Posts in Digital Cameras
It's all about the math
Damian Koh | May 05, 2006
We're really getting tired of all the math but an interesting thought came up when it was reported that Michael Cohen, a scientist at Microsoft Research, tried this summer to create a photo with 10 billion pixels. Do we even have 10 billion hairs on our body?
It's a little hard to swallow, but according to Cohen, you'll need at least 1,000 10-megapixel frames to form a 10-gigapixel picture. We're speculating these images would be used for commercial purposes which require Internet mapping and high-resolution photography services. Otherwise, the end picture aims at providing the user with a more familiar angle view compared with rooftop shots taken by satellites.
"The technique involves taking several hundred pictures with a standard digital camera, stitching the photos together and then compensating for changes in the position of the sun, the movement of clouds and other environmental factors during the time it took to take all of the photos", wrote Michael Kanellos from CNET News.com
You can even go one step further by weaving several gigapixel shots captured from different angles to create a three-dimensional photograph. Move aside, Google Earth.
Now before you decide to plonk the cash for Casio's 10.1-megapixel Exilim EX-Z1000, you may also want to know that pictures are taken with the camera mounted on a motorized rig and a computer controls the angle of the rig and the shooter.
Microsoft pictures a 10-gigapixel photo.
Ever wonder how a fly views the world?
Damian Koh | May 02, 2006
Well, soon you'll have the answer. Bioengineering Professor Luke Lee and his team from the University of California in Berkeley have created the "first hemispherical, three-dimensional optical system to integrate arrays of tiny lenses with self-aligned, self-written waveguides, or light-conducting channels". My, that was a mouthful.
Basically, the team of bioengineers (which also includes Ki-Hun Jeong and Jaeyoun Kim) modeled the compound eyes of insects and, with the help of tiny lenses, use these to capture a wider field of vision--wider than a fish-eye lens according to the news release.
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Ultraman, 1966. Credit: Japan Hero |
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Kudos to the team at UC Berkeley--we just hope that Ultraman won't be prowling the streets anytime soon.
Housefly a model for new wide-angle lens.
Here we go again
Damian Koh | Apr 26, 2006
Just when we thought we'd heard the last of the resolution race, seeing that camera manufacturers are now focusing more on image quality and performance, Casio continues to play the numbers game. It has revved up its engine by announcing the 10.1-megapixel Exilim Zoom EX-Z1000.
According to Casio, the EX-Z1000 is the first in the series to incorporate a large 2.8-inch (230,400-pixel) LCD monitor. Other features we like include the Rapid Flash function which allows up to three consecutive shots per second with flash and the ability to zoom from 4.3x to 17.1x between VGA resolution and 5 megapixels.
Like we've seen from previous Exilims, this new shooter doesn't disappoint when it comes to scene modes. The EX-Z1000 has 37 Best Shot settings which users can select based on different shooting conditions. It also helps that the unit won't die on you before 360 shots (LCD display on standard brightness)--at least that's what the company claims.
The Exilim Zoom EX-Z1000 will be available in May at a retail price of S$799 (US$568.56). But is there really a need for a 10.1-megapixel compact digicam? We reckon not. And ISO 3,200 in High Sensitivity mode? We'll wait and see.
Kodak's EasyShare system turns five
Damian Koh | Apr 26, 2006
While some are partying away, others are working hard. Kodak celebrated the fifth anniversary of its EasyShare system by rolling out two cameras: The second dual-lens camera (EasyShare V610) and a successor to the Wi-Fi-enabled EasyShare-One. We just hope this time it wouldn't take too long to be available. Oh wait, the first EasyShare-One isn't even available yet.
According to Kodak, the EasyShare V610 is the world's smallest 10x optical zoom (38mm-to-380mm, 35mm equivalent) camera at less than an inch thick. Beneath the classy chassis, a closer look at the specifications reveals a shocking revelation (ok, it's not that shocking since it was the same with the EasyShare V570). The unit isn't a true-blue 10x zoom camera since the focal length is only effective between 38-to-114mm and 130-to-380mm.
That said, the EasyShare V610 does come with features which we may like, including a Bluetooth wireless connection, anti-blur technology and a high-res (230k-pixel) 2.8-inch LCD screen.
Here's the interesting part. We've all heard about the Wi-Fi-enabled EasyShare-One announced some time back. Even before it's available in our stores, Kodak has unveiled the 6-megapixel successor to the EasyShare-One. New features include a WISPr (Wireless Internet Service Provider recommendation) protocol that is supposedly able to increase the number of hotspot locations for connecting to the Web.
Seriously, we wonder if this is going to be a case of all talk and no camera.
Alpha is the name
Damian Koh | Apr 21, 2006
It all makes sense: First the brand, then the product. If you still have no idea what we're talking about, the upcoming Sony dSLR has been revealed under the Alpha brand. And that's before we see the first unit making its rounds.
According to the press release, consumers can expect to see the first digital SLRs from the Japanese corporation rolling out in the next couple of months. The new lineup will be compatible with the Maxxum/Dynax mount systems, so it's good news for Konica Minolta users out there who wish to change their camera bodies and yet still retain their old lenses.
Nothing much else was revealed, but those interested can log onto the brand's Web site for more information. Until then, we all wait.
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