Weather and water-proof cameras come with many features

Hi folks, here are more details on this morning's GlobalTV Morning News live tech visit, showing water-proof consumer cameras…and a quick look at the largest TELUS smartphone screen model, just in.

Watch video:

http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/video/index.html?releasePID=Ve9HOB1820jUGy2wa4WlrzS3u2aJlAyr

BEST ALL-ROUND CAMERA, LOADED WITH FEATURES AND QUALITY

The 16.2 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot TX10, $359.99 gives you many bangs for your top dollar. It’s the smallest water proof camera in this grouping and produces the highest quality stills and videos with right up to Blu-ray quality. It’s waterproof to 5 meters, handles Canada’s weather from -8 to 40C, has very effective anti-motion blur, backlight correction HDR (takes and blends three separate frames), HDMI out, 10 FPS still frame sequence at full picture quality, mechanical shutter for less distortion, 25 mm equiv, wide angle lens, 4X zoom, 3D Still image and Panorama sweep, shock proof, dust proof, background defocus and sharpest 3-inch touch screen.  

For more information go to: http://www.sonystyle.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=20153&catalogId=100803&langId=200&productId=8198552921666296198

BEST AFFORDABLE DO-IT-ALL AND FAST SOCIAL NET FEEDS

Kodak’s Play Sport, Zx5, $179.95, is water poof to 3 meters, drop proof to 1.5 metres, features Kodak Share (auto shares to several social networks like FaceBook and Twitter when connected to your PC,) has top TV HD quality 1080P or 720p with slow motion, a 5-megapixel camera, onboard trim and video joining editing, and surprise…even comes with its own HDMI cable!

For more information go to: http://store.kodak.ca/store/ekconsus/en_CA/pd/PLAYSPORT_Video_Camera__Zx5/productID.221644700

BEST FOR ABUSE AND DEEP WATER DIVING

The Olympus Stylus Tough 8010, $350, 5X zoom 14 megapixel is by far the toughest all-weather camera that will take the most abuse.  It ‘s waterproof down to 10 meters, can take a two-metre drop, can be stepped on (220lbs) works from -10 to 40c, HDMI out, HDSC card capability and more.

For more information go to: http://www.olympuscanada.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1497

BEST FOR UNDERWATER SHOOTING FROM ANY ANGLE

Sanyo’s  Xacti CA9, $299.97 is an all round good quality “dual camera” water-proof camera with HD 720p 30 FPS video. It’s main advantage over fancier multi-featured top category contenders is the full swing-out 2.5 inch screen, for best self-still shots and videos…you see exactly what you are doing. It’s good to 1.5 meters, strictly for snorkelling, features a 5x optical zoom, still image shooting while video recording and photo and video stabilizer. Its downside is no direct HDMI-out, requiring the extra step of getting videos on your HDMI TV, such as a USB stick.

For more information go to:  http://ca.sanyo.com/Dual-Cameras/VPC-CA9-Waterproof-HD-Digital-Video-720p-30fps-

EASIEST TO USE FOR MUST-GRAB VIDEO MOMENTS

The Flip Ultra HD 8 GB, $209.99 (third generation) has much-improved 720p video quality for two hours and a sharp but small screen. It’s the simplest of this grouping to use with few choice settings and just three buttons…great for grab and record "non-techie" folks. The flip-out USB connects it directly to a PC from which the included built-in software does many things, including capruting still frames, after the fact, with unfortunately poor quality. In all its simplicity, this is a shoot-and-run camcorder that’s easy to use. This model is upgrade-capable and becomes a 10 meter underwater camera with a special case, $60.

For more information go to: http://store.theflip.com/en-ca/products/UltraHD8GB2HR.aspx

SUPER-SIZE SCREEN SMARTPHONE IN CANADA

Say hello to the newest member of the TELUS smartphone arsenal: The HTC Desire HD with a huge 4.3-inch screen. Is it a mini-pad or a super-phone? You decide!

http://www.telusmobility.com/en/AB/htc_desire_hd/index.shtml?INTCMP=HomeILCdesireHD

Cya next week!