Video is great for capturing and preserving special events such as sporting matches, graduations, weddings (or when one of your mates does something so embarrassing it begs to be recorded and played back ad nauseam). Photos on the other hand, can you know, speak a thousand words – capturing key moments in stills that often convey more for what’s omitted. Trouble is, it’s one format or the other…until now! Thanks to the Simultaneous Still And Video Camera, you can record events in HD video from start to finish AND take photos of the highlights at the same time! Clever you.

Using a proprietary, multi-recording image processor, the Simultaneous Still And Video Camera enables you to shoot 720p high-definition video to capture tackles, tries and home runs in all their live-action glory, and simultaneously snap priceless 3MP shots of facial expressions frozen in time. The camera also takes 1080p HD videos and 16MP stills if used separately, and it’s 24X wide-zoom optical lens gets right up close to the action – eliminating camera shake with its built-in dual image stabilization.

Featuring a 3-inch LCD and accepting large 4GB microSD cards for image and video storage, the Simultaneous Still And Video Camera connects to your computer via the included USB cable, plays back content on your TV with its included AV cable, and is available now from Hammacher Schlemmer for $499.95. Your goal? To snap one up today!

I’m really kicking myself for not having a capable voice recorder at #140conf this week. If you’re in the same boat and need dependable crisp recordings up-close (for interviews) and from a distance (for presentations), you too may be interested in this little number. Called the Best Digital Voice Recorder, it has scored top marks over at HS for superior recording distance and playback clarity and can record voices up to 50-feet away without obscuring a speaker’s P’s, B’s and S’s.

Playing-back clear recordings with minimal background noise, the Best Digital Voice Recorder is made by Olympus and uses Variable Control Voice Actuator technology to detect a pre-determined volume level and remove silent pauses – while its low-cut filter reduces low-frequency sounds.

Easy to set up and including 2GB of built-in memory, the Best Digital Voice Recorder can capture up to 533 hours of audio in either MP3 or WMA format, includes a voice filter and noise cancellation and makes downloads easy to both Mac and PC over its built-in USB port.

Including 2 x AAA batteries that fetch an impressive 51 hours of operation, the Best Digital Voice Recorder measures a pocket-sized 4.5″ long x 1.5″ wide x 0.5″ thick and is available now from Hammacher Schlemmer for $169.95.

Source:
Hammacher Schlemmer

The Olympus PEN E-P1 is a hybrid 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens camera that manages to merge the look, feel and flexibility of a traditional film SLR with the convenience of a slim, lightweight digital point-and-shoot camera.

Featuring a 3-inch LCD view-screen, HD recording capability, image stabilization and in-camera creative features – the only real drawback I can see is the omission of a viewfinder. This may be a deal-breaker for some. The PEN E-P1 is compatible with all Micro Four Thirds lenses, plus adapters are available for Four Thirds, OM and lenses by other manufacturers.

The Olympus PEN E-P1 seems like a fantastic camera for traditionalists who love their old film SLR, but also appreciate the convenience that digital photography provides. Available now on pre-order in a multitude of body/lens combos for a July 2009 release, you can pick up Olympus’s PEN E-P1 at Amazon.com with prices starting from $749.99 (body only).

Sources:
Olympus and Amazon.com
Via: Likecool