eK-gadgets info

The ultra zoom camera category has a new world champion: the Olympus SP-570 UZ brings you closer to the action than ever before with an incredible 20x wide optical zoom. Featuring built-in Dual Image Stabilisation, Olympus’ latest innovation for ambitious, specialist and creative photographers eliminates blur associated with camera shake to deliver razor sharp images, even at high levels of magnification. You can also breathe easy as you close in on the shot of a lifetime: sequential shooting at up to 13.5fps makes sure you won’t miss a thing. The SP-570 UZ will arrive in stores in March 2008.

Cutting-edge ultra zoom technology
Capture unique moments in the middle of a sports field or at the front of a college podium – even when you’re stuck on the sidelines or at the back of the theatre. Providing photographers with unprecedented telephoto power, the spectacular zoom capabilities of the SP-570 UZ bring your subject virtually close enough to touch. This 20x wide optical zoom model covers an equivalent focal range of 26-520mm, making it the world’s most powerful zoom camera in this segment*. Performance can be enhanced to an amazing 2600mm when combined with the 5.0x digital zoom. Even greater magnification up to a breathtaking maximum of 4420mm is possible when adding the optional TCON-17 Teleconverter and CLA-10 Adapter Ring.

Because the risk of blurry images grows as the focal length increases, Olympus incorporates Dual Image Stabilisation in the SP-570 UZ. It guards against blur caused by camera shake and is the perfect insurance for sports photographers and in all other situations where there are no second chances to capture the magic of the moment. Furthermore, this model’s 13.5fps** burst rate means not even a split-second of action will be missed. Additional smart technology also helps to capture unexpected surprises – the pre-capture mode enables recording of five frames** before the shutter is even released.

The big picture

The 26mm wide-angle capabilities of the SP-570 UZ make it perfect for getting the full picture when it comes to indoor and architectural photography. Framing is easy too, with a large 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal LCD and BrightCapture Technology faithfully depicting the composition.

Close encounters
Get up close and explore the enchanting miniature world around you. With a minimum shooting distance of merely 1cm, the Super Macro mode of the SP-570 UZ is perfect for unlocking nature’s secrets and photographing other captivating details and surface textures.

A full technological arsenal
The SP-570 UZ features a full suite of Olympus digital imaging innovations to ensure the capture of best possible images. This includes High ISO Settings, Face Detection Technology, Shadow Adjustment Technology, and TruePic III.

Ease of use
On top of automatic shooting and manual (P/A/S/M) control options, the SP-570 UZ also features a choice of 23 scene modes which are optimised for frequently encountered shooting situations. This ensures an ideal balance between point-and-shoot ease and creative freedom for ambitious photographers. Those seeking yet a further degree of control will appreciate the ability to manually adjust focus and zoom levels using the lens ring. In addition to a hotshoe, wireless flash control makes cable clutter a thing of the past: the SP-570 UZ boasts compatibility with the new Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R flash units which were initially introduced for use with the Olympus professional D-SLR model, the E-3. And dioptric correction enables those who wear glasses to use the viewfinder, while a menu in 38 languages ensures problem-free navigation for virtually everyone.

The fully-featured SP-570 UZ gives users unprecedented zoom power and a fill of extras that add up to a rewarding all-round photo experience. The camera will become available from March.

The Olympus SP-570 UZ – main features:

• 20x optical zoom (equivalent to 26-520mm*) – from extreme close-ups to stunning scenes
• Avoids blur thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation
• Don’t miss the moment with high-speed 13.5fps sequence shooting**
• Face Detection Technology for perfectly focused and exposed faces plus correct exposure of other image areas
• P/A/S/M exposure modes for creative freedom
• 23 scene modes for the best results in different situations
• 10 Megapixels to make poster-size prints
• See and share images on the 6.9cm/2.7″ LCD
• Better low light shooting thanks to BrightCapture Technology
• Great for shots of flowers and detail from as close as 1cm with Super Macro mode
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound
• TruePic III image processor for faster image handling and higher image quality
• 38 languages on board
• Dioptric correction
• Flexible shooting with internal memory or using xD-Picture Card
• Supplied with Olympus Master software 2.03 including Muvee Pack trial version plus four AA batteries
• TCON-017 teleconversion lens and CLA-10 adapter ring optionally available for maximum of 884mm (or 4420mm when combined with digital zoom)

Dutch company Polymer Vision has recently announced the production of their new product, Readius. The device could be likened to a combination of the iPhone and the Amazon Kindle, except it can do something either of the aforementioned gadgets couldn’t — it boasts a foldable 5-inch screen. When folded, the Readius measures like ordinary mobile phones. The company’s aim is to bring e-reading to mobile phones. Indeed, it uses the same paper-screen technology like the Kindle. You could, of course, make calls with the Readius and it will also use 3G networks. There’s no price on the Readius yet, but a spokesperson for the company said it would cost as much as high-end mobile phones do.

The Nokia 500 PND we have featured last year in Mobilewhack has recently been released. Nokia’s second and newest PND is using Navteq’s updated, high-quality pan-European maps. To refresh everyone’s memories, the Nokia 500 features a 4.3″ touch screen which maximizes the Navteq maps for your usage. There’s even voice instruction capability and the functionality to view visual images of signposts and motorway exits. With the use of the recently update Navteq maps, you’re getting up-to-date information on your personal navigation device.

SEA&SEA introduced their new MDX housing for the matchless Nikon D300 DSLR camera. The MDX-D300 is a supreme quality product shaped out of solid block aluminum after going through various critical processes. The camera can be easily operated through the housing with easy access to the main command dial and sub command dial for perfect shots. The housing is covered with corrosion resistant anodized black coating, ergonomically designed to avert from environmental corrosion and abrasions. Every portion of the housing is precisely machined through CNC. It features a 0.66x pick-up standard viewfinder, dual locking latches, a built-in leak sensor and two Nikon type (5-pin) connectors for TTL strobe photography.

If you were impressed by the Samsung K5 mp3 player, feast your eyes on this latest entrant, the Samsung YP-S5 player. Based mostly on the K5, the YP-S5 has several improvements over its predecessor in terms of various features and also in its outer appearance. It is now only about 15 mm thin and the screen is updated to color, making videos a reality.Speaking of other changes, you get Bluetooth 1.2 opening up a world of devices you could connect to the YP-S5. You can even answer a phone call and convert it into a speakerphone. Also included is a voice recorder, alarm clock, and an FM radio. The audio-in jack is of course welcome. Thanks to Samsung’s DNSe technology, the music will sound outstanding both on the fold-out speakers, which are now protected with grills, and on headphones. You can get about 24 hours of music by headphones, 5 hours on the speakers, and 3.5 hours of video on a single charge, although the 1.8-inch QCIF screen would certainly discourage you from doing so. The Flash-based user interface supports the usual mp3, AAC, and WMA formats for music, mp4 for videos, and JPEG for pictures while touch-sensitive controls enable easy navigation of menus. Other additional features such as the ability to play flash games and support for podcasts and RSS feeds do add up to make this device a bit more appealing.

The Samsung YP-S5 is already out in Korea in 2GB and 4GB versions with an approximate price tag of $185 and $217 respectively.