And that’s just the beginning of the specs. Let’s look at each of them individually. So going back to the SZ-31MR, it has a 16-megapixel sensor and an eye-popping 24x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens. It also packs in a Multi-Recording feature that allows users to take photos and video simultaneously. There’s functionality for movie and image stabilization, and it offers full HD video and HDMI control for 1080p playback. It will be available in April for around $400.

For the TG-820 iHS (pictured), it’s all about durability. Olympus promises that it sets a new benchmark for “Waterproof, Shockproof, Freezeproof, Crushproof and Dustproof performance.” The 12-megapixel sensor and TruePic VI image processor, originally developed for DSLRs, offer fantastic image quality. That’s good to know if you ever need a crystal clear shot while 220 pounds of weight are being applied to your camera. Yep, it can withstand 220 pounds of force. This one will be available in March for around $300.

And finally the E-M5 is the first of a new series for Olympus, the OM-D brand designed to meet the needs of advanced photographers. The device has a 16.1-megapixel sensor, the world’s fastest autofocusing system, the world’s first 5-axis image stabilizer, and a touch-screen OLED display. This high-end camera will sell in April for between $1,000 and $1,300.

Beyond the massive sensor resolution and full frame, the Nikon D800 also offers superior video quality, up to 1080p/30/25/24 with the option of shooting at 720p/60/30/25/24. Footage can be stored on both CF and SD cards as both slots are provided. Autofocus is expected to be identical to the D700 and D3, which means a 51-point AF with 3D Focus Tracking.

The Nikon D800 will begin shipping a few weeks after it’s announced on February 7. Also gearing up for an unveiling are Nikon’s new Coolpix cameras, which will be announced on February 2. The Nikon D4 will and two new DX lenses will likely be introduced later on in February or March.

“At the same time as we have created our digital business, we have also already effectively exited certain traditional operations, closing 13 manufacturing plants and 130 processing labs, and reducing our workforce by 47,000 since 2003. Now we must complete the transformation by further addressing our cost structure and effectively monetizing non-core IP assets. We look forward to working with our stakeholders to emerge a lean, world-class, digital imaging and materials science company” Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kodak

In the meantime, Kodak has managed to organize $950m of debtor-in-possession credit, with Citigroup stepping in with an 18-month deal. The company will use that money to settle its old debts and restructure moving forward.

In the meantime, Kodak will continue to sell its existing range, honor warranties and refunds, and work with suppliers.

Kodak has set up a specific site discussing the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Kodak Transforms, to explain what customers, investors and partners might need to know about the process. Yesterday, the company began what now appears to have been the first step in clawing back cash: suing Samsung over digital imaging patents.

Smartphones

We certainly saw our fair share of smartphones on the floor this time around, the major bulk of them running either Windows Phone Mango or a modified version of Android Gingerbread or Ice Cream Sandwich. One of the more interesting devices was Huawei’s Ascend P1 S, it being the new thinnest phone on earth, and its slightly fatter brother the P1, both of them strikingly thin. Next there were a couple of excellent value propositions, it would seem, from Pantech, they showing off two of the six new devices running on AT&T’s LTE network that’ll be up to speed by late this year – the Pantech Element is a waterproof tablet that, when you buy it, you basically get the Pantech Burst smartphone for free. Sony Experia came correct with their new set of Xperia devices with big specs and gigantic cameras: the Xperia ion having a 12 megapixel camera and the Xperia S being the one teased for so long. For Android phones the winner would have to be the Lenovo Racer-A, aka the first device to be running Intel’s Medfield chip – winning not just because it looks like a quality phone, but because it does indeed hold that record. Intel’s entry into the mobile market is likely going to have the longest lasting effect on the mobile industry while all these other phones get replaced – that’s for sure.

As for Windows Phones I’ll have to call a tie until we can review these devices extensively because they’re both so lovely: the Nokia Lumia 900 and the HTC Titan II. Both of these devices are bringing Windows Phone into the future, fighting head to head with the top guns at last.

BONUS: Since Samsung is insistent on saying this device is neither a smartphone or a tablet, here it is in the middle: the AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy Note. All of its awesome features remain in-tact, it having a Snapdragon processor instead of an Exynos, and it comes in white as well as black, your choice!

- contributed by Chris “Burnsy” Burns

Tablets

As with smartphones, we’ve got a lot to be excited about in the hardware side of things, not least of all with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 2 for strength and touchability. As for future-looking devices, the newest iteration of the ASUS Padfone looked oddly enticing. There were also some lovely reader refreshes like the Kyobo Mirasol eReader with its unique form of lighting, it replicating the light bouncing off a butterfly. Windows 8 made a bit of a showing with groups like Qualcomm and their S4 chip showing the possibilities of a Windows 8 mobile world. Acer came back with a new iteration of the Acer Iconia Tab complete with a Tegra 3 quad-core chip. Toshiba made a showing with two devices you might find rather familiar, the smaller version of the Thrive in the Toshiba Thrive 7 and the Toshiba Excite x10, the latter being the one to keep an eye on through 2012.

Then there’s the big guns, both of them winners, both of them coming from no less than Asus and toting, again, the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor. First there was the undeniably inexpensively priced $249 7-inch quad-core Ice Cream Sandwich toting Asus MeMO 370t, a value we’re sure one whole heck of a lot of people will not be able to resist. Then there was the big showing of not only the Transformer Prime, but the Transformer Prime 700 series with its upgraded display and hardware. We saw the Prime running Skyrim via Splashtop, playing the first multiplayer mobile shooter in a new version of Shadowgun for Tegra, and all of it on Ice Cream Sandwich as the Transformer is now the world’s first Google-licensed Ice Cream Sandwich tablet.

- contributed by Chris “Burnsy” Burns

Headphones / Earbuds

As always, there was a surplus of new headphones this year. Of them, our top three were InSound by Cygnett, the 5-minute Eeers Sonofit earbuds, and the HD700 from Sennheiser. The InSound had very decent ‘active’ noise cancellation and are extremely comfortable. Though easily portable, they are still not built as well as the Sennheisers. The HD 700 instead implements ‘passive’ noise cancellation, and offers a much cleaner, crisper sound. But at CES, people look for innovation – and that’s why Eers by Sonofit were the best headphones. With Eers, anyone can create a pair of custom-fit earbuds within minutes, all of it for a cool $300 USD.

BONUS: don’t forget the conceptual Parrot Zik by Starck and the wild contributions by Skullcandy in the Mix Master headphones.

- contributed by Sam Koutroulakis

Speakers

Though there were certainly one whole heck of a lot of speakers out there, we’ve decided to concentrate on the smaller world of portable speakers for all you mobile people out there. For that, there are a few gems that stick out. First there’s the SuperTooth Disco 2, an upgrade from the already great Disco 1 model, now with plenty of color and a vertical form factor. As for green representations, we had a talk with the makers of Eink who now bring us the Eton Rukus Solar powered boombox, so green it’s accented with the color green, imagine that! As for the tiniest speaker worth a peek at outside a smartphone, that was clearly the Harman JBL on-tour Micro, complete with Iron Man color scheme! The winner of our hearts in this category would have to be the high-blasting Altec Lansing 5000 series all-in-one speakers, these certainly commanding the hoards when it comes to all-in-one power.

- contributed by Chris “Burnsy” Burns

Laptops

Ultrabooks were the hot ticket for the computer side of CES this year, with every major brand introducing new models at or just before the show. While Toshiba’s Windows 8 prototype wowed us with software and the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga showed off some amazing innovation in form factor, the top prize goes to Dell’s more humble XPS 13. Far from Dell’s usual utilitarian design, the XPS 13 Ultrabook is downright stunning, with a combination aluminum-carbon fiber frame that’s 15% smaller than the MacBook Air. It manages to cram a 13-inch screen into a 12-inch body, and with 300 nits of brightness it should be a joy to use. With a Core i5 or i7 processor, an SSD drive, 4GB of RAM and eight hours of rated battery life, the XPS 13 will be a major contender when it becomes available.

- contributed by Michael Crider

Cameras

There were a few cameras at CES that caught our eye. Canon’s revived PowerShot Digital ELPH 520HS crams some amazingly powerful glass into its tiny body, and Liquid Image’s Xtreme Sports Cams brings some great new features into a growing market. But the obvious winner for the show wasn’t even announced at CES: Nikon’s new flagship, the D4. This monster DSLR sets the standard for its line going forward, with insane ISO capabilities and forward-looking support for QXD. But the real innovation is a major upgrade in video capabilities, with dynamic cropping on the sensor for “zoomed” shots even on prime lenses, and the ability to actively monitor audio and stream video over HDMI. The D4 may well be the benchmark when it comes to DSLR video recording, a segment that has nowhere to go but up. At $6,000 it’s a little on the pricey side, but pro photographers will pay any price for the best – and when it comes to high-definition video in a comfortable DSLR format, the Nikon D4 will give it to them.

- contributed by Michael Crider

Televisions

Televisions were one of the hottest categories at CES this year, but not because of size. Previous shows were all about who can get the biggest panel out, but this year image quality ruled. LG and Samsung both introduced 55-inch OLED TVs with incredibly thin, light bodies, stunning black levels and color reproduction that’s the best we’ve ever seen. The best television of CES is Samsung’s Super OLED HDTV – we’re giving it the top spot because the image displayed was just slightly more vivid than LG’s. It’s a close match, however, and LG has the edge (ba-dum TISH) on style thanks to its 4mm, 16-pound body. Sharp’s battery powered AQUOS Freestyle gets a third place nod, because it’s a handy idea that the market is ready for.

- contributed by Michael Crider

Automotive Concept

There were two stand-out contenders at CES 2012 for automotive concepts, Audi and Mercedes. While our main hands-on write-ups of these two titans are going to be published early next week, I can tell you this now: Audi brought some heavy fire with a setup called Audi connect that included all of their innovations of 2011 including voice commands and Google Earth integration and made it explode with a touch-sensitive dial and a setup newly powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 quad-core chipset. Mercedes, on the other hand, had several concepts including a very similar in-car screen setup, this time connected to an iPhone, a couple of gesture-activated door demonstrations, and a box inside which a completely gesture-intensive console was shown. Both companies will have massively impressive vehicles in the very near future, that’s for certain.

- contributed by Chris “Burnsy” Burns

Accessories

Here at CES a large focus is also on accessories for all the electronics announced, and while we saw plenty of impressive designs like the new Wrapsol anti-slip pads we’ve decided on one. Cygnett is known for constructing well built, quality cases for phones and tablets, not to mention their durable tablet stands. Since the mobile phone market has exploded everyone has a few cases to offer but Cygnett’s offerings were one of the most memorable. With simple designs that are actually easy to both get on AND off while still protecting the product they were our clear winner.

For a video rundown on a few cases from Cygnett including their new Icon Art series by artist Nathan Jurevicius be sure to check out our Insider Talk with Cygnett Creative Director Sophie Swann.

- Contributed by Cory Gunther

Mobile Carrier

When caught up in the mass of tech news here at CES, we often forget that a team’s mobile collaboration is only as good as the signal they’re running on. There isn’t one, but more like two obstacles a team requires of its carrier to perform at maximum efficiency. The first is consistency; a reliable data signal that will always be there when needed. The second is actual data strength. Processing videos and uploading images over a fast connection is essential if you plan on delivering the best CES coverage. And for both requirements, Verizon 4G LTE was unbeatable for CES 2012. With speeds of up to 14Mbps on the showroom floor and a consistent signal throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center, other carriers couldn’t come close.

- contributed by Sam Koutroulakis

Our most used gear

When the topic of most used gear comes up it could mean anything based on what you did at CES. Some might just answer — my shoes. Obviously we used cameras just about every possible minute. Here at SlashGear we were busy looking for wall power outlets and churning out stories to share with our readers and have as a team came up with a final conclusion. When it comes to outright sheer production MacBook’s rule. When it comes to mobile production it’s actually the complete opposite and Android rules, with only one iPhone on our team with a whole hoard of Galaxy Nexus for the rest.

Apple’s Macbook Pro and Air gave our team most of the tools needed (not counting a few heavy cameras) and our Macs outnumbers PC laptops 6-to-1. When we change over to the mobile aspect it was completely the opposite and we had 2 iPhones compared to about 10 Android smartphones, and 4 LTE Android tablets. With large screens, big batteries and awesome wired/wireless tethering options with Verizon 4G LTE our Android phones were the clear choice — and winner.

- Contributed by Cory Gunther

CES 2012′s Top Innovation: No One

While there certainly have been some interesting bits here and there at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, nothing made us absolutely drop our collective jaws. You could take the winners from the categories above and choose your favorite, sure, but nothing blew us away to the point of saying it absolutely won the show. It seemed as though most companies came to the show as a matter of requirement rather than because they wanted to show off their biggest and best. Instead we’re hoping for quite a few individual showings throughout the year from manufacturers as it continues to be the thing to do when you want the most individual attention.

When Vincent Nguyen, SlashGear’s Editor in Chief, was asked what he thought represented CES this year, his response was simple “nothing.”

The fact that this isn’t the only time we’ve heard this response from not just our own staff, but many of the people we spoke with throughout the convention may well be the first indication that bigger shows like CES are on their way out – what do you think?

The come equipped with 1200mAh Li-ion batteries, so don’t forget to charge up before you hit the slopes. The APEX masks also have the ability to home in on your location via GPS, so you (and whoever is watching your stream) will be able to log your exact location through the entire run. Next up is the EGO HD – a camera that can clip onto your bike, surfboard, kayak or that one time you decide to go skydiving.

The EGO HD is equipped with a water proof housing and also has the ability to stream live video over WiFi. Those of you wondering how to consistently keep up a WiFi connection while out and about could always carry your hotspot with you. This way nothing slows you down, and it would be possible to travel longer distances keeping up a live stream.

[videos processing]

Olympus confirmed the $1.1bn hit in its financial reports today, re-filing five years of results with what the company says is the correct set of figures versus the falsified numbers inserted by previous execs. There’s now just 46 billion yen ($589m) in Olympus’ bank account, and Japanese analysts believe the firm is ripe for takeover.

Still, Fujifilm is keeping coy on the speculation. CEO Shigetaka Komori told reporters last month that it was “too early to discuss Olympus issues” during the period where the third-party panel put together to look into the company’s business affairs was still investigating the fraud.

The iPhone 4 is still at the top of the list, but before the 4S camera around the iPhone 3G was the second most popular camera. Shortly after the launch of the iPhone 4S, the 3G dropped quickly and the iPhone 4S camera took the second most popular spot.

It’s interesting that out of the top five cameras on the service, four of them are the iPhone. The only non-iPhone on the list is the HTC Evo 4G in last place. The iPhone 3GS is the fourth place device, the iPhone 3G is third, with the 4S in second and the iPhone 4 in first. The 4S is a long way from the iPhone 4 in popularity though.

[via Macrumors]

The price of the sale was not disclosed, but Kodak confirmed today that the deal had closed. The company also assured that it was only selling the assets that would not impact its ability to turn itself around into a profitable and sustainable digital company. It would continue to have access to the image sensor technology that was sold as part of the deal.

The technology is used in manufacturing a wide range of high performance solid state image sensor devices and applications, including precision manufacturing inspection, digital radiography, earth imaging satellites, traffic monitoring, DNA sequencing, and studio photography.

Kodak is aiming to gather up $1.3 to $1.4 billion in cash by the end of the year, assuming that it would sell about $200 million in assets that are not central to its operations.

[via WSJ]

While standard digital cameras collect light data into a flattened image comprised of pixels, the Lytro keeps all the information separate. The sensor records color, intensity, and vector direction of all the rays of light and then assembles that information in post-processing.

With this technology, users do not need to focus as they’re shooting photos since they can focus on any part of the frame after the image is taken. And since there’s no processing in between shots, it eliminates shutter lag, and even boasts less than a second to power on and start shooting.

The Lytro comes in a small pocketable form factor resembling a kaledoscope. It measures about 4.4-inches long, weighs 8oz, and features a 1.46-inch LCD touchscreen on the opposite end of the lens. The display lets you frame your shots as well as browse previously taken images. Controls include a slider for zoom and only two buttons, one for the shutter and one for power.

It’s difficult to compare the Lytro at this point with regular digital cameras as the shots aren’t measured in megapixels, but instead have been described as capturing “11 mega-rays.” The lens features a persistent f/2 aperture and offer up to 8x zoom but a focal length isn’t specified.

It is available now for pre-orders, priced at $399 for an 8GB blue or gray version that can hold up to 350 shots and $499 for a 16GB red version that can hold up to 700 shots. The camera will begin shipping in early 2012.

[via TechCrunch]

The previous Exynos found fame as the heart of the Samsung Galaxy S II, the company’s best-selling Android smartphone. There running at 1.2GHz as standard, the chip was found to be overclock friendly by the legions of Android modders, making the Galaxy S II something of a mainstay for those looking to squeeze the very greatest performance out of their device.

Samsung hasn’t explicitly said which devices the Exynos 4212 is likely to appear in first, but it’s worth noting that the Galaxy S II HD LTE and Galaxy S II LTE announced last week for the South Korean market both run a 1.5GHz dual-core, and are probably candidates. Meanwhile, the company has also announced a 16-megapixel CMOS camera sensor for smartphones, using a back-illuminated sensor for improved low-light performance, which is expected to ship from November. A second sensor, running at 1.2-megapixels and intended for use as a front-facing camera, adds 720p HD 30fps video support.

The Nikon J1 is the most affordable option, priced from $649.95 with a 10-30mm lens kit. It has a 73-point AF system that switches between phase and contrast AF depending on which will give the best results, 10fps continuous shooting with AF or up to 60fps with AF locked. It also debuts Nikon’s Motion Snapshot system, which “unites a frozen still image with a slow-motion movement set to a built-in audio soundtrack to create a portrayal of an occurrence with maximum impact.” On the back there’s a new ‘F’ button to call up all the settings of the current mode, along with a 3-inch LCD display, and there’s a pop-up flash too.

The Nikon V1, meanwhile, will be $899.95 with the same 10-30mm lens kit, but adds a 1.4m dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a mechanical shutter button. There’s also a Multi-Accessory Port for attaching accessories – Nikon namechecks the SB-N5 compact speedlight and the GP-N100 GPS module – while a stereo input can be used to boost audio quality when filming movie clips.

As for the lenses, the standard model is the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (27-81mm 35mm equivalent). Nikon will also offer the NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 lens (81-297mm equivalent) and the 1 NIKKOR 10mm f/2.8 pancake lens (27mm equivalent). The 1 NIKKOR VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 (27-270mm equivalent) power zoom is targeted at those filming videos, and is Nikon’s first powered zoom. There’s also the FT-1 F-mount adaptor for legacy NIKKOR lenses in the pipeline, though the company hasn’t said when it will be released.

Both cameras will go on sale in the US on October 20.

Alternatively, if you prefer quality not frame rate quantity, there’ll apparently be up to Full HD capture too. Nikon’s EXPEED 3 processor is expected to be onboard, along with an F-mount adapter and both phase and contrast autofocus detection. Both will have a 2.7x crop factor in addition to what tipsters have suggested will be “innovations not yet seen in any other cameras.”

The V1 and J1 will be broadly identical, though the J1 will offer an integrated flash while the V1 will swap that for a built-in high-resolution EVF (electronic viewfinder) along with a multifunction accessory port for hooking up an external flash or GPS dongle. Neither model will have a traditional flash hot-shoe, however.

Apparently four lenses will be offered initially, ranging from a 10mm f/2.8 pancake, thoguh a 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens, a 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 VR and finally a 30-110mm VR. Minor aesthetic details will distinguish between each camera, and Nikon will supposedly be pushing the J1 at least in a variety of colors.

[via Twitter]

The DIGIC 5 image processor in combination with the HS System’s high-sensitivity image sensor, means users will be able to capture more brilliant images and videos even in low-light conditions. The High-speed burst lets users capture up to eight frames in one snap, and the Intelligent IS or Image Stabilization reduces blur. And lastly, full HD means that the two new cameras can now capture video in 1080p.

The PowerShot S100 features all of the above and offers a 12.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor. It has a 24-120mm wide angle lens with 5x optical zoom, a 3-inch wide LCD screen, and GPS capabilities for EXIF image data. Its f/2.0 lens along with an ISO of up to 6400 allow for great low-light performance and pleasant bokeh. The S100 is super compact and comes in two colors of black or silver.

The PowerShot SX40 HS also features the above upgrades along with a 12.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor, but packs 35x optical zoom. It has a 24mm-840mm lens, an ISO of up to 3200, a 2.7-inch wide swivel LCD, and takes on a larger DSLR-like form factor.

Both cameras are priced at $429.99 with the more compact S100 to be available in November and the larger SX40 HS to be available in late September. For more details, visit the Canon product page.

The WCCTV Nano is one of the smallest CDMA or 3G surveillance devices in the world and is designed to be portable and easy to deploy. It’s compatible with most surveillance cameras and provides remote access to live or recorded video over 3G wireless connections via an embedded Verizon Wireless Modem with a static IP. It also has a removable flash memory drive with capacity options from 8GB up to 128GB.

The Nano can be powered by charger or battery and can be configured remotely. Up to six users can simultaneously view live video from six different locations, including a dedicated CCTV monitoring station, desktop PC, laptop, and smartphones running iOS or Android. Pricing details have not been revealed yet.

Specifically the shot glass is made to look like a tiny version of the Canon EF 24-105mm lens and is made from ceramic. I bet this cup would make a good penny or paperclip holder too. The set includes three shot glasses so you can drink up with your pals. The three cup set will set you back $18. Each of the cups is a standard 1.5-ounce bar shot size.

I guess these will give a new meaning to taking a shot. The three glasses come in their own gift box. The designers of the glasses are a team of students from UC Berkley going by the name DERELIQ. The shot glasses are out of stock right now. It’s too bad the cups don’t look like different lenses, that would be cool.

[via LaughingSquid]

What this will get you is a teeny tiny mirrorless camera with a brand new mirror, SLR-speed focussing, and an overall sweet result. Contrast detection in AF used in cameras that normally have no mirror is quite slow at the moment, especially when you’re considering you’re using lenses made to rock and roll. Now you’ve got a small gun messing with the big guns, if you know what I mean. Does this mean the device you’re rolling with is still a mirrorless camera? You be the judge of that – we’re calling it an advanced frankenstein.

This type of new mirror is called a “pellicle mirror”, and isn’t actually all that new when you consider it’s been being used for more than 40 years by the Pellix 45 made by Canon in 1965. This camera was the first to use such a mirror and it’s been used sparsely since – of course you can see the mirror type in action again in the Sony A55 and A33 DSLRs of 2010, too. Why on earth this solution hadn’t been used in lens adapters up until now – we cannot say. It’s sort of like pop art – it seems so obvious, but the first person to do it gets credit!

[via PhotoRumors]

I used to not care about taking pictures. I’d go about my day and never think to take a picture of anything. Then, one day, a friend introduced me to a really, really old camera. The kind that’s bigger than a small child and you put the blanket over your head to snap the picture. I was fascinated with every inch of it. We talked about f-stops and shutter speeds and photography in general for a couple of hours. I was hooked; I had to try this thing out! Luckily for me, he had some extra film cameras lying around, and let me borrow one.

Ever since, I’ve loved learning about photography, and playing with different cameras. And I’ve come to realize the importance of recording memories. I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning, let alone what happened last week. If my kids ever ask me what I did when I was younger, I’ll have to say, “um, stuff?”. This is where the power of pictures comes in! Now, every once in a while you should have professional portraits taken of your family. Those are pictures you’ll want to hang on the wall and display proudly. But what about all the moments in between?

This is where a digital camera comes in. Simple, small, and convenient, it allows you to take a picture of something while it’s happening. It’s the journal of the 21st century. Now you might say a digital camera is too expensive. But let’s look at it this way. Every time you buy a disposable camera, it’s 5-10 dollars. Not only that, but you have to develop the film. Most places will make you get 4×6’s of every photo and then all you’re left with is a ton of 4×6’s. Not to mention those disposable cameras are terrible at night, and the quality is rarely worthwhile.

On the other hand, with digital you can shoot thousands of photographs and have them easily accessible. There are even multiple programs that organize your photos by date, place or even by the person in the photo. With a digital camera you can capture those special family moments easily and not have the hassle of digging through a box of photos when you want to share them. So go ahead, take the plunge into digital. You won’t regret it. If you’re already basking the digital limelight, go ahead and share the joy because I think aunt Myrtle just ran out of film again.

These systems are slated to be used for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Police will begin testing them at concerts and football matches soon. Standardly, the system is set to scan faces in crowds up to 50 meters away, but has the capability to recognize faces as far as twelve miles away. Wow. Systems like this will leave it up to the computer to identify perpetrators instead of the officers needing to ask for or call in documentation. This makes it more discreet for law-abiding folks to just enjoy whatever event needs such protection.

What consistently freaks me out about stuff like this is that this is the completely unclassified technology that is being talked about openly in the news. How much more is possible, or already happening? Creepy.

[via The Telegraph]

Next, we’ve got a couple of basically fantastic giveaways going on, one of them for a couple of tablets, the other for… another tablet! That’s right, we’ve got both a Motorola XOOM tablet set for you to win AND a BlackBerry PlayBook for your free having! You could walk away with a tablet of your choice! Of course, provided you enter the contest(s), that is. Go for it!

Then it’s time to finally have an Angry Birds that lets you plan across multiple platforms, or in my case, multiple Android phones, without starting over! That’s right, Rovio is looking to Sync Angry Birds for easy continuation, no matter what system you’re on! Next, so long as we’re speaking about apps, Apple has revealed Final Cut Pro X for all of your ultimate video cutting needs! Oh and you’d like some Windows news too? We’ve got that – Windows 8 early build leak hits the web. Don’t expect TOO much out of it. Perhaps they should have contacted THIS Indy developer for tips on how to secure a bit of software from pirates.

Next, learn from our resident business guru Ben Bajarin Why Cisco Shut Down the Flip Business

Then behold the sensational day of HTC power! It’s the HTC Sensation, and we’ve got not only a lovely hands-on video, but an official announcement, a set of lovely benchmarks, but a comparison to the ATRIX 4G for your consumption. Then we do it all from a slightly different perspective over on Android Community as well!

Speaking of Android Community, we’ve got an extended bit of that XOOM contest for MORE wins, an invite to the same event SlashGear is invited to – T-Mobile’s day in the sun, and just terrible reports of the HTC ThunderBolt dropping its LTE signal! The humanity!

And we’ve got some Angry Birds Easter pictures!

And we’ve got some T-Mobile Sidekick unboxing video and speed tests!

Everything you could ever want to know, right?

In a press release sent out to press today, Cisco has noted that they’ll be moving on five “key company priorities,” core routing, switching and services, collaboration, architectures, and yes, video. This appears to be part of a much more grand scheme and not just a ratatat on the single brand. Instead it seems that Cisco is moving toward supporting their enterprise and service provider customers in turn expand their offerings for consumers.

What does that mean for you? Not a whole lot unless you planned on purchasing a Flip camera in the near future – you’ll probably be able to pick up a cheap one now! And those of you who already have one, again, will continue to receive support as you keep on flipping. Check out the full press release below:

Apr 12, 2011 08:30 ET
Cisco Restructures Consumer Business

SAN JOSE, CA–(Marketwire – April 12, 2011) –  As part of the company’s comprehensive plan to align its operations, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced that it will exit aspects of its consumer businesses and realign the remaining consumer business to support four of its five key company priorities — core routing, switching and services; collaboration; architectures; and video. As part of its plan, Cisco will:

• Close down its Flip business and support current FlipShare customers and partners with a transition plan.
• Refocus Cisco’s Home Networking business for greater profitability and connection to the company’s core networking infrastructure as the network expands into a video platform in the home. These industry-leading products will continue to be available through retail channels.
• Integrate Cisco umi into the company’s Business TelePresence product line and operate through an enterprise and service provider go-to-market model, consistent with existing business TelePresence efforts.
• Assess core video technology integration of Cisco’s Eos media solutions business or other market opportunities for this business.
“We are making key, targeted moves as we align operations in support of our network-centric platform strategy,” said John Chambers, Cisco chairman and CEO. “As we move forward, our consumer efforts will focus on how we help our enterprise and service provider customers optimize and expand their offerings for consumers, and help ensure the network’s ability to deliver on those offerings.” 

In connection with the changes to the consumer business, it is anticipated that Cisco will recognize restructuring charges to its GAAP financial results, with an aggregate pre-tax impact not expected to exceed $300 million during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2011. The charges will be disclosed in upcoming earnings conference calls and quarterly Form 10-Q filings. Additionally, the company expects this will result in a reduction of approximately 550 employees in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. 

About Cisco 
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the company’s plan to align its operations in support of its network-centric platform strategy, Cisco’s consumer focus going forward, the maximum size of the anticipated restructuring charges, and expected employee reductions. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results due to a variety of factors, including, among other things, how well we execute on our strategy and operating plans, business and economic conditions and growth trends in the networking industry, customer markets and various geographic regions, global economic conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment and other risk factors set forth in Cisco’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based on limited information currently available to Cisco, which is subject to change, and Cisco will not necessarily update the information. 

This first video is a commercial from when it was first released. It’s about thirty seconds long and contains a number of short clips demoing the camera in action. The display you see is the accessory 4″ TV you could get with the camera.

This video is my favorite of the surprising number of PXL 2000 shot videos on Youtube. Eerie. I think this one demonstrates a lot of the motion blur and ghostliness.

This isn’t a video, but this guy, Bill Miller, took the PXL 2000 and upgraded it, restoring all of it’s functionality and adding in a number of other knobs and bells and whistles. Scroll down this page (same link) about halfway to find it. There is an auction up on ebay for his restored customized PXL 2000. It’s running around five bills.

I don’t recommend spending any money on one of these. But if you find one in your Old Aunt Bernice’s basement, have fun!

[via RetroThing]

Footage is streamed in Motion JPEG format at 20fps, and D-Link reckons setup can be as straightforward as hooking up power, connecting to WiFi and then logging on to the company’s website to view the resulting stream. A built-in microphone streams audio as well.

Alternatively, the D-ViewCam app throws in alerts for motion-detection from up to 32 different cameras, local storage to a NAS, notifications and recording schedules. It’s available now, priced at $149.99.

Press Release:

New D-Link® Wireless N Network Camera Offers Infrared Illumination for Viewing Live Video Streams at Night

mydlink™-Enabled IP Camera Now Available with Remote Viewing from a PC or Mobile Device

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – April 4, 2011 – Giving people the ability to check in on what matters most for the ultimate peace of mind, D-Link® today announced that it’s mydlink™-enabled Wireless N Day/Night Network Camera (DCS-932L) is now available. With a built-in CPU and web server, the DCS-932L offers a complete day and night monitoring system for homes and small offices. Featuring simple installation and an intuitive web-based interface, consumers can easily integrate the DCS-932L into an existing network and view the streaming video from a PC, notebook, Apple iPhone®, Apple iPad®, or Android™ phone or tablet.

Unlike traditional USB-connected webcams, mydlink-enabled cameras feature built-in CPUs and web servers for high-quality live streaming video sent directly to the network without a PC. The compact DCS-932L offers 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity, Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) for simple three step installation, Motion JPEG, and 20 frames per second (fps) streaming, as well as new infrared illumination technology for night viewing. This new infrared technology enables users to monitor a home or small office at up to 16 feet away from the camera, enabling around the clock surveillance of children, sleeping babies, pets, homebound relatives, valued possessions, and more.

“With D-Link’s new day/night network camera, consumers can quickly, easily and affordably add networked surveillance to their home or small office,” said Daniel Kelley, associate vice president of consumer marketing, D-Link North America. “The addition of infrared technology to the mydlink camera line gives consumers peace of mind knowing that their loved ones and cherished belongings can be easily monitored from a remote location via PC, notebook or smart phone 24 hours a day.”

Equipped with mydlink for on-the-go viewing, users can remotely view the DCS-932L’s live video stream from a PC or notebook. And with the free mydlink app (available from the Apple App Store or the Android Market Place), consumers can watch real-time video directly on their iPhone, Android phone or Android tablet. Or, use the Apple iPhone App to view video on an iPad. In addition, mydlink allows for a quick and simple set-up and installation right out of the box; just follow the easy three step set-up process, rather than having to configure each camera for specific routers.

The VGA (640×480) resolution DCS-932L also comes with D-ViewCam™ camera management software for Windows PCs, which allows consumers to record video from any mydlink camera to a local hard drive. It also lets consumers set trigger motion detection, recording schedules and e-mail alert notifications for up to 32 cameras.

Availability and Pricing
The DCS-932L Wireless N Network Camera is now available with an MSRP of $149.99 throughout D-Link’s vast network of e-tail outlets in North America, and at the company’s online store, http://www.dlinkshop.com.

What we’re being shown here is a series of devices that all adds up to you being able to see bits of your home via any web browser or mobile device. You can choose to have your camera on all the time with the standard camera setup or pay a bit more for the motion detection cameras, both cameras being powered by batteries which last months and months and months – magic!

Once you’ve got your cameras in place (connected to the wall pods via magnet,) you can set up your gateway (essentially a wireless hub,) and you’ll be well on your way to total Big Brother control over your home! Or you could use it the way a friend of mine does and put one above your baby’s crib and see him or her while you’re out on the town (with a babysitter home of course!) Take a peek at the video and the closeup shots of the system below.

While Fuehres would not rule out a Canon mirrorless camera in the future, he was clear that it would be more than just following rivals into the segment. “The idea of the compact system camera is nothing to do with whether the camera has a mirror or not, but about creating a small and more portable system” he said, “If Canon does take part I hope we won’t introduce just a me-too product, but we’ll use the opportunity to do something different.”

As for what that difference might be, all the outspoken exec would say is that “for Canon it would be about connectivity and providing high image quality in a small form.” Amateur Photographer theorizes that a retro-themed rangefinder – in the manner of the Canon P or Canon 7 – might make more sense, given the surprise popularity of Fuji’s X100.

[Image via Wikipedia]

It’s not so much the raw specs that’s driving the appeal – the X100 has a mere 12.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, with a non-interchangeable Fujinon 23mm fixed focal length lens – but the combination of the classic looks and strong image quality appear to be buoying the Fuji above potentially more capable Micro Four Thirds models. Fujifilm is yet to confirm when new X100 supplies will be coming through; they’re too busy supplying a generous relief package worth 770m yen to Japan, including diagnostic ultrasound systems.

[via 43 Rumors]

The 62,500 pixel camera uses an electrical cable, rather than a more expensive fiber optic connection, and is the result of a new manufacturing process developed by Fraunhofer and Awaiba GmbH. This mounts the camera sensor contacts while the sensors themselves are still joined on the wafer – up to 28,000 of them – and then pairs that with a lens wafer before cutting.

The traditional system would cut the sensor wafer first, then fix the contacts, then mount the lenses, a far more fiddly and expensive process and one which doesn’t allow for units as small as the new method. Fraunhofer hopes to bring the camera to market in 2012, with applications in medicine, automotive design and systems monitoring.

[via GizMag]

The inclusive plan, it’s suggested, would be good for “a couple of dozen photos per month” beyond which you’d have to pay. The CyberShot’s modem would be data-only, so calls would not be supported (and thus no overlap with Sony Ericsson’s cellphone ranges), and sites like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Flickr are the likely candidates for sharing.

While cameras with integrated WiFi – and Eye-Fi cards for adding it to regular models – are already available, 3G support would remove the hassle of locating a wireless hotspot and make the whole process more immediate. Cerevo launched a similar product in Japan, but it’s yet to become broadly available. Sony’s launch schedule for the 3G-enabled point-and-shoot isn’t known, nor is pricing.

The camera itself is in the cat’s eye, and while there’s no integrated display to preview your shots, sometime in the spring a monitor dock will go on sale too. There’s a 10 second timer mode, as well as an interval mode which snaps a shot every second.

Image quality is described as “whimsical” which probably means this won’t replace your DSLR. Then again, you probably don’t want to stroke your DSLR either – or at least you wouldn’t admit to it – so perhaps a tiny tabby in your pocket or purse is a good addition to your photography arsenal.

[youtube TIqykMBav6g]

[via CrunchGear]

The Optio S1 has a high-resolution 14-megapixel sensor with a 5X optical zoom and a 2.7-inch display on the back. The high dynamic range mode overlays multiple shots to reduce the blown-out highlights and improve details in shadows. Other features include image stabilization, blink detection, and the ability to record 720p video. An IR remote for the camera is also available.

Shipments for the camera are due in April with a price tag of $200. There are three color styles to choose from: black with red accents, silver with black, and turquoise with silver.

[via Pocket-lint]

In fact, Sony is apparently boasting of 34.8 Gbps image processing speeds, while video capture reaches 17.7-megapixels at 120 fps. Although you could expect a high-speed CMOS to also drink power at a similarly rapid rate, Sony has also done work to bring that down to reasonable levels.

Unfortunately, there’s no word on when the new Sony sensors might make it out of the labs and into devices. The image above is of older Sony EXMOR sensors.

[via CrunchGear]

According to Sony, the camera has a new EXMOR APS HD CMOS sensor and is capable of Full HD video recording, with clips in AVCHD format. Thanks to the translucent mirror – which splits the optical pathway between the main image sensor and a separate phase-detection autofocus sensor – those clips will always be in focus.

Full hardware details aren’t available – only what little is at the Japanese preview site – but Sony says the new camera will be out sometime this year. Sadly we doubt the retail model will keep the slick transparent shell.

So far, Sony has managed to persuade Carl Zeiss, Cosina, Sigma and Tamron to at least give a thumbs-up to the specifications being made public, though not all have said that they’ll actually be making lenses. Only Tamron has gone beyond “endorsing” the publication, in fact, though we’re guessing that won’t be the case for long.

Sony expects to begin disclosing the E-mount specs from April 1 2011, though they’ll need to pass a “predefined process of approval” and sign a license agreement first.

Press Release:

Sony Discloses Basic Specifications of the “E-mount” for Interchangeable Single Lens Cameras without Fee 08 February 2011

Sony Corporation announced today it will disclose the basic specifications of its “E-mount” for interchangeable single lens cameras, without fee, to manufacturers of lenses and mount adaptors, starting April 1st, 2011.

This opens the way for manufacturers of various lenses and mount adaptors to effectively develop products conforming to “E-mount” specifications.
Users of the Sony’s “NEX-3”, “NEX-5”, “NEX-VG10” and other “E-mount” compatible Sony digital imaging products to be launched in the future will now be able to use interchangeable lenses from both Sony and various other manufactures, while they will also be able to attach non-Sony lenses to their Sony digital imaging products via a mount adapter.
Sony believes the growth of digital imaging products employing the “E-mount” will further increase the enjoyment of photography and video shooting among an even wider range of users.

These basic specifications will be disclosed to manufactures of lenses and mount adaptors following a predefined process of approval and the signing a license agreement with Sony.

As of today, the decision to disclose basic specifications of the “E-mount” has been endorsed by the following companies.

Carl Zeiss AG
As an independent lens provider, Carl Zeiss welcomes the disclosure of the “E-mount” specifications by Sony. It helps manufacturer’s product development, benefits customers and therefore assists in establishing “E-mount” as a new, healthy and strong system on the market.

Cosina Co., Ltd.
Cosina Co., Ltd is excited by the potential of Sony’s “E-mount” which enables to a large-size image sensor to be incorporated in a compact, interchangeable lens camera. We have high expectations for the “E-mount” with its aims to create a new photography culture, and express its assent to Sony’s decision to provide information related to “E-mount”.

Sigma Corporation
Sigma Corporation fully supports Sony’s decision to disclose basic “E-mount” specifications. We believe this move will spur the further growth and diversification of camera system across the industry, provide photo enthusiasts with a wealth of choice and enrich in their photographic lifestyles.

Tamron Co., Ltd.
Tamron Co., Ltd endorses Sony’s decision to disclose basic “E-mount” specifications.
We aim to offer our customers new solutions and unprecedented photo-shooting enjoyment through the manufacture and sale of “E-mount” lenses.

The Samsung ES80 lacks the video recording functionality and only has a 12-megapixel CCD, but it still gets stabilization and a 5x optical zoom. Each camera also has Samsung’s various smart-auto modes, including face detection, smile shot, beauty shot – the 21st century equivalent of smearing Vaseline on the lens – and an intelligent self-portrait mode.

Neither will change the world of photography, but neither will they break the bank. THe Samsung PL20 will be priced at $119.99 when it drops in March, while the Samsung ES80 will be $99.99 when it arrives in April.

Press Release:

Samsung Launches the Value Packed PL20 and ES80 Compact Cameras

Samsung innovations put the fun and simplicity into taking and sharing photos

SEOUL, Korea – February 7, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced two new compact cameras, the PL20 and ES80 –stylish point-and-shoot cameras which will bring fun and great quality photography to everyone. The cameras make clear, sharp images accessible to all users, through a combination of high-quality features and cutting edge innovation, all at an affordable price.

The PL20 packs a 14-megapixel sensor, a 27mm wide angle and a 5x optical zoom, plus HD movie recording, into a simple to use and stylish device. It also removes the need for the ongoing purchase of AA batteries with a unique Li-ion rechargeable battery to keep the fun lasting longer.

The ES80 provides another smart point-and-shoot option for consumers who seek affordability and value in their camera technology. The camera offers easy-to-use features such as an internal charging system which helps to ensure that power isn’t lost at that crucial photo moment. The ES80 also boasts 12-megapixel resolution and a 5x optical zoom to make taking great quality images effortlessly simple.

Both the PL20 and the ES80 come in four vibrant colors – Silver, Tomato Red, Pink and Black – meaning there’s a model to suit every taste.

“The PL20 and ES80 are fantastic point-and-shoot cameras, designed to create a fun and easy photography experience which can be enjoyed by everyone,” said Mr. Hyunho Chung, executive vice president and head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “Together they make taking great pictures simple and fun for any photographer, and are driven by our desire to add value for users while retaining an affordable price. The PL20 and ES80 are further evidence of Samsung’s commitment to meeting the needs of each and every photographer out there, regardless of their level of expertise or their budget.”

Smart Auto selection

Both cameras include Samsung’s innovative Smart Auto feature, with multiple modes for automatically selecting the best setting for the photographer’s chosen theme, and automatically adjusting that mode to match with the surroundings in which you’re shooting. So no matter if you’re taking pictures during the day or at night, in portrait or landscape, the cameras produce beautiful photos.

HD Movie and Special Effects on the move

The PL20’s ability to record 720p HD quality movies at 24 frames per second means even if you leave your camcorder at home, the PL20 can fill the gaps easily, and with a high quality result. The PL20 also includes Samsung’s Smart Filter technology – artistic filters in modes such as ‘fish-eye’, ‘miniature’ and ‘sketch’ – so you can add special effects to your pictures in an instant.

Powerful Portrait technology

The ES80 packs a number of additional features into the affordable model. Face Detection automatically detects and recognizes up to 10 different faces at the same time, guaranteeing that your favorite faces will be focused, even when taking a group picture. Beauty Shot adjusts brightness and face tone, and Smile and Blink detection mean that if your eyes are closed during shooting, the camera will automatically shoot another shot for you. The Self Portrait feature automatically focuses on your face and emits a guiding sound, so you know when it’s ready to shoot with you in the frame for great shots!

The PowerShot SX230 HS has a 14x optical zoom with optical image stabilization, a wide-angle 28mm equivalent lens and a 3-inch preview display, and will drop at the end of March for $349.99. It also has an integrated GPS receiver for geotagging photos.

As for the ELPH 500 HS, ELPH 300 HS and ELPH 100 HS, they have 4x, 5x and 4x optical zooms respectively, and 3.2-inch, 2.7-inch and 3.0-inch displays respectively. The Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS will drop at the end of March for $299.99, while the PowerShot ELPH 300 HS and PowerShot ELPH 100 HS will arrive mid-March for $249.99 and $199.99 respectively.

Press Release:

ELEVATING QUALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE: CANON U.S.A. INTRODUCES FOUR NEW POWERSHOT CAMERAS WITH CANON’S HS SYSTEM AND FULL HD VIDEO CAPABILITY

Canon Premieres the World’s Thinnest Camera with 24mm equivalent lens, 5x Optical Zoom; Rebrands the PowerShot ELPH Models and Introduces GPS Capabilities in the PowerShot SX230 HS Digital camera

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.,February 7, 2011 – When capturing a surprise wedding engagement on Valentine’s Day or a friend’s birthday celebration in a dimly lit lounge, a high-performance camera withextraordinary features is essential to enhance the ambiance of these moments. Helping to better capture the moment, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced four new PowerShot Digital cameras: the PowerShot SX230 HS, ELPH 500 HS, ELPH 300 HS and ELPH 100 HS models. With these new introductions, Canon debuts the world’s thinnest 24mm wide angle, 5X Optical zoom model1, the PowerShot ELPH 300 HS, along with a Canon-first, GPS-equipped camera, the PowerShot SX230 HS model. In addition, all four cameras come equipped with Canon’s HS SYSTEM for exceptional shooting in low-light, Full 1080p HD video, new Movie Digest Mode and 32 Smart AUTO scenes.

“Canon’s core philosophy when launching a camera product is to discover new and innovative ways to redefine the photographic experience.” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “Consumers are always looking for the most advanced technologies and these new PowerShot models combine the high-level features and overall functionality the end-user has been seeking.”

Rebranding of the ELPH models:

Showcasing the true evolution of the ELPH brand, the new PowerShot ELPH models have now instituted a “HS” suffix to represent the inclusion of the HS SYSTEM in each model. The renaming of the ELPH model will help to better correlate with Canon’s ever-increasing capabilities in its PowerShot Digital cameras, while retaining its popular identity. With the ELPH 500 HS, ELPH 300 HS and ELPH 100 HS Digital cameras, the new names of the ELPH models will also serve as an easy solution to help consumers make an informed decision about which camera to purchase.

Introduced last year, the HS SYSTEM is a technology used to enhance image quality in low-light situations without the need for a flash. Making up the HS SYSTEM in these new models is Canon’s DIGIC 4 Image Processor combined with a High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor, which helps to reduce noise at high ISO levels and expand the camera’s dynamic range, ultimately capturing greater detail and color in images in darker settings, like a wedding reception. With the use of the HS SYSTEM, consumers are able to capture clearer images with less noise and blur, resulting in brilliant, sharp images.

It’s all about location, location, location

When vacationing in Venice or taking a family-camping trip, there are many opportunities to capture a keepsake photo. However, years later, it may be difficult to remember the location the image was taken. Canon’s new GPS feature in the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS model will help make it easier to pinpoint the exact spot2. Through a dedicated receiver, the camera is able to collect signals from GPS satellites to obtain the latitude, longitude and altitude and records this information to the image’s EXIF data3. The map utility software included with the camera permits viewing of photos on a map and shows the location of where the image was shot. The PowerShot SX230 HS also has an internal GPS logger, another first for a PowerShot model, helping to track the day’s route on a map, making it a useful application for long-term trips.

Shooting video like never before

Having the ability to shoot HD video is imperative when capturing a full sequence of events, such as attending a high-end runway show in New York City or witnessing a baby’s first steps. The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS, ELPH 500 HS, ELPH 300 HS and ELPH 100 HS now feature Full 1080p HD video with Dynamic Image Stabilizer, providing secure, stellar resolution in a compact frame. A new feature called Movie Digest mode can be found in all the new PowerShot models, allowing consumers to shoot a short video before capturing a still image and then combine a full day’s worth of videos into one clip, making it easier for consumers to relive those special moments again and again.

Increase intelligence with Smart AUTO

The quest to capture the perfect image can be difficult if the camera does not have the correct settings. Helping to make the photographic journey that much easier, the new Canon PowerShot Digital cameras have advanced Smart AUTO with 32 different shooting scenes. Smart AUTO is helpfulsince the camerawillautomatically select settings that match the scene without the need to switch modes, making it possible to take beautiful photos in a variety of situations. Tracking desired objects on a screen with ease, Advanced Subjection Detection has been added to the Smart AUTO function as well, providing the successful capture of fast moving objects, vehicles or birds flying across the sky. By simply pressing the shutter button, the Advanced Subject Detection automatically identifies certain objects like a fish in an aquarium. After pressing the shutter button, the Servo Auto Focus/Auto Exposure continues to function and the focus and exposure of the moving subject continues to be tracked, making it possible to shoot without the subject passing by.

Helping to add more artistic flair to images is the inclusion of Toy Camera effect and Monochrome effect to the scene mode category for all four of the new Canon PowerShot models. Toy Camera Effect adds a grainy, blurred look to soften photos, illustrating an old-school, 1960’s appearance and Monochrome mode can make a photo either have black-and-white, blue or sepia tones, displaying a more classic, antiqued appearance.

PowerShot SX230 HS Digital Camera:

Available in black, red and blue, the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Digital camera features a

12.1-Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor with a powerful 14X Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilization. This new camera also includes a wide-angle 28mm equivalent lens, aiding in the capture of group pictures and a 3.0-inch LCD screen for easy viewing and scrolling through menus.

The PowerShot SX230 HS will be available at the end of March for an estimated selling price of $349.99.

PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, ELPH 300 HS and ELPH 100 HS Digital cameras:

Available in silver, brown and pink, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS features a 3.2-inch wide, intuitive, touch-panel LCD screen. The PowerShot ELPH 500 HS also has a bright f/2.0 lens, enabling users to take photos without a flash, resulting in a more natural look while providing greater depth of field. The camera also possesses a 12.1-Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor along with a 4.4X Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer and an ultra-wide angle 24mm equivalent lens, which is ideal for large group shots at a family reunion or high school graduation.

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS Digital camera has a 12.1-Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor, 5X Optical Zoom, an ultra-wide angle 24mm equivalent lens along with a 2.7-inch LCD screen and is available in red, black and silver. The PowerShot ELPH 100 HS Digital camera possesses a

12.1-Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor, 4X Optical Zoom, a wide angle 28mm equivalent lens and 3.0-inch LCD screen and comes in blue, gray, pink, silver, and orange.

The PowerShot ELPH 500 HS is scheduled to be available at the end of March for the estimated retail price of $299.99, while PowerShot ELPH 300 HS and PowerShot ELPH 100 HS Digital cameras are scheduled to be available in mid-March for an estimated selling price of $249.99 and $199.99 respectively.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2009†, with 2009 global revenues of US $35 billion and is listed as number six in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2010 list. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of kyosei – “all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future” – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei.To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

# # #

1As of January 28, 2011.

2In certain countries and regions, the use of GPS may be restricted. Therefore, be sure to use GPS in accordance with the laws and regulations of your country or region. Be particularly careful when traveling outside your home country.

3As a signal is received from GPS satellites, take sufficient measures when using in locations where the use of electronics is regulated.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

Availability, specifications and prices subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by the individual dealer and may vary.

Both get a pop-up flash and Canon’s own DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, while storage is courtesy of SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. The Rebel T3i will also support Speedlite lenses, and both Rebels have Canon’s new Feature Guide menu system to help newer users get to grips with DSLR settings and how to get the most of our their new cameras.

The Canon EOS Rebel T3i will go on sale at the beginning of March, priced body-only at $799.99. Alternatively two kit versions will be on offer, with Canon’s new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II zoom lens at $899.99, or with Canon’s EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens at $1,099.

Meanwhile, the Canon EOS Rebel T3 will arrive at the end of March, priced at $599.99 with the company’s new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II zoom lens. Full details – plus two new Speedlite lenses – in the press release below.

Press Release:

CANON EMPOWERS THE MASSES TO TAKE BETTER PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO WITH THE NEW EOS REBEL T3i AND EOS REBEL T3 DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS

Two New Speedlites and a New EF-S Lens Round Out the Photographic Journey

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 7, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the EOS Rebel T3i and EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR Cameras, providing numerous intelligent high-end features at attractive price points. Complementing the award-winning EOS Rebel T2i DSLR, the EOS Rebel T3i, Canon’s new flagship Rebel, offers fun and easy-to-use features for beginning photographers, and the EOS Rebel T3 provides a more attractively priced option for those looking to experience the pleasure of shooting with a DSLR camera. For the young enthusiast learning photography or the adult looking to learn more, Canon’s new Feature Guide instruction will walk Rebel T3i users through functions and provide recommendations for various settings, a great hands-on learning tool. Point-and-Shoot users looking to step-up to a DSLR will enjoy the T3i camera’s Scene Intelligent Auto mode, the most intuitive automatic camera mode available in a Canon Rebel camera to date, providing complete scene analysis and optimized settings. One of the most sought-after and requested features for a DSLR camera is now part of the new EOS Rebel T3i, Canon’s three-inch Vari-Angle Clear View LCD screen, ideal for properly composing those difficult overhead shots. Comfortable, lightweight and affordable, Canon’s new EOS Rebel T3 is a great camera to welcome users to the world of DSLR photography.

“Everyone today is a photographer, and for those looking to capture stunning images and do more with photography, Canon has introduced the EOS Rebel T3i and T3, offering the right balance of high-end features and easy-to-use guidance at a great price. So regardless of experience level or budget, there is a Canon Rebel camera suited to a user’s needs and lifestyle,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

Boasting Canon’s EOS HD video capture, 18-megapixel resolution, a three-inch Vari-Angle Clear View LCD screen, new Scene Intelligent Auto, new Video Snapshot technology and new Feature Guide instruction, the EOS Rebel T3i DSLR has plenty of reasons for Mom and Dad to step up to a DSLR. Canon’s new EOS Rebel T3 DSLR camera offers users a small, lightweight interchangeable lens camera with fun options. The Rebel T3 features HD movie capture, 12-megapixel resolution and Canon’s new informative Feature Guide, to help educate and instruct users as they capture great images, along with the inherent speed and low-light image quality of a Canon DSLR camera. Both new Rebel models are compatible with Canon’s complete line of more than 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses.

New EOS Feature Guide

Canon has also included a new EOS Feature Guide on both new Rebel cameras with an enhanced Quick Settings Screen that now includes detailed descriptions of camera settings. The EOS Feature Guide is designed to help first-time users and beginning enthusiasts better understand each camera setting with descriptions and guided recommendations for when to utilize certain settings. Along with an explanation of camera settings and modes, the Feature Guide includes easy-to-understand directions of how to use particular settings such as aperture adjustment in Canon’s Creative Auto mode:

Basic + Function

Canon helps beginners get more creative with photography by letting even the most entry-level novice make camera adjustments with easy to understand setting options. In automatic shooting modes such as Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action and Night Scene, Canon users can access a quick menu screen to make adjustments as per the scene’s ambience. When shooting in one of Canon’s “Basic Zones” users can make adjustments as per the scene’s lighting or scene type. An easy-to-read menu lets you select an ambience setting from Vivid, Soft, Warm, Intense, Cool, Brighter, Darker to Monochrome, while a Lighting setting allows users to select from Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light or Sunset.

Rebel T3i Digital SLR Camera

An A+ for Automatic Mode

Canon aims to make everyone a better photographer and has enhanced the capabilities of the Rebel T3i’s automatic mode with new Scene Intelligent Auto technology, re-branding the green mode dial setting with a boxed “A+” design. This new camera setting now takes Picture Style into account as part of the camera’s “Auto” setting. By analyzing faces, colors, brightness, movement, and contrast, the camera will dynamically adjust picture-style parameters to match the subject and control vividness. Previously, the automatic setting on a Rebel DSLR adjusted exposure, focus, white balance, and Auto Lighting Optimizer, however on the new Rebel T3i, Picture Style Auto is also taken into account as part of the new Scene Intelligent Auto technology. By incorporating this fifth parameter the camera more intelligently analyzes scenes and adjusts settings based on the subject matter being shot. So when the camera is photographing a face it will reproduce more natural skin tones or blue skies for more vivid landscapes, a flashy red car for more saturated color and evening sunsets for more expressive images.

Fun Rebel Features

For the first time in a Rebel DSLR, the new Rebel T3i features a large Vari-Angle three-inch Clear View LCD screen with 1,040,000 dot/VGA resolution plus anti-reflective and smudge-resistant coatings for bright clear viewing from any angle. The large Vari-Angle screen helps compose low-angle or overhead shots whether capturing still images or Full HD video clips. Photographers will enjoy the convenience of capturing an overhead shot of a parade or low-angle shots of their children on the Vari-Angle screen.

Canon’s new EOS Rebel T3i DSLR gives creative photographers some fun in-camera tools that enable users to apply Creative Filters to images after they have been shot without altering the original file. Canon’s new Creative Image Filters, familiar to Canon PowerShot and EOS 60D users, help make a great image more dynamic by creating an altered copy of the image through any of Canon’s four artistic filter options:

The Soft Focus effect filter helps dramatize an image and smooth over shiny reflections.
The Grainy Black and White filter can give a different nostalgic perspective to any shot.
Canon’s “Toy Camera” filter deliberately adds vignetting and color shift for a creative option when shooting a colorful scene.
Users can also make a scene appear like a small-scale model, simulating the look from a tilt-shift lens, with Canon’s Miniature Effect filter, great when shooting any scene from a high vantage point.
Each of these filters can be applied to a captured still image in-camera to create a second “filtered” JPEG version, leaving the original JPEG file unaffected.

Another addition to the camera’s Live View function is Canon’s new Aspect Ratio feature whereby the Live View screen can display cropping lines for 1:1, 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios in addition to the standard 3:2 ratio. These cropping lines make it easier to compose images in Live View, and they can help to expedite printing when using Canon’s supplied Digital Photo Professional software. Custom aspect ratios are also applied to JPEG images captured directly in-camera.

EOS HD Video Specs

The EOS Rebel T3i with Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution in selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p will grab the attention of film students and independent filmmakers alike. The Rebel T3i incorporates two Canon proprietary technologies for rendering amazing HD video, a DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor and a large APS-C–sized CMOS sensor capturing fine detail and color with an amazing cinematic depth of field. The Rebel T3i DSLR allows for three video recording modes – Full HD and HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio, all at selectable frame rates.

EOS HD Video: Ready For A Close-Up

When shooting Full HD video, the Rebel T3i digitally provides additional zoom power without sacrificing quality. The new Movie Digital Zoom feature, a first for Canon DSLRs, allows users to achieve 3x to 10x magnification while shooting Full HD video. Unlike standard digital zoom for still images, Movie Digital Zoom crops the video image directly from the CMOS sensor at Full HD resolution to preserve video quality and still provide amazing additional telephoto power beyond just the lens. The Movie Digital Zoom feature is great for those times when the lens isn’t enough to get you in close, but this feature provides the extra boost without a loss in video quality so a child’s smile on stage is just as clear and bright.

EOS Video Snapshot

Canon’s new EOS Video Snapshot feature borrows some innovation from Canon’s VIXIA line of camcorders for capturing, assembling and playing fun-to-watch video clips. EOS Video Snapshot enables users to capture the video highlights of family vacations, parties or milestone events, with the same ease as taking photos. Consumers can now record a series of two-, four- or eight-second video clips automatically. The scenes are assembled by the camera into continuous Video Snapshot Album files for easy playback and can even be further edited in camera or through Canon’s Video Snapshot Task software on a compatible personal computer for added flexibility and fun.

Valuable Additional Features

Along with the adjustable LCD screen, the new EOS Rebel T3i DSLR features a class-leading 18-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, a proprietary DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, a 9-point Autofocus system and a 63-zone dual-layer metering system. Capable of capturing kids at play or wildlife on the move, the Rebel T3i can shoot up to 34 consecutive full resolution JPEG still images or up to 11 consecutive RAW images at speeds up to 3.7-frames-per-second to either SD, SDHC or new extended capacity SDXC memory cards.

The Rebel T3i includes an ISO range from 100-6400, allowing it to capture beautiful images without the need for a flash during milestone events such as birthday celebrations, yet it still includes a built-in pop-up flash for those times requiring a little extra light. For the first time on a Rebel camera, the T3i features a built-in Integrated Speedlite Transmitter making it even easier to do multi-flash shoots and provide images with greater ambience. The new Integrated Speedlite settings are now even easier for beginners shooting with multiple flashes.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS T3i Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in the beginning of March, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $799.99. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon’s new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $899.99. It will also be available in a second kit version with Canon’s EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1099.00.

Rebel T3 Digital SLR Camera

Canon is happy to introduce a chic camera for beginners to ease into the exciting world of DSLR photography and videography; the new EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR camera. The Rebel T3 is designed to be the camera that can be expertly handled by anyone and allows great-looking photos to be taken with ease and style. The Rebel T3 is excellent in low-light shooting situations and simple to handle and operate.

Putting big imaging power in a small body, the new EOS Rebel T3 DSLR features a 12.2-megapixel Canon CMOS image sensor, a proprietary DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, a 9-point Autofocus system and a 63-zone dual-layer metering system. With individual pixels measuring roughly 10x larger than a pixel from a point-and-shoot camera sensor, the Rebel T3 is able to absorb more light with less noise, making it ideal for capturing high-quality images in dimly lit situations. The increased efficiencies in gathering light also make the camera better suited to freeze fast-moving objects such as capturing images of children at play at speeds up to 3-frames per second. Compatible with SD, SDHC or new extended capacity SDXC memory cards, the Rebel T3 also shoots 1280×720 HD movies for amazing image quality for both stills and video. The Canon Rebel T3 features an ISO range from 100-6400 for capturing beautiful images in various light settings while also including a built-in pop-up flash. Designed for easy operation through the camera’s mode dial, users can go from taking great still images to great video quickly and easily, with simple to understand icons and buttons.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers at the end of March, and will be offered in a kit with Canon’s new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $599.99.

New Kit Lenses

Along with these DSLR cameras, Canon is also introducing a new kit lens, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II zoom lens, the standard kit lens for both the Rebel T3i kit configuration and the Rebel T3 kit configuration.

The new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II zoom lens features the wide-angle to mid-range zoom flexibility with the advantage of Canon’s optical lens-shift image stabilization system that yields up to a full four stops of image-shake correction. The version II of this lens includes new IS algorithms to distinguish between normal photographing and when the camera is panning to automatically provide the optimal level of image-shake correction.

New Canon Speedlite 320EX and Canon Speedlite 270EX II

The new Canon Speedlite 320EX is designed to provide DSLR users with a lightweight and versatile external flash solution. Along with the new Speedlite 320EX regular flash functions, it includes a built-in LED continuous light option that is capable of providing full-time illumination for short distances when shooting video on a DSLR or PowerShot digital camera. Ideally paired with the new EOS Rebel T3i, the new Speedlite 320EX enables bounce flash shooting with six positions including ceiling bounce for vertical shooting, and rear-wall bounce. The Speedlite 320EX also includes a new remote firing function and can remote fire any EOS DSLR camera that has a built-in wireless remote control function or Integrated Speedlite Transmitter such as the new Rebel T3i, EOS 60D, or EOS 7D DSLRs. The new Speedlite 320EX provides photographers with all the great lighting options Speedlites are known for with the added capability to shoot HD video with a full-time LED light option.

The new Canon Speedlite 270EX II, the successor to the popular 270EX Speedlite model, is a compact, lightweight external flash option for Canon cameras including select Canon PowerShot models. Ideal for use with the new EOS Rebel T3, the new Speedlite 270EX II uses only two AA batteries and enables bounce flash shooting with four position steps from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. Like Canon’s high-end Speedlite flash models, the 270EX II allows users to control flash functions and input settings using the camera’s LCD monitor. The flash also features a quick-lock mechanism and a metal mounting foot for secure and easy attachment and reliable contact. In addition to the features of 270EX model, the Speedlite 270EX II adds a remote firing function similar to that of the Speedlite 320EX. Both new Speedlites can also be used as slave flash units in E-TTL wireless autoflash configurations with other E-TTL compatible EOS and PowerShot cameras. Canon’s Speedlite 270EX II is the new compact and versatile lighting tool for photographers empowering them with multiple light options, compact-size and portability.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon Speedlite 320EX is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in April for an estimated retail price of $249.99. The Canon Speedlite 270EX II is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in the beginning of April for an estimated retail price of $169.99.

However, whereas the original came in a choice of white, black or red – still pretty exotic for a DSLR, it has to be said – this new version pushes the style envelope a little more (some might say past breaking point). It’s shipped with a matching DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL Bonnie Pink Model lens, and the boot animation has been changed to the singer’s logo.

Pricing is $1,100, but you’ll need to be quick since only 100 of them will be on offer. Back in December 2010 Pentax released another limited edition K-r, that time with a robot theme.

[via CrunchGear]

Although not confirmed, the EOS 600D could well be the successor to the Canon EOS 550D, known as the Canon Rebel T2i in the US. That might make it the Rebel T3i; it’s been almost a year since that DSLR was officially launched.

[via CanonRumors]

The most impressive of the new duo is the HX100V that has a 30x optical zoom lens. The HX9V digital camera offers 16X optical zoom. Both of the cameras can shoot 1080p HD resolution video at 60 frames per second. Both of the cameras use a 27mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonar T lens.

The cameras also share the same 16.2MP Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor and have Sweep Panorama function. The cams can record video and shoot 2MP still shots at the same time and they feature Optical SteadyShot to keep images free from blur at high zoom rates. Focus speed is as little as 0.1 second and the cams have GPS and compass functionality along with a wealth of automatic and scene selection features. The cameras will both land at Sony Style stores in April with the HX100V selling for $450 and the HX9V going for $350.

The analyst forecast for 2010 had been $2.11 billion. In total, digital revenue is down 25%, while the consumer digital imaging group’s revenue is down 40% to 731 million. While the company PR wizards did their best to put a positive spin on the press release, you can’t fool the market.

Eastman-Kodak‘s shares are down 17.04% as of 12:20 PM. That’s an adjusted loss of 37 cents per share, well under the 5 cents expected profit analysts predicted. This makes two straight quarters of losses for Kodak, and a stock decline of 30% year-to-date.

Kodak’s failed suit against Apple and RIM certainly isn’t helping the outlook.

[Via Kodak Press Release]

As you’ll probably remember, the fourth-gen iPod touch has a 0.7-megapixel camera on the back that’s used for 720p HD video recording or 960 x 720 stills. The iPad 2′s front-facing camera, meanwhile, is VGA resolution and also does stills and video, just like on the iPhone 4.

That could put a dampener on two of the three apps seemingly coming with the second-gen slate, PhotoBooth and the regular Camera app, which were spotted in iOS 4.3 Beta 2 earlier this week. Obviously Apple is going to have to work hard to fit everything it wants to inside the iPad 2′s slinky casing, but we’d hoped for a few more megapixels along the way.