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Kodak announces the new Kodak Z981 Superzoom: 14mp, 26X optical zoom along with PASM complete image control, RAW and vertical grip

Kodak is back with the brand new Kodak Z981 superzoom compact digital camera one year after the announcement of the Z980 super-zoom at CES 2009.

The model name “advances” by just +1, but the camera actually jumps to a 14mp sensor and 26X zoom ratio, up from 12mp and 24X.

The lens is also Schneider-branded, f2.6-f5, and has a 26-676mm equivalent focal range, enough for most photo-amateurs, along with image stabilization.

The Kodak Z981 sports a really useful vertical shutter button and a detachable vertical (non-battery) grip.

On the plus side, the camera has RAW capture and PASM which is short for Program, Aperture and Shutter priority, and Manual exposure: that means that Pro-oriented photographers will get their teeth on Pro-features and a less than 0.2 second click-to-capture specification.

Other features include a huge 3-inch display and (as required by 2010 standards!) one-touch upload to popular web-services (flickr, youtube, facebook, etc).

The Kodak Z981 takes four AA batteries, and Kodak actually includes four of the pre-charged (presumably LSD) types. This is a nice touch for AA cameras.

The Kodak Z981 is available for pre-order now at Amazon for $330.

PMA 2010 is forthcoming: Fujifilm introduces the new FinePix HS10 bridge camera featuring BSI sensor and a gorgeous 30x zoom

The Fujifilm FinePix HS10 is a long-zoom digital camera featuring a backside illuminated CMOS image sensor.

I must admit I’m a long time Fuji Finepix fan: I’m still in love with my S9600 bridge camera, which is two generation behind this Fujifilm FinePix HS10!

The Fujifilm FinePix HS10 is based around a 10.3 effective megapixel,1/2.3-inch back-side illuminated CMOS image sensor coupled to a Fujinon-branded 30x optical zoom lens. Maximum image resolution is 3,648 x 2,736 pixels in the camera’s native 4:3 aspect ratio, and both 3:2 and 16:9 aspect ratio modes are also available. The HS10’s lens offers actual focal lengths ranging from 4.2 to 126.0mm, equivalent to 24 to 720mm on a 35mm camera - a generous wide angle to a powerful telephoto. The Fuji HS10 has a two-step aperture, offering either F2.8 or F11.0 at wide angle, and either F5.6 or F11 at telephoto. Minimum focusing distance is ordinarily 1.6 feet at wide angle or 16.4 feet at telephoto, but drops to just 0.3 feet in Macro mode at wide angle, or 6.5 feet at telephoto. A Super Macro mode locks the lens at an unspecified focal length, but allows focusing as close as 0.4 inches

There’s no true optical viewfinder on this model, but as you’ expect on a long-zoom digicam like this, there’s a 0.2-inch, 200,000 dot FLCD electronic viewfinder which takes its place. There’s also a 3.0-inch tilting LCD display with 230,000 dot resolution. Both EVF and LCD provides 97% frame coverage. The HS10 also includes a sensor that detects when the user brings their eye towards or away from the viewfinder, then automatically switches between the EVF and LCD as appropriate!

The sensor in the Fujifilm FinePix HS10 yields an effective resolution of 10.3 megapixels, and sits behind a Fujinon-branded 30x optical zoom lens with a generous 24mm wide angle. The Fujifilm HS10 includes both an electronic viewfinder and a 3.0-inch LCD panel. Images are stored on SD or SDHC cards, or in 45MB of built in memory.

Again, as the old S9600, power for the Fuji HS10comes courtesy of four AA batteries, with alkaline disposables included in the product bundle!
This means that you’ll never run out of power thanks to wide availability of AA batteries worldwide!

The Fujifilm FinePix HS10 offers USB 2.0 High Speed data connectivity, as well as both high-definition Mini HDMI and standard-definition NTSC / PAL composite video outputs.

Pre-order the Fujifilm FinePix HS10now for US $499.95 and get free shipping too!

Panasonic Lumix GF1: micro four third gear, great photographic power!

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is the lastest member of the Micro Four Thirds family. But before Micro Four Thirds, there was Four Thirds. With Olympus having produced relatively small film SLRs since at least the early 1970s, it was probably no surprise that they would partner with Kodak to introduce the Four Thirds System standard (with its sub APS-C sized sensor) as they prepared to move into the digital age. The smaller sensor helped the company produce diminutive DSLRs that carried on the Olympus tradition.

Sensor resolution is 12.1 megapixels and there are full manual and auto controls, plus a palette of user-established settings that rival DSLRs in number and scope. You can shoot in RAW if you choose, or RAW/JPEG combinations, and there’s 1280×720 HD video in AVCHD Lite (which is more memory efficient than Motion JPEG) or Motion JPEG formats.

The GF1 is undoubtedly smaller than its big brothers, the G1 and GH1, but it’s not quite as tiny as Panasonic might lead you to believe. Measuring 119 x 71 x 36.3mm and weighing 285g without a lens attached, it’s just a little smaller and 50g lighter than the very similar Olympus E-P1 camera. Instead of a traditional DSLR hand-grip, the DMC-GF1 has a slightly raised vertical area on the front-right which isn’t big or pronounced enough to be of much assistance. The rubberized thumb-rest on the rear is a lot more useful.

Because of space considerations inherent in the Micro Four Thirds System, a 3.0 inch LCD monitor operating in Live View is the only means of image composition and framing for capture.

If you don’t want to use the LCD screen for composition, an optional electronic external viewfinder is also available, the Panasonic DMW-LVF1 (priced at $199.95), which slots into the external flash hotshoe on top of the camera. The GF1 can record 1280 x 720 high-definition video in the AVCHD Lite or Motion JPEG formats, and it can focus in just 0.3 seconds via its contrast auto-focusing system.

The camera uses SD/SDHC memory media, and Panasonic includes a battery charger/AC adapter, battery pack, body cap, AV cable, USB connection cable, AC cable, DC cable, shoulder strap and CD-ROM software with each camera.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is available in four colours, black, red, silver and white, either body only (£570) or in two different kits, one with the new LUMIX G 20mm/F1.7 ASPH pancake lens, and the other with the existing 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. zoom lens: starting from US $ 866,95!

Nikon D3000: a really simple DSLR, a great gift with super saving and limited-time free shipping!

The Nikon D3000 is an entry-level DSLR, but don’t let the term fool you. When you place the label “Entry Level” on a camera, it might call to mind a camera with no frills, limited uses, and little more to offer than an automatic shooting experience.

This has been disproved by the latest crop of cameras released in the past two years, and the D3000 continues to set the bar high for an entry-level camera.

This new generation of point-and-shoots and entry-level DSLRs not only push the boundary of low-light performance and mega resolutions, they give that power to a whole new audience of beginning photographers.

Not only do DSLRs offer you manual control over shooting, they give you the advantage of using different kinds of lenses. It’s important to remember when buying a DSLR that you’re also buying into a system of lenses, not just a camera. The power of having a DSLR is that you can place any of your old lenses onto a new camera body in the future.

Enter the Nikon D3000, a new entry-level DSLR with a 10.2 megapixel DX-format CCD APS-C image sensor, 11-point Autofocus system with 3D tracking (which comes on the higher-end D5000 and D90), Active D-Lighting and an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens for $599.

The Nikon D3000 feels and looks exactly like the other DSLRs from Nikon, and is only different from the D90 and D5000, both higher-end models, by a few tenths of an inch. The D3000 measures 5.0×3.8×2.6 inches while the D90 is 5.2×4.1×3.0 inches, though the D3000 weighs a bit less at 1 lb 1 oz, making the Nikon entry-level to prosumer DSLR models almost identical in shape and size as well as overall appearance.

First time DSLR users will enjoy the Guide Mode. It literally walked us through different shoot scenarios via the fixed 3″ LCD screen. An excellent tool, its step by step instructions allowed my niece to move from the operating booklet in no time.

The Nikon D3000 is paired with a Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S DX lens. It will operate with any Nikkor DX and AF-S lens.

Nikon makes it really simple with a thumb dial for tweaking aperture and shutter speed. Metering, focus modes, and exposure compensation are easily controlled via the menu. The D3000 does not shoot in video mode. This model easily shoots over three frames per second in continuous mode. The 3D tracking sensor operates quite well in low lighting.

Get the full Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens bundle for US $458.86 (You Save: $91.09 and that’s 17%!) now and enjoy a limited-time free-shipping!

Even though the Nikon D3000 is really simple to use, do you really want some great advice on using it?
Get the Nikon D3000 For Dummies!

Explore your camera’s creative options and learn to get great shots with your dSLR with this great book!

Get the Nikon D3000 For Dummies for US $ 19.79 (and save up to 34%!)!

Bigger memory, smaller price! SanDisk Ultra II SDHC 32GB Card and save up to 60%!

HD Camcorders, HD-enabled DSLRs and a lot more, when speed really matters, serious photographers choose SanDisk Ultra II SDHC 32GB Card.
So fast, you’ll never miss a shot. So rugged, environmental conditions are never a problem.

This SanDisk Ultra II SDHC 32GB Card card is perfect for advanced photographers who require high-performance cards to quickly shoot many high-resolution images.
It is ideal for photos of moving cars or trains, sporting events, sprinting animals or any other event that requires fast snapshot and recovery time.
In advanced cameras, these cards have been developed to save large image files to the card as quickly as possible so the camera will be ready to take the next picture.
SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash cards are fully compatible and interchangeable with all CompactFlash digital cameras and they also work with all SanDisk ImageMates and PC Card Adapters.

Get the SanDisk Ultra II SDHC 32GB Card now for US $ 86.00 (and save up to 60%!)

Canon PowerShot S90IS: a digital compact camera that’s a gift on its own class

The Canon S90IS employs a newly developed, 10-megapixel High Sensitivity System by combining a powerful CCD sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 4 Image Processor. Thanks to this technological advancement, the S90 is dramatically more sensitive than cameras with identical megapixel counts, and delivers spectacular images with minimal noise. Increased sensitivity demands a higher ISO speed, and the PowerShot S90 delivers with a new maximum setting of ISO 3,200. Blur and camera shake are notably reduced for the ultimate in sharpness and clarity.

In addition, a new Low Light mode lets you capture images in an astonishing range of conditions.
The Canon S90IS automatically adjusts the ISO speed from ISO 320 to ISO 12,800 in relation to ambient brightness, subject movement and camera shake.

The Canon S90IS’s tag price is somehow more than most point-and-shoots cost in this day and age.
But the amount of picture power this literally slips into your pocket is almost unbelievable: Outstanding low-light performance for a camera this size; a speedy lens; full control rings, plural; and yep, RAW.
It’s the soul of what makes the $500 behemoth G11 great, packaged in a true point-and-shoot.
You lose some power and some pro tools, like the swivel screen, a (shitty) viewfinder, faster burst shooting, hot shoe, some zoom and a custom mode or two, but you’re also shedding a ton of bulk, meaning you’ll actually take it everywhere.
And the best camera’s always the one you have with you - for me, that’s this camera, which just happens to be an excellent one all by itself.

Canon S90IS is available now for US $ 399.00!

Fujifilm FinePix Z30: a 10 MP ultra-compact camera keen on fashion - and a gift that’s bargain-priced too!

The Fujifilm FinePix Z30 is a very compact, fairly inexpensive, 10-megapixel point-and-shoot that’s loaded with automatic controls, playback effects, continuous shooting features, and numerous self-timer modes.
It also has a 3x optical zoom and a fairly unique style that should generate significant buzz.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z30 packs a 10-megapixel resolution and a 3x optical zoom into a very tiny body.
The camera is available in pink, purple, orange, black, and white and should be available soon for around $180. On the floor at PMA we spent most of our time with the orange model, as shown throughout this review.
The Fujifilm FinePix Z30 isa true stylish device and its design makes it an exciting, fashionable piece of technology.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z30 tag price as appealing as well: US $ 79.99 (and that’s 47% off its regular price!!!)

Shopping season special: Samsung TL220, two displays are better than one

The Samsung 12.2 Megapixel Dual LCD Digital Camera with a 1.5″ front LCD screen, a revolutionary feature in the industry, lets you take part in capturing the moment like never before. The Samsung Dual LCD Digital Camera lets you see every scene in a completely new and exciting way.
Just use the front LCD screen, and set up the perfect shot with you in it, time after time.
A host of top-ranked features and technologies, from the lens to the user interface, turns this camera into a true must-have.
And the small, handheld size makes it easy to take it with you everywhere you go.
The Schneider lens optics with 4.6x Zoom lets you get up close on almost any subject 27mm Wide Angle lens captures even more of the moment Countdown timer
- Use it to coordinate any shot perfectly Child mode
- Keep small children’s attention, with a built-in animation Front and Back LCD Screens
- Get out from behind the camera and get in the shot Perfectly framing yourself is quick and easy Never miss being in a once-in-a-lifetime moment Rear Touch Screen LCD
- Scroll quickly through all menus Easily access your photo library Haptic vibration response registers your choices Gesture UI is a revolutionary new way to view and sort through menus and options Smart Auto
- Automatically senses picture conditions, and adjusts for the perfect shot Optimizes shot regardless of poor lighting 14 different preset modes, for a variety of settings Parameters can also be bypassed for manual control

About features…

Samsung Dualview Camera provide the easiest way to take the perfect self-portrait every time with Dual LCDs. On the front of the cameras is a 1.5″ LCD that shows you what the picture will look like, so you can now be a subject of the picture, as well as the photographer. Key features of the Dual LCDs include:

When the camera is turned on, activate the front LCD by tapping the screen. It will automatically be set in Self-Portrait mode, ensuring that the user will always be framed exactly the way they want. You can also turn on the front LCD with a simple selection through the intuitive interface. When in Self-Portrait mode, the camera will also engage its smile detection technology, automatically taking a photo when it recognizes a smile.
In Child Mode, the front LCD plays a fun animation to capture a child’s attention while taking their photo.
Shutter Info ensures you take a photo of your subject while they’re smiling. When using Shutter Info, the front LCD will display a “smiley face” when the photographer has the shutter button pushed halfway down, giving the subject a signal that you’re ready to take the photo.
Function Info helps you keep track of what flash and macro value you’re currently using, as the front LCD provides a visual readout of key camera settings.
When taking a group photo using the Self-Timer, the front LCD will show a preview of the shot as well as a visual countdown timer so that everyone knows exactly when the photo will be snapped.

Smart Gesture User Interface (UI)

When it comes to smart, user-friendly features, the Samsung Camera lead the way. Take for example the cameras’ innovative Smart Gesture UI with built-in Gravity sensor, which lets you quickly access and use key features with either a simple tilt or a hand gesture. To turn on the front LCD, simply tap the screen to activate the display automatically and immediately.
Using other advanced features is just as simple. With the Smart Gesture UI you can quickly scroll through your photos by slightly tilting the device in either direction or by selecting the appropriate photos for a slide show. You can also easily delete photos from your library using the Smart Gesture UI by marking an “X” on the screen using your finger, or you can simply save your favorite photos into a separate folder. Additionally, if you want to rotate an image, you can draw a circle (O) on the screen, and if you want to see the next image in your library you can drag it on to the screen with a sweep of your finger or by simply tilting the device.

3.5″ Wide Touch-Screen Back LCD

With 1,152K resolution, the 3.5″ wide touch-screen LCD located on the back of the TL225 offers some of the sharpest images of any camera available today, delivering almost four times more resolution than traditional displays. Unlike other digital cameras, the LCD touch-screen uses Samsung’s unique haptic technology, providing users with a slight vibration and audible beep whenever they select an option within the touch-screen display.

12.2 Mega-Pixel CCD, 27mm Wide-Angle Lens with 4.6x Optical Zoom

Samsung DualView Cameras come fully equipped with a true color-filtered 12.2 mega-pixel CCD and boast a powerful 4.6x optical zoom, providing sharp and detailed images. Whether you’re indoors or out, shooting a landscape or friends around a table, the 27mm-wide angle lens plus 4.6x optical zoom gives you a wider shooting range from a shorter distance, delivering greater flexibility than traditional 35mm lenses. Capture images of beautiful landscapes, entire wedding parties, and skyscrapers without having to back up to get the shot. The precisely cut, high-quality 27mm optical lens from Schneider-KREUZNACH delivers clear, clean images with balanced resolution from the center to the edges. Each lens surface is multi-coated to minimize ghosting or flaring for a great shot every time.

The Samsung Camera is available now for US $254.97 (that’s 15% off regular price!)

Kodak creates print and share app for iPhone

Kodak has introduced the Pic Flick print and share application for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch.
Currently available only in the US, the free app allows users to wirelessly print images from their iPhone and iPod Touch on Kodak’s recently released Wi-Fi-enabled ESP 5250 All-in-One printer or upload them on the Easyshare W820 and W1020 wireless digital frames.

Kodak Company has introduced the KODAK Pic Flick App, a new, free Apple iPhone and iPod touch Device that enables consumers to upload pictures to a KODAK W1020 Wireless Digital Frame or print them wirelessly on the Kodak ESP 5250 Wireless networking multi-function printer/scanner/copier, which saves consumers an average of $110 a year on ink(1) and offers the lowest total ink replacement cost in the industry.(2)

“Pictures are a way of sharing the unique moments in our lives,” said Randy Brody, Vice-President of Marketing Inkjet Systems, Eastman Kodak Company. “The KODAK Pic Flick App provides a fast, easy and fun way to print, display and share within seconds of capturing a moment at home or away from home. Consumers can simply upload pictures to a nearby KODAK W1020 Wireless Digital Frame or send them to the KODAK ESP 5250 AiO Printer using their Apple iPhone or iPod touch.”

The KODAK Pic Flick App features include:

Dual purpose for printing and sharing: Consumers can print pictures on a KODAK ESP 5250 AiO Printer or share them on the wireless KODAK W1020 Wireless Digital Frame directly from their Apple iPhone or iPod touch Device.

Wirelessly print and share images within your WiFi network range.

Print photos from 2×3 to 8.5×11 inches on the Kodak ESP 5250 Wireless networking multi-function printer.

“At Kodak, we believe pictures are meant to be shared and are committed to helping people do more with their pictures by providing solutions to make, manage and move images easily and effortlessly,” continues Brody. “With the KODAK Pic Flick App, we are helping consumers to print and share moments in the time it takes to make a simple phone call.”

The KODAK Pic Flick App is free and is available on the App Store.

Click here for more information and to download the app

• 

digital photo, digital printing, iPhone

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Pentax K-7: a top Pentax DSLR camera now with more affordable than ever with huge savings

Posted by ThePhotoMaster

October 27, 2009

Another winner from Pentax announced just before this summer: the Pentax K-7, is now available with a substantial price saving - up to 44% off!

The Pentax K-7 entered the Pentax range as a high-end model targeted at photo enthusiasts because its complexity made it most suitable for experienced SLR photographers.
Featuring a solid metal body, weatherproof sealing and a wide range of user-adjustable controls, it also supported high-speed continuous shooting at up to 5.2 frames/second and HD video recording at 30 frames/second.

The low-down: This 14.6-megapixel camera came fitted with the Pentax 18-55-millimetre lens. This is at the top of the company’s camera range. It has a magnesium-alloy body and is smaller than the K20D. It is weather-sealed and sports an excellent 920,000-dot LCD and 100 per cent viewfinder. It has an HD movie mode. Image stabilisation is by sensor shift. There are body-top and LCD information displays. All important controls are immediately accessible on the camera body, including a nifty white balance adjustment tool. This white balance tool itself is not unique to Pentax but the accessibility is. Among all the desirable features for serious photography is a killer innovation: true in-camera HDR (high dynamic range) processing.

Like: The in-camera HDR processing works by taking three exposures at widely spaced exposure values and then merging them into a single jpeg. Of course, it can really only work with the camera tripod mounted but that is true of any HDR sequence. The results from the Pentax K-7 are splendid and, unlike some HDR output from Photomatix or Photoshop, completely realistic.

High-quality movie recording at 1280 x 720 pixels; 30-frames-per-second
The Pentax K-7 adds a new movie recording function, extending the benefits of SLR photography to the world of movie shooting: For instance, reduce the depth of field to make the subject stand out, or use different lenses to create distinctive visual effects. Beautiful movie clips can recorded at different sizes–640 x 416 pixels, 1536 x 1024 pixels, or 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9 high-definition TV proportions)–at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. The K-7 is also equipped with an HDMI terminal and an external microphone input terminal for high quality sound to match your videos.

Pentax K-7 Technical Details

• High-resolution, 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor; compact, magnesium alloy body
• Weather resistant, dustproof, and coldproof (14 degrees F, -10 degrees C)
• Fast 5.2 fps shooting with the new PRIME II Image processing engine; top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec freezes even the fastest action in well-lit settings
• 3-inch LCD; Live View mode, with contrast AF, Face Detection, and optional histogram, grid, and bright/dark area display
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Pentax K-7 is available now (body only) for US $1,031.89
This means you save $822.12 (that’s 44% off regular price!)

• 

Camera Deals, digital camera, dslr, pentax

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