Hasta La Gadget!

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Deepanshu, who is already beginning to understand why the term “money pit” follows” DSLR.” If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I went out and got a Canon T2i, and now I am looking for a decent tripod, preferably one that travels well. I need one which is lightweight, with a price range of $75 to $125 or so. The main purpose of the tripod will be for HDR photography, night shots, etc. when I’m on-the-go. Thanks!”

We’re guessing Joby’s Gorillapod Focus will get a nod somewhere down in comments, but how’s about any suggestions in the more conventional line of tripods? Got any that extend out nicely without killing your back (or forcing you to check it on an airplane)? Let us (and him) know!

Ask Engadget: best travel-friendly / portable DSLR tripod? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In case you weren’t aware, competition’s getting some kind of fierce down in that $400 to $800 not-quite-a-DSLR realm. We’ve got interchangeable lens options galore, a new breed of high performance compacts and the Canon G12. Nikon’s got its aim planted firmly on the latter with the Coolpix P7000, a decidedly prosumer camera with the body of a point-and-shoot and the controls of a pro rig. The good folks over at Photography Blog recently put the P7000 through its paces, and while they adored the optical viewfinder, the build quality and the zoom range, they couldn’t quite get over the notably sluggish RAW performance. Worse still, Nikon has yet again changed up its RAW formula, with the newfangled NRW+ only being understandable by the company’s own software for the moment. They found “no unwanted noise” from ISO 100 to 400, with only mild amounts at 800 and 1600; the extra pro-like features were also lauded (neutral density filter, zoom step feature, virtual horizon and tonal range histogram), and with an exception for that sluggish RAW mode, they found it tough to not recommend. Particularly for those of you who’d prefer to stick with JPEG anyway, this here shooter looks to be a solid option if you’ve got the cash ($499.99 MSRP), but we’d recommend poring over the source link before making a final call.

Nikon Coolpix P7000 reviewed: a serious contender, but sluggish RAW performance originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Altek’s wonderfully outlandish Android-based Leo smartphone, which sports a “real” 14 megapixel CCD with “real” 3x optical zoom and 720p video, was already slated for Q4 of this year in Asia, but Altek has recently announced the phone will also be launching Q1 2011 in Europe. On a slightly disconcerting note, Altek says it’s still in search of “channel partners,” so if you happen to know any channel / partner combos, push this little monster in their direction before 14 megapixels starts to sound old hat, would you?

Continue reading Altek Leo, the 14 megapixel Android cameraphone, headed for Europe in 2011

Altek Leo, the 14 megapixel Android cameraphone, headed for Europe in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 08:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Whoa. Sony sure didn’t mention anything about this at its Photokina press conference last week, but then again, it’s not the most glamorous announcement to make. According to Reuters, Sony is aiming to “outsource some production of image sensors used in digital cameras and mobile phones to Fujitsu,” and as you’d expect, it’s being done in a bid to shave costs and “cope with tough global competition.” According to a Sony spokesperson, the company has been mulling this decision for awhile, but it’s unclear if this will have any further impact in Sony’s employment numbers. It’s also unclear why “some” sensor production will remain internal — we’re guessing that newfangled Translucent Mirror technology may have convinced the firm to keep the DSLR lines a bit closer to the chest. It’s bruited that Sony will begin subcontracting output to Fujitsu later in the year, and it could shift even more output if things go swimmingly. Funny enough, an eerily similar scenario hit Sony’s LCD department back in early 2008. What’s next? Subcontracting Walkman production to Apple?

Sony outsourcing some image sensor production to Fujitsu originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So this is why the promo video accompanying Sony’s launch of the A55 and A33 was set against a snowy backdrop. It turns out that these oh-so-revolutionary translucent mirror shooters can’t keep their cool for any longer than 11 minutes when recording video at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius with Image Stabilization turned on. The A55 is even quicker to overheat at 9 minutes, though it’s worth noting that with IS switched off you can obtain the maximum of nearly half an hour of footage — provided the weather doesn’t heat up. Sony blames this on the APS-C-sized sensor within, and it’ true that plenty of DSLRs come with artificial time limits — our D5000 won’t let us get past five minutes however we try to sweet-talk it — but it’s an irksome limitation to consider if you’re thinking of buying either of these Alphas for their otherwise awesome video capabilities.

Continue reading Sony A55 / A33 video recording limited by overheating sensor

Sony A55 / A33 video recording limited by overheating sensor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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