Facetime on your Apple Watch? Wristcam’s new live video-messaging feature brings us one step closer

There are just two trivial things that Apple refuses to do – 1. Put a calculator app on the iPad, and 2. Put a camera on the Apple Watch. The Wristcam hopes to fix one of those things.

Apple has evolved the Watch into a miniature smartphone with even the ability to make calls from it. On the other hand, Apple’s expanded how Facetime works, allowing practically any device to join a Facetime call using a browser link. However, for some absurd reason, those two advancements are mutually exclusive. Today, Wristcam announced its live video-messaging feature within its app, allowing you to experience possibly the closest thing to being able to Facetime from a smartwatch.

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The Wristcam made its debut last year as the only smart camera-band to receive the “Made for Apple Watch” designation. The band, which is compatible with any Apple Watch, comes with not one, but TWO cameras powered by Sony sensors, capable of shooting 4K and 1080p respectively. The front-mounted 8MP camera can shoot images in 4K resolution while recording videos in Full HD. The selfie camera, on the other hand, can be used for clicking selfies, sending video-clips, or even participating in live video messaging, thanks to a new update to the Wristcam’s app. Wristcam’s “live or later” video walkie-talkie experience lets you video chat in real-time with friends and family right from your Apple Watch. Videos get stored in Wristcam’s app and you can even access/edit/upload them through your iPhone.

The Wristcam comes with its own 8GB of storage and a battery good enough for an entire day, according to the company. It’s built to be IP68 water-resistant, which means you can wear it in the pool or at the beach too; and for an absolutely hands-free experience, Wristcam supports Siri shortcuts, letting you snap pics and shoot videos, without ever lifting a finger. For privacy purposes, it even has a built-in LED that lights up when the camera is operational – a single flash indicates picture mode and continuous flashing means the camera is in video mode.

Designer: Wristcam

The Wristcam’s design lets you interchange bands too, and overall weighs a mere 22 grams, so you can wear it all day without noticing the difference… aside from the fact that you’ve now got instant-access cameras on your wrist!

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Sony teases ‘4K, HFR’ F-series pro camcorder for October 30th event

Sony teases '4K, HFR' F-series pro camcorder for October 30th event

Sony recently teased its high-end CineAlta brand and 'TheNewF,' implying a high-end PMW-F3-like camcorder could be coming at an October 30th event. It's now taken some of the suspense out of the announcement on Facebook, saying the upcoming camera will have 4k resolution, broadcast-level 50Mbps data rate, 4:2:2 color space and high frame-rates. That means it'll likely be a professional product on par with the last F-model, but we'll have to wait and see if it'll retain features like the PL lens mount and $16k price tag. We'll be there on the 30th for the full scoop, so stay tuned.

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Sony teases '4K, HFR' F-series pro camcorder for October 30th event originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 06:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First DSLR 4K video from prototype Canon EOS-1D C reportedly emerges

First 4K video from the Canon EOS1D C reportedly emerges, underwhelms

If you've been wondering what kind of eye candy Canon's EOS-1D C is capable of, you might be in luck. The crew over at EOSHD have apparently snagged some 4K sample footage from an early prototype of the unreleased, professional-grade DSLR. The clip looks slick to us, albeit lacking in the scenery department. Even so, EOSHD comments that while a "massive step up for image quality compared to all previous DSLRs" the video footage isn't as sharp as stills from the 1D X (the 1D C's less-endowed sibling) and "not near what true 4K should look like." (Of course, anyone looking for true 4K is advised to step up to Sony's $70k F65 CineAlta, so we guess you get what you pay for). You can check out the minute-long clip, unfortunately scaled to a Vimeo-friendly 1,920 x 1,080, after the break. If your discerning eye demands the raw footage, however, why not grab the few seconds available at the source link and let us know your thoughts? That's what the comments are for, after all.

Continue reading First DSLR 4K video from prototype Canon EOS-1D C reportedly emerges

First DSLR 4K video from prototype Canon EOS-1D C reportedly emerges originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Jul 2012 22:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon Cinema EOS C500 camera hands-on (video)

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The familiar EOS-1D C isn't the only Canon camera to make its public debut ahead of NAB. The Cinema EOS series welcomes a third model to the collection this week, with looks that nearly match last year's C300. Unlike that model, which you can already pick up through e-tailers and at specialty shops, the C500 has a long way to go before it gets a shipping nod -- it may not even make it to market in 2012. The $30,000 price tag may pose an even greater barrier to entry than its to-be-announced availability date, however, and may in need of some tweaking before it's ready to compete with already established models, like the much less expensive RED Scarlet. Like the 1D C, the C500 can shoot 4K video -- the most apparent upgrade from the $16,000 C300. To that end, boosting its price tag may be the only way for Canon to avoid cannibalizing that less-abled flavor, since many cinematographers would otherwise pay little attention to the C300, due in part to its 1080p-limited shooting capabilities.

It's been a few months since we've last seen Canon's first Cinema EOS model, but the C500 has a look and feel that seems to be only subtly different from the C300. It is noticeably heavier, likely due to the additional cooling gear on board to accommodate 4K shooting. Both flavors include dual CF card slots, which you'll only be able to use for snapping 1080p video -- 4K is fed to an external recorder through the dual 3G-SDI ports, which for obvious reasons you won't find on the C300. There's also a larger grip on board, now a permanent fixture on the C500, which should aid with bare-bones handheld shoots -- but if you're dropping 30 grand on a digital body, some sticks and a dolly shouldn't be far behind. Like its sibling, this year's model ships with either a Canon EOS or industry standard PL mount, so if you have a need for both, you'll need two cameras. Overall, you're looking at the same sleek, albeit slightly unconventional body design, with a price tag that's likely to make amateurs weep and pros run for the rental house. As always, there's a hands-on video waiting just past the break.

Continue reading Canon Cinema EOS C500 camera hands-on (video)

Canon Cinema EOS C500 camera hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon Cinema EOS-1D C 4K camera hands-on (video)

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It's been but half a year since Canon first entered the motion picture market, and the company is already back with its second and third professional video rigs. The Cinema EOS-1D C marks the most drastic departure from the C300, which launched last November at an elaborate Hollywood event at Paramount Studios. It was at this spectacle that we were first introduced to the 1D C, which was then but a glass-protected prototype. Now, far sooner than expected, the (relatively) compact camera is making its return to the spotlight, in more polished form. Like the 1D series bodies that bear similar monikers and appearances, including the yet-to-ship EOS- 1D X, the C model is a very capable still shooter, offering the same core functionality of the $6,800 X. It also brings 4K capture to the table, however, prompting Canon to price the camera far above its less-abled counterpart. At $15,000, we don't expect to see red C logos popping up in many a photojournalist's gear bag, but for deep-pocketed professionals with a need to capture 4K clips, this may be a worthwhile acquisition.

We took a closer look at the 1D C at Canon's pre-NAB event in Las Vegas. As the pictures and spec sheet imply, it's the 1D X's clone in nearly every way. In fact, beyond the headphone jack and C logo, there's not much distinguishing the pair externally. You'll need to hop into the menu before you'll really notice a difference, in the form of several unique 4K shooting modes, including 8-bit 4:2:2 24fps captures to a CF card or 8-bit 4:2:2 clips in an uncompressed format over HDMI. Otherwise, the C looks and feels just like the X -- a model pro snapper that we've already managed to fondle on three continents under Canon's watchful eye, but still has yet to ship. Both cameras are gorgeous externally, with slight design tweaks yet no drastic overhaul, dating back to the very first EOS-1D. If you haven't had a chance to gawk at either model, you'll at very least be able to check out the 1D C at Canon's booth this week at NAB . We're hoping to see both cameras hit the market sometime in 2012, and who knows -- this Cinema EOS could even be the first next-gen 1D to ship. Take a closer look in the gallery below, and in our hands-on video after the break.

Continue reading Canon Cinema EOS-1D C 4K camera hands-on (video)

Canon Cinema EOS-1D C 4K camera hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon unveils EOS-1D C and C500 4K Cinema cameras, two new lenses ahead of NAB (updated)

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In a departure from its last introduction as dramatic as the C300's Hollywood launch itself, Canon has quietly announced two additional cameras to sit alongside the company's former lone flagship. You may have caught a glimpse of the EOS-1D C at the C300 launch, but what six months ago was a mere mock-up has actually become a reality, likely to ship sometime this year. More out of left field, however, is the C500 -- a higher-end version of the C300 that adds several shooting modes, dual 3G-SDI ports and a larger, permanent grip. Both cameras can capture 4K video, but in substantially different ways.

The $15,000 1D C, which has the same chassis and still shooting features of its less-abled cousin, the EOS-1D X, pipes 4096 x 2160 8-bit 4:2:2 video to a CF card at 24 fps. Unlike the X, however, the C swaps a headphone jack for the X's PC socket, that's usually used for hooking up strobes. The higher-end C500 requires a dedicated external recorder, but offers two full-RAW output options: 4096 x 2960, that will be better suited for motion picture capture, and 3840 x 2160 for 4K TV. Both of these modes offer 10-bit 4:4:4 at 60 frames-per-second. There's also a half-RAW option, at 4096 x 1080 or 3840 x 1080 resolutions, also 10-bit 4:4:4, but at 120 fps. The C500 also includes dual CF slots, but that recording option is only available for 1080p (which can be captured to CF concurrently). Both cameras support Canon Log Gamma, empowering colorists to correct color in post production with more versatility by capturing additional information and a higher dynamic range.

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Continue reading Canon unveils EOS-1D C and C500 4K Cinema cameras, two new lenses ahead of NAB (updated)

Canon unveils EOS-1D C and C500 4K Cinema cameras, two new lenses ahead of NAB (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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