SlashScope

The GoPro Digital Hero 3 camera is designed to be strapped to your wrist and used to shoot photos and video while you are swimming or diving. 'Barely larger than a pair of AA batteries, the camera body consists of a tiny, gray box. It has just two buttons and a monochrome status display, making it one of the simplest cameras we've seen in years. The only way to frame a shot is through the tiny viewfinder, which becomes completely obscured when you put the camera inside its waterproof enclosure. The clear plastic case is quite well made and hooks onto a foam-rubber-and-velcro wristband. Tight seals make sure the box stays waterproof so the camera inside doesn't drown, while two buttons connect to cameras' buttons. Because of its simple design, there are very few settings to deal with on the camera. The power button toggles through Single-shot, Timed-shot, Burst-shot, and Movie modes. Other than those settings, you can't really tweak your images. Because the camera doesn't have a display, you can't view them either. Also, since the camera has a fixed-focus lens, your shooting options are limited.'

Read: GoPro Digital Hero 3 Camera - CNET

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Digital Camera Review have published their review of the Nikon D40 DSLR camera. 'Since this is a digital SLR, you get a true optical viewfinder. The viewfinder is actually very nice and bright. A diopter adjustment is available so that the focus point marks and information in the viewfinder are sharp. The viewfinder covers about 95% of the actual captured image. While shooting, camera settings (focus, metering, exposure compensation, aperture, shutter speed, etc) are very visible in green text and symbols below the frame. For reviewing your images and working in the menu system, there is a single 2.5 inch LCD that has 230K pixels of resolution. To make the camera and its “info” display less intimidating, Nikon provides several options for the style of display, including a very polished graphical display. You can choose from "graphical", "classic" and "wallpaper" display styles. The graphical interface displays all of the camera settings, but the information is laid out very simply. The classic view shows all the information that you need to know. The wallpaper mode lets you choose one of your images as wallpaper behind a layout similar to graphical mode. Shots of the interfaces are below.'

Read: Nikon D40 Digital Camera Review

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Camcorder Info have posted their " First Impressions" review of the Canon DC50 DVD camcorder which features a 5.39 megapixel CCD image sensor with an RGB primary color filter that provides vibrantly colored video and brilliant five megapixel photos. 'The Canon DC50 represents a small, historic moment, as it represents not only the top DVD camcorder for 2007, but also as the flagship model for the entire consumer line. With MiniDV quickly ebbing, and little hope of the Optura line making a comeback, the DC50 has a lot of weight to bear. A first look yields positive signs: a 1/2.7” CCD, optical image stabilization, 10x optical zoom, a new quick start feature, and a smarter battery design than last year (with room for expansion). Last year’s DC40, which this camcorder replaces, turned out a good performance, but was bested by Panasonic’s VDR-D300 and its fantastic performance/manual control suite one-two punch. This year Canon has rebounded with an improved imager and aspirations for best standard def DVD camcorder overall. Can it hope to make the grade? We think the chances are pretty good.'

Read: Canon DC50 First Impressions Camcorder Review - Camcorder Info

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Digital Camera Info have posted their "First Impressions" review of the Olympus Stylus 770SW compact camera. 'The Olympus Stylus 770SW looks like something pulled straight from a construction site. It is a sturdy and hefty chunk of metal with bolts visible on almost every side. This Stylus isn’t meant to be aesthetically gorgeous; it is meant to be more functional than anything – and function despite everything. The camera is “proofed” of just about everything: water, shock, crush, and freeze. The sales team at Best Buy is going to have a hard time selling insurance plans for these things; the insurance is practically built into the camera.'

Read: Olympus Stylus 770SW First Impressions Review - Digital Camera Info

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Digital Camera Review have posted their review of the Canon EOS 400D Digital Rebel XTi DSLR camera. 'Announced on the 23rd of August 2006, the Canon EOS 400D is a 10.1 megapixel digital SLR camera with a 2.5" screen - it will accept any Canon EF/EF-S mount lens and is also named Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi in the United States. The Canon EOS 400D DA 18-55mm lens I tested it with is equivalent to 29-88mm on a 35mm camera. The Canon EOS 400D is available from around £479 with lens kit making it excellent value for money for a 10 megapixel digital SLR camera. The camera is enclosed in a sturdy body and is available in black. This SLR digital camera does not record video. It is about average size for a digital SLR - the body measures: 126.5mm x 94.2mm x 65mm (without protruding parts), and weighs approx. 510g excluding lens, batteries and media. Nb. the Canon 350D is very similar, but is 8 megapixel and approx 50 pounds cheaper.'

Read: Canon EOS 400D Digital Rebel XTi DSLR - Digital Camera Review

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Digital Camera Info have posted their "First impressions review" of the updated ultra-zoom Olympus SP-550UZ digital camera. 'The front of the Olympus SP-550UZ has an enormous lens on the right side and a sizable hand grip on the left. The main body on the front is coated in a rubbery surface that is lightly textured and nicely contoured for fingers. At the top of the grip is the shutter release button surrounded by a fat zoom control ring. Poking off the left side of the front is the neck strap eyelet with an identical one emerging from the right side as well. The right half of the front is occupied by the lens that protrudes a few inches when it is off and extends an additional few inches once powered on and zoomed in. To the bottom left of the lens is a tiny plate boasting the lens specs: “18x Optical Zoom.” An Olympus logo almost hangs over the lens, and the pop-up flash emerges just above it. To the top left of the lens, but below the flash, is a circular auto focus assist lamp. To the top right of the lens are three holes that make up the microphone. Overall, the front of the SP-550 looks much more sophisticated than its predecessor.'

Read: Olympus SP-550UZ First Impressions Review - Digital Camera Info

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Digital Camera Review have posted their review of the 7-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S7c digital camera. 'As one of Nikon’s Style cameras, the S7c gets an ultra-slim, all metal body with a nice glossy gray (almost charcoal) finish. Silver/chrome accents and controls add to the appeal, along with the huge 3 inch LCD on the back.On the front of the camera, you’ll see the built-in flash, lens and focus assist/self timer lamp. The back of the camera is dominated by the 3 inch, 230K pixel screen. There is a button to toggle between capture and playback mode, a button to access the mode menu, a button to access the camera menu and a delete button. The S7c also has a rotating control wheel mounted on top of a 5-way control pad. The wheel allows easy scrolling through images and settings. You can press up to control the flash, left to control the timer mode, and down to use the macro mode.'

Read: Nikon Coolpix S7c Digital Camera Review

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The Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd digital camera has been reviewed over at the Photography Blog. 'The Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd is an ultra-zoom digital camera with a 10.7x optical zoom lens that's equivalent to 28-300mm. The S6500fd features Face Detection, a new technology that automatically enables it to identify up to 10 faces in a frame, optimize settings and capture an image within just 0.05 seconds. The Fujifilm S6500fd uses the same 6.3MP, 1/1.7" Super CCD sensor as used in the F30 / F31fd cameras, and offers a fastest ISO speed of 3200 at full resolution, allowing you take more natural photos in low-light conditions without having to resort to flash. There's a also a full range of creative controls in the form of aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual modes, plus RAW format support, mechanical zoom and focus rings, an electronic viewfinder and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. The Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd faces some tough competition from similar ultra-zoom bridge-style cameras, and also DSLRs that seem to be getting cheaper by the day. Read on to find out if it has what it takes to compete.'

Read: Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd Review (also called the Fujifilm Finepix S6000fd) - The Photography Blog

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Lets Go Digital have reviewed the ultra-compact 10-megapixel Olympus E40 D-SLR camera. 'The new Olympus E-400 has the difficult task of competing with models like the EOS 400D from Canon, the Nikon D80 and the surprisingly versatile Pentax K10D digital SLR camera. None of these cameras, however, have the light and compact features of the world's smallest SLR. The Olympus E400 is a digital SLR camera from the FourThirds system which was pioneered by Olympus. Since recently, Olympus has been joined by two other supporters of this system, and they are no small fry, but Panasonic and Leica. It is true that these companies work together very closely and so it is not so surprising that both have chosen for the same system. It still says, however, that Olympus's daring approach, in setting up the FourThirds system, was a good step technically. However, technical quality is not the only guarantee of success…. '

Read: Olympus E400 - Lets Go Digital

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Camcorder Info have posted their " First Impressions Review" of the recently launched Samsung SC-X300L camcorder. 'Samsung has announced the release of two nearly identical “hands-free” Flash/SD memory standard definition camcorders last week at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show, following in the tradition of the their sports cam line. The rubber-coated SC-X300L features 2GB of onboard flash memory and second, external helmet cam. The entry-level SC-X300 (omitting the "L" in the name) ships with 1GB of memory and no helmet cam. This review will focus on the fully pimped-out SC-X300L, though the handling, manual control suite, and settings are all virtually identical in both. Both camcorders have a 1/6", 680K pixel CCD, a 10x optical zoom lens, and a 2.0" LCD with a resolution of 230K pixels. This camcorder records MPEG-4 video at a maximum resolution of 720 x 480 at 30 fps. The Samsung SC-X300L has an initial MSRP of $449.99, while the SC-X300 will sell for about $349.99.'

Read: Samsung SC-X300L Camcorder - Camcorder Info

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Digital Camera Info have reviewed the 5 megapixel Lumix DMC-TZ1 digital camera from Panasonic which features 10x optical/4x digital zoom, 13.5MB memory and a 2.5" color LCD screen. 'The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 was released last year at a time when the ultra-zoom market was beginning to expand and consumers were looking for compact options. The 5-megapixel TZ1 filled that niche, but since its release better cameras have stepped into the market. Snapshooters should be very happy to have a long zoom lens that can fit in a coat pocket. We like the lens quality, but we think Panasonic's excellent image stabilization takes much of the credit for making the long zoom useful for casual shooters. Though it's not the camera for enthusiasts who want to experiment and take control of the process, at a budget price, it doesn't need to be. This easy to use digital camera doesn't provide stellar image quality, but has a good interface and concept.'

Read: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Digital Camera Review

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Trusted Reviews have reviewed the 7 megapixel Sony CyberShot DSC-W70 digital camera which features a 2.5-inch LCD display, Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom and 58 MB internal memory. 'As befits its mid-range status, the W70 is a fairly unremarkable looking camera. It has a functional but not unattractive aluminium body with nice brushed finish and chrome trim, and the usual selection of external controls. Measuring 88.9 x 57.1 x 22.9mm it is slim and compact, and weighing in at 127g empty or 157g ready to shoot it is nice and light, but in neither case exceptionally so. Build quality is excellent, and although the aluminium body doesn’t feel as solid as the steel shell of a Canon IXUS or Casio Exilim, it is still sturdy enough to be carried around in a coat pocket.'

Read: Sony CyberShot DSC-W70 - Trusted Reviews

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Digital Camera Review have posted their review of the Canon Powershot A710 IS digital camera. 'The A710 IS features the same dependable TTL Contrast Detection 9 focus point AiAF (Advanced intelligent Auto Focus) system as Canon’s other digicams. In all automatic exposure modes the camera defaults to the AiAF system which analyzes the scene in front of the camera and then calculates camera to subject distance to determine which of the 9 AF points is closest to the primary subject and then automatically locks focus on that AF point (closest subject priority), even when the subject is not centered in the viewfinder. Users can also turn off the AiAF and default to the center focus point for classic portraits or traditional landscapes. In aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual mode, the A710 IS utilizes Canon’s proprietary Flexizone AF which defaults to the center focus point or permits users to manually shift that AF point around the central two thirds of the frame for maximum compositional control. The A710 IS also provides auto focus bracketing (AFB). With a single push of the shutter button, the camera captures three exposures in rapid succession marginally shifting the focus for each (one just slightly in front of the optimum focus point, one at the optimum focus distance, and one just slightly behind the optimum focus point), virtually guaranteeing at least one correctly focused image, even in tricky lighting. The focus distance interval can be adjusted, allowing for exact spacing and precise focus no matter what sort of image is being shot. The A710 IS's auto focus is very fast and consistently accurate, essentially real time with pre-focusing and almost instantaneous from scratch.'

Read: Canon Powershot A710 IS - Digital Camera Review

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Camcorder Info have posted their preview of the new JVC GZ-HD7 camcorder which is first consumer full High-Definition 3-CCD camcorder capable of shooting and recording full HD images (1920 x 1080i). 'This camcorder is the first Everio to shoot in full 1080i and the first JVC consumer camcorder to adopt a Fujinon lens. Fujinon lenses are found on JVC’s professional cams, including the GY-HD110U. While the GZ-MD7 may have "debuted" at CES, JVC has been incredibly tight-lipped about questions pertaining to the codec and specific manual control options. Unusual during a convention, the camcorder was not available for the public to touch and was even roped off for a three foot perimeter. After two solid days of pestering the company for details, we managed to wear them down and get a closer look. What follows is the closest look at this tantalizing camcorder to date.'

Read: JVC GZ-HD7 First Impressions Camcorder Review - Camcorder Info

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A review of the 6 megapixel Nikon D40 digital SLR camera has been posted at The Photography Blog. 'Despite being aimed at the new digital SLR owner, the D40 is still a fairly complex camera in terms of functionality and the number of external controls that it offers, with around 16 in total and some of them having more than one function. Despite the presence of so many buttons and switches, the Nikon D40 doesn't feel too cluttered or intimidating and quickly becomes second-nature to use. The D40 is very comfortable in terms of handling. The camera has a deep, contoured handgrip on the right-hand side, coated in a rubberized compound to aid grip, that enabled me to use three fingers to hold it and my right forefinger to operate the shutter button. There is a small contoured area where your right thumb sits, with the rest of the body finished in shiny smooth black plastic. The standard 18-55mm kit lens feels well-balanced on the Nikon D40 and it fits into place with a reassuring mechanical click. The shutter release action on the Nikon D40 is quite loud and mechanical, something that you will either love or hate. I liked it, although it isn't great for close-up candid photography as your subject will probably hear you if you get too close.

Read: Nikon D40 Review - The Photography Blog

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ePhotoZine have posted their review of Canon's top-of-the-line 10.megapixel Powershot G7 camera. 'The headline feature of the G7 is the form of the whopping 10Mp resolution. Is this more than you actually need? Well, perhaps not. As the camera is aimed at the enthusiast who wants a more convenient camera than a SLR, rather than a happy snapper, then the extra resolution can be put to good use in landscape shots. What''''s startling, and an obvious change from the previous cameras in the series is that the LCD monitor, an admirable 2.5” with a respectable 207k pixels, is fixed to the back of the camera. No flip out and rotate LCD here. This, and the obvious decision to shrink the camera, have resulted in the weight falling from 467g in the G6 to 320g in the G7. Now that''''s a loss Weight watchers would be proud of. Despite this, the camera controls don''''t feel unduly squashed, and there''''s even room for an exciting new addition.'

Read: Canon PowerShot G7 - ePhotoZine

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Camcorder Info have posted their "first impressions" of the new JVC Everio GZMG555 5MP 30GB hard disk drive camcorder. 'The JVC GZ-MG555 was announced on January 7, 2007 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Upon its release, it will become the highest end model in JVC's Everio G standard definition camcorder series. It can record video or still images to either the 30GB HDD (hard disc drive) or to removable SD and SDHC memory cards. Improving the connectivity of prior years and hoping to offer more convenience to users, JVC has added a docking station that works like the Handycam Stations included with Sony's HDD camcorders. One touch DVD burning and Direct Backup gives this year's Everio line a convenience oriented feature set. Priced with a MSRP of $899.95, the GZ-MG555 will hit stores in March 2007.

Read: JVC GZ-MG555 First Impressions Camcorder Review - Camcorder Info

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Digital Camera Review have posted their review of the 7 megapixel Coolpix L5 digital camera from Nikon. 'The camera is plastic but feels solid, and the silver metallic and chrome finish look modern. Fit and finish leave nothing to be desired. The L5 features a 7.2 mega pixel sensor and Nikon 5X optical zoom that provides a 35mm camera equivalent of 38 to 190mm focal lengths. Photo composition and playback are accomplished by means of a 2.5 inch LCD monitor – there is no viewfinder. Despite its small size, the camera’s external controls can be accessed easily without overlapping buttons. The camera also features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) system, which moves a lens element to help make sharper pictures at slower shutter speeds. The L5 has an 8Mb internal memory, and also accepts SD memory cards. The camera’s 7.2 mega pixel sensor will fill up the internal memory with about three shots at the highest resolution setting, so plan on going the memory card route. Camera dimensions are about 3.8 x 2.4 x 1.8 inches, with an empty weight of about 6 ounces that goes up to about 7.5 ounces with batteries and memory card installed.'

Read: Nikon Coolpix L5 - Digital Camera Review

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Trusted Reviews have posted their review of the Casio Exilim EX-S770, which is described as the "best ultra-compact digital camera on the market". 'The latest model in the ultra-slim Exilim S-series, the EX-S770, is a good case in point. It is a high-spec 7.2-megapixel ultra-compact with an f/2.7 – f/5.2, 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.8-in wide-format LCD monitor which with 230,400 pixels is one of the sharpest on the market. It has a strong all-metal body available in three different colours, and in terms of build quality and design it is a match for anything from the more popular brands. At just 17.3mm thick it is the slimmest digital camera you can buy, and by a fair margin at that. At 127g it is also one of the lightest.

Read: Casio Exilim EX-S770 - Trusted Reviews

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Camcorder Info previews the new Sony HDR-UX7 camcorder. 'The Sony HDR-UX7 ships with the same 1/2.9” ClearVID CMOS sensor (3.2 MP gross pixels) found on Sony’s upper-end HDV consumer camcorder for 2007, the HDR-HC7. This sensor is a major upgrade for the UX line. It is the most significant distinguishing factor between the HDR-UX7 and its step-down sibling the HDR-UX5 which has a 2.1 MP CMOS sensor. We expect to see good things from the 3.2 MP sensor that also appears in the HDV HDR-HC7. However, we also expect to see some performance differences between these top-end high definition camcorders. When we tested the HDR-UX1 last fall, in both the camcorder’s High and Standard Definition recording modes we found good quality color and sharpness in bright light that nearly matched the stellar video of the HDR-HC3. However, sharpness and color reproduction proved to be only part of the story. Using a brand new compression algorithm, AVCHD, to squeeze a big HD picture down to 12Mbps at its max bit rate, the UX1 displayed a disappointing amount of noise. The noise issues were acute and grew worse at lower lighting levels. We believe these problems stem from the camcorder’s AVCHD versus HDV compression. For now, AVCHD just can’t match HDV for overall picture quality since HDV has a higher fixed bit rate of 25Mbps. The larger imager should improve performance, but the use of AVCHD will still affect picture quality.'

Read: Sony HDR-UX7 First Impressions Camcorder Review - Camcorder Info

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Digital Camera Info previews the new 8 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F40fd (face detection-enabled) compact digital camera. 'The F40fd is one of the most simply styled FinePix models on the market and that is a good thing. Its front conveys more elegance than most FinePix digital cameras. The left side of the front has a finger grip that moves inward toward the top of the camera where a Fujifilm logo is placed. The black line that runs up the left side is somewhat transparent and shows up red when the IrSimple technology is activated. A FinePix logo graces the center of the left side. The 3x zoom lens is placed near the right side, with specs rounding the end of the barrel: “Fujinon Zoom Lens, 3x, f=8-24mm, 1:2.8-5.1.” To the top right of the lens is the rectangular built-in flash, with the circular auto focus assist lamp below it. In the bottom right corner is the microphone and a few labels to flaunt the Super CCD and its 8.3 megapixels.'

Read: Fujifilm FinePix F40fd First Impressions Review - Digital Camera Info

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Digital Camera Info have posted their preview of the the new Samsung L73 digital camera. 'The Samsung L73 is a compact 7.2-megapixel camera that takes a number of cues from Samsung’s NV range. It doesn’t have a profusion of buttons and control dials. Instead, it uses the new Smart Touch interface, a cross between a touchpad and a directional control. This new control system, that was first seen on the NV7 late last year, replaces the touch screen with an array of touch-sensitive buttons below and to the left of the screen. The labels appear on the screen. The user presses the buttons and drags their finger over to navigate the menus. We looked at a pre-production model at the CES show in Las Vegas. Here are our first impressions of this new camera.'

Read: Samsung L73 First Impressions Review - Digital Camera Info

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Imaging Resource have posted their review of the Kodak EasyShare C875 digital camera. 'Though it's not the most stylish compact camera on the market, there's something cute and comfortable about the all-silver Kodak EasyShare C875. Made largely of polycarbonate, the Kodak C875 has metal accents and buttons to give it a more luxurious feel. With dimensions of 3.6 x 2.5 x 1.4 inches (91 x 63 x 37mm) and weighing in at 7.87 ounces (223 grams) with the two AA batteries and SD memory card installed, the camera is light, but it still has enough heft and balance to help you keep it steady when shooting at the 5x end of the zoom. And you'll need that extra weight and balance since there's no image stabilization -- optical or digital -- on this model. Buttons and dials on the Kodak C875 are large enough for even big fingers to press and clearly labeled in plain English so beginning users won't need a glossary to decipher their meaning. (I still love the fact that Kodak simply labels the trash button with the word "delete" and the playback button as "review.")'

Read: Kodak EasyShare C875 - Imaging Resource

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Personal Computer World have posted their review of the Olympus E-400 digital SLR. 'Weighing only 375g (excluding both the lens and battery), the E-400 is significantly smaller and lighter than any other digital SLR on th