When you compare phones, one of the most important things you pay attention to is the platform. Windows Phone, iOS, Symbian, MeeGo and, of course, Android – all of these operating systems have their advantages and disadvantages, and people usually try to consider all of them before making a final choice and buying a new phone.

What are the most important advantages of Android over the other platforms? What makes Android so special and so popular? Let’s now try to find it out.

1. Android is open-source

Android is Linux-based open-source platform, which gives it a number of obvious advantages. First of all, it means that not only one company develops it, but a huge number of people worldwide contribute to making it better. Of course, this makes the platform more secure, since a team of developers that work in one company can miss a bug or a serious flaw, but the thousands of eyes that are reading Android’s codes each day won’t miss any bug anyway.
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Along with the waterproof Optio WG-2 camera, PENTAX also announced the Optio VS20 compact camera with D-SLR like feature: vertical shutter-release button with zoom lever. I have never found such feature in the compact camera category, or even an advance D-SLR camera such as Sigma S1 Merill needs an extra vertical grip to add such feature with extra cost of course. And I never use vertical grip for my Nikon D7000 D-SLR camera, I don’t think I need it. I always use the standard button to capture everything, landscape or portrait oriented shooting. Along with this unique button, Optio VS20‘s key feature include 20x optical zoom lens, a vertical tripod socket, and new Hadnheld Night Snap mode.

The Optio VS20 camera is offered in black and white casing, and is available for $249.95 at Amazon.com. This 16MP camera enhanced with mechanical sensor shift Shake Reduction to reduce blur. Other advance features you can expect include: a large 3.0 inch, wide view (approx. 170 degrees) LCD; Auto Picture mode; and new scene modes including Fish-eye, Sketch modes and a Stretch filter. The Triple Shake Reduction (SR) mechanism eliminate blur images while shooting in slow speed such as at sunset or indoors with low-lighting.

Regarding movie recording, the Optio VS20 is equiped with a dedicated button to capture HD movie clips at 1280×720 pixel resolution. Users can use any shooting mode mentioned above. When the Optio VS20’s AV output terminal is used, movie clips are output as normal image-size data. If the user wishes to play back movie clips at high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels), the data must be transferred to a personal computer for playback. And user can use VLC Media Player to play the movies, or use the included MediaImpression software for both Windows and Mac.
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I think photography hits the highest momentum nowadays as a direct impact of online social network. The easy of online sharing through social network forcing people to share more photos. Based on my life story, I started to enter the photography world seriously since I found my friends share their nice pictures on Facebook. Now I have two D-SLR cameras, an IR camera and a standard camera. I want to add a rugged and waterproof camera to my collection. I want to learn how to take photograph underwater. Actually there two option in doing underwater photography, using dedicated waterproof camera and utilizing underwater camera housing. Talking about waterproof camera, there is a new product from PENTAX, the Optio WG-2 that’s introudced last week in America.

As the successor of WG-1, the rugged Optio WG-2 digital compact camera is waterprood to depths of 40-feet or equal to 12-meters. Designed for adventurers, the WG-2 also shockproof, coldproof, and dustproof. Users don’t need to worry if the camera drops up to 5 feet or taking picture at minus 10 degrees C. Equipped with 16 megapixel CMOS image sensor, the camera is able to make a 1080p HD movie recording at 30 fps. The WG-2 also features Digital Microscope mode with macro LED for macro lighting of subjects as close as 1 cm.
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Are you looking to become more serious about photography? If you’re ready to move up from a basic digital camera to a digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera, here are ten models that can help you start taking pictures like a pro. Prices from Amazon.com.

1. Canon EOS Rebel T3i (with 18-55mm IS II lens) – $709
If you’re interested in using your camera for videography, this is a great choice. It features an articulated LCD screen and excellent image quality and shooting performance. This is an all-around good choice

2. Canon EOS Rebel T2i (with 18-55mm lens) – $579
This model of the Canon Rebel is a step down from the T3i, but still provides good photo and video quality. It’s also likely that you’ll find it for a lower price.

3. Nikon D5000 (with 18-55mm lens) – $749
This camera offers a number of great features, including quick performance and excellent image quality. Its main drawback is its design, which has a small dim viewfinder and weighs a bit more than other models.
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Remember when Sony revealed its E-mount specification? Sigma needs less than a year to come up with its new E-mount lenses. In early January 2012, from the CES 2012 in Vegas, the company introduced two new Digital Neo (DN) lenses for Micro Four Thirds mounts for Olympus and Panasonic, and E-mount for Sony NEX-series cameras. The lenses include the 30mm F2.8 EX DN and the 19mm F2.8 EX DN.

I’m a D-SLR user and not yet a Micro Four Thirds camera user. I have a plan to add my camera collection with this one, but I’m not sure when. I love D-SLR camera but sometimes it’s too heavy for travelling. Designed exclusively for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, the Sigma DN line are equipped with Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating and linear autofocus (AF) motor making it suitable for video recording as well as still photos.
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