August 2012

Nikon releases COOLPIX S800 with Android OS
Nikon's just announced COOLPIX S800c combines Nikon's various imaging technologies with built in WiFi and the Android OS to allow for easy operation and sharing of photos and HD video through various social networks. The US$349 S800 has a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, 10x NIKKOR optical zoom, full1080p HD video, GPS and direct access to Android apps. We're not sure yet how close the S800's Android OS is to what users expect from a standard smartphone, but this is certainly an interesting step. The camera industry tried to create a standard OS once before, a decade ago, and failed. This is different as Android is already the industry-leading smartphone OS. [See Nikon COOLPIX S800] -- Posted Wednesday, August 22, 2012 by chb

Full review: 16MP/1080p Pentax WG-2 can handle 40+ feet
The Pentax Optio WG-2 represents Pentax's 13th generation of tough, waterproof cameras, and the maturity shows. Sporting a unique design, the 16-megapixel Optio WG-2 has a 40-foot depth rating, can handle 5-foot drops, is freeze and crushproof, can do 1080p HD video at full 30fps speed, has a wide-format 3-inch display, and is chuck-full of features and tricks. ScubaDiverInfo.com tested the US$349 Optio WG-2 on a week of diving and exploring in the Sea of Cortez. [See full review of the Pentax Optio WG-2] -- Posted Thursday, August 2, 2012 by chb