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All posts tagged "zs10"


Friday, July 29, 2011

Digital Photography Review's Travel Zoom Roundup

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 10:30 AM

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q31...lzoomgrouptest/

"The so-called 'Travel Zoom' category was effectively invented by Panasonic, with the Lumix DMC-TZ1. Released in 2006, the TZ1 was the first camera with a 10x optical zoom lens that could truly be called 'compact', and although Panasonic had the field to itself for a while, it wasn't long before other manufacturers started to move into the same space. Fast forward to 2011, and almost all of the major camera manufacturers offer compact cameras with at least 10x optical zooms, up to almost 20x in some cases."

The travel zoom area is probably the last major growth area for compacts in light of compacts getting squeezed from smartphones at the low end and cheap DSLRs and cute mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras on the high end, so it would be nice to see some more innovation in this area, instead of so-so image quality tacked to a design that has not changed much from the TZ1's launch in 2006. Still, they are still popular enough, and DPReview takes a look at some of the latest round of travel zooms, and there's a surprise winner in the round-up. Hint: The brand starts with an "N". I always thought their compacts were on the lacklustre side, and in fact, the sample images are not very inspiring in some cases; the camera gets a win mostly in the way it handles and operates. Hit the link for the roundup!


Digital Photography Review's Travel Zoom Roundup

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 10:30 AM

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q31...lzoomgrouptest/

"The so-called 'Travel Zoom' category was effectively invented by Panasonic, with the Lumix DMC-TZ1. Released in 2006, the TZ1 was the first camera with a 10x optical zoom lens that could truly be called 'compact', and although Panasonic had the field to itself for a while, it wasn't long before other manufacturers started to move into the same space. Fast forward to 2011, and almost all of the major camera manufacturers offer compact cameras with at least 10x optical zooms, up to almost 20x in some cases."

The travel zoom area is probably the last major growth area for compacts in light of compacts getting squeezed from smartphones at the low end and cheap DSLRs and cute mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras on the high end, so it would be nice to see some more innovation in this area, instead of so-so image quality tacked to a design that has not changed much from the TZ1's launch in 2006. Still, they are still popular enough, and DPReview takes a look at some of the latest round of travel zooms, and there's a surprise winner in the round-up. Hint: The brand starts with an "N". I always thought their compacts were on the lacklustre side, and in fact, the sample images are not very inspiring in some cases; the camera gets a win mostly in the way it handles and operates. Hit the link for the roundup!


Digital Photography Review's Travel Zoom Roundup

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 10:30 AM

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q31...lzoomgrouptest/

"The so-called 'Travel Zoom' category was effectively invented by Panasonic, with the Lumix DMC-TZ1. Released in 2006, the TZ1 was the first camera with a 10x optical zoom lens that could truly be called 'compact', and although Panasonic had the field to itself for a while, it wasn't long before other manufacturers started to move into the same space. Fast forward to 2011, and almost all of the major camera manufacturers offer compact cameras with at least 10x optical zooms, up to almost 20x in some cases."

The travel zoom area is probably the last major growth area for compacts in light of compacts getting squeezed from smartphones at the low end and cheap DSLRs and cute mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras on the high end, so it would be nice to see some more innovation in this area, instead of so-so image quality tacked to a design that has not changed much from the TZ1's launch in 2006. Still, they are still popular enough, and DPReview takes a look at some of the latest round of travel zooms, and there's a surprise winner in the round-up. Hint: The brand starts with an "N". I always thought their compacts were on the lacklustre side, and in fact, the sample images are not very inspiring in some cases; the camera gets a win mostly in the way it handles and operates. Hit the link for the roundup!


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

GPS Ultra Zoom Camera Roundup

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/c...ra-zoom-cameras

"One of the most popular digital camera genres in recent years has been what some have called the "travel zoom". These compact cameras have typically featured lenses of around 10X - 14X, large LCDs, and HD movie modes. In 2011, camera manufacturers really put the "travel" in travel zoom, by adding GPS receivers to their cameras. So, not only do you now have a camera which can go anywhere, but you'll know exactly where you took the photo."

One advantage of dedicated cameras is the ability to offer a zoom lens, so huge zoom factors are still pretty much a selling point. Combine that with a compact size and the result is a camera that still sells pretty well in this age of smartphones. I was a bit surprised at the winner of this shoot out, but I won't spoil the surprise, other than saying that the initial debut of the line was very lacklustre to begin with. Well done C... I mean, camera company!


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Panasonic Announces New Lumix Cameras; Way More Interesting Than CES 2011 Announcement

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 12:30 PM

Panasonic has more cameras up it sleeves, and it makes me wonder why they bothered with CES 2011 in the first place: These are way more interesting. First up we have the ZS10 (TZ20 in Europe/Asia, and pictured above) and ZS8 (TZ18 in Europe/Asia). These continue the compact superzoom lineup Panasonic started with the TZ1. Both cameras have the same stabilised 16x 24-384mm equivalent f/3.8-5.8 zoom lens, but are quite different in other areas. The ZS8 uses a 14 megapixel CCD, capable of 720p videos in MJPEG mode, a 3" QVGA screen, and the same tagging feature for Facebook and YouTube that came with the CES 2011 cameras. The ZS10 has a 14 megapixel CMOS sensor with 1080p videos in AVCHD, GPS, a 3" touchscreen, and a 10 FPS high-speed mode.

The TS3 (aka FT3 in Europe/Asia) is a refresh in Panasonic's rugged line. It features a stabilised 4.6x 28-128mm equivalent f/3.3-5.9 zoom lens, 12 megapixel CCD, 2.7" QVGA LCD, 1080i video mode, waterproof and shockproof capability, and GPS with a compass, altimeter and a barometer. Truly for the more adventure-minded. I'm curious to know how well the barometer and altimeter works.

Finally there's the slim FX78, which replaces the FX75 (and maybe the FX700, both cameras are so similar). This is basically a premium compact, with a stabilised 5x 24-120mm f/2.5-5.9 zoom lens, 3.5" QVGA (time to step it up Panasonic) touchscreen, 1080i video mode, and claimed better AF compared to its predecessor. Oh, and there are some fancy retouching options to make one look better.

It is nice to know that with these more advanced models, Panasonic has not jumped onto the 16 megapixel bandwagon yet. Hopefully a consumer electronics giant like them can help stem the crazy megapixel race. Cameras are expected to be available in March; no word on pricing. More photos and full press release after the break.

Read more...


Thursday, January 6, 2011

Casio Launches New Exlim Cameras

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 08:03 AM

Casio, ah, it's a name I still look out for, even though they're more miss than hit these days. I'm hoping they bring some good stuff this time round; their Best Shot mode was king for mainstream shooting 10 years ago, and still is not shabby even now. The cameras however... well, we will see.

Leading the pack here is the Exlim EX-ZR100, a compact with a 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, sensor-shift stabilised 12.5x 24-300mm equivalent f/3.0-5.9 zoom lens, 3" HVGA LCD, 1080p videeo mode, and Casio's fancy high-speed videos of up to 1000 FPS at thumbnail sizes. There's also a high-speed shooting mode that does 30 ten megapixel images at 40 FPS. Coming in March for US$300.

Exlim EX-ZR100

Next up is the EX-H30, a compact superzoom featuring a 16 megapixel sensor with a sensor-shift stabilised 12.5x 24-300mm equivalent f/3.0-5.9 zoom lens, 720p video... and none of the fancy stuff in the ZR100. It's essentially a cheaper less fancier version of the ZR100, which means it's slightly cheaper, at US$250. Also coming in March.

Exlim EX-H30

Lastly we have two similar budget cameras here, the EX-ZS10 and EX-ZS5. Both feature a 14 megapixel sensor with a 5x 26-130mm equivalent zoom lens, with the ZS10 carrying a f/3.2-6.5 lens, and the ZS5 carrying a f/2.8-6.5 lens. The ZS10 does 720p video, while the ZS5 does VGA. A 2.7" LCD screen comes standard for both. Expected in March for US$120 and $100 respectively. $20 just for a few tickboxes. Once again, the budget market...

Exlim EX-ZS10/ZS5


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