Samsung announced two new portable media players yesterday in the form of the R0 and R1 (yeah I know.. interesting naming conventions eh?). According to Samsung, both players deliver “high quality multimedia content while optimizing for memory space.” Let’s get into each player shall we?

Samsung R0:

The R0’s claim to fame is it’s “Drag’n Play” functionality – allowing you to simply place your media onto the player without worrying about any conversion process. The player directly supports DivX playback – a joy for folks who have huge quantities of DivX material. Specs of the R0 include:

• 2.6 inch LCD display
• Tactile navigation keys
• Add storage via microSD slot
• Supports Samsung’s Digital Natural Sound Engine (DNSe) 3.0 sound enhancement technology
• Available in black, silver, and pink
• Six hours of video playback or 30 hours of audio playback
• Built-in FM radio

The R0 is available in 8GB or 16GB capacities with the 8GB priced at $99.99 and the 16GB priced at $129.99. Both versions will be coming out in April.

Samsung R1:

The R1 has the footprint of a credit card yet is capable of playing a variety of multimedia file formats. Specs of the R1 include:

• 2.4 inch TFT LCD display
• Drag and Drop feature
• Supports music, video, and photo playback
• 50 hours of audio playback or four hours of video playback
• Built-in FM radio and recorder
• Voice recorder
• Bluetooth support
• Supports Samsung’s Digital Natural Sound Engine (DNSe) 3.0 sound enhancement technology

The R1 is available in 8GB nd 16GB capacities with the 8GB priced at $149.99 while the 16GB is priced at $179.99. Both versions will be available in April.

Technorati Tags: Samsung R0, Samsung R1, portable media player

Another LUMIX G series digital camera to make its debut this weekend is the new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G2; the world’s first digital interchangeable lens system camera with a movable LCD that allows for touch-control.

Here’s what you need to know about the DMC-G2:

• 12.1 megapixel interchangeable lens system
• 3.0 inch free angle touch-screen LCD display with 460K dots of resolution
• Touch operations include: touching the display to select subject; choose from four AF modes at the touch of the display; AF tracking; exposure meter adjustments, quick menu for instant settings; playback
• One-touch AVCHD Lite Movie Recording at 720p resolutions
• 1.44 million dot equivalent super high resolution Live View Finder with eye sensor
• In manual focus mode – touch the image on the LCD and the camera will show a blown-up image of that image
• Motion Picture P Mode for easy HD movie shooting with soft focusing in the background
• Intelligent Scene Selector chooses the proper scene – Portrait, Scenery, Close-up, or Low Light
• Double Live View in both LCD and Live View Finder
• iA supports Face Recognition, AF Tracking, Intelligent Exposure, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection AF/AE, Intelligent ISO Control, and MEGA O.I.S.
• Intelligent Resolution Technology –
• Dust Reduction System
• SDXC/SDHC/SD memory card slot
• Includes software – PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition

The LUMIX G2 will be available in red, blue, and black with pricing and availability to be announced 30 days before the ship date.

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Panasonic extends the LUMIX G Series with the introduction of the new LUMIX DMC-G10, the world’s lightest digital interchangeable lens camera with a viewfinder. The new G10 features the following:

• Uses mirrorless design as part of the Micro Four Thirds System – reducing the number of components typically found in a conventional interchangeable lens camera
• Comes equipped with LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens as part of the kit
• Intelligent Auto (iA) mode provides automatic optimizations according to the scene in either photo or video recording
• Dedicated iA button
• iA offers MEGA O.I.S. (prevents blurring from hand-shake), Intelligent ISO control (reduces motion blur by adjusting ISO sensitivity), Intelligent Exposure (optimizes exposure for each part of image), and Intelligent Scene Selector (detects the most common shooting situations)
• Record 1280 x 720 HD video in Motion JPEG, QVGA, VGA and WVGA formats.
• iA for video supports O.I.S, Face Detection, Intelligent Exposure, and Intelligent Scene Selector
• AF Tracking helps to automatically lock onto any subject and keep it in focus
• Double Live View – works with both LCD and View Finder
• 3 inch 460K LCD display
• 12.1 megapixel Lve MOS sensor
• Venus Engine HD II
• My Color mode with seven preset effects – Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, Silhouette, and Custom mode
• 26 scene modes
• Exposure meter can be displayed in the P/A/S/M shooting modes
• Dust Reduction System via supersonic wave filter
• ISO Sensitivity – Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400 / Intelligent ISO

For additional features and specs, and just info about the new LUMIX G10 head over here. The LUMIX G10 will be available in black with pricing and availability to be announced in 30 days before release.

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The PENTAX X90 is the latest megazoom digital camera model featuring an extra-wide zoom, longer battery life, and an electronic viewfinder. Features include:

• 12.1 megapixel sensor
• 26X megazoom, super-telephoto lens (26-676mm equivalent)
• Macro mode capable of focusing to less than one inch away
• 2.7 inch LCD with anti-reflection coating
• Triple shake reduction technology
• High speed continuous shooting up to 11 frames per second
• Lightweight lithium ion battery
• Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card
• HDMI port

The X90 will be available in April at a suggested retail price of $399.95.

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The new PENTAX Optio W90 is the 11th generation Optio waterproof digital camera with enhanced waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and coldproof performance. Features of the W90 include:

• New Digital Microscope mode with LED lighting to capture small objects as near as 1cm from camera
• 12.1 megapixel resolution
• 5x optical zoom lens
• Waterproof to 20 feet
• Shockproof to 4 feet
• Coldproof to sub-freezing temperatures
• Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card
• 2.7 inch LCD display with 16:9 aspect ratio
• Capture 720p video at 30 frames per second
• HDMI port
• Kit includes a woven web fabric strap complete with a carabiner to attach camera to a backpack and other outdoor gear

The Optio W90 will be available in April of this year with a suggested price of $329.95. A waterproof infrared remote control will be sold separately for a price of $29.95.

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Just a quick note on four Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras introduced back at the end of January. The company announced pricing on the new models a few weeks back and here they are:

• LUMIX DMC-TS2 has a suggested retail price of $399.95
• LUMIX DMC-ZS7 has a suggested retail price of $399.95
• LUMIX DMC-ZS5 has a suggested retail price of $299.95
• LUMIX DMC-ZR3 has a suggested retail price of $299.95

All four models will be available in the middle of March.

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Technorati Tags: Panasonic, Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TS2, Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS5, Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS7

HP introduced five new point-and-shoot digital cameras and three camcorders last week featuring LCD displays, up to 5x optical zoom, fashionable colors, lightweight designs, and prices ranging from $99 dollars to $199 dollars.

Select new models feature a new intuitive user interface, touch-enabled LCD displays, high-color contrast for better menu visibility, and a choice of more than 25 scene modes. When you choose a scene mode, two images will be displayed – one based on auto mode and one based on the selected scene mode.

Without further ado, here’s a quick summary on the new products.

HP CW450t:

• Point-and-shoot digital camera
• 2.7 inch LCD touch-screen display
• 12 megapixels
• 4x optical zoom, 5x digital zoom
• Newly designed touch interface
• Support for up to 32GB SDHC cards
• Available in two colors – blue and merlot
• Over 25 scene modes
• Priced at $109

HP PW460t:

• Point-and-shoot digital camera
• 3.0 inch LCD touch-screen display
• 4x optical zoom, 5x digital zoom
• 12.2 megapixels
• Newly designed touch interface
• Support for up to 32GB SDHC cards
• Lithium Ion battery
• Available in pink and charcoal gray
• Priced at $149

HP CW450:

• Point-and-shoot digital camera
• 12 megapixels
• 2.7 inch LCD display
• 4x optical zoom, 5x digital zoom
• Support for up to 32GB SD/SDHC memory cards
• Over 25 scene modes
• Available in black or red
• Priced at $99

HP SW450:

• Point-and-shoot digital camera
• 2.7 inch LCD display
• 12 megapixels
• 4x optical zoom lens
• Support for up to 32GB SD/SDHC memory cards
• Lithium Ion battery
• Available in turquoise and red
• Priced at $129

HP PW550z:

• Point-and-shoot digital camera
• 5x optical zoom wide-angle lens
• 2.7 inch LCD display
• 12.2 megapixels
• Support for up to 32GB SD/SDHC memory cards
• Lithium-Ion battery
• Available in black or plum
• Priced at $149

HP V5061u:

• 3 inch LCD touch-screen display
• 1080p HD recording
• 4x (2x for 1080p) digital zoom
• Motion detection capability
• Dual SD/SDHC memory card support
• Option to install AA batteries if Lithium-Ion battery isn’t charged
• Priced at $169

HP V5560u:

• 3 inch LCD touch-screen display
• 1080p HD recording
• Motion detection capability
• 5x optical zoom, 4x (2x for 1080p) digital zoom
• 5 megapixel still images
• Support for up to 32GB SD/SDHC memory cards
• Lithium-ion battery
• Priced at $199

HP V1020h:

• 720p HD recording
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• USB connector
• Priced at $109
• Available this summer

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Technorati Tags: HP, HP Digital Cameras. HP Camcorders, HP CW450, HP CW450t, HP SW450, HP PW550z, HP PW460t, HP V5560u, HP V5061u, HP V1020h

The FinePix XP10 is the first in a new line of Fujifilm rugged digital cameras designed to be waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof. A result from redesigning the FinePix Z33WP, the XP10 has the following features and specs:

• Ergonomic “Extreme-Proof” digital camera housed in a metal uni-body with a tactile grip finish
• 12 megapixel CCD sensor
• Periscopic 5x optical zoom lens from Fujinon with a reinforced lens barrier
• One-touch HD movie capture
• 2.7 inch high-contrast LCD display
• Waterproof up to 3 meters underwater
• Survive a 1 meter fall
• Survives winter temps down to max. -10°C (14°F).
• Advanced full-metal high quality body
• High sensitivity ISO1600 support
• Shoot 720p HD video
• 6 scene SR AUTO including Portrait, Landscape, Night, Macro, Night Portrait, and Backlit Portrait
• Detect up to 6 faces
• Couple and Group Timer
• One touch underwater movie recording
• Movie editing modes
• Tracking auto focus
• Upload to YouTube and Facebook
• Edit specifically for blogs using built-in tools
• Micro thumbnail view
• Red eye removal during playback
• Available in silver, green, and black

Technorati Tags: Fujifilm FinePix XP10 digital camera

Above is the new Fujifilm FinePix Z70 – the latest update to the popular FinePix Z series of digital cameras. the Z70 features one-touch HD movie capability, LED illuminated operation keys, and tagging with automatic upload to YouTube and Facebook.

Features and specs include:

• 5x zoom Fujinon lens
• 12 megapixel resolution
• Digital image stabilization
• High sensitivity up to ISO1600
• Capture 16:9 images
• Capture 720p HD videos at 30fps
• 6 scene SR AUTO including Portrait, Landscape, Night, Macro, Night Portrait, and Backlit Portrait
• Face detection technology
• Red eye removal in detected faces
• Detect up to 6 faces
• Couple and group timer
• Tracking auto focus support
• Post capture editing using in-camera functions
• Add special images designed especially for blogs
• Image search and micro thumbnail view
• Red eye removal during playback
• SD/SDHC memory card slot
• Measures as thin as 18.1 mm
• Full metal body
• Available in four colors – Pink, Black, Blue, and Silver

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Fujifilm will also be showing off the new FinePix Z700EXR the first time at the upcoming PMA2100 conference. The Z700EXR is the first in a new class of EXR touch-screen digital cameras featuring a new dual direction GUI, and dual image display. Dual direction GUI detects the camera’s orientation and adjusts the menu orientation accordingly. Dual image display splits the screen to allow for multiple image viewing.

Other features include:

• 3.5 inch 460K dot high-contrast LCD touch-screen display
• 12 megapixel Super CCD EXR sensor and 5x zoom lens
• Face Detection – detect up to 10 faces
• Red Eye removal in detected faces
• Pet detection for dogs and cats
• Couple and group timer
• Share HD videos on YouTube and Facebook
• Image search support
• EXR AUTO automatically recognizes the scene and selects the best shooting mode. It also switches the sensor to the perfect capture mode for the conditions
• EXR Priority allows you to manually switch the sensor to one of three capture modes
• Super Intelligent Flash
• Film Simulation Mode with 4 different types – PROVIA/Standard Mode, Velvia/Vivid Mode, Black and White Mode, and Sepia Mode
• Dual Image Stabilization
• SD/SDHC card slot
• Sensitivity – Auto / ISO 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 (up to 6M)
• 720p HD video recording

The FinePix Z700EXR will be available in three colors – red, black, and silver.

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