Pentax Optio W10
Pentax annouced the new Optio W10, another camera in its water proof series of cameras. This camera can be operated at a depth of 1.5 meters underwater. There is also a face recognition feature that detects peoples faces and adjusts the focus and exposure for optimal picture quality.
It also comes with a larch 2.5 LCD monitor which is coated with a non-glare substance. 6.0 megapixel. The W10 features JIS Class 8 waterproof and JIS Class 5 dustproof ratings, which mean that it is rated for continuous immersion in water in up to 5 feet of water.
Pentax Optio W10 News Release
PENTAX Corporation is pleased to introduce the new PENTAX Optio W10. Furnished with superior waterproofing and dustproofing, the Optio W10 is a 6.0 effective megapixels compact digital camera that packs a 2.5-inch LCD monitor and a 3X optical zoom lens into a slim, newly designed body.
The Optio W10 was developed based on the PENTAX Optio WP series, which realizes the waterproof functionality for underwater photography without requiring a waterproof case or other accessories. While continuing the development concepts of sportiness, elegance, and leisure and the waterproof and dustproof performance for reliable use outdoors or during water sports, the Optio W10 offers improved LCD monitoring and movie recording. This model has been made more convenient and user-friendly with the addition of the new Face Recognition AF/AE function, which detects people?s faces in the picture frame and adjusts the focus and exposure accordingly.
Pentax Optio W10 Major Features
High waterproof performance, without the need for a case
The Optio W10 complies with JIS class 8 waterproof performance, enabling it to withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous operation at an underwater depth of 1.5 meters. Furthermore, the Optio W10 has also been proven to conform to Class 5 dustproof performance of category 2 (machines produced to prevent internal changes in atmospheric pressure). Such capabilities make it ideal for use when skiing, taking part in marine sports, going fishing or enjoying other outdoor events. Waterproof performance of this kind also means users can simply rinse the camera off any time it becomes dirty.
2.5-inch LCD monitor with superb visibility outdoors
The Optio W10 comes with a new 2.5-inch low-reflection LCD monitor. The LCD cover is finished with a non-glare coating, making the screen easier to see even outside on a sunny day. The LCD backlighting mechanism features a brightness adjustment as well as a Power Saving mode, which automatically reduces the backlight intensity to preserve battery life.
High-quality movie recording
The Optio W10 smoothly captures movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640 ? 480 pixels with image quality rivaling camcorders. Furthermore, switching on the newly added movie anti-shake function*1 automatically compensates for camera shake while recording movies. (The anti-shake function can be switched on or off.)
*1 Using the movie Shake Reduction feature results in a narrower field of view than during normal recording.
Face Recognition AF/AE, a new technology that adjusts focus and exposure for people?s faces
The Optio W10 is equipped with Face Recognition AF/AE, a new technology that detects people?s faces and automatically adjusts the focus and corrects the exposure to suit. When the camera?s shooting mode is set to one of Portrait, Self-Portrait, or Natural Skin Tone, this feature will detect and focus on a person?s face anywhere in the picture frame. This technology is particularly effective at preventing ?dropout? photos, where the camera focuses on the background and not on the person when taking commemorative or other valuable photos. At the same time, this feature automatically corrects the exposure so the face is properly exposed even in lighting situations where the brightness of the person and the background are drastically different, such as when a person is under a spotlight or on a strongly backlit stage.
Continuous AF and tracking AF
Continuous AF*2 or tracking AF*3 are activated automatically upon selection of Sport, Pet or Kids modes ? allowing the camera to track a moving subject within the frame and maintain accurate focus accordingly.
*2 For focus on stationary subjects, the shutter release button is depressed halfway to drive the lens to focus lock. Continuous AF, on the other hand, allows the lens to be driven constantly to ensure swift, precise focus as soon as the shutter release button is depressed halfway.
*3 Tracking AF continually detects both horizontal and vertical movement of the main subject to ensure sharp focus at the desired moment. Confirmation of the focus area can be done on the focus frame on the LCD monitor.
High-sensitivity shooting
The Optio W10 supports high-sensitivity shooting*4 at standard output sensitivity 800 (sensitivity is selectable). This enables fast shutter speeds for crisp, sharp shots with minimal blurring even in dark conditions or with moving subjects.
*4 The camera supports sensitivities up to Standard output sensitivity 800 with sensitivity set to Auto and either Candlelight mode or Report mode selected. The recording size with Report mode selected, however, is fixed at 1280 ? 960 pixels.
Super image quality from the 3X optical zoom lens and 6.0 effective megapixels
The Optio W10 includes a 3X optical zoom lens that covers focal lengths from 6.3 to 18.9 mm (equivalent to 38 to 114 mm for 35mm film) and features a ?folding? optical system so the lens never protrudes from the camera while zooming. Optical components have been redesigned for higher resolution, delivering advanced image quality that takes full advantage of the raw power of 6.0 effective megapixels.
Simplified operations with the Mode Palette
Selection of shooting and playback modes is made much easier with the Mode Palette, PENTAX?s original mode selection function that lists mode icons on the LCD monitor. By arranging 25 shooting modes and 15 playback modes, the Mode Palette speeds up mode selection with its straightforward display. Pressing the green button while in the Mode Palette activates a guide function, which displays explanations of each mode.
Green button for immediate setup screen access
The Option W10 includes a green button that immediately calls up the setup screen for settings such as exposure correction and sensitivity. You can assign frequently used functions to the green button to speed up setups when shooting. Up to four functions*5 can be assigned. Initially, the Green mode is pre-assigned to the green button (the three other functions are not assigned).
*5 Functions that can be assigned to the Green button: Green mode, recording size, image quality, white balance, AF area, focus limit, sensitivity, exposure compensation, sharpness, saturation, contrast, and off.
Green mode for easy camera-controlled shooting
The camera features a Green mode, which simplifies picture taking by letting the camera control detailed settings. Since a simple press of the green button activates the Green mode,*6 even beginning photographers can enjoy taking pictures with ease. The Green mode resets the shooting menu, setup menu, and other settings to their defaults and locks the menu and mode buttons and other controls so you don?t have to worry about unintentionally changing the settings. This mode comes in handy when asking someone else to take your picture.
*6 Available when the Green mode is assigned to the green button.
Slim body with a flat design
The slim, flat body design of the Optio W10 allows it to be easily retrieved from pockets, bags, and cases. The camera?s grip is fashioned with a finger-rest in the shape of a water droplet for better portability. An aluminum alloy is employed for the front panel, producing a high-grade sensibility. The rounded form also gives the camera a friendly impression.
Other features
- Ready to shoot just 0.6 seconds after the power is turned on
- Real-time display of ?washed out? and ?blacked out? areas
- Image Recovery function lets you retrieve accidentally erased pictures
- Picture Voice function can record sounds before and after taking a picture
- Macro mode allows close-up photography as near as 1 cm
- Frame composite function allows you, either when shooting or after shooting, to add
- a decorative frame that is printed around the image
- Soft flash function avoids overexposure during close-up flash photography
- Up to 4X digital zooming
- Three color modes (full-color, B&W, sepia) for versatile movie recording
- ?Clock Mode? function displays the time even when the camera is off
- SD memory card compatible; approx. 10.5MB built-in memory
- Standard image viewer, ACDSee for PENTAX software
- FotoNation?s red-eye compensation function for flash shots
- DPOF, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III compatibility
Minox DC 5011 News Release
Minox DC 5011 News Release: The new Minox DC 5011 digital camera is a first class all-round performer with highly sensible features set in an elegant body and all at an attractive price. These include the superb 2.5 inch TFT colour screen, one of the largest available today, that makes mode selection easy and image viewing very convenient for more than one person at a time. The anti-reflection coating of the screen makes for comfortable viewing even in sunlight. The CCD image sensor built into an attractive but sturdy camera body delivers a resolution of up to 5 million pixels - the accepted average pixel rating for to-days compact digitals - will deliver high resolution images with plenty of ability for detailed enlargements as required.
The quality of the end picture result is ensured by the MINOCTAR lens with its multi-coating and fast, precise autofocus. Featuring a 3x optical zoom that offers the photographer full creative freedom that combines nicely with the MINOCTAR lens. In conjunction with the 5-megapixel sensor the lens will deliver dynamic images with natural color rendition, under most circumstances. A fast image sequence for continuous shooting and minimal shutter release delay allow spontaneous snapshots. The fastest available shutter speed is 1/1000 of a second.
The automatic white balance of the DC 5011 guarantees perfect exposures under variable light conditions. Four different flash functions and the possibility to adjust the ISO sensitivity in three stages also allow perfect adjustment of the shot to the ambient conditions. An added feature is that the new MINOX DC 5011 can record video clips.
Besides the integrated slot for SD memory cards, with a capacity of up to 512 megabyte, the MINOX DC 5011 also offers an additional integral data storage of 16 MB. By using a high usage memory card the user can be assured of being able to capture a very large number of high quality photos, while at the same time the camera remains ready to shoot several spontaneous snapshots, even when the selected SD card is removed or full. Using commercially available AA ‘life time’ rechargeable batteries as a power source ensures the camera is always working to its optimum performance. During the data transfer to the PC the power supply can also be provided through an optional power supply unit. For fast and easy transmission of digital images to the computer the MINOX DC 5011 has a digital USB port and it also features a video interface for viewing the pictures on TV. Using the provided software the pictures can be viewed conveniently on the PC and can also be touched up if required.
Nice, compact dimensions of 91 x 61,9 x 27 mm make the MINOX DC 5011 attractive to all users and easy to carry. This new digital camera from MINOX is a positive alternative for photographers looking for an economical digital camera which with natural color rendition and high resolution will satisfy the most discerning tastes in compact cameras.
Included with the new MINOX DC 5011 are two AA batteries, a wrist strap, USB and video cable, CD-ROM with software and drivers as well as an Operator?s Manual.
Technical Information MINOX DC 5011
Image Sensor:
5.0 megapixels CCD Sensor
Resolution:
2.560 x 1.920 pixels / 2.048 x 1.536 pixels / 1.280 x 960 pixels / 640 x 480 pixels
Colour:
8-bit RGB
Lens:
Autofocus MINOCTAR lens
Aperture:
f/2,8 ? f/4,8 mm / f = 5,4 - 16,2 mm (corresponds to 32-96 mm with 35 mm format)
Shutter speed:
1/1000 sec
Zoom:
3x optical, 4x digital
White Balance:
Auto, Manual (daylight, cloudy, sunset, fluorescent, incandescent light)
Display:
2,5? TFT-colour display
Flash:
integrated
Flash program:
auto, fill-in, red-eye-reduction, night, off
ISO sensitivity:
auto, ISO 50/100/200m
Self timer:
10 sec., 2 sec./ 10+2 sec.
Memory:
16 MB internal memory, SD card up to 512 MB
Language support:
German, Englisch, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified)
Software:
Photo Explorer 8.0, Photo Express 5.0
System requirements:
Windows 98/98SE/2000/ME/XP; Mac OS 9.0 or later
Connectors:
USB, power supply unit, video (NTSC or PAL)
Power supply:
2x batteries type AA Alkaline, power supply adapter
Dimensions:
91 x 61,9 x 27 mm
Weight:
140 g
Accessories included:
2x AA batteries, wrist cord, USB-cable, video cable, CD-ROM, Manual
Olympus SP-350 Review
The Imaging Resource has posted a new review of the Olympus SP-350. From the review:
The 8.0-megapixel, 3x-zoom Olympus SP-350 is an excellent performer where it counts: printed image quality. It has a wealth of features in a surprisingly compact body; and though it’s not the most attractive design you’ll start to like it right away when you shoot with it. Featuring a full range of exposure control, in addition to 24 preset Scene modes, the SP-350 caters to a large audience. Novices will appreciate the availability of point-and-shoot control, while more experienced users will enjoy the availability of full manual exposure control. A large 2.5-inch LCD monitor provides accurate framing, and a great place to view pictures, with a real-image optical viewfinder available to save battery power, a feature disappearing from most digicams with a large LCD. Though the camera’s Auto white balance setting tends toward a warmer color cast, overall color is generally pretty good, and exposure about right (though high contrast under harsh lighting). Though the slow shutter lag and image transfer times could have been better, the printed image quality of the SP-350 really surprised us. Even at high ISO, its images were usable far larger than most competing models. For the traveler or hobbyist photographer looking for a small capable camera that has impressive output, the Olympus SP-350 is a clear Dave’s Pick.
The Good:
- Full range of exposure modes from full manual to 24 scene modes
- Good skin tones
- Very small macro area in Super Macro mode
- Very compact size and light weight
- Very simple user interface
- Fun to use
- Hot shoe allows use of external flash for more power and better lighting with bounce shots
- Innovative Help system
- Accurate LCD viewfinder
- Good low light capability
- Case design fits both large and small hands well
- Excellent print quality, even at high ISO
The Bad:
- Contrast is a little high, tends to lose highlight and shadow detail under harsh lighting
- Slightly warm color in Auto white balance mode
- Slightly slower than average cycle times
- Flash coverage a little uneven at wide angle
- Saving images to card takes too long
- High distortion and chromatic aberration at full wide angle
- Scant internal storage, you will need a card
Click here for more information about the Olympus SP-350 along with more reviews
Nikon Coolpix L1 Review
Megapixel.net has posted a review for the Nikon Coolpix L1. They gave it an above average rating because of strong focusing accuracy and speed as well as excellent Metering Reliability.
Megapixel.net writes:
- Very good image quality.
- Excellent 256-segment Matrix metering.
- Natural colours.
- 5X optical zoom.
- 2.5-inch monitor.
- Compact and light.
- Soft focus images at the widest angle.
- No control over sensitivity (ISO).
- Drains batteries faster than comparable cameras with a smaller LCD monit
[ Link ]
Read more about the Nikon Coolpix L1 by clicking here.
Tags: Nikon, Digital Camera, Coolpix, L1