Pentax makes all-weather Optio W90 and superzoom X90 official

Pentax is going for broke with its take on the rugged camera, the W90, which is unlikely to ever be confused for a svelte and stylish point-and-shoot. What it loses in looks, it gains in usability, however, as the 12.1 megapixel shooter can withstand shocks from a height of four feet, go nearly 20 feet under water, and withstand temperatures as slow as -10 degrees Celsius. The dustproofing is just topping on that rugged cake, though it still offers things like 720p / 30fps video recording and 5x optical zoom that are now considered standard camera specs. There are also three forms of shake reduction: one is post-processing of affected images, the second is by automatically increasing the ISO in low light conditions, and the third is the use of “exclusive software” during movie mode. We can’t say any one of those will be as good as a well-implemented optical image stabilization, but at least they’re there and might offer some assistance. As to the X90, it joins a growing band of 26x and above optical superzoomers, while adding the W90’s 720p video mode and anti-shake plus its own sensor-shift stabilizer for good measure. Both shooters are expected in April, priced at $330 for the W90 and $400 for the X90, though we’ve noticed the former will show up a month earlier in the UK with a £270 ($417) price tag.

Pentax makes all-weather Optio W90 and superzoom X90 official originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GE outs PMA 2010 range: X5, E1486TW, E1480W, J1455 and waterproof G5WP

Not sure if anyone clued you in, but there’s a reasonably large camera show going on in Anaheim, and the shooter news is flowing hot and heavy. General Imaging (or GE, as it were) has just busted out its 2010 range of point and shoot cameras, and while none of ’em are particularly mind-blowing, there are a few here worth paying attention to. The waterproof G5WP (ships in late Q2 for $179.99) is a natural successor to last year’s G3WP, offering up a metal enclosure, 4x internal zoom, a 12.2 megapixel sensor and your choice of gray, red or blue color schemes. The $149.99 X5 megazoom offers up a 15x zoom lens, a maximum ISO of 3,200 and a Q2 ship date, while the J1455 brings a 14.2 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom lens, image stabilization and a multitude of color options for $129.99. The ‘Power Series’ is seeing two new additions today in the 0.83-inch thick E1486TW ($179.99) and E1480W ($149.99), both of which include HD movie modes, optical image stabilization, a 14 megapixel sensor, an 8x optical zoomer and a 3-inch rear LCD. The company’s low-end C- and A-series cameras are also seeing updates today, all of which are detailed in the linked presser.

GE outs PMA 2010 range: X5, E1486TW, E1480W, J1455 and waterproof G5WP originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony’s DSC-TX5 is waterproof, freeze-proof, dust-proof, and headed for retail this April

Our early info on this diminutive shooter only indicated it’d be waterproof, so it’s a pleasant surprise to see some further optimizations thrown in for use in less hospitable environments. You’ll be able to go down to 10 feet under water with the TX5, drop it from a 5-foot height, or explore the tundra at temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) without the camera throwing in the towel. So Sony claims anyhow. Other features include a now confirmed 10fps burst mode, a 10.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, 4x optical zoom plus optical image stabilization, and a 3-inch touchscreen on the back. The one thing that doesn’t make the transition from rumor to reality is the reputed 1080p movie mode — the TX5 makes do with a still desirable 720p video recording. Sony’s also kicking out the DSC-H55 (pictured after the break) today, which will have the same video mode, but adds a 10x optical zoom and a thicker, non-weatherproofed body. Both cams will happily write to Class 4 and above SDHC cards when they debut this April, priced at $350 for the TX5 and $250 for the H55.

Continue reading Sony’s DSC-TX5 is waterproof, freeze-proof, dust-proof, and headed for retail this April

Sony’s DSC-TX5 is waterproof, freeze-proof, dust-proof, and headed for retail this April originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gobandit GPS HD action camcorder captures your exploits, top speed (video)

Gobandit GPS HD action camcorder captures your exploits, top speed (video)

Regardless of how sharp the footage captured from your most recent extreme endeavor looks, chances are it won’t seem as fast as it felt at the time. Soon, though, you’ll have some hard proof to back up your tall tales with the waterproof gobandit GPS HD. It has an integrated GPS module that logs your position as you film with it, enabling you to view your course on a map and, most interestingly, apply some overlays to the resulting footage, showing your current speed, top speed, and altitude. Video is captured at a maximum of 720p30, though 5 megapixel stills can be grabbed automatically at two or five second intervals. 2GB of memory is built into the cam, but SDHC support means up to 32GB of footage from the side of your lid. Thrill-seekers can get their pre-order on now ahead of an April release, but with an MSRP of £299.99 ($470) we’ll probably stick with our GoPros, our ContourHDs, and our wild claims about triple-digit speeds. Extreme teaser video after the break.

Update: We got an e-mail from the folks at gobandit informing us that they’re targeting a rather more palatable US MSRP of $389 ahead of an eventual release here.

[Thanks, Tobias]

Continue reading Gobandit GPS HD action camcorder captures your exploits, top speed (video)

Gobandit GPS HD action camcorder captures your exploits, top speed (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony DSC-TX5 waterproof camera sprung from a leak

Think Sony would be happy with just making its latest shooter waterproof and calling it a day? Not a chance. Early information on this as yet unannounced compact indicates a 10fps burst mode, 4x optical zoom with optical image stabilization, an intriguing image stacking mode for reduced noise in high ISO shots, and full 1080p MPEG-4 movie recording. 1080i / 60fps AVCHD video is also possible, apparently, and if recent trends are continued the DSC-TX5 will also be able to store media on SD cards. Hallelujah. You’ll find a couple more water-soaked images after the break, and the official launch is expected to take place at PMA 2010.

Continue reading Sony DSC-TX5 waterproof camera sprung from a leak

Sony DSC-TX5 waterproof camera sprung from a leak originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SonyAlphaRumors  |  sourceSony Insider  | Email this | Comments

Seashell Waterproof Camera Case

seashellcameracase.jpg

Underwater pictures? No problem. The Seashell SS-1 is a hard plastic waterproof case that houses your camera for underwater adventures. The case has external buttons, which, when pressed, trigger the buttons on the camera itself.
The Seashell works with more than 500 “famous” camera models, according to its Hong Kong-base manufacturer, Zear Corporation Ltd. The case ships with a kit that lets you convert it to the model you own. The package includes a neck and wrist strap. Coolest of all is its clear plastic SLR-like design. 

Casio Exilim G EX-G1 hands-on

Casio’s Exlim G EX-G1 certainly managed to turn a few heads when it was announced back in November, with it introducing a new angular design to complement its status as the “world’s thinnest shock-resistant camera.” Add to that the promise of being freezeproof, waterproof and dustproof, and you just know this is one we had to check out first hand. As we’re happy to report, the $299 Exlim G definitely feels solid and substantial from the moment you pull it from its packaging, although all that shock-proofing and weather-proofing does come with a few minor inconveniences compared to a standard point-and-shoot. The first of those is that the battery compartment requires a special tool and some pretty nimble fingers to open and, secondly, the two extra side protectors that provide even more ruggedness require that you first remove some very tiny screws from the camera and then attach the protector with some slightly longer screws (Casio thankfully provides a few spares). Once you’ve got things set, however, the camera should easily survive life in a pocket or backpack during even your most arduous travels — and take some decent pictures and YouTube-ready video, to boot.

Be sure to check out the gallery below for our extensive hands-on look at the camera, and check back later for some sample shots and additional impressions once we’ve had a chance to really put the Exilim G through its paces.

Casio Exilim G EX-G1 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CoolerBot photographs nature, gets its power from it

If you’re into real life bunny wabbits and other such wildlife, but not a fan of the cold, wet and windy outdoors, what do you do? We’d say just boot up the console and shoot you some pixelated peoples, but Steve Norris’ idea might be just a tad more practical. He has authored the above mobile snap-station, which is equipped with an infrared video camera, a Nikon DSLR, and pairs of motors, 10Ah batteries, and solar panels. Power flows from the latter into the former to turn wildlife stalking into a pleasurable pastime for even the most indoorsy of folks. Video demonstration of the hardware after the break.

Continue reading CoolerBot photographs nature, gets its power from it

CoolerBot photographs nature, gets its power from it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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H2O Audio case turns your iPod nano 5G into underwater camcorder

Bank account not mighty enough to handle an underwater EOS 5D Mark II? Fret not, ’cause H2O Audio just made underwater Terminator captures a reality for a comparative pittance. Said outfit has been cranking out waterproof shells for Apple’s cash cows for awhile now, but the latest one is of particular interest due to the iPod nano 5G’s integrated video recorder. The $79.99 case enables you to capture video clips while under the sea, and considering the multitude of wild and wacky scene modes, we’d say next summer just got a lot more interesting. Just ask that dude up there if you don’t believe us.

H2O Audio case turns your iPod nano 5G into underwater camcorder originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Waterproof ContourHD case enables head-mounted video captures under the sea

Look, you’ve always known that you were the next Kelly Slater, but you’ve never had the outlay to hire a professional recording team to capture your rides off of Oahu’s stunning north shore. Thankfully for you, your extreme sporting dreams are about to become a reality courtesy of a $39.99 waterproof case, which has just been released to encase VholdR’s ContourHD and ContourHD1080p helmet cams — which we just so happened to take a look at ourselves earlier this year. Said case can withstand liquids for up to ten meters deep, and just in case you’re in the accessorizing mood, the outfit has also released a handlebar mount, vented helmet mount, and a lens kit to its accessory range. Granted, all of this stuff will be rendered pointless when we start embedding HD cameras into our retinas, but we suppose it’ll do the trick until that fateful day.

Continue reading Waterproof ContourHD case enables head-mounted video captures under the sea

Waterproof ContourHD case enables head-mounted video captures under the sea originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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