Nintendo DSi announced, US Gamers Set Reminders for One Year from Now

As excepted Nintendo has announced their refresh of the DS. The Nintendo DSi.

"The displays are slightly larger, at 3.25 inches apiece, and there's an external three megapixel camera as well as a front-facing camera located on the inside hinge. The DSi has an SD slot and internal storage, photos taken on the card can be transferred directly to the Wii Photo Channel."

"Nintendo is also launching... an online "DSi Shop," which will sell content directly over WiFi, including a free browser app and "DS Ware" games. The company will offer free wireless connectivity at "Nintendo Zone" hotspots located in select Japanese McDonalds locations. As currency, the shop will use the newly-renamed Nintendo Points (formerly Wii Points). A 1000 will come free with the handheld until March 2010, and content will be priced in 200 / 500 / 800 point brackets."

"The DSi will be offered in white or black finishes, and will cost ¥18,900 ($178) when it launches in Japan on November 1st -- the rest of us will have to wait until next year." Which should be plenty of time to save up that money you make selling candy on the train.



From Engadget
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Fuji Real 3D Brings Lenticular Printing Home to Roost

Photokina has been overshadowed this week by T-Mobile/Android/HTC Dream news. Nevertheless, interesting news of advancements in photographic technology is what Photokina is all about, and the event never disappoints us photo dorks. Of the many press announcements floating to the surface, one I ran across really caught my eye.

Fujifilm has announced it’s proposed 3D digital camera system; the Finepix Real 3D system...
It's all a concept at the moment. So, I’ll try to restrain my excitement over this tech until I see it in action.
Real 3D is an inventive blend of old tech with new, it’s a stereographic twin lens camera, nothing too new about that, other than using a digital sensor instead of film. The real advancement with ‘Fuji Real 3D’ is in the camera’s LCD screen, corresponding digital frames, and the actual photos printed with the system’s lenticular printer.

No View-Master or Dorky Glasses Required

The camera’s LCD and the system’s digital photo frames have filters that effectively combine the images creating 3D illusions, without the glasses. So if you’re hoping you’ll look like the McFly hating goon from Back to the Future, Sorry.

Best of all is the printer, which uses a super fine pitch for lenticular printing, producing a 3D effect that will have more in-between images making the effect smoother and more seamless.

This whole system reminds me of these disposable 3D cameras that I used to sell. The prints from them were cool, but expensive (about $25 for 12 prints, in 1999). I’m very interested to see what price this system lands on, wherever it lands it won’t be cheap. And hey, you can always view the images on a new Panasonic 3D HDTV.

from dpreview
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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T500, 10MP Digital Still Camera with High Def Video Capture

With the announcement of the Sony Cybershot DSC-T500, Sony’s popular T-series gets a big boost this season. High Definition (720p @ 30fps) video capture has, at last, reached this ultra-compact series. Along with the higher resolution, you’ll have: a choice between wide and full screen recording, up to 10 minutes of recording time per clip, and MPEG4 formatted files with AVC/H.264 codec for video compression and stereo audio files (this keeps files surprising small). In addition, to HD video recording, the Cyber-shot can also capture up to three stills during your youtube uploadable ten minute video shoot.

Most other features are pretty run-of-the-mill (for a t-series model), face detection, large LCD touchscreen, and an ISO of up to 3200. Couple all these features with a newer Carl Ziess 5x optical zoom lens (33-165mm) sporting optical image stabilization, and you’ve got a unique and formidable photo producer that you’ll be proud to brandish.

Press Release
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Nikon D90 has Arrived to Advance your Artistic Tendencies

With the newly announced D90, Nikon is finally blazing new trails in digital photography (after playing catch-up for years). Recently, Nikon has been: developing their own sensors that push the limits of low-light sensitivity while producing less noise, improving their Vibration Reduction (VR) lenses to the allow sharp handheld shots at shutter speeds as low as 1/15 of a sec, and, the biggie, integrating HD video recording w/sound (720p @ 24fps) into the D90, a DSLR first.

The HD video files are formatted in AVI; these are easily imported in most video editing software. 5 minutes per video clip is all you get, and the camera can’t adjust the focus automatically while recording, because the mirror is up, but that doesn’t stop you from manually adjusting the focus through live view, if you're up to it.

Other cool new features include the an HDMI port, simulated Fisheye Effect, Straighten, Distortion Control, and up to five faces can be detected with the face detection software. Once the faces are identified the photographer can then press the zoom key to quickly verify that the focus was accurate; something portrait photographers will love.

The D90, the top model of the DX format cameras in Nikon's line, is set to drop in a matter of weeks. The body will be sold for at or around $1000, while the kit, with the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-105 f/3.5-5.6, will sell for around $1300. I think I've found my new backup cam to the D300.

A Video of Chase Jarvis and his lucky crew that got a sneak preview, playing with the new Nikon D90 after the break.


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Lumix DMC-FX37 Slim Digicam

The latest slim cam from Panasonic's Lumix line features everything one should expect from the brand that many professional photographers carry, as their compact. The FX37's 10.1 Megapixel performance is coupled with an 5x zoom ultra wide-angle 25mm lens. This is unique. I sold cameras for six years and never saw any compact, film or digital, that went beyond 28mm. The panny almost has a fisheye lens compared to other point and shoots.

Lens range is the real selling point here, but there are many reasons to love the FX37. This all inclusive panny will also give you 2.5 fps, auto image leveling and full HD video.
Panasonic DMC-FX37
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Nikon D700 is Offically Announced!

It’s finally happened. Nikon has released us professionals and photographic enthusiasts from DX format hell with their announcement of a full frame digital SLR, the Nikon D700 - although it may be a little late.

Many photographers that couldn’t or wouldn’t lay down five grand for a Nikon D3 still desired a full frame sensor. Thus, Nikon unwittingly forced many photographers to switch, albeit reluctantly in many cases, to a Canon. Even after decades of Nikon use the Washington D.C. bureau of the Associated Press outfitted their staff photographers on Capital Hill with Canon gear a few years back.

The Nikon D700 is still a bit pricey for your average shooter, at $2995, but what you get for all that scratch is a supped up, rugged, speed demon with a taste for action.

Making the case for Nikon

For starters, the Nikon D700 rips off 5 frames per second (up to 8 fps with the battery pack grip), has a measly shutter-lag of 0.4 milliseconds, a blazing start up time of .12 seconds, and a give me more card write speed of 35MB a second.

Improved noise reduction and a wider dynamic range coupled with an ISO range that can be stretched from it's native 200-6400 ISO sensitivity to an ISO range of 100- 25,600 means that whether you're shooting in intense light or low light, you'll cope with ease when you pack the D700.

Believe it or not, there are those of us that contract a case of “butterfingers” every now and again. Luckily for us, Nikons in the D700’s range don’t seem to mind the occasional tumble; in fact, their ruggedness is legendary among photojournalist.

Did I mention action... Nikons have the superior auto focus system, the 51 AF points, 3D tracking (to lock on to moving subjects), and 46 sensors the photographer can activate (which define a focus area) will make sure - whatever it is that your aspiring to capture, it will be in focus.

Freeing us from the viewfinder is Nikon Live View, which allows photographers to compose the subject on the LCD, something even point and shoots have always done. Sony Alpha A350 was the first DSLR with this feature. Another first, for Nikon at least, is the D700's self-cleaning sensor.

With a little extra software you can control the camera functions remotely via PC, but as for composing a shot from New York that is being photographed in Beijing, you're gonna need all little more than just software. Some assistants and superior communication skills wouldn't hurt.

these should be ready to ship at the end of the month.
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Sony Ericsson Cybershot Phone has the Goods

Not an apple fan? The thought of owning an iPhone sends you over the edge? Check Sony's answer to the the newly announced iPhone, the C905 Cyber-shot, a slider phone equipped with an impressive 8.1-megapixel camera, GPS, and the ability to geotag any of photos that you take with the phone. Sony doesn't put cybershot on just any camerphone so you know it's decked out. The C905's Xenon flash, image stabilizer, face detection, and autofocus, are some of the highlights.

Press Release

Update: will be available for pre-order at the Sony style store 9.19.2008
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Sharp Introduces World's Thinnest 5MP Cam

Thursday Sharp announced their tiny CMOS camera module, an autofocus five megapixel camera with an improved signal-noise ratio and the world's thinnest lens element. Meant to be embedded in the next generation of smartphones, these will boost their image quality to something a bit more presentable.

3G phones promise many functions, but adding a camera that produces high quality images and video has been on the wishlist of many gadget freaks for years. Guess we'll have to wait and see if phone manufactures are impressed by the new component option; Sharp is set to ship a prototype form of the cam at the end of the month.

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Sony Redefines the Handycam; Now they're Really Handy

Small is the most valuable asset in the world of electronics. We’re so in love with tiny tech the consistent miniaturizing of electronics has even been spoofed in comedies. Remember Derrick Zoolander’s (Ben Stiller) phone; it was so tiny it was unusable.

This will never become a real concern. Though, it does address the fine line manufactures have to straddle when developing smaller form devices. Does the size impede the functionality?

The HDR-TG1, Sony’s latest addition to the Handycam line, has all but perfected this formula. The pocket-size (1.3”x 4.7”x 2.5”) lightweight (10oz) is heavy on features like full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution video, 5.1 surround sound recording, 2.7” LCD touch panel display, intelligent face detection…the list goes on and on. Really, all that matters is this is the smallest most versatile Handycam to date. Which, of course, means bragging rights for at least the remained of the summer.

It’s targeted to vacationers; however, the causal traveler may discover their inner auteur when they get their hand on this Handycam.

Available for preorder this camera will ship sometime in May and will run you about $900 bucks.

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32GB High Speed 300X CompactFlash Card

Photo Equipment

If you’re a raw file shooter or just enjoy efficiency, this new 32GB Compact Flash card from Silicon Power could be a nice fit. Make sure to never miss the shot because of a slow writing card. The new card boasts a maximum read/write speed of 45Mb a second, or 300x, which will come in handy when transferring all 32GB the card can hold. Photographers can expect this solid state data hoarder to be speedy, reliable, and provide more storage space than Bush’s head. No word on ship date or price. Updates as details reveal themselves.

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..Via Press Release..
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Minox's Digi Cam: for 'Spies Like Us'

Not to make it a theme here, but the spying business is a great gadget producer. One from the days before cyber-espionage, is the Minox TLX Subminiature Spy Cam. The iconic size and sliding action of the completely mechanical camera is well recognized. You’ve undoubtedly seen them used in movies where the spy photographs the target’s documents with one.

If you like your gadgets to invoke that spy slickness, but hardly need to be inconspicuous; the Minox DC 7411 digital gives you the tools to capturing life's highlights, easily and 'with the slickness'. Sporting a slimmer casing, 3-inch LCD, face detection, smart styling, and a 7.2 MP sensor, this capable flick maker will have you wishing your work assignments self destructed in...30secs.

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Compact Megapixel King: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300

Sony gets what we want the ‘mega’ in megapixels to mean. With the Cyber-shot DSC-W300, Sony redefines this prefix to mean not a million but mammoth, incredible, abundant, *almost* an overkill. 13.6 million pixels is a densely packed sensor yet a large pixel count alone doth not a great camera make.

A digital camera sensor is nothing without superior optics to focus the light shining on the sensor, correctly and with no distortion. Carl Zeiss lenses have been making crisp images with a rich tonal range for well over a century, this is why all Cyber-shots are outfitted with Zeiss lenses to give us the best possible image. This is an especially important component to not skimp on.

Another component often overlooked is the case which all those electronics reside in. Cameras fall, some don’t survive; this one's chance of coming out unscathed is greatly increased due to its added titanium coating. The coating also helps keep that new camera shine longer by adding “highly-resistance” scratch and fingerprint protection.

Indoor lighting in past models could be a hairy proposition, but with the DSC-W300’s “extra high sensitivity” (ISO 6400) even dimly lit rooms can remain naturally lit and can be shot successfully without a flash. Grain and noise in the dark areas usually manifest themselves in lower light photos, Sony’s addition of a noise reduction filter helps minimize this and eliminates the need for post processing by performing in-camera filtering, a great time saver.

Try not to mistake this camera for the Terminator, because it does indeed use artificial intelligence technology. Only here, instead of murderous protection, it provides some sensational photographic skills. The technology prioritizes faces and triggers the shutter the moment the camera sees a smile. And, if switching between scene modes is too much of a hassle the powerful picky picture maker does this for you as well, with scene recognition technology. Freaky right?

Sometime we might wait months before downloading a batch of pics to our computer. Sony realizes this and offers new ways to organize and view snaps right on the 2.7 inch LCD. Image management is enhanced with the addition of an in-camera search by face, date, or calendar view and of course they’ve added HDTV output and, nicely enough, a longer music file capacity for sideshow playback. These enhancements allow for quick and intuitive preparation of elegant slideshow presentations.

The opportunity to actually lay hands on this Cyber-shot is still a few months away; feel its power vicariously for now, and preorder this hot shot for delivery around the beginning of May.

UPDATE: Video after the jump. Click for More Information
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Kodak Rethinks Digital

Up until now the convenience of camera phones seems to have outweighed their inability to produce sharp high quality digital photographs. Aggravating and disappointing users even further, these ‘cameras’ perform especially poorly in low-light situations, and often come with paltry LED 'flashes' if any supplemental light is offered at all. They even have garnished their own "Krappy Kamera" category in art competitions.

Kodak, quite unexpectedly, has made huge advancements in changing this dirty little fact of life for camera phone users. Not to say Kodak doesn't have a history of innovation. Come on, their new roll film was all the rage in the 1930’s and the Brownie, fergetaboutit.

Now, the engineers at Kodak were directed to rethink the CMOS image sensor (the small image sensor used in camera phones), and instead of producing weak efforts, they ‘flipped the script’ completely by reversing the way the image sensor reacts to light.

Instead of reacting solely to the light that hits the sensor, Kodak’s new 5-megapixal sensor reacts to the absence of light, a first of its kind. This reversal creates much less noise in the darker areas of photos, while increasing the overall image quality to something closer to a standalone digital camera with a larger CCD sensor.

Before this announcement they were tinkering with the CMOS sensor’s sensitivity or low light capabilities. Kodak has increased this to about 3200 ISO, or faster than the fastest film, unheard of in a camera phone.

This is achieved by adding a panchromatic/clear pixel, in other words, these new pixels register all colors of light in addition to the traditional red, green, and blue (RGB) pixels that are present on every digital camera image sensor. This addition is what allows the sensor to gather more information from lower light scenes.

This all bodes well for camera phone users. These image making phones are usually whipped out in less than optimal lighting conditions; like at bars, cafes, clubs; you know indoors. Now that they are no longer a "Krappy Kamera" who knows, maybe the next Sport Illustrated swimsuit edition with be shot on a camera phone, by me.
<..Via Press Release..>

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Eye-Fi Wireless Digital Camera Cards

Most photographers don't need to have their photos methodically dissected by an art director, sitting in front of a laptop, the moment after they have taken it, but who says you shouldn’t be able to wirelessly transfer your digital snaps instantly over your home network right to your hard drive?

Yuval Koren, co-founder of Eye-Fi, asked this same question and then started a business (if only we were all so resourceful). What he and his cohorts came up with is truly astonishing. Eye-Fi is a 2Gb SD cardwith built in Wi-Fi. It gives any camera that accepts SD cards the ability to wirelessly transfer photographs as soon as they’re taken to a waiting PC or Mac (iPhoto supported). Image transfers work over any wireless network that you’ve setup to accept the image files.

This trick by itself is commendable, but Eye-Fi takes this seamless system a step further. You can even have the Eye-Fi service, which is free; upload your photographic memoirs to social networks, or online printing services.

Facebook/Myspace junkies, if you’re worried about image size restrictions in place at most social network sites, you don’t have to. Eye-Fi service automatically and, pretty much, instantly resizes your photos and posts them without photographers having to touch a computer or adjust anything on the camera to compensate for the site’s image size restrictions .

These transfers, to printing services and social networks, can happen without any computer intervention at all, it doesn’t even have to be powered up. If you'd like a copy sent to your computer, in addition to the web, you can select to have the uploaded images transferred to the computer, as well. Next time you power up the photos will be transferred.

This inexpensive Wi-Fi enabled SD card would be a great gift for your photographically inclined lover this Valentines Day, or just a nice tool for a burgeoning professional photographer.

Yuval's company would really take off if they could just get these cards to work, without setup, on any open wireless network. Wait, maybe that should be my nonexistent company's mission. What's Yuval's e-mail again?

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Motorola Ming 2

This new sequel from Motorola is a bit of a mystery. Their machete of mass communications is also a multimedia assassin, rumored to have an impressive array of gadgetry. Ming 2 is a…3.2 MP camera, LED Flashlight (to aid autofocus), GPS, Wi-Fi enabled, talking dictionary, Linux based…phone. These images are mock ups of the proposed phone design. The rendering shows the large screen and clear plastic flip, same as its older sibling. Supposedly, these will hit selves in Asian sometime around February next year.
..gizmodo..
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