Cameras

5 seriously expensive gadgets you can’t afford

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The technology that makes our everyday life better comes at a price — and sometimes it can be steep.

At a time when it’s perfectly justified to spend hundreds of dollars just for a phone, when is pricey too pricey?

I’ve rounded up some ridiculously expensive technology to see just how they fare vis-a-vis the price of an iPhone 7 — because really, that’s the only way we put those sky-rocketing prices in perspective. My top picks go to…

Vertu Constellation

At a whopping $8,140, you could get a dozen iPhones instead! That’s one for each member of your family plus extras for your best friend and their family! Vertu has been known to manufacture “luxury smartphones” (as if having a plain smartphone isn’t luxury enough) and it seems they’ve outdone themselves with this leather covered handset. The smartphone sports a 5.5-inch display, dual-SIM slots, and a (genuine) ruby button (because why the heck not). A 24-hour concierge service also comes with the phone because, well, the price tag justifies a person’s actual salary. 

Register your interest to get this phone here

Acer Predator 21 X

For just one more iPhone, you can afford this all-powerful gaming laptop! $9,000 isn’t a game, but for a 21-inch curved display (the first of its kind), two GeForce GTX 1080 video cards, NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology, and its own cooling system, this 8.8kg beauty may just be worth its weight in gold. 

Buy it here, if you can afford it

Panono Camera 

This cool $1,996 camera is designed to be thrown around. Equipped with a total of 36 cameras capable of 108-megapixel photos and 16GB storage capacity, the cute contraption promises a different photo perspective with quality that should rival most 360-degree cameras in the market. For what it’s worth — and that’s three iPhones to be precise — it seems like a novel idea; I just don’t know if it’s worth the hefty price tag.

Buy it here and literally throw money around

Meneghini La Cambusa Refrigerator

Sure, buying a fridge worth 63 iPhones seems like it’s justified because it’s a fridge after all, yes? Not really. Fridge prices range from less than $1,000 to $2,000 depending on the model, but the La Cambusa just takes it out of the ballpark completely. With a starting price of $26,000, the fully customizable fridge can amount to a whopping $41,500 depending on what you add on. True that a beautiful icebox fully equipped with a flat screen and a top-of-the-line coffee maker with brass handles that match your walls sounds like a good idea, but at that rate, you probably won’t have money left over to afford that house you want to put it in.

Check out their website (if your dare) here

Sony Bravia 4K 100-inch TV 

The true star of this list is this amazing 100-inch machine. Priced at a whopping $60,000, this TV alone can probably buy you everything on this list and more. It’s not just the size that justifies the tag, as this top-shelf TV is allegedly designed for optimal viewing because it’s a “4K HDR Android TV, featuring a 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme and LED Backlight Master Drive” — whatever that all means.

Just how many iPhones can you buy with this fortune that can probably end hunger in a small country? 92 iPhones — that’s one for every single relative I have since my great great great grandfather. 

Do we even need to bother with a “Buy Here” button for this?

Note: An iPhone 7 is priced at $650 and even that is something I find expensive.

SEE MORE: 8 iPhone hacks you’ve probably never heard of

SEE MORE: The Predator 21 X costs even more in the Philippines

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Cameras

New Insta360 X4 delivers 8K 360 videos

Welcome to the 8K 360 era

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Insta360 X4

Insta360 is redefining what action cameras are capable of with the introduction of the Insta360 X4. Insta360’s latest offering allows users to film 8K resolution 360-degree videos. In addition, it can record slow-motion 4K videos at up to 120fps.

As expected, the X4 retains Insta360’s “shoot first, point later” ability and invisible selfie stick effect. Moreover, it doubles as a traditional action camera with “flat” captures in Single-Lens mode at up to 4K at 60fps.

The Insta360 X4 is available for US$ 499.99/ PhP 30,990 on the official Insta360 store, Amazon, and other retailers.

Incredible third-person views at 8K

The 8K at 30fps resolution is the highest setting for a 360-degree action camera yet. With such high resolution, users can expect detailed and sharp videos even after reframing, or choosing which specific angle to include in the capture.

For slow-motion, users can now film 4K videos at 100fps for cinematic shots slowed down four times. Furthermore, the highest resolution for a 60fps 360-degree video is upgraded to 5.7K. You may also use the X4 to take stills, as it is capable of 72MP 360-degree photos.

Two cameras in one

Aside from its default 360-degree capturing mode, users may utilize the Insta360 X4 as a regular wide-angle camera. They may shoot a first-person POV video with Single-Lens mode from a chest-mounted position. “Regular” means not having the fish eye-looking effect from the 360-degree mode and having ordinary, flat-looking images instead.

Under the Single-Lens mode, users will be able to record 4K videos at 60fps with an ultra-wide 170-degree field of view. This can be upgraded even more with MaxView while retaining 4K resolution at 30fps. Meanwhile, Me Mode, which erases the selfie stick, can film 4K at up to 120fps.

There are also upgrades on the X4’s creative shooting modes. Bullet Time can now shoot slow-mos at 5.7K at 120fps, or even 3K at an astounding 240fps. Hyperlapse videos, meanwhile, can be recorded in 8K quality.

Action specialist

A 5nm AI chip powers the Insta360 X4, along with a smart control system with Voice and Gesture Control features, and a host of AI-powered shooting and editing features.

The action camera comes with a 2.5-inch Corning Gorila Glass touchscreen for on-the-go use. Users may adjust the settings or choose the desired mode more easily.

The X4’s 2,290mAh battery allows for up to a 135-minute run time (at 5.7K@30fps). This is an impressive 67% longer battery life than its predecessor, the X3.

Moreover, the device is waterproof at up to 164 feet for diving, and cold-weather resistant at up to -20 degrees Celsius.

AI-powered editing

The X4 also harnesses the power of AI. Using the Insta360 app, users may simply move their phone or use the virtual joystick to point the camera. AI Edit, on the other hand, lets Insta360’s entire algorithm do the work for the reframing process. This improved algorithm has better subject detection, helping users save time. Users may also get creative with Shot Lab and Motion ND filters.

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Cameras

Fujifilm announces X100VI, limited-edition model

The first X100 camera with in-body image stabilization

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Fujifilm X100VI

Fujifilm has launched its latest compact digital camera: The Fujifilm X100VI. The sixth generation model introduces a handful of firsts for an X100 series camera.

The X100VI boasts of a new 40.2MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor and is powered by an X-Processor 5 engine. These work together to allow more light than any prior X100 camera.

For the first time, the camera offers in-body image stabilization with up to 6.0 stops. Filming at up to 6.2K 30p has also been made possible.

High performance

In addition to more light absorption, the X100VI features ISO 125, which was only available as an extension in previous models. Its tracking AF function also ensures high-quality content especially for filming.

The camera comes with 20 film simulation modes, including the new “REALA ACE” mode for a diverse range of distinctive tones. This particular mode offers faithful color reproduction and high-contrast tonality which is suitable for various subjects and situations.

Moreover, the X100VI supports Frame.io Camera to Cloud without the need for additional accessories. Users will only need to wirelessly connect to the internet to automatically upload photos and videos. This speeds up the process from shooting to final editing.

Better operability

The X100VI also has an “Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder” function. With this, users will be able to switch between the optical (OVF) and electronic (EVF) viewfinders. The EVF itself is equipped with a high-resolution OLED panel with about 3.69 million dots.

Meanwhile, the “Electronic Range Finder” (ERF) allows a small EVF to be simultaneously displayed on the OVF. This permits the photographer to capture the subject in the OVF while magnifying the in-focus area in the small EVF.

Functional design

The Fujifilm X100VI retains the compact and lightweight look of its previous iterations. As with its predecessors, the latest model’s body uses aluminum for the top and bottom surfaces.

It has also adopted the X100V’s ultra-thin tilt LCD monitor design. The shape of the grip, on the other hand, has been fine-tuned to ensure a better feel. The positions of the buttons on the back have also been moved.

Limited edition X100VI

In addition to its release, a limited edition X100VI model will be made available to celebrate Fujifilm’s 90th anniversary. Only 1,934 units of the limited edition model will be available worldwide.

These numbered X100VI units are packaged in a special box that includes a special strap, soft release button, and history cards.

The camera body is engraved with the founding logo in 1934, along with a unique serial number.

In the Philippines, The Limited edition X100VI will retail for PhP 130,990. Meanwhile, the standard edition is priced at PhP 103,990.

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Accessories

DJI Mic 2 Philippine price, availability revealed

Ultimate pocket-sized pro audio solution

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The DJI Mic 2 finally has a local price for Philippine customers. DJI’s latest addition to its content-creating tools is priced at PhP 19,000.

It is available in both black and white and can be purchased at DJI authorized retail stores and online via Lazada and Shopee.

The DJI Mic 2 was officially announced last month via a livestream event as a device built for content creators. A follow-up to the DJI Mic, the company’s first wireless microphone offering, this new version features a slightly updated design and more functionalities.

It retains the 1.1-inch OLED touchscreen display from its predecessor, but the LED light has been moved to the side. The white color option is also an addition for customers.

The microphone is capable of clearer audio recording at 48kHz 24-bit audio and 32-bit float quality. It also supports a higher acoustic overload point at up to 120dB.

As for its noise-cancelling capabilities, the DJI Mic 2 allows users to record and have noise from as close as a meter away filtered, without the need for further editing.

With its own charging case, the mic has an 18-hour battery life overall. Each transmitter and receiver lasts six hours.

@gadgetmatch

What’s a mic that every creator needs? It’s the DJI Mic 2 🫶 #DJI #DJIMic #Creator #contentcreatortips

♬ Vlog ・ Stylish city pop(1275391) – orino

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