Interesting links from the past week
What you may have missed this week:
- Digital Holga prototype. Why not?
- Did you notice this? The uneventful announcement of the Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR point and shoot camera brought us a new Hybrid Auto Focus System - first in the world:
"Enhanced with built-in phase detection pixels, Super CCD EXR is the first sensor in the world with both contrast and phase detection auto focus. F300EXR harnesses this power with an innovative hybrid AF system that intelligently selects between the two focus systems. In most scenes and especially dark scenes, conventional Contrast AF captures beautiful results, but struggles to find a focus when shooting high-contrast subjects or with a long zoom. Only F300EXR with Hybrid Auto Focus can instantly switch to the speed and accuracy of Phase Detection AF for these scenes. Even at maximum 15x zoom when subject is moving and the moment is fleeting, you won't miss the shot!
Phase detection sensor pairs on the EXR sensor work like the sensors of a DSLR. Unlike slower Contrast AF which continually adjusts until maximum contrast is detected. Phase Detection AF divides incoming light into image pairs, performs a single calculation of the phase difference to determine the precise direction and amount of focus adjustment achieving an incredible auto focus detection speed of 0.158* seconds."
- Samsung will launch new unbreakable AMOLED plastic panels within 2 years. Mainly targeted for the cell phone industry, but could make its way into digital cameras.
- CreativeMayhem talks about a new Canon G12 being scheduled for a September announcement (before Photokina). G11 as announced in August 2009, G10 was announced in September 2008... you see the pattern.
- 4D Dynamics releases a $2000 pico-projector based 3D scanner - the idea is that you can take photos around an object and the additional software turns it into a 3D model:
- Rumors that Pentax may join m4/3 with a new camera and 3 lenses are still spreading around. If this happens, there should be some kind of announcement at Photokina.