2009 promises to be an exciting year as manufacturers pull out all the stops to make sure that you buy their products. With the global financial crisis dampening the atmosphere somewhat, you can be sure that there will be products announced to revive your lust for getting a new camera. The 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will run from January 8-11 and we will cover all the breaking news so that you won't miss a thing.
2009 CES Show Summary 12 January 2009
This year's CES was mainly dominated by the AV home entertainment products with LCD TVs being one of the major attractions. While the show took up less floor space, as exhibitors tighten their belts in the financial crisis, we were still seeing a lot of innovations as manufacturers strive their very best to dominate our attention and spending. While new DSLRs are reserved for a PMA release as usual, there were still many new digital camera and camcorder models coming out. While Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-G3 took centre stage for the camera release, a host of improved camcorders from Sony, Panasonic and JVC carved up all the attention for camcorders. Innovations were not just with the announced products though as there were also announcement of the new memory card technology that will soon see us carrying 2 terabytes memory cards. All in all, as it's still very early in the year, we can be certain that what we saw here at CES is just the start of what's to come.
New JVC Everio Line-up - Dual Slot SD Camcorders and more! 12 January 2009
All 2009 Everio camcorders are extremely compact, with the high definition models for the first time the same size as standard definition Everios that use the same media.
The 2009 JVC Everio line includes three HD Everio models that all record 1920x1080 full HD video. The GZ-HD300, with 60GB hard drive, and the GZ-HD320, with 120GB hard drive, offer HDD storage for extra-long recording times. The GZ-HM200 offers dual SD card recording, with continuous recording from one card to the next, and is one of the smallest and lightest full HD camcorders available. All JVC HD Everios feature a 1/4.1-inch 3.05 megapixel CMOS image sensor. A new KONICA MINOLTA HD lens, developed especially for Everio, delivers a 20x optical zoom. Further contributing to high quality video is Face Detection technology which automatically adjusts focus and exposure for sharp, beautiful images.
In standard definition, there are three new Everio G series models - the 60GB GZ-MG630, the 80GB GZ-MG670 and the 120GB GZ-MG680, each featuring a 1/6-inch 800,000-pixel CCD image sensor. Each model also uses a KONICA MINOLTA lens with a 40x dynamic zoom. Dynamic zoom achieves up to 40x magnification by using nearly all of the CCD's effective pixels without any picture quality degradation. Two models, the GZ-MG680 and GZ-MG670, offer HD upconversion that converts the camcorders' standard definition recordings for output as a 1920x1080p upconverted video signal, allowing HDMI connection to compatible HD televisions. Both models have an HDMI mini terminal.
The Everio S series of memory camcorders includes two models - the GZ-MS120, with dual SD card slots, and the GZ-MS130, with an SD card slot and 16GB of internal flash memory. Both offer continuous recording whereby recording automatically switches to the other when one storage medium fills up.
Latest Camcorder Releases from Panasonic 10 January 2009
Panasonic expanded its range of camcorders with a total of eleven camcorders with some boasting innovations such as a newly developed 3CMOS chip system and others a world first's 70x optical zoom being key attractions.
Sony’s New G-series, S-series and W-series Cameras 9 January 2009
With a host of new camcorders also being released, Sony was by no means neglecting the digital compact camera segment with their new releases in the G-series, S-series and W-series.
Innovations from Casio wows CES 9 January 2009
Taking innovations another step further, Casio impresses with its soon to be released cameras. At CES, Casio has announced six new EXILIM models of which two are High Speed models which can offer a high-speed 30 shot-per-second burst rate and high-speed movies at a maximum of 1000 fps. The Casio EX-FS10 is a card-sized camera just 0.64-inch thin, and the Casio EX-FC100 is a compact camera that fits perfectly in the palm of the hand. Both cameras offer a 9.1 megapixels sensor but the bigger FC100 offers more in performance. The Casio FC100 offers 2.7-inch LCD as well as a 5x optical zoom with a CMOS shift anti-shake function. While the FS10 offers a 2.5-inch LCD and a 3x optical zoom.
Taking advantage of the high-speed image processing abilities of Casio's new EXILIM Engine 4.0, Casio EX-Z400, EX-Z270 and EX-S12 all includes the new Dynamic Photo function which allows the photographer to cut out the main subject of interest in an image that has just been captured and then combine it with another image to form the background. Last but not least, we have the EXILIM EX-S5 which sports a compact body based on a new design concept. It aims to makes high-quality photographic functionality simpler to use than ever before.
New & Improved Sony Handycam Camcorders 9 January 2009
Sony was quick to announce a total of sixteen camcorders this year at the CES with additions to both its standard and high definition range. Not just repackaging existing models, Sony promises some significant improvements that we could appreciate.
Olympus Latest Lineup of Cameras 8 January 2009
At this year's CES, Olympus has not only launched the first of their rebranded TOUGH series cameras but also came out all guns blazing with lots of new products.
KODAK EasyShare Z980 6 January 2009
Working hard to ensure that CES 2009 is another "Kodak moment" for you, Kodak announces its latest innovation, the EasyShare Z980. Fitted with a 26mm wide-angle, 24x Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon image stabilized optical zoom lens, the Kodak EasyShare Z980 offers more than just high performance thanks to its innovative detachable vertical grip and vertical shutter release. Giving you performance similar to that of a DSLR in a simple all-in-one solution, the Z980 also supports 720p HD movie support. The EasyShare Z980 also boasts Kodak's exclusive Smart Capture feature, which analyses scenes and adjusts camera settings to deliver better configuration for your composition. There is also the hot shoe for use with the optional KODAK P20 zoom flash.
PENTAX Optio P70 & Optio E70 6 January 2009
With promises to completely revamp their products and re-establish itself in the DSLR market, Pentax was quick to make CES 2009 the start of its campaign with the introduction of a couple of compact digital cameras, the Optio P70 and Optio E70.
The ultra-slim PENTAX Optio P70 is a high-performance camera featuring a 12 megapixels sensor, a 4x optical zoom, plus a wide angle 28mm lens that is ideal for landscape, indoor and group photos. Additional features include a 2.7-inch LCD and new Pixel Track Shake Reduction technology to assure sharp images with low noise even in poor lighting. The Optio P70 also offers Advanced Face Recognition that tracks up to 32 faces in 0.03 seconds, and both Smile Capture and Blink Detection to automatically release the shutter when subjects smile or alert you if your subject’s eyes are closed. HD movie capability at 720p (15fps) adds to the Optio P70’s arsenal of features.
The Pentax Optio E70 is an easy-to-use, affordable camera designed for new digital userswith simple operation and large control buttons in a compact, ultra-slim body. With a 10 megapixels CCD sensor, a 3x optical zoom and a 2.4-inch LCD monitor, the Optio E70 provides solid performance. The Optio E70 also features Pixel Track Shake Reduction technology, Advanced Face Recognition, Smile Capture and Blink Detection.
 "JVC GZ-HD320")
 "JVC GZ-MG680")
 "JVC GZ-MS120")
 "Casio EX-FC100")
 "Casio EX-S5")
 "PENTAX Optio P70")
 "PENTAX Optio E70")
