camera

HP offers fun for the frugal photographer

Hewlett-Packard, it seems, is determined to help everyone make photos fixes right in their cameras so there's no trace of the imperfect world transferred to the computer.

On Thursday, the company announced the release of nine cameras (click here to see a full photo gallery) that at first glance are pretty run-of-the-mill. But many of them incorporate the in-camera editing features that were introduced in more expensive models.

Last year, Hewlett-Packard began including software that makes people in your pictures appear slimmer or even tanner. This summer's lineup for the R-series and M-series models, which range in price … Read more

Touching photos with HP

Whenever people complain to manufacturers about skimping on screen size, the stock answer is usually, "Well, we wanted to make the camera small and light, but we needed to leave room for the buttons."

That's not an excuse that needs to be used with the HP R937.

HP has made room for a bigger screen on the back by eliminating most of the buttons. The R937's large 3.6-inch display, as on some of the Sony Cyber-shot compact cameras, doubles as a touch screen from which you can navigate menus and manipulate photos after they have … Read more

CIA-launched fund invests in image sensor company

In-Q-Tel, a private investment firm launched by the CIA to support U.S. intelligence agencies, has invested in image sensor maker Pixim, the company said Wednesday.

The investment was part of a $15 million funding round announced in March that also included Tallwood Venture Capital, Ridgewood Capital and the Mayfield Fund.

Pixim sells digital image sensors and associated software used in surveillance cameras. The technology is geared to work in particular with difficult lighting conditions. The company's Orca chips are used in more than 100 camera models available today.

"In-Q-Tel invested in Pixim because it offers government and … Read more

Surface: Design starts on the outside...

Welcome to Surface, CNET blogging on design... and no, we're not superficial, but let's be realistic here... first impressions count for a lot, especially when it comes to the products and accessories you surround yourself with... be it in your office spaces, kitchen, living room, and especially the things you wear. So i'm sure this blog will be evolving (and quickly!) but i'll be covering all things great and gorgeous for your everyday, especially those details that complement your tech and gadget filled lifestyles. So here's a quick overdose of what you will definitely be seeing more of soon. (Links to find out more on each product after the jump.)… Read more

Find out what your cat does all day

As I've mentioned before, I get the occasional handy tip from you lovely readers. This particular item, however, was brought to my attention by a cat-loving friend who does not follow the tech blogs (sacrilege, I know). Behold: the CatCam, a modified digital camera with a time-sequence controller and a furry mode of transportation. The Web site features the adventures of one such furball, a tomcat named Mr. Lee. This typically curious kitty treks around the great outdoors, and then his owner posts pics from his "trips" online. The images aren't exactly crystal clear, but that … Read more

Zay cheese

In addition to its new M series of budget compact cameras, Kodak announced an ultrazoom compact and a high-megapixel compact for its Z series line of digital cameras on Tuesday.

Both cameras, set to be available this August for about $249, have Kodak's digital-image stabilization feature to assist with camera shake.

Kodak's Z1275 offers an impressive 12 megapixels for $249. (In this price range, 10 megapixels is on the better side of average.)

The Z1275 has a 2.5-inch LCD screen and will stitch together photos for one panoramic, a fun feature to have on board. It also … Read more

Kodak's M-series offers the usual for less

While the rumor mill surrounding a new Nikon release for DSLR consumers "hots up," as the British press would say, Kodak is addressing its amateur photographer base.

The new M-series budget-priced compact cameras offer color choice, portability, nice LCD screen size and megapixels high enough to make 30x40 inch prints.

Notably, these are not the cameras and cell phones with Kodak's own CMOS chips that Kodak President Antonio Perez mentioned we would soon see. Those 5-megapixel cameras are due to come out "in time for the holiday season."

The M753 available now for $149 is … Read more

Olympus shows teaser for new SLR

Olympus has begun offering new teases about a new SLR (single-lens reflex) camera model, likely a successor to its top-end E-1 introduced in 2003.

Olympus' European Web site offers a cloaked view doubtless intended to agitate prospective buyers into a lather of anticipation.

Having just released new low-end models, Olympus no doubt is preparing to refresh its high end. Olympus showed off a prototype high-end SLR at the Photo Marketing Association trade show in March but said only it would be rugged, weatherproof, and shipping this year.

You shouldn't believe everything you see on the Internet, though. For example, … Read more

Olympus camera housings cater to the wet set

Olympus announced a divers set (Get it? Get it?) of waterproof camera housings Monday for underwater photographers using the company's latest digital SLR and a few point-and-shoot models. The housings protect the cameras at depths of up to 40 meters or about 130 feet.

The PT-E03 housing is designed for the lower-end SLR (single-lens reflex) Olympus Evolt E-410 camera, and the PPO-E05 can be attached to protect the new 14-42mm Zuiko lens. (Other existing PPO lens ports also are compatible, too.)

The company also announced underwater housings for four compact cameras, the SP-550 UZ model with an 18x zoom … Read more