Hasta La Gadget!

After digesting loads of scuttlebutt here lately, we’re elated to see that Pentax has finally come clean with its new K-7 DSLR. The 14.6 megapixel shooter packs a rugged magnesium alloy body and arrives with an HD movie mode that captures video at 640 x 416, 720p (1,280 x 720) or 1,536 x 1,024 — all at 30fps. Needless to say, that’s more than the D90 and D5000 offer (both top out at 720p), and while Canon’s T1i does 1080p, it does so at just 20fps. There’s also an HDMI port, a 3-inch Live View LCD, in-camera lens correction, shake reduction and an improved dust reduction system. The real kicker, however, is the High Dynamic Range (HDR) capture mode, which snags a trio of images, then combines them in-camera to widen the exposure gamut. The body alone should ship in July for $1,299.95 — which is notably more expensive that recent wares from Canon, Nikon and Sony — and you can peek the full slate of specifications just past the break.

Continue reading Pentax gets official with 14.6MP K-7 DSLR: HD movies, HDR mode

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Pentax gets official with 14.6MP K-7 DSLR: HD movies, HDR mode originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-GH1 has already shown off its visual prowess a time or two before, but the eagle-eyed photogs over at DPReview have finally hosted up a cornucopia of sample shots and videos for those still unsure if a Micro Four Thirds camera is right for them. And hey, even those cats obviously understand a little tongue-in-cheek humor, wouldn’t you say? Tap the read link for the full array of goods.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-GH1 produces sample shots and videos galore originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 May 2009 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know, you were hoping to just glance over today’s hottest articles in the world of consumer electronics, and along comes this: something that actually asks a little of you. Trust us, it’ll be alright, and hey — after you’ve replied, you can send in a question of your own to ask at engadget dawt com.

“The family and I are headed to Walt Disney World in June for the first time. I have a Canon Digital Rebel and a Canon GL1, but really do not want to haul either or both of them to the Magic Kingdom with us. So, the question is: what is the best camera that does great stills and video and is super small? Under 600 bones preferably. Thanks!”

No Rich, thank you for making us all envious. Be sure to take the advice that’ll surely flow in comments below and send us picture postcards while waiting in line to ride the Tower of Terror for the forty-third time. (Seriously, do not miss Tower of Terror.)

Filed under: Ask Engadget, Digital Cameras

Ask Engadget: Best small camera (with good video) under $600? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 May 2009 00:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If your digital camera has a little bird inside that chisels the picture on a slate, you might be a cheap geek. But you’re probably a Flintstone.

1. Slip this little beauty in your pocket, and you’ll have great pictures wherever you go. Best Buy is selling an 8MP Kodak EasyShare digital camera for $89.99, which is so low they must be insane! The camera offers 3x optical zoom, a 3-inch LCD, face detection, and image stabilization. It would make a good Mother’s Day gift, too, I’m thinking, since it looks like it costs more than $90.

2. Get a little music going in your garden so you can enjoy some songs while grilling or entertaining guests. Buy.com is selling Audio Unlimited 900MHz wireless indoor/outdoor speakers for $77.81 (plus $12.20 for shipping). I’d recommend hiding them behind the shrubbery, because they’re pink and they’re not the slightest bit attractive. Still, it’s a good deal and they’ll make your yard a little more fun.

3. Microsoft makes great mice, and this Notebook Optical Mouse 4000 is a beauty. It includes a receiver that snaps onto the bottom of the mouse when not in use. It works with both Windows and Macintosh laptops. Amazon has it for $19.99.

Bonus Deal: Order a select movie from Best Buy and get a coupon for a free Domino’s medium pizza.

Contest Announcement: Panasonic is giving away an HD product every day in May.

If you’ve got a DSLR you’ll notice your lens will only focus so close. Maybe not close enough for you. That’s especially true if you want to show detail in a flower or insect or some other small object. When your photo shows an object larger than real life it’s called macro photography.

What’s a shooter to do? Moving your lens farther from your camera’s sensor with an extension tubes or bellows is an idea I’ve talked about before. That’s a common method of reducing your minimum focus distance and getting macro shots.

There is another method–not always preferred. You can put corrective optics on your lens in the form of a close-up or macro lens. If you wear reading glasses the concept is exactly the same. Close-ups attach to your lens by the screw threads made for a filter. There are expensive close-up lenses and cheap close-up lenses. eBay is littered with the cheap kind, which is what I decided to try.