By Andrew Liszewski

Panasonic announced a bevy of new compact P&S digital cameras today, including an update to last year’s rugged TS2, not surprisingly dubbed the TS3, which improves some of its outdoorsy-ness. But what has me most excited is that Panasonic has chosen to bump the TS3′s resolution down to 12.1 MP, compared to the TS2′s 14 MP sensor, which should obviously improve the camera’s low-light performance. And hopefully it’s a sign that the MP wars might finally be coming to an end.

But back to what the TS3 does best. In addition to snapping photos that 12.1 MP sensor is also able to capture full 1920×1080 HD videos in the worst of conditions. It’s now waterproof down to 40 feet, 7 more than the TS2, able to survive a drop from around 6.6 feet, can survive and keep snapping away to temperatures as cold as 14ºF and on top of all that since the housing is completely sealed it’s even dustproof. And since it’s designed to accompany those who are particularly adventurous there’s also built-in GPS for geo-tagging your shots, as well as a compass, altimeter and barometer.

Not surprisingly in this day and age the TS3 even has a 3D photo mode, which gets around the fact there’s only a single fixed lens by rapidly snapping 20 consecutive photos, overlaying the 2 best shots to create a 3D photo that can be enjoyed on your Panasonic VIERA 3D HDTV. The images are also MPO, or Multi-Picture Object, compatible, which means they can be viewed on any hardware that supports that open format. The Lumix TS3 will be available sometime in March of this year, with pricing still to be announced. Though you can probably expect it to fall somewhere below $300 like the currently available TS2.

[ PR - Panasonic’s Newest Rugged LUMIX Digital Camera, Complete with GPS & Compass is Perfect for Capturing Stunning Photos and HD Videos During Outdoor Activities ]

By Andrew Liszewski

A while ago Polaroid appointed Lady Gaga their Creative Director and at CES this year we’re finally starting to see the fruits of that collaboration. One of the big reveals at their booth, by Lady Gaga herself, was the Polaroid GL30 seen behind glass above. Like the original Polaroids the GL30 is able to spit out actual printed photos thanks to the company’s instant next generation ZINK technology. And while at first glance its design appears to be a retro homage to the Polaroid cameras of yesteryear, it’s size is probably more a result of needing somewhere to store that ZINK printer.

But as a result of its overall size one of the GL30′s other striking features is an incredibly generously-sized LCD display which makes sharing photos with a group of friends a bit more feasible. And taking a cue from the popularity of the iPhone’s Hipstamatic app, the GL30 also includes a number of filters and borders to make your prints look unique… just like everyone else’s. Available later this year, pricing TBA.

[ PR - Polaroid and Lady Gaga Announce Grey Label ]

By Andrew Liszewski

At the start of their press conference today Casio said they’d be revolutionizing the digital camera market with a new P&S model. And while the industry hasn’t been completely shaken to its core by their new TRYX, I still think it’s going to be a very popular choice among consumers. The 12.1MP, back-illuminated CMOS sensor-equipped camera boasts a clever variable frame design which lets you do everything from propping it up on a desk to holding it like a camcorder for extra stability to even hanging it on a wall.

At just 0.59 inches thick it feels only slightly larger than a smartphone, and the majority of the body is composed of a 3-inch 460K pixel LCD display, with all of the controls integrated into its touchscreen UI. It also captures full 1080P HD video and even high speed clips up to 240fps if you’re willing to settle for a resolution of just 432×320. While the models on display after their press conference weren’t functional, the video demos of the TRYX also showed off a streamlined UI with clever features like a region-specific motion sensor shutter so if you were taking a self-groupshot for example you could snap the pic simply by waving your hand in the corner of the frame. Available in April for $249.99.

[ Casio TRYX ]

By Andrew Liszewski

It was just yesterday we brought you the CardSharp pocket knife which folded up into a credit card-sized package that was easy to stash in your wallet. But it looks like Iain Sinclair’s design shop has turned its shrink ray on more than just knives. Their Poco Pro digital camera also shares the same dimensions as a credit card, though a bit thicker, but manages to cram a host of impressive digicam features into its thin body.

It’s got a 14MP sensor that’s also able to capture 1080P video, I’m assuming at 30fps, to a microSD card up to 32GB in size. And in lieu of an optical viewfinder you’ll have to rely on its 2.4″ AMOLED display which features touch screen controls around the bezel. You also get auto focus, super macro capabilities, image stabilization, face recognition and limited DSLR-like manual controls like a mechanical shutter and continuously variable aperture. It even manages to squeeze in a set of mics with noise cancellation, a speaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack. All in a package that weighs just 65 grams thanks to a magnesium housing. Like the CardSharp though the Poco Pro won’t be available until next year, June to be specific, for north of $300 (£200) though you’re welcome to reserve one now for ~$150 (£100).

[ Iain Sinclair Poco Pro ] VIA [ The Gadgeteer ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Today Casio introduced a couple of new P&S digital cameras, with the EXILIM EX-H20G pictured here being the more interesting of the two, at least in my opinion. It’s got a 14.1MP sensor with 10X optical zoom, H.264 720P @ 30fps video recording capabilities, a 3 inch LCD display and CCD-shift image stabilization. Nothing that remarkable, unless you’re a world traveler who’ll appreciate the camera’s GPS capabilities.

The EXILIM EX-H20G boasts a hybrid GPS system which uses actual GPS positioning, in conjunction with an internal motion sensor, to pinpoint, or at least intelligently guess, a user’s position even when a GPS signal is unavailable. It uses the camera’s last known satellite-acquired position, information from the motion sensor and map data stored in the camera to mark the location of a photo even if you’re indoors. It might not be 100% accurate, but it’s better than nothing.

That map data also lets you use the EX-H20G as a handheld GPS unit while in unfamiliar territory, helping you get around and even reminding you where videos or photos you snapped were actually taken on a map. And if you want to make the most of your time being a tourist, it’s even got a database of 10,000 sightseeing photo spots around the world, which will alert you when there’s a POI nearby. Of course that extra functionality is bound to take a toll on the camera’s battery life, but nothing is free in this world right? The EXILIM EX-H20G will be available sometime in November for $349.99.

[ Casio EXILIM ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Either I’m not spending enough time submerged while looking at interesting subject matter, or camera manufacturers have grossly overestimated consumers’ needs for waterproof cameras. The latest comes from Speedo, a name synonymous with water and awkward looking things, which is kind of appropriate given the lime-green finish of their Aquashot digicam.

The 5MP is probably more than enough for anyone not employed by National Geographic, though with no optical zoom you’ll have to do some underwater maneuvering to properly frame your shots. It can record VGA quality video as well, but you’ll want to immediately expand the 32MB of onboard memory via an SD card before you leave dry land. It’s also waterproof to a depth of about 10 feet (3 meters) and should you lose your grip the Aquashot will float to the surface instead of plummeting to the depths of Davy Jones’ locker. Available from Speedo’s online store for ~$180 (€140.00)

[ Speedo Aquashot ] VIA [ ChipChick ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Today Samsung announced the follow-up to their NX10 APS-C sensor mirrorless camera with the new 14.6MP NX100 that includes ISO settings up to 6400, a 3-inch AMOLED display, 720P ‘HD’ video recording and an interesting new i-Function lens control mechanism. When the extra i-Function button on the lens is pressed, the manual focus wheel does double duty allowing a user to adjust parameters such as shutter speed, aperture, EV, white balance and ISO. It’s actually not a bad idea given how cramped these smaller interchangeable lens cameras are, allowing users to adjust settings without having to look away from the viewfinder.

When available (those details are currently MIA) the NX100 will have a couple of lens options including a 20-50mm compact zoom, followed shortly by a 20mm wide pancake lens. By the first half of 2011 a 60mm macro and 18-200mm super zoom lens will also be hitting the market. And by the second half of 2011 users will also have the choice of 16mm, 85mm and 16-80mm lenses.

By Andrew Liszewski

Yesterday PENTAX announced their new Optio RS1000 14MP, 4X optical zoom P&S digital camera that also happens to have a removable transparent acrylic panel on the front allowing you to customize it with swappable skins. But even more exciting is the RS1000′s fraternal twin, the NB1000, which features a studded building-block friendly faceplate instead. Now before you get too excited, the NB1000 is only designed to be used with a Japanese building toy called Nanoblocks (hence the ‘NB’) which looks to be incompatible with LEGO given the stud sizing and spacing. But it is the first camera that can technically be customized in 3D, so there’s finally a reason to get excited over that buzzword!

Now I have no idea why anyone would want a building block lion or bicycle hanging off the front of their camera, but the Optio NB1000 will be available in Japan in the two base sets pictured above for ~$240 (¥20,000) later this year.

[ PENTAX Optio NB1000 ] VIA [ Akihabara News ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Even though it’s squarely targeted at consumers who are new to the DSLR game, the Nikon D3100 has some new tricks that have us pretty excited for what the company is cooking up as a replacement for the D90. For the moment, the DSLR PR race seems to be focused on video capabilities, so the D3100 gets a bump to full 1080P video recording at 24 fps, captured as H.264 AVCHD files, and a 720P mode that allows you to shoot at 24 or 30 fps if you’re after that coveted ‘video look.’ But more exciting is the D3100′s ability to continually auto-focus while shooting video, or in Live View mode, and Face Detection technology that can automatically track up to 35 human faces at once.

On the still camera side of things the D3100 sports a 14.2-megapixel CMOS sensor with ISO settings that range from 100 to 3200, which can be expanded to a Hi-2 setting of 12,800 for particularly low-light shots. It’s also got the D3000′s Guide Mode which basically holds a new user’s hand when it comes to choosing non-Auto settings, and an intriguing ‘Quiet Shutter Release’ mode which “substantially reduces the sound of the mirror while shooting” if you’re trying to remain less conspicuous like at a wedding or when snapping a sleeping child. The D3100 kit will come with an AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens and should be available around mid-September for $699.95.

[ Nikon D3100 ]