Digital Camera News and Reviews

Transcend Ultimate Class 10 SDHC

Transcend has announced a new series of SDHC memory cards. The series is called Transcend Ultimate Class 10 SDHC memory cards and has improved transfer speeds with transfer speeds of 20MB/s. The memory cards has capacity up to 16GB and should be able to run high end HD movies without any lag.

Transcend Ultimate Class 10 SDHC memory cards will be available with capacities from 4GB to 16GB.

Press release:
Enjoy High-speed Consecutive Shooting with Transcend Ultimate Class 10 SDHC™ Cards

Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend), a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, is proud to announce the launch of its Ultimate Class 10 SDHC™ cards. Part of Transcend’s “Ultimate” line of powerful high-speed memory cards, the new Class 10 SDHC ™cards easily outperform current Class 6 cards, with enhanced transfer speeds of 20MB/s and massive storage capacity of up to 16GB.

Ultra-fast Write Speed
As high-tech gadgets become increasingly advanced with ever-improving video and audio quality, memory card write speed plays an important role in taking high-megapixel pictures and shooting high-definition videos. Featuring the top-of-the-line Class 10 speed rating introduced by the SD™ Card Association this year as part of its new SD™ 3.0 specification, Transcend’s new Ultimate series SDHC™ cards provide blazing fast performance tailored specifically for high-speed consecutive shooting as well as smooth HD video recording.

Compared to Class 2 cards that only guarantee write speeds of 2MB/s, or Class 6 versions that start at 6MB/s, the new Class 10 SDHC™ cards boast 16MB/s write and 20MB/s read speeds that help process data quickly and prevent lag when recording 1920×1080 Full HD videos at 60fps. Transcend Ultimate Class 10 SDHC™ cards offer impressive data transfer rates, giving users the ability to unlock the full capabilities of their DSLR cameras.

Vast Storage Capacity for Memory-hungry Devices
To meet the requirements of high-megapixel DSLRs that can fill memory cards quickly, Transcend Ultimate SDHC™ cards are available in high-capacity sizes ranging from 4GB to 16GB. The 16GB SDHC™ card can store up to 6552 pictures (based on 5 megapixel JPEG compression format), over 88 hours of standard quality video (MPEG-4 video at 384 Kbps), or 240 minutes of HD video (AVCHD at 9 Mbps), providing photography enthusiasts with sufficient space for their high-resolution digital masterpieces. Currently offered in 4GB, 8GB to 16GB versions, Transcend’s new Ultimate series Class 10 SDHC™ cards are highly recommended for entry to mid-level digital camera or camcorder users.

Eye-Fi Pro X2

Eye-Fi has announced a new memory card called Eye-Fi Pro X2 8GB. The Eye-Fi Pro X2 memory card is supposed to be the fastest and largest from the company. The memory card is able to wireless transfer photos and videos to your computer and 25 photo and video sharing sites on the net. Among the sites we find Flickr, Picasa and Facebook.

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 will be availble later this year for about $150.

Press release:
Eye-Fi Unveils Next Generation Experience and the World’s Most Advanced Memory Card

New Endless Memory Mode Gives Users Virtually Unlimited Storage
Eye-Fi Introduces Eye-Fi Center, Software that Makes Sharing Photos and Videos Easier

INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, LAS VEGAS, NV — Eye-Fi Inc. has developed the next generation Eye-Fi experience, which includes an entirely new platform and more flexible sharing options. Unveiled today, the 8GB Eye-Fi Pro X2 is powered by Eye-Fi’s proprietary X2 engine and is the company’s revolutionary step in achieving high-end memory card performance. Photo enthusiasts will benefit from increased storage capacity, Class 6 performance for faster read/write speeds, faster-than-ever wireless photo and video uploads and increased Wi-Fi range.

Eye-Fi Pro X2 users will also benefit from a new feature, Endless Memory mode, which enables the Eye-Fi card to automatically make space available after photos and videos are uploaded. Last, Eye-Fi is introducing Eye-Fi Center, a new desktop application that gives users more options in sharing their digital memories.

“With the introduction of our first wireless memory card, we made backing up and sharing photos effortless. Now, we’re again redefining what is possible with a leap forward in technology, performance and user experience,” said Jef Holove, CEO of Eye-Fi. “The new X2 engine delivers further on the promise of a connected device – more convenience and virtually endless storage capacity, so there is no cap on the memories that can be captured.”

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 has been honored this year as a CES Innovations Honoree. More information will be available in Eye-Fi’s CES booth in the Digital Imaging Zone of South Hall Three at the LVCC, #31916.

Eye-Fi Pro X2 – Faster than Ever

The 8GB SDHC Eye-Fi Pro X2 is powered by Eye-Fi’s proprietary X2 engine which includes an exclusively designed chip and an 802.11n radio. The X2 engine enables greater flexibility in memory capacity and faster read write/speeds, achieving Class 6 performance. The 802.11n radio and a new antenna design enable faster wireless uploads and increased Wi-Fi range, and still support the 802.11b and 802.11g standards.

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 wirelessly uploads JPEG and RAW images and videos from the camera to computer and one of 25 online photo and video sharing sites, such as Flickr, Picasa or Facebook. It also allows users to create an ad hoc connection directly to their computer to wirelessly upload photos and videos while away from a wireless router. Or users can upload away from home at more than 10,000 Wayport and open hotspots. Pro X2 automatically geotags photos with information about where the images were taken.

It is available for pre-order on http://www.eye.fi and at select online retailers such as Amazon.com for an MSRP of $149.99.

“More and more we’re seeing smart devices like the Eye-Fi card that enable a better user experience. With the volume of photos and videos that are taken every day, consumers want a fast, convenient way to get their images off their camera to their computer and the Web for further processing and sharing,” said Alan Bullock of InfoTrends. “Eye-Fi allows consumers to add these capabilities for far less than the cost of a wireless camera.”
Endless Memory – No Cap to the Number of Memories that Can be Captured

In Endless Memory mode users can choose to have Eye-Fi automatically make space available on their Eye-Fi Pro X2. Using the card’s ability to communicate with the Eye-Fi Service, it receives confirmation whenever photos and videos are safely delivered to the user’s computer and/or online sharing site. When the card reaches the user’s pre-determined amount of space used, it will remove files that have been safely uploaded, beginning with the oldest – even when the card is not connected to the network. If files have not yet been uploaded, the Pro X2 will not remove them. This option can be set up in Eye-Fi Center.

Eye-Fi Center – Easier Storing and Sharing on Multiple Sharing Sites

Eye-Fi also introduced Eye-Fi Center, a new desktop application for managing the Eye-Fi card and experience. Eye-Fi Center has a redesigned interface that is easy to navigate and use, with drag and drop capabilities. Eye-Fi Center allows users to easily select and republish photos and videos to different online locations, so users can share on multiple sites. It also allows users to get any photos or videos on their computer (even those not uploaded with an Eye-Fi card) into the Eye-Fi system, where they can be easily published online. And it allows users to access some features, even when not connected to the Internet, such as adding a wireless network to their card.

Eye-Fi Center will be available for download later this month.

CES Innovations Honoree

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 has been named an International CES Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Award Honoree for the X2 engine’s innovative design qualities. Products entered in this program are judged by a panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the media to honor cutting edge consumer electronics products. It will be on display in the Grand Lobby of the LVCC during the 2010 International CES.

Eye-Fi’s current line-up of wireless SD and SDHC memory cards range in price from $49-$149 and are available at http://www.eye.fi, in store at Apple Retail Stores and Best Buy locations, and at major online retailers such as Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

Eye-Fi has received numerous product awards including Popular Photography’s 2009 Photography’s Outstanding Products (POP) awards and “Last Gadget Standing” at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for the second year in a row. For more information, please visit http://www.eye.fi or follow us on Twitter @EyeFiCard.

About Eye-Fi

Founded in 2005, Eye-Fi is dedicated to building products and services that help consumers manage, nurture and share their visual memories. Eye-Fi’s patent-pending technology wirelessly and automatically uploads photos and videos from digital imaging devices, including digital cameras and the iPhone, to online, in-home and retail destinations. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., the company’s investors include LMS Capital, Opus Capital, Shasta Ventures and TransLink Capital.

Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo 32GB

Sony has announced the highest-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo to date. The card is called Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo 32GB and it lets handycam owners record full HD movies (1920 x 1080 Full HD) for 225 minutes using this memory stick card. Owners of the latest models of Cyber-shot digital cameras can record up to 29 minutes of video in Fine mode (MP4 1280 x 720).

The Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo 32GB memory card will be on the marked in September 2009 and cost about $200.

Press release:
Highest Capacity 32GB Model Added To Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Range

• 32GB ideal for stable long-duration HD recording with Handycam®
• Perfect for new Cyber-shot® features including extended video capture and super-fast continuous shooting

The Memory Stick PRO Duo line now goes all the way up to 32GB thanks to the launch of a new high-capacity model.

The Memory Stick PRO Duo 32GB will have a particular appeal to the owners of HD Handycam who need long-duration, stable HD recording capability.

To put this in context, Handycam owners shooting in FH mode (1920 x 1080 Full HD) can now record 225 minutes (3 hours 45 minutes) of HD video using a single card. It is perfect for events such as weddings, birthday parties, and athletic events. You do not have to worry about running out of memory!

HD Handycams are not the only things that will benefit from the size and stable recording characteristics of the 32GB card.

For example, HD video clips capture the moments by using the latest models of Cyber-Shot. And with the latest models of Cyber-shot, each video clip now can be recorded up to 29 minutes (using Fine mode: MP4 1280 x 720). You can enjoy shooting Video clips with Cyber-shot more than ever.

And newly announced Cyber-shot™ TX1 and WX1 are allowing a continuous burst of full-resolution images and creating sweeping panoramas by combining a burst of images. These outstanding features demand an uncompromising approach to the memory. With its ability to store 7 hours 38 minutes of HD video (1280 x 720, 30 fps,mono) or 6,500 pictures at 12 megapixel resolution pictures, the Memory Stick PRO Duo 32GB is great news for Cyber-shot owners as well as anyone with an HD Handycam.

HP Deskjet D2660

Eye-Fi has announced a new wireless SDHC memory card for the professional photographer marked. The card is called Eye-Fi Pro and lets the user upload pictures directly to their computer and the web via Wi-Fi. The card supports RAW file transfer and lets you automatically upload pictures and videos direct to more than 25 online photo and video sharing sites like Flickr.

The Eye-Fi Pro card is now available and costs about $150.

Press release:
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 10, 2009: Eye-Fi Inc. today unveiled the Eye-Fi Pro, a new wireless SDHC memory card for digital cameras that allows professionals and photo enthusiasts to automatically upload images straight from their camera to their computer and the Web. Available today, the Eye-Fi Pro includes RAW image support and peer-to-peer connectivity for a direct connection between the camera and a computer, no router or Internet connection required (also known as ad hoc).

Eye-Fi also announced today that all Eye-Fi card users can now select which photos or videos they want to wirelessly transfer from their camera to their computer or the Web, using the new Selective Transfer feature.

“People are engaged in photography at a deeper level than ever before. They have moved from being casual photographers to passionate enthusiasts, shooting in RAW for easier editing, adding geotags for a richer experience or sharing photos in an online gallery,” said Jef Holove, CEO of Eye-Fi. “These people are looking for tools that advance the art of photography and make it more efficient – and the Eye-Fi Pro does both.”

About the Eye-Fi Pro

The Eye-Fi Pro lets users wirelessly upload more file types, including JPEG and RAW images and videos. The Eye-Fi Pro also allows users to create an ad hoc connection through their computer or other mobile device to wirelessly upload media files while away from a wireless router.

“The Eye-Fi Pro has streamlined my workflow. It lets me quickly upload files in the background while I continue my photo shoots. My clients can choose their best shots in near real time,” said Jeff Sockwell, an Eye-Fi Pro beta user and professional photographer who used Eye-Fi in a portrait session with more than 150 dance students. “I also have assurance that photos are automatically saved both on my computer and my Eye-Fi Pro.”

Like the Eye-Fi Explore Video, the new Eye-Fi Pro will automatically upload images and videos direct to more than 25 online photo and video sharing sites. It also lets users upload away from home at more than 10,000 Wayport and open hotspots, and will automatically geotag photos with information about where the images were taken. The Eye-Fi Pro is now available at for an MSRP of $149.
Selective Transfer
Also announced today is Eye-Fi’s newest feature, Selective Transfer, that gives users more control over which photos to upload. Using the “protect” or “lock” feature in the camera’s menu, users can select which files to wirelessly upload. Any “protected” photo will automatically be uploaded, and all photos will remain on the memory card until the user manually deletes them. Selective Transfer is free, and available now for all Eye-Fi card users through the Eye-Fi Manager.

At the Leading Edge of Camera Technology – Eye-Fi Connected cameras
In effort to meet prosumers’ increasing camera feature set demands and widen wireless adoption, manufacturers are offering Eye-Fi card recognition and optimization. The Eye-FiConnected camera features range from power setting optimization to on-camera notifications while photos and videos are wirelessly uploaded. These new cameras include Nikon’s latest model, the D5000 (which follows in the footstep of the already Eye-FiConnected D60 and D90), as well as the entire spring line-up of Casio cameras, including the Casio EX-S12, Casio EX-S5, Casio EX-FS10, Casio EX-FC100 and Casio EX-Z29.

Eye-Fi has received numerous product awards including Popular Science’s “Best of What’s New” for 2008, and PC World’s “The 100 Best Products of 2008.”