This year, with Father’s Day on the horizon, I invited some of our favourite companies to give us their best Father’s Day suggestions.  Here’s what they had to say!

 

Nikon

COOLPIX S630 – $349.95

 The COOLPIX S630 is for the Dad who wants a piece of the action. He will never miss a moment with this camera’s quick start-up and short shutter release time lag. In Sport Continuous Mode, Dad can take up to 20 pictures at 11 frames-per-second to capture that amazing action shot, be it at his kid’s dance recital or at a professional hockey game.

• 12.0-megapixel resolution
• 7x zoom-NIKKOR lens
• Motion Detection and vibration reduction
• 2.7-inch high resolution LCD with wide-viewing angle
• ISO 6400 capability
• Sport Continuous Mode
• Available in titanium silver, black and amethyst

COOLPIX P90 – $499.95

The COOLPIX P90 is an excellent gift for the Dads with a sensitive side, who like to get up-close and personal with photography. It is versatile and has many features to help Dad capture the perfect, professional-looking picture. The 24x zoom and large number of features make this camera a great choice for snapping shots in a wide variety of situations.

• 12.1-megapixel resolution
• 24x zoom
• Vibration reduction image stabilization
• 3.0-inch vari-angle
• ISO 6400 capability
• Smart Portrait System:
• 12 person facial recognition and face priority auto focus
• Smile Timer
• Blink Proof
• In-Camera Red-Eye Fix

 

D5000 set, with 18-55mm VR lens – $999.95

D5000 set, with 18-105mm VR lens – $1199.95

 

For the Dad of all trades, the D5000 Digital SLR combines simplicity and advanced features with leading technology and HD video. Dad can make the most of his camera and catch all of those precious moments in high-definition. This digital SLR is an excellent camera for first-time users and experts alike.

• 12.3-megapixel resolution
• HD movie mode
• Face Detection
• Subject Tracking auto focus
• Scene Recognition System
• 2.7-inch vari-angle LCD

 

Panasonic

DMP-B15 – Portable Blu-ray Disc^TM Player (MSP: $999.99)

If Dad likes the latest technology this is the perfect gift for him – introducing the world’s first portable Blu-ray Disc^TM player! Designed to provide the ultimate HD Blu-ray experience you’d expect at home for those on the go, this first-of-its-kind player delivers the highest level image quality available thanks to the HDMI output and PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus technology which reproduces a colour data with twice the accuracy of conventional systems. Translation: faithful and sharp colours!

Additionally, the DMP-B15 comes with a two-and-a-half hour rechargeable battery and the player can connect to an HDTV through an HDMI cable which converts the portable player into a standalone Blu-ray Disc player.  For dads who travel frequently, the unique ability for the player to be propped up guarantees that even the longest flights become manageable and fly by with his favourite movies at his fingertips.

Special DMP-BD15 Blu-ray Features Dad will Love:

• Portable 8.9 inch WSVGA LCD screen
• VIERA CAST™ internet accessibility
• BD Live functionality
• HDMI output
• SD card reader
• Movie (AVCHD, MPEG2) and JPEG (HD) view with SD memory card slot
• The UniPhier^® processor lowers power consumption and enables a compact design

 

DMC-TS1 – LUMIX^® Digital Still Camera (MSP: $499.99)

http://www.panasonic.ca/english/audiovideo/camerascamcorders/digitalstill/DMCTS1.asp

Dad can gear up for outdoor fun with this rugged hybrid/still motion image camera that makes it easy to capture beautiful photos and HD movies. Waterproof, shockproof and dustproof this is one tough little camera that he can take wherever the action is – perfect for camping and family gatherings.  New Face Detection and Face Recognition features will help Dad snap the winning shots of the kids during the big game – they’ll never be lost in a crowd again! If your trip happens to take you underwater, Panasonic’s TS1 has you covered up to 10 feet. With an airtight body, the camera is protected from all the elements! Also a thickened LCD panel, protects against pressures that are particularly felt when underwater.

The ACDHD Lite HD video capabilities of the TS1 also allow for almost double the recording time in HD quality. With Dolby Digital Creator, you can also match your special moments with high quality sound too.

Special DMC-TS1 Camera Features Dad Will Love:

• Waterproof up to 3 meters (10 feet)¹
• Shockproof up to 1.5 meters (5 feet)²
• Dustproof¹
• 2.7 inch LCD (230K pixels) with 12.1 megapixel image sensor
• AVCHD Lite High Def Movie Mode with Zoom & Audio
• Intelligent Auto Mode includes Face Detection and even Face Recognition, MEGA O.I.S. (Optical image stabilizer), Digital Red-Eye Correction and Intelligent Exposure Control
• Available in silver, orange and blue

 

¹ This camera is waterproof / dustproof equivalent to “IP58”, and is possible to record at a maximum of 3 meters (10 feet) depth / 60 minutes continuously

² This camera has passed a drop test from 1.5 meters (5 feet) in height in accordance with “MIL-STD 810F Method 516.5-Shock”

 

ES-8249 – Pro-Curve^® ARC IV nano blade shaver with HydraClean^TM system (MSP: $349.99)

http://www.panasonic.ca/english/personalhealth/mensgrooming/ES8249.asp

Give dad the convenient wet/dry capabilities of the Pro-Curve shaver – perfect for those days when he’s on the go.  Plus, the cleaning centre will keep the shaver refreshed and feeling like new for a comfortable, clean shave every time.  The Pro-Curve also has the world’s sharpest blade and fastest motor drive to provide the smoothest, most powerful electric shave imaginable.

Special Pro-Curve Shaver Features Dad will Love:

• Shaves both wet and dry
• HydraClean System
• Quadruple Multi-Fit Arc Blades
• 13,000rpm Direct Linear Motor Drive
• Nano Technology (30° inner blade)
• Pivot Action Shaving System
• Bright LCD screen

 

 

VIERA^® LCD X1 HDTVs and HDTV/iPod^® Playback Entertainment System

MSP: Ranges from $749.99 – $999.99 depending on size  

http://panasonic.ca/english/audiovideo/lcd/tcl26_32_37x1.asp

If there’s one thing dad loves it’s a fully connected home theatre that he can enjoy with friends, family or on his own.  And the new VIERA LCD X1 HDTVs with a fully-integrated iPod Entertainment Kit won’t disappoint!

Available in three different screen sizes, these flat panel televisions include a specially designed external Universal Dock for iPod allowing consumers to enjoy iPod-based music, videos and photos on a larger screen for a more impactful viewing experience.  And unlike most other iPod connectivity options, the VIERA X1 and Panasonic’s VIERA Link™ technology provide special interface capabilities to easily manage content playback through an intuitive on-screen display using only the VIERA’s remote control.

When the iPod is docked on a VIERA X1 Series HDTV, users simply select the “VIERA Tools” button on the remote control to pull up the iPod icon.  Once the iPod icon is selected, users can select from a drop down menu displaying their music, videos or podcast options.  The VIERA on-screen music menu mimics the iPod, allowing users to select a song from an artist, album or playlist.  Similarly, the video and podcast features provide a list of available videos or podcasts.

Special VIERA LCD X1 HDTV Features Dad will Love:

• VIERA LCD X1 HD televisions are available in three screen sizes: TC-L26X1 26-inch class ; TC-L32X1 32-inch class  and TC-L37X1 37-inch class  (26”, 32” and 37” are measured diagonally)
• VIERA Image Viewer™ with SD Memory Card slot and Game Mode
• Internet-enabled VIERA CAST™ and new iPod functions
• HDMI inputs (26” has 2 HDMI Inputs; 32” and 37” have 3 HDMI Inputs
• VIERA Link button allows for easy operation of connected Panasonic products
• 720p resolution, a contrast ratio of 12,000:1
• ENERGY STAR™® qualified

Special iPod Entertainment System Features Dad will Love:

• Once the iPod icon is selected, users can select from a drop down menu displaying their music, videos or podcast options 
• iPod Entertainment Kit is equipped with a full suite of entertainment features
• Panasonic’s VIERA link technology allows users to manage content playback through an on-screen display and the VIERA remote control.

 

 

[Note: Canon and Olympus were also invited to participate but did not respond by our publication deadline. Thank you to Nikon and Panasonic for pulling their suggestions together on short notice.]