Review: Sony Handycam HDR-SR11
Sony’s Handycam HDR-SR11 is a 60GB hard-drive-based AVCHD camcorder which delivers top notch performance and image quality. The Sony’s HDR-SR11 Handycam camcorder offers Excellent video, impressive still photos for a camcorder, adequate manual controls, nice CAM CTL dialing and docking station. The HDR-SR11 capture extremely detailed video in Full 1920 x 1080 High Definition resolution, as well as stunning 10.2 megapixel still photos by its 3.2 inch wide (16:9) Touch Panel XtraFine LCD Display (921K pixels) along with 12X Optical / 150X Digital Zoom.
The Sony Handycam HDR-SR11 includes a loads of features such as “Face Detection technology” which recognizes up to 8 faces anywhere in the frame and automatically controls focus, exposure, and color to help capture smiling faces brightly and clearly, “5 Megapixel ClearVid CMOS image sensor” that delivers bright, vivid, and spectacularly detailed vedio footage as well as images, with “Exmor Technology” that captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity and “BIONZ Image Processor” which improves camera response time and screens out noise so the signal from each pixel.
Review: Canon PowerShot A590 IS
Canon’s new A model -the Canon PowerShot A590 IS is a mid-priced compact digital camera which will astound you with its power-packed performance and impressive value. The Canon PowerShot A590 IS’s manual exposure controls and surprisingly sharp pictures make it a great choice in the market. The PowerShot A590 IS digital camera is having the broad features including 8.0-megapixels, a 4x optical zoom, an Optical Image Stabilizer a large 2.5-inch LCD and fast shutter speed. It also offers a DIGIC III Image Processor with Enhanced Canon Face Detection results, Motion Detection Technology to reduces blur and attach wide or telephoto converter lenses.The A590 IS provides a range of shooting modes -from manual to automatic, shutter priority to aperture priority and scene to movie. In spite of all the clunky-looking 8-megapixel shooter looks bland when compared with colorful, ultraslim, style-minded cameras and suffers slow shot-to-shot time with the on board flash enabled.
Features:
* 8.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16x 22-inch prints
* 4x optical image-stabilized zoom
* 2.5-inch LCD screen; Face Detection
* New Easy Mode simplifies operation
* Captures images to SD memory cards (not included); powered by AA batteries
Review: Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Canon PowerShot S3 IS steps into the third generation of ’super zoom‘ compact by Canon.The new Canon PowerShot S3 IS model integrates a 6-megapixel CCD sensor, the 12x optical zoom but boosts the sensitivity range up to ISO 800, has a larger 2.0-inch vari-angle screen, Canon’s renowned optical Image Stabilizer technology and video functionality rivalling that of dedicated digital video camcorders.
The S3 IS is a comfortable design camcoder with fast and responsive qualities, it also provides flip and twist LCD that offers you fast and high-quality lens with effective optical image stabilization. A very well-executed megazoom camera, the Canon PowerShot S3 IS lacks in raw support and faux wide-screen capture. The Canon PowerShot S3 IS comes in a striking new finish in gunmetal grey.The S3 is ready to take the command with its new features including an increased sensitivity range of ISO 80 to ISO 800, a larger 2.0″ vari-angle LCD screen, widescreen (16:9) recording, new movie features and an additional Sports mode.
Features:
* 12x optical zoom lens with USM and UD lens element
* Optical Image Stabilizer
* 6.0 Megapixel CCD
* Larger size 2.0” Vari-angle LCD
* 30fps VGA movies with stereo sound and Photo in Movie feature
* DIGIC II, iSAPS and Flexizone AF/AE for fast, precise results and 2.3 fps continuous shooting performance
* 20 shooting modes and My Colors photo effects
* High ISO Auto and ISO 800 for low light flexibility
* Widescreen (16:9) recording
*Powered by 4 AA-size batteries (alkaline batteries supplied); stores images on SD memory cards (16 MB card included)
Review: Canon FS10 Camcoder
Canon’s new launch Canon FS10 the latest in camcorders, after the huge success in the field of optical excellence, advanced image processing, superb performance and technological innovation in photographic and broadcast television cameras. The Canon FS series -FS10 is a one of the coolest compact camcorder with its new stunning and attractive design.
Canon FS10 equipped with Canon 48x Advanced Zoom and our DIGIC DV II Image Processor, combined with a 1.07 Megapixel CCD image sensor, Image Stabilization and a 2.7″ Widescreen LCD. The Canon FS10 camcorder is also featured with Dual Flash Memory which supports 8GB internal memory and a removable SDHC card. The Canon FS10 a more convenient and well-designed camcorders that look pricier than they are in the Canon FS series.
Features
* Dual Flash Memory: 8Gb internal memory and memory card
* Stylishly pocket-sized
* Canon 45x Advanced Zoom
* Megapixel CCD and DIGIC DV II for true widescreen
* Microphone input
* Shoot for longer
* Advanced photography
* USB 2.0 Hi Speed
* Use with DW-100
* Software
Canon FS10 Specifications:
General:
Product Type: Camcorder
Width: 2.3 in
Depth: 4.9 in
Height: 2.4 in
Weight: 9.2 oz
Digital Zoom: 2000 x
Optical Sensor Size: 1/6 in
Optical Sensor Type: CCD
Image Stabilizer: Electronic
Max Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec
Shooting Modes: Digital photo mode
Shooting Programs: Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode
White Balance: Custom, Presets, Automatic
White Balance Presets: Daylight, Tungsten light
Exposure Modes: Program, Automatic
Widescreen Video Capture: Yes
Main Features:
Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 1.07 megapixels
Camcorder Effective Still Resolution: 0.8 megapixels
Color Support: Color
Still Image Format: JPEG
Remote Control: Camcorder remote control
Memory / Storage:
Flash Memory: 8 GB Flash – Integrated (soldered memory – 8 GB )
Supported Flash Memory: MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card
Media Type: Flash card
Recording Speed: LP, SP, XP
Lens System:
Type: Zoom lens – 2.6 mm – 96.2 mm – F/2.0-5.2
Focal Length: 2.6 mm – 96.2 mm
Lens Aperture: F/2.0-5.2
Auto Focus Points (Zones): 9
Optical Zoom: 37 x
Lens system type: Zoom lens
Min focal length: 2.6 mm
Max focal length: 96.2 mm
Auto Focus: TTL contrast detection
Features: Built-in lens shield
Focus Adjustment: Automatic
Min Focus Range: 0.4 in
Zoom Adjustment: Motorized drive
Additional Features:
Low Lux / Night Mode: Yes
Digital Still Camera Function: Yes
Additional Features: PictBridge support, USB 2.0 compatibility, Dolby Digital AC-3 (2 channel) recording
Remote control: Camcorder remote control
Software: PIXELA Image Mixer
Included Accessories: Wrist strap
Display:
Type: LCD display – TFT active matrix – 2.7 in – Color
Microphone:
Type: Microphone – Built-in
Connections:
Connector Type: 1 x Microphone ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ), 1 x USB
Audio Input:
Audio input type: Microphone
Microphone type: Built-in
Microphone Operation Mode: Stereo
Viewfinder / Display:
Display Form Factor: Rotating
Display Format: 123,000 pixels
Miscellaneous:
Cables Included: 1 x USB cable, 1 x A/V cable
Power:
Power Device: Power adapter – External
Battery:
Supported Battery: 1 x Canon BP-808 Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Manufacturer Warranty:
Service & Support: 1 year warranty
Service & Support Details: Limited warranty – 1 year
Review: Fujifilm FinePix S100FS
The Fuji film launched a new camera Fuji film Fine Pix S100FS camera. This is new highly equipped camera that comes with lots of exciting feature for professional photographer. This cameras lens covers a 14.3x zoom range (with wide-angle 28mm equivalent), and the eighth generation of Fujifilm’s Super CCD sensor technology. There’s some photography-related features that have been added too, such as presets designed to mimic the behavior of specific Fuji films and a dynamic range expansion mode.
Main features
* 14.3X optical zoom (28-400mm equivalent)
* 2/3″ sensor with 11.1 million effective pixels
* Eighth generation Super CCD HR sensor
* 2.5″ tiltable LCD screen
* Film simulation modes (imitate the behavior of Fuji films)
* Dynamic range expansion mode
* Exposure, dynamic range and film simulation bracketing
Specifications
Sensor
• 2/3″ Super Type CCD
• 11.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes
• 3840 x 2880
• 4032 x 2688 (3:2)
• 2816 x 2112
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 640 x 480
Movie clips
• 640 x 480 @ 30 fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30 fps
• AVI Motion JPEG with WAVE monaural audio
Lens
• 28 – 400 mm (35 mm equiv)
• F2.8 – F5.3
• 14.3x optical zoom
Focus
• TTL contrast-type autofocus
• Single / Continuous AF
• Manual focus
• Center / Moveable area / Multi
Focus distance
• Normal: 50 cm (wide) / 2.5 m (tele) – Infinity
• Macro: 10 cm (wide) / 90 cm (tele) – 3.0m
• Super macro (28mm equiv. only) 1 cm – 1.0 m
Metering
• TTL 256-zone metering
• Multi-area
• Average
• Spot
Shutter speed
• 30-1/4000 sec (extremes depending on exposure mode)
Aperture
• F2.8-F11 (wide), F2.8-F8 in automated modes
• F5.3-F11 (tele), F5.3-F8 in automated modes
Shooting mode
• Auto
• Program
• Aperture Priority
• Shutter Priority
• Manual
• Film simulation bracketing
• Movie
• 2 custom modes
• Scene modes
Scene modes
• Nature
• Nature soft
• Nature vivid
• Flowers
• Portrait
• Portrait soft
• Baby mode
• Portrait enhancer
• Night
• Sunset
• Snow
• Beach
• Sport
• Fireworks
Sensitivity
• Auto
• Auto (Max ISO 400)
• Auto (Max ISO 800)
• Auto (Max ISO 1600)
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
• ISO 3200
• ISO 6400 (up to 6MP)
• ISO 10000 (up to 3MP)
White Balance
• Auto
• Fine
• Shade
• Fluorescent (daylight)
• Fluorescent (warm white)
• Fluorescent (cool white)
• Incandescent
• Custom
Image parameters
• Film simulation modes: Provia, Velvia, Soft, Portrait
• Color, Tone and Sharpness controls
• Dynamic range expansion
Continuous
• 3 fps, max 7 JPEG, 3 RAW (Top-3 or Final-3)
• 7 fps, 50 shots at 3MP
• 1 fps until card is full
Flash
• Built-in pop-up
• Range (Auto ISO): 7.2 m (w), 3.8 m (t)
• Modes: Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, all with Red-eye reduction option.
Storage
• 25 MB internal memory
• SD/SDHC memory card (not included)
• xD-Picture Card (not included)
Viewfinder
• 0.2″ electronic viewfinder (EVF)
• 200,000 pixels (each pixel shows R,G and B consecutively)
• Approx.100% coverage
LCD monitor
• 2.5″ TFT LCD
• 230,000 dots
• Approx. 100% coverage
Power
• NP-140 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
• Charger included
Other features
• DPOF
• PictBridge
• Index view
• Histogram
• 2 and 10 sec self-timer
• Hardware-based Face Detection AF/AE
Optional accessories
• Leather case
• Compact AC Power Adapter AC-84V
• RR-80 Remote Release cable
Weight (no batt) 968 g (34 oz) inc memory card and batteries, 918g without.
Dimensions 133 x 94 x 150 mm (5.3 x 3.7 x 5.9 in)
Review: Canon PowerShot SD890 IS
Canon’s new Canon PowerShot SD850 IS is a 10 megapixel point-and-shoot camera which simply raise the resolution and zoom range for the SD890 IS.The SD890 IS is stylish digital camera with much curvier design including a gently sloping in the front.It is featured with a 5x optical zoom lens equipped with Canon’s image stabilizer to avoid blurry images and high ISO performance.The Canon SD890 IS is equipped with 2.5-inch LCD and an optical viewfinder with higher portability.
Canon PowerShot SD890 IS is a solid compact snapshooter and also furnished with Face Detection technique,automatically adjusts exposure, flash output, and white balance to provide best photo possible.The Canon SD890’s curved matte-silver body is the latest iteration of the classic ELPH design definitely eye-catching one.
Canon PowerShot SD890 IS Specifications:
General:
Product Type: Digital camera – Compact
Weight: 5.5 oz
Width: 3.8 in
Depth: 1.1 in
Height: 2.2 in
Main Features:
Resolution: 10 megapixels
Image stabilizer feature: Optical stabilization helps prevent blurry pictures, especially for handheld cameras at slow shutter speeds or when using high optical zoom.
Sensor resolution: 10 megapixels
Optical Sensor Type: CCD
Effective Sensor Resolution: 10,000,000 pixels
Total Pixels: 10,300,000 pixels
Optical Sensor Size: 1/2.3 in
Light Sensitivity: ISO 80, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO auto, ISO 3200 (2Mpix)
Digital Zoom: 4 x
Shooting Modes: Frame movie mode
Shooting Programs: Snow, Beach, Indoor, Sunset, Foliage, Aquarium, Fireworks, Kids & pets, Digital macro, Portrait mode, Stitch assist, Night snapshot, High sensitivity
Special effects: Color Swap, Color Accent
Max Shutter Speed: 1/1500 sec
Min Shutter Speed: 15 sec
Exposure Metering: Spot, Evaluative, Center-weighted
Exposure Modes: Program, Automatic
Exposure Compensation: ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
White Balance: Custom, Presets, Automatic
White Balance Presets: Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent, Tungsten light
Digital video format: AVI, MJPEG
Still Image Format: JPEG
Continuous Shooting Speed: 1.2 frames per second
Color support: Color
Image Stabilizer: Optical
Face Detection: Yes
Video Capture: AVI – 640 x 480, AVI – 320 x 240, AVI – 160 x 120
Memory / Storage:
Flash Memory: 32 MB Flash – SD Memory Card
Floppy Drive: None
Image Storage: JPEG 3648 x 2736, JPEG 2816 x 2112, JPEG 2272 x 1704, JPEG 1600 x 1200, JPEG 640 x 480, JPEG 3648 x 2048
Flash memory: 32 MB – SD Memory Card
Supported Flash Memory: MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card
Lens System:
Type: Zoom lens – 6.6 mm – 33 mm – F/3.2-5.7
Focal Length: 6.6 mm – 33 mm
Lens Manufacturer: Canon
Additional Features:
Self Timer: Yes
Self Timer Delay: 2 sec, 10 sec
Additional Features: AE lock, AF lock, FE lock, DPOF support, Direct print, Motion sensor, Face detection, Audio recording, Date/time stamp, Histogram display, Resizing an image, Exif Print support, PictBridge support, In-camera red-eye fix, USB 2.0 compatibility, Digital image rotation, Digital noise reduction, Highlight point display, In-camera movie editing, Camera orientation detection, Automatic face tracking technology
Camera Flash:
Effective Flash Range: 1 ft – 11.5 ft
Type: Built-in flash
Flash Modes: Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Effective flash range: 1 ft – 11.5 ft
Viewfinder:
Viewfinder Type: Optical – Real-image zoom
Color support: Color
Display:
Type: LCD display – TFT active matrix – 2.5 in – Color
Mounting: Built-in
Resolution: 230,000 pixels
Microphone:
Type: Microphone – Built-in
Technology: Electret condenser
Mode: Mono
Connections:
Connector Type: 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output
Expansion Slot(s): 1 x SD Memory Card
Lens Systems:
Auto Focus: TTL contrast detection
Type: Zoom lens
Focal length: 6.6 mm – 33 mm
Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera: 37 – 185 mm
Focus adjustment: Automatic
Auto Focus Points (Zones): 9
Min Focus Range: 19.7 in
Macro Focus Range: 2-50cm
Lens Aperture: F/3.2-5.7
Optical Zoom: 5 x
Zoom Adjustment: Motorized drive
Features: Built-in lens shield
Miscellaneous:
Cables Included: 1, 1 x A/V cable, USB cable
Included Accessories: Wrist strap
Min Operating Temperature: 32 °F
Max Operating Temperature: 104 °F
Power:
Power Device: Battery charger – External
System Requirements for PC Connection:
Operating system: MS Windows Vista, MS Windows XP SP2, Apple Mac OS X 10.3 – 10.4, MS Windows 2000 SP4 or later
Peripherals: USB port, CD-ROM drive
Battery:
Supported Battery: 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery – 1120 mAh ( Included )
Software:
Type: Canon ImageBrowser, Drivers & Utilities, Canon ZoomBrowser EX
Review: Canon EOS 40D
The Canon EOS 40D camera has just arrived in the market with high performance feature.
The Canon EOS 40D has a very large 3.0-inch LCD. It is featured with 10.1-megapixel sensor camera and its 6.5-frame-per-second continuous mode which is good.
The Canon 40D has an improved viewfinder over Canon 30D ,and an enhanced Live View mode, better dust sealing, and the DIGIC III image processor that allows 14-bit analog to digital conversion for better color rendition.
The Canon 40D include interchangeable focusing screens, a much-needed AF-ON button, the EOS Integrated Cleaning System for sensor dust reduction. In Canon 40D the standard 9-point AF array on the EOS 40D by making all points Cross-type, which, combined with other improvements, results in a claimed 30% greater AF speed.
The camera is equipped with a technology to make dust problems a thing of the past. The Self- Cleaning Sensor Unit uses ultrasonic vibrations to shake dust particles off of the low-pass filter in front of the sensor each time the camera is powered up or shut down. The supplied Digital Photo Professional software with camera that maps the location of any spots of dust that may remain on the sensor.
Basic Features
* 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor
* Kit lens EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
* Optical Viewfinder plus Live View via LCD
* 3.0-inch LCD
* ISO range of 100 to 3,200
* Shutter speeds: 30 second to 1/8000
* Uses Compact Flash Type I and Type II, Microdrive
* Lithium-ion battery
* 5.7 x 4.3 x 2.9 inches (146 x 108 x 74mm)
* 29.7 ounces (844 grams)
* MSRP: $1,299 body-only, $1,499 kit
Special Features
* 6.5 fps continuous-mode speed (30D was 5 fps)
* 75 large/fine JPEG, 17 RAW buffer size (30D was 28 large/fine frames)
* sRAW mode, 1/4 resolution RAW format
* New Live View mode (similar to 1D Mark III, but enhanced)
* Live View mode allows AF by pressing AF-ON button (drops mirror to focus)
* Live View mode offers 5x/10x magnification to aid manual focusing
* Live View mode has electronic 1st-curtain shutter option for fast, quiet shutter release
* 14-bit digitization (up from 12-bit)
* Highlight Tone Priority mode
* All 9 AF points are cross-type
* Center AF point offers enhanced accuracy along both axes with lenses f/2.8 or faster
* Expanded metering range, down to EV 0 (30D went to EV 1)
* AE system adds 3 “Custom” modes
* LCD is brighter than 30D’s, but viewing angle is reduced to 140 degrees from 170.
* 7-step LCD brightness adjust (30D was 5 steps)
* Expanded custom function menu (24 vs 17 for 30D)
* Menu format follows tabbed design of 1D Mark III
* Ultrasonic sensor cleaning system (Similar to Rebel XTi)
* DIGIC III processor (up from DIGIC II)
* Manual color temperature range extends down to 2,500K (30D was 2,800K)
* Viewfinder magnification 0.95x (up from 0.90x on 30D)
* Viewfinder eyepoint raised from 20 to 22mm
* Interchangeable focusing screen (30D’s screen is fixed)
* More information in viewfinder readouts
* Compatible with Picture Style Editor (PSE) software to adjust style, color, and tone curves
* Compatible with latest Digital Photo Professional and EOS Utility 2.1 to support Remote Live View and Dust Delete Data functions
Accessorie
* EOS 40D body (plus 28-135mm lens if purchased as a kit)
* Body cap (plus front and back lens caps if kit is purchased)
* Wide Strap EW-100DGR
* Battery Charger CG-580
* Battery Pack BP-511A
* USB Interface Cable IFC-200U
* Video Cable VC-100
* Software, including Digital Photo Professional for RAW conversion
Review:Logitech QuickCam Communicate Dexule
Logitech has strucked with its two new high-end products for its Quick Cam series of webcam, they are QuickCam Connect and QuickCam Communicate Dexule.Connect delivers high-quality video, echo-free and lifelike conversation where as Communicate Dexule offers with sharp and vibrant images in any light.
A glass lens provides more lifelike images, and the high-performance sensor captures detailed photos—up to 5.0 megapixels. It adds video effects like fisheye, 50s movie, neon, and more, and launch and mute video sessions with confidence.It acts as a flexible camera base, we can use it on a flat surface, a monitor, or a flat-panel display.
Technical Specifications:
1.3-megapixel sensor with RightLight™2 Technology
Built-in microphone with RightSound™ Technology
Video capture: Up to 1280 x 1024 pixels (HD quality) (HD Video 960 x 720 pixels)
Frame rate: Up to 30 frames per second
Still image capture: 5 megapixels (with software enhancement)
USB 2.0 certified
Optics: Manual focus
System Requirements:
Windows® XP
o Pentium® P4 (or compatible) processor, 1.4 GHz (2.4 GHz recommended)
o 128 MB RAM (256 MB recommended)
o 200 MB available hard disk space
o 16-bit color display adapter
o Windows®-compatible sound card and speakers (full-duplex sound card recommended)
o USB port
o CD-ROM drive
Windows Vista™
o Pentium® P4 (or compatible) processor, 2.4 GHz (2.8 GHz recommended)
o 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)
o WEI score of 3
o 200 MB available hard disk space
o 16-bit color display adapter
o Windows®-compatible sound card and speakers (full-duplex sound card recommended)
o USB port
o CD-ROM drive
Kodak EasyShare M853 Review
The Kodak EasyShare M853 sits in the middle of the M series, a range of simple point and shoots that come in a variety of colors. It’s a steal at around £79, but we quickly found that the price reflects the lack of features.
Although the M853 is eminently pocketable, it’s not the slimmest camera in the world. Considering the absence of features such as optical image stabilization, it’s actually rather chunky. Despite this, the buttons manage to be too small. The screen is the standard 64mm (2.5 inches).
The Kodak M853 is simple and affordable, and takes pictures. There isn’t much else to say about it. While we recognize the value of budget compacts, it’s hard to like a camera this undistinguished. The Nikon Coolpix L11 packs features such as face detection into a similar price point, while an extra £50 outlay will buy the far superior Fujifilm FinePix F40fd.
Lacklustre speed, terrible low-light performance and a lack of features far outweigh the simplicity and user-friendliness of the M853, making it a frustration to use.
Canon Optura Pi Mini DV Camcorder Review
Canon’s original Optura was a distinct-looking camcorder with a unique swiveling LCD. Don’t let the name fool you, the Optura Pi looks more like Canon’s Ultura than the Optura. It has the same basic shape and microphone placement, and is small and rectangular, all like the Ultura. It almost makes you wonder why they didn’t call it the Ultura Pi.
A switch on the back of the camcorder lets you select between VCR mode, movie mode and progressive scan mode for extracting better digital stills. To enter the menu system, press the Menu button located low on the camcorder. Once in the menu system, you navigate with the menu wheel.
To use the zoom controls, you operate a toggle switch with your right index finger. There’s also a Focus button located on the back that lets you use the Menu wheel as a focus control.
Most of the controls are easy to use, but the Menu button is positioned low and puts your thumb at an awkward angle when you use it. The Power/VCR/Movie/P.Scan button is also harder to reach than those on other camcorders.