Digicambeat

The new camcorder by Sony called HDR-SR8 AVCHD digital camcorder that resembles Sony’s next model called SR5c.

With other common specs it features Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 10x optical 20x digital zoom and the 3.2 Megapixel Clear Vid CMOS image sensor that comes with Enhanced Imaging Processor to give energetic range and to reduce smear as compared to conventional CCD sensors. It also offers Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization and comes with 100GB built-in hard drive for video recording.

The HDR-SR8 will be available from July and to get it on pre-order you have to shell $1,599.99.

Via: Itechnews

The biggest paradox in the world of technology is – better the technology, smaller is the product. Since time immemorial, we have been witness to the evolution of machines from the ungainly and bulky to the small and cute. And the latest entrant to the ‘small’ family is the Panasonic HDC-SD7 SX5 HD video camera.

Contrary to natural perception, the HDC packs a power-load of features although it is the smallest and lightest HD Camera ever made at 52 x 110 x 87 mm and 290 g. It is a ‘biggie’ in all other aspects. You can record 90 minutes of your zaniest moments in its 4GB SDHC memory card and with the 10x optical zoom Leica Dicomar lens, you can record crystal clear HD footage. And for viewing, you have a 2.7 inch LCD display.

The camera features an Advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer). With this new technology, the camera can detect and eliminate blur about 4,000 times a second. So, you can bid farewell to blurred images. Additionally, the images viewed through the camera on an HDTV would also be blur-free. And for any sudden moments, you have a smart Pre-Rec function. You can rewind and capture any moment that you might have missed.

The Panasonic HDC-SD7 SX5 will hit the Japanese markets in the first week of September. The rest of the world might have to wait a wee bit longer. However, there is not a shred of doubt that the wait would be worth it.

Via: fareastgizmos

The race for supremacy is in full swing at the CES 2008. Each company is playing its best cards to woo the consumers and bag the badge of honor. Samsung also played its trump today, when it introduced the NV24HD digital camera that boasts of HD recording capability. The compact camera can record video in 720p (1280×720) resolution at the rate of 30 frames per second! That’s quite impressive! But that’s not all.

It even allows the user to stream and watch the contents of the camera on any HDTV using the optional HDMI cradle. The NV24HD features a 10 megapixel, 24mm lens with 3.6X optical zoom and comes equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Digital Image Stabilization (DIS). The Samsung NV24HD will carry a modest price tag of $349.

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Via: TechFresh

For the photographers who trust their digital camcorders, here’s some awesome news. Canon has recently unveiled the ivIS HR10. This camcorder should be an unique one. Here’s why?

This new camcorder is equipped with a CMOS image sensor unlike it’s peers. Also, it will burn the videos taken directly onto the DVDs. I think this is a neat feature since, most camcorders play off the videos using a TV or a separate output. But, in this Cannon , there’s a DVD disc slot that accomodates DVDs.

The camcorder is priced at $1200 and will be released in August. With this price tag, the camcorder is equipped with the following:

* 2.7 inches wide screen for easy views.
* 10 times optical zoom (which I think is
quite a bit of zoom power)
* 3.2 Mega Pixel sensor
* 1920 x 1080 CMOS image sensor (1080i)

The camcorder can record videos in Mpeg 4 format, and has a HDV resolution as well.

The battery life allows roughly about 95 minutes of video recording. There’s also a dual layer stuff that gives you more memory space for storage. Weighing only 530 grams, it shouldn’t be too heavy to carry around. So, if you have the expendable cash, I suggest that you better get one of these camcorders.

Image Links:Techfresh

Source Link: Akihabaranews

BubbleScope Ltd is a company that has recently announced their new 360 camera. It allows user to click the 360 view in single shot. Though it was possible to capture 360 views using number of overlapping images but BubbleScope’s offering is first of its kind.

BubbleScope happens to be first ever single-shot panoramic digital camera. It creates MegaPixel 360 panoramic images in a single shot with 104 vertical field-of-view (-51 to +52 on the horizon) with fixed focus.

Built in internal memory is 16MB and it can be expanded using external SD/MMC cards, Runs on 2 AA sized batteries.

BubbleScope camera creates a source image that looks like a bubble. This source image is then processed using software to create a viewable image.

BubbleScope comes with bundled software named BubbleScope 1.0; this software is used to create QTVR movies and high quality panoramic images. This is available for both Windows as well as Macintosh PCs.

QTVR movies are .mov files which allows user to view 360 images as a movie. QTVR helps to create an interactive and ‘immersive’ visual experience. QTVR movie created with BubbleScope camera can be seen at the bottom of this page.

There is no information about the pricing, as of now, but it is expected to be in the market soon. And if it is smartly priced then it can be a big hit in market, at least with gadget lovers. This thing has surely got great flaunt value which will attract the masses towards it.

Source: BubbleScope
Image: Top, Bottom

The hassles of changing discs in camcorders are over. The welcome relief has been provided by Canon with its new HG10 AVCHD camcorder. With a whopping 40GB Hard Drive that the device incorporates, you can do away with disc expenditure and shoot a cool 15 hours of High Definition video footage with the camcorder.

The HG10 features a 10x zoom lens and other traditional features like optical image stabilization and still photo options. You can connect it to your TV to view the lovely memories that you have recorded by plugging it in with a single-cable. The camcorder can be yours starting from October for a price of $1300.

Via: Wired

Kodak touts to announce that they have developed a new sensor that will make flash outdated. The sensitivity of their new ‘high sensitivity pattern sensor’ with light enables camera to pick much more details in low light circumstances to get more clear images without using red-eye inducing flash.

According to Michael DeLuca, marketing manager for image sensors at Kodak, this innovation will facilitate photographers with almost two extra stops of light sensitivity.

Now, the question arises how this sensor works:

Firstly, sensor functions like this by using a variation on the Bayer filter that decides how most image sensors capture color data.

Secondly, via Bayer filter grid pixels are divided among red- green- and blue-sensitive dots, whereas a filter that allows only a certain frequency of light to pass through each pixel (red, green or blue) and determines the color sensitivity of each dot.

Thirdly, Software algorithms equipped in the camera interpolate the data from adjacent pixels, to offer each pixel in the resulting image an intensity values for each of the three component colors.

After treating luminance (brightness) and chrominance (color) as separate and equally vital properties, DeLuca asserts that company’s this pattern adjoins number of clear, unfiltered pixels that capture information about the overall intensity of light but not its color, to copy it in the same manner as human eye sees.

DeLuca asserted:

What this is really doing is addressing light sensitivity. We’re not impacting what is going on in the fundamental structure of the pixel.

Kodak’s forthcoming plans looks ahead to offer the same associated software algorithms to other chipmakers and to have sample chips by using the same pattern that will get ready early next year.

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Via: Wired

I say – mind-blowing! Trust BenQ to turn in a masterstroke, despite all the adversity in recent times. Apparently unruffled by the name change, CEO tomfoolery and scrapping of its Digital camera division, BenQ has pulled out an ace from nowhere.

The 7 MP C740i and the 8 MP E820 are two heavily-loaded cameras. What they lack in looks, they make up with features. 3x optical zoom, Pentax lenses, a 2.5-inch LTPS screen, SD card support, continuous movie mode, face tracking, and red eye reduction – they have it all. However, these are not identical twins and they are quite distinctive in certain aspects like the PASM, which gives you control over shutter and aperture settings, featuring only in the C740i. This camera also has a high ISO of up to 1600.

The C820 is not to be left far behind. You can use this device to shoot in 16:9 or 3:2 modes. It has an ISO of up to 1200, a shade lower than the C740i. Another notable feature is the PictBridge for direct printing. The Jedi Knight has returned!!

Via: engadget

Are you scared of lightning and thunder? If you are then you might want to reconsider your photography plans. A recently developed camera shutter trigger actually waits for the lightning strikes to activate it’s shutter. Once the lightning strikes, the circuit is complete and the shutter is triggered.

I think this is an interesting way of taking pictures. But, at the same time it is scary since, people like me would never get anywhere close to where lightning and thunder storms are frequent. So, I won’t be buying the LM324 amplifier.

How does it work?

Well, this is kind of a complex theory. Here’s how it works. The basic idea is to convert light pulses to electrical pulses. The first LM324 amplifies the electrical pulses while the second only passes quick changes.

This is based on the photo Darlington transistor that was developed back in the day. LM324 GND Ref amplified breaks up the 9 volts of power into 4.5 volts of ground reference.

Using the camera:

While using a technology like this, please exercise extreme caution. The camera should always be mounted on a tripod. The user should always make sure that the lightning trigger is very secure to the camera.

This kind of camera is made exclusively for the purpose of lightning photography. It is used in an area where the lightning strikes crosses the camera path over and over again.
Most of the digital cameras made by Nikon are compatible with the LM324 amplifier. The parts of the amplifier like CMOS one shot, QT semi-conductor model will be your initial investments. Exact pricing of LM324 amplifier varies widely since people may use customized parts.

Also, while taking pictures using the amplifier, keep in mind that the day and night time exposures will matter a lot. The position of the camera is most imperative in this case. All the intricate details of photography should be considered while using the LM324.

Image Credits: Makezine, Solorb

Digital cameras are in fashion nowadays and even our cell phones have them. What the fun if you cannot take out a hard copy of these pictures and have to boot your computer time and again to see them on large screen.

Canon has solved this problem with their new Selphy CP740 hand-held printer that costs less than $100. But the low cost does not mean that it is low on technology. It is able to quickly churn out prints in 4 X 6 size right from your digital camera or memory card and that too without using your computer.

The device comes with a 2-inch LCD screen for you to shuffle between the images and print the best. You can also make any fine corrections in the images clicked by you while checking the images on the LCD screen.

Canon does not want anything to be left behind in this printer and to guarantee that the company has also integrated IrDA and IrSimple support in the device. It also facilitates a retractable USB cable, Bluetooth and battery pack add-ons. All this surely guarantee that you can use the printer in all environments without worrying about your laptop battery…!

Via: Slippery Brick