September 29th, 2009

VholdR ContourHD1080p helmet cam announced, we go hands-on

VholdR ContourHD1080p helmet cam announced, we go hands-on

If you live in the north you’ve probably noted a chill in the air. The leaves are turning, the days are shortening, and anybody with a pair of skiis or a snowboard in the closet is walking with a bit of a spring in their step. A whole new season of extreme powdery antics is just a few months away, and for those looking to capture those antics — or those on the streets, up in the air, or anywhere else in between — a rugged helmet camera is the way to go. Earlier this year we got a chance to run the 720p-recording ContourHD through a few helmeted trials, and now we’ve been given exclusive access to test the company’s new version, the ContourHD1080p. The name tells you the biggest news here, full 1080p recording in a tiny package, but there’s more to it than just pixels.

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September 29th, 2009

GoPro releases first footage from 1080p HD Hero Wide helmet cam

GoPro releases first footage from 1080p HD Hero Wide helmet cam

GoPro announced its 1080p HD Hero Wide helmet cam earlier this year, back when people were jumping off of high things and speeding around other things whilst wearing helmets. Now the summer adventure season is drawing to a close, the winter one is starting to develop, and the company has released a series of high-def, high-adrenaline clips to show what that camera can do — most filmed when the days were still long and the sun still high. Sadly the videos are not embeddable, but click on that read link for your morning dose of speed. The company has also released a good bit of information about the cam, that it’s 30fps at the full 1080p or an optional 60fps mode at 720p. 720p footage is recorded at a particularly wide 170 degrees, while 1080p footage is slightly less wide (though still rather broad) 127. Also, the company promises that the microphone will actually be usable at speed, a rarity in this sort of device. It’s all slated to ship this fall, and we look forward to putting one through its paces then.

GoPro releases first footage from 1080p HD Hero Wide helmet cam originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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September 29th, 2009

Phase One 645DF medium format unveiled, its invasion set for Q4 2009

To think, it’s been the better part of five months since Phase One teased us with some professional-grade photography equipment, and here to satiate our cravings yet again is the new 645DF medium format camera. Along with perennial partner Mamiya Digital, the pair created what they’re claiming is flash sync speeds of up to 1/1600th of a second, as well as the option to dial between predefined modes. Additionally, three new leaf shutter lenses will be released alongside, available in 55mm, 80mm, and 110mm varieties and all f/2.8. Both are available for order now but not shipping until Q4 2009, with the camera body starting at $5990 and the lenses at $2490 each — the perfect stocking stuffer for you and your very, very much loved ones [warning: read link is a PDF].

Show full PR text
Announcing the PHASE ONE 645DF Medium Format CAMERA

The Perfect Body for your Perfect Back

COPENHAGEN, September 28, 2009 - Phase One, the world’s leader in open-platform medium format camera systems and solutions, today announced the Phase One 645DF camera. Engineered in partnership with Mamiya Digital Imaging for superior quality image capture and ease of handling, it sets a new standard for high flash sync speeds - up to 1/1600 of a second.

Also today, Phase One announced the availability of three new high performance leaf shutter lenses, 55mm, 80mm and 110mm, all f/2.8 and all designed with the Phase One 645DF camera in mind. The lenses are a result of close collaboration with Mamiya Digital Imaging and Schneider Kreuznach (see today’s related announcement).

“Our patent-pending flash sync breakthrough eases working with wide open apertures and fill-in flash on location,” said Jan H. Christiansen, Phase One marketing director. “We already offer the most flexible exposure times ranging from 1/4000 of a second to one full hour. Setting new performance standards is all about expanding creative options for photographers.”

The 645DF camera is the only 645 medium format camera which supports both focal plane and leaf shutters, expanding photographers’ innovative possibilities by leveraging the two shutter technologies seamlessly for world class photography, whether this involves ultra-fast flash sync speeds or extremely flexible exposure times.

The new camera introduces many performance improvements over its predecessor. Capture responsiveness and autofocus speed is highly improved giving photographers up to 5 times faster performance in a typical fashion set up.

The 645DF also offers a breakthrough workflow improvement — custom-shooting modes. For the first time in a medium-format camera, photographers can “dial up” a pre-defined mode, where the camera is instantly set up for a given shooting scenario, e.g. product, portrait or landscape photography.

Other workflow enhancements include new tactile buttons, a fully sealed eye-cup eliminating ambient light, improved viewfinder masks, and customizable audio feedback e.g. on focus lock. Several custom functions have been enhanced, without compromising simple navigation.

Freedom to choose the best back for you Phase One builds flexible, open photographic systems to support a professional’s style, needs and working preference. The Phase One 645DF camera supports the world’s finest digital backs, ensuring freedom of choice and investment protection for years to come. It is compatible with digital backs designed for the Phase One / Mamiya AFD mount, including backs from Phase One, Leaf, Mamiya and others.

Pricing and Availability

The Phase One 645DF camera body starts at $5990/€4290 and is expected to ship Q4, 2009. The new leaf shutter lenses start at $2490/€1790 and are expected to start shipping Q4, 2009. All equipment can be ordered now from Phase One and Leaf dealers (for the dealer near you, please see: http://www.phaseone.com/partners and http://www.leaf-photography.com/dealers.asp).

About Phase One

Phase One is the world’s leader in open-platform based medium format camera systems and solutions. Phase One medium format cameras, digital backs and lenses are designed to deliver superior quality image capture and investment value. Phase One’s Capture One software helps streamline capture and post-production processes for both medium format and DSLR cameras. Phase One products are known for their quality, flexibility and speed enabling pro photographers shooting in a wide range of formats to achieve their creative visions without compromise.

Phase One is an employee-owned company based in Copenhagen with offices in New York, London, Tokyo, Cologne and Shanghai.

For more information about the products, visit the Phase One web site on www.phaseone.com.

Phase One is a registered trademark of Phase One A/S. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

[Via Photography Blog]

Phase One 645DF medium format unveiled, its invasion set for Q4 2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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September 29th, 2009

Samsung’s 12 megapixel SCH-W880 made official

We might still have debates over whether the SCH-W880 represents a cameraphone or our newly minted category of phonecamera, but there’s no doubt about this: the Samsung AMOLED 12M is now official and coming to (at least) Korea in October. The specs align closely to yesterday’s info, with a 3x optical zoom, 720p video recording, dedicated camera controls, and a 800 x 480 3.3-inch AMOLED display grabbing the headlines. Touch AF makes use of the touchscreen to let you choose focus areas, while image stabilization and Smart Auto modes fill out the software side of the camera. That leaves us with scant little info on the actual phone, but you could probably fill those specs in yourself by now, right?

[Via Samsung Hub]

Gallery: Samsung SCH-W880

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The World’s First 12-megapixel Camera Phone with an Optical Zoom Is Launched in Korea

Following the launch of Pixon12, the first 12 megapixel camera phone in June, Samsung astonishes the world with the 12 megapixel camera phone featuring Optical Zoom.

Seoul, Korea, September 29th, 2009 - Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the launch of the ‘Samsung AMOLED 12M’ (Model Name: SCH-W880), the world’s first 12-megapixel camera phone with an optical zoom up to 3 times. The phone is going to be sold in Korean market from early October.

The ‘Samsung AMOLED 12M’ is incorporated with the latest camera technology and display technology - the world’s first 12-megapixel camera with an optical zoom and the world’s most advanced WVGA (800 x 480) AMOLED full touch screen.

As a response to one of the most demanding mobile consumers in Korea, the ‘Samsung AMOLED 12M’ comes packed with a host of functions which enable consumers to easily capture, browse and share their images on the move - all on a brilliant full-touch 3.3-inch WVGA AMOLED screen.

“Samsung has led the camera phone market introducing the very many first of its kind camera phone - the first 5-megapixel (SCH-V7800, June 2005), the first 7-megapixel with an optical zoom(SCH-V770, July 2005), the first 10-megapxel (SCH-B600, October 2006), and recently, the first 12-megapixel camera phone for global market(Samsung Pixon12, June 2009). The Samsung AMOLED 12M is a living proof of our continuous commitment to introduce the most up-to-date technology to enrich users’ mobile experience.” said Executive Vice President JK Shin, Head of Mobile Communication Division in Samsung Electronics.

The Samsung AMOLED 12M enables users to take perfect pictures quickly and easily, thanks to the Dedicated Camera Power Key which also provides a real digital camera-alike look and grip feeling. Samsung AMOLED 12M features fast image saving for next shot, so users can move to next shot within around 2 seconds. The phone also provides high quality video recording (1280 x 720) which offers 30 frames per second.

The phone provides the best photo quality by adopting innovative camera features. With Touch Auto-Focus (AF) tracking, users can simply select focus point with the touch of a finger, after which the AF function will automatically follow the object, keeping it in focus even as it moves across the screen. Moreover, Smart Auto feature allows users to capture the perfect images as the camera automatically changes the scene and mode based on its object, background and lighting. Images taken on the Samsung AMOLED 12M are worth showing off to friends and loved ones as they boast digital camera quality thanks to the phone camera’s superb lens and Xenon flash.

Samsung’s 12 megapixel SCH-W880 made official originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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September 28th, 2009

Samsung’s SCH-W880 12 megapixel phonecamera with 3x optical zoom

In a welcome reversal of trends, Samsung just stuffed a 3G cellphone into a 12 megapixel camera making this M8920 / SCH-W880 more of a camera than most 12 megapixel cameraphones can claim. While this presumed follow-up to Samsung’s Pixon 12 (M8910) isn’t official, the announcement looks imminent based on the leaked collateral above and the spyshots that emerged over the weekend. What’s impressive here is that extending 3x optical zoom — something carried over from the SCH-B600 — and dedicated camera controls like a mode dial, shutter and zoom, and big 3.3-inch WVGA AMOLED display. Rounding out the specs are HD (720p presumably) video, HSDPA data, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, microSD slot, and DMB mobile television; that latter spec making this Korea-only whenever it does launch. See her in the wild after the break.

[Via HDBlog.IT]

Continue reading Samsung’s SCH-W880 12 megapixel phonecamera with 3x optical zoom

Samsung’s SCH-W880 12 megapixel phonecamera with 3x optical zoom originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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