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Engadget HD goes hands-on with JVC's Everio HD40 camcorder

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 4th 2008 at 8:03PM


Engadget HD managed to acquire one of JVC's Everio HD40 camcorders -- you know, that HD shooter with 120GB of onboard storage. If you're interested in seeing it get unboxed and manhandled (along with comparison shots with Samsung's delightful SC-HMX20C), click on over and enjoy. For those wanting some serious impressions, keep a check on this space -- we'll be forming some opinions and penning a review here shortly.

Pentax K200D gets reviewed

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 3rd 2008 at 2:54PM


Pentax's K200D has been out and about for a little while now, but if you're still undecided about taking the plunge on the mid-range DSLR, you may want to pay a visit to Photography Blog, which has just put the camera through its paces. On the whole, they seem to have come away pretty impressed with it, saying that it offers a "substantial number of improvements" over the previous K100D, which they say was already an excellent camera to begin with. In addition to the bump to 10-megapixels, the site seems to have been particularly impressed by the camera's new Sv shooting mode, "greatly improved battery life," and some new dust and water-resistant weatherproof sealing. On the downside, there's still no Live View mode, but considering the price (around $600 street), it seems like this one is a solid bet.

Polaroid PoGo portable photo printer hands-on, Engadget reader style

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 3:26PM

Polaroid PoGo
Hold up! Polaroid may not be dead just yet! A trusty reader was nice enough to give us some hands-on time with his new Polaroid Pogo Zink-based printer. The diminutive device is clearly meant to give us that old-school insta-print social feeling with its 2 x 3-inch photos, but results were less than a barrel o' monkeys. Engadget reader David says that while the unit is "cute," there's nothing very instant about it as prints take at least 60 seconds -- not including connection in or Bluetooth pairing time. On the plus side, prints are sturdy and don't tear easily, but David couldn't resist burning one of them just to see how the thermal paper reacted. In the end, he says this is a decent gadget for those in the know, but you're not going to put this at the center of a party like you would an old-school Instamatic. Peep the gallery for David's hands-on goodness.

[Thanks, David]

Gallery: Polaroid PoGo

Nikon D700 previewed, demystified

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jul 1st 2008 at 2:24AM


Now that Nikon has deftly slipped the full frame (FX) D700 into the already tight slot separating its mid-range DX D300 and pro FX D3, we know what you're thinking. Huh? Fortunately, both Rob Galbraith and DP Review have given this a thorough analysis along with a titillating preview courtesy of DP Review. As Rob puts it, "If you own a D3 and a D300, then you have in two separate bodies most of the key bits and pieces that comprise the D700." While the choice between the $1,800 D300 and $3,000 D700 is more clear, prospective $5,000 D3 buyers won't be blamed if they profess a desire to hold-out for the 24.39 megapixel D3X expected within the next 12 months.

Read -- Rob Galbraith's take
Read -- DP Review preview

Nikon D700 gets real: full-frame, 12.1 megapixels

by Ryan Block, posted Jul 1st 2008 at 12:15AM Breaking News


Well, we can finally put the D700 rumors to bed. The beast that houses Nikon's newest monster (near) full-frame FX format 12.1 megapixel CMOS (not dissimilar from that found in the D3) is officially announced tonight, and it takes UDMA CompactFlash, and comes packing with a live view 3-inch display, 51 point autofocus (with 3D tracking), scene recognition, four-speed active dust reduction, ISO up to 6400, 5 or 8 fps full-res shooting, HDMI out, and a whole lot more. Expect it in July for $3,000 US (for the body).

Also being released are the SB-900 speedlight (August, $500), and the PC-E Micro NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D lenses (August, $1,800 and $1,740, respectively).

Gallery: Nikon D700 gets real: full-frame, 12.1 megapixels

Nikon D700 presentation video revealed early, it's very nice

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 10:01PM

Nikon D700
We've been teased with the inevitable launch of the Nikon D700 DSLR, but it looks like our introduction is pretty much here with the nascent of a product presentation video that's supposed to hit the internets tomorrow. Observe as the nice man rubs the camera and says naughty things in French (hopefully we'll have a translation soon). He goes on to show off the new interface, quick menus, battery port, pop-up flash, and even gets a nice shot through the new viewfinder. In all seriousness, this is looking like a slick new camera. You're still looking at around €2,600 ($4,000), a July release, a 12-megapixel sensor, and sensor cleaning system. More information is sure to surface tomorrow when our friends across the pond wake up. Hit the continue link to be taunted a second time.

[Thanks, Pete]

Continue reading Nikon D700 presentation video revealed early, it's very nice

Nikon D700 DSLR shows itself in German magazine

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 4:19PM


Nikon's D700 hasn't exactly been doing the best job staying under cover as of late, and it looks like Germany's ProfiFoto magazine has now pulled back whatever veil of mystery remained around the camera, with its current issue prominently featuring the high-end DSLR in a two-page spread. Among details discernable via the translation is confirmation of a 12-megapixel sensor, along with a sensor cleaning system, an end of July release date, and a €2,600 price tag -- or just over $4,000, although we're guessing that'll even out a bit with the North American release. Needless to say, we'd recommend staying tuned for more details on this one.

Update: User heavymeister at the dpreview forums has some way higher-res scans of the same issue -- anyone care to translate?

[Thanks, Albert]

Olympus announces 360-degree CCD sensor prototype, surveillance firms drool

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 1:00PM


Around this time last year, we got wind of CCD-based projectors and cameras from Olympus that were outfitted with a curious "axial symmetrical free curved surface lens." Now, said company is finally providing a few details about its current prototype, which essentially enables 360-degree photographs to be taken. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on perspective), the sensor isn't quite ready to be pushed out into the world, but as you can certainly imagine, it'll likely make a B-line for surveillance outfits just as soon as it's ready.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Lancerlink's DDV-1080HD HD camcorder lowers the bar

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 8:15AM


Watch out DXG, you've got a new rival in town, and it goes by the name Lancerlink. Just when we thought you had the cheap-o HD camcorder market all locked up, in comes this firm with a rather chintzy looking camcorder capable of logging clips at 1,440 x 1,080 (30fps) or 1,280 x 720 (60fps) in H.264 format. The 5-megapixel sensor can also snag stills, but considering that there's just 90MB of free memory within, you should probably keep an SD / MMC / SDHC card nearby. You'll also find a 3-inch LCD monitor, HDTV (component) output, USB connectivity and a rechargeable battery good for around four hours of use. The worst part, however, is the ¥49,800 ($474) price tag that's attached to the July-bound DDV-1080HD, which makes it a few hundies more than most of DXG's awfully similar collection.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Debunk: Nikon "D700" spyshot

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 27th 2008 at 6:40AM


Ah, so sorry fakers. Don't you hate it when all your Photoshopping efforts come undone after the original D300 picture turns up? Oh well, D700 dreamers still have the alleged specs and hopes of a possible Monday announcement.

[Via Nikond700, thanks John R.]

$179 DXG-567V HD camcorder uploads right to YouTube

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 26th 2008 at 6:42PM


Uh oh, DXG's creeping its way up into luxury territory. Earlier this year, we saw the outfit dish out a craptacular $149 HD camcorder, and just a few months back we were introduced to the $169 DXG-569V. Now, it'll take another Hamilton in order to rightfully claim its newest unit, the DXG-567V. The pocket-friendly cam is available in four different hues, ships with rechargeable AA batteries and uploads directly to YouTube and other video sharing sites without much hassle at all. DXG claims that this bugger captures video at 1,280 x 720 (30fps), but even at $179, we have our doubts about the overall quality. Better watch out though, by this time next year you'll see DXG perched up beside Sony, Panasonic and the rest of the respected gang.

Image Fulgurator projects images into other people's photos

by Nilay Patel, posted Jun 26th 2008 at 8:42AM


There's DIY mischief and then there's next level DIY mischief, and we'd have to say that Julius von Bismarck's Image Fulgurator is one of the best scare-the-squares toys we've ever come across. A sensor detects camera flashes of nearby victims, triggering a projection of the image or text of your choice onto their subjects -- and into their photos. Anyone using a digital camera will notice the trick immediately, of course, but marks with film equipment won't ever know what hit 'em -- although they might remember the weirdo with the pistol-grip camera thing standing next to them. Check the video after the break.

[Via Core 77]

Continue reading Image Fulgurator projects images into other people's photos

Nikon D700 spy shots and info piling up

by Nilay Patel, posted Jun 25th 2008 at 7:28PM


Spy shots of what could be the Nikon D700 have been floating around for a while now, but it's only today that we've gotten a full-on body shot of the DSLR. Rumored specs basically paint the unit as a D300 body with the D3's FX sensor crammed inside, and there's speculation that the lens pictured is an upgraded version of Nikon's AF-S 24-120mm VR unit. We're also hearing that it'll be introduced in August and go on sale in December for $3300, but that's all speculation until this thing actually hits.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read - D700 spy shot
Read - D700 rumored specs

Varioptic liquid lenses now shipping in SnakeCam webcam

by Nilay Patel, posted Jun 25th 2008 at 2:19PM


We've been hearing about how Varioptic's liquid camera lenses would revolutionize cellphones for a while now, so it's a little bit surprising to see the oil-and-water optics pop up in Akkord Electronics' el cheapo SnakeCam webcams first. The 1.3 megapixel S1300 and 2.0 megapixel S2000 cams feature a Varioptic Arctic 416 lens, as well as bendy mount, built-in microphone, and CMOS sensor, and will sell for just $20 per unit -- but we'd imagine that whoever ends up rebranding these will mark that up a bit.

Ricoh's eye-catching GX200 camera gets reviewed

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 25th 2008 at 11:29AM


Easily one of the most peculiar looking digicams we've seen, the GX200 picks right up where the GX100 left off and aims to fill the pockets of those not quite ready for a DSLR. Design wise, reviewers couldn't help but fall in love. Despite the curious build, critics found it to be "a joy" to hold and operate and not quite a burden in their left cargo pocket. When it came time to view results, however, the tone quickly shifted; put simply, the 12-megapixel sensor / processing combination was deemed "poor," once again substantiating the belief that more megapixels isn't always better. To be fair, the EVF and monitor were among the best they had seen, and some of the other minor details were really impressive, but the lackluster image quality easily overshadowed those flashes of brilliance in the grand scheme of things.

[Thanks, RTT]
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