UK Digital Cameras Blog

A swimming mask equipped with a digital camera has been created and is thought to be the first of its kind, Forbes reported this week.

Hammacher Schlemmer has incorporated a waterproof digital camera into the mask, so snorkeling or scuba diving fans can now take photographs hands-free while plumbing the depths.

According to Forbes, the camera weighs in at five megapixels with a shutter button located above one of the eyes.

It can function up to depths of 15 feet and store 30 high-resolution images together with 52 seconds of video clips on the built-in memory.

In addition, it is PC and Mac-compatible and comes with an extra slot for more memory.

Reviewer Lauren Sherman described Hammacher Schlemmer, which was established in 1848, as a “maker of nifty gadgets”

It also offers consumer lifestyle gadgets such as the Ropeless Jump Rope and the Original Sleep Sound Generator.

A “decent amateur photographer” has discussed his use of a Canon ESO 450D for taking panoramic shots.

Writing on Gearlog, Geoff Fox said he recently snapped the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges in New York, producing what he thinks is the best photograph he has ever taken.

To do so, he took 11 shots using the Canon ESO 450D with a Sigma 30mm F1.4 lens.

And for budding panorama photographers, he gave some tips, including using a tripod at night and manually focusing the camera when possible.

Using a zoom lens was also recommended by Mr Fox, who said it is not necessarily a negative thing if the zoom lens produces some spatial distortion.

When it comes to actually taking the photograph, keep steady and make sure the camera is aligned with the horizon. After taking one shot, move along a little bit and make sure there is lots of overlap so there are lots of different choices for the final product.

Meanwhile, Canon has a range of compact cameras available for those who are looking for a new model, such as the Canon Ixus 970 Silver which has a ten megapixel resolution and a 5x optical zoom.

A new addition to the Sony Cyber-shot range offers “style and substance”, the manufacturer says.

The Sony Cyber-shot T500 includes 10.1 million pixels with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 5x optical zoom lens, a 3.5-inch display and touch screen functionality.

However, the camera also enables users to capture video clips in high-definition quality – something fans of beautiful images might be excited about.

Clips can be up to ten minutes long and use stereo sound to record audio.

The Sony Cyber-shot T500 is available in black, silver or red and the company says it is easy to switch between photo and video modes using a button at the top of the camera.

It also features a Dual Anti-Blur solution and High Sensitivity mode.

Meanwhile, another option for those looking to purchase a compact camera might want to check out the Canon Powershot A470 Grey, which has 7.1 million pixels and a 3.4x optical zoom.

Following the announcement of a new range of digital cameras, Canon has unveiled a number of other related products.

Pocket Lint reports that the manufacturer’s Canon EOS 50D was the main announcement that will be “hogging a lot of the attention” in the digital camera sector but added that its new printers and scanners were also noteworthy.

In terms of printers, Canon boosted its Pixma all-in-one photo printing range seven new models, including some that are equipped with the firm’s Auto Photo Fix (APF) Auto Scan Mode (ASM) and ChromaLife100+ (CL) technologies.

APF is described as an image correction facility, whereas AS is designed to make scanning images an easier process. CL, on the other hand, “is claimed to deliver longer lasting, fade resistant photos,” the article added.

Canon’s “trio of new scanners”, it concluded, also offer “faster scanning speeds and higher resolutions [than] their predecessors”.

The Canon PowerShot SX110IS, PowerShot E1, A1000 IS and A2000 IS are among the other cameras the company has also recently unveiled.

The Panasonic TZ5 is an ideal companion for those looking for a travel camera, according to a new review.

Trusted Reviews notes that although there are a number of other compact cameras available that sport similar prices and specification - none can do both at the same time.

It states that the eight-megapixel Canon PowerShot SX100 IS is one model which competes with the Panasonic TZ5 on price and adds that the ten-megapixel Ricoh R8 does so in performance, but adds that Panasonic’s camera is a perfect blend of both.

“In fact the closest competitor is its own stablemate the TZ4, currently selling for around £150, but the TZ5’s larger 3.0-inch monitor and the extra megapixel of resolution are big selling points,” the site notes.

The reviewer goes on to note that having used the Panasonic TZ5 for a week, he has grown attached to its design and performance and adds that he will be hard-pushed to give it back.

Both the Panasonic TZ5 and its TZ4 sibling are available now from UKDigital Cameras.

Canon has announced the launch of a new range of digital cameras, including two that are aimed at entry-level users.

In addition to the high performance, nine-megapixel Canon PowerShot SX110IS and the style-conscious Canon PowerShot E1, the manufacturer is to add to its range of A-series compact models, Trusted Reviews reports.

The site states that the Canon A1000 IS and Canon A2000 IS will both boast a ten-megapixel sensor, as well as optical image stabilisation, DIGIC III processing, 30fps VGA video capabilities and a 3200 ISO maximum sensitivity.

However, the article notes that there are some differences between the two cameras that will separate the two on their release next month.

“The A2000 IS has a 6x optical zoom lens and a 3.0-inch LCD monitor and is available in gunmetal and silver, while the A1000 IS has a 4x zoom lens, a 2.5-inch monitor and comes in a range of colours, blue, brown or silver,” it adds.

In addition both models offer 17 shooting modes and face detection technology and are likely to be up against rival models from Panasonic and Samsung.

Adobe’s has boosted its cannon of digital photo enhancement software this week by announcing the launch of a new version of its Photoshop application.

The company’s Adobe Premiere Elements 7 has been unveiled and will be accompanied by an additional membership package that will be available to users on the Photoshop. com website.

It is noted that the new digital photo and video editing software is a “landmark upgrade” and will represent the opportunity for digital camera users to improve their skills.

Commenting on the launch, Adobe’s vice president and general manager of consumer and hosted solutions Doug Mack said that Premiere Elements 7 puts powerful techniques at the fingertips of its users.

“The addition of Photoshop. com membership provides cinematic inspiration and the ability to set up screenings anywhere of videos packed with knockout effects,” he said.

Digital camera users signing up for Photoshop. com membership will be able to add sound effects and music to their projects as well as access web tutorials.

Canon’s latest range of digital cameras continues the company’s dedication to providing young consumers an entry-level photography solution.

Commenting on the launch of its latest ten-megapixel model, the Canon PowerShot E1, the manufacturer said that the colourful model is designed to be simple and stylish.

Canon admits that the PowerShot E1 digital camera is targeted squarely at the “teen and tween markets” and is ideal for slumber parties, concerts or graduation celebrations.

Commenting on the new model, Canon US’ senior vice president and general manager for consumer imaging Yuichi Ishizuka said that the E-series models offered young people the opportunity to get involved with the joy of photography.

“Canon keeps photography fun and inspiring for memory-seekers of all ages by producing a camera that is relevant to a younger market,” he said.

The camera features a 4x optical zoom-lens, image stabilisation, face detection and is available in white, blue and pink.

A new model from Olympus is as rugged as it is innovative, a new review has suggested.

The Olympus Stylus 1050 SW digital camera has been praised in a recent article for the Indian Tech Gadgets website for its tough exterior and range of interesting features.

It is noted that the Olympus 1050 SW is shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof and incorporates touch-sensitive and motion sensing technology.

Nadine Clark, product manager of Olympus Imaging America Inc said that the purpose behind the model was to offer high-performance features that were easy for consumers to get to grips with.

“Consumers are familiar with motion-sensor technology from popular videogame controls that translate physical motion into electronic commands, she said.

“The Stylus 1050 SW employs similar technology. Adjusting the camera settings is intuitive, because the whole camera reacts to the way it’s tapped.”

The camera features a 10.1-megapixel sensor, is available in blue, champagne, silver and black - and is equipped with shadow adjustment, face detection, smile shot and red eye reduction.

Three new ten-megapixel compact cameras have been added to the Canon PowerShot range, according to reports.

Pocket Lint states that the manufacturer has boosted its range with units that are around 25 per cent slimmer than their predecessors and are expected to be available next month.

The Canon PowerShot A1000 IS is noted as a replacement for the A580 and the Canon PowerShot A2000 IS was suggested as the successor to the manufacturer’s A720.

It adds that the third in the selection, the Canon PowerShot E1, “has been launched with the claim that it is designed by women for women bringing ‘head-turning, feminine style’ to the range”.

Easy Mode will feature on all models and will be just one of 17 various shooting modes that can be used alongside face and motion detection as well as red-eye management.

The Canon PowerShot A580 is an eight-megapixel model available now for under £100.