As far as the cameras built into smartphones have come, they still can’t quite compete with a dedicated shooter in terms of image quality and control. But Sony thinks it’s found the solution. Instead of waiting until they can cram the capabilities of a DSLR or a mirrorless camera into a phone, these convincing photos from SonyAlphaRumors reveal the company might be releasing a pair of accessories that work alongside a smartphone
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Now this is innovation, folks. Sony’s reportedly gearing up to announce a pair of “lens cameras” that attach to your existing smartphone or tablet. The unique devices are said to feature a sensor, processor, zoom lens, WiFi connectivity and an SD card slot, but no display or other typical controls (beyond a zoom toggle and perhaps a shutter release). You’ll use your handset or slate to control the lens, adjust framing and transmit images. According to SonyAlphaRumors, the electronics giant is expected to release two models: the DSC-QX10 (pictured above) and the DSC-QX100. The latter will ship with the same 1-inch sensor used with the RX100 Mark II, while the other lens will include a larger 10x focal range and a 1/2.3-inch 18-megapixel CMOS sensor. There’s no word on pricing or availability, but with Sony’s IFA press conference right around the corner, we’ll likely get the full scoop (and hopefully some hands-on time) come September 4th.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Tablets
Source: SonyAlphaRumors
Lytro has been an awfully quiet company recently. After creating waves by releasing their Lytro camera, which allows to change the depth-of-field after a photo is taken, the company sort of disappeared from the limelight. However, 2014 is expected to be a big year for the company, and they have a lot of new things […]
There’s usually a talented director calling the shots at televised live events like sports or a concert, but researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute want to put some of the control in the hands of the viewer at home. They’ve developed the OmniCam360, an ultra-compact 360 degree camera weighing in at just over 30 pounds that can be easily set up by a single operator.
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If you’re heading out for a day of shooting, or even on a vacation, it’s a good idea to bring along a few extra SD cards. Not only for those times when you run out of storage, but as cheap insurance that you won’t lose your shots. By swapping out cards occasionally, you’re helping to ensure that if one card dies, you won’t lose all of your photos. And what could possibly be a more stylish way to carry an extra pair of SD cards than a miniature Leica camera?
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Special editions with ridiculously expensive extras must be all the rage among well-to-do gadget fans — that’s the only real explanation we can imagine for Harrods’ new Olympus PEN Art Edition. The kit includes two PEN E-P5s (one hand-painted), but it also bundles prime lenses, accessories, a training session… and a customized Vespa scooter. You’ll have both the gear you need for amateur photography and the transportation to your photo shoots. Mind you, we’d expect nothing less when the Art Edition costs £16,000 ($24,814) — more than some cars. If you’re eager to acquire both a new camera and a new ride in one fell swoop, though, the limited-run PEN bundle is available from Harrods today. Check out a photo of the Vespa after the break.
Filed under: Cameras, Transportation
Via: Pocket-lint
Source: Harrods
Sony’s RX100
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Social Network-backed video sharing apps are all the rage, and now the biggest boys in school have woken up to the idea. MixBit is the brainchild of Chad Hurley and Steve Chen, better known as the founders of YouTube, and is a Google Ventures-backed iOS app that lets you record up to 16 seconds of video. Unlike Vine, however, you don’t just have the ability to edit your own clips, but also to remix other people’s contributions to create movies up to an hour long. Another difference is that each submission is anonymous and there’s no commenting system, lessening the impact of that big-budget twerking video you put together. Android users won’t have to feel put out for too long, either, as the pair has pledged that the app will arrive on the platform in the next few weeks.
Filed under: Cameras, Internet, Software
Via: Bits
Source: MixBit (iTunes)
Casio has unveiled a new digital camera in its EXILIM line, the EX-ZR800. With this new camera comes 18x optical zoom and a 5-stop/5-axis image stabilization, as well as several other features commonly found on point-and-shoot compact cameras. Although the European announcement doesn’t specify the launch date, the company’s Japanese division says it will be […]
Last year, Sony’s RX100 changed the way many of us think about point-and-shoots. The camera’s one-inch sensor enabled brilliant image quality and stellar low-light performance, netting DSLR-like results in a device you can slip in your pocket. It really did change the game when it comes to everyday photography, and I instantly fell in love. What remained to be seen, however, was how Sony would build on the RX100’s success by releasing an even more capable model this year. In an unexpected move, the company opted not to retire 2012’s blockbuster, and kept pricing exactly where it’s always been, at $650. The RX100 Mark II, meanwhile, was marketed as a modest step up — an even more well-rounded package, for 100 bucks more.
When my Mark II sample arrived, I did what any jaded New Yorker would after a half-dozen years of shooting sample photos in Manhattan: I booked a flight to somewhere else. United’s last-minute weekend specials made Chicago the best bet, and off I went for a weekend of perfect weather, approachable restaurants and sidewalks that weren’t so crowded that I had to walk in the street. It’s like New York — if you take away a million tourists and pepper in smiling Midwesterners and affordable adult beverages.
Gallery: A week with the Sony RX100 Mark II
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