Canon Powershot S95 first impressions

Launched in the Philippines just last month, the Canon Powershot S95 came in with a suggested retail price of Php27,950. So when I saw it selling at SGD$640 (~Php21k) in Singapore last week, I grabbed the chance to make it my new point-and-shoot camera.

The Powershot S95 is one of the very few Canon point-and-shoot cameras that can do manual settings, shoot 720p HD videos and to top it off, has a nice and large f/2.0 opening (aperture).

Some of the key features of the Canon S95 include:

• 10-megapixel CCD sensor
• HS System
• 28-105mm F2.0-4.9
• 28mm wide, 3.8x zoom, Hybrid IS
• lens control ring, full manual & RAW shots
• 3-inch PureColor II G LCD
• 720p HD movies, HDMI
• High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode
• Multi-Aspect Shooting

The compact size and the body is reminiscent of the old Ixus line but this one has a much more solid and metallic body. The serrated ring at the base of the lens is where you control the aperture settings.

I’ve only used it a couple of times and while most of the outdoor shots are during cloudy days, the image quality is impressive as well as the HD videos. See sample clip on YouTube below:

Still have to test the camera extensively on various settings and outdoor conditions but so far, I’m really liking this camera a lot already. The bokeh at f/2.0 looks smooth and has a nice depth.

Actually, after several haggling and getting some other stuff from the same store, I was able to bring the price down to SGD$550 or Php18k. Full review coming soon.

*via: YugaTech

 

Sony introduces the 3D-capable Cyber-shot TX9

The Sony Cyber-shot TX9 became the world’s first digital still camera that can capture panoramic shots in 3D. First time I heard of such 3D function on a camera is with the Sony Alpha NEX-5. Sony decided to put it in a more price-friendly package and the result was the Cyber-shot TX9.

Similar to previous Cyber-shot TX series, the TX9 has the stylish and compact form factor on an aluminum chassis with a sliding lens cover.

It is equipped with a 25mm wide-angle lens that can do 4x optical zoom, a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with a 12.2 megapixel “Exmor R” CMOS image sensor which is really amazing in low light situations even at f/3.5.

It can also do Full HD 1080i AVCHD or 1080p MP4 HD video recording. At the back you will see nothing but its 3.5” Xtra Fine LCD touchscreen display.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Cyber-shot TX9 would be the 3D Sweep Panorama. I was pretty impressed with Sony’s Sweep Panorama (which I think other point-and-shooters should follow) but now they added 3D into it. As you sweep across the panorama, the camera records separate right-eye and left-eye images that make landscapes come alive on your 3D television. Yeah, unfortunately you need to have a 3D television to take advantage of this feature.

Still, the TX9 comes with a lot of other features that makes it a treat to use in any occasion. A Background Defocus feature to help you recreate that “bokeh” effect commonly made by DSLR cameras; Smile Shutter technology which captures photos at the moment the subject smiles; and Motion Detection which automatically adjusts ISO sensitivity and shutter speed when movement is detected.

The Sony Cyber-shot TX9 retails for Php27,999 and comes in Grey, Gold and Red. If you want a less expensive, stripped-down version, there’s the Cyber-shot T99 (Php19,999) which was released at the same time.

If you’re planning to get a Cyber-shot anytime soon, do check out the Sony 3D Days of Christmas promo. Who knows, you might win a Sony 3D TV.

 

*via: PinoyTechBlog

Cool prizes from Sony 3D Days of Christmas Raffle Promo

Planning to buy anything from Sony anytime soon? You’re in luck because Sony is giving away lots of stuff with their Sony 3D Days of Christmas Raffle Promo.

From October 15, 2010 to January 15, 2011, every single receipt purchase of any Sony product worth a minimum of P1,000 from any authorized Sony dealer earns you a chance to join Sony’s nationwide raffle. You can also double your chances by purchasing any Sony 3D product of your choice.

After purchase, register your receipt online at www.sony.com.ph/OnlinePromoReg and fill-up the form with the requested details. You will receive a confirmation message after completing the data needed. You can only win for the month you made your purchase so better register quick.

At the end of every month from November to January, Sony will announce the names of the lucky winners who will get knock-out deal prizes! The prizes range from Pacman Limited Edition 3D World jackets and shorts, Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini phones, PlayStation Portable units, S-Frames, Walkman E453 players, Cyber-shot S2000 cameras, and so much more.

More prizes are to be won at the Grand Draw of the Sony 3D Christmas Raffle Promo on January 28, 2011!

• 3rd place: ten (10) raffle winners will get a PlayStation 3 unit and a PS3 game.
• 2nd place: five (5) Sony customers will get their very own brand-new  NEX-5 camera.
• 1st place, one (1) lucky Sony customer will get a 46” Sony NX710 BRAVIA 3D TV unit with a BDP-S470 Blu-ray player.

This 46″ Sony NX710 BRAVIA 3D TV is the grand prize. Drool.

That’s it. If you can, wait till Oct. 15 to make that next Sony purchase.

 

*via: PinoyTechBlog

Sony Philippines outs 3D gadgets just in time for the holidays

Sony Philippines has officially started the 3D Days of Christmas, and they brought with them a few nifty-gifties from Japan. Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on the latest 3D toys in the Philippines: the Sony Bravia NX810, the Sony Cyber-shot TX9, and the Sony Alpha A55 and A33.

They also introduced the PlayStation Move locally, but thanks to our good friends at Manila Bulletin, we were able to keep one step ahead of them (see Hands-on: Sony’s PlayStation Move)!

Sony Bravia NX810

Don’t let its wafer-thin profile deceive you because the NX810 series can give you one heck of a 3D ride. With a price tag of P314,999 for the 55-inch version and P404,999 for the 60-inch version, this 3D telly is clearly not for everyone. We do know some people who would gladly sell their souls to the devil for it, though.

Sony Cyber-shot TX9

A petite and tiny 12.1-megapixel compact that has the brain of an SLR. Not only can it take full HD videos, it can also capture 3D images, thanks to the Sweep Panorama feature. Weighing no more than 149g, this camera, like PacMan, shoots way above its weight class.

Sony Alpha A55

Like its little sister, the TX9, the A55 is also capable of 3D Sweep Panorama. Its other selling points, however, are also mighty tempting, like its 10fps burst shooting prowess and full-HD video capture and the electronic viewfinder that some say is the best ever put into a camera.

Sony Alpha A33

A 14-megapixel beauty that’s also capable of 3D Sweep Panorama. It sports an Exmor HD sensor and Translucent Mirror technology, making it perform well in dimly lit situations.

*via: Techie.com.ph

4 Sony Alpha digital cameras announced

We just got word that Sony has launched these 4 cameras overseas: the Alpha A55 and A33 interchangeable-lens shooters which make use of the company’s Translucent Mirror technology (TMT) and the full HD-video-shootin’ couple, the Alpha A580 and A560 DSLRs. We’d love to take these 4 for a spin as soon as they become available here in the Philippines.

A55

A33

Sony Alpha A55 and A33

Because they utilize TMT, expect continuous phase-detect autofocus while capturing images at a blistering 10fps (for the A55)/7fps (for the A33) speed from ‘em. Both are capable of shooting in full HD AVCHD video as well as in the more Web-friendly MP4 format. Sony also slapped the A55 and A33 with Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensors (16.2-megapixels for the A55 and 14.2 for the A33) and BIONZ imaging processors.

The 2 each come with a 3-inch, 920,600 resolution display and a 15-point AF system for fast, high-precision focusing even on rapidly moving objects.

The A55 and A33 will be available in October and September for $750 and $650 (about P34,500 and P29,900 – body only), respectively. Add $100 (about P4,600), and you’ll get a 18-55mm zoom lens.

A580

A560

Sony Alpha A580 and A560

Sony’s follow-ups to the Alpha A550 are both capable of shooting full HD video at AVCHD 1080i or in MP4 format. And just like the A55 and A33, the couple also comes with BIONZ imaging processors and Exmor HD CMOS sensors.

Both the 16.2-megapixel A580 and 14.2-megapixel A560 are gifted with a 3-inch articulating (can be shifted horizontally or vertically) LCD display, provisions for 100-12,800 ISO ranges, support for Memory Stick Pro Duo and SDHC/SDXC cards as well as an optical viewfinder with 95% frame coverage. The 2 likewise have a 3D sweep panorama feature for wide, detail-rich panoramas (with huge field of view) that can be played on 3D TVs.

The A580 and A560 will be available in October and Q1 2011 for €900 and €800 (about P51,600 and P45,800), respectively.

*via: Engadget & Techie.com.ph