Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Monday, 21 July 2008 15:05 GMT



Panasonic has today announced the Lumix DMC-LX3. The camera is aimed at DSLR users who are looking for a compact camera to complement their existing SLR gear. Consequently the LX3 comes with comprehensive manual controls and a fast F2.0-F2.8 24-60mm (35mm equivalent) Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens. Images are captured on a 1/1.63-inch CCD sensor sporting 10.1 million effective pixels. The Lumix DMC-LX3 will be available in the UK from August at £399.99.

Press release:
Breaking New Boundaries - Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-LX3 With F2.0 24mm Ultra Wide Angle* LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON Lens

Nikon unveils S1000pj - the world's first projector camera
Tuesday, 4 August 2009 04:00 GM

Nikon has unveiled the world's first compact camera with an in-built projector. The S1000pj projects images up to 40 inches in size with a VGA resolution and a maximum distance of 2 meters. The camera is supplied with a remote control and stand for ease of use. It features an optically stabilized wide angle 5x zoom lens (28-140mm equiv.), 2.7 inch LCD and a 12.1MP sensor.

Sony releases DSC-WX1 & TX1 with Exmor R sensor
Thursday, 6 August 2009 04:00 GMT



Sony has announced the Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1 digital compacts, the first to use back illuminated CMOS sensors. According to Sony, its 'Exmor R' sensor offers low-light performance with approximately twice the sensitivity of traditional image sensors. The sensor has been incorporated into familiar W and T series bodies. The WX1 features a 5x zoom starting at 24mm equivalent and f/2.4. The TX1 is a touch screen camera with 4x zoom lens (35-140mm equiv.). Like the existing, conventional CMOS-based HX1, both cameras offer HD video recording and a Sweep Panorama mode.

Sony stresses that this latest CMOS technology, combined with the fast lenses (f/2.4 on the WX1) and the six-shot layering technology (first seen on the HX1), offers: "an innovative and comprehensive approach to overcoming the challenge of low light photography that have plagued compact cameras for some time."
Jump to:

• Press Release
• DSC-TX1 Specifications
• DSC-TX1 Additional images
• DSC-WX1 Specifications
• DSC-WX1 Additional images

Press Release:
SONY DEBUTS WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL STILL CAMERAS WITH
BACK-ILLUMINATED “EXMOR R” CMOS SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 5, 2009 – Sony today announced two new Cyber-shot® cameras (DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1 models) that provide unprecedented advances in low-light performance with approximately twice the sensitivity of cameras with traditional image sensors.

These Cyber-shot cameras are the first to employ Sony’s new “Exmor R” back illuminated CMOS sensor technology to improve shooting in low-light scenarios, enhancing image clarity and drastically reducing grain.

“With these new “Exmor R” CMOS sensor cameras, Sony has vastly improved the customer experience for taking pictures with digital still cameras in low-light scenarios,” said Phil Lubell, director of the digital imaging business at Sony Electronics. “We’ve all taken pictures in dimly lit areas, where the results were grainy and unclear. By redesigning the way these cameras capture light, Sony is leading the industry by creating this easy way to take amazingly clear, vibrant photos in low lighting scenarios.”

“Exmor R” Sensor Optimizes Low-Light Performance
Conventional image sensor architecture has required wires and other circuit elements to be positioned above the light sensitive photo-diodes, limiting the imager’s light gathering capability. Positioning these elements behind the photo-diodes, Sony’s “Exmor R” image sensors can gather more light, resulting in approximately twice the sensitivity compared to conventional sensors.

To further extend low-light shooting performance, the TX1 and WX1 cameras incorporate the hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur multi-shot modes introduced in Sony’s breakthrough Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. Using “Exmor R” CMOS sensor’s high speed, these modes capture six separate images in less than a second and utilize Sony’s BIONZ™ processor to combine the shots into a single image of extraordinary detail and low noise.
Combining the “Exmor R” technology with hand-held twilight and anti-motion blur modes delivers a breakthrough in low-light photography. Users can now capture images of stunning detail and low noise in scenes with no more than candlelight—without flash or the need of a tripod.

Innovative Sweep Panorama™ and High-Speed Shooting
In addition to their breakthrough low light performance, these new cameras also include Sony’s Sweep Panorama and 10 frames per second burst shooting features, which were introduced with the Sony® DSC-HX1 camera. The TX1 and WX1 cameras offer these features in smaller, more compact bodies that match nearly any unique style.
Capturing wide landscapes is as easy as “press and sweep.” Sweep Panorama mode lets you reach beyond the traditional wide-angle lens and capture breathtaking shots. Using the high-speed “Exmor R” CMOS sensor, the cameras shoot continuously while you sweep across the scene. Using the BIONZ imaging processor, they automatically stitch the pictures together to create one stunning panoramic photo.

The TX1 and WX1 Cyber-shot models can take up to 185 and 256-degree panorama shots respectively in one easy press-and-sweep motion with an image size of 7152 x 1080 (ultra wide horizontal).

Advanced Technology and Compact Design
While the HX1 camera is a well-rounded solution for customers who are looking for high-zoom and speed in a smaller size than a DSLR, the TX1 and WX1 cameras are made for an audience that wants advanced technology in an even more compact design.

With its slim profile of just 16.5mm, the 10.2 mega-pixel TX1 offers streamlined, distinguished curves for a sophisticated look appealing to the fashion-oriented who are also looking for great performance.
This model features a new operation on the touch panel that lets you scroll through images with an effortless “flick” of your finger and directly access menus on the 3-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display.

With a Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens, the TX1 camera lets you focus as little as 0.4 inches from your subject for extraordinary close-up shots. The 4x telescopic zoom is perfect for capturing far-away subjects, and Sony’s Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization helps overcome camera shake.

The 10.2 mega-pixel WX1 camera has a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus display and is just over three quarters of an inch thin—an ideal choice for DSLR owners who also want to carry a compact, high performance digital still camera.
The WX1 camera features a Sony G lens with an extraordinary wide angle 24-120mm 5x optical zoom. This lens’ f/2.4 maximum aperture offers nearly twice the light gathering capability of conventional lenses, and works together with the “Exmor R” imager and low-light shooting modes to provide low-light photography beyond the abilities of other compact cameras.

Tech Savvy Cameras
These cameras include the most recent Sony technology, including, Intelligent Auto (iAuto) mode which, recognizes scenes, lighting conditions and faces, and adjusts settings resulting in clearer images, faces with more natural skin tone and less blur; Face Detection that detects up to eight faces and optimizes focus, flash, exposure and white balance and intelligent Scene (iSCN) that delivers nine Scene Selection modes to quickly adjust for specific shooting conditions.

Pet mode is a new Sony feature that minimizes blur when shooting moving pets. This new mode also reduces glowing pet red-eye.

Additionally, the cameras have technologies Sony Cyber-shot customers have come to expect. These include Smile Shutter™ technology that automatically captures a smile, dynamic range optimization (DRO) that improves exposure and contrast, intelligent Auto Focus that captures fleeting moments and HD video capability that records HD movies in 720p high definition MPEG4 format.

With HD video capability, these cameras record HD movies in 720p high definition MPEG4 format for stunning large-screen home movie playback. You can record up to 29 minutes (or up to 2GB file size) in 720p format.

Pricing and Availability
The TX1 camera will be available in silver, gray, pink and blue this September for about $380. The WX1 camera will be available in black this October for about $350. Pre-sales will start in August. The cameras and a range of accessories will be available online

Canon PowerShot G11 Digital Camera

The PowerShot G-series has long been the flagship of the PowerShot line. The new Canon PowerShot

G11 Digital Camera further adds to the legacy of this award-winning series with its advanced features, variety of shooting modes and compatible EOS accessories which help to enhance one’s photographic creativity. Designed for those looking for a pocket-sized camera with SLR functionality, this new powerful camera is ideal for the consumer who is looking to capture beautiful landscapes and professional portraits by offering:

A 10.0-Megapixel High Sensitivity System to capture images with a powerful 5x Optical Zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization. Additionally, a 28mm (equivalent to 28-140 mm) wide-angle lens helps to get large groups into one shot at events such as a family reunion.
A 7.1-centimetre vari-angle PureColor System LCD, new to the G-series, allowing for easier on-camera previewing and reviewing of images from nearly every angle, while still incorporating the optical viewfinder found on previous models.
Easy access to heavily used functions with two mode dials for adjusting ISO and exposure compensation, and a full range of shooting and recording modes, including RAW + JPEG for ultimate creative control when editing images.
A host of optional accessories, including Speedlite flashes, an underwater housing and a tele-converter lens to provide further photographic flexibility.



Canon PowerShot S90 Digital Camera

The PowerShot S90 is the camera photo enthusiasts have been waiting for to add to their photography arsenal. Borrowing its good looks from the PowerShot Digital ELPH line and its high-end functionality from the PowerShot G-series, this new camera has a High Sensitivity System sensor in addition to a 28mm wide-angle f/2.0 lens to help produce sharper images in low-light situations while the customizable control ring allows users to adjust shooting settings providing for further flexibility. For the professional photographer or advanced amateur interested in a versatile point and shoot camera, the PowerShot S90 provides a wealth of advanced technologies to capture those can’t-miss moments. Other features of this camera include:

A 10.0-Megapixel High Sensitivity System with a 3.8x Optical Zoom and Optical Image Stabilization.
A customizable control ring for easy access and operation of manual or other creative shooting settings.
A large 7.6-centimetre PureColor System LCD for even greater true life colour reproduction.
Full range of shooting and recording modes, including RAW + JPEG, for the ultimate in creative control when editing.


Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and SX120 IS Digital Cameras

When consumers are looking for a camera with a powerful zoom that is lightweight and easy-to-use, the PowerShot SX-series should be top-of-mind. Consumers can get a close-up shot without sitting in the front row and be assured images will be of superb quality. The latest additions to the SX-series are the PowerShot SX20 IS and PowerShot SX120 IS.



Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Digital Camera

Featuring:

A 12.1-Megapixel sensor with a high-powered 20x wide-angle Optical Zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilizer to help reduce camera shake and achieve magnificent images whether up close or far away.
The ability to shoot superb 720p (30 fps) HD video with HDMI output to share high-quality videos of memorable moments with family and friends.
A 6.4-centimetre vari-angle PureColor System LCD allowing for easy on-camera viewing of images and menus at nearly every angle while also having a viewfinder.
AA batteries for easy power-up and replacement.



Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Digital Camera

Featuring:

A 10.0-Megapixel sensor with a 10x Optical Zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilization helps to ensure images will be clear and how they were meant to be captured.
A large 7.6-centimetre LCD allows for easy on-camera previewing and reviewing of menus and images.
Easy Mode to make picture taking a snap! It gives you the peace of mind when shooting and simplifies camera operation.
AA batteries for easy power-up and replacement.



Canon PowerShot SD980 IS and SD940 IS Digital ELPH Cameras

Most noted for sleek, polished and stylish looks, the ELPH brand has evolved into a product that supremely reflects and expresses one’s personal style. Tiny and compact, these cameras are best known for easily slipping into a shirt or pants pocket, while maintaining their appeal as a fashion accessory. For the first time ever from Canon, a member of the ELPH family will have a 7.6-centimetre touch panel PureColor System LCD further enhancing its appeal and ease-of-use. With this new line of ELPH cameras, colour, style and personal reflection are still the hallmarks of the brand.



Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH Camera

Featuring:

A large 7.6-centimetre touch panel PureColor System LCD with a cutting-edge interface for easy navigating through images and menus.
720p HD video shooting capabilities plus HDMI output connector for easy playback of video and photos on HDTV’s to share with friends and family.
A 5x Optical Zoom lens with an ultra-wide 24mm lens, plus Optical Image Stabilization, great for vast landscapes and capturing a large group of friends at a red carpet event.
The 12.1-Megapixel sensor to help ensure superb image quality.
Four distinguished colours; silver, blue, purple and gold.


Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Digital ELPH Camera

Featuring:

A 12.1-Megapixel sensor, 28mm wide-angle lens with 4x Optical Zoom lens and Optical Image Stabilization offering versatility when shooting in the field.
720p HD movie shooting capabilities plus HDMI output connector for easy playback of video and photos on an HDTV.
A large, crisp 6.9-centimetre PureColor System LCD with a wide viewing angle, great for sharing photos and video with friends.
Timeless colours of muted metallics in blue, black, silver and brown to match any mood.