The Fuji XP10 is a 12 megapixel, ruggedized point and shoot camera that Fuji calls “Four-Proof” – waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof and dustproof. To see whether this affordable, pool-loving camera delivers on functionality and image quality, read on. [Read more…]
Pentax Optio W90 Now Available In Orange, Earth Remains on Axis
In perhaps some of the most exciting news of the week, the Pentax Optio W90 is now available in orange (in addition to green and black). While Pentax’s press statement failed to reveal the reasons for the delay of an orange camera, rumors continue to circulate that the long wait for an orange W90 was due to an actual shortage of the color orange, which was in turn caused by a less than stellar year on the color wheel, along with the fact that it is no longer receiving compliments from blue.
Additional sources cited fears that UT Vol fans would lose such a camera in or around the checkerboard end zone at Neyland Stadium. Local Best Buy stores in Knoxville, Tennessee report that consumers are already forming lines outside for the anticipated July release of the orange W90 at $329.95. You can also check availability on Amazon.com.
In other news, your refrigerator is running.
Olympus Booth Tour at PMA 2010
If you missed out on making it to PMA 2010, but still want to catch almost everything in the Olympus booth, check out the video below. [Read more…]
Pentax Optio W90 Brief Hands-On
While the Pentax Optio W90 has just been announced, I had the opportunity to get some hands-on time with a preproduction model of the new camera at CES 2010 last month. For my first impressions on the 12MP deathproof camera, keep reading. [Read more…]
Pentax Optio W90 Reviews and Resources
The Pentax Optio W90 is a 12.1MP point and shoot camera that features a shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof body, along with a 2.7-incd LCD, 720p HD video capture and a Digital Microscope mode with LED lights providing lighting for up close subjects. The W90 will include a carabiner for attaching the camera to a belt or backpack for quick access. Check out Photography Bay’s Pentax W90 Hands-on Review.
The Pentax W90 should be available in April 2010 at an initial retail price of $329.95. Check availability on Amazon.com.
Pentax W90 Reviews
Samsung AQ100 and SL605
The Samsung AQ100 and SL605 are two 12MP point and shoot cameras introduced at PMA 2010.
The Samsung AQ100 is waterproof up to 10 feet and features a 5x optical zoom, 720p HD video capture and a 2.7-inch LCD. The AQ100 should be available in Spring 2010 at an initial retail price of $199.99. Check availability on Amazon.com.
The Samsung SL605 is durable and dustproof, and features VGA video capture, along with a 2.7-inch LCD. The SL605 should be available in Spring 2010 at an initial retail price of $129.99. Check availability on Amazon.com. [Read more…]
Fuji FinePix XP10 Reviews and Resources
The Fuji FinePix XP10 is a rugged point and shoot camera. As Fuji calls it, it’s “Four-Proof” – waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof and dustproof.
The XP10 features a 12MP sensor, 2.7″ LCD and 5x optical zoom. It can dive down to 10 feet underwater, handle 3 foot drops and chill at 14-degrees Fahrenheit. The XP10 can also capture 720p HD video.
The Fuji XP10 should be available in February 2010 at an initial retail price of $199.95. Check availability on Amazon.com.
Fuji XP10 Reviews
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 Reviews and Resources
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 is a 14.1MP point and shoot camera that is freezeproof, waterproof, shockproof and deathproof. It is capable of recording AVCHD Lite video and is compatible with SDXC cards. It also has a 2.7-inch LCD with a 230k dot resolution and optical image stabilization.
No word on price or availability yet. Check availability of Amazon.com.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 Reviews
Casio EX-G1 Reviews and Resources
The Casio EX-G1 is a 12.1 megapixel point and shoot camera designed to take a licking and keep on ticking. It is shock-resistant, waterproof, dustproof, freezeproof and deathproof.
The EX-G1 should be available in December 2009 and carries an initial retail price of $300. Check availability on Amazon.com.
Casio EX-G1 Reviews
Casio EX-G1 Press Release
DOVER, NJ, November 18, 2009 — Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced today the release of the EX-G1 shock-resistant, waterproof, dustproof digital camera—the first in the company’s new EXILIM® G brand of digital cameras. With its smart design featuring functional beauty, the EX-G1 embodies Casio’s endurance-minded features and specifications in a sleek 0.78-inch*2 low-profile camera.
Casio first introduced the shock-resistant G-SHOCK® timepiece to the world in 1983. The G-SHOCK brand remains extremely popular among consumers and adventure enthusiasts around the globe thanks to its distinctive, unique design, rugged toughness and practicality, even under severe environmental conditions. In 2000, Casio launched the G’zOne®, a durable, water-resistant mobile phone.
Casio is positioning the EXILIM G brand in an “endurance” category, which demonstrates its determination to create digital cameras suitable for top athletes and adventurers. The endurance category caters to those who never quit challenging both extreme conditions and their own limits. The new model was developed to embody this brand concept, using Casio’s years of experience creating technologies for shock resistance, waterproofing and slim-line design.
The EX-G1 is designed with shock-resistant elements throughout the camera, both inside and out, creating a smart look in a slim-line camera with functional beauty. In addition to capturing high-resolution 12.1 effective megapixel images, the EX-G1 also features modes such as interval shooting and multi-image capture which utilize the camera’s endurance qualities. The interval shooting function can automatically take still photos or movies at fixed intervals, enabling users to capture great shots while engaged in active sports such as snowboarding or cycling*3.
“Whether it is the lifestyle that you have chosen or your career path that requires you to carry a camera tough enough to endure life’s elements, the EXILIM G EX-G1 offers an endurance level that will withstand the demands of your daily routine,” says Toshi Iguchi, senior general manager of Casio’s Digital Imaging Division. “The EX-G1, Casio’s toughest camera to date, is a prime example of Casio’s constant devotion to creating cameras to accommodate all levels of photographers.”
Through rigorous testing, the EX-G1 has been designed and created with a shock-resistant shell which passes drop tests including multiple falls from seven feet.*4 Featuring a two-layer construction with a stainless steel outer-casing, the EX-G1 inner body withstands shock and water damage. The camera’s intelligent design is constructed with a resin cover to protect the body side near the shutter and a resin lens ring to protect the lens.
The technologically-advanced design features waterproof performance and corresponds to IEC/JIS Protection Class 8 (IPX8) waterproofing. The EX-G1 can be used at depths at 10 feet for 60 continuous minutes*5. Water will not penetrate the camera even when directly sprayed with jets of water from every direction corresponding to Protection Class 6 (IPX6). Capable of withstanding temperatures as low as 14°F*6, Casio’s EX-G1 boldly captures images where any adventurer goes.
The EX-G1 will hit shelves in December 2009 with an MSRP of $299.99 and will be available in black and red.
*1. As of November 18, 2009, based on a Casio survey of shock resistant digital cameras (excluding protruding parts).
*2. Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) standards.
*3. A commercially available mount is required to support the camera.
*4. In accordance with Casio’s own standard with reference to the US MIL-STD-810F Method 516.5-Shock, the camera passed a test in which it was dropped from a height of 2.13 meters (7 feet) onto lauan plywood at 26 different angles. However, the camera is not guaranteed to withstand all shocks in terms of damage, malfunction and performance. Moreover, camera shock may result in inability to retain waterproof performance.
*5. Based on testing conditions established by Casio.
*6. Battery life will be shorter than under normal temperature conditions.
EXILIM G EX-G1
Shock-Resistant, Waterproof, Dustproof, Slim-line Digital Camera
Slim-line Design with Toughness Construction
Shock Resistance
The EXILIM G EX-G1 offers the world’s thinnest profile*1 of .78 inch (excluding protruding parts) in a shock-resistant digital camera. The camera passed multiple drop tests of seven feet based on Casio’s own standard*2.
Waterproof/Dustproof
The EX-G1 offers waterproof performance corresponding to IEC/JIS Protection Class 8 (IPX8) waterproofing, and can be used for 60 continuous minutes at a water depth of 10 feet*3. It also withstands water jets corresponding to IEC/JIS Protection Class 6 “IPX6” waterproofing, and can be directly rinsed under running water. The EX-G1 is also impervious to dust, with performance corresponding to IEC/JIS Protection Class 6 “IP6X” dustproofing.
Freezeproof
Withstanding ever the coldest of temperatures, the EX-G1 endures through temperatures as low as 14 °F*4.
Shock resistant/waterproof construction and design
Exterior
The outer body of the EX-G1 is made from stainless steel to withstand external shocks while a polycarbonate cover absorbs shocks to the body side near the shutter. The camera’s wrist-strap holder is made of die-cast zinc to withstand drops while a rotating lock secures the external memory slot cover. For additional protection, the EX-G1 comes with two types of detachable protectors to absorb shocks.
Internal construction
The waterproof inner body of the camera is made from polycarbonate reinforced with fiberglass while a buckle-lock construction is added to absorb impact, using fewer screws to secure the inner body. Additionally, the camera’s frame comes equipped with speaker and microphone filters to prevent water from penetrating the camera.
Lens
To prevent damage to the camera’s lens, a resin ring as been added around the glass casing to ease shocks to the lens area. With the addition of a reinforced, glass lens cover, the EX-G1 is tooled with a multi coating that is water-repellent and prevents light reflection from ruining pictures. To further protect the camera from impact, high-performance damping material has been added to protect the lens unit from external shocks.
LCD panel
The acrylic plate to protect the LCD from water pressure and shocks is 1.5 times thicker than conventional point-and-shoot cameras. The LCD panel features a resin mount to ease shocks to the LCD panel area.
BEST SHOT® functions befitting a waterproof, shock-resistant camera
Interval shooting
The interval shooting function allows users to automatically take still photos or movies at fixed intervals while engaged in action sports such as cycling, snowboarding, and wind surfing*5. With the EX-G1, users can take powerful photos from inside the action, the kind which are usually almost impossible to capture. The shooting interval can be set at 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, or 3 minutes, and the capture time for movies may be set at 3, 10, 20, or 30 minutes.
Great for a variety of outdoor photography scenes
The BEST SHOT function enables users to take beautiful photos just by selecting the desired subject scene. The EX-G1 includes additional BEST SHOT settings suitable for various outdoor situations, such as “snow” and “beach” scene settings, which automatically adjust to prevent subject underexposure due to the brightness of snow or sun. There is also an “underwater” setting to control the tendency of underwater photos to come out looking too blue.
12.1 effective megapixels
This thin stylish model features a large 2.5-inch monitor with 230,400 dots of high resolution and a non-extending 3X zoom lens ranging from 38-114mm (35 mm film camera equivalent).
Intelligent AF
When the camera is pointed at a desired shot, the Intelligent AF function automatically detects the photo subject even if it is not a human face and determines the focus and exposure area accordingly.
Advanced Dynamic Photo function
Casio’s original Dynamic Photo function, which creates composite moving images using the camera’s own high-speed image processing technology, now does even more. When a moving subject is cut out of a number of images and combined with a different still shot that forms the background, the size of the subject can be changed to suit the background image. Additionally, the Dynamic Photo video can easily be converted in-camera into a motion JPEG movie file. Moving graphics such as hearts and bouquets of flowers are included so that users can have fun decorating their still images using the Dynamic Photo function. Casio not only allows users to have fun taking and viewing photos, but also provides innovative new ways for them to create original images, right on the camera.
Wide Screen Movies
The camera also features a wide format (16:9) Movie function. Just press the dedicated Movie button to take beautiful movies at 848×480 pixels.
*1. As of November 18, 2009, based on a Casio survey; *2. Established with reference to the US standard, MIL-STD-810F Method 516.5-Shock; *3. Based on test conditions set by Casio; *4. Battery life will be shorter than under normal temperature conditions; *5. A commercially available mount is required to support the camera.
Canon PowerShot D10 Reviews and Resources
The Canon PowerShot D10 is Canon’s take on the latest trend in digital cameras – rugged and waterproof bodies. The key feature of the D10 is that it can swim with you as deep as 33 feet. It carries a price tag of $329.99 and should be available in May just in time for the beach.
Check availability at Amazon.com.
Canon PowerShot D10 Reviews
The somewhat playfully styled camera is is a bit on the bulky side, but is also well equipped to handle most of the abuse it may encounter outdoors.
If you would like a robust digital camera that will stand out from the crown take a good look at the Powershot D10. It takes a good snapshot and is easy enough to use.
More details from Canon’s press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
Consumers looking for an all-around waterproof, freeze proof and shockproof camera should look no further. The Canon PowerShot D10 Digital Camera, a first of its kind for Canon, comes equipped with a 12.1-Megapixel resolution and 3x Optically Stabilized Zoom lens, making it an ideal companion for thrill-seekers of all types. This uniquely styled camera is amazing for capturing high-resolution images and off-camera editing. The PowerShot D10 Digital Camera can withstand depths up-to-33-feet deep, is freeze proof from 14 degrees Fahrenheit and shockproof up-to-four feet. To add a little fun and funky style to this great camera, an optional accessory kit is available containing distinctive accessories, such as a customized strap, cool face plates and a carabineer hook (attached to a strap). The PowerShot D10 IS Digital Camera is scheduled to be available in early May for an estimated retail price of $329.99.