ultracompacts

Sony Cyber-shots go 3D

Regardless of your feelings about 3D, there's really no stopping the onslaught of products now. Hence we have Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-TX9 and DSC-WX5 that offer the ability to shoot 3D panorama photos.

The TX9 replaces the TX7, which is barely 6 months old. It has the same body, touch-screen LCD, and lens as that camera, but its backside-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor gets a resolution bump from 10 to 12 megapixels. The WX5 replaces 2009's WX1 and again is built essentially the same as its predecessor, but with the higher-resolution sensor. However, along with the increased megapixels come important shooting feature differences.

First, there's that 3D stuff. In addition to the Intelligent Sweep Panorama found on Sony's earlier Exmor R-based models, these have a 3D Sweep Panorama. Press the shutter release, sweep the camera vertically or horizontally, and the camera captures left and right images and then stitches them together. You then connect the camera by HDMI to your 3D-ready HDTV, pop on your glasses, and enjoy. The results are good, especially considering how easy it is to create them and that they're single-lens cameras as opposed to dual-lens cameras like Fujifilm's Real 3D W1.

The 3D fun doesn't stop there, though. Both cameras have a Sweep Multi Angle option that captures a series of shots at different angles and then combines them into one shot. Tilting the camera left and right plays through the photos, creating a lenticular lens effect. The result is very similar to what you can do with any camera and Start 3D, but these can only be viewed on the camera. And going by what was said at the demo Sony gave us, it seems like it's mostly just a gimmick to sell 3D cameras at retail stores to people who don't own 3D HDTVs. … Read more

Is your perfect camera coming soon?

The number of compact and ultracompact digital cameras available from major manufacturers is overwhelming--and it's about to get worse. Before summer's out, most of the companies will have announced a new batch of point-and-shoot models in an attempt to woo you into upgrading or at least penciling them into your holiday shopping budget. Judging by the reader e-mails I receive, none of the current crop seem to have all of the features you desire, so maybe some new options are exactly what's needed.

My fear, though, is it'll just be more of the same, with too … Read more

Panasonic FX75 is wide, bright, extra Intelligent

It's always nice when the highlight of a touch-screen camera isn't the LCD. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX75, for example, has a 3-inch touch-screen LCD, but the main attraction is really the lens: a compact ultrawide-angle 24-120mm-equivalent lens with a maximum aperture of f2.2 and a 5x zoom. The 14-megapixel ultracompact features the company's Sonic Speed AF system, too, for fast focusing and low shutter lag.

Unlike some previous FX models, this one doesn't appear to have semimanual or manual shooting modes; it's got a whole lot of automatic and scene modes. Fortunately, Panasonic's … Read more

Casio refreshes budget-friendly ultracompacts

Though budget cameras aren't exciting news, they are what a lot of people end up buying--especially as gifts for friends and family. Casio's low-end models are better than most, too, which is what makes them even more worthy of coverage. The EX-S7 and EX-Z35 are updates to 2009's EX-Z33 and EX-S5.

The 12-megapixel S7 uses Casio's Exilim Engine 5, improving image processing and battery life (it uses a rechargeable lithium ion). On its front is a 3x f3.1-5.6 36-107mm-equivalent lens. On its back is a 2.7-inch LCD and, along with the camera's … 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

Canon rolls out four PowerShots for spring

Canon's PowerShots are my go-to cameras for best photo quality. However, when it comes to cutting-edge features or shooting options, the company tends to lag behind much of the competition. I'm still on the fence about whether this is a bad thing, but regardless, Monday it announced four PowerShots, three of them refreshes of older models as well as the new SD3500 IS. Judging by the specs, my opinion holds true.

Overall, the updated models don't appear all that different from the prior models; just some minor improvements to features, boosts in resolution (hooray, more 14-megapixel compacts), a couple new photo effects, and Eye-Fi support. The SD3500 looks good for those who like touch-screen interfaces, but otherwise it doesn't seem to break new ground for the category.

Lastly, it looks like Canon is steering clear of optical viewfinders, so if you need an ultracompact camera with one, I suggest you pick up an SD780 IS or SD1200 IS while they're still around; the SD1400 IS and SD1300 IS will replace them, respectively.

PowerShot SX210 IS 14 megapixels 14x 28mm-equivalent wide-angle lens 3-inch LCD HD video (720p) with stereo sound HDMI output Optical image stabilization Dynamic mode reducing camera shake while recording movies New Fisheye and Miniature effects Eye-Fi support SD/SDHC memory cards Lithium ion rechargeable battery Choice of black, purple, and gold $349.99, March 2010… Read more

Touch-screen model added to Fujifilm EXR lineup

Fujifilm continues to grow its selection of cameras that use its Super CCD EXR sensor technology, which makes sense since the sensors actually perform very well. And with a 5x zoom compact camera, a full-size 14x megazoom, and two 10x compact megazoom models available, it also makes sense to add an ultracompact in the mix.

The 12-megapixel F700EXR features an internal periscopic Fujinon lens with a 5x zoom. All of the manufacturer's latest shooting features are included, like Face Recognition, Pet Detection (yes, it optimizes focus on the faces of dogs and cats), tagging of photos and movies for … Read more

Fujifilm's camera for style, budget conscious

The most interesting thing about the Fujifilm FinePix Z70 is its design. Yes, it's slim and looks nice, but it uses an internal periscopic lens to achieve its 5x optical zoom. Generally, ultracompacts with internal lenses use folded optics, which don't always take the best photos. We don't know if this design will result in better photos, but it's at least interesting as to how it achieved that 5x zoom in such a small space. Regardless, Fujifilm jammed it into a 0.7-inch thick body and a slide-down lens cover turns the whole thing on.

Like … Read more

Megazoom with GPS star of five Samsung camera announcements

Out from the avalanche of CES announcements and way before any PMA 2010 releases, Samsung drops five new models. None of them is all that exciting, though, which could explain the odd timing.

Whatever the reason, the most interesting is probably the HZ35W, a compact 15x megazoom with an ultrawide-angle lens, full manual controls, and built-in GPS for instant geotagging. A partner model, the HZ30W, is almost identical except the GPS is jettisoned and the screen is an LCD instead of an AMOLED. They're follow-ups to the HZ15W/HZ10W that had pretty mediocre photo quality and some design issues; hopefully those have been ironed out in this round.

Also announced were three ultracompacts: the Samsung TL110, the TL104, and the SL630. The two TL-series models are particularly thin at less than 0.7 inch, and the SL630 is just normal thin. All three feature wide-angle lenses, but are otherwise unremarkable.

They will all be out in February/March and, in true Samsung fashion, no prices were released.

Samsung HZ35W: 12 megapixels 24mm-equivalent wide-angle lens with 15x zoom 3-inch AMOLED screen GPS (geotagging, visual map, real-time location display) 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.1 inches 720p video (HDMI out) Full manual controls March 2010 Samsung HZ30W: 12 megapixels 24mm-equivalent wide-angle lens with 15x zoom 3-inch LCD 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.1 inches 720p video (HDMI out) Full manual controls March 2010… 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