You know the Hitchcock zoom effect: A camera on a dolly moves back or forward as the lenses zoom in or out, changing the field of view. French photographer Micaël Reynaud has created a new variation of the technique—which you can see above—combining the dolly zoom with slit-scan photography.
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The world starts to blur. People and trees and houses and stores are just streaks of colors as you zoom by. The roads become vertical as you make your turns. You’re going so fast that, if you hit anything on the road, even a stick, you’re probably going to fly hundreds of feet in the air and smack yourself to pulp. This is what it’s like to race a motorcycle in the Isle of Man TT. It’s unreal how fast they go.
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Zoom has made another announcement recently which will target those who would want to create a more professional home video. In this sense, they have rolled out the ultra-compact Zoom Q4 which is touted to deliver the perfect blend of high-definition video alongside high-resolution audio. It will be able to play nice with a range of applications, where among them include video streaming, online blogging, live concert recording, location shoots, electronic news gathering, as well as documenting important events. Let us check out what the Zoom Q4 has in store for us right after the jump.
First of all, let us take a look at the hardware aspect of the Zoom Q4 – this particular device will be able to record directly to SDXC cards of up to 128GB in capacity, where you will be able to choose from a range of HD, WVGA, AAC and WAV file formats, in addition to having up to 1080p/30fps video and 24-bit/96k audio. Not only that, it will come with a wealth of advanced features including a detachable full-color LCD display as well as a built-in speaker for instant monitoring, in addition to a stereo mic/line-level input and line-level/headphone output with a dedicated volume control. There is also a built-in 120˚ X/Y microphone that paves the way for stunning stereo as and when required.
Other features of the Zoom Q4 include a three-position Mic Gain switch with Auto-Gain control and Peak LED so that signal overload will not happen. Expect the Q4 to play nice with three prong action camera mounts, where it will be accompanied by a supplied tripod mount, hairy windscreen and low cut filter, so that you will be able to use it both indoors and outdoors. There is also an optional mic stand mount alongside a guitar clamp that will introduce the ability to shoot video from unusual angles, including a band’s live perspective onstage – now that ought to expand and enhance your portfolio by quite a bit, no?
Press Release
[ Zoom announces Q4 Handy Video Recorder copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
If there’s one telltale sign that a video wasn’t produced by a professional, it’s usually the crappy sound accompanying the footage. The microphones on a smartphone or a cheap camcorder are awful at best, which is why companies like Sony
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The lines of convergence devices get blurred yet again in Europe with the official announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom LTE edition, where this particular device was built based on their hugely successful smartphone range, with the critically acclaimed Galaxy S4 Zoom getting a nice kick in the butt thanks to the introduction of LTE capability. With an LTE connection, you would not want to look back at 3G which will then seem to work as though it is positively slow! Of course, all of the features which were central to the Galaxy S4 Zoom such as the revolutionary Zoom Ring will be available on the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom LTE edition as well.
With the Zoom Ring, it offers a simple manner to access all the device’s key features thanks to a single, intuitive control system. These features will include In-Call Photo Share that enables users to capture and send an image directly to whomever they are talking to in a quick and easy manner, not to mention letting the Zoom Ring deliver instant access to the Quick Launch and Shortcut features. I guess after using this for a while, you would not really miss the traditional manual zoom method.
Just to make sure that you are able to capture stunning photos regardless of the situation, the Galaxy S4 Zoom LTE edition will carry an industry leading 10x optical zoom with a 16 megapixel BSI CMOS Sensor, Optical Image Stabilization and Xenon Flash. Regardless of your skill level, the Galaxy S4 Zoom LTE ought to be a decent performer in most photo shooting conditions. There is also Photo Suggest that uses GPS to pinpoint the location of the photographer, while Samsung’s popular Smart Mode lets you select from a bunch of pre-set modes in order to ensure that you capture the best photo possible all the time. Other specifications include Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Touchwiz support. Expect the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom LTE edition to arrive on a range of networks including Deutsche Telekom, Tele2, Telia Sonera and Orange.
Press Release
[ Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom LTE edition arrives in Europe copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
Zoom’s handheld recorders have long been a solid choice for capturing audio for video, live events and more. Today, the outfit is ready to ship its latest. The Zoom H6 offers six tracks of simultaneous recording and interchangeable mic capsules for varying the capture method. Those swappable units include stereo X/Y and MS (included right out of the box) with both shotgun and dual XLR / TRS combo capsule options coming soon. Of course, those add-ons work alongside four XLR / TRS inputs for external mics and the like. As we’ve already hinted, the Zoom H6 can be mounted atop a DSLR or camcorder for capturing live audio to accompany footage — recording to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards up to 128GB. The unit even sports 24-bit / 96k chops for those who crave high-def tones. If all of that sounds too good to pass up, you can snag the H6 at the usual audio gear spots for $399.99 and take a closer look in the gallery that follows.
Gallery: Zoom H6 handheld recorder
Filed under: Misc, Portable Audio/Video
Source: Zoom
There’s no evidence yet that the budding camera / smartphone hybrid category’s going to blossom into a winner, but that’s not stopping new entrants from hopping on the bandwagon. We’ve heard that Oppo is about to jump into the fray with the N-Lens series, and a leaked render shows what it may look like. If real, it packs a slightly protruding zoom lens with a flash positioned to the side and a 12-megapixel sensor, according to the close-up image (after the break). Though supposedly inspired by the Galaxy Camera, it also reveals a decidedly more smartphone-esque form factor than Samsung’s model. Until more specs and info arrive through official channels, though, you’d best assume the render is a figment of someone’s imagination.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Via: Engadget Chinese (translated)
Source: CNMO (translated)
Not many of us carry a voice recorder around, simply because it might be too much trouble than it is worth. After all, don’t our respective smartphones these days come with their fair share of apps, where among them include a voice recorder? Zoom North America figured out that there is still a market for something like this, and has recently announced the release of the all-new H6 Handy Recorder. Needless to say, Zoom claims that the H6 is the most advanced portable recorder that has ever rolled off their assembly line, and we will take a closer look at what it offers right after the jump before agreeing.
The Zoom H6 is said to come with half a dozen tracks of simultaneous recording, where it will employ an innovative system of interchangeable input capsules which can be swapped out in the same manner as you do with that of the lenses of a camera. A quartet of capsules are available, and they are stereo X/Y and MS (Mid-Side). Fret not when it comes to additional expenses, as both of them have been included with the H6, while the Shotgun and dual XLR/TRS combo capsules are meant for those who have a little spare change on the side and love a life full of options.
Apart from that, the Zoom H6 can also be attached to a camera strap or mounted directly to a DSLR or camcorder, where its large full-color display would make it a snap to view recording and playback levels, never mind if you so happen to be shooting in a low-light environment. It will leave you with a myriad of recording options, where you can do so directly to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards (up to 128GB tops), in a range of MP3 and BWF-compliant WAV file formats, where among them include 24-bit / 96k for the ultimate in high-definition audio. No idea on pricing, but the Zoom H6 will be available in stores from next month onwards.
Press Release
[ Zoom H6 handy recorder copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
When we came across the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM a couple of months ago, the first thing that popped into our heads was: how much? After all, it’s the first-ever zoom lens with a constant sub f/2.0 aperture, and even those with a higher f/2.8 go for thousands of dollars. Well, luckily for camera enthusiasts everywhere, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM has a street price of $799 — less than half what we expected. Better yet, it’ll be available in “early July” in Sigma and Canon mounts, which means it’ll arrive just in time for some of you to shoot creamy bokeh shots of sunflowers in bloom. Nikon, Sony and Pentax mounts will come later in the year.
Filed under: Cameras
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