Pepcom’s Digital Experience showcase, which takes place each June at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, brought out the camera makers this year. Of course the show had its usual sampling of consumer goods in the data storage and home networking arenas as well as telecomm services and a smattering of notebook PCs, but the cameras and imaging products took center stage.
Dropcam displayed what it calls the world’s smallest Wi-Fi video monitoring camera for home and office. The small camera keeps an eye on one’s home, kids, pets, and whatever it’s aimed at and streams live HD video 24/7 over the user’s wireless network. After a 60-second setup, plug it in, select the Wi-Fi network, personalize it, and Dropcam HD is online. The camera is wall-powered, eliminating battery concerns.
For environment monitoring, Dropcam provides email and push alerts, notifies users of motion and loud noises, and employs night vision when light levels are low or nonexistent. Video is encrypted with bank-level security and Dropcam’s DVR archives the days’ events for viewing later. Retail price for the camera is $149 and Dropcam DVR services start at $9.95 per month.
Dropcam HD debuts as the world’s smallest Wi-Fi video monitoring camera.
Finding a digital camera that does everything is easier than easy these days, but finding one that does it all well is a trip and three quarters. Trip over, enter Nikon’s D3200 24.2-Megapixel high-definition (HD) single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera with wireless connectivity capabilities. Designed for proficient photographers ready to advance to a D-SLR as well as day-to-day users, the D3200 features Nikon’s instructive Guide Mode.
The D3200 features a 24.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor, full HD (1080p) video recording with full time autofocus, and four-frames-per-second high-speed continuous shooting mode. Available in either black or red, price for a D3200 outfit with an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18 mm to 55 mm f/3.5-5.6G VR image stabilization lens is $699.95. The optional WU-1a wireless mobile adapter costs $59.95.
Nikon’s D3200 24.2-Mpixel D-SLR camera targets enthusiasts and advancing pros.
Groomed for outdoor shutterbugs, the K-30 D-SLR camera from Pentax features a weather, dust, and cold resistant body, a glass prism optical finder with 100% field of view, state-of-the-art auto focusing, and full HD video recording capabilities. In addition to being weatherproof, the K-30 delivers burst shooting at a maximum speed of six images per second, a high-speed shutter unit with a top speed of 1/6000 second, and dual electronic dials for fingertip access to controls and modes.
Notable features include operation in temperatures as low as -10°C, SAFOX IXi+ Autofocus module, a 16-Megapixel APS-C sized CMOS image sensor with an image-capturing area measuring 23.7 mm x 15.7 mm, and 1080p HD video capture at 30 fps. Available in July, prices for the K-30 are $849.95 for the body only and $899.95 for the kit including the DA L 18 mm to 55 mm zoom lens.
The K-30 D-SLR Camera from Pentax targets outdoor photographers working in extreme climates and harsh weather.
Bringing it all into a compact yet rugged and waterproof package, the Olympus TG-1 iHS is promoted as the world’s first rugged camera to incorporate an ultra-bright, high-speed f2.0 lens. The waterproof to 40 ft., shock-proof to 6.6 ft., freeze-proof to 14°F, crush-proof to a weight of 220 lbs., and dust-proof camera takes 1080p HD video and packs a three-inch high-resolution OLED display (610K dots). Protective coatings prevent scratches and cut down on reflective glare.
The Olympus TG-1 iHS debuts as the world’s first rugged camera to incorporate an ultra-bright, high-speed f2.0 lens.
Features include a 12-Megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, DSLR-quality TruePic VI image processor, shutter speeds up to 1/2000, linear PCM audio recording, and an iAuto mode that automatically detects the subject, lighting, and situation to identify the scene. Price for the Olympus TG-1 iHS with a USB cable and charger, li-ion battery, wrist strap, manual, and software is $399.99. Numerous accessories are also available.