Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 Interchangeable Lens Cameras Go Official With HD Shooting [Sony]

Sony's gone and made both the NEX-3 and NEX-5 official, with the NEX-5 carrying the large boast of being the world's smallest and lightest camera with interchangeable lenses.

The leaked specs of the NEX-3 have panned out according to Sony's news release, but it's the NEX-5 I'm most interested in. Both have 14.2MPs, Exmor APS HD SMOS sensors, an ISO range of 200 - 12800 and are compatible with all E-mount lenses.

Video is where they differ however. The NEX-5 (above) can shoot 1080i, but the NEX-3 stops at 720p. Both have HDMI outputs and USB 2.0 for connecting to PCs, and they thankfully take SD, SDHC, SDXC cars as well as Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo.

They'll be available in June, with rumored pricing tipping the NEX-3 (below) at $900. If you've been looking for something in the style of a micro four thirds camera and happen to be a Sony fan, then these two sound like they could be worth checking out in person. It all hinges on the price though—as we all know Sony's got its head in the cloud when it comes to pricing. [Sony]






[Gizmodo]

No-Touch, Hover 3D Input Interface for Mobile Devices [Remote Control]

A lot of sophisticated, portable gadgets nowadays have a touchscreen, but what if you could operate those gadgets with your fingers – without touching the display or any part of the device itself? A research team led by Masatoshi Ishikawa, a professor at the University of Tokyo, has developed a way to operate mobile devices by moving your fingers in mid-air.

The technology is mainly based on a high-speed mini camera, which can shoot 154 pictures per second and records your fingers’ movements (vertical and horizontal), and an image-processing chip, which determines whether your fingers are moving forward or backward. The researchers says the system is especially suitable for 3D applications on mobile devices, setting it apart from other gesture-recognition technologies.

The prototype module allows users to turn the page of an e-book by flicking a finger in mid-air, for example. Move your finger towards the display, and the image on the screen expands (and vice versa). Make a circular motion, and the object displayed starts rotating, etc. etc.

The research team hopes to commercialize its technology in the near future, especially targeting makers of 3D software and 3D hardware.

Here’s a video that provides more insight:




[CrunchGear]

OmniVision's 5-Megapixel Sensor Shoots RAW on Cellphones [Sensors]

This is OmniVision's newest 1/4-inch, 5 megapixel RAW sensor. It's tiny, has low light sensitivity, captures 720p video at 60 fps or 1080p at 30 fps, and shoots in RAW. The best part? It could be in cellphones soon.

Now if only phones had lenses which would truly take advantage of sensors like this.

[Gizmod via PR Newswire via Engadget]

Waterproof, Shockproof and Crushproof: Olympus' µTOUGH 8010 and 6020 Cameras [Cameras]

If you're even remotely clumsy, then it's a practical investment. If you occasionally go boating, swimming or like partaking in shower-based photography, then the double waterproofing build of Olympus' µTOUGH-8010 and µTOUGH-6020 will come in use. Really, you don't have to be a rock-climbing steroid-pusher to appreciate a hardy camera model.

Both the 8010 and 6020 have 14-megapixel sensors and 5x optical zooms, with the only real difference being how far you want to test that hardiness—the 8010 can be dropped from 6.6-foot, resist temperatures up to -10°C, and crushed under 220 pounds of pressure and still survive. The 6020 is a little more weak-skinned, surviving under only a 5-foot fall.

Both models have 2.7-inch LCD screens and shoot in 720p resolution, with the 8010 containing 2GB of internal storage. On sale in February, for $399.99 and $299.99 each.
[Gizmodo]

Fujifilm HS10 Not-a-DSLR Packs Manual Optical 30x Zoom, 1080p Video [Cameras]

Fuji just announced a trio of megazoom (read: fixed lens) cameras in a Monday blitz, with the most impressive being this HS10. It won't give the level of control of a DSLR, but it looks to blow away any point-and-shoot.
The 10MP HS10, pictured, is an interesting beast: It's got a 30x manual optical zoom (24-720mm equivalent), meaning you can twist the lens like on a detachable DSLR (which does give faster and more accurate control), which is something I've never seen before in a fixed-lens camera. It'll also take 1080p video, including 'a new Super High Speed Movie mode' that can take slow-motion video at up to 1000fps, and it has a 7-frame burst mode at 10fps. It's also got great low-light performance thanks to its new BSI-CMOS sensor, and takes simultaneous RAW and JPEG shots. It'll be available in April for $500.
The other two megazooms, the S1800 and S2550HD, are pretty similar; they're both 12MP shooters with an 18x zoom, 28mm-504mm lenses, 720p video recording and a 3-inch LCD. The differences: The S1800 has automatic picture rotation and tracking autofocus, while the S2550HD has a miniHDMI-out port. The S1800 will cost $230 and the S2550HD $250 when they're released this March.
[Gizmodo via Fuji]

Sony unveiled the Planet’s first smallest and thinnest Full HD video Capable Digital Still Cameras

The new Cyber-shot cameras “DSC-HX5V” and “DSC-TX7 “are capable of recording videos in Advanced Video Codec High Definition (AVCHD) format with 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution at 60i in 17Mbps which you can afterwards burn to discs and play back on your HDTV using most Blu-ray Disc players, Sony PlayStation 3 systems and compatible Blu-ray Disc enabled PCs according to Sony. You can also edit your AVCHD videos using iMovie if you are a Mac user or PMB software which they provide for Windows users. Another aspect is that both cameras are capable of shooting videos in the MP4 format up to 1440 x1080 30p 12Mbps…
The second biggest highlight is that HX5V model includes GPS + Compass and Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode technologies and claims thus the title of the world’s first still camera to have such features.
[Akihabaranews]

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]

New cameraphone sensor to take terrible, terrible 1080p video

I’m sure this is a very grand advance in miniaturization, but I’m afraid the results may be questionable. Omnivision has announced a new sensor for mobile phone cameras that will take 14MP photos and do 1080p video at 60FPS. As far as I’m concerned, this is bad news. Cameraphone lenses are slow and of very low quality, and the tiny sensor size means both bad low light performance and bad clarity due to insanely small pixel pitch.


And the video will have to be low bitrate to accommodate the lack of storage on most phones. 1080p video at 1Mbps? It’ll be like watching an HDTV smeared with vaseline.

[CrunchGear]

Transparent Truck System Could Actually Save Lives [Concept]

Art Lebedev calls this simple invention—a camera that takes images from the front of a truck to show it on screens in the back—Transparentius. I call it geeneeuzz.

I don't know why this drawing shows a tank at the front of the truck, but I guess that in Russia people drive T-90s like in the US people drive Fords. I wish the technology was so cheap that this could be implemented for real, because I'm sure it would save a lot of lives on the road.
[Gizmodo via Engadget]

Better MultiMediaCards: Toshiba announces world’s first 64GB embedded NAND flash memory module

Toshiba has announced today the launch of the world’s first 64GB NAND chips that are fully compatible with the so-called e-MMC standard (embedded MultiMediaCard) established last year. The new modules were produced by combining 16 32Gbit NAND chips with Toshiba’s proprietary 32nm process technology and include a controller.
The modules are just 30mm thick and can be used in smartphones, netbooks and digital cameras. You’ll be able to store 1,070 hours of music or 8.3 hours of full HD video on them.

Toshiba says samples are already available and mass production (3 million units a month) will start next month. The company introduced 32GB NAND packages just in spring this year.
[CrunchGear]

Tell Us What You'd Shoot Using a Camera With 158 Lenses [Camera]

The Guinness World Records doesn't just award insanely tall men and disgusting long fingernails, you know. Sometimes they happen over to our side of the crazy pool, to give recognition to things like the camera with the most lenses ever.
Created at the Nagoya Institute of Technology of Japan (it had to be Japan), the camera you can see above was constructed using 158 lenses, which were attached in four rows, spanning 47cm in diameter. As each lens only cost $2.10 it's entirely realistic to try and top their record for next year's Guinness book, but bear in mind it took the team of students six months to build. Better organize some cheap labor.
[Gizmodo via Sankei News via CrunchGear]

New PillCam Colon 2 May Be Viable Alternative to Colonoscopies

Given Imaging out of Yoqneam, Israel is releasing a new version of PillCam Colon, an endoscopic capsule designed for imaging of the large intestine. The PillCam COLON 2 has recently received European approval and was just unveiled at the Gastro 2009 Conference in London, England.
From the press release:

The Company also announced that independent investigators presented results of a 98-patient feasibility study. The investigators concluded that PillCam COLON 2 is a safe and effective method to visualize the colon and detect colonic polyps. An article discussing the study has been accepted for the December 2009 edition of the journal Endoscopy.

Results of the study comparing PillCam COLON 2 to colonoscopy, showed a sensitivity of 89 percent and a specificity of 76 percent in detecting polyps greater than or equal to 6 mm and a sensitivity of 88 percent and a specificity of 89 percent in detecting polyps greater than or equal to 10 mm. Conducted by clinicians at five hospitals in Israel, the study evaluated the performance of PillCam COLON 2 in 98 patients who had risks or warning symptoms of colon pathology. Like Given Imaging's other PillCam capsules, PillCam COLON 2 does not require the use of sedation, intubation or air insufflation during the procedure, offering physicians and patients a convenient way to visualize the colon.

Features:

• Bi-directional communication between PillCam Colon 2 and the DataRecorder enables tracking of the capsule's motion in the GI tract so that the image capture rate can be adjusted to maximize colon tissue coverage.
• Adaptive Frame Rate adjusts the image capture rate from four frames per second to 35 frames per second, enabling creation of a smooth, continuous video.
• Polyp Size Estimation is a new research tool that allows clinicians to estimate the size of polyps.
• Superior Imaging Compared to COLON 1
• Advanced optics for enhanced image quality and polyp detection.
• 172 degrees field of view from each imager offers a near 360 degrees view of the colon.

It should also be mentioned that last year FDA has rejected Given Imaging's 510(k) application to market the original PillCam COLON in the United States, citing a 'not substantially equivalent' applicability of the device.

Press release: Given Imaging Launches Next-Generation PillCam(R) COLON 2 at GASTRO 2009 Conference...

Product page: PillCam COLON...

Flashbacks: PillCam Colon; FDA Rejects PillCam Colon

[Medgadget via Globes Online]

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]

Casio's Exilim EX-FH25: 40fps High-Speed Burst Shooting at 9-Megapixels [Digital Cameras]

You might remember Casio's EX-FC100 and EX-FH20 as two Exilims capable of 1000fps slow-mo video. Both 9.1-megapixel cameras are getting a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor, and the FH25 (a 20x superzoom) does 40fps high-speed bursts at 9-megapixels (up from seven).
Everything else on the EX-FH25 looks to be the same. Similarly, the EX-FC150 will keep its 5x optical zoom, and sensor-shift image stabilization. Both cameras will continue to do 720p video at 30fps.
The new models arrive in Japan on November 27th; we'll keep you posted on their U.S pricing and availability. [Akihabara News: EX-FX25 | EX-FX150]

[Gizmodo]

Ricoh GXR, Smallest Camera With Interchangable Lenses and Sensors, Coming In December [Cameras]

Seems that the previously rumored Ricoh GXR will be coming in December. It'll be smaller than even the slimmest micro four thirds out now and feature a system that'll make it the first to allow both interchangeable lenses and sensors.
The GXR body will go for about $700, the macro lens and sensor for about $1,000, and the zoom lens and sensor for about $500. If the system works as well as the video implies, we might have some rather fantastic cameras ahead of us.
[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]

Toshiba launches new BSI 14.6Mpix CMOS for mobile devices.

Toshiba today announced the launch of a new CMOS image sensor that will bring 14.6 million pixels to digital still cameras and to mobile phones supporting video imaging. The sensor, the latest addition to Toshiba’s “DynastronTM” line-up, is also the company’s first to integrate the enhanced sensitivity offered by backside illumination technology (BSI). Sampling of the new sensor will begin in December and mass production will follow from the third quarter of 2010 (July--September).

BSI brings new levels of responsiveness to CMOS imaging. Lenses are deployed on the rear of the sensor on the silicon substrate, not on the front, where wiring limits light absorption. This positioning boosts light sensitivity and absorption by 40% compared to existing Toshiba products, and allows formation of finer image pixels.


Toshiba has made full use of the advantages of BSI to realize image pixels with a pitch of 1.4 microns, and to pack 14.6 million of them into a 1/2.3-inch sensor that meets the high level imaging and processing requirement, and that will also bring a new level of image quality to mobile phones. Toshiba will use the new sensor to promote its full-scale entry to the digital camera market, and will continue to develop BSI products as a mainstream technology.

[Akihabaranews]

Self-Parking Car Works Perfectly, Except For That Whole Running People Over Thing [Automotive]

Volkswagen is onto something great with this concept demo. You just step out of this car and it parks itself. Great, now they just need to iron out those details about detecting obstacles like lil' ol' grannies crossing parking lots.
Self-parking cars aren't really a new idea, but with the design the Volkswagen Automotive Innovation Laboratory is working on, only minimal modifications are required a vehicle's stock options. The main sensor systems consist of a camera mounted on the rear view mirror, a front radar, and 'couple little off the shelf LIDAR units mounted on the sides.' They'll need to make a few more modification to take care of the system's inability to detect obstacles (be it people or terrain), but other than that tiny detail, this is the best autonomous parking prototype I've seen so far. [Gizmodo via BotJunkie]

Lexar announces new 600x Compact Flash cards

Lexar announced their new 600x compact flash cards today. It’s not unexpected that the faster speed memory cards are coming out, given the UDMA requirements of cameras like the Canon 7D.
The new Lexar cards have a amazing 90MB/s transfer rate when used in a device that supports the new UDMA 6 protocol. This is particularly important for the generation of cameras that shoot video, since the write speed is critical when you are shooting in HD.
The new cards are available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB sizes. The 8GB and 16GB cards are available now, the 32GB should be available in November. The 8GB version sells for $149, the 16GB version sells for $249. There isn’t any pricing available for 32GB version, but you can safely assume it will not be cheap.
You can read the press release here.
[CrunchGear]

Firefighting robot heads directly into harm's way

The Firefighters Assistant Robot, developed by Hoya Robot of South Korea, is designed to head directly into fires and let firefighters know just what the situation is inside. Able to operate in fires for up to 30 minutes, withstand drops of six feet and spray from a fire hose, this is one tough little bot.
Inside, the remote-controlled robot can transmit images, sounds, temperature, smoke and gas data to firefighters hanging out up to 54 yards away. This lets them stay safe and then, when they have all the info, plan a course of action. Pretty cool stuff.
[DVICE via Hoya Robot via Crave]