Yet, could they have imagined that their creation, the first portable camera to produce true-color photographs, would inspire a massive 22-year, privately funded project to promote world peace?
The NX20 is the perfect match for enthusiast amateur or professional photographers looking for a highly portable camera that gives the professional look and feel of a DSLR but at a fraction of the size and weight, with the addition of an ergonomic grip to fit comfortably into the hand.
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But there are alternatives beyond the smartphone and nearly every camera maker showed a portable, Flip-like video camera at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.
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In 1861, professional photographer Auguste-Rosalie Bisson had climbed Mont Blanc with 25 porters hauling his camera and portable darkroom up to the summit.
Combining this incredible zoom and high-image quality will allow photographers of all levels to capture great photos or 1080p Full HD video up close and at a distance, all in one portable, powerful digital camera.
Whether a light and portable long-zoom camera, or a sharp and stylish dual LCD model, the new cameras introducing this technology deliver the combination of image quality and connectivity that today's consumer needs.
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Users can easily watch videos, share and view photos, and listen to music right on the big screen, no matter if the files are stored on a digital camera, a portable drive, a networked PC or elsewhere.
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"The recent additions to the Nikon 1 System, including the new V2, demonstrate Nikon's dedication to delivering a camera system that meets the needs of creative and expressive consumers looking for an easy-to-use camera that is portable enough to take on any life adventure, " said Bo Kajiwara, Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Customer Experience.
ENGADGET: Nikon 1 V2 unveiled: 14.2 megapixel ILC shoots 15fps stills for $899.95 in November
To capture even more images, Google announced today Street View Trekker, a portable technology pack with 360-degree camera, that fits into a backpack and be carried by users into remote and wilderness areas only accessible by foot.
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The next step in moving this technology to the field is to develop a portable tripod-based system that houses both the laser source and the IR camera.
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