Compact Cameras

• Sony Unveils Mirrorless NEX-5, NEX-3

  Today Sony launched its NEX line of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras with two models, the NEX-5 and NEX-3. The significant differences between the 14-megapixel models are video mode (the NEX-5 shoots full 1080 high-def) and price ($699.99 and $599.99 respectively, with zoom lens).    

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• Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Digital Camera Review $220.00

  The Canon PowerShot SX120 offers a lot for the $220 it costs: a decent 10x zoom lens, good video capture and full manual controls.

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• Samsung Announces Dual-Screen TL220 and TL225, Wireless CL65 with GPS

  August 13, 2009 - Samsung changed the arms-length digital self-portrait procedure in a radical way today, introducing DualView cameras with two LCD displays, one on the back and one on the front, aimed at the subject. Also announced was the wireless CL65 incorporating GPS geotagging plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communication capabilities.
   

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• Sony Intros Cybershot TX1 and WX1 with 10fps Burst, Sweep Panorama

  August 5, 2009 – Sony has incorporated the back-illuminated CMOS sensor technology introduced earlier this year with the ultra-zoom HX1 into two pocket-sized Cyber-shot cameras, the DSC-WX1 and the touch-screen DSC-TX1 (shown). The Exmor R sensor allows for 10 shot per second burst mode at full resolution, panorama shooting in a single sweeping pass, and multiple-exposure composites to reduce noise and blur. The TX1 and HX1 both shoot 10.2-megapixel stills and 720p video.
   

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• Samsung Announces SL720 and SL502, 12.2-Megapixel Point-and-Shoots

  July 14, 2009 – Samsung today introduced two mid-range compact cameras, the SL720 (shown here) priced at $229.99 and the SL502, at $149.99. While both offer 12.2-megapixel resolution and a 5x zoom lens, the SL720 has a wider-angle lens, larger LCD and shoots 720p video. Details follow.

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• Pentax Intros Rugged Optio W80

  June 24, 2009 – Pentax expanded its lineup of weather-resistant cameras today with the 12.1-megapixel Optio W80, which is waterproof to depths of 16 feet (5 meters), dust resistant, shockproof from heights up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) and works at temperatures down to 14 degrees F (-10 degrees C). The $299.95 W80 will be available in three colors, starting in July.

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• Pentax Goes Ultra-Zoom with X70

  March 2, 2009 - Pentax entered the compact ultra-zoom market today with the X70, featuring a 24x zoom lens (26-624mm equivalent). It’s scheduled to ship in April for $399.95.

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• Casio Intros EX-Z29 Point-and-Shoot

  March 3, 2009 – Casio announced the 10-megapixel EXILIM Zoom EX-Z29 today. Featuring a 3x zoom lens (37.5-112.5mm equivalent) face detection and wide-screen movie recording, the Z29 will ship for $149.99 in April.

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• Six New Sony Cybershots Include Touch-Screen T90 and T900, 10x Ultra-zoom H20

  February 17, 2009 - Sony today unveiled its spring Cybershot line, including two new touch-screen models, a low-cost 10x ultra-zoom (shown), two new models in the W series and a 12-megapixel camera with 4x zoom priced at $149.

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• Panasonic Adds Six Models to Compact Lineup: DMC-ZS3 and ZS1, DMC-TS1, DMC-FX48, FX580 and DMC-FS25

  January 27, 2009 - At a press event in Miami today, Panasonic introduced six compact cameras slated for April release, including three with a new Face Recognition system that remembers and prioritizes friends and family, and two models that shoot 720p video with AVCHD Lite compression.

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• Pentax Intros 2 Point-and-Shoots for CES: Pentax, Optio E70, P70

  January 5, 2009 - In preparation for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which begins on January 8, Pentax has announced two low-price point-and-shoot cameras, the $199.95 Optio P70, and $129.95 Optio E70, for shipment in February. Both cameras have Pixel Track Shake Reduction, a new digital anti-shake technology, and a face detection system that can reportedly recognize 32 faces in 0.03 seconds (assuming you have that many friends).

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• Olympus Displays Micro Four Thirds Concept Camera at Photokina

  September 22, 2008 - Photokina 2008 attendees hoping for details on the first Olympus camera built to the Micro Four Thirds standard the company co-developed with Panasonic will be
  treated to a handsome concept camera, shown under glass, accompanied by an impressive
  lack of specifics.

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• Canon Intros First Compacts with Digic 4 Processor

  September 17, 2008 – Canon today introduced the first compact cameras to incorporate the company's upgraded Digic 4 processor, including a 14.7-megapixel compact (shown here), a 20-x ultra-zoom and two additions to the Digital Elph line.

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• Pentax Optio W60 Digital Camera Review $310.00

  The Pentax Optio W60 is meant to be your foul-weather photographic friend, oblivious to water (whether a splash or a full-on immersion) and freezing cold. You wouldn't know it at a glance, though - the 10-megapixel W60 is as sleekly styled and pocketable as any non-ruggedized compact camera. You do pay a premium price for weatherproofing, though, at $329.95. After running the camera through our complete suite of lab and field testing, we like the W60 for snowboarders and poolside pleasures, but the lack of manual controls and slow shooting performance are concerns. The full review follows.

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• Casio Intros 2nd High-Speed Camera

  September 16, 2008 - Casio today introduced the Exilim EX-FH20, its second high-speed digital camera, featuring 40 frame-per-second burst rate and the ability to shoot movies at 1000 frames per second, priced at $599.99. While the burst rate is lower than the company's 60 fps EX-F1 released in March for $999 (see review here), several specs of the new camera are actually superior to its pricier predecessor.

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• Sony Introduces Cyber-shot DSC-T500 with HD Movie Recording

  August 28, 2008 – Sony has unveiled the 10-1-megapixel DSC-T500, with the ability to record HD video in 720p format at 30 frames per second. It features a 5x zoom lens and touch-screen control.  The camera will be available in September for an estimated $400.

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• Canon Adds Four Compact Cameras

  August 26, 2008 – Canon today updated its A series line with two new models, introduced the 10x zoom PowerShot SX110 and the E1 camera designed for the "tween" market. The A2000 IS and A1000 IS (shown here) feature similar body styles, 10-megapixel resolution, optical image stabilization and AA battery power, differing in zoom lens and LCD specs. The E1 is another 10-megapixel introduction with 4x zoom and 2.5" LCD. It comes in pink, blue and white and offers user-selectable shutter sounds.
  
  

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• Three Camera Updates from Olympus

  August 25, 2008 - Olympus unveiled new cameras in three product categories today: the rugged 1050 SW (shown here), the ultra-zoom SP-565 UZ and the skinny Stylus 1040. All three are due to ship in October, at prices ranging from $199.95 to $399.95. For details on these camera introductions, click below.
  

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• Fujifilm Announces Three New Models

  August 12, 2008 – Fujifilm USA today introduced three new compact cameras, ranging in price from $199.95 to $299.95, all of which are scheduled to ship in September. The 10-megapixel FinePix S2000HD (seen here) is Fujifilm's first camera to support high-definition video (1280 x 720 resolution). The FinePix F60fd delivers 12-megapixel resolution, sensor-shift image stabilization and an automatic scene recognition system. And the compact 10-megapixel FinePix J150w features a 5x zoom (28mm-140mm equivalent) with a substantial 3-inch LCD, housed in a slender 0.9-inch (22.6 mm) body. For details on all three cameras, see the full story that follows.

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• Pentax Adds Optio E60

  July 28, 2008 – With the introduction of the Optio E60, an inexpensive 10.1-megapixel compact camera with a 3x zoom lens, Pentax rounded out its holiday product lineup today. The pocket-size point-and-shoot, with a 2.4-inch LCD, incorporates a variety of preset picture modes, face detection (up to 10 faces) and in-camera image editing.

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• Panasonic Intros 4 Point-and-Shoots

  July 21, 2008 - Panasonic announced a varied slate of upscale compact cameras today, including the 18x ultra-zoom DMC-FZ28 ($399.95), the 14.7-megapixel DMC-FX150, the DMC-LX3 ($499.95), successor to the widely praised LX2 high-performance model, and the point-and-shoot oriented DMC-FX3 ($349.99). While each has its own distinctive features, they also share important core specs, including Leica lenses, optical image stabilization and a processor step-up to the Venus IV engine.
  

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• Samsung Unveils 2nd Half Line-up

  July 16, 2008 – Today Samsung introduced four new cameras, ranging from the 14.7-megapixel all-metal TL34HD at $329.95 to a 10.2-megapixel compact, the SL201, that still boasts manual controls and other sophisticated features for $169.95. All four cameras are expected to ship in September.

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• Kodak Intros Two New Cameras

  July 10, 2008 - Kodak today announced two inexpensive cameras, the EASYSHARE Z1015 IS and the M1093, both featuring image stabilization and the company's Smart Capture feature that automatically recognizes scene characteristics and adjust camera settings accordingly. The Z1015 IS is a 10-megapixel model with a 15x optical zoom lens starting at a wide 28mm. The M1093, a compact 10-megapixel point-and-shoot, features a 3-inch LCD screen and a 3x zoom lens. Additional details are available in the full article.

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• Ricoh Announces 12-Megapixel GX200

  June 24, 2008 - Ricoh today announced the GX200, a 12-megapixel point-and-shoot with a 24mm super-wide-angle lens, manual control, RAW capture, and an optional removable tilting electronic viewfinder. The GX200 replaces the GX100, introduced in May 2007. It will be released in the UK in late July for £349.99, or £399.99 with the electronic viewfinder. 

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• First Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix S600 Released

  May 27, 2008 - Fantasea, an underwater accessory manufacturer, has announced the FS-600 underwater housing, compatible with the Nikon Coolpix S600 point-and-shoot. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced.

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