Archive for the ‘Cam Gadgets’ Category
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 |
A compact 9 megapixel digital camera with other good features is every man’s (and women’s) dream. With the help of Casio, this dream might just come true for everyone who needs a slim and easy to place, in any pocket, digital camera, without having to accept bad quality pictures. The Casio EX FC 100 is the product everyone was waiting for. It sport a great design, slick matte black cover, with metallic finishes on the keys and logo, excellent dimensions (with a height of 2.30 inches, wide of 3.92 inches, deep of 0.88 inches, the Casio EX FC 100 weight only 5.10 oz). the build quality is great, you get no squeaks or flex under any pressure made on the Casio EX FC 100. So, with a slim look, great build quality, and nice design, Exilim FC 100 Casio ensured some pretty consistent sales.
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On the front of the Casio camera you get the Flash in the right of the Casio logo, an auto focus assist lamp, and the 6.4 to 32.0 mm lens. On the back, the EX FC 100 sports a 3 inches LCD display, a processing lamp, a sort of joystick which is used to record movies and also works as a movie mode switch, playback key, shooting key, four way pads with the SET function (the four way controller has the following functions: up / display, left / customizable, right / customizable, down / flash / delete), menu button and best shot mode key.
On the right side you get the USB port, while the left side lacks both ports and keys. On the bottom, the Casio EX FC 100 WE includes a speaker, a tripod mount, and the cover for both memory card and battery. The top of the Casio model sports too many buttons when you use the camera in a rush. You get the slow motion button, the high speed key, the power on off switch, the shutter and also the zoom scroll.
Casio EX FC 100 WE sport a 9.1 megapixel camera, with a 1 / 2.3 inches high speed CMOS, which boasts the total pixels to about 10.29 megapixels. Casio includes in this camera great lens and an average focal length (F 3.6 – F 4.5 / f = 6.42 mm – 32.1 mm).
The zoom provided by the Casio camera goes up to 5x for optical mode and 4x for digital mode. A special feature that Casio reminds us with is the high definition zoom with a maximum of 27x (only in VGA resolution, and using both digital zoom and optical zoom). Casio EX FC 100 provides a 32 MB onboard memory, but also features a memory card slot for both SDHC memory card, and SD memory card. The pictures taken with the
Casio EX FC 100 are good quality photos. These pictures have a good green and red accuracy. Unfortunately you don’t get a color mode setting. Therefore, the photos might seem a little unbalanced with both yellow and blue. The 9.1 megapixel camera, from the EX FC 100, can take still images in different resolutions, in VGA mode – 640 x 480 pixels, 2 megapixel mode – 1600 x 1200 pixels, 4 megapixel mode – 2304 x 1728 pixels, 6 megapixels mode – 2816 x 2112 pixels, 3456 x 1944 pixels, 3456 x 2304 pixels, and with the full 9 megapixel you get a 3456 x 2592 pixels photo resolution. Casio EX FC 100 saves the pictures taken in JPEG files, DPOF and DCF 1.0. The generally noise made is low, so it will not bother you at all.
The resolution provided features a low distortion, making the photos even sharper. As in any other camera, you will find in the Casio model, several modes for different lighting, daylight mode, overcast mode, shade mode, auto mode, daylight fluorescent mode, tungsten mode, and the manual mode. The latest sensitivity modes are included in the EX FC 100, Auto / ISO 100 / ISO 200 / ISO 400 / ISO 800 / ISO 1600. The
Casio EX FC 100 sports 3 inches TFT color LCD (super clear LCD) with a resolution of 960 x 240 pixels. The LCD will prove valuable when using the menu, or setting the options for the camera. Casio EX FC 100 provides good quality video recording. Another feature is the playback of the videos and the possibility of editing them.
The Casio camera records in high definition 1280 x 720 with 30 frames per second, 224 x 64 with 1000 frames per second, 224 x 168 with 420 frames per second, 480 x 360 with 210 frames per second, and 30 frames per second for both 480 x 360 and 640 x 480. The connectivity is ensured by the Pict Bridge, video output formats (both PAL and NTSC), and the USB / AV port. Other excellent features worth to mention is the face detection feature, excellent focus (contrast detection auto focus, auto focus, macro mode, infinity mode, manual focus). Casio included in the EX FC 100 a standard Lithium Ion battery with 1300 mAh, 3.7 volt (NP – 40 battery types). This battery should last up to 300 shots after a single charge. For a small compact digital camera this battery is a really good feature.
Casio ships in the containing box, beside the actual EX FC 100 and NP 40 battery, manual, Software CD, AV cable, USB cable, strap, battery charger (BC 31 L model), and power cord. If Casio would have included a memory card, then the package would have been complete. Even so for a price tag of $329.99, you get a decent package. Overall, the Casio EX FC 100 is an excellent product, for its range. With a slick compact case, and a stylish design, also packing a great 9.1 megapixel camera with the latest lens and setting features, the Casio EX FC 100 is the best choice, when out looking for an ultraportable, yet extremely good equipped point and shoot digital camera. Also, the
EX FC 100 is the cheapest in comparison with Canon Power Shot SD 970 “IS” ($379.99), and Sony Cyber Shot DSC T900 (with a price tag of $369.99).
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Monday, September 28th, 2009 |
When your life is full of great moments and events, you need to have around a good feature camcorder. If you are familiar with Canon FS100 Camcorder, then you should already know that the new Canon FS200 Camcorder is the FS100 model upgraded. In general, an upgrade (or refresh) is the process of renewing an old model. Basically the refreshed model (like the FS200) is not a new model; it is just the succeeded in line to the old model (FS100). The manufacturer will improve the already good features and diminish the product drawbacks (at least hypothetical, because this is the hardest part in an upgrade). The Canon FS200 Camcorder is an upgrade (a minor one), still sporting great portability, microphone jack, headphone jack, and a full range of color settings.
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For only $299.99 to $329.95, you will understand that the Canon FS200 Camcorder is an excellent product for its price range. Unfortunately, the FS200 is not really photogenic. Sure you can look it up online, but it will probably not say much. Once you will have it in your hand you will be shocked to see how small and light the FS200 Camcorder is. The dimensions are indeed remarkable for a camcorder. With a height of 5.84 cm (2.3 inches), wide of 5.59 cm (2.2 inches), deep of 12.19 cm (4.8 inches), the FS200 weights about 223.94 g (7.9 oz).
On the front cover (if you can call it cover), the
Canon FS200 sports the camera lens. In the right bottom corner you can observe the video light, and to the left of this light you can find the microphone (built in). On the back cover, the FS200 sports a click wheel which will help you select between three available modes: still, dual shot, and video. In the center of this click wheel you can find the red action key with both purposes (start and stop). On the right side you will get the C power port, while on the left you can find the 2.7 inches display and under the display you will get the whole command station. You get a large joystick, two buttons (for displaying information, and immediate video recording), and three ports.
The zoom scroll and the still photo key are situated on top of the Canon FS200, while the memory card slot and the battery port are included on the bottom of the FS200. The overall design not only looks good, but also feels solid. The case is a little glossy, but in a good way. It resist to fingerprints and scratches because of the materials used.
The
FS200 records excellent quality video in MPEG-2 encoding (files will have mod extension). It is strange why Canon didn’t provide the nowadays standard encoding (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264). You are allowed to choose from three recording compression, LP 3 MB per second, SP 6MB per second and XP 9 MB per second. The
Canon FS200 camcorder delivers excellent videos recorded in broad daylight. For an entry level price, this model offers a great lens package. You get a zoom ratio of 41x advanced zoom, with 37x optical zoom, and 2000x digital zoom. Also the zoom speed is variable (even if the FS200 sports a 3xzoom fixed speed). The focal length found on the FS200 lens is f = 2.9 – 96.2 mm (35 mm equivalent: 45.8 – 1695 mm, advanced zoom off), with an aspect rotation of 16 to 9. The Canon FS200 camcorder features a 2.7 inches widescreen color LCD with approximate 123.000 pixels.
The screen is great not only when you record videos, but also when you playback videos. All the videos recorded are saved directly onto the SDHC memory card. The best solution for the device, would be the SDHC 32 GB memory card. In LP mode, you can record up to 20 hours and 50 minutes, in SP mode you can record up to 11 hours and 5 minutes, while in the highest mode (XP), you can record up to 7 hours and 20 minutes. You don’t get a remarkable connectivity with the FS200. Sure, it features AV (composite), USB (2.0 port), microphone input, headphones jack shared with AV out, card slow and DC power, but it lacks HDMI port, Fire Wire, S Video, LANC and others. Canon FS200 camcorder can also take still photos. However, it lacks optical image stabilization, but otherwise the FS200 does a remarkable job.
With a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, the photos have a good quality, and a high detail rendering. You get a medium white balance setting (auto, manual, tungsten, and daylight), but also programmed modes (auto, fireworks, program, spotlight, TV, sunset, sports, beach, night, and snow). Canon included in the FS200 the BP 808 battery pack. Because the FS200 sports a closed battery slot, you will not be able to fit extra battery packs. The FS200 menu is not exactly user friendly.
You get to many entry levels on one page. It is not a neat menu. You need so much attention, to learn all the details that should just have been included in a sub menu. Canon ships the FS200 along with the battery pack, wrist strap, USB interface cable, stereo video cable, compact power adapter, music CD, editing software, and digital video solution disk. Overall, the
Canon FS200 camcorder is an obvious choice for anyone that wants excellent video and still pictures in a small product (easy to handle), with no other high features for less than $350.
Posted in Cam Gadgets, Electronic Gadgets | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 |
If you are looking to buy a great point and shoot camera, within the middle range, then you should know that you are looking for a 12 megapixel image sensor with 3x zoom lens, in a small package for less than $300. Canon Power Shot SD 780 “IS” is a middle range digital camera with pretty decent specs.
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However, the Power Shot SD 780 is not the best point and shoot camera when it comes to pure photographic power. This camera is not for users that want manual controls on their camera. However using its tiny, good looking design, with very sharp pictures, good video quality and low image noise, the Power Shot SD 780 might just be what you are looking for.
The Canon Power Shot SD 780 has incredible dimensions, making this camera ultraportable. It is so small it will fit in every pocket. Power Shot SD 780 has a height of 54.5 mm (2.15 inches), wide of 87.0 mm (3.43 inches), deep of 18.4 mm (0.72 inches) with an approximate weight of 115 g or 4.06 oz for the camera body only. Power Shot SD 780 comes with a design in four colors, red, silver, gold, and black. The first thing a potential buyer will notice is the excellent grab-attention design. The design is rather familiar with the one found in all the Power Shot range. However, the SD 780 features a single color finish.
Power Shot SD 780 is solid, its build is impeccable, with all sorts of small detail attention only Canon could have provide. The SD 780 is nicely balanced, buttons give a solid feedback when pressed and even the surface integrated zoom toggle is made out of quality brushed metal. Unfortunately, the SD 780 has small buttons due to the tiny design. Because of their small dimensions the keys look hard to press accurately. In a speed use you might even lose control over what you are doing. Therefore when you use the Power Shot SD 780 you have to take your time. This is, however, bad for snapshots. On the back, to the right of the LCD display you can find the four way controller, a three way switch to select from smart auto, program or scene, and movie shooting modes (you can also use the four way controller for up / exposure compensation / rotate, right / flash, down / timer / delete, left / macro and function set).
Also on the back, you can find the menu key, the display button, playback button, status indicators, viewfinder and the cover for ports. At the top of the camera you get the on / off switch and the zoom / shutter release. On the bottom of the Power Shot SD 780 you can find the tripod mount, a cover for access to optional DC charger and memory card / battery cover.
The Smart Auto mode is designed to automatically identify 8 different scene types and adjust the shooting settings. Therefore, you have your access denied from the settings while in this particularly mode (on newer cameras, Canon offers up to 18 different scene types). The SD 780’s menu delivers the best layout you can find on a middle range camera. Canon understood that the menu is an important part of a camera. Therefore it delivers and excellent labeled and organized menu for its device.
There is nothing to learn here, everything is based on logic and deduction. The Power Shot SD 780 comes with a 2.5 inches TFT LCD widescreen with wide viewing angle (Pure Color LCD II), with approximate 230.000 pixels. The SD 780 has a real image optical zoom viewfinder. The LCD comes with a coating in order save it from scratches or fingerprints. The Power Shot SD 780 is shipped with a 12.1 megapixel camera, 1 / 2.3 inches type charge couple device.
The total amount of pixels offered by this model is approximate 12.4 megapixels, with 12.1 megapixels effective pixels. Canon provides for this camera, focal length of 5.9 – 17.9 mm f/ 3.2 – 5.8 (35 mm film equivalent: 33 – 100 mm), a digital zoom of 4x, an optical zoom of 3x, a TTL Autofocus (the autofocus provided is not very professional, however it does include face detection making the camera more productive), and a three mode focus range (normal – 30 cm to infinity, macro – 3 to 50 cm, digital macro – 3 to 10 cm). with this specs the SD 780’s camera can take pictures at the following resolution: 640 x 480 – small, 1600 x 1200 – medium 3, 2592 x 1944 – medium 2, 3264 x 2448 – medium 1, 4000 x 3000 – large, and 4000 x 2248 widescreen. It also records good quality video in high definition – 1280 x 720 with 30 frames per second, standard definition – 640 x 480 with 30 frames per second, and 320 x 240 with 30 frames per second.
The format for the pictures taken is JPEG and for the movies recorded, MOV. All the data is saved on memory cards. Power Shot SD 780 is compatible with the following memory cards: SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, Multi Media Card, MMC Plus Card, HC MMC Plus Card. The flash included on the SD 780 offers a decent performance. However, it will not make a big difference in pitch black environments. The flash range is average: 30 cm to 3.5 meters (W) or 45 cm to 2 meters (T). The video playback is quite good. You get to playback movies in normal or special mode.
Also the camera does a great job in replaying on the LCD display the movie files. You get the auto rotate feature and a small editing feature (erase the part of movies you don’t enjoy and keep the one you like). The Power Shot SD 780 is equipped with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery NB 4L with 760 mAh. The battery is too small. Therefore you will find yourself in need for a plug after only 210 still pictures or approximate 300 minutes of playback time. The Power Shot SD 780 provides standard output sensitivity, ISO 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600. The exposure control method includes, Program AE, -Contrast, and AE Lock. You can easily connect your SD 780 to you computer by using the 2.0 USB high speeds.
The camera offers NTSC / PAL video output but also a mini HDMI cable, in order for you to connect the camera direct to a widescreen LCD. Also you can use the 2.0 USB port to connect the camera with compatible printers, such as: Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printer, PIXMA Inkjet Photo Printers, and other Pict Bridge compatible printers. Other good features you get are: more than 23 shooting modes, excellent photo effects, self timer (with delay between 2 seconds to 10 seconds), continuous shooting (approximate 0.8 frames per second), and the white balance control for any kind of light you can get indoors or outdoors.
Canon ships the Power Shot SD 780 “IS” digital camera with the standard Lithium Ion battery pack, the battery charger, wrist strap (on the side of the camera), USB interface cable, AV cable and the Digital Camera Solution CD. Overall, if you don’t mind that is a little too noisy, with average flash quality, the occasional scratches you will enjoy the Power Shot SD 780 good features and the solid build quality and fantastic design for under $300.
Posted in Cam Gadgets | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 |
I hate it when I’m in the position of guessing what kind of device I have in front of my eyes and I’m not able to tell whether it’s a web cam, for example, or an MP3 player, or, why not, even a USB drive. I hate it because it’s rather confusing to never know the “identity†of a certain gadget, if I may say so.
Take this USB 2-in-1 Web Cam, offered by Brando, for example. At first glance, I wouldn’t have guessed that there’s a USB drive stuffed inside. I had to read a little bit about it in order to figure it out.
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As you can see for yourselves, this isn’t the most impressive web cam that you’ve seen so far, aesthetically speaking, of course, but being a mixture between a web cam and a USB drive might be enough for those who weren’t convinced about it in the first place.
The web can is able to turn 360 degree and to swing 180 degree. It is able to record videos at 30 frames per second, the white balance, the exposal control and the flash control are all automatic, it is able to send video e-mails and it has video recording and video conference capabilities. Other features, on the other hand, include the USB 2.0 interface, no driver requirements for Windows XP and Vista and a storage capacity of 2GB.
The device measures 70 x 29 x 102 millimeters and weighs 92 grams. It can be purchased right away for $33.00, from Brando.
(Source: Coolest-Gadgets)
Posted in Cam Gadgets, USB Gadgets | No Comments »
Friday, June 12th, 2009 |
And here we go again with the “best…†thing. It’s like everything that appears in the market is undoubtedly the best, even if there are two or more products fighting for the first place, while their manufacturers are claiming they are the best.
You can see the evolution of technology everywhere, even in those products that are so small that you have to make serious efforts in order to see them. And the same happens with this Muvi Micro Camcorder, which seems to be something like the miniature of an analog camcorder. You can consider it a miniature, due to its small dimensions, but what you should know is that you can do with it precisely what you could do with an advanced analog camcorder.
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It measures no more than 5.5 x 2 x 2 centimeters, which makes it among the smallest camcorders in the whole world, if not the smallest of them all. And the best thing about it is that you can wear it, for example, around your neck, which was an impossible dream when it came to the camcorders that we all know very well.
The device comes with a microSD memory card for expandable memory of no more than 8GB and it is able to record in VGA quality (with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels). Ah, and one more thing! There is a 2GB MicroSD card included in the box!
In addition, there is the so-called VOX mode, which enables the sound, so that you can record using either your voice or all sorts of other noises that have more than 65 decibels.
Interested in the Muvi Micro Camcorder? Go buy it, then, for no more than £79.95!
(Source: Coolest-Gadgets)
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