Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Sweet.  That is how I’d describe this camera.  I am not sure if it is me getting used to their “Best Shot” system or what, but dialing this camera in for use seems super simple.  Really, my only complaint is with extreme close up focusing (I love artsy pics) since I was unable to get anything but a blur. 

Small, inexpensive at $179 in fashion colors.  It is a winner in my book.  Check out the video review and some sample images after the break. 

MORE »

With the release of the iPhone 3G and the T-Mobile G1 this year, most “dumb” cell phones seem to have been lost in the crowd.  Especially those cell phones with tech that isn’t readily available to Americans.  Casio has just announced one of these cell phones.  The W63CA is part of the EXIFILM series, that’s right, a consumer grade digital camera line.

The reason for the phone being part of a camera line?  It has an 8.1 megapixel camera on board, with a 3.1” OLED screen.  Got that?  8.1 megapixels.  On a cell phone.  The main problem for us?  Its a Japanese phone.  Keep reading for more details.

MORE »

Casio is making this case: Every time you press the shutter button, your camera captures just one moment.  But was it the right moment?  For far too many of us, the answer is usually no.

Last January at CES, you might recall my excitement for the Casio EX-F1, a fantastic $999 shooter that captured still images at 60 FPS (frames per second) and movies at 1,200 FPS.  The benefit of this kind of speed is capturing *the* moment.  Not the one where your kid closed his eyes, not the one where you can’t tell if they hit the ball, but the very instant it happened.  It is like an instant recall in photo and video form.

The marketing team at Casio printed the 60 frames they took with the FX1 of a skateboarder doing his thing and put up the pictures for all to see.  In that one second, you could see some great shots and the other 58 or so were what I normally end up with: missed moments.  The FX1 could almost be considered a time machine allowing you to go back and pick the right moment.

Casio has done it again with the new EX-FH20.

Follow to see how Casio is changing the way we take pictures and video.

MORE »

Casio will soon be showering us with four new models from its EXILIM Zoom digital camera series as they have announced the release of the Exilim Zoom EX-Z300, EX-Z250, EX-285 and EX-Z19c. Casio is claiming that all four models are high-profile digital cameras and as such come with high-resolution CCD. True enough, the EX-Z300 comes with a 10.1-megapixel CCD sensor, while the other three all has 9.1-megapixel CCD sensors.

But aside from the cameras resolution, all four EXILIM models also boast of decent features that could possible convince you to buy anyone of them. For instance, both the EX-Z300 and EX-Z250 features Casio’s EXILIM Engine 3.0 which according to Casio produces beautiful image quality even when capturing night scenes. A notable feature of the EXILIM Engine 3.0 is the Makeup function where users can adjust various settings to enhance the subject’s face even before the users press on the shutter buttons. Other features of these two cameras include a 3-inch LCD screen, HD movie capture and playback and a 29mm wide angle lens with 4x optical zoom.

MORE »

Casio has released a new digital photo printer called the PCP-1200. Featuring a 7-inch wide touch screen display, the PCP-1200 also allows printing text on post card size prints thanks to its keyboard which you can use to input the text you want to print. If you’re wondering what’s so good about this feature, well this would be pretty useful if you need to print post cards and simple invitation cards in a hurry.

This digital photo printer also allows users to print photos directly from digital cameras, mobile phones and various media formats including CF, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, xD Picture Card, SDHC/SD memory cards and MMC. It also comes with an optional memory card adapter to allow direct printing of photos stored in miniSDHC/SD and microSD/SDHC memory card media.

Other stuff you can create using the PCP-1200 include funny cards, birthday cards, greeting cards and various fun print stuff using its 60 stamps theme feature. The PCP-1200 digital photo printer is available now in Japan and retails for around $500. No word yet if this will be released in the international market though.

Via [FarEastGizmos]

• As the mouse reaches 40, what’s for the future?
• Gamertell Review: The iPod Touch as a game system
• Asus gets official with the Eee Top all-in-one PC

  This is where we call out by names the actions and companies that seem odd, out of touch or just plain straight up smokin crack.  Technology is an odd realm where PR speak doesn’t hold a lot of water if the 1s and 0s don’t line up.  This week sees posturing, positioning and flat out insanity.  Here is what caught my eye this week:

iPhone 3G stock - Apple seems to be going to the Nintendo Wii’s model of avoiding any price deterioration: keep the darn thing out of stock.  Almost 3 weeks after launch and still lines in most stores to pick one up; if they even have the stock.  This doesn’t seem to be settling down; and it is looking like a huge customer grab for AT&T.  Amazing, either demand is just huge or Apple is playing with the supply figures.  Either way, crack is involved.

MORE »

This new Casio GzOne is a definite guy’s guy phone, for those men who love to climb rocks and do other extreme sports.  I mean, look at it, you can dip it in water, for crying out loud!  Fortunately, it has a shock, dust, and water resistant frame. 

Its features are many, including a 1.3-megapixel camera as well as a microSD memory SD slot.  Other features include V CAST Music and a music player.  For the supreme outdoorsman, there are some other cool features including a GPS, digital compass, as well as an LED lantern. 

MORE »

Casio has added a new ultra-thin point-and-shoot in their Exilim lineup, the EX-Z150. Measuring a mere 20.1 mm in thickness, Casio said that the EX-Z150 is the world’s slimmest digital camera touting a wide-angle 28 mm 4x optical zoom lens.

But that is not to say that the EX-Z150 falls short in terms of features. On the contrary, this snapper is loaded with high-end features such as an 8.1 megapixel CCD resolution, CCD-shift anti-shake function, face detection technology, 3-inch high resolution LCD monitor, support for various media card formats including SD/SDHC, MultiMediaCard, Multi MediaCard plus, video recording in AVI and MPEG formats, 64-1600 ISO sensitivity and its Li-ion battery can take up to 280 still images per full charging time.

This new Exilim is available in silver, black, red, pink and green colors.
 
Read [Casio Press Release]

• Canon’s PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera zooms in like a DSLR
• Casio announces 8.1 megapixel ... phone?
• Gadgetell video review: Casio EX-Z150 8.1mp camera

Just in time for your summer trip to the beach this year, Casio will be rolling out the new EX-Z9 EXilim Zoom digital camera. It offers to shoot photos at up to 8.1-megapixels, has 3x optical zoom, 23 Best Shot Modes and face detection technology. It looks pretty on the outside, with its slim and vibrant outer casing, but does the same beauty extend to its innards?

Other features include a large 2.6-inch wide LCD display, Anti Shake DSP to reduce photo blurring from shaky hands, auto focus and macro mode, as well as support for SD, SDHC, MMC, and MMC plus memory cards to augment the 18MB of built-in memory.

MORE »

Well, thanks to horrible connectivity in the wing that held the Casio press conference, this update is not brought to you live.  Here is what you missed:

Casio is updating their line with 5 new models.  Here is a quick peek:

EX-F1: Coming this spring, Casio looks to the F1 to change the world of photography.  60 fps, a mode that pre records (saves) before you press the shutter release allowing you to capture the right moment, just not the one you pressed.  12x optical zoom.  6mp cmos sensor.  The faster FPS means 60 images per second so you can get the right moment. 

More on the pre-record: Sometimes the action is too fast.  With the F1, you can dial back to get the moment you really wanted, not just the one you ended up with. The F1 features full resolution HD,
1080i.  High speed movie capture, great for sports both for professionals and amateurs.  Price will be just less than $1000.

EX S10: The thinnest and lightest camera 10mp, 2.7” LCD, 3x optical.  You Tube Compatibility.  Itunes video compatibility for transferring video to iPod a new concept that Casio partnered with Apple on.  Simply drag and drop video into iPod or iPhone.
Auto shutter enhances picture sharpness and shoots automatically when there is no subject moving or camera shake.  This model also features smile detection and self portrait mode ensuring you are in the picture when you try to take a pic of yourself . iTunes

All new cameras are one button video record.  No menus or dials to fiddle with.  Pre record video feature.  Casio touts their high contrast LCDs for the best looking LCDs in even the brightest of sun.

EXILIM Zoom EX-Z80 — a smaller 8.1 megapixel version of the S10 but without the Super Clear LCD.  Very compact and fashionable.

EXILIM Zoom EX-Z200 and EX-Z100 — two 10.1 megapixel models featuring a wide-angle 28 mm lens with 4X optical zoom with wide angle and telephoto.  Both feature the Super Clear LCDs.

Company site: [Casio]

• Gadgetell video review: Casio EX-Z150 8.1mp camera
• Casio’s newest performance shooter, the EX-FH20
• Casio announces 8.1 megapixel ... phone?