Hasta La Gadget!

Nikon clearly wants to make amends for its unspectacular J2 launch late last summer: it’s launching not one but two 1 series models that provide a stronger incentive to go Nikon among lower-end mirrorless cameras. The 14.2-megapixel J3 and 10.1-megapixel S1 mostly receive hand-me-down features from the semi-pro V2, although that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The leftovers give them uncommonly accurate 73-point autofocusing and an upgraded Expeed 3A processor that can handle 15FPS burst photography with continuous focus — three times the frame rate of the J2 in the same conditions. Apart from their resolution, the main separators between the J3 and S1 are the J3’s inclusion of a simple panorama mode and a slightly wider ISO range for the S1, which starts at ISO 100 versus the J3’s 160.

Both new bodies ship in February, when the S1 will lower the 1 system’s entry price to $500 with an 11-27.5mm lens, and the J3 will have a suitably in-between price of $600 with 10-30mm optics. The shooters will soon be joined by new lenses and accessories, as well. A 6.7-13mm (18-35mm equivalent), f/3.5-5.6 wide-angle lens and a 10-100mm (27-270mm equivalent) f/4-5.6 telephoto zoom don’t have definitive release dates, but should respectively cost $500 and $550. Scuba divers who want a J3 or S1 for their excursions will also get a WP-N2 underwater case in February, albeit at a $750 price that’s more expensive than the cameras themselves.

Continue reading Nikon unveils J3 and S1, takes 73-point AF and 15 fps stills to entry mirrorless cameras

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Source: Nikon

Americans wanting to leap into DSLRs with a Nikon D5200 have had no choice but to sit on pins and needles waiting for a release date. As of CES, we know that they’ll have a more comfortable seat very soon: the company has committed to bringing the advanced amateur camera to the US in late January for $900 with an 18-55mm lens in the box. Some of the D5200’s companion accessories should be available at the same time, including the $95 WR-T10 and $278 WR-10 wireless remotes, the $127 WR-R10 remote transceiver and the $75 WR-A10 wireless remote adapter. The D5200 isn’t the cheapest route into interchangeable lens cameras in the wake of these prices, but it potentially hits a sweet spot for those whose love of photography is just slightly more than a casual fling.

Continue reading Nikon D5200 to reach US photographers in late January for $900

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Source: Nikon

Polaroid left little doubt that it was launching its Android-based, interchangeable lens camera at CES, and sure enough, it’s here: meet the iM1836. It mates an 18.1-megapixel, 1080p video-capable mirrorless body with Android (which we now know to be Android 4.1) to quickly share imagery with social networks over WiFi, or directly to other devices through Bluetooth. Its 3.5-inch display won’t put the Galaxy Camera’s 4.8-inch panel to shame, but Polaroid is no doubt counting on the ability to swap optics (which includes Micro Four Thirds lenses, through an optional adapter) and a pop-up flash to clinch a sale. The iM1836 should arrive in the first quarter at a $399 price, with a 10-30mm lens included — uncommonly cheap for a camera that could potentially outshoot its Nikon and Samsung opponents.

That’s not the only camera in the Polaroid brand’s 2013 lineup, however. Non-Android parallels to the iM1836 are coming with both WiFi (

iM1232W, $349) and without (iM1030, $299) for cost-conscious photographers; those who don’t mind a fixed-in-place lens can get the iS2433, a $199 bridge camera with a 24x (25-600mm equivalent) lens, a 16-megapixel backlit Sony CMOS sensor and a 3-inch LCD. One camcorder, the iD975, is joining the fray with 1080p video, 16-megapixel stills, a 3-inch touchscreen and a video-in-video mode that shows the person recording video along with the main footage. Polaroid hasn’t provided launch dates for its more conventional shooters.

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Source: Polaroid

Were you betting Canon would announce a few WiFi-enabled cameras at CES this year? Ding ding ding — you’re a winner! Fork over 200 bucks and claim your prize. The company’s latest ELPH may be tiny, but it still packs all of the banner features you’d expect in 2013. On the wireless front, you’ll have the ability to create an ad-hoc network for booting stills and videos directly to connected computers, tablets or smartphones. There’s also compatibility with Canon’s CameraWindow app (for Android and iOS), along with the ability to add comments to images that you choose to upload to Twitter or send via email. You can also upload shots to Facebook, with control over where the images show up on the site.

As far as hardware is concerned, there’s a 16-megapixel sensor, a DIGIC 4 processor and an 8x optically stabilized zoom lens with a 28mm wide-angle position and a maximum aperture range of f/3.2-6.9. You also get a 3-inch, 461k-dot LCD with the same Eco mode offered with other models in the company’s 2013 lineup, which serves to power down the display after eight seconds of inactivity, providing an up to 30-percent boost in battery life — simply press any button on the camera to wake it back up instantly. There’s Intelligent IS, HD video capture and the same Smart Auto mode (and scene modes) offered with previous models. Canon’s planning to release the ELPH 130IS with a $200 sticker price — you can expect it to hit stores beginning next month.

Continue reading Canon PowerShot ELPH 130IS brings WiFi to the company’s high-end point-and-shoot line

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Every member of a company’s CES lineup can’t be a blockbuster — that’s certainly the case with this duo of mid-range Canon PowerShots. The A2600 and A1400 are fine point-and-shoots, sure, but they’re destined for the bags of beginner shooters, with modest feature sets and price points to match. The A2600, which replaces last year’s A2400, is the pricer of the two models, ringing in at $150 with a 16-megapixel CCD sensor, a 5x 28mm zoom lens with a maximum aperture range of f/2.8-6.9, along with a 3-inch, 230k-dot LCD. It can shoot 720p HD video and includes a Smart Auto mode for basic users, along with a new Eco mode, which dims the display after two seconds, powers it off completely after eight seconds, and jumps back to life with a single button press — all in the name of an up to 30-percent boost in battery life.

The $100 A1400 looks nearly identical to 2012’s A1300, but adds in the imaging and power features outlined above. Spec-wise, the biggest difference between the A1400 and A2600 is the substitution of twin AA batteries for the latter camera’s rechargeable cell. While manufacturers often boast about the flexibility of an AA-powered camera, considering that you can purchase these batteries anywhere on the globe, such a solution ultimately cuts back on Canon’s expenses while potentially becoming quite pricey and inconvenient for the camera’s owner. So, don’t forget to factor in those double-As when it comes time to pull the trigger. Both PowerShot models are expected to hit stores next month, with the A2600 retailing for $150 and the A1400 running you about 100 bucks.

Continue reading Canon PowerShot A2600 and A1400 offer modest feature bumps, little incentive to upgrade

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