Minox DCC 14.0 digital classic camera

by Edwin - on March 31st, 2013

When it comes to digital cameras, most of us would think of the usual suspects, them established names such as Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Fujifilm, Sony, and perhaps even Samsung, but how many of you would figure out just where Minox would fit into the picture? Minox has come up with their latest model, the Minox DCC 14.0 digital classic camera that seemed to have gone through a shrink ray of sorts. This particularly small camera has been created to a scale of 1:3, allowing it to fit in the palm of your hand. As its name suggests, this bad boy will come with a 14-megapixel sensor, in addition to a fixed lens and an optical viewfinder.

However, if you decide to bring home the Minox DCC 14.0 digital classic camera for yourself, you should not have too high expectations of it, especially when it comes to its image quality. Forget about it being able to rival higher-end (and considerably larger) retro-shooters including the Fujifilm X100S. Checking out the Minox DCC 14.0 for the first time, it looks more than decent, where it comes complete with nice touches including a chrome-plated brass lens cap as well as a metal plug-on optical viewfinder. The Minox DCC 14.0, however, is more of a collector’s toy compared to being a serious photographic tool for obvious reasons.

There will not be the 14-megapixel CMOS image sensor as stated, but the F2.4 7.4mm lens that comes with it will offer a focal length equivalent that is approximately 45mm in 35mm format. When one figures that out, it is somewhat akin to a 1/2.5-inch sensor (5.76 x 4.29 mm), which is similar to the one deployed in a budget compact point-and-shoot. Makes perfect sense after all, as this is basically what the Minox DCC 14.0 digital classic camera is all about, although it comes in an extremely fantastic looking package.

Capable of capturing photos in 640 x 480 resolution, storing them onto an SD memory card, and has a 4x digital zoom, a minimum focusing distance of 50 cm (20 inches) and a two-inch LCD right at the back, you will be able to bring home the Minox DCC 14.0 in a choice of either black or silver colors at $240 a pop.

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Hamilton Beach’s New “Mc” Breakfast Maker

by Julie - on April 4th, 2013

There are a few things in my life that are a given, if there is chocolate in front of me, I will eat it, no exercise of any kind is fun, and anything that happens before 10 in the morning probably isn’t worth having to set the alarm for. However, I have a 10 year old that still requires a good breakfast and a ride to school at *gasp*  six-thirty in the morning! Now while I’ve gotten pretty good at driving in my sleep, making breakfast? Not so much.

Well the folks over at Hamilton Beach have the answer to my one of my problems with their new electric Breakfast Sandwich Maker. This nifty little countertop delight makes breakfast making quick and easy. Using your own fresh ingredients, you can whip up your own “Mc” specialties using any combination of eggs, meat, veggies and cheeses with English muffins, biscuits or small bagels and Voila! You have a sandwich that practically builds itself.

All of the Breakfast Sandwich Maker’s removable parts are dishwasher safe, and the cooking surfaces are covered with a durable, nonstick coating. It has a small footprint, preserving some of your valuable countertop real estate, and it’s very simple to learn, so even a child could do it. Hmm… I wonder if 10 years old is too young to make breakfast, while mom gets an extra 10 minutes of sleep? We’ll have to see. The Breakfast Maker comes with some quick and easy recipes to get you started. So if you need a healthy alternative to the drive-thru breakfast, the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Maker may be for you. Get yours today at amazon.com for only around 29 bucks! Me? I’m teaching the kid… and hitting the snooze bar!