eK-gadgets info

Casio announced six new cameras at CES 2009, with two models emphasizing ultra high speed continuous shooting and video recording. If you’re familiar with the EX-F1 and EX-FH20, these two new models are the same idea — just in a much more compact body. Here’s the first one:

Exilim EX-FC100

• 9.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor
• F3.6-4.5, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 37 - 185 mm
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• Compact body comes in gray and white
• 2.7″ LCD display with 230,400 pixels
• Point-and-shoot operation, with 21 Best Shot (scene) modes to choose from
• Can shoot at up to 30 frames/second at 6 Megapixel resolution; camera can record up to 25 frames that were buffered when you press the shutter release button
  • Slow motion mode lets you slow down the action to capture your subject at the perfect moment
  • High Speed Anti-Shake and Night Scene functions combine several images into one to reduce the effects of camera shake
  • High Speed Best Selection can automatically pick the best photo in the burst (no blur, blinking, or frowns alllowed)
• HD movie mode records videos at 1280 x 720 (30 fps)
  • High Speed movie mode lets you crank the frame rate as high as 1000 fps (though the resolution drops dramatically in return)
• SD/SDHC memory card slot
• Uses NP-40 lithium-ion battery; battery life not available
• Ships in March for $400

The second of the two high speed Casio cameras is the Exilim EX-FS10. It has a lot of common with the FC100 above, except that it’s thinner, has a less powerful lens, and lacks image stabilization. Here are its specs:

Exilim EX-FS10 

• 9.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor
• F3.9-5.4, 3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 38.1 - 114.3 mm
• Ultra-thin body comes in blue, gray, red, and white
• 2.5″ LCD display with 230,400 pixels
• Point-and-shoot operation
• Same high speed still and movie functions as the EX-FC100 above
• SD/SDHC memory card slot
• Uses NP-60 lithium-ion battery; battery life not available
• Ships in March for $350

The next three cameras can’t shoot as fast as the two I just mentioned, but they have another trick up their sleeve. The Dynamic Photo function on these cameras lets you superimpose your subject over a background of your choice. You know, like the weatherman on the TV news. I don’t know anyone who has been clamoring for a feature like this, but Casio seems pretty good at coming up with gimmicky features like this. Enough ranting, here are the details on the EX-Z270 and EX-Z400:

Exilim EX-Z270 

• 10.1 Megapixel CCD sensor
• F2.6-5.9, 4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 112 mm
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• Ultra-compact body comes in black, gray, gold, and pink
• 2.7″ LCD display with 114,960 pixels
• Uses new Exilim Engine 4.0 image processor
• Point-and-shoot operation, 37 scene modes
• Dynamic Photo function allows you to “cut out the main subject of interest in an image that has just been captured and then combine it with another image to form the background”; you can combine several of these images to give the appearance of motion (albeit very choppy motion); Casio has set up a page of demos of this feature here
• Makeup function smoothes wrinkles and removes blemishes from skin (this is turning out to be the must-have gimmick of the year)
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 (24 fps) with sound
• SD/SDHC memory card slot
• Uses NP-80 lithium-ion battery; battery life not available
• Ships in March for $230

Exilim EX-Z400  changes:

• 12.1 Megapixel CCD
• F2.6-5.8, 4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 112 mm
• 3.0″ LCD display with 230,400 pixels
• A few more scene modes
• Uses NP-40 li-ion battery
• USB 2.0 High Speed support
• Comes in brown, gold, and pink
• Priced at $300

The EX-S5 is a pretty basic point-and-shoot camera, while the EX-S12 has some of the bells and whistles found in the Z-series models above. Here are the details on both of these:

Exilim EX-S5 

• 10.1 Megapixel CCD
• F3.1-5.6, 3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 35.5 - 106.5 mm
• Ultra-thin body comes in SIX colors: blue, black, gold, pink, purple, and silver
• 2.7″ LCD display with 114,960 pixels
• Point-and-shoot opreation, with 23 scene modes
• From the you-can’t-make-this-stuff-up file:
  • “As well as the rectangular focusing frame usually displayed on the LCD monitor, users can choose designs such as a heart or a butterfly for the frame design. When the camera is correctly focused, a beautiful heart can be displayed, and when correct focus is not achieved the heart pattern breaks up. This makes it easy to ensure correct focus, and it is fun, too.”
• Records movies at 848 x 480 (30 fps) with sound
• SD/SDHC card slot
• Uses NP-80 li-ion battery; no word on battery life
• Ships in March for $180

Exilim EX-S12  - changes:

• 12.1 Megapixel CCD
• F2.8-5.3, 3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 36 - 108 mm
• 2.7″ LCD display has 230,160 pixels
• Exilim Engine 4.0
• Even more scene modes
• Same Dynamic Photo and Makeup features as the Z270/Z400
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 (24 fps) with sound
• Uses NP-60 li-ion battery
• Comes in silver, pink, green, and black
• Priced at $250

Although Asus invented the netbook concept as we know it today, I wouldn’t mind playing with one of the newest netbooks announced by some of Asus’ competitors. The HP Mini 2140 Notebook PC is still a netbook.

It comes in an aluminum case, and idea that seems more appealing to laptops manufacturers and it can weigh as little as 2.6 pounds. The 2140 Mini will get you a 10.1 inch diagonal scratch-resistant HP Illumi-Lite LED display, a full QWERTY keyboard which is 92% of the usual notebook keyboard, and a few hard drive solutions to choose from, including an 80GB SSD. The Mini 2140 still relies on an Intel Atom processor to do the job and it will feature WiFi and Bluetooth support and a built-in VGA webcam.

And here’s why you should consider checking a new HP product before making a purchase: the 2140 will feature HP DuraKeys or a clear coating applied over the keyboard to protect the finish and printed letters and characters; the HP 3D DriveGuard which uses a three-axis-digital accelerometer to shut down the hard drive upon sudden movement or shocks; and the HP Panel Protection System which gets you that scratch-resistant LCD.

What else do you need? Well how about some patience and at least $499 to get your HP 2140 later this month when it will be available.