Earlier this month we showed you the above picture and told you it was an unannounced handset from RIM that looked like a BlackBerry Slider. Well, not much has been said since then but Engadget has some juicy info.
According to them, the BlackBerry Slider is called the Talladega and will be released next month. News comes to them from a translated interview with a CEO of a RIM supplier who says the slider is coming next month.
We’ve been told there is also a GSM/HSPA version and that the model numbers are BlackBerry 9900 and BlackBerry 9930. Lastly, it looks like the HSPA version of the device will support 850/1900MHz UMTS bands which would make it compatible with both AT&T and Rogers’ 3G networks.
Is this to be believed? We’ll have to wait and see.
The entry-level model is the DMC-G10, while the fancier model is known as the DMC-G2. Both bring notable improvements to the G1 (which was the first Micro Four Thirds camera), including a new image processor, enhancements in image sharpening, easier access to the Intelligent Auto Mode, 720p video recording, and — in the case of the DMC-G2 — a touchscreen LCD display. Both cameras will be bundled with a new, lighter 14 - 42 mm kit lens.I’ll start with the entry-level DMC-G10, and then tell you about what makes the G2 different (and thus more expensive). Here we go:
Lumix DMC-G10
12.1 effective Megapixel Live MOS sensor
New Venus Engine HD II processor brings Intelligent Resolution (sharpening) feature
Uses Micro Four Thirds lens mount, with 2X focal length conversion ratio
Backward compatible with classic Four Thirds lenses via optional adapter; adapters for nearly every other lens format also available
3-inch LCD display with 460,000 pixels and 100% coverage
Electronic viewfinder with 202,000 pixels, 100% coverage, and a magnification of 1.04X
Live view with super-fast contrast detect AF
Full manual controls, with ISO range of 100 - 6400; RAW image format supported
Intelligent Auto mode (now easier to access with a backlit button on the top of the camera) selects a scene mode, detects and recognizes faces, reduces blur, tracks movement, brightens shadows, and more
Twenty-six scene modes to choose from
Continuous shooting at up to 3.2 frames/second
Dust reduction system
Hot shoe for external flash
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) using M-JPEG codec
Camera can focus continuously with most Micro Four Thirds lenses
SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
HDMI output
Uses DMW-BLB13 lithium-ion battery; 380 shots per charge with kit lens
Ship date and price to be announced
Lumix DMC-G2 - changes:
Flip-out, rotating 3-inch touchscreen LCD display with 460,000 pixels
Touchscreen features include customizable on-screen menus, touch focus and shutter, and iPhone-style image playback; I had the chance to try it out at CES and while it’s well-implemented, it seems like more of a novelty than anything (thankfully, everything can still be operated with the four-way controller and command dial)
Electronic viewfinder has 1.44 million pixels and magnification of 1.4X (same as on the original G1); eye sensor detects when EVF is in use
Records movies at 1280 x 720 (files play at 60 fps, sensor outputs 30 fps) using AVCHD Lite codec
Unlimited recording time when using AVCHD Lite, except in Europe
Dedicated movie recording button
Records monaural sound, though an optional stereo mic is available
360 shots per charge
Available in black, blue, and red
Ship date, price TBA
As I mentioned, there’s a new kit lens that goes with both of these cameras. The new F3.5-5.6, 14 - 42 mm Lumix G Vario lens is lightweight, and is equivalent to 28 - 84 mm when attached to either of the cameras above. It also supports Panasonic’s MEGA OIS (optical image stabilization) to reduce the risk of blurry photos. No word on if this lens will be available separately.
Nikon has introduced a number of compact cameras, and I’ll begin with the Coolpix P100 super zoom. This camera sports a 26X optical zoom, a 10 Megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, Full HD movie recording, and a high resolution LCD display. Here’s more:
Coolpix P100Â
10.3 Megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, which promises better low light photos than traditional CCDs
F2.8-5.0, 26X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 26 - 678 mm
Continuous shooting at 10 frames/second at full resolution; can shoot even faster at lower resolutions
Smart Portrait system combines face detection, auto redeye removal, skin softening, smile detection, and blink warning
In-camera HDR feature combines several exposures into a single photo with high dynamic range; Night Landscape feature works in a similar way, combining several photos into a single one, to reduce noise levels
Records Full HD movies — that’s 1920 x 1080, presumably at 30 frames/second — with stereo sound; while optical zoom can be used during recording, image stabilization is electronic only
43MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card slot
HDMI output
Uses EN-EL5 lithium-ion battery; 250 shots per charge
RSS Feed
