14 DAY TRIAL // Minox, manufacturer of miniature cameras used for espionage during the World War II, has announced two new models of digital compacts. Perhaps the most important is the Minox DC 6033 WP, which is watertight to a depth of ten meters and can serve a trusty companion for underwater photography aficionados.
Other than the watertightness, the DC 6033 WP comes with rather modest specifications. It features a 6MP CCD and a 42mm fixed focal length (in fact, 42mm represents the equivalent picture angle when compared to a lens that covers 35mm) Minoctar lens with multicoating. Minox's press release also informs that the camera is able to take macro shots from a distance of 60cm. This is a little bit misleading, because a 42mm lens focused at 60cm is unable to take macro shots. If it had a minimum focusing distance of a few centimeters this would be possible, but at 60cm there's no way you can get a decent magnification ratio. Details on the manual controls are scarce, Minox only saying that "ISO sensitivity and white balance can also be adjusted automatically or manually".
Like all compact cameras, the DC 6033 WP can also record video clips, but again the details are scarce. The Minox also sports a 2-inch TFT and a built-in flash. Pricing and availability have yet to be announced.
The second model is aimed at users who need stylish and extremely compact cameras. The MINOX DC 7022, which sports a 7MP sensor and a 4x optical zoom 28mm wide lens, measures only 2.3 centimeters in depth and weighing only 124 grams. It also boasts an impressive 3.0-inch LCD that eases image composition and reviewing.
The data are stored on an SD card with a capacity of up to four gigabyte (SDHC) and there is an additional 32 megabyte internal memory in the camera. The power supply is provided by a lithium ion battery.
It's worth mentioning that the DC 7022 has sensitivities ranging between ISO 50 and 1600, albeit it's a well known fact that compact cameras don't handle noise well above ISO 200.
Just like with the DC 6033 WP, Minox doesn't provide availability and pricing details.
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