Digital Technology News, Camera, Camcorder and Cool Gadget Reviews

Fujifilm again grabbed the top slot in the prosumer category with the S2500HD which was launched this year.

An upgrade of FinePix S2000HD, The Fujifilm FinePix S2500HD comes with a higher 12 MP lens and higher optical zoom. The automatic and manual modes and features like dual image stabilization, continuous mode and huge zoom ensure that the user has enough power in hand to capture amazing shots anytime, anywhere. A quiet addition is the Panorama mode which its predecessor lacked.

Specs: 12.1 MP camera; 18X optical zoom; 3-inch LCD; 6400 ISO; 4000X3000 image resolution; 720p video recording

This soundbar has all that it takes to be a winner in the home theater system category. With a blu-ray player neatly concealed within the design, it shows just the soundbar and a subwoofer as components to attach to the TV set.

Content can be fed either via the Blue-ray slot or from USB drives. The design is compact and concise and it is 3D-ready and Wi-Fi upgradable as well.

Specs: 3D blue-ray player; Built-in decoders include Ambisound, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby TuneHD; 600W amplifier; Net TV; Wi-Fi upgradeable; HDMI 1.4, subwoofer output and coaxial audio inputs, optical and RCA; USB port

BenQ resisted the LED and 3D temptations to launch this LCD.

This TV can show moving pictures loud and clear, loud because the SQ4321 sports 2 booming speakers that can wake the dead.

It also sports the Senseye technology which takes special care of the darker parts of the videos. When turned on, it automatically brightens up the dark pixels to present an evently lit-up image.

It supports Full HD resolution and it quite ecofriendly when it comes to power consumption.

Specs: 42-inch display; 5000:1 contrast ratio; 10W X 2 speakers; 1080p resolution; 178 degree viewing angle; 205W power consumption and weights 20 kg.

By redefining the capabilities of a pocket camcorder, the 3rd generation Vado earned a mention for itself in the list.

Capable of shooting videos in high definition (720p), this easy to use camcorder can also capture beautiful stills.

Specs: 4GB memory; 2-inch LCD; 720p video recording; 2 hours battery life; 2X digital zoom; HDMI port; 0.6 inch slim and weights 93 gm.

If you thought 3D technology was only meant for televisions and laptops, you are wrong. Zen S30 comes loaded with images and videos that can be viewed without glasses on the 2.4 inch display.

You can also extend the 3D view to the home-screen and main menu. If you wish, you can switch to the 2D view anytime.

Specs: 2.4-inch display; 1.3 MP camera; Dual SIM; 3D interface, menu and content; expandable up to 8GB

Sony takes the top honors in a segment that did not offer too many products this year. The XR550E is good for all-round use.

It supports Full HD movie recording and has a massive 240 GB built-in hard drive for storing the footage. The 3.5-inch touchscreen is bright and crisp.

The Sony machine also supports 5.1 channel audio recording and has a shoe to attach an external light source as well. Despite packing in so much, it is incredibly light.

Specs: 1080p resolution; MPEG 4 video recording; 10X optical zoom; 3.5 inch touchscreen LCD; 12 MP image capture; USB, mini HDMI port and weights 500 gm.

2010 has been defined by 3D televisions. But nothing measured up to the superior picture quality of Samsung’s 7 series 40-inch beauty.

This TV can play sterioscopic 3D content, turn regular 2D stream into 3D and give the user a chance to browse the web. The LED backlighting enchances the image and the contrast is fabulous.

A pair of Active 3D glasses also come bundled with TV. Moreover, within its slime size, Samsung managed to accommodate 4 HDMI ports and 2USB ports.

Specs:
40 inch 3D LED panel; 26.5 mm slim; Full HD; 10W X 2 Speakers; 4 HDMI, 2 USB ports; Internet Ready and weights 45.3 kg.

The MiFi 2200 is a compact device, weighing 2 ounces and measuring 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches. It has a single power on/off button, and its faux metal front goes well with any mobile Apple product. It connects wirelessly with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. You don’t need it with a 3G-enabled iPhone, but MiFi will bring broadband Internet connectivity to your iPod touch, a non-3G iPad, and other non-3G devices. You can even create a mini-LAN and piggyback off the MiFi’s 3G connection.

Setting up MiFi is straightforward: On your iPad or other WiFi device, go to your network/wireless settings and enter the SSID of the unit and the password. My unit had that information on a sticker on the bottom, but the SSID was wrong. Fortunately, my iPad found the correct SSID when it did a search, and within seconds, I was connected and back in business. Read the rest of this entry »

The Pentax x90 offers a 26X optical zoom (26-67mm equivalent) as well as HD movie recording and control over shutter speed and aperture.

Stabilization is handled with a mechanical, sensor-shift based approach rather than an optical lens-based or ISO system. The addition of a 720p HD movie mode is also a bonus, even if it does come in the less desirable Motion-JPEG format.

The design of the camera is extremely indicative of the intention, being that isn’t shaped to resemble a small DSLR. Annoyingly the grooved ring around the lens barrel doesn’t alter focus, nor can it be removed to attach any accessories. The viewfinder and LCD are disappointingly low res and make detail difficult to make out at times. Read the rest of this entry »

Nikon created much interest last year with the first projector-equipped digital camera, and the new Coolpix S1100PJ updates that model.

A jump from 10 to 14 lumen means projector brightness is boasted by 40% while the sensor has also been revised to now offer 14.1MP.

Similarly, the upgraded 3in, 460K-dot LCD now features touchscreen operation, though the lens retains its 5X optical zoom range from 28-140mm, and features Vibration Reduction.

There have also been some significant changes to the design for both cosmetic and practical reasons. The rear offers just three buttons; other operation takes place via the touchscreen, which largely involves small and unresponsive buttons. Read the rest of this entry »