Interested in getting your hands on some slick Bond-style spy equipment without spending a mint, or working at the 'Company' (a.k.a the CIA)? Rejoice because advances in technology have made camera & video technology much cheaper and much smaller.

A perfect case in point is this stylish surveillance camera watch that hides the lens in the number '2' on watch face. This watch records at a respectable 15 FPS (frames per second) with a 352×288 resolution in AVI format and saves it onto its 2GB internal memory.



Not too shabby, right? And less than $200. There are way more such spy camera equipment embedded in some crazy devices. Of course, the downside to all of this is that it is now way easier for anyone to invade your privacy or catch you in the act of making our occasional mistake.

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Labels: camera, spy, tech, video, watch

The Leica V-LUX 10.1MP Digital Camera with Optical Image Stabilized Zoom is a digital compact camera which combines high-performance optics and outstanding picture quality in a compact camera body. The camera offers 10 million pixels and a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 1:2.8-3.7/7.4-88.8 ASPH lens with an extremely wide range of focal lengths from 35 to 420 millimetres, thus commanding universal capability for the small picture system. From spacious landscape shots, filigree macro close-up shots through to photos of far distant objects in super telephoto mode, the lens with its 12 times zoom creates outstanding picture results in all photographic situations. The integral picture stabiliser gives the user additional protection against camera shake, even under difficult lighting conditions. The LEICA V-LUX 1 has a tilting 2.0“ TFT display for optimum picture checking. Thus the photographer is assured of secure control even in difficult situations for photography and gains additional possibilities for picture composition by means of unusual camera perspectives. A variety of manual settings, including a diverse subject program for many photographic situations, round out the creative composition possibilities of the LEICA V-LUX 1.

“The Leica V-LUX 10.1MP Digital Camera with Optical Image Stabilized Zoom is a real all-rounder for every photographic situation. The camera combines the best features of two different digital camera systems: the capabilities of a mirror reflex camera with the handy size of a compact camera. This makes the LEICA V-LUX 1 a compact all-in-one solution, which loses nothing in picture quality comparison with a digital mirror reflex camera and is superior to it in handiness. The large range of focal lengths offered by the LEICA V-LUX 1 means that fiddly lens changing is eliminated. The camera is thus both flexible and quickly ready for use, the risk of dirt of the sensor is avoided and the scope of photographic equipment is concentrated into a compact and light-weight digital camera“ says Marius Eschweiler, Product Manager for digital compact cameras at Leica Camera AG.


The high-performance LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 1:2.8-3.7/7.4-88.8 ASPH zoom lens comprises 14 lenses in 10 groups. With a maximum aperture of 2.8 and the particularly large range of focal lengths, the LEICA V-LUX 1 offers versatile picture composition possibilities for brilliant photos with true-to-life colours. The focussing and zoom ring on the lens is easy to use and permits concentration to be devoted to the subject. The optics are individually matched to the camera sensor. Together with the electronics and the software they enable pictures with natural colour reproduction, excellent sharpness and high brilliance. In relation to colour matching, contrast and picture definition, Leica Camera AG has developed its own profile. This is oriented to the picture characteristics that are well known to Leica System Camera customers from their use in combination with professional film materials and specialist development laboratories.

The 2.0“ large camera display of the LEICA V-LUX 1 has a resolution of 207,000 pixels, enabling it to generate an exceptionally brilliant picture, allowing the photographer to make a reliable and exact assessment of the picture composition both when taking the photo and when reviewing it. An additional feature for checking the picture in particularly difficult situations – such as when photographing above your head – is the tiltable TFT display, which can be set to almost any angle. In addition, it creates further possibilities for picture composition by unusual camera perspectives, such as a worm’s-eye view. To reduce the load on the rechargeable battery, the display can also be switched to a darker low-energy mode, without having to sacrifice the outstanding picture quality.

Further security for a successful picture is derived from the integral protection against camera shake (O.I.S.), which can be switched on and off at any time. This reliably protects against camera shake in all photographic situations, since small movements of the hand are systematically compensated. Whether at twilight, during indoor shots, for snapshots or in zoom operation – the result is always a sharp picture without the need for a tripod.

The picture signal processor used in the LEICA V-LUX 1 ensures quick picture signal processing and saving within the camera. This allows the LEICA V-LUX 1 to be used quickly, reliably and spontaneously at any moment. The LEICA V-LUX 1 with its wide range of technical features is ideally suited to photographing the world of nature. In super-tele mode its magnification is equivalent to 10 power binoculars. The optical picture stabilisation gives shake-free pictures of the natural world even in poor lighting and extreme conditions. This combined with the quick response time of the shutter are just what are required for a spontaneous picture. The camera is thus an ideal addition to the equipment of naturalists and birdwatchers.

The LEICA V-LUX 1 is supplied with a 512 MB SD card , a battery charger, a powerful rechargeable battery and a comprehensive software package (Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 (PC)/3.0 (Mac), Quicktime Movie Player). Further accessories available include a mains adapter (for direct power supply to the camera from the mains), a spare rechargeable battery and two types of high-quality camera case. The sporty Cordura case is particularly hard-wearing, whilst the newly developed neoprene case is both practical and purpose-designed. Both camera cases securely protect the products against damage.

read more | digg story | treblemaker.com

Labels: camera

Are you into bird watching? Or maybe you like to snap pictures of topless celebrities at the beach? Regardless of your intentions, with the Pro Viewer BinoCam, you'll always take a crystal-clear shot no matter how far away you are from the action.

The Pro Viewer BinoCam is pair of binoculars and a digital camera all rolled into one. It features an 8X non-digital zoom with a 2.1 mega pixel camera capable of taking 1600 x 1200 pixel photos. After you snap the perfect picture, you can review it instantly with the BinoCam's built-in 1.5-inch full-color LCD screen. The BinoCam can also record 30 second AVI video clips.

Not interested in stalking celebrities? Of course, you can also take the BinoCam to the beach and watch the surfers ride the perfect wave. Prove to your friends you spotted whales on that last boat trip, or even assist the police by snapping Mel Gibson's license plate as he gets wasted and drives around California blaming the Jews for everything.

The Pro Viewer BinoCam combines powerful binoculars, a high-resolution camera and a camcorder all in one. It's all you need to catch the action... from a safe distance.

Specs:

• Image Sensor: 2.1 mega pixels
• Resolution: 1600 x 1200 (H); 640 x 480 (L)
• Interface: USB 1.1
• OS Support: Windows 98/98SE/2000/ME/XP
• Measures: 6 x 1.5 inches
• Weighs: 1.3 pounds
  

Features:

• SD Card Slot
• Magnification: 8X non-digital zoom
• Objective lens diameter: 32mm
• Focus Range: 18 meters to infinity
• Auto exposure
• 1.5" TFT Color LCD
• Note: Requires 4 AAA alkaline batteries (not included)
  

digg story | methodshop

Labels: camera

Are you into bird watching? Or maybe you like to snap pictures of topless celebrities at the beach? Regardless of your intentions, with the Pro Viewer BinoCam, you'll always take a crystal-clear shot no matter how far away you are from the action.

The Pro Viewer BinoCam is pair of binoculars and a digital camera all rolled into one. It features an 8X non-digital zoom with a 2.1 mega pixel camera capable of taking 1600 x 1200 pixel photos. After you snap the perfect picture, you can review it instantly with the BinoCam's built-in 1.5-inch full-color LCD screen. The BinoCam can also record 30 second AVI video clips.

Not interested in stalking celebrities? Of course, you can also take the BinoCam to the beach and watch the surfers ride the perfect wave. Prove to your friends you spotted whales on that last boat trip, or even assist the police by snapping Mel Gibson's license plate as he gets wasted and drives around California blaming the Jews for everything.

The Pro Viewer BinoCam combines powerful binoculars, a high-resolution camera and a camcorder all in one. It's all you need to catch the action... from a safe distance.

Specs:

• Image Sensor: 2.1 mega pixels
• Resolution: 1600 x 1200 (H); 640 x 480 (L)
• Interface: USB 1.1
• OS Support: Windows 98/98SE/2000/ME/XP
• Measures: 6 x 1.5 inches
• Weighs: 1.3 pounds
  

Features:

• SD Card Slot
• Magnification: 8X non-digital zoom
• Objective lens diameter: 32mm
• Focus Range: 18 meters to infinity
• Auto exposure
• 1.5" TFT Color LCD
• Note: Requires 4 AAA alkaline batteries (not included)
  

BeSocial: digg story | methodshop

Labels: camera