Olympus Unveils E-PL2 Interchangeable-Lens Compact
The big news of a day filled with many new camera announcements is the announcement of the Olympus E-PL2, the latest refinement in Olympus’s groundbreaking Digital Pen line of mirrorless interchangeable-lens compact (MILC) cameras.
Major E-PL2 new features include:
- MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens (28-84mm 35mm equivalent) that offers high-speed, silent autofocus while shooting video
- 3-inch 460K dot LCD
- Live Guide in both still and movie modes
- New Art Filters with manual variations and enhancements
- ISO range up to 6400
- New body design
- Face Detection with Eye Detection
- $599 with new kit lens
Olympus is also announcing five new accessories that will expand the PEN system:
- 3 Conversion lenses that mount on the front of the new 14-42mm kit lens, a Fish-Eye Converter, a Wide-angle converter, and a Macro lens converter that will focus as close as 24CM (less than 10 inches).
- Macro Arm Light, 2 bright LED lights that extend up to 17cm to illuminate macro subjects
- Penpal mobile communication unit stores image files and transfers via Bluetooth-enabled devices such as a smartphone, PC or another Penpal-enabled camera.
The camera continues to offer in-camera image stabilization, a 12MP Live MOS Four Thirds sensor, 22 scene modes, Intelligent Auto, In-Camera Panorama, and iEnhance, which emphasizes colorful subjects, internal dust reduction, built-in or external flash compatibility, and an optional add-on EVF viewfinder. The Olympus E-PL 1 will be available later this month for $600 with the kit lens.
But wait…there’s more!
Olympus Enters Premium Compact Camera Competition with XZ-1
Olympus today announced the XZ-1, the company’s first built-in zoom compact with a hot shoe and a 28-112mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens with a stunning f/1.8-2.5 widest aperture range. Meant to compete head-to-head with the likes of the Canon S95 and G12, Panasonic Lumix LX-5, and the Nikon P7000, the XZ-1 is built around a relatively large (for a pocket compact) 1/1.63-inch CCD sensor with a sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400. It’s backed by a 3-inch, 621k LCD, has the same 6 art filters as the Pen, two control dials, 720p HD video in 30fps, motion JPEG, in-camera RAW conversion, and a built-in ND filter. It will be available in July for $500.
Look for more Olympus new product news in tomorrow’s CES final report!
Casio
Casio today announced a new lineup of compact cameras.
EX-ZR100 flagship speed-demon compact digital camera
The 12.1 megapixel Casio EX-ZR100 is that company’s new flagship EXILIM® compact digital camera. It is powered by Casio’s new EXILIM ENGINE HS with dual core processors, and is said to offer high-speed image processing and slow-motion video recording.
Casio EX-ZR100 key features:
- 12MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor
- 24-300mm (35mm equivalent) lens
- 1080p HD Video at 30fps
- AF during video recording
- Stereo mic built in
- Claimed 0.37 sec shot-to-shot time
- Burst mode 30 10MP images at 40 shots per sec
- 3-inch, 460k LCD monitor
- Slow-motion video recording up to 1,000 fps at low resolution
- Slide Panorama
- Built-in HDR
- Body less than 1 inch thick
- Available March for $300
For further details about the Casio EX-ZR100, read the Casio press release.
Casio H30 Long zoom compact
Casio today announced the 16.1 megapixel EX-H30 compact camera. Sporting a12.5x optical zoom that starts at a wide 24mm, as well as the ability to capture up to 1,000 photos on a single battery charge (*in accordance with Camera & Imaging Products Association standards), and 720p HD video recording, the camera is being marketed to both enthusiasts and beginners.
Casio EX-H30 Key features:
16MP CMOS sensor
24-300mm (35mm equivalent) optical zoom lens
Slide Panorama
Sensor-shift anti-shake technology
720p HD video with continuous AF
3-inch 460k LCD monitor
Shutter and Aperture Priority
Premium auto analyzes scenes, sets exposure, ISO, focus, blur correction, tonal range, etc.
Silent mode for quiet shooting
Silver, black, red, gold
Available in March for $250
For further details about the Casio H30, read the Casio press release.
Casio TRYX features unique swivel design
Casio’s TRYX digital camera features a design unlike any other camera we’ve seen. It offers a distinctive frame design that can be varied to set it up as a self-supporting desktop camera, and is 0.59 inches thick. A rotating 3-inch touch screen LCD swivels 270 degrees so it can be used to compose self-portraits while the frame rotates 360 degrees so it can become a built-in tabletop tripod. The camera features a 12MP CMOS sensor, built-in HDR, high-speed zoom and slo-mo video.
Casio TRYX key features
- 12MP Backlit CMOS sensor
- Non-zoom 21mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8 lens
- Unique swivel frame rotates up to 360 degrees for self-support
- 3-inch LCD monitor swivels 270 degrees
- Touch-screen operation
- HDR High Dynamic Range built in
- High-Speed SR Zoom
- Slow motion video up to 240fps at low resolution
- Social media-friendly software included
- Available in April for $250
For further details about the Casio TRYX, read the Casio press release.
Casio entry-level ZS10, ZS5
Casio filled out its compact camera intros with a pair of low-cost snapshot cameras, the ZS10 and ZS5. Both have a 14MP sensor and 5x zoom lenses that start at 26mm (35mm equivalent), a 2.7-inch LCD monitor, and overall simple operation. The difference between the two cameras is that the ZS10 offers 720p HD video recording while the ZS5 records lower resolution VGA videos. Both cameras will be available in March, the ZS10 for $120 and the ZS5 for $100. For details, read the Casio press release.
Sony
Sony is having a big show, unveiling a new lineup of compact digital cameras that introduce a new technology: 3D Sweep Panorama. Using a press-and-sweep motion, users can capture two side-by-side images which are combined to create 3D still images. The company also has boosted their cameras’ top pixel counts to 16MP.
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX100V: A 3D/HD Video first
Sony introduced the CyberShot DSC-TX100V at CES. It’s said to be the first digital still camera with both 1080p 60fps video capture and 3D still image capture using a single lens and sensor. 3D is accomplished by using 3D Sweep Panorama: Move the camera while shooting a scene in a press-and-sweep motion and it captures the scene from two slightly different perspectives and combines the images for a result that’s viewable on compatible 3D TV monitors. The camera is controlled via a 3.5-inch touch-screen LED monitor.
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX100V Key features:
- 16.2 Megapixel R back-illuminated CMOS sensor
- 4X optical zoom lens, 25-100mm (35mm equivalent) f/3.5-4.6
- Optical image stabilization
- 3.5″ touchscreen monitor 1.2 million pixel resolution
- Available in silver, black, and red
- Built-in GPS, geo-tagging
- iAuto mode
- Up to 10 full resolution images at 10 fps
- 3D still images with one lens
- Intelligent Sweep Panorama: create panoramic images in 2D or 3D by panning camera from side to side
- Sweep Multi Angle simulates 3D on camera’s display
- Built-in help guide
- Records videos at up to 1920 x 1080 at 60p with stereo sound using AVCHD
- Available in March for $380
Learn more about the DSC-TX100V and other cameras introduced today by Sony.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T110/TX10 offer Ruggedness, 3D
Sony also unveiled two more 16MP cameras, the rugged TX10 and more standard-issue T110. Both models can capture 3D images using the same press-and-sweep technology found on the T100V. Here’s a quick look at each model’s key features:
Cyber-shot TX110 Key Features:
- 16.1 Megapixel CCD
- 4X optical zoom lens, 25-100mm (35mm equivalent) f/3.5-4.6
- Optical image stabilization
- Available in silver, black, red, pink, and violet
- 3-inch, 230,400 pixel touchscreen LCD monitor
- iAuto mode
- Standard Sweep Panorama
- Built-in help guide
- 720p HD movies at 30fps
- Available in March for $230
Cyber-shot TX10 Key Features:
- 16.2 Megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor (same as TX100V)
- Ruggedized body is waterproof to 15 ft, shockproof to 4.5 feet, freezeproof to 14f, and dustproof
- 3-inch, 921,600 pixel touchscreen LCD
- 10 full resolution photos at 10 fps
- Intelligent Sweep Panorama (2D or 3D), Sweep Multi Angle, and 3D still image features
- Handheld twilight, HDR, and anti motion blur
- 1080p video at 60i with stereo sound, AVCHD
- Available in silver, black, green, blue, and pink
- Available in March for $330
Sony H70 and HX7V
The Sony H70 ($230) and H7V ($300)are both 16MP compact cameras with slightly longer zoom lenses—10x, covering a 25-250mm (35mm equivalent) range optically. Both cameras offer optical image stabilization, some manual controls as well as iAuto, and Standard Sweep Panorama (not 3D). The differences between the cameras? The H70 uses a 16MP CCD sensor, has a 3-inch LCD with 230k pixels, and records 720p videos at 30fps while the HX7V uses a 16MP CMOS sensor, has built-in GPS with a compass, a 3-inch LCD with 921K pixel resolution, Sweep Panorama with 3D still images, 1080p videos at 60i. Look for both models in March.
Sony DSC-W510/5330/560/570/wx9, wx10
Finally, Sony’s dizzyingly large number of new compacts includes six low-end W-series models. The most expensive one, the $280 WX10, offers 1080p HD video, 3D still images using Intelligent Sweep Panorama, a 16MP CMOS sensor, 7x zoom starting at 24mm, and some manual controls. The least expensive, the W510, is a 12MP CCD affair with a modest 4x optical zoom lens (26-105mm 35mm equivalent f/2.8-5.9), 2.7-inch LCD with 230K pixels, standard VGA movies and standard Sweep Panorama. For details about Sony’s W-series, read this press release.
Panasonic
Panasonic contineus to offer little cameras with minimal claimed lag time. Let’s see what they’ve got for us at CES.
Panasonic FH27, FH25 8x zoom compacts
Panasonic today introduced two slim compact LUMIX cameras, the FH27, FH25. Both feature 8x optical zoom lenses, a 16MP sensor, a zoom that starts at 28mm (35mm equivalent, 720p HD video, and advanced Intelligent Auto exposure. The cameras also share such high-tech features as Mega Optical Image Stabilization, Intelligent ISO control, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector (selects best option from Macro, Portrait, Scenery, etc), an LCD monitor that detects light levels and controls its brightness accordingly, 70MB of built-in memory, and 28 scene modes. The difference between the two cameras is the monitor. The FH27’s 3-inch, 270k dot resolution LCD is a touch screen. The FH25’s screen is 2.7-inches and doesn’t offer touch control. Pricing and availability to be announced.
Panasonic FP7, FP5 Ultracompacts
Panasonic also announced a pair of stylish, clamshell-type super-compact slim cameras, the FP7 and FP5. Both models share 4x optical zoom lens that zooms internally, Mega OIS (image stabilization), intelligent ISO control, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector, a dedicated iA button for one-click operation, 70MB of built-in memory, 720p video, and an Intelligent LCD that changes brightness as lighting conditions change. Panasonic claims a lag time as short as 0.006 for the FP7 and 0.005 for the FP5. The main differences between the two cameras are the sensors and LCD monitors. The FP7 has a 16MP sensor and a 3.5-inch touch screen LCD while the FP5 has a 14MP sensor and a 3-inch touch-screen monitor. Monitor resolution is identical at 230k dots. Pricing and availability to be announced.
Panasonic FH5, FH2 feature newly-designed wide zoom lens
Panasonic’s FH5 and FH2 compacts feature a newly-designed 4x wide-angle zoom lens that’s fully retractable and starts at 28mm (35mm equivalent) and are slimmer than previous FH-series cameras. Both cameras offer 720p HD videos, Mega OIS Optical stabilization, intelligent ISO control, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector, an LCD that varies brightness depending on lighting, 28 scene modes, and 70MP of built-in memory. Both share a modest 2.7-inch 230k dot LCD monitor. The difference between the two cameras is the sensor. The FH5 has a 16MP sensor, while the FH2 is 14MP. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but expect these models to be low cost.
Panasonic S3, S1 fashion cams
Finally, Panasonic freshened up its spring fashion cam lineup with the DMC-S3 and DMC-S1 digital cameras, both of which are expected to be affordable. The DMC-S3 will be available in blue, red, black, and violet while the S-1 will come in blue, black, gold, pink, and silver. Both models offer Mega OIS, Intelligent ISO control, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and a 2.7-inch LCD. Both are also claimed to have extremely fast response times and virtually no shutter lag. The main difference between the two cameras, besides the color options, is sensor capacity, with the S3 offering a 14MP sensor and the S1 providing 12MP of resolution.
Samsung
Samsung unveiled more cameras to fill in the line that they started to preview and we reported in last week’s Weekend Wrap.
Samsung DualView PL120, 170, 700 offer two LCD monitors
Samsung at CES launched three new Dual-View compact cameras which feature two LCD monitors—a back-of-camera toucscreen LCD, and a font-of-camera preview screen so your subjects can preen for your photos. The ST700 is the most advanced, with a 1.8-inch front screen and 3-inch touch screen in the back, a 16MP sensor, and 5x optical zoom that starts at 26mm. It will ship in March for $280. The PL170 ($200) also offers similar features, but the LCD monitor is not touch-screen, while the 14MP PL120 ($150) has a smaller 2.7-inch main LCD at slightly lower resolution, and a smaller 1.5-inch front LCD. All cameras offer Smart Auto mode, self-timer countdown, face detection, subject tracking, special effects and 720p video with sound.
Samsung PL210, WB210 Superzoom Compacts
Samsung also announced the WB210 and PL210, both compact digital cameras that boast relatively long-ranging zoom lenses. The WB210 has a 12x zoom (despite a body that only measures 22.4mm thick) while the PL210 has a 10x optical zoom. Both cameras have 14MP CCD sensors, face detection and recognition, skin retouching, blink and smile detection, and 720p/30fps video capture. The WB210 has a 3.5-inch touchscreen monitor and its wide-angle lens zooms out to an impressively wide 21mm (35mm equivalent), while the PL210 features a 3-inch, 230K monitor and its zoom has a 27-210mm (35mm equivalent) range. The WB210 will be available in February for $280; the PL210 will cost $200.
Whew! That’s a lotta cameras! Look for even more photo gear including new accessories in tomorrow’s CES 2011 Day 3 Final Report!
