eK-gadgets info

Canon has introduced the replacement to the Rebel XTi: the EOS Rebel XSi. As usual, Canon shared no information with us prior to the announcement, so this was put together after the embargo ended. Here are the details:

EOS Rebel XSi

• 12.2 effective Megapixel CMOS sensor
• Supports all EF and EF-S lenses
• Uses new 14-bit A/D converter, improved AF sensor (still 9-point), and DIGIC III image processor
• 3-inch LCD display (230k pixels) with live view and contrast detect autofocus
• Full manual controls; ISO range of 100 - 1600
• Can shoot at 3.5 frames/second for up to 6 RAW or 45 JPEGs
• Auto Lighting Optimizer corrects image brightness and contrast automatically
• New spot metering (4%) option
• Same dust reduction system as the XTi
• Uses SD/SDHC memory cards (instead of CompactFlash)
• Optional battery grip
• Uses LP-E5 lithium-ion battery; 500 shots per charge
• USB 2.0 High Speed support
• Shipping in April for $799 body only, and $899 with the new 18-55 IS lens; comes in silver and black

Canon announced a new Digital ELPH today — the PowerShot SD1100/Ixus 80IS. This camera replaces the SD1000, with the biggest new addition being image stabilization. Here are the specs:

PowerShot SD1100 Digital ELPH IS / Ixus 80 IS

• 8.0 effective Megapixel CCD
• F2.8-4.9, 3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 38 - 114 mm
• Optical image stabilization
• Ultra-compact metal body comes in five colors: Bohemian Brown, Pink Melody, Rhythm and Blue, Golden Tone, and Swing Silver (I’m not making those up)
• 2.5″ LCD display with 230,000 pixels
• Face detection feature can track a specific face as it moves around the frame; AF-Point Zoom feature lets you quickly zoom in on faces or focus point
• Automatic redeye reduction is activated when a photo is taken (yay)
• Records movies at 640 x 480 (30 fps) with sound for up to an hour
• Supports SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC+/HC MMC+ cards; 32MB card included
• Optional underwater case
• Uses NB-4L lithium-ion battery; 240 shots per charge
• USB 2.0 High Speed supported
• Ships in March for $250

Moving on now to the A-series, we have the PowerShot A580 and A590 IS. Here are the details:

PowerShot A580

• 8.0 effective Megapixel CCD
• F2.6-5.5, 4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 35 - 140 mm
• 2.5″ LCD display with 115,000 pixels
• Same face detection, redeye reduction features as above
• Records movies at 640 x 480 (20 fps) for up to 45 mins
• Supports SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC+/HC MMC+ cards; 32MB card included
• Uses two AA batteries; 500 shots per charge using NiMH batteries
• USB 2.0 High Speed support
• Ships in March for $149

PowerShot A590 IS with changes:

• Optical image stabilization
• Full manual controls
• Support for conversion lenses
• Battery life drops to 450 shots/charge
• Priced at $179

More A-series PowerShot, and that’s the entry-level A470. Here are the details on that:

PowerShot A470

• 7.1 effective Megapixel CCD
• F3.0-5.8, 3.4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 38 - 132 mm
• 2.5″ LCD display with 115,000 pixels
• Point-and-shoot operation
• Same face detection, redeye removal, movie mode as A-series models above
• SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC+/HC MMCplus slot; 32MB card included
• Comes in four “accents” - blue, red, orange, and grey
• Uses two AA batteries; 400 shots per charge using NiMH batteries
• USB 2.0 High Speed support
• Ships in March for $129

“We have developed two phones that meet the needs of two distinct audiences,” said Howard Lewis, Vice President and Head of Entry Level products at Sony Ericsson. “The T270 and T280 build on the appeal of iconic Sony Ericsson phones like the T610. They are good looking and tick all of the right boxes; whether it’s for the business user wanting a compact work phone or the everyday user looking for a classic, stylish camera phone.”Both the phones will be available within the first quarter of 2008. Read on for more specifications…

T280 specifications:
* 1.3-megapixel camera, 4x digital zoom
* FM radio RDS
* Java
* Polyphonic ringtones
* Speakerphone
* Vibrating Alert
* Music tones - (MP3)
* Bluetooth technology
* Navigation key
* Picture wallpaper
* Wallpaper animation
* WAP 2.0 XHTML
* Picture messaging (MMS)
* Predictive text input
* Alarm clock, Calendar, Calculator, Stopwatch, Tasks, Timer

T270 Specifications:
* Music tones - (MP3)
* Bluetooth technology
* Navigation key
* Picture wallpaper and Wallpaper animation
* WAP 2.0 XHTML
* Picture messaging (MMS)
* Alarm clock, Calculator, Calendar, Stopwatch, Tasks, Timer
* Java
* Radio - FM radio RDS
* Polyphonic ringtones
* Speakerphone
* Vibrating Alert