Pentax has showed off another one of its upcoming compact digital camera namely the Optio M90. This point-and-shoot camera sports a 12.1-megapixel image sensor, a 5x wide angle optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD display, an SD/SDHX card slot, improved face detection function, 20 scene modes and has the ability to capture 640 x 480 video at 30fps. Available in burgundy red and black color options, the Pentax Optio M90 will start shipping in Europe from mid-June for about $180.
BenQ will launch the E1260 compact digital camera that adopts the HDR (High Dynamic Range) image enhancement technology. This technology is designed to make taking great shots easy in the toughest lighting conditions and allows subtle details in the darkest and brightest parts of an image to stand out like never before. Available in Metallic Gun-Metal Gray and Metallic Blue, the 12MP BenQ E1260 boasts a bright 2.7-inch LCD screen with a friendly user interface, a 28mm 4x optical wide angle zoom lens, a capability of shooting 720p movies, an advanced smart scene mode, and the G-Sensor application. Other important specifications include Auto Face Tracking, Blink Detector, Self/Love Portrait, Beauty Enhancer, Smile Catch, Smart Focus, File Management, Auto Rotation, 3 Second Prerecording and Super Shake-Free (S.S.F.). The BenQ E1260 will be available worldwide in May 2010.
Nikon has finally introduced the new AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens that adopts Nikon’s VR II image stabilization technology. The lens features the Automatic Panning Detection and the Active VR Mode to help compensate for movement from an unstable position such as a moving vehicle. The VR is always engaged when shooting in the D-Movie mode on select Nikon D-SLRs, helping to stabilize HD video capture. Other specs include the Nikon Nano Crystal Coat and optimized AutoFocus modes. The AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens will be released in late May 2010 for $6,999.99 each.
The HDV-T900 is the latest solar-powered HD camcorder from Jetyo. This video camera is equipped with dual solar panels, allowing you to recharge its batteries (4 x AAA) wherever you go as long as there’s sufficient sunlight. The device itself boasts a 5.0MP CMOS image sensor, an 8x digital zoom lens, a 3-inch LTPS display, a 32MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot (up to 32GB), a USB 2.0 interface, an HDMI output and is able to capture both 1280 x 720 HD video at 30fps as well as 4000 x 3000 digital still images.
Praktica has announced a new point-and-shoot camera to its range by launching the Luxmedia 12-Z4. Available in a wide range of color options including silver, pink, petrol, night-blue, bordeaux-red and black, this compact camera sports a 12MP CCD image sensor, a 4x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD display, a 32MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot, a USB 2.0 port and 720p HD video recording at 30fps. The Luxmedia 12-Z4 retails for £109.99 (about $169).
The FREETALK Everyman HD webcam is now available for pre-order at the Skype Store. This HD webcam sets a new standard for video communications. It gives sharper, clearer and better defined video than any other webcam engineered to work with Skype. The Everyman HD is capable of recording in 720p (1280 x 720) at 22 fps. You can also record at it’s regular resolution (640 x 480) at 30 fps or in low lighting conditions at 15 fps. Skype will automatically adjust the resolution and frame rate depending on the condition of the connect between you and your video chat partner. The webcam uses a USB 2.0 port and is compatible with both Mac and PC. If you are interested, you can pre-order the Everyman HD at the Skype Store for just $49.99 a pop.
Pentax USA has released the K-x digital SLR in some new colors that are perfect for Spring season. The Pentax K-x SLR will be available in a limited edition bright blue, orange, green and purple. FYI, the K-x SLR camera features a 12.4-megapixel CMOS image sensor, a 2.7-inch LCD with Live View and an HD video capture in full 720p resolution.
Exemode has come out with another budget-friendly HD camcorder known as the DV330. Powered by three AAA batteries, the device boasts a 3.3-megapixel 1/4-inch CMOS image sensor, a 1.5-inch TFT LCD monitor, a 16MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot (up to 16GB), a USB 1.1 interface and a TV-out port. In terms of performance, it’s capable of capturing both 1280 x 720 HD video at 20fps as well as 5-megapixel digital still images. The Exemode DV330 is sold for 5,980 Yen (about $64).
Panasonic unveiled a new Skype Webcam for HDTV in the form of the Panasonic TY-CC10W. This new webcam adds a new Skype option to the HDTV’s on-screen menus so you can browse your contact lists and add new contacts directly from the UI. The Panasonic TY-CC10W is expected to be on sale by June 11, 2010 for about $194.
Toshiba’s latest Camileo SX900 camcorder comes with a full HD, 1080p video recording capability at 30 frames per second, while featuring an HDMI connection, a 2.7-inch fold out LCD display, a 9x optical zoom and an SDXC memory card slot. What’s more, you can also shoot 14-megapixel pictures.
Amazon has begun taking pre-orders for Sanyo’s upcoming Full HD camcorder ‘VPC-CG20′. At $199, this palm-sized video camera offers you a 10-megapixel CMOS image sensor, a 5x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch Wide LCD display, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, a mini HDMI output and the ability to capture 1920 x 1080 Full HD video at 60fps in H.264 format.
Panasonic has introduced their latest Full HD camcorder namely the HDC-SD600. Adopting the company’s 3MOS system, this new camcorder is equipped with a Leica Dicomar wide-angle lens (35 mm focal length), a 12x optical zoom lens, Power OIS, iA (Intelligent Auto), an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, a mini HDMI port and has the ability to capture both 1920 x 1080 Full HD video at 50fps as well as 14.2-megapixel digital still images.
Panasonic comes back to the camcorder market by releasing the new AG-AF100. It is actually the company’s first Micro Four-Thirds Pro camcorder that uses the very same lenses as mounted on the Panasonic GH1. Targeted at the video and film production communities, the AF100 comes equipped with an interchangeable lens mount, so you can use an array of low-cost, widely-available still camera lenses as well as film-style lenses with fixed focal lengths and primes. The AF100 features two XLR inputs with +48V Phantom Power capability, 48-kHz/16-bit two-channel digital audio recording and supports LPCM/Dolby-AC3. The AG-AF100 will be available by the end of 2010 for around $6000 each.
Finding yourself a new pocket-sized HD camcorder? How about the newly launched Flip Slide HD from Cisco. Priced at $279.99, this compact camcorder offers a slide-out 3-inch 400 x 240 resistive touchscreen display, a 16GB of internal memory, a 2x digital zoom, a flip-out USB connector, a mini HDMI port, a rechargeable battery and has the ability to record 1280 x 720 HD video at 30fps in H.264 format.
Sanyo introduced two new members from its Xacti camcorder series. Dubbed as the DMX-CG100 and DMX-GH1, both video cameras can record Full HD video with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and take still pictures with a 14-megapixel sensor. Available in silver, pink, and blue, these camcorders also has a 2.7-inch LCD screen, a 5x optical zoom, and a 50MB of internal memory, which is upgradable via a memory card (SD/SDHC cards up to 32B and SDXC cards up to 64GB).
