Sony NEX-3 discontinued, probably has NEX-5 to blame

A dark shadow has befallen the Sony NEX-3 interchangeable lens camera, the shadow of being described as "no longer in production" by its maker's official website. Coming out in June of last year alongside its more celebrated NEX-5 brother, the NEX-3 enjoyed some decent success with critics, mostly owing to its oversized 14.2 megapixel sensor, and showed no signs of struggling commercially, however Sony has seen fit to halt production within eight months of its introduction. Reasons haven't yet been given, though we imagine people were willing to spend the extra cash to upgrade to 1080p video recording and a magnesium alloy body on the NEX-5, which is what rendered the NEX-3 expendable. At least we know the NEX-5 and the NEX-VG10 will keep E-mount lenses going into the future, so current NEX-3 owners should have little to worry about. If anything, their camera just became that extra bit more exclusive.

via : VR-Zone.com

Sigma DP2x compact camera now official

Sigma has announced its latest bank-breaking compact camera - the £600 DP2x.

Boasting a Foveon X3 image sensor (20.7mm x 13.8mm) that is approximately "seven to twelve times larger" than the sensors used in ordinary compact digital cameras (with a pixel size of 7.8μm) this is no simple point and shooter.

This retro looking snapper comes in at 14-mepapixels and sports a 24.2mm f/2.8 lens, delivering a focal length equivalent to 41mm in a 35mm SLR camera.

On the back it has a 2.5-iinch TFT LCD monitor, it can shoot in RAW data mode and also has an Analogue Front End (AFE) and high speed autofocus, which should help you grab quicker images and shoot in a multitude of varying environments.

Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 Digicam with 12.5x Optical Zoom

Casio announced the new Exilim EX-ZR100 digital camera with 12.5x optical zoom. As the older brother to the EX-ZR10, the new model offers more advanced features. The ZR100 features a 12.1 Megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor and a 12.5x optical zoom lens with 24mm wide angle. With Multi Frame SR Zoom technology, the ZR100 is able to offer a 25x optical zoom range.

The Exilim EX-ZR100 packs Casio’s EXILIM ENGINE HS with dual core processors, capable handling .37 second shot-to-shot time, slow-motion video recording as well as high-speed burst shooting. The camera offers a 40fps high-speed burst shooting speed and can record fast-action events at a maximum speed of 1,000fps (224×64) for slow-motion playback. It includes CMOS-shift image stabilization for blur-free images, HDR function to capture high dynamic range images, Slide Panorama to capture 360-degree images, and the HDR-ART technology for users to create beautifully artistic photographs. The ZR100 supports Full HD 1080p video recording and offers users the ability leverage the camera’s full optical zoom and capture digital still images with high-speed burst shooting (10 megapixel), all while recording video.

Casio TRYX Camera with a Tricked-Out Design

Casio introduces the TRYX, a revolutionary new camera with a radically new form factor. With a variable frame design, the TRYX can adapt to fit the user’s preferred shooting style. You can hold the TRYX in countless positions, the body can act as tripod and the camera can hang from a hook, doorknob or other surface. You can even rotate the LCD screen for taking perfect self portrait.

The Casio TRYX features a 12.1 Megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, EXILIM Engine HS image processor, a 21mm wide angle lens with High-Speed SR Zoom technology and a 3-inch Super Clear LCD touchscreen. The camera offers Contrast Detection Auto Focus, ISO up to 3200, High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging, and Full HD 1080p video recording capability. It also support slow‑motion video.

SeaLife Mini II Rugged Dive and Sport Camera

SeaLife is going to launch in March its Mini II Dive and Sport Camera that is compact, rugged and easy to use. Readu for adventure, the Mini II is depth tested waterproof to 130 feet, rubber armored for a sure grip and shockproof tested up to 6ft/2m. It is ideal for Scuba divers, snorkelers, boaters, hikers, paddlers and any fun-seeking adventurer.

The SeaLife Mini II features 9 Megapixel image sensor, an instant focus lens, and a 2.4-inch LCD display. It includes Land Auto mode for action land pictures and videos in extreme conditions, Dive mode for underwater exposure control and color correction – no more blue pictures as well as Snorkel mode for underwater exposure control and color correction. There is also Spy mode that automatically shoots continuous pictures at set time intervals.

Sony Cyber-shot Digital Cameras DSC-W560, DSC-W570

Two entry-level Cyber-shot Digital Cameras released by Sony are DSC-W560 and DSC-W570. Both models offers Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens, Super HAD CCD image sensor, supports ISO up to 3200 and supports 1280x720p MP4 HD video recording at 30fps.

Other features for both W560 and W570 including Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, Sweep Panorama, Face Detection, Smile Shutter, Anti-blink, Intelligent Auto Mode, Dynamic Range Optimizer Standard and Plus and Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN) Mode. There is also in-camera retouching tools such as Trimming, Red-Eye Correction, and Unsharp Masking functions.

Sony releases specifications for E-mount lenses, desperately wants you to build some

Some interchangeable lens standards have been around for ages. Others, however, are rather more modern contrivances, and Sony's E-mount definitely falls in that latter category. We've seen it hit HD camcorders as well as the NEX-3 and NEX-5 compacts, but so far the greatest selections of lenses we've yet seen has come courtesy of a simple adapter. Sony wants that to change, releasing the "basic" specifications for its E-mount interchangeable lens system and doing so for free, a move that lens makers like Carl Zeiss and Sigma have all lauded -- though none went so far as to say they'd actually start making this particular flavor of glass. Oh, and the specs for the NEX-5 Lego viewfinder? Still totally free.

via :engadget.com

Ricoh CX5 Digital Camera with Hybrid AF System and 10.7x Optical Zoom

Ricoh adds to its CX line the new CX5 model with the new Hybrid AF system and 10.7x optical zoom lens. With the new Hybrid AF system, the CX5 has a higher auto focus speed than other CX models. Its AF focusing times are decreased to as low as 0.2 sec. for both wide-angle 28 mm and telephoto 300 mm, up to half as short compared to the CX4.