Daily Roundup: Panasonic’s Lumix GH4 camera, ‘Fish on Wheels’ and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Flappy Bird is no longer available
Flappy Bird was so young, but alas, all good things must come to an (abrupt) end. Despite its rapid rise to fame, the game’s developer Dong Nguyen had it removed from both the App Store and Google Play earlier today. Click the link for the story.
Sneak peek of Panasonic’s Lumix GH4 camera
Panasonic’s recently unveiled Lumix GH4 4K camera doesn’t have a release date yet, but a few professionals have already taken it for a test run. Click through for some sample photos and footage from the company’s latest shooter
‘Fish on Wheels’ mobile tank
What’s cooler than a regular, stationary fish tank? One on wheels, of course! Thanks to a company called Studio Diip, your aquatic pets can enjoy the mobility of a house on wheels. This clever contraption roams your abode based upon the movements of your fish. Follow the link for more.
HTC promises new, affordable devices
HTC is expecting its next quarter to be the worst yet. The reason? CEO Peter Chou attributes the decline to the company’s lack of mid-tier products, promising that it will bounce back with a new, compelling portfolio of affordable devices. Click on through for details.
Filed under: Misc
Sigma’s dp Quattro cameras boast higher-resolution sensors and an extra-wide design
No, you’re not looking at a projector — it’s the dp2 Quattro, the first of three cameras in Sigma’s new dp Quattro lineup. That unusually wide, almost cinematic body is meant to provide a more balanced feel in the hand than the compact design of its predecessors. However, the real centerpiece is underneath: every camera has a new version of the three-layer, color-rich Foveon X3 sensor that takes higher resolution photos (20 megapixels versus 15.3) while improving both performance and battery life. Sigma has also made a leap to a faster TRUE III image processor. Unusually, there’s also an optical viewfinder available for purists, which should work well with the fixed lenses. The dp2 Quattro will come with a 30mm f/2.8 general purpose lens, while the dp1 and dp3 will respectively carry 19mm wide-angle and 50mm telephoto optics. The company hasn’t said just when the Quattro cameras will ship, but history suggests that they won’t be cheap.
Filed under: Cameras
Source: Sigma
[LEAK] HTC M8 dual camera leaks in candid photo
I’d like to see this photo get debunked: the media world has been in a bit of a frenzy with all the leaks regarding HTC’s next flagship, the HTC M8, flying left right and centre. One leak in particular appeared to show the unannounced HTC device bearing a dual-sensor camera array with dual flash LEDs, but this was quickly shot down on Twitter by HTC’s own Mark Moons, HTC Director in Benelux (see the “photoshopped” image here). Well, today, there has been another leak, and this one is a little harder to dispell. Courtesy of NoWhereElse, the above photo appears to show the HTC M8 dual camera in all its glory, and sure enough, the flash LEDs in this photo appear to differ from those seen in the “photoshopped” image.
While we should still be taking this leak with a grain of salt, the photo does look pretty genuine given the quality of the photo and the fact that the cameras look quite detailed. We have been hearing for some time now that the HTC M8 is expecting a dual-sensor camera which is meant to give budding photographers greater control of focusing their images, even after taking the photo (for more on the technology involved, see our article explaining it here).
This is probably our most conclusive evidence that the HTC M8 dual camera exists, but what do you think about this leak: do you think it is real? And can you see the benefits of utilizing this dual-camera system? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Source: NoWhereElse
Camera and photography deals of the week: 2.7.14
If you’re still looking to make good on that New Year’s resolution to kick your photography habit into high gear, we might have a few options that can help. From an entry-level Nikon DSLR to a Wacom peripheral to aid with edits, there are a few options for spicing up those snapshots. Head on past the break and peruse the full lot.
Just window shopping? No worries. Join us and add the gadgets you’re shopping for to your Want list; every time there’s a price cut in the future, you’ll get an email alert!
Fujifilm X-Pro1 (body only)
Price: $849
Regular Price: $1,300
Engadget Global Score: 82
Buy: 42nd Street Photo
Sure, you could nab up a highly capable mirrorless compact for less, but if you don’t mind the extra investment — now with a handsome discount — you can expect retro stylings, “film like” images and full manual control. The current sticker price is also consistent with the lowest it has been in the last three months.
Nikon D5200 (body only)
Price: $459
Regular Price: $700
Engadget Global Score: 85
Buy: 42nd Street Photo
The predecessor to Nikon’s D5300 doesn’t pack the WiFi chops that the latest model does, but the D5200 is still a solid buy for a beginner DSLR. In fact, this model is barely a year old and the $200-plus price drop is certainly worth considering. See how both old and new stack up against each other with our compare tool.
Canon 60D (body only)
Price: $599
Regular Price: $800
Engadget Global Score: 82
Buy: 42nd Street Photo
Looking for a step up from the entry-level DSLRs? Well, Canon’s 60D is a solid bet with 18-megapixel shooting, and many have noted its fast performance and respectable image output. We’re currently seeing pricing that’s $50 above the 90-day low, so if you’re willing to hold out a bit longer, add the 60D to your Want list and we’ll let you know when the price drops even further.
Wacom Intuos5 touch (medium)
Price: $270
Regular Price: $375
Engadget Global Score: 92
Buy: Amazon
Perhaps you’re in the market for tools that will make that photo-editing workflow a bit snappier. If so, a Wacom pen tablet could certainly lend a hand with its stellar stylus input and multi-touch gestures. The medium-sized Intuos5 touch (the same size we reviewed) is currently offered with a $105 price cut to soften the blow for the peripheral investment. According to our price drop tool, the current cost of admission is in line with the 90-day low.
Filed under: Cameras, Peripherals, Nikon, Canon
Panasonic’s GH4 clearly packs serious 4K video chops, but pricing and availability remain TBA (hands-on)
Long gone are the days when digital cameras were just for still photographers. In fact, with its GH4, it’s easy to argue that Panasonic is putting an even greater emphasis on video capture — of the 4K variety, in this case. The Lumix GH4, teased as the “next GH” just last month at CES, offers tremendous advantages over its predecessor, the GH3. Perhaps most notable are the camera’s 4K capabilities. This year’s model can shoot both 3,840 x 2,160 and a 4,096 x 2,160 “cinema 4K” format at 30 frames per second with a 100 Mbps bit rate. If you’re willing to settle for 1080p (at 60, 30 or 24 fps), Panasonic’s also added a 200 Mbps option, with 100 and 50 Mbps offerings available, too. You can capture clean HDMI video with an external recorder at 4:2:2 8/10-bit output, while a (relatively gigantic) interface unit mounts on the bottom and adds four SDI outputs with support for 4K (4:2:2/10-bit), time code, two XLR microphone inputs and a 13.8-volt Canon terminal for external power. That accessory also includes phantom power controls and LED audio level readouts.
There are significant improvements on the stills front, too. There’s a new 16-megapixel CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensor, which should benefit video captures as well. The camera supports a sensitivity range of ISO 200-25,600 (compared to a 12,800 max with the GH3), while the viewfinder has been boosted with a very sharp 2.36M-dot OLED panel and the 3-inch main tilt-and-swivel display now has a higher-res 1.04M-dot OLED screen. Panasonic is also emphasizing performance improvements, including a new 0.07-second focus speed, 12 fps burst mode or 7 fps with AF tracking and a shutter rated for 200,000 total clicks. The body is still constructed of magnesium alloy, and it’s splash- and dust-proof. Expect to snap more than 500 stills with a full charge. There’s also SDXC UHS Class 3 compatibility — you’ll need a latest-gen card to capture 200 Mbps video internally.
What we don’t have at this point is pricing or a ship date. At CES, Panasonic quoted a price below $2,000, and considering the improvements over the GH3, which currently retails for about $1,000 (and will remain on the market), we wouldn’t be surprised to see a final MSRP near the $2k mark. Reps promised more information on the availability front next month, and while the info rollout has been anything but speedy, we’re inclined to think the GH4 will be worth the wait.
Filed under: Cameras
Nikon appeals to advanced shooters with high-end Coolpix P340 and S9700 compacts
The Coolpix P340, which replaces last year’s P330 and the S9700, which serves as the S9500′s successor, look awfully similar to 2013′s models — in many ways, those similarities extend internally, too. The P340, which includes the same 1/1.7-inch 12-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor as its predecessor, carries an identical MSRP, but adds integrated WiFi connectivity, enabling instant uploads to sharing services and compatibility with Nikon’s companion apps. It also includes an f/1.8-5.6, 24-120mm (5x) optically stabilized zoom lens, a 3-inch VGA RGBW LCD and 1080/30p and 60i video capture. Like the P330, it also offers full manual controls, with a dedicated mode dial, a function button below the lens and a secondary toggle on the top.
The S9700 also includes integrated WiFi and GPS, but so did the S9500, so there’s not much to speak of there. It has a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, an upgraded f/3.7-6.4, 25-750mm (30x) optical zoom lens, a 3-inch VGA OLED display and 1080/30p and 60i video. It retains its predecessor’s manual control offerings, including a dedicated mode dial. Like last year’s model, this camera’s strength is in its size. It’s small enough to fit in a jacket pocket, despite its “superzoom” status. It also includes a hybrid VR image stabilization mode that helps keep things steady during video capture. Expect to find a black or red S9700 in stores for $350 later this month, while the (black-only) P340 will ship in March for $380.
Nikon’s adventure-ready Coolpix AW120 and S32 snap shots on land and at sea
Nikon’s got a pair of baby bumps in store for us this year on the adventure cam front. The Coolpix AW120, which replaces last year’s AW110 and the S32, which serves as 2014′s answer to the S31. Both are rated for underwater use, but the similarities end there. If you’ve got $350 to spare, the AW120 is the camera to focus on. It’s waterproof to 59 feet (18 meters), shockproof to 6.6 feet (2 meters) and freeze-proof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 10 degrees Celsius). There’s an f/2.8-4.9, 24-120mm (5x) optical zoom lens, a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 6.9 fps continuous shooting mode and 1080/30p and 60i video capture. You also get a 3-inch OLED display, built in GPS and WiFi, letting you upload pics and vids from below as soon as you come up for air.
Meanwhile, the $130 S32 carries a much more affordable price tag, albeit with a less impressive list of specs. It’s waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters), shockproof to five feet (1.5 meters) and freeze-proof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 10 degrees Celsius). It has an f/3.3-5.9, 30-90mm (3x) optical zoom lens, a 13.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and a 2.7-inch QVGA LCD. The S32 is also capable of capturing 1080/30p video, and it comes along with a variety of scene modes and effects (Nikon’s pushing this as the family/beginner-friendly offering). The AW120, which is also compatible with a new chest harness (for hands-free shots), will ship next month in black, blue, camouflage and orange. The Coolpix S32 will also be available next month, with white and blue finishes.
Ricoh’s rugged WG-4 and WG-20 are its first cameras to drop the Pentax badge
Ricoh acquired the Pentax brand over two years ago, but you almost wouldn’t know it when the badging has largely remained the same. However, that’s changing today — Ricoh’s new WG-4, WG-4 GPS and WG-20 compact cameras are its first to ditch the Pentax name. From now on, you’ll only find the label on interchangeable lens cameras and their accessories. These rugged point-and-shoots haven’t seen dramatic changes beyond the corporate logo, mind you. The WG-4 and its GPS-equipped variant add user-programmable and shutter priority modes to the WG-3′s basic formula, which includes a 16-megapixel sensor, a 4x lens and a body that’s waterproof to 45 feet. The WG-20 (shown below) is very similar to the WG-10, sharing its 14-megapixel sensor, 5x lens and 33-foot waterproofing. All the new models ship in March; the WG-20 will be available for $200, while the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS will respectively cost you $330 and $380.
Filed under: Cameras
The science behind having two cameras in the HTC M8 i.e. a dual-sensor camera
A lot of noise was made yesterday when we spotted an alleged leaked photo of the HTC M8‘s backside. The contention arose, not only due to claims of ‘photoshopping’, but the back of the HTC One’s successor was adorned with what appeared to be two cameras, raising questions of why this would even be necessary. Even if the HTC M8, or HTC One 2, or whatever it will be called, does not eventually release with two cameras on its back, I thought it would be insightful to take a look at the science behind having two cameras in the HTC M8, or more accurately, why a dual-sensor camera is preferable to the standard one camera affair.
To understand why you need two cameras at all, we must first take a look at the Lytro Camera. The Lytro introduced in 2011 a type of technology that would change photography as we know it; in standard photography, your camera focuses on one object and once the picture is taken, the focus of the photo is unable to be changed. The Lytro is able to get around these restrictions by capturing the light field around the entire designated photo area. What this means is that photos from the Lytro can be examined later on and refocused at the users discretion. That a look at what the results can be:
Both images seen above were taken at the same time; the only difference is that instead of being restricted to focusing on one object, which can potentially be the wrong object, the Lytro allows you to retrospectively change what you are focusing on. As you can see, the Lytro Camera technology is something that can potentially revolutionize photography as it reduces the need for specific apertures.
Along these lines of developing a mobile camera with comparable capabilities, Toshiba actually announced the TCM9518MD module last year which they said would be capable of Lytro-like photography, allowing you to refocus your pictures after taking them. While the module isn’t quite in mass production yet, it looks like plenty of phone manufacturers, like Apple and Nokia, have been hot on Toshiba’s tail trying to develop similar technology, and you can probably see why.
Which brings us to the rumour that the HTC M8 will have a similar dual-sensor camera. If a dual-sensor camera does make it into the new HTC flagship smartphone, it would be a definitive step in putting the Taiwanese manufacturer back where it wants to be: back at the top of the Android charts after an extended hiatus.
Would you like to see a dual-sensor camera in the HTC M8? Was yesterday’s leak was actually real? Let us know what you think of the technology in the comments below.
Source: Digital Trends (1), (2) via The Phoblographer
LG G Pro 2 to get 4K recording from a 13MP camera with OIS Plus
Just over a week ago, LG confirmed that it would officially be releasing the LG G Pro 2, the successor to yesteryear’s LG Optimus G Pro which did a decent job of joining Samsung in the phablet space. Since they, we haven’t had too many solid hardware suggestions beyond the fact that it will be bigger and most likely better than the LG flagship device, the LG G2. Well, today, LG itself has dropped some sneak-peek features which include 4K recording and a new image stabilization that LG has dubbed “OIS Plus”.
All of this will apparently be possible with the G Pro 2‘s 13MP rear camera, and will also possess a 2.1MP front camera which allegedly has “improved performance”. One sticking point for millions of smartphone photographers is inherently the issue of image stabilization, so perhaps LG has finally nailed it. Whatever LG has achieved with the G Pro 2′s cameras will be unveiled some time in February, presumably at MWC 2014 where Samsung has just revealed it will unveil its new flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S5. That’s definitely a tough crowd to compete with, but let’s hope that LG has something to surprise us with.
Is anyone considering getting a LG G Pro 2? Did anyone here have a LG Optimus G Pro and enjoy it? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: LG Social via Phone Arena
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