Casio rolls out Exilim EX-S7 and EX-Z35 point-and-shoots at PMA

It’s a beautiful day in Anaheim, which makes it a perfect day to introduce a couple of compact shooters. Regardless of the fact that we just made that up, Casio‘s in full agreement, as it has just pushed out the new Exilim EX-S7 (shown above) and EX-Z35 (shown after the break) at PMA 2010. The pair of low-end cameras offer up 12.1 megapixel sensors, 3x optical zooms and direct-to-web upload options; the S7 ships with a 720p HD video mode and a 2.7-inch rear LCD, while the Z35 gets a VGA movie mode and a 2.5-inch LCD. Neither option will blow any minds, but the relatively low $139.99 / $109.99 (in order of mention) price points just might generate some interest from the novices in attendance.

Continue reading Casio rolls out Exilim EX-S7 and EX-Z35 point-and-shoots at PMA

Casio rolls out Exilim EX-S7 and EX-Z35 point-and-shoots at PMA originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus’ SP-800UZ 30x superzoom starts taking pre-orders

Thought your decision was made when Nikon’s P100 superzoom hit online stores yesterday? You might wanna give Olympus’ offering a quick peek as well, as today the SP-800UZ has debuted on Amazon with a similar shipping schedule of three to five weeks. It brings quite the punchy résumé too, with its 30x optical zoom and $349 price both being that little bit better than Nikon’s hardware. Additional enticements include a 14 megapixel sensor with dual image stabilization, AF tracking, 720p video recording, face detection and a 3-inch LCD. Just to make sure you’re completely comfortable with your purchase, the above price also includes a spare high-capacity battery, mini tripod, lens cleaning kit, and a USB card reader. Man, wish mobile operators treated us like this.

[Thanks, Ron]

Olympus’ SP-800UZ 30x superzoom starts taking pre-orders originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s DSC-TX5 is waterproof, freeze-proof, dust-proof, and headed for retail this April

Our early info on this diminutive shooter only indicated it’d be waterproof, so it’s a pleasant surprise to see some further optimizations thrown in for use in less hospitable environments. You’ll be able to go down to 10 feet under water with the TX5, drop it from a 5-foot height, or explore the tundra at temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) without the camera throwing in the towel. So Sony claims anyhow. Other features include a now confirmed 10fps burst mode, a 10.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, 4x optical zoom plus optical image stabilization, and a 3-inch touchscreen on the back. The one thing that doesn’t make the transition from rumor to reality is the reputed 1080p movie mode — the TX5 makes do with a still desirable 720p video recording. Sony’s also kicking out the DSC-H55 (pictured after the break) today, which will have the same video mode, but adds a 10x optical zoom and a thicker, non-weatherproofed body. Both cams will happily write to Class 4 and above SDHC cards when they debut this April, priced at $350 for the TX5 and $250 for the H55.

Continue reading Sony’s DSC-TX5 is waterproof, freeze-proof, dust-proof, and headed for retail this April

Sony’s DSC-TX5 is waterproof, freeze-proof, dust-proof, and headed for retail this April originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pentax K-x DSLR goes pink for Valentine’s Day, naturally

You know what the world needs? Another stereotypical pink gadget to commemorate a Hallmark holiday. Bitterness and shame aside, it looks as if Pentax has decided that too few people were using its custom color shop to craft completely pink K-x DSLRs, and in the honor of Saint Valentine, the company has decided to roll out another stock hue to sell alongside the red, white, black and navy blue versions. It’ll set you back around HK$5,990 (or $770 in greenbacks), but trust us, your honey is totally worth it.

Pentax K-x DSLR goes pink for Valentine’s Day, naturally originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ricoh CX3 reviewed, just marginally better than CX2

Ricoh’s CX2 seemed to impress a-many reviewer when it launched last autumn, so it’s sort of odd to see the camera’s successor hitting the market so soon after. The appropriately named CX3 recent sat down on the test bench over at Photography BLOG, and while critics were quick to point out how appreciative they were of the extras (a 720p movie mode, namely), they couldn’t help but notice what a small step forward this was from the prior model. In fact, they found little to no good reason for existing CX2 owners to upgrade, though they did deem the image quality to be “excellent” and noted that newcomers shouldn’t hesitate to give this one a whirl. Still, we were disappointed to hear that the low-light performance was underwhelming despite promises that it had been improved, and for $400, you’ve got a lot of other options in the point-and-shoot realm.

Ricoh CX3 reviewed, just marginally better than CX2 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic adds silver and pink body options to GF1, exhibits poor timing

It’s pretty much common knowledge these days that we’re big fans of Micro Four Thirds cameras, and while Olympus may already be shipping its second generation hardware, Panasonic is holding firm with the still highly desirable GF1. Tweaking up the formula just a tad, the company is throwing its Japanese audience a bone with a pair of frankly stupendous color options, led by the silver (looks more like gunmetal to us) number above. We’re digging the contrast between the black sections and silver body, though the real highlight must be that we don’t find the pink option (pictured after the break) intolerable. Good job by Panasonic on picking out these hues, but why on earth are they coming out on March 12 — shouldn’t the marketing department be aware of certain global consumerist events that exist pretty much exclusively to stimulate indulgent purchases of superficially appealing new gear?

Continue reading Panasonic adds silver and pink body options to GF1, exhibits poor timing

Panasonic adds silver and pink body options to GF1, exhibits poor timing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic prices Lumix DMC-TS2, DMC-ZS5, DMC-ZS7 and DMC-ZR3 cameras

Remember that smattering of Lumix compacts that Panasonic outed at the tail end of last month? Four of the five just got pricing details handed out, and all four are expected to be in stores in the middle of next month. The Lumix DMC-TS2 — which is the most rugged of the bunch — will list for $399.95, while the DMC-ZS7 and DMC-ZS5 will go for $399.95 and $299.95, respectively. The DMC-ZR3 and its 8x optical zoomer will also sell for a nickel under $300, while the DMC-FX66 remains stuck in the land of mystery and mystique. Hit up the source link if you need specifics on each, cool?

Panasonic prices Lumix DMC-TS2, DMC-ZS5, DMC-ZS7 and DMC-ZR3 cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony working to wedge laser-based pico projectors into its compact cameras?

Sony working to wedge laser-based pico projectors in its compact cameras?

Nikon’s Coolpix S1000pj camera/pico projector combo hasn’t exactly taken the world by storm, but we’re guessing it took a little while before Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups became a global phenomenon, too. If reports from DigiTimes prove to be true, Sony wants to be front and center to meet the eventual demand for such cameras, working with Opus Microsystems to license its laser-based scanning mirror chips, projector tech that sounds similar to Microvision’s Show WX. Word is that other camera manufacturers are working with Texas Instruments for the development of their own pico-packing cams, relying on TI’s DLP-based tech found in the S1000pj and a variety of other devices. Which will rule the roost? We’ll take lasers over LEDs any day of the week.

Sony working to wedge laser-based pico projectors into its compact cameras? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hasselblad creates 40 megapixel H4D-40 medium format camera, wants $20k for it

Tough though it may be to believe, Hasselblad’s 39 megapixel H3D II actually came out in 2007. Yeah, last decade. In other words, it’s about time we saw a true successor hit the market, and with PMA just about ready to get going in Anaheim, the bold and beautiful H4D-40 is making its grand entrance. Boasting a 40 megapixel sensor, this medium format behemoth — which we spotted in a leak late last month — also features a “True Focus” AF system and ships with an 80mm lens and a viewfinder. The kit is said to be shipping now across the globe for $19,995 (or €13,995 / £12,995 on that side of the pond), which should make choosing between a new shooter and a public college education remarkably difficult.

Hasselblad creates 40 megapixel H4D-40 medium format camera, wants $20k for it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Olympus intros $600 12.3 megapixel PEN E-PL1 Micro Four Thirds camera

It certainly took them long enough, but Olympus has finally (finally!) introduced a Micro Four Thirds camera with a price tag that’s a little closer to earth. If you’ll recall, both of the previous PENs cost upwards of $750, but the E-PL1 touts a much more reasonable MSRP of $599.99. And that doesn’t mean Olympus has been stingy on features. Nope, quite the contrary as the the minuscule body is packed with the same 12.3 megapixel image sensor as the E-30 and E-620 (check the images in the gallery to see a size comparison of the actual sensors), in-body image stabilization, continuous autofocus, a 2.7-inch rear LCD, HD movie mode, in-camera “art filters” and a bundled ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 zoom lens (28-84mm equivalent in 35mm cameras). Oh and don’t forget the addition of the pop-up flash which just reminds us of E.T. You won’t be able to nab a E-PL1 until next month, but hit the break for some of our hands-on impressions.

Continue reading Olympus intros $600 12.3 megapixel PEN E-PL1 Micro Four Thirds camera

Olympus intros $600 12.3 megapixel PEN E-PL1 Micro Four Thirds camera originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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