Hasta La Gadget!

This week the folks at Olympus have shown off their newest iteration of an ultra-powerful machine: the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II Super Telephone Zoom Lens. Beyond the addition of the “II” to the end of the name, this lens has attained ZERO-Coating for an improved experience with ghosts and flares, the whole unit will be printed in black only (with the exception of the thin blue ring near the focus, and the entire zoom range will be printed now instead of patched. This release will be popping up soon and will be effectively replacing the original model in all stores where fine cameras are sold.

This lens will be shipping in March of 2013 and will have its own unique (and optional) hood (LH-61E), case (LSC-0918), and protection filter (PRF-D58 PRO). Combined with the fabulous Olympus OM-D and its 5axis IS, you’ll be working with no less than what Olympus tags as hand-held super zoom shooting – capture the Birds of Paradise with ease. The images you see above and below are connected to the OM-D as well – bask in the lovely glow of this hot combination.

This lens has a 16 – 4.1 degree angle of view, 18 lens throughout it in 13 groups including a Super ED lens, 2ED lenses, and 3 HR lenses, and its all works as micro four-thirds system standard – connect at will. The focal length of 75-300mm on this beast is equivalent to a 35mm 150-600mm, and you’ll find that the closest focusing distance you’re going to get is 0.9m – that’s with 75mm focal length. When you’re outside of a 75mm focal length, you’ll be focusing in at 1.5m at least.

The maximum aperture on this amalgamation of photography excellence is f4.8 at 75mm and f6.7 at 300mm, while the minimum aperture is always f22. The diameter you’re working with for filters is 58mm while the actual final size of the lens is 69 (diameter) x 116.5mm, with a final weight at 423g. Inside the box you’re going to get a front Lens Cap (LC-58E), Lens Rear Cap (LR-2), and both an instructions manual and an Olympus Worldwide Warranty Card. This lens will be available in March of this year for an estimated price of $549.99 USD – get pumped up!

Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm f4-6.7 II Lens revealed is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The outside world is a dangerous place for cameras, fraught with drops and jostles and inconvenient wet environments, whether it be pouring rain or an underwater subject. As such, there’s no such thing as too many cameras aimed for the outdoorsy market, such as the recently unveiled Pentax WG-10. This model offers a water and shock-proof body complete with a unique, rugged design that hints at both the camera’s durability and intended market.

The WG-10 is a compact, lightweight camera offerings basic specs, making it an underwater-capable point-and-shoot that can be easily pocketed and pulled out for impromptu images. The camera can be taken to water depths of nearly 33 feet (10 meter), and can withstands drops from nearly 5 feet (1.5 meters). Likewise, it can handle temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition, the WG-10 is crush-proof with up to 100 kilograms of force and dustproof, being tested at JIS Class 6. The battery offers 2 hours of continuous use, and a Digital Microscope mode that utilizes five LEDs arranged around the camera’s lens for uniform lighting. The lights are designed to illuminate brighter briefly during the shutter release in order to reduce blurs that result from slight vibrations and handshakes in macro photography.

As far as specs go, this camera from Pentax offers a 2.7-inch LCD display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and anti-reflection coating. There’s a 28mm wide-angle lens, as well as 5x optical zoom and 6.7x digital zoom. The CCD sensor clocks in at 14-megapixels, ISO ranges from 80 to 6400, and videos can be recorded in up to 720p HD. The camera is set to hit shelves in April for $179.95.

[via Pentax]

Pentax unveils the WG-10 waterproof digital camera is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Concrete and steel may be the cornerstones of modernity, but I have a feeling we’ll be building out of wood long after we develop transparent aluminum. It’s the most abundant, complexly beautiful thing. Here are 44 photos that celebrate it. More »

Nikon has just announced a slew of new Coolpix models—some good, others so-so—but one things is clear: Nikon is trying to pack in the specs at keen prices. More »

Nikon has announced a slew of Coolpix compact cameras with a range of features, designs, and colors. Offerings include super-telephoto and zoom models, two rugged compacts aimed at the adventurous, and a couple models equipped with both wifi and GPS. The cameras are set to launch in February and will be available from various retailers.

Four models are being released in the S-series: the S9500, S9400, S31, and S5200. These four cameras have various features, with the S9500 offering integrated wifi and GPS, as well as 22x optical zoom. Dropping down a model, the S9400 is a basic camera with 18x zoom, a backlit CMOS sensor, and a 3-inch display. The S31 is aimed a bit more at the outdoorsy user, with the ability to withstand temps as low as 14F, water submersion to 5 meters, and a shockproof body that can handle drops from up to 1.2 meters. The S5200 boasts a slim body and slightly lower specs at 6x optical zoom. There’s likewise a backlit CMOS sensor, as well as a 26mm wide angle lens.

Two rugged compacts have been tossed into the mix: the AW110 and the AW110s. Both models are available in four different colors: silver, blue, orange, and black, as well as a fifth style – camouflage. Both have been designed for outdoor use in rough environments, offering integrated wifi, 16-megapixel sensors, and the ability to withstand temperatures as low as 14F. Both can be used underwater, include an altimeter, depth gauge, and atmospheric pressure display, and feature a 3-inch display. The AW110 model also features GPS for point of interest data.

There are three entry-level cameras in the L-series: the L820, L28, and L27. The L820 is a super-zoom unit offering 30x optical zoom and a 16-megapixel backlit sensor; it is available in black, red, blue, and plum. The L28 and L27, meanwhile, are both smaller pocketable compact models, with the former offering a 3-inch display and 20-megapixels and the latter offering a 2.7-inch display and 16-megapixels.

Finally, standing out amongst the other offerings is the Coolpix P520, a super-zoom digital camera offering 42x optical zoom. The unit offers a 24mm wide angle lens, lens-shift vibration reduction, a vari-angle 3.2-inch display, and an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor. There’s GPS, and support for recording in up to 1080p HD. Blurs are reduced via lens-shift vibration reduction. The device is can be used with the Wireless Mobile Adapter WU-1a, which is sold separately.

[via Nikon]

Nikon announces 10 new Coolpix cameras, will launch them in February is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.