Digital Camera Reviews

Toshiba has announced two new Full HD pocket camcorders to its range by
launching the Camileo P20 and S30. These easy-to-use camcorders are equipped with a 5-megapixel CMOS image sensor (P20), an 8-megapixel CMOS image sensor (S30), a 10x digital zoom, a 3-inch touchscreen LCD display, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, a mini-USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port and can record 1920 x 1080p Full HD video at 30fps. The Camileo P20 and S30 will become available soon for 120 GBP (about $185) and 140 GBP (about $216), respectively.

Olympus announced the availability of the limited-edition E-P2 kits. The Olympus E-P2 Special Black EVF Edition consists of a black E-P2 body, a matching black Olympus 17mm f/2.8 pancake lens and a VF-2 add-on electronic viewfinder, while the Olympus E-P2 Special Black Flash Edition comprises a black FL-14 external flash alongside the black E-P2 body and black Olympus 17mm f/2.8 pancake lens. Both camera kits feature retro styled lens caps imprinted with the original Olympus PEN F logo in silver. The Olympus E-P2 Special Black EVF Edition and the Olympus E-P2 Special Black Flash Edition will be launched in October 2010 for €1079 ($1,373) and €1049 ($1,342), respectively. The retro lens cap can also be purchased separately for €49.90 ($63).

Canyon has rolled out their newest webcam for the Russian market. Called the Truckhook, this eye-catching webcam sports a 1.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor, a built-in microphone and has the ability to shoot video in maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels. Coming in four models with different looks, the Truckhook sells for 1,199 Rubles (about $39).

Engine has unveiled their newest HD DVR Sports Sunglasses ‘HD186-B’ for the mass market. This cool sunglasses feature a built-in 3-megapixel pinhole CMOS hidden camera located in the center of the frame, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB), a USB 2.0 port and a 550mAh rechargeable battery. In terms of performance, it has the ability to capture both 1280 x 960p HD video at 24fps (AVI format) as well as up to 12-megapixel digital still images (interpolated mode).

The Sigma SD15 is a new DSLR camera which utilises the the same 14.06 megapixel Foveon X3 sensor technology as its predecessor, the SD14, and the company’s range of premium DP-branded compacts. Other key features of the long-awaited SD15, which was first announced way back at Photokina 2008, include the True II processor, a 3 inch, high-resolution 460k dot LCD screen, extended ISO range of 50-3200, 77-segment AE sensor, a continuous shooting speed of 3 frames per second for up to 21 RAW images, and a 100,000 exposure shutter life. The Sigma SD15 is available now for around £900 / $989.

Planning on buying a new rugged digital camera anytime soon? Well, how about the newly announced G700 from Ricoh. Designed specifically for extreme conditions and rough environments, this compact camera is shockproof (from 2m), waterproof (up to 5m) and dustproof. In terms of specs, it sports a 12-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 5x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch LCD display, a 103MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot, a USB 2.0 interface and 720p HD video recording capabilities. The Ricoh G700 will go on sale in Japan from September 10th for 99,000 Yen.

Redrock Nano is a new range of accessories and rigs for video DSLR cameras. Designed for low-cost entry level, photojournalism/documentary, and discreet shooting applications, Redrock Nano are manufactured to precision professional standards, and can be easily upgraded to more advanced rigs as needed. The Redrock Nano line of products consists of 7 new rigs and 5 new accessories, with prices generally under $495.

Ricoh is preparing to launch another point-and-shoot camera ‘CX4′ for the mass market. Powered by the Smooth Imaging Engine IV processor, this compact camera offers a 10-megapixel CMOS image sensor, a 10.7x optical zoom lens, a 3-inch LCD screen, an 86MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot and has the ability to record 720p HD video.

Olympus has unveiled a new point-and-shoot camera for the Japanese market. Known as the Mju 7050, this stylish camera has a 14-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 28mm wide-angle lens, a 7x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch LCD display, a 2GB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC memory card slot, an HDMI output and 720p HD movie recording capabilities.

The Olympus FE-4050 is a 12-megapixel digital camera with a 27-108mm equivalent zoom lens and six Magic Filters such as Drawing, Fisheye, Pinhole, Pop, Punk and Soft Focus. Additional features include Face Detection AF, iAUTO scene recognition system, USB battery charging, AF Tracking, SD/SDHC card support and a range of scene modes. The new Olympus FE-4050 will be released in Japan before the end of this month and in Europe next month.

Nikon is set to unleash their newest projector camera ‘Coolpix S1100pj’ into the market. This compact camera boasts a 14.1-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 28mm wide-angle lens, a 5x optical zoom lens, a 3-inch touchscreen LCD display, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, 720p HD video recording capabilities and comes equipped with a built-in 14 lumen projector that can cast an image up to 47-inches in size up to 7-feet away. The Coolpix S1100pj will begin shipping in September for $349.95.

Featuring fast start-up and minimal shutter lag, the Nikon Coolpix S5100 is a 12.2-megapixel digital compact camera with 5x optical zoom with Vibration Reduction (VR). Other functions include one-touch HD video recording (720p at 30fps), a new flash control system plus motion and tripod detection. The latter of these technologies detects handheld or tripod shooting and automatically selects the ideal exposure, ISO sensitivity and shutter speed in order to reduce image blur. Available in October priced at $179.95 / €159.00, the Nikon Coolpix S5100 comes with 18 scene modes, Scene Auto Selector, Subject Tracking and Nikon’s Smart Portrait System on board.

The Nikon Coolpix S1100pj is a new projector-camera sporting a 40 percent brighter (compared to last year’s S1000pj), 14-lumen internal projector complete with a built-in stand and a touch screen interface. Additional creative features include a built-in slide show function that plays photos with music and one-touch HD 720p movie recording with easy projection playback. The 14.1-megapixel Coolpix S1100pj includes a 5x wide-angle optical Zoom-Nikkor glass lens (28-140mm) and Vibration Reduction and a three-inch touch-sensitive rear screen with 460,000 dots. The Nikon S1100pj’s in-camera retouch menu includes Soft, Selective Colour, Cross Screen, Fisheye, Miniature and Makeup effects. Priced at $349.95 / €349.00 / £349.99, the Nikon Coolpix S1100pj will hit the shelves in September.

The Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W3 camera can shoot high-resolution 3D photos and movies in 3D HD at 720p. The new Fujifilm W3 also has a Mini HDMI port for easy playback on most 3D television systems. The 3.5” high resolution Autostereoscopic 3D Widescreen LCD with 1150K resolution displays high contrast images and movies that can be viewed in 3D without the need of 3D glasses. The Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W3 digital camera will be available in early September 2010 at a retail price of $499.95 / £399.99.

The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) has announced the winners of its 2010-2011 Awards. In the Photo category, there were 16 sub-categories from best photo software (Apple Aperture 3) to best zoom lens (Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD). Other award-winning products include the Canon EOS 550D and EOS 7D, the Nikon D3S (pictured) and AF-S Nikkor 300mm F2.8G ED VR II, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 and TZ10, the Olympus µ Tough-8010 and M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm F4-5.6, the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM, the Sony α NEX-5 and Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V, the Samsung EX1, the Fujifilm Finepix HS10 and the Epson Stylus Pro 3880. For more information including product descriptions, head to EISA’s website.