Pink Digital Camera Guide

In our previous post we talked about new pink cameras from Canon, Casio, Fuji, GE and Kodak. Today, it’s Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Polaroid and Sony’s turn.

As we mentioned in our earlier post, there is really nothing mindblowingly new and amazing on the market, just upgrades and tweaks on previous models. The only camera that stands out from the rest is Sony’s bloggie.

On to the specs:

Three new Coolpix cameras: S570 in a shiny, bubblegum pink, S620 in a beautiful, muted dusty pink and S640 in “Precious Pink”.

Coolpix S570
12.0 megapixles, 5x optical zoom, 28-140mm, 2.7″ display, 16 scene modes, 4-way image stabilization, 47MB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, Smile Timer, Blink Proof and Blink Warning, Face Priority, Auto red-eye fix, Motion Detection, Skin Softening. Color: Pink. Power: Rechargeable EN-EL10 Li-ion battery. Weight: 4.2 oz. Size: 2.2 x 3.6 x 0.8″. MSRP: $179

Coolpix S620
12.2 megapixles, 4x optical zoom, 28-112mm, 2.7″ display, 16 scene modes, 4-way image stabilization, 45MB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, Smile Timer, Blink Proof, Face Priority, Auto red-eye fix, Motion Detection. Color: Dusty Pink. Power: Rechargeable EN-EL12 Li-ion battery. Weight: 4.2 oz. Size: 3.5 x 2.1 x 0.9″. MSRP: $269

Coolpix S640
12.2 megapixles, 5x optical zoom, 28-140mm, 2.7″ display, 16 scene modes, 4-way image stabilization, 45MB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, Smile Timer, Blink Proof and Blink Warning, Face Priority, Auto red-eye fix, Motion Detection, Skin Softening. Color: Precious Pink. Power: Rechargeable EN-EL12 Li-ion battery. Weight: 3.9 oz. Size: 2.2 x 3.6 x 0.8″. MSRP: $249

Olympus have a whole slew of new pink digital cameras, and most come with the fun “creative art filters” function, which lets you turn your photos into pop art, drawings, pinhole or fisheye pictures.

FE-4020
14.0 megapixles, 4x optical zoom, 26-105mm, 2.7″ display, 13 scene modes, digital image stabilization, 18MB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, Face detection. Color: Pink. Power: Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (LI-70B). Weight: 4.5 oz. Size: 3.7 x 2.2 x 0.9″. MSRP: $149

FE-4030
14.0 megapixles, 4x optical zoom, 26-105mm, 2.7″ display, 13 scene modes, digital image stabilization, 46MB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, Face detection. Color: Pink. Power: Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (LI-42B). Weight: 4.1 oz. Size: 3.6 x 2.2 x 0.9″. MSRP: $149

Stylus-5010
14.0 megapixles, 5x optical zoom, 26-130mm, 2.7″ display, 14 scene modes, dual image stabilization, 1GB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, in-camera panorama stitching. Color: Pink. Power: Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (LI-42B). Weight: 4.4 oz. Size: 3.7 x 2.2 x 0.8″. MSRP: $199

Stylus-7030
14.0 megapixles, 7x optical zoom, 28-196mm, 2.7″ display, 14 scene modes, dual image stabilization, 1GB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, face detection, in-camera panorama stitching. Color: Hot pink. Power: Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (LI-42B). Weight: 4.9 oz. Size: 3.7 x 2.2 x 1.0″. MSRP: $199

Stylus-7040
14.0 megapixles, 7x optical zoom, 28-196mm, 3.0″ display, 14 scene modes, dual image stabilization, 2GB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, face detection, in-camera panorama stitching. Color: Pale pink/Silver. Power: Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (LI-42B). Weight: 5.1 oz. Size: 3.7 x 2.2 x 1.0″. MSRP: $249

Stylus Tough-3000
12.0 megapixles, 3.6x optical zoom, 28-102mm, 2.7″ display, 15 scene modes, dual image stabilization, 1GB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, face detection, in-camera panorama stitching, waterproof (to 10ft), shockproof (up to 5-feet drops), freezeproof (to 14oF). Color: Fuchsia. Power: Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (LI-42B). Weight: 4.4 oz. Size: 3.8 x 2.6 x 0.9″. MSRP: $229

There is only one new pink camera from Panasonic, the vivid fuchsia-colored Lumix DMC-FP1P, expected to arrive in February 2010.

Lumix DMC-FP1P
12.1 megapixles, 4x optical zoom, 35-140mm, 2.7″ display, 6 scene modes, image stabilization, 40MB internal memory, SD/SDHC/SDXC compatible, face detection. Color: Pink. Power: Li-ion battery (3.7V, 695mAh). Weight: 4.2 oz. Size: 3.8 x 2.3 x 0.7″. MSRP: TBD

One new pink camera only, not much to talk about.

a540
5.0 megapixles, no optical zoom, 2.4″ display, 16MB internal memory, SD/SDHC compatible. Color: Pink. Power: 2 AAA batteries.. Weight: 3.2 oz. Size: 3.5 x 2.28 x 1.02″. MSRP: $70

Three new ones from Sony: The vivid pink W310, the classic pink W350 and the new and different bloggie.

Cybershot DSC-W310
12.1 megapixles, 4x optical zoom, 28-112mm, 2.7″ display, 8 scene modes, image stabilization, 6MB internal memory, Memory Stick Duo/ Memory Stick PRO Duo/ Memory Stick PRO HG-Duo/SD & SDHC compatible, face detection, smile shutter, in camera retouching. Color: Pink. Power: Li-ion N type 3.6V. Weight: 4.3 oz. Size: 3.8 x 2.25 x 0.75″. MSRP: $149

Cybershot DSC-W350
14.1 megapixles, 4x optical zoom, 26-105mm, 2.7″ display, 10 scene modes, image stabilization, 45MB internal memory, Memory Stick Duo/ Memory Stick PRO Duo/ Memory Stick PRO HG-Duo/SD & SDHC compatible, face detection, smile shutter, anti-blink function, motion detection, in camera retouching, photomusic, sweep panorama mode. Color: Pink. Power: Li-ion N type 3.6V. Weight: 3.5 oz. Size: 3.6 x 2.1 x 0.7″. MSRP: $199

bloggie MHS-PM5/V
5.0 megapixles, no optical zoom, 2.4″ display, image stabilization, 26MB internal memory, Memory Stick Duo/ Memory Stick PRO Duo/ Memory Stick PRO HG-Duo/SD & SDHC compatible, face detection, built-in USB arm, tripod mount, 270 degree rotating lens. Color: Pink. Power: InfoLITHIUM with AccuPower Meter System (NP-BK1). Weight: 3.9 oz. Size: 4.3 x 2.25x 0.75″. MSRP: $169

It’s time for our annual spring overview of what’s new on the market. Most manufacturers have at least a few new pink cameras in their lineup, but there is really nothing new and totally groundbreaking out there. Just updates and tweaks of last year’s models.

The one thing we’ve seen is that more and more cameras come with a 5x optical zoom, which is nice, you can never have too much zoom capability as far as we’re concerned. (The focal lenghts posted are the 35mm equivalents).

The only out of the ordinary product this spring is Sony’s bloggie (listed in part 2 of this mini-series), a camera/HD video camera with a 270 degree swivel lens, built-in USB arm and software that makes it super easy to upload your images and movies to your blog, YouTube, Shutterfly, Photobucket, etc.

It comes in two models – the CM5 and the PM5 – but only the PM5 has the swivel lens, and it’s the only model offered in pink. On the downside, the PM5 has no optical zoom, and photos are only 5MP. Having said that, it is a Sony product, so the design is flawless – super stylish – and I am sure there is a market for it.

Now, to the list of new cameras:

No new cameras in pink.

There’s only one new pink camera from Casio, the EX-Z90. A nice camera with a special feature called “Dynamic Photo”; a function which lets you add animated graphics (there are 8 built in) to still photos right in the camera. As in previous versions, you can also put a moving subject on a new background.

EXILIM Zoom EX-Z90
12.1 megapixles, 3x optical zoom, 35-105mm, 2.7″ display, 35.7MB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, dynamic photo. Color: Hot pink. Power: Rechargeable NP-60 Li-ion battery. Weight: 3.6 oz. Size: 3.53 x 2.0 x 0.76″. MSRP: $149

No new cameras in pink.

GE’s lineup of pink cameras are all a vivid fuchsia and come with pretty standard features. The one that stands out from the rest is the touch panel E1250TW (beacuase of its touch panel).

E1250TW
12.2 megapixles, 5x optical zoom, 28-140mm, 3.0″ display, 14 scene modes, image stabilization, 18MB internal memory, SD/SDHC compatible, face, smile and blink detection, in-camera red eye removal, pan-capture panorama, touch panel. Color: Pink. Power: Li-ion battery GB-40. Weight: 5.1 oz. Size: 3.7 x 2.3 x 1.0″. MSRP: $179

E1255W
12.2 megapixles, 5x optical zoom, 28-140mm, 3.0″ display, 14 scene modes, image stabilization, 24MB internal memory, SD/SDHC compatible, face, smile and blink detection, in-camera red eye removal, pan-capture panorama. Color: Pink. Power: Li-ion battery DS5370. Weight: 5.1 oz. Size: 3.7 x 2.3 x 1.0″. MSRP: $149

A950
9.1 megapixles, 5x optical zoom, 35-175mm, 2.5″ display, 14 scene modes, image stabilization, 24MB internal memory, SD/SDHC compatible, face, smile and blink detection, in-camera red eye removal, pan-capture panorama. Color: Pink. Power: 2 x AA Alkaline or AA NiMH batteries. Weight: 5.1 oz. Size: 3.6 x 2.4 x 1.0″. MSRP: $79

A1035
10.1 megapixles, 3x optical zoom, 35-105mm, 2.5″ display, 14 scene modes, image stabilization, 24MB internal memory, SD/SDHC compatible, face, smile and blink detection, in-camera red eye removal, pan-capture panorama. Color: Pink. Power: 2 x AA Alkaline or AA NiMH batteries. Weight: 5.1 oz. Size: 3.6 x 2.4 x 1.0″. MSRP: $79

A1050
10.1 megapixles, 5x optical zoom, 35-175mm, 2.5″ display, 14 scene modes, image stabilization, 24MB internal memory, SD/SDHC compatible, face, smile and blink detection, in-camera red eye removal, pan-capture panorama. Color: Pink. Power: 2 x AA Alkaline or AA NiMH batteries. Weight: 5.1 oz. Size: 3.6 x 2.4 x 1.0″. MSRP: $99

J1050
10.1 megapixles, 5x optical zoom, 35-175mm, 2.7″ display, 14 scene modes, image stabilization, 24MB internal memory, SD/SDHC compatible, face, smile and blink detection, in-camera red eye removal, pan-capture panorama. Color: Pink. Power: Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery DS5370. Weight: 4.6 oz. Size: 3.8 x 2.4 x 0.8″. MSRP: $129

J1250
12.2 megapixles, 5x optical zoom, 35-175mm, 2.7″ display, 14 scene modes, image stabilization, 18MB internal memory, SD/SDHC compatible, face, smile and blink detection, in-camera red eye removal, pan-capture panorama. Color: Pink. Power: Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery DS5370. Weight: 4.6 oz. Size: 3.8 x 2.4 x 0.8″. MSRP: $139

Kodak has 2 new pink cameras in their lineup: The metallic magenta-colored Easyshare M580 and the deep pink touchscreen “Slice”, both expected to arrive in stores in April of 2010. The M580 wins in the “logest focal length” category among the new cameras with the 35mm focal length equivalence of 28-224mm.

Easyshare M580
14.0 megapixles, 8x optical zoom, 28-224mm, 3.0″ display, 64MB internal memory, SD & SDHC compatible, face recognition, in-camera pano stitch. Color: Pink. Power: Rechargeable Li-ion Battery KLIC-7006. Weight: Not stated. Size: Not stated. MSRP: $199

Slice
14.0 megapixles, 5x optical zoom, 3.5″ display, 2GB internal memory, MICROSD/MICROSDHC card compatible, face recognition, touchscreen interface. Color: Radish. Power: Rechargeable Li-ion Battery KLIC-7000. Weight: Not stated. Size: Not stated. MSRP: $349

In Part II of this mini-series, we’ll cover cameras from Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Polaroid and Sony. Stay tuned!

To me, the most fun kind of photography is the experimental kind, when you just play around, let your creativity flow, and allow yourself to get totally wrapped up in the joy of shooting. The results are varied of course – sometimes they’re totally disappointing, but other times, you get a photo that totally wows you and inspires you to push yourself even further. And don’t feel like “that kind of photography can only be done with an SLR” – you can get great, unique shots with point-and-shoots too. Here are a few techniques and ideas to help jumpstart your creativity.

Flowy, Dreamy Water
A tripod and a slow shutter speed is all you need to create those images you see on posters and cards everywhere. Put your camera on a tripod, set your shutter speed to 1/30 or slower, and shoot. If there is no shutter control on your camera, try setting it on “night” mode.

Intentional Blur & Movement
Sometimes photos that show movement are much more interesting than when everything is still and in focus. Try this: just as in the water shots above, put your camera on a tripod, set a slow shutter speed (1/30 or slower, or “night” mode) and take a picture of one (or more) stationary object and one (or more) moving. A few ideas are a house lit up at night with people moving around inside, your dog playing on the beach, a Ferris wheel with a friend standing still in front of it, a tree with clouds on a really windy day.

Different Angles & Perspectives
When I was in photography school, one of the most creatively useful classes (to me) was one where we had to shoot one roll looking down and one looking up. It was a great exercise in expanding one’s horizons a little bit. We tend to look down, but not up as much as we should. Try it – you might find design details on buildings you walk by every day that you’ve never noticed before, or interesting patterns on the ground. Also try getting down on the ground yourself for a “miniature dachshund view” of the world.

Use Portrait Setting For Other Shots As Well
The portrait mode uses a wider aperture in order to get your subject sharp and the background out of focus. But don’t limit yourself to using this setting only when shooting people. Try it with anything where you want the same effect – a cup of steaming coffee, a bouquet of flowers, a detail on a ship. Note: this only works when your subject is closer to you than the background, so make sure there is some distance between the two.

Silhouettes
On a bright and sunny day (or at sunset), find a large flower or weed or tree you like the outlines of, get down low on the ground and point your camera upwards. Make sure it measures the light of the sky, not the flower or whatever you’re shooting (you want that to be underexposed and just show up as an outline or silhouette), and take your picture. The result should be a silhouette of the subject.

If you take it at sunset, position yourself so that the flower/weed/tree is between your camera and the sun (careful with your eyes, don’t look into the sun!), make sure your camera exposes for the sky, and shoot. These shots look great as wall art when blown up big and framed. Try it with other subjects as well – your dog, best friend, a statue, or a skyline are a few ideas.

Color or Subject Theme
Take a bunch of shots of items of a particular color or subject – green, reflections, hands/paws, or letters for example. Make sure to include all kinds of shots: close-ups, landscapes, details, movement, sharp focus, etc. Then print up 9 of these shots as square prints and display them together on a wall – great, free art that you created yourself!

Explore An Object
Use the technique above to explore all angels of an object and display the photos the same way.

Collect Photos Of A Certain Object
Start your own photo collection and try to get at least one photo of the particular object every time you travel somewhere, whether it’s local or international. Some ideas are: buildings by a certain architect, portraits of dogs of a specific breed, bread, license plates, signs (could be from a particular kind of store, like shoe store, or flower shop, or perhaps parking signs or street names), a slice of pizza, just let your creativity run wild. These are memories you will have forever, and they are a lot easier to pack than a vase or crystal bowl.