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August 2003
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| 08-29-2003 |
LetsGoDigital Launches New Multi-Lingual Website and Begins IFA 2003 Coverage from Berlin Our friends at LetsGoDigital launched their totally renewed website tonight in three languages, Dutch, English and in Spanish. LetsGoDigital was founded in December 2000 and officially went online on the first of February 2001. Publishing the daily news about Digital Images on an extensive scale and travelling around the globe to publish live coverage of PMA, IFA, CeBIT etc, LetsGoDigital still took the time to develop itself. All three language editions can be visited for free and are available world-wide. At the same time LetsGoDigital opens their new web site they will begin live coverage of the IFA show in Berlin, Germany. Visit their IFA 2003 News page.
The LetsGoDigital Team consists of: Mark Peters, Dennis Hissink, Koert Buijze, Josie
Snijders, Toni Fernandez and Jeroen Haringman.
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| 08-29-2003 |
Olympus Unveils C-5000 Zoom Digital Camera With Intelligent Design
Read the entire Olympus C-5000 press release.
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Melville, NY, August 29, 2003 - Olympus America introduces the C-5000 Zoom digital camera
with an innovative, bold design offering advanced functionality, 5.0 Megapixels, and a
world-class Olympus 3x Optical Zoom lens (38mm - 114mm equivalent, f2.8/f4.8 - f8.0), for
outstanding picture quality. This camera is the ideal photographic tool for digital
enthusiasts looking for a compact, stylish camera with enough functionality to match their
growing skills. With a unique ergonomic design, and a hot shoe for more flash options, the
C-5000 Zoom provides great value in a compact form.
| 08-29-2003 |
Olympus Delivers Photo-Lab-Quality Printing to the People with the P-10 and P-440 Digital Photo Printers
Read the entire Olympus P-440 & P-10 press release.
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| 08-28-2003 |
SilverFast DCPro Release Dedicated to RAW Data Enhancement of High-End Digital CamerasKiel, Germany 27th August 2003 : LaserSoft Imaging AG, the developer of SilverFast Professional Scanner and Digital Camera Software solutions, today announced the immediate availability of SilverFast DCPro. The SilverFast DCPro delivers lighting-fast access to "Raw" image formats ranging from Professional to Mid-range digital cameras from Kodak, Minolta, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Sigma and Olympus. It is available as a Stand-Alone Application as well as a Photoshop plug-in. SilverFast DCPro allows photographers to directly modify the original data captured, by a digital camera, producing images with superior high quality, white balance and the maximum amount of detail. SilverFast DCPro has been designed specially for the needs of photographers. It combines the powerful functionality of SilverFast Ai with the unique Virtual Light Table - DC VLT. The light table is a photographer's best friend especially those who likes to organize, manage and preview images in an easy way. DCPro also brings sophisticated noise removal - GANE, a tool for eliminating noise and grain while preserving image details as well as a White Balance feature. Beside the ingenious magnifying functions, the user profits from Presets in our adjustable Graphical User Interface (GUI) as well as the color temperature and the Red-Eye-Correction, all this takes place using true 48-bit mode. SilverFast DCPro ships with IT8 Calibration with target & ICC Profiler. Also included is the Online Quick Time Movies Training - as a guide to teach you SilverFast DCPro. Now photographers can adjust their images in terms familiar to them, quickly and accurately. Also, the ability to see a preview of the sharpening and smoothing is great. Photographers will love the raw format capabilities of our new software. A complete list of camera models and proprietary raw formats supported can be found here.
SilverFast DCPro demo version will soon be available for download at www.SilverFast.com
and can be bought at an introductory price of US$299.00 until the end of September 2003.
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| 08-28-2003 |
Gateway Computers Enters Digital Camera MarketPOWAY, Calif., Aug. 28 -- Gateway's direct model again makes the customer the winner with the company's first line of Gateway-branded digital cameras -- priced up to 40 percent less than other 4- and 5-megapixel cameras. Gateway is entering the fast-growing digital camera market with the same break-through pricing that made its 42-inch plasma TV the best seller in its category. The new offerings advance the company's goal of launching 50 new Gateway-branded products in 15 categories this year and mark another milestone toward Gateway's evolution into a branded integrator -- a marketer of digital gear that works together. The new digital cameras include two sleek, compact models that fit snugly in a pocket or purse so consumers are always ready to capture memories. Priced at only $129.99, the Gateway DC-T20 delivers 2-megapixel image quality in an ultra-compact form factor that is just slightly thicker than a deck of cards. The Gateway DC-T50 combines performance in a stylish compact design, delivering 5-megapixel, film-quality prints at a price of $399.99. Gateway is also offering two standard-size models that provide superior 4- and 5-megapixel image quality at prices of $199.99 and $299.99.
Read the Gateway press release.
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| 08-28-2003 |
SanDisk Introduces the SanDisk Ultra II CompactFlash and Ultra II SD Card Line -- The World's Fastest Flash Memory Cards
With A Minimum Write Speed Of 9 Megabytes Per Second, The New SanDisk Ultra II Card Is 50
Percent Faster Than SanDisk's Ultra CF Card
 BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 2003-- SanDisk Corporation (Nasdaq:SNDK) today introduced the SanDisk Ultra(TM) II line of CompactFlash(R) (CF) and SD flash memory cards. Each card features a minimum write speed of 9 megabytes per second (MB/sec.) and a minimum read speed of 10MB/sec., making them the fastest performing flash memory cards in the world. (Results based on testing with the popular HDBENCH benchmark software. Actual results in digital cameras will vary by camera model.) The new card is targeted primarily at the professional digital camera and prosumer market where 4 megapixel or higher resolution digital cameras require significantly faster digital film cards. The announcement was made at the IFA consumer electronics trade show where SanDisk is demonstrating products in Hall 3.2B, Booth 201. The new SanDisk Ultra II CF card will initially be available in three capacities -- 256MB, 512MB and 1 gigabyte (GB). The 256 and 512MB SanDisk Ultra II CF cards started shipping this month while the 1GB cards will be sent to retail outlets in the next thirty days. SanDisk Ultra II SD cards will be available in 256MB and 512MB capacities in October and November, respectively.
Read the entire Sandisk Ultra II press release.
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| 08-27-2003 |
New High Performance Casio EX-Z4 Zoom, the first in the Exilim Series with a 4-Megapixel CCD DOVER, NJ, AUGUST 27, 2003 - Casio, Inc., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd. today announced the EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z4U, the latest addition to the EXILIM Series of card-size LCD digital cameras. The new EX-Z4U features a CCD with 4 million effective pixels plus a high-performance 3X zoom lens. The new EX-Z4U packs the first high-resolution 4-megapixel CCD of the EXILIM lineup into a stylish and thin card-size body. The result is a powerful 3X optical zoom camera that can be taken just about anywhere. The EX-Z4U will retail for $399.99 and will be available in October 2003.
Read the entire Exilim EX-Z4U press release.
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| 08-27-2003 |
Casio Introduces Two New Exilim 2-Megapixel Card Size Digital Cameras DOVER, NJ, AUGUST 27, 2003 - Casio, Inc., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd. today announced the latest additions to the EXILIM Series of compact card-size digital cameras with the new EX-S20U and EX-M20U. The 2-megapixel EX-S20U will retail for $279.99 and the 2-megapixel EX-M20U with audio recording and playback will retial for $329.99. Both cameras will be available in October 2003.
Read the entire Exilim S20/M20 press release.
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| 08-26-2003 |
Fourth Digital Photography And Imaging Workshop Cruise Will Sail To The Southern Caribbean in JanuaryAn 8-day Digital Photography & Imaging Cruise featuring workshops for beginning and intermediate photographers will embark from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on January 24, 2004, aboard one of Carnival's newest superliners, the LEGEND. The cruise is the fourth of a highly successful series offering instruction in photodigital technologies in a relaxed learning environment. Scheduled ports of call include St. Maarten, Barbados and Martinique, each with a different cultural heritage. Participating sponsors, including Epson, Olympus, Adobe and others, have contributed a total of over $25,000 in gifts that each participant will receive prior to departure. The instruction schedule features digital photography lectures, Photoshop demonstrations, and picture critiquing of work shot both onboard and ashore. Printers will be available 24/7 in the workshop's private conference room. Enrollment is limited to allow for personalized instruction. While at sea, attendees can upload pictures to their own or Epson's photo-sharing website or send them via email to friends and family anywhere in the world through the ship's state-of-the-art satellite facilities. Lead instructor for the workshop is Arthur H. Bleich, award-winning photographer, digital photography expert, educator, and Feature Editor of Digital Camera Magazine. Photoshop techniques will be taught by Dan Loffler, an internationally known authority. Computer and printing technical assistance will also be provided. Cost of the workshop cruise starts at $1,995 with non-attendee companions paying less than half.
Further information is available at:
www.dpcorner.com/cruise or at 305-893-1505.
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| 08-26-2003 |
Fuji Announces Affordable New 3-Megapixel 6x Zoom FinePix S3000 CameraVALHALLA, NY, August 26, 2003 - Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. today announced the arrival of the Fujiflm FinePix S3000, a digital SLR-type camera for everyday photographers. This model replaces the existing FinePix 3800, and will be available to consumers in October - just in time for the busy holiday season. The FinePix S3000 offers 3.2 million effective pixels to create crisp, colorful images perfect to share with family and friends through retail printing and email. The camera's compact, SLR-inspired styling and 6x optical zoom offer a familiar experience to consumers who already enjoy traditional photography.
Read the entire FinePix S3000 press release.
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| 08-26-2003 |
Nearly Half Of Film Users Would Buy A Digital Model If Their Film Camera BreaksThis year will mark a turning point for the amateur photographic industry, with digital-still camera sales surpassing film camera sales for the first time ever (a projected 12.8 million digital cameras, versus 12.1 million film units). Undoubtedly, many consumers have given a great deal of thought to purchasing a digital camera and will acquire one this year to supplement or replace their film cameras. But what if their film camera would suddenly break? If faced with the unexpected circumstance of replacing a broken film camera, nearly half of consumers expect they would acquire a digital model. By comparison, only 30 percent would acquire a 35mm camera, and 5 percent would purchase an APS model. A small share would purchase a camcorder and use it in place of a film camera. There is also a small group of consumers who would not replace their broken camera, either giving up the habit of photography or using one-time-use cameras instead. The position of digital cameras in the consumer mindset is significant, as it demonstrates a sizeable share of film camera users have given thought to purchasing a digital camera. Even if they do not have near-term purchase intentions, if suddenly faced with the unexpected prospect of buying a new camera, they would give digital models their attention first.
Source:
Photo Marketing Association Newsline International's weekly PMA Data Watch.
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| 08-26-2003 |
Smugmug Partners with Club Photo to Offer Online Prints and Unique GiftsMOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF., August 25, 2003 – Smugmug, the most dedicated, complete and stylish photo sharing site, today announced an alliance with Club Photo™ Inc., to offer integrated photo finishing and online photo sharing services for smugmug.com subscribers and visitors. Now, with a click of the mouse, smugmug.com subscribers and visitors can order prints and photo gifts, and share priceless memories online. Smugmug.com is an exciting, new online community for friends and family to easily share their priceless pictures and videos on the Web. Smugmug centers on sharing, providing an elegant and complete environment to bring loved ones, friends and family closer together. Smugmug.com offers an unmatched experience combined with fully customizable, style-driven galleries to give users the ability to instantly build, tailor and update their personalized albums with ease.
In addition to high-quality prints, Club Photo provides one of the industry’s richest
lineups of photo gifts including beguiling photo chocolates, snapshot cookies, photo Rice
Krispy treats, cake frosting, T-shirts, aprons, mugs, and puzzles. Smugmug’s new catalog
can be found at
www.smugmug.com/prints/catalog.mg.
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| 08-25-2003 |
Olympus USA Announces Pricing for E-1 SLR SystemWe received the following E-1 SLR System pricing today from Olympus USA:
14mm-54mm f2.8/3.5 lens, $599.00 MSRP, street $499.95 50-200mm f2.8/3.5, $1199.00 MSRP, street $999.95 50mm macro f2.0, $599.00 MSRP, street $499.95 300mm f2.8, $7999.00 MSRP, street $6999.95 EC-14 Tele Converter, $549.00 MSRP, street $439.95 SHLD-2 (power holder grip set with Li-ion battery and charger), $675.00 MSRP, street $499.95 |
| 08-25-2003 |
Minolta Announces Availability Of DiMAGE Messenger Version 2.0Ramsey, NJ - August 25, 2003 - Minolta Corporation announces today the availability of Minolta DiMAGE Messenger 2.0. This enhanced digital imaging software product is ideal for real estate agents, law enforcement agencies, sellers and buyers on auction Web sites, educators and more. Minolta's new DiMAGE Messenger 2.0 software program allows users to automatically link written text, additional images or an audio track to specific portions of digital images, share the combination with others via e-mail or printed copy, and invite related comments to be added from the receiver - all in just a few, simple steps. In addition, a new search feature allows specific comments to be located quickly. Searches can be made by word, date of entry, or user name. DiMAGE Messenger 2.0 operates with Microsoft Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 Professional and XP.
Read the entire Messenger 2.0 press release.
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| 08-22-2003 |
More New Camera Reviews Posted
Just posted are a pair of Kodak EasyShare camera reviews. The
Kodak CX6330 is a 3-megapixel camera with a quality 3x optical zoom lens and an
attractive price of around $280. The Kodak CX6200
is an entry-level 2-megapixel camera with a fixed focal length lens and a price that's
under $130. Both of these cameras can be used with EasyShare 6000 dock or the nifty
EasyShare 6000 printer dock.
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| 08-20-2003 |
Canon's New EOS Digital Rebel Rocks the Camera World with Affordable New 6.3 Megapixel Autofocus SLR
 Read our Digital Rebel review
Read the entire Canon 300D press release.
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| 08-20-2003 |
Canon Powershot A80, Four Megapixels and Advanced Features at Entry-Level Pricing
 LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Aug. 20, 2003 – Canon's rugged new four-megapixel PowerShot A80 Digital Camera combines brilliant image quality, crisp Canon optics, and advanced features including a 3X optical zoom and a Vari-Angle LCD Monitor in an affordable and easy-to-use package. The PowerShot A80 is the new flagship of the PowerShot A-series line-up, which also includes the A60, A70, and A300. The new model is also the first PowerShot to support PictBridge*, the new standard for high-quality direct printing. The PowerShot A80 will be delivered to authorized dealers in October at a suggested list price of just $499.
Read the entire Canon A80 press release.
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| 08-19-2003 |
Kodak Unveils New 4-Megapixel EasyShare DX6490 Digital Camera with 10X Optical Zoom
 Read our Kodak DX6490 reviewROCHESTER, N.Y., August 21 - Eastman Kodak Company today unveiled its most advanced EasyShare digital camera to date, the Kodak EasyShare DX6490 zoom digital camera. With its unique combination of sophisticated features, exceptional performance, and US$499 suggested retail price, it establishes a new price-to-performance benchmark for 'advanced amateur' photography, giving more people the opportunity to shoot like a professional. The DX6490 camera is the first to unite a professional quality Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 10X optical zoom lens (38-380 mm equivalent) with a f/2.8 - f/3.7 maximum aperture; a new Kodak Color Science image processing chip for the richest, most accurate colors; low-light precision auto focusing; and multiple shooting modes for optimal creative control - all with effortless operation that people have come to expect from Kodak. It will be available worldwide beginning this September.
Read the U.S. Kodak DX6490 press release.
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| 08-18-2003 |
Canon Printer Reviews Posted
I've just posted our reviews of Canon's latest 4x6" dye sub duo, the small and lightweight
Card Printer CP-200 and its battery-operated
twin brother the Card Printer CP-300. These are
excellent choices if you have any of Canon's Powershot cameras made in the last two years
that support direct printing or any of the new PictBridge compatible cameras. These two
printers can also be connected to a PC but their main purpose is to operate without need
for a computer.
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| 08-17-2003 |
Steve's "Best of 2003" PicksPlease see our new and permanent Steve's "Best Cameras" List
Every year there are more and more models to chose from which further complicates the
buying process. To help you with your buying decisions here's our Top Picks based on
performance and "best bang for the buck." Listed in no particular order of preference,
click to read our reviews.
Steve's Digicams "Most Important Camera of 2003 Award" Winner - Canon Digital Rebel
 There were many excellent cameras produced and sold during 2003 but in terms of the one that had the greatest impact on the market we feel the Digital Rebel was clearly the standout camera. Canon surprised everyone by delivering a 6-megapixel, interchangeable lens digital SLR with a zoom lens for less than $1000. We hadn't expected to see that low of a price until the latter part of 2004. All of the dealers that I have talked to have told me that the only problem with the Digital Rebel is keeping them in stock, they sell out as fast as they arrive. For the advanced amateur or enthusiast user you'd be hard pressed to find a better value in a digital SLR. |
| 08-17-2003 |
Software Update For Fujifilm's Finepix S2 Pro Digital Camera Includes Macintosh OS X CompatibilityValhalla, NY, August 13, 2003 - Listening to the requests of the professional market, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. - the total imaging solution provider for the professional photographer -- today announced a new software package for its critically-acclaimed FinePix S2 Pro digital camera that includes camera shooting software compatible with the Macintosh OS X operating system. Fujifilm also announced a price reduction for the FinePix S2 Pro, which is now available at a suggested price of $2295.
Fujifilm will bundle this software upgrade with all shipped FinePix S2 Pro cameras beginning in
August. Also part of the new software package will be a suite of features including a new
EXIF Extractor and updated versions of the RAW File converter LE, RAW File Converter EX
Version 2.0 and Camera Shooting Software Version 2.0. This software update is available as a
free download for current FinePix S2 Pro owners from the Fujifilm U.S.A. Web site
www.Fujifilm.com or direct from www.S2ProSoftware.com
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| 08-17-2003 |
HP Photosmart 7960 Printer Review Posted
I just posted our HP Photosmart
7960 review. This is an excellent color and an exceptional B&W photo
printer. Its B&W capabilities rival that of the Epson 2200 and that's no easy feat.
Besides being a very good color photo printer it's equipped with card slots to handle
every type of digicam memory card including the newest Memory Stick Pro and xD-Picture
cards. You can make photo prints without a computer by reading the cards directly as
well as direct printing from any of HP's digital cameras via the USB cable. Check out
this versatile printer and see why we like it.
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| 08-15-2003 |
Sony Unveils 8-Megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-F828
 See our Sony F828 First Look
The latest model (DSC-F828) in Sony's popular line of Cyber-shot® F-series enthusiast cameras represents the next level of digital still photography, which these enthusiasts will surely appreciate. With its lens-centric design, the new camera is encased in a black, magnesium alloy body, and is the first to incorporate Sony's recently announced four-color filter CCD technology and Real Imaging Processor*. Along with the Carl Zeiss® T* optics, these components are integral in capturing color accuracy closest to what the human eye can see and setting a new benchmark in camera performance.
Read the entire
Sony DSC-F828 press release.
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| 08-15-2003 |
Sony's Swiveling Cyber-shot DSC-U50
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 15, 2003 - Just in time to capture quick photos of the kids leaving for school or for the students themselves as they gear up for a memorable academic year, Sony's new pocket-size Cyber-shot® DSC-U50 digital camera is being introduced to make it easier to capture the memories in stylish fashion.
Read the entire
Sony DSC-U50 press release.
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| 08-15-2003 |
Sony Expands Memory Stick Media Line-UpSAN DIEGO, August 15, 2003 - Sony today announced several advancements in the Memory Stick media family, broadening the line-up and enhancing Memory Stick media-capable applications ranging from high-quality video content and high-resolution digital images to CD-quality audio. New Memory Stick PRO Duo Media At only one-third the size and half the weight of full-size Memory Stick media, Memory Stick PRO Duo media offers the same technologies and features of Memory Stick PRO media, including MagicGate copyright protection technology, high capacities and a theoretical maximum data transfer capability of up to 160Mbps (20 megabytes per second (MB/s).)
Read the entire
Memory Stick Duo press release.
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| 08-14-2003 |
New Camera Reviews PostedPosted yesterday and today are four new camera reviews:
Sony DSC-P32 an entry-level three megapixel camera with a fixed focal length (non-zoom) lens. Compact with good image quality, it will make a great starter camera for any novice. Canon Powershot A60, the two megapixel little brother of the A70. This is an excellent camera with a 3x optical zoom and a full compliment of exposure options and advanced features. Very reasonably priced and an excellent choice for experienced or beginners alike.
Polaroid iON 230, a small and stylish two
megapixel camera in a durable alloy body. Comes with docking cradle, rechargeable
battery and carrying case and is quite affordable. Unfortunately the image quality is
well below par for cameras in this resolution class.
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| 08-14-2003 |
World Digital Camera Output Survey Shows Production Continues To Soar(The following item is from Newsline International): The soaring production of digital still cameras, one of the digital products that represents Japanese makers' world leadership in that field, seems to have no end, Nikkei Business Publications reported. The digital still camera defined here is one equipped with a color liquid-crystal display. Those without LCDs, or the so-called toy cameras, are not included. According to Nikkei Market Access survey, the world's production of digital cameras showed a jump of 59.7 percent in 2002 from the previous year to 26.6 million units, and the growth rate in 2003 is expected to come close to what it was a year before. Nikkei Market Access estimates that worldwide digital camera output will be about 39.07 million units, up 46.8 percent from the previous year. The high growth rate of the world's digital camera market is continuing, with no turning point in sight, despite predictions that a slower growth period would begin around 2002. The market has been extremely bullish since the onset of 2003. Usually, production sharply declines in the first quarter compared with the previous quarter due to seasonal changes, but the scope of decline was small in 2003. Although the first half of 2003 was struck with various factors that could cool off demand for digital cameras, including the Iraq war and the spread of SARS, the makers' shipments seem unaffected for the time being. In particular, shipments to Europe continue at the rate of doubling the figure recorded in the same term a year ago, the report said. There have been views that the progress of higher pixel camera-loaded mobile phones in Japan might cool down the digital camera market, but so far sales in the Japanese market have not been affected by camera-equipped mobile phones. Amid the high growth rate both at home and abroad, Japanese digital camera makers remain bullish about their production plans. Canon's growth picture is particularly noteworthy. Until a few years ago, Canon ranked low among the top 10 makers in production share, but has made steady progress since 2000, and now aims at grabbing the top share. Many electronic parts makers expect that Canon will turn out more than 8 million units in 2003, the report said.
Sony, which has always had the top share, estimated in April 2003 that its sales volume
for FY2003 (April 2003 - March 2004) would be about 8 million units, but later revised it
upward to 10 million units.
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| 08-13-2003 |
Concord Camera Announces New CCD Digital Cameras
Both models have five pre-set scene modes for capturing shots in a variety of settings, such as fireworks, night, indoor, sunset and beach/snow scenes. You also have the option to manually select the white balance for different lighting conditions. The Concord Eye-Q 3340z offers four image resolution levels; the Concord Eye-Q 4060AF offers five.
The cameras have multiple flash modes, auto white balance and preset exposure scenes. You
can tackle close-up photography at distances as close as four inches with the Concord Eye-
Q 3340z or eight inches with the Concord Eye-Q 4060AF. The cameras' continuous shooting
mode will automatically take seven uninterrupted pictures within two seconds. And they
have self-timers, video modes, and a 1.5-inch color TFT Liquid Crystal Display that allows
video and image viewing at up to 6x magnification.
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| 08-13-2003 |
Rob Galbraith Posts Nikon D2H Preview
Pro-journalism shooter extraordinaire Rob Galbraith has just posted his
in-depth Nikon D2H Preview. To quote Rob, "Whatever your opinion might be about
Nikon's news and sports camera, it's almost certainly going to change when the D2H hits
the streets. ...it's clear that in designing their next generation digital SLR with the H
designation, Nikon has set out to build not just a camera that matches the sexier
specifications of the EOS-1D, but one that stomps all over its Canon competitor in the
thoroughness of its design. Are we excited about the potential of this new digital SLR
camera? You bet. Our only concern right now is that the D2H might not be able to live up
to the monstrous engineering effort that clearly has gone into designing it.
With so much that's new in one camera, we recommend not counting all your D2H chickens
before the camera hatches later this year."
|
| 08-12-2003 |
HP Rolls Out Over 100 New Products Including 5-Megapixel Photosmart 945 Camera and the 8-Color Photosmart 7960 PrinterHP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced a strategy to radically simplify technology to help people "enjoy more" - a move that extends HP's leadership in imaging, printing and home computing into the fast-growing digital photography and entertainment markets. As part of the strategy and in direct response to complex proprietary systems that have led the consumer electronics landscape for years, HP unveiled more than 100 consumer products designed to easily bring digital photos, music and video to life in new and enriching ways.
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| 08-12-2003 |
Pentax Joins Leading Camera Companies in Adopting Lexar Media Write AccelerationFreemont CA., August 12, 2003 - Lexar Media, Inc., a leading designer, developer and marketer of award-winning high-performance digital media and accessory products, today announced that Pentax has become the latest in a distinguished group of camera manufacturers to incorporate Lexar Media's Write Acceleration technology in its new digital SLR camera. The Pentax *ist D, announced on August 8th, will support Lexar Media's Write Acceleration technology which enables digital cameras and media to work together to achieve faster image write speeds. With the release of this new camera, Pentax *ist D users worldwide can now capitalize on the speed and performance advantages, as well as unmatched capacity of Lexar Media's leading line of CompactFlash, including Lexar's new 4GB CompactFlash card. The Pentax announcement adds that company's name to a list of manufacturers supporting Write Acceleration technology, including Nikon, Kodak, Sanyo and Sigma.
In addition to support for Write Acceleration technology, the Pentax *ist D has a
CompactFlash II slot and supports FAT32, which ensures compatibility with Lexar Media's
new 4GB CompactFlash card.
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| 08-11-2003 |
Photoplus Expo 2003 - Live Digital Studio, Over 100 Seminars, World-Renowned Photographers and MoreNew York, New York - PhotoPlus Expo 2003 Photography & Design Conference, a premier resource for information, new ideas, and networking in the photographic and imaging industry, will offer over 100 seminars on topics as diverse as “Storytelling in the Digital Age” and “Shooting Under Fire.” Attendees will get hands-on with the latest technologies, learn innovative techniques in both digital and film, and meet master photographers and creative thinkers in the field. To enhance the attendees’ experience, PhotoPlus Expo is offering a Gold Expo Pass for exclusive access to key resources such as the Digital Learning Center. The show will also present, for the first time in the U.S. this year, the prestigious World Press Photo Exhibit. Among the new additions this year is the Digital Studio with live rotating photo shoots, which is intended to inspire and to teach digital workflow. The Digital Studio program includes a fashionable wedding shoot with Bambi Cantrell; lighting nude subjects with Christopher Springmann; human motion with Lois Greenfield; and new lighting and portrait techniques with Bobbi Lane, Peter Freed and Monte Zucker. In addition to the technologies and products on view, visitors will have a chance to see several exhibitions of extraordinary images. Among these is the celebrated World Press Photo Exhibit, which will feature over 200 award-winning photographs taken by internationally renowned photojournalists. The images, which cover topics ranging from political conflict to human achievement, were chosen from over 53,000 entries submitted by photojournalists, picture agencies, newspapers and magazines from 118 countries. More than 60% of the images on view are digital.
PhotoPlus Expo is presented by PDN Events, a division of Photo District News, the number
one resource for professional photographers, and produced by VNU Expositions, which
manages over 50 business-to-business tradeshows and educational conferences. PhotoPlus
Expo 2003 will be held at the Jacob Javits Center from October 30th - November 1st. For
press registration, please call (212) 261-4292 or email photoplus@dcinyc.com. Visit
www.photoplusexpo.com for more information on PhotoPlus Expo 2003.
|
| 08-09-2003 |
Kyocera Japan Announces Compact 5-Megapixel FineCam S5R Digital Camera
Kyocera Corporation (Japan) is announcing the release of the Kyocera Finecam S5R compact digital camera, with 5 million effective pixels. The camera provides high-speed, full- memory consecutive shooting at approximately 3 frames per second, and features high image quality thanks to the new image processor, RTUNE. The liquid crystal monitor follows images during the consecutive shooting, so you can take images while viewing them on the monitor. The camera also is loaded with a full range of functions, such as a 3x zoom lens, continuous AF that responds to a moving subject, a scene mode that enables you to adjust photographic settings easily according to six scenes, such as a sport scene with fast movement, and a function for recording moving images in VGA size with audio.
Read the entire
Finecam S5R press release.
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| 08-08-2003 |
Pentax Unveils Long-Anticipated Digital SLR and Two Lenses to U.S. Market
Housed in one of the world's smallest, lightest SLR camera bodies, the *ist D comes equipped with an array of advanced functions and user-friendly features, including an APS-sized CCD with impressive 6.1 effective megapixels, a responsive SAFOX VIII autofocus system with 11-point AF sensor, a sophisticated 16-segment multi-pattern metering system, a bright viewfinder with a newly developed compact glass pentaprism, an innovative "Hyper" operating system and 22 user-adjustable custom functions. The *ist D is compatible with existing PENTAX 35mm-format interchangeable lenses and accessories. To further delight advanced users, PENTAX will expand its interchangeable lens lineup for *ist D users with two new lenses in the coming months. The smc PENTAX-FA J Zoom 18mm-35mm FA-F5.6 AL (equivalent to 27.5mm-53.5mm in 35mm) and the first model of a new DA series designed to match the *ist D CCD size-the PENTAX-DA Zoom 26mm-45mm F4 ED AL. 08/12/2003 update: Pentax USA has announced pricing as follows. The Pentax *istD body will be $1699.95 and the body plus the 18-35mm lens is $1899.95.
Read the entire
*ist D press release.
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ENGLEWOOD, Colorado (August 8, 2003)…PENTAX U.S.A., Inc. announced that the long
anticipated digital SLR *ist D camera (pronounced ist-dee) will begin shipping in
September 2003 to the United States.
| 08-07-2003 |
Minolta Introduces Next Generation Single Lens-Reflex (SLR)-Type 5 Megapixel Digital Camera
 Read our DiMAGE A1 reviewNew York, NY (August 7, 2003) - Building upon the success of Minolta Corporation's highly acclaimed DiMAGE 7 series of digital cameras, Minolta introduces the new 5 megapixel SLR-type DiMAGE A1 digital camera. The DiMAGE A1 was designed with today's creative digital photographer in mind. Featuring the world's fastest AF speed among 5-megapixel SLR-type digital cameras*, a fast built-in f/2.8 - 3.5 7x optical zoom lens, a top shutter speed of 1/16,000 of a second, dual-focal macro system, extra-fine image-quality option, Minolta's new CxProcess II and 3-D Predictive Focus Control, Subject Tracking AF, Anti-shake function, and compatibility with portable and studio flash systems, the Minolta DiMAGE A1 exploits the power of digital imaging by providing the tools photographers need to express their creativity and solve visual problems. In addition, Minolta has also introduced new remote imaging software for use with the DiMAGE A1, the new DiMAGE Capture software, for enhanced creative capabilities.
Read the entire
DiMAGE A1 press release.
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| 08-07-2003 |
Minolta Introduces Compact 10x Mega-zoom DiMAGE Z1
 Read our DiMAGE Z1 reviewNew York, NY (August 7, 2003) - Minolta Corporation introduces the stylish new 3.2 megapixel DiMAGE Z1 - the first in a series of easy-to-use powerful Single Lens-Reflex (SLR)-type digital cameras. Designed around and the first digital camera to include Minolta's new built-in 10x Mega-zoom lens, the DiMAGE Z1 possess advanced technology and the world's fastest autofocusing among digital cameras with a built-in 10x or greater optical zoom.* In addition, the DiMAGE Z1 is capable of recording TV-quality 30 frames per second VGA movies.
Read the entire
DiMAGE Z1 press release.
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| 08-07-2003 |
Minolta Introduces 5.0 Megapixel DiMAGE G500New York, NY (August 7, 2003) - Minolta Corporation introduces the new DiMAGE G500 - a responsive, easy-to-use digital camera that provides high-quality 5 megapixel images. In spite of the small size of this stylish compact camera, the DiMAGE G500 packs powerful imaging controls for beautiful pictures and a dual memory-card slot for flexible storage solutions.
Read the entire
DiMAGE G500 press release.
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| 08-07-2003 |
Minolta Introduces New DiMAGE E323 Digital CameraNew York, NY (August 7, 2003) - Minolta Corporation introduces the new DiMAGE E323 - an easy-to-use, compact 3.2 megapixel digital camera. This stylish camera combines high- quality digital images and value-added features, such as the ability to make 6-megapixel images for high quality printing and digital video, all in one attractive package.
Read the entire
DiMAGE E323 press release.
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| 08-05-2003 |
PowerEx Adds More Digicam Battery Packs to Its LineupLA VERNE, CA -- Maha Energy Corp., the maker of the PowerEx brand rechargeable batteries and chargers, is pleased to announce three additions to its lithium ion & polymer digital camera battery pack product line. The three models fit Sony, Nikon and Minolta, respectively: MH-FM50 1400mAh 7.4V Li-Ion compatible with Sony®: DCR-PC110, DSC-F707, DSC-F717, DSC-S30, DSC-S50, DSC-S70, DSC-S75, DSC-S85, MVC-CD200, MVC-CD300, MVC-CD400 and MVC-CD500 MH-ENEL3 1400mAh 7.4V Li-Ion compatible with Nikon®: D100 MH-NP200 750mAh 3.7V Li-Ion compatible with Minolta®: Dimage X, Dimage Xt, Dimage Xi In addition to their high capacity, these batteries also have excellent recycle time, making them very useful for cameras with built-in speedlights or flashes. This improved performance is particular evident in the MH-ENEL3 battery pack used in the professional Nikon D100 digital SLR camera. These battery packs are fully compatible with the cameras they are designed for as well as all original chargers and accessories.
PowerEx also offers many other battery packs for popular Canon, Fuji, Kodak, Fuji,
Minolta, Ricoh, and Toshiba digital cameras, as well as others that use AA and AAA format
NiMH rechargeable batteries.
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| 08-05-2003 |
Kodak Announces Two New EasyShare Cameras and Printer DockROCHESTER, N.Y., August 5 -Expanding its award-winning EasyShare digital photography system, Eastman Kodak Company today introduced two new digital cameras and an additional printer dock.
Read the entire
Kodak Easyshare press release.
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| 08-04-2003 |
World's First Pictbridge Compatible Inkjet Printer From Canon Makes Direct Printing EasyCanon's new i560 Desktop Photo Printer is the world's first PictBridge-enabled inkjet printer, which allows consumers to print directly from any PictBridge compatible camera or camcorder regardless of brand. Customers can also print high-quality borderless photos, sharp text or perfectly formatted web pages from the computer. As one of the fastest printers in its class, the i560 delivers print speeds of up to 22 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 15 ppm in color and it is capable of delivering a staggering 19 million droplets of ink per second at the maximum of 4800 x 1200 dpi color resolution. Dramatic improvements in speed and quality found in the i560 printer compared to its predecessor - the i550 model - are based on the inclusion of Canon technology found in the multi-award winning Canon i850 photo printer. This technology includes the i850 unit's print head and many of the print engine components.
The Canon i560 Desktop Photo Printer is compatible with Windows XP/2000/Me/98/95/ NT 4.0,
Mac OS 8.6-9.x, Mac OS X v 10.2.1 to 10.2.x. A one-year limited warranty with
InstantExchange‡ is included with an option to purchase an extended limited warranty (good for
up to three years) from Canon for a suggested retail price of $50.00. The i560 Desktop Photo
Printer will be available in August for a suggested list price of $129.99.
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| 08-04-2003 |
Fred Miranda Releases Photoshop PluginsFred Miranda has taken his Photoshop FM Actions to a new level and has released the first series of Photoshop compatible, FM Plugins. These new and improved digital darkroom tools have automated installation; produce dramatic results with more customized controls, and offer more Photoshop compatibility than the previous FM Actions. All are compatible with Photoshop Elements 1.0 / 2.0, Photoshop 5.5, 6.0, 7.0 or higher, work with all digital camera and scanned film files, and have both PC and MAC versions available. Cspro (Custom Sharpen) and Intellisharpen Plugins:
SI Pro Plugin (Stair Interpolation)
WP Pro Plugin (Web Presenter)
More info on all of the FM Plugins can be found at the
Digital Darkroom Essential Plugins page. Custom Plugins can be found in the
main page.
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| 08-04-2003 |
Lexar Media Begins Shipping 40X 4GB CompactFlash Type II Memory CardsFREMONT, CA, August 4, 2003, - Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading designer, developer and marketer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today announced that the company is shipping the world's first and only 4GB CompactFlash memory card. Specifically designed for professional photographers shooting hi-resolution images, the 4GB card stores about 600 images captured in RAW mode using a 6-megapixel professional camera. Amateur photographers shooting with lower resolution cameras could expect to capture as many as 45,000 JPEG images using the high capacity memory card. The actual number of images a 4GB card can store depends on the camera quality, resolution and image file selection mode. The 4GB memory card is designed to meet the insatiable demand of professional photographers for high-capacity storage. For many professionals, 600 RAW images is comparable to the number of images shot in a day, which allows for extended, uninterrupted shooting and fewer memory cards to manage throughout the day. The 4GB card is speed rated at 40X, which is capable of a sustained minimum write speed of 6MB/s. As with all of Lexar Media Professional Series CompactFlash, the 4GB card features Write Acceleration (WA) technology, to achieve even greater speeds in WA enabled cameras. Lexar Media Image Rescue software is included free with the 4GB card, enabling photographers to recover deleted or seemingly lost images, or permanently erase the card preventing future image recovery. The 4GB card is CompactFlash Type II and requires the host camera to support the FAT32 file system. Most digital cameras today support the FAT16 file system, but the FAT16 system only supports data up to 2GB. All CompactFlash cards above 2GB require the camera to support the FAT32 file system. Compatible cameras include Canon Powershot G3, Canon Powershot G5, Canon Powershot S45, Canon Powershot S50, Canon EOS 10D, Canon EOS-1Ds, Kodak DCS 720X, Kodak 760, Kodak DCS Pro Back (all models), Kodak DCS Pro 14n, and Olympus E-1. Most higher-end camera models being introduced today will support the new FAT32 standard. More information about FAT32 and a regularly updated list of compatible cameras is available at www.lexarmedia.com/FAT32.
The 4GB card is available now at many photo specialty stores at an expected price of $1,499.
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| 08-01-2003 |
Casio Introduces A New 4.0 Megapixel Digital Camera With Fast Power Up Time And Release Time Lag
DOVER, NJ - Casio, Inc., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Company Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, today announced a new addition to the QV Digital Camera series, the new compact QV-R40, a 4.0 megapixel Digital Camera. The new QV-R40 has 1-second power up time and industry leading 0.01-second release time lag, ensuring you can capture those special moments whenever they happen. The new QV-R40 is the next generation model for the QV Series QV-R4, and is loaded with features. The QV-R40 sets the pace for performance and speed, featuring a new high-speed telescoping optical 3X zoom lens and a high-speed startup control, making startup 1 second faster than the QV-R4. Playback is faster, too, with the new QV-R40 scrolling through images on the monitor screen at a rate of about 0.1 second per image. Also a pair of direct mode access buttons for REC and PLAY turn the camera on directly to the mode you want, letting even a novice digital camera user operate the new QV-R40 with confidence. Compact, feature-filled yet easy-to-use, the QV-R40 is set to become the new standard for speed and performance in the compact digital camera market.
Read the entire
QV-R40 press release.
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| 08-01-2003 |
DP-Now.com Posts Info About New Epson Pigment Ink Printers and Photo Scanners
The folks over at DP-Now.com have posted an informative article about
Epson's two new pigment ink printers, the C64 and the C84. These are
four-color ink printers using Epson's next-generation Durabrite inks and
Epson is not pushing them as "photo" type printers but they have also
announced new glossy paper to be used with this ink set. Read all about it
at
DP-Now.com's web site. You'll also find links to Epson's press
releases for the new Perfection 1670 and 3170 scanners.
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| July 2003 News |
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