SlashScope

A review of the JVC Everio GZ-MG575EK camcorder has been posted over at Trusted Reviews. 'Although ostensibly the successor to the GZ-MG505EK, the MG575EK takes a rather different approach electronically. Where the older model sported a trio of reasonably sized 1/4.5in CCDs with 1.3Mpixels apiece, the new one uses a single much larger 1/2.5in sensor. The gross resolution is 5.4Mpixels, though. So maximum still image resolution remains a similar 2,592 x 1,944. This means the MG575EK could readily double as your digital camera, albeit a portly alternative. It's also worth noting that no pixel shifting is used with the MG575EK, as the CCD's native resolution matches still image size.'

Read: JVC Everio GZ-MG575EK - Trusted Reviews

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Camcorder Info have published a review of the Canon HR10 camcorder. 'Canon has been hitting home runs this year with its high definition camcorders. The HV20, a tape-based HDV model, is perhaps the best overall consumer HD camcorder available right now. There was some question as to whether Canon could repeat the success when forced to use the AVCHD compression for anything using non-tape media. The HG10, a hard disk drive model, proved they could. Now Canon is out with the HR10 ($1,199 MSRP), which is virtually identical to the HG10 but records to DVD. Will Canon make it a trifecta, or will the frustrations of the DVD medium upset the applecart?'

Read: Canon HR10 Camcorder Review - CamcorderInfo.com

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Computeractive have published a review of the Sony HDR-CX6EK digital camcorder. 'Sony’s HDR-CX6EK records high-definition video directly to a removable memory card, making tape, DVD and even hard disk-based camcorders seem like dinosaurs in comparison. Rather than using MPEG2, Sony has plumped for the newer AVCHD codec based on H.264/MPEG4. This allows the camcorder to store up to around half an hour’s worth of HD video (at top quality, 1,440x1,080 resolution) onto the supplied 4GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. That might not sound like a lot, but theoretically you could dump your footage onto a PC or DVD, wipe the card and start again. The only small problem is that the ACVHD format currently enjoys only limited support on the desktop.'

Read: Review: Sony HDR-CX6EK digital camcorder - Computeractive

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 3:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A review of the Pentax K100D DSLR camera has been posted over at the PhotographyBLOG. 'The Pentax K100D Super is an updated version of the year-old entry-level K100D DSLR camera. The main new features are the Dust Removal system from the more expensive K10D model, which helps keep the CCD sensor free from dust, support for SDM (Supersonic Drive Motor) lenses, ISO 3200 mode and a much lower retail price than the original K100D had when it was launched back in May 2006. In all other respects the K100D Super is identical to its predecessor - there's a 6.1 megapixel sensor, Shake Reduction system to help achieve sharp images, 11 point auto-focus, 2.5" LCD screen and a compact design with metal body. Such is the aggressive nature of the DSLR market that the new K100D Super costs less than £400 / $600, complete with the more than competent 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.'

Read: Pentax K100D Super Review - PhotographyBLOG

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InfoSync World have published a review of the Olympus FE-300 compact digital camera. ‘The 2.5-inch screen on the FE-300 is about standard for a camera its size, but oddly enough, Olympus went with a matte as supposed to glossy display. The benefits (or detriments) of this type of display are arguable, so we won’t be drawing any lines in the sand. It lacks an optical viewfinder like most cameras in its class, including the Casio EX-S880, so if you manage to break the LCD, you’ve managed to create a shiny new paperweight. We’re still waiting for Olympus to catch up with Sony and release a touch screen model; were they to, this is where they would put it.’

Read: Review: Olympus FE-300 compact digital camera - InfoSync World

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CNET have published a review of the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS (Silver) digital camera. 'To give Canon credit, the SX100 retains many of the controls found in the S3 and S5; manual controls tend to fall by the wayside in this camera class. There's still a full complement of manual and semimanual exposure modes, flash and exposure compensation, and three-metering modes. There's also the de rigueur handful of scene modes, plus a decent face detection mode that lets you scroll through found faces to select one. It still takes longer to use than simply picking a face and focusing on it. You do forgo an electronic viewfinder, support for add-on lenses, and a hot shoe with the SX100, though I doubt many potential users would really miss any of them. More irritating is the downfeatured movie capture mode. It does VGA, 30fps movies, but optical zoom doesn't work while shooting them, and the nice separated stereo mics of the S3 and S5 have been replaced with mono sound.'

Read: Canon PowerShot SX100 IS (Silver) - CNET

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DigitalCameraReview have published a review of the Canon Powershot A720 IS digital camera. ‘As this camera is an "IS" model, it has Canon's optical image stabilization system. You can disable IS, use continuous IS, have IS only enabled at the time you shoot, or use "Panning" IS. Each mode has its strengths - continuous IS can help with previewing a shot, but is not as effective as shoot-only IS, which also uses less battery power. If you're trying to shoot a moving subject while you pan, like in a race of some sort, the panning IS mode stabilizes vertical movement, but allows horizontal movement. Lens performance was good overall. There was some fairly noticeable barrel distortion at wide angle, but pincushion distortion was minimal. Details across the frame were excellent.’

Read: Canon Powershot A720 IS Review - DigitalCameraReview

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ3 digital camera has been posted over at LetsGoDigital. 'The housing of the Panasonic Lumix TZ3 feels solid and it has nicely curved corners. The camera has a small handgrip, somewhat less apparent than the one we see on its predecessor the TZ1. Still it is not affecting the stability which is also the result of the camera's weight, not too light (the Panasonic TZ3 weighs approximately 250 grams, battery included) which offers a perfect hand-fit. The front is mainly dominated by the 10x optical Leica DC Vario Elmar lens. The optical zoom lens offers a range of 28-280mm and a bright of f/3.3 - /4.9; a tad less bright compared to its predecessor. Left of the Leica lens we find the built-in flash and on the far right of the lens a bright shining orange LED serving as AF assist lamp or indicator for the self-timer.'

Read: Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ3 - LetsGoDigital

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DigitalCameraInfo have published a review of the Petax Optio M40 digital camera. 'The Pentax M40 has a minimalistic, contemporary design and resembles many digital cameras currently on the market. The Optio M40 is attractive from far away, but its weak build quality is evident on closer examination. The plastic surfaces keep the camera lightweight for convenience, but less durable. The Pentax Optio M40 handles relatively well for a petite camera. While other flat point-and-shoots are uncomfortable to handle, the Optio M40 includes a slightly bowed right hand grip. The text on the front of the camera, where the right hand grips, is cleverly textured so users’ fingers won’t slip. The back has five raised dots for the thumb to grip.'

Read: Petax Optio M40 Digital Camera Review - DigitalCameraInfo

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CNET have published a review of the Fujifilm FinePix F50fd digital camera. 'Ever since Fuji introduced the FinePix F10, the company's double-digit-named F-series has been all about low noise at higher ISOs. Over the years, though, Fuji has developed the line into the very compact, classy-looking FinePix F50fd under review here. The F50fd sports a 12-megapixel Super CCD imaging sensor, 3x optical 35-to-105mm f/2.8-5.1 zoom lens, and 2.7-inch 230,000-pixel LCD. Its sensitivity reaches up to ISO 1,600 at full resolution, though the camera offers ISO 3,200 at a reduced resolution of 6MP and ISO 6,400 at 3MP. Better than that, the F50fd includes manual exposure controls, including both aperture- and shutter-priority. While the old F10 had a somewhat bland, blocky shape, the F50fd has a gentle curve along the top toward its right side and the back is black plastic, which is nicer when viewing the pictures you've shot than the brighter silver that some cameras have. The plastic parts of the body definitely help keep the camera from being too heavy, but the plastic on top bent inward a bit when I pressed the power button. I don't think it's a serious issue, but I was a little extra careful to keep the camera in a case when I wasn't using it. If you use a tripod with the F50fd, be sure not to overtighten it, since you may strip the plastic tripod socket.'

Read: Fujifilm FinePix F50fd - CNET

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A review of the Canon Powershot SD870 IS digital camera has been posted over at DigitalCameraReview. 'The SD870 is equipped with a 3 inch amorphous silicon TFT 230,000 pixel screen. Without an optical viewfinder, it is essential that the LCD screen provides a clear and accurate representation of the shot. It is becoming increasing popular with P&S designs to “ixnay” the viewfinder in exchange for a larger LCD screen. For example, my own PowerShot SD850 IS is equipped with both an optical viewfinder and a 2.5 inch LCD screen, but I rarely use the viewfinder because it is so small and I can hardly compose a shot through such a small field of view. The 3 inch LCD makes a huge difference and I do not miss the viewfinder on this size and type of camera.'

Read: Canon Powershot SD870 IS Review - DigitalCameraReview

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pocket Lint have published a review of the Pentax Optio Z10 digital camera. 'Out of the box, only a sliding front lens cover that also turns the camera on and off spoils the slim lines. The top plays host to one button, the shutter release while the back houses a nice, 2.5-inch, 230K-pixel colour screen, the easy to use zoom buttons a playback button and the ubiquitous four-way jog buttons. A menu and green mode button complete the ensemble. As usual, the four-way buttons provide scrolling and navigation in playback and menus respectively but also double up for drive modes, such as the self timer (top segment), flash modes (right segment), the shooting mode (bottom segment) and finally (right hand segment) the focus modes AF, manual and macro for example.'

Read: Pentax Optio Z10 digital camera Review - Pocket Lint

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Trusted Reviews have published their review of the 12-megapixel Kodak EasyShare Z1275 digital camera. 'The Z1275 is a fairly large and heavy camera by compact standards, measuring a substantial 89.5 × 64.5 × 31.6 mm and tipping the scales at 161g without batteries. Since it runs on two AA cells, this means that the total weight can be as high as 210g, so this isn't a camera that's going to sit comfortably in your shirt pocket. Despite this weight the camera body is made of plastic, and it's not the toughest or most rigid structure I've ever seen. Parts of the body flex and creak when squeezed, and although it does look nice in two-tone metallic grey and black, I have to say it feels a bit cheap. In fact it is fairly cheap in relation to the other 12MP models on the market, costing around £160 at retail, compared to £176 for the Casio Z1200 or £190 for the Sony W200.'

Read: Kodak EasyShare Z1275 - Trusted Reviews

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 10:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LetsGoDigital have published their review of the Olympus E510 digital camera. 'The appearance of the Olympus E-510 is clearly different than that of the E-500. It looks more like a regular D-SLR than its predecessor did. It reminds you more of a bigger version of the E-410. There is nothing wrong with that, because it is a great design and it reminds you of the OM series. It is one of the most beautiful and compact SLR cameras. The positioning of the camera in the hand is excellent and it does not weigh too much or too little, so that it feels like you have a real camera in your hands. On the front of the camera the most obvious feature is the metal mount. The advantage of the FourThirds System is that you are not restricted to a particular brand of lens, as long as it is compatible with the system. You can easily use a Leica/Panasonic lens on the Olympus E-510, and vice versa.'

Read: Olympus E510 Digital Camera Review - LetsGoDigital

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Camcorder Info have published a review of the Everio GZ-MG155 camcorder. 'At first glance, the GZ-MG155 is indiscernible from its siblings, the GZ-MG130 and GZ-MG255. All three models boast identical dimensions and a novelty-grade plastic construction. Standard definition Everios are the Munchkins of Camcorder Land, and the GZ-MG155 is testament. The minute lens has a whopping 32x optical zoom and a focal length of 2.5mm-80mm. A 30.5mm filter diameter is available for attachments such as a fish-eye or telephoto lens. To the right of the lens you’ll find the lens cover switch, which eliminates the bulk of an external cap. Below the lens is the 2-channel Dolby Digital Stereo microphone. It was wise of JVC to mount the microphone to the front—the GZ-MG155 is simply too small to support a top-mounted mic, as it would be covered by the shooting hand. To the right of the microphone is a miniscule port cover housing the USB terminal. Beware, this cover is flimsy and will pop out like a weed with a moderate tug. The GZ-MG155’s built-in video light is located along the left ridge. Don’t use the video light, however, unless you want unbalanced, bluish lens flares on all recorded footage. Lastly, the remote sensor lies in the top left corner.'

Read: JVC GZ-MG155 Camcorder Review - Camcorder Info

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 8:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CNET have published a review of the Samsung NV10 digital snapshot camera. 'With its rows of unmarked buttons, Smart Touch might seem intimidating at first, but it's surprisingly intuitive for accessing the camera's various commands. While its menus are easily navigated with the touch sensors, though, other options aren't quite so easy. Any action that needs navigating with a slider, whether it's browsing your old photos or adjusting manual focus, becomes painfully awkward with the NV10. Since the camera doesn't have specific directional buttons, you must either repeatedly stroke the sensors in a given direction or stroke once and awkwardly hold your finger carefully over a sensor. Smart Touch also tends to be unforgiving to large-fingered users; big digits often accidentally brush against several of the camera's sensors at a time, causing them to misfire.'

Read: Samsung NV10 - CNET

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A review of the fashionable Sony Cyber-Shot T200 touchscreen digital camera has been posted over at CNET Asia. ‘The Cyber-shot T200 is an animal along the lines of the former. It's wonderfully sleek. And it's a close replica of the awarding-winning Cyber-shot T100, so it's good to know that the Japanese firm understands the need for not fixing what's not broken. The slider cover remains identical. It's a large panel that protects the microphone, lens and flash all at the same time. And it still has that nice, solid snap when you flick it up or down. Compared with some flimsy sliders we've tried, this Sony's got quality. Yet, while the classics are still there, some have gone missing. The joypad controls on the Cyber-shot T100's back have been replaced by a 3.5-inch LCD. In fact, leftover buttons have migrated to the camera top and, they look and feel… a little cramped.’

Read: Sony Cyber-Shot T200 Review – CNET Asia

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InfoSync World have published a review of the Kodak EasyShare Z1275 compact digital camera. 'The 2.5-inch screen on the EasyShare Z1275 is about average for a point-and-shoot, and while it appears there was more room for Kodak to squeeze in a slightly larger LCD, it is adequate. Like many new digital point-and-shoot cameras, there is no optical viewfinder, so all shots must be lined up on the LCD. We're not huge fans of this trend, but it doesn't hamper our overall experience. It did a slightly below-average job of representing what the picture will look like on your computer. We expected better from such a chunky package. We found most of the buttons to be too narrow and flush against the surface of the camera. Many times we found ourselves being forced to push a button multiple times to achieve the desired effect.'

Read: Review: Kodak EasyShare Z1275 compact digital camera - InfoSync World

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A review of the rugged Fujifilm Big Job HD-3W digital camera has been posted over at Computeractive. ‘Fujifilm's strangely named Big Job HD-3W is designed to take rough treatment, both in terms of water and shocks.The HD-3W is larger than usual for a compact camera, being closer to the size of a digital SLR, but this does give room for the large 8cm screen on the back. There’s no viewfinder, and the LCD isn’t too bright in full sunlight, though it's fine indoors and on overcast days.The zoom lens offers 3x magnification and although no memory card is supplied, the HD-3W has 27MB of internal memory, providing room for 19 shots at the camera’s maximum 6-megapixel resolution. It also includes a mode in which it takes 1-megapixel pictures, which Fujifilm says is ideal for pictures attached to email messages.’

Read: Review: Fujifilm Big Job HD-3W digital camera - Computeractive

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Laptop magazine have published a review of the HP Photosmart M547 digital camera. 'At 3.8 x 1.5 x 2.5 inches and 4.8 ounces without batteries (6.4 ounces with batteries), the M547 felt solid without weighing us down. The 2.4-inch QVGA screen was bright indoors but tended to wash out in very bright sunlight. The interface is simple and lacking in manual controls, but that shouldn't be a problem for most bargain hunters. The Power and Shutter buttons occupy the top of the camera; Delete, Flash, and a mode switch sit atop the LCD screen. Zoom, Menu, Back, and directional buttons occupy the right side. The 3X optical zoom proved fine for indoor shots and close-range outdoor shots.'

Read: HP Photosmart M547 - Laptop Magazine

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Digital Trends have published a review of the JVC Everio GZ-HD3 Hard Disk camcorder. ‘The GZ-HD3 is a high-def camcorder that uses three 570K pixel CCDs to capture images. It doesn’t record 1920 x 1080I video like the more expensive HD7 but 1440 x 1080I footage. JVC uses the MPEG-2 TS recording system, not AVCHD as do Panasonic, Sony and Canon. If you stay within the JVC ecosystem (burners, software) this shouldn’t be an issue. Since there’s no drive to boot, the camcorder is ready to go in less than two seconds. HDD popularity is growing wildly—SD and HD—because of the massive storage available. A 60 gig drive holds five hours of XP-level video and if you knock it down to SP, you can save seven hours worth of memories. Compare this to 40 minutes for a 4GB card or 30 minutes with a 3-inch dual layer DVD.’

Read: JVC Everio GZ-HD3 – Digital Trends

Posted by Slash Scope Admin at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A review of the sleek Olympus Stylus 820 digital camera has been posted over at CNET. 'Among Olympus' myriad Stylus cameras, two features distinguish the 8-megapixel 820: its lens and its screen. The Stylus 820 packs a 36 to 180mm-equivalent, 5x zoom lens that gives it a slightly longer reach than the higher-resolution Stylus 1200. Unfortunately, the Stylus 820's longer lens carries a slow f/3.3-5.0 aperture range, compared to the f/2.8-4.8 range of the 1200's 3x lens. Despite its longer reach, the 820 lacks the sensor-shift image stabilization of the 1200, relying on the less effective method of ISO-boosting, shutter-quickening digital stabilization. The step-up version of the Stylus 820, the Stylus 830, includes the mechanical stabilization found on the higher-end Stylus, but otherwise offers nearly identical features to its little brother. Be wary, though; the Stylus 830 carries an $80 premium over the Stylus 820 for its seemingly singular upgrade.'

Read: Olympus Stylus 820 (Blue) - CNET

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