July 5, 2007 – Digital camera manufacturer BenQ this week announced two new point-and-shoot models, the 8-megapixel E820 and the C740i. The new cameras come with face-tracking technology. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced.
The new E820 is an update to the E720 and carries a higher megapixel count with an 8-megapixel CCD sensor, up from the 7-megapixel sensor of the older model. The E820 is fitted with a Pentax 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5-inch, 150,000 pixel resolution LCD screen. The new point-and-shoot includes 13 scene modes and both 3:2 and wide 16:9 aspect ratios. Other features include face-tracking, photo border decoration, and an MPEG4 movie mode with sound, offered in the following resolutions: 700x400, 640x480, 320x240, and 160x120 at 30fps.
The E820 is compatible with SD media and accepts Li-ion batteries.
BenQ also updated its C-series line. The new C740i is the successor to the C740. While the new model still carries over the 7-megapixel CCD sensor and 3x optical zoom lens, the C740i comes with an expanded sensitivity range of ISO 50 to 1000 with a high sensitivity setting at ISO 1600, verses the 100 to 400 ISO range of the previous model. The C740i also comes with manual controls and offers aperture and shutter priority modes.
Like the E820 also introduced today, the C740i possesses face-tracking abilities. The camera has an M-JPEG movie mode of 848x480, 640x480, 320x240, and 160x120 at 30fps. The C740i is compatible with SD memory and accepts AA batteries.
