DC Views

Microsoft has released Image Composite Editor Version 1.3.5, an advanced panoramic image stitcher that creates a single panorama image from multiple overlapping images. The technique to compose a new image from a series of related images is referred to as Multi-Image Fusion. This technique is also used to sharpen images, to create an image from videos and to de-noise images. This latter approach is illustrated with an example of a distant object, Mount Rainier, when viewed from Seattle, 90 kilometers away...

Epson introduces the first in a new series of high-brightness, low-cost projectors. The Epson VS400 features XGA resolution and 4000 lumens color and white light output. Featuring the latest 3LCD, 3-chip technology, the Epson VS400 delivers true-to-life color and detail for powerful presentations. 3LCD technology provides an energy efficient light engine, and in contrast to 1-chip DLP technology, 3LCD requires, on average, 25 percent less electricity per lumen of brightness. The Epson VS400 will be available in July for $999...

Pentax releases the Optio W90 to be available soon in a third color choice. As early as next month, the eleventh generation Optio W90 will become available in orange. The Optio W90 offers enhanced waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and coldproof performance and features an inventive Digital Microscope mode with LED lighting to capture small but intriguing subjects. Every Optio W90 kit includes a woven web fabric strap complete with a carabineer to attach the camera. This latest W90 will ship by July 2010 for $329.95...

At the E3 Expo in Los Angeles this week, Nintendo gives the world the first look at a portable system that lets people view games in 3D, without the need for special glasses. The Nintendo 3DS comes with a 3.53-inch top screen and a 3.02-inch bottom touch screen; includes a motion sensor, a gyro sensor and even a Slide Pad that allows 360-degree analog input. It has one inner and two outer digital cameras to deliver the 3D effect and take 3D pictures. Very basic though, as all three cameras offer a resolution of only 640 x 480 pixels...

Sony unveils the all-in-one VAIO J Series PC HD for entertainment experience in a beautiful design that cuts unsightly cables. The All-in-One system is dominated by a 21.5" (54.7cm) touchpanel display that offers Full HD 1080 resolution and the multiple lamp technology ensures a brilliantly detailed view of HD movies and photos with rich, vivid colors. There's 500GB of hard disc space to store the biggest home multimedia collection. The new VAIO J Touch All-in-one PC will start at about $900 and will be available starting next month...

Nikon releases a firmware update for the Coolpix S3000 and S4000 digital cameras. This update resolves the following problem: When the Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL10 was inserted in the camera and charged, charging sometimes did not stop after the designated amount of time had passed...

Samsung announces the SP-H03, a self-contained personal media device. This new pico projector measures 2.5x2.5x1.5 inch and weighs only 6 oz., allowing it to easily fit into your pocket, purse, backpack or briefcase. The LED and DLP technology offers a brightness of 30 ANSI lumens, rated at 30,000 (max) hours of life, for a picture output - with WVGA (854x480) native resolution - of up to 80 inches. The new SP-H03 will be available through Samsung authorized retailers ibeginning in June for $299.99...

Sony announces two new members of the Alpha DSLR family, the models A290 and A390. The new A390 comes with 14.2 megapixels, Quick AF Live View with tilt 2.7" (6.7cm) LCD for live image preview with fast, accurate autofocus. The A290 offers the same 14.2 effective megapixel resolution as the A390 in a compact body that weighs just 456g. Both cameras come with friendly on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display, HDMI output and BRAVIA Sync. The new α390 and α290 DSLRs are available this summer...

Carl Zeiss presents the Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF.2 for F bayonet mount. These wide-angle lenses capture a large depth of field and can create unusual perspectives. The ZF.2 has an electronic interface (CPU) that supports all exposure modes of the camera like shutter priority, aperture priority and program mode, as well as manual mode (even with camera bodies without AI-coupling lever). The new Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF.2 is available at a retail price of 755 €(ex.VAT). The ZF.2 lenses come in 8additional focal lengths and the 2 macros... .

Minox introduces the 12 Mp DC 1222 digital camera. The camera features 4x optical zoom with its 28mm wide-angle lens, a 2.7-inch LCD monitor, has an internal memory of 32 MB and supports SD cards of up to 16 gigabytes. The Minox DC 1222 is available now for about 150 Euro. The Praktica luxmedia 12-04 is another new entry level digital camera on the European market. This 12 Mp digital camera offers 3x optical zoom and is equipped with a 3-inch LCD monitor. It is available now too and can be yours for about 80 Euro...

Fujifilm releases another firmware update for the Finepix-S-series. The update applies to the models FinePix S2500HD / S2550HD / S2600HD / S2700HD / S1800 / S1850 / S1880 / S1900 / S1600 / S1700 / S1730 / S1770 / S1780. This firmware update (version 1.02 to version 1.04) incorporates the following issues: 1) It improves the phenomenon that unwanted number of sheets is printed by setting with "PictBridge" function. 2) It improves the handling when playing back images. ...

Sharp announces a new multi-screen display system that achieves the world's thinnest frame width of just 6.5 mm. The system is built around the new PN-V601 60V-inch professional LCD monitor, which uses Sharp's proprietary LCD technology to significantly reduce the width of the monitor bezel. The product will be exhibited at Digital Signage Japan 2010, and introduced into the Japanese market in August. If you're getting bored with your 32" digital photo frame - and have deep pockets - this will be the perfect choice for you...

Wondering where all your pixels should go? Hitachi has launched the Z7K320, the thinnest member of the Travelstar Series, offering 320GB. The 2.5 unit is only 7mm thin and with a weight of 95gr it's ready for the new generation of tablets. Hard disk development has come a long way; my first IBM XT back in 1983 was equipped with a 5.25" full height Seagate ST506 that offered a whopping 5MB capacity. But then again, even this was a leap forward compared to the IBM 2311 in 1965 or the 350 RAMAC in 1956 that offered about the same capacity...

Mamiya introduces the new RZ33 large-sensor digital camera kit for professional photographers. The Mamiya RZ33, featuring a high performance 33 megapixel CCD sensor, advances the Mamiya RZ line to a new level, bringing the ease-of-use and versatility of the Mamiya RZ camera system to the large-sensor digital arena. With no cables necessary, RZ33 users simply add their favorite RZ lens and a CF card, and they are ready. gorgeous images. The Mamiya RZ33 digital camera kit will be available for $17,990 and will begin shipping in July...

Kingston introduces the 64GB SDXC Class 10 Memory Card, one of the fastest cards available in the market today. SDXC cards, in addition to larger capacities allow for exponentially faster data transfer rates while maintaining the SD form factor. The new card allows continuous high-speed burst shooting in RAW format and hours of hi-def video recording at write speeds up to 35MB/sec. The Kingston 64 GB SDXC Class 10 memory card will be available worldwide at the end of June and has a suggested retail price of $499.00...

Samsung Europe announces the new NX5 digital camera, the little brother of the NX10 model. Like the NX10 the new NX5 uses the 14.6 Mp CMOS sensor in APS-C format. However, the new NX5 is equipped with a viewfinder with a resolution of 300x220 pixels and a 3 inch (7.6 cm) TFT display whereas the NX10 features a viewfinder with a resolution of 640x480 pixels and an AMOLED display with the same size. The Samsung NX5 is available in Europe from June at a price of € 699, that's €100 less than you pay for the NX10 model...

Sharp introduces four models in the new LV TV Series with the Four-Primary-Color technology. This technology adds Y (yellow) to the 3 RBG (red, blue, green) primary colors, thereby improving the ability to faithfully reproduce colors. In particular, it enables both 2D and 3D images to be reproduced with quality by rendering colors such as brilliant yellow, brassy gold, and emerald green, which are difficult to reproduce using the 3 conventional primary colors. Power consumption is down by about 10% compared to previous models...

Panasonic unveils a new Micro System lens: the 8mm Lumix G Fisheye. This new Fisheye lens offers a diagonal angle of view of 180-degree, bringing a distinctive perspective / deformation effect. The closest focusing distance is as short as 0.1m, however, the lens incorporates inner focus system which enables a long working distance and you do not have to come closer to the subject even for the close-up shots. The inclusion of stepping motor makes the focusing action smooth and silent for use in both photo and movie recording...

Panasonic introduces the new Lumix DMC-FX75 (FX70) with an f2.2 super bright 24mm ultra wide angle Leica lens with 5x optical zoom. The new 14.1 megapixel digital camera features a 3.0-inch Intelligent LCD with full touch control and offers high quality HD movie recording in AVCHD Lite. In case you take pictures too close for comfort, the Cosmetic mode allows you to take portraits with favored skin color (soft skin, natural skin, summer look) and you can even defocus any unwanted wrinkles or mottles...

Epson together with Philips has developed a new light control system for 3LCD projectors. The new system uses the Epson high-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD drive technology and Philips lamp technology to achieve enhanced projector image contrast and energy consumption. Currently, projectors for both business and home have faced increasing demands for improvements in these core projector capabilities and the new system meets these requirements: contrast by approximately 500% and energy consumption by up to half...