Digital Camera Reviews

HP has entered the high definition portable camcorder market by releasing the V5020u digital camcorder. This portable video recorder offers full 1080p HD recording with electronic image stabilization via a built-in gyroscopic sensor that prevents image blur caused by camcorder movements. The new V5020u also features a 10x digital zoom, a 2-inch LCD screen, a 5MP sensor, an SDHC slot, the ability to record H.264 videos, a motion detection feature, and an HDMI port. Each purchase comes equipped with a wrist strap, a cleaning cloth, an HDMI cable, and a carrying pouch. The HP V5020u camcorder will be launched in October 2010 for $159.

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.

If you are searching for an affordable waterproof HD camcorder, then check out the Exemode DV5000UW. This portable camcorder is able to record both HD quality videos and 4000 x 3000 pixel pictures. The DV5000UW has a 32MB of internal memory, a 5.17MP sensor, a 2.7-inch LCD monitor, an HDMI out, and an SDHC card slot (up to 16GB). Measuring 48.2mm x 66.9mm x 116.2mm and weighing 220 grams, the Exemode DV5000UW is priced at 12,800 Yen ($149).

JVC has added a new Full HD camcorder to its line-up by unveiling the Everio GZ-HM350. This compact and lightweight camcorder sports a 3.32-megapixel 1/4.1-inch CMOS image sensor, a 36x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD display, a 32GB of storage, an SD/SDHC card slot, a mini-USB port, a mini-HDMI port and has the ability to record 1920 x 1080 Full HD video in AVCHD format.

Measuring 99mm x 56.8mm x 18.8mm, the new Sanyo VPC-E1403 is a 14-megapixel compact digital camera that can record videos at a frame rate of 30fps and a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The digicam also boasts a 3-inch TFT LCD screen, an ISO sensitivity of up to 6400, an SD or SDHC card slot, a digital image stabilizer and a 3x optical zoom. The smile and blink recognition feature are included for perfect portraits. The camera recognizes smiling faces itself and takes the snap automatically, without you having to press the release. If someone blinks when the shutter closes, the photographer is alerted by the blink recognition and can take another shot. The Sanyo VPC-E1403 is priced at €129 ($157) with a three-year warranty.

Currently available in Europe, Casio’s latest point-and-shoot camera ‘EX-H5‘ is finally making its way to US in July. This compact camera will have an MSRP of $199.99 and will be available in black, red and silver color options. To refresh your memory, the EX-H5 sports a 12.1-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 24mm wide-angle lens, a 10x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD screen, an SD/SDHC memory card slot, a USB port and 720p HD video recording (24fps) capability.

Folks in South Korea are now able to purchase the new Samsung WP10 waterproof digicam. The camera boasts a 12.2-megapixel sensor with a 5x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch display screen. The Samsung WP10 is also capable of recording 720p HD quality at 30 fps. Much like the latest CHOBi camera, the Samsung WP10 is also waterproof for up to 3-meter underwater. Other specs include a 20MB of internal memory, a slot for SD or SDHC memory cards (up to 32GB) and a USB port. The Samsung WP10 waterproof camera will retail for 299,000 Won or around $244.

Praktica has announced a new point-and-shoot camera by unveiling the Luxmedia 12-04. Specs-wise, this compact camera sports a 12-megapixel image sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch TFT display, a 32MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot, Smile Detector, Intelligent Scene Mode, 24 Scene Modes and a voice recorder.

Sony has finally confirmed the availability of the Sony A290 and A390 DSLR cameras. Both cameras feature a 14-megapixel sensor, a 2.7-inch LCD display, Memory Stick and SDHC memory card support, up to 3200 ISO sensitivity, a USB 2.0 port and an HDMI mini connector. The Sony Alpha A390 has a 2.7-inch tilt and swivel LCD display with a Quick AF Live View, while the Sony Alpha A290 weights at just 456grams (without battery). The Sony Alpha A290 and A390 will be released in Summer 2010.

Minox has unleashed a new point-and-shoot camera for the mass market in the form of the DC 1222. This compact camera sports a 12-megapixel image sensor, a 28mm wide-angle lens, a 4x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD display, a 32MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC card slot, ISO up to 1600 and 720 HD movie recording. The Minox DC 1222 is priced at 149 Euro (about $178).

Weighing only 185g, the all new HDC-TM35 from Panasonic is claimed as the world’s lightest Full HD camcorder. Coming in white, violet, classic gold and grey color options, this compact camcorder sports a 1/41 CCD of 3.32 MOS-megapixel sensor, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot (up to 32GB), an IA Zoom and IS, Smile Shutter and has the ability to capture both 1080p Full HD video in AVCHD mode as well as 2.9-megapixel digital still images.

A new point-and-shoot camera has just been launched by Casio. Called the Exilim EX-H5, this compact camera packs a 12.1-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 24mm wide-angle lens, a 10x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD screen, an SD/SDHC memory card slot, a USB port and 720p HD video recording (32fps). The Exilim EX-H5 is now available in Europe for a retail price of 199 Euro (about $244).

Pentax Japan has decided to delay the launch of its highly anticipated 645D due to the high number of orders received for this medium format digital camera. The company will release the Pentax 645D on June 11th, 2010. For your info, this camera features a 40-million-pixel Kodak-made imaging sensor, a 3.0-inch LCD monitor, dual SD/SDHC memory card slots and can be used with the existing 645 system lenses.

The newly announced Sony Alpha NEX-3 interchangeable lens camera is finally available for pre-order in the US via Amazon for $549.99. In case you didn’t know, the Alpha NEX-3 sports a 14.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, a powerful BIONZ processor, a 3-inch swiveling LCD screen, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, up to 7 fps continuous shooting, ISO up to 12800, a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI output and 720p HD video recording.

Canon has recently added a new color option ‘White’ to its IXUS 300 HS compact digital camera series. This white version of the Canon IXUS 300 HS is now available for purchase exclusively from Jessops for £379. In case you didn’t remember, the camera sports a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 28mm wide angle lens, a 3.8x optical zoom lens, a 3-inch PureColor II G LCD screen, Canon’s new HS system (provides better low light performance and high-speed shooting), an SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot, a USB 2.0 port, a mini HDMI port and 720p video recording (30fps).