Stylish Pentax Range Released

Retro-styling is all the rage, particularly at Pentax, who’ve just released two new ranges borrowing from the schmick designs of days gone by.

The H90 series features a simple design in a two-tone trim, but despite the antique look, sports a 12.1-megapixel sensor and 720p video capabilities. It’s also got a 28-140mm equivalent lens, ISO up to 6400 and all the face-detection gadgets we’ve come to expect in the modern compact.

Also due for release is the rather sharp Optio I-10, a 12.1-megapixel compact in the mould of a little SLR. Available in pearl white and classic black, the I-10 features a focal range of between 28-140mm. There’s built-in ‘triple anti-shake’ and wireless remote shooting capabilities. Apparently, its face detection technology will recognise grinning cats and dogs, too.

Sony Reveals 2010 Strategy

While most camera manufacturers like to play their cards close to their chest, Sony recently gave the game away, revealing its digital imaging strategy at PMA.

The company plans to take burgeoning ‘Micro Four Thirds’ market head on, with Sony’s own iteration of a compact camera with

interchangeable lenses already in production. Using a newly developed Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor, which at 24mm x 16mm is larger than the Micro Four Thirds format, Sony exhibited a mock-up model at the show. Along with a range of dedicated lenses, the new compact would shoot HD video using AVCHD format.

Less surprisingly, Sony plans to continue rolling out its range of Alpha dSLRs, integrating the new Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and HD video. A follow-up to the mid-range a700 is also in the works.

New lenses are also on the cards, with a Distagon T* 24mm f/2 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss wide angle lens and a Super Telephoto 500mm f/4 G on show at PMA.

Samsung Launches Fast Flagship Compact

Samsung have thrown its hat in the ring with a new high-end compact camera, the TL500, a 10 megapixel camera capable of shooting RAW.

Its real drawcard is that the new shooter’s 24-70mm equivalent Schneider KREUZNACH lens has an aperture of f/1.8 to f/2.4 when fully extended, which actually makes it faster than Canon’s closest competitor, the G11.

Sporting a 10 megapixel 1/1.7” CCD sensor, ISO sensitivity runs to 3200.

The TL500 also features more advanced camera features such as a hot-shoe, dual image stabilisation and an articulated 3-inch AMOLED LCD screen.  Details regarding the camera’s shooting modes are scarce as yet, although on initial inspection it appears as though full manual modes are available.

While the new compact shoots video, its capabilities are limited to 640 x 480 – read: no HD.

“With the TL500, Samsung further differentiates its lineup from the competition and achieves yet another milestone in the industry,” said Mr. SJ Park, CEO of Samsung Digital Imaging Company. “With ultra-wide angle capability and unparalleled speed, the TL500’s lens offers a new level of versatility allowing the user to be more creative and take better pictures.”

Dropping in April this year, the TL500 looks set to give the big guys a run for their money.

Nikon Slims S-Series Compacts

Two slim new compacts from Nikon will be available from next month, with the Coolpix S4000 and S3000 models landing in March.

Successors to the Coolpix S230 and S220 models, the new compact digitals utilise a touch-screen panel, a 12-megapixel sensor, and a 27mm 4X zoom lens. The S4000 model also throws in HD video recording capabilities.

The touchscreen features a redesigned graphical user interface, which includes a touch shutter and slider adjustment for white balance. They’re also pretty compact for a compact, with the S3000 only 19mm deep.

Avaialable in eight colours, there’s still no word on local pricing and availability, but keep reading D-Photo for more details.

Ricoh Releases CX3

Ricoh has just unveiled the new CX3 compact with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a 28-300mm lens.

Incorporating technology introduced in Ricoh’s 2009 GR Digital III camera, the CX3 improves low-light performance via its 10 megapixel back-lit sensor.

It also delivers 1280×720p HD movie recording capabilities, along with the addition of high & low luminance priority  settings for “dynamic range double shot mode” dynamic range expansion effects, and the addition of the “pets” scene mode.

The new camera is expected to retail somewhere around $699.

Six Samsung Shooters Revealed

Samsung has renewed three lines of its compact camera range, packing big zooms into small shooters.

The SL630 budget compact features 12.2 megapixel sensor and a 28-140mm equivalent lens, along with image stabilisation, focus tracking and a ‘perfect portrait’ system.

Also released were the TL110 and TL105, which feature 14.2 and 12 megapixel sensors respectively. With 27mm equivalent lenses, the new compacts also include 720p HD video recording.

Finally, Samsung released the HZ35W and HZ30W compact superzooms, featuring a 24mm equivalent and 12.2 megapixel sensors. Awash with fancy gadgets, the new cameras use built-in GPS and also shoot in HD video.

No word yet on a local release schedule, but watch this space for further details.

Four New Lumix Released

Panasonic has updated its Lumix compact camera range, with four new lines due for release.

The 14.1-Megapixel LUMIX DMC-FH22/FH20 newly developed 28mm wide-angle lens with a 28mm to 224mm equivalent zoom, and the addition of 720p HD video.

HD Video is also featured in the 14.1-Megapixel DMC-FH3 and 12.1-Megapixel DMC-FH1, compact cameras that emphasise simple operation. The two new cameras also include intelligent auto modes and come in a variety of bright colours.

The slim 14.1-Megapixel LUMIX DMC-FP3/FP2 and 12.1-Megapixel DMC-FP1 aluminium with 4x optical zoom also comes with HD Video and claims to feature ‘astonishingly quick’ operation.

Finally, Panasonic is releasing the entry-level 12.1-Megapixel DMC-F3 and 10.1-Megapixel DMC-F2. A 28mm wide-angle 4x optical zoom (28-112mm) high quality LUMIX DC VARIO lens is equipped with the F3 and the same quality of 33mm 4x optical zoom (33-132mm) lens is with F2.

Local prices and release dates are yet to be confirmed – watch D-Photo for more details.

Kodak’s Slice Touchscreen Revealed

A touchscreen camera from Kodak was unveiled at CES, with the new Kodak Slice designed to easily display a personal photo album via its internal memory.

The Slice also features a new ‘share’ button, which automatically uploads pictures to Facebook, KODAK Gallery, Flickr, and YouTube.

Kodak claims the Slice can hold up to 5,000 images in HD resolution, which it can display on its 3.5-inch, 16:9 touchscreen. The camera itself uses a 14-megapixel CCD sensor and a 5X Schneider-Kreuznach lens, optical image stabilisation and 720p/30fps video recording capabilities.

No word yet on local release date, keep tuned to D-Photo for more details.

Sony Cyber-Shots Updated

Four lines in Sony’s Cyber-shot range have gotten an overhaul, with the H, T, W and S series all receiving improved imaging and movie capabilities, while the TX7 and HX5V even include AVCHD video, a feature previously only found on Handycams.

The new range also marks the first time Sony has included SD/SDHC memory card compatibility, along with Sony’s own Memory Stick cards.

Sony says its proprietary ‘Exmor R’ CMOS sensors used in cameras across the range are twice as sensitive to light compared to cameras in the same class with CCD sensors. GPS and Compass gadgets have also been built-in to the new models, allowing photographers to pinpoint wherever they took their image. The TX-7, the world’s slimmest camera with Full HD video, features a 10.2 megapixel sensor and a 25mm wide lens, and also includes Sony’s innovative Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode.

The HX5V also uses a 10.2 megapixel sensor, and comes with a 25-250mm f/3.5-5.5 lens. The four W series point-and-shoots offer a larger resolution with 14.1-megapixel sensors and 5x optical zoom ‘G lens’ at f/2.4.

The two S-series, the S2100 and the S200 offer a simpler camera with a 12.1 megapixel sensor and a 3-inch LCD. The new range will be available in New Zealand between February and March 2010.