Sunday, November 27, 2011

GoPro HD Hero2 Camera Review

Do you like extreme sports? Have you always wanted to be able to record them in high-definition but found traditional cameras bulky and inoperable while performing them? If this is case, you're in luck because a company out of Half Boon Bay, California called GoPro has been working on a new line of wearable and mountable cameras called the GoPro HD Hero2, and they all shoot in 1080p high-definition!

The GoPro HD Hero2 is the most compact and advanced sports action camera on the market. It incorporates big technology in a small body. The main users of the camera are sport athletes that race cars, surf, kayak, skate, snowboard, ski, mountain bike, and more. Even general consumers enjoy the limitless mountable capabilities of the small camera; videos on YouTube show footage of the camera mounted even to a dog!

The GoPro HD Hero2 was released November 30, 2011. The main upgrades you need to know is that GoPro has developed a lens that contains two times sharper professional glass. This is great news because that means the image quality will be sharper in your recordings. In addition to new photo capabilities, the camera system enables the camera to shoot 11 megapixel pictures! The previous GoPro HD Hero original was only capable of 5 megapixel photos. Furthermore, the GoPro HD Hero camera has an easy to use 10 photo per second burst mode. This makes it easy to capture fast moving sequences. Lastly, wi-fi capability and a new time-lapse setting make this camera a big upgrade from the GoPro HD Hero original. The GoPro HD Hero2 comes with a polycarbonate waterproof, bombproof, and shockproof water housing that enables you take it with you to submerge the camera underwater. The camera also comes with one lithium ion battery. Charger and all necessary cables are included.

Pros

Camera lens incorporates 2X Sharper Lens enhancing image quality

• 10 Photo per second burst allows users to capture fast moving sequences easily

• Highest quality 1080p footage on the market for wearable consumer sport cameras

• Wi-Fi capabilities to control up to control 50 GoPro cameras at once

• New LCD interface makes this cameras even more user friendly

Cons

• Since the camera still shoots in 1080p. it is not much of an upgrade from the previous GoPro HD Hero Original

• The LCD interface although much more user friendly, requires button pushing

• The camera does not have a LCD viewfinder so it may be hard to see what is in your field of view. However, an accessory called the LCD Bacpac is available

• Memory card not included

In conclusion, if you want the best wearable point of view action camera on the market in terms of high-definition video quality, usability, high ease of use, and countability, then the GoPro HD Hero2 is for you. Not only does it incorporate the most advanced technology in the wearable camera consumer market but it is also priced the best. From Disney to the Discovery channel, the movie industry is learning that GoPro cameras are capable of capturing amazing footage that previously was thought impossible. Now is your chance to document your most amazing experiences in high-definition, and its all in the power of the GoPro HD Hero2 camera. Read a GoPro camera review for pictures, video footage, and a comparison chart of cameras.

Sanyo Digital Camera Reviews

Sanyo digital camera reviews for the Xacti S70 and the Xacti DMX CG65 look appealing. However, the cameras do not have enough user reviews to tell whether the cameras are worth the time or money. The S70 has a slick design with 7.0 megapixels with three times optical zoom. It has a two and a half inch viewing screen and face recognition technology. The camera has a automatic focus feature that reacts quickly making picture taking easy. The camera boasts about the fact that one set of alkaline batteries can take two hundred and fifty images.

The Sanyo digital camera reviews for the DMX CG65 are just as impressive, but once again, the camera has no user reviews so you judge the performance of the camera. This camera has 6.0 megapixels with five times optical zoom. The camera does use all the newest technology to make picture taking easy. The digital cameras do sound very intriguing, but without any user reviews, one will not know if the camera is all it says it is. You would need to check warranties and refund policies before buying any one of these digital cameras unless you judge by what the manufacturer has to say.

The Sanyo digital camera reviews are always good to use for doing comparisons of different makes and models. The reviews are very helpful when you are thinking about buying any digital camera. If you cannot find any reviews, you can always check the manufacturer's reviews, but this will not give you any kind of idea as to how easy the camera is to use or if there are any problems. New cameras do not have reviews when they first come out, but you can still judge by the features and functions if you cannot find a user review to look at.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Digital Camera Reviews 2010

As it comes to the end of the year many camera enthusiasts are eager to read reviews especially as Christmas approaches. It's now at the end of 2010 and many new digital cameras have been released this year. This article will go into small sections of three of the best compact cameras which have been released this year.

One of the first cameras I will start off with is the Lumix TZ10. This special travel camera has been selling like mad and continues to into the New Year. What makes this digital camera so unique is the fact that it has its own GPS tracking system which helps you find landmarks and monument across the country. This is especially useful if you are a picture hobbyist or seek to brag about adventures and conquests.

One of the other compact cameras is slightly different but still offers great value for money. This camera is called the Lumix FS30 and is extremely cheap to its other Lumix counter part. In some cases it can be 100% cheaper. This isn't its biggest selling point though; it has a 14.1 mega pixel camera which is astonishing for its cheap price.

However just because these are two of the best digital cameras currently out doesn't mean you should rush out and buy one of them. Many experts would suggest reading reviews before you make a decision. This will help you think about other options you have and give you a great opportunity to find the best prices as they can change drastically.

Camera Reviews - Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (20x Optical Zoom)

The new Canon PowerShot SX20IS is a new mega-zoom model that has just been release in mid-August this year (2009). It is the successor to the very successful SX10IS model that has been reining the bestseller's charts for quite some time now.

One of the new features found on the Canon PowerShot SX20IS is that it can record HD videos at 720p. This model uses a 28-50mm wide-angle lens that has a 20x optical zoom. The zoom can be used while recording videos. It also has a 12.1MP image sensor, and like most new Canon models, uses a DIGIC 4 processor that produces excellent image quality.

On the back of the camera, you will find a 2.5-inch LCD display that can be rotated at various angles. There is also a button that is dedicated for recording videos that lets you record movies with a push of the button.

As a successor to the SX10IS, the new Canon PowerShot SX20IS did not disappoint. It retains many of the great features of the older model (user-friendly interface) and tops it up with a couple more. The image quality is quite stunning considering its price range. They were even better in many ways than those taken on some of my more expensive DSLR cameras.

At first glance, the Canon PowerShot SX20IS may seem a little bulky, but it is actually surprising comfortable to hold. It has a good, comfortable grip and feels very durable. With the looks of this new model, it looks like Canon is set to rein the mega-zoom camera market for a long time to come. Currently, the Canon PowerShot SX20IS retails at around $399 each.

What Is The Best Digital Camera Brand?

If ever there was a controversial question amongst the hordes of digital camera enthusiasts, it has to be "What is the best digital camera brand?". Sometimes referred to as "What is the best brand of digital camera to buy?", but not to be confused with "What is the best camera to buy?". Because everyone knows that regular (film) cameras are far superior to digital cameras. Hang on a sec, or was that the other way around? Who can keep track these days? Now before I digress too far from the topic, lets take a look at that age old battle, and see if we can determine which brand is best.

First things first, in the spirit of full disclosure, I need to declare that I do in fact own several cameras. They represent a variety of brands. I have two Canons, a Fuji, and a Kodak. I must confess, that I am somewhat partial to Canon, but I'll try not to let that cloud any editorial comments I may subsequently make.

If digital camera sales were any indication of what the best brand was, then according to Amazon.com Canon would be a clear winner. As I write this, Canon manufactures 18 of the top 25 bestselling cameras on their best seller list. In addition, Canon holds 9 of the top 10 spots, with the top 3 being the PowerShot A570 IS, the PowerShot SD1000 Digital Elph, and the PowerShot SD850. Sharing the top 11 spots with Canon are 2 of the Pure Video manufactured Flip Video cameras. Nikon has 2 cameras in the top 25 including the Nikon D40, and the Nikon D300. Panasonic sneaks in with a couple of their Lumix models, specifically the DMC-TZ3K and the DMC-TZ3A. And finishing in a strong 25th spot, that old stalwart Kodak with the Easyshare Z812IS.

Of course being popular, or the best seller does not the best brand make. It simply means you have the best salesmanship. In that world, Canon seems to be having the most success. How exactly would we determine the best brand? Best service, best design, best features, best customer support, best images, and best user experience are all valid traits. Perhaps a critical / scientific /empirical examination of all cameras models by manufacturer would be in order. Let's see if we can aggregate a lot of the work already done by a couple of camera review sites who take the above traits into consideration.

A perusal of one top camera review site under their 5 star category, show 39 Canon cameras, 18 Sony cameras, 17 Nikon cameras, 6 Fuji cameras, 5 Olympus cameras, 5 Panasonic cameras, 3 Pentax cameras, and 1 Konica camera. A second camera review site under their top 103 cameras showed 46 Canon cameras, 21 Sony cameras, 20 Nikon cameras, 5 Pentax cameras, 3 Fuji cameras, 2 Samsung cameras, 2 Panasonic cameras, 2 Kodak cameras, 1 Konica camera, and 1 Casio camera. If you total all that up, the top 3 end up being Canon with 85, Sony a distant second with 39, and Nikon a very close third with 37. Everyone else had less than 10 top rated cameras.

Friday, November 25, 2011

VTech Kidizoom Video Cameras - Packed With Fun Features For The Kids

It can often be hard to know what to buy young kids at Christmas time. To help you out, we will carry out a review of the VTech Kidizoom Video cameras. The VTech Kidizoom Video camera have been tipped to be big sellers this and in this article we will have a look at there key features and functions.

These Kidizoom video recorder from VTech has four distinct modes, Video mode, Director Mode, camera Mode and Video games. Every single background has a set of four interactive components, that can be triggered by pressing a directional buttons for the Kidizoom Video Camera when recording a film.

The creative Face Tracking attribute should have Kids rolling in laughter as crabs nip them, amusing Hats show up on their head as well as Octopuses spray them with ink. Using Kidizoom inside Director Mode your kids may select 5 active background scenes and that's the place where the fun really kicks off and the Video Camera exhibits the reason why it really is the right camera/video to choose from for youngsters at the moment. The Directors mode is simply a lot fun for all the kids, there is a Birthday, Seaside, Alien and also Magician templates options to select from and also the Kidizoom Face Tracking know-how your children can have great fun producing images come to life on Tv.

With Video application your VTech Kidizoom is like a typical camcorder, just point and film up to 15 mins of movie, a chunky switch upon the side triggers this Zoom function and young children will have absolutely no problems at all getting the hang of recording with it, it is just one button push and your set to go.

Along with the Camera setting youngsters can either make use of the VTech Kidizoom Video Camera as a normal point and shoot digital camera or they may include some really enjoyable effects to their photographs. Furthermore in the digital camera function by pressing your directional switches forwards on the VTech Kidizoom Video Camera your kids could scroll through a large variety of amusing effects to make his or her pictures better.

Your kids will have the ability to choose between Dame Edna style Glasses, the Musketeer hat, Pink hair in bunches, a Sailors hat, Lions face, Bunny face, Hippo's head, Knights helmet, Albert Einstein moustache and glasses, Cake over the face, Minnie Mouse bow, Bandaged head as well as Elton John style glasses. This really fun effects will allow the children to jazz the videos up and make them look totally different to boring standard films.

This Kidizoom Video Cameras also contains some terrific image frames which genuinely make the image unique. There's Artist's Easel, Dinosaurs, Aeroplane, Rock star, Shark, Dracula, Hearts, Movie star in addition to Newspaper style frame. This will enable the kids to really get creative with what they create and how the films they make turn out on the TV screen.

The Vtech Kidizoom video cameras are available in both pink and blue and other some really fun and interesting features which we have highlighted in this review. The great thing about Kidizoom products, is that they are also a excellent learning toy.

The Best Reviews for Wireless Surveillance Video Camera

Look to the best wireless video surveillance review to help make a decision on what type of system will best suit your home or business needs. Making an informed choice before buying a surveillance camera will help you protect not only your property, but your family and/or employees.

Using a wireless system has many advantages. You will gain improved flexibility with the ability to move a wireless camera to different locations. There are no wires that have to be run to the camera so it makes for a much nicer and professional appearance. There are many sizes and options to choose from.

The provider X10 has a positive wireless video surveillance review. It can be mounted indoor or outdoors, it can be plugged in or operated on batteries and you can use your TV, computer or VCR to view a live feed. When you need are in need of a trusted surveillance system, turn to SkyLink Systems. They provide security needs to everything from small businesses to the government. They work on remote monitoring and archive pictures and videos on a 24 hour basis. This monitoring and security system uses four to eight cameras with low starting costs.

The Thinking Camera is a web-cam that basically processes and thinks about what it is viewing and will send you an email telling you the events as they happen. This camera is wireless and can tell the difference between objects and people. This camera system has a positive wireless video surveillance review. It will give you peace of mind knowing you will be alerted when things are going on. For example, an intruder at the window or door.

Finding the best wireless surveillance video camera systems is made simple by using the best reviews available. These reviews are based on customer satisfaction ratings and more importantly the performance of the equipment. There are numerous companies and surveillance products on the market. Finding what best suites your needs is important and you want to make an informed decision based on the best reviews. This information will be valuable and useful†for deciding on the right protection for your home and office.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Digital Camera Reviews - Sony DSC N2, DSC T100 and Canon EOS 400D

Sony Cyber-shot DSC N2

The Sony DSC N2 is a stylish digital camera with ten mega pixels and a three times optical zoom. The feature that sets the DSC N2 apart from just about all other digital cameras is its large 3" touch LCD screen. This cuts the number of dials and buttons the camera has to an absolute minimum, helping to accentuate its looks and style.

Another feature that adds to the attraction of the camera is the fact it has a manual exposure mode. This allows you to set the shutter speed and aperture you shoot at. This model is probably aimed at the more casual user who still wants the premium picture quality to boast at cocktail parties. There is some debate on whether the CPU, or 'brain', of the DSC is any better than the DSC N1, so that the extra megapixels may not be processed in a manner that makes the pictures any better. I would recommend trying one out in the shop before committing yourself to a purchase.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Sony DSC-T100

The DSC-T100 fits an amazing combination of high-tech features into super-slim dimensions. It has high-resolution 8.1 MP imaging, a powerful 5x optical zoom lens and a huge 3.0" Clear Photo LCD Plus screen that lets you snap and share photos easily. This means that it can zoom in closer to distant objects with better clarity than the majority of the other brands that fit into a pocket. The optical zoom is the best feature of this camera, and would be very useful for images at concerts, wildlife photography or impressive holiday snaps. The size makes it very portable and I would recommend this one over the DSC N2.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Canon EOS 400D

The Canon EOS 400D is the latest member of Canon's extensive range of SLR digital cameras. It is now over three years since Canon released their first entry-level DSLR, the 6 megapixel EOS 300D, which kick-started the whole budget DSLR boom. An entry-level camera, the new Canon 400D has a hard act to follow as it attempts to build on the success of the 300D and 350D models. The 400D closely follows the general design of the 350D, having similar compact proportions to the older model, but it adds some new features to try and remain competitive in what has become a rapidly expanding sector of the photography market. This model is more for the budget professional, perhaps as a useful backup for the main shooter. That said, you can always rely on Canon to bring a functional and competent camera, and the styling of this model would feel at home in any paparazzi's man-bag.

Rating : 4 out of 5.

ZXN - Unlocked, Dual Sim Mobile Phone Made For Messaging With a 3.0 Mega Pixel Digital Camera

The Chinese cell phones were popular this time last year as the iPhone was all the rage, but the troubling economy has given them a huge boost and their popularity is soaring. Having an unlocked phone makes a lot of financial sense because you are not chained to any one carrier or network and are free to shop around for the best deal.

If there was ever a drawback with the clones though, it was that most of the more popular models required us to text, email and send messages on a flat screen. Some people don't mind this, but there are seasoned texters who much prefer the speed of texting on real, raised keys.

The Chinese manufacturers have responded with a few models that were not only made for messaging, but have upgraded cameras as well. The ZXN is one of the newer models in this category. This phone is also sometimes called ZXN95, or for the silver model, ZXN(S).

What is so appealing about the phone is that it has a full keyboard / scroll bar, a 3.0 mega pixel digital camera, and it's probably one of the cheapest clones on the market, sometimes pricing in around the $50 range.

Don't let the cheap price fool you though, the Z model is pretty loaded, with: a 2.6 inch touch screen; a built in 3.0 mega pixel digital camera which doubles as a high quality web cam; full MP3 / MP4 capabilities; Bluetooth 2.0; 4 very sharp vibrating speakers; expandable 2GB of memory; and web browsing, emailing and messaging with WAP, GPRS, SMS, MMS, including voice mail.

Some feel that this phone is a knock off of the Sony Ericsson c702a because of the advanced editing features, the high resolution digital camera and the messaging features.

The original version is black and the S version (which seems to be more popular) is silver. This mobile is tri band and supports GSM 900/ 1800 / 1900 MHZ bands, so it works with most carriers, including Cingular, Fido, SunCom, and T-Mobile to name only a few. A quick check with your carrier can tell you which band you currently use. This phone does not need software and will read your sim card.

I would compare this one to the Nokia N99i clone, as both are texting phones with 3.0 MP cameras, but the difference between the two is that the N99i has analog television included and is more expensive.

Hidden Spy Camera Sunglasses With DVR - Product Review

I will be the first to admit that this cool product is not for everyone. It is a specialty 'body worn' hidden spy camera with a built in camera, DVR and mini microphone all built into a pair of good looking polarized sunglasses. Only so called 'body worn' surveillance gear can have built in microphones for legal reasons.

How Does It Work?

The camera controls are on the left temple piece of the glasses for easy access.

1. Power on/off - to get started.

2. Select the Mode - MP3 automatically at start up with headphones then either video (DV) or still shots (DC).

3. Playback - Use the included USB cable to hook up to your computer to see what you recorded. Easy enough?

The camera has a field of view of sixty degrees and is in color. The battery charge of five hours will give you on average 3.5 hours of recording time at 25 FPS with a resolution of 680 X 480 for video and 1280 X 960 for still shots. The battery can be recharged using the USB charger. No additional drivers needed.

The mini microphone has a range of up to 8 feet.

There is 4 GB of on board flash memory built in with the ability for even more video storage via a micro SD (TF) card slot up to 8GB (not included).

Video, still shots from a camera, audio, built in DVR, and MP3 player with headphones all in a stylish pair of shades. The next generation in hidden spy cameras is here. When are you getting one?

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Viewing an IP Network Camera over the Internet

IP Network cameras are designed to work in a Local Area Network (LAN) and over the Internet. Within
a LAN, IP Network cameras allow for motoring local to the computer network to which the cameras are
attached to. With additional configuration of your computer network you have the ability to allow
for your IP Network Camera to be monitored not only locally but remotely as well using the Internet.
For advice on how to configure your network to allow for your camera to work over the Internet please
follow this guide.

Configuration - Local Access

Before you are able to configure your camera to work over the Internet we suggest configuring the
camera for local access first. Please refer to the technical documentation that came with your camera
for proper instructions on initial configuration of your camera. Once the camera has been configured
for local access you are then ready to start configuration for remote access to the camera over the
Internet.

Configuration - Remote Access

Before you proceed to configure your local network to allow your camera to be monitored from a remote
location, we suggest that you contact your network administrator to ensure you have the proper authority
to configure remote access to the camera. Once you have consulted with your network administrator you
may proceed to configure remote access to the camera.

In order to configure your camera to work over the Internet you will need to configure what is called
Port Forwarding. Port Forwarding allows for you to access the camera from a remote location by
forwarding the network ports used by the camera onto the Internet. These ports are usually forwarded
by accessing your network's router and configuring the router to forward the ports used by the camera.
For details as to what ports will be required for forwarding for your IP Network Camera, please consult
the manufacturer of your camera. For additional information beyond this guide regarding Port Forwarding,
please visit http://www.portforward.com where you will be able to find step by step guides on Port Forwarding
specific to different models of routers.

Step 1 - Obtain IP Address Information

In order to access your network's router for configuration of port forwarding you will require the IP
Address of the router to which the camera is connected to. You can obtain this IP Address information
by consulting with the network administrator of your network or by opening up a Command Prompt within
Windows and entering in the "ipconfig /all" command. To open a command prompt window you will need to
click on the Window's Start button and then proceed to click on Run. Now you will enter in "cmd" and
click on "Ok" to proceed.

Once you have displayed the IP Configuration for your computer using the "ipconfig /all" command, you
will then be able to record the IP Address for your router. You will need this IP Address in order to
access your router for configuring Port Forwarding. Your network router's IP Address will be displayed
as the Default Gateway.

Step 2 - Accessing your Network's Router

Now that you have obtained the IP Address for your network's router you will then need to proceed to
access your router by typing in the router's IP Address in a web browser.

Step 3 - Configuring Port Forwarding on your Router

Now that you have access to the network router you will then need to proceed to browse to the
configuration section on the router where port forwarding is to take place. Please consult with the
manufacturer of your router for details as to where this section is. You may also review the website
NetworkCameraReviews.com where you will find detailed forum posts on port forwarding with various routers.

The Private IP Address for the camera (local IP Address of camera) has been entered in as well as a unique
name that will be associated with this particular port that is to be forwarded. In this example port
80 will be forwarded for the camera. Please consult with the manufacturer of your camera for details
on what port(s) will be forwarded. Some IP Network Cameras require more then one port to be forwarded
in order for you to obtain all the features the camera has to offer. You will also be presented with
an option to select a Protocol to be to be used. Common options found are UDP, TCP or Both. Your router
may have additional options. In most cases you will need to select the protocol option "Both". This
will associate both UDP and TCP protocols to the port(s) being forwarded. In this example we with click
on the Apply button once all required information has been entered.

After the settings have been saved within the router's configuration you should be able to see this
information displayed in a list. There may be other entries in this list already by default.

Step 4 - Accessing your IP Network Camera over the Internet

Now that you have configured port forwarding on your network's router to allow the camera to be accessed
over the Internet, you are now ready to attempt to access the camera. We suggest attempting to access
the camera from a remote location and not within the local network for confirmation that port forwarding
was configured properly. At a remote location you will need to type in the Public IP Address that is
provided by you Internet Service Provider (ISP) in order for you to be able to access your camera.
Please contact your ISP if you are not sure what your Public IP Address is. You will not be able to
access the camera by it's Private IP Address (Example: 192.168.0.100) because the camera's Private IP
Address cannot be seen on the Internet and can only be seen within the local network to which the camera
is attached to.

In most applications port 80 will be forwarded and because of this no port information will be required
in the Address Bar when attempting to access the camera. However, there are cases where an IP Network
Camera will not use port 80. These cases are usually related to security concerns with using port 80.
We suggest contacting your network administrator or the manufacturer of you router to inquire upon the
possible security concerns with forwarding port 80. If port 80 is not the port being used you will be
required to enter in the full IP Address followed by a colon and the port number used.

You should now be able to fully access your IP Network Camera from a remote location using the
Internet. If you require any additional support for configuring your camera for remote access, we
strongly suggest that you contact the manufacturer of your camera, the manufacturer of your network's
router or review the detailed guides found on NetworkCameraReviews.com

Find Out the Best Compact Digital Camera

One of the best camera in the world is Canon Power Shot SX110 IS.

As described by canon, the SX110 is all about:

It has a 10x optical zoom lens and all the advanced technologies which are present in all the best cameras. It also has a 9.0 megapixel power shot which gives you the best picture you can ever get. All these features make the camera very impressive and a lot of people are purchasing this camera. There are many other features also like the automatic face detection technology, flash and exposure. It also provides white balance so that you can take even more beautiful pictures and group pictures too. If you have a powerful zoom in your camera you can take a lot of close ups and powerful pictures by making use of this facility. The image is also stabilised by another technology which is called the image stabilizer technology.

The design of the camera is such that it allures the buyer as it is a camera with a very sleek design and the look is quite modern. In the big LCD screen you can have a look at the features very clearly.

Before buying the camera you need to make sure that the manufacturer is not making a fool out of you and always check all the features before buying it. There are a lot of review sites where you can find out about the camera. You can also search about it on the internet. If the reviews are positive, you can definitely go for the product.

One of the famous sites of camera discussions is the digital camera review wherein people come and discus about various cameras. I had a look there and found out about this amazing camera. The views said that this one was the perfect camera to buy.

They said that of you want a perfect picture quality with easy usage along with the best performance; you should only and only go in for this camera. It is a very user friendly camera and you can understand all the features very easily. If you buy this camera you will hardly regret your decision of buying it. The amazing features make you feel as if the camera is the best one for you and for everyone else too.

The ratings for this camera are very high and it is given 4+ stars out of 5. These kinds of reviews are found almost everywhere.

Such amazing features and excellent reviews would definitely make you purchase this awesome camera.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

ContourHD 1080p Full HD Helmet Sport Camera Review

The ContourHD helmet sport camera boasts about it being the smallest and lightest HD wearable camcorder in the world. Contour, the manufacturer, also says the helmet camera is the first to shoot and share 1080p video. The Contour brand began when two extreme sport enthusiasts wanted to share their adventures with friends.

This sport action camera was designed for the outdoor/extreme sport enthusiasts. It's a durable and waterproof camera with an aluminum and fiberglass body. There are several features that allow for easy operation while users are recording action, such as: single button operation (it's made to be worn with gloves on), dual lasers for alignment, and provides the user with superior quality 1080 pixel video.

There are no tapes or wires on the ContourHD and images can be recorded for up to 8 hours. The helmet cam has four settings; metering, contrast, exposure, and microphone sensitivity. The two choices of frame rates are 30 and 60 frames per minute and users have five video resolutions to choose from:

• Full HD - 1080p (1920×1280)
• Tall HD - 960p (1280×960)
• Action HD - 720p (1080×720)
• Contour HD - 720p (1080×720)
• Fast SD - WVGA (848×480)

The helmet camera is lightweight (4.3 ounces) and is completely hands-free due to the manufacturers' patent-pending, 'trail mounts "slide and lock" system', that enables users to mount the sport camera virtually anywhere. There are two lasers and a rotating lens to ensure every image is lined up perfectly. Another great feature is that the sport camera is made to power from a removable and rechargeable battery.
There is the 'shoot and share' option to immediately share videos.

The software included with the sport camera, Easy Edit, allows the user to import and edit their images and videos and share them with the world. The Easy Edit software adds the ability to 'clip' the user's favorite scenes, tag them and add descriptions and then images and videos are ready to go!

ContourHD 1080p Features

• Full HD Recording (1080p) 1920×1080 pixels
• 5 Megapixel Sensor
• Internal Microphone
• Removable Lithium-Ion Battery: records up to four hours
• Aluminum and Fiberglass, Water-Resistant Body

ContourHD 1080p Reviews

More than not, the reviews for this sport camera are extremely positive. Users love the clarity and high-quality of the images and videos and most of them mentioned that it is extremely easy to use. There are many comments on the off/on slide and how easy it is to turn on with gloves on. The only negative comment about use is that it turns off after several minutes of non-use and doesn't warn the user. Users have complained about not realizing that the sport camera is off and believe they are recording when they actually aren't.

Although users love the images and videos, there have been some complaints surrounding the sound quality. Comments suggest that it picks up a lot of wind noise and/or is not able to hear voices over 5 or so feet. There is also an issue with not being able to tell the indicator lights apart.

Despite minor issues, the camera reviews have been extremely favorable about the ContourHD helmet camera. If there are any issues, they are forgotten once users see the exquisite picture quality.
With all the favorable camera reviews we believe the ContourHD helmet camera is one of the best helmet cameras on the market today.

Lowepro Classified 160 AW SLR Camera Bag Review

Whether we admit it or not, budget comes as the number one factor when we are purchasing something. As much as possible, we want to get our money's worth. Let me introduce to you Lowepro Classified 160 AW SLR camera Bag.

This bag might not be as fancy as other camera bags but you can expect the same quality and protection it can give to your camera compared to other much expensive bags in the market. It has a genuine leather cut partition system that elevates you DSLR camera from the base to protect the lens mounting point. Depending on the user's preference, the bag can be adjusted according to its usage through the zippered gusset. The main compartment has an easy-access entry to the DSLR camera. It can be opened without removing the shoulder strap; ideal for people who are always on a hurry.

Consumers may opt to buy this DSLR camera bag with accessory kit. It comes with Lens Pen Lens Cleaning System (an effective tool for cleaning lenses, binoculars, and scopes), Precision Design USB 2.0 All -in-1 Card Reader (transfers the content of your memory card to your computer), Image Recall Digital Image Recovery Software (digital file software that enables you to recover the deleted files), Precision Design Memory Card Storage Wallet (storage wallet that holds up to four media cards), Precision Design Deluxe 6 piece Lens and Digital SLR Camera Cleaning Kit (as the name implies, it is a cleaning kit specifically used for DSLR cameras and lenses), and Universal LCD Screen Protectors (helps to protect the DSLR camera's expensive LCD screen).

Undeniably, you can save a lot of money from this offer, especially if you are just starting with this profession or just doing this as a hobby.

You can find where to buy this DSLR bag on its official website.

In Review: Dewalt's DCT410S1 12v MAX Inspection Camera Kit

Bursting onto the industrial scene in early October of 2010, Dewalt's DCT410S1 inspection camera kit is fast becoming one of the most interesting, most talked about tools on the market. Accompanying six other tools in a new release from Dewalt, the camera is compact and innovative to literally provide craftsmen with a new way to look at their jobsites.

Before this little rascal joined the power tool pool, inspection cameras we much more akin to, well, the kind of power tool no one gets exactly excited to work with. After a heartfelt and hearty amount of research though, Dewalt's DCT410S1 enters the scene quite a bit more prepared than the competition. A flexible snake-like cable with a camera lens attached to its end makes up one half of the new inspection camera. The cable, of course, is waterproof for protection in less than perfect working conditions, and as the thing reaches 3 feet long (36 inches), it has the length to get your spyglass into otherwise impossible spaces. In fact, the camera lens at the tip of the cable allows users to see into, record, and photograph a jobsite's virtually impossible spaces.

Peeping behind walls, inside pipes, and into the depths of other workzone nooks and crannies, the camera is ideal for electricians, plumbers, remodelers, installers, and any other general someone who needs eyes in a too tight, too small, too awkward, or generally too impossible environment.

Additionally, as the camera's LCD screen is cordless and detachable, you can essentially see what's going on in you bathroom pipes while sitting on the couch in your living room. This is clearly not the most efficient use of this tool, but its possible nonetheless. The detachable monitor allows users to accurately see the opposite end of a carefully positioned camera without compromising camera angles or positioning. This, of course, renders the tool smart and simple to use with a convenience feature that really makes a difference on the job. The LCD screen is 3.5 inches to provide an even better view, and with a 3x zoom capability, this inspection camera is seriously the envy of all others. The LCD screen additionally charges directly from the camera handle allowing users to simply reattach the screen or replace the battery to continue working.

The inspection camera is powered with Dewalt's lithium ion technology to ensure there's a strong, long-lasting, and fast charging power source behind this truly awesome little gadget. And as if all that weren't enough, the batteries are interchangeable across the entire 12v line.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12 MP Digital Camera - A Quick Review

When it comes to digital cameras, you will often have to choose between buying a portable camera, and one that takes professional-quality photographs. Small compact cameras usually do not have a lot of features and professional cameras are usually relatively big and bulky. After a lot of browsing, I came across the Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12 MP digital camera (black), which in my opinion is the perfect balance between features and portability.

The Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12 MP digital camera measures art 4.1"x1.5"x2.4", which is slightly larger than your average point-and-shoot model. It looks a little different too. Unlike the usually, sleek and stylish design, the SX200IS sports a very professional design, sending vibes that it is a 'serious' camera. It has a matte black surface, a pop-up flash and silver edges - the color palette of traditional retro professional cameras.

Although it is on the large side for a compact camera, it is much smaller than digital SLR cameras and other professional cameras. The slightly larger size is due to the fact that it bellies many features that are found in professional cameras.

For starters, it s can take images of up to 12.1MP in resolution. It also has a powerful 12x optical zoom and a large 28mm wide-angle lens. The 28mm lens enable you to capture more within one shot without the need to find a further vantage point. It has the usual red-eye correction, image stabilization and face detection feature. It also has a blink detection feature. The camera will let you know if it senses that anyone was blinking in the last shot so that you can retake the shot before the subject moves away.

The Canon PowerShot SX200IS 12 MP digital camera comes with a huge scratch-resistant 3" LCD screen. The screen's brightness and contrasts automatically adjust to the surrounding lighting conditions for optimum viewing. This camera also record HD videos and comes with a HDMI output.

Samsung Eternity Review - Is it a Phone Or a Digital Camera?

Samsung Eternity is a popular touch screen phone because of its picture quality and internet features with Internet HTML Browser. The Samsung TouchWiz UI has made this phone's navigation features easy and fun to use. Eternity is 110. 6g heavy with a dimension of 4.3" x 2.2" x 0.5". Its 3.2 inches wide display panel gives you a resolution of 240 x 400 pixel. The phone Haptic technology which this handset uses makes it shake gently when something is typed on its touch-screen.

Samsung Eternity uses Java OS, that means you can run the tons of java games and applications that is available on internet. The SGH-a867 aka Eternity's camera can take shots at 3. 0 mega pixel with 3x digital zoom. The handset's camera takes awesome pictures. But the 5-6 second delay in taking a picture irks sometimes. Mp3 player was ok. The Video recording from Eternity handset is equally good. You can have access to live TV, via AT&T's MediaFlo-powered video service on this handset. This facility requires additional fees of $15/mon from AT&T. There is a 3.5mm headphone jack in this handset as well.

Samsung Eternity's qwerty virtual keypad is spacious to place fingertips on. Interestingly, you can change the keyboard view to landscape or potrait mode by tilting the phone orientation. Accelerometer feature makes the SGH-a867 phone detect the orientaion , that also means you can play motion sensor games on this handset. The vitual keyboard has prebuilt "www" and ".com" like keys to save your typing time. Samsung Eternity SGH-a867 has an internal memory of 200MB and the provision of microSD card (up to 16GB). It comes for $129.99 (2 yr contract) with the AT&T company after a $50 mail in rebate. The phone's original price is $330.00.

Samsung SGH-a867 Eternity is a nice phone but still ,there are a couple of drawbacks in this phone. The phone's Ringtone is not clearly audible in noisy place. There is no speed dial or voice dial option in this mobile phone. The mobile handset battery needs an average daily charging.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Best Waterproof Camera - Review

Waterproof cameras are designed to be used in rainy weather, capturing images and videos underwater or in humid conditions. Going for an outing during rainy season with an ordinary camera is a recipe for disaster. In such conditions, waterproof cameras come in handy. Buying the best waterproof camera requires research and comparative analysis of the different models that are available on the market. Here are some of the great underwater cameras.

Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 takes impressive photos from a 14 megapixel lens. More so, it is a go anywhere do anything model. It has a capability of up to 33ft waterproof and up to -100C freeze proof capacity. It records HD videos and is able to handle falls of up to 6.6 feet. It has a crush resistance of up to 220 pounds. These features are in addition to the standard functions available in other models from Olympus.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 has a shock proof of up to 6.6ft, waterproof resistance of up to 33ft, -100C freeze proof and also it is dust proof. It also has a 14 megapixel camera that comes with four modal selections that is beach, surf, snow and sports mode and it is further coupled with a 4.6x optical zoom.

The Pentax Optio W90 is deemed as the toughest waterproof camera. It is 20ft waterproof, shockproof of up to four feet as well as freeze proof and it's also dustproof. It comes with a 12. 1 megapixel camera that has 5x optical zoom. It also has the ability to record 720p HD clips at 30fps. It comes with a price tag of around $275.

Canon Power shot D10 is a 12megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom that take excellent snapshots. It is 33ft waterproof capability, -100C freeze proof and is able to handle falls of up to four feet. It has a rugged body besides the standard features available in other models from the manufacturer. The price of this camera ranges between $300 to $350.

Casio EXilim EX-G1 is a slim rugged compact camera that incorporates shock proof, freeze proof and dust proof features. It has the capacity to take pictures as deep as ten feet for one hour and it handle falls from up to seven feet and is able to withstand temperatures of as low as -100C.

Another best waterproof camera is the Fujifilm FinePix XP10 model that has protection from water, fall, dust and freezing temperatures. It is 3.3ft shockproof, -100C freeze proof with a metal body that is dust proof. It can take pictures as deep as three meters underwater.

Panasonic Lumix Digital Cameras - How To Know When You're Buying a Good Camera

Panasonic Lumix Digital cameras have a very good reputation for quality "well built" cameras, reliability and sharp, clear pictures, even when taken in less than ideal conditions,.

Have you been to Best Buy lately? There are tons of cameras to choose from. They were not created equal. And price is not always a good indicator of quality. You are ahead if you buy one that doesn't suffer from one of the three most common digital camera problems. In this article I will go over these three problems and give you and what to look for before your next purchase. The 3 Problems are:

1. Low Light

2. Speed

3. Image Quality

You don't have to be a professional to want your digital camera to take good photos even if the light is not perfect. You might not want professional quality photos of your 4th of July picnic or your nephew chasing your mother's cat up the Christmas tree, but I'm sure you don't want it to look like it was taken in the middle of the night or through a veil.

1. Low Light. Is not the only reason some cameras have poor image quality though. Yes, your computer photo program can fix some of the color problems, make them sharper. But there are limits. You need colors not to bleed, brown hair that's brown with no halo effect, green eyes that are green, and so on.is not always essential.

2. Speed. If you're like many people, though, you do have times when your kids or your pet does something funny and you want to take several photos one after the other. Before they stop. But if your camera has to catch its breath after every shot, you miss out on a lot of good memories.

3. Image Quality. Is the end results of your work. Poor Image Quality will give you distortion and poor sharpness with your pictures.

So, now that you know what the three main problems are with digital cameras, how do you avoid them?

You avoid them by buying a camera that doesn't have them. Some of the best ones are made by Panasonic. The Panasonic Lumix line is one of the most popular today.. You know a camera maker is doing great when they win the "Most Reliable Manufacturer" award given by a leading independent consumer magazine. Panasonic has won this award since 2006.. Or when a study of thousands of cameras finds that Panasonic cameras perform better for longer as happened in 2010.

The ranking was: Panasonic, Fujifilm, Olympus, Sony and Canon. So, you're better of with a Panasonic camera. The difference between the others is really slight. The difference between Panasonic cameras and Fujifilm is pretty significant. The difference between Panasonic and the #10 is huge. (Casio cameras, ranked #10, has a failure rate that's more than two times that of Panasonic cameras.) It doesn't matter if you're talking Panasonic Lumix digital cameras or traditional ones.

The cheaper the camera, the more likely it is to have problems. And that's true for all cameras. So, if you can afford to spend a few more dollars, do.

So, the odds are very good that you're not going to run into one of the three most common problems digital cameras tend to have if you go with a Panasonic Lumix Digital Camera. Price-wise, they make cameras from entry-level ones to the super expensive, super-professional ones. The odds are good that you won't have problems with Fujifilm and the other that immediately followed Panasonic in the 2010 study.

The Panasonic Lumix Digital Cameras Or the Canon SX30 IS are both superb digital cameras. Their popularity is growing by leaps and bounds. they have Stereo Sound (Canon is known to excel with their Super Zoom). Both of these cameras are excellent choices and will greatly help to eliminate the 3 Main Digital Camera Complaints.

Small Business Security Cameras - Product Reviews

Small business is the backbone of our country and is the engine that drives our economy. Jobs are created by small business not the government. Starting a small business takes many things including money, know how, time, courage and yes a little luck. I have owned a small business most of my life and have the utmost respect for independent business owners.

It is a well established fact that seventy percent of all business losses are from employee theft and customer theft. Can you imagine what you could do with that money as a small business owner?

The best way to slow those losses down or stop them cold is with security cameras. There are so many to choose from it can be somewhat confusing when deciding on which ones to get. Here's review of some of the best.

1. The wired out or in door IP camera-it connects directly to your computer or DVR and uses an IP address to send video thru a network. Included software can support up to 16 cameras. It is fully networkable so you can watch what the camera sees from any where there is an internet connection.

2. The vandal resistant IR day night Dome Camera-will record color images in night conditions up to 80 feet away with great picture resolution using 550 TV lines.

3. The day/night color bullet camera-that can be wired or wireless and transmits color images. It is fully weatherproof and uses a digital CCD chip that automatically switches from color to black and white in low light conditions.

Of course there are many other security cameras for your small business but these are three of the best.

When you need to keep an eye on what's going at your home, office or business get a Hidden Security Camera.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Canon T3i Review

The Canon T3i DSLR is the ideal digital camera for the busy photographer constantly on the run. It features a compact design, is really easy to use and also offers optimum performance, each and every time. This dynamic electronic device will produce the perfect shot time after time. In addition to all automatic functions, there are also manual functions which the photographer can use to adjust the shot to their requirements.

This really advanced model features the latest in optical lens technology. This will make shooting that perfect picture, as easy as pointing and shooting. This lens will produce crystal clear images and perfect clarity, in every single photo. This includes zooming in and out to achieve that perfect balance in the shot.

The Canon Rebel T3i offers the latest DIGIC 4 Image Processor and 18-megapixel CMOS Image Sensor, which enables full HD (1080p) video facilities. This means fast filming of videos and fast action still shots, with perfect clarity. Beautiful colors and displays can be achieved with every shot.

In addition there are new display features, which makes filming movies a whole lot simpler. There are wide and low angle options available for diversity of range. There is also a reflection reduction feature, which definitely has its benefits. It has never been simpler to capture an image and review the clarity and quality right away.

The Canon T3i has a new cutting edge system which activates the various modes, as and when the circumstances require it. It includes a dynamic scene detection feature, which will take all surrounds and lighting into account. There is no longer a need to worry about lighting and how the shot will come out.

The latest wireless flash technology is included in this remarkable model, and can make life a whole lot simpler in changing light conditions. The Rebel T3i takes all lighting conditions into account and automatically adjusts to the relevant setting. Fast, easy and simpler seems to be the main feature on this camera.

The Canon Rebel T3i is ideal for both the professional photographer and the novice. It is compact and lightweight and shoot great shots every time. It offers so many features that the customer will wonder why they have battled with older models for so long. It is also really affordable, and available at a wide range of suppliers. It has proven an absolute pleasure to use, right from the start.

Unbiased Canon SX30IS Review

Are you searching for an unbiased Canon SX30IS review before deciding whether to buy one? You are definitely not the only one. People all over the world are looking for great deals on these camera and that's why I wrote this article about getting the best bargains.

You would instantly fall in love with Canon sx30is if you are aware of the features that make a camera effective. Canon sx30is model has all the features that one essentially looks while buying a good camera.

One of he reasons why this model is regarded as one of the best in the current collection is mainly due to the fact that it is capable of making photography a lot easy and also offers opportunities to the user to put in maximum amount of creativity, something that most of the other digital cameras have lacked over the years.

Canon sx30is has the body of a digital camera and features of a professional camera and this is certainly its top highlight. This is exactly what an individual wants. Not many people prefer the conventional digital camera. Even though digital cameras are known for their supreme picture quality, they lack features that a professional photographer would want to use. On the other side, professional cameras are difficult to carry everywhere along with you and the fact that they are on the expensive side also means that a small mistake while carrying such a camera might well make a big hole in your pocket. Hence, this is mainly the reason why many people think twice before carrying or buying a professional camera.

This camera model is the perfect blend of both the extremes and this is mainly the reason why this model has captured the international market as of now. Another highlight of this camera model is its sound quality. Usually, we avoid taking a video with the help of our digital camera. This is due to the poor or average sound quality. However, this model is about to bring in a revolution to the aspect of sound.

Canon sx30is has a resolution range which has the ability to reach 4320p * 2340p. This range is considered to be one of the highest. The model also offers a range of features which would enable the user to play around with the picture in terms of its brightness, color, shade, background, light effect etc.

I hope you have find this article useful. Good luck.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Camera Reviews - The Best Digital SLR Camera of 2010

If you are now the proud owner of a brand new Nikon digital camera, the next thing that you have to do is to learn how to take care of it so that you can have it for as long as possible without any problems. Below are some maintenance tips that should help you with this.

The most delicate part of your Nikon digi-cam is the lens. You will therefore have to take the most care when it comes to it specifically. If you want to have great high quality pictures then you will have to make sure that you keep all scratches, dust and smudges from it.

You are going to have to learn the lens care instructions. These will be available for you in the camera's manual. Make sure that anytime you are not using the camera that you cover it. This will keep out the excess dust and sunlight. Do not always touch your cameras lens. This will put smudges of finger prints in your finished photos.

You are going to also need a very good lens cleaning kit. This should come with the special cleaning fluid and the cloth as well.

Invest in a proper shock resistant bag for carrying it. This will keep it from getting dust and scratches. Whenever the camera is in storage, make sure that you have removed the batteries so that they do not leak and damage the Nikon camera.

If you want it even better, make sure that the bag you invest in is a weather resistant bag so that you can protect your camera from the harsh rain, heat and cold elements.

How you handle your camera will also greatly determine how long you will have it for. Avoid dropping it or banging it onto hard objects.

If you take heed of the above tips your Nikon digital camera will function at optimum for years to come.

Ricoh R8 Digital Camera Review

The Ricoh R8 camera is beautiful; it is small, lightweight, packed with features and looks fantastic! After being unfortunate enough to own a Ricoh R7 (which was sent to back to Ricoh for the same fault five times) it's great to see that Ricoh has corrected many of the R7s faults. Many people have been disappointed by previous Ricoh compact digital cameras however the R8 should help win back a few of these disheartened people.

Ricoh R8 Features and Specifications

This digital camera is packed with competence; 10 million effective pixels, huge 28-200 mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens, 1 cm. macro shooting distance, 2.7-inch TFT LCD, SDHC memory card capability and approximate 270 photo battery power. This Ricoh is also very quick to start-up and focusing is good even in low-light conditions. The R8 has all the usual compact camera features and far more.

Annoyances

Unfortunately the design team at Ricoh still haven't figured out that having the flash just above the right side hand grip means that occasionally the flash will be blocked by the right hand holding the camera. Other compact camera makers place the flash on the left of the camera for a very good reason!

Is the Ricoh R8 worth Buying?

Yes. The Ricoh is a solid and capable compact digital camera. Unfortunately reliability problems with previous Ricoh digital cameras will put people off buying the R8. I bought a Canon Powershot at the same time as the Ricoh R8 and expected to use the Canon as my prime compact camera. The Ricoh has surpassed the Canon as the household favourite compact digital camera.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Nikon Coolpix P300 Review - The Best Choice for You

Introduction

COOLPIX P300 is a new released Compact camera recently by Nikon. That is an advanced camera which features full manual controls and ultra-wide angle lens. If you are confused in choosing a better digital camera, I would like to recommend this camera for you as it is suitable for everyone who wanted to buy a digital camera for home use. Well, Let us look at the reason of why I would recommend it.

Highlight features

1) 12.2 MP CMOS Sensor

This Camera is mounted a 12.2 mega pixel CMOS Sensor that let the camera can operate with high speed and can work well in the low light environment.

2) Wide Angle Lens

This Camera installed a 4.2X wide angle lens which is created by Nikon. Its maximum aperture is F1.8. Every photographer knows the large aperture ensure that you can get amazing photo quality in the blur of background.

3) VR Stabilization System

This Camera features an VR Image Stabilization System which is in 4 ways. This advanced technology let you can capture moment object with awesome quality of image without used a tripot.

4) Full HD video recording

This Camera features the Full High definition video recording. You can shoot full HD video at 1080p while recording sound with full stereo.

5) Full Manual control

For the advanced photographer, the Full Manual control assures you to shoot special quality of photo. The COOLPIX P300 makes it possible for photographers to expanse their artistic limitations with the amazing range of manual control.

Conclusion

The P300 is very suitable for the new and advanced photographers. Its features are the first-level among of the compact digital cameras. The P300 is for sale at amazon. The List price is $329.00. If you planned to purchase a digital camera, COOLPIX P300 is the best choise for you.

Best Home Security Cameras - Product Reviews

One out of six homes this year will be the victim of a home burglary. According to police statistics, 60 percent of all home burglaries happen through unsecured doors and windows. And unfortunately police do not keep track of a separate category of property crimes called home invasion. Home invasions are growing just as rapidly as burglaries and seem to be the crime of choice these days.

Before burglars pick a home as a target they go out and "case" a neighborhood. They are looking for the easiest homes to get into. If they see any signs of obstacles for a home they go onto another. Homeowners do make it easy for the bad guys.

What they are looking for is any signage out front warning of security system or a vicious guard dog. They look for one of those signs on a street that says that there's a neighborhood watch. They look for potential hiding places near lower-level doors and windows created by overgrown shrubs. They look for home security cameras.

If they see any of these obstacles hey are most likely go on to someone else. That's exactly what you want isn't it?

Home security cameras used to be expensive but not anymore. The three best ones are:

1. A vandal resistant infrared date night high resolution color dome camera with 540 TV lines of resolution. The 36 infrared LEDs allow for night vision up to 80 feet away. It's completely weatherproof and vandal resistant

2. Next is the day night camera with infrared LEDs that allow up to 60 feet of visibility in total darkness and comes wired or wireless,

3. Then there is a high resolution color camera with wide-angle lens. Built in LEDs allow you to see up to 150 feet away at night. A wide-angle lens can be adjusted on the back panel from 9 to 22 mm. This is only available in wired version.

Those are three of the best security cameras for your home. Get one for your front door and one for your back door. They send a signal to the bad guys to stay away or get caught.

When are you getting one?

Review of Kodak Play Sport Video Camera - Great For Kayaking

Review of Kodak Play Sport EIS Video camera

I purchased the Kodak Play Sport a couple of weeks ago to allow me to start taking videos of my Michigan kayak river and lake adventures. Most of my recordings are on flat water versus faster action shots of white water, so I have not evaluation fast action shots yet. EIS stands for Electronic Image Stabilization, which Kodak says can reduce video blur.

I purchased this particular model due to the very reasonable price point of $149.00 and the fact that it claims to be waterproof down to a depth of 10 feet for my use in boating. The camera is about the size if an iPhone.

I have used the camera now for 2 paddling day trips and I have to say in short, I am very impressed. The quality of the video superb when viewed either on the camera itself, or even better from my computer hard drive. I have also uploaded and viewed the videos to YouTube and my web site. The quality is still excellent viewed from both of those online sources but tend to be just a little jumpy due to the internet connection. The recorded video can also be viewed be directly from the camera to your HDTV, but I have not done that yet, I'm anxious to try it however.

In addition to excellent video, the microphone with the unit is very sensitive and again I'm impressed with the quality of the sound. I did find that wind did affect the sound if you're outside on a very windy day. The microphone does have a gain setting which I have not played with yet to see if this improves the sound on a windy day. The camera itself also has a setting for glare, but I have not found a need to mess with this setting. I'm confident it will be impressive.

Both down loading the videos and charging the unit is very easy via USB connection. The controls are minimal and easy to figure out. There are only 5 buttons with good graphics for control, but these provide all the features you need. The center push/tilt button provides most of the operating functions needed. The instruction manual is only 19 pages indicating how easy the camera to use. Did I mention it also takes good still shots?

I purchased a 16 GB memory card, and it will take up to a 32GB memory card. There is not enough internal memory to use the camera so you must purchase an extra memory card. I have found the 16GB card very adequate for taking a day's worth of videos (turning the camera on and off based on the action).

I have heard complaints from other people that their video camera has short battery life. I have found no issues with battery life so far and have found no need to purchase a second battery as a back-up. I have used the camera all day as much as I wanted without the battery going dead.

The other feature I have not tried is filming under water to see if the claim for underwater use is valid. There is a setting for underwater use that that must be set prior to underwater use.

So far I have found no fault with the camera and the quality of the sound and video far exceeds my expectations. It is well worth the money even if you never considered needing a video camera like I did.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Digital Photo Software Review - What Type of Photo Editor Do You Need?

A good photo editor is an essential element in producing good pictures because it allows you to manage your photos and meticulously enhance every detail of them. Check out this digital photo software review to know which one will suit your needs best.

If you are a photo enthusiast, simply taking pictures is not enough for you. You will need a good digital photo software to polish your pictures to perfection. Yes, a good photo editor is an essential element in producing good pictures because it allows you to manage your photos and meticulously enhance every detail.

There are various digital photo editors to choose from. Some are available for free, while some will require you to pay a certain amount of cash for the added features. You can look up the features of a certain software and compare them with others. There are dozens of photo editors and they basically have the same features, but you must consider what features you need in a digital photo software and not just choose the one with the most features. By crossing out some of the features that you do not need, it would be easier for you to determine a digital photo software that will suit you best.

Free Digital Photo Software with Limited Features

If you need a basic photo editor that allows you to resize, crop, and rotate an image, then you can use the photo viewer that comes with your computer as it also has some basic editing features. There is also a free software that comes with your digital camera. You can simply install this software into your computer and voila, you now have a basic photo editor that will allow you to perform little tricks on your pictures. However, if you are looking for more editing functionalities that does not come with a basic photo editor, then you should consider other software programs with more advanced features.

Free Digital Photo Software with More Features

There are also photo editors found on the internet that are packed with a lot of features and can be downloaded for free. These come with more editing functionalities compared to the basic photo viewer in your computer and the free software that comes with the digital camera. Many of these free photo editors are easy to use. They come with one-touch functionalities that automatically fix your image with just a click of a button. For example, you can remove the red eye, change the tone of your photo by adding some effects, and even touch up some blemishes. If you are not willing to shell out some cash for a photo editor, then these free photo editors are the next best option.

More Advanced Digital Photo Software

For more advanced editing capabilities, you will need to pay a certain amount of cash to enjoy the added features. Advanced photo editors are quite complicated compared to the ones that come for free because they allow you to manipulate your pictures to exactly how you want them to look like. You just have to study the software first. But don't worry, it comes with a manual that explains how to use the features. There are also many online tutorials that will teach you some tricks on getting the exact effect you want.

After having seen different digital photo software reviews, wait a minute with making your decision. Take a few moments to think over what you want from your software. Now and in the nearby future. Unless you are a professional, you may find out that you do not need to fork out top dollar for the most advanced digital photo software available, but can settle for something less advanced.

Camera Lightbox

The camera lightbox was a great invention that was created to help the photographer as he or she took pictures in a dark place or a place without enough light. As mini chips are created and more and more digital camera's come out it seems that many of the older technology is becoming more and more obsolete and since the camera lightbox was a major necessity back in the day for photographers to inspect their developed film, it has become now a way for you to take clear photographs.

You can use the lightbox as a center piece for your photo idea, therefore creating an original look to your photograph. The camera lightbox has become just an aid for taking photos and there several ways that you can use it. So even though it is a little outdated the lightbox still comes into use so do not leave it behind even though you have a digital camera you will find many uses for the lightbox. Lightboxes have always been good accessories that you can carry to add more lighting to your surroundings and will make your picture clarity even better if you do not want to use the flash light on your camera.

However, nowadays the digital cameras being produced have such powerful flash bulbs that if you do add extra lighting it might spoil the shot. Technology might have changed but there are still some uses we can create for those old accessories that we have had for years. What makes a good photographer is how he or she can create something out of nothing.

Canon Camera Review - Canon Powershot SD1400IS (14 MP)

Specifications: Canon has come up with yet another excellent mainstream compact digital camera model. If you are in the market for a stylish, compact and high quality point-and-shoot model, look no further than the new Canon Powershot SD1400IS. This model has a 14MP image sensor and a spacious 2.7-inch LCD screen. Then there is the 28mm lens and 4x of optical zoom. This set of specs will prove to be more than sufficient for the casual consumer

Design: The cute little Canon Powershot SD1400IS is available in black, orange, silver and pink. It looks very contemporary and a particularly liked the orange model, which looks very young and sporty. It is extremely small, even for a camera in its class. It measures at 3.6 x 2.2 x 0.7 inches in dimensions and weighs in at just 4.7 ounces. Despite is size, the camera was amazingly comfortable to use, even for someone with large hands. The controls were all very strategically laid out and very intuitive.

Features & Performance: Canon Powershot SD1400IS comes with a comprehensive set of features. There is a wide variety of shooting modes (low light, beach, outdoors, fireworks, panoramic, etc) and it also captures HD videos at 720p.

Then there is the new Smart Shutter feature. It includes face detection, wink and smile-activated timers that are all very cool features. Some of the other new features (among many others) are the Miniature Effect and Fish-eye effect. These quirky new features really makes the SD1400IS much more fun to use. Most importantly, the quality of the photos taken was very good for a point-and-shoot model. The photos had accurate colors, were vibrant and had good color consistency. All in all, the Canon Powershot SD1400IS has proven itself to be one of the best models in its class. An affordable price tag really helps too. This camera currently retails at just around $229 per unit.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

YN-460 II Camera Flash Review

For some time now "Strobist" community was one of the rapidly growing photography communities, all thanks to David Hobby of Strobist.com who started sharing his knowledge of using off-camera flash. And when it comes to photography gear, camera flashes are not as cheap as people would think. Some models of more then 20 years old still hold more then 75% of their value. So is there a cheaper flash unit that can stand up with well known Canon and Nikon models? Maybe there is. YN-460 II.

First version of YN-460 hasn't really delivered in built quality, flash power consistency nor electronic circuit, but YN-460 II hit the spot and it is indeed an upgraded version. It has all you might ask of a good camera flash. Here are some of the more important flash spec:

flash power of GN 38 at ISO 100
manual mode: full power to 1/64 with 1/7 step increments
2 optical slave modes: s1, s2
wide angle diffuser
standby and auto-power off after 30 min
swivel and tilt head
fast recycle time: 4.5sec with NiMH 4xAA

If you are looking for a cheap but well made flash unit with manual power, look no more. Of course, this flash is not for those dSLR users who shoot 95% of their time in Full Auto mode, as they will need a camera flash that supports TTL technology. But for all those who are willing to experiment with off-camera flash, this is a good place to start.

I must admit I was a bit skeptical about the S2 slave mode, which was supposed to sync with Canon or Nikon ttl system. And I must say, it works perfectly. So even if you have a dedicated camera flash you can still sync yn-460 via optical slave in S2 mode. S1 mode is a standard slave mode which will not take into consideration all the pre-flashes.

Although today everything is manufactured in China, this is a true "Chinese product made in China". But you will find that the built quality is really solid and if you keep it in the protective pouch that it came with I'm sure it will serve you for a long time.

The one thing needing improvement is battery doors which are a bit loose until you put batteries in. Then they are quite solid. PC sync port is a bit too much to ask for an average price of an 50$ on ebay. I've been so impressed that I got myself another one within the first month of having my first YN-460II camera flash.

As with every piece of photography equipment, it requires proper care and handling so be sure to read the user manual provided with YN 460 II camera flash.

Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera

There are those who love taking good pictures and then there are those who just love good pictures. As many of us would know, taking a professional-looking picture can be quite a daunting task. For those who would looking to take great pictures without the hassle of hundreds of custom settings, consider getting your hands of the Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP digital camera. This model comes with a 20x wide-angle optical image stabilized zoom feature.

With a host of automatic features, the Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP digital camera enables you to take high quality images with little hassle. Those who are used to using Canon's SX series will immediately notice a great improvement in image quality with the new model. Its 28-560mm lens captures amazing pictures putting in head and shoulders above other camera models of its class.

The new Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP digital camera has a DIGIC 4 image processor that increases the rate of noise reduction delivering high image quality a high ISO speeds. It also has a new I-Contrast feature that automatically adjusts contrast rations for better transition between light and dark shades.

Another impressive feature of the Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP digital camera is its impressive 20x optical zoom. This zooming capacity is way above your average set of binoculars. While testing out the zoom in my living room, the camera can easily capture crisp and bright images of some small prints across the room.

This new model has a 2.5 inch LCD display, which in my opinion, seems a tad small by today's standards. I personally would prefer a bigger display screen more than anything else. All in all, in my books, the Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP digital camera is still one of the best cameras in its class.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Tamrac 5769 Velocity 9x DSLR Bag Review

For techies, finding the perfect accessory for your gadget is as hard as finding the perfect gadget to complement your lifestyle. In case of DSLR cameras, finding the right DSLR bag to match our beloved gadget should be done carefully and wisely.

Flair and functionality should be considered as the primary basis when buying your camera bag. One good choice is Velocity 9x - Pro Sling Pack, Tamrac's biggest edition of sling packs. It can be carried effortlessly like any other Knapsack. Its zippered quick flip top can be opened easily for quick access to your camera and it doesn't require to be removed from your shoulder whenever you need to take those once in a lifetime memorable incidents.

The bag can accommodate the DSLR with lens attached on it (70-200 mm zoom lens), perfect for people who are always in a hurry. Tamrac has also incorporated in this bag 3 features that are probably first and never been seen before in other camera bags. First is the Tuck-A-Way™ waist belt which allows you to carry your bag without worry. It is an ideal feature especially when you are hiking or cycling and still is able to carry your bag comfortably and hassle-free. Another feature is the Memory & Battery Management System™ (US-patented), a simple innovation which uses red flags to distinguish unused memory cards and batteries from the ones that are already used. And lastly, Modular Accessory System™, it holds your accessories that are placed in the belt itself and makes it more reachable whenever we need it; three simple features from Tamrac but definitely a big help for photographers.

You can buy Tamrac 5769 Velocity 9x DSLR bag on Amazon for only $89.95.

Canon EOS 7D (18MP) CMOS Digital SLR Camera Review (Body Only)

The new Canon EOS 7D is designed to pack in as many professional features it can at the best price possible. According to many photography experts, with its high resolution (18MP) and a great AF system, this model proves to be a great alternative to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, which is about $1000 more expensive than the 7D.

As mentioned above, this model has a 18MP image sensor and a ISO range of 100-12800. On the back, you will find a 3-inch LCD display screen that consists of 920'000 dots. This model also has a wireless flash controller. As for its construction, it measures at 5.8 x 4.4 x 2.9 inches and weighs just 30.7 ounces.

Many also consider the new Canon EOS 7D to be a direct competitor of the very popular Nikon D300. At the time of writing, the Nikon D300 is about $100 more expensive than the 7D. Despite that, the 7D seems to have better specs, whether it is in terms of sensor resolution, continuous shooting speed, and ISO range.

The Canon EOS 7D can shoot up to 8fps in continuous shooting mode. It can shot up to 126 images in this mode. It can also capture full HD videos at 1080p or 720p. You can even use manual exposure controls while you record your videos. These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the features of the new Canon EOS 7D. The good news is, this model is now available for pre-order at around $1699 each.

Canon 7D Vs Nikon D300s - DSLR Camera Review

It's another Digital SLR shootout! Canon vs Nikon... again. This is an extremely interesting battle of Photography Equipment Manufacturers.

The stakes are high as they duke it out to see who can win the most new consumers.

Photographers are lining up across the virtual battlefield from each other to hurl technical features and camera jargon back and forth.

If you search photography forums for the latest threads about these two mid-range Digital SLR cameras, you will see some very interesting comments. But once the dust is settled, it seems that there is really a winner.

Here are some of the issues that have risen to the top of the debate since the release of two very similar, and, yes, amazing, pieces of photographic equipment.

Megapixel count -

Megapixel count seems to favor the Canon 7D at 18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels on the Nikon D300s. However, the only mention of the issue was from one user who mentioned that the higher resolution of 18 megapixels was an asset when recording images at a high zoom range. Otherwise, it was a non-issue.

Auto Focus -

This is a feature that would seem to favor the Nikon D300s with its 51 focal points, because the Canon 7D has only 19 focal points. However, this is where more is not always better. Some of the comments made reference to the fact that with 51 points to try to focus on, the camera had to work much too hard to quickly coordinate all those points.

Essentially, the 19 point system worked far better when dealing with fast moving objects because the camera's computer was able to keep up with the demand for continuous focus. When not much movement is involved the AutoFocus was not an issue with either camera, but when it was necessary to lock focus on a moving object, one user commented that the "7D is the most capable AF I've seen to date."

Hmmm.. very interesting

Movie Mode -

Both cameras feature HD video capture. The Canon 7D has higher resolution at 1080p and 30 frames per second versus 720p and 24 frames per second.

ISO -

Now that the cameras have been in the hands of actual users for several months, the comments indicate that the Nikon D300s has not been able to capture the same quality of images at high ISO ratings. This will come into play if you are shooting photos indoors in lower light without a flash, such as at a school play or a concert where there will be " No Flash Photography Permitted".

LCD -

Again on the issue of numbers, it would appear that the LCD clarity would be about the same, but, once more, comments on the user forums by folks who have used both cameras seem to favor the brightness of the Canon 7D, especially out doors in bright sunlight when using movie mode and/or Live View.

Price -

Street price is about $100 cheaper for the Nikon D300s. That is $1500 vs $1600, depending upon where you are shopping. This is for the Body Only - without a lens.

Bottom Line - if you are a fan of one camera brand or the other, there is no need to switch, because you will continue to get great images from your chosen brand.

In addition, even though the Canon 7D is the obvious winner in this review, just wait. It won't be long before both cameras are replaced with newer, shinier, more technologically developed siblings.

It is indeed a great time to be a photographer. Photography is really fun.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Digital SLR Camera Functions

When you are using a digital SLR camera, there are a lot more features that can be controlled by the photographer. This article is going to talk about several features that are available with an SLR digital camera.

The main feature that you can use is the ability to switch out lenses. Digital SLR cameras can use a variety of lenses, everything from a basic lens to a telephoto lens, wide angle lens, and other specialty lenses. You may want to own a few different lenses so that you have options available as you are taking photos. Or, if you are beginner photographer, it is probably a good idea to use a general lens in the beginning, and then once you have learned how to use that lens you can upgrade to a bigger, better lens.

A detached flash is a feature that many professional photographers like to use. There are many options to use a flash, and depending on the setting you might want to use the flash attached to the camera, or maybe at a different angle. Lighting is key to any good photo, so understanding how the flash works is very important to taking high quality photos.

There are different settings that can be used on the digital SLR camera to control how the picture is being recorded down. For example, you can choose the file size of the photo which will determine the quality of the pictures (small, medium, large, etc). Another feature is the fact that you can control the shutter speed of the camera in order to make adjustments for the environment and lighting that you are shooting in.

Overall, a digital SLR camera is a great investment. When you start using your new SLR camera, make sure to spend a little time getting to know the features of your individual camera. Don't get frustrated, it may take a little bit if time to get used to using it, but you will love the camera when you master all of the settings!