Archive for the ‘Cam Gadgets’ Category
Saturday, October 18th, 2008 |
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Take a short look at this video camera and tell me what you think about it. Isn’t it small? Isn’t it too small, as a matter of fact?! For god’s sake, this is tiny, astonishingly tiny. Imagine that this package, which is smaller than a ping pong ball, integrates a complete video recording system. This isn’t exactly a HDTV, having only 320 x 240 pixels, but stick a 2GB microSD memory card in there and you can let this little thing do its job for about 6 hours.
I’m sure you don’t like very much the idea of swallowing tiny cameras down your gut, but when medical scientists came up with this weird illness-detecting aid – the swallowable camera – there was no chance for you to say no. Because when your health is in stake, you’re to do almost anything, right? However, this device isn’t a med-gadget, it’s a 128MB Flash Memory small spy camera. Actually, the Play-Guard is said to be the world’s smallest spy camera with a DVR and it’s capable of seeing you secure through the gravest of security predicaments.
As far as the covered areas, it can be used in various applications such as vehicle security, extreme sports, leisure activities, study aid, nanny and baby monitor, scuba and sky diving, swimming or whatever the user can imagine. On the other hand, Play-Guard is a perfect tool for a private investigator. Now you can literally carry a portable video recorder wherever the subject goes and obtain the information you need.
The Play-Guard enters into the operating mode when the power is on and there are 6 functions of options available: snapshot (for taking pictures), status (to check status of each function), record, recording type (you can select among General / Vehicle / Security), power saving and menu mode (it can be used only when Play-Guard is connected to a TV monitor and you can turn on this mode to playback, edit and set up various functions).
This small spy camera with DVR comes with a rechargeable Li-Polymer battery and USB connector and captures images at 30FPS (frames per second). The ball-like shape of the camera itself puts it in a unique arrangement. Moreover, being the first spy cam with a DVR and a wearable video recorder along, there are even more reasons to appreciate it.
The camera comes in package with a play-guard unit, an attachable case, a flexible holder, a connection cable and the manual; among its optional package contents are included a neck strap type holder, a USB type adaptor and a car adaptor with A/V out cable.
The spy camera is available for retail at $359.99 while the sale price is $259.99, at SpyVille. I don’t know who’s willing to pay this amount on a microcam, but one thing’s for sure: you’d better watch out, no matter where you are, because there could be spy gear anywhere.
(Source Dvice)
Posted in Cam Gadgets | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 |
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You have always been interested in quality and style, whatever you might have wanted to purchase, but you have never been a crystal-encrusted-devices consumer. But you love your Olympus camera you bought a few years ago, when you decided it’s time to refresh your passion for photography. That’s why you might want to give a chance to this brand new device, even if those little bright and shiny stones don’t match your taste.
This is the Transfiguration of the old Mju 1040, a classier and more sophisticated version of the camera which was released back in august, this year, combining powerful features in a completely redesigned super-slim metal body – an extremely elegant performer, in other words. The promoter of a new generation of style, Mju 1040 was offered in a dazzling array of colors: Starry Silver, Midnight Black, Magma Red and Melon Yellow.
Yesterday, Olympus released a limited edition model, the Olympus Crystal camera, embedded with 98 Swarovski crystals on the sliding lens barrier. Based on the recently-introduced Mju 1040, this special limited edition includes distinctive crystallized Swarovski Elements that can adorn the camera’s protective lens barrier. The device is the perfect mixture between a cutting-edge technology and sophisticated design, making people turn their heads whenever pictures are taken. The camera’s Midnight Black provides a dramatic backdrop that makes the dazzling adhesive elements even more eye-catching. This way, the Olympus Mju 1040 Crystal becomes a new benchmark for elegance among digital cameras.
But the camera isn’t only a good-looking silhouette. It features a 3x zoom camera, so that both style and substance are delivered. It’s enough if you want to capture the glamour at a fashion show or to take pictures of friends and family while on a weekend getaway; in addition, there’s a 10 Megapixel resolution.
As far as the various scene modes, there’s an innovative Intelligent Auto mode which automatically distinguishes five of the most commonly used scenes and adjusts setting in conformity with those. Meanwhile, the Face Detection Technology enables up to 16 people to be recognized by the camera to ensure human subjects are always perfectly depicted. The results can then be viewed on high-contrast 6.9/2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD. Giving you the chance to increase image storage, the Mju 1040 Crystal is compatible with xD-picture Card as well as microSD Card (thanks to a bundled attachment).
The Mju 1040 Crystal camera offered in limited edition by Olympus will be available at the end of October for an approximate price of £175 ($303) on the UK market. For more information, you can always visit the official website of the company.
(Source engadget.com)
Posted in Cam Gadgets | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 12th, 2008 |
Those who say photography is an art are almost right, but they didn’t reach the ultimate truth yet. Why? The answer is pretty simple for those that got their hands on more than just a cheap digital camera, or a bridge - there’s a point where photographic skills also need the right tools, and I am thinking about macro and product photography, above anything else. For a certain price range, Nikon reigns supreme, at least with the professional photographers I know, but none of them got their hands on the new Nikon D700 so far…
So, what about the D700 DSLR from Nikon? Since I didn’t get my hands on it either, I think best thing to do now is check the key features of this new camera from Nikon, they surely look appealing, if your budget can reach as high as about $3,000, and probably at least $2,000 more to get some additional accessories to help you get the job done, especially lenses, since you will also get the body for this price, without any lenses included.
- 12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch)
- Image Sensor Cleaning (vibration)
- ISO 200 - 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25600 and down to ISO 100)
- Support for DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
- 14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
- Same ultra-fast startup and shutter lag as D3
- Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
- New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 150,000 exposure durability
- Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
- Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
95% coverage, 0.72x magnification viewfinder
- Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning), fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings
- Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
- Picture Control image parameter presets
- 5 frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking
- Optional MB-D10 Battery Pack (same as D300), increases burst rate to 8 fps
- UDMA compatible single CF card slot
- 3.0″ 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
- Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
- Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
- HDMI HD video output
- ‘Active D-Lighting’ (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
- Detailed ‘Control Panel’ type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
- Magnesium alloy body with connections and buttons sealed against moisture
- Improved Info display on main screen
Other than the above, time shall tell. Considering the image samples I’ve seen, and the price tag, the D700 is not the camera to start learning the secrets of photography, but it surely is the one to help you accomplish great things.
Unfortunately, no matter how amazing look the technical specifications of a camera, it can’t do it all by itself, but it will surely help you a lot, just as any other Nikon D700 reviews will help you in deciding if this new DSLR from Nikon is the best thing for your needs.
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Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 |
You might still remember that cool mini airplane that came with a pair of visors through which you can get live video feeds from the attached camera and control the plane. Nice indeed, but it’s still a plane and can’t perform sudden movements like what you’re about to see here. Meet the Dragonfly X6 RC vehicle!
The X6 mini flying vehicle has a triple-tipped carbon fiber body with two carbon rotors on each end. The ingenious design enables it to move in all directions and perform rapid movements. It can be easily controlled indoors, as well as resist up to 18 miles per hour of wind.
According to Gzmodo, X6 also comes with a special oil-dampening mount that reduces vibrations and can be loaded with several video-capturing devices, including an HD camera, night vision camera, still camera, low light camera or thermal imaging camera. The compact flyer also integrates a GPS device which displays the exact position on the remote control’s LCD.
The designers have made it possible for the X6 to keep on flying without much hassle even when one of its 6 motors stops working. The included battery can be charged in less than 30 minutes, but provides enough power in order to enable the X6 to climb 23 feet per second, make sudden 90 degrees turns or do fly-bys at 30 MPH.
For more info plus some demonstration clips, check out the official Dragonfly page:
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Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 |
One cool thing I want to try as soon as possible is go scuba diving around a coral reef and take lots of pictures and even record the entire experience. I could use a waterproof camera, but I really want to have my hands free. Looks like I’m in luck this time as the Japanese have just released an underwater digital camera mask.
Coming from Liquid Image, the scuba diving mask is waterproof down to 5 meters, and allows you to take pictures with an integrated camera that only requires one hand to operate. The camera sits somewhere in your forehead region and when you want to take pictures, you just have to push the button in the left side of the mask. If only they made it with a remote control or something.
The internal is not a mere VGA camera. It offers 3 megapixels, an LCD screen, 16MB of internal memory (with a microSD card slot to expand it up to 2GB) and even a VGA video mode. No word on zooming, I guess it’s only digital.
According to Pocket-Lint, the mask is already available in Japan for about $100, but it’s not sure whether it gets commercialized worldwide or not. One more thing to make us go to Japan.
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