I am all for thin electronics to a point. If you go too thin some gear can be hard to grip and that can be bad news if you drop the device. A patent app has surfaced from Sony that shows a novel way to create a grip for a thin camera when the lens cap is open.
The line art with the app shows a very thin digital camera with the lens on the left edge of the screen. The lens is covered by a sliding section on the front for protection, which is a very common design today. The cool part about the Sony design is that it uses a strategically placed hinge to do something that is so simple I am surprised we haven’t seen this before.
When the user slides the cover back to take pics, the hinge creates a triangular shaped grip on the right side of the camera that makes the camera easier to hold. Ingenious isn’t it. I hope we see this design soon.
Panasonic‘s rugged TS3 and Full HD ZS10 and ZS8 digicams aren’t the only new models from the company today; there’s also the ultracompact Panasonic LUMIX FX78. Built around a 24mm ultra-wide angle Leica lens with a 5x optical zoom and a 12.1-megapixel sensor, the FX78 is controlled via a 3.5-inch touchscreen display and supports Panasonic’s 3D Photo mode.
Despite only having a single lens, 3D Photo creates 3D stills by taking 20 consecutive photos and overlaying the two best to create an image that can then be played on a Panasonic VIERA 3D HDTV. There’s also Full HD video recording and optical image stabilization.
Various in-camera editing and retouching options round out the main specs; more details in the press release below. The Panasonic LUMIX FX78 will go on sale in March 2011 in black, gold and white; pricing will be confirmed closer to the time.
Press Release:
PANASONIC INTRODUCES STYLISH AND ULTRA-COMPACT LUMIX FX78 DIGITAL CAMERA WITH FULL-HD VIDEO CAPABILITIES
The LUMIX FX78 Features a F2.5 Super-Bright 24mm Ultra-Wide-Angle Leica Lens for Superb Photo and Video Quality and a Large 3.5-inch Smart Touch LCD for Intuitive Operation
SECAUCUS, NJ (January 25, 2011) – Panasonic today expands its LUMIX FX-Series of stylish and compact digital cameras, with the LUMIX FX78, which features a new Smart Touch operation on the large 3.5-inch 16:9 aspect LCD, allowing for intuitive touch operation, including Touch AF, Touch Zoom, Touch Shutter, and Touch Playback. The LUMIX FX78 also incorporates a new LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT, 24mm ultra-wide angle lens that has a 5x optical zoom with F2.5 aperture. The 24mm wide-angle lens offers approximately 213% larger viewing space when compared to a traditional 35mm camera. This high-performing lens has been designed to fit the slim body while still offering exceptional photo and video quality. With its wide and bright lens, the LUMIX FX78 excels when shooting dynamic landscapes and in low-lit situations.
The LUMIX FX78’s Smart Touch Screen allows for the Auto Focus (AF) to be set by simply touching the subject on the LCD and a touch can even release the shutter. Once locked on the subject, the LUMIX FX78 tracks the subject with the AF tracking function even if it moves. With the Intelligent Scene Selector in the iA mode, the FX78 automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject touched. For example, a touch on a human face switches to the portrait mode, and a touch on the background or a landscape changes to the Scenery mode, while a touch on the subject close in the foreground changes to Macro mode. All menu settings are now available with touch control. The touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting, but also in playback, allowing the user to drag the images across the screen with a finger and browse the collection of photos as though flipping the pages of the book.
“With its super-bright and wide-angle lens, the LUMIX FX78 is a high-performing digital camera that excels in image quality, producing exceptional full-HD videos and still photos,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With the new touch-screen operation, the FX78 is intuitive to use and allows the user to take a photo, track a subject and even touch-up a face with just the touch of the finger.”
The LUMIX FX78 also features the Panasonic 3D Photo mode, which produces a realistic 3D photo by taking 20 consecutive photos and overlaying the two best to create a 3D image that can then be played on a Panasonic VIERA 3D HDTV. The format of 3D images is compatible with MPO, and can also be played back on other MPO-compatible equipment such as a televisions, digital photo frames and printers. Panasonic also adds the LUMIX Image Uploader, for seamless and instant sharing via Facebook (for digital photos) or YouTube (for videos). Users can checkmark the photo or video files they want to share, connect the camera to a PC with the included USB cable or by inserting the SD Memory Card directly into the PC’s SD Card slot, and then the uploading automatically launches with an easy-to-follow menu option.
Incorporating a newly developed 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor, the DMC-LUMIX FX78 is compatible with high-speed, large-capacity signal processing required for 1920 x 1080 full-HD video recording in AVCHD and high speed continuous shooting. The AVCHD format almost doubles the recording time in HD quality, when compared with the conventional Motion JPEG. The LUMIX FX78 also boasts Dolby Dolby® Digital Creator to record high quality audio.
The advanced image processing LSI, the Venus Engine FHD, assures high picture quality in both photo and movie recording. It also incorporates the Intelligent Resolution technology to perform the optimum signal processing to give the entire image outstandingly natural clearness with fine details. The LUMIX FX78’s 5x optical zoom is available when shooting video. Thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the LUMIX FX78 which extends the zoom ratio by approximately 1.3x maintaining the picture quality and extending it to a 6.5x zoom equivalent. The Sonic Speed AF, which gains approximately 33% higher speed compared with its predecessor DMC-FX75, has a quick shutter release time lag as short as approximately 0.005 second.
The LUMIX FX78 is not only a high-performing digital camera when it concerns image quality, but it also includes a host of entertaining features that brings photography to a new level of fun with features such as Art Retouch and Beauty Retouch. The Art Retouch function lets the user change the original photo in brightness and color saturation. The Beauty Retouch mode allows users to digitally touch-up faces by applying different effects, such as skin texture, lifting up the face and whitening of teeth. In addition, the Make-up mode gives the user the option to change the face’s complexion, lips, cheeks or eye-shadow coloring.
Panasonic’s iA Mode, a suite of technologies that engage automatically, has evolved for more powerful image stabilization while video recording and taking still photos with Active Mode which boosts MEGA OIS to excel in suppressing blur when recording videos at wide angle while walking. Other features of iA include: Motion Deblur, MEGA OIS, Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. With iA, taking beautiful photos is possible for users at any level. In addition, the Intelligent Resolution technology is always activated in the iA mode, which helps produce even clearer photos by precisely performing signal processing pixel by pixel to help ensure clear and sharp images.
The LUMIX FX78 will be available in March 2011 in black, gold and white models and pricing will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping date. For more on these Panasonic LUMIX models, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.
Panasonic has unveiled another new digital camera called the Lumix TS3. This camera is made to survive the rigors out outdoor use. The camera is waterproof, shockproof, freezproof, and dustproof. In addition to being rugged, the camera also has nice photo shooting and video recording capability.
The camera can record 1080p resolution video and has a 12.1MP image sensor. It is designed to survive falls of up to 6.6 feet, temperatures to 14F, and survive submersion to 40-feet. The camera has a 3D photo mode that takes a series of 20 photos and then picks the best two to overlay for 3D viewing on Panasonic TVs and other sources.
The cam has a 4.6x optical zoom and the shutter can be released in as little as 0.005 second. The video resolution is good and the audio is too, the camera has Dolby Digital creator audio. The rear LCD has a non-glare finish and measures 2.7-inches. GPS is integrated as well. The camera will ship in March and pricing will be announced about a month before the camera ships.
Panasonic expanded its digital camera line up for 2011 today with the addition of the new Lumix DMC-ZS10 digital camera. The camera has a versatile lens that can shoot ultra wide-angle to long zoom shots. The total optical zoom range of the camera is 16x and the lens has 24mm wide angle as well.
The ZS10 is crammed with features that will make the camera interesting to many people like a 3-inch rear LCD that allows touch zoom, touch autofocus, touch shutter, and touch playback. That means you can just touch the screen rather than wading through deep menus and lots of buttons.
The camera is also 3D image compatible and it has a 14.1MP resolution. Video recording in 1080p resolution is supported and the camera uses the Panasonic Venus Engine FHD. The cam has integrated GPS for geo tagging images and uses internal data to tag the photos with information on landmarks and the city or town the photo was taken in. Pricing is unannounced at this time but the camera will land in March.
SEOUL, Korea (AVING) — Korean camera accessories professional brand, Ciesta recently introduced ‘Arco Flexible Camera Insert’ that its shape is changeable depending on the shape of bag.
This product is consisted of 14 partitions. Thanks to this, it moves flexibly and can be used as inner bag. NBR which has flexibility and resilience is used as internal material makes users store digital device.
‘Arco Flexible Camera Insert’ can store mirrorless camera, instax camera, toy camera and compact DSLR securely. Mesh material is used and pockets are created for storage of diverse accessories. 4 general pockets and 2 pencil pockets and users can check where is each good at a glance.
9 colors such as Cobalt, Cyan Blue, Dark Beige, Dark Brown, P…
SEOUL, Korea (AVING) — ‘Toaster’, combination product of memory card reader and USB hub that Innovation TIMU(representative Lee Kwang-jae, www.timu.co.kr) has released recently. As you see the name, it shapes toaster.
(Picture: All images are shut by Naver blog didcodms95.blog.me which did field test of ‘Toaster’)
Memory Card Reader supports 56 types of memory card standards. According to Innovation TIMU, it can read and write all memory cards in Korea and the speed is good.
USB Hub supports 3 USB ports. As a result of field test, it can recharge Apple iPod.
‘Toaster’ is suitable product for users who want the product not disposable but stable memory card reader and USB.
SEOUL, Korea (AVING) — Samsung Electronics, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the launch of the new ultra compact camera, the ST30. The latest launch reinforces Samsung’s position as a global leader in design-led innovation to meet the needs of customers. The attractive and ultra compact model incorporates leading technology benefits, to capture great images wherever you go.
The ST30′s tiny size and compact design means it’s the perfect camera to drop into your handbag, or tuck away in your jeans pocket. With the ST30′s compact size, about the size of an average mobile phone, it’s the ideal camera to use when heading out to the latest party or to catch-up with friends. The ST30 features a unique des…
SEOUL, Korea (AVING) — Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced the latest addition to its design-led camera portfolio, the ST6500, reinforcing the company’s position as a global leader in digital imaging innovation and a pioneer of stylish design and ergonomic usability. The launch follows the success of Samsung’s recent cameras such as the ST5000 which showcased a fluid and sleek design approach.
The ST6500 incorporates the latest angled design, with the camera’s body curved around the lens and angled at 7 degrees to make for a more ergonomic fit in the hand, an innovative step away from the conventionally designed models available in the market. The overall design helps ensure th…
SEOUL, Korea (AVING) — Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the ST95, ST90 and ST65, the latest additions to its ultra-slim, stylish design range, delivering the perfect balance between style and functionality. The latest launches reinforce Samsung’s ambition to produce high performing, fashionable and portable models for all customers, which still maintain a premium and high quality feature set to guarantee great images.
The ST95, ST90 and ST65 boast impressive performance features within their ultra-slim line design. With each device measuring 16.5mm (ST90) or 17mm (ST95 and ST65), the new cameras ensure users have the most sleek and stylish compact cameras on the market…
