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February 1999 |
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This is a BIG month for digicam news, please allow time for all of this info to load - it's worth it! |
Newly Announced Cameras
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| 02-27-99 |
Nikon Japan Posts Sample E950 PicturesIf my page of Nikon Coolpix 950 samples aren't enough to whet your appetite then visit the Nikon Japan website and have a looksee at three more 950 sample pictures.
I've never fielded as much email as I have regarding the new Nikon 950
camera. This digicam promises to break all past sales records and there's
already thousands of them on order from Ingram Micro and other major
wholesale distributors. Most dealers are taking pre-orders now and
if you want to see one before summer I would suggest you get onto the
list at your favorite retailer now. |
| 02-27-99 |
Ulead PhotoImpact Wins MaximumPC's Award for Best Image Editor Two Years Running
I'm very happy to pass this news along as PhotoImpact is one of my
favorite graphic and web tools. For it's price ($100) it is very
difficult to beat and every new version adds even more utilities to
its ever-expanding 'bag of tricks.' If you only edit photos or maintain
an entire web site I wholeheartedly recommend Ulead's PhotoImpact, it's
always been a winner in my book. -Steve
Ulead PhotoImpact 4.2 has won more awards worldwide for its ease-of-use in editing images for both on and off the Web. PhotoImpact includes a host of specialized tools for Web image creation, including tools for GIF animation, optimizing images for best size and quality, button and background designers, and a Web Album for storing and managing images. Its interface offers certified Microsoft Office integration for speed of production. Ulead continues to pioneer new design tools in every version of PhotoImpact to deliver impressive, artistic results without requiring significant time or experience to create them. In addition to a full set of professional image editing tools, Version 4.2 features: state-of-the-art text tools; automatic generation of 2D, 3D and irregularly-shaped frames for images; and artistic textures and special "particle" effects like rain, snow, bubbles and stars.
Ulead PhotoImpact 4.2 can be purchased from the
Ulead Mall. Version 4.2 of PhotoImpact comes with a
special Button.Applet tool for interactive Java effects -- as well as
thousands of sample images, background textures, GIF animations and Web
theme sets. There is a
$20 (Internet only) mail-in rebate for
U.S. or Canadian buyers from Feb 1 through Dec 31 1999. This gets
you the full (shipped) version 4.2 for just $79.95 ! |
| 02-26-99 |
Kodak, eBay Plan Online Photo PactROCHESTER, N.Y. (Reuters) - Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE:EK - news), shooting for a bigger share of the online digital imaging market, said Friday it plans to provide Internet photo technology to Web auctioneer eBay Inc. Under the proposed three-year pact, San Jose, Calif.-based eBay would license Kodak technologies to allow people who trade online to add photographs to their auction listings without scanners or additional hardware and software.
To add a photograph, eBay members would take their film to a Kodak photo
processor and have it scanned and put on the Internet. When eBay sellers
create an auction listing, they would be asked if they wanted to look at
their images online by entering a personal access code. The seller could
view the roll of film and choose an image, which is then automatically
attached to their eBay listing. |
| 02-26-99 |
Dimage EX Zoom 1500 Places First in Digital Camera Shoot-Out at PMA '99RAMSEY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 1999-- Minolta hit the jackpot at the recent Photo Marketing Association (PMA) '99 trade show in Las Vegas winning two prestigious Digital Imaging Marketing Association (DIMA) awards. The Dimage EX Zoom 1500, Minolta's megapixel digital camera, won DIMA's third annual digital camera shoot-out in the high-end consumer point and shoot category. In addition, DIMA selected the Minolta Dimage EX Wide 1500 as one of the top 10 Most Innovative Digital Products on display at PMA '99.
Minolta's Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 won the third annual DIMA digital camera
shoot-out in the point-and-shoot category -- $900 and above. In total, 36
digital cameras and 18 manufacturers were included in the shoot-out that
was held on Wednesday, February 17, the day before the PMA show. Entries
were judged by select PMA members during the show based on the following
criteria: image/print quality, production and price. |
| 02-26-99 |
New 2 Megapixel D700 Coming Soon? Not!
One of our readers emailed me to tell me that he saw it at the PMA show and it does indeed have a FireWire interface but even the Sony booth folks didn't know what the CCD's resolution was.
Turns out that this is the "business edition" of the Sony D700 and
has the same 1.5Mpixel CCD imager but with the addition of the IEEE-1394
interface and a black body rather than the standard silver one. |
| 02-26-99 |
FlashPoint Technology Introduces World's First In-Camera Software ApplicationSAN JOSE, Calif., March 1, 1999 --- FlashPoint Technology Inc. today announced the industry's first in-camera software application, Digita FXTM . Users of DigitaTM -enabled cameras, including the KodakDC220/260 and the Minolta Dimâge ZOOM EX 1500, can now apply artistic filters, adjust color balance and edit images - directly inside the camera - without ever connecting to a PC. Digita FX will be available in March for $19.95 via FlashPoint's Web site. This revolutionary in-camera image editor provides advanced features, via the camera's intuitive graphic interface, that previously required a desktop computer and an expensive image editing software package. Users can now review and modify their images within seconds of capture, regardless of location. "For the first time ever, FlashPoint is giving photographers the power to edit and enhance their images without ever connecting to a PC. By providing the ability to change an image inside the camera, share the image with other Digita-enabled cameras and print the image on a Digita-enabled printer, we have created the ultimate digital darkroom," said David Pratt, president of FlashPoint Technology. "Digita FX is the first of many powerful imaging tools that will enable a new generation of photography. Digita FX is not only putting the power of photography back into the hands of the photographer, it is giving them new tools to capture, create and share better pictures."
Digita FX offers powerful capabilities usually reserved for desktop image
editing applications. The software provides a series of artistic, effect
and texture filters to customize and transform digital images into digital
artwork. Creative filters include, stucco, water color, mosaic,
underwater, emboss and pixelate. Digita FX also includes powerful tools
that can edit and enhance existing images including sharpen, rotate,
mirror, posterize, blur, color balance, brightness/contrast and
hue/saturation. |
| 02-25-99 |
More News from Toshiba
The final pricing for the Toshiba PDR-M4 is $699 and shipping date is
likely to be June, not May. Also, Toshiba may be adding some software
to enable users to perform simple video tasks. Another new camera,
the PDR-M5, should be out in August. It has the same features as the
PDR-M4 but with an optical zoom lens. |
| 02-25-99 |
Casio Announces New QV-5500SXThanks to the Imaging-Resource for the following:
The camera features has a 1/3 inch 1,310,000 pixel CCD, a 1.8 inch 120,000 pixel LCD display, CompactFlash storage, built-in four-mode flash with red-eye reduction, auto and four-mode manual white balance, NTSC and PAL video outputs, switcheable Japanese/English language menus, and the ability to focus down to 10 centimetres. There is no optical zoom, with the lens being fixed at an equivalent of 36mm on a 35mm traditional camera, although a 4x digital zoom is offered. It weighs about 250g without batteries, and can take about 360 photos on four alkaline AA batteries. It also has manual focus, and, in a literal translation of the website, "Various 'Manual setting' which can be freely controlled according to taking a picture intention"
Another interesting feature is the ability to take multiple
exposures (in three different ways - average the two pictures, give
priority to the brighter image, or give priority to the darker image).
The camera can also display a grid on the LCD to help in positioning subjects
on the screen (at least, this is what it seems to translate as), and can
combine pictures together in the camera to create panoramic
images... Another neat idea is that the camera automatically builds
an HTML page on the CF card along with the images, enabling you to view
the images from a web browser immediately you copy everything to your PC.
The Casio website has nine
sample images online. |
| 02-23-99 |
JVC Introduces New Digital DualCamsLAS VEGAS--Feb. 23, 1999--JVC, introduces two new digital video cameras, the GR-DVM70 and GR-DVM50. Both are the world's smallest, under 1 pound (approx. 435g), and are equipped with a rich array of special effects, 2.5" color LCD monitor, and DV input/output (i.Link/Firewire, IEEE1394 compliant) for digital multimedia system integration. As if this weren't enough, the GR-DVM70 takes multimedia versatility into the millenium - equipped with removable MultiMedia card (4MB) for digital still shooting. The GR-DVM70 "Digital DualCam" offers the best of both worlds - high resolution DV moving images, and excellent quality digital stills on memory card - plus valuable extras like a built-in Auto Flash with red-eye reduction, all in a pocket-sized, featherweight package. The HG Pro-Snapshot function is able to deliver high resolution still pictures by virtue of a high-speed shutter that captures highly detailed full frame stills that contain approximately twice the visual information of conventional field stills. Using a high resolution 680,000-pixel CCD, this function essentially emulates the operation of a progressive-scan CCD to enable moving subjects to be captured for non-jittery high quality stills. The GR-DVM70 has a nationally advertised value of $1699.95. The GR-DVM50 will be nationally advertised for $1499.95. Both models will be available in April. GR-DVM70 MAJOR FEATURES
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| 02-22-99 |
PMA '99 Winds Down - New Camera Shipping Dates & RumorsThe dust settles, the vendors pack their bags and displays and grab a taxi to the airport ... PMA 1999 is over. And what a show it was! Lots of new digital goodies everywhere - most we knew about before the show but some, we didn't. Konica slipped in their new Q-M200 right at the bell or else they really can keep a secret. Olympus and Nikon battled to be recognized as the first 2 megapixel camera on the market. As far as the press releases go - they both claimed to be the "first." The Nikon 950 and Olympus C-2000 cameras look great and fnally offer us real camera controls - to which I say - it's about time! Special thanks to Olympus for including a remote control, I was beginning to wonder if anybody was listening to my desperate cries for reason. OK, now the rest of you guys start doing the same and give us remote controls on all the high-end consumer digicams.
The major players at PMA showed their
new 2 MMP (my new digicam buzz word for Multi-MegaPixel) digital
cameras. Now it seems
as if any camera with less than 2.11 million pixels is headed for the
liquidators to be sold for $500 or less. In this game when you snooze
you lose big time...the others will pass you by like a speeding bullet!
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| 02-22-99 |
ThumbsPlus v4.0 Now AvailableMy favorite image thumbnailer/viewer/converter/adjuster program has finally reached its next level. ThumbsPlus v4.0 is now official and available for immediate download from Cerious Software's web site. I would be absolutely lost in a sea of image files if not for ThumbsPlus and use it so many times a day it's rediculous. To me it's the Windows Explorer for image files. I use it to "visually" browse my image folders and then launch other apps like PhotoShop, PhotoImpact and GIF Construction Set from a custom button created on Thumbs' toolbar. Here's a rundown of most of the new features in version 4.0: Database and Thumbnail Organization
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| 02-21-99 |
Konica Shows New 2.11 Megapixel Q-M200This comes in from the Imaging Resource Konica releases 2.11 megapixel digital camera! Konica announced the release of a new 2.11 megapixel digital camera, the Konica Q-M200 Digital Still Camera. The Q-M200 sports a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels, CompactFlash storage, a Hexanon 38mm equivalent lens, and an aluminum alloy case weighing only 9.5 ounces. It can autofocus down to 4 inches, shutter speeds 1/8th to 1/1000th of a second, built-in flash with red-eye reduction, digital 2x zoom (4x for playback only), 1.8-inch LCD, RS-232 and NTSC/PAL outputs and 3 AA alkaline batteries as the power source. A continuous shooting mode allows the camera to take four photos with one press of the shutter release, and the camera can also take black & white photos when in "Text mode".
No pictures are
available on Konica's website, however the excellent PC Watch website
in Japan has
five photos of the new camera in a report on PMA day one.
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| 02-20-99 |
New Version of Cameraid for Mac AvailableCameraid 1.1.2. is primarily a maintenance release, making the program work better with Keyspan serial ports and adapters and some minor tweaks for System 8.5.1. Now that most Apple machines no longer have built-in serial ports, USB and PCI serial port adapters are becoming more important. The revised Cameraid manual also has a section on memory card readers. With a memory card reader, Cameraid can be used with nearly any camera that supports removable media. Cameraid 1.1.2 (shareware, $15) is the all in one digital photography utility program for the Macintosh. Cameraid downloads images from Agfa, Apple (QT-200), Epson, Fuji, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Sanyo and Toshiba digital cameras. Use any serial port, including third party solutions such as the Keyspan SX Serial Card or their USB adapter (iMac and PowerMac G3BW compatible) http://www.keyspan.com. The viewer is the most convenient way to find out what exposure time and aperture was used for taking a photo. It is compatible with almost all new digital cameras (including Kodak, Minolta, etc). Cameraid can rotate and transform on JPEG images without degrading image quality. Powerful batch operations can be used to copy files from flash memory cards, automatically create simple HTML web pages, add custom icons, rename files based on the date and time when the photo was taken and much more. Automatic enhancement filters enhance images with minimal user interaction. What used to take hours of manual labor can now be done in minutes using a single batch operation. A unique filter can be used to reduce CCD image sensor and interlace artifacts.
Requires A Macintosh with a 68020 or better processor, QuickTime, at least
System 7 and 2MB of available RAM. The unregistered shareware version is
fully functional, but includes built-in delays and registration reminders
in some operations. The $15 registration fee (payable through Kagi) will
eliminate the delays and make working with Cameraid faster and smoother.
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| 02-20-99 |
Cable Release Adapter
You can see some self-shot pictures of this adapter on
Ed's web page and see it in
action. A big THANKS for finding this thing - I just ordered mine.
By the way, nice undershirt Ed! |
This very interesting info from Ed Schulman via our Message Board.
The Cable Release Adapter is available from
| 02-19-99 |
HP Announces S20 35mm Photo ScannerPALO ALTO, Calif.--Hewlett-Packard Company, today announced the HP PhotoSmart S20 photo scanner, a new product designed for photo and PC enthusiasts who want to scan 35mm photographic images to personal computers.
Expected to sell for a U.S. est
street price of $499, the S20 has features comparable to competitive units costing
up to three times as much. The scanner, which provides an optical scanning
resolution of up to 2400 dots per inch (dpi) at a color depth of 36 bits,
is designed to capture the finest details, from rich colors to deep
shadows. Exposure, color and sharpness controls in the new scanning
software enable accurate adjustments to and greater precision control over
the final image. |
| 02-19-99 |
Kaidan Announces a Panoramic Tripod Head Designed Expressly for the Nikon Coolpix 900/900SLAS VEGAS--Feb. 18, 1999-- The leading manufacturer of Photographic VR solutions for the Internet, Kaidan Incorporated, today announced the KiWi(tm) 900 Panoramic Tripod Head. Scheduled to ship in Q2-1999, the KiWi 900 will retail for $179.95.
The KiWi 900 comes with a twin-axis bubble level, a camera
slider/positioner, a captive camera attachment knob and two detent discs
for the proper angular indexing for the standard and optional Nikon
wide-angle lenses. The KiWi 900 also has two discrete mounting locations
to accommodate the nodal points (optical centers) of the Nikon standard
and wide-angle lenses, thus, there's no need to make measurements or tests
in order to figure out the nodal point. There is also a mounting slot that is used to position the camera anywhere
along the camera bracket in order to support any add-on lens. |
Designed to work with Nikon's popular Coolpix 900/900S digital cameras,
the KiWi 900 offers an ideal, cost-effective way to create high-quality,
professional photographic VR panoramas. Aimed at photographers, multimedia
developers and webpage designers, the KiWi 900 is ideal for real estate,
travel, education, and e-commerce applications.
| 02-19-99 |
Thumber Updated for Multi-Megapixel Digicams
Thumber extracts thumbnails from JPG files that contain an embedded
thumnail (usually 80x60 or 160x120 pixels). Thumber can process single
images, multiple images, or multiple directories. Thumber can create
"contact-sheet" style web pages with thumbnails linked to the full-sized
originals. It can also extract and include information it finds a
thumbnail (time, date, file size, flash, shutter, focus, picture number,
resolution and more). Thumber performs batch renaming of image files using
the information contained within. Files can be renamed with their date,
time, size, flash settings, etc.... Thumber can create a text report
containing the information contained within one or more image files.
Thumber can add and read comments embedded within a JPG file.
Thumber can also act as a "front-end" for JPEGTRAN for "loss-less" JPEG
image rotation. And Thumber can transfer files between a source and
destintation directories, such as a removeable memory card reader and a
hard-drive. |
| 02-19-99 |
First of the PMA "Sneak Peeks"The PC Watch website in Japan has posted some new camera pics from the PMA Show. Includes the new Agfa CL-50, Toshiba PDR-M4, Minolta/Meta Creations 3D version of the Dimage 1500EX Zoom and the Minolta RD-3000 (prosumer). And a nice little photo of the new IBM Microdrive being slipped into the backside of the RD-3000. PC Watch PMA Friday 2/19/99 coverage. Includes Konica Q-M200, Toshiba PDR-M4, Nikon Coolpix 700 and the "unamed" Nikon SLR, Kodak DCS 620 (aka digital Nikon F5) and one pic showing a disassembled DCS 620. According to the latest numbers for the PMA 99 Annual Convention and Trade Show, Feb. 18-21, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, more than 240 of the PMA 99 exhibitors will feature digital products. This, in itself, makes PMA 99 a showcase for the best in digital imaging. Add to it the exciting events sponsored by the Digital Imaging Marketing Association (DIMA), and you have yourself a digital-imaging extravaganza.
If you don't get enough reading material here then try the
Imaging-Resource's PMA News page.
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| 02-18-99 |
Sony Announces Memory Stick Product LineLAS VEGAS--Feb. 18, 1999--Sony announced today a number of Memory Stick(tm) IC (integrated circuit) recording media-based products designed to facilitate the capturing, storing and sharing of digital data, text, and images between electronics products. Memory Stick media is Sony's small integrated circuit digital storage media that is designed to provide consumers with a powerful tool for moving data, text, graphics or digital images from one product to another quickly and easily. The small size, yet high storage capacity of the Memory Stick media makes it ideal for compact digital imaging products.
Sony's Memory Stick product introductions include the Cyber-shot(tm)
digital camera (DSC-F55), Digital Photo Frame (PHD-A55), Digital Photo
Printer (DPP-MS300), Digital Handycam® camcorder (DCR-TRV10), VAIO
Slimtop(tm) LCD computers, and 16MB and 32MB storage capacity Memory Stick
media.
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| 02-18-99 |
Canon Introduces the CanoScan FS2710, A High-Speed Film Scanner For 35mm and APS FilmsLAS VEGAS, Feb. 17 -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., introduces a new, high-speed desktop film scanner for use with 35mm and Advanced Photo System films. The CanoScan FS2710 offers several advanced features including a maximum scanning speed of 13 seconds per frame(1), 2,720 dots-per-inch (dpi) optical resolution, 12-bit RGB input and output, and the ability to accept slides or negatives in color or black-and-white, in either the 35mm or APS format. The CanoScan FS2710 provides 36-bit scanning capability which supports recognition of more than 68 billion different colors, as well as a broad dynamic range of 3.2 density units. The result is extremely accurate color rendition compared to the original film, which retains subtle details in the highlight and shadow areas of the scanned image. In addition, the new scanner features optical resolution up to 2,720 dpi as well as an improved color tone algorithm for more accurate color reproductions from original art.
It also features a high-speed SCSI 2 interface to ensure
outstanding data transfer speeds and is directly compatible via the
supplied connecting cable with Macintosh computers featuring a built-in
SCSI interface. The product also includes an expansion card and cable that
can be used to provide compatibility with PCI-bus PCs if a SCSI interface
has not already been installed.
The new CanoScan FS2710 will be available at dealers nationwide in April
and will have a manufacturer's suggested list price of $1,100. |
| 02-18-99 |
Lexar Media Announces 32MB SmartMedia, 128MB CompactFlash and 320MB PC CardsLAS VEGAS--Feb. 18, 1999-- Lexar Media, a leading supplier of High Performance Digital Film(TM), today announced plans to add to its family of high performance digital film: a 32MB SmartMedia card; a 128MB CompactFlash card and a 320MB PC Card. With these new additions, Lexar leads the digital film industry with the largest capacity and highest speed digital film in each category of industry-standard digital film formats. The Pro Series 128MB CompactFlash and Pro Series 320MB PC Card are specifically designed for professional and "prosumer" digital photographers who demand the fastest 'click-to-click' time in order to capture fast action photography or increase workflow. The new cards are CompactFlash and Type II PC Card flash memory devices respectively, that offer extremely fast 8X performance (1.2MB/sec. sustained write speed)--up to five times as fast as the generic digital film currently available.
Production shipments of Lexar's 32MB SmartMedia and 128MB CompactFlash
digital film cards are scheduled to begin in Q2 1999. The Pro Series 320MB
PC Card is expected to be available in March 1999 from professional camera
resellers and the company's web site with a suggested list price of
$1,199.00. |
| 02-18-99 |
Epson's PhotoPC 750Z Megapixel Zoom Digital Camera Now ShippingTORRANCE, Calif.--Feb. 18, 1999-- Epson, the creator of high quality, award-winning imaging products, today announced the shipping of the PhotoPC 750Z, its first megapixel, 6X zoom digital camera with Epson's HyPict(TM) image enhancement technology for an estimated street price of $799. It comes with 4MB internal memory and an 8MB CompactFlash card from Lexar Media(TM). In addition, the PhotoPC 750Z employs a new Solar Assist(TM) Panel to illuminate the 2" LCD monitor in direct sunlight and save battery power. The PhotoPC 750Z has a 3X optical zoom (34mm to 102mm) plus a 2X digital zoom. Included are four AA size NiMH batteries and charger.
The PhotoPC 750Z allows users to increase the resolution from its true
1280 x 960 pixel resolution to an interpolated 1600 x 1200 or 1.92 million
pixels with Epson's HyPict image enhancement technology. It also features
Epson's Quick Shot picture taking mode, allowing users to snap a photo
within three seconds of capturing the previous image. |
| 02-17-99 |
Canon to Ship Pro70 and PowerShot A5 Zoom Cameras in MarchLAS VEGAS, Feb. 17 -- Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in optical and digital imaging technology, announced today that it will begin shipping its award-winning digital still camera, the PowerShot Pro70, in March. Canon also announced the introduction of its PowerShot A5 Zoom, an easy-to-use, ultra-compact digital model. The high-performance, 1.68 million pixel Canon PowerShot Pro70, with its high-speed 2.5x zoom lens incorporates a host of advanced features that offer tremendous flexibility for the most demanding photographer. The 1,024 x 768 pixel Canon PowerShot A5 Zoom has a sharp, all-glass 4-10mm (equivalent to 28-70mm in the 35mm film format) f2.6-4.0 power zoom lens
The Pro70 and A5 Zoom will be available in March and have estimated street
prices of $1,199 and $399, respectively. |
| 02-17-99 |
DigitalFocus and Popular Photography Present Awards for Products of the Year in Digital ImagingLAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 1999--DigitalFocus, the leading newsletter in the field of digital imaging, and Popular Photography will host the second annual Excellence In Imaging Awards tonight at DigitalFocus '99 @ PMA in Las Vegas at the Alexis Park Resort. The Excellence In Imaging Awards honor the best digital imaging products of 1998 in 11 categories, ranging from the Best Consumer Digital Camera to the DigitalFocus Innovations Award for the most innovative product of the year. "What sets the Excellence In Imaging Awards apart is that it is the only major awards event exclusively for digital imaging products," said Chris O'Malley, editor of the DigitalFocus newsletter. Popular Photography Vice President Richard Rabinowitz said, "As the world's leading photo magazine, we see digital imaging as a creative and technological force. Popular Photography is proud to be a co-sponsor of the second annual Excellence in Imaging Awards." The Excellence In Imaging Awards is sponsored by 28 leading digital imaging companies: 3Com, Adobe, Agfa, Canon, Digital Imaging Group, Digital Intelligence, Duracell, Energizer, Enroute Imaging, Epson, FlashPoint, Fuji, Intel, Iomega, IPIX, Jasc Software, Kodak, Lexar Media, Lexmark, MGI Software, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Philips, Picture CD, SanDisk, Toshiba Imaging Systems and Ulead. Press and analysts worldwide will attend the event. The award winners and finalists announced at the ceremony include:
Best Consumer Digital Camera-Winner: Olympus D-400 Zoom
Best Prosumer Digital Camera-Winner: Kodak DC260
Best Professional Digital Camera-Winner: Kodak DCS 520 and
Canon EOS-D2000
Best Inkjet Printer-Winner: Epson Stylus Photo EX
Best Photo Printer-Winner: Olympus P-330 Instant Home Printer
Best Flatbed Scanner-Winner: Agfa DuoScan T1200
Best Film Scanner-Winner: Nikon Super Coolscan 2000
Best Digital Video Product-Winner: Canon Vistura
Best Photo Editing Software-Winner: Adobe Photoshop 5.0
Best Photo Specialty Software-Winner: Enroute Imaging QuickStitch 360
DigitalFocus Innovation Award-Winner: Digital I.C.E.
DigitalFocus is the leading newsletter on digital imaging, covering
digital cameras, color printers, scanning products, imaging software and
digital imaging services. A monthly publication co-founded by Jon Pepper
and Chris O'Malley, DigitalFocus combines insightful commentary with
incisive reviews and timely news. Jon Pepper and Chris O'Malley are
regularly featured speakers on digital imaging panels at leading trade
shows, such as Comdex, PC Expo, PMA, and CES. For more information,
contact info@digfocus.com. |
| 02-17-99 |
Toshiba Launches 2.14-Megapixel PDR-M4 Digital Camera At PMA
The PDR-M4 incorporates the latest advances in component and computer technology developed exclusively by Toshiba, such as a 2.14 million pixel CCD sensor that delivers resolutions up to 1600 x 1200. The camera incorporates USB connectivity in addition to serial output and is compatible with Windows® (98, 95) and Macintosh® computers, plus supports the Apple iMac™ and all USB-compliant notebook or desktop PCs. The camera is equipped with 16MB of internal memory and uses SmartMedia™ cards up to 32MB. Upgradable firmware permits the PDR-M4 to accept SmartMedia cards up to 128MB. The PDR-M4 uses a newly-developed Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip set that greatly extends battery life, while speeding up the burst rate between shots to less than two seconds. In Burst Mode up to four continuous shots can be taken at half second intervals at 1600 X 1200 resolution. Another perk to this new DSP technology -- which is incorporated only in Toshiba cameras -- is that the boot time is significantly accelerated. The PDR-M4 has an ultra-bright 1.8-inch backlit LCD; a 35mm equivalent, all-glass lens with Macro mode (4.0 inches to 20 inches); a four-mode flash system; a 2X digital zoom; a 4X playback zoom; video-out (NTSC), a self-timer; a tripod socket; and patented Image Perfect™ circuitry to assure very precise color reproduction. Small enough to slip into a coat pocket, the contoured PDR-M4 body features a die-cast aluminum body with sturdy hand grips on both sides for left- or right-handed photographers. The PDR-M4 also has an automatic, built-in lens cover. For all its advanced features, the PDR-M4 is no more complicated to use than a traditional point-and-shoot camera. The camera’s set-up options (sharpness, color or b&w, frame number, beep, date / time / calendar) are accessed via an intuitively-placed control dial that flattens the learning curve for first-time users. To assure perfect shots every time, the PDR-M4 has a highly-accurate optical viewfinder with a center-placed lens.
The PDR-M4 comes with multi-platform CD software from Sierra Imaging for
accessing, managing and enhancing digital photos; rechargeable lithium
battery; handstrap; USB cable; RS-232C serial cables for PC and RS-422
for Macintosh; video-out cable; hand strap; and a SmartMedia Card. An
optional quick battery charger is also available. It will be available in
May, 1999. Final pricing has not been set by Toshiba. |
LAS VEGAS, NV, February 18, 1999 --
| 02-16-99 |
Polaroid Announces the Fastest, Highest Resolution Slide Scanner On the MarketCAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 16, 1999--Polaroid Corporation today introduced the world's first 4000 dots per inch (dpi) film scanner that produces scanned images in under one minute. As an addition to Polaroid's award winning SprintScan line, the SprintScan 4000 is a high-performance scanner that scans professional quality 35-millimeter slides, filmstrips and Advanced Photo System (APS) film formats without compromise. The SprintScan 4000 produces high quality output with a true optical resolution of 4000 dpi and an optical density of 3.4, making it the highest resolution and most productive scanner on the market. While competing products deliver a 2700 dpi image with a 3.2 optical density in under a minute, the SprintScan 4000 will deliver a 4000 dpi image with a 3.4 optical density in under a minute -- twice as much information without compromising the speed.
The SprintScan 4000 will be available in the US in March through
authorized Polaroid dealers and catalogs. The optional APS adapter will be
available in June. For the Windows environment, the scanner software
includes a PCI based SCSI card. The suggested US list price of the new
scanner is $2,495. International prices may vary, and can be determined by
contacting the regional Polaroid office. |
| 02-16-99 |
Panasonic Introduces World's First Camcorders Using CompactFlash Memory CardsSUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 1999--A major new application area for SanDisk Corporation's CompactFlash(TM) (CF(TM)) memory card has been opened with the introduction of the Panasonic PV-L759 and PV-L859, the industry's first camcorders with built-in digital still camera to use the removable cards to capture and store still images. Andrew Nelkin, general manager of Panasonic's camcorder and digital still camera department, said, "The PV-L759 and PV-L859 Palmcorders are two new top-of-the-line PhotoShot(TM) models from Panasonic. The CompactFlash cards allow us to add a valuable new feature to the camcorders that we believe will become a standard feature on future Panasonic camcorders. Panasonic fully supports the CompactFlash format and is using Compactflash cards in these new Palmcorders because they are portable, high performance, compact and durable."
Every Panasonic PV-L759 and PV-L859 sold will include a 2MB CompactFlash
card. Individual images can be downloaded from the camcorders on CF cards
and then moved to color printers and PCs for viewing and the production of
prints or inclusion in e-mail messages, web sites, documents or sales
presentations. Both camcorders produce 640 X 480 pixel images that can be
viewed on a 4" LCD screen. Up to 60 standard resolution, or 15 high
resolution, photos can be stored on the camcorders' removable 2MB memory
cards. The Panasonic PV-L759 and PV-L859 have suggested retail prices of $799.95
and $899.95 respectively and will be available this month. |
| 02-16-99 |
New 2.11 Megapixel Digicams From Nikon:
|
| 02-16-99 |
Nikon Breaks The Two-Megapixel Barrier: 2.11-Megapixel Coolpix(R) 950 & Coolpix(R) 700 Digital CamerasMELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Committed to making the best better, Nikon USA today announced the next generation of Coolpix digital cameras: the breakthrough two-megapixel Coolpix(R) 950 and Coolpix(R) 700 cameras. Building on the unprecedented success and award-winning excellence of Nikon's Coolpix(R) 900 and Coolpix 900s -- rated the number one digital camera of 1998 by a leading, independent product testing organization -- the new Coolpix 950 and Coolpix 700 shatter the two-megapixel resolution standard and create vastly superior images, taking digital enlargements beyond the realm of 8"x10". Faster, more responsive, technologically innovative, simpler to use and even smaller than their predecessors, both the Coolpix 950 and Coolpix 700 models feature world renowned Nikkor lenses. Priced at under $1,000 and under $600 respectively, these megapixel miracles will be on retail store shelves in early April 1999. Images captured on the newly designed 2.11-megapixel, 1/2 inch CCD can now be saved in an uncompressed TIFF format plus three JPEG compression modes. Both cameras ship with an industry standard 8MB Nikon CompactFlash(TM) card. Additional Nikon CompactFlash cards are presently available at up to 64MB capacity (with still larger cards to be offered in the near future). In addition to the increased resolution, other new Nikon technology innovations include fast two-second boot-up, Nikon's exclusive 256-element matrix metering and high precision autofocus. Both cameras feature high-speed continuous shooting of up to 2 frames per second. New technology and design also extends the battery life to up to two hours on the Coolpix 950 and up to three hours on the Coolpix 700. Both the Coolpix 700 and the Coolpix 950 accept Nikon's optional wide-angle and fisheye Coolpix lenses. Nikon's Best-Shot Exclusive: For Pictures "Shaken-not Blurred" - New on the Coolpix 950 and Coolpix 700 is Nikon's exclusive Best-Shot Selector for shooting in moving or shaky environments. When engaged, Best-Shot Selector instantly snaps five frames. In a matter of seconds the program analyzes the image frequencies of the five shots, selects the best one and discards the other, effectively neutralizing camera movement that can blur or ruin a perfect picture. The Coolpix 950: First, Fast and Nikon Through and Through Beyond the megapixel resolution revolution, the Coolpix 950 offers standard features previously found on the company's world-renowned film-based cameras as well as some innovations and enhancements found nowhere else. Users of the Coolpix 950 have a choice of three resolution modes: 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 768 and 640 x 480 as well as automatic, shutter or aperture priority settings, a sensitivity gain control (the digital equivalent of using faster film) and a 5-mode tailored curve selection for printing or monitor display. Among the camera's other features are a GPS input that allows photographers to geographically tag shot locations with satellite precision; three white balance settings (automatic, manual and preset); custom titling and renaming of files onboard, and firmware that is updateable via a CompactFlash card. From its classic and sturdy black magnesium construction and the easy to use Command Dial (patterned after Nikon's professional single lens reflex cameras) to the easy to read two-inch LCD, 4746-step precision autofocus system and 3x optical zoom Nikkor lens (38-115mm equivalent) -- with a 2.5 digital teleconverter that extends the standard Nikkor 3x zoom's range to a 287.5mm equivalent -- the Coolpix 950 is quintessentially Nikon. In addition to the optional wide angle and fisheye lenses for the Coolpix line, the Coolpix 950 also features an optional 2x optical teleconverter lens for serious long-range photography. When used in tandem with the camera's built in digital converter, this teleconverter extends the Coolpix 950's zoom range to a phenomenal 575mm equivalent. Coolpix 700: Two-megapixels in a pocket-sized powerhouse Compact and lightweight, fully automatic and as simple to use as a point-and-shoot, the sleek, black Coolpix 700 is Nikon's second new 2.11-megapixel digital camera. Coolpix 700 incorporates many of the key attributes of the Coolpix 950 including Nikon's exclusive 256 element matrix metering system, the choice of two resolution settings (1600 x 1200 and 640 x 480), fast two-second start up -- save times and high-speed continuous shooting modes.
The Coolpix 700 features a clear and sharp 1.8-inch LCD, auto-focus Nikkor
lens (38mm equivalent) and a digital zoom in five steps (up to a 95mm
equivalent). Fast, efficient and flexible, the Coolpix 700 is the ideal
choice for those who want Nikon Coolpix high image quality and reliability
but don't require the more extensive photographic features of the Coolpix
950. |
| 02-16-99 |
iView Multimedia 3.5 for the Mac Now Has Professional Digital Camera File SupportThe newest version of iView Multimedia for the Mac is now available freely for download from Script Software. iView Multimedia can now catalog images for Kodak pro digital cameras like: Kodak DCS 1, 3, 5, 315, 410, 420, 460, 520, 560 and the upcoming DCS 620 Canon EOS D2000, EOD D6000 AP/Kodak NC2000e. iView Multimedia gives the incredibly useful ability to see the preview image inside AP Viewer/Photo Mechanic-processed files. iView Multimedia now supports various annotation protocols, both in read and write form, including:
iView can read all these files Quark, Canvas, Painter, Live Picture, Freehand, PageMaker, Illustrator, gif, jpg, TIFF, PICT, GX, BMP, Targa, EPS, fonts, sounds, movies, QuickTime VR, animation, and many others. It is a media cataloging program allows total newbies and HTML pros to create a web site of images with just two clicks?
CD ROM publishers, photographers and others can burn iView Multimedia on
their CD's and include it with their catalogs royalty free. Digital camera
manufacturers are also welcome to include iView Multimedia free with their
cameras. Please contact us for more details. |
| 02-16-99 |
Nikon's New "Un-Named" Pro SLR Digicam
Tokyo, Japan(Nippon), February 15, 1999 --- Nikon today announced that in response to the professional photography market's requirements, Nikon has been developing a new professional class, high-quality digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. Nikon has employed its long-time experience in designing professional cameras with newly developed digital imaging technology ; the result will be a unique, new camera. The new camera will be smaller, lighter, will have higher performance for improved picture quality, and will have faster image signal processing and faster continuous picture taking. Other key features include compatibility with Nikon's Interchangeable lens Nikkor System and enhanced durability. Nikon is confident that this new digital SLR will offer a significant enhancement to the Nikon System, and the wide ranging needs of professional photographers.
The price objective for this new digital camera will make it accessible to
a full range of professional customers and it is sure to appeal to
advanced photo enthusiasts, as well. The new camera is planned for sales
beginning autumn 1999. |
| 02-16-99 |
Olympus Announces New C-2000Z
|
| 02-15-99 |
New Vivitar VGA DigicamFrom the Photo/Image News Network comes this tidbit:
Vivitar Vivicam 2750 Digital Camera features VGA (640 x480) resolution.
Yes, we thought VGA cameras would be dead at this time, but look how much
Vivitar is packing into a camera with a street price right around the $200
mark: 1.8" color LCD, 2 MB built-in memory and the ability to use up to
32MB CompactFlash Cards, shutter speeds 1/30 to 1/10,000th. Focus-free
with Macro. |
| 02-15-99 |
Samsung SDC-007 Mini-Megapixel
Would one of my PMA spies please get some hi-res closeup pics and the full specs of this digicam from the Samsung Booth D-91. Thanks!
Thanks to reader Doug Warner for the photo on the right and also
pointing out this new (and unknown to me) megapixel digicam. |
| 02-14-99 |
Fuji MX-2700 Samples PostedThe Japanese DreamArts website has a page full of Fuji MX-2700 samples for you to peruse. The MX-2700 is kind of a 2.3 megapixel MX-700 look-alike, same general body design with a fixed focal length lens (sorry, no optical zoom). 1800x1200 resolution makes it one helluva point and shoot camera though!
Here's the FujiFilm
FujiFilm MX-2700 press release in English. |
| 02-14-99 |
Qimage Pro v3.0 Now AvailableThis just in from Mike Chaney: "Introducing Qimage Pro v3.0. In addition to minor bug fixes and incorporation of user suggestions like selectable printer fonts, version 3.0 boasts high quality interpolation featuring both bicubic spline and Mitchell interpolation. Interpolation increases printed image dpi and reduces blockiness which results from printing lower resolution images at large print sizes. Select the minimum dpi for all your printouts and let Qimage Pro do the dirty work by creating incredible prints via interpolation when needed, automatically. Although bicubic spline filters provide the smoothest output, they are not always best because they tend to blur images that have small details. We have found that the Mitchell interpolation often performs better, but we offer both for optimum performance in different situations. Qimage Pro now has full searchable Windows help and can be ordered online via credit card. In most cases, we can deliver the software to you the same day when ordered via credit card.
Finally, a word on free upgrades. Upgrading Qimage Pro just got easier.
We now have one copy available for all users, both trial users and
registered users. Simply
download the software from our page and you will
receive an unlock code when you register. The unlock code is entered
once, and for all future upgrades, you need only download the demo/trial
from our page. When you install the latest version, the unlock code is
picked up from your current version." |
| 02-12-99 |
Feith Introduces DjVuer; Utilizes AT&T Technology To Produce Higher-Quality, Smaller Sized Web ImagesFORT WASHINGTON, PA., Beginning today, graphic artists and content developers can use AT&T Labs' DjVu(tm) technology to create higher apparent resolution color images on the World Wide Web, up to 5-10 times smaller than any Web compression technology presently available. Feith Systems & Software, Inc. announced it is making its DjVuer(tm) software available on a free trial basis, via their web site. DjVuer, the only commercially available Windows-based software of its kind, brings the power of AT&T Labs' DjVu technology to the desktop. DjVuer (pronounced day-ja-voo-er) was developed by Feith in cooperation with AT&T Labs, which pioneered the breakthrough DjVu technology that compresses images at ratios as high as 1000:1. Users of Windows 95, 98 and NT can scan high-resolution color pages of books, magazines, catalogs, manuals, historical or ancient documents, and make them available on the Web. For high resolution color document images that contain both text and pictures, DjVu files are typically 40 to 80 KB, or five to 10 times smaller than JPEG files. For black-and-white pages, DjVu files are 10 to 20 times smaller than JPEG and five times smaller than GIF. DjVu technology turns a 25MB TIFF file into a 50KB image and routinely produces files five times smaller than PDF files taken from scanned documents.
People who download DjVuer will be able to create up to 50 images, in
AT&T's DjVu format at no charge. While DjVuer is available only for
Windows-based computers, free browser plug-ins available from AT&T (www.djvu.att.com) enable cross-platform
viewing of the images created by DjVuer. In addition to Windows, plug-ins
are available for computers running on a variety of platforms, including
Macintosh OS8, Solaris, Linux and many varieties of UNIX. |
| 02-12-99 |
Callisto Announces PhotoParade(TM) Product LineNatick, Mass., -- Callisto Corporation announces the availability of PhotoParade(TM), the first consumer digital photo software that combines high-quality animation, graphics, music, sound effects, and text titling with a consumer's digital photos. PhotoParade allows users to effortlessly package their personal photos in entertaining presentations by combining them with one of the specially designed PhotoParade themes. The software is designed to let users learn about and incrementally add new features to PhotoParade by visiting the PhotoParade web site. In addition to product information, the web site provides inexpensive software add-ons for PhotoParade which users can download and install immediately. This feature enables users to purchase only the individual components of PhotoParade they choose, and to add new components to their PhotoParade software as they become available. PhotoParade is designed to simplify the process of sharing an entire "roll" of digital photos by e-mail. A finished PhotoParade is a single, pre-compressed file containing all of the user's photos which can be viewed using the freely-distributed PhotoParade Player software. While it is currently straightforward for users to share single photos by e-mail, PhotoParade is the first software that makes it easy to share a polished-looking "album" of photos by e-mail.
The PhotoParade product line includes PhotoParade Maker, PhotoParade
Screen Saver, the free PhotoParade Player and a wide variety of unique and
inventive themes designed to enhance and display digital photos.
Each unique theme has its own music, animation and art.
|
| 02-12-99 |
Ricoh Announces New 2.3 Megapixel RDC-5000
 The RDC-5000 offers three different JPEG compression ratios for each of the two resolution modes, 1792 x 1200-pixel or 896 x 600-pixel. The images are stored on a SmartMedia memory cards up to 32MB in size. The RDC-5000 has 8MB of internal RAM to speed up CCD image processing. When the camera is turned off, a sliding cover automatically extends to protect the 1.8-inch LCD monitor from accidental scratches.
When taking images in 1792 x 1200-pixel recording mode, you can choose to
have the camera automatically apply a compression algorithm (similar to
JPEG compression) to downsample the captured image to a 896 x 600-pixel
format. Thanks to this advanced compression scheme, which selectively
compresses less important image elements, the pictures that you take
maintain sharp edges and high color contrast-detail that can be lost with
normal compression techniques. |
| 02-11-99 |
Ulead Systems Launches New Easy-to-Use Panorama Photo Creation Tool - Ulead COOL 360TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Ulead® Systems Inc., a leading developer of Windows-based imaging, video and Internet software, today announced the release of Ulead® COOL 360(TM), a tool for creating panoramas from any digitized sequence of photos. COOL 360 will be shown for the first time publicly this week at the DigitalFocus '99 Event at PMA in Las Vegas, NV. Ulead COOL 360 takes a 3-step approach to panorama creation. Users begin by activating the New Project Wizard, which defines the type of panorama (wide-angle or full 360 degrees) and guides them in acquiring images from any TWAIN-compliant scanner or digital camera. COOL 360 lets users interact with and improve their original photos while creating projects. COOL 360 is built upon a powerful algorithm that allows for automatic stitching and intelligent blending and warping of photos. Users can sequence and overlap images automatically or manually, making use of tools to rotate and adjust perspective, hue, saturation, brightness or contrast between sets of photographs. Once the project is complete, the Finish step offers a variety of options for saving finished panorama projects. Panorama projects created using COOL 360 can be pasted into documents and presentations. Projects can be delivered via email as a stand-alone .EXE file or posted as an HTML-based panorama for use on the Web (a downloadable Ulead Panorama Viewer plug-in is required). Other output options include using projects for Windows screensavers, printing or exporting as .MOV files.
Ulead COOL 360 is now available from Ulead's
Web site and through all major online software distributors. The
estimated SRP will be $39.95. |
| 02-11-99 |
Easytek Updates Photo Assistant 98 LiteThe folks at Easytek informed me that they have just released a new and improved version of their Photo Assistant 98 Light printing program. If you're unfamiliar with Photo Assistant, it's a Windows 95/98 program designed for the easy creation of your photo layouts. You load your pictures from a thumbnail preview, drag&drop and arrange the pictures, add text and then print. The page layouts are stored as template files and can be used again and again with your digital pictures. Photo Assistant shows you how far you can stretch pictures before they become too big to be printed properly. Real-time pixel-to-dpi-conversion tells you the exact measurements and scale factors of image size related to current printer settings. There's professional features like threaded printing, resource managment for high-res pictures, many auto-save features, several interpolation algorithms, and lots more. A Quickset wizard lets you "play" with your pictures and arranges them automatically on the page. Photo Assistant now has Multi-Page support.
There's many more new features including a side-by-side Picture Comparison
Wizard with chained windows and a zoom function. Custom Printer Dialogs
keep your printer settings during the runtime of the program. Photo
Assistant is now true shareware, try it for 30 days in unrestricted mode
and it operates the same as the registered version. See the
Easytek website for complete
details and download your trial copy of Photo Assistant 98 Lite. |
| 02-10-99 |
Olympus Announces 32MB SmartMedia and New FlashPath AdapterThanks to the Imaging-Resource for news this item:
Olympus Optical Co. Ltd. today announced the immediate release in Japan of 32MB SmartMedia cards, as well as the planned release of the corresponding 32MB FlashPath reader at the beginning of March. The 32MB "M-32P" SmartMedia cards are available at a price of 15,000 yen (approx. US$130), and the 32MB-specific FlashPath reader will retail for 12,000 yen (approx. US$105). The 32MB SmartMedia can also be read using the existing MA-2 PC Card adaptor, or using the existing MAFP-1/1N FlashPath adaptors and accompanying 32MB driver update. The following equipment from Olympus can accept 32MB SmartMedia cards: Olympus Digital Cameras
Olympus Digital Color Printer
Olympus Digital Photo Editor
There are two cautionary notes from Olympus in the press release. The first states that while C-1400L and C-1000L cameras upgraded to 16MB recently were supposed to be able to accept 32MB SmartMedia, and will work under most circumstances correctly, the cameras can occasionally encounter an error which can lose data or even destroy the 32MB SmartMedia card, and hence Olympus is recommending customers return these cameras for a second upgrade free of charge.
The second note is a little odd, and I am not 100%
sure of my translation of it, but it appears to warn Olympus C-1400XL
users to format their 32MB SmartMedia cards in the camera rather than
their PC, stating that data on the card might be lost when a PC-formatted
SmartMedia card is inserted into the C-1400XL. |
| 02-10-99 |
Kodak Recalls Digital Camera AC AdaptersWASHINGTON, D.C., Feb 10 (Reuters) - Eastman Kodak Co. is voluntarily recalling 120,000 AC adapters sold for use with some of its digital cameras, Kodak and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday. When the connector plug of the AC adapter is not fully inserted in the camera, the camera batteries can overheat. The batteries could then leak acid and explode, possibly causing thermal and chemical burns or lacerations to consumers, according to Kodak. Kodak said it was aware of three reports involving adapter use, with batteries overheating and discharging its contents, including an incident in which an individual suffered minor injuries. The recalled adapters, model numbers 2534, 2457, MI2008 and M42008, were sold nationwide from March 1996 to August 1998 for between $40 and $80 each. Kodak said it will replace the adapters free of charge, with redesigned Elpac AC adapters.
 BusinessWire Photo
The recalled adapters have tapered black plugs like the one pictured
left. Adapters with squared-off white plugs like the one pictured right
are safe for use with all appropriate Kodak digital cameras. Consumers who
own a Kodak digital camera and have an adapter subject to the recall
should contact Kodak at 888-404-3711 or www.kodak.com/go/acadapter/.
|
| 02-09-99 |
Sanyo Announces New DSC-X110
The Japanese PC Watch site has
pictures of the DSC-X110 and also has another page with
sample pictures too. No word on whether this camera will be sold
in the U.S. market yet, stay tuned, we'll let you know later when/if we
find out. |
| 02-08-99 |
Agfa Introduces ePhoto CL50 Digital Camera
The CL50 offers an optical resolution of 1.3 million pixels (1280 X 960) and through Agfa's PhotoGenie(TM) image enhancement technology, produces 1600 X 1200 images. The ePhoto CL50 features four resolution settings (1600 X 1200 - Super, 1280 X 960 - High, 1280 X 960 - B/W text, 640 X 480 - VGA) and four flash modes. In addition, the ePhoto CL50 features a 3X optical zoom lens and a 2X digital zoom - in both capture and playback mode. Many advanced features make the ePhoto CL50 unique to the marketplace, including:
The ePhoto CL50 outfit includes cables (PC, Video), PhotoWise with PhotoGenie software, 8MB SmartMedia card, four AA-sized alkaline batteries, four AA-sized NiMH rechargeable batteries and a charger and a soft protective case. In the U.S., the ePhoto CL50 will be available in March for the suggested price of $799.
Info On the New Agfa ePhoto CL50This info came from reader Mitch Rosen in response to questions he posed to the Agfa folks. Q Is the lens threaded to accept filters and accessory lenses (as on the ePhoto 1680)?? A The CL 50 doesn't have a thread, but there is a solution to add additional filters/lenses. There will be a part that will screw into the tripod mount and will hold a filter/lens in front of the existing lens. We don't have anything now, the camera won't be shipping for a couple of months. Q Does the camera have aperature-priority and shutter-priority exposure modes? What are the min/max aperature values? What are the min/max shutter speeds? A It does have aperture and shutter priority or manual exposure which lightens or darkens a photo. The aperture settings are 2.8 - 8.0 on wide and 4.7 - 13.5 on telephoto. The shutter setting is 1/2 to 1/500. Q Is there a maximum size Smartmedia card that the CL-50 can use?
A The CL50 will take up to a 16 MB, 3.3 volt, SmartMedia card.
We do have some info on our web page--under "Agfa
News" there is a
ePhoto CL50/CL30 link on the lower left side of the page. |
| 02-08-99 |
Imaging Resource Posts Nikon CoolScan III ReviewMy good friends over at the Imaging Resource have just posted a review of the Nikon CoolScan III (LS-30) film scanner. This is the "little brother" and more consumer-oriented (and priced) version of the CoolScan II scanner.
Their conclusion: "the Nikon CoolScan III LS-30 is a world-class scanning
instrument. Its excellent "default" performance minimizes the amount of
tweaking needed to produce superb scans from common subjects. Yet, when
the occasion demands it, there's a powerful set of hardware and software
capabilities to let you handle images that would simply be impossible with
a lesser machine." |
| 02-07-99 |
500,000 Visitors and Counting!Wow! Half a million visitors and still counting! I'd like to thank all of you who have made Steve's Digicams one of the most popular digital camera info sites on the web today. I don't make a big deal out of site hits but it's hard to ignore the numbers and their rate of increase. If we counted hits the way some sites do our numbers would in the millions per month but I prefer to use more realistic numbers, our counter only tracks unique visitors.
It should be interesting to see how much the site traffic increases
around the 18th of the month when the PMA show gets going. Everytime
we think that all the new cameras to be shown have been spotted
already yet another new one turns up. Such is life in the world of
digital cameras -- grab the bull by the horns and hang on, it's
one helluva ride! |
| 02-07-99 |
New Release of DIGIPICS Free Software
With just a
few clicks,
DIGIPICS v1.964 will have your Mavica files copied from the floppy,
organized on your hard drive, and sent to friends, colleagues and
relatives. DIGIPICS is geared for new computer users and is completely
FREE. It can be used to view and print any digicam images and if you own
Sony's Floppy-Disk Camera, Mavica FD-7, 9, 81, 91 then this software is
ESPECIALLY for you! (Mavica 81, 91 Users: DIGIPICS Now includes support
for MPEG Video!) You can take full advantage of the copy functions.
Below is a complete features listing. |
|
|
| 02-05-99 |
PC Watch Has Fuji MX-2700 Sample PicsThanks to Phil Askey's digicam site for pointing me to this page at the PC Watch site in Japan with the first Fuji MX-2700 sample pics from the new 2.3 megapixel camera. Be sure to scroll sideways with your browser or you'll miss some of the pictures!
I see that Phil is expanding his site by covering the
professional digicams too. I wish him well, I have enough to do now just
keeping up with the consumer (and prosumer) models and will continue my
focus on just this segment of the digicam market. |
| 02-04-99 |
Canon Introduces the Elura Digital Camcorder -- The Consumers' Ultimate Personal Imaging Companion(TM)
The Elura's Progressive Scan Digital Motor Drive mode enables users to extract high-resolution full frame stills from fast-paced action sequences. Recording 30 frames per second, the Elura performs three times faster than any professional 35mm SLR camera on the market -- enabling consumers to capture images normally undetectable by the human eye. The Elura's key features include:
The Elura will be available in April 1999 for a manufacturer's suggested
list price of $1,799. Sold as a complete kit, the Elura will include the
BP- 608 battery pack, CA-600 compact power adapter, DC-600 DC coupler,
SS-200 shoulder strap, WL-D71 wireless remote controller, S-150 s-video
cable, STV-250 stereo video cable, DVM-E30 DV videocassette. |
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in
optical and digital imaging technology, today announced the introduction
of the
| 02-03-99 |
News On The Kodak DCS 620This news from Rob Galbraith Online - an excellent source of info from the world of photo journalism and professional digicams. Jeff Snyder of Penn Camera indicates that Kodak has announced the Nikon F5-based DCS 620 and its companion flash the SB-28D. Scheduled to begin shipping in March, the DCS 620 is shaping up to be a near-clone of the Canon-based Kodak DCS 520/EOS D2000. According to an email from Jeff Snyder, which cites Kodak as the source of the information, Kodak DCS 620 features include:
Snyder also indicates that:
The DCS620 is the twin of the DCS520, but based on the Nikon
F5 camera body.This camera works exactly like the film camera
that all photographers are used to. The SB28D Speedlight flash
has been designed by Nikon specifically for use with the DCS620
Digital Camera. This flash when used with the DCS620 provides
accurate TTL flash exposures. The SB28D is available
exclusively from Kodak. |
| 02-03-99 |
Fujifilm MX-2700: The World's Smallest 2.3 Million-Pixel Digital Camera
The MX-2700 sets a new standard for megapixel digital cameras sporting an impressive 2.3 million-pixel CCD sensor with a 35mm-equivalent lens with macro capability. The pocket-sized MX-2700 captures high-resolution 1,800 x 1,200 images, when printed at 300 dpi they produce stunning 4 x 6-inch snapshots, while at 150 dpi it delivers eye-catching 12 x 8-inch enlargements. Sporting a high-grade, high tech-looking aluminum alloy body, the pocket-size MX-2700 is the most stylish camera in its class. Weighing a slight 8.5 ounces and measuring a sleek 3.1 (w) x 3.8 (h) x 1.3 (D) inches, the MX-2700 is the world's smallest two million-pixel camera, fitting easily into a car's glove compartment, a briefcase or even a shirt pocket. Equipped with both a precision, 2-inch polysilicon color LCD monitor with 130,000 pixels and optical viewfinder. A Manual Mode allows users to adjust the white balance settings, and select the exposure compensation. For added versatility, the camera features automatic playback, and a digital 2.5X telephoto mode so users can zero in on areas within the picture, and with the multi-frame playback can view 9 images all at once on the LCD.
Like Fujifilm's MX-series of digital cameras, the MX-2700 model records
images to postage-size SmartMedia(TM) cards. With the soon to be available
32MB SmartMedia card, the camera can store up to 142 shots. The MX-2700
uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can take up to 250 shots when
the liquid crystal display is turned off, and 80 shots when it is turned
on. For computer connection, the camera comes packaged with video output
and serial ports. |
| 02-02-99 |
megapixel.net February 1999 Issue Online
The megapixel.net's February issue
is now online. This month's camera reviews include the Fujix DS-300,
Kodak DC-260,
Ricoh RDC-4200 and the Toshiba PDR-M1. The site has been improved with
a new navigation system and looks better than ever. In this issue the
editors tell us about their criteria for reviewing cameras, a consumer tells
us why he bought a digital camera and there's some quick tips for
improving your digital images.
|
| 02-01-99 |
Lexar Media Ships First 80MB CompactFlash Digital Film CardFREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 1999-- Lexar Media, a leading supplier of digital film, today announced it is shipping the Lexar Media Pro Series 80MB CompactFlash(TM) (CF) High Performance Digital Film(TM), the highest capacity and fastest CF digital film card currently available. The new 80MB CF card continues the Lexar tradition of being the first to market with the fastest and highest capacity CompactFlash cards.
Lexar's Pro
Series family of high performance digital film is specifically designed
for professional and "prosumer" digital photographers. The Pro Series 80MB
CF digital film is shipping immediately to key digital camera OEMs, and is
available from professional camera resellers and the company's website at
a price of $329.00. |
January 99 News
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Content is copyright © 1999 by Steve's Digicam Online, Inc.
The information presented here has been gathered from the manufacturers' press releases
and other news sources and is believed to be true but no warranty is made as to the general
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service marks are the property of their respective owners.