-- Top News Stories -- Canon Powershot G5 Canon SD100 Digital ELPH Kodak EasyShare DX6440, CX6330, and CX6200 Kyocera Finecam L3v and L4v Leaf Valeo 22-Megapixel Back Leica Modul-R for R8 and R9 Minolta DiMAGE Xt Ultra-Compact Nikon Coolpix 5400 Announced Olympus E-1 Digital SLR System Sony Cybershot U60 and U30 Sony's Tiny Qualia 016 Digicam Toshiba PDR-M700, PDR-M500 May 2003 News Index April 2003 News Index March 2003 News Index PMA 2003 Special Report Steve's "Best of 2002" Camera Picks Photokina 2002 News Page Sunday Morning Photographer (A weekly column by Mike Johnston)

06-29-2003

Recently Posted Reviews We're currently working our way down through a pile of new cameras but have managed to free up some time to review the new Canon i9100 Photo Printer, the 2003 replacement for the s9000 wide carriage printer. I liked the s9000 so much that I bought one for myself last year and haven't regretted that purchase decision for a millisecond. The i9100 does everything the 2400dpi s9000 does plus borderless 13 x 19" prints and doubles the output resolution to 4800dpi. If you want the fastest wide format inkjet printer with the best print quality then give the i9100 a look-see, it will be available in stores very soon. And I just finished our Lexar USB 2.0 Multi-Card Reader review. This thing is smaller than a mouse, reads and writes to CompactFlash Type I and II including Microdrives, SmartMedia, Secure Digital, MultiMedia Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro and xD-Picture Card (but only up to 128MB at this time.)  and it only costs about $40 and supports USB 2.0 transfer speeds.

06-28-2003

Free SIGMA Photo Pro Demonstration Disk Now Available Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the availability of a new free CD-ROM that provides full working version of SIGMA Photo Pro V 1.1. SIGMA Photo Pro is an exclusive tool for converting SIGMA SD9's RAW data into JPEG and TIFF formats. The goal of this demonstration disk is to introduce ease to use interface, high-definition quality of SD9 images and advanced features of SIGMA Photo Pro program to digital SLR camera professionals and enthusiasts. SIGMA Photo Pro program features quick selection of an image from the thumbnail display of the main menu and display in the review window. SIGMA Photo Pro program also features adjustment of exposure compensation, color-balance, contrast, etc. by using adjustment controls palette. SD9 images can be output at the same, half or double size resolution. The default setting for resolution is the same as the resolution captured by the camera. Half-size resolution is very convenient for having a compact file size, required for e-mail transmission or web-publication. Double-size resolution is very useful for large-size/high-quality prints. To provide more enjoyment and experience processing of SIGMA Photo Pro program, RAW format of sample images are provided in this CD-ROM. To request a free copy of the CD-ROM, please call SIGMA’s representative in your country. To find the Sigma Distributor and Service Center nearest you click here.

06-27-2003

Lenmar Delivers 2300mAh NoMEM® PRO NiMH AA Rechargeable Batteries Lenmar Enterprises, Inc., a leading manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, battery chargers and accessories for consumer electronics, has announced a new milestone for high performance nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) AA batteries. The NoMEM PRO® series now features AA batteries with an industry-leading capacity rating of 2300mAh. The enhanced output and battery life provide superior performance for digital cameras and other high power consumption personal electronics devices, with the 2300mAh AA delivering 15% more images than the current highest output battery. Lenmar’s NoMEM PRO AA cells are the highest rated NiMH technology available and allow you to take more than three times the number of photos when compared to using NiCd or alkaline batteries. The NoMEM PRO AA batteries can be charged up to 1000 times with no memory effect, making them environmentally friendly and saving hundreds of dollars when compared to disposable alkaline battery consumption. Lenmar Model PRO415-23 includes 4 AA 1.2V 2300mAh cells and has a suggested retail price of $17.95. For such high capacity, Lenmar recommends charging the batteries with their NeoTherm® Mach 1® Gamma SpeedCharger™, the world’s fastest and coolest NiMH battery charger. However it is also compatible with all other AA NiMH- compatible battery chargers.

06-27-2003

Leica Digital-Modul-R for R8 and R9 Cameras At the Photokina 2004 photographic trade show in Cologne, Germany, Leica Camera AG of Solms, Germany, is going to present a digital solution for the Leica single lens reflex system: the LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R. This new MODUL is being developed in cooperation with the Danish firm Imacon A/S and the Kodak Image Sensor Solutions (ISS) division. The LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R is a digital camera back designed to fit regular production LEICA R8 and R9 cameras. Because the two cameras are already designed to function with digital solutions, the new digital back will communicate with the camera's controls, thus integrating seamlessly with the uncomplicated operation of the camera. Core technical data plans call for a resolution of 10 million pixels (10 megapixels), image storage on SD cards, the use of a firewire interface and a low focal length extension factor of 1.37x. The LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R will consist of a digital back and a power supply unit. Available as an accessory, the compact MODUL can be attached to the camera quickly and easily. LEICA R8 and R9 cameras will thus become the world’s very first hybrid 35 mm cameras that can be used optionally for digital or analog photography. All the Leica R high-performance lenses can also be used for digital photography. Read the entire Leica Modul-R press release.

06-27-2003

FlashFixers Offers Digital Camera Users an Easy Way To Recover Lost Photos Exeter, NH—JUNE 2003— FlashFixers announces the U.S. availability of ImageRecall, easy-to-use digital photo recovery software for consumers and photography professionals. Gartner Dataquest estimates that 17 percent of households already own digital cameras and by 2006 more than 50 percent of U.S. households will own one. These camera users will find that digital images on flash memory cards can easily become lost, deleted or corrupted. Using a simple GUI interface, ImageRecall expertly extracts files from the card’s internal data structure. The product recovers photos from more digital formats than any other recovery software, including JPEG, CRW, PNG, AVI, BMP, NEF, GIF, TIFF, RIFF, MP3, AVI and MOV. ImageRecall also boasts a 95% recovery success rate when photo data still exists on the memory card. ImageRecall runs on Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. It recovers files from CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Microdrive, MultiMedia Card, xD Picture Card, and any other removable media that appears as a letter drive. ImageRecall is available now and can be downloaded from the FlashFixers Web site as either a free trial version, or a full version for $39.95. ImageRecall can also be ordered on CD-ROM for an additional charge, and includes DataRecall, a data recovery product for Microsoft Office applications.

06-27-2003

Kodak CCD Image Sensor Powers First Olympus Digital-SLR Camera for Emerging Four Thirds System Standard Rochester, NY, June 24, 2003 – Eastman Kodak Company today announced that Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. of Japan has selected an enhanced version of the Kodak KAF-5101CE charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor for its new Olympus E-1 Digital Single Lens Reflex (D-SLR) camera system, the first digital camera designed for the emerging Four Thirds System standard. The enhanced KAF-5101CE was designed and developed in conjunction with Olympus to match the exact optical characteristics of the E-1 camera. By closely coupling the KAF-5101CE CCD image sensor with its new interchangeable lens family and digital image processing system, Olympus has developed a camera system offering professional-grade image capture, fast photographic speed, and broad user versatility. The Kodak KAF-5101CE sensor is an enhanced 5.1 million pixel full-frame color CCD sensor that provides high-resolution digital images ideal for the professional and advanced amateur markets. Specific benefits of the new KAF-5101CE image sensor include: Image Quality – leverages Kodak's advanced Full-Frame CCD technology to provide ultra-wide dynamic range for rendering fine image details in the highlight and shadow areas and excellent color fidelity for sharp images with brilliant colors; Speed – 4/3-type image sensor enables camera designs with extremely low shutter lag, fast shutter speeds and rapid read-out for high image burst rates; Size – designed to match the new Four Thirds System interchangeable lenses resulting in a new class of camera lenses that are more compact and half the size and weight of the equivalent focal length lenses for traditional 35 mm cameras for improved portability; Photo-sensitivity – matching the 4/3-type imager and lenses enables wide-angle photography and improved sensitivity (effective ISO) for image capture in dimly lit photographic conditions. Kodak and Olympus are members of the Universal Digital Interchangeable Lens System Forum, an industry forum that promotes the acceptance of the Four Thirds System by camera manufacturers. The delivery of the Kodak KAF-5101CE image sensor demonstrates Kodak's continued commitment to the Forum as well as to working with customers to deliver image sensors that address specific market needs and design standards.

06-25-2003

Capture One RAW Conversion Software Upgrades Phase One has announced upgraded versions of their highly regarded RAW conversion software, Capture One DSLR. Three new versions have been announced: V1.2 Professional and Limited Editions for Windows (Canon/Nikon), as well as V1.1 Professional Edition for the Mac(Canon 1Ds/1D). All 3 new versions have major feature and functional enhancements. For details go to www.phaseone.com. Phase One has also announced the new official Capture One DSLR support forums which are located at www.pictureflow.com.

06-25-2003

Digital Cameras Will Nearly Replace Film Cameras by 2008, According to New Report by InfoTrends Research Group (Norwell, MA) June 25, 2003...InfoTrends Research Group’s latest forecast of consumer digital cameras in North America shows that unit sales of digital cameras will have nearly replaced sales of reloadable film cameras, not including single-use cameras, by 2008. Most consumers will purchase digital cameras rather than reloadable film cameras in 2008, because consumer photographic services will center on the digital camera customer, and consumers’ image capture needs will be met by digital cameras. Additionally, within the five-year forecast, digital camera vendors are expected to deliver sub-$1,000 amateur digital SLRs that support interchangeable lenses, which will also cut into film camera sales. While single-use film cameras will remain popular, single-use digital cameras will be entering the market as well. Read the entire InfoTrends press release.

06-24-2003

Olympus Introduces World's First 100% Digital Interchangeable Lens SLR System See our Olympus E-1 First Look New York, New York, June 24, 2003 - Olympus America Inc. will introduce the world's first 100% all-digital interchangeable lens SLR system at a press event in New York City today. The Olympus Digital SLR System with Digital Specific Lenses™ is an uncompromising realization of the full benefits of pure digital technology with body and lenses designed to perfectly match the image sensor. "The Olympus Digital SLR System sets a new standard for the future of digital photography," said Mark Gumz, president and chief operating officer of Olympus America Inc. Professional photographers today are mainly working with film-digital hybrid systems because - until now - no digital camera manufacturer has been able to offer a completely digital solution that meets all their needs. "Our new system was designed to be digital from the ground up without making compromises for a film legacy system, a significant limitation for our competitors. The Olympus Digital SLR System is designed to meet the needs of the most demanding pros, offering powerful advantages in terms of image quality, durability, speed, and camera and lens size." Read the entire Olympus E-1 press release.

06-17-2003

Toshiba Unveils New M Series Digital Cameras, Company's First 10X Optical Zoom Equipped Cameras Feature 2.5 Inch LCD Screen, Starts at $349 Read our Toshiba PDR-M700 review NEW YORK, NY, June 17, 2003 (Digital Experience! 2003 Show) - Toshiba Imaging Systems, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today introduced its new M Series -- two multi-featured digital cameras boasting 10X optical zoom Canon lenses, ultra-bright 2.5-inch LCDs, blazing high-speed continuous shooting, and a long-running AVI video mode with audio. Both M Series cameras -- the PDR-M500 2.0 megapixel camera (US $349) and the PDR-M700 3.2 megapixel camera (US $449) -- are designed to meet the needs of advanced amateur shutterbugs seeking a variety of high-quality photographic and inventive multimedia requirements. They are expected to ship in early July. Read the entire Toshiba press release.

06-12-2003

Sony Starts Mass Production of OLED Displays Sony Corp., Tokyo, Japan, said it will start mass production of organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panels for mobile devices from spring 2004, Dow Jones reported. Sony said it will initially use the displays for its brand of mobile devices. The first products equipped with OLED displays will likely be mobile phones, digital still and video cameras, or personal digital assistants. Sony plans to begin production at a monthly capacity of about 300,000 2-inch OLED panels in Aichi, central Japan. ST LCD now makes small-sized low-temperature polysilicon thin-film-transistor LCD panels for use in portable equipment. So far only Sanyo Electric Co. and its partner Eastman Kodak Co. have launched commercial shipments of OLED displays. SK Display Corp., a joint venture between Sanyo and Kodak, started in February mass-production of 2-inch displays at a monthly capacity of 100,000 pieces. Kodak's LS633 digital still camera is the first finished-product with an OLED display.

06-12-2003

Recently Posted Reviews A couple of days ago we posted the Sony Mavica CD350 review. This is Sony's least expensive digital camera that records directly to mini-CD discs. It has a 3-megapixel imager, 3x zoom lens and a 2.5-inch color LCD. And just posted today is our Epson Stylus Photo 960 review. One of Epson's fastest photo ink jet printers ever and now features individual ink cartridges and the ability to print CD or DVD disc labels too.

06-10-2003

Sony's New Ultra-Tiny Qualia 016 Digital Camera Sony Japan has announced the Qualia 016 digital camera. Can you say small? How about 69.1 x 24 x 16.8 mm (HWD) small. With a 2.1-megapixel imager and a F2.8 sapphire glass 41mm (35mm equivalent) lens with a 4x digital zoom. Images are stored on super-small Sony Memory Stick Duo flash cards, half the size of the normal Memory Stick cards. It can be used with an optional flash unit that attaches to the side and a 0.55" color LCD viewer on the back. It's powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that's equally small. The Qualia 016 incorporates a digital hand blur correction function - the camera takes 4 pictures in sequence and then overlaps them and corrects for brightness. Sony also has an optional 1.4x telephoto and 0.7x wide angle conversion lens. The Qualia 016 will be available in Japan on June 24 for 380,000yen. That equates to $3,227, the camera may be small but ouch! the price sure isn't - good luck Sony! Thanks to the I4U News for this item.

06-10-2003

UMAX Ships New All-in-One 2.0 Megapixel Digital Camera, Web cam and MP3 Player for $149 DALLAS, TX., June 10, 2003 - UMAX Technologies, Inc. today announced its latest consumer-friendly digital camera, the AstraPix 540. Stylish, rugged and versatile, and sporting a metallic finish, this all-in-one 2 megapixel camera also functions as a digital camcorder, Web cam and MP3 player. The AstraPix540 is now available with a special introductory price of $149 (standard MSRP is $199) at www.umax.com. The sleek and elegant AstraPix 540 features a self-timer, optical viewfinder, 16-level digital zoom and captures pictures at a resolution of 1600 x 1200, which can produce prints up to 10 x 13 cm at 300 dpi. The camera can also capture AVI video clips at 320 X 240 pixels at 15 fps. In Web cam mode, the camera captures and streams video at 320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps. The AstraPix 540 can capture rapid images in continuous mode at three pictures per shot in 1280 x 1024, it also features a 1.6-inch TFT display and TV output to preview and share images and video with business associates, friends and family. The AstraPix 540 offers plug and play connectivity over USB, ships with 7MB of onboard memory and a Compact Flash card slot for up to 256 MB of storage. The AstraPix 540 is compatible to Win 98 / 98SE / Me / 2000 / XP, MacOS 9.x and MacOS X.

06-10-2003

New Release of The Panorama Factory Supports Virtual Tours Pittsburgh, PA - June 9, 2003--Smoky City Design, LLC today released version 3.0 of The Panorama Factory, its industry leading software product for creating panoramic images. Version 3.0 adds new features for creating web-based virtual tours, including image "hotspots" to navigate from image to image and web page creation from templates. Image processing time has been decreased by up to 40%. New features include onscreen zoom, support for digital SLRs, correction for barrel distortion, correction for brightness falloff and better interactive controls. A 30-day trial of The Panorama Factory version 3.0 may be downloaded from www.panoramafactory.com. Purchasing a registration key at The Panorama Factory web site converts the trial version to the full version. Single copies of The Panorama Factory may be purchased for $59.95. Current customers who own a registration key for V2.4 may upgrade for $24.95.

06-09-2003

Creo Announces First 22 Million Pixel Camera Back with Portable Power and Large Format Solution: Leaf Valeo 22 Vancouver, BC, Canada — (June 9, 2003) – Creo Inc. announces the Leaf™ Valeo 22 digital camera back for in studio and portable shooting. It utilizes a newly developed 22 megapixel CCD that is designed for medium and large format photography. In studio, the Leaf Valeo 22 camera back features live video view and electronic shutter control. On location, the Leaf Valeo 22 offers one of the fastest capture rates in the industry and a burst rate of eight frames. A detachable 6 x 7 cm display and removable Digital Magazine provides Leaf Portable Power. Demonstration units are available from July 2003 and commercial shipments begin September 1, 2003. Read more about it at Creo's web site.

06-04-2003

Kyocera Launches Their New Finecam L3v and L4v Digital Cameras Featuring a 2.5-Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor Somerset, NJ - Kyocera Optics, Inc., an imaging industry leader, launches the newest additions to its Finecam family of digital cameras with the Finecam L3v and Finecam L4v, which both feature the world's largest LCD's at 2.5-inches. The street price for the 3.2-megapixel L3v is $399.00, while the street price for the 4-megapixel L4v is $499.00. Read the entire Kyocera press release. Read our Finecam L3v review.

06-04-2003

SiPix Introduces Compact Pocket Digital Video, Still Camera and Audio Recorder for $129 SiPix today announced the StyleCam DV100, an incredibly small, affordable digital video, still camera and audio recorder for the consumer market. At only $129, the StyleCam DV100 is perfect for imaging enthusiasts, young adults and families, providing a compact, portable digital video camera for making movies, snapping digital pictures and recording audio at home, work, events or on the road. The StyleCam DV100 will be available in July online and via electronics and computer retail stores nationwide. Read the entire Sipix press release.

06-04-2003

Olympus Puts Digital Photography Lessons Online and Announces 512MB xD-Picture Cards Are Coming Olympus America now has online photo lessons for those wishing to get more out of their digital cameras. Learn the basics through step-by-step tutorials produced by Web Photo School. These lessons are geared specifically towards nine different Olympus camera models that can be selected via a dropdown menu. We have seen the news previously on a couple of Japanese digicam sites and now Olympus America has confirmed that the higher capacity 512MB xD-Picture Card media will be showing up here stateside very soon. xD has already surpassed the 128MB "barrier" that the older SmartMedia cards hit and this is further proof that we will see the promised higher capacity with this new media.

06-03-2003

Epson Announces Rebate with Purchase of Epson Stylus Photo 900 and Memorex Ink Jet Printable CDs LONG BEACH, Calif. - Epson America Inc. announced today a special $30 mail-in rebate available to users who purchase the new EPSON Stylus Photo 900 ink jet printer and the just released 30-pack spindle of Memorex Ink Jet Printable CD-Rs between June 1, 2003 and Sept. 30, 2003. Memorex CD-Rs are the first ink jet printable CD-R media made available to consumers in U.S. retail stores. With the EPSON Stylus Photo 900, customers can print directly onto the surface of ink jet printable CD/DVD recordable media, thus eliminating the expense, inconvenience, and risk of using some adhesive labels. The EPSON Stylus Photo 900 joins the previously announced EPSON Stylus Photo 960, which first introduced direct CD/DVD printing capabilities earlier this year for $349. Printing directly on to ink jet printable CD/DVD recordable media is much easier than printing on adhesive labels and applying them to regular CD/DVD media. Ink jet printable media is also CD/DVD drive-friendly, while adhesive labels on CDs or DVDs could delaminate and damage drives. In addition, the cost of ink jet printable CD/DVD recordable media is considerably less expensive than the combined cost of adhesive labels and regular CD/DVD media. The EPSON Stylus Photo 900 is available for an estimated street price of $199 through consumer electronics stores, office supply stores, computer superstores, specialty camera stores, mail order and Epson's retail Web site (www.epsonstore.com). Specific accounts include Office Depot, Fry's, Micro Center, Apple retail stores, Amazon.com, CDW.com, and Warehouse.com. The 30-pack of Memorex white, ink jet printable CD-Rs are available for a suggested retail price of $14.99 at various retail outlets, Epson's retail Web site and Memorex's retail Web site (www.ememorex.com). Customers who purchase the EPSON Stylus Photo 900 and a 30-pack of Memorex white ink jet printable CD-Rs between June 1, 2003 and Sept. 1, 2003 are eligible for the $30 mail-in rebate. More information about the rebate is available by calling 1-800-277-6187 or visiting www.epson.com/promotions.

06-03-2003

New Kodak Max 1-Hour Charger and NiMH Batteries ROCHESTER, June 3 -- Eastman Kodak Company today introduced two new chargers for rechargeable batteries – including one that charges a pair of “AA” cells in one hour – and a family of high performance Kodak Max rechargeable digital camera batteries designed to make it even easier and economical for consumers to take digital pictures. The Kodak Max 1-hour charger, model K6000, will charge a pair of high capacity AA or nickel metal hydride batteries in one hour. The charger is compatible with voltage systems worldwide, charges 2 or 4 AA's or 2 AAA's, and will be sold as a system with four 2100 mAh AA Kodak Max rechargeable digital camera batteries. The suggested retail list price is $42.99. In addition, for 2003, the company has changed the name and improved the performance of the Kodak Max CRV3 lithium photo battery. Starting later this summer it will carry the Kodak Max digital camera battery name and graphics and will offer up to 23% longer life than the '02 version. This product was designed for use with the highly popular Kodak EasyShare DX and CX series digital cameras as well as digital cameras for other manufacturers.

06-02-2003

Kodak Announces New EasyShare DX6440, CX6330, and CX6200 Cameras ROCHESTER, N.Y.--June 2, 2003-- Eastman Kodak Company today introduced three new cameras designed for its EasyShare digital photography system. The Kodak EasyShare DX6440 camera (US$399) incorporates stunning picture quality, powerful features, a host of photographic creative controls and exceptional ease of operation. The Kodak EasyShare CX6330 camera (US$279) combines award winning ease-of-use and multi-mode functionality with outstanding picture quality, while the Kodak EasyShare CX6200 camera (US$129) pairs simple operation with significant price-to-performance value. Read the entire Kodak press release.

06-02-2003

Canon's New Powershot G5 Digital Camera Combines SLR Creativity With Point-And-Shoot Portability See our Powershot G5 review LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. June 2, 2003 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), today launched its new five megapixel PowerShot G5 digital camera. This serendipitous combination of high resolution, speed, portability and creative control presents photographers and photo enthusiasts with a versatile, full-featured tool for greater creative latitude. Read the entire Canon press release.

06-01-2003

Samsung Digimax V4 Reviewed Samsung has really streamlined their new cameras, the new Digimax V4 is a very compact, 4-megapixel, 3x zoom camera that closely resembles the Sony "P" series. Check out the review for all of the details.

May 2003 News

Steve's Main Menu

Discussion Forums

Looking for something on our web site?

Enter Keyword

Content copyright © 1998-2003 Steve's Digicam Online, Inc.

Please read our Legal Notice and Privacy Notice

The information presented here has been gathered from the manufacturers' press releases and other news sources,
it is believed to be true but no warranty is made as to the general suitability or performance of any product.
We do not personally endorse any company, product or service described here.   All trademarks, registered
trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners.