Kodak Playsport Rugged Pocket Cam: 1080p Under the Sea [Pocket Cameras]

The Zi8 is one of the best pocket camcorders around, but maybe the biggest. The Playsport takes the Zi8's guts—including its 1080p video, 5MP still photo sensor—and crams them into a small, waterproof shell. And? It's cheaper.
Like the Zi8, the Playsport shoots 1080p video at 30fps, as well as 720p at 30 or 60fps. Video is stabilized—which works fairly well to reduce image shimmering in the Zi8—and displayed on a 2.0-inch LCD. Storage comes by way of SDHC, while power draws from a rechargable Li-Ion battery. Basically, it is the Zi8, except it's noticeably more compact, and it'll shoot video up to 10 feet underwater.
It's one of the first seriously rugged pocket cams on the market, but it won't be the last—as cellphone cameras and regular point-and-shoots start to take better video, dedicated pocket cams will have to do something special to justify their existence. Hence, the swimming. The Playsport will go on sale in April, for $150.

KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera Features:
• Waterproof up to 10 ft. (3 m)
• Full 1080p HD video capture at 30 fps
• Electronic image stabilization
• Brilliant 2.0' color LCD display
• Capture 5 MP HD stills (16:9)
• Edit and upload to the Web with built-in software and included USB cable
• Smart face tracking technology
• Incredible low-light performance
• Expandable SD/SDHC Card slot for memory cards up to 32 GB, that can record up to 10 hours of HD video**
• Li-Ion rechargeable battery with in-camera charging
• HDMI cable output (HDMI cable included)
• Remote control compatible (remote control sold separately)
• MAC and PC compatible
The KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera will be available in Abyss (black), Wave Crash (blue) and Adrenaline Rush (purple) for US $149.95 MSRP beginning in April 2010 at major retailers including Best Buy and Amazon.com, as well as Kodak.com. The KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera is also now available for pre-orders on Amazon.com.
*Colors and availability may vary by region
Product Accessories
A range of accessories are available for the KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera, including:
• KODAK SDHC Memory Cards, available in 4, 8 and 16 GB customized for optimal video capture
• KODAK Adventure Mount for helmet, handlebars and more
• KODAK Flexi-Tripods
• KODAK Cases, Camera Bags and Neck Straps
• Remote control
• KODAK Li-Ion Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-7004
• Battery charger options including KODAK Li-Ion Universal Battery Charger K7600-C, KODAK Solar Charger KS100-C+2, KODAK Portable Charger KP100-C+2

 [Gizmodo via Kodak]

Casio's EX-G1 Super Slim Shooter: Shock-Resistant and Waterproof [Digital Cameras]

At just 0.78-inches thick, Casio claims the 12.1-megapixel EX-G1 is the world's slimmest ruggedized camera. The first in a new Exilim G line, it has a reinforced 2.5-inch rear LCD, non-extending 3x optical zoom lens, microSDHC expansion, and intelligent autofocus.
Essentially, the EX-G1 is the type of camera you'd take with you when you go snowboarding. It's designed to withstand multiple drops from 7 feet, work underwater at depths of 10 feet for 60 continuous minutes, and has a number of action-shooting modes. It also records wide-format movies at 848 x 480 resolution (30 frames per second).
The EX-G1 will be $300 in December, and available in either black or red. Just in time for snow season.
[Gizmodo]

Olympus E-P2 specs and pics leaked

Someone really ought to explain to the British Journal of Photography how to keep a secret. They leaked the Nikon D3s early, and now they’ve dropped the new Olympus E-P2 as well, which was expected to be announced later tonight. I guess they just think they’re too cool for school. Or maybe they read the embargo time wrong.

To be fair, much of the announcement was already leaked — we knew about the body style, as well as the electronic viewfinder and microphone add-ons. However the official specs are new.

 Here are the vital statistics:

• 12MP
• 720p video at 30fps
• Manual focus and aperture control in video mode (awesome)
• AF tracking (focus lock for moving objects, handy)
• Tiltable electronic viewfinder (800×600, looks nice)
• Optional microphone adapter for better sound (very good)
• Some new image modes

It actually seems that the camera itself hasn’t changed much from its predecessor. The big add-on is the accessory port, which will probably sport more stuff than an EVF and mic in the near future. Price is quoted as £849 (~$1400), however I believe that includes both EVF and lens, since the original E-P1 cost $750 for a body-only version. The poor Brits have historically paid more in these situations, so I think we can expect a more reasonable price than that.
[CrunchGear]

Samsung SCH-W880: The Digital Camera that Can Call [Digital Cameras]

You don't fool us, Samsung. With its camera mode dial and dedicated shutter button, your 12 megapixel Samsung SCH-W880 with HD video recording, and 3x optical zoom looks a lot more like a real compact camera than a phone.

Apart from its clearly camera design, the Samsung SCH-W880 comes loaded:
• 3.3-inch AMOLED WGA screen.
• UMTS/HSDPA connectivity.
• Wi-Fi
• GPS
• Bluetooth
• Slot for microSD cards.
• HD video at 30fps
• Macro mode.
• Xenon flash.
We haven't tried yet, but this looks like the first cameraphone that can actually satisfy the photographer/Peeping Tom in us. [Gizmodo via Samung Hub via HDblog via Engadget]