Hasta La Gadget!

More and more cameras are being released with Wi-Fi built-in so users can share photos and videos online straight from their camera. Sony tries to stay ahead of the curve with the NEX-5T,the first interchangeable lens camera to have NFC connectivity. File transfer doesn’t get more idiotproof than this.

As of now, the NEX-5T’s NFC connectivity will only work with Android 4.0+ devices that also have NFC. If you do have such a device, just tap it to the camera to get your photos and videos. You can also use your NFC-enabled mobile device as a remote viewfinder and shutter control for the camera.

But don’t worry if your phone or tablet doesn’t have NFC. You can also share media from the NEX-5T through Wi-Fi, you just have to use Sony’s PlayMemories app. Another convenient technology in the NEX-5T is its 3″ touchscreen. The screen can tilt up to 180º upwards – and its image flips over at that point, making it easier to take selfies. Your bathroom mirror will miss you.

The NEX-5T has a 16.1mp APS-C CMOS sensor, the Bionz image processor, light sensitivity of up to ISO25600 and is compatible with Sony E-mount lenses. It will also be compatible with Minolta A-mount lenses through an adapter.

Tap your browser to Amazon or Sony’s online store to pre-order the Alpha NEX-5T. It costs $550 (USD) without a lens and $700 with an E-mount 16-50mm lens included.

Canon has just announced that they will release a digital single-lens reflex camera “EOS 70D” with Canon’s new AF technology “Dual pixel CMOS AF” on August 29.

The new APS-C size CMOS sensor (20.2 million pixels) and the Canon DIGIC 5+ Image Processor brings high image quality and high rate of continuous shooting (7fps). ISO range is from 100 to 12800 that is able to be expandable up to ISO 25600. There are 19 all cross type AF points.

It has a 3-inch TFT color LC monitor with 10.4 million dot pixels. It’s compatible with wireless LAN.

Price: About ¥130,000
Size: 139 x 104.3 x 78.5 mm
Weight: 675g

2 kinds of lens kits will be out in mid September: EF-S18-55 IS STM lens kit and EF-S18-135 IS STM lens kit.

Though it’s a bit late to the large-sensor compact game, Ricoh just jumped into the fray with a model that might tempt the high-end grab and go set: the GR. Following a trail blazed by the likes of Sony and Nikon with its Coolipix A, Ricoh’s new advanced compact packs very similar specs to the latter: a 16-megapixel APS-C-sized sensor, fixed 18.3 mm f/2.8 lens, ISO 25,600 capability, pop-up flash, Eye-Fi card compatibility, 1080 / 30p AF video and 4 fps shooting with continuous autofocus for “fast-moving subjects.” The similarities end with the price, however, since Pentax’s owner is offering the GR for $800 compared to $1,100 for the Nikon, and has eschewed the optical low-pass filter to increase sharpness and further tempt high-end shooters. You’ll be able to grab one stateside next month — check the PR after the break for more.

Filed under: Cameras

Comments

Not ready to shell out $2,800 for Sony’s full-frame RX1 point-and-shoot? Perhaps an APS-C compact is more within your league. Nikon’s Coolpix A is the imaging giant’s answer to Sony’s fixed-lens flavor, sporting an 18.5mm (28mm equivalent) prime lens with a maximum f/2.8 aperture, “quick” autofocus performance, a manual focus ring and, at the center of it all, a 16.2-megapixel DX-format sensor. The idea here is that you’ll get DSLR (or mirrorless camera) image quality and depth-of-field in a cam you can tuck away in your pocket. It’s a concept we’ve seen manufacturers deliver on before, and now it’s Nikon’s turn.

There’s a handful of DSLR-like features, such as a full-size hot shoe with i-TTL compatibility, a dedicated mode dial, an adapter ring that accepts a lens hood or 46mm filters, and WU-1a WiFi module compatibility. There’s no optical viewfinder in the box, but no matter — you can add one on for a mere $450. You’ll shoot 12- or 14-bit RAW image files at a sensitivity ranging from ISO 100-25,600, and you’ll pay dearly for the privilege. $1,100 is the MSRP; black and silver, the color. The Coolpix A is set to to hit stores later this month.

Filed under: Cameras, Nikon

Comments

TVs and robotic vacuums aren’t the only Smart-branded devices Samsung will be showing off at this year’s CES. We just met with the company here in NYC to take a look at its newest entrant into the camera game, dubbed the NX300. No, it’s not Android-equipped, but this 20.3-megapixel APS-C shooter stands as its new flagship mirrorless model, boasting a key gimmick feature of 3D capability for stills and videos (up to 1080p at 60fps) thanks to a new DRIMe IV processor.

Getting the usual numbers aside, you’ll be able to harness an ISO range of 100 to 25600, a maximum shutter speed of 1,6000 and a top speed of 8.6fps for JPG bursts. On back, you’ll find a 3.31-inch, 768 dot AMOLED touch-display, and a d-pad-esque section with five buttons for manual control. Lastly, there’s a dedicated mode dial on the top, along with a full-size hot shoe mount. This shooter is also WiFi-enabled like previous cameras in the range, allowing you to share content wirelessly and giving you access to apps, like a remote viewfinder that works with iOS and Android devices.

Having a new NX that can handle 3D naturally calls for a lens that can shoot it, and a 2D/3D-capable f/1.8 45mm lens was also shown to us — a “world-first,” according to Sammy. While you won’t be able to shoot in 3D with older NX cameras (we’re told they don’t have the processing power), it’ll still work as regular 2D lens if you’re interested in its focal perspective. We spent a few fleeting moments with an engineering sample of the camera in-hand, so join us past the break for more.

Continue reading Samsung unveils 3D-capable NX300 mirrorless camera and 45mm f/1.8 2D/3D lens ahead of CES (eyes-on)

Filed under: Cameras, Samsung

Comments