Size Does Matter: Why the Canon PowerShot S95 Is More Popular than the Panasonic Lumix LX5

These days it’s much easier to find digital SLR cameras for prices that won’t break the bank, but for plenty of people interested in purchasing a camera, the bulky size and heavy weight of an SLR is a major turn-off. Fortunately, there are compact, pocketable cameras available that offer real photographic controls and features. This year’s most popular pocket cameras are the Canon S95 and the Panasonic LX5, these rival cameras are battling it out again after the 2009-2010 year showdown between the Canon S90 and the Panasonic LX3 – with the LX3 taking the crown.

However, critics and consumers alike seem to be flaunting the Canon S95 as their champion for 2010-2011 year, which raises the question: Why have the tables turned, Why has the Canon PowerShot S95 taken the lead in sales against the Panasonic Lumix LX5?

 It may be the S95’s giant sensor, a.59 inch diagonal sensor, 88 percent larger than most pocket cameras paired with its amazingly fast f/2.0 lens which allows more light in. Face it, the reason many end up breaking down and purchasing a DSLR despite its obtrusive weight and size is for its large light sensor that allows for sharp shots in low-light situations without having to use the flash. The S95 sensor and lens make this possible.

And yet, similarly, the LX5 also offers similar features that can produce brilliant, sharp shots in low-light places as well. Additionally, the LX5 lens even offers more favorable qualities when compared to S95 lens because it is both faster and wider than the latter.

So this still raises our question: Why the S95 over the LX5 if both pocketable cameras can offer similar picture quality results especially when taken in low-light situations? It looks like it could boil down to the physical. And it appears that most find the physical qualities of the S95 more desirable than the LX5. 

This goes back to the reason many people avoid the DSLR camera: the size and weight. The S95 is both smaller and lighter than the LX5. Additionally, the LX5 has a detached lens cap, a fussy feature that most don’t have time for.

Since Jan. 2011, prices for the Panasonic LX5 have dropped about 20% since the cameras release, however, prices for the more popular Canon S95 have remained at either retail price or above retail price since its release.

Get the Canon PowerShot S95 Digital Camera >>>>

Get the Panasonic Lumix LX5 Digital Camera >>>>

Written by Allie Dee.

"Your spot for digital servings made fresh daily!"

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS10 & ZS8 Digital Cameras: Not Your Ordinary Compact Superzooms

Standing out amongst the rest of the compact superzoom cameras is no easy task, but Panasonic has accomplished this by releasing the DMC-ZS10 and the DMCZS8. These digital cameras are packed with the robust features you wouldn’t expect a regular point and shoot camera to have. 

The ZS10 zoom ranges to a powerful 16x paired with a 24mm-equivalent wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with nano coating to reduce ghosting and flare. The touch-screen, 3.0 inch, 460K-dot LCD with a 14 MP MOS sensor and a Venus Engine FHD processor allows high-speed burst shooting to create beautiful, high resolution photos and full HD video recording. 

The high-speed shooting allows you to produce 3D photos by it firing off 20 shots and then using the best two for overlaying to create a 3D MPO file. This 3D photo can be played back on 3D capable TVS, computers, and photo frames.

 

Another exclusive feature includes the Image Uploader function which allows images and videos to be easily shared via Facebook and Youtube by allowing you to tag photos or videos on the camera itself. 

If you want a more tone downed version of the ZS10, then the ZS8 may be right for you instead. 

The DMC-ZS8 comes with a regular 14-megapixel CCD, 3-inch 230K-dot resolution LCD with 720p movie capture capability. However, you won’t find features like touch-screen, Image Uploader and the high-speed shooting functions that come with the ZS10. But don’t worry, the ZS8 comes with the same incredible lens as the ZS10. 

Both models are expected to be available by March 2011.

Featured New Release: Olympus PEN E-PL2 Digital Camera

 

Olympus starts the New Year off right by creating a variety of fresh & new digital cameras that are both easy to use but also come equipped with some high-grade features as well. 

The PEN E-PL2 digital camera, one of the models introduced, was just released this month.

E-PL2: White, Black, Red, Silver

The PEN E-PL2 continues the PEN family’s legacy of a small, light and simple design. The E-PL2 comes in 4 different colors: red, white, black and silver, but currently only the black and silver versions are available for purchase online.

Click here for the PEN E-PL2 >>>

The E-PL2 in white and red are also available to purchase but exclusively in Midtown, Manhattan at our H AND B DIGITAL showroom location. 

Please feel free to call for more information:

(212) 354-1341

Ideas For Life: Panasonic DMC-GF2 Accessories Available Before Cameras Release

Good news camera lovers! Panasonic is back on the right track with their new LUMIX DMC-GF2 digital SLR camera. In the past, such as with the release of the GH2, buyers and sellers alike anxiously waited months after the cameras release before Panasonic released the GH2 compatible accessories. Fortunately, this time around, Panasonic has released the GF2 accessories prior to the release of the GF2 camera. Hopefully the trend will continue with their LUMIX point and shoot camera underwater cases as well. 

DMC-GH2

Normally, customers have to wait almost 6 months after a cameras release before Panasonic ships the underwater cases, but hopefully this season they will ship the accessories and cases at the same time as they ship the camera.

Click here for the DMC-GF2 accessories >>>

The Worlds Best Travel Buddy: The Garmin Nuvi 2360LT GPS Navigation System

The New Garmin Nuvi 2360LT GPS Navigation System is a hot item that has not been released to the public yet but many tech-savvy people are looking forward to it. This is because of all the exciting features packed into one GPS. The new Garmin 2360LT GPS Navigation System is available for pre-order and will be shipped by Jan. 25^th. 2011. >>>

Why Garmin Nuvi 2360LT makes a perfect travel companion:

• Full Control – Nuvi not only tells you where to turn when navigating to your destination but listens to YOUR spoken commands as well. With your customizable voice command, you can speak an address to start navigating while driving, never having to take your hands off the wheel.

• Faster, Traffic-Free Traveling – Equipped with nuRoute technology that has both trafficTrends historical traffic & myTrends predictive routing, Nuvi can actually learn your specific travel patterns & everyday patterns outside of your control. For example, TrafficTrends automatically learns daytime trends for traffic flow to improve your routes and better predict your estimated time of arrival based on time of day and day of week. With myTrends, when you save your regular destinations, Nuvi will, over time, begin to figure out where you’re going even without you telling it! In addition, Nuvi provides time of arrival and relevant traffic information.

• Free Traffic Updates for Life - Receive alerts about traffic delays and road construction ahead of time while on route. If there are problems ahead, simply touch Nuvi’s screen to view traffic details or detour around the problem area.

• Built-in BlueTooth Wireless Technology – Paired with your compatible Bluetooth phone, dial numbers with Nuvi’s touchscreen keypad to make a call. To answer calls, just tap the screen and speak into its built-in microphone. Enjoy convenient one-touch dialing for contacts and points of interest.

• Save Money on Fuel – Equipped with EcoRoute — a green feature that calculates a more fuel-efficient route, tracks fuel usage and more, you have a “less fuel” option as a routing preference. When selected, Nuvi will determine if a more fuel efficient route exists based upon road speed data and vehicle acceleration data for a given route.

• On Your Feet Navigation – Nuvi’s dual-orientation display and compass help you navigate on foot. Download optional cityXplorer content to help you navigate city public transit. Know where to walk, where to catch the bus, subway, train or other transportation and how long it will take to get there.

• Good Looking – Nuvi’s widescreen & sunlight-readable display allows you to view map detail, driving directions, photos and more in bright, brilliant color from any direction.

• MORE Great Features - Nuvi 2360LT also comes with many travel tools, including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter and a calculator. With photo navigation, you can download pictures from Garmin Connect Photos and navigate to them. With the "Where Am I?" emergency locator, you always know your location. Access your exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and fuel stations. Nuvi features Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and is compatible with our free Garmin Garage where you can download custom voices and vehicles. Enhance your travel experience with optional plug-in microSD cards.

Pre-Order Your Garmin 2360LT GPS Navigation System Now >>>

The DMW-BLC12 Battery Pack for Panasonic LUMIX GH2 Digital Camera

H AND B DIGITAL carries the hard to find Panasonic DMW-BLC12 Battery Pack for the Panasonic LUMIX DMW-GH2 Digital Camera.

Get Yours >>>

Daily Serving of Unique Cameras: The Lomography Oktomat

The Oktomat is a super cute35mm camera made for the spontaneous photographer who loves capturing outdoor, action shots and whose style embodies a simple yet experimental approach. With this camera, telling a story through a photograph is made simple and sometimes you don’t even know the story that will unfold until the photo develops.

The Lomography Oktomat takes 8 mini pictures of your subject in serial succession which will appear all on the same photo when you click the button. What happens is each mini lens fires slightly after the previous lens closes, taking roughly a total of 2 seconds to capture images. This gives the photograph an abstract/pop-art feel to it, like an Andy Warhol painting or a short comic book.

Be sure to use this outside during the day or anywhere with good lighting because there is no flash.

Overview:

• Plastic

• Wipe clean

• Imported

• Includes instructions, camera and wrist strap

• 1 year limited manufacturer's warranty

• 4.25"w, 1.5"d, 3"h

Please be sure to check my blog regularly for a new serving of unique cameras. Made fresh daily!

- Allie D

H and B Digital