Hasta La Gadget!

When we were first introduced to Samsung’s MultiView series with last year’s MV800, we were certainly intrigued by the original design — the LCD flips up to face directly forward, resting just above the main camera module and enabling front-sided operation, for self-portraits and the like. What the camera appeared to offer in ingenuity, however, it lacked in image quality — shots looked quite mediocre during PC-based reviews, and when viewed on the low-res capacitive touchscreen display. This year’s iteration, the MV900F, promises improvements down the 800’s list of shortcomings, ranging from an f/2.5-6.3, 25mm 5x optical zoom lens to added WiFi, which brings the model’s social feature set in line with other Samsung SMART cameras. There’s also a 16.3-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor on board, along with that 180-degree MultiView display, this time equipped with a 3.3-inch WVGA AMOLED panel. Physically, the camera is similar in appearance, but it’s noticeably larger, to accommodate that larger touchscreen (the MV800 included a 3-inch display).

We were able to take an early look at the MV900F, and the display improvements were immediately noticeable. We weren’t permitted to review sample shots on a computer, but with so much room to grow from its predecessor, it’s safe to say that this lens/sensor combo should yield a noticeable image quality boost. The front-facing display is certainly the star of the show, even enabling gesture controls — you can zoom in and out or capture a shot just by waving your hand (there’s a tutorial on-board, but the movements aren’t difficult to master). There’s also a handful of WiFi options, including Facebook integration, along with instant uploading to sites like Picasa and YouTube, and integration with Samsung’s other products, including TVs and Galaxy smartphones. Video capture has also been boosted from 720p to 1080p, letting you take full advantage of HDTV playback, while a variety of photo and movie filters let you get creative in-camera, including a twilight mode that combines three sequential frames in order to snap steady shots in low light. The camera is set to ship in late August for $349.99, and will be available in black and white, so if you were considering the MV800 but opted to hold out while Samsung worked out the kinks, this may be the time to jump. Catch the MV900F in action, including those nifty gesture controls, in our hands-on video after the break.

Continue reading Samsung updates MultiView camera lineup with MV900F point-and-shoot for $350, we go hands-on

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Samsung updates MultiView camera lineup with MV900F point-and-shoot for $350, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A story published and then pulled by The Telegraph has revealed a range of new Panasonic cameras, including the new Lumix DMC-G5. The snapper will reportedly roll up with a 3-inch screen, a 16-megapixel Venus Engine VII sensor and a smoother, more rounded body. It should shoot Full HD video, crank up to ISO of 12,800 and find its way to the market as an entry-level kit costing £599 ($937), topping out at £879 ($1,375).

If a flagship ILC isn’t your thing, then you may be tempted by a bridge shooter, the DMC-FZ200, which comes with a rather powerful 25-600mm lens capable of maintaining a f/2.8 aperture at any focal length. The company will also be outing the DMC-LX7 compact camera that’ll offer full manual control as well as “decent” low-light photography. Details are thin on the ground, but since the company’s expected to make an official announcement tomorrow, we shouldn’t have too long to wait.

Update: We’ve had an email in from a tipster who has found a picture of the FZ-200 and a snap of an otherwise unmentioned FZ-60, which we’ve included after the jump if you’d like to take a peek.

[Thanks, Alex]

Continue reading Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 and other models arriving soon? (Updated)

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 and other models arriving soon? (Updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 07:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zoom is known for making audio recorders, but its latest product, the Q2HD, brings video to the recording party — HD video, no less. Sure, there are many ways to shoot and share our lives these days, and it’s a wonder that services like Ustream aren’t just full of videos of people unboxing cameras, checking in and uploading pictures to Pinterest (while also watching Ustream). Zoom, however, evidently believes that though the method might evolve, the medium largely remains the same — voice and video. As such, the Q2HD Handy Video Recorder (to give it its full name) promises to play, capture and stream, all in “HD audio and video.” Paraphrasing of the box aside, we got our hands on one and took it for a spin. Want to know how it fared? Let’s reset the levels, then head past the break for the mixdown.

Continue reading Zoom Q2HD Handy Video Recorder lets you stream and record on the move, we go hands-on

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Misc. Gadgets

Zoom Q2HD Handy Video Recorder lets you stream and record on the move, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 08:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So we have smart cars as well as smart phones (and in some instances, smart windows as well on select buildings!), but how about a smart camera? Seriously, cameras could not come any more smarter than they already are at this point in time, don’t you think so? After all, how difficult is it to point and shoot at a particular subject, and with the kind of lenses and modern day performance, you know for sure whatever your DSLR or Micro Four Thirds shooter picks up, it is going to be the bomb.

Well, Samsung intends to improve on the digital camera front with their latest smart camera known as the Samsung EX2F, where their latest model is said to be the world’s brightest compact camera lens with F1.4 aperture, and will also be part of its growing collection of Wi-Fi-enabled Smart Cameras. It will continue where the Samsung EX1 with F1.8 lens left off, where this new model was specially engineered to deliver super-bright photography.

What stands out in particular would be its F1.4 lens that clearly makes this the brightest in any compact camera. Not only that, you can also store and share images remotely using Wi-Fi connectivity. Those who are more serious and are thinking about taking the next step can always check out the Full Manual Controls which is featured in a strong but lightweight body. DLSR owners who want something more portable to shoot images at impromptu moments would definitely want to consider getting the Samsung EX2F as part of their stable of extra devices.

Other hardware specifications include the ability to capture 1080/30p movies in Full HD quality complete with stereo sound, so that you are able to enjoy playback later on a Full HDTV. The EX2F will also snap 12-megapixel stills while shooting video simultaneously, where this is made possible thanks to the Dual Capture feature, making sure you will no longer lose a single precious moment down the road. There is also a 3.0” Swivel AMOLED display that helps you line out great looking shots, while all your captured photos can be stored on its SDXC/SDHC memory card slot.

Press Release

[ Samsung EX2F Smart Camera copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

RED5’s Spy Hawk might look like the stuff of a hobbyist’s dreams, but it’s not such an innocent craft. The remote control glider does precisely what its moniker implies, melding one part recreation with that other time-honored tradition: espionage. That’s right, aspiring CIA-types can get a headstart gathering intel by relaying video captured with the nose-embedded, 5-megapixel camera to the transmitter’s built-in 3.5-inch LCD screen. And lest that precious recon get lost, an included 4GB SD card will let you safely save it all for a rainy blackmail kinda day. There’s also an autopilot stabilization feature to keep it upright in windy conditions, but temper your excitement, as the drone’s 7.4v Li-ion battery is only rated for 15 minutes of uninterrupted privacy invading flight time. If you’re spidey senses are a-tinglin’ just knowing this sneaky toy plane exists, prepare to make peace with $305 (£249) and pre-order at the source below.

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Misc. Gadgets

RED5 remote control plane can fly like an eagle, spy like one too originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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