Fujifilm X-S1

The Fujifilm X-S1 is a new bridge camera with a 2/3”-type 12-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor and a 24-624mm equivalent Fujinon zoom lens. Optically, the lens comprises 17 glass elements, including four aspherical elements and two ED lenses, a nine-bladed diaphragm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 at the wide end of the zoom range. In standard mode, the lens focuses down to 30cm, but by selecting Super Macro Mode, users can focus down to 1cm. Additionally, the Fujifilm X-S1 features the same 2/3-inch 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor as the X10 (read review), Coupled to the EXR CMOS sensor is the high speed EXR processor, which offers a minimal shutter lag of just 0.01sec and a high speed continuous shooting capability of 7fps at full resolution or 10fps at six-megapixel resolution. The 0.47-inch EVF features 1.44 million pixels for clarity and has a wide viewing area of 26 degrees to reduce eye strain. The camera also features a tiltable rear monitor, manual exposure controls and raw image capture. Launched in February 2012, in the UK, the X-S1 will have an estimated selling price of £699.

Fujifilm Press Release

Fujifilm X-S1: The bridge camera, reinvented

The Fujifilm X series of premium cameras has a third model – the X-S1, due to be launched in the UK in February 2012 – and just like the two before it, this latest addition sets new standards in design and performance.

The X-S1 represents a new breed of bridge cameras. Built in Japan to exacting standards, the body has a high-quality look and feel with metal dials, a rubberised coating and superior handling characteristics that will appeal to the discerning photo enthusiast.

In addition, the X-S1 offers a premium picture-taking performance to match its looks. From the high-quality Fujinon 26x optical zoom lens through to the EXR sensor taken from the X10 and the wide range of functions, the X-S1 puts the photographer in complete control.

Maximum optical versatility
The centrepiece of the X-S1 is the Fujinon 26x optical zoom lens. Offering a range of 24-624mm (35mm equivalent) it caters perfectly for every photographic need and features a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture at the wide-angle setting.

This optical range is boosted further by Fujifilm’s Intelligent Digital Zoom capability, which effectively doubles the focal range without the drop in picture quality normally associated with digital zoom functions. As a result, the X-S1 offers users an incredible 52x zoom range of 24-1248mm (35mm equivalent).

Optically, the lens comprises 17 glass elements, which includes four aspherical elements and two ED lenses, to deliver images with superb edge-to-edge sharpness and amazing clarity. The lens’ construction is of the highest standard, featuring metal cams for smooth zoom control and fast, precise framing.

The X-S1 is also ideally suited to capturing subjects close up. In standard mode, the zoom focuses down to 30cm, but by selecting Super Macro Mode, users can focus down to 1cm for frame-filling close-up images. Furthermore, the lens’ aperture is made up of nine blades for excellent bokeh effect photography.

Great results in every picture-taking scenario
The X-S1 features the same 2/3-inch 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor as the X10 which ensures high quality images regardless of the lighting conditions.

The unique EXR CMOS technology pioneered by Fujifilm allows the user to switch between three modes depending on the lighting conditions – or leave the camera to make its own choice in the Auto EXR mode.

Switching between the modes changes the performance of the sensor. The High Resolution option is perfect in bright conditions or when the very best picture quality is the primary aim. Wide Dynamic Range mode should be chosen in scenes of high contrast when the user wants to get details in both shadow and highlight areas of an image, while the High Sensitivity & Low Noise option should be selected for optimum results in low light conditions.

Coupled to the EXR CMOS sensor is the high speed EXR processor, which offers a minimal shutter lag of just 0.01sec and a high speed continuous shooting capability of seven frames-per-second at full resolution (Large JPEG) or 10 frames-per-second at six megapixel resolution (Medium JPEG).

The X-S1 also takes high-quality movies. It captures Full High Definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) video with stereo sound at 30 frames-per-second, which is saved in the H.264 format.

Easy composition and image review
The X-S1 offers a powerful combination of high quality electronic viewfinder and rear LCD to ensure composing and viewing images is quick and simple, regardless of the lighting conditions.

The 0.47-inch electronic viewfinder (EVF) features 1.44 million pixels for superb image clarity and has a wide viewing area of 26 degrees to reduce eye strain. The bright EVF makes it easy to check settings or adjust focus manually.

On the back of the X-S1 is a high quality, tiltable three-inch LCD. It features 460,000 pixels making it easier for users to scroll through menus, assess exposure accuracy and view images. The LCD also offers a useful Daylight mode that overcomes the problem of viewing the screen in bright conditions.

Full user control and picture taking versatility
The X-S1 offers a superb level of functionality whether users want to make picture taking as simple as using a compact or as involved as a fully-manual digital SLR.

For simplicity, the X-S1 will assess the subject and then select the relevant scene mode for the perfect result, automatically switching the EXR CMOS sensor accordingly. Not only does it ascertain the type of scene being photographed, it can also calculate whether an image contains a person, features backlighting or has any subject movement. ISO settings are taken care of too by the Auto ISO mode, which selects the optimum setting between ISO 100 and 3200. Those after more ISO flexibility can select up to ISO 12800 (Small JPEG format only).

Photographers after full control are well catered for with the X-S1. The camera offers a full range of conventional shooting functions (program/aperture-priority/shutter-priority/manual), plus users can also fine tune levels of colour, image sharpness and tone. Additionally, the X-S1 provides four auto bracketing options, eight Film Simulation and white balance functions and a Raw file format

Launched in February 2012, in the UK, the X-S1 will have an estimated selling price of £699.

Fujifilm X-S1 key features
• High quality Fujinon 26x optical zoom covering 24-624mm (35mm equivalent) with Intelligent Digital Zoom boosting range up to 1248mm
• Superb build quality and finish with rubberised coating and metal dials
• 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor
• Up to 10 frames-per-second shooting
• Large EVF with 1.44 million pixels and 26 degree viewing angle
• Tiltable three-inch rear LCD with Sunny Day mode
• Full HD video
• PASM modes
• Raw file format
• Film simulation modes
• Macro focusing down to 1cm
• Lithium battery providing up to 500 shots per charge
• Optical image stabilisation
• 360° Motion Panorama mode

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Panasonic Lumix GX1

Earlier today we told you about the new Panasonic DMC-3D1, which is claimed to be the smallest compact 3D camera available in the world. The company has added another device to their range as the Panasonic Lumix GX1 says hello.
The camera that has been expected for quite a while now will sit alongside other devices in the G range, and according to TechRadar has been in development for a while. It will feature a micro four-thirds size 16.0 million pixel Live MOS sensor. There are a variety of features that include automatic shooting modes, full manual control, and a touchscreen to control autofocus.
The accurate AF promises high-speed focusing that Panasonic claim is the fastest AF speed in cameras of its size at 0.09 focusing speed. This was previously held by the Olympus PEN-PS, and the GX1 has a shooting speed of up to 20fps.
Panasonics range of G series shooters are compatible with a wide range of lenses that include the new X Zoom lenses that were announced earlier this year. There is also a Venus Engine image processor that can go up to ISO 12800. The AF modes on the GX1 include face detection, multiple- area, and AF tracking, and it has an on-board flash.
What is become the norm on cameras of this type is the LCD touchscreen, and you will find full HD video capture in AVCHD with 501 stereo sound. The price of the new Lumix GX1 in the UK will be £499.99 for the body, or for £599.99 you will get the 14-42mm standard lens kit.
In December the 14-42 X lens kit will be available for £729.99. While in the US the standard lens kit will be priced at $800, and $700 for body only.

source : http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/11/07/panasonic-lumix-gx1-says-hello/

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Samsung's SCH-i929 and SCH-W999 dual-screen clamshell get certified in China

Ready for a heavy dose of Android this morning? Then enjoy this Samsung double whammy freshly delivered from China. On the left we have the China Telecom-branded SCH-i929, a 9.7mm-thick handset featuring a Snapdragon MSM8660 chip (likely clocked at 1.5GHz), 4.5-inch 480 x 800 AMOLED display, eight-megapixel camera and GSM plus CDMA2000 connectivity. All of this makes the i929 a near-identical cousin of the Galaxy S II LTE -- same processor, same chassis, but obviously with different network compatibility.

Of course, the real star of the show is the SCH-W999, a follow-up to the SCH-W899 of the same dual-screen clamshell form factor. As you can see on the right, on the outside this phone features a 3.5-inch 480 x 800 AMOLED display along with three touch buttons, while on the inside it packs a similar screen plus a physical keypad. Like the i929 above, this funky flip phone is also powered by a MSM8660 chip and supports both GSM and CDMA2000 on China Telecom, though its camera is limited to five megapixels instead. Anyhow, we'd certainly love to get hold of a world-friendly version of this 204 gram beast, so what do you say, Won-Pyo Hong?

Samsung's SCH-i929 and SCH-W999 dual-screen clamshell get certified in China

TENAA (SCH-i929), (SCH-W999)

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Canon confirms cameras hit by Thailand floods (update)

Canon has confirmed that its digital camera production will be hit by the Thailand floods because factories supplying key parts have been damaged in the disaster.

The news comes as two Canon inkjet printer factories in central Thailand remain closed, halting production of the company's flagship Pixma Pro-1 printer that was announced on Monday.

Though Canon has not divulged which cameras will be affected, a spokesperson told Amateur Photographer this afternoon: 'While Canon does not have camera manufacturing facilities in Thailand, our parts suppliers have also sustained damage due to the floods which will affect Canon camera production.'

The spokesperson said the firm has established a 'recovery task force' to minimise the impact on customers.

Last month Canon unveiled its PowerShot S100 digital compact (pictured above), which combines a 'high-sensitivity' 12.1-million-pixel CMOS sensor with a Digic 5 image processor.

Last week Canon unwrapped the EOS-1D X (pictured below), an 18.1MP full-frame DSLR designed to replace the EOS-1D Mark IV and EOS-1Ds, Mark III. It is not due to go on sale until next year.

News of the impact of the floods on Canon's camera output first emerged in the firm's financial results, released yesterday. The firm said 'due to the floods in Thailand in this month, the company anticipates delays in production for select [sic] inkjet printer and digital camera products'.

Earlier this month the floods forced Canon Hi-Tech (Thailand) Ltd to shut down two inkjet plants in Ayutthaya, one in Rojana Industrial Estate and one in the Hi-Tech Industrial Estate.

Meanwhile, Canon yesterday told visitors to its Pro Solutions show in London that it expects the Pro-1 printer to be delayed by the floods.

The Pro-1 was originally due to go on sale in November.

However, visitors were told that availability may be pushed back to the end of November or December.

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Samsung ST96 Digital Camera Review

The Samsung ST96 was announced in September 2006 along with the WB750. It is available in black with an RRP of £179.99.

Samsung ST96 Features

The ST96 has a 14.5 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, which Samsung claim will work perfectly in low-light situations as BSI sensors are twice as sensitive as conventional CMOS sensors. There is also a 5x optical zoom lens, which is a 35mm equivalent of 26 - 130mm. Dual Image Stabilization helps prevent shake from ruining your shots with a combination of Optical and Digital Image Stabilization. Smart Auto 2.0 with Smart Flash automatically adjusts the camera settings from 16 photo modes and 4 movie modes to capture the best shot possible with minimal input from the user.

High speed shooting mode lets you shoot pictures at up to 10fps, with slow motion video recording at up to 440 frames per second. Magic Frame offers 12 background templates for you to put your face on to make fun pictures. The ST96 can also shoot panoramic images by pressing the shutter and sweeping the camera, no stitching required, Live Panorama allows you to preview your panorama before you shoot it. Also featuring are Face Detection, Face Recognition and Face Tracking.

Adding to the creativity options is Smart Filter 3.0 which offers Cartoon Filter, Cross Filter, Zooming Shots, Ink Painting, Oil Painting, Half-Tone Dot and many more. The ST96 can even shoot 3D images.

Videos are recorded in full 1080p HD at 30fps and features Creative Movie Maker (which lets you combine stills and videos to create a slide show with a soundtrack) and Dual Capture (capture 10 megapixel images whilst recording full HD videos). The camera can be connected via HDMI to a HDTV.

Key Features

• 14.5 megapixel Samsung BSI CMOS sensor
• Creative Movie Maker
• Dual Capture (Full HD + 10M still)
• Full HD Recording 1080p
• 26mm wide angle lens and 5x optical zoom
• High Speed Shooting (video + still)
• Panorama Shot (Live/Action)
• Magic Frame
• Smart Filter 3.0
• Dual Image Stabilization
• 3D Photo
• Face Detection, Face Recognition, Face Tracking
• Smart Auto 2.0 with Smart Flash

Samsung ST96 Handling

Samsung make some really small compact cameras and the ST96 is no different, making it the perfect size for carrying around in your pocket. It is made of plastic with two tiny feet on the bottom, meaning the camera leans back when placed on a flat surface, useful if you want to set the self timer and get yourself into the shot. The buttons are typical for a compact camera, with a dedicated one for movie recording. The Fn gets you straight to the available settings for the mode you are in, which you cycle through using the d-pad. Samsung have made the menu system clear and simple to understand and navigate.

The camera is ready to take pictures within a couple of seconds of switching on and is quick to focus. Where the camera is really let down is when using the flash. It takes 2 or 3 seconds to charge and is very frustrating when you are trying to capture a shot quickly. The camera impresses in continuous shooting mode, with full-sized images taken during testing at 3, 5 and 10 fps.

Samsung ST96 Performance

The ST96 consistently takes well exposed images with really good colour reproduction. Whether shooting wide or with the lens at its longest length, detail is good in the centre of the images but quite soft in the edges and corners. Generally when shooting with the sun in the shot there isn't any purple fringing but there is occasional lens flare. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 5cm which is close enough for the camera to be able to take a good macro shot.

Samsung ST96 Lens test images

Wide-angle | 1/180 sec | f/9.4 | 4.7 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Full optical zoom | 1/750 sec | f/5.9 | 23.5 mm | ISO 100 High-Res
Digital zoom | 1/350 sec | f/5.9 | 23.5 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Macro | 1/90 sec | f/3.3 | 4.7 mm | ISO 100 High-Res

Noise isn't an issue at ISO 100 but at ISO 200 and ISO 400 there are steady increases in the amount of noise visible. At ISO 800 there is a significant increase in noise and a loss of sharpness in the images. This trend continues through to ISO 1600, but it is only ISO 3200 where there is a big loss in detail and an effect on colour reproduction.

Samsung ST96 ISO test images

ISO 100 | 1/6 sec | f/5.1 | 18.8 mm High-Res	ISO 200 | 1/10 sec | f/5.1 | 18.8 mm High-Res	ISO 400 | 1/20 sec | f/5.1 | 18.8 mm High-Res
ISO 800 | 1/45 sec | f/5.1 | 18.8 mm High-Res	ISO 1600 | 1/90 sec | f/5.1 | 18.8 mm High-Res	ISO 3200 | 1/180 sec | f/5.1 | 18.8 mm High-Res

Landscape mode produces image with excellent greens and blues creating very pleasant looking scenes. Portrait mode is excellent at producing images without red-eye with excellent skin tones. Backlight mode has been used in the of the sculpture, with examples of zooming shot and miniature also shown below.

Samsung ST96 Scene modes

Landscape | 1/750 sec | f/3.5 | 5.5 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Landscape with building | 1/125 sec | f/9.4 | 4.7 mm | ISO 100 High-Res
Portrait | 1/45 sec | f/4.7 | 9.3 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Backlighting | 1/250 sec | f/3.5 | 5.5 mm | ISO 100 High-Res
Zooming shot | 1/125 sec | f/9.4 | 4.7 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Smart filter - miniature | 1/750 sec | f/5.4 | 20.5 mm | ISO 100 High-Res

The ST96 has panoramic mode using a sweeping method, either left, right, up or down. Images produced aren't packed with detail but there isn't any misjoined sections or ghosting.


Panoramic | 1/180 sec | f/9.4 | 4.7 mm | ISO 100

The auto white-balance (AWB) setting gives good results, under our incandescent lighting there is a slight orange cast in the image, with the incandescent preset actually giving us a better image. Under the fluorescent lighting there is very little difference whether using the AWB or fluorescent presets.

Samsung ST96 White-balance test images

AWB preset - incandescent lighting | 1/10 sec | f/4.2 | 7.8 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Incandescent preset - incandescent lighting | 1/10 sec | f/4.2 | 7.8 mm | ISO 100 High-Res
AWB preset - fluorescent lighting | 1/4 sec | f/4.2 | 7.8 mm | ISO 100 High-Res	Fluorescent lighting - fluorescent preset | 1/4 sec | f/4.2 | 7.8 mm | ISO 100 High-Res

The ST96 comes with Samsung's new Smart Filter 3.0 mode which has some filters previously seen on Samsung compacts and some interesting new ones such as cartoon mode, examples of which can be seen below.

Samsung ST96 Digital filters

Smart filter - normal | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res	Smart filter - vignetting | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res	Smart filter - soft focus | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res
Smart filter - old film | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res	Smart filter - half tone dot | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res	Smart filter - sketch | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res
Smart filter - fisheye | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res	Smart filter - classic | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res	Smart filter - retro | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res
Smart filter - oil painting | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res	Smart filter - cartoon | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res	Smart filter - ink painting | 1/15 sec | f/4.4 | 15.3 mm | ISO 400 High-Res

Value For Money The Samsung ST96 is currently priced at £179.99. There are plenty of cameras with a similar specification available at varying prices such as the Olympus VG-130 at £68.00, Pentax Optio S1 at £78.00, Nikon Coolpix S3100 at £79.00, Fujifilm FinePix Z90 at £89.95, Canon Powershot A3200 IS at £109.00, Samsung SH100 at £144.00 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX70 at £148.99.

Samsung ST96 Verdict

The ST96 impresses with good colour reproduction, full 1080p HD video recording and its smart filters. If you are using the flash a lot you'll soon get quite annoyed by how long it takes to charge and the camera is currently highly priced in a competitive market, with many cameras with a similar specification available for less. But it should not be forgotten that this is a very small camera, therefore easy to carry around, takes good panoramics and offers full sized images at 10fps in continuous shooting mode.

Samsung ST96 Pros

Panoramics taken using sweeping method
Interesting range of filters
Full 1080p HD video recording
Images can be taken during video recording
Impressive high-speed shooting
Excellent colour reproduction
Very small body

Samsung ST96 Cons

Flash takes ages to charge
Current price is high

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
OVERALL

Samsung ST96 Specifications

Lens
	Max Aperture	f/3.3 - f/5.9
	35mm equivalent	26mm - 130mm
	Optical Zoom	5x
Image Sensor
	CCD pixels	14.5Mp (Megapixels)
	Pixels (W)	4320
	Pixels (H)	3240
	Sensor Type	CMOS
	Sensor Size	1/2.3 inch
	Aspect Ratio	4:3 16:9
LCD Monitor
	LCD Monitor	2.7in
	Screen resolution	230,000 dots
	Touch Screen	No
Focusing
	Min Focus	5cm
	Focusing modes	Autofocus
Exposure Control
	Shutter speeds shortest	1/2000sec
	Shutter speeds longest	8sec
	Exp modes	Program
	Metering	Centre-weighted Multi Pattern Spot
	ISO sensitivity	100 - 3200
	White balance	Auto Manual Outdoors/Daylight Cloudy Incandescent Fluorescent
	Exposure Comp	+/-2
Shooting Options
	Continuous shooting	No Data
Video
	Movie mode	Yes
	Video Resolution	1920x1080 1280x720 720p 640x480 VGA
	Video FPS	30
	Stereo Sound	No
	Optical Zoom	Yes
Other Features
	Image Stabilisation	Yes
Interface
	HDMI	Yes
	USB	USB 2
	Wi-Fi	No
Storage
	Card Type
	File Type	JPG
Power Source
	Battery Type	Rechargeable Battery: BP-70A (3.7V, 740mAh, Min 700mAh)
	CIPA Rating	No Data
Box Contents
	Box Contents	Camera, AC adapter/ USB cable, Rechargeable battery, Strap, User Manual, CD-ROM, Quick Start Guide
Dimensions
	Weight	110g
	Width	90mm
	Height	55mm
	Depth	18.7mm

Buy Online

• Buy Samsung ST96 Digital Camera - Black (14MP, 5x Optical Zoom) 2.7 inch LCD from Amazon.co.uk for £179.99

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