Digital kamera guide

The Cyber-shot DSC-W370 from Sony may very well represent the company's most powerful beginner-level point and shoot digital camera it has ever offered. With an MSRP of $229.99, that's no small feat. (Compare Prices)

The W370 can shoot at resolutions up to 14 megapixels, and it includes an impressive 7X optical zoom lens. It can shoot in 720p HD video, and the W370 has a 3.0-inch LCD.

In addition, the W370 offers Sony's "Sweep Panorama" technology, which allows the W370 to easily shoot panoramic photos at 243 degrees and at resolutions up to 7152x1080 pixels.

Fujifilm has emphasized an ability to smoothly handle HD images and video with its FinePix S2550HD fixed lens digital camera. Look for the S2550HD camera to be available later in March at an MSRP of $249.95 in black only.

The S2550HD (also called the S2500HD and S2600HD in some parts of the world) will shoot HD video at 720p. It also includes a mini HDMI port to easily pass your video and images to an HDTV.

In addition, Fujifilm has included an 18X optical zoom lens (28mm-504mm equivalent), a 3.0-inch LCD, dual image stabilization, and 12 megapixels of resolution. At just under $250, the S2550HD is a strong contender for beginning photographers looking for power beyond the typical point and shoot camera.

The Camera & Photo Imaging Show -- CP+ for short -- will hold its first event March 11-14 in Yokohama, Japan.

The show, sponsored by the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) of Japan, will highlight products related to photo imaging entertainment, photo shooting, photo viewing, and photo sharing. CIPA includes companies such as Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Nikon, Casio, and Canon.

Even though there have been dozens of camera announcements already in 2010, it's possible we'll see some additional announcements at the CP+ event. If so, I'll keep you updated in my blog during the next few days.

Japanese Camera Show Begins Soon originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 12:31:17.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Canon launches the REALiS SX7 Mk II Multimedia LCOS projector. This new model offers SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) native resolution and 4000 lumens of brightness, delivers excellent, lattice-free motion and still images. The Photo Image Mode allows you to easily make changes to improve look & feel of the content being projected. The Color Level and Temperature functions allow for fine-tuning by selecting from easy-to-use presets. The SX7 carries a hefty price tag of $6999, but a bit of Internet shopping will get you much better deals...

Tamron will develop a 70-300mm F/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens. The new lens - to celebrate Tamron 60th anniversary - can be used with both full-frame sensor and AF 35mm cameras with a zoom range of 70-300mm; or with APS-C sensor cameras where the angle of view will change the zoom range equal to 109-465mm. Furthermore, it offers image stabilization-VC (Vibration Compensation) and an ultrasonic auto-focus drive -- USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). The lens has been produced for the Nikon mount, Canon and Sony mounts will follow...

Panasonic has announced two new cameras aimed at DSLR users that make use of the Micro Four Thirds system of interchangeable lenses.

The Lumix DMC-G2 DSLR camera (pictured here) includes a touch screen, 3.0-inch LCD that allows you to shoot a photo simply by touching the screen. The touch screen also is important in managing the camera's auto-focus system.

The Lumix DMC-G10 DSLR model is a compact camera aimed at those looking to make the move from a point and shoot camera to a DSLR model. The G10 includes many automatic modes (aimed at making photography as easy as possible) as well as manual modes.

Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date for the G2 and G10. Once these cameras are closer to being sold, I'd guess they'll make my list of the best new Panasonic cameras, so check back. Panasonic announced last year plans to increase the market share of its digital cameras in the United States, and these models have enough great features that the company is clearly moving toward that goal.

Digital Foci will introduce a new Pearl White version of its Photo Book, a portable digital photo album with an 8-inch 800 x 600 digital LCD color screen and a large 4 GB built-in memory at the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International Convention in Las Vegas this week. Featuring a slim design encased in a soft leather-like case photo display, Photo Book offers over 2.5 hours of battery life and an easy and portable way to enjoy and share digital photos. The Pearl White Photo Book will be available in June priced at $189...

Panasonic launches the new standard zoom lens for LUMIX G Micro System. The Ultra-compact and light weight Lumix G Vario 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH / MEGA O.I.S. lens offers a zoom range of 14-42mm (28-84mm equiv. ) suitable for a wide range of scenes from dynamic landscape to portrait. With its minimum focus distance of 30 cm even at full zoom, the new lens provides a maximum magnification of 0.32x. The new lens will be available from June 2010 with either the new DMC-G2, DMC-G10 or as a standalone lens...

If you like the style of Harley-Davidson motorcycle brand products, you now can bring that look to your digital camera, thanks to a partnership between Harley-Davidson and Olympus.

Olympus has just begun offering the limited-edition leather camera cases, which feature the silver studs, buckles, and chains common with Harley-Davidson brand items. Harley-Davidson themed leather cases that also fit PDAs, GPS devices, MP3 players, and cell phones also are available from Olympus.

In addition, Olympus has made a few other announcements recently:

• A new beginner-level camera, the Olympus T-100, has been announced, and it will carry an MSRP of $99.99. It's available directly from Olympus and a few other companies. (Compare Prices)
• Another recently announced Olympus point and shoot camera, the FE 4030, is similar to the FE 4020. They differ slightly in the type of image sensors they use and in their lists of scene modes. Both cameras even carry the same MSRP of $149.99. (Compare Prices)
• Japanese group Olympus Corp. president Tsuyoshi Kikukawa told Reuters this week that his company is hoping to expand its market share in DSLR cameras from 5% to 20% in three years, thanks in part to its Micro Four Thirds System lenses and cameras like the PEN E-PL1.
• Fast Company magazine has named Olympus a "most innovative company" in the consumer electronics division.

Photo courtesy Olympus

Panasonic announces the new compact, lightweight Lumix DMC-G10 featuring dual Full-time Live View for the LCD and the LVF (Live View Finder). It gives you a live view of what you're shooting, with approx. 100% field of view. The wide-viewing angle 3.0" LCD features 460,000-dot resolution. The Intelligent LCD automatically controls the brightness and provides sharp, clear images in virtually all shooting situations. The DMC-G10 also features Contrast AF system that is not only accurate and easy-to-use, but also very fast...