Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

compacts

Flames scorch Canon 7D, but flash card survives

Laudably, camera makers are steadily improving how rugged and weatherproof their products are. But there are limits, and being in a flaming car is one of them.

So discovered Swedish photographer Petra Hall and her fiance, whose Canon EOS 7D didn't survive when the MG convertible it was in caught fire inexplicably. It and the 24-105mm lens attached were reduced to a camera-shaped mass of scorched, bubbled plastic.

Happily, no humans were injured in the fire, according to Hall's account of the fire. Gear fetishists, though, might want to avert their gaze before seeing the traces of the red band around the rim of the lens indicating it once was one of Canon's high-end and expensive L-series models.

But here's the happy ending: the SanDisk CompactFlash memory card survived within the camera, and necessary photos were retrieved with no trouble once the card was extracted from the camera body's remains.… Read more

Fujifilm's must-have digicam for 3D lovers?

Although Fujifilm was one of the first manufacturers to have a consumer-focused camera for capturing 3D photo and video with the FinePix Real 3D W1, it didn't seem to be all that popular--at least in the U.S. Maybe that's because it cost nearly $600 and the results could only be viewed on a special 8-inch digital frame that was nearly as expensive; through a computer using an Nvidia 3D vision-ready graphics card while wearing glasses; or $7 lenticular prints. However, that was 2009. The company is back with the follow-up, the Real 3D W3, and not only … Read more

Panasonic LX5 compact addresses LX3 issues

Leaked by Panasonic on its own Web site a week earlier than planned--man, is that getting old--the Lumix DMC-LX5 provides a long-awaited update to its relatively old enthusiast compact camera, the LX3. Because the LX5's specs are so similar to the LX3, a justifiable first response would be "meh."

But Panasonic's made some important changes to the camera that I think will make it a lot stronger and more competitive than its predecessor. These include a new sensor, larger zoom range, improved noise reduction and a better video codec.

Here's a rundown of those specs and how they compare with a few competitors.… Read more

Fujifilm's ultimate compact megazoom?

The FinePix F200EXR was Fujifilm's first camera to feature its Super EXR CCD sensor. Now a little more than a year old, the company is rolling out the follow-up--the F300EXR. It's a significant refresh, too, taking the camera's zoom from 5x to 15x and widening its lens from 28mm to 24mm (35mm equivalent), but keeping the body the same 0.9-inch thickness.

The F300EXR shares the same sensor and shooting features as the Z800EXR, also announced Wednesday. This includes a high-speed hybrid autofocus system using both Contrast AF and Phase Detection AF. The camera is able to … Read more

Obama slips behind the wheel of the Chevy Volt

President Barack Obama on Thursday had a chance to check out the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle during a visit to the Compact Power battery plant in Holland, Mich. LG Chem, the parent of Compact Power, is making the battery cells for the Volt.

The Volt has a reported range of about 340 miles and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt is powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the Volt's lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator seamlessly … Read more

Compact Power's lithium ion battery to power 2011 Ford Focus Electric

Ford Motor Company Tuesday announced that Compact Power Inc. (CPI), a subsidiary of LG Chem, will build the lithium ion battery packs for the Ford Focus Electric, which is slated to go on sale in the U.S. in 2011.

"CPI is an emerging leader in the lithium ion battery field and we are pleased to have them as a strategic supplier as we prepare to bring the Ford Focus Electric to market," said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Sustainable Mobility Products and Hybrid programs. "We are moving aggressively with our electrification strategy and our work to help … Read more

Sony's entry-level camera is just that

Most people buying a $100 pocket camera don't seem to check for reviews before they buy. At least not "expert" reviews. Judging by CNET site traffic, though, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 appears to be an exception. It's the company's entry-level compact that basically exists for AA-battery lovers; the S2100 is the only current Sony camera powered by them.

The S2100 is very basic. Really, its main selling points are the batteries, a 3-inch LCD, and its general ease of use. (Why consumers can only get budget and megazoom cameras that use AA-size batteries, I don'… 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

Transcend releasing SDXC memory card line

Signifying the gradual spread of a new generation of memory card technology for cameras and videocameras, Transcend on Tuesday announced its first SDXC card, a 64GB Class 10 model.

The Secure Digital memory card family has a relatively long and prosperous lineage. Its second generation to today's prevailing SDHC incarnation comes with capacities of up to 32GB, but SDXC (Extended Capacity) starts there and goes to 2TB, offering faster data transfer speeds, too.

Transcend didn't announce availability or a price, but don't expect it to be cheap. SanDisk's slower 64GB Class 4 SDXC card costs about $220 right now, and Panasonic's 64GB Class 10 SDXC card costs about $500.

Another Transcend competitor for cost-conscious buyers, Kingston, announced its 64GB SDXC card earlier this month with a $500 price tag, too. Expect prices to drop gradually as more SDXC cards and more products that use SDXC arrive on the market. … Read more