Samsung NX2000 Preview

Samsung NX2000 Preview

Samsung introduced the NX2000 interchangeable-lens camera, which features a phone-like touch screen and easy Autoshare toggling.

Essentially a slightly more feature-rich version of the NX1100 (which in turn is the NX1000 with Autoshare capability and a bundled version of Adobe Lightroom 4, which also comes with the NX2000). Both are based on the same sensor as the NX210, though the NX2000 has an updated version of the image-processing engine. Samsung says that it results in better image quality and faster performance, and that autofocus performance falls somewhere between the NX1100 and NX300; it's got faster contrast AF, but lacks the phase-detection sensors of the NX300.

The camera incorporates a new 3.7-inch capacitive touch screen, and its interface mimics that of the Galaxy Camera, albeit without the Android. In addition to using NFC to enable quick Wi-Fi connections, it has a dedicated button to toggle Autoshare -- automatic image transfer directly to a linked device -- though the button can be remapped to send directly to another location.

As you'd expect, there are other operational tweaks, including updates to the scene analysis behind the Smart Mode for better automatic operation.

With this model, Samsung is switching to MicroSD, which is a big pain for people who actually remove their media on a regular basis.

14 different SMART Modes, as well as the i-Function controls, offer photographers a variety of ways to creatively adjust and customize imagery and camera settings. Full HD 1920x1080p Movie Recording is standard in 2D with any of the 12 compatible NX-series lenses, but if you opt for the 45mm 2D/3D lens (sold separately), you can also capture full quality 3D stills and movies.

Despite a full freight of professional camera performance specs, Samsung seems most excited about the NX2000's Wi-Fi Connectivity features, which work in conjunction with the Samsung SMART CAMERA App; available for both Android and iOS devices. AutoShare sends photos as they are taken to a smartphone or tablet. Near Field Communication (NFC) technology syncs the NX200 to NFC-enabled Android smartphones and tablets via a direct Wi-Fi connection. You can also use the Direct Link "hot key" to sync up your favorite social networking site, such as Facebook.

Finally, Samsung bundles a copy of the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 with every purchase.


Samsung SMART Camera NX2000 Features

•     20.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS image sensor
•     DRIMe IV engine
•     3.7-inch WVGA Full Touch Screen Display
•     Full 1080p HD Movie Recording (30 frames-per-second)
•     HDMI 1.4a output
•     14 SMART Modes, including:

        Action Freeze
        Best Face
        Beauty Face
        Landscape
        Macro
        Rich Tone
        Panorama
        Waterfall
        Silhouette
        Sunset
        Night
        Fireworks
        Light Trace
        Creative Shot

•     8 frames-per-second fast continuous shooting
•     1/4000th second top shutter speed
•     100-25600 ISO range
•     i-Function System
•     3D Still and Movie Recording Capabilities

        *Requires options 25mm 2D/3D lens

•     Works with 12 NX-series lenses
•     Wi-Fi Connectivity includes

        Auto Share
        SNS & Cloud
        Email
        Auto Backup
        Remote Viewfinder
        MobileLink
        Wi-Fi Direct (playback)
        Samsung Link (previously known as AllShare Play)
        Social Sharing

•     RAW & JPEG recording formats
•     Dimensions: 119 x 64.5 x 35.7 mm

Though an exact street date has yet to be announced, the Samsung SMART Camera NX2000 will be available in black, pink, and white for less than $650. 

Sources:
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/samsung-nx2000-with-20/4505-6501_7-35755703.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/samsung/nx2000/samsung-smart-camera-nx2000-review.html

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LF1 Preview

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LF1 Preview

Like many of their competitors, Panasonic has fully embraced Wi-Fi connectivity for their newly announced 2013 LUMIX series cameras. The DMC-LF1 works perfectly with both the Panasonic Image App (available on Android and iOS platforms) as well as the camera-maker's cloud service, LUMIX CLUB. The club, in addition to being a great place to backup and store photographs and videos, allows users to sync their accounts with social networking sites like Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, Twitter, or YouTube.

The Panasonic Image App has a lot of great features too. For example, if you have a DLNA-compliant Panasonic VIERA HDTV, Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology allows you to display slideshows directly from your camera (no wires!). The Instant Transfer function automatically sends photo data to designated electronic devices whenever the shutter releases (or feel free to pick individual images to transfer during playback mode). And, finally, the app allows you to use your smartphone or tablet as A) a remote control to shoot both stills and video -- release the shutter, zoom, focus, and adjust shutter speed, aperture, or exposure compensation -- or B) an external monitor. Very cool.

While Wi-Fi is an excellent bonus, what's most important about the LF1 is that, assuming it reviews like similarly appointed LUMIX models, it promises to take highly-detailed, accurately-colored photographs at a 12.1-megapixel resolution as well as record 1080/60i HD videos. The 7.1x optical zoom lens has the 35mm equivalency of 28-200mm with a F2.0 maximum aperture. iA+ (Intelligent Auto Plus) Mode and the Creative Guide are both designed to help newer shutterbugs accurately capture and frame still photos. And, there are 15 Filter Effects accessible via Creative Control (Filters applied BEFORE stills or video) and Creative Retouch (Filters applied AFTER).

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LF1 Features

•     12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS image sensor
•     7.1x LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON optical zoom lens

        35mm equivalent of 28-200mm
        F2.0-5.9

•     Venus Engine Image Processor
•     3.0-inch (920K-dot) Intelligent LCD
•     200K-dot Electronic Viewfinder
•     POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)
•     1920x1080/60i HD Video Recording
•     Control Ring with access to Manual Controls
•     10 frames per second High Speed Burst Shooting
•     iA+ (Intelligent Auto Plus) Mode
•     Composition Guide

        Rule of Thirds Offset
        Diagonal Lines
        Tunnel
        Radiation 1
        Radiation 3
        S-Shape

•     Level Gauge
•     ISO up to 12,800
•     Creative Panorama
•     Creative Control and Creative Retouch with 15 Filter Effects, including:

        Old Days
        Expressive
        Retro
        High Key
        Sepia
        High Dynamic
        Soft Focus
        Dynamic Monochrome
        Impressive Art
        One Point Color
        Cross Process
        Low Key
        Toy Effect
        Star Filter
        Miniature Effect

•     Wi-Fi Connectivity
•     NFC (Near Field Communication) Technology
•     AC / USB Power Charging

Panasonic's LUMIX DMC-LF1 should be available in the coming months. Stay tuned for a specific date and pricing. Color choices, thus far, include black or white.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/panasonic/lumix-dmc-lf1/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lf1-review.html

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G6 Preview

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G6 Preview

Panasonic has announced its latest Wi-Fi capable, interchangeable lens LUMIX series camera for 2013. The DMC-G6 is an updated version of last year's well-reviewed G5. For starters, we've still got the 16.05 megapixel Live MOS images sensor with the VENUS image processor, the 3.0-inch free-angle touch screen LCD display capable of Touch AF (AutoFocus), a high quality LVF (Live Viewfinder), Creative Control Filters, and Full HD Video Recording.

But there are a lot of upgrades too. For instance, where the G5 included 14 Creative Filters, the G6 adds five more. And HD video recording has been improved with the ability to natively shoot not only in Full 1080/60p HD, but also the film-like 1080/24p. Then let's throw in new features like Creative Panorama (for capturing the widest vistas in one click), Time Lapse Shot (for recording fluid movement over extended periods of time), Stop Motion Animation (for creating movies one frame at a time), and Clear Retouch (for erasing "unwanted objects or figures in an image by tracing over them on the monitor with a fingertip").

Newbie Photographers will enjoy the updated Advanced iA+ (Intelligent Auto Plus) Mode, which automatically pre-selects optimum camera settings for just about any shooting scenario, as well as Scene Guide, which allows photographers to select one of 23 professional photographs to help frame and set up your own shot.

Saving the best new feature for last, the biggest difference between the G5 and the G6 comes from built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. When combined with either the Panasonic Image app, or Panasonic's cloud service, LUMIX CLUB, users gain access to a whole new set of features and networking capabilities. First, on the Panasonic Image App (available for both iOS and Android devices), use your smartphone or tablet as A) a remote control to shoot both stills and video -- release the shutter, zoom, focus, and adjust shutter speed, aperture, or exposure compensation -- or B) an external monitor. The Instant Transfer function automatically sends photo data to designated electronic devices whenever the shutter releases (or feel free to pick individual images to transfer during playback mode). Also, Wi-Fi Direct uses Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology to display still images on DLNA-compliant Panasonic VIERA HDTVs. Finally, via LUMIX CLUB, G6 owners will be able to sync their cloud accounts with all their favorite social networking sites, such as Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, Twitter, or YouTube.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G6 Features

    16.05-megapixel Digital Live MOS image sensor
    Venus Engine Image Processor
    3.0-inch Free-Angle Monitor with In-Cell Touch Technology
    1,440K-dot OLED Live View Finder
    Full 1920x1080/60p HD Video Recording in AVCHD Progressive
    1080/24p HD Video Recording
    P/A/S/M Manual Controls
    Full-Time AF (Auto Focus)
    7 frames per second High Speed Burst Shooting
    5fps with AF Tracking engaged
    Touch AF
    Advanced iA+ (Intelligent Auto Plus) Mode
    Scene Guide
    ISO up to 25,600
    Ready to shoot in 0.5 seconds after start up
    Creative Panorama
    Time Lapse Shot
    Stop Motion Animation
    Clear Retouch
    Creative Control Mode with 14 Classic and 5 New (*) Filters
        Old Days*
        Sunshine*
        Bleach Bypass*
        Toy Pop*
        Fantasy*
        Expressive
        Retro
        High Key
        Sepia
        High Dynamic
        Soft Focus
        Dynamic Monochrome
        Impressive Art
        One Point Color
        Cross Process
        Low Key
        Toy Effect
        Star Filter
        Miniature Effect
    Wi-Fi Connectivity
    NFC (Near Field Communication) Technology


Though the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G6 will be available sometime this year, pricing and the exact date are still unknown.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/panasonic/lumix-dmc-g6/panasonic-lumix-dmc-g6-review.html

Sony Digital Recording Binoculars DEV-50V Preview

Sony Digital Recording Binoculars DEV-50V Preview

30% smaller than their predecessor, Sony has announced the DEV-50V Digital Recording Binoculars. In addition to simple world observation, these digital binocs also capture up to 20.4-megapixel still images as well as HD video in either three or two dimensions. Twin Sony G-Lenses funnel light into dual Exmor R CMOS image sensors and the BIONZ image processor, which, in addition to ensuring vivid and colorful images and videos, helps the camera's super fast Auto Focus (not found on your father's binoculars) and adds a few creative bells and whistles. Although there is no optical viewfinder, Sony supplies twin OLED Tru-finder eyes pieces (2.4 million dots each).

The DEV-50V's optical zoom range is different for video and still images. With a 35mm equivalent of 36.3-2007mm, or 25x, you're going to love the built-in Optical Steady Shot to ensure blur-free still photos. 3D / HD Movies can also access the 25x zoom range, but only with Digital Zoom turned on; for cleaner recordings, we recommend sticking with the 12x optical zoom.

In addition to all sorts of inputs and outputs, Sony's newest Digital Recording Binoculars offer Hyper-Gain Mode, for seeing in ultra-low-light scenarios almost like Nigh Vision, and Sweep Panorama 360, the easiest way to capture wide-angle panoramas.

Sony DEV-50V Digital Recording Binoculars Features

   - Twin Exmor R CMOS image sensors with a max resolution of 20.4 megapixels
   - Twin OLED Tru-finder eyes pieces (2.4 million dots each)
   - Twin Sony G Lenses capable of

•         25x optical zoom Still Photos (36.3 - 2007mm)
•         12x optical zoom Movie Recording

 -   BIONZ Image Processor
 -   3D HD Video Recording at 1080/60i
 -   2D HD Video Recording at 1080/60p
 -   AutoFocus
 -   Optical Steady Shot
 -   Sweep Panorama 360
 -   Hyper Gain Mode
 -   Micro HDMI Out
 -   Composite Video Out
 -   Supplied Accessories

•         Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-FV70)
•         AC Adaptor
•         Power Cord
•         Operation Guide
•         HDMI Micro Cable
•         Micro USB Cable
•         CD-ROM Manuals
•         Neck Strap
•         Lens Cap
•         Large Eyecup
•         Finder Cap
•         Carrying Case

Pricing and availability for the Sony DEV-50V will be announced shortly.

Source: http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/sony/dev-50/sony-dev-50v-digital-recording-binoculars-review.html