eK-gadgets info

The interchangeable lens camera market just got a lot more crowded! Sony has introduced their new “NEX” series of ultra-compact ILCs that use an all new lens mount (Sony E-mount), yet retain compatibility with classic Alpha mount lenses via an optional adapter. The NEX-3 and NEX-5 are almost identical, save for the build quality and movie recording capabilities. Both are very small cameras, though the lenses are a bit bulky, due to the camera’s APS-C sensor (which is 60% larger than a Micro Four Thirds sensor). I had a chance to use both cameras last week, and all I can say is: look out Panasonic and Olympus (and Samsung, I guess) — the NEX twins are very impressive. They have the manual controls of an D-SLR, with quite a few features borrowed from Sony’s compact cameras (Sweep Panorama and Smile Shutter, to name two). And did I mention that it will be able to take 3D panoramas?

NEX-3

• 14.2 Megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor
• Ultra-compact polycarbonate body comes in silver, black, and red
• Uses new Sony E-mount lenses, with a 1.5x crop factor
  • Three lenses available initially, all of which are made of brushed aluminum, with stainless steel mounts:
    • F2.8, 16 mm pancake lens — supports 12 mm wide-angle and fisheye conversion lenses!
    • F3.5-5.6, 18 - 55 mm zoom lens w/optical image stabilization
    • F3.5-6.3, 18 - 200 mm zoom lens w/optical image stabilization (includes an “active” mode for enhanced shake reduction)
  • Lenses support quiet continuous autofocus and auto exposure for movie recording
  • Backward compatible with classic Alpha-mount lenses via optional LA-EA1 adapter (manual focus only)
• 3-inch articulating LCD display with 921,000 pixels and “TruBlack” technology for better outdoor visibility
• Full time live view with face and smile detection, 25-point contrast detect AF
• Full manual controls, with support for RAW image format; ISO range of 200 - 12,800
• Proprietary shoe on top of camera supports an external flash (GN 7) and optical viewfinder (designed to work with the pancake lens)
• Can take 8 RAW or an unlimited number of JPEGs at 7 frames/second
• Sweep panorama mode can produce 15 or 23 Megapixel panoramas simply by panning the camera from side-to-side; 3D support coming this July via firmware update (requires 3D TV)
• Auto HDR mode combines three exposures into one for better dynamic range; Handheld twilight and anti-motion blur feature combines six exposures into one for blur-free photos
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with stereo sound using H.264 codec
  • Supports continuous AF, auto exposure, and image stabilization
  • Dedicated movie recording button
• Built-in help guide has 80 context-specific tips and tricks
• Dual memory card slots support Memory Stick Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC media
• Uses NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery; 330 shots per charge
• HDMI output
• Ships in July for $550 with the 16 mm pancake lens and $600 with the 18 - 55 zoom
  • Lenses will be available separately for $250 (16 mm), $300 (18 - 55), and $800 (18 - 200, ships this fall)

NEX-5  - changes:

• Even sleeker, magnesium alloy body; comes in silver and black
• Records Full HD movies (1920 x 1080 @ 60 interlaced frames/sec) using AVCHD codec
  • Also supports 720p recording using H.264
• Priced at $650 with the pancake lens and $700 with the 18 - 55 zoom

Just in case there weren’t enough HTC manufactured Android phones out there, the company has come forth today to show us another device; the Wildfire, pictured above. This phone is marketered more toiwards the budget concious crowd with an expected somewhat low price.

Of course, with a low price comes somewhat lower specs including a 528MHz processor (no Snapdragon, unfortunately) and 512MB/384MB RAM and ROM. Additionally, the Wildfire features a 3.2-inch touchscreen, Android 2.1, a 5 megapixel camera with both autofocus and flash, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, A-GPS, 7.2mbps HSPA, and a microSD slot.

While all of this is pretty normal, what makes the Wildfire different from the rest is the “app sharing widget” that will allow you to tell your friends which apps you think they should get via email, SMS and social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter.

The Blackberry 9670 is RIM’s second smartphone in a clamshell form factor and it looks like it will be available exclusively from Verizon and Vodafone. Among the specs that the 9670 would have include a 5MP camera, WiFi, a full QWERTY keyboard and an updated OS.

The Blackberry 9670 is targeting the younger population. Verizon will sell the CDMA version of the BlackBerry 9670 in the US, while Vodafone should get the GSM version for Europe and other markets.

Unsurprisingly, the chaps over at iFixit have already torn their brand new 3G iPad to shreds. There isn’t anything insanely shocking in there (no visible “magic,” though there is some fragmentary evidence of a “revolution”), but it’s still a pretty interesting sight to behold. So, what’s going on in there? Well, for starters, the 3G iPad has five antennas, including one that appears to take up the whole of the LCD frame, and one inside the Apple logo; it’s also got the same baseband processor as both the WiFi iPad and the iPhone 3GS. There are plenty more tidbits to glean from the teardown, if you’re into that sort of thing, so hit the source link if you’re so inclined.

HTC myTouch 3G Slide is the latest addition to the T-Mobile catalog, the smartphone will become available for purchase in June 2010 and sports the Android 2.1 OS.

One of the best features of the myTouch 3G Slide is the “Genius Button” which works via voice and makes it easy to write a message, search for a contact, or make a call. In terms of technical specifications it has a 3.4-inch HVGA touchscreen an an optical trackpad, it supports microSD memory cards and is a quad-band cellphone with GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA, WiFi, bluetooth, and GPS.