May 11, 2010
Sony compact finally arrives
Sony got the crowd excited at PMA 2010 with their big announcement of new cameras including an unnamed concept compact digital camera with interchangeable lenses. Finally, the details of Sony's new compact digital are coming out.
It turns out that it's not just a single camera, but two versions of their compact. The NEX-3, a a polycarbonate casing version and the NEX-5 featuring a magnesium alloy chassis. Both cameras are mirror less designs that allow a smaller body than traditional DSLRs which most folks recognize are different because you can detach and change lenses.
The viewfinder on a DSLR allows the user to optically look through the lens until the moment the image is made when the mirror briefly moves out of the way exposing the sensor to the image passing through the lens. In a sense these cameras and the 4/5s that they are competing with are like all the other compacts these days that rely on viewing via a LCD viewfinder.
Another interesting feature of these cameras is the LCD viewfinder that can be pulled away from the body and positioned to accommodate the needs of the user. Both models feature high resolution LCD viewfinders(921k dot resolution) and Sony's Exmor"! APS HD CMOS 14.2 megapixel sensor.
The cameras use E mounts and will start out with two new lenses, a 16mmF2.8 wide angle prime lens and a 18mm-55mmF3.5-5.6 zoom. Later in the year they'll be joined by a longer 18mm-200mmF3.5-6.3 zoom.
The basic ingredients will start selling in July, 2010. You can find more information about the NEX-3 and NEX-5 here.
February 22, 2010
HP re-enters the digital camera market
It was only a few years ago that HP got out of the digital camera market. 
Well, they're back in again and they're starting with "baby steps" according to Kerwyn Ballinger, a optical physicist by training, who today heads up a three man team that includes two representatives from HP's Taiwanese manufacturing partner.
According to Ballinger, HP is today going after novice and first time users willing to spend from $99-$159 to own a HP digital camera. While the cameras are fairly basic, the top of the line PW550 features just a 5X optical zoom, 2.7'' LCD screen, and a lithium-ion battery, they're expected to meet the needs of a lot of folks.
While the cameras are being manufacturer by an outside supplier, Ballinger was quick to point out that the firmware for the digitals includes "HP DNA" like the unique display and menu presentations. Another goal of the project was to stay away from proprietary items like batteries instead going for common easily obtained ingredients.
While Ballinger realizes that most consumers don't take advantage of the scene modes offered these days, his cameras will offer a rich selection of 25 modes. He said that maybe down the line he'd like to toy with putting together a quality camera that just boils down the selection to just five scene modes that more nearly match what users actually use.
Right now Ballinger is working with a single set of samples that are going through compliance trials in Colorado. If all goes well, they'll be the seeds in the latest crop of digital cameras bearing the HP logo.
February 21, 2010
Sony ultra compact AVCHD concept DSLR
Sony caught the attention of the press at PMA 2010 with their announcement of a new concept camera still unnamed at this time which was introduced by Masashi Ishizuka, Deputy President, Sony Digital Imaging.
The new camera unlike the Micro 4/3s ultra compacts is based on an APS sized CMOS sensor, the EXMOR sensor, that is larger than the common sensors in most digital cameras as well as competing ultra compacts.
Planned for introduction before the end of the year(Photokina in September?) the body will be available with three lens that are in developement.
Little else is known beyond the look as presented in the concept models.
Sony's stated goal is a high qualtiy experience for the general public who is intimidated by the present batch of digital single lens reflex cameras on the market.
