Digital Camera News and Reviews

Updates from the camera world



Month: July, 2009

Olympus announces mju TOUGH-6010 12 megapixels and magic filters

17 July, 2009 (12:10) | Compact Camera, Olympus | By: Camera News

Olympus mju TOUGH-6010
Olympus mju TOUGH-6010

Olympus has announced a new compact digital camera in their mju TOUGH series. The camera is called Olympus mju TOUGH-6010 and feature a 12 megapixel sensor, “magic filters”, and is shockproof, freeze proof and waterproof.

Some key features for the Olympus mju TOUGH-6010:
-12 megapixel sensor
-3.6 optical zoom lens (28-102mm)
-2.7″ LCD screen with Tap Control
-image stabilization
-magic filters
-waterproof down to 3 meters
-shockproof up to 1.5 meters
-freeze proof to -10 degrees Celsius

The Olympus mju TOUGH-6010 will be available in July 2009 and cost about £300.

Press release:
The µ TOUGH with Magic Filters

The Olympus µ TOUGH-6010: an action hero

London, 17 July 2009 – From adrenaline packed days to activities with the family, the Olympus µ TOUGH-6010 is ready for action. Whether enjoying a day at the beach or out carving on the slopes, this 12 Megapixel powerhouse is the ultimate companion. Shockproof, waterproof, and freezeproof just like the rest of the µ TOUGH series, it ensures extreme fun. Aspiring artists can even find their fill with a new set of Magic Filters. Featuring a 3.6x wide optical zoom, the µ TOUGH-6010 is of course also packed with the latest in Olympus opto-digital technology. Boasting everything from Dual Image Stabilisation to Tap Control, it was created to ensure photographic peace of mind while enjoying life’s many adventures. Available in a striking choice of colours, the latest µ TOUGH will be available from July 2009 for a retail price of £299.99

With the Olympus µ TOUGH-6010, photographers never have to worry about going where a camera can’t take the knocks. In addition to being freezeproof to -10 C, it is waterproof to 3m* and provides shockproof protection against drops of up to 1.5m**. The versatile 3.6x wide optical zoom (28-102mm***) seen on the TIPA award winning µ TOUGH-8000 is also on board for great group photos or close-ups of distant subjects. To make those shots even more memorable, the µ TOUGH-6010 now features inspiring Magic Filters. By applying Pin Hole, for example, images will seem to have been taken with a traditional pin hole camera. Pop Art, Fish-Eye, and Sketch add interesting effects of their own. What’s more, Dual Image Stabilisation keeps images blur-free even in rough and tumble environments. And so you’re always ready for that perfect shot, a practical Tap Control mode gives even gloved-hands easy access to a range of settings which can be viewed on the 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal III LCD. The display’s new “triple coating” protects it against reflection, scratches, and moisture to ensure comfortable shooting on the ski slopes and under water.

Since you don’t get a second chance for the perfect shot in the heat of the action, the µ TOUGH-6010 also boasts a range of clever functions. Delivering perfect images of once in a lifetime moments i-Auto Mode, for example, automatically adjusts camera settings to one of five recognised commonly-used scenes. In addition, Advanced Face Detection Technology detects up to 16 faces for consistent quality across group portraits. And for a flawless look under tough conditions, Beauty Mode is on hand to smooth out imperfections and leave subjects looking refreshed.

The shockproof, waterproof, and freezeproof µ TOUGH-6010 is a sturdy and reliable companion that will meet any challenge. It arrives in stores in July 2009 along with a new software version: Olympus Master 2.2 for more image management and editing possibilities.

The Olympus µ TOUGH-6010 – main features:

Shooting when it’s getting tough, wet and cold – shockproof to 1.5m**, waterproof to 3m* and freezeproof to -10°C

Available in Titanium Grey, Turquoise Blue, Lava Red

High-precision 3.6x wide optical zoom (28-102mm***) to capture great scenes through to stunning close-ups even in extreme conditions

Avoids blur thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation (combines mechanical and digital image stabilisation)

TAP Control Menu for great convenience

12 Megapixels to make poster-size prints

6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal III LCD for best ever preview even in brilliant sunlight and at extreme angles (230,000 dots)

Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces. In combination with Shadow Adjustment Technology other main parts of the picture are also correctly exposed.

The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode (i-Auto) detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically

Spice up your pictures with built-in Magic Filters

Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps)

xD-Picture Card and microSD**** Card compatible

* According to IEC standard publication 529 IPX8
** Equivalent to MIL Standard (Olympus test conditions)
*** Equivalent to a 35mm camera
**** microSD is a trademark of SD Card Association

Appendix

Advanced Face Detection Technology
A technology that searches for faces in a composition and recognises them as the main subject. It then automatically puts them in focus and optimally adjusts exposure to create an image that’s sharp in the right places and ideally exposed. Advanced Face Detection Technology can detect up to 16 faces.

Beauty Mode
Beauty mode touches up the appearance of subjects even while the shot is being taken. This feature recognises faces and automatically makes skin on the face and adjacent areas appear smoother, brighter and more youthful.

Dual Image Stabilisation
Providing two-fold protection, this special function helps to avoid image blur caused by camera shake or fast-moving subjects. It combines high ISO values with a CCD-based mechanical image stabiliser, where a built-in gyro sensor detects camera movement and adjusts the CCD accordingly.

i-Auto mode
This “intelligent-Auto” mode uses advanced automatic detection technology to allow the camera to recognise the five most commonly used scenes automatically. They enable the capture of perfect photos without any need for manual settings.

Magic Filters
Enables special artistic effects to be created directly in the camera.
Pop Art: Enhances colours, making them stronger and more vivid to create high-impact pictures that express the happy, light-hearted feeling of the pop art style.
Fish-Eye: Reproduces the dramatic effect of a fish eye lens, lending a new perspective to the whole scene with a “round” effect.
Sketch: Gives the impression that subjects have been sketched by an artist by transforming images into line drawings.
Pin Hole: Reduces the peripheral brightness like an image seen through a pinhole. Added to this is a unique colour tone that results in a style that has an air of secrecy or portrays the feeling of being lost in another dimension or space.

microSD compatibility
A special attachment comes bundled with this camera which provides for microSD card compatibility in addition to being able to use xD-Picture Cards.

Shadow Adjustment Technology
A technology designed to improve exposure for pictures with dark areas. Using a sensor that works much like the human eye, dark parts of a composition (e.g. a shadow under a tree) are identified and the camera then adjusts the exposure settings accordingly for those areas. The result is a more realistic and detailed picture.

TAP Control mode
“TAP Control Mode” is a unique interface that lets users access a range of camera functions by simply tapping on the camera body. Quick View mode, Scroll Playback Pictures and a user-defined function (Flash or SAT) can be accessed by tapping at particular points of the camera.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 / FX40 test / review by Photography Blog

17 July, 2009 (08:57) | Compact Camera, Panasonic, Review | By: Camera News

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48

Photography Blog has reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX40 compact camera (also known as Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48). This digital camera from Panasonic feature 12.1 megapixels and 5x optical zoom in addition to a small and light design.

Some key features for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48:
-12.1 megapixel sensor
-5x optical zoom lens (25 – 125mm)
-2.5″ LCD screen
-40MB built in memory

Photography Blog ends up giving the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX40 a “Above Average” rating. The camera gets such a low rating because the image quality is not the best and it is pretty expensive when you look at what kind of features you get for your money. The Lumix camera scores a bit higher on design and ease of use.
Read the full review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX40 camera here.

Fuljfilm FinePix Real 3D digital camera gets a price tag and release date

14 July, 2009 (07:43) | Compact Camera, Fujifilm | By: Camera News

Fuljfilm FinePix Real 3D
Fuljfilm FinePix Real 3D

Several websites have been reporting rumors about the new Fuljfilm FinePix Real 3D digital camera. The rumors say that it will be released in September 2009 and cost about $600.

The Fuljfilm FinePix Real 3D looks like an interesting concept with twin lenses that are supposed to produce 3D images. It remains to be seen how good the end results will be and in my opinion the $600 price tag sounds a bit high, but I’m looking forward to see the first pictures from the Fuljfilm FinePix Real 3D camera.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 test / review by Dpreview – Micro Four Thirds camera with HD video

13 July, 2009 (09:53) | Micro Four-Thirds, Panasonic, Review | By: Camera News

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

My favorite camera reviewing website, Dpreview, has posted their very thorough review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 camera. This Micro Four Thirds camera has some very interesting video modes so it will be interesting to hear what Dpreview has to say about this digital camera.

Some key features for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1:
-14 megapixel sensor
-high-definition video capability (1080i or 720p)
-built-in Dolby Digital Stereo Creator
-face detection
-four different aspect ratios

Dpreview ends up giving the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 camera a “Highly Recommended” rating as the camera is able to produce pictures of high quality, have good resolution, excellent electronic viewfinder and the movie mode is very nice. The only downsides are a bit of highlight clipping, the electronic viewfinder can be hard to use in low light situations and the price on the camera is pretty high.
Overall this Micro Four Thirds camera from Panasonic seems like a real winner and I would definitely considering buying it if you have the money.
Read the full review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 here.


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