Facebook Camera App: This Is Why Instagram was Worth $1 Billion

Facebook Camera App: This Is Why Instagram was Worth $1 Billion
24/05/2012 by Christina Warren on Mashable

Instagram’s jaw-dropping $1 billion price tag became a lot more understandable on Thursday with the release of Facebook Camera for iOS.

The app — which was in development before the social network made its offer to buy Instagram about six weeks ago — gives us a glimpse at how Facebook was planning to compete against the young mobile-first startup.

It also showcases just how important Instagram is to Facebook’s future.

[Humor] Instagram Uses Facebook’s 1 Billion Dollars To Make An Instant Camera

[Humor] Instagram Uses Facebook’s 1 Billion Dollars To Make An Instant Camera

It’s Friday, have a laugh. The crew over at The Verge put together this video of a (fake) camera that resembles a Polaroid by instantly producing a printed image out of it’s body. This model, made by Instagram, lets you add you own effects for an even more unique look at your images! I can’t wait to buy one of these and start shooting professional looking wedding photos!
Here is a link to the complete podcast segments from the show.
[via filmmakerIQ.com]

Source: Fstoppers

Sony Unveils Alpha A57 Camera, the Quick-Draw DSLR

Sony Unveils Alpha A57 Camera, the Quick-Draw DSLR

March 13, 2012 by Peter Pachal On Mashable

In the world of digital SLR cameras, Sony is typically a distant third place in market share behind Canon and Nikon. If it keeps making products like the Alpha A57, however, that might change.

The Sony Alpha A57, which replaces the previous A55, is a mid-range DSLR with plenty of bells and whistles. But the great thing about it is Sony didn’t try overkill the specs (with, say, tons of pointless megapixels) and instead focused on features that photographers might actually use and separate the camera from the pack.

For example, the A57 is a nimble machine, able to shoot 1080p video at 60 frames per second (fps). Most DSLRs can shoot 1080p video now, but very few do it at 60 fps, instead maxing out at 30 fps. Of course, the camera can do 24 fps, too, if you want the cinematic look of film. There are 60i and 25p options as well.

While you’re shooting your movie, the Sony has continuous autofocus to ensure your target stays in focus. While autofocus is never as good as manual focus for precision work (and it can be noisy), it’s nice to have the option for stuff shot on the fly. Nikon puts the feature on some of its mid-range DSLRs, but Canon has yet to implement it on any model.

As mentioned, the Alpha A57 doesn’t get lost in megapixels, but it still has a more than respectable 16 mp CMOS sensor. The speedy sensor and Bionz imaging engine help to bump continuous shooting to 12 stills per second (up from 10 in the A55). The ISO goes up to 16,000 for those extremely low-light shots.

If you’re relatively new to photography, you might find the camera’s Auto Portrait Framing useful. With the mode engaged, the A57 will use face detection to automatically compose and crop your photo for a “professional-looking” portrait whether you’re holding the camera horizontally or vertically. The original image is saved, too, so you don’t lose anything by using the feature, which Sony says is a world’s first.

And it seems someone finally told Sony about Instagram, since the A57 features 11 Picture Effects, which let you add an artistic touch to your pics right in the camera. Pop Color, HDR Painting and Miniature Mode are just a few. They’re available for stills as well as video, and you can preview the effects on the angle-adjustable 3-inch LCD.

You’ll be able to buy the Sony Alpha A57 in April for the tidy sum of $800 for a kit that includes an 18-55mm zoom lens, and $700 for the body only.

Does Sony’s new DSLR pack enough features to persuade you to give it a try over the latest Canons and Nikons? Let us know in the comments.

Sony Alpha A57 DSLR Camera

The Sony Alpha A57 brings some novel features into the DSLR arena, like 60fps shooting of 1080p video and Auto Portrait Framing.

---

Sony Alpha A57, No Lens

---

Sony Alpha A57, Top View

---

Sony Alpha A57, LCD Extended

This Camera Lets You Take Photos With Your Hands

This Camera Lets You Take Photos With Your Hands

March 30, 2012 By Emily Price On MASHABLE

Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences have created a prototype for a new type of camera called Ubi-Camera that lets you snap a photograph by creating a rectangle with your hands.

Here’s how it works: Connect the device to your index finger and then form a rectangle with your fingers. Your finger rectangle works as a viewfinder for the camera, and photos are taken by pressing on the device firmly with your thumb.

The Ubi-camera has a built-in range sensor that can tell the amount of space between the camera and the photographer’s face, and uses that information to create a shot. For instance, when you take a photo with your face close to the camera, you get a wide-angle shot. When you move your fingers further away you can snap a close up. Zooming in on photos is done later on a PC.

Researchers did a brief demo of the camera for DigInfoTV, showing off how the device is able to capture pictures:

The range sensor uses infrared technology, which occasionally has difficulty detecting faces and can be affected by light — something the developers hope to update in the future.

In its current prototype form the Ubi-camera also needs to be connected to a PC while you take a photo; however, developers hope to make a stand-alone version of the camera in the future that can be used away from a computer screen.

Can you see yourself using the Ubi-camera? Let us know your thoughts on the unique camera in the comments.