Another Superzoom Camera from Panasonic

I have always been partial to bridge cameras, especially the ultra and superzoom models. And when Panasonic released another superzoom camera, it immediately piqued my interest. Ever since I purchased my trusty old Olympus C-760, I would immediately search the net each time a new bridge camera would come out into the market to check out its specs. One of the latest bridge cameras from Panasonic is a 14.1 megapixel beauty with a ultra-wide angle and powerful optical zoom lens. Aside from the latest LEICA DC VARIO-ELMART lens, which boosts its optical zoom from 25 mm all the way to 600 mm, the DMC-FZ100 also boasts of having a full HD movie recording capability.

The FZ100 has a 14.1 MOS sensor that allows it to record high quality 1980x1080 full HD movies. The same high speed sensor also allows it to to have one of the fastest burst shooting in the industry at an 11 fps on a 14.1 megapixel resolution using its mechanical shutter and up to 60 fps using it 3.5 megapixel recording mode.

Image blurs due to the movement of the subject or handshake has also become a thing of the past with the brilliant brightness of the lens and the Power Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S). This is especially useful if you are into sports photography or simply want to shoot moving objects.  Its Face Recognition function also allows it to remember faces allowing it to make the necessary AF/AE adjustments when taking pictures of people.

Although I would focus more on the optical zoom and image quality of bridge cameras, there are a lot more that this camera has to offer such as the Venus Engine FHD, which allows it to have a rapid response time allowing it to record a number of consecutive high resolution shots and full HD movie recording, an Intelligent Scene Selector, which allows it to automatically adjust the modes according to the shooting situation, an Intelligent Exposure function that helps it avoid overexposing or underexposing the image and an efficient battery system which allows it to take 410 shots for a single charge. The kit also comes in with a bundled software, the PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.2 HD Edition that can be installed on your PC.

All of these features are packed in a camera that is priced much lesser than a full-blown Digital SLR camera. This is definitely on bridge camera I would not mind putting on my wish list.

Source: Panasonic

Flip the USB any way with the Ultra Tek Flipper USB Connector

With the universal use of the USB device in just about any digital device, you may have been in a situation where you would struggle to plug in the USB device into your desktop or laptop only to find out later on that you held it upside down. This can definitely be a bit frustrating especially if you are in a hurry. Well, this might not be a problem anymore with the Ultra Tek Flipper USB connector.

This new gadget allows you plug in your USB device in any way you want, even with your eyes closed. The gadget has a slim male connector right in the middle which allows connections on both side rather than the usual one-sided connector at the end. It's fast, easy, user-friendly, safe and affordable. If you don't believe me, have a look at the video below.

Images from flipperusb.com

Source: engadget.com and flipperusb.com

Water-resistant Power Strip From Wet Circuits

Have you ever experienced a short-circuited power strip simply because you accidentally spilled water on it? Accidents like these can, at the very least, be quite annoying, but it can also lead to a much more serious situation. Well, this may become a thing of the past with the water-resistant power strip from Wet Circuits. The internal wiring of the power strip is protected by a special material preventing any serious injury to the user in case of accidents. Handling the power strip with damp or wet hands will not pose any problems at all. In fact, it can even be submerged under water for about two hours, although it is not advisable to do this.

The patented design of the device can efficiently prevent electric shocks from a water spill or submersion, accidental contact, and inserting metal objects. It also prevents fire due to overheating of the internal wiring or carbon accumulation.

The product is ideal for the following situations: accidental water spillage, intermittent rain, moist hands, and temporary flooding (as long as it does not stay submerged for more than two hours). The Wet Circuits product also helps avoid accidental electric shocks due to the insertion of metal objects into the power strip. Its design guarantees that electricity will flow only if an appropriate plug is utilized.

Fires caused by overheated powers strips account for a big number of fire around the world. The product has a fuse aside from a circuit breaker in order to prevent the accident before it happens.

Ever notice blue sparks coming out when you plug in an appliance into a power strip? Sparks like these can eventually lead to fires if the power strip will overheat. The Wet Circuits product helps avoid this situation. The distinctive material used for the device prevents the accumulation of carbon which will cause the overheating.

A typical power strip can last up to 5,000 instances of plugging and unplugging. The Wet Circuits device can last for around 20,000 plugging and unplugging, which is four times as many as a conventional power strip.

This water-resistant power strip from wet circuits will be an ideal device to have at home or at the office in order to prevent any of these accidents from happening.

Images from wetcircuits.com

Source: wetcircuits.com and engadget.com