eK-gadgets info

Sony has introduced a pair of cameras that use their brand new “Exmor R” CMOS sensor. This new sensor is “back illuminated”, allowing for better low light performance than traditional CCD sensors (click the link below for more details). Sony says that the Exmor R has twice the sensitivity of a typical CCD, and this sample photo (shot at ISO 2500) is quite impressive for a compact camera. This sensor allows for the same features that come on Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 super zoom, including sweep panorama, handheld twilight and anti-motion blur modes, and super-fast continuous shooting.

The first two cameras to use the Exmor R sensor are the DSC-WX1 and DSC-TX1. One’s compact, and the other is really compact. Here are the details:

Cyber-shot DSC-WX1

• 10.2 Megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor has twice the sensitivity of traditional CCDs
• F2.4 - F5.9, 5X optical zoom Sony G lens, equivalent to 24 - 120 mm (too bad the max aperture at telephoto isn’t fast like at the wide end)
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.7″ LCD display with 230,000 pixels
• Compact body is less than 0.8 inches thick
• Point-and-shoot operation with auto scene selection
• Face, smile, and blink detection
• Can take up to 10 photos at a whopping 10 frames/second
• Sweep panorama feature lets you “pan” the camera to capture a giant image with a 185 or 256 degree field-of-view
• Handheld twilight and anti-motion blur features rapidly shoot a series of images and combine them into one to allow for sharp photos in low light or fast action situations
• New “pet mode” minimizes blur and removes pet redeye
• Records video at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with sound for up to 29 minutes
• 11MB onboard memory + Memory Stick Duo slot
• Uses NP-BG1 or NP-FG1 lithium-ion battery; 350 shots per charge
• Ships in October for $350

Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 - changes:

• F3.5-4.6, 4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 35 - 140 mm
• Traditional T-series body is 0.65 inches thick, comes in silver, gray, pink, and blue
• 3-inch touchscreen LCD display with 230,000 pixels; screen now supports “flick” action to browse through photos
• Uses NP-BD1 or NP-FD1 li-ion battery; 250 shots per charge
• Ships in September for $380

Along with the two cameras comes a rather bizarre accessory called the Party-shot. Compatible only with the WX1 and TX1, this camera dock will seek out faces and smiles, compose photos using the rule-of-thirds, and take pictures — automatically. It can tilt up to 24 degrees and pan 360 degrees courtesy of two AA batteries. If you’re tired of holding your camera, the Party-shot can be yours next month for a rather steep $150.

Next up is the Coolpix S70, which is one of a very small group of cameras to use an OLED display (and a touchscreen one at that). OLED screens have better contrast, color, and viewing angles than traditional LCDs. Here’s more on the replacement to the Coolpix S60:Coolpix S70 

• 12.1 Megapixel CCD
• F3.9-5.8, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 140 mm
• Same optical + electronic VR combo as the S1000pj above
• 3.5″ touchscreen OLED display with 288,000 pixels
  • Touch Shutter feature lets you press a spot in the frame and the camera will focus on that point and take a photo
  • Uses can “swipe” their fingers across the screen to move between photos and “pinch” to zoom in and out (sound familiar?)
• Ultra-compact body comes in these color combos: red & red, champagne & beige, black & black, and champagne & light brown
• Same point-and-shoot features as S1000pj
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with sound
• 20MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC slot
• Uses EN-EL12 li-ion battery; 200 shots per charge
• Ships in September for $399

There are two Coolpix cameras left to go. The Coolpix S570 and S640 replace the S560 and S620 respectfully, and they offer the following features:

Coolpix S570 

• 12 Megapixel CCD
• F2.7-6.6, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 140 mm
• 2.7″ LCD display with 230,000 pixels
• Slim metal body comes in black, silver, blue, and pink
• Same Scene Auto Selector and Smart Portrait features as above
• VGA movie mode with sound
• 47MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC slot
• Uses EN-EL10 battery; 220 shots per charge
• Ships in September for $199

Coolpix S640 

• 12.2 Megapixel CCD
• Optical image stabilization
• Super-fast startup time of 0.7 seconds; fast AF and very little shutter lag (according to Nikon)
• Uses EN-EL12 li-ion battery; 270 shots per charge
• Available in black, red, pink, and pearl white
• Priced at $249

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who keep up with camera rumors, but today Nikon introduced two new digital SLRs. One is an enhanced version of the D300, while the other replaces the entry-level D40. First, let’s talk about the new D300, which is an evolutionary upgrade of the venerable D300. The biggest new features are faster continuous shooting and an HD movie mode, but there are quite a few other changes as well. Here’s the full list:

Nikon D300s

• 12.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor (same as D300)
• Supports all Nikkor F-Mount lenses
• Sturdy magnesium alloy body with some weather-sealing; shutter rated at 150,000 cycles
• Dust reduction system
• 3-inch LCD display with 920,000 pixels
  • Live view supported (now with dedicated button)
  • Contrast and phase detection AF modes
  • Face detection available

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• Optical viewfinder has 100% coverage and magnification of 0.94X
• Full manual controls
  • ISO range of 100 - 6400 (when fully expanded)
  • Shutter speed range of 30 - 1/8000 sec (there’s a bulb mode too)
  • RAW and TIFF formats supported
• 51-point autofocus system is faster and more accurate
• Can shoot continuously at 7 frames/second
• Quiet Shutter Release feature reduces sound of mirror action
• User now has the ability to bracket for Active D-Lighting, which restores shadow and highlight detail
• Hot shoe and flash sync port plus the ability to control up to 2 sets of wireless flashes
• New HD movie mode records video at 1280 x 720 (24 fps) for up to 5 minutes
  • No manual control during filming, though you can use the Picture Mode feature
• Stereo microphone input and HDMI port
• Dual memory card slots: CompactFlash and SD/SDHC, with backup and overflow features
• Uses EN-EL3e lithium-ion battery; 950 shots per charge
  • Optional battery grip gives you even greater battery life and faster continuous shooting (8 fps)
• Ships in late August for $1799, body only