UK Digital Cameras Blog

Sony has just released a new high-speed memory stick to deal with the increasing demands of high-performance digital cameras and camcorders.

The firm describes the item as the “ideal upgrade” stating that its 20 MB per second read speed will prove to be “more than capable of coping with the strain”.

Sony’s Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX comes with a USB adaptor and is available in 8 GB and 16 GB formats.

The company says that the increased demands of high-megapixel compacts, SLRs with continuous shooting ability and HD camcorders will be met by its new card.

It is claimed that the data transfer speeds offered by the new piece of technology will increase by one-third on those found in the Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2).

For those who do not need the new capabilities of Sony’s latest product, the Memory Stick PRO Duo can be purchased for flexible use in cameras, mobile phones and even the PSP.

Article about smoke screen to follow. There will also be information about smokescreens. Smoke screen

One of the first extras consumers should consider when entering the realm of digital cameras is a memory card reader, one expert has suggested.

In an article this week for the American PC World website, Dave Johnson offers a number of tips on how to become a more efficient digital photographer and states buying a reader could be the first step.

Mr Johnson states that although some PCs have memory card readers built in, others do not and as such this can be an essential purchase for those new to digital cameras.

“Rather than using the USB connection cable that came with your camera, pop out the memory card and insert it in the card reader,” he states.

He adds that by doing this, consumers will not only “avoid running down your camera batteries while transferring your photos to the PC” but will also free up time to go out and take more pictures with a second card “while the first card is busy”.

Some memory card readers currently available are compatible with up to 23 different types of storage device.

The Sigma Macro 70mm F2.8 EX DG lens has been awarded with the prestigious European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) award in the macro lens section.

The EISA awards are chosen annually by a panel representing close to 50 photo, video, audio, home theatre and mobile electronics magazines from over 18 different European countries. Each of the panels operates independently but is under contract to EISA.

The Sigma Macro 70mm F2.8 EX DG lens won the award as judges deemed it to be suitable for both macro and portraiture photography. Sigma claims that it offers an “unusual” level of optical, both when used at normal distances or at maximum magnification (1:1).

Sigma also says that it “combines outstanding sharpness with low distortion and minimal vignetting” and is an “excellent choice for the connoisseur, as well as for the eager amateur seeking good value for money”.

Samsung has launched a new model of digital camera with PMP functionality and startling versatility - the 8.1 megapixel i85.

Despite being roughly the size of a credit card, the camera feature at large high resolution LCD screen that allows people to compose and review their shots in detail.

In addition, there are several improvements to previous models, such as the 5x optical zoom replacing the 3x zoom of earlier editions.

However, the versatile camera can also be used in various other ways to act as fully functional multimedia device.

As well as taking photographs, users can record videos and even upload audio and movie files, allowing people to use the device to view their favourite songs and music.

Stewart Henderson from Samsung commented: “Essentially a lifestyle accessory for the tech savvy, the i85 gives users the ability to shed the various gadgets that they would typically take with them on a daily basis.”

He stated that instead of carrying separate gadgets, the i85 would act as a camera, video camera and MP3 player in one easy-to-carry device.

A new technology recently patented by Motorola could result in mobile phone users being able to charge their phone while on the move.

The LCD has solar cells which would enable mobile phones or other portable devices to be charged by sunlight, resulting in a solution to an annoying problem that affects many mobile users.

In technical speak, a screen is placed on top of one or more solar cells and then when light passes through the cells, the battery is charged as a consequence.

Earlier tests conducted by Motorola had not been as successful as the company would have liked with less than six per cent of light reaching the reflective screen.

Addressing this problem, the firm managed to use either polymer-disbursed liquid crystal or cholesteric liquid crystal in the display and these substances meant that due to there no longer being a necessity for both a polariser and a reflective screen to be utilised together, this change resulted in around 75 per cent of the light therefore reaching the cells.