Technology Vessel

There’s something for everyone in Olympus’ Spring 2009 lineup: the nine cameras announced today include point-and-shoots for all budgets, a 26X superzoom, and several rugged models, an Olympus specialty.

Budget Point-and-Shoots

Fe-5010The FE-3000 ($139), FE-3010 ($149), and FE-5010 ($189, pictured at right) all have  Intelligent Auto mode, face detection for up to 16 faces, in-camera help guides, an LCD backlight boost for viewing images in bright light, and a rechargeable battery, a feature that’s still not standard on budget cameras (or even mid-range ones, for that matter).

The FE-3000 has 10-megapixel resolution, 3X optical zoom, a 2.7-inch LCD, and 16 scene modes; the FE-3010, meanwhile, includes a resolution bump (12-MP) and a slimmer (0.7-inch thick) design. Both models have digital image stabilization.

The FE-5010 also has 12-MP resolution and a 2.7-inch screen, but its lens has 5X optical zoom. It also has dual image stabilization, which is more effective than digital IS.

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Thank you for the price, stylish, compact and utility, digital cameras are perennial crowd pleasers of holidays and gift gifters same. And yet, there is the possibility that the recipient will be disappointed.

On the one hand, there is a reason camera market is so crowded: there are different types of cameras and, in this context, various specifications of the packages, which cater to all photographers serious type of person who loves to write vague albums Facebook. Chances are you’re somewhere in between.

Then there is the aesthetic component. People express allegiance to the flag with the cameras as they do with laptops. Finally, people have the habit of asking for things for the holidays when they have actually done research and have an idea of what model they want. With digital cameras, a product most people understand, it’s pretty easy to do.

This seems to be what happened to a reader, who received an Olympus FE-370 ($ 179), but is considering negotiating for a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS5 ($ 199). Welcome to today’s edition of “keep or throw?”

Panasonic Lumix DMC – fs5Disclaimer: we have not examined more of these cameras. And we gave both low light and views from various cameras Olympus and Panasonic, so you do not hear an expression of brand loyalty on our part.

Let’s start with the specifications, then: The FE-370 has 8.0 megapixels, dual image stabilization (IS), 5x optical zoom, Face Detection, Intelligent Auto Mode, smiles, 19 scene modes and an LCD screen 2 7. Like all Olympus xD-should the size of their business.

The FS5 is a 10.1 megapixel, optical image stabilization, 4x optical zoom, face detection, intelligent auto mode, 23 scene modes and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. It is possible that a MultiMediaCard (MMC) or SD cards.

On most counts, the two devices correspond, 8.0 and 10.1 megapixel formats are clear enough to produce 4 x 6 and 8 x 10 prints yet. One objective 5X is more versatile than a 4X objective, of course, but even 4x is more than enough for shooting range in or near.

As for the difference in the size of the LCD, which should not be a deal-breaker here. (In the case of the Canon Powershot SD880 IS, however, which has a 3 inch screen and an accelerometer, much less touch-screen models, the screen is a bigger selling point.)

This leaves two key factors. First is the stabilization of the image. This is one of the most important features to consider when buying a camera, but the lenses of the companies do not play until all the gadgets, the resolution and face detection.

Well I’m here to tell you optical image stabilization, hands down, better than digital stabilization or duplicate the net, blurry images. Not depends on many scene modes have a camera, or even if it is wise you can choose the most suitable for you, if the IS is the blurry pictures, going to look bad anyway.

Finally, the memory card slot could be a deal-breaker for some people. The xD format only works with Olympus cameras, not all laptops slots “memory card reader. EA, meanwhile, is the format in place. If you want you can buy a card and use the camera and camcorder. And since your laptop probably has an SD card slot (sorry Mac fanboys), you can upload your photos and the faster the process.

The bottom line: I would say you should take the FE-370 and get FS5 place. Not only because that’s what I prefer. But it seems to me, my friend, you’ve done your homework, and I wanted the camera from the beginning. This will address you.

It is not a digital SLR, and certainly not a point and shoot Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, announced today it is the smallest camera with interchangeable lenses. Because it gives you a mirror for the internal digital SLR Micro Four Thirds system, the body weighs only 0.85 pounds rare. It also saves space by using an electronic system, and no optical viewfinder. According to Panasonic, the G1 is for people who are now extinct forms of large digital SLR but want a comparable image quality.

According to Panasonic, the G1 is also the first camera with interchangeable lenses come in a variety of colors: users can buy it in black, red or blue. The 12.1 megapixel camera has a 3-inch LCD screen 100 percent field of view and which rotates 180 degrees. Other features you expect from a camera of this caliber: Optical Image Stabilizer, Intelligent Auto mode (including Intelligent ISO, Intelligent Exposure and Intelligent Scene Selector and Face Detection up to 15 faces). It also has an HDMI output and a dust reduction system vibrates. The G1 comes with a 14-55mm objective.

The price of the G1 will be announced in October. Check the pics after the jump.

Whether your needs are at the base, you can fly four and five hundred dollar cameras we’ve been drooling over lately, and opt for something simpler. Olympus FE-360 and FE-370, announced today, the cost of $ 149 and $ 199 respectively, with standard specifications and a beautiful color palette. Both have eight megapixels (which is plenty for most users) and detection of faces, but the FE-360 features a 3X optical zoom, while the FE-370 has a 5X lens more versatile.

Apart from the factor of the difference in zoom and fifty dollar difference in prices, some important features distinguish high-end FE-370 FE-360. On the one hand, it has dual image stabilization, while the FE-360 digital (it is strongly recommended optical image stabilization, but double is often better than digital). It has Intelligent Auto mode, and I love how it fits with sport mode, which Sony and Kodak are not intelligent automatic modes. Other features include Smile Shot and Edit the expression, a “fun” feature that allows users to modify the terms of the subjects face after the photo was taken.

Panasonic has unveiled its first touchscreen camera today DMpanasonic-Lumix DMC-FX500-fx500.jpgC ($ 399), whose hybrid interface includes a joystick and a screen that reacts to your finger and stylus. Although I can not wait until capacitive touch found its way into the camera, I am glad that Panasonic has decided to throw in a joystick (the new Kodak EasyShare V1073, by comparison, has only four dedicated buttons lining touchscreen). Panasonic at least seems to have understood that, until now, the cameras on the touch screen at least were not as practical as be.So paint, this is what you do with the 3-inch touch screen: the use of cursors screen to adjust aperture and shutter speed, adjust the auto focus and exposure by simply touching the object on the screen at the register, scroll through the images in playback mode and to organize and edit photos using a keyboard on the screen.

Apart from the touch screen, the FX500 packs 10.1 megapixels each specifications you’d expect to see at a high level point and shoot: 5x optical zoom, optical image stabilization, 720p video, face detection In camera-eye correction Red Intelligent Auto Mode, which automatically detects the shooting environment and selects the best scene mode. (Like Lumix cameras, has also spent 21 scene modes, you can select manually.) Wait to start shipping in May.