When it comes to video cameras, the Kodak Zi8 can't be forgotten as you compare it to the other camcorders on the market right now. The Zi8 is an affordable and portable video camera. This latest model assures you of good quality, image stability and can capture high quality video as well as still images. The Kodak Zi8 surpasses the quality of the previous model, the Zi6. When comparing the Zi8 and the Zi6, we can see that the Zi8 has a higher HD standard, is slim-line, handier, and above all the price is reasonable and within reach for most people.
The Zi8 is a handy camcorder, but to have the best results, it is advisable to use both hands, especially if you have shaky hands. This camcorder is not weather-resistant and hence you need to take extra care with this model. The plastic body can even be prone to scratches. So care should be taken when handling the Zi8.
The Zi8 model has a 2.5 inches LCD display, which is bigger than the Kodak Zx1 model. Another thing is, the Zx1 uses D-pad, while the Kodak Zi8 uses a 5-way joystick that makes this model more user friendly than the Zx1's model.
Another important switch located at the top for macro modes. And on the left side you will find ports for the external microphone jack, HDMI and A/V output, and DC in. On the opposite side you will see the power button and the SD/SDHC card slot, and down the bottom are a 1/4-inch standard tripod lanyard eyelet, and the USB plug. On the back side are the lens (measuring 6.3 mm), LED flash, the speaker, and the battery panel.
Kodak Zi8 provides free software, which will ask the user to install when it is connected to a PC or Mac using USB. You really need this software if you wish to play videos on you computer. Bundled software is required for smooth playback of the video footage, especially the 1080P video. A problem with this software is that it does not support Apple Macs.
The Zi8 does have some limitations and is not perfect, but it is certainly one of the best compact pocket video camcorders on the market today. At under $200 USD retail the handy Zi8 Pocket Video Camera is something everyone should look at when considering which is the best Video Camcorder for them.

Leanne Annett is a Photographer, Business Consultant, Internet Marketer and Life Coach. Leanne's passions include her family, making the world a better place, empowering others, travel and photography.
Find out more information about the Kodak Zi8 Camera

Photography is all about capturing light on a photographic emulsion or electronic sensor. And as such the lens and film or sensor, are the most important components affecting image quality. Now, lenses cover a huge area and can be quite technical when it comes to saying why one lens might be better than another. Plus there are lots of manufacturers of lenses, but Microglobe is a renowned quality that offers a list of lenses all at reasonable prices and superb performance. One of these products is Nikon 55-200mm F4-5.6 AF-S DX VR Lens which is the best choice for landscapes and other outdoor scenes, group shots and generally anything requiring strong perspective. In some situations, this wide-angle lens might be the only way to capture the entire scene without excluding an important element in the frame. Considered to be the pioneer of innovative camera technology, Nikon is constantly seeking ways to make it possible for photographers with any level of experience to get striking results.
Nikon 55-200mm F4-5.6 AF-S Lens Nikon's Vibration Reduction function compensates for camera shake to produce sharper, clearer pictures in unsteady or poorly light conditions. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the DX 55-200mm VR is its relatively low price - indeed it's the most affordable Nikkor lens with Vibration Reduction and when coupled with the DX 18-55mm II lens, matches the coverage of the popular DX 18-200mm VR at a much lower price. It is fully compatible with Digital SLR cameras. The build in quality is good and accompanies you for creative photography. It is a lightweight, adjustable lens; you will feel comfortable to fit it to desire cameras. No matter how far away the object is or at what speed the object is moving, you will have crystal clear, sharp images through auto and manual focusing controls. As specified in the lens name, the lens uses an internal focusing design so the size of the lens remains constant during focusing and the front element does not rotate. Nikon 55-200mm F4-5.6 Lens features a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) that offers smooth and quite auto focus performance.
According to Nikon the "Vibration Reduction (VR) offers the equivalent of shutter speeds 3 stops faster for more flexible hand-held shooting". There are seven optical blades embedded in rounded diaphragm that give natural view to out of focus objects. You can have close-up photography of far away objects at minimum distance of 1.1m. Being a Telephoto lens, it is perfect for portraits. Compared to a 50mm lens it isolates the subject from the background more and the increased focal length slightly flattens the image and gives more a natural and flattering perspective. It always ensure you accurate colour balance and high resolution, results with maximum magnification of .43x.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeena_Shah

The Canon EF 50mm f1.8 lens was the first lens that I purchased after my kit lens, and I'm extremely happy with my choice. Below is a review of Canons cheapest and lightest camera lens to date.
Build Quality
The build quality of the 50mm 1.8 feels pretty cheap and doesn't feel like a quality lens at all. Everything from the outer shell to the mount is made from plastic which will wear and tear if you're changing this lens around a lot. The 50mm is canons lightest lens and because of this the plastic doesn't have to be that strong to hold everything together.
There is not much to this lens, you have one switch which controls whether you want to shoot in auto or manual focus and there's also a focusing ring which is barely usable because of its small size.
The autofocus on the 50mm f1.8 is pretty fast but not HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) fast; however for under $100 you can't really expect it to have this feature. The autofocus is also a little bit noisy but not unbearable by any means and probably wont put any one of from using this lens.
Image Quality
You may be thinking at this time that the lens sounds terrible and I would have to agree, however the redeeming feature of this lens is that the image quality is very sharp, even stopped down to 1.8 the sharpness of this lens is excellent but shooting from 2.8 or a little above will give you even sharper images, slightly even sharper than Canons professional lens the 24-70mm f2.8 which retails for around $1000.
Another redeeming feature is the Bokeh effect that you can get from shooting at a small F stop of f1.8. If you have ever wondered how the professional photographers get those blurry backgrounds then this is one of the main ways they do this. The Bokeh on the 50mm 1.8 is excellent, obviously it is not as good as the f1.2 however the f1.8 is $900 cheaper.
Another advantage of using the 50mm 1.8 is that it has a 52mm filter size, filters this small are very affordable and you should get one to protect your lens from scratches and even cracks in the front glass.
Conclusion
Overall the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 camera lens is an excellent upgrade from the kit lens or suitable for anyone wanting to shoot low light photography such as in a church, gym or even music concerts where flash isn't allowed. Sure there are draw backs to this lens but the advantages outweigh them, and I don't know of a better lens for 3 to 4 times the price.

Click Here for more free digital DSLR Tips, Tricks, Techniques and Reviews.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ricky_Davies

I recently upgraded to a Canon PowerShot S95 and I couldn't be happier with it. It makes 10 MP pictures, and has excellent optics. The 3 inch LCD screen makes it easy to set up your shots. You can also use this camera to take 720p HD video in stereo, and the quality is better than what I expected. Put an 8 GB SD card into the camera, and you can store 50 minutes of HD video. Wow!
The zoom / wide-angle range is plenty for me, and I take a LOT of pictures. One thing I really like about this camera is that it's "grippy." My old camera was slick, and unfortunately it caused me to drop it a couple of times (luckily onto a bed one time and onto thick pile carpet the other). But this one is easy to hold, and that's a feature I like a lot.
Another great thing about this camera is the size. It really is "pocket size," which makes it super convenient to take everywhere. And it powers up and is ready to go in 2 seconds, which is a lot faster than my last camera. You control it using two control rings, and they're easy to figure out. Using the controls becomes second nature very quickly. You don't have to go through countless menus to get to what you want, because the control rings are context sensitive. That's a really nice feature and I wish that all cameras were like that. I really couldn't be happier with my S95, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

The Online Review Center gives honest review to latest electronic products that come out in the market to help consumers choose the best product to buy. Visit us at http://mygadyets.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jocelyn_O_Iyog

Nikon D3100 is the company's latest entry-level DSLR. It is the successor to the best selling D3000 and brings several key upgrades to that model. The camera has a refined sensor, now offering 14.2 MP. Nikon has switched from a CCD to a CMOS image sensor, with new EXPEED 2 processor to maximize the results of the CMOS sensor. This new 24% discount makes D3100 one of the most desirable DSLRs on the market!
Its predecessor, the Nikon D3000 camera, was one of the best sold DSLR cameras in Europe. Still, there were some functions that were missing in the D3000. The Nikon D3100 corrected that mistakes, it now has Full High Definition video and Live View with various extra functions. While it has a number of new features, D3100 is still as simple to use as D3000. It was the first Nikon to offer 1080p video recording in addition to 720p. The D3100 is the first Nikon digital SLR to support the latest generation of Secure Digital cards, known as SDXC, and adds an input for an optional GPS accessory, and a HDMI video output -- two ports that were missed on the D3000. Like the D3000 before it, the D3100 features a Guide mode which asks simple questions about what kind of photo you would like to take, before setting up the camera accordingly. It's a great option for beginners which also teaches you about camera settings (D3100 shows you example images before finally asking if you'd like to shoot with the viewfinder or screen, or film movies instead). Lively colors, a better signal/noise ratio, powerful image processing and a Full HD video capability makes the D3100 a great camera for its price. Changing the camera settings is very easy even for inexperienced photographer, this makes D3100 a perfect camera for those who have never tried a DSLR but want to.
Specifications:
- effective pixels: 14.2 million
- max resolution: 4608 x 3072
- image ratio: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
- iso rating: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, (Hi1) 6400, (Hi2) 12800
- lens: Nikon F mount (with AF contacts), kit lens (Nikkor 18-55 zoom lens)
- flash: Auto pop-up type, i-TTL Balanced fill-flash, standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR
- image stabilization: yes, lens
- HDMI: yes
- movie clip: yes, 1920 x 1080 @ 24 fps, 1280×720 (HD) @ 30,25,24 fps, 640 x 424 @ 24 fps
- storage types: SD / SD HC / SDXC
- lcd: 3.0" (230.000 pixel)
- connectivity: USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed), Mass storage / PTP selectable, A/V out, HDMI out, DC-IN (optional AC adapter and adapter connector)
- battery: Lithium-Ion battery pack EN-EL14 (7.4 V, 1030 mAh)
- battery grip: no
- weight (with battery): 505g (1.1 lb)
- dimensions: 124 x 96 x 75 mm (4.9 x 3.8 x 3.0 in)
For the price, the Nikon D3100 offers a lot to its target market of consumer SLR users, and is still simple enough for all users.It is now the best-featured entry-level DSLR and will appeal to beginners as well as enthusiasts. The new 14 Megapixel sensor records finer details than 10 MP models, while noise levels are kept in check at high sensitivities, here the D3100 performed similarly to the pricier Canon EOS T2i/550D. This makes D3100 a perfect camera for those who have never tried a DSLR but want to. There is a lot to like about the D3100. It is a definite rival to the Canon 550D but it is also significantly cheaper. Nikon D3100 is now ON SALE so check it out at H

To find more cameras currently on sale visit http://www.hotcamerasales.com. Browse through selection of dslr and compact cameras currently on sale on the leading electronic stores and get a discount from 7% all up to 40% on the desired camera! Updated daily! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harry_Bozzich

Today's cellular phones and digital camera possess an overlapping characteristic between them: they can both take pictures! The similarity between the two e-gadgets does not end there; it literally goes a little deeper inside in the attachment called the digital camera memory card! The camera memory card is where you store the images (and videos) until you can transfer them to your computer. There are different types of digital camera memory cards such as the CompactFlash (CF), Memory Stick (MS), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), SmartMedia (SM) and xD-Picture Card (xD). The newest type of card is the Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) card. It was only recently that the storage capacities of cards have gone beyond the 1GB mark. A 1GB memory card used to be enough for amateur photographers however, the advancement in optics, digital technology and the encroachment of cellular phones into the field of digital photography, digital camera memory card capacity now boasts of storage capacities that used to be the domain of hard drives! Transcend's 32 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card TS32GSDHC6, which retails for $97.25 sits at the top of the heap of SDHC because customers rate it highly ahead of the others due to the affordable price and high capacity combination. The only drawback reported on the product is that older SD cameras, phones and card readers may not accept the new 32GB SDHC digital camera cards. However, the card is also available in lower capacity configurations, which means lower prices as well and backward compatibility with older products. Olympus and Fuji are the only two manufacturers that use the xD card, which has a smaller form factor at 25mm x 20mm. There are three variants of xD cards, the standard, and the M and H versions. The M and H versions have bigger storage capacities while the H version has native high speed transfer capability making it suitable for high speed photography. Rated highly by consumers is the Olympus M 2 GB xD-Picture Card Flash Card 202170 available at most online stores for $14.95. With native support for the panorama function of most Olympus cameras, the card can also be used in non-xD compatible devices because of multi-function card adapters designed for the card. However, its main drawback is that it can only shoot 10 seconds of video! If pictures and video are your game, then the newer (and more expensive) Type H card is the one you want. Sony on the other hand uses its own type of camera card, the Memory Stick. There are two versions of Sony's Memory Stick, the original Memory Stick in 50mm x 20mm form factor and the newer, smaller and thinner Memory Stick DUO with a form factor of 30mm x 20mm. The new version is now the memory card of choice for Sony's new line of digital cameras. The Lexar Platinum II 8 GB Memory Stick Pro Duo Flash Memory Card is hailed as a highly compatible replacement for Sony-made digital camera memory cards and sells for a lower price of $26.87. Lexar's version works without a hitch in a variety of applications, Sony MP3 players, video cameras, televisions, and computers with a Memory Stick PRO Duo slot and ideally suited for Sony Ericsson mobile phones. Rounding out the lineup is the large CompactFlash card, measuring 42mm x 36mm. The CF card is used in only a select few of today's most advanced digital cameras. Kingston's Elite Pro 32 GB 133x CompactFlash Memory Card CF/32GB-S2 priced at $78.95 is the most popular and in-demand CF digital camera memory card in the market. Professional photographers prefer and recommend the Kingston Elite Pro CF card because of its fast minimum sustained write speed of 133X. The type of camera you own and the resolution of the lens as measured in megapixels dictate the type and storage capacity of digital cards you use. One drawback of digital camera cards is that they are not interchangeable due to differences in physical properties and size. The number of images and photos you can store in a card is dependent on the camera's lens resolution as measured in megapixels. The higher the megapixel rating of the camera lens, the lower the number of images you can store. Majority of digital cameras are compatible with only one type of memory card however, there are camera models compatible with two or more types of memory card. The most widely used digital camera memory card is the SDHC card because of its small size (approximately 30mm x 22mm). The SD card is commonly found in Canon, Casio, Kodak, Nikon, Panasonic and Pentax digital cameras. Find great deals online on the very best digital camera memory card. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_M._Hall

With the way we depend on computers and other electronic devices for our daily living, it is only practical to invest in ways to protect our electronic gadgets against damage from electrical fluctuations. Let's face it, no matter how far we have progressed in terms of technology, power outages and surges of electrical power are still common occurrences in this day and age. To make matters even worse, these occurrences are not events that we can easily predict. However, it is possible to prevent damages that they cause to electronic devices by using power protection devices such as the Belkin surge protector. In a nutshell, a Belkin surge protector is a small electronic device you plug into electrical outlets. It acts as an intermediary between the power sources (which are usually household electrical outlets) and electronic devices such as computers, televisions, refrigerators, and the like. The Belkin surge protector is considered by many people as the best protection for your electrical appliances for several reasons: Belkin structure A Belkin surge protector's structure takes into consideration its specific function and the most appropriate surge protection for the model. Since Belkin has many different types of surge protector models, the company equips each model with different surge protection capabilities and design. The mini surge portable power strip, for example, is small enough to fit into a carry-on bag or wallet. Because of its size, it was designed to be plugged straight into a wall outlet instead of coming with wires. Its diminutive structure, however, does not mean that its surge protection capabilities have been compromised. On the contrary, the mini surge portable power strip has an immediate response time as well as an automatic clamping voltage of 800v, passing the high standards of the Underwriters Laboratories. Depending on the space and layout of your home, there is a definite protector with the most appropriate structure for you. Belkin technology Each Belkin protector is a product of the latest technology. Since Belkin's research and development units are always working on ways to improve the design and function of each protector model, each surge protection model contains the latest modifications, the safest power strips, and the most efficient surge protection technology in the world. And because Belkin technology has considerable years of experience in the field, it is able to provide excellent power protection at a reasonable cost. In fact, many computer users agree that Belkin surge protectors provide the same, if not better, protection as other surge protectors at only a fraction of the prices of their competitors. Belkin name Belkin has been a major computer accessory manufacturer for years. The company is known primarily for producing some of the most popular and most trusted power protection products in the industry. Belkin does not just simply extend into power protection accessories; they focus on surge protection products. Surge protectors are their main expertise and this fact they have proven time and time again. So these surge protectors are backed up by the company's years of effort and experience in power protection. John has been writing articles online for nearly 5 years now. Not only does he specialize in surge protectors, you can also check out his latest website on iRiver MP3 Players which reviews some popular media players on the market. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Alston

TomTom has been here since the first GPS devices began to come out onto the market. In today's world, the car GPS market is very competitive and TomTom has been leading the way with innovation and how their products function as GPS devices. One of the reasons the TomTom XXL 540s have gotten so much attention is because of their size.
Additional Features
The TomTom XXL 540s are apart of the XXL family that have 5-inch displays. TomTom still keeps the same curved design without much weight in spite the size of this model. It actually only weighs about 7 ounces so it is not hard to carry at all.
With a larger display screen the 3D and 2D maps look more clear and accurate. You can even find some detailed surrounds by zooming in on the map itself. It can be very easy to spot certain sings with the device mounted. The TomTom XXL 540s also have text-to-speech technologies that help you to stay focused on driving while the directions are relayed.
This device also has an "Advanced Lane Guidance" system where it will make sure you are in the correct lane to reach your destination and will tell you if you are in the wrong lane. As you come upon the highway in your travels this GPS device will use a 3d map to indicate what lanes you need to take. This feature combines with the "IQ Routes" technology will further enhance the route calculations that you will be using. They will even calculate this by using historical speed measurement statistics.
The TomTom XXL 540s is in many ways a pretty new device and as of August 1010 there will be update maps that will include the US, Canada, and even Mexico. It also has over 7 million points of interest marked on these maps. You can also add custom spots to the map as well.
TomTom XXL 540s GPS Feedback
Many customers that have bought TomTom products in the past have done so because the interfaces are simple and familiar to use. The 540s model keeps these simple ideas and has a large screen for easy viewing. The great thing about all the features this device has like the maps and the updates, are all very customizable. It is a well working device with a quick startup time that not many budget devices have.
Important Tips
You will most likely use the "Navigate to..." feature the most when planning a route somewhere. All you need to do is follow the icons that appear on the screen and after you are used to the device it will be much easier to recall other destinations you have been to and how to plan getting there again. You can even make a setting called "Home" that you can activate when you wish to find your way home when you are lost.
Purchasing Guidance
Even though the price tag on this item is as low as $300, it still has the amazing quality that all TomTom devices will give. In addition, it also comes with the Easyport mount and TomTom Home desktop software. Therefore, you are almost getting an entire package for a beginning level GPS user.

Hanif Furqan is involved with a TomTom XXL 540S GPS Review website that informs his readers about the different styles of TomTom XXL 540S GPS available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hanif_Furqan

Garmin nüvi 1490LMT

There is nothing more important, when a person is driving through an unknown territory, than knowing exactly where to go. At one time this involved constantly stopping and asking questions while trying to follow a printed map. Much to the delight of today's driver, it is very easy to drive directly to one's destination using the nuvi 1490LMT GPS.
Thanks to modern technology and expert designers this excellent device not only navigates the driver through various traffic changes but furnishes lifetime map updates as well. Another advantage is computing the best route to save on fuel, ecoRoute, which can mean a great savings on long trips. Equipped with adjustable voice tones, it is very simple to find one that will pleasantly instruct the correct route to follow. Other excellent features of the automobile model are Bluetooth Connectivity and North America City Navigator.
The Garmin nuvi 1490LMT GPS device is not just confined to automobiles but works equally as well on motorcycles. Available in a handheld high sensitivity outdoor receiver it can be used for things such as dog tracking, fish-finders, marine radars and other things important in a busy person's life. This particular model has become very popular with campers, fishermen and others who enjoy outdoor life.
A big problem in other units, of this type, is the difficulty to read the map when the sun shines on the unit. This particular model is especially designed to be easily sunlight-readable with a 5-inch backlit color touchscreen display. Being able to read the directions, regardless of the light, is a very big plus with those who use this type of device frequently.
Another feature is that it is preloaded with navigator data for the lower 48 states, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. In addition there are nearly six million points of interest included covering all these areas. The continual updating of traffic information is especially important when driving in unknown territory. The total unit's weight is one pound, making it very easy to handle.
Appropriate for travel in a city or on country roads, the nuvi 1490LMT 5-inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator has all the latest technological advancements available on the market today. It fulfills all requirements of the modern day traveler and gets him or her from one point to another in the most direct and convenient way. With the many changes that are constantly being made to the highways, having up-to-date travel changes is an excellent feature of this device.

Click Here to learn more about Garmin nuvi 1490LMT. I highly encourage you to visit this site to get more information on what customers say about this great portable GPS device and find the best deals on nuvi 1490LMT.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Felix_Wang

GArmin Nuvie 265 wt

Garmin has made a new edition to its 200 series of portable GPS units with the Garmin Nuvi 265wt 4.3 inch widescreen. This GPS unit is about 5 inches high and 3 inches wide and weighs in at about 6 ounces. This compact size makes it very easy to use no matter what form of transportation is being used. If you are travelling by foot, you can easily slip the Garmin Nuvi 265wt in your pocket or purse after you reach your destination. Let's get started and list the great new features that the Garmin Nuvi 265wt 4.3 inch widescreen portable gps navigator has to offer. Integrated Traffic Receiver This GTM 20 FM traffic receiver allows you to get instant access to traffic information. These traffic updates can help you avoid traffic jams and road construction which will enable you to avoid sitting in traffic. The best thing about these updates is that they are free for the life of the device. Hands Free Calling Since everyone know has a cell phone and the need to drive hands free is know becoming a law in many states, the Nuvi 265wt has bluetooth capability. With your bluetooth capability, microphone and speaker you can match your Nuvi 265wt to any bluetooth capable phone to make hands free phone calls. To answer an incoming call, just tap the screen and speak into the built in microphone. Garmin HotFix Technology This hotfix allows your Garmin to remember the position of all satellites, calculate their movements to predict where they should be the next time you use your Garmin 265wt. This will decrease the time it takes for the Garmin to get its position and be able to start navigating. This enables you to get the information you need very fast and easy. Other added features are: o Ability to navigate by photo o Improved Interface o 3D Terrain Maps o Text to speech directions o Send addresses directly from Google maps or Mapquest o Travel Tools - Jpeg picture viewer, currency converter and more The Garmin 265wt is also loaded with maps from the continental united states, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, AK and Canada. When looking for a GPS portable unit, the Garmin Nuvi 265WT 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Integrated Traffic Receiver offers the features that most people are looking for in a GPS unit. No matter what gps unit you choose, I believe that the gps units by Garmin are the best on the market today. For more information on this garmin GPS navigation unit, visit this site: Garmin Nuvi 265WT For more information on other garmin GPS navigation units, visit this site: Garmin Nuvi GPS Products Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_O'Brien