Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

dsc

When to buy a camera--and when to wait

With spring here and summer around the corner, there are plenty of reasons--graduations, weddings, vacations, outdoor events, and reunions--to invest in a new digital camera. It's understandable that you'd want to rush out and get something that's faster, or has a longer or wider lens, or has better photo or video quality--simply put, a model that will hopefully get you that shot you can't get with your current shooter. However, right before a big event is one of the worst times to buy a camera.

Regardless of professional reviews, your past history with a manufacturer's … Read more

The 2010 Audi Ice Driving Experience event

So recently we've gotten a look at BMW's xDrive all-wheel traction control system, both in theory and in action. Not surprisingly, German manufacturer Audi thinks its vehicles run and handle better on snowy and icy roads to the point that the company is hosting an event known as the Audi Ice Experience; it's a racing-track-based high-performance practical driving education event that's been around for more than 20 years now. And today we've got video from the most recent Experience held this year in Finland.

The Audi Ice Experience is a winter-specific course that is usually … Read more

A closer look at BMW xDrive technology

All-wheel traction control systems can make a trip on snowy and icy roads an easier time on you and your car. On Monday we got a brief glimpse of the innovative BMW xDrive traction system in action, and in today's video blog we dive into the deeper details of the technology involved and how BMW xDrive works.

For those of you just joining the conversation, BMW's xDrive is an "intelligent" electrical all-wheel traction control system that through Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) sensors can redistribute power between the axles depending on what is felt on existing road … Read more

A look at BMW xDrive

I was on the phone with my mom yesterday, and she was telling me that she made the trek from Ohio to New Jersey to visit my brother. Apparently, she was not aware that the East Coast was about to get hit again with yet another blast of snow, and according to Mommy Dearest, Jersey got smacked with 20 or so inches in this latest winter storm, and they had to drive through it. (No offense, Mom, but better you than me).

Even though it's technically March now, Old Man Winter has still got a lot of the U.… Read more

Sony guts HX5V 10x megazoom, results in H55

Yay. Another compact megazoom on the market. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V impressed us at CES 2010 with its 10x zoom, wide-angle Sony G lens, backside-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, built-in GPS, and 1080p movie capture with a stereo mic--all inside a compact, pocketable body. The H55 is its less capable linemate.

Basically, most of the good stuff has been taken out except for the lens and its body with 3-inch LCD. The H55 features a 14-megapixel CCD, a 720p movie mode with mono sound, optical image stabilization with Sony's Active Mode for smoother video while walking, and a version … Read more

World's thinnest, smallest certified waterproof digital still camera

Hey, look, it's a rugged ultracompact camera from Sony (in case you hadn't already read about it). The Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 is basically a refreshed version of the TX1 made to be waterproof down to 10 feet for up to an hour, survive drops of about 5 feet, and keep shooting in temps as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, the waterproofing makes it dustproof.

Like I said, it does all the same stuff as the TX1 including those Sweep Panorama shots (it's Intelligent now for improved stitching and detection of faces and subject motion) and 720p video, … Read more

Enhanced toughness: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2

So I really liked the Panasonic Lumix TS1, the company's first foray into rugged compact cameras, but it wasn't as indestructible as some of its competition. Round two, the TS2, corrects that as it's waterproof down to 33 feet, shockproof from drops up to 10 feet 6.6 feet, and freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit putting it in line with models from Olympus, Canon, and Pentax.

Panasonic didn't skimp on other features, either, basically making it a full-featured ultracompact in a tougher shell. It has a 14-megapixel resolution, a 2.7-inch LCD, 28mm-equivalent wide-angle lens with … Read more

How 'bout some GPS with your megazoom?

If you were considering picking up a $350 pocket megazoom camera, you might want to hold off until March when Sony ships the Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V. The camera features a high-quality Sony G 25mm-equivalent lens with a 10x optical zoom, a 10-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, and built-in GPS and compass.

It also can capture video at full HD (1,920x1,080 at 60i) in AVCHD format; it supports HDMI out; and there's improved optical stabilization to help control shake while you're on the move.

The camera supports both Memory Stick Pro Duo and SDHC cards in addition to TransferJet … Read more

Sony TX1 gets a better, stronger, faster linemate

LAS VEGAS--I really like the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 for all that it is, but, like most first versions, there was room for improvement. The follow-up, the DSC-TX7, announced Wednesday at CES 2010 looks to be a solid step up.

It's still using a back-illuminated Exmor R 10-megapixel sensor. It gets a new 25mm-equivalent wide-angle lens to work with, though, and on back is a larger, 3.5-inch LCD with a 921K-dot resolution. And before I go too much further, let me point out that it's one of two new Sony cameras to capture video at full HD (1,… Read more