CANON INTRODUCES EOS 5D MARK II DSLR CAMERA

Canon has come up with the EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera, the highly anticipated successor to Canon's highly popular EOS 5D. In addition to the qualities that made the EOS 5D camera so successful, Canon has coupled the creative power of a full-frame CMOS sensor in a relatively compact and affordable camera body, together with breathtaking HD video capture. With an ability to capture full HD video clips at 1920 x 1080 resolution, Canon's EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera features a 21.1-megapixel full frame 24 x 36mm CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 imaging processor and significantly lower noise, with an expanded sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 25,600.

With the combination of its improved CMOS image sensor and the powerful new DIGIC 4 image processor, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera provides ISO speeds from ISO 100 up to ISO 6400 in 1/3-stop increments, along with two high-speed settings - H1 and H2 - of ISO 12800 and ISO 25600, respectively, as well as a low-speed setting of ISO 50. The full-frame sensor maximizes the performance of Canon EF lenses, the world's largest selection of autofocus lenses.

Following are some of the cool features with the latest technology:
HD and SD Video Capture
The EOS 5D Mark II can capture videos up to 4GB per clip or a maximum continuous movie capture time of 29 minutes and 59 seconds, whichever comes first, and quality, nothing short of HD!

Live View Shooting
For both still images and video recording, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II comes with the Live View feature, one of the most sought after features in digital SLRs today. The 5D Mark II features three Live View AF modes - Quick, Live and Face Detection Live mode - for capturing either still photos or video, each with its own attributes.

Peripheral Illumination Correction
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera automatically conducts peripheral illumination correction when shooting JPEG images, a function that previously could only be accomplished through post-image processing using software..

Auto Lighting Optimizer
Canon's enhanced Auto Lighting Optimizer technology helps ensure each picture's subject is clearly visible by analyzing image brightness and automatically adjusting dark areas in images so that they appear brighter.

Canon's New Creative Auto Mode
This setting allows users to make image adjustments such as aperture or shutter speed through an easy-to-understand navigation screen on the camera's LCD menu, allowing them to "blur the background" or "lighten or darken the image."

source: usa.canon.com

Canon PowerShot SX10 Digital camera: 20x optical zoom

Canon has introduced the expansion of the ever-popular ultra-zoom SX-Series, the PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera. The new digital camera features the following:
1)Wide-angle (28 mm - 560 mm) 20x optical zoom lens
2)Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS)
3)Canon's new DIGIC 4 image processor
4)Smooth, curved grip that fits in the hand comfortably.

This compact camera is capable of capturing long-range shots of soccer field action from the bleachers or sunsets from your hotel balcony easier. Photographers can now quickly zoom in close enough to capture facial expressions and details from far away, thanks to the 20x optical zoom. Adding to the ultra-zoom capabilities and new DIGIC 4 image processor, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera comes with a full pack of performance and convenient features that cameral overs have come to expect from Canon - 10.0 MP resolution, Genuine Canon Face Detection Technology, large 2.5-inch vari-angle LCD screen and MovieSnap mode for capturing high-resolution still images while shooting video.

For users whom movie capability is an important consideration, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera offers creative possibilities, including the ability to shoot VGA movies. The PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera can record individual movies upto one hour or 4GB per clip, ultilizing the new Voice Coil Motor (VCM) simultaneously, which enables faster focusing speed while reducing focusing noise.

The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera comes equipped with 24 shooting modes, ranging from fully automatic to manual, and is easily accessible through an SLR-style mode dial located on top of the camera. While in manual shooting mode, a variety of settings can be selected through the screen, including Program AE, Shutter-speed priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual exposure and Custom mode.

Availability and Pricing:
Scheduled to be available in late October, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera will cost around $399.99. Kit contents will include four AA Alkaline batteries, a USB interface cable, an AV cable, a neck strap, lens cap, lens hood, Canon's software suite and a 1-year Canon U.S.A., Inc. limited warranty.

Sony Cyber-Shot Camera goes High Def...

Sony is adding high-definition movie recording to its popular digital camera series with the introduction of the Cyber-shot® DSC-T500 model. This 10-MP camera features wide and full-screen 720p movie recording at 30 frames per second in fine, standard and VGA recording modes. This resolution is three times higher than the standard-definition movies. The movie function is based on the MPEG4 AVC/H.264 codec for video compression and stereo audio. Benefits of the format include high-quality video as well as small file sizes that are easy to download, upload and share. Movie capture on this model is further improved by including zoom while in recording mode and high-sensitivity shooting for natural or low light environments. The camera can continuously record a video clip up to 10 minutes in length, which can be increased to hours of clips by expanding the camera’s capacity with a Memory Stick® media card. Also featured is a dual photo and video capture mode. Pressing the photo button while in movie mode can capture up to three photos with no break in recording. Features: The Sony Cyber- Shot T500 camera has a  SteadyShot™ image stabilization and high sensitivity settings up to ISO3200 which helps combat blur and facilitate flash-free shooting for natural-exposed photos. The model also incorporates face detection technology, an intelligent function that automatically detects up to eight faces in the camera frame and adjusts focus, exposure and flash. Source: news.sel.sony.com

Canon EOS 50D: 15.1 MP camera

Canon is pulling out a new big bomb in its digital camera arsenal with the release of the EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera with 15.1MP resolution and the new DIGIC 4 image processor. Expected to be out in October, the body is going to cost around $1400 or in a kit version with Canon’s EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens, its gonna cost around $1600.
A lot of features are offered in this powerful camera. Canon is bringing out the new "Creative Auto Mode" for giving users "more creative flexibility to make image setting adjustments," which means that the users can make changes while in auto mode to things like aperture and shutter speed as the camera menu on the back screen brings out the options in more easy to understand terms. The back screen, BTW, is three-inches and designed to help consumers make use of functions like the face detection mode's up to 35 individual forward-looking faces support. Canon claims that the 15.1-megapixel CMOS APS-C size image sensor is improved by the use of "newly designed gapless microlenses over each pixel to reduce noise and expand sensitivity up to ISO 12800." This sensor, in conjunction with the image processor, reportedly is capable of 6.3 frame-per-second (fps) continuous shooting capability (for bursts of up to 90 Large/Fine JPEGs or 16 RAW images on a UDMA CF card). Continuing on down the long features list, the EOS 50D s levels of noise reduction during high-speed shooting, conducting peripheral illumination correction, analyzing the brightness of subjects and automatically adjusting dark images, outputting HDMI for display on a HDTV and offering support with two sRAW recording formats, sRAW1 and sRAW2. RAW settings can be used "in Basic Zone as well as Creative Zone shooting modes."

8MP camera phones: Samsung Innov8 & SE C905

A new frontier in the mobile phone wars has been set up as eight megapixel camera phones are going to hit the high street.

Currently the highest megapixel count – the number of dots, measured in millions, that make up an image – sported by a camera phone is five available in most of the leading phone manufacturers like Nokia, SE, Samsung etc.

Samsung will raise the bar by a further three million pixels this evening as it launches its new Innov8 mobile phone, the first eight megapixel phone to reach the UK. The Innov8, which hits shelves on September 1 is offered free on Orange £35 contracts. With face, smile and blink recognition (meaning the photograph will not take if someone is blinking, for example, or unless the person is smiling) as well as the ability to load photos straight to the web, Samsung is taking on even the mid-range digital cameras.

Sony Ericsson, which had released the news earlier of a phone with more than 5MP camera, is due to enter the fray at the end of October with its feature rich 8.1 megapixel C905, the newest entry in its Sony Cybershot phone range, Other handset makers, including Nokia and LG, are expected to follow before long.

Cool spy gadget

Video Spy Camera Pen Hidden Camera And Recorder. Pen Video Spy Camera Color Camera and Video Recorder ( DVR) Built Into A Pen! Available at spyville. There is no need for wires or receivers! This Pen dvr spy camera is equipped with recording capabilities like a camcorder expect more compact and cooler. Using 4GB of internal memory it can record quality video for upto 30 hours. Just Point and shoot the hidden spy camera and the mini DVR will take over and do all the work. To play back the covert video by plugging into your USB port and viewing on Windows media player. This cool gadget comes in two styles: a Pen or a Key chain. You will be able to obtain video in previously impossible areas.

Specifications:
• 4GB memory, up to 30 hours of video storage.
• Supports Windows 98/ 98se / ME / 2000 / XP / MAS OS / Linux
• Video compression AVI
• 352 x 288 lines of resolution
• USB 2.0
• Rechargeable Battery ( 2 hours of recording time)

Casio ultra compact cameras: Exilim Z300, Z250 and Z85

There is no dearth to the different variety and range of cameras that are being released everyday.To keep up with the market, Casio has come with three models of compact cameras.The first two are almost twins, the Exilim Z300 and Z250. Both come with a big 3 inch screen, with a range of ISO 64-3200, an optical zoom of 4x and video recording at 720p. The differences are in their megapixels, has 10.1 megapixel Z300 and Z250 9.1 megapixel. In other words, the difference is quite small. Both of them include a new Makeup feature: the optional setting can dynamically improve the look of faces in portrait shots by either eliminating blemishes or reducing the impact of long shadows. They can also automatically correct overly dark faces or stitch together three shots to simulate a long exposure time.



The smallest of the three new Exilim Z85 is a more compact with metallic body. With 9 megapixels and zoom 3x and a 2.6-inch screen, it has the famous facial recognition system and smiles (So, next time you face the camera,be ready to put a big smile on your face).It also shoots standard-definition 4:3 ratio video. In return, it adds features skewed towards beginners with an auto shutter mode that can either wait for a smile or until the shot is stable relative to its ISO settings. An Easy Mode can also reduce the settings to just the choice of flash, resolution and timer for those daunted by full access.


These three cameras use SD / SDHC to burn photos and videos.

Phototrackr Pro: never miss a location

You are wandering in a forest or a dark place and you have got your powerful costly camera with you. You spot a wonderful sight and click your classic photo. The next time you meet your friends you show them this precious snap. They ask you whether you can show them the place. "Hell yes!", you say and you lead them to the spot. But, unfortunately you dont remember the exact location where you were earlier. Everything is lost, except the photo you have.


If you are involved in such situations regularly, then its time you get this cool gadget called the Phototrackr Pro.

The above embarassing situation could have been avoided if you had simply geotagged your photos. Geotagging is a method by which you mark your photos with the Longitude and Latitude of the place where the photo was taken. Plotted on a map, the trail of each and every photo which was taken can be seen. So, what should you do with this gadget? Just put this little pager-size gizmo into your backpack, or your pocket, and it silently keeps track of where you were all the time.
So, the next time you copy your photos to your computer, your PhotoTrackr Pro syncs up your time-stamps with the GPS coordinates it stored. This means that you can get to atleast a 5 metres radius of where the photo was taken.

Although, you need particularly need a reason to locate the locations where you took the photos, the knowledge of the exact place where you were when that shot was made is invaluable.

Features:
1) Track is done with the help of Google Earth
2) Supports all digital cameras that record date and time stamps
3) 4MB flash memory, 250k data records.
4) 16 channel GPS, -152dBm sensitivity
5) 45 second cold-start, 38 sec. warm start, 6 sec. hot start
6) Supports RAW, JPG tagging

Source: Thinkgeek

Hidden Camera Detector

It was always cool to spy someone with a hidden camera! But wait, what if you are at the receiving end, what if your are the one who is being watched?

If you've ever been suspicious that someone has planted a wireless spy camera in your office or home, this small gadget is the only thing you need. It can help you conduct your very own investigation. Its not the case of you being paranoid or anything, but the world is not safe anymore. Besides, having the feeling of secrecy is really satisfying.

The Hidden Camera Detector is a very small gadget that you can take it anywhere.It works like this. When a wireless camera is detected, an LED light starts glowing and an audible alarm starts ringing. The advanced circuitry reduces false alarms from background interference and the sensitive tuner allows you to automatically scan variable distances and channels. The unit detects frequencies from 50MHz to 3GHz.



So, what are you waiting for? Go for this cool gadget because some thing really needs privacy!!

Hitachi DZ-BD10HA: the blue-ray Hybrid Camcorder

Hitachi has yet another cool gadget for the general public - the DZ-BD10HA Blu-ray Hybrid camcorder that is able to store all your favorite moments on a Blu-ray disc, that means 50gb of video in a single double-layer blu-ray disc.The Hitachi doesnt disappoint with its fair share of features and improvements. The DZ-BD10HA comes with a 7 MP CMOS image sensor capable of capturing both video and still images in 1,920 x 1,080 High Definition resolution without giving you the slightest problems. More details to follow right after the release, so stay tuned.

Now, we all know that blu-ray disc can store loads of data. But what to do, when the electronic shop nearest to you cannot be called near at al. To add to it, you have an important function at hand, what are you gonna do? Dont worry, the cool DZ-BD10HA will save the day with a built-in 30GB hard drive that is more than capable of holding another 4 hours and 20 minutes of full High Definition video. Now, what if even the 30gb is full of videos you cant delete before storing somewhere else. Dont worry again, you can always go for the third option - the integrated SDHC memory card slot. SDHC cards can theoretically hold a maximum of 32GB,but the common we see in the stores come with a 4gb or 8gb capacity.

In addition to the three format hybrid compatibility, you will also find other useful features such as One-Touch Dubbing, Face Detection and Optical Image Stabilization to help you capture the perfect moment any time, every time. Hitachi has already released its DZ-BD10HA Blu-ray Hybrid for $999 in Japan last week, while people living across the Pacific will have to wait till September to get this cool gadget.

USB Spy Camera + MP3 Sunglasses

Now, this is something you've always seen in movies and you hav always wanted.Check out the Mission Impossible Gear from Brando! You can take secret pictures anytime and anywhere without being noticed.
USB Spy Camera Sunglass has got a 2gb built-in GB flash memory that lets you take and store more than 15,000 photos. The High-Tech Mininature Spy-Camera gives a 1.3MP quality, i.e the color picture comes in 1280x1024 resolution.The Rechargeable Li-ion Battery allows up to 6 hours (Music) / 2 hours (10 photos/min) / 4 hours (5 photos/min) / 9 hour (1 photo/min).The player to PC coneection is through a USB cable.

Now, the bonus. There is a Wireless Remote Control for operating the Camera. Casually just put your hand in the trousers pocket and simply Press the Remote Button and note even a single fly near you is gonna notice you. It doesnt stop here, it comes with Stereo Headphones & MP3 Functions as well.
This is one of the coolest stuff to wear in the Summer Beach. Hey, dont get me wrong. I mean to listen to cool mp3 songs.[:P]!!

The main features are:
1)UV Coated and Polarized Lenses (by Polaroid Corporation) with high performance durable optical frame for extra protection
2)Built-in High-Tech Mininature 1.3MP Spy-Camera with Wireless Remote Shutter for Taking pictures
3)State-of-the-Art Digital Audio Performance with 3D stereo sound effect
4)Built-in Rechargeable Li-ion Battery: Automatically Detect Battery voltage and Power Indicator
5)Blue and Red color LED indicators
6)Supports computer data files storage

It has got a replaceable flip-up lens.. A cool gadget to own.

Olympics gadgets: Beijing here I come!

Check out these cool gadgets to take before you go to Beijing.

1)R/C drinks cooler
This combination of radio-controlled tech and alcohol allows you to stack a pile of beer without ever leaving your seat.Though, once the cooler becomes empty there is no other option but to go to the fridge and refill it.




2)Swiss Propeller Fan


Merely watching someone run a hurdles or a sprint can trigger ur sweat glands. This small fan, which doubles as a film noir prop, cools you down and runs noiselessly even when on the highest power setting.




3)Olympus Mju 1030SW

Now capture your adventures with this tough snapper. Waterproof to 10m, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof, this camera goes wherever you do, below the water or above it. And dont think that the tough attribute is going to compromise the image quality. Definitely a medal contender.




4)
The GTi seascooter can speed up to a mighty 2.5mph/4kmh. The run time is a long 2 hours - considerably longer than the period you can hold your breath for.And additional bonus - work down to a 100ft/30m depth. Of course, you are never gonna attain such great depths. But remember to hold on to the handle bars and point it upwards.



5)Mobile Signal Jammer

You are on the verge of an important event and then to your disappointment you find the person next to you yelling on his phone. Buy a Mobile Phone Jammer from the local markets of China. Though the gadget may be illegal in your home country and there may be legal implications(it might also be illegal to take this on an airplane), it is a very handy tool when it comes to tackle annoying people. It can jam GSM, CDMA, and PHS signals in a zone of about 10 meters.

6)Finis SwiMP3

The SwiMP3, an underwater mp3 player uses bone conduction - the direct transfer of sound vibrations from the cheek bone to the inner ear - to provide the swimmer with amazing sound clarity. The drawback is that it has got only 256MB of storage.Guess, you got to be a sprint swimmer than a long distance one.

Pet's Eye View Digital Camera

You must hav always wondered who was the cuprit behind the mess created in your house? You hav strong reasons to believe that it was your dog, but you can't put the blame on the poor thing without any evidence.Now why not check it once and for all with the Pet's Eye View Digital Camera?This cool device from Uncle Milton has a compact digital camera which is hooked to your attaches on your pet's collar. Photos captured are of VGA quality i.e 640 x 480 resolution(more than enough to suit your purpose) at 1, 5 or 15 minute intervals (user's choice).The water-resistant ABS housing ensures that your pet doesnt "drown" and spoil it. Along with it also comes a lithium-ion battery, and USB cable and charger. The catch is that only 35 photos can be stored. It would be nice to see a memory card slot of some kind. Also hope that your pet doesn't end up chewing the camera though.
While the gadget is creative, we are not sure we would spend the $44.99 to see what our dog has done once the damage has already been done

CamBalls: maybe the smallest camera?

Seeing this tiny device to the tiny pile of coins might actually convince one to think that this might be the smallest digital camera in the world. But, again there are spy cameras size of a small pin that have been shown in movies. Anyway, this one exists in real life for sure.

Coming to its capabilities, the CamBall is able to record MPEG-4 video in 320 x 240 or 640 x 480 resolution. All data storage is possible via tiny SD card that is able to do about 8GB worth of memory.

There is also another model that has an MP3 player built-in. The CamBall also comes with a case so it can be used underwater.

Unfortunately, these CamBalls are available only in Korea, and cost about $200. Since, these are just in, we may expect them to soon spread out.

Nikon D90: first DSLR to feature video recording

Its official unveiling isn't expected till next month. But details have started to come through about Nikon's new DSLR, the D90.

The Nikon D90 has been rumoured to have a 12MP sensor that's capable of shooting 4.5 frames a second, there's also live view which is frequently becoming the view of choice for DSLR users and it looks like geotagging will be a reality, with the D90 rumoured to be equipped with GPS capabilities.



This camera is set to be the first DSLR to shoot video as well as stills. Because of this, the camera comes equipped with a microphone grill. Any video footage can be played back on the TV via an HDMI cable.

The D90 features a new lens, too. The camera is said to come equipped with a 18-105mm f3.5-5.6G DX VR.

There's no cost or release date announced, but this new DSLR is expected to be a viable contender in the prosumer camera market.