Sony redefines the DSLR with the Alpha SLT-A55/A33

by Trevor Tan
07:40 PM Aug 25, 2010

Sony's digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras have always lacked the ability to capture videos ... until now. Sony today announced two new cameras - the Alpha SLT-A55 and the Alpha SLT-A33 - which adopt the company's new Translucent Mirror Technology (TMT) that allows for both still and motion picture recording.

Instead of the mirror box used in conventional DSLR cameras, TMT uses a fixed translucent mirror that does not need to be raised each time you press the shutter. Thus, light entering the lens can be simultaneously received by the image sensor and a separate phase-detection autofocus (AF) sensor. This allows super quick AF full high-definition (HD) movie recording via Live View and even allows you to shoot videos through the optical viewfinder. TMT also helps to shrink the size of the camera body.

The Alpha A33 and A55 look exactly the same. What's different are their specifications. The A33 has a 14.2-megapixel Exmor HD CMOS sensor while the A55's sensor count is 16.2 megapixels. The A55 can shoot up to 10 frames per second (FPS) while the A33 manages seven FPS. The A55 is heavier at 441g (body only) while the A33 weighs 433g (body only). And the A33 lacks the built-in GPS function of the A55.

Both sport a variable-angle, turn-and-twist three-inch LCD screen that allows you to shoot pictures at at any angle you fancy as well as self-portraits.

The A33 will be launched during Comex 2010 at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre at $999 (body only) while the A55 will be available at the end of September, with pricing to be announced.

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Fuji Xerox Phaser 3160N Monochrome Laser Printer

Print a page in less than 9sec with laser printer

LASER printers are the workhorse of offices and now homes because the price of such machines and theoperational costs have fallen quite a bit.

These printers are quick and provide sharp printouts. Monochrome printers still rule the roost, notwithstanding the advent of colour laser printers which may be cheap to acquire but costly to operate.

Network-ready printers are especially useful for offices and, increasingly, homes, as they can be shared.

Fuji Xerox’s Phaser 3160N is one such machine. It prints 25 pages per minute at 600x600 dpi (1200x1200 dpi enhanced) and is Mac and PC compatible.

This is a speedy printer as the first page comes out in less than nine seconds. The toner, the main cost of any laser printer, can last up to 2,500 pages. It comes with a two-year carry-in warranty.

How much: $299

http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/System/Zoom_In/Zoom_In_Page.html

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Nikon Coolpix S1100pj

Nikon boosts digicam projector



IN OCTOBER last year, Nikon launched the world’s first digital camera with a built-in projector – the Coolpix S1000pj. It was an innovative product but the projector had limited use because of low brightness.

Ten months later, Nikon has unveiled an improved version, the Coolpix S1100pj.



The improvements are in projection brightness (up 40 per cent), a 3-inch resistive touch LCD and support for projection of computer data when connected to a PC.

Such features tucked into a 14.1-megapixel camera with a wide-angle 5x optical zoom make the S1100pj a very versatile compact digital camera indeed.

How much: To be announced

http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/System/Zoom_In/Zoom_In_Page.html

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Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W3

View 3-D pics on this camera

BY YEONG AH SENG

THE box-office hit Avatar started the 3-D craze. There are now a growing number of 3-D TV sets and cameras, and one suspects more will come.

Fujifilm’s second consumer 3-D digital camera is smaller, lighter and improved.

You can view 3-D pictures on the W3’s 3.5-inch LCD display (without having to wear special glasses), or connect it to a 3-D TV set via HDMI.

The W3 has two lenses, two sensors and synchronised controls. Two pictures are taken with each shot and the camera combines them into one 3-D image or movie.


Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 Digital Camera with 3.5-Inch LCD


Users unaccustomed to 3-D images may find the results disconcerting at first, but one quickly gets used to the images, which may overlap and flicker a little.

The overall result can be described as interesting, even as consumers grapple with what they can do with 3-D images.

One question which is often posed: How do we print 3-D images (surely, not on a 2-D printer)?

The answer might well lie in some kind of new 3-D printer, which Fujifilm would, no doubt, have in the works.

For those who are not readyto step into the third imension, there is a 2-D option which turns the camera into just another 2-D digital camera.

How much: To be announced

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Chrome OS tablet from HTC

Chrome OS tablet from HTC ‘on sale in Nov’

BOSTON

AN HTC tablet running Google’s Chrome operating system will be sold by Verizon Wireless in late November, according to an unnamed source cited by the blog Downloadsquad, Computerworld reported.

The blog’s source specifically said the tablet will appear on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and the traditional start of the United States’ holiday shopping season. The blog said the tablet would probably
be heavily subsidised by Verizon to compete against the Apple iPad.

HTC and Verizon could not be reached for comment. The blog also speculated that the HTC tablet would have plenty of popular features, in keeping with HTC’s Nexus One smartphone tradition.

Those include a 1280x720 multitouch display, 2GB of RAM and a minimum of 32GB of storage, the blog said.

But the big-interest value would be the Chrome OS, since Google has mostly made a splash with Android for smartphones and a number of Android tablets are expected in the coming months from Samsung and others.

Samsung is reported to be showing a new Android 2.2 tablet at a consumer-electronics show in Berlin early next month.

FierceWireless reported last month that an HTC spokesman had noted widespread interest in tablets, but said HTC would participate if it could find a way to offer “clear value and differentiate ourselves”.

Chrome was introduced as an OS to power netbooks, not tablets, although some analysts have noted that Chrome could work in both.

AGENCIES

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Online Only: Canon unveils new Pixma printers

by Trevor Tan
04:20 PM Aug 19, 2010

All-in-one (AIO) printers that can scan, copy and print are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. And this is evident looking at Canon's printer launch in Singapore today, where six out of its seven new printers from its Pixma line are AIO machines.

The Pixma MG6170 and MG8170 grab the most attention, thanks to a sleek, glossy black design, touch capacitive buttons and WiFi 802.11n support. They even support high-definition (HD) movie printing, where you can print still images from HD video captured by a Canon digital camera.

The MG6170 has a 3.0-inch LCD screen that can be tilted while the MG8170's screen is 3.5 inches. Both printers tout a maximum colour resolution of 9,600x2,400 dpi and are capable of printing a border-less 4R photo in 20 seconds.

The other five Pixma AIO printers launched today are the MG5270, MG5170, MP497 and MP287. The iP4870 is the lone single-function photo printer unveiled.

Except for the MP497 that is available now at $299, the rest of the printers will only be available from next month onwards. TREVOR TAN

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/EDC100819-0000250/Online-Only--Canon-unveils-new-Pixma-printers

Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Inkjet Photo Printer (3295B002)

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BlackBerry Torch smartphone

The Torch lights the way

RESEARCH In Motion’s BlackBerry Torch smartphone, which features a slide-out keyboard
and the BlackBerry 6 operating system, went on sale in New York last Thursday. It is available exclusively in the United States at AT&T for US$199 (S$270). (PHOTO: BLOOMBERG)











RIM BlackBerry 8220 Pearl Flip Unlocked Smartphone with 2.0 Megapixel Camera, GSM Technology, Pink QWERTY KEYBOARD

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Jabra Cruiser Bluetooth wireless speakerphone

Drive and talk safely

Jabra Cruiser Bluetoothwireless speakerphone

I SEE lots of drivers using their mobile phones on the road.

Perhaps it is because there are no law enforcers in sight, or because many find it too cumbersome to use a hands-free headset. What these drivers are doing is dangerous and most irresponsible. They would do well to find another way to make or take that call.

Jabra’s Cruiser Bluetooth wireless speakerphone is an affordable option and a cinch to set up and use. Admittedly, earlier Bluetooth headsets were not perfect and were costly to boot. However, the technology has improved considerably and prices have come down.

All one needs to do with the Cruiser is pair it with a phone (up to two devices can be paired), clip the speaker to the sunvisor and talk. It features voice caller ID, which announces the name of the incoming caller, and has background noiseelimination
technology.

In addition, a built-in FM transmitter allows calls and music from an MP3 player to be heard via the car’s stereo system. Unfortunately, this does not work too well as FM signals tend to be blocked in tunnels or where interference levels are high.

How much: $158

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Motorola Quench XT3 Smartphone

No-fuss smartphone?

Check out XT3

BY YEONG AH SENG

Motorola Quench XT3 Smartphone

SMARTPHONES are very popular these days but most of them can be quite expensive unless one subscribes to a major telco plan.

Motorola’s Quench XT3 is a budget smartphone launched under the aegis of M1.

It is an Android phone and has most, if not all, of the features found in more costly smartphones – big (3.2-inch) capacitative screen, 3.5G and WiFi Connectivity, GPS, stereo Bluetooth and 3MP camera with LED flash.

The Quench is a no-fuss smartphone. It is light (114g), fairly quick and responsive. Those who have little use for smartphones with social media and other fancy add-ons would be satisfied with the XT3. The version of Android used is 1.6 (Donut), not the speculated 2.1 (Eclair).

Hopefully, Motorola will provide an upgrade soon enough as this would make the XT3 an even more attractive buy.

How much: $468 or $148 with two-year M1 contract

http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/System/Zoom_In/Zoom_In_Page.html

3-Pack Motorola CLIQ XT/Quench MB501 Combo Screen Protector for Motorola CLIQ XT/Quench MB501

Black Silicone Skin Soft Skin Cover for Motorola Cliq XT / Quench T-Mobile Protector Case/BKPR

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Talk of 7-inch iPad surfaces

TAIPEI

ECONOMIC Daily News, a Taiwan-based newspaper, is reporting that Apple will be releasing a 7-inch iPad, adding to reports of such a device that began in earnest with Taiwan daily DigiTimes earlier this month, Macobserver.com reported.

ECD reported on Tuesday that Apple was prepping a smallerversion of the iPad for release as early as the end of this year. The present version has a 9.7-
inch touchscreen.

In the report, ECD said that the new device would weigh about 500g, less than the 700g of the current device.

Whereas DigiTimes said the new iPad model would sport an OLED display, ECD reported
that the device would use the IPS display used in the current iPad.

The report named two manufacturers that have won contracts to supply components for
the iPad: Chimei Innolux will supply the 7-inch IPS display while Cando Corporation will reportedly supply the touchscreen technology. Compal Electronics will assemble the device.

Apple is notorious for its product secrecy, and the company has not announced a new
iPad model.

The current model went on sale in April, and a product rev before the end of this year would be at odds with the roughly yearly update cycle the company has employed with the iPhone and, before that, with most iPod models.

On the other hand, the company has faced a number of leaks coming out of Taiwan,
with both the iPad and the last two iPhone models the subject of unprecedented levels of leaks.

While some of those leaks were the result of a prototype that was lost by an Apple engineer, many other details had already leaked from Apple’s Taiwan- based uppliers.
AGENCIES

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Panasonic launches Lumix LX5 and a consumer 3D camcorder

The long-awaited successor to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3, the LX5 ($799), will finally reach our shores next month.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Black)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (White)

Like the LX3, the LX5 sports a 10.1-megapixel image sensor. Improvements include a newly developed Venus Engine FHD image processor, a hot shoe for attaching an electronic viewfinder, and a longer optical zoom lens of 3.8x (24-90mm equivalent of 35mm). LX3 users will also be tempted to upgrade thanks to the LX5's new rubberised grip, dedicated playback button, and a jog dial that lets them change settings easily.



Panasonic today also launched what it says is the world's first 3D consumer camcorder, the HDC-SDT750.

It features a 7.59-megapixel 3MOS motion image sensor with a high-speed Crystal Engine Pro processing unit to deliver full high-definition (HD) moving images.

Simply attach the 3D conversion lens to the camcorder and you're ready to shoot your own 3D movie. However, the 3D movies captured will only be in standard definition, not in HD.

The Panasonic HDC-SDT750 will retail at $2,999 in October.

by Trevor Tan
02:00 PM Aug 18, 2010

http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/EDC100818-0000172/Panasonic-launches-Lumix-LX5-and-a-consumer-3D-camcorder

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