We just talked about the Samsung DualView a couple of days ago. Now the gadget blog Engadget has put together a review roundup for this innovative compact point-and-shoot digital camera with a front LCD. The camera apparently has a different model number (ST550) in some parts of the world.
The following is an in-depth video review by computertv I found on Youtube. If you have no patience to read through the text/image based reviews, the video review may help you out.
The digital compact camera market is really crowded. With the silly pixel war finally settles down, camera manufacturers are trying to distinguish themselves from competitors with innovative products.
One of the latest we know is the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj digital cameras with built-in projector, which seem to have received quite some media buzz. If you think about it, it is fun to show off the pictures you just take but it doesn’t really help you to take better pictures.
Nikon isn’t the only who is doing the “add-on” innovation. Samsung adds a second LCD display on the front side of the DualView series digital cameras for people who love to take self-portraits. It also has a Child Mode that displays funny cartoons to grab the attention of small children. Unlike the built-in projector on Nikon Coolpix S100pj, the Samsung camera’s 2nd display does help people to take better photos.
“Can your compact digital camera do this?” In some marketing videos showcasing its new compact digital cameras, Nikon challenges the audience with this question. To quite a few, this is going to be nerve-touching (enticing).
Over the years, compact digital cameras have become ever sophisticated although it doesn’t mean they are more difficult to use. On the contrary, technology made modern point-and-shoot compact digital cameras easier to use and produce better images. Not only 10+ mega pixel sensors become the norm, we also see image stabilization, face detection, smile shutter, dynamic lighting, creative filters, and other features becoming prevalent. Bringing out a “me-too” product is not going to help much in the current economic situation. As a matter of fact, Nikon just post significant loss for the 1st quarter of fiscal year 2010. Nikon has vowed to “concentration on development of new products exceeding customers expectation” and obviously didn’t disappoint us with the recent announcements.
The Nikon Coolpix S70 has what appears to be Muititouch-like screen on the back. You can zoom with two fingers and you can also select focus point by touching on the screen. For iPhone users, these are familiar features.
The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj has a built-in projector that can show your images up to 40 inches across on a surface such as wall or ceiling.
Both compact digital cameras feature 12.1 mega pixel sensor and 5X optical zoom lens with vibration reduction (VR). The S70 has a 3.5 inch OLED touch screen at the back while the S1000pj has a 2.7 inch TFT LCD with anti-reflective coating.
Spring is here. People’s spirit may be getting better despite the bad economic news. In a recent email newsletter, Nikon introduces 8 new Coolpix models in hope of freshing up their businesses. No, these are not completely new, some have been on sale since February.
The new models are in Nikon COOLPIX P (Performance), S (Style), and L (Life) series. The Coolpix P90 is a 24x super-zoom (most expensive) while the Coolpix L19 is the most economic compact new model you can get with a Nikon brand.
One of the S (Style) series model is the Coolpix S230 with 10 megapixel sensor, 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, and a huge bright 3.0-inch high resolution touch panel LCD. It comes with 5 elegant colors, which look great even thought they are not as sensational as the colors of Canon PowerShot SD780.
Canon’s new 2009 digital camera lineups are coming out later this month (March) and my inbox was hit with their usual PowerShot eNewsLetter promoting the “sleek, slender, and super smart” PowerShot SD780IS Digital ELPH. Offered in bright red, black, silver, and gold colors, the beautiful little compacts convey the meanings of passion, confident, classic, and luxury. If you are disgusted by the heavy DSLR cameras with the same old looks, I am sure you will find the new Canon cameras refreshing. And the beauty isn’t just skin-deep, it comes packed with Canon’s digital camera innovations. For someone who wants more power, there are higher end Canon PowerShot SD960IS and Canon PowerShot SD970IS coming as well. Read More…
Multiple gadget blogs (Engadget, CrunchGear) are reporting the Kodak 24x megazoom point-and-shoot digital camera Z980 that will be officially introduced at 2009 CES. The camera features a 12 megapixel sensor, 24x (26mm – 624mm?) stabilized optical zoom lens, detachable vertical grip with shutter release, and HD video recording capability.
Sony has taken the face detection technology to a new height with the launch of its compact DSC-T200 with a smile shutter mode. Are you always too slow to to press the shutter release button when someone smiles? Try this camera. It can actively identify human faces and takes the photo when someone smiles. Check out the video below. It is amazing!
DPReview has just posted the review of the popular 8MP 12x optical zoom Canon PowerShot S5 IS, the latest in Canon’s super-zoom digital camera rage. Based on “click through” counts (a measurement of the level of interests), this camera has been the most popular camera for a while on DPReview. The review gives the typical “Pros and Cons” lists and a overall “Recommended” rating on the conclusion page.
has what appears to be Muititouch-like screen on the back. You can zoom with two fingers and you can also select focus point by touching on the screen. For iPhone users, these are familiar features.
has a built-in projector that can show your images up to 40 inches across on a surface such as wall or ceiling.
is a 24x super-zoom (most expensive) while the 
is the most economic compact new model you can get with a Nikon brand.
