Archive for August 23rd, 2012

Samsung EX2F: launch and promotional offer

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

The regional launch event of the Samsung EX2F compact camera was held in Singapore tonight. The camera is now available for S$699. Promotions till 16 September within.

Regional launch of the Samsung EX2F compact camera in Singapore.

Regional launch of the Samsung EX2F compact camera in Singapore.

The launch event was held in 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road in Singapore with some 60 attendees from Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

Attendees had a chance to try out the camera for low-light night photography in a boat ride from Clarke Quay down the Singapore River and back.

The Samsung EX2F has a maximum aperture of F/1.4 at its widest angle of 24mm (35mm equivalent).

The 12-megapixel camera is Wi-Fi capable and has an optical zoom of approximately 3.3, with maximum zoom at 80mm.

I tried out the camera during the boat ride and found it offers the whole range of manual controls that you get with DSLRs.

From the short span of time that we had to play with the camera, we found the camera focuses reasonably fast and was able to take photos at relatively low light conditions, because of the bright F/1.4 lens.

It also has a full-swivel AMOLED screen for snapping photos at awkward angles.

You can read more about the Samsung EX2F and its technical specifications here.

Nikon launches 6 new cameras in Singapore

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

Nikon spearheaded its Autumn 2012 collection of cameras with 6 new cameras, 1 lens and 1 waterproof casing. Among these cameras are the super compact S01 and the Android-equipped S800c.

All will be available in September. Prices TBA.

Update (4 September, 2012):

The COOLPIX L610 is now available in Singapore at S$339.

Nikon launched 6 new cameras and accessories in Singapore to spearhead its Autumn 2012 collection.

Nikon launched 6 new cameras and accessories in Singapore to spearhead its Autumn 2012 collection.

Most camera launches roll out more of the same, with slight improvements in features or specifications.

The Nikon P7700 is the new flagship of the COOLPIX lineup. 12.2MP, 7.1x Zoom, f/2.0-4.0 lens.

The Nikon P7700 is the new flagship of the COOLPIX lineup. 12.2MP, 7.1x Zoom, f/2.0-4.0 lens.

So its most refreshing to see Nikon trying to innovate by launching cameras that genuinely push the boundaries.

My favourite among the slew of cameras launched in Singapore today is the S01.

You’ve got to see it to believe it and you’ve got to handle it to appreciate it.

The S01 is smaller than a credit card!

It’s thicker than the card of course, but it’s like one of those charms people dangle from their keychains, although I wouldn’t want the camera slamming against the dashboard as I drive.

And people with big hands might not appreciate the compactness as much.

The Nikon COOLPIX S01 is smaller than a credit card. 10.1MP, 3x Zoom, 77 x 51.2 x 17.2mm

The Nikon COOLPIX S01 is smaller than a credit card. 10.1MP, 3x Zoom, 77 x 51.2 x 17.2mm

It’s a bold step for Nikon to take – pushing the limits of camera miniaturisation.

Nikon COOLPIX L610 has 16MP and 14x Zoom.

Nikon COOLPIX L610 has 16MP and 14x Zoom.

I’m sure smartphone makers would be very keen to adopt some of the technologies developed to make their smartphone cameras perform even better.

Already, these camera phones are encroaching into the market share of compact cameras with the only difference being image quality, which is made up for by the convenience of having the smartphone camera being available and handy at all times.

I won’t be surprised if some of Nikon’s sub-contractors are already talking to smartphone makers on possible collaborations.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Nikon COOLPIX S800c runs Android 2.3 and has Wi-Fi connectivity.

On the same front, Nikon is hitting back at the smartphone camera sector with the S800c – a compact camera with an Android OS (2.3) and Wi-Fi connectivity.

So you can use photo-editing apps (such as Photoshop, Instagram and PicsArt) from the Google Play store to edit photos taken with the camera, and share it online on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.

You can also use any of the other 500,000 apps on the Google Play for gaming or other purposes.

The Nikon COOLPIX S6400 has 16MP and 12x Zoom

The Nikon COOLPIX S6400 has 16MP and 12x Zoom

What the S800c doesn’t have yet is 3G connectivity, to give it 3G data connectivity in case there’s no Wi-Fi connectivity.

Who knows, you might even see a Nikon camera-phone (in that order) in the future!

The other products launched today are more run-of-the-mill cameras and accessories.

These include three new compacts from the COOLPIX family: COOLPIX P7700, L610, and S6400.

The Nikon 1 J1 MIL camera has been upgraded to the J2, with new Creative Modes, a new 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5/5.6 lens, and an Underwater Case.

The Nikon 1 J1 MIL camera has been upgraded to the J2, with new Creative Modes, a new 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5/5.6 lens, and an Underwater Case.

For its mirrorless interchangeable lens line, Nikon has launched the Nikon 1 J2, 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm F/3.5-5.6 lens, and the Nikon 1 water proof case.

I’ll be posting more details of each camera so you can check the tech specs in those articles.

TomTom updates its Navigation app for iPhone and iPad

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

TomTom has launched a new version (v1.11) of its Navigation app for iPhone and iPad. Users will be able to navigate to addresses found on the Internet, search with foursquare, and get the very latest TomTom maps.

Customers with an older version of the app can download it for free. For new customers, the app can be purchased for US$49.99 at the Apple App Store.

TomTom Navigation app for iPhone/iPad v1.11

TomTom Navigation app for iPhone/iPad v1.11

Drivers can now quickly and easily navigate to places they’ve found on websites and other apps by copying an address and pasting it into their TomTom Navigation app.

There’s no need to type as the app will automatically work out the destination and direct them straight there.

While v1.10 integrated Facebook with the app, v1.11 adds foursquare.

After linking foursquare to the TomTom app, users can search and navigate to their favourite foursquare places, checking in to collect points on arrival.