera with a 921k pixel 3-inch LCD, an optical viewfinder, 5-way image stabilization (optical, hybrid, motion detection, high ISO, and best shot selection), a 7X zoom 28-200mm zoom that starts wide, a large 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor, 720p High-definition video at 24 frames per second, SD Card storage, 80MB of internal memory, and a US$499 price that matches Canon's new G12. [See Nikon Coolpix P7000 product sheet] -- Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 by chb

Interested in underwater photography? Check the SeaLife DC1200
We reviewed the 12-megapixel SeaLife 1200 camera on location at a dive resort in Honduras and came away impressed. The new "piano key" controls make using the camera much easier, even with gloves. Shutter and zoom controls are large, too, as is the 3-inch display. The camera was fast, forgiving, and very well matched with the external strobe. Our DC1200 Elite package (list US$899) included the camera, underwater case (200 feet), external flash, wide angle pop-on lens, bag, cables, and represents an excellent buy. [See full review of the SeaLife DC1200] -- Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 by chb