Digital Camera News and Reviews

Updates from the camera world



Category: Compact Camera

Rollei announces Rollei Powerflex 440 and 450 digital cameras

6 December, 2010 (10:23) | Compact Camera | By: Camera News

Rollei Powerflex 440
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.

Pentax Optio RS1000 digital camera with changeable covers test / review by CNET UK

5 December, 2010 (18:58) | Compact Camera, Pentax, Review | By: Camera News

Pentax Optio RS1000
Pentax Optio RS1000

Pentax Optio RS1000 is an interesting little camera as you can change the covers on the camera making it look pretty unique. CNET UK has reviewed this Pentax camera that also has plenty of megapixels and a 4x optical zoom lens.

Some key features for the Pentax Optio RS1000 :
-14.1 megapixel image sensor
-4x optical zoom lens (28-110mm)
-3″ LCD screen
-Widescreen 720p HD video at 30 frames per second
-Uses SD and SDHC memory cards

CNET UK ends up giving the Pentax Optio RS1000 an overall score of 3.5 stars out of 5 possible. The Pentax camera gets positive points on aspects such as good price tag, stylish look, good camera body, easy to use and the image quality is better what you can expect from such a low price tag. The RS1000 has some negative points too and they include that you can not use zoom while recording video, short battery life and you do not get much of manual controls. Overall it seems like a good enough camera if you want to change the covers on your digital camera.
Read the full review of the Pentax Optio RS1000 digital camera here.

Samsung PL90 digital camera with built-in USB connector test / review by Photography Blog

5 December, 2010 (17:21) | Compact Camera, Review, Samsung | By: Camera News

Samsung PL90
Samsung PL90

Photography Blog has reviewed an interesting camera from Samsung. The Samsung PL90 includes a built-in USB connector so you can connect the camera directly to your PC. With the USB connector you can charge the camera via your computer and easily transfer data.

Some key features for the Samsung PL90:
-12.2 megapixel image sensor
-4x optical zoom lens (29-116mm)
-2.7″ LCD screen
-Built-in USB connector
-VGA video recording
-Uses microSD and microSDHC memory cards

Photography Blog ends up giving the Samsung PL90 a “Recommended” rating with an overall score of 4 out of 5 possible stars. The PL90 scores highest on design, ease of use and value for your money while it scores a little lower on features and image quality. The Samsung camera is a nice compact camera with some cool features and Samsung gets a bit of kudos for being innovative with the flip out USB connector, but the PL90 has some shortcomings like just VGA video and it uses mircoSD memory cards.
Read the full review of the Samsung PL90 digital camera with built-in USB connector here.

Samsung PL200 budget compact camera review by About.com

3 December, 2010 (19:39) | Compact Camera, Review, Samsung | By: Camera News

Samsung PL200
Samsung PL200

About.com has reviewed a budget camera from Samsung. The Samsung camera is called Samsung PL200 and has plenty of megapixels in addition to a 7x zoom lens and the ability record HD videos on SD memory cards.

Some key features for the Samsung PL200:
-14.2 megapixel image sensor
-7x optical zoom lens(31-217mm)
-Digital image stabilization
-3″ LCD screen
-720p HD videos using H.264 compression
-Uses SD and SDHC memory cards

About.com ends up giving the Samsung PL200 a very good review with an overall score of 4.5 stars out of 5 possible. For the price the PL200 seems like a great purchase. The reviewer finds many good points about the Samsung camera including fast response times, useful zoom range, the menu system works good and the autofocus is great. On the negative side we find that there other compact cameras out there with better image quality, but in this price class it is hard to beat the PL200. Sometimes the camera has a hard time to take photos indoors. Overall the PL200 seems like a good choice if you are a photographer on a budget.
Read the full review of the Samsung PL200 budget compact camera here.


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