The Sony Cyber-shot HX1 is a powerful new point and shoot camera with an incredible spec list. Sony had the HX1 on display after it was announced at a press conference just before PMA 2009. The HX1 is yet another hybrid camera, which were very prevalent at this year’s PMA.
At first blush, the HX1 looks like just another super zoom point and shoot camera. Dig a little deeper into the features though and you will find some unique and powerful specs. One of the biggest new features is the Sweep Panorama, which allows you to hand-hold the camera and pan from side to side. The HX1 captures a 7152 x 1080 panoramic image from a number of images captured and stitched in-camera.
In addition to the Sweep Panorama, the HX1 is capable of capturing full-size 9.1 megapixel images at 10 frames per second. This is made possible by the mechanical shutter used by the HX1, which is a stark change from electronic shutters found on traditional point and shoot cameras. [click to continue…]
Black Rapid, Inc.’s R-Straps were one of the more innovative and practical products that I saw at PMA 2009. Prior to PMA, I had never heard of Black Rapid’s R-Straps; however, once I tried out an R-Strap, I instantly fell in love. [click to continue…]
I couldn’t resist doing a video with the 5D Mark II and EF 17-40mm f/4 L of the Bellagio fountains while in Vegas for PMA. Unfortunately, the embedded version is nowhere near as crisp as the original file. You can see a higher quality version on the actual YouTube page here (just click the HQ icon).
I would love to share the original file; however, it is 1.23 GB, which is larger than the online video sharing that I know of will allow. The version that I uploaded to YouTube was compressed to 883MB.
Does anyone know of a free solution to get the original video file online? I just don’t have enough bandwidth to share it on my server.
UPDATE: Here’s the original 1.23GB file as hosted on DropBox. Right click and “Save As…”
One of the most exciting new cameras at PMA 2009 was the Panasonic Lumix GH1, which was a follow-up to the Lumix G1 introduced at Photokina 2008. The GH1 shares most of the same features and specs of the G1; however, it includes one significant improvement – the ability to shoot video in true 1080p HD at 24 fps or shoot 720p HD video at 60 fps. Panasonic uses an AVCHD format for video capture and records audio via Dolby Digital Stereo Creator.
Panasonic has not announced the price of the new GH1, which will initially only be offered in kit form with the 14-140mm HD lens. Panasonic’s reasoning for selling it as a kit initially is due to the specialized silent autofocus functionality of the HD lens. It was designed from the ground up with video in mind, which required Panasonic to overcome some significant hurdles so that AF noise did not interfere with audio capture when recording 1080p video. According to reps at PMA, the kit should be available in May or June 2009.
Panasonic had a couple pre-production models on display at PMA. I was able to get some hands-on time with one and even grab some images and a quick video on my SD card. [click to continue…]
Here’s a quick and dirty sample video taken from a pre-production Panasonic Lumix GH1 on display at PMA 2009. The AVCHD encoding was finicky and still isn’t final form, but I managed to get part of it out to MPEG 4 format so that I could share with you. It’s nothing fancy, but I think it demonstrates the potential that this camera has as a video solution. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get all of the footage converted.
Please remember this was a pre-production model which did have bugs in it. I’m encouraged though at the performance I saw from handing the camera. I’ll have more on my thoughts for the GH1 soon.
In the mean time, if you want the full-res MPEG 4 file for personal use and perusal, you can download it here (right click and choose “save target as”).
The Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II is a step down from the Pro9500 Mark II; however, it is still capable of solid performance and 13″ x 19″ size prints. Check availability on Amazon.com.
More details from Canon’s press release below.
The eight-color PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Photo Printer – cyan, magenta, yellow, photo cyan, photo magenta, photo black, red, and green – delivers an even glossiness and vivid color experience rivaling that of positive film for photographers. The Pro9000 Mark II’s impressive quality and speed are the result of the Canon FINE print head technology coupled with the Company’s high-performance, high-density 6,144-nozzle print head which is capable of producing nearly invisible ink droplets of two-picoliters. Thanks in part to an enhanced double encoder system for media control, the PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II achieves three times faster print speeds over its predecessor, producing a bordered 13″ x 19″ size black and white photographic print in approximately 1 minute, 23 seconds2.
The Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Photo Printer is scheduled to be available in May for an estimated selling price of $499.993.
