The Exilim EX-S12 may be the world's slimmest camera
Casio’s new Exilim Card EX-S12 may be the world’s slimmest camera according to manufacturers but it also has a high pixel count, zoom functionality, LCD monitor and photo functions.
In fact it’s so slim, turn it sideways and it almost disappears! Measuring 3.7” wide, 2.1” high and 6” thin it boasts an efficient 12.1 megapixel resolution, a clear 2.7” LCD monitor, high ISO performance and a high speed shutter technology with high definition movie capability.
With an optical and digital zoom of 3X and 4X respectively, the Exilim EX-S12 takes clear and crisp pictures, performing well at high ISOs with a sharp lens. It can shoot at four frames per second or 10 fps with great colour reproduction and rich depth of colour.
Not only that, it looks good with a stylish and sleek finish and it’s packed with some fun and useful technology too. For example, the auto shutter options include a blur mode so the camera doesn’t operate until the subject is still. Or in the smile mode, the shot doesn’t take until the subject is looking suitably cheerful. Best of all is the new high speed image processing engine which allows moving subjects to be cut and pasted onto still backgrounds or images. The user simply takes a picture of the subject in front of a blank wall followed by another of the wall without the human interest enabling the camera to edit him out and transpose him to more exotic locations – in front of the Taj Mahal for example, or the Leaning Tower of Pisa or even the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Retailing at around £210, the Exilim EX-S12 represents a lot of fun and fancy technology packed into a small package.
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Eye-Fi Memory Cards available 19th October
You can now make your camera wireless – Eye-Fi is to launch the very first wireless Eye-Fi SDHC memory cards in the UK on 19th October.
The three Eye-Fi cards include the Eye-Fi Home Video card costing £49.99, the Eye-Fi Share Video card priced at £69.99 and the Eye-Fi Pro card at £119.99. They slide into your camera just like any regular SD/SDHC card and hey presto, your photos can fly to wherever you want them to go.
For anyone who enjoys taking photographs, the Eye-Fi Home Video Card priced at £49.99 contains 4GB and enables you to instantly upload and organise photo and video files to your PC or Mac without wires.
The Eye-Fi Share Video card means you will now be able to send photos and videos wirelessly to your computer and you can choose from 1 to 25 popular social networking sites like Facebook and Flikr or Picasa, MobileMe or YouTube. As soon as your camera is within range of a specified network your photos and videos will transfer effortlessly to your favourite site.
Camera buffs and professional photographers will now be able to use the Eye-Fi Pro card to upload JPEG, RAW and video files wirelessly to their PC or Mac and the Web – great news for photographers on the road who need to quickly transfer their pictures and images.
The memory cards also feature automatic geotagging compatible with Wi-Fi Positioning System. A Selective Transfer option is available in the US and UK giving more control over which photos and videos are uploaded. By using the standard protect or lock feature in the camera’s menu, you can wirelessly select files to upload.
Available through Amazon, Apple, Computer Warehouse and Dabs, the Eye-Fi Memory cards launch in the UK on 19th October 2009.
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The Canon EOS 7D is on sale now
Packed with new features, the Canon’s EOS 7D digital SLR combines innovative technology and intuitive build to create a new photographic experience and is destined to be a big seller this Christmas.
The groundbreaking design was developed by Canon according to the specific demands of over 5,000 photographers worldwide matched with cutting edge technology. Features include a new 18MPP APS-C CMOS Sensor with Dual DIGIC 4 processors that eliminate the need to compromise between shooting speed, image quality and ISO performance and is effective in any light setting. With continuous shooting images can be captured at eight frames per second without the need for additional accessories and the ISO expands to 12,800 to create a more natural light.
Design features include a body made of magnesium alloy that is both tough and lightweight and resistant to moisture and dust. Operation is smooth and it’s easy to switch directly to movie mode when users can create a cinematic experience by shooting full HD video with options for 24 frames per second.
The EOS 7D’s 19-point cross-type AF sensor achieves more accurate shots and improves composition options. With a range of manual and automatic settings including Zone and customisable Spot AF, subjects can be captured quickly and accurately. The photographer can effortlessly switch between landscape and portrait settings. A new metering system measures focus, colour and brightness across 63 zones to obtain a more accurate exposure and an ambient light sensor sets brightness automatically depending on circumstances.
The Intelligent Viewfinder offers 100% frame coverage with 1.0x magnification which allows photographers to engage more with the shot. The three inch LCD allows users to choose between various overlay features with a range of tools that assist in framing the picture and protects from glare with a viewing angle of 160 degrees. A new feature is the first Dual-Axis Electronic Level in the viewfinder and LCD that indicates pitch and roll angles – especially useful when shooting landscapes to ensure a level horizon.
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Exilim EX FH20 camera from Casio
The Exilim EX-FH20 from Casio is a bridge-style compact camera capable of high-speed continuous shooting action in high-definition and still images in crisp, clear detail.
Reckoned to be the second fastest camera on the market and a less expensive option with a price tag of around £250, the EX-FH20 integrates 9.1 megapixels with a 20X optical zoom (26-520mm equivalent) that has a smooth and responsive action, mechanical image stabilisation and a 26mm wide-angle lens. It’s also capable of shooting action at speeds of up to 1000 frames per second and still images of up to 40 fps in a single burst by selecting from one of seven burst settings. At the highest speeds of up to 1,000 fps the camera catches movements that can’t be seen with the naked eye. There’s also a slow motion video option available.
The bright three inch LCD screen situated at the rear of the camera remains clear even in extreme sunlight with an electronic viewfinder situated above and a conveniently placed button for switching between that and the LCD, plus a diopter adjustment wheel. Incorporating
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Exilim EX-H10 camera from Casio
Combining cutting edge Japanese technology with stylish, ultra slim design, the Exilim EX-H10 from Casio is one of the first “Superzoom” cameras with prices starting from £229.
A 10x optical zoom allows users to get close to subjects without compromising on image quality with the result that the Exilim EX-H10 is superb for shooting in small spaces or for photographing large subjects. The ultra-wide 24 mm wide angle lens provides a wider field of view making the camera also suitable for landscape photography. With a CCD-shift image stabilisation mechanism, a high-definition movie function is initiated just by pressing a dedicated button and will record at a size of 1280×720 pixels.
An exceptionally clear LCD screen on the back of the Exilim EX-H10 allows the user to view pictures and videos easily. With an integrated Make-Up mode that recognises faces and adjusts focus and exposure accordingly, subjects can be beautified by a function that also softens facial shadows caused by sunlight and photographers can choose from twelve levels of skin beauty using different strengths of image processing. The results can then be viewed in the LCD MONITOR before shooting. With high speed image processing capability, images can also be cut and pasted on to various still shots or a digital camera image can be created where only the main subject in the photo is moving without the need of a PC.
Casio have also enabled reduced energy consumption by means of improved circuitry, optional controls and a battery life that allows users 11 consecutive hours of viewing or 1,000 shots on a single charge.
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Lumix DMC-GF1 release dates
This Micro Four Thirds model claims to be the world’s smallest and lightest camera with built-in flash and HD movie record and is suitable for both experienced photographers, with its many advanced functions and for beginners who can employ its iA mode.
The new compact size has been reduced from the G1 by 35% and its weight by 26% yet it still has built in flash, a large 76 mm (3 inch) Intelligent LCD display with a wide viewing angle and full 460,000-dot resolution, an optional EVF and impressive focus speed, also offering continuous shooting at three frames per second.
Backlight control is combined with high resolution and image quality is excellent with a 4/3-type 12.1 megapixel Live MOS Sensor combined with low power consumption. Images are reproduced with fine detail and strong gradation. The DMC-GF1 also features a My Colour mode with seven preset effects and a manual mode that lets users set the colour, brightness and colour saturation levels. Capable of recording 1280×720 high definition motion pictures in AVCHD Lite, the DMC-GF1 has a long recording time and HDMI output. It can network with other AV devices and record in the Motion JPEG format for use with PCs.
The Optical Image Stabilizer and MEGA O.I.S. helps prevent blurring and minimises hand shake when using a high powered zoom. Face Detection automatically detects up to six faces in the frame and adjusts focus, contrast and exposure accordingly with the ability to recognise up to three people and record their names once registered.
Intelligent exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts exposure to compensate, preventing blocked shadows and highlights and the Intelligent Scene selector recognises the four most common scenes of portrait, scenery, close-up and low light and alters accordingly. There is also an option to use an optical viewfinder attachment. The DMC-GF1 goes on sale with two lens options of a 20mm f1.7 fixed focus lens or a 14.45mm f3.5050.6 lens and is available in October.
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Samsung S1060 10.2 MP Digital Camera
Here we have the ‘Samsung S1060 10.2 MP Digital Camera’. This compact and well featured digital camera has a silver nicely rounded body.
The 1060 has a 10.2 megapixel sensor that is capable of taking excellent quality images that can be blown up into large size posters and portraits without loss of quality. The camera will support many different memory cards but also has a useful 20 MB of integrated memory. There is a five times digital zoom for getting up close to the action as well as built-in flash and redeye reduction.
The ‘Samsung S1060 10.2 MP Digital Camera’ is an extremely handy and well featured digital camera that is extremely affordable.
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Samsung WB500 10 MP Digital Camera
This is the ‘Samsung WB500 10 MP Digital Camera’. This superbly presented camera is claimed by Samsung to have the world’s first 24 mm wide angle lens for this type of camera.
As well as taking detailed wide angled pictures the WB 500 will also take crisp and clear close-ups with its 10 times optical Schneider zoom lens. Each picture is taken in high resolution with its 10.2 megapixel sensor. Blurry images are a thing of the past as the camera uses Dual Image Stabilisation technology that eliminates the problem, giving ultra impressive results. Movies can be recorded in high definition at 720p quality.
The ‘Samsung WB500 10 MP Digital Camera’ is a very capable and versatile digital camera that produces crisp and clear images as well as HD video footage.
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Canon Powershot A480 10.0 MP Digital Camera
Here we have the ‘Canon Powershot A480 10.0 MP Digital Camera’. This version of the camera comes in a black and silver colour with other colour options available.
This compact camera has been created to be an easy-to-use digital camera that can be taken anywhere and used quickly for spontaneous pictures. Excellent image resolution is obtained from the 10 megapixel sensor which will allow images to be increased in size without picture quality loss. There are added features like Face Detection Technology and redeye correction to help make better pictures. Camera shake is also compensated for so that images are crisper.
The ‘Canon Powershot A480 10.0 MP Digital Camera’ is a handy camera to take anywhere and is ready to quickly take pictures as they occur.
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Samsung NV24 HD 10.2 MP Digital Camera
Taking pictures with this digital camera should be a breeze with the many user-friendly features that is has. There is Dual Image Stabilisation to help eliminate picture blur along with Face Detection for keeping everyone in focus and self portrait modes. Rather usefully the camera has a help system installed, which can be viewed on the LCD display screen and used to troubleshoot any situation that arises.
The ‘Samsung NV24 HD 10.2 MP Digital Camera’ is an affordable digital camera that has been packed with top quality easy-to-use technology.
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