Digital Photo - Scanners

Sony Teases Alpha ZV-1 Compact Camera

Wed, 20 May 2020 15:48:55 +0100

The Sony Alpha Twitter account teases a compact 4K camera-- the ZV-1, a camera rumours suggest is based on the popular RX100 VII and, as such, is primarily aimed at vloggers and other content creators. The rumours come courtesy of another Twitter account, Nokishita. The digital camera blogger claims to have the press release for the ZV-1, one describing the camera as a 21.0MP shooter featuring a 1.0-type stacked CMOS sensor and "super-fast" autofocus, together with a 24-70mm zoom f/1.8-2.8 len...

WyzeCam v2 Gets Videoconferencing Update

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 09:39:20 +0100

The WyzeCam v2, a low-cost, compact camera designed for streaming security, gets a firmware update allowing use as a webcam, making it ideal for customers forced to work from home by the coronavirus pandemic. As the company puts it, the Wyze Cam v2 is not designed for webcam use, but the combination of video, speaker and microphone allow it act as one in a pinch. The firmware update turns off all security camera capabilities, including connection to the Wyza app, and is compatible with Windows...

Ricoh Intros Ultra-Rugged WG-70

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 17:27:31 +0100

Ricoh announces an addition to the digital compact WG series camera line-- the WG-70, an "ultra-rugged" successor to the WG-60 featuring dedicated shooting modes for underwater and macro photography. The WG-70 has a 16MP 1/2.3-inch backside-illuminated CMOS sensor with maximum sensitivity of SO 6400. It captures 1080p resolution video as well as still photos, and includes a number of focus modes such as 9-point AF, Spot AF and Auto-tracking AF. The onboard lens features a 28-140mm 35mm-equivalen...

A Logitech Webcam for the Apple Pro Display XDR

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 16:40:08 +0100

The Apple Pro Display XDR might be as high-end as monitors come, but it does lack an integrated webcam. Enter a 3rd party solution-- the Logitech 4K Pro Magnetic Webcam specifically designed to work with the display. The 4K Pro Magnetic Webcam attaches to the display using a specially designed stand and a magnet Logitech claims remains attached even when users rotate the display into portrait mode. It should even automatically rotate video input in case the display is rotated, meaning users can ...

The QooCam 8K 360-Degree Pocket Camera

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 17:08:28 +0100

Chinese manufacturer Kandao launches what it is possibly one of the smallest cameras able to capture 360-degree video at 8K resolution-- the genuinely pocket-size QooCam 8K. The QooCam 8K features a large 1/1.7-inch 20MP sensors on both sides, making it a bit thick compared to the competition. It also includes a 2.4-inch OLED touchscreen for footage previews and shot composition, and storage comes through 64GB built-in plus microSD expansion. A 3600mAh battery with USB PD 2.0 fast charging suppo...

October Release for Ivy Rec Clippable Camera

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 15:51:54 +0100

Back in July 2019 Canon took to Indiegogo to launch the Ivy Rec, a small wearable camera complete with built-in carabiner. The crowdfunding was a success, since the company now announces the camera will be heading to retailers soon. In case one needs a refresher, the Ivy Rec is a device the size of a USB stick packing a 13MP one-third-inch CMOS sensor and wireless connectivity via wifi and Bluetooth. It can record 1080p video at up to 60fps, and pushes content to the CanonMini Cam companion smar...

GoPro Launches 2019 Lineup

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 15:18:28 +0100

GoPro updates its action camera offering for 2019 with a choice of two models-- the Hero8 Black, a sequel to the 2018 Hero 7 offering improved video stabilisation, and the dual-lens Max capable of shooting 360-degree video. The Hero8 Black looks very similar to the previous model. It shoots 4K video at 60fps, and includes software features such as HyperSmooth 2.0 video stabilisation, TimeWarp 2.0 speed auto-adjustments, SuperPhoto for more clear HDR action photos and LiveBurst, a means to captur...

The Sigma "World's Smallest" Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 16:05:38 +0100

The Sigma fp is not only the first full-frame mirrorless camera from the company, but is also described as the "smallest and lightest pocketable full-frame camera" in the world. The Sigma fp measures 112.6 x 69.9 x 45.3mm and weighs 370g (without battery or camera). Inside the die-cast compact aluminium body is a back-illuminated 35mm full-frame Bayer sensor with 24.6 effective megapixels. Construction promises to be not only robust, but also includes a built-in heatsink and is sealed in 42 po...

Canon Takes on Clippable Cameras with Ivy Rec

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 16:06:23 +0100

Canon heads to Indiegogo to launch a "clippable, go anywhere camera"-- the Ivy Rec, a camera the size of a USB stick described as both tough and easy to use complete with built-in carabiner. First seen in prototype form back at the March 2019 CP+ camera show in Japan, the Ivy Rec features a 13MP one-third-inch CMOS sensor and wireless connectivity via wifi and Bluetooth. It can record 1080p video at up to 60fps, and pushes content to the CanonMini Cam companion smartphone app. The app also pro...

DJI Takes on Action Cameras With Osmo Action

Wed, 15 May 2019 15:08:28 +0100

Drone maker DJI sets eyes on territories associated with the likes of GoPro as it announces the Osmo Action-- an action camera reminiscent of the GoPro Hero 7 Black, if with the addition of a front-facing selfie display. The Osmo Action promises to be tough, being dustproof, waterproof (up to 11m) and shockproof (up to 1.5m). It carries a 12MP sensor capable of recording 4K 60fps video at 100Mbps, 4K HDR video at 30fps or 1080p video at up to 240fps. Electronic image stabiliation (EIS) is includ...

Canon Returns to Instant Print With Zoemini Cameras

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 15:17:51 +0100

Canon is clearly aware of the recent surge in popularity of instant print cameras-- the Zoemini S and Zoemini C, both holding up to 10 sheets of 2x3-inch (5 x 7cm) Zink film. The Zoemini S is the higher-end model of the two. It features an 8MP sensor and connects with a companion Canon Mini Print app via Bluetooth. The app allows users to download photos to mobile device for uploading to social media, as well as edit images with an array of filters and frame before printing. One can also use the...

Ricoh Shoots 360-Degree RAW Images With Theta Z1

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 16:46:46 +0100

Ricoh announces a higher-end 360-degree camera-- the Theta Z1, a device capable of shooting 23MP images at f/2.1, f/3.5 and f/5.6 through a pair of backside-illuminated 1-inch sensors. The Theta Z1 is very similar to the stick-style 2017 Theta V in terms of design, although the bigger lenses make for a thicker device. A small monochrome OLED screen on the front provides basic information, such as battery life and information. Like the Theta V, the Theta Z1 stitches images together, only at highe...

LG Presents Own 3D Front-Facing Camera

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 16:56:00 +0100

LG is set to announce the latest flagship smartphone at MWC 2018, but it couldn't wait to detail the front-facing camera inside the device-- a collaboration with Infinieon Technologies complete with Time-of-Flight (ToF) technologies). Dubbed the REAL3, the image sensor chip combines Infineon and pmdtechnologies algorithms for processed 3D point clouds, or the set of data points produced by 3D scanning. In addition, while other 3D technologies calculate the distance of an object from the camera l...

The Tiny DJI Osmo Pocket Handheld Gimbal Camera

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 17:07:19 +0100

DJI uses its experience in drone photography to make a remarkably small handheld camera-- the Osmo Pocket, a 12MP camera complete with gimbal stabiliser able to shoot 4K video at up to 60fps. The Osmo Pocket weighs all of 119g and features 3-axis mechanical stabilisation based on technology from smaller DJI drones, such as the Mavic Air. The camera carries a 1/2.3-inch sensor able to capture 4K video at either 30 or 60fps, as well as 12MP photos. A pair of microphones record audio. A 1-inch touc...

The Pixii Connected Digital Rangefinder Camera

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 13:58:11 +0100

French startup Pixii has an interesting idea for a digital camera-- the self-titled Pixii is a digital rangefinder lacking a rear display or memory card, instead pairing with a smartphone for such functionality. “The digital camera hasn’t changed much since the 90s,” the company says. “But now the new generation is learning photography with a smartphone; Who understands why a camera still needs to bother with a screen or an SD card?” Built out of machined aluminium, the Pixii is a fas...

Polaroid Adds Smarts to OneStep+ Instant Film Camera

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 13:51:13 +0100

Impossible Project-owned Polaroid follows on last year's OneStep 2 instant film camera with the OneStep+-- another instant film camera in the classic Polaroid mould, only one with app-connected smarts. The OneStep+ is very similar to the previous model, being an all-plastic camera bearing made in the retro stylings of Type-600 Polaroid instant film cameras. It offers two lenses, one landscape and the other portrait, with switching taking place by simply pressing a button. Like the OneStep 2 it u...

Sony Claims Highest Resolution Phone Camera Sensor

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 16:04:15 +0100

Sony releases the IMX586-- a stacked CMOS image sensor for smartphone cameras with effective resolution of 48 megapixels (8000 x 6000), the highest yet according to the company, within a 1/2-type (8mm diagonal) unit. The sensor uses 0.8-micron pixels, also the smallest on the market. However, small pixels are not essentially a good thing in digital photography, since they can lead to noisy images in low light. Sony does claim to have a solution, since the sensor features uses a quad Bayer colour...

Panasonic Intros Rugged Lumix TS7

Wed, 16 May 2018 15:20:52 +0100

Panasonic announces the Lumix TS7-- a rugged point-and-shoot digital camera with construction offering waterproofing up to 30m and MIL-STD 810F certification for protection against 2m drops. In addition, the Lumix TS7 is dustproof, shockproof and freezeproof down to -10 degrees Celsius. As for actual camera specifications, the features a 20.4MP sensor, 28mm wide-angle 4.6x optical zoom lens, 0.2-inch 1170K-dot equivalent live view finder and a 3-inch LCD monitor at the back....

GoPro Presents Entry-Level Hero

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 16:07:57 +0100

GoPro might be going through tough times, but it it still making cameras-- with the latest being an entry-level Hero model promising to be "the perfect GoPro for kids, adventurous social sharers and travelers." “Hero is a great first GoPro for people looking to share experiences beyond what a phone can capture,” the company says. “Hero makes it easy to share ‘wow’ moments at a price that’s perfect for first-time users.” As an entry-level model, the Hero is not able to shoot 4K or ...

Google to Buy Lytro?

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 16:22:40 +0100

According to TechCrunch, Google plans to buy more digital camera technology with Lytro, the "light field optics" startup best known for cameras allowing users to shoot first and focus later. Founded in 2006 under the name Refocus Imaging, Lytro first started as a hardware maker, selling consumer and professional cameras based on "infinite focus" technology such as the eponymous Lytro and DSLR-style Illum. However the hardware market remains as cutthroat as ever, leading to Lytro refocusing atten...

Rylo 360-Degree Camera Gets Android Support

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 16:22:01 +0100

The Rylo pocket-size 360-degree camera gets Android support via companion app for devices running on the OS complete with video stabilisation, directing and editing capabilities. Launched back in November 2017 for iDevices, the Rylo sits somewhere between the low-cost Insta360 One and high-end GoPro Fusion cameras. It features a pair of 208-degree lenses and auto-stabilisation technology, and records video as a 4K resolution 360-degree sphere. Video transfers between camera and app take place ...

Fujifilm Presents X-A5 Mirrorless Camera

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 16:23:36 +0100

Fujifilm announces a retro-style mirrorless camera-- the X-A5, an update on the entry-level X-A3 featuring a 24.2MP Bayer sensor with on-chip phase detection, faster autofocus, 4K video and a microphone input. Part of the company's X-A series line of APS-C cameras, the X-A5 is comes wrapped in brown, pink or black faux leather. The design is more or less identical to the X-A3, with the same controls and articulated touchscreen customers can flip up by 180-degrees for easy selfie snapping. On th...

Faster Photo Transfers With CamFi Pro

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 17:12:08 +0100

CamFi promises faster wireless photo transfers between cameras and PCs with the Pro-- a camera controller using 802.11ac wifi to push photos 2-3x faster than the wifi found built-in most camera bodies. According to the company, most wifi-enabled cameras use 802.11n, meaning photo transfers can take as long as 30 seconds. The Pro doubles the speed through a connection reaching up to 10MB/s, an improvement over the 2MB/s of many built-in connection systems. This allows users to transfer larger RAW...

Razer Intros Webcam, Mic for Streamers

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 15:55:27 +0100

Accessory maker Razer announces a pair of "streamer certified" peripherals-- the Kiyo, a webcam with built-in ring lighting, and the Seiren X USB condenser microphone. The Kiyo features an adjustable ring light with 12 white LEDs users can control to 12 levels of brightness. It has a 4MP camera able to record either 1080p video at 30fps or 720p video at 60fps, and is compatible with the XSplit and Open Broadcaster Software streaming tools. Connectivity comes through 1.5m braided USB 2.0 cable. ...

GoPro Intros Hero 6 Black, Fusion Cameras

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 15:57:43 +0100

GoPro continues to battle it out against both smartphones and the rest of the action camera competition as it presents the Hero 6 Black and the Fusion, the company's take on the 360-degree cameras. As a refresh of both Hero and Black GoPro camera lines, the Hero 6 Black offers all the features expected from a high-end action camera. It shoots 4K video at 60fps, as well as slow motion at 2.7K at 120fps and super-slo-mo 240fps at 1080p resolution. Dynamic range should also be improved for better i...

Acer 360-Degree Cameras at IFA 2017

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 16:09:40 +0100

IFA 2017 has Acer launch a pair of 360-degree LTE-connected cameras-- the Holo360 and the Vision360, with the former aimed at general use and the latter being an in-car dash cam. The Holo360 is the size and shape of a smartphone, and uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor to stitch 4K resolution 360-degree videos. It features a 3-inch touchscreen and runs on Android 7.1, making it easy to share videos without need for connection to a smartphone or PC....

Insta360 Presents Flexible 360 Camera

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 15:05:07 +0100

360-degree camera maker Insta360 presents another product ideal for customers wanting to take more immersive photography-- the Insta360 One, a camera able to shoot 24MP stills and 4K resolution video. The One is a small device the size of a small sausage link. It features 2 cameras, and can either be plugged into the iPhone Lightning port or used remotely, with the phone acting as Bluetooth controller. Gyroscopic stabilisation promises more steady video recording, the main body has a built-in tr...

Logitech Intros BRIO 4K Stream Edition

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 15:23:00 +0100

Customers with a penchant for games streaming get an appropriate Logitech webcam bundle-- the BRIO 4K Stream Edition, a camera able to push 4K video at 60fps with HDR, as well as 1080p at 60fps. “With BRIO 4K Stream Edition, we’ve optimised our popular BRIO camera for streaming," the company says. "The result is a webcam that has everything a pro broadcaster could want to better engage with their audience. On top of capturing live all details in 4K, the frame rate priority mode enables 1080p...

A "Lensless" Camera for Flat Phones?

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 08:57:55 +0100

Caltech researchers claim to create a camera lacking one of the most basic components, the lens. Instead, the "lensless camera" uses what is dubbed an "ultra-thin optical phased array" (OPA). According to the researchers, the OPA does what lenses do-- manipulate incoming light-- computationally instead of optically. Whereas lenses bend incoming light to focus it on a piece of film or an optical sensor, the OPA uses an array of light receivers to add a tightly controlled time delay (or phase shif...

Amazon Judges You With Echo Look

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:33:46 +0100

Amazon reveals its rumoured security camera product-- only it is not a security camera at all, since the Echo Look is actually an Alexa-powered "style assistant" camera. The Echo Look consists of a depth-sensing camera with a built-in LED light, microphone and base mount. It acts as something of a smart mirror, allowing users to take full-length photos or short videos of their different outfits, before asking Alexa what it thinks of said outfit. No, really....

The Huawei 360-Degree Camera for Phones

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 16:38:48 +0100

Huawei teams up with camera maker Insta360 to launch the Honor VR Camera-- a 360-degree clip-on camera designed for use with the Chinese company's Honor smartphone range. Not much in terms of details on the Honor VR Camera is known as yet, other than it featuring "3K photography" support and live-streaming capabilities. As one might imagine it works together with an Insta360-developed companion app for the saving and sharing of 360-degree videos and snaps....

Nikon Cancels DL Series Cameras

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 10:48:14 +0100

Back in February 2016 Nikon announces the DL series, a trio of "premium compact" 4K cameras. However the cameras are not to reach customers, since it has been cancelled. The three cameras featured the same 1-inch CX sensor found in the Nikon 1 series cameras. They were also supposedly fairly capable, with the DL18-50 and DL24-85 offering variable f1.8-2.8 apertures, 4K video and fast shooting speeds (20fps in with continuous focus, 60fps without). However, despite showing such promise, the seri...

Logitech Claims Best Webcam Yet

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 15:39:57 +0100

Logitech states the Brio is its best webcam yet-- one featuring 4K recording complete with HDR support and RightLight 3 technology to improve images in low-light conditions. Described as the "Tesla of webcams," the Brio has a glass and metal body, and is one the first webcams to take advantage of YouTube's recently announced 4K streaming support. The combination of HDR and RightLight 3 promises better images and video, with RightLight extending the range in lighting conditions and HDR balancing ...

Polaroid Snaps and Prints Photos With Pop

Fri, 06 Jan 2017 11:02:02 +0100

The iconic Polaroid brand celebrates its 80th anniverasry with the CES 2017 launch of the Pop-- a square-shaped digital camera featuring Zero Ink technology for instant photo printing. Like the cameras that made Polaroid its name the Pop produces 9 x 11cm prints, only through the application of heat to special dyes embedded in the paper, rather than ink. Taking the actual photos is a 20MP CMOS sensor, while storage comes through a microSD slot (supports cards up to 128GB)....

Nikon Takes on Action Cameras With KeyMission

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 14:05:10 +0100

Photokina 2016 sees Nikon announce an action camera duo-- the KeyMission 360, the first camera from the company able to shoot 360-degree 4K/UHD video and the ruggedised KeyMission 170. The KeyMission 360 captures 360-degree video through a pair of f/2.0 lenses and two 20MP CMOS sensors before stitching footage together through built-in software. It also offers a variety of shooting modes, such as Superlapse, Time-Lapse and Loop, and also takes 360-degree 30MP still panoramas. Nikon says the cam...

Nikon Intros Entry-Level D3400 DSLR

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:21:40 +0100

Aspiring photographers get an entry-level Nikon DSLR option with the D3400-- a camera featuring a 24.2MP CMOS sensor and always-on Bluetooth LE to automatically transfer photos to smartphones via SnapBridge app. The D3400 is lighter (by 15%, making it weigh 395g) than its predecessor, the 2-year old D3300, but features the same 24.2MP CMOS sensor and EXPEED 4 image sensor. It also lacks a low pass filter, a feature allowing for more detailed images. However Nikon says auto white balance performa...

Ricoh Buys Eyefi Cloud Service

Wed, 22 Jun 2016 13:35:37 +0100

Ricoh acquires Eyefi Cloud, the cloud-based image hosting service owned by Eyefi, maker of the Mobi and Mobi Pro wifi-enabled SD memory cards. Financial details of the deal are not available. Following the sale Eyefi retains control of the Mobi SD card business. “This unique blending of technology and expertise creates new opportunities to enhance value for our customers,” a Ricoh email to Eyefi Cloud users reads. “The Eyefi Cloud team will immediately join Ricoh and is excited about brin...

Facebook Live Gets First Camera

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 09:59:49 +0100

The annual F8 developer conference had Facebook release the API of the Live video streaming feature, an announcement accompanied by the reveal of a first compatible camera-- the Livestream Mevo. Formerly known as the Movi back when it was announced at CES 2016, the Mevo is a small cylindrical camera. Armed with a wide angle lens, it shoots 4K video and features software allowing users to essentially split a 4K image into multiple separate 1080p video feeds acting as virtual camera angles....

The Impossible App-Enabled Instant Camera

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:08:17 +0100

Impossible Project breathes new life in the instant camera concept as it reveals the I-1-- a Polaroid-style camera offering customers the pleasures of instant analog photography with a connected twist. The company behind the I-1 is best known for the production of reverse engineered Polaroid type 600-style instant film, as well as the refurbishing and resale of old Polaroid type 600 cameras. As such, the I-1 is the company's first foray into own photography hardware. It features a sleek matte bl...

VR Livestreaming via Orah 4i

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 10:39:24 +0100

VideoStitch, developer of the 360-degree video software of the same name, presents a 360-degree camera solution-- the Orah 4i, a small device promising to make shooting and broadcasting VR-ready video easier. A number of VR video recording solutions already exist on the market, but these tend to be either multi-camera rigs or lower-end devices unable to offer livestreaming. The Orah 4i, on the other hand, is a simpler webcam-style solution with broadcasting capabilities. It consists of 2 parts, ...

Ricoh Presents WG-M2 Action Cam

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 14:44:51 +0100

Ricoh announces the WG-M2 action camera at MWC 2016-- an update on the rugged WG-M1 featuring a smaller and lighter design, 4K video capability and an ultra-wide 204-degree field of view. The WG-M2 shoots 4K resolution video at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps and 720p at 120fps, all with 100Mbps bitrate and a video orientation feature ensuring video is recorded upright even if the camera is mounted sideways or upside down. It also shoots 8MP photos, making it comparable to mid-range action camera offering...

Panasonic Intros Selfie-Focused Lumix GF8

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 11:35:12 +0100

Panasonic launches the Lumix GF8-- a digital single lens mirrorless (DSLM) sequel to the 2015 GF7 with a focus on users' more narcissistic side with the addition of more features to the selfie mode. The GF8 has mostly identical specs to the GF7-- namely a 16MP Digital Live MOS sensor, 5.8fps shooting speed, 1080/60p video recording and built-in wifi smartphone connectivity. Likewise it features a 3-inch touchscreens users can tilt upward by 180-degrees to make the snapping of self portraits a, w...

How to Stablise Video From (Most) Cameras

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 12:44:18 +0100

A company named SteadXP claims to have a namesake device allowing users to eliminate jitters from video shot using almost any camera, be it a GoPro, DSLR or even pro-grade cinema equipment. The SteadXP is essentially a small box containing a 3-axis accelerometer and gyroscope, as well as 32-bit ARM processor, microSD card slot and USB connectivity. It records the motion data of the shot in question in order to build a smooth, steadicam-style version. The device is available in 2 versions-- one ...

Ricoh Updates Theta 360-Degree Cameras

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 12:46:42 +0100

Ricoh adds to the lightweight Theta 360-degree camera lineup at IFA 2015-- the Theta S, a device promising "extra-high resolution, fully spherical photos and videos in one simple shot." The Theta S captures either spherical 14MP photos or up to 25 minutes of 1920x1080 spherical video through a 24MP sensor, "fast" f2.0 lenses and a proprietary ultra-small twin-lens folded-optical system. It carries 8GB of built-in storage and an improved wifi module for faster data transfers between PCs or mo...

Nokia VR Product is… A Camera

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 10:24:35 +0100

Nokia unveils the virtual reality product we reported on earlier last week-- the Ozo, a spherical camera for the filming of virtual reality video designed for professional, not consumer, applications. A creation of the Nokia Technologies division, the Ozo looks a bit like a Star Wars prop. It captures 360-degree video through 8 synchronised shutter sensors, and carries 8 integrated audio for the recording of surround audio. Meanwhile built-in software allows real-time viewing of shot footage thr...

GoPro Hero4 Session Goes Smaller, Lighter

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 13:10:20 +0100

GoPro launches the Hero4 Session-- the smallest and lightest action camera from the company, one featuring many features from its bigger siblings, including connectivity (via wifi or Bluetooth) with mobile devices. The Hero4 Session comes in the shape of a small black box, and can shoot video at 1080p60, 720p100 or 1440p30, as well as take 8MP photos in single, burst or time-lapse modes. It also features Auto Low Light recording, SuperView wide angles and a stripped-down Protune video editor. ...

GoPro Buys Into Virtual Reality

Wed, 06 May 2015 13:57:59 +0100

Action camera maker GoPro sets to tackle the emerging virtual reality market as it acquires Kolor, a French developer of software for the creation of immersive "spherical content," for an undisclosed sum. Kolor software stitches multiple photographs or videos into high-resolution 360-degree panoramas. It is something of a pioneer in the field, having created the first interactive VR YouTube video with Intel. GoPro describes such content as an "essential building block" of VR, since it is best co...

Intel Shrinks RealSense Camera

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 10:32:26 +0100

Intel presents a smaller version of its RealSense 3D camera technology at Intel Developer Forum, Shenzhen-- one fitting a 6-inch prototype smartphone to provide such devices with gesture control akin to the Microsoft Kinect. As well as reduced dimensions, Intel says the latest version of RealSense offers longer detection range and lower thermal output. However the actual module was not shown in action at the event, suggesting Chipzilla is still not ready to go into manufacturing just yet. Mind,...

Olympus Presents Smartphone Camera Lens

Thu, 05 Feb 2015 11:18:03 +0100

Olympus takes on the "lens camera" concept seen in the Sony QX product family-- the Olympus Air A01, an accessory users physically and wirelessly connect to their smartphones for "SLR-quality" photography. The Air A01 features a 16MP Live MOS sensor and can snap up to 320 shots on a single charge. It pairs with a number of Olympus photography smartphone apps (including one that replicates a physical camera mode dial and any number of filters) and is compatible with all Micro Four Third lenses ...

GoPro Hero Gets 4th Edition

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:31:30 +0100

GoPro announces its next generation of action cameras-- the Hero4, reportedly the highest performance camera lineup from the company, with three options to suit all price points. The flagship camera is the Hero4 Black. It promises twice the performances of the previous generation Black camera, being able to capture 4K viedo at 30fps, 2.7K video at 50fps and 1080p video at 120fps. The 4K shooting mode also allows users to extract 8.3MP photos out of each frame. In still photography mode the came...

Panasonic Launches Camera/Phone Hybrid

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:03:44 +0100

Panasonic might have stopped selling Eluga smartphones in Europe, but it is still to give up on the mobile device dream-- the Japanese company announces the DMC-CM1, a photography-focused handset. Revealed at Photokina 2014, the CM1 is the first device of its hybrid ilk to carry a 1-inch 20MP CMOS sensor together with f/2.8 Leica optics, mechanical shutter and a manual control ring. It also looks unlike any other smartphone on the market, with retro-style silver metal and mate black casing simil...

Olympus Goes for Selfies With PEN E-PLZ

Thu, 28 Aug 2014 10:28:08 +0100

Olympus makes the taking of selfies easier for your customers with the PEN E-PL7, a micro four thirds camera with a retro-style body and a 3-inch touchscreen one can flip downwards by 180 degrees. To make the taking of self portraits even easier if the screen is flipped the camera automatically enters a special mode with a shutter button on the touchscreen and time-delayed (by 1 second) photo snapping. Further making the E-PL7 more attractive to smartphone users is a selection of Instagram-styl...

Sony Debuts "Smallest" a5100 Camera

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:42:06 +0100

Sony launches what it claims is the smallest interchangeable-lens digital camera around-- the a5100, a pocket-size number featuring a 24.3MP APS-C sensor, built-in flash and wifi. It carries the same hybrid autofocus system (which Sony claims pairs 179 phase-detection points with 25 contrast-detection points) and BIONZ X image processing engine as the previous a6000, if within a smaller design. However it lacks an electronic viewfinder, and all physical control dials are replaced by tilting 3-in...

The Polaroid Cube Action Camera

Wed, 13 Aug 2014 12:33:27 +0100

Polaroid takes on the GoPro and its action camera ilk with the Cube-- a small (3.5mm) camera packing a 124° wide-angle lens and 1080p video recording capability inside water and shock resistant rubber casing. First revealed back at CES 2014, the Cube also takes 6MP photos, with up to 32GB storage (via microSD card) and a built-in battery promising up to 90 minutes of recording time....

The Smallest Wireless Scanner Yet?

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 10:11:03 +0100

Switzerland-based Dacuda presents what it claims is the smallest wireless scanner in the world-- the PocketScan, a compact scanner able to, well, scan and transfer images to PCs and mobile devices. The PocketScan measures 95 x 27 x 50mm, weights 85g and connects to devices via Bluetooth. It scans images at resolutions of 400dpi or higher, and features SLAM Scan technologies for what Dacuda say is "true what-you-see-is-what-you-get" scans. To scan users simply need to move the scanner across an ...

The Animated Gif-Cranking Camera

Wed, 21 May 2014 08:34:24 +0100

Digital photography is all well and good, but what if customers ask for an easy way to snap animated pictures? Next Thing suggests a solution with the Otto, an animated gif-taking camera. Essentially a Raspberry Pi microcomputer and a lens inside a disposable camera-style case, the Otto features a rotating crank next to the regular shutter button. Capturing an animated picture simply involves rewinding the crank by one turn, before an app syncs the recording as an animated gif on smartphones. A...

360-Degree Video, Via Donut Camera

Wed, 07 May 2014 12:56:02 +0100

A group of ex-Apple engineers launch a means for customers to shoot 4K resolution panoramic video-- the Centr, a donut-shaped device small enough to fit in the palm of one's hand. Based on the team's earlier work in military and broadcast cameras, the Centre promises eliminate all the work panoramic video requires, namely the dealing with multiple SD cards and image alignment. It shoots using four independent HD image sensors, while built-in calibration ensures seamless real-time panoramic image...

Another Call-Making Samsung Camera

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:39:07 +0100

Samsung follows the Galaxy S 4 Zoom by grafting improved camera optics on a better smartphone-- resulting in the Galaxy K Zoom, essentially a Galaxy S5 variant with a 20.7MP sensor and 10x optical zoom. The K Zoom carries a 4.8-inch 1280x720 resolution display, runs on Android 4.4 and features camera-focused software such as a "selfie alarm" and a Pro Suggest mode for optimised photo filters. Oddly enough it is powered by two processors (one quad-core 1.3GHz, the other dual-core 1.7GHz) togethe...

Lytro Camera Goes DSLR-Style

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 09:50:34 +0100

"Light field camera" maker Lytro releases a high-end version of the point-and-shoot camera sharing its name-- the Illum, a DSLR-style offering complete with oversized optics, larger sensor and faster CPU. For readers not in the know, light field photography allows users to shoot first and focus later. Essentially a lens array and sensor combo captures the colour, intensity and vector direction of light rays, and special software uses that data to create 3D images with adjustable depth of field. ...

Samsung's Ultimate Selfie Camera

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:25:14 +0100

Your more self-absorbed customers might have an easier way of taking self portraits with the Samsung NX mini, a camera with a flip-up 3-inch display and hands-free "wink shot" mode for the perfect selfie. Once it detects a wink the camera shoots automatically after 2 seconds. The feature even handles multiple persons in-shot for "wefies," as well as a bevy of social connectivity options via wifi and NFC. Clever! As well as selfie-taking capability Samsung says claims the NX mini is the slimmest...

The Polaroids of CES 2014

Wed, 08 Jan 2014 13:28:49 +0100

Ailing photography pioneer Polaroid makes a comeback at CES 2014 with a pair of surprises-- the long awaited retro-styled Socialmatic camera and the C3, an wide-angle action camera inside a small cube. The Socialmatic has been a long time coming. It started off as a 2012 concept for a modern take on classic instant-print cameras, before Polaroid actually took up the idea to make an actual camera. And like the concept, it still combines a 14MP digital camera with a Zero Ink (ZINK) printer inside ...

The First Tizen Device: A Smart Camera

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 16:19:36 +0100

Samsung reveals the first consumer device running on Tizen, the open source Linux-based mobile device OS, at the Tizen Developer Summit-- not a smartphone or a tablet but a camera, specifically NX300M smart camera. The NX300M is a refresh of the Android-powered NX300 mirrorless camera. It features a 3.31-inch AMOLED rotatable touchscreen, 20.3MP APS-C sensor, dual-channel wifi and NFC support. Technically the camera is not the first Tizen device available. That particular honour belongs to a d...

Intel Details "Depth Sensing" Cameras

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:32:18 +0100

Intel is working on "depth sensing" cameras to "bridge the gap between the real and virtual world," perceptual products and solutions director Anil Nanduri tells IDG News-- a technology to appear in ultrabooks and laptops by H2 2014. According to the company such cameras will bring about a level of interaction far beyond keyboard, mouse or even touchscreen interfaces, being able to identify characteristics, contours and shapes of items in view. "You'll add the ability to sense your excitement, ...

Autographer Wearable Camera Ships

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 09:05:59 +0100

After over 6 months of beta testing OMG Life launches the Autographer-- the so-called "world's first intelligent wearable camera" for customers wanting to further document their lives. The concept behind the Autographer is similar to other wearable cameras, such as the Memoto. Users wear the camera (via clip or lanyard) and it automatically snaps photos, using 5 sensors (colour, temperature, magnetometer, motion and acceleration) to determine when to best take a picture. The device measures 37....

Bloomberg: Nikon Eyes Smartphones

Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:33:03 +0100

As point-and-shoot camera sales drop, so do Nikon earnings-- therefore there is no surprise when president Makoto Kimura admits to Bloomberg the company is looking into ways to tap into smartphone growth. “The number of people taking snapshots is exploding by use of smartphones that sold 750 million or so last year and are still growing,” Kimura says. “We’ve centralized our ideas around cameras but can change our approach to offer products to that bigger market.” According to Kimura ...

Smartphone+10x Optical Zoom=Galaxy S4 Zoom

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:15:05 +0100

Samsung takes a second shot at the marriage of point-and-shoot camera and Android smartphone with the Galaxy S4 Zoom-- an Android 4.2 handset with a 16MP camera and 10x zoom lens grafted at the back. The device should remind readers armed with longer memories of the Galaxy Camera, the 2012 Samsung take on the Android-powered digital camera. However customers can make calls with the Zoom, a functionality the Camera lacks. Specs-wise the Zoom is similar to the recently announced Galaxy S4 mini-...

Wearable Lifelogging via Memoto

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:35:30 +0100

A Swedish company has plans for a wearable camera-app combination allowing customers to automatically capture "every moment" of their lives-- the Memoto, a lifelogging device the size of a postage stamp. The little device carries a 5MP camera, a GPS and an accelerometer. It clips onto clothing and automatically takes a photo (complete with timestamp and GPS position log) every 30 seconds. A micro USB port allows recharging and connection to PC. Once connected to PC the camera uploads photos to...

Canon Reflects on Mirrorless Cameras

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 08:58:15 +0100

Canon announces the EOS M-- the first take on the fast-growing "mirrorless" camera segment from a company best known for bulkier single-lens-reflex (SLR) models. "Mirrorless" cameras lack conventional mirror-based viewfinders (using a digital equivalent) allowing for lighter, more compact bodies with the capability for intechangeable lenses. The EOS M has an 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor and uses lenses from the Canon SLR range, as the use of "EOS" name indicates. It ships with either a standard 22mm ...

ScanSnap Scans to Mobiles, Cloud

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:41:16 +0100

Fujitsu subsidiary PFU launches the ScanSnap S1300i-- now able transfer scans directly to either mobile devices or cloud storage services. The ScanSnap Folder application connector streamlines scanning to 3rd party applications, sending scans to wifi-connected Android and iOS devices, as well as services such as Evernote, Google Docs, Dropbox, SurgarSync and Salesforce. The scanner features scanning speeds of up to 12 pages per minute (A4, colour, 150 dpi) or 24 images in duplex mode. It featur...

Beyond Megapixels with Gigapixels

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 08:52:52 +0100

None of your customers' DSLRs are a match against what a team at Duke Unversity, Durham, has built using off-the-shelf electronics-- the AWARE-2, a camera able to shoot 1000-megapixel (or one gigapixel) pictures. Described in scientific magazine Nature, the AWARE-2 consists of 98 identical 14-megapixel microcameras looking through a single large spherical lens. Each microcamera uses own optics and runs independent autofocus and exposure algorithms, before an image processor stitches together 98 ...

A Real Life Instagram Camera

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:26:51 +0100

Sometimes an idea is crazy enough to might actually work-- like the Socialmatic, a concept for an Instagram-powered digital Polaroid camera from Antonio De Rosa. For those of you not in the know, Instagram is a smartphone camera app for iPhones and Androids. It turns regular digital snaps into "artsy" vintage-style photos, with a number of filters emulating classic film cameras (chiefly Polaroid instant cameras). The Socialmatic proposal looks fairly interesting-- it suggests the camera should ...

The Smallest Colour Scanner

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:43:40 +0100

PlanOn System Solutions launches the ScanStik-- a pen-sized full page colour scanner the company claims is the smallest in the world. Describing it as "an office in the pocket," PlanOn says the ScanStik scans a whole page at once-- just like a flat-bed scanner, only without the bulk, with a "click and scan" function scanning a full page in just 4 seconds. After scanning, users simply connect the ScanStik to PC via USB to transfer, organise and edit scans via included ABBYY Fine Reader SE and Pa...

Polaroid Gives Birth to the Smartcamera?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:25:41 +0100

Is it an Android phone with a Polaroid camera module, or a Polaroid camera with an Android phone inside? CES 2012 attendees were left with that dilemma when Polaroid revealed the SC1630 Android HD Smart Camera. In simple words, the SC1630 is the fusion of digital camera and Android smartphone-- a 16MP point-and-shooter carrying a micro SIM slot and 850/1900/2100MHz WCDMA and 850/900/1800/1900 GSM radios, together with wifi, Bluetooth, GPS and FM radio connectivity. The camera has F3.1-F5.6 aper...

The Disney-Branded iPad Camera

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:01:34 +0100

The iPad 2 might have a camera, but it is a pretty terrible one-- which is why the Disney-branded Sakar AppClix camera might make an interesting purchase for your customers. It attaches to the tablet via Apple 30-pin port and works with a free Disney Pix app. Specification-wise, it has a 7.1MP camera (with 4X zoom), a microSD card slot and a 1.5" LCD display for photo previews. The app allows basic editing and the addition of Disney-themed graphics to photos, as well as picture transfer to emai...

Scanning Anytime, Anywhere

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:15:05 +0100

Your customers might find good use for a portable scanner-- which is where the Doxie Go self-contained scanner comes in. The Doxie Go is battery powered (doing 100 scans on a single charge) and carries expandable built-in storage saving up to 600 pages or 2400 photos. It scans at 600dpi resolution, with automatic contrast, rotation and cropping functions. The company includes Doxie 2.0 software-- allowing users to sync scans online and create searchable pdfs (via ABBYY OCR technology) and multi...

Connected Cameras for W.Europe's Future

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:40:41 +0100

Digital Cameras need to become connected if they are to compete in the W. European market, InfoTrends predicts. As TVs, STBs, games consoles, mobile phones, tablet PCs and MP3 players all get online, the digital camera risks losing out. Current smartphones already allow instant photo sharing over social networks-- something digital cameras generally don't. Consumers will soon be expecting this functionality from their digital cameras, alongside instant interfacing with any devices used to store,...

Polaroid updates instant print

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:32:57 +0100

Polaroid will market a hand-size printer that produces color snapshots in about 30 seconds. The printer connects by Bluetooth to phones and by cable to cameras and costs about $150. Prints are 5cm by 7.6 cm (or about the size of a credit card).

Go Polaroid:

Sony’s Alpha Digital SLR

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:32:35 +0100

Sony’s top-of-the-range digital SLR camera made an appearance at the Photo Imaging Expo in Tokyo The model has a full-frame sensor with a resolution of 24.6 megapixels and image stabilization. So you’ll see it at IFA or Photokina this autumn....