Digital Camera News and Reviews

BenQ S1420 O.I.S.

BenQ has announced a new compact camera called BenQ S1420 O.I.S.. Among it features we find optical image stabilization, HD video and some fun creative shooting modes like Lomo and Fisheye.

Some key features for the BenQ S1420 O.I.S.:
-14 megapixel image sensor
-5x optical zoom lens (26-130mm)
-Optical image stabilization
-3″ LCD screen
-Captures 720p HD video
-Creative shooting modes “LOMO”, “Fisheye” and “Colour accent”

The BenQ S1420 O.I.S. will be released on the market in January 2011.

Press release:
BenQ’s New S1420 O.I.S. Camera – The Most Powerful Technology for Anti-Shake

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, December 6, 2010 – BenQ announced the expansion of its S-series digital camera lineup today with the 14 Megapixels S1420 digital camera. Stylishly encased in a vibrant orange-coloured metallic casing, the S1420 is designed for those who pursue high image quality whilst also values compact and mobility of their cool camera.

The O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) feature on S1420 prevents blur on shots and it is the most powerful technology for anti-shake. This amazing feature works automatically and compensates for unintended camera movements or slow shutter speeds to deliver crisply rendered, sharp and crystal clear images which without might ruin an otherwise perfect shot.

S1420 is the ideal camera companion with the flawless combination of the 26mm wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom. The wide-angle lens give allows expanded field of view needed for group shots, ensuring everyone is in frame even in a close-up shot whilst the powerful zoom makes it possible to capture detailed photos even when the subjects are of a distance.

BenQ’s HDR II image enhancement technology is a magical feature that lets users get great shots of high-contrast scenes that are usually so difficult to photograph well. HDR II depicts the scenes in the photograph exactly how it is seen by the eye, with all the details in both dark and bright areas intact. Furthermore, HDR II allows previews on the bright 3.0” LCD with HDR applied, so users know exactly what kind of shots they will be taking.

BenQ’s S1420 comes bundled with a full range of creative shooting modes which includes “LOMO”, “Fisheye” and “Color accent”. The “LOMO” adds effects like dark-corners, off-kilter exposure, and over-saturated colors to snapshots turning the photographs into gallery-worthy artworks. Apply the “Fisheye Lens” to get a wide-angle hemispherical view of the photographic subjects, adding a new source of fun and intriguing creative possibilities to photos. The “Color accent” effect allows users to keep one selected color in the photo whilst having the rest converted into black and white, heightening the ambiance and imbuing the photographs with mood and personality.

When even a great photograph cannot capture the action desired, S1420’s 720p HD movie recording capability comes into play, allowing users to record the actions in crisply detailed, brilliant and vivid HD videos. The highlights of one’s life can now be preserved in big, beautiful movies.

S1420’s highly sensitive sensor can take realistic-looking, detailed photographs in a low light scene. An ISO 6400 exposure index ensures that photographs in a dance-club or a romantic candle-lit restaurant are not compromised.

BenQ’s vibrant orange-coloured S1420 will be available in China and Asia Pacific in December, Latin America and Europe in January 2011. For more information, please visit http://www.BenQ.com

Casio Exilim EX-S200

Casio Exilim EX-S200 is a new image-stabilized camera from Casio. The digital camera features over 14 megapixels and 4x stabilized zoom lens in addition to being able to shoot 10 frames per second. Let us hear what About.com thinks about this Casio camera.

Some key features for the Casio Exilim EX-S200:
-14.1 megapixel image sensor
-4x optical zoom lens (27-108mm)
-Image stabilization
-2.7″ LCD screen
-Shoot up to 10 frames per second
-ISO sensitivity 50 to 3200
-Records 720p HD videos

About.com ends up giving the Casio Exilim EX-S200 a mediocre review with an overall score of 3 out of 5 possible stars. There are some positive points with the S200 including good design, well made LCD screen, performs good in low light with flash, fun art effects and the lens starts pretty wide at 27mm. On the negative side we find aspects such as bad shutter lag and shot delays, inconsistent performance outdoors and slow autofocus. Overall the S200 has some good points, but there are better compacts out there from other brands.
Read the full review of the Casio Exilim EX-S200 image-stabilized camera here.

Rollei Powerflex 440

Rollei is not a brand that get a lot of press, but now they have launced two new compact digital cameras. The cameras are called Rollei Powerflex 440 and Rollei Powerflex 450.

Some key features for Rollei Powerflex 440 / 450:
-14 megapixel image sensor
-720p HD video capture
-5x (26-130mm) optical zoom lens (Powerflex 450)
-Optical image stabilisation (Powerflex 450)
-Close focus point of 2cm (Powerflex 450)
-Automatic panorama stitching (Powerflex 450)
-4x (26-104mm) optical zoom lens (Powerflex 440)

Both cameras will be available on the market in January 2011 and cost about €99.95 for the 450 and €79.95 for the 440.

Press release:
New digicam product range: Rollei Powerflex
Hamburg, 23 November 2010

Rollei is presenting the first two models in its new Powerflex product range just in time for the start of the New Year: the Powerflex 440 and the Powerflex 450 for demanding and cost-conscious photography newcomers.

The name “Powerflex” is most definitely fitting, above all due to the outstanding performance in all areas. Technical highlights and a sophisticated design have been combined perfectly – providing great flexibility when taking photographs and shooting videos in HD quality (1280 x 720p). Both cameras stand out, thanks to 14 million pixels for excellent picture quality and a 26-mm, super wide-angle lens, which provides great results no matter what you want to capture – overviews, details, interior scenes or landscapes.

The Powerflex 450 is equipped with a high quality 5x optical Apogon zoom and a focal length of between 4.7 mm and 23.5 mm, which corresponds with 26 mm to 130 mm in small picture format. Landscape and group photos can therefore be captured perfectly. In addition to this, the optical image stabiliser compensates for any shaking and enables super sharp photos to be taken, even with slower shutter speeds. Thanks to a macro range of 2 – 60 cm, the Powerflex is also a real “zoom-in” expert: close-up objects can be displayed in their original size on the image sensor, providing the viewer with a whole new perspective.

Thanks to the manually adjustable white balance, the light can be adjusted optimally for each motif. If the Panorama Capture function is selected, the camera joins multiple individual pictures into a panorama picture automatically. Photos are stored in the JPG format with a maximum resolution of 4288×3216 pixels, and razor sharp HD videos with up to 30 images per second are saved in the Motion-JPG format, thus ensuring lively videos. A USB 2.0 interface and a 2-in-1 AV-output port are also provided, which means both photos as well as videos can be viewed simply and quickly on a PC or TV screen. Complicated “picture shows” are thus a thing of the past. Thanks to a high ISO value of 3200, the devices can even be used in dark rooms, if a fast shutter speed (2-1/2000 seconds) is chosen.

Despite their compact designs, both Powerflex models include a large 2.7´LCD display with razor sharp quality at 230.000 pixels. The elegant design is rounded off with an exclusive metal finish on the front of the cameras.

The Powerflex 450’s little sister, the Powerflex 440, comes with a 4x optical zoom that allows it to close in on distant objects. The focal length is 4.7 mm to 18,8 mm, which corresponds with 26 mm to 104 mm in small picture format.

Homemade high definition videos with a resolution of 1280x720p can be uploaded directly to the Internet with the YouTube-ready function, and 25 easy-to-use motif programmes ensure the right photo settings can always be found. The digital image stabiliser provides practical support for inexperienced photographers, especially for snapshot motifs, and the high-speed serial picture function guarantees a lot of photo fun: 30 images per second document each movement in flip-book style.

Both of the new Powerflex cameras include a wide range of handy features, such as face and smile recognition and red eye reduction. The Lithium-Ion batteries are recharged via USB. Both cameras can be connected to a PC quickly and simply using the USB interface, thus enabling the latest pictures to be presented in a flash. Photos are stored on a 32GB SD/SDHC card.

The cameras will be available in stores from January 2011. The Powerflex 450 will be available in black, pink and silver for 99.95 Euros (recommended retail price); the Powerflex 440 will cost 79.95 Euros (recommended retail price) and will come in the colours black, pink, red and silver.

The next model in this product range, the Powerflex 470, should be available in April 2011. Thanks to highlights such as a 7x optical zoom, HD video resolution, optical image stabiliser and a 3-inch display, photo and video enjoyment are guaranteed.

Canon PIXMA MG5150

Trusted Reviews has tested an All-in-One photo printer from Canon. The printer is called Canon PIXMA MG5150 and is able to print a 10x15cm photo in about 39 seconds. It also has auto duplexing for printing and uses 5 singe inks.

Some key features for the Canon PIXMA MG5150 printer:
-Print speeds up to 9.7 images per minute in monochrome and 6.1 images per minute in color
-10x15cm photo in 39 seconds
-5 single inks
-9600dpi resolution
-Auto Duplex print
-Full HD Movie Print
-ChromaLife100+

Trusted Reviews ends up giving the Canon PIXMA MG5150 a very good review with an overall score of 9 out of 10 possible points and a “Trusted Reviews Recommended” badge. The Canon printer scores highest on features and print quality, a little lower on value for your money while it scores lowest on print speeds. The reviewer claims that this is one of the best mid-range printers on the market, but if you have a previous printer in this series it might not be worth to upgrade. When you look at the price tag you get a lot for your money with this PIXMA printer from Canon.
Read the full review of the Canon PIXMA MG5150 inkjet All-in-One printer here.