Category — Digital Cameras

Ever feel like it’s YouTube’s world, and we’re just living in it?  That must be why some Casio digital cameras now have a YouTube mode for easy transfer of videos directly to the behemoth video site.  The Casio Exilim EX-S10 is a 10.1 MegaPixel digital camera, and 3X optical zoom.

As for the YouTube extras, the camera includes a “YouTube Mode” for filming videos in MPEG format, which  is designed to get optimum video quality with smaller files.  The Casio You Tube camera also includes software for uploading multiple videos directly from the camera to the site. A one GB SD card will get you about 18 minutes of digital video on this camera. I found the Casio Exilim EX-S10 YouTube camera at Beach Camera for $208

Olympus digital cameras seem to be appealing more and more to the extreme sports and outdoors crowds. This one got my attention because of the built in tap control. The camera responds to a tap anywhere on the body, so that you can operate it without fumbling around for the button-ideal if you’re wearing gloves or moving quickly.

The Olympus Stylus 1050 SW is features 10.1 megapixels, and it’s shockproof, waterproof, and freezeproof. It also comes equipped with “Smile Shot” technology which automatically detects a smile on the face of your subjects, and shoots 3 frames in rapid succession.

Measuring 3.7 in. X 2.4 in. X .76 in. , the camera also has a 2.5 inch LCD viewing screen. Shutter speeds range from 1/1000 of a second to 1/4 of a second (night mode). The Olympus Stylus 1050 SW digital camera is available at CompUSA for $299.

Although it may be priced towards the high end of Canon digital cameras for amateur photographers, the Canon Rebel XSi, sure packs in a lot of features for shutterbugs. With 12.2 mega-pixels, the quality is there to get photo quality (defined as 300 dpi) images up to 8X12 inches, and 200 dpi images up to 13X19 inches. That means you can afford to crop off some unwanted portions of photos and still enlarge saved portion to a frame-able size.

Do you ever get frustrated while trying to photograph your kids’ sporting events, or other moving targets? The Canon Rebel XSi will shoot up to 3.5 frames per second, and it does so even at the highest resolutions.

The Canon Rebel XSi, priced around $699, has built-in anti-dust technology. If dust comes into contact with the sensor when the lens is changed, it is removed automatically via ultrasonic vibration, a feature which comes on automatically every time the camera is turned on or off. Read more about the Canon Rebel XSi at Circuit City.

If you’re into iPhone accessories, or international spy missions, you might like this telescope for your iPhone camera.  The telescope gives you 6x zoom for improving the quality of iPhone photos .  The telescopic lens mounts to a built-in bracket on a hard plastic iPhone case (included).  Focus can be improved by manually adjusting the bezel on the telescope.

One important note- this gadget only works with the original iPhone, not the iPhone 3G. The lens is 7 cm long, and comes with a carry strap.  I found the iPhone telescopic lens at ThinkGeek.

Digital photo printers are evolving from mediocre plug and play gadgets to full blown home photo labs.  Check out the Sony Snap Lab home photo system. It uses thermal transfer printing to create “lab quality” digital photo prints. Many digital photo printers limit you to 4X6 prints or smaller, but this one allows you to print 5X7s and 3X5s too.

The Sony Snap Lab features an 8-inch LCD touch screen for on-screen editing, and you can use it with or without a computer.  A 4X6 takes about 15 seconds to print, and you can print in black and white as well as sepia tones.

The photo lab includes software, a paper tray, a paper holder, and other items. It’s big too-measures 10-7/8″W x 11-7/8″H x 14-15/16″D and weighs 24 lbs. Since it’s priced at more than $1400, you’ll be wise to take advantage of the built in security slot for using a security cable with this new gadget.  I found the Sony Snap Lab at B&H Photo.

If you like having quick access to a video camera wherever you go, check out this new Kodak video camera that you can easily fit in your pocket. The Kodak Zi6 HD pocket video camera captures 60 frames per second. It also has an SD card slot for expanding the up to 32 GB, and a 2.4 inch LCD screen.

The Kodak Zi6 video camera includes AV cables and HD cables for watching your videos on any high definition TV. It looks simple to operate with one button for recording and not even a lens cap to deal with, and I like the built in USB connector for easy transfers and You Tube fun. There’s also the option to capture still photos from your digital video. The Kodak Zi6 also includes 2 AA rechargeable batteries, battery charger, case, wrist strap, and photo software.

Here’s a reasonably priced Kodak digital camera with impressive features including face detection capabilities. With face detection, the digital camera automatically recognizes faces and adjusts settings to achieve the best images. The Kodak M1073 10.2 MP camera also sports a 3X optical zoom, and “burst mode” which fires a rapid succession of 4 shots for capturing objects or people in motion.

The high resolution of this Kodak 10.2 MP face detection digital camera means you can use it for poster size prints up to 30X40 inches. There’s also a panoramic stitch mode, which allows users to “stitch” a series of images together to make one panoramic image. I found the Kodak EasyShare M1073 with face detection for around $165.

Feeling a little adventurous? Here’s a waterproof digital camera that appears to be designed for even the most extreme lifestyles. The Olympus Stylus 1030 SW Silver is a 10.1 mega pixel digital camera that is waterproof, freezeproof, dustproof, crushproof and shockproof. According to Olympus, it’s ok to take the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW in the pool or even in the ocean up to 33 feet. As far as other measures of durability, the Stylus digital camera is shockproof up to 6.6 feet, freezeproof to 14 degrees, and can withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure before it gives up the ghost.

This underwater digital camera also features a 3.6X wide angle lens, 5X zoom, and a 2.7 inch LCD screen. It retails for around $349. Might be a good way to get started in underwater digital photography without a gigantic investment in equipment. See an interactive video of the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW.

Want to monitor your business or your home via your cell phone or Blackberry? The ConnectVu-Cam is a USB security camera that streams a live video feed to your cell phone, Blackberry or PDA via your computer.

The ConnectVu-Cam features a built-in microphone and low-light sensor which will activate attached LED lighting. With the included software, up to 5 users can view the same video feed using their cell phones. The software also allows users to program the web cam with email security alerts when motion is detected.

In addition to traditional security applications, the mobile component of this web cam might make it a good option for parents who want to keep an eye on the kids, or even the babysitter.  Find out more about the ConnectVu-Cam at CCTV Mobile.

Anyone who’s ever used a mobile printer with their notebook computer probably understands just how much abuse one of these things endures while bouncing around in the backseat of your car. That’s why I like the rugged look of the HP Office Jet H470 mobile printer-looks like it might be able to take a moderate amount of mistreatment.

The H470 portable printer weighs 5 pounds and it’s compatible with all your portable devices, including digital cameras, memory sticks, and PDAs. It holds up to 50 sheets of paper, and can print up to 22 pages a minute depending on the print quality you select.

Oh- and in case you like to work or study while sipping a latte at Starbucks, there’s an anti-vibration feature to prevent annoying the people around you. Optional features on the HP Office Jet H470 include a wireless printer adapter, a 12v adapter for using it in your car, and a travel holder for HP ink cartridges.