Hardware
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Samsung Announces Mass Production of Industry’s First Mobile Image Sensor with 1.0μm Pixels
As mobile devices get thinner, the components inside them must scale down, too. Samsung’s latest chip, the 1.0μm-pixel-based 16 megapixel (MP) CMOS image sensor, did exactly that. It brings high resolution imaging to one of the slimmest smartphones in the market. Image sensors hold an array of pixels, or pockets that collect light particles called photons. Better the image sensor, the more light it accurately captures through its pixels, which it then converts into electrical signals. Therefore, more pixels that are larger in size allow for better picture quality. Slimmer devices have less space for interior components, so pixels get smaller as well, making the absorption of photons much more…
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Moto X Style Smartphone Review – Kevin Carter
Kevin Carter our Head of Technical Hardware as well as the Lead Technical Editor for DxOMark (the reference for image quality) and the British Journal of Photography among others, recently tested the hot new Moto X Style smartphone. Kevin explains “In our industry standard tests the Moto X Style attained high scores across many of the categories and is a well-balanced performer overall. Scores for Exposure and contrast and Color are on a par with the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and iPhone 6 Plus and remained competitive for Autofocus, Texture (detail), and for control of Noise and Artifacts”. Take a look at the DxO link here for Kevin’s review and…
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Sony Xperia Z3 DxO Review – Kevin Carter
Kevin Carter our Head of Technical Hardware as well as the Lead Technical Editor for DxOMark and the British Journal of Photography among others, recently as tested Sony’s Xperia Z3 smartphone. Kevin explains “With an over DxOMobile score of 82 points, the Xperia Z3+ shows some slight improvement in image quality over its predecessors the Z3 and Z2, which both achieved the same score of 79 points. However, while the improvement isn’t huge exactly, it is good enough to place the flagship Z3+ in the Top 3 — in joint third place next to the latest iteration of Apple’s smartphone, the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Take a look at…
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Mobile Camera Lens Manufacturer – Moment – Launches New Macro Lens
Moment are becoming a very popular lens manufacturer for mobile photography. Last year they released two mobile lenses, an 18 mm wide-angle and also a 70 mm telephoto. At the beginning of this year Moment started production of their new ‘Moment Case’ for the iPhone 6. It includes lens mount, shutter button and ‘smart’ camera strap and is available to order here. The latest news from the Moment camp is a brand new Macro lens. It features a 10x magnification at a 25 mm focal distance. It also comes complete with a custom diffuser hood, to reduce shadows and maximise ambient light. The new Macro lens from Moment will be…
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DxO introduces revolutionary DSLR-quality camera that attaches directly to the iPhone®
This is interesting, I’ve known about it for a little while as I’m fortunate to have some ‘connections’ (my husband is one of the technical consultants) for DxO; a world leader in digital imaging technologies. They have introduced the DxO ONE, a revolutionary camera that delivers DSLR image quality in an extremely compact size. At 3.8 oz (108 g) and 2.65” (6.9 cm) tall, the DxO ONE is so small that it easily fits in a pocket, yet it features an ultra-high quality f/1.8, 32mm equivalent aspherical lens with a variable 6-blade iris and a 1-inch 20.2MP CMOS BSI sensor capable of capturing high-resolution images even in very low light.…
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Apple Introduces 15-inch MacBook Pro with Force Touch Trackpad & New $1,999/£1,599 iMac with Retina 5K Display
Apple today updated the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display with the new Force Touch trackpad, faster flash storage, longer battery life and faster discrete graphics, delivering even more performance and capabilities to the MacBook Pro line. Apple also today introduced a new $1,999/£1,599 configuration of the 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display featuring a breathtaking 14.7 million pixel display, quad-core processors and AMD graphics, and lowered the price of the top-end iMac with Retina 5K display to $1,999/£1,849. “The response to the new MacBook and updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display has been amazing, and today we are thrilled to bring the new Force Touch trackpad, faster flash…
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New iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus Olloclip Case
Olloclip have announced the brand new OLLOCASE for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, we have all been looking forward to its arrival. OLLOCASE is designed to work seamlessly with olloclip lens systems by simply attaching the lens to the top of the device. Pure protection with no moving parts or need to remove your case. Features: “olloclip-ready” for use with olloclip lens systems Rubberized bumpers for complete control Sturdy scratch-resistant back for added protection Raised bezel keeps the screen from contacting flat surfaces It is possible (unlike the previous versions) to purchase this case independently from a lens, if you already have one. The pre-order price for the OLLOCASE…
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iPad Mini Nodus Case – Hot Buy! – TheAppWhisperer
I’m excited, a few days ago I took delivery of a brand spanking new iPad Mini, of course it’s oozing gorgeousness, you know that. But I wanted to protect it, my life is busy, I wanted something that would look good, serve a purpose and prove functional. I think I’ve found it with the Nodus Access Case. The device is held within the case with ‘microsuction material’ and it holds it well and is easily removable too. The case protects both the rear and the beautiful retina screen too. There’s an opening on the rear of the case for the iPad Mini lens, so you can shoot images without removing…
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Congratulations To Moment Case – Funded with $693,435 KickStarter Campaign
Moment lenses have proved to be very popular for mobile photographers, last year their campaign was funded and the manufacturers have just closed their latest KickStarter Campaign for the Moment Case ‘that turns your iPhone 6 into an even better camera, with a shutter button, lens and strap attachment’ for a huge $693,435 – the pledged goal was $100,000! Wonderful achievement, to read more about that, please go here.
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ExoLens – Professional Photography System for iPhone 6
I am very interested in this new professional lens system which comprises of two lenses – a 3x telephoto lens and a 165 degree wide angle lens – each screw into a machined aluminium bracket that literally slides onto your iPhone. Each bracket supports tripod mounts and selfie sticks/monopods with a 1/4″ -20 tripod mount. Each kit is also supplied with lens caps, lens hood for the telephoto lens and a microfibre cleaning and carrying pouch. I have not tested this product as yet and therefore cannot vouch for the optical quality but I hope to do so soon. ‘ExoLens was born out of many years of lens and housing…
