Gadgets Gizmos Gossip

Panasonic are going to create a 3D lens for digital cameras based on the micro four thirds format. This is a format developed jointly by Panasonic and Olympus used in micro system cameras. These cameras are also known as hybrid cameras and even compact digital SLR cameras by some. Although the last variation is not technically correct, as a digital SLR has a classic mirrored view finder where as a micro system camera does not.

The aim is to have the lens ready for distribution to the public by the end of this year. The lens will work by recording two image paths, which it will then project on to the left and right of the cameras sensor. These separate images will then be combined later to create the 3D effect.

You can display these images using 3D compatible devices, such as 3D televisions that Panasonic also produce. After making some impressive progress into the 3D market following the release of other 3D devices Panasonic expects the trend to continue. Having already done well with their VIERA 3D televisions and 3D Blu-ray players Panasonic see’s the manufacture of devices that can record in 3D as the next step.

Of course many of the latest movies are available in 3D such as the hugely successful Avatar and Toy’s Story 3. With the demand for 3D so high Panasonic are hoping that they will become the forerunner in 3D technology. Whether this transpires remains to be seen but for now Panasonic seem to be making all the right moves.

This is a list of some of the main terms for using a digital camera

• Pixels: Are the smallest piece of information that make up an image. Pixels are tiny and one dot on an image is made up of many pixels. Each pixel can be represented by a different colour and can have three or four component colours.
• Megapixels: A megapixel is 1 million pixels, and is a measurement of digital photo quality. A 1600×1200 pixel image size is a common size and is said to have “1.9 megapixels” (1600×1200 = 1,920,000)
• A 5 Megapixel digital camera: A camera capable of shooting an image measuring five million pixels in size.
• Pixel Count: The number of pixels that make up an image is called the pixel count. The more pixels you have in an image the better the image will look.
• PPI: Or pixels per inch”, is a term used to describe an element in picture quality. It indicates a set amount of pixels in a specific area to be printed. The picture will appear better to the human eye the higher the number of pixels are displayed per inch.
• Aperture: The aperture ensures proper exposure to light with your camera. This opening behind the lens permits light to travel to the digital camera’s interior where the sensor is located.
• Digital Camera Memory: Digital images or photographs are stored in a location called memory. Built into your camera for the purpose of storing images this electronic storage space is in the form of SmartMedia Cards, XD Cards, Secure Digital Cards, Compact Flash Cards. Digital camera memory varies in size form 64 MB to 1 GB and above.
• Digital zoom: Is obtained by focusing in on a portion of an image and enlarging it with a decrease in a cameras apparent angle of view. Although it results in a loss of picture quality it is a way the digital camera can zoom in using electronics and no physical adjustment.
• Optical Zoom: Is the ability of a lens to change its focal length and enlarge a view it is the opposite of Digital zoom in that it uses the physical properties of lens assemblies. It does not alter the quality of the recorded digital image and is a better option than digital zoom.
• JPEG: is a file format used to assign and store colour patterns to a group of pixels. To reduce the picture size this ratio was fixed by the Joint Photo Experts Group. The degree of compression can be adjusted however, the higher you compression your image will result in a larger loss of picture quality.
• TIFF: An uncompressed image storage file format. An acronym for “Tagged Image File Format”. TIFF does not have a loss of information but has a downside of having very large file sizes.
• Digital Camera Sensor: Converts light into a digital electrical signal which then produces your image for printing or viewing. Within a digital camera it performs the role of a “re-useable negative”.
• Shutter Speed: The common term for exposure time is the duration which the camera’s aperture is opened allowing into your camera. Longer shutter speeds leave the aperture open longer, letting more light in and resulting in more exposure.
• White Balance: In a digital camera is simply a way to correct all the colours in your image to take account of the light they were shot in. Various reasons contribute to the intensity of light. However modern digital cameras usually have preset values you can
• Switch on to compensate for the different light intensities which then calculate all other colours based upon this setting.
• RAW/NEF: Is the uncompressed image as shot by a digital camera before processing. Sometimes called digital negatives Raw image files were invented by Canon while NEF came from Nikon.

Admittedly, appearance should be one of the last factors considered by prospective camera buyers but there is no doubt that the Canon 870 is a fairly attractive piece of technical equipment. Also available is the “gold” finished version, which looks almost like a piece of jewellery. In terms of size, it’s about the same as a pack of playing cards, which means it fits easily into a pocket or handbag.

The Canon Ixus 870 is more than just a good looking digital camera, it packs serious photographic technology. The lens is the equivalent of a 28 millimetre-112 millimetre, which provides a much wider angle of view than most of its competitors. Canon’s image-stabilization technology was once only seen only on high-end models. Now also a feature of the Canon Ixus 870 IS, his means that with a bit of effort you can produce acceptably sharp images without a tripod down to about 1/25 of a second.

Automatic face detection is also an added feature of the Canon Ixus 870 IS. This works well and also is able to detect faces in partial profile. A face self-timer function, although a bit gimmicky waits until you join the group before taking the photo. It has 19 scene modes as well as a handy macro setting and a 30fps VGA movie mode.

The Canon Ixus 870 IS boasts Canon’s DIGIC 4 processing technology that promises less noise at higher ISO settings but still there is much noise at 1600 ISO which is not-bad considering the class of camera.

Take fabulous shots of majestic landscapes and awesome group shots with the Canon Ixus 870 IS and it’s 28mm wide-angle lens. Viewing your favorite photos has never been so good with the awesome 3.0 inch PureColor LCD screen.

It’s not a “serious” Canon Digital camera in the usual sense and no one is going to mistake the Canon 870 for one. There is no manual mode and no optical viewfinder for example. But no biggie if all you want are fabulous photos, then this camera won’t disappoint.