Archive for March 22nd, 2012

Visit the Amazon on Google Street View

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Ever fancied taking an adventure tour of the Amazon River to explore its nature and culture? Now you can – right from your armchair in the comfort of your home.

Armchair explorers can now trek through the forests of the Amazon Basin from the comfort of their home.

Armchair explorers can now trek through the forests of the Amazon Basin from the comfort of their home.

In conjunction with World Forest Day on 21 March, Google has brought more than 50,000 photos of the Amazon Basin onto your computer in the form of immersive, 360-degree panoramic views within Google Street View.

Spot a critter while cruising down the Amazon river.

Spot a critter while cruising down the Amazon river.

Cruise down Amazon river, trek through the jungles, try to spot a forest critter, or peer into life in the local community.

Many areas of the Amazon, including Rio Negro Reserve, are under the protection of the Brazilian government with restricted access to the public.

Many of us would therefore not have the chance to visit these areas even if we wanted to.

Google’s photographers were invited by Amazonas Sustainable Foundation (FAS), the local non-profit conservation organisation to collect ground-level images of the rivers, forest and communities in the Rio Negro Reserve.

Check out the depths of the Amazon via Google Maps Street View.

Check out the depths of the Amazon via Google Maps Street View.

These images are now available in Google Maps via its Street View feature.

The images were collected by a Street View trike, and a tripod camera with a fisheye lens—typically used to capture imagery of business interiors —to capture both the natural landscape and the local communities.

The apparatus allows access to rugged terrain inaccessible to the usual Google Street cars.

A similar trike was used to capture 360-degree street-level images of iconic landmarks in Singapore last year.

TODAY! D4 and D800 available in Singapore

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

The two new top DSLRs from Nikon hit the shelves in Singapore today. Flagship D4 (S$9,799) and 36.3-megapixel D800 (S$4,488) go on sale today.

D4 (S$9,799) and 36.3-megapixel D800 (S$4,488)

D4 (S$9,799) and 36.3-megapixel D800 (S$4,488)

Nikon’s new flagship D4 was first launched in Singapore on 6 January 2012, while the D800 was launched on 7 February.

D800E will likely be available only later in April (price TBC, possibly 10% more than the price of D800).

A write-up on the launch, specs and brochure for the D800 can be found here, while the brochure for D4 can be viewed or downloaded here.

The key specifications and features for the D4 and D800 are summarised below.

Nikon D4

S$9,799

Nikon D4 DSLR, S$9,799

The next-generation flagship digital SLR camera is equipped with a new Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor (36.0 × 23.9 mm) and EXPEED 3, the latest image-processing engine specifically optimized for digital SLR cameras.

Designed with versatility and functionality that offers superior image quality rich in detail along with excellent high-speed performance.

The Nikon D4 has an effective pixel count of 16.2-million pixels, and offers superior image quality under a broad range of lighting conditions with its image sensor supporting an incredible range of sensitivities from ISO 50 to ISO 204800.

  • New Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor.
  • Support for an huge range of sensitivities, from ISO 50 to ISO 204,800.
  • New EXPEED 3 image-processing engine with superior, high-speed processing capabilities.
  • 91K-pixel RGB sensor for the more accurate Advanced Scene Recognition System.
  • Faster and more accurate AF with 51 focus points.
  • Multi-area Mode Full HD D-movie with three image area options.
  • Smooth workflow from initial setup to image transfer.
  • The new compact Wireless Transmitter WT-5 with simple connection to the camera (available separately).
  • Capture NX 2 Ver. 2.3 for significantly faster processing.

Nikon D800

S$4,488

Nikon D800 DSLR, S$4,488

The D800 is Nikon’s newest FX-format DSLR.

Its huge 36.3 megapixels and the powerful new EXPEED 3 image processing engine offers imaging potential that rivals some of the best studio cameras.

If your workflow demands broadcast quality video with high-fidelity audio recording, D-Movie will satisfy even your most demanding needs.

The D800 shoots 1080p Full HD in both FX and DX based formats, offering cinematographers newfound versatility.

  • 36.3 Megapixels.
  • ISO range of ISO 100 to 6,400, expandable to ISO 50 to 25,600.
  • Optical low-pass filter optimized for sharpness.
  • New image-processing engine EXPEED 3.
  • Newly developed 91K-pixel RGB sensor.
  • Approx. 921k-dot, 3.2-in. LCD monitor.
  • Dual card slots for a CF card and SD memory card.
  • High-speed data transfer with USB 3.0 supported.
  • Full HD video quality (1920 x 1080/30p).
  • High-fidelity audio recording control.