Gizmo Zone

BenQ T700 Digital Camera

The world’s thinnest digital camera award has apparently been passed to BenQ for now in the form of their new BenQ T700. The camera measures a mere 14.9 mm in thickness and features the following:

• Smooth stainless steel body
• 7 megapixel resolution
• 3x optical zoom
• 4x digital zoom
• 3 inch LCD display
• VGA recording at 30 fps
• 12MB internal memory
• SD card slot
• Personalize by adding various stamps and frames or memos
• Measures 91 x 59 x 16.9 mm
• Weighs 120 grams without battery

The BenQ T700 comes in Pearl-White, Vixen-Red, Cool-silver, and Midnight Black.

Source: Benq

The Panasonic HDC-SD1 HD Camcorder

Holding the Panasonic HDC-SD1 HD Camcorder in your hands is an exquisite experience.  The interface is pretty neatly arranged and all the features are accessible at a thumbs-range. The compact size and handgrip give a solid hold on the camera, but the only grouse seems to be the four-way navigation joystick, which is placed far to the right. After the $200 slash it id priced almost at the range of DVD-based counterpart, the HDC-DX1. Roll over for the specs.

The Panasonic HDC-SD1 HD Camcorder will cost you $1299. the specs are listed below:

Weight (w/o Battery): 430g Dimensions (W x H x D): 74 x 69 x 142 mm Image Sensor: 1/4-inch 3CCD image sensor Total pixels: approx. 560 K x 3 Effective pixels: Motion Picture: approx.520 K x 3(16:9) Lens: Auto iris, 12X power zoom; F 1.8 to 2.8 (f = 3.0 to 30.0mm); 35mm equivalent Motion picture: 38.5 to 462 mm (16:9) Still picture: 38.5 to 462mm (16:9) Filter diameter: 43 mm Zoom: 12X optical zoom, 30/120X digital zoom Compression: MPEG4-AVC / H.264 (AVCHD standard compliant) Transfer rate: HF: Approx. 13 Mbps (CBR); HN: Approx. 9 Mbps (VBR); HE: Approx. 6 Mbps (VBR) Audio compression: Dolby Digital (Dolby AC3), 5.1ch or 2ch

Canon PTZ Network Camera VB-300

Canon has recently unveiled their PTZ network camera codenamed VB-300 which is suppose to be used for security reasons, or maybe for bosses to check on employees to see if they are really working or not - it all depends on the owner.

One of the coolest thing is the built-in InfraRed filter that can detect when it is day or night, and afterwards display the images even if the quality is low.

Other features concerning security include being able to rotate 360 degrees for an overall view, progressive scan so there won’t be any blurry images, and AutoFocus with 2.4 X Optical Zoom. Cool enough? The last good thing is the “two-way audio system” which consists of being able to send and receive audio at the same time.

Sun Connection’s PMP with 1.3-megapixel Camera

Japan’s Sun Connection unveils their SC-VP200SD personal media player. This media player packs a 1.3-megapixel camera capable of shooting stills and MPEG-4 video at 320 x 240 pixels and 30fps.

The SC-VP200SD comes with a 2.4-inch, 480 x 320 TFT LCD and 128MB on-board memory with SD expansion to carry your audio and video files. It also has a built-in mono speaker, microphone, AV-out and 3.5-mm mini-jack. However, it comes with only USB 1.1.

The SC-VP200SD media player will be available in Japan for ¥12,800 ($109).

Source from SunConnection

Sony Ericsson Camera Phone Kit IPK-100 for Cyber-shot phone

Sony Ericsson announces the camera phone kit IPK-100 specifically designed for Cyber-shot phone users. The kit includes a Cyber-shot branded protective case for your phone, which can be attached to a belt or kept in a bag, and a micro tripod with flexible legs and friction feet that allows you to hold the camera steady for the self-timer. The black micro tripod with 97mm height weighs 49g only.

The camera phone kit IPK-100 includes: Case, tripod, tripod connector, belt clip. It will be available globally from Q2 2007.

Tamron Announces AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro

Tamron has announced the successful development of the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO zoom lens, a high power zoom lens designed for SLR cameras with full-size format (Model A20), now equipped with a Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism.

The AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC is the ultimate high power zoom lens that covers everything from wide-angle to telephoto and macro. Tamron has incorporated a Vibration Compensator, an anti-shake mechanism developed by Tamron, into the highly versatile zoom lens. The new AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO zoom lens offers the convenience, comfort and versatility of a high power zoom lens and the capability to reduce hand-shake blur on SLR camera using either APS-C size or full size format imagers.

When the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC is used with a full size format SLR camera, it covers the tremendous focal length range from 28mm in wide angle to 300mm ultra telephoto. When mounted on a DSLR with an APS-C sized imager, the lens covers a 43mm wide angle to 465mm equivalent ultra telephoto (full size format equivalent, in a diagonal angle of view of 5.33 degrees).

Features:

• VC (Vibration Compensation) Mechanism Reduces Hand-shake
• Outstanding Design Realizing High Zoom Power, VC Mechanism and Compactness
• Revolutionary MFD of 0.49m (19.3″) throughout the Zoom Range Provides 1:3 Macro Magnification Ratio
• Internal Surface Coatings Minimize Ghosting and Flare
• Ultra-high Zoom Power, yet Lightweight and Compact Design
• Zoom Lock Mechanism for Enhanced Portability
• Flower-shaped Lens Hood

Agfa debuts 6-megapixel budget camera

Agfa has contributed its own share to the camera announcements at the PMA photo expo by unveiling the DC-630i for the US. The budget 6-megapixel camera appeals directly to first-time photographers with just enough important features to help compose their initial shots: face tracking picks out as many as three people to focus on in a shot, and potentially blurry shots are fixed through ISO-based shake correction. A 2.5-inch LCD at the back, a 3X optical zoom lens, and support for storage using SD or SDHC cards finish up the design.

The DC-630i was initially announced only for Europe, but is now set to appear in the US by April, when it should retail for $169. Click for a profile image after the break.

GE X1 Digital Camera Jumps In With The Big Boys

GE just announced a full Spring line-up of giggitydiggitycams. First up is the X series. The X1 is aimed at the prosumer who wants maximum zoom and loads of features to help you get the best picture possible.

The 8-megapixel digi has 12x optical zoom that’s paired with 5.1x digital zoom and together they boast a 61.2x max zoom. For the paparazzi with a nervous twitch, the X1 is equipped with a handgrip and image stabilization. The X1 claims to have a very intuitive UI that’s viewable on the 2.5-inch LCD.

Other notable features include in-camera panoramic stitching, red-eye removal, face-tracking, electronic stabilization, MPEG-4 movie recording and a 4 gigabyte SD/SDHC expansion slot. It will be available in black and white. Pricing is currently unavailable.

Ricoh Caplio R6 - 7.2MP digicam with 7.1x zoom

Ricoh recently launched its new Ricoh Caplip R6 digital camera. This product features a 7.2 megapixel sensor and has 7.1x optical zoom.  The Caplio R6 also incorporates advancements over its predecessor with new features such as a slim body 20.6 mm at its thinnest point (26 mm for the Caplio R5).

A face recognition mode that automatically recognizes the subject’s face or faces and records the image at the optimal settings. In addition to functional advancements, the Caplio R6 adopts the Caplio R5’s design image while creating an anticipation of high performance through new design features. Those features include generous use of metal to house the lens, a distinctive strap attachment, and curves on the top. The Caplio R6 also features improved feel of robustness and texture.
It will be available next week for $439.

Sony Cybershot G1

Sony launched its first wireless digital point-and-shoot ultracompact camera, the 6-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-G1, which will be able to use an infrastructure connection to 802.11b/g networks to send images over Wi-Fi network.

Sony also claims the camera will also be able to communicate (via peer-to-peer or ad-hoc connections) with other Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-enabled devices, such as another camera or a PC.

The optical zoom is only 3X optical (with a 35-mm equivalent zoom of 38 to 114 mm), although the lens is non-telescoping, which should assist in quick bootup times. Sony’s also been smart in coming out of the gate strong with other features, such as offering the largest LCD on a point-and-shoot camera at 3.5-inch. However, it will not be a touch screen.

The Sony Cybershot G1 will ship with 2GB of on-board storage capacity, which will allow users to store hundreds of full-resolution shots on the camera. It will also have many of the playback and slideshow capabilities, as well as the ability to load your own music files.

Although the camera only has a 3X optical zoom, the G1 will also include optical image stabilization as well as a high ISO 1,000 sensitivity for shooting in low-light. Again, despite Sony’s lead in HD video in the company’s camcorders, the G1 will only feature standard definition video recording at VGA or 640 by 480 at 30 frames per second. And as always, the camera will use Sony’s own format of memory cards, the Memory Stick Dou card, which are now available in capacities up to 8GB.

The Sony Cybershot is available in April at around $600.