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Gear and Gadgets: Digital cameras, talking frames and more
By JUDI DASH A new batch of innovative products captures and preserves photo memories. The following items have been tested by the writer and may be available in area stores. Price does not include shipping. POINT, SHOOT, CLICK: Sony several years ago came out with a micro-notebook computer that was also a digital camera -- with the screen acting as a viewfinder. Now the company has enhanced both the computer and the camera, making this probably the smallest, most powerful full-fledged PC on the market, with fine digital photography resolution -- a neat combo for creating, preserving and e-mailing thoughts and images on the go. The new VAIO PCG-C1MV PictureBook PC measures just 10 by 6 by 1.2 inches thick, and weighs only 2.2 pounds. But it comes loaded with the new Windows XP, has a 733 MHz Crusoe processor, 128 MB of ram and a 20 GB hard drive. There is an integrated V90 modem, an excellent keyboard that is about 90 percent of full size, plenty of ports and much pre-loaded software. A new feature is a port replicator, for attaching even more hardware. Optional accessories include a floppy disk, CD ROM and DVD drives. The built-in camera is housed in the top bezel of the display. Just aim the screen at your subject and press the capture button to snap a photo or to record video. (You can even take a self-portrait by swiveling the lens to face you.) Another click launches a program that automatically attaches the image or video to an e-mail. Sony VAIO PCG-C1MV PictureBook PC lists for $1,999. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-282-2848; the Web site is www.sonystyle.com. ALBUM WITH A 'TUDE: It must be fun to be on the creative team at The Sharper Image, whose stores and catalogs are continuously revealing new-fangled products you didn't know you had to have until you saw them. The talking Pictures Photo Album is the latest great gizmo. Inside the 7.75 by 5.5 by 1.5 inch thick vinyl album are clear plastic pages for 24, 4x6 snapshots. And each page has a device for recording 10 seconds of commentary. The recorder is powered by two, included, AAA batteries. You can present Grandma with pictures of the family vacation with comments pre-recorded, or let the kids fill the album and take charge of their own play-by-play. Talking Pictures Photo Album (GC600) is $29.95 from The Sharper Image: toll-free 1-800-344-4444; www.sharperimage.com. FLASHY FRAME: Sure, you could display your photos in a frame that just stands there doing nothing, but now you don't have to. The Recording Photo Frame spouts your recorded 10-second message and blinks red and green lights when activated. Just flip on the power switch and depress the record button to capture your pithy words. Whenever the motion-sensitive frame is lifted or shaken, the show begins. For the silent treatment, flip the switch to off. The arch-shaped plastic frame is available in translucent green, yellow or royal blue, and operates on four, included, button batteries. Oh, it also holds a 5x7 photo. Recordable Talking Frame is $19.95 from Mega-Sound: toll-free 1-800-662-5372; www.mega-sound.com. HOW DRY IT IS: Otter Boxes are crushproof plastic containers with water-tight silicon O-rings and compression latches that will keep your camera (and anything else in the box) dry to 100 feet deep. The boxes are available in a large variety of shapes and sizes, accommodating everything from small, point-and-shoot cameras to large 35-mm equipment with lenses and flash unit. The larger boxes have removable, closed-cell, foam cushioning. The boxes are a smart way of safeguarding equipment and film during outdoor excursions, especially water sports. Otter Boxes run $18 to $53. Toll-free 1-888-695-8820; www.otterbox.com. THE SHOOTING EDGE: Want to go whole-hog on digital photography, with the same quality and flexibility of the most sophisticated SLR cameras? Take out a mortgage on the new Nikon D1X, the digital camera of choice (and dreams) for professional photographers. The camera accepts most regular Nikon lenses but requires a special Nikon flash, the SB-28DX or smaller SB-50DX, which are compatible with many Nikon SLRs. I found the D-1 easy to operate in automatic mode but also loaded with creative options, from pre- and post-shoot color and contrast adjustments to photo slide shows on the monitor. The camera comes with an NiMH rechargeable battery and charger and video cable. It accommodates CompactFlash digital film cards. At 2.5 pounds, excluding lens, this is one heavy baby, but you can't beat the 5.47 megapixel resolution, and digital film may be the only film that won't be damaged by airports' new higher-powered x-ray machines, used on both checked and carry-on bags. Nikon D1X lists at $5,000. For information, contact Nikon: toll-free 1-800-645-6687; www.nikonusa.com.
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