Digital Camera News and Reviews

Rollei Powerflex 3D

Rollei has announced a new 3D camera called Rollei Powerflex 3D. The Powerflex compact camera contains a 5 megapixel image sensor and a pair of lenses to create 3D photos. It also has a 2.8″ LCD screen and it is able to digitally zoom 8x. The camera can also capture regular 2D photos.

The Rollei Powerflex 3D will be available in January 2011 and cost about €299.95.

Press release:
Plunge into the world of 3D with Rollei

Hamburg, 23 December 2010

Rollei is getting started in the third dimension in 2011 by presenting its first-ever products for an impressive 3D experience with the Powerflex 3D digicam and the Designline 3D digital picture frame. Rollei’s new 3D devices are equipped with the special Parallax Barrier Display technology, so that you can marvel at three-dimensional pictures and videos without any special glasses whatsoever.

With Rollei’s new Powerflex 3D, it is possible to easily produce three-dimensional photographic and video works of art by yourself. Two lenses that work simultaneously with 1/2.5” CMOS image sensors record 3D pictures with a maximum resolution of 2592 x 1944. Videos can be shot in brilliant HD quality (1280×720) at 30 images per second. The pictures appear on the 2.8 inch LCD display with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels in such a way that each one of the observer’s eyes sees a slightly displaced image, which is then automatically merged into a three-dimensional image. This effect provides 3D enjoyment without glasses.

The two-eye, 5-megapixel Powerflex can naturally also photograph and film in 2D. An 8x digital zoom is available in 2D mode as well. Pressing a button on the camera switches between 3D and 2D shooting modes. You can make use of technical features, such as the digital image stabiliser and the manually adjustable white balance, in both shooting modes. But the technical features are not the only reason why you won’t ever want to do without your Powerflex 3D. The camera’s slim design and the intuitive menu navigation are also very persuasive.

Anyone who would like to admire his own 3D works on a large scale can easily connect the Powerflex 3D to a 3D TV set or monitor thanks to the HDMI connector and TV output (PAL/NTSC). With the help of the special glasses that belong to the respective screen, you can dive into the 3D world that you photographed yourself.

Epson Stylus NX625

PC World has tested an All-in-One color inkjet printer from Epson. The printer is called Epson Stylus NX625 and is able to print up to 15 pages per minute or so the vendor claims.

Some key features for the Epson Stylus NX625:
-Print speeds up to 15 pages per minute in black and 7.2 pages per minute in color
-2.5″ color LCD screen
-Supports memory cards
-Wireless, ethernet and USB connectivity

The Epson printer gets an overall score of 3 out of 5 possible stars. The NX625 scores highest on performance, a little lower on design while it scores lowest on features. On the positive side we find aspects such as fast printing and low cost inks, but there are some negative sides including poor quality of color graphics on plain paper and the black ink could be cheaper.
Read the full review of the Epson Stylus NX625 Color InkJet All-in-One printer here.

Cam

Photography Blog has reviewed a superzoom lens from Panasonic that should be interesting for many Micro Four Thirds users. The lens is very good for recording videos as it has high speed focusing and is very silent. You can buy the lens alone and it comes as a kit with the GH2 and GH1 cameras from Panasonic.

The website ends up giving the Panasonic lens a very good review with a “Highly Recommended” rating and an overall score of 4.5 stars out of 5 possible. The Lumix lens scores highest on ease of use, design and features, a little lower in image quality while it scores lowest on value for your money. The lens is pretty expensive and heavy compared to a similar Micro Four Thirds lens from Olympus, but if you own the GH1 or GH2 and are interested in recording videos this Panasonic lens should be your choice as it has incredibly fast focus and its optics are good.
Read the full review of the Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm F4.0-5.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens here.

Rollei Designline 3D

Rollei has announced a 3D digital picture frame called Rollei Designline 3D. The 3D frame is 7″ in size and comes with software, Blaze Video Magic 3, that helps you convert your 2D images into 3D versions. You can also use the picture frame as an eBook-reader and it comes with stero speakers. The resolution of the Designline 3D is 800×480 pixels.

The Rollei Designline 3D will be released in January 2011 and cost about €299.95.

Press release:
Rollei’s 7-inch Designline 3D digital picture frame draws its viewers into the third dimension and shows 3D pictures with a resolution of 800×480 pixels. It’s practical: The scope of delivery include the “Blaze Video Magic 3.0” software that helps to convert 2D images into 3D pictures or videos with just a few mouse clicks on the computer. It is possible to emit an AV-Out signal via TV cable.

Besides its 3D function, the Designline 3D provides innumerable other features that go far beyond the performance of other digital picture frames. For example, the 16:9 frame plays MP3 files via integrated stereo speakers and has an E-book function. In slide show mode, there are seven different speeds to choose from for designing the transition effects. Thanks to an integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery with up to 3 hours of runtime, Rollei’s 3D digital frame can also be used very flexibly in the room.

The frame design with its black decorative pattern makes it a highlight – regardless of whether it is on a shelf, on the living room wall or travelling with you. It can be optionally operated with an infrared remote control or a touch menu, which only becomes visible when you touch the right edge of the frame.