An international team of astronomers are having a blast with a new type of camera that can take photos of space that are twice as sharp as those taken by the Hubble Telescope. The technology’s been in the works for over 20 years, and when you see the pictures you can see why they were worth the wait.
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Hobbyist photographers don’t often have the luxury of elaborate lighting rigs. However, Adobe and Cornell University have developed a new software technique that could bring pro-grade illumination to a wider audience. Known as computational lighting design, the solution simplifies a familiar trick that combines shots taken with a camera’s external flash placed in different positions. The software uses multiple sample photos to create composite images that emphasize color, edge lighting and fill lighting; editors just have to balance those three light values to get the desired effect. While the code is still unpolished, it’s good enough that even beginners can produce well-lit masterpieces in less than 15 minutes. Adobe believes that the technique could reach future versions of apps like Lightroom or Photoshop, so don’t be surprised if still-life photography catches on in the near future.
Filed under: Cameras, Software
Via: Phys.org
Source: Cornell University
In addition to four other models Canon rolled out last evening, the company has expanded its line with the PowerShot N, a Facebook-ready point-and-shoot. The camera is a Canon Direct exclusive offering, and achieves its social network-ready status via the inclusion of a Facebook Connect Button, something that instantly shuttles images off to one’s Facebook […]
Busy assembly lines can be dirty places, and nowhere is that more obvious than when a new vehicle rolls out of the paint shop. Specks and imperfections stand out like a sore thumb, and need to be cleaned up before a new car is delivered to a dealership. Previously, Ford relied on manual inspections, but now the automaker’s using high-res cameras that capture and analyze over 3,000 images to spot every last speck of dirt.
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Did you know that instant film cameras are still being made? Fujifilm’s line of Instax cameras has been trying to weather the digital storm, and it’s now releasing a new Instax camera that has a whole lot more style.
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A well-shot portrait is an amazing thing: it can reveal hidden depths of personality and convey layers upon layers of emotional complexity. This video tries to get to the bottom of what makes the perfect portrait photograph.
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Canon has expanded its PowerShot line of digital cameras with four new models, the PowerShot G16, S120, SX510 HS and the SX170 IS. All four models are powered by DIGIC technology and fall solidly into the compact camera category, with the latter two rolling out in next month, and the first two following a few […]
For less than $500 you can’t find a tiny camera with the image quality and flexibility of Canon’s parade of S-series Powershot cameras. With the S120, the tradition marches on.
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Canon’s got a handful of incremental updates to detail today, including a selection of PowerShot point-and-shoots. The G16 is the priciest of the bunch, ringing in at $550. This model, which is set to ship in October, replaces last year’s G15, and includes a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 6 processor, 5x 28-140mm f/1.8-2.8 optical zoom lens and 1080/60p video capture. Next up is the S120, retailing for $450, also in October. This pocketable S110 replacement includes a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 6 processor, 5x 24-120mm f/1.8-5.7 optical zoom lens and 1080/60p video capture. The SX510 HS is the cheapest of this premium bunch, with a $250 MSRP. This superzoom, expected in September, packs a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 processor, a 30x 24-720mm f/3.4-5.8 optical zoom lens and 1080p video.
The G15, S120 and SX510 HS all include built-in WiFi, letting you pair the camera with Canon’s Image Gateway Android or iOS app to upload shots to a variety of social networking sites, including Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. The final model, the PowerShot SX170 IS, does not include WiFi. It’s quite a bit cheaper at $180, however, and should ship in September. This entry-level cam includes a 16-megapixel sensor, DIGIC 4 processor, a 16x 28-448mm f/3.5-5.9 image-stabilized lens and 720p video. That last flavor replaced the SX160 IS, which launched last year as well. The SX170 swaps a rechargeable battery pack for its predecessor’s AAs, resulting in a thinner profile. Catch a bit more on all four models in the press release after the break.%Gallery-slideshow73255%
Facebook fanatics have a smartphone to call their own, and now they have a camera, too. Canon’s PowerShot N, which first made its debut at CES, just scored a few (relatively minor) tweaks. The point-and-shoot features an unusual square design, so it can be rotated and held in a variety of orientations. There’s a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 processor, 28-224mm f/3.0-5.9 8x optical zoom lens and a 2.8-inch capacitive-touch tilting LCD, just as you’ll find on the original. In fact, the Facebook branding represents the only significant change here, including a dedicated button on the side to upload images to the site (via built-in WiFi) and a new Facebook upload option in the system menu. It’s hardly worth “upgrading” from the original N, but if Facebook is your life, get ready to hand over 300 bucks for this Canon online store exclusive beginning next month.
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