Hasta La Gadget!

Canon’s brutally designed PowerShot G1 X eschews flowing lines for angular, boxy lines that may only appeal to fans of Le Corbusier and The Smithsons. However, that harsh body covers a camera aiming to bring DSLR performance in the body of a compact. There are sacrifices, however — the optical viewfinder is useless, low-light performance isn’t good enough and it’s got a high price tag. Despite its failings, it managed to win over the heart of our reviewer when shooting pictures in good light. If you own one of these, how do you find it? Could you use it instead of a DSLR, or was the project misguided from the start? Let us know, in the comments below.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

How would you change Canon’s PowerShot G1 X? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Aug 2012 22:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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 inquiry is coming to us from Joyce, who wants us to open the open the camera wars in the interests of helping out a photography newbie. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m very interested in photography and currently have a minor in Communication Design. I really want to get more serious, but I can’t spend too much money ($800 limit) on a DSLR. I’m leaning towards a Canon because my sister has one as well so we could share lenses, and any with a video mode would be useful. Any advice regarding a decent DSLR and beginner lenses would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!”

It’s been three years since we last asked this question, so we’re well overdue to gauge your opinions. Tell us what budget shooter and lenses offer the best bang-for-your-buck and ease of use, which unit’s the most forgiving and which offers the cheapest lenses for those just dipping their toes into the water?

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Ask Engadget: What’s the best entry-level DSLR? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 22:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony is continuing to build out its NXCAM video camera line with the new interchangeable lens NEX-EA50EH, a surprise entrant that’s aimed firmly at the run and gun professional crowd. It sports the same APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor as other cameras in the NEX line, and has notably added a rocker-style zoom lever for its brand new SEL18-200PZ 11x E-mount Servo Zoom Lens. That item is one of the first large sensor servo zooms we’ve seen, and packs continuous variable isis, auto focus and “Optical Steady Shot” active image stabilization. Another eyebrow-raiser is the model’s still photo talent, with the ability to shoot 16MP RAW stills, a mechanical shutter with its own release button and a flash hot-shoe all squeezed in. Video is recorded up to 60fps at 1080P in AVCHD 2.0, presumably at 28 or 17 Mbps, to SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, Sony Memory Sticks or Sony’s dedicated external SSD unit, which attaches to the camera. All that is topped off by an onboard shotgun microphone, a shoulder mount form factor and $4,500 price point (which has already changed twice on B&H). That means a lot of pros who want large sensor results — without all the DSLR foibles — may be sorely tempted. See the PR and video after the break for all the details.

Continue reading Sony unveils NEX-EA50EH pro camcorder with nary a dog or pony (video)

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Sony unveils NEX-EA50EH pro camcorder with nary a dog or pony (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 03:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve been known to strap on a few GoPro cameras in our day, but our efforts are merely amateur in comparison to this guy, who we can only presume is about to perform a stunt so extreme that no less than seven GoPro cams (and a DSLR) are required to capture it.

Don: “GoPro Hero.”
Darren: “Amateurs gonna hate.”
Billy: “I see your 3D and raise you another 5D. 8D is where it’s at.”
Jon: “I’m so liveblogging this. And Instagramming this. And…”
Brian: “Someone take a picture of my weird helmet thing! What do you mean you don’t have a camera?”
Brad: “Hey bullies! I’m now twice the four-eyes you thought I was in high school. What have you done with your life?”
Edgar: “From now on, you shall call me GoProusa.”
Tim: “Anybody have an SD card I can borrow?”
Mat: *BATTERY LOW*
Jamie: “Patent pending…”
Christopher: “A&E Presents Helmet Hoarders: The GoPro Edition“
Sharif: “HQ, are you seeing this?!”
Myriam: “Go-Go-Gadget GoPro!”

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Caption Contest: GoPro gone wrong originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve covered our fair share of product recalls over the years, but this one almost certainly takes the cake when looking at pure zaniness. Canon has recalled its EOS Rebel T4i — some 68,200 units — “due to a risk of allergic reaction.” You read that right. As the story goes, a chemical used in the camera’s rubber grips “can result in a reaction that changes the grips from black to white and poses a risk of skin irritation to the consumer,” and while the company has only received a single report of a consumer developing a “minor rash” after contact, that’s obviously enough to issue to recall. It involves T4i units with a 12-digit serial number that contain a second digit that is a “3” or “4” and a sixth digit that is a “1.” If that’s you, you’re advised to stop using the camera and ping Canon USA to have replacement rubber grips installed free of charge. Specifically, you can ring 855-902-3277 and be prepared to be placed on hold for the better part of your adult life.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Canon recalls 68,200 EOS Rebel T4i DSLRs, says rubber grips can lead to skin rash originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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