Samsung MV800 Flipscreen Camera

One of the problems with reporting on cameras is that they are all very much alike. Once I report on the Megapixels and memory, I then list off a bunch of the usual features.
Samsung’s MV800 Point and Shoot (P&S) camera has one incredibly interesting feature that I have never seen before. It has a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen display that can be flipped 180 degrees. This comes in handy for self-shots and low-angles shots, and for when you want to prop it up.
I suppose that you can also flip the screen over and view the contents of the microSD/SDHC card. That’s right, it takes the microSD instead of the usual SD. That’s another unique feature that will probably become more common, if it isn’t already on P & S cameras.
Well, we might as well describe the usual features. It has a 5X optical zoom and 16.1 Megapixels. It also has some interesting software inside for filters, panoramas, photo touch-ups, effects, plus in-camera cropping.
There is no word of when this camera is going to be launched, but it would be wise of Mr. Samsung to get this out before the holidays. The price is about $279.99, and I’m not certain where it will be available.
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Panasonic Lumix FX90 gets Wi-Fi connectivity

Staying connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi is more or less a given these days, and with many more devices hitting the market that come with built-in Wi-Fi, it goes without saying that to see a compact digital camera carry such functionality is not such a huge surprise any more these days. Of course, there is always another method to retrofit Wi-Fi connectivity into your camera, and that is by using an Eye-Fi SD memory card – but you need not do so with Panasonic’s latest Lumix FX90, of course.
We are talking about 802.11 b/g/n connectivity being thrown into the latest FX90 model, where it will carry a 24mm ultra-wide LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens with F2.5 brightness. Why Wi-Fi support? Well, everyone’s so social these days, and want to be up-to-date with the latest happenings, so to upload instantly shot photos on the spot to your social network page makes perfect sense, and I’m sure reporters who want to be discreet with their subjects would do better with a smaller camera such as this.
Apart from that, Panasonic has also introduced the Lumix Club, which is a cloud-based service that can be accessed over a smartphone and a computer browser. Lumix Club enables one to upload photos which were shot with the LUMIX FX90 to Facebook, Flickr, Picasa or YouTube – simultaneously, of course. With each Lumix Club account comes a free, dedicated application known as Lumix Link, where it will play nice with iPhone and Android-powered smartphones, letting them share photos by connecting the Lumix FX90 to their compatible smartphone, relying on the carrier network to send those photos online.
What else is there to say about the Lumix FX90? How about a 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor that also delivers Full HD video recording capability in AVCHD format? Not only that, you will get additional goodies such as automatic shooting modes, Active Mode in MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), Motion Deblur, Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure.
No idea on when the Lumix FX90 will arrive, but the price will keep the press release company when that happens sometime later this year.

source: prnewswire.com

Panasonic Lumix GF3X announced

Panasonic’s range of Lumix digital cameras have been successful ever since they were launched, and the latest model in the family that is ready and raring to go would be the Panasonic Lumix GF3X, which currently is touted to be the company’s smallest compact system camera to date that will feature a completely new retractable power zoom Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm lens.
Just what makes this lens so special? For starters, it will boast of a retractable design that delivers a whole new level of mobility alongside stunning photo quality, making sure you can tote your beloved GF3X around with you to take great looking photos without the bulk of a DSLR. Of course, don’t expect the range of controls and quality to measure up to a DSLR, but if you’re one who can compromise, then the GF3X seems to be a pretty good bet.

Also known as the H-PS14042 lens if model numbers are your thing, this particular lens will feature electric-powered zoom operation, measuring around 26.8mm in length, while tipping the scales at around 3.35 ounces. Your eyes will be privy to the versatile zoom range of 14-42mm (35mm camera equivalent: 28-84mm) which makes it suitable for a wide range of scenes, ranging from dynamic landscape to portraits.
Apart from that, there is also another Lumix X lens that was announced – the Lumix G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. that delivers superb image rendering for lifelike textures, crisp edge-to-edge contrast, a unique Nano Surface Coating that will achieve a minimal level of ghosts and flaring in natural settings without sacrificing on transparency.
This partnership between the Lumix GF3X and its new lens allows it to achieve Light Speed AF of approximately 0.1 second – making it one quick shooter. As for the new 14-42 PZ lens that also comes with POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), it is a whole lot easier even for beginners to capture clear and sharp photos in conditions where lighting is less than satisfactory.

If you want to have more control over your shots, then manual focusing is also available thanks to the manual focus lever that delivers even more precise control. You can pick up the Lumix GF3X in a black body and black lens or a silver body and silver lens kits options from October onwards, retailing for $749.99 a pop. As for the Lumix G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./ POWER O.I.S. (H-PS14042) lens, that is available for $399.99.

source: CG