The Samsung Galaxy Camera: A Picture Perfect Technology Marriage?

Photo source: Samsung
 

Since digital cameras have become mainstream little over a decade ago, the technology began to gradually reshape the way we took pictures. No longer limited by the constraints of film, digital photography would also migrate away from a dedicated camera.

Today, even basic cell phones and most mobile tablets would present at least one camera that have now evolved to a quality decent enough for sharing with family or friends. Though popular, photography with a mobile phone does fall short on some functionality and resolution related to a stand-alone camera. A hybrid breed between a point and shoot camera and a small tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Camera draws upon the strength of two devices in delivering an uncompromised picture-taking experience.

Appearing very much like a camera, the new Samsung device could be hastily disregarded if someone would not know the collection of technologies that lurk inside the device. Featuring a 16.3 megapixel sensor, a 4.8-inch touch screen and a 21x optical zoom lens, the Samsung Galaxy Camera immediately presents some hardware that would run circles around a smartphone's photography gear. Running off the Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system, the Samsung Galaxy Camera's quad core processor allows users to experience excellent performance when taking pictures in 15 style settings classified under Samsung's 'Smart Mode' technology. As well as taking still shots up to 16 megapixels, Samsung allows their device to video capture at Full HD format.

Photo source: Samsung

Equipped with eight gigabytes of on-board storage with micro SD card expandably, Wi-Fi capabilities allow photos taken by the Samsung Galaxy Camera to be offloaded quickly. Transfer of images to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest as well as onto Instagram can be performed quickly. Being an Android enabled device, the Samsung Galaxy Camera can make use of various Google brand services. Google Maps, Gmail and even the Google Play app marketplace are all accessible through the digital camera.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera was introduced to the North American marketplace during the 16th of this month. Retailing for just under $499.99 through AT&T, the Samsung Galaxy Camera sells above the price of almost all point and shoot device and even above the level of most smartphones. The launch of the Galaxy Camera by AT&T is temporarily accompanied with an up to $100 credit to acquire an additional Samsung device.

Just in time for Canadians to capture some memorable holiday moments or perhaps qualified itself to become a gift to a loved one, sales for the Samsung Galaxy Camera north of the border will commence on December 7th. Available through Black's Photography locations as well as through lone example of The Samsung Store in Burnaby, British Columbia, the Samsung Galaxy Camera should sell at similar pricing those sold in the US.



Below is a promotional photo showing the Samsung Galaxy Camera in action:

Nikon Releases Their Lightest, Smallest FX DSLR Camera

Photo Credit: Nikon

For the consideration of professional photographers, Nikon Corporation revealed their latest product designed to be a winning weapon of choice when snapping important pictures. Utilizing the FX-format shooting technology, the Nikon D600 digital SLR camera is advertised as the brand's most compact example to incorporate the their highest quality CMOS sensor.

Constructed with a body weighing just 760 grams, the Nikon D600 lightweight assembly incorporates magnesium alloy for the top and rear covers. Despite being the smallest and lightest DSLR camera Nikon has created in their FX-format lineup, the D600 is outfitted with much of the company's finest technology found in their higher-range cameras. The EXPEED 3 image-processing engine, allows up to highly impressive, 24.3 megapixel images to be snapped at excellent speeds. A Scene Recognition System equipped alongside the Multi-CAM4800 autofocus sensor performs a highly intelligent analysis of images for the best picture. Up to 5.5 frames per second can be captured through the Nikon D600. The Nikon D600 has the ability to capture Full-HD movies up to 1,920 X 1,080/30p. Recording to SDXC or UHS-I compliant SD memory cards, two slots are available for peaceful image and video recording. A 3.2-inch viewfinder, built-in flash, HDMI interface and compatibility with a NIKKOR lenses are highlights of the Nikon D600 camera.

An optional accessory available for use with the Nikon D600 DSLR is the WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter. A technology that allows the D600 camera to be operated remotely by a handheld device running on an Android or Apple iOS. Through a live view display provided through a smartphone or tablet, a photographer can capture photos and have it immediately uploaded to the device allowing for quick postings to blogs or social media sites.

Pricing for the new Nikon D600 DSLR camera is set at $2099.95 US for the body only. A $2,699.95 camera and kit including a NIKKOR 24-85mm VR lens is also posted on the Nikon website.

Sony Reveals New Wave of Professional Grade Cameras

While most consumers have gotten used to the digital camera as something that now fits into our cell phones and tablets, anyone can capture that important personal or family moment. Taking a picture has become a task even a child can perform with the basic point-and-shoot cameras. While the inexpensive and easy picture-taking and video-making devices have proven hot, people making a living in still or motion capturing require higher grade, more capable technology so they can share potentially monumental moments. 

Electronics powerhouse Sony has introduced a slew of new high-end cameras meant to provide greater flexibility options for professional photographers and videographers.

Sony a99 DSLR Camera

Price: $2,800 (body-only)






Sony's flagship DSLR camera, the a99 is described as providing peak performance for recording a combination of photo and video. Constructed with magnesium alloy panels for durability and lightness, the Sony a99 DSLR incorporates Translucent Mirror Technology that eliminates the moving mirror previously used for full-frame imaging. Equipped with XGA OLED Tru-Finder viewfinder technology, the Sony a99 camera can crisply balance brightness, contrast and clarity as well as maintain a 100% field of view with DT lenses.

The Sony a99 camera 24.3 effective megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor joins the BIONZ image processing engine that is capable of handling a sizable amount of data. The a99 is able to record up to 6 still shots per second in burst mode at high level resolution. In Tele-zoom high speed shooting mode, the Sony a99 can capture 10 frames per second. Providing a full range of automatic and manual settings for still shots, the a99 also set for providing Full HD 60p/24p progressive video recording.

The Sony a99 is designed to optimize the SDXS memory cards allowing readable data transfer speeds up to 94 megabytes per second.

Sony NEX-VG900 Handycam Camcorder

Price: $3,300 US (Body-only)


Advertised as the "World's First 35mm Full-Frame Handycam Camcorder" by Sony, the NEX-VG900 is created to unleash creative potential of semi-professional filmmakers.

Utilizing a Exmor CMOS sensor (a technology 40 times larger than the equivalent sensor found in typical consumer camcorders), the Sony NEX-VG900 Handycam Camcorder captures still images at a 24.3 megapixel resolution. Supplying film-like video, the NEX-VG900 Handycam Camcorder is packed with numerous modes for Full HD quality picture in 60p or 24p frame rates. Automated and manually operated settings assures a professional level of work is produced from this latest Sony product. Along with superior picture quality, Sony has provided a Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone on the NEX-VG900 Handycam Camcorder that allows support for 5.1 surround sound.

A seesaw lever and the adaptability for fit a wide range of interchangeable lenses will make the Nex-VG900 Handycam Camcorder a valuable piece of motion picture production. The NEX Series of camcorders are designed to use Sony's Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX Series of storage.

Sony NEX-VG30H/VG30 Handycam Camcorder

Price: NEX-VG30- $1,800 US (Body-only), NEX-VG30H- $2,700 US



A little less sophisticated than the NEX-VG900 Handycam, the NEX-VG30H and NEX-VG30 camcorders has been created to incorporated many of the same professional film-making features. Also capable of shooting Full HD, the base model NEX-VG30 and better equipped NEX-VG30H Handycam models incorporate a 16.1 megapixel resolutions for capturing detailed still shots. The NEX-VG30H comes with a SELP-18200 E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Power Zoom lens that makes anything from wide angle to telephoto shots achievable.

Sony Cyber-shot RX1 Compact Digital Camera 

Price: $2,800 US


A 24.3 megapixel compact camera, the Sony Cyber-shot RX1 is a powerful image capturing device featured with a small palm-sized body. Capable of taking 35mm full-frame image quality, the Cyper-shot RX1 camera includes Pixel Super Resolution digital zoom technology as one piece of software suited for creating professional still pictures. A Carl Zeiss-brand lens is added to the Cyper-shot RX1 digital camera allowing a photographer to take splendid shots in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. With a full array of automatic and manual adjustments available for photogs with the Cyper-shot RX1, the camera also includes 13 Creative Styles meant to fine-tune an image to near perfection.

Primarily a still shot digital camera, the Sony Cyber-shot RX1 is also effect for taking Full HD video.

Sony NEX-6 Camera

Price: $850 US



Designed to provide a full DSLR experience in a compact camera, the Sony NEX-6 digital camera is a considerably well loaded image-capturing device guaranteed to win over some professional photographers. Featuring a Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor allowing up to 16.1 megapixel pictures to be snapped, the Sony NEX-6 also supplies Wi-Fi capabilities as well as access to the recently-introduced PlayMemories Camera Apps platform. A set of free apps, the PlayMemories Mobile programs can allow photos to be directly uploaded to popular social media sites including Facebook. The NEX-6's 3-inch Xtra Fine LCD display can pivot to a 90-degree or 45-degree down angle so photographers can easily identify when the right shot can be taken.

The Sony NEX-6 digital camera can also be ordered for $1,000 equipped with the compact SELP1650 power zoom lens.


Information and Photo Source: Sony Electronics

Sony Flashes Forward with Super-Fast S Series XQD Card

Photo Credit: Sony USA

Falling out of vogue with the general electronic consumer as the SD card has become the industry standard for digital data storage, CompactFlash technology is on the verge of making a comeback. CompactFlash memory cards under the all-new XQD specification offers a line lifeline for a category of memory storage still appreciated by professional photographers.

Famous for pushing their own proprietary Memory Stick line of data cards for many years, Sony is one company championing XQD technology in its early development. Introducing their H Series XQD cards in 16 and 32 gigabyte capacities, Japanese company Sony debuts the new S Series for maximum performance applications.

Catered to professional photography applications, the Sony XQD S Series memory card will supply super-high data transfer. Listed as 30 percent faster than the current quickest line of CompactFlash cards, Sony’s S Series model can read and write at a speed of 168 MB/s (megabytes per second). Sony advertises the S Series XQD memory cards as providing high-level, continuous shooting needed for sport and event coverage. S Series XQD cards are capable of supporting RAW, MOV and 3D AVCHD file format.

The Sony XQD S Series cards will be marketed in two varieties with a 32-gigabtye card selling for $259.99 US and a 64-gigabtye model retailing for a steep $459.99 in the United States. There is also an extra cost for the USB-enabled card reader required for fastest file transfer to a computer or other storage system. Software upgrades will also allow Sony XQD S Series memory cards to interact with Apple Macintosh systems.

At present time, the Nikon D4 digital camera is listed as one of the few compatible devices with Sony XQD S Series cards.