The rumors of the compact cameras death have apparently been greatly exagerated.
Sony announced today, the new line-up of compact cameras, with something for everyone, in most price ranges.

The sweep panoramic feature, which had been featured in parts of the.line, now becomes standard.HOnestly we use it all the time, (as well as the iPhone5 similar function)

The super zoom in the line -up, the H200 with 26x optical zoom (22.3-580mm), will set you back about $250, and the video is only 720P.
If you go by specs alone, the $200 W730 seems to be the star of the bunch, with a CMOS sensor, full HD 1980×1080/60i video, respectable 8x optical zoom (25-200mm equivalent), and built in wi-fi.
And for the outdoorsy-wet types , they’ve intro’d the TF1, for about $200.

There is an improved flash for a longer throw and built in post editing features like beauty skin, and teeth whitener. Sorry, a 3in. monitor is not the size we like to adjust photos.

But you can start at $99.!

Cyber-shot W710 Digital Camera
Available in silver, pink and black for about $99
• 16.1 MP Super HAD CCD sensor with 5x optical zoom (28-140mm)
• Large physical controls and buttons for straightforward, hassle-free shooting
• HD movie (720p) shooting capabilities with Optical SteadyShot™
• 360 Sweep Panorama mode for stunning panoramic photos
• Advanced Flash performance for expanded range and brightness
• New Beauty Effect offer a variety of post-shooting editing solutions

Cyber-shot WX80 Digital Camera
Available in red, black and white for about $199
• 16.2 MP Exmor R CMOS sensor with 8x optical (25-200mm) / 16x Clear Image Zoom
• Built-in Wi-Fi capabilities for easy content sharing via Sony PlayMemories™ Mobile app
• Enhanced Optical SteadyShot™ for still shooting
• Full HD movie (1920×1080/60i) shooting with Optical SteadyShot™ Active Mode
• Improved Superior Auto mode with expanded scene recognition
• Up to 10fps burst shooting capability
• New 360 Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode for stunning panoramic photos
• Advanced Flash performance for expanded range and brightness
• New Beauty Effect offer a variety of post-shooting editing solutions

Cyber-shot W730 Digital Camera
Available in silver, pink and blue for about $139
• 16.1 MP Super HAD CCD sensor with 8x optical zoom (25-200mm)
• HD movie (720p) shooting capabilities with Optical SteadyShot™ Active Mode
• 360 Sweep Panorama mode for stunning panoramic photos
• Advanced Flash performance for expanded range and brightness
• New Beauty Effect offer a variety of post-shooting editing solutions

Cyber-shot TF1 Digital Camera
Available in black, orange and pink for about $199
• 16.1 MP Super HAD CCD sensor with 4x optical zoom (25-100mm)
• Waterproof (up to 10m or 33 feet), dustproof, shockproof and freeze proof
• Large buttons and camera grip and auto screen brightness simplify operation during outdoor/underwater activities
• HD movie (720p) shooting capabilities with Optical SteadyShot™
• 360 Sweep Panorama mode for stunning panoramic photos
• Advanced Flash performance for expanded range and brightness
• New Beauty Effect offer a variety of post-shooting editing solutions

Cyber-shot H200 Digital Camera
Available in black for $249
• 20.1 MP Super HAD CCD sensor with 26x optical zoom (22.3-580mm)
• DSLR-style body and design and compatible with AA batteries for convenience
• HD movie (720p) shooting capabilities with Optical SteadyShot™
• 360 Sweep Panorama mode for stunning panoramic photos
• Advanced Flash performance for expanded range and brightness
• New Beauty Effect offer a variety of post-shooting editing solutions

Then we come to HandyCams:

get ready for built in projectors.

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Every year, Las Vegas hosts over 150,000 visitors to check out the latest in tech gear, content production techniques, and in more recent years, content delivery.
It’s called CES, or the Consumer Electronic Show.#CES2013
OK, photography has some of the coolest tech gear going, but there are tools that you may not always think about that help you do what do.
The hobbled PMA, also shows here, but it’s not like PhotoPlus and it’s a mixed bag.

Tonight was the first of the press events, where we get to preview some of the goods before hitting the Convention Center that holds the main event

With every new electronic device, you get power needs. Some pretty basic ones, in fact.
Need a smartphone to last more than 8 hours? yeah, you do.

One of our favorite companies, #MyCharge, has a new battery block complete with Apple®
Lightning connector,Micro-­‐USB cable and USB port on‐board, connectors to insure that you can power up any smartphone. The one we use now charges our phone 4x!
Grab this for your camera bag, for sure. myCharge Hub 3000 will retail for $79.99,myCharge Hub 6000 for $99.99 and myCharge Hub 9000 for $129.99. Hub 3000 and 6000 available April 2013;Hub 9000 available July 2013.

A new company has entered that power zone called #Nectar. Announced today, it sells for $300, and uses a $10. disposable power cartridge. They claim 2 weeks of power for an iPhone.Use any USB device. Would like to see how it really stacks up.
The round piece with the word “Nectar” is the disposable part.

If you’re not a power hog and can wait a bit for your juice, this solar panel from #GoalZero, folding folio, will power a device in a one -to-one ratio. In other words, if it takes 2 hours to charge your phone,

We’ve been coming here for a while, and one thing that’s great to see is a company grow. Like #Yurbuds, custom earbud forms that make sure you never lose your earbuds, no matter what activity you do.
Like this guy:

Here is a look at a new over-the-ear set, which has a companion set without the over the ear part. Frankly we prefer the non-over the ear.

Innovation counts for a lot at CES.
Just this morning, I was untangling, for the umpteenth time, my earbuds. The wires were tangled like crazy, and being the careful guy I am, took a bit of time to carefully unknot the wires.
Here’s a solution from #Feltaudio:
In one unit, these earbuds work like tape measure: you pull them out, they lock, then you release a button and they zip back into this neat case.
That’s not all: they are bluetooth, and while you charge your device, you can be listening to your tunes, using the special.
Now we haven’t listened to them on our music, but we will.And report back. Love a trick bit of kit, but it has to have the quality.


Dude, where’s my luggage?
Travel much? sometimes wonder if your bag will come through the rubber flaps or down the conveyor belt.Or if it’s even in the same city
Sure you have.
Here comes #TrakDot

This device uses cellular and connects to your phone. Turn on the battery operated device, connect to the coming App, and when you land, you know if your goods landed with you. Or maybe they detoured to Dallas. Well you’ll know that too, and can get the airline on the bloodhound trail.
For $50.00 and some minor activation fees, don’t you want one of these in your gear luggage, that you thought about the whole flight? yep.

Now these press events, are filled with finger food.Piles of shrimp, sliders, and sweets.
I could say that we keep it healthy, like with these little crudite servings.

But we don’t.

So we are trying out some of the latest health technology.

First up is a #FitBug, a small tracking device we just hook to the belt or keep in the pocket.
This time we will see how we are doing vs. the other journalists here.
I think if we walk the most, we win. Maybe.

More tomorrow. And we’ll do a full Flickr album of the entire event.

The holidays have now come, and although not completely gone, the gifting portion is over..
Still digging through the wrapping paper hoping that thing you wanted may have gotten caught in the fray?
Stiff upper lip. It’s time to fend yourself.

Here are some ideas:
Have a Sony NEX? This item from Fotodiox Pro, WonderBurst NEX Radio Flash Trigger
works like crazy, and easy on the wallet.

1 item we’ll be reviewing, and having a blast with: CamRanger – wireless tethering (yes, an Oxymoron) Connect the unit to your camera and control your camera with your iPad. More than that, see all of your images as you shoot on the iPad.

Settle in with a classic like Looking at Photographs

OR you can go through our gift lists and see what you’re needing/missing/desiring.

Gift List #1, Gift List #2, Gift List #3 (the toys), Gift List #4 (the big stuff), Gift List #5 (the software )

Tis the season to take pictures of the family and remember what precious faces and fun the little ones can be.
Getting their attention is Soooooo easy. Especially after all of the excitement, and sugar, and lights, and candy canes, and relatives, and gingerbread man.
Yep, it’s a bit of sensory overload, smoothed over with sugary goodness.

Photographers used to hold/shake a little stuffed animal above the lens or next to the lens, to get a varied eyeline. Or to get the baby to stop crying.

One handed photography or tripod based shooting was the norm. But with little ones scrambling around like crazy, tripods are tough and one handed shooting is, well, dubious at best.

Enter 2 products we saw at PhotoPlus Expo.

One, The Daisy Grip, is a nice compact solution, with a modular feel, you can have the unit hold a stuffed animal for you. Or an iPhone with their favorite movie, or reverse the iPhone camera so they can see themselves.
Daisy Details:

*an ultra-flexible hand utilizing 4 fingers that are easily bent, yet firmly maintain their grip
*holds a wide variety of toys, stuffed animals, finger & hand puppets
*holds iPhones®, iPods®, and other smartphones with or without a proective case
*hand measures 6″ wide x 4″ tall and rotates 360˚
*positioned on a 5.5″ articulating arm with a standard hot shoe adapter at the base
*holds objects up to 12 oz when stretched horizontally over a lens, or objects up to 2 lbs when *positioned vertically above a camera body
*attaches to an SLR’s hot shoe, to the side of an SLR when used with a DaisyGrip™ Bracket (sold separately), or to a tripod.
The DaisyGrip sells for about $59.00
For what it’s worth, it’s made in the USA and by some very nice folks. And if you need a custom rig, they will be there for ya.

Next up is ICandy
, a more rigid mount system, using a 1/4″-20 tripod screw mount for your camera, and placing the iPhone in front, and below the lens.
You can adjust the proximity of the camera body to the smartphone, and there are 2 mounts included depending on the height of the camera body.
Once again, load the smartphone with content, or just reveres the smartphones camera so people can see themselves.
Some folks think it can be used as a teleprompter, but the eyeline is off.
Perhaps if you need to refer to the script.
You can shoot video as you shoot, but don’t count on the audio. Every click will be recorded.

Both of these tools solve a problem, and do it well. If you photograph children, this looks like the perfect distraction to get them at ease.

Seems like you can still get them both in time for Christmas!

With a presence in the world of the photojournalist, street shooter, and travel photographer, the people at ThinkTankPhoto are taking a walk on the wilderness side of the world with a new line of bags dubbed “MindShift Gear”

Designed and refined by those who know, a ThinkTank trademark, they have thought of everything an outdoorsy shooter needs.
Even a 2 or 3 leader water container on board.
There was design in an earlier ThinkTank bag that is utilized to great advantage here.

Not available til March, but check out the Kickstarter for this pup.