Olympus intros upgraded Stylus Tough TG-2, TG-830 and TG-630 rugged cameras

Olympus intros upgraded Stylus Tough TG2, TG830 and TG630 rugged cameras

Olympus knows many of us will be jonesing for a rugged camera once the weather warms up, and it’s more than happy to deliver with a trio of refreshed Stylus Tough point-and-shoots. The TG-2 iHS flagship is all about going closer and deeper than before: it preserves the 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, 25-100mm equivalent f/2.0 lens and 1080p video of its predecessor, but introduces a new Microscopic Macro mode that Olympus claims can provide extreme detail from as little as 1cm (0.4 inches) away. The body’s waterproofing is also resilient enough to survive at a deeper 50 feet, just in case the TG-1 isn’t quite a match for that upcoming reef expedition. The TG-2 will arrive in March, and it should undercut its predecessor’s original asking price at $380.

Those who aren’t quite so committed to rough-and-tumble photography still get a few updates of their own. The TG-830 iHS adds geolocation to the TG-820’s formula with both GPS and an electronic compass to show the way; its 16-megapixel CMOS sensor is also new, although we’re more interested in a newfound option to shoot stills while recording video. At the entry level, the TG-630 iHS is a close cousin of the recent TG-625, adding a front metal plate to the 12-megapixel model we know. The two will ship alongside their bigger sibling in March with respective prices of $280 for the TG-830 and $200 for the TG-630.

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Source: Olympus

Olympus reveals SZ-15, SZ-16 superzoom cameras with upgraded sensors

Olympus reveals SZ15, SZ16 superzoom cameras with upgraded sensors

It almost wouldn’t be a camera introduction without a couple of superzooms, would it? Appropriately, Olympus is updating its lower-cost SZ models at CES with new sensors and a handful of extras to match the long-distance optics. The 24X zoom SZ-16 iHS makes the undeniably larger leap: its 14-megapixel sensor now relies on low light-friendly CMOS (instead of the SZ-12’s CCD) and introduces a quicker TruePic VI processor. The added power leads to a multi-shot Hand-Held Starlight mode for would-be astrophotographers as well as 1080p video. Not that the very entry level isn’t getting some love, however. The SZ-15 is a meaningful upgrade in its own right, extending to the same 24X zoom as the SZ-16 while replacing the SZ-10’s 14-megapixel CCD with a 16-megapixel CMOS imager. Olympus includes a handful of options that the SZ-15’s older TruePic III engine can handle, such as a Beauty Mode and SR Zoom (read: digital zoom). Both models ship in March, although the narrow pricing spread between the $200 SZ-15 and $230 SZ-16 leaves us leaning heavily toward the higher-end camera.

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Source: Olympus

Nikon outs Coolpix S6500 with WiFi, new beauty touch-ups (update: hands-on photos)

Nikon outs Coolpix S6500 with WiFi, new beauty touchups

The budget, compact long-zoom camera field must be a cutthroat one — Nikon unveiled the Coolpix S6300 early last year, quietly slipped out the S6400 later in 2012, and it’s already previewing a S6500 at CES. What’s new that justifies such a quick refresh? WiFi, mostly: the S6500 should be one of the less expensive cameras in its class to share its photos directly over a local network. Photographers with self-conscious subjects also get five new Glamor Retouch modes that brighten cheeks, eyes and teeth. Otherwise, those who bought an S6400 will feel like they’re in familiar territory between the 16-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, 12x (25-300mm equivalent) lens and 1080p video capture. The S6500 arrives towards the end of January for $220, which makes it low-hanging fruit for anyone who wants a dash of everything in their next point-and-shoot upgrade.

Dana Murph contributed to this report.

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Source: Nikon

Panasonic’s new Lumix and camcorder lineup arrives at CES

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Panasonic may not have dedicated much time to its 2013 Lumix and WiFi camcorder lineup in its CES 2013 press conference, but we’re going to break it down for you.

  • The HC-X920, HC-V720 and HC-V520 comes with built-in Wifi, a level shot function and real-time broadcasting, letting you relay the images straight to a smartphone.
  • The HC-V210 and V210M have 72x optical zoom, optical image stabilization and a F/1.8 lens.

On the Lumix side, it’s announcing the Lumix DMC-TS5, a ruggedized model with a 16.1 megapixel sensor that can dive to depths of 43 feet and is shockproof from a height of 6.6 feet.

  • The LZ30 bridge camera has a 35x optical zoom and a 35mm lens
  • The XS1 has a 14mm thick body and a 14.-4 megapixel sensor.
  • The ZS30 has an 18.1-megapixel sensor, 20x optical Zoom and integrated WiFi and NFC.

The company is also shuttling out a GoPro rival in the form of the HX-A100 wearable HD camcorder, which we’ll try to get our greasy mitts upon to show you more.

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Pentax launches brass-bodied MX-1 point-and-shoot: 12MP with 4X zoom

Pentax launches brassbodied MX1 pointandshoot 12MP with 4X zoom

With some classy brass casing, Pentax‘ new point-and-shoot is a little more refined than what we often get in smaller cameras. Fanciful materials aside, Pentax has paired a 12-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor with a f/1.8-2.5 lens, capable of up to 4x optical zoom. There’s a dedicated exposure compensation dial for adjustments on the fly, while the the 3-inch LCD display is articulated to better see what you’ve captured. Pentax has added its own dual shake-reduction system and shooting modes include macro capture capable of detailed images from just 1cm away. The camera will launch next month priced at $500, in a choice in silver and black finishes.

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Toshiba preps 20MP, backside-lit sensor for point-and-shoot cameras

Toshiba preps 20megapixel, backsidelit CMOS sensor for pointandshoot cameras

When smartphones are encroaching on compact cameras’ turf, how does a company try to stay relevant making sensors for those cameras? By upping the resolution, of course. Toshiba has given a peek at the TCM5115CL, a 1/2.3-inch, backside-illuminated CMOS sensor that hits 20 megapixels — a big jump from the 16-megapixel sensors in many point-and-shoots and some smartphones. To combat the noise and sensitivity problems that usually come with a denser design, the electronics giant is using pixels that can absorb 15 percent more of a charge, and therefore more light. Toshiba has primed the sensor for high-speed shooting and video as well, with the potential for 1080p video at 60FPS and 30FPS burst shooting at full resolution, provided the processor can keep up. We’re not bracing ourselves for an imminent renaissance among dedicated cameras, however. Mass production doesn’t start until August, which suggests we’re unlikely to have 20-megapixel shooters in our pockets during summer vacation.

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Via: Gizmodo

Source: Toshiba

Samsung Galaxy Camera with Verizon LTE shows at the FCC

Samsung Galaxy Camera with Verizon LTE shows at the FCC

At least a few Americans have been disappointed that the current version of the Samsung Galaxy Camera goes without LTE; when the data connection is intended almost exclusively for uploading massive photos, HSPA+ can only go so far. To our relief, Samsung knows our impatience well enough to have sent a version of its connected point-and-shoot with American 4G through the FCC’s approval gauntlet. This time, the camera goes under the EK-GC120 name (the HSPA+ model is the GC100) with LTE access on Verizon’s slice of the 700MHz spectrum — and that’s it for cellular access, without even a trace of foreign wireless bands. As such, there’s little doubt the GC120 is headed to Big Red and will have to resort to WiFi on any vacation outside of the US. Any uncertainty mostly rests around just when the Galaxy Camera arrives on Verizon’s network, and whether or not the extra wireless speed will demand a premium.

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Source: FCC

Butlers, lunar rovers, snakes and airboats: the best of Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute

Butlers, lunar rovers, snakes and airboats the best Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute

How was your week? We got to spend a couple of days trekking around the Carnegie Mellon campus in Pittsburgh, PA to check out some of the latest projects from the school’s world renowned Robotics Institute — a trip that culminated with the bi-annual induction ceremony from the CMU-sponsored Robot Hall of Fame. Given all the craziness of the past seven days, you might have missed some of the awesomeness, but fear not, we’ve got it all for you here in one handy place — plus a couple of videos from the trip that we haven’t shown you yet. Join us after the break to catch up.

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Butlers, lunar rovers, snakes and airboats: the best of Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 12:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Visualized: GigaPan circa 2006

Visualized GigaPan circa 2006

GigaPan sure has come a long way in a few short years. Sure, it’s no Epic Pro, but this old device marked S/N 15 is a pretty cool piece of history for those who love really hi-res images. We spotted it on the shelf of an office here at Carnegie Mellon, clutching on to an old PowerShot point-and-shoot. According to its owner, the tangled device dates back to around 2006. We knew it looked familiar….

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Visualized: GigaPan circa 2006 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 03:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon announces Q3 2012 results: operating profit down 42 percent to $908 million

Canon announces Q3 2012 results, operating profit drops by 42 percent to $908 million

Canon just released its Q3 2012 earnings reported, and things aren’t looking peachy right now for the camera maker: revenue is down 13 percent to $10.3 billion from last Q3 last year, while profit tumbled by 42 percent. The Japanese company directed the blame toward the “negative impact of economic deterioration” in Europe and emerging markets like China, as well as the strong yen (again). DSLR sales fell over last year, with Canon mentioning that its launch of new models like the EOS 5D Mark III didn’t help to shore its camera figures up. Other units within the company didn’t fare much better, with printer sales falling and business-to-business numbers flatlining. The company doesn’t see a bright fourth quarter either, and is projecting that sales will stay in lockstep with the sluggish economy, resulting in a 6 percent decline in operating profit for the year. It may not want to count so much on the new mirrorless offering pulling it out of the mud, though — it got fairly mixed reviews.

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Canon announces Q3 2012 results: operating profit down 42 percent to $908 million originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 07:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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