Canon Unveils New Professional Camcorder: the XA10

Today, Canon announced a new professional camcorder, the XA10, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The camcorder isn’t much larger than some of Canon’s top-line Vixia models (like the HF S21), which means the XA10 is likely being marketed as a bridge camcorder that blurs the line between high-end consumer and professional models.

The XA10 shares many of the same features and qualities as the Canon XF105 and XF100, two members of Canon’s XF line of professional camcorders, but it is also nearly identical to Canon’s new Vixia HF G10 consumer camcorder that was also announced this morning at CES. You can read about the HF G10, Canon’s new top-of-the-line consumer camcorder, here.
Internally, the XA10 has a lot in common with the XF105 and XF100. In fact, the XA10 has the same 1/3-inch image sensor as its XF predecessors, although it records using AVCHD compression rather than the XF codec. With AVCHD compression, the XA10 is limited to a 24Mbps maximum bitrate and 4:2:0 color sampling instead of the 50Mbps and 4:2:2 sampling offered on the XF105 and XF100 models. The sensor and bitrate specs on the XA10 are identical to those offered on the aforementioned Vixia HF G10.

The lens on the XA10 has identical specs to the lenses found on the XF105 and XF100. For those who don’t have those specs memorized, here they are: 10x optical zoom and a 30.4 – 304mm focal range. At 1.7 pounds, the XA10 is roughly 3/4 of a pound lighter than the XF100, which should make it ideal for on-the-go recording.
The XA10 records has dual SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slots (as opposed to CF cards on the XF models) and it comes packed with 64GB of built-in memory—two more features that should enhance the portable nature of the model. The LCD on the XA10 uses touchscreen technology, and it has a large 3.5-inch display with a 921,000-pixel resolution.

To set it apart from the Vixia HF G10, the XA10 has a removable handlebar that features dual XLR inputs for professional audio recording. The XA10 also has the infrared recording feature that was found on the XF105 and XF100, but is not present on the HF G10. The XA10 features double the internal memory of the HF G10 as well (64GB vs. 32GB).
You can expect the XA10 to hit the stores in late March of 2011, and it should retail for around $1999. A wireless microphone, with a release date set for May, will also be available with the camcorder at a cost of $250.

Head to Head: Sony HX30V vs. Canon SX260 HS

We regarded Sony’s HX9V as easily the best travel zoom camera of 2011, and let’s face it, 2012 turned out to be sort of a weak year for this category. So we continued recommending the HX9V, even after the new year, and even after this product starting to become less and less available for purchase on the market. When we finally got around to testing Canon’s SX260, it seemed to be the only camera capable of dethroning the HX9V. And now, finally, we have Sony’s response: the HX30V. (Not to be confused with the HX10V, which has been repositioned as a lower-end camera)

They’re both great cameras that appear quite equal on paper, but this is a face-off that’s been two years in the making. So which one is best? That depends on what you want to use it for.

Features

This is probably the least exciting part of the comparison, since the two cameras are on pretty equal footing features-wise. They share the key component, a 20x optical zoom lens, and both offer more manual controls than most other competition—the HX30V has a hamstrung manual mode, while the SX260 HS actually offers all the PASM modes. Continuous burst speed is identical at 10 frames per second for 10 shots. Both cameras also offer GPS functionality that actually works, and the HX30V also includes Wi-Fi, though this features is of dubious usefulness.
Perhaps the most significant differentiating feature is video. The SX260’s handling of video is certainly competent, but it’s no match for the HX30V’s gorgeous 1080/60p clips. If video is important to you, this Head to Head is over.

Image Quality

Canon is going to take this category. While both 20x lenses are strained by their ambitious design, resulting in some chromatic aberration, the SX260’s lens starts off sharper than the HX30V, and stays sharper regardless of focal length. The HX30V’s sensor also produces more image noise than the SX260 HS. Much more. In fact, shots captured with the Sony at ISO 100 could almost be compared to shots captured with the Canon at ISO 400, or even 800. The SX260’s dynamic range is also superior, by about two stops, though this figure is exaggerated by the difference in noise performance. Still, the SX260 takes better photos, hands down.

Ease of Use

Although we appreciated the HX9V’s manual mode last year, this feature should’ve evolved into a full sized mode to stay competitive in 2012. Obviously that didn’t happen, making the SX260 a much more flexible option for changing settings and styles on the go. The gulf is widened by Canon’s intuitive menu systems, against Sony’s version which hasn’t been designed as wisely. Sony’s interface seems designed around simple operation for beginners, but experienced users will find themselves tasked with lots of extra scrolling.

Conclusion

Our overall scores ended up placing the Canon SX260 HS ever-so-slightly ahead of the Sony HX30V, and we’re satisfied with that result. These are two excellent cameras, competitively priced, but the SX260 offers superior image quality at a street price that’s about $100 less than the HX30V. This verdict comes with one important caveat: videos captured with the SX260 HS are adequate, but don’t hold a candle to the HX30V’s 1080/60p video. Your purchase decision should come down to—quite simply—whether or not video performance is important to you. Otherwise, it’s hard to go wrong with either, but pick up the cheaper SX260 HS if you can.

Elegant White Bedroom Interior Design

Since bedroom is a low-traffic zone white design and decor can easily fit for it. An all white bedroom can seem too minimalist so here are some ideas on creating an elegant white bedroom. White is a neutral so it can be paired or accented with any other color from black to bright red or yellow. It all depends on what color scheme you’d like to create and what mood to set.

Choosing White Hues

Not all whites are the same. Some have gray undertones while others feature blue. So when you choose white paint and white furniture make sure they match nicely or they are of the same hue. This will give the room a whole look. Avoid using gray whites in small bedrooms as they will make the room look smaller.

Pairing With Pastels

White can be paired with a pastel pink or cream or beige. If you are looking for more elegant and unusual color schemes opt for shiny apricot, peach or cream. Chairs upholstered in shiny fabrics will add glamor and opulence to the bedroom without overwhelming it with the secondary color.

Bold Accents

Black and white is a classic, but it can also look elegant. Black can be replaced with plum, charcoal and chocolate brown. Make sure your accent color goes well with the white hue. Bold accents especially stand out in white room so choose beautiful colors and shades that nicely contrast with white design.

White on White

White on white can be hard to pull off but it is quite possible. Opt for sculptural bed with metallic or wooden base, maybe even a canopy bed. Choose ornate and voluminous headboard and draped bed linens. Also pay attention to textures, intricate surfaces will add detail and depth to white bedroom.

Accessorize

Accessorize white with trim work, drapes, interesting throw pillows and ornate linens. Play with various fabrics and surfaces to create elegant but interesting and detailed interior. White allows many design solutions even when the room is finished. Add or throw out the bold accents any time you feel like the room needs a quick makeover. Add patterns, swap furniture and voila the room is as good as new.

Transparent Elegance

You might think you are out of your mind when seeing someone floating in the air, well don’t go mad yet. It is no doubt a piece of transparent new generation furniture design. Take a look at these awesome new generation furniture designs.

They look amazing, with this glittery bright and curvilinear surface. Take a look at that awesome Oste Table, which overflows with elegance and luxury look. This gorgeous piece of furniture, introduced by Colico Design in late April. This stunning masterpiece of acrylic supremacy is a total find for anyone who wants to add a touch of elegance into a dining room, or even into a living room. It is light, transparent, and magnificent but without the clumsiness of wood. The reflected light plays with the curves, illuminating the intricate table leg details.This table no doubt looks traditional in its form, yet it adds a contemporary charm to it, because it is made from a modern material, acrylic. This table no doubt brings personal tones to any room it is located in.
Not yet convinced that elegance can be transparent? Check out the Pasha chair. Made by Marco Pocci and Claudio Dondoli, it also add a sense of grace and charm. It is not as magnificent and grand as the Oste Table, however, they share the common translucence. The Pasha chair is made out of polycarbonate. An interesting note is also that Pasha chair can blend into practically any background. The design of the chair is pretty chic, so it adds luxury into your interior. The transparent furniture is a great find for anyone who wants elegance and modernity in their furniture.

Hanging Chairs In Interior & Outdoor Decorating

Hanging chairs are becoming more popular for interior and outdoor decorating. Hanging chairs come in various forms and designs adding an interesting touch to the interior design as well as the outdoor decor. Hanging chair can be placed in a living room or bedroom but it should fit into the interior theme and style.

When choosing a hanging chair pay attention to materials and fixtures. These should be of good quality in order to last long. Also when choosing an outdoor hanging chair consider how it will be installed. Some outdoor versions have a ready-made structure on which they hang so that they can be placed near the pool or elsewhere.
Hanging chairs also come in a variety of shapes so consider the style and the dynamic of the room when choosing a hanging chair. An interesting hanging chair shape can add to the interior’s dynamic while bringing a cool touch to the outdoor decor.
A hanging chair can be a nice addition to the patio or porch. Indoors a hanging chair can look too bulky and make the place look crammed if there is a lack of space so it’s better to use it in spacious rooms. Outdoors a hanging chair can make for a great addition to the seating area.
When hanging a chair choose a place in a room where it wouldn’t block the view of the room or it’s focal point as well as create obstacles on the pathways. A hanging chair can look goo in the corners, near windows, and in the group with other furniture.

From the old garage to a new home

Artist, designer and welder in Seattle Michelle de la Vega was converted garage area of 250 square feet (23 square meters) in the living room.

The Island of Michael Schumacher

After Michael Schumacher retired from Formula 1, a Dubai sheik presented him with this gorgeous island worth four and a half million euros

Journey to the “Road of Death”

The participants of the show “Ice road truckers“, accompanied by Canadian photographer Joey Lawrence, made ​​a dangerous journey to the “Road of Death” (Spanish: Camino de La Muerte), which is located in Bolivia and is considered one of the most dangerous in the world. After this trip the Russian roads you seem smart highways.
“Road of Death” with a width of 3.5 m is at an altitude of 1200-1800 meters. It was built in the 1930s, Paraguayan prisoners who participated in the Chaco War. Many of them died during the construction … Now she takes the lives of hundreds of motorists annually. The narrow road is only for one-way traffic, but local motorists manage to go through it in both directions. Unfortunately, no other way for the residents of Coroico lacks. For them, the “Road of Death” – the only way to La Paz and civilization.