Is this the top of a Canon EOS 7D, or are we just hopelessly optimistic?

C’mon Canon, this is getting just a wee bit ridiculous. Yesterday’s NYC event came and went without nary a mention of the just-has-to-be-real EOS 7D DSLR, though we did see the latest piece of mildly convincing evidence while canvassing those six new PowerShots. Today, we’re taking a look at what appears to be the top plate of the forthcoming (or so we hear) camera, though the fanboys over at DPReview can’t seem to say for sure if this is a fake or even a sensible design for such a beastly shooter. So, we’re asking you, dear readers — what do you make of this? Are you finally a believer that the almost mythical 7D is actually just around the bend? Or do you think we’re all crazy for being in said camp?

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Is this the top of a Canon EOS 7D, or are we just hopelessly optimistic? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ricoh CX2 has 10.7x optical zoom, CX1 pedigree

Ah, the cruelty of rapid refresh cycles. It was only six months ago that the well reviewed CX1 hit the scene, but already Ricoh is trotting out its replacement in the form of the CX2. You needn’t fret though, as the new shooter retains its predecessor’s winning features while adding a few goodies of its own. The zoom has gone from 7.1x to 10.7x, taking it comfortably into the superzoom category, continuous shooting gets upgraded from 4 to 5 fps, and face detection and AF have been enhanced. The latter features should make the new cam easier to use for novices, but when you add up the whole package — including the already competent 9 megapixel CMOS sensor and HDR imaging capabilities inherited from the CX1 — you have to wonder if this camera isn’t too good for the point and shoot moniker. Suggested UK price is £299.99 ($495), and it should be available in early September.

[Via Akihabara News]

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Ricoh CX2 has 10.7x optical zoom, CX1 pedigree originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon outs new PowerShots: G11, S90, SX20 IS, SX120 IS, SD980 IS and SD940 IS

Looks like that PowerShot G11 we spotted this morning was indeed the real deal, and it’s being followed by five other compatriots announced by Canon this fine morning. Starting with the big boy, you’re looking at a 10 megapixel sensor, 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD, 5x optical zoom, RAW support, a hotshoe and an MSRP of $499.99 when it lands in October. Moving on, we’ve got the $429.99 PowerShot S90, an all-business point-and-shoot model with a 3-inch LCD, 10 megapixel sensor, DIGIC 4 processing engine, RAW support and a 3.8x optical zoomer. Moving right along, there’s the SX20 IS megazoom ($399.99), which packs a 12.1 megapixel sensor, 720p (30fps) video mode, an HDMI output, 20x zoomer and a 2.5-inch vari-angle display. The SX120 IS is a simpler beast (albeit bulkier), sporting a 10 megapixel sensor, 3-inch LCD, 10x optical zoom and AA battery support for $249.99, while the $329.99 SD980 IS Digital ELPH snags a 12.1 megapixel sensor, 3-inch touchscreen, 720p movie mode, 5x optical zoom lens and four different colors (silver, blue, gold and purple). Finally, the $299.99 SD940 IS offers up most of the SD980’s amenities save for the LCD and zoom, which is replaced by a non-touch 2.7-inch version and a 4x lens. The full specifications are there in the read link.

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Canon outs new PowerShots: G11, S90, SX20 IS, SX120 IS, SD980 IS and SD940 IS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Casio’s Exilim EX-Z450, EX-Z280 and EX-Z90 compacts invoke more Zzzs

The EX-Z450 above is Casio’s new Exilim Zoom flagship model, but you’ll be forgiven for confusing it for its predecessor the Z400. Their spec sheets are almost identical: both come with 4x optical zoom, 12 megapixel sensor, 720p / 24 fps video, and Exilim Engine 4.0 — hell, even the max ISO setting is identical at 3200, and you can upgrade that ‘for free’ since nobody expects your highest settings to be usable anyway. What’s new? An autofocus for the ages, apparently, as the sole difference is a new Intelligent AF feature that automatically adjusts focus and exposure for photographic subjects, human or otherwise. The Z90 shrinks those innards into a more portable package, but drops to 3x zoom in the process. The two cameras are expected in early October for $199 and $149, respectively. They’ll be joined by the unpriced Z280 shooter that misses out on the auto-detect magic, but gains a wide-angle 26mm lens. Full frontal shots of each camera after the break.

[Via Impress]

Read – Exilim Zoom EX-Z450
Read – Exilim Zoom EX-Z280
Read – Exilim Zoom EX-Z90

Continue reading Casio’s Exilim EX-Z450, EX-Z280 and EX-Z90 compacts invoke more Zzzs

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Casio’s Exilim EX-Z450, EX-Z280 and EX-Z90 compacts invoke more Zzzs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung crams WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth 2.0 into well-specced CL65 point-and-shoot

If you’re anything like us (and let’s face it, you’re exactly like us), you’ve been counting down the nanoseconds until Samsung finally revealed what its ‘Tap and Take‘ campaign was all about. This, folks, is it. As many of you sharp folks surmised, Samsung is delving deep into the intelligent camera arena, equipping its luscious CL65 (no, not that CL65) with a 12.2 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, 720p (30fps) movie mode, an HDMI output, and a 3.5-inch touchscreen that utilizes a Smart Gesture user interface. Furthermore, the camera can access certain features when simply tilted, and the built-in Bluetooth 2.0 module enables users to easily share images with other BT-equipped devices.

Considering that you’re probably still not impressed, how’s about a little more on the cutting-edge front? The point-and-shoot also includes WiFi (much like Sony’s disappointing DSC-G3 and Panny’s Lumix DMC-TZ50), giving users the ability to upload directly to Facebook, Picasa and YouTube. Unfortunately, all photos uploaded via WiFi will be reduced to a resolution of two megapixels, and while we understand the reasoning, we figure an option for full / reduced res would’ve been a much better compromise. At any rate, the device also includes DLNA support for streaming to HDTVs and the like, while the integrated GPS chip handles the geotagging. The cam, which is admittedly bursting at the seams with features, will land next month in the US for $399.99. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Samsung crams WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth 2.0 into well-specced CL65 point-and-shoot

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Samsung crams WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth 2.0 into well-specced CL65 point-and-shoot originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Samsung’s TL220 and TL225 cameras add a LCD in front to help with your self-portraits

Cameras with projectors? That’s old tricks by now. Samsung wants you to know the new, hip differentiator in the point and shoot market is two LCDs — one in the back like usual, and a 1.5-inch LCD in the front, right next to the lens, such as what you see with the new TL220 and TL225 (also known as ST500 / ST550, respectively). That should be good for making sure your self-portraits are just right, or alternatively, it can play “cute animations to capture kids’ attention.” We also think it might also be useful for capturing the exact moment of horror from a coulrophobist. Both 12.2 megapixel cameras sport a 4.6x optical zoom, image stabilization, 720p video capabilities in H.264 format, and a touchscreen rear LCD with haptic feedback. The TL220 has a 3-inch display in the back, while the TL225 (pictured) features a 3.5-inch display that’s also much, much sharper. Price is $299.90 / $349.99 for TL220 and TL225, respectively, and both are due out in September. Full presser — and video — after the break.

Update: The video (after the break) is now live.

Continue reading Video: Samsung’s TL220 and TL225 cameras add a LCD in front to help with your self-portraits

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Video: Samsung’s TL220 and TL225 cameras add a LCD in front to help with your self-portraits originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung’s ST500 and ST550 cameras add a LCD in front to help with your self-portraits

Cameras with projectors? That’s old tricks by now. Samsung wants you to know the new, hip differentiator in the point and shoot market is two LCDs — one in the back like usual, and a 1.5-inch LCD in the front, right next to the lens. According to CNET Asia, that latter display’s good for making sure your self-portraits are just right, or alternatively, it can play “cute animations to capture kids’ attention.” We also think it might also be useful for capturing the exact moment of horror from a coulrophobist. Both 12.2 megapixel cameras sport a 4.6x optical zoom, image stabilization, 720p video capabilities, and a touchscreen rear LCD with haptic feedback. The ST500 has a 3-inch display in the back, while the ST550 (pictured) features a 3.5-inch display that’s also much, much sharper. Nothing said on price, but word from a press release pinpoints a worldwide release date by the end of this month.

Read – Samsung unveils cameras with two screens
Read – ST550 preview

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Samsung’s ST500 and ST550 cameras add a LCD in front to help with your self-portraits originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung ST1000 GPS-enabled camera appears in blurrycam shot

We’ve been waiting for some more compact cameras with integrated GPS features to hit the market, and this blurry shot of an upcoming Samsung ST1000 gives us a little hope. It’s actually looking like a pretty hot piece of kit in addition to the geotagging features, with a 12 megapixel sensor with ISO 4800 sensitivity behind a stabilized 5x zoom lens, 3.5-inch touchscreen with gesture support, face detection that prioritizes the most-common faces, and WiFi support all cooked in. The rumor says we’re looking at an August 13 launch, so we should know more soon — hopefully the £349 ($580) price tag is a bit more reasonable when it officially comes Stateside. Hit the read link for some more shots.

[Thanks, Chris]

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Samsung ST1000 GPS-enabled camera appears in blurrycam shot originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s Party-shot dock snaps incriminating Facebook photos while you drink

As if your Facebook profile doesn’t have enough hard evidence that you’re completely unfit for any job you might strike up the courage to apply for, here’s a thoughtful accessory for producing even more regret-inducing snapshots. Launched tonight alongside Sony‘s DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1 Cyber-shot digicams, the $150 IPT-DS1 Party-shot (ships in September) is a newfangled camera dock that pans 360 degrees and tilts 24 degrees, automatically detects faces, adjusts composition and takes photos for you. It’s like the GigaPan, sans the whole “useful panorama” aspect. The dock can churn for up to 11 hours on a pair of AA batteries (an optional AC adapter is also available), though at least for now, it only works with the aforesaid TX1 and WX1 models. Also of note, anyone with half an ounce of dignity will likely freak out and leave upon seeing this set up at your next shindig. Just sayin’.

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Sony’s Party-shot dock snaps incriminating Facebook photos while you drink originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hello Kitty limited edition Casio Exilim EX-Z2 with 12.1 meowgapixels up for pre-order

You didn’t expect Hello Kitty‘s 35th anniversary to pass without a flurry of new products did you? Now, this is not the first Casio digital camera we’ve seen carrying the HK moniker, but the Exilim EX- Z2 is the first 12.1-megapixel affair we’ve ever seen with the meow meow on it. Bedazzled with Swarovskis and all pinked up, this Casio boasts a 2.7-inch LCD, and a 3 x optical zoom, plus the package seems to come with some other items of interest — a camera case, lanyard, and giant poofy pink thing! All this can be yours (available for pre-order now) for $500.

[Via Chip Chick]

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Hello Kitty limited edition Casio Exilim EX-Z2 with 12.1 meowgapixels up for pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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