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DXG

DXG's 3D toy camera is cheap fun

Having tested several digital cameras with 3D photo modes, the excitement quickly wears off. That's mostly because the results aren't great and they require a 3D HDTV and glasses. The DXG-018 camera is different.

While other manufacturers use a single lens, high-speed shooting, and image processing to create a 3D image, the DXG has two f2.8 lenses and two incredibly small 1/9-inch type sensors (a typical point-and-shoot has a 1/2.3-inch type sensor). Press the shutter release and it captures a single 0.3-megapixel shot with each lens.

Those shots are saved side by side (see the photo below). The camera can focus as close as 6 inches from the subject, but be warned: the angle of view is very narrow. Framing shots is done on a 1.4-inch LCD; that's small and the screen quality is miserable, so it can be difficult to use in full sun. … Read more

3D cameras and camcorders: The first wave

Up until 2010, there were nearly no off-the-shelf cameras for consumers to create digital 3D photos and movies; it was pretty much a hobbyist or professional thing to do. But with people hungry for content to view on their 3D-enabled TVs or computers, manufacturers started trickling out cameras and camcorders this year that just about anyone can use for shooting 3D.

The cameras don't all create 3D in the same way, though. Panasonic, for example, is currently relying on add-on lenses that feed stereo images to a single sensor. Fujifilm, DXG, and others, however, are using dual lenses and sensors, which is the more traditional way--and some might argue the best way--of creating stereoscopic images.

Sony skips both of these methods by using a single lens and high-speed shooting and processing to simultaneously capture left and right images that are stitched together in camera. (I expect the remaining manufacturers that don't have 3D cameras to go this last route, as it's likely the least expensive option to implement.)

Plus, there's software to take the 2D content you already have and convert it to 3D, which saves you the trouble of buying a new camera or camcorder altogether. (You could always go back to film or DIY, too.)… Read more

DXG promises sub-$200 3D camcorder

LAS VEGAS--There's really very little to say about the DXG 3DView camcorder because it doesn't seem to exist yet. At least not in any sort of final form.

Outside the camera and camcorder manufacturer's booth at CES 2010 is a small setup of some 3D images being played back on a special screen. I got the impression that they weren't created with a DXG product--current or future--but simply a demonstration of what 3D looks like. Around the corner from this display, though, is this poster advertising the dual-lens 3DView camcorder. (Why the giant ram's … Read more

DXG doubles up on compact HD camcorders

While there have been no shortage of vertical-style mini HD camcorders at CES 2009 (see announcements from Kodak, Sony, and RCA), there haven't been any pistol-grip mini HD camcorders, mainly because the most recognized maker of them, Sanyo, didn't have any announcements at the show. But fear not, DXG has you covered with the DXG-581V.

Due in the first quarter of this year for $179.99, the DXG-581V can capture HD video up to a resolution of 1,920x1,280 and capture 8-megapixel photos. It's equipped with built-in flash memory (though DXG didn't say how much), … Read more

DXG's new budget do-it-all camera

DXG just announced the latest member of its pocket camera family. The DXG-572V can shoot 5-megapixel still images, or record VGA (640 x 480) video at 30 frames per second. While it doesn't have nearly as many settings as your typical digital camera, the 572V does let you change white balance settings, so your incandescent-lit shots don't come out all yellowed. It also features a voice-recorder mode, for taking down voice notes.

Unfortunately, do-everything devices like the DXG-572V tend to end up being jacks of some trades, masters of none. With just a 5-megapixel sensor, a tiny 2-inch … Read more

A camera for the kids

Kids these days don't know how good they've got it. When I was a kid, you were lucky to get one megapixel in your camera, and that megapixel would be written to a single 3.5-inch floppy disk. We didn't have MP3 players or pocket camcorders or any of those fancy things. The only moving pictures we had were on our CRT monitors. And don't get me started on the regular ritual of taking the mouse ball out of your beige mouse and picking lint out of the rollers.

Today, kids have their Facebooks and Myspaces … Read more