‘Hybrid’ is the buzzword in cameras this month and JVC’s Everio GZ-X900 falls into this category, combining a Full HD camcorder with a 9MP camera. The party trick for the new camera is the ability to shoot Full HD video (1920 x 1080 pixels) and take 5MP photos at the same time. Photos can be shot at shutter speeds up to 1/4000 second without interrupting video recording. In terms of size, it’s small and light - like a chunky smartphone - weighing 0.66lbs (including battery and a memory card) and measuring 2.6 x 4.88 x 1.46in. JVC contends that unlike other cameras that do video badly and camcorders that do average photos, the GZ-X900 can do both very well. Well, it would now, wouldn’t it?Up to six 9MP stills can be shot at 15 images per second, which JVC claims is faster than what digital SLRs can achieve [we're sure there may be some comments about this]. The camera can shoot in various high-speed video recording modes [120 frames per second (fps), 300fps and 600fps ] allowing for different levels of slow-motion playback. Storage is via SDHC cards and the camera will cost $1,000 (£708) when it launches in June. Your guess is as good as mine as to what it will cost here by the time they convert it to Sterling and add on a dollop extra for good measure. Think £800+ to be safe.-Martin Lynch camera video HD

Eye-Fi has extended its range of wireless SD Cards by announcing some 4GB cards that will also let you automatically uploading videos to YouTube and Flickr. The two new cards double the capacity of existing cards and the addition of video uploading support will no doubt interest you avid video sharers. The cards, Eye-Fi Share Video and Eye-Fi Explore Video, work like Eye-Fi’s regular Wi-Fi SD storage cards by sending photos to your online site of choice and now video to sites like YouTube and Flickr. “The magic of Eye-Fi’s new cards is that they work with the camera you already own to capture photos - and now videos - and send them directly to the Web for sharing,” said Jef Holove, CEO for Eye-Fi. “Whether you′re spending time with your kids or chatting with a friend, your memories will upload in the background for instant sharing - all by simply turning on your camera.” The cards can upload photos and videos directly to one of more than 20 online photo sharing and social networking sites. The Eye-Fi Explore Video card also throws in some geotagging for your snaps and vids. “According to our research, nearly half of consumers reach for their digital camera to take video, instead of their other video capture devices, like phones or camcorders,” said Alan Bullock, research analyst with InfoTrends. “Solutions like Eye-Fi make it easy for consumers to use the digital camera they already own to shoot and share videos.” Available for pre-order here, the 4GB Eye-Fi Share Video costs $79 and the 4GB Eye-Fi Explore Video, $99. The company is also launching a new iPhone application that allows Eye-Fi users to store and share all their photos, from both an iPhone and a digital camera, into the same organised computer folder and to one of 25 online photo sharing Web sites.-Martin Lynch gadgets digital camera youtube video

If you want to upgrade from a compact digital camera to a digital SLR (DSLR) but are worried about the bulk, then Olympus is claiming to have the ‘world’s smallest and lightest creative D-SLR with in-built image stabilisation’ with its new E-620. The 12.3MP camera weighs just over 1lb [without lens] and measures 130 x 94 x 60mm. Targeted at enthusiasts looking for professional features, Olympus claims the E-620 is a cinch to use. It boasts a 7-point Twin autofocus system for consistent focus, a swivel 2.7in LCD display and there’s a host of in-built Art Filters [also seen on the E-30] that allow you to apply ‘stylish effects at the touch of a button’. Filters include things like Pop Art, Pin Hole, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Colour, Light Tone and Grainy Film. Shots can be framed in various aspect ratios from 4:3 and 3:2 (35mm equivalent) to 6:6 (medium-format) or 16:9 (cinematic). Pictures can be taken at speeds up to 4fps and Olympus promises perfectly clear shots everytime. The camera is due out in April and comes bundled with the ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko zoom lens. Pricing for the UK has still be released but it will cost around £550 in the US where it will launch first. See below for a full list of the main features and specs.-Martin Lynch The Olympus E-620 digital SLR - main features: Creativity • Art Filters, Multiple Exposure, Wireless Flash, Multi-Aspect • Comfortable Live View thanks to high-speed contrast AF • Free-angle 6.9cm/2.7″ HyperCrystal III LCD • 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS Sensor Functionality • Built-in IS with max. 4 EV steps efficiency • 7-point Twin AF (5 cross points) • Optical viewfinder with approx 95% field of view and approx 0.96x magnification Portability • Small and light-weight body Additional features of the Olympus E-620: • Multiple-exposure function with LCD monitor display of current view superimposed on top of previously captured image • Auto gradation adjustment to prevent blown highlights and blocked-in shadows • Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology • Auto white balance control • Perfect Shot Preview to enable comparison of the results of various settings adjustments before actual shooting • Reliable Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system • Built-in flash (GN12) with commander function for wireless off-camera flash synchronisation • Wireless flash control in up to 3 groups (separate press release available for Olympus FL-50R and FL-36R flash units) • Versatile bracketing functions for ISO, white balance, exposure, and flash • Based on the Four Thirds Standard • Illuminated buttons • Ergonomic design of body, control buttons and GUI for easy operation • AE/AF lock functionality for individual customisation • ISO 100-3200 for wide-ranging sensitivity • Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface • High-speed data writing and lossless RAW compression for quick processing • Simultaneous writing of RAW and JPEG • 23 shooting modes (5 Exposure Modes, 5 Creative Modes, 13 Scene Select Modes) • Wide dynamic range in highly lit areas • Dual memory slot for CompactFlash and xD-Picture Cards (incl. support for UDMA High-Speed CF cards and Microdrive) The Olympus E-620 is available in the following configurations: • Olympus E-620 Lens Kit (E-620 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens) • Olympus E-620 Double Zoom Kit (E-620 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 and ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6 lenses) • Olympus E-620 Pancake Lens Kit (E-620 body with ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 lens) New accessories: • HLD-5 Power Grip • FL-BK04 Flash Bracket • FL-BKM03 Twin Flash Bracket • PT-E06 Underwater Case * Full contrast AF performance is available with new Olympus lenses including the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm 1:4.0-5.6, the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6, the ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6, the ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 “pancake” lens and the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 II. camera dslr

The Modu modular phone, which we reported on last week, seems like quite an interesting idea and predictably the MWC has revealed a few innovative ways in which it can be used. Amongst the selection are the speaker jacket (shown pictured above) that offers access to the handset on one side and a pair of JBL cones on the other, along with dedicated play controls. You’ll also find a ‘car jacket’ that turns the thing into a GPS device thanks to built-in satnav functionality, a bicycle jacket that just seems to be a handlebar mount but with thumb controls for accessing the menus on the move, and a digital photo frame jacket that offers a large touchscreen for browsing stored photos. There’s also a sports jacket that’s supposed to be worn on your arm, presumably when out exercising, with easily accessible controls. There are no release dates or prices for these accessories yet, but the Modu concept seems to be shaping up quite nicely so far. - Paul Lester [RegHardware] Modu mobile phone concept

Nokia has finally dived into the 8MP camera-phone market with the N86, which was unveiled yesterday at the MWC. This is very much a camera-oriented phone, with a Carl Zeiss Tessar lens, dual LED flash, wide-angle mode and autofocus, plus it can snap video at 30fps in 640𝚠 resolution. It offers a 2.6″ display at 240𝘀 resolution (though no touchscreen) and is a fairly chunky little number at 103⼓⻱mm weighing 149g. The N86 should be worth lugging around for most though, and as well as its photo-oriented nature it hasn’t skimped on the features that make the N-series so versatile. It can handle a range of multimedia content including MPEG4, H.264 and MP3 stored on the 8GB of internal memory, which is expandable to 16GB via microSD card. It’s also 3.5G with wi-fi and GPS with Nokia Maps thrown in along with a digital compass and geotagging for photos. Despite the wide range of features there’s not a lot new here except for the upgraded camera, but budding photographers waiting for Nokia to compete in this area should be pleased by the upgrade. The N86 will be available in the Spring for around €364 before the usual contract discounts and subsidies. - Paul Lester [MobileGazette] Nokia N86 digital camera

Dell has recently put some stock in the photo printer market by announcing the new ink-free Wasabi, a pocket-sized device capable of outputting 2ҳ″ prints with adhesive backs. The good news is you won’t get stung for ink costs, but the bad news is that you will get stung for paper. Like Polaroid′s Pogo technology, the Wasabi uses dedicated paper that has been infused with dye crystals that respond to heat from the printer to reveal the appropriate colour. It comes with Bluetooth for wirelesss connection along with USB ports to hook up devices directly and a full charge should offer around 15 printouts. Dell also claims to be able to output a shot in less than a minute. We’re still waiting on a few availability details but the price quoted so far is $99 (about £70) and around $12 for a 24-sheet pack of paper. There’s still a distinct ‘convenience’ premium involved then, if you compare it the price of high-street processing, but it’s a tidy solution nonetheless. - Paul Lester [GizmodoUS] Dell photo printer Polaroid

With the Mobile World Congress just around the bend, Sony has decided to get in ahead of the rush with the release of its latest midrange Cyber-shot mobile phone, the 𐤿. The 𐤿 Cyber-shot sports a 5-megapixel camera and comes with a sliding protective lens cover and there’s dedicated camera keys to help making taking photos easier. The camera functionality includes Face Detection for up to 3 people and Smile Shutter. A feature called BestPic lets you fire off 9 snaps in quick succession before picking the best one. You can record video with image stabilisation and there’s a TV-out port for hooking the phone up to your TV.The phone sports a 2.4in ‘auto-rotating′ display which means the image changes shape and format as you tilt the phone. The display has a pixel resolution of 240 x 320 and the 𐤿 weighs in at 96g. But, let’s not forget that this is a phone too. The 𐤿 Cyber-shot comes complete with aGPS so you can tag those important photos with a location. It supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSPA 900/2100. It’s coming out in ̬ and will ship in “Lacquer Black, Techno White and Glamour Red”. Internal memory is 105MB and there’s support for Memory Stick Micro. Talk-time is rated at up to 10 hours on GSM/GPRS and standby time clocks in at 400 hours. Lurking in the background of the photo above you can see the newly launched 𕕣 Walkman phone, sporting a 2MP camera, 1GB of storage, an FM radio and some handy in-built stereo speakers so that you don’t have to use earphones to listen to your tunes.-Martin Lynch mobile phone phone sony

People seem to be cramming miniature cameras into all manner of household items these days we’ve already seen a rather unassuming looking pen and a clunky looking clock in recent times. A lighter can now be added to your collection of spy surveillance equipment in the form of the (say it quickly) Real Lighter DVR Lighter Camera Hidden Digital Video Recorder Micro Camera. We’d like to see Q trying to do a good job of introducing that one. Despite the unnecessarily lengthy name, we don’t reckon many people would be able to work out what you’re doing when it’s placed on a table in front of you, though like the security clock mentioned above it seems to be marketed at home surveillance rather than undercover work. Leave it on a sideboard (or preferably somewhere less obvious, to prevent it being nicked) when you leave the house and it’ll record for up to six hours on a single charge onto a micro SD card. Video is in 640𝚠, 30fps AVI format and there’s even a microphone to capture sound. Strangely it doesn’t seem to be able to snap pictures but it will actually work as a lighter as well, which should convince most people that you’re not up to any funny business. If you’re into this sort of covertly designed spy-gear, you can find out more from Ajoka, the micro surveillance solutions website, linked below. - Paul Lester [Ajoka] lighter DVR camera

With cost in mind Nikon has just unveiled a new budget series of digital cameras to help soothe your recession-weary wallet. The 3 new Coolpix L Series models are the L100, L20 and L19, with prices that start at £99. The L100 [above] is a super-zoom compact, with a 15x fixed optical zoom lens. This way consumers get to have a little of the functionality you get on some entry level digital SLR cameras without the cost or, the hassle of carrying different lenses. It has a 10-megapixel (MP) sensor and there’s a new Sport Continuous Scene Mode that allows you to shoot an impressive 13 frames per second (fps) at full resolution, or 30fps at 3MP. There’s a 3in LCD display and a host of the usual clever functions like face detection, blink warning and even motion detection that will automatically change the shutter speed if granny starts to wander off again as you to prepare to shoot that family portrait. It will cost around £240 when it arrives next month. The L20 and L19 are 10MP and 8MP point-and-shoot compacts. The L20 has a 3in LCD while the L19 comes with a 2.7in display. Both have features to make casual shooting easier like face detection and blink warning and both run off AA batteries. They are both arriving this month with the L20 costing £130 and the L19 coming in at £99.-Martin Lynch camera digital camera photos

If you want to make video calls on the cheap to friends or family abroad but aren’t happy messing about with webcams and IM software and the like, this dedicated Skype phone from Asus could fit the bill. The AiGuru SV1 is about to arrive on our shores and features a 7″ screen to view images and a 640×480 camera to send them. It can connect directly to a wired or wireless network and works just fine without a computer, even including a rechargeable battery so you can carry it around with you or find a comfy spot on the sofa for long calls. Sound good? Sure, if for whatever reason you′re not happy doing this sort of thing from a notebook or desktop machine. Oh, and you′re filthy rich. What stopped us (and undoubtedly 99% of the market for such as device) dead in our tracks is the RRP. £220 to you sir, which is bizarrely optimistic when you consider the price of devices like the Eee PC, which is of course made by… yep! Asus. So expect this little gadget to come and go quicker than you can say ‘free video calling’, we honestly can’t think of a single reason to recommend it over more versatile alternatives. - Paul Lester [Skype] Asus Skype video calling