Filed under: Digital Cameras

Hold up! Polaroid may not be dead just yet! A trusty reader was nice enough to give us some hands-on time with his new Polaroid Pogo Zink-based printer. The diminutive device is clearly meant to give us that old-school insta-print social feeling with its 2 x 3-inch photos, but results were less than a barrel o’ monkeys. Engadget reader David states that while the unit is “cute,” there’s nothing very instant about it as prints take at least 60 seconds — not including connection in or Bluetooth pairing time. On the plus side, prints are sturdy and don’t tear easily, but David couldn’t resist burning one of them just to see how the thermal paper reacted. In the end, he says this is a decent gadget for those in the know, but you’re not going to put this at the center of a party like you would an old-school Instamatic. Peep the gallery for David’s hands-on goodness.

[Thanks, David]

Popularity: 1% [?]

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Now that Nikon has deftly slipped the full frame (FX) D700 into the already tight slot separating its mid-range DX D300 and pro FX D3, we know what you’re thinking. Huh? Fortunately, both Rob Galbraith and DP Review have given this a thorough analysis along with a titillating preview courtesy of DP Review. As Rob puts it, “If you own a D3 and a D300, then you have in two separate bodies most of the key bits and pieces that comprise the D700.” While the choice between the $1,800 D300 and $3,000 D700 is more clear, prospective $5,000 D3 buyers won’t be blamed if they profess a desire to hold-out for the 24.39 megapixel D3X expected within the next 12 months.

— Rob Galbraith’s take
— DP Review preview

Popularity: 2% [?]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Around this time last year, we got wind of CCD-based projectors and cameras from Olympus that were outfitted with a curious “axial symmetrical free curved surface lens.” Now, stated company is finally providing a few details about its current prototype, which essentially enables 360-degree photographs to be taken. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on perspective), the sensor isn’t quite ready to be pushed out into the world, but as you can certainly imagine, it’ll likely make a B-line for surveillance outfits just as soon as it’s ready.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Ah, so sorry fakers. Don’t you hate it when all your Photoshopping efforts come undone after the original D300 picture turns up? Oh well, D700 dreamers still have the alleged specs and hopes of a possible Monday announcement.

[Via Nikond700, thanks John R.]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Uh oh, DXG’s creeping its way up into luxury territory. Earlier this year, we saw the outfit dish out a craptacular $149 HD camcorder, and just a few months back we were introduced to the $169 DXG-569V. Now, it’ll take another Hamilton in order to rightfully claim its newest unit, the DXG-567V. The pocket-friendly cam is available in four different hues, ships with rechargeable AA batteries and uploads directly to YouTube and other video sharing sites without much hassle at all. DXG claims that this bugger captures video at 1,280 x 720 (30fps), but even at $179, we have our doubts about the overall quality. Superior watch out though, by this time next year you’ll see DXG perched up beside Sony, Panasonic and the rest of the respected gang.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Easily one of the most peculiar looking digicams we’ve seen, the GX200 picks right up where the GX100 left off and aims to fill the pockets of those not quite ready for a DSLR. Design wise, reviewers couldn’t help but fall in love. Despite the curious build, critics found it to be “a joy” to hold and operate and not quite a burden in their left cargo pocket. When it came time to view results, however, the tone swiftly shifted; put simply, the 12-megapixel sensor / processing combination was deemed “poor,” once again substantiating the belief that more megapixels isn’t always superior. To be fair, the EVF and monitor were among the ideal they had seen, and some of the other minor details were really impressive, but the lackluster image quality easily overshadowed those flashes of brilliance in the grand scheme of things.

[Thanks, RTT]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Peripherals

Logitech, a name long synonymous with Personal computer webcams, just announced its newest, flagship camera which — are you ready? — is Mac-only. A move which, quite honestly, makes us feel, well… dirty. The USB 2.0 QuickCam Vision Pro works with iChat and Skype and features a 2 megapixel sensor, a quick autufocusing Carl Zeiss lens, and the capability to record VGA video at 30fps while mounted to your display or, redundantly, to your MacBook which of course have featured an integrated webcam for the last few years. Hitting shelves across Europe and the US in July for $130.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Wearables

Let’s face it, the streets are rough these days. And just because someone admits to having your back, that doesn’t mean they won’t turn and run in the heat of battle. Allowed, the very spark that sets off said conflict could be this questionably designed coat, but we digress. Paul Coudamy’s Hard-Wear jacket includes a completely inconspicuous camera on the rear which reportedly beams happenings onto a wrist-worn LCD. Not exactly James Bond type material here, but we suppose it’ll do for the double-o in training. Take all those orange blocks away and your chances of being looked at would decline remarkably, wouldn’t you think?

[Via Talk2MyShirt]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed under: Cellphones, Digital Cameras, Displays

We’ve seen a couple handheld 3D devices, but Infosys just announced that developed a chipset capable of capturing and projecting 3D holograms from ordinary cellphones, and that it hopes to take the tech mainstream by 2010. The system captures a series of 2D images from normal cameras and uses them to develop 3D holograms, projecting received images using a laser projector and micro optical elements. Infosys also had a patent granted on the system required to transmit 3D data over normal telecom networks without clogging them up — the data is transmitted unprocessed, and the chipsets at either end do the heavy lifting. There’s no word on what devices this stuff might appear in, but we’re wondering what that laser system is supposed to project onto — or if we’ll have to take up smoking to get our 3D on.

[Thanks, Bucky]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Hey there EVOLT E-520, we almost forgot you ever existed! Just over a month after Olympus’ latest DSLR first broke cover, one particular individual has managed to corral one from an Austrian shop and snap a few stills. Reportedly, he’s planning to write up a full review, but judging by the way the initial round of shots went, we’re not so sure he’s going to keep it long enough for all of that. As Tam Hanna so bluntly put it, the “autofocus system of the E-520 is the worst [he had] ever seen on a digital camera.” Of course, we suppose it could grow on him with time, but just look at the shots in the read link and you’ll probably agree that stated scenario isn’t very likely.

Update: Tam wrote in to inform us that this particular camera was defective. Guess that explains a lot, huh?

Popularity: 3% [?]