LG’s 32LH5000 LCD TV

LG’s 32LH5000 LCD TV supports PAL, SECAM and NTSC broadcasting formats. 178 bulk appearance angle, it has. Almost it is 180 degree, exact ancillary appearance supporting. Your LG LCD TV is wherever you like, you don’t astrict sitting adverse it. Wherever you want, you can sit and watch. LG 32LH5000 LCD TV has WXGA LCD panel, advanced and ablaze affectation and 1920x1080 pixels resolution. Full HD 1080p Top Definition TV, LG LCD TV compatibles 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p arresting inputs.

Menu of LG 32LH5000 LCD TV set well, account and application is easy. The LG LCD HDTV card has a lot of selections such as; activating adverse adjusting, babble reduction, gamma adjusting, added atramentous akin adjusting an even Eye aegis approach which can set the accuracy of image. Auto aggregate leveler affection sets aggregate akin while alteration channels to anticipate loud complete levels.

LG 32LH5000 LCD TV has 32 inches LCD panel. Initial numbers of archetypal identification accord us advice about size, for archetype 32LF… refers to 32 inches (82 cm). This bulk is abstinent diagonal. The console has 16:9 aspect ratio, ideal affectation for watching films. This agency while watching films, actors won’t assume added fat or large. The awning anatomy is beautiful and fascinating. Foreground of the console is ablaze atramentous which is archetypal but aswell cool. Bottom and abandon of the TV exhibits outstanding dejected curve that are noticeable. Extraordinary architecture of this LCD TV makes it angle in foreground of the bottleneck market.

LG 32LH5000 LCD HDTV has Twin /Dual XD Engine technology and 50.000:1 adverse ratio. The LG HDTV LCD is one of LCD TVs that can accommodate the centermost atramentous level. LG 32LH5000 LCD HDTV doesn’t lose accurateness and acumen of images even top motion screens. 100 Hz affection produces one added anatomy per aboriginal anatomy by adding the motion, this agency bigger beheld acquaintance and beneath judders. LG Full HD TV, besides Bifold XD, if your ascribe signals are not HD, however, the bifold processors can optimize from SD (Standard Definition Broadcast) signals to HD (high Definition) signals. So, you consistently see HD angel quality, whatever types of your inputs. LG 32LH5000 Full HD LCD TV compatibles and corresponds accomplished HD arresting formats and 24p accurate anatomy broadcasting. LG Full HDTV has 24p Real Cinema feature.

Today, environmentalist cyberbanking articles are getting alleged over added ones. The LG HD TV certificates Smart Activity Saving Plus, 32LH5000 LG TV takes advantage of Intelligent Sensor II technology of LG, it can anticipate from diffusion of activity arresting to set ablaze of awning due to ambient light. The ablaze sensor detects the bulk of ablaze about the LCD TV and calculates the all-important brightness, this way consumes lower energy.

LG Full HD LCD HDTV has an different affection alleged AV Mode. In AV Mode, you can accept with one blow a button, cinema, sport, active, bold and etc. Anniversary approach has some appropriate acclimatize for giving the best angel and complete quality.

LG LCD HDTVs accept a assumption “Don’t see the sound, just apprehend it”. In this spirit, LG TVs accept slim, thin, beautiful and superior speakers. The speakers accept 20 Watt and stereo, two channels. Complete acclimation has 5 bands of blaster and you can ascertain akin of dB for anniversary 5 bands. Also, you can accept bound one of presets modes such as pop, rock, jazz. SRS TruSurround XT feature, LG 32LH5000 has it, while you watching a soccer or match, may be cinema (Blu-ray or digital broadcast) you feel the difference. Complete surrounds you, like you are in the blur / match. LG LCD HDTV has Dolby Digital Decoder. For your home amphitheater system, this specialty can let abutting and activity accurate effects. Bright articulation technology gives you bright complete all time about abundant akin of volume.

ACR ResQFix 406

The ACR ResQFix 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is 35% smaller than previous PLBs, and has a streamlined case that easily fits in your pocket.
ACR ResQFix Personal Locator Beacon
  • Attachment clip allows PLB to be mounted a PFD
  • Comes with a floatation pouch
  • Can be worn using included bungee lanyard
  • Cons

Category II - manually activated
Description

Typical operating life is 40 hours.
Integrated GPS receiver.
Used by professional rescue organizations.
Guide Review - Marine Electronics Review: ACR ResQFix 406 Personal Locator Beacon

The ACR ResQFix 406 GPS PLB transmits an emergency signal with your unique digitally encoded distress message on 406MHz via COSPASSARSAT satellites for a minimum of 24 hours. The internal GPS acquires your position with 100 meter accuracy, sending your position along with your digitally encoded distress signal to rescue officials within minutes, cutting down the time to rescue drastically.

Wi-Fi iPad 2 Gets GPS With iPhone


Wi-Fi iPad 2 Gets GPS With iPhone 4 Connection Sharing
Still haven’t decided which iPad 2 to buy? A new report claims the iPad can get GPS info in addition to a network connection from an iPhone 4 via the iPhone’s new Personal Hotspot sharing feature. That could factor into which model you end up deciding to buy.

I argued in a previous post that the iPhone 4′s Personal Hotspot sharing feature (and similar sharing on other smartphone devices) were making a 3G-capable iPad less of a necessity for users. Geoffrey Goetz recently pointed out that along with 3G capabilities came true GPS, a feature not natively available on the Wi-Fi-only iPad. But according to TabletMonsters.com and multiple commenters at Cult of Mac, GPS does make the leap from iPhone to iPad when sharing your iPhone 4′s connection either with Personal Hotpspot or the jailbreak-only app MyWi, which for most users might be enough incentive to opt for the Wi-Fi model over the 3G variety.

I tried this out on my 3G-capable iPads by turning off cellular network services and connecting to my iPhone via Personal Hotspot. It definitely seems to make a difference, and looks like it’s just as accurate as the GPS on the iPhone 4 that’s sharing the connection. As a result, it might even be a viable option for use with turn-by-turn navigation apps. At the very least, it provides much better data for finding your exact location in spots where mapping via Wi-Fi towers alone won’t provide accurate results, which could considerably improve the experience of a number of iPad apps. Reports suggest it works on first-gen iPad devices, too.

Hammacher Schlemmer 3D Camcorder

If there’s anything that the past year or so of movies, CES last January or the past week of E3 have taught us, it’s that 3D is apparently a big deal. We have 3D movies, TVs, sports, and now even handheld video game systems. However, until now there really hasn’t been much of a chance for most people to record anything in 3D.

Hammacher Schlemmer is looking to bring 3D to the masses with what could be the first 3D camcorder. The camcorder is capable of shooting both 3D movies and images, though with dual 3MP cameras, the video is only going to 640 x 480. With a 4 GB SD card, which isn’t included in the price, you can shoot 4 hours of 3D videos. However, you can really only shoot two hours at a time as the camcorder (which seems to lack a name) can only last for two hours on a single charge which takes six hours. The good news is that, like the Nintendo 3DS, the camcorder’s video doesn’t requie glasses when views on the included 7-inch media player.

The idea of 3D video for everyone sounds nice, but Hammacher Schlemmer’s camcorder might no be the way to go. Until the screen technology behind the media player and the Nintendo 3DS can be applied to larger screens, it’s probably a good idea to just wait. 3D is expensive for everyone, and has a lot of opponents. Also, 640 x 480 video isn’t exactly the greatest and it still costs $600. If you really want to feel like James Cameron, it might be a good investment, but otherwise, 2D is still perfectly fine.

Pentax Optio NB1000

Old & busted: new kids on the block. New hotness: new blocks on the cam! Nanoblocks, to be exact: Lego lookalikes that allow users to customize the faces of their Pentax digital cameras with 3D artwork. This isn't the first time Pentax has gone for the faux-toy look; check out their rainbow-hued K-x DSLR series camera that pays homage to the Kore Ja Nai robot. The Pentax Optio NB1000 is a variation on the well-known camera company's new RS1000 digital camera scheduled for retail release this coming October. While the RS1000 sports a range of interchangeable patterned faces, only the NB1000 features a flat plate suitable for attaching nanoblock bricks.


The camera itself may look like a toy but it boasts some very respectable specs, such as a 14 megapixel image sensor, "Smile catch" smile-detection software and digital filters that allow for 9 different image treatments including "Toy Camera", "Retro", and "Sepia". Other features include video recording with "Movie SR" electronic image stabilization, approximately 18.3MB of internal memory that is sufficient to shoot and store about 210 photos. Power is provided by a model D-LI108 Lithium-ion battery. Pricing is expected to be in the 20,000 yen ($235) range.

A word on Nanoblocks - as mentioned, they're not compatible with Lego bricks, and their use here is the result of a partnership agreement between Pentax and Kawada Co. of Japan. The blocks themselves were first marketed in the 1970s and have been known as Brix Blox, Loc Blox, Diabloks, and Disney Build-It blocks. You might have a few in your old toy box - hopefully you didn't lump 'em in with your Lego bricks. (via TokyoMango and Impress Watch) Pentax have today revealed their Optio NB1000 camera, which packs in a Lego-style customisable faceplate.

A tie-in with toy makers Diablock, you can attach small little building blocks called Nanoblocks onto the camera's front side to give it your own unique touch. Sadly, it's looking like a Japanese exclusive at the moment, so you might have to buy some Lego blocks and a glue-stick if you're hoping to get similarly creative with your own compact in the UK.

Don't worry though if you're just interested in the camera for its specs, as it seems more or less the same as the UK-bound RS1000 model. Both the RS1000 and NB1000 have 14-megapixel sensors, a 4x optical zoom and HD video recording capabilities. It's even got its own gimmick, with a transparent, removable front plate behind which you can slide your own custom skins. The RS1000 will set UK readers back £119.99, whilst the NB1000 will cost 20,000 Yen. Roll down for some more pictures.

Samsung NX100 Mirrorless Camera

A mirrorless camera is an alternative to a DSLR. Mirrorless cameras are compact cameras with large ASP-C sensor. These cameras bring image quality, speed, interchangeable lenses and portability to the hands of advanced  photographers. Samsung is another company to enter the market with a new mirrorless camera, the NX100. The Samsung NX100 is intended for both beginner and advanced photographers. As the market share of mirrorless cameras gets bigger, Samsung wants to become one of its eaders.

Samsung has promised us new innovations, and hopefully it will impress us with its new digital camera. In this preview I want to take a closer look at the Samsung NX100 camera, hopefully to finish this preview with a good impression. This is the second mirrorless digital camera from Samsung. The first one was the NX10. The NX10 was already packed with great features, including 720p HD movie capture, 3.0" 921K-dots AMOLED screen and high resolution EVF.  Even so, Samsung wanted to take this camera to a new level. Let's see what Samsung was managed to come up with this time.


Camera Design

The first big change with the NX100 is the size and shape of the camera. The NX100 has a compact (120.5 (W) x71.0 (H) x 34.5 (D) mm) curved body shape. Actually, it looks more modern than other mirrorless cameras on the market today. This mirrorless camera doesn't have a "vintage" look like Olympus PEN cameras. On the back of the NX100 you can find a stunning 3.0-inch VGA AMOLED display. The advantage of AMOLDEN display is bright colors, wide viewing angles, high contrast and faster response times, when compared to other displays. 

Samsung NX100 Mirrorless camera
Stylish and Modern Mirrorless digital camera

I think that Samsung wanted to keep the look clean, sleek and simple. After all, if it wanted to capture a the heart of amateur and family photographers, the camera needs to have a stylish and clean design. Samsung will need to convince consumers, that they'd better buy the NX100, rather than a conventional digital camera. You can see from their NX100 page that they emphasize the image quality aspects of the new camera. They used slogans like "Stunning photos in style" and "Perfect picture". The NX100 is all about image quality and modern design as you can probably see.


However, Samsung needs to convince the advanced photographers, that they'd better bought the NX100, rather than a camera with a small sensor. Personally, I think that Samsung came to a more mature market, which understand the differences between a cheap compact camera and a DSLR. There are many families of have both DSLR and consumer cameras at home. Advanced photographers can better comprehend the advantaged of having a large sensor inside the camera. When they become aware of this advantage, and don't want to carry a bulky camera, mirror-less cameras are the only way to go.

Samsung emphasizes the fact that the sensor size matters, quote: "Super large image sensor...".  So yes, it is about trendy camera design, portability and of course, superior image quality.

OK, enough of the marketing overview stuff, let's get right to the heart of the Samsung NX100...

Let's start with Samsung NX100 advertisement video:




Another introduction video of the camera's key features:




14.6-megapixel ASP-C CMOS Sensor

The NX100 employs a 14.6 (effective) ASP-C CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6mm). This is technically the same sensor that was used in the NX10. With a large sensor and high pixel count, you will be able to print large pictures and have more room for cropping.

i-Function - Controlling the NX100 through the Lens

This is a unique and innovative approach from Samsung. The i-Function let you increase or decrease the composition parameter's value, by using the i-Function focus ring on the lens. Composition adjustments are now very easy to accomplish. The alternative was to dive through the menu system and change the settings. It's like having a speed control  on a steering wheel in your car. The i-Function lens is recognized by the camera built-in i-Scene mode. When you attach the i-Function lens to the camera (NX-mount), the camera automatically recognized the lens, and optimizes the camera for that particular lens.

Brown NX100 with a iFunction (iFn) compatible lens

On Samsung's i-Function compatible lenses, you can find a dedicated iFn button. This button lets you change the ISO, shutter speed, aperture, EV and White Balance settings, using the lens. Maybe soon, we will see this kind of functionality on DSLR interchangeable lenses.

Here is a video introduction to the world's first i-Function lens and other various NX100 features:




i-Function lens in action:



The main advantage of having a professional DSLR camera, is the fact that you have a quick access to different camera settings, So now this kind of functionality is brought to mirrorless digital cameras. Of course there isn't enough room for many buttons in mirrorless cameras, because its compact. So the i-Function is a good alternative (in some aspects) to what professional photographers have on their high-end DSLR cameras.

You can test the i-Function Simulator (iFn) online on SamsungImaging.com website.
Right now, there are two i-Function compatible lenses: 20-50mm f3.5-5.6 ED (kit) and the 20mm f2.8 panckae lens.


Sound Picture - Pictures with Sound

With the Samsung NX100 mirrorless camera, you can record surrounding sounds, before and after to taking the picture. Wouldn't it be great to listen to 20 seconds of recorded audio while flipping through your digital photo album?
This is a useful feature for family photographers. With a touch of a button, you can record a "Happy Birthday!" sound while watching a photo of your child putting out the candles in his birthday. The "Sound Picture" feature is limited to 20 seconds of sound recording. It will capture 10 seconds of sound before the camera shutter is pressed, and 10 seconds after you release the image has been captured.

720p HD Movie Capture

If you want the ultimate photographic experience, try Samsung's HD movie recording functionality.  The Samsung NX100 offers 720p@30fps videos for recording HD video clips in H.264 format and manorial  sound. If you are a beginner photographer, you should know that the main advantage of the NX100 in capturing video clips, is that it has a large sensor. With large sensor, you have better control over depth-of-field. It means that you can (with the right lens) blur the background and emphasize the subject in the picture, This blurry optical effect is much less emphasized with consumer-level digital cameras. The small sensor is the reason for that. Who have thought that we would capture HD movies with compact digital cameras a few years ago?

Here is a Samsung NX100 video test sample shot int 720p/30 (taken from a Helicopter):




Now a low light 720p 30fps video sample:




More NX100 Specs

  • 3.0fps continuous shooting (10 JPEG/3 RAW)
  • Fast 15-point contrast-detect AF (modes: Single AF, Continuous AF, MF)
  • 247 segment metering
  • ISO 100-3200 (ISO 6400 in extended mode)
  • Hot shoe for an external flash (SEF42A, SEF20A, SEF15A) and external GPS receiver (GPS10 module, optional)
  • Battery life: 420 images
  • Apply in-camera filters to the image
  • Super Sonic Drive dust reduction system
  • 1/4000 sec maximum shutter speed
  • Self timer: 2 - 30 sec (1 s step)
  • Scene modes: Beauty shot, Children,  Text, Sunset, Dawn, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Night, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Sound Picture, Close Up, Backlight.
  • HDMI 2.0 port
  • SD/SDHC compatible
  • Available in Black,White and Brown colors
 I have seen the external GPS receiver for automatically geotagging photos in camera. It is a bit awkward when you snap it to the Samsung NX100 hot sho. Why Samsung couldn't come up with in-camera GPS receiver like the one in the Sony A55.

Samsung NX10 vs. NX100


When you compare the Samsung NX10 vs. NX100, you can see that the NX100 is somehow a smaller version of the NX10.

Bot the NX10 and the NX100 have an identical sensor and imaging processor. The NX10 is bigger in size (123 x 87 x 40 mm) compared to the NX100 (120 x 71 x 35 mm). The NX10 has an EVF, whether the NX100 EFV has an optional camera accessory (via SMART SHOE).  The NX100 has a built in flash, while the NX10 has it as an optional accessory. 

The Samsung NX10 also has a higher resolution (921K-dots) AMOLED display, compared to the 614K-dots of the NX100. The NX10 is also bulkier and heavier in comparison to the NX10 digital camera. In terms of prices, the NX10 is approximately $100 more than the NX100.

In terms of which one is better, the NX10 or the NX100, in terms of image quality, I think that they both wil perform the same. The NX100 is targeted to different markets than the NX10. The NX100 has the i-Function advantage, that allows controlling the camera settings using a the lens i-Function button and lens ring. If you are after a small, slim and feature rich mirrorless camera, the NX100 is a great choice for you.


Compared to Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

Both Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic DMC-G10 cost around the same as the Samsung NX100. Both the EP-L1 and the DMC-G10 are using the Four-Thirds format, which was invented by Olympus and Panasonic.  Furthermore, The Oly and Panasonic have a 2x focal length multiplier, compared to 1.5x of the NX100.

The DMC-G10 is equipped with EVF (202,000-dots), while the E-PL1 EVF is an optional accessory and need to be bought separately.  The Olympus E-PL1 has 324 area AF system vs. 144 zone of the Panasonic. Both cameras have an internal flash, while the NX100 flash is also an optional accessory. All mirrorless cameras shoot 720p videos, but the Olympus E-PL1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 shoot in Motion JPEG vs. the H.264 (MPEG-4) codec of the NX100.

The NX100 has its gorgeous 3" 912K-dots AMOLEd dispaly vs. the Olympus E-PL1 2.7-inch 230K-dots and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 3-inch 460K-dots display (both are not AMOLED displays).

Again, the advantage for the NX100 is the i-Function, stylish & slim camera design, together with an amazing sharp LCD. Bofore deciding which one to buy, try the cameras in the store, play with the menus and the dedicated functions. In my opinion, the Samsung NX100 looks more stylish, and I am sure that there will be many photographers (men and women), that will base they buying decision on that factor.

I personally though that Samsung will employ a DualView LCD like in the TL210, but this feature wasn't embedded in the NX100. 

A "Mirrorless" Conclusion

Samsung NX100 mirrorless camera  is a truly unique camera, thanks its i-Function compatible lens' support. It is a small, light and stylish mirrorless camera. Samsung promised new technology innovations, and Samsung delivered it. The NX100 offers 720p/30 movie clip capture, gorgeous AMOLED display and easy-to-use manual controls. The mirrorless market keeps expending. Advanced family photographers better understand the advantages of mirrorless cameras over DSLRs.

The NX100 is a perfect camera to take to your next vacation. Of course there are some photographers who will prefer a high-end digital camera (like the Nikon P7000) over a mirrorless one. Furthermore, as the image quality of superzoom cameras (like theCanon SX30 IS) keeps getting better, mirrorless is not an absolute "must-buy" option. If you want to dig even further into the NX100 features, you can check out Samsung NX100 hands-on preview on dpreview, preview on Steve's digicams and sample images on CNET.com, 

Some reasons why you probably should prefer a mirrorless camera over high-end and super-zoom cameras:
  • Control over DOF (blurry background)
  • Better image quality (with large sensor)
  • Better low-light performance (due to a larger sensor)
  • Interchangeable lenses for better flexibility for various shooting habbits
  • Upgrade the camera body and keep your lenses
  • Overall the same price range (maybe a bit higher)
  • High quality Telephoto-zoom lenses
  • More advanced optional accessories
There are many reasons why you should pick up a mirrorless digital camera. I think thatin the future, the mirrorless market will continue to expand.on the expense of the DSLR market. Overall, the Samsung NX100 really addresses both perosumers' desires and needs.

Canon PowerShot G12


The G12 can be thought of as a professional snapper’s back up or as an enthusiast's DSLR-Lite model, because its features and usability fit well within the DSLR bracket and is resplendent with its excellent build quality, a characteristic it must be said of all the “Gs” and makes the camera one you’re not going to be afraid to carry around where ever you go. But the G12 is bigger than you might think and rather blocky in style but is replete with advanced shooting features, boasts retro-style controls across the top plate with, on the left, exposure compensation (+/- 2EV), and to the right, a nested double dial for shooting modes, including a full suite of manual controls as well as auto shooting and dual custom settings; sensitivity settings up to ISO 3200 join the fray, more on which later.

Handling
Handling is excellent overall with the on/off button and a combined shutter release with lens zoom control and each of these are sensibly placed and easy to use, particularly with illuminated orange LED indexes for the exposure compensation and ISO settings; the on/off button is illuminated using an attractive green LED.

The G12’s squared off lines are softened by a slender handgrip to aid handling and the excellent 2.8-inch multi-angle 461,000-dot LCD that's great for composing and focus assessment too. It’s also great when shooting at high or low angles or for close up work. The handgrip, however, is too small, particularly when you use the new control dial on the front is the camera, as it just feels unsteady in the hand thankfully the well-placed shutter release is nicely weighted, as is the lens zoom lever surrounding it.

Cleverly, the camera can be set up to use either the new front control dial or the rotating adjustment control on the camera back for adjustment of settings and the like; its always good to have multiple options available for using and handling the camera and canon has done a fine job of including them here. Other key features include a crisp Canon 5x optical zoom lens, which has a versatile focal range offering a 28mm wide end and a 140mm full zoom. Lens distortion, overall, is not significant but there's slight but noticeable barrel distortion at the wide end of the zoom.

The lens' aperture range still does not reach the dizzy, F/2 heights available to the old PowerShot G6, but with a maximum aperture range of F/2.8 to F/4.5 it still allows for control over of depth of field so there's a modicum of control, but Canon has never pushed the boat out on the lens like it once did with the much older G-series models such as the aforementioned G6. It must be a cost thing again...

Another significant element in terms of its inclusion (and many digicams today lack this elementary feature) is a “proper” optical viewfinder, which backs up the display. It's clear and crisp and has a good dioptre adjustment – for use without specs – and while it’s certainly true it lacks the data feedback available on the display, it helps when trying to conserve power from the NB-7L rechargeable battery pack, which is good for around 300-shots.

Other new features include the 720p HD movie capture mode. The first question I had is “why not 1080p capture?” Canon claims that the increased tech needed would make the G12 more expensive still, but hang on, there are many less well-specified, less expensive digital compacts out there that have 1080p HD movie capture, so, the 720p mode on the G12 could be improved in order to keep it inline with the other photographic Joneses.

Owners of flat panel HDTVs will be pleased to note the G12 has an HDMI out port sitting under a flap alongside an AV Out and USB 2.0 socket, plus a port to attach a remote control. The HDMI out port allows you to watch HD video directly from the camera on your flat panel TV, controlling the whole lot from the camera too. The G12's moving image quality is superb, but sound, via the built-in stereo microphones, is less so as unfortunately the built in ‘phones pick up unwanted noise from the sound of your fingers moving on the camera and also the lens moving/focusing, which is a tad disappointing.

Talking of the lens again, the G12 sports an adapted Hybrid Image Stabilisation system within the lens providing up to 4EV of advantage for hand held shots, according to Canon. I feel that's a bit optimistic, on my tests I'd say it's around two or three (at best) stops, but is still invaluable for keeping things steadier than otherwise possible in low light or at longer zoom lengths, without reverting to a tripod, for example. And this Hybrid IS system means you don’t need to delve into higher ISO settings as quickly as you might either, helping keep at bay problems associated with high ISO image noise.

It must be said however; image noise is well controlled – to a point – thanks to the new Canon HS system, because above ISO 800 noise gets progressively worse, although not drastically so. If you use the camera at ISO 3200 however, or the boosted ISO 12800 mode, let's just say, erm, avoid if possible.

Count Your DIGICs
At the heart of the G12's image and video processing system lies Canon's DIGIC 4 processor providing fast processing and improved noise reduction particularly for the HD video performance. DIGIC 4 also powers some of the “intelligent” features such as i-Contrast that increases the dynamic range in images to reveal better detail in shadows without loosing detail the highlight areas. Like the G11, it works well and also contributes to another new feature, High Dynamic Range (HDR) shooting.

HDR shooting combines a series of exposures shot at under and overexposed settings (automatically) and the “as metered” setting and combines them together to get detail in all areas of the shot (deep shadow and bright highlights) otherwise unobtainable in a single shot.

You’ll need to mount the camera on a tripod because the three images might otherwise be taken at a slow shutter speed, for example, so you won’t be able to hand hold it even with the IS switched on. In terms of control, the aforementioned top plate controls are great to use, allowing fast changes to shooting modes such as manual, aperture priority or full auto to name a few as well as swift ISO changes. The same applies to exposure compensation, which can be quickly applied for difficult lighting situations.

The back plate is dominated by the multi-angle screen and houses other key camera controls. Playback and shortcut buttons (the latter I set up to quickly adjust white balance because there’s no direct button on the body, which is a shame) sit atop the screen either side of the optical viewfinder. The top right corner houses the AE/FE lock button, something that when combined with the improved exposure compensation control makes the G12 extremely responsive and each button is cleverly angled for easier use too.

Focusing and Face Detection AF
The AF point control is one of four buttons surrounding the camera’s rotating jog control, the latter ideal for fast menu or image scrolling. It also provides smart control for settings such as the impressive 1-cm macro mode, the flash settings and manual focus activation and the drive modes.

There are nine AF zones in all; set up is comprehensive providing a mix of orthodox auto and manual focusing plus Servo AF and Face Detection AF, which performs really well particularly its Face Select & Track mode. The latter can fix on and track faces in a shot and does so very well indeed while a customisable Self-Timer provides for multiple shots and adjustment of the time delay between zero and 30-seconds, which is very handy. Even better still, when you half press the shutter button in Face AF mode, a magnified view of the detected face appears so that you can quickly check sharpness. Face AF is excellent, even when detecting multiple faces it seems to work well.

I had a problem with the AiAF focus system however, when not detecting faces, tracking objects or focusing on close up subjects, it was simply too slow. And, if you leave the camera to select which of the nine active zones it will use, it does not always select the correct or intended part of the scene you want sharp. Switching to manual AF of simply using the Flexizone AF (you can move and use just one AF point anywhere on the screen) does help mitigate some AF issues.

In terms of taking photos, the ability to shoot RAW and JPEG provides great scope for tinkering and getting shadow or highlight detail out of images later on PC – if you're not satisfied the HDR shooting or i-Contrast effects – while RAW capture is a fundamental feature for the more enthusiast or pro photographer and in truth it is a must have for such a camera as this.

Images are captured and stored on a single SD, SDHC and/or the new SDXC high-capacity cards all stowed under the same flap on the G12’s base where the Li-ion battery resides.

Metering and white balance (WB) are excellent too, the metering deals with most subjects well enough, centre-weighted and spot metering give extra flexibility if required while the WB control is good also. One slight gripe in WB is the auto white balance struggles in mixed light producing a slight orange cast, something that's common to Canon and many other manufacturers models. Set the correct WB for the lighting you're shooting in, however, and or use the custom white balance mode if things are really tricky and you have complete and quick WB control for any situation.

Leading on from the WB is colour capture, which is excellent here and supported by a host of tweakable colour tools (from extra vivid colour to a selective colour mode that allows you to isolate just the red in an image for example,) all there to give you more creative control and creative effects.

As do the 19 scene modes on offer that reinforce your snapping choices including panoramic stitch assist, colour swap, fish eye effect and a mode to make subjects appear as though they're miniatures within the scene, which is fun and so this all adds to the creative potential of the G12.

Interestingly, the addition of a built-in neutral density (ND) filter that is there to help you iron out and balance high contrast scenes by providing a better balance between highlights (such as a very bright sky in landscape shot) and shadows or where you need to use slow shutter speeds that could otherwise overexpose a photo. It's a superb feature and something that while it does drop the amount of light hitting the sensor, saves on the hassle of carting a screw-in lens accessory around.

Having written that, there's a 58mm accessory filter ring that clips around the lens barrel as well, and this allows the use of additional lens filters such a circular polariser or UV filters and additional specialist optics that can all be attached to the G12 adding even more versatility.

And that really is the point of the G12, it is a camera offering the tools, features and versatility of a pro-level camera within a package designed to bring out all of that creative power and bring it to bear on your subjects, but without the bulk of DSLR system. The Canon PowerShot G12 does look pricey, it's true, but it's well specified, well made and able to produce some stunning results.

Looxcie wearable camcorder

Looxcie wearable camcorder
Although it looks like an oversized Bluetooth headset, Artiman Ventures' Looxcie is a unique wearable camcorder designed for those who never want to miss a thing. What makes the $199 Looxcie device different from other small camcorders is that when it's turned on, it's constantly recording. Used in conjunction with a smart phone and a free Android app, it allows users to capture short clips and immediately share them on the web. While this device is certainly innovative, it looks and feels like a first-generation product. Read on to find out how well the Looxcie works in the real world.

Design

Except for its obvious white boom extending forward, the Looxcie could be mistaken for a large Bluetooth headset. Still, it has a sleek spy-tech aura, like something you might see in Mission: Impossible. A few people gave us quizzical looks while wearing the Looxcie around New York City, but most people seemed oblivious to the camera. Perhaps the body of the Looxcie should have been black to camouflage it more, but doing so might ascribe to it more sinister intentions than capturing your kid scoring the winning goal.

Overall, the Looxcie was comfortable to wear, but we had trouble keeping it in place. The earbud can be rotated 180 degrees, so you can use it on either side of your head. While a rubber-coated wire lets you adjust the Looxcie to fit your ear, the device slipped off too easily when we walked around. Also, it's difficult to wear if you're sporting a pair of glasses. The camera boom can be rotated a few degrees to the right or left to help get a level image, but we found it easier to use the viewfinder on our smart phone (more on that later).

A red light just below the lens indicates the device is recording; a green power light is on the underside by the earbud. The opposite side of the earbud has a power/call button; a microUSB port is on the bottom of the section that loops behind your ear. Further up is a volume button, and on the top is a Record button (used for capturing long clips). On the underside of the camera boom is the Instant Clip button; you press this button to save the last 30 seconds of video. If you press and hold the button, the Looxcie will also automatically send the clip to a pre-set recipient, provided you're in range of your smart phone with the Looxcie app.

While large, the Record button on the top of the Looxcie is flush with the rest of the device, making it hard to locate by feel; in an attempt to find the button, the headset would often fall off. Fortunately, you can use the smart phone app to stop and start recording, too.

How it Works

While the Looxcie is constantly recording, it won't permanently save a clip unless you either press the Record or Instant Clip button on the device (or use the Android app). When a moment you want to capture occurs, a press of the instant clip button on the top of the device captures the last 30 seconds of video and stores it as a permanent clip.

As a nice bonus, the camera is also a Bluetooth headset and allows you to answer calls and keep recording video at the same time. When you answer calls while capturing video, Looxcie automatically mutes the audio on the video to keep your calls private.

Android App

The accompanying Looxcie Android app (we installed it on a Samsung Vibrant) turns your phone into a viewfinder, remote control, and editing tool for creating clips up to 30 minutes in length. The application is simple and user-friendly: The viewfinder is particularly helpful because you can also use it to turn the recorder on and off without having to fiddle with the record button on the device, and it can be used to adjust the headset to make sure it's level. However, we wish that the viewfinder stayed on even when we weren't actively recording a clip. The app also has a handy icon showing how much battery life is left on the camera.

Selecting Video in the app brings up all the video stored on the Looxcie as one long, continuous clip. Using the editing tool, it was easy to select a block of video and save it as an individual clip. As with most things, life is one percent exciting and 99 percent boring; just going through the hours of video from our day to find something meaningful was tedious. That's why you'll want to use that record button judiciously.

Sending clips was not exactly the instantaneous process we had hoped for. Clips typically took between five to ten minutes to upload and e-mail from our smart phone. You can instantly share your clips to Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. However, you can't e-mail clips that are larger than 4MB in size (about 40 seconds worth of video); you'll get an error message saying the clip was too big to be sent. Fortunately, you can also transfer videos from the camera to a computer with the included USB cable.

For the most part, sharing instant clips was easy to do. However, occasionally the app crashed while saving the clip and was never sent. Looxcie told us that these were beta issues that would be resolved. Since our initial tests, the app has been updated, and the app no longer crashes.

Image Quality

The Looxcie captures HVGA (480 x 320 resolution) video at 15 frames per second; most smart phones capture better quality footage, so you're trading anytime, anywhere convenience for less pixels. The camera's 4GB of memory can record up to five hours of footage, or hundreds of 30-second clips (up to 3 hours).

The camera works best in bright, well-lit areas. When we captured some waterfront foliage in Battery Park in New York City, colors were accurate and vibrant. In dimly lit areas, such as a restaurant, the camera had trouble adjusting, and video was murky.

It helps to be stationary while filming; we found that if we recorded while walking around, video was somewhat choppy and shaky. Also, while wearing the camera, we got a false sense that we were recording exactly what our eyes saw; when we looked back at the footage, objects we thought were in frame were off to one side or another.

Battery Life and Warranty

We were surprised by how long the Looxcie's battery lasted; we were able to get a good four to five hours depending on how often we used the device. If you are constantly sending clips while capturing video, the battery will run out more quickly. The viewfinder in the app also has a battery icon so you can keep track of how much battery time is left on the camera. Looxcie is backed with a one-year warranty.

Verdict

As with most new technologies, no one's going to get it right the first time, and the $199 Looxcie is no exception. While it's an innovative idea, and fairly well executed at that--we especially like the Android app--only the most hardcore of bloggers or early adopters will put up with its inconveniences. Moreover, the idea of recording everyone all the time seems Orwellian. The camera felt invasive, especially when we were trying to have a serious conversation with someone. Yes, security cameras are mounted just about everywhere, but the Looxcie is literally in your face. Ironically, though, we found very little of interest when sifting through hours of footage--moments worth saving are truly far and few between. Those who can get past its loose fit, low quality video, and social implications will find the Looxcie to be a most intriguing video camera.