Olympus announces six new digicams

22:00 EST - Continuing what's proving to be a monumental day for camera announcements as the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show nears opening day, Olympus has taken the wraps off six new models for its Stylus-Tough, Stylus and FE-series.

The new models are the Olympus Stylus-Tough 3000, Olympus Stylus-5010, Olympus Stylus-7030, Olympus Stylus-7040, Olympus FE-47 and Olympus FE-4020. Given the quite incredible number of announcements today - no less than 29 cameras from five manufacturers - our news team have run out of gas. Not to fear though, because we've just posted previews of the Stylus-Tough 3000, Stylus-5010, Stylus-7030,... (More)

Sony launches Cyber-shot HX5V and TX7 (UPDATED)

19:30 EST - With CES around the corner, Sony has taken the wraps off its Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V and Cyber-shot DSC-TX7 digital cameras.

The Sony Cyber-shot HX5V and Cyber-shot TX7 are said to be the world's first digital still cameras capable of recording full 1080i (1920 x 1080 pixel, with 60 interlaced fields per second), using the AVC HD codec and with Dolby Digital stereo audio. The Sony TX7 and HX5V are also the first Cyber-shot models to include in-camera HDR capability, a feature previously seen in certain of the company's... (More)

Sony: Five new Cyber-shot compacts (UPDATED)

19:30 EST - Sony has today announced five new Cyber-shot compact digital cameras, including the first CCD-based Cyber-shots to feature the company's sweep panorama technology.

We've seen Sweep Panorama in several past Sony models, but always those based around CMOS image sensors. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350 and DSC-W370 put an end to that, capable of capturing 268-degree and 243-degree panoramas respectively. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W370 and DSC-W350 both have fourteen megapixel imagers, but make different choices in the lens and LCD departments. The DSC-W350 has a Carl... (More)

Panasonic announces three Lumix FH-series digicams

18:30 EST - Panasonic has today launched its new Lumix FH-series with three models - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20, Lumix DMC-FH3, and Lumix DMC-FH1.

The Panasonic Lumix FH20 is based around a fourteen megapixel CCD image sensor and a Lumix DC Vario-branded 8x optical zoom lens. Usefully, the Panasonic FH20 includes true mechanical image stabilization to help combat blur from camera shake. Images are framed and reviewed on the DMC-FH20's 2.7-inch LCD display, as there's no optical viewfinder on this model. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 80 to 1,600... (More)

Panasonic: two new Lumix FP-series digicams

18:30 EST - Panasonic has today announced its Lumix DMC-FP3 and Lumix DMC-FP1 digital cameras, a duo of slim-bodied cameras that share the same prism-folded lens design.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 is based around a fourteen megapixel CCD image sensor, while the Lumix FP1 features a slightly lower-res twelve megapixel sensor. Both the DMC-FP3 and FP1 include a Lumix DC Vario-branded 4x optical zoom lens, and include true mechanical image stabilization to help combat blur from camera shake. Other than the image sensor, the most significant difference between the DMC-FP1... (More)

Panasonic announces Lumix DMC-F3

18:30 EST - Panasonic has today announced its Lumix DMC-F3 digital camera, an entry-level model designed with an eye towards simplicity.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-F3 is based around a twelve megapixel CCD image sensor and a Lumix DC Vario-branded 3x optical zoom lens. The Panasonic F3 forgoes an optical image stabilizer in favor of a digital image stabilization. Images are framed and reviewed on the DMC-F3's 2.7-inch LCD display, as there's no optical viewfinder on this model. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 80 to 1,600 equivalents, except... (More)

Samsung announces CL80, TL240 digicams

17:00 EST - Rounding out its digital camera announcements for the day, Samsung has unveiled two new models that it notes are the first consumer electronic devices to be manufactured using hydro-forming technology, which uses a fluid under high pressure to mold a product from a metal sheet.

The Samsung CL80 features a 14.2 megapixel CCD image sensor behind a Schneider Kreuznach-branded 7x optical zoom lens. The CL80 offers Samsung's Dual Image Stabilization technology, and provides a roomy 3.7-inch wide screen WVGA AMOLED display on which to frame and review images. The display also functions as a control method, courtesy of a touch panel and Samsung's Smart Gesture interface. The feature-rich... (More)

Samsung: Two new DualView digicams

17:00 EST - Samsung has today announced two new digital cameras that retain the unusual DualView system from its previous TL220 and TL225 digital cameras.

Like their predecessors, the newly unveiled Samsung TL210 and TL205 feature an alternative to articulated LCD designs for allowing the subject to preview themselves in the photo. In place of the more common tilt/swivel mechanism that lets the rear-panel LCD be redirected to face in front of the camera, the Samsung TL210 and Samsung TL205 both include a small secondary LCD display on their front panel.... (More)

Samsung: Two new entry-level SL-series digicams

17:00 EST - Samsung has today announced its new SL600 and SL50 digital cameras - a duo of closely related entry-level models.

The Samsung SL600 is based around a 12.2 megapixel CCD image sensor, while the Samsung SL50 sports a slightly lower-res 10.2 megapixel CCD. Both cameras couple their choice of sensor with a Samsung-branded 5x optical zoom lens that offers 35mm-equivalent focal lengths from a useful 27mm wide angle to a moderate 135mm telephoto. The other main difference between Samsung's SL600 and SL50 can be found... (More)

Casio: Four new EXILIM digicams

14:45 EST - Casio has today announced four new digital cameras for the Consumer Electronics Show - the Casio EXILIM EX-FH100, EX-H15, EX-Z2000 and EX-Z550.

The Casio EXILIM EX-Z2000 and EXILIM EX-Z550 mark the entry point, and are closely related 14.1 megapixel compact cameras that differ in their choices of lens, power, storage and some firmware functionality. The Casio EXILIM Z550 couples its imager to a 4x optical zoom lens, while the Z2000 opts for a 5x zoom that's a little less bright, but offers more telephoto reach. The Z550 also has rather less... (More)

Canon: Four new A-series PowerShots

11:30 EST - Canon has today announced four new entry-level digital cameras for its PowerShot A-series, of which two are the first in the line to use lithium-ion battery packs.

All but the Canon PowerShot A3100 IS are based around ten megapixel CCD image sensors. The Canon PowerShot A490 and A495 both couple this to the same 3.3x optical zoom lens, while the PowerShot A3000 IS has a slightly more powerful, optically stabilized 4x zoom. The Canon A3100 IS uses a slightly higher-resolution twelve megapixel CCD imager, and couples it to the same stabilized 4x zoom as the A3000.... (More)

Samsung debuts NX10 APS-C hybrid digicam

19:08 EST - Samsung has today unveiled its much-anticipated NX10 digital camera - a mirrorless, interchangeable lens model that offers direct competition for Olympus and Panasonic's popular Micro Four Thirds format.

In March 2009 Samsung first revealed that it was developing the NX-series, based around APS-C sized image sensors. At the time, the first NX-series digital camera was expected to reach the market in the second half of 2009. That target has now slipped to Spring 2010, but the Samsung NX10 hybrid looks none the less interesting for the delay. Samsung's NX format is very similar to Micro Four Thirds... (More)