Nikon D800 rumours intensify

Nikon D800 rumours intensify:

More and more rumours about the likelihood of a D800 seeing a release in the next couple of weeks are emerging.

Many people hoped that the D800 would make its appearance at CES last week, but as the show drew to a close without any such announcement, rumours are now circulating that it will be unveiled in early February, at the same time as the CP+ photography show in Japan.

It's happened before, and will no doubt happen again, but a number of events have led to increased suspicion that the D800 is soon to be unveiled.

Suspicious events

According to NikonRumors, a camera store in Houston, Texas has been taking pre-orders for a "36MP D800 camera", for $2,699.99.

Furthermore, yet another D800 book has been leaked online. The first one appeared over a year ago, so forgive us for not getting overly excited about its significance. This time, the book has appeared from German publisher Franzis, with a scheduled March 2012 release.

Thirdly, and the most mysterious of all, an armoured truck was seen at CES 2012, supposedly the location of a top-secret meeting to show off a new camera. Or, let's face it, anything else entirely.

The D800 is expected to replace the D700, and rumours suggest it will have a 36 million pixel sensor, a 4fps shooting mode and Full HD video shooting at HD.

Many rumours sites have also suggested that a cancelled event back in 2011 was due to impact of flooding in Thailand, yet the only DSLR launch of late is the Nikon D4, which is made in Japan.

Source : Google Reader

Sandisk, Lexar, Kingston not making new XQD cards

Sandisk, Lexar, Kingston not making new XQD cards:

Several memory card manufacturers are yet to join the new XQD memory card, leaving only Sony manufacturing cards at the moment.

The XQD format was announced at the end of 2011 and so far there is one compatible digital camera, the newly announced Nikon D4.

Promising extremely fast read/write speeds of up to 125MB/second, the physical size of the card is a little bigger than current SD cards, but a lot smaller than CF cards which are usually found in professional level cameras.

Sony was the first manufacturer to confirm it will be bringing cards to the market, and has announced 16GB and 32GB versions at the same time as the D4 announcement.

SanDisk on the other hand, has neglected to join the new card format, according to a spokesperson from the company. This is perhaps particularly unusual considering that it helped to develop the XQD format.

Non-committal

Other memory card makers have also declined to join, including Lexar, which is said to be "evaluating the technology", while a Kingston representative told us that they weren't aware of any plans to make cards at present.

It seems likely that any new top-end camera from Sony will also include an XQD slot, but, other professional and prosumer level cameras from Canon and Nikon are expected to arrive imminently, including a successor to the 5D Mark II, possibly the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, and an update for the D700, most likely thought to be the Nikon D800.

Keep following for any further updates on how the new memory card format progresses.

Source : Google Reader

Panasonic announces GX1 firmware update

Panasonic announces GX1 firmware update:

Panasonic has announced an update for its GX1 advanced compact system camera which improves a number of functions.

A firmware upgrade for the Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4.0-5.6 lens is also available which improves the performances of the O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser).

The updates to the Panasonic GX1 include enhancements to auto white balance, the performance of autofocus and improved stability when using SD memory cards to comply with high-speed UHS-I cards.

Display

Also added is the ability to add step zoom and zoom speed to the settings accessed via the function (Fn) button and Q Menu button. Changes have also been made to the display of the camera, particularly the menu and the ability to flip between menus with the Display button.

The GX1 is Panasonic's latest compact system camera, and is aimed at professional or enthusiast photographers looking for an advanced CSC. It features Full HD video recording, a 3-inch touchscreen and a robust all-metal body. The 16 million pixel sensor, micro four thirds camera was also designed to fill the void left by the popular Lumix GF1 which included a greater degree of manual functionality than subsequent models in the GF series.

New firmware for the GX1 will be available at the end of January as a free download from the Panasonic website.

Source : Google Reader

New camera tech to mimic human eye?

New camera tech to mimic human eye?:

A scientist from the University of Texas has developed a new autofocus system which has the potential to revolutionise camera technology.

Based on how the human eye focuses on objects, the system could speed up autofocusing and make it more accurate. Johannes Burge, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas worked with his adviser Wilson Geisler to greater understand how the human eye is able to more efficiently focus than a digital camera.

At the moment, autofocus mechanisms can be split into two categories. The first uses contrast levels to determine how in or out of focus an image is. This type of system is used on compact and compact system cameras cameras, while higher-end cameras (those with reflex mirrors) use phase detection. Though the second type is faster, it also requires a larger body to work.

Tiny tech

However, the new system developed by Burge and Geisler could apparently be incorporated into small compact cameras. It works by looking at the features of the scene to determine distance from an object. The system was created via a computer simulation of the human visual system.

Although the camera hasn't been tested in any actual cameras yet, Burge believes that it could have applications in other areas of technology and science as well, and the duo are applying for a patent to protect their invention. They have apparently also had interest from a major electronic imaging company.

It is thought that should the technology be introduced into real world cameras, it would mean that a digital camera could focus accurately in around 10 milliseconds.

Source : Google Reader

Cooking on Time

Cooking on Time:

Well here’s a novel idea; an integrated timer on a pot lid called Time Me. Set exactly how long something is to simmer, boil, blanche and whatever else cookbooks tell you to do. This idea seems so obvious. If you’ve seen something similar, shoot me a link otherwise I’m going to have to call Captain Oblivious because this is most certainly a job for him. There’s no mention of what kind of “ding” the timer will make, because you know – that ding is very important. Zojirushi rice cookers hum a little diddy when they’ve completed their cook cycle. This needs something similar.

Designers: Wu Yi-chen , Wan Ru-yi, Liu Xiaoming, Xie Yan-cong & Zhou Zhou

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Yanko Design
Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store!
(Cooking on Time was originally posted on Yanko Design)

Source : Google Reader

Opel Experimental Vehicle

Opel Experimental Vehicle:

This futuristic EV is Opel’s premier aim at delivering electric mobility that’s affordable for everyone. The Rak e (pronounced rack-ee) is made entirely of recyclable, synthetic material and weighs only a third the weight of a modern car. The Rak E offers zero-emission driving and can travel 61 miles on a single 3 hour charge. The “inside-out” design approach dictated the unique form which features exposed rear wheels and a fighter plane-like cockpit fit with information displays and infotainment.

Designer: KISKA in cooperation with Opel

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Yanko Design
Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store!
(Opel Experimental Vehicle was originally posted on Yanko Design)

Source : Google Reader

Wheelchair GT

Wheelchair GT:

As you might have guessed by the name, the Ultra Long Distance Wheelchair was designed to extend the thrill of long distance touring to cyclists with disabilities. Inspired by the principles of GT automobiles, the trike was designed with an emphasis on comfort and high speed over straight-out performance, though it’s certainly not lacking. It’s one ultra-stylish ultra-tourer!

Designer: Andrew Mitchell

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Yanko Design
Timeless Designs - Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store - We are about more than just concepts. See what's hot at the YD Store!
(Wheelchair GT was originally posted on Yanko Design)

Source : Google Reader

Audi celebrates its Quattro AWD system with a video

Audi celebrates its Quattro AWD system with a video:

Audi America has released a quite funny one-minute long video celebrating its world-famous Quattro system. Audi’s own pioneering permanent AWD system debuted over 30 years ago on the permanent four wheel drive Audi Quattro, and it has since become a trademark feature (if not synonimous) of the four rings house.

The video is a sort of reinterpretation of the novel ‘Moby-Dick’ (aka ‘the Whale’), written by American author Herman Melville and published in 1851, and feature a modern-day Captain Ahab who works as a snow plough driver and can hook any sort of stranded car but one, a white one. Definitely a well-made ad.

Source : Google Reader

Volkswagen CC: official videos released

Volkswagen CC: official videos released:

VW releases three official videos starring the new Volkswagen CC, the new sedan from the German manufacturer that has been introduced to the world at the last Los Angeles Auto Show, back in November.

The CC will make its commercial debut worldwide in a just a few weeks with an engine line up made of 6 engines, all of which with direct injection: on the petrol side we have a 160 hp 1.8-litre TSI, a 210 hp 2.0-litre TSI and a 3.6-litre V6 FSI producing 300 hp, whereas the diesel options are a 140 hp 2.0-litre TDI, a 170 hp 2.0 TDI and a 140 hp 2.0 BlueTDI unit. The V6 comes with a dual clutch DSG transmission, which will be made available for the other engines as well as an optional extra. The 4Motion all-wheel drive will be immediately available for the V6 and, at a later time, for the diesel units as well.

Other highlights of the model include: the Side Assist Plus system (which warns drivers if there’s a vehicle in the blind spot), the Lane Assist system (which alerts drivers when crossing the center line), the Dynamic Light Assist (that adjusts the headlights according to other vehicles on the road), bi-xenon headlights, adaptive fog lights, LED tail lights and even a camera that recognizes the road signs. To watch the other two videos, click on the ‘Continue reading’ link below.

Source : Google Reader