| October 2001 |
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United We Stand!
Click here for great gift ideas from under $50 to over $2000 !
 A great gift for any Nikon user! |
 Nikon Coolpix 950/880/990/995 Olympus C-700/2100/2020/3030, E-10 Canon G1, D30, Pro90, S100/S300 & more. |
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| 10-31-2001 |
Sony DPP-MP1 Printer Review Posted
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| 10-31-2001 |
Sandisk Files Patent Infringement Claim Against Memorex, Pretec, Ritek and PQISUNNYVALE, CA, Oct. 31, 2001 - SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) announced today that it has filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Memorex Products Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA, Pretec Electronics Corporation, Fremont, CA, Ritek Corporation, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, and Power Quotient International Co., Ltd, Fremont, CA, for infringement of SanDisk's United States Patent No. 5,602,987, a fundamental flash memory system patent. The patent, "Flash EEPROM System" (U.S. Patent No. 5,602,987) was issued on February 11, 1997. The patent discloses and claims important aspects of the operation of removable flash memory cards, such as CompactFlash cards. SanDisk, a pioneering technology company in the flash memory market, holds more than 150 patents related to flash memory and flash memory systems. Steven S. Baik, senior intellectual property counsel for SanDisk, said, "We believe that Memorex, Pretec, Ritek and PQI have been selling and offering for sale flash memory cards that infringe valid SanDisk patents. This action is a clear signal to these and other Taiwanese companies that SanDisk will vigorously assert its intellectual property rights against such companies."
SanDisk, the world's largest supplier of flash data storage
products, designs, manufactures and markets industry-standard, solid-state
data, digital imaging and audio storage products using its patented, high
density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk is based in
Sunnyvale, CA.
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| 10-30-2001 |
MindStor -- The Next Generation of the Digital Wallet
 IRVINE, Calif.--Oct. 30, 2001--A leader in portable smart storage and the developer of the award-winning Digital Wallet device, Minds@Work announced today that it will introduce a new family of portable storage devices called MindStor. MindStor is the ultimate tool for storing digital photos on-the-go. The pocket-sized, battery-powered, large capacity hard drive with an intelligent operating system is capable of downloading and storing thousands of files from all popular memory cards. The MindStor product line will be available in November 2001 for photo professionals and consumers with three capacities of storage: Five-, ten- and twenty-gigabytes (MSRP of $329.00, $429.00 and $529.00, respectively). Also bundled with the product will be a choice of three PC card adapters: CompactFlash, SmartMedia or Sony Memory Stick. MindStor will be available at major retail stores and specialty camera shops worldwide and at www.mindsatwork.net. "Having successfully created the Portable Smart Storage category with the introduction of our premier product -- the Digital Wallet -- we will continue to provide portable storage solutions for digital photographers with the MindStor product line. MindStor will offer the same reliable storage capabilities with new, exciting features," said Marc Ganouna, president and CEO of Minds@Work. MindStor features include:
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| 10-30-2001 |
Eco-Challenge 2001 - 12 Days of Challenges for the Contestants and the Photographers
 Our Canadian friend Rob Galbraith is currently on assignment with a crew of other pro photographers covering the Eco-Challenge 2001 New Zealand event. Rob and company are using Nikon D1X digital cameras, strobes and lenses. To quote Rob, "the equipment has performed flawlessly. The D1X cameras and extensive Nikon glass have chugged along without incident, recording over 21,000 frames totaling about 90GB of data, with four days still to go. And the photos have looked great; over the 4 months I've been shooting with Nikon's high resolution camera I've become addicted to its colour."
You can see a sample of Rob's excellent D1X pictures at his web site on the
"Digital gear survives Eco-Challenge page." And read about how well a SB-28DX
survives a fall into a fresh pile of horse dung among other things ...
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| 10-30-2001 |
Fujifilm Multi-Function FinePix 30i to Debut in Japanese Market
 In further evidence of the growing popularity in Japan of sending snapshots to friends and family via one's cellular phone, Fuji Photo Film will soon debut its FinePix30i digital still camera, which can transfer captured images easily to cellular phones. The new camera, which will hit the Japanese market on November 23, 2001, can be connected to handsets available from cellular service providers KDDI and Tsuka via a USB cable, allowing users to transfer images without going through a personal computer. More over, the new camera also functions as both an MP3 audio player and a voice recorder. Although its effective pixel count is 2 million, which is about half that of previous Fuji FinePix models, images can be blown up by 2.5 times by using digital processing. Fuji Photo Film hopes to sell 50,000 units a month of the new camera. The FinePix30i is priced at 64,800 yen ($540 @ yen 120/$US 1).
Information from
Portelligent TechAlert Service.
Fujifilm iX-1 Snapshot Digital Camera
From our friends at
LetsGoDigital.nl comes word of a new sub-$100 digital camera from Fuji, this
one has VGA resolution with 8MB of internal memory and USB. It functions
as both a digital still camera and a Webcam.
Fujifilm Announces FPF34 Flash
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| 10-29-2001 |
Canon Powershot S30 Review Posted
I just posted our Canon Powershot S30 review,
this is the 3-megapixel twin of the 4-megapixel
Powershot S40. Same compact size and stylish and durable metal body. And I'm
happy to report, the same terrific image quality too. This will make anyone a great
and useful holiday gift for just $599. Check it out!
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| 10-29-2001 |
Sharp Develops CCD Image Sensor With Minimum Pixel Size For Digital CamerasSharp Corp., Osaka, Japan, developed the "RJ24N3AAOPT," a new 2-million CCD image sensor with a pixel size of 2.75 square micrometers, reported AsiaBizTech News. It is for a 1/3.2-inch optical system (diagonal length of about 5.6mm). As a 2 million-pixel CCD image sensor, the smallest sensor commercially available is reportedly for a 1/2.7-inch optical system (diagonal length of 6.65mm), built, for instance, in Canon Inc.'s "IXY DIGITAL 300" digital camera. According to Sharp, use of the new CCD imgae sensor enables makers to reduce the volume of the whole optical system of a digital still camera by approximately 35 percent compared with that of a 1/2.7-inch CCD image sensor. Sharp plans to start mass production of the new sensor in March 2002, according to the report.
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| 10-29-2001 |
Rayovac Introduces New 1-Hour Battery Charger, NiMH BatteriesRayovac Corp., Madison, Wis., USA, introduced what it claims to be the market's first 1-hour nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery charger and longer-lasting NiMH batteries, designed with digital cameras in mind. The charger can handle four AA or AAA NiMH batteries at a time, and an accessory kit includes a DC adaptor that plugs into a vehicle's cigarette lighter. The unit can also charge 9V NiMH and nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries. Rayovac said its new NiMH batteries can be charged up to 1,000 times. It said the AA and AAA size capacities have increased by approximately 25 percent, to 1,600 mAh and 700 mAh, respectively. The suggested retail price for the charger is $34.99. A package of four AA or AAA NiMH batteries retails for around $12. Both
products are now available.
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| 10-29-2001 |
Agfa to Discontinue Digital-Camera and Desktop-Scanner Sales in North AmericaThe Agfa Consumer Imaging division of Agfa Corp., Ridgefield Park, N.J., USA, is discontinuing the sale of digital cameras and desktop scanners in North America, effective Dec. 31, 2001, saying the products have little synergy with its core businesses. The company said it will honor customer service, technical support and warranty obligations on the products. The move comes as the company reorganizes its business operations to meet market and economic changes while
redesigning the Consumer Imaging Management Team to represent the entire NAFTA region going forward. Agfa said it will
continue to focus on the Specialty Retail, Wholesale Finishing, Professional and Mass Retail segments of the consumer
imaging marketplace.
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| 10-26-2001 |
BreezeBrowser v1.2 Released with Support for Canon G2 RAW Files and JPEG2000 FormatChris Breeze emailed me to let me know that he had just released BreezeBrowser v1.2 with the following improvements:
Chris says that Canon will release an updated SDK with S30/S40 support in mid to late November. Since the Powershot S30 and S40 are so similar to the G2 he doesn't anticipate any problems in releasing an updated version of BreezeBrowser soon after the SDK is released.
He is also working full time on his new D30Remote software for tethered operation
of the D30 from a PC via the USB cable. Chris says that his initial "proof of
concept" looks very promising and thinks it will be a very useful tool for many
photographers.
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| 10-26-2001 |
Pentax Offers $100 Rebate on Optio 330, $50 on EI-100Pentax USA has announced a $100 mailin rebate on the diminuitive Optio 330, the world's smallest 3-megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom. They are also offering a $50 mailin rebate on the EI-100 digital camera. The rebate runs for all cameras bought between Oct 1, 2001 and Jan 31, 2002 and is limited to U.S. buyers only.
Pentax rebate coupon (Adobe .pdf) |
| 10-25-2001 |
Nikon Supports Microsoft At Windows XP Launch In New York CityNEW YORK, NY, October 24, 2001 - Nikon today joined Microsoft Corp. to show its support of Windows XP at the launch event in New York City. Windows XP in tandem with NikonView 4 software will provide all current Coolpix digital camera users with a new level of functionality and fun to enhance the digital photography experience. "Nikon prides itself on providing tools to make digital photography easy and fun for the customer, and we are enthusiastic about the potential that Windows XP has for our digital camera users,'' said Deborah Sauer, general manager, marketing for Nikon. "With Windows XP, Coolpix users will be able to easily transfer, store and share their digital images. Using any of the current Nikon Coolpix cameras - the Coolpix 5000, 995, 885 and 775 in tandem with Windows XP will provide the user with the most advanced functional and creative tools to help bring out the best in their photos." The following Nikon Coolpix digital cameras will work with Windows XP:
"Today's launch of Windows XP will enable Nikon Coolpix users to enhance their
digital photography experiences on PCs running Windows XP," said John Frederiksen,
general manager for marketing of Windows at Microsoft Corp. "We are pleased that
Nikon is committed to ensuring that Windows XP users are able to take full advantage
of the Windows XP platform with the current Coolpix line of digital cameras."
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| 10-24-2001 |
SCM Microsystems Launches Dazzle 6 in 1 Card Reader for the Multi-Device Users
 Guilford, CT - October 24, 2001 - SCM Microsystems, Inc. will introduce at COMDEX Fall 2001 the industry's smallest Windows® XP-ready, USB device to transfer digital content from a variety of media. This universal reader is the first to accept six different types of digital media in one compact dual-slot design - eliminating the need for a consumer to purchase multiple readers for their varying digital devices such as MP3 players, digital cameras, camcorders, cell phones, and PDAs. The Dazzle 6 in 1 can read any flash media from any digital device and is upgradeable for future formats. The dual-slot design accepts all types of media including CompactFlash Type I and II, IBM Microdrive, SmartMedia, SD Card, MultiMediaCard and Sony Memory Stick. The two slots work concurrently, allowing direct transfer between the media. "Store shelves are flooded with digital devices that support various media formats, requiring users to purchase readers that will function with each media type," said Al Conte, vice president of Retail Brands at SCM Microsystems. "The Dazzle 6 in 1 is an ideal solution as it allows consumers to purchase just one reader for transferring digital data between their PC or Mac and a huge variety of digital gadgets, including MP3 players, PDAs, digital cameras, digital camcorders, voice recorders, eBooks and smart phones." The Dazzle 6 in 1 reader can be used as a removable disk drive, with USB true plug-and-play capability. For newer operating systems including Windows Me and Windows XP, the Dazzle 6 in 1 is mass storage compliant and requires no additional software drivers to be installed.
The Dazzle 6 in 1 reader will be available in November, 2001 at the
suggested retail price of $69.99. This new reader features Dazzle OnDVD
software utility, an exciting new development that allows consumers to
quickly and easily transfer photos from a digital camera to a PC, create a
photo slideshow and then burn it on a CD for playback on a DVD player.
Dazzle products can be purchased from a nationwide network of retailers and
resellers including CompUSA, Best Buy, Fry's Electronics, Micro Center,
Office Depot, Staples and Sears.
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| 10-24-2001 |
Pentax Cancels Plan to Produce 6Mpixel SLR
According to an
Imaging-Resource news item the Pentax folks have cancelled their plans to
market a professional-level 6 megapixel SLR camera that was shown at PMA 2001
earlier this year. They stated in a Japanese press release that they would be
unable to produce a camera at this quality level and be able to market it at
a competitive price. This in reaction to the more reasonably priced Canon EOS-1D
and Nikon D1X pro SLR cameras no doubt.
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| 10-24-2001 |
Pentax Optio 430 Review Posted
Just a month ago we reviewed the Pentax Optio 330 which is
the world's smallest 3-megapixel, 3X optical zoom digital camera (as of June 2001) and
this month it's the Optio 430 - "the world's smallest and lightest 4 megapixel, 3X
optical zoom digital camera (compared to all other 4-megapixel
as of Oct. 2001). These two cameras are physically identical on the outside and only
differ on the inside by the resolution of their CCD imagers. They are small, measuring a
mere 3.6" wide, 2.3" high, and 1.2" thick and weighing in at 8.5 ounces, including
battery and CF card.
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| 10-23-2001 |
Mastering Nikon Compact Digital Cameras eBook v3.0 Released
"The 995 is an evolutionary camera that has become the standard bearer for the Nikon 3 megapixel camera line," said author Peter iNova, "and while the little CP775 may be the 'least' Coolpix, it certainly delivers a lot in a small package." "I had shot an architectural model with the 775 because its small body allowed me to place it within the physical space available, then handed the images over to a team who were making their presentation to one of the biggest clients imaginable. They took the 775 images and printed them large on poster-size presentation boards. The shots were blown up to 10 x 13.3 inches and arranged several to the board. Nothing about them gave them away as originating as digital camera images and people gasped when I showed them the tiny camera that made the shots." The Camera Operation chapter for the 775 has over 90 "InfoBites" about its useful techniques, tricks and picture-taking tips. "But the InfoBite champion is the 995," said iNova. "This camera includes a huge number of small but important improvements, and how those affect the image or operation of the camera has generated 125 InfoBites." The eBook is now 325 pages, each 8.5 x 11 inches large, with over 700 images, diagrams and tables in full color. Interactivity has been taken forward quite a bit with many cross links in the text. Thumbnail views of pages and a complete Bookmark system makes locating pages and chapters easy when viewed in Adobe Acrobat®, which is included in BOTH version 4.01 and 5.0 on the CD for convenience. Even the index has been expanded and improved. Included with the Version 3.0 eBook are all the original iNovaFX Photoshop Action Filters that appeared in the first versions. Over 280 that work with Photoshop 5 and 5.5, and over 320 that work with Photoshop 6.0 including many new ones.
The $49.95 eBook is Windows and Macintosh compatible. Steve's Digicams readers can get
FREE ground shipping or $6 off any other shipping method by
ordering it right here.
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The hugely popular
| 10-22-2001 |
Dazzle Digital Media Readers Enable Consumers to View Photo Slideshows on Their Television SetsGuilford, Conn. - October 22, 2001 - SCM Microsystems, Inc. today announced a new digital photo solution under its DazzleTM brand that allows consumers to share their digital snapshots in photo slideshows displayed directly on the living room television. The new Dazzle Digital Media Reader, featuring Dazzle's OnDVD software utility, enables consumers to quickly and easily transfer photos from a digital camera to a PC, create a photo slideshow and then burn it on a CD for playback on a DVD player. The new reader builds on SCM's extensive experience and R&D capability in reader technology. To create a slideshow, consumers simply eject the media from their digital camera and insert it into the Dazzle Digital Media Reader for a quick and easy transfer of photos to the PC. Within seconds, they can begin selecting the photos they want, arranging them on the timeline and then recording the slideshow to a CD using a CD-Recorder. Dazzle Digital Media Readers are available for all types of media including CompactFlash Type I and II, IBM Microdrive, SmartMedia, SD Card, MultiMediaCard and Sony Memory Stick. In addition to creating a slideshow that is playable on a home DVD player, Dazzle OnDVD creates an archive of the original, high resolution digital photos on a CD-R that can be read back from a PC's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. These original photos act as virtual negatives and can be printed and reprinted to high quality photographic paper and framed for years of enjoyment.
Dazzle Digital Media Readers are available now at the suggested retail
price of $19.99. Dazzle products are available from a nationwide network of
retailers and resellers including CompUSA, Best Buy, Fry's Electronics,
Micro Center, Office Depot, Staples and Sears. They are also available
online at www.dazzle.com.
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| 10-22-2001 |
Ulead Introduces Total Image Editing Software with PhotoImpact 7Torrance, CA - October 22, 2001 - Ulead Systems, Inc., a leading developer of video editing, image editing and Web graphics software, today announced the release of Ulead PhotoImpact 7, a complete image editor that tackles the needs of a wide variety of users. PhotoImpact 7 addresses the three pillars of image editing - digital photography, image design and Web graphics. Throughout the program, Ulead presents image editing tasks intuitively to help new users get started quickly. Advanced features are easily accessible for power users and professionals seeking total creative control. PhotoImpact 7 also includes a number of time-saving tools and adjustments to the user interface that will make using the software more productive and efficient. The editorial team at PC Photo Magazine has already acknowledged the excellent usability and thorough feature set of Ulead's newest image editor and has granted PhotoImpact 7 with an Editor's Choice Award. The recognition will be in the December 2001 issue of the popular digital photography magazine as part of the Top 50 Editor's Picks issue. "We've paid close attention to our users' feedback while also keeping abreast of industry advances in imaging and graphic technology to create a comprehensive program that exceeds expectations," said Danielle Liao, president of Ulead Systems, Inc. "PhotoImpact addresses multiple areas of image editing with an interface that works for both new and power users." Ulead PhotoImpact 7, when paired with Microsoft Windows XP, give consumers a comprehensive digital photography experience. Windows XP makes it easy and intuitive to acquire, manage and share pictures from a digital camera or scanner, and PhotoImpact 7 completes the experience with it's vast array of image editing options. "As the excitement for Windows XP builds to new heights on Oct. 25 and beyond, the support of companies around the industry is more important than ever," said John Frederiksen, general manager of Windows marketing at Microsoft Corp. "We are pleased that Ulead has worked with Microsoft to ensure that users have a great photo-experience with Windows XP." Ulead PhotoImpact 7 will be available in retail and online stores in October 2001. The estimated street price for PhotoImpact 7 is $99.95 for boxed product and $89.95 for downloaded product. Previous PhotoImpact users will be able to upgrade to PhotoImpact 7 for $59.95 boxed product or $49.95 downloaded product.
Read the
entire PhotoImpact 7 press release.
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| 10-22-2001 |
Photodex Releases CompuPic Version 6.0Photodex says their new CompuPic v6.0 is "Three times faster than ACDSeeTM, over eight times faster than Thumbs Plus®, Lose some wait." CompuPic 6.0 is the fastest, easiest to use software for browsing and viewing pictures. CompuPic gives you unmatched performance paired with a full set of features for editing, sharing, and using your digital content. CompuPic lets you visually browse photos and files, view files of almost any format instantly ( click here for the list of formats), it has full file management support, you can make quick edits and modifications, E-Mail photos to friends and family, build your own photo gallery web pages or upload to photo sharing websites.
CompuPic is available for Windows XP, 2000, Me, 98, 95 or NT 4.0. They also
have Macintosh, Linux/Unix and Windows 3.x versions too.
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| 10-19-2001 |
Matsushita (Panasonic) To Market Small 3-CCD Digital Camcorder for Both Professional and General Use
 Matsushita Electric is marketing a small digital camcorder equipped with a 320,000-pixel triple-CCD system that combines specifications for both professional and general consumer use. The professional features, which would appeal to broadcast journalists, include a shoulder-holster design, connector-specifications, manual-focusing capability, a wide-conversion lens, and a stereo microphone. The camcorder weighs 2.5 kg and can record for 123 minutes. It is equipped with a 3-inch color LCD monitor, IEEE1394 DV input and output terminals, an ND filter, 12X optical and 120X digital zoom, video and S-video outputs, a manual audio level control, an XLR-type microphone, and line input capability. It requires a minimum of 5-lux illumination. The camcorder is priced at 430,000 yen ($3,583 @ yen 120/$US 1), considerably less than products made for exclusive broadcast station use.
Story via Portelligent
TechAlert Service.
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| 10-18-2001 |
New Camera Reviews PostedI've been working my way through a stack of new, economically priced, one-, two- and three-megapixel digital cameras and have posted the following user reviews today: |
| 10-17-2001 |
Epson Introduces New Stylus Photo 820; Affordable Six-Color Photo-Quality Printer
 LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2001--Epson America Inc. today unveiled its latest photo printer -- the family-friendly, value-packed EPSON Stylus Photo 820. With its superior six-color image quality, convenient true BorderFree printing and affordable price, the EPSON Stylus Photo 820 is perfect for photo enthusiasts and amateur photographers. This sleek-looking printer also has incredibly fast print speeds and supports the breakthrough technology, PRINT Image Matching, to produce the best possible prints. The EPSON Stylus Photo 820 is the successor to the popular EPSON Stylus Photo 780 and is available for under $100. "The EPSON Stylus Photo 820 not only offers the amazing photo quality that Epson has built its reputation on, but also boasts the fastest photo and text-printing speeds in its class," said Fabia Ochoa, product manager, photo imaging, Epson. "The winning combination of superior photo-print quality, plus speedy performance and affordability, make this printer an ideal choice for any family that is looking to print true-to-life quality photos and everyday text documents, without having to spend a lot of money." EPSON Stylus Photo 820 in Detail The EPSON Stylus Photo 820 printer is ideal for printing at home with its ease of use and impressive photo quality -- the best available from inkjets today -- plus ultra-fast printing speeds for photos and text. It speeds through black text at up to 12 ppm, can print a 4" x 6" photo in 48 seconds and an 8" x 10" photo in just 1:42 minutes on photo paper. It can even print a photo as fast as 45 seconds on plain paper. The EPSON Stylus Photo 820 offers up to 2880 x 720 dpi resolution, Epson's Advanced Micro Piezo ink jet technology and a superior six-color photo ink system for creating incredible detail, more accurate skin tones and an ultra-wide color range designed ideally for photography. The printer uses tiny four-picoliter droplets, delivering smooth gradations and "dotless" photo quality for prints that are indistinguishable from traditional photos. By utilizing innovations such as PRINT Image Matching technology and Epson's patented, true BorderFree photo-printing technology, the EPSON Stylus Photo 820 is able to produce the best prints possible in a variety of frame-ready and album-ready photo paper sizes. Customers can effortlessly print their photos on Epson's Borderless 4" x 6", 5" x 7", 8" x 10" and letter-size photo papers without having to trim the borders or tear off awkward perforations. The EPSON Stylus Photo 820 also produces long-lasting photos that can resist fading up to 25 years with Epson's optimized combination of photo inks and fade-resistant papers, like EPSON ColorLife Photo Paper and EPSON Matte Paper Heavyweight. Epson offers a wide variety of papers for this printer, including photo stickers, panoramic photo paper and photo-quality greeting cards. The EPSON Stylus Photo 820 includes several bonus photo software programs to help customers manage, enhance and print images. The software package is valued at approximately $80 and includes ArcSoft PhotoImpression 3.0, EPSON Software Film Factory (supporting PRINT Image Matching) and QBeo PhotoGenetics TE.
The EPSON Stylus Photo 820 is available for an estimated street price of $149 ($99 after a $50
mail-in rebate) and can be purchased through Epson authorized dealers, mail order, resellers,
computer superstores, photo specialty stores and on Epson's retail Web site (www.epsonstore.com).
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| 10-17-2001 |
Kodak DSC 760 Pro SLR Review Posted
There's no doubt that the Kodak DCS 760 is the biggest digital SLR on the market, it's
also the highest resolution camera too. Built around the famous Nikon F5 body with a
six-megapixel, large area CCD imager, it captures incredibly detailed images with a
very wide latitude of dynamic range. Even though the professional cameras have come way
down in price in the last year or two, it's still an exensive camera at about $9000.
If you're in the market for this type of camera or just interested in how the "other
half" lives, check out our DCS 760 review.
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| 10-15-2001 |
Ritz Interactive Acquires Wolfcamera.ComIRVINE, Calif., October 15, 2001 - Ritz Interactive, Inc., parent company of leading e-tailer RitzCamera.com, has acquired one of its largest competitors in the online photographic retail industry - WolfCamera.com. The announcement regarding the acquisition was made by Fred H. Lerner, president and CEO of Irvine, Calif.-based Ritz Interactive. With the addition of WolfCamera.com (www.WolfCamera.com) to its impressive network of Web sites, Ritz Interactive now boasts ownership of the number one and number two photographic specialty e-tail destinations, respectively, on the World Wide Web. The Ritz Interactive portfolio also includes several other photography-related Internet properties, including popular digital imaging and photo-sharing site RitzPIX.com, and the comprehensive, content-oriented portal, Photography.com. Along with its photography sites, Ritz Interactive owns and operates some of the Web's most popular boating- and fishing-related destinations, including the online marine superstore, BoatersWorld.com. "With both RitzCamera.com and WolfCamera.com now under the Ritz Interactive umbrella, we have solidified our position as the undisputed leader in the photographic e-commerce space," said Lerner. This will allow us to expand upon the already high level of quality products and customer service we offer to online shoppers." In addition to the wide selection of cameras and accessories offered at WolfCamera.com, photo enthusiasts can take advantage of the site's useful comparison charts, glossaries and in-depth product information. Visitors to WolfCamera.com can also count on the same user-friendly navigation and quick, secure check-out they have come to expect at RitzCamera.com, as well as the added benefits of a "Low Prices Guarantee," no sales tax, and free shipping (for orders over $100).
Founded in April of 1999 as phobo.com, Ritz Interactive has been extremely successful in
marketing and managing its various Web sites, including RitzCamera.com, thanks to the
sound decisions of its seasoned executive staff and a strict adherence to proven business
principles. According to Lerner, the company changed its name to Ritz Interactive in
August 2001 to better reflect the role RitzCamera.com has played in the Web network's
success, as well as the strategic alliance shared with the Ritz Group of companies.
Headquartered in Beltsville, Maryland, the Ritz group owns and operates approximately
1,350 Ritz Camera Centers and Wolf Camera stores nationwide. Ritz also owns and operates
more than 100 Boater's World Marine Centers across the U.S.
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| 10-15-2001 |
Olympus Camedia E-20N First Look Posted
 I have just posted our Olympus Camedia E-20N SLR First Look. We've had a pre-production E-20N in-house for about a week now. Olympus has asked us not to post any photos taken with this unit, a production level E-20N is due in very shortly and we will update the review with sample photos.
The E-20N is
very impressive, it has the look and feel of a real professional camera, just like the
E-10, but with 5 megapixel output and the new, dual-mode of recording in either
interlaced or progressive scan mode. So far the pictures that I've taken with the
pre-production camera have been marvelous and I can't wait to try out the production
level camera. It has a new Noise Reduction mode for 1/2 sec to 60 sec (up to 120 sec
in Bulb) exposures so it will really excell at night photography.
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| 10-15-2001 |
SanDisk Introduces "Ultra" Speed 512MB CF Type I Flash Memory Card
 SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2001-- SanDisk Corp. (Nasdaq:SNDK - news) today introduced SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash, a new line of high-speed storage cards specifically designed for use in the rapidly growing market segment of high-performance digital cameras. The new SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash (CF) cards are targeted at advanced photographers who require high-performance cards to quickly shoot many high-resolution images. SanDisk Ultra CF cards have a sustained write speed of up to 2.8 megabytes (MB) per second or more than twice the sustained write speed of SanDisk's standard CF products, and will be sold in the popular Type I CompactFlash form factor. Nelson Chan, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, said, "SanDisk has leveraged our close relationships with the leading digital camera manufacturers to develop a new and exciting family of advanced high-performance cards -- the SanDisk Ultra CF. The technology behind SanDisk Ultra CF cards employs advanced controller algorithms to enhance the performance for use in the latest generation of exciting new high-megapixel digital cameras. In an age of rapid advances in digital cameras, we are confident that the SanDisk Ultra CF cards will increasingly become the preferred card for even the most demanding digital photographers." Kazuya Hosoe, advisory director, deputy chief executive of Image Communication Products Operations, group executive of Digital Imaging Group, Canon, said, "We strive hard to deliver the high-quality products and accessories that Canon customers have come to expect and that obviously extends to storage cards. SanDisk is a well-known brand throughout the world and we are very pleased to support the new SanDisk Ultra line of CompactFlash cards that will take advantage of the wide range of features and high-performance of Canon's digital cameras." Naoki Tomino, executive officer, general manager, Development Management Department, Image Company, Nikon, said, "We continue to provide the advanced features and capabilities to photographers who demand the ultimate combination of image quality, performance and flexibility. Image storage requirements continue to increase and we are pleased to see the development of the SanDisk Ultra line of high-performance CompactFlash cards. This will expand the storage capabilities and performance levels that Nikon customers expect." Ron Glaz, research manager, Digital Imaging, International Data Corp., a leading market research firm, said, "SanDisk's strategy of focusing its SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash lineup on high-performance digital cameras is very sound. These are the cameras that gain the most from the cards' large capacities and fast write speed. Digital photography is a key factor driving the growth of flash storage cards and these new CF cards with capacities of 512MB enhance their offering. SanDisk is in a great position to offer digital camera users of all levels a broad product offering." Designed Specifically for High-Performance & Professional Digital Cameras The latest high-resolution digital cameras generate large image files, some of which approach 17MB in size. These large files can increase the time required for the camera to capture the image and transfer it to the CF card, forcing the photographer to wait until the camera is ready to take the next shot. SanDisk Ultra CF cards have been specifically developed for these advanced cameras and are designed to save these large image files to the card as quickly as possible so the camera will be ready to take the next picture. Compatibility, Prices, Capacities and Availability
SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash cards are fully compatible and interchangeable with all CompactFlash digital
cameras, CF card readers and adapters, and are available in the following capacities: 128, 192, 256, 384 and
512 megabytes. Approximate street prices for SanDisk Ultra CF cards in that capacity range are $100 to $500,
which reflects a modest premium over SanDisk's standard CF cards. SanDisk expects to commence shipments of
SanDisk Ultra CF cards immediately in the U.S. and world wide, with the exception of Japan, which will start
shipping next month. The company sells its SanDisk-branded flash memory cards and card readers in more than
35,000 stores worldwide.
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| 10-15-2001 |
Holiday Wish List Posted
Let the 2001 holiday shopping begin! As we do every year, we have just posted
our Holiday Wish List of digital camera gift giving ideas.
From the main page you can select a desired price range from the drop-down menu,
great gift ideas go from under $50 to over $2000. These pages will be updated frequently
between now and the end of the year as new specials, rebates or products come to
our attention.
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| 10-15-2001 |
HarborTronics Announces New DigiSnap 2200 and DigiSnap 2000 Firmware UpgradeHarbortronics announces availability of a significant update in the DigiSnap 2000 firmware. If you own a DigiSnap 2000, 2100, 2200, or 2500, you are welcome to email Deborah at HarborTronics for a free update. The firmware may be updated by the user via connection to a PC compatible computer. We've made some improvements, and added several new features:
NEW - DigiSnap 2200
Harbortronics is also proud to announce availability of the
DigiSnap 2200, which adds a
connector for external trigger, and includes the new FastSnap feature. This model is
intended for use with the Pocket Wizard RF synchronizer units for sports photography,
but may be also used for any application requiring external triggering.
What the heck is a DigiSnap? Glad you asked, here's our
DigiSnap 2000 review - check it out if you need to remote control your digicam.
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| 10-12-2001 |
Casio G.BROS. GV-10; Dust and Moisture-Proof Digital Camera
 We found out about the GV-10 a couple of days ago but I wanted to be sure that it was going to make it to the U.S. market before announcing it. According to Krys Krawczyk, Product Marketing Manager - QV, Mobile Information Products Division, Casio, Inc. in Dover NJ, "We can expect first shipment in March 2002. GV-10 will ship to Japanese market first. U.S. price not set yet."
The G.BROS. GV-10 is a totally new type of digital camera whose water-resistant, dust- resistant, and shock-resistant design totally revolutionizes the concept of a camera as a delicate device that requires special handling. In addition to being able to withstand rain, snow, and dirt, the new GV-10 is tough and rugged enough to withstand rough treatment encountered during daily use on the slopes, at the pool, and in other similar environments. In addition, the GV-10 design is sporty and fashionable. Of course, the G.BROS. GV-10 is also packed with powerful digital imaging features and functions. CASIO's popular BEST SHOT feature comes with a selection of mounting and seaside sample scenes. Simply choose a scene and the camera sets up automatically with optimum metering, exposure compensation, saturation, and other settings for recording an image like the scene you selected. G.BROS. GV-10 Features:
Complete specifications can be found on
Casio's GV-10 page.
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| 10-10-2001 |
Casio CW-50 CD-R Printer
One of our readers turned up yet another new CD-R printer, this one is the
Casio CW-50
and it goes on sale October 25 in Japan for 15,800 Yen which translates to only $131.50
USD. It is a small, thermal printer that uses an ink ribbon to print black, silver,
lead and blue text or logos on the surface of printable CD-R discs. The C-50 runs
on its own AC power supply and plugs into the USB port. From what I can read after
translating the page is that it has the capability to read titles from audio CDs and
folder and file name info from data CDs.
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| 10-09-2001 |
Matsushita Electric (Panasonic) Introduces 256 MB and 512 MB SD Memory Cards
 OSAKA, Japan -- Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand of consumer electronic and digital communications products, today announced that it will introduce a second-generation of SD Memory Cards with larger capacities and higher data transfer rate for broadband communications applications. A 256 MB SD Memory Card will be released in the Japanese market on December 21, 2001 and a 512 MB on January 21, 2002, both at open prices. The new SD Memory Cards will be exhibited at the Panasonic booth at CEATEC JAPAN 2001, to be held from October 2 to 6 at Makuhari Messe (Nippon Convention Center) in Chiba, east of Tokyo. The SD Memory Card is a digital storage medium that was jointly developed by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., SanDisk Corporation, and Toshiba Corporation. The memory card is designed with four advanced features: large memory capacity, high-speed data transfer rate, postage stamp-size compactness, and copyright protection. Its superior concept presents a wide range of application possibilities, and makes it ideal for digital data storage applications in mobile and wearable devices. The new SD Memory Cards incorporate a fast data transfer rate of 10 MB/sec., which is five times faster than current models. As small as a postage stamp, the SD Memory Card has a capacity large enough for storing moving images. A 512 MB SD Memory Card can store a maximum of about 180 minutes of MPEG-4 encoded moving images (384 kbps), 400 4-megapixel digital still images in normal mode, or 680 minutes of AAC- or MP3-encoded digital music data in normal mode. The new memory card also incorporates copyright protection that complies with the SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative) standard. The company will also be displaying conceptual models of SD Memory Card product applications at CEATEC JAPAN 2001, such as 1) an SD video recorder and player with 2-inch diagonal LCD panel, 2) an SD multimedia terminal, and 3) an SD portable printer.
In response to the increasing market need for large volume data storage applications in the future, over 300
SD Association member companies already support the SD Memory Card. These companies represent a
broad spectrum of hardware, software, and content related industries, including music, movies, electronics,
PCs, telecommunications, photographic equipment, and automobiles. The Matsushita Electric group has
already introduced and released 47 different SD card products in 19 categories, and is making further efforts
to realize larger capacity and more affordable SD Memory Cards.
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| 10-09-2001 |
Lexar Media Clocks 2.4MB Per Second With New 16X Professional Series CompactFlash Digital Film
 FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexar Media Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leading designer, developer and marketer of award-winning high-performance digital media and reader products, today announced its 16X Professional Series CompactFlash(TM) Digital Film will begin shipping November 1 and will debut at PhotoPlus Expo in New York City, November 1-3. The 16X speed rated Professional Series memory cards, capable of a minimum sustained write speed of 2.4MB per second, will significantly reduce the time it takes for many digital cameras to read and write high-resolution image files. Lexar Media pioneered the adoption of the "x" speed rating for solid state storage, where x equals 150 kb per second, as used by other digital storage devices such as CD ROMs. "Improvements in camera resolution and image quality have increased the importance of our speed-rated CompactFlash cards," said Eric Stang, president and CEO, Lexar Media. "Lexar Media has long been the performance leader in memory cards and the only company to individually speed-rate its products so that our customers know exactly what performance they are buying. After many years of insisting otherwise, other companies are finally recognizing that speed matters to photographers and are beginning to disclose the write speed of their cards. While we are sincerely flattered by this imitation, we remain concerned that many of these claims are based on misleading metrics. Their product claims of 'speeds up to' are no guarantee of minimum levels of performance." Lexar Media Professional Series CompactFlash digital film has become the choice of professional photographers shooting world-renowned events including the Superbowl, Grammy Awards, Miss America Pageant and Eco-Challenge because of its speed, product features and value-add professional services. Pro Series customers receive free 24-hour technical support and free data recovery services. Lexar Media CompactFlash has upgradeable firmware to allow it to be optimized for specific cameras models, is guaranteed to be compatible with CompactFlash digital cameras, is USB-enabled for quick and easy image transfer and is covered by a lifetime warranty. "We have seen our business grow in part due to the assurance our
speed-rating provides our customers," said Stang. "Lexar Media has great
momentum right now and I expect even more positive results as we begin to
realize sales from these new and highly-differentiated products. We will
continue to bring out products that enhance the professional through consumer
digital photography experience."
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| 10-09-2001 |
Epson Releases New Printers in Japan
 I don't have any real specifics yet, sorry I don't read Japanese, but it has come to my attention that Epson has announced a whole series of new printers on their "I Love Epson" site. The printer that caught my eye was the PM-890C as it also prints on CD-R discs. I am getting tired of hassling with adhesive labels and am definitely in the market for a CD-R printer, especially one that also serves as a regular 2880dpi photo printer. It's listed at 45,800 Yen which translates to approx $381 USD so I hope we see a letter-size American model soon! The other big news is that some or all of them (?) now employ seperate tanks for the color inks. More info later when it becomes available.
And yes, I am aware of the web translation services but "Jinglish" is not very reliable
when quoting specs on new products. We also need to know if these products will ever
be made available outside of Japan.
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| 10-09-2001 |
Not Sleeping, Just Busy!Looking at the News page you might think that I have taken a much needed vacation but not so. The news world may be slow but we're not, I have posted the following new camera reviews:
Olympus Brio D-230
And look for our annual Holiday Wish List of gift goodies very soon.
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| 10-04-2001 |
Jenoptik Announces 4-Megapixel JD-4100z3
 The JD-4100z3 is the third release from a new line of models from Jenoptik Camera, existing models include 2.3 and 3.3 mega pixel cameras, all sharing similar characteristics and features including, a 3x zoom A spherical lens equivalent to a 35mm (38-115 zoom), 1.8" TFT colour monitor, sophisticated dual focusing and metering systems offering manual overrides and many other useful facilities making the cameras excellent tools that are fun and easy to use. Enthusiasts and discerning users alike now have real alternatives to usual expensive Japanese brands at the top end of the digital camera market and perhaps, at the best value ever! Price points start at realistic and affordable sub, £300 for the JD-2300z3, £400 for the JD-3300z3 and the new 4.1 million-pixel is under the fantastic, price- breaking barrier of £500. (All suggested prices quoted are inclusive of VAT). All cameras are supplied in outfit forms with essential accessories leads, Adobe AP software, batteries, case, CF card and a two-year replacement warranty.
All models are PC Windows 98, ME, 2000 & Mac OS 9 or later compatible.
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| 10-04-2001 |
Nikon Selects Sandisk Compactflash Cards For Nikon's New Coolpix 5000 5.2 Megapixel Digital CameraSUNNYVALE, CA, Oct. 2, 2001 - SanDisk Corporation announced today that Nikon has selected SanDisk's CompactFlash(tm) cards for its newest high-resolution, lightweight digital camera, the Coolpix 5000. A 32-megabyte (MB) SanDisk CompactFlash card will be included with each camera sold. Nelson Chan, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, SanDisk, said, "Nikon has been relentless in its drive to develop high-resolution digital cameras with stunning image quality, and the Coolpix 5000 is a real standout. We are proud to continue our partnership with Nikon to provide the storage cards for the Coolpix 5000. With more than 35,000 retail outlets worldwide selling SanDisk-branded flash cards and card readers, Nikon customers can be assured of finding SanDisk CompactFlash cards and accessories wherever they want to take pictures."
Deborah Sauer, Nikon's general manager of marketing, said, "The Coolpix 5000
was designed for professional and enthusiast photographers who want advanced
features in a lightweight body. We needed high-capacity, high-performance
CompactFlash cards for the camera and SanDisk was able to deliver exactly what
we required. SanDisk has a reputation for developing and selling advanced flash
memory cards, and we are glad to be working with the company again."
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| 10-04-2001 |
Kodak Lowers Price of DX3600 Zoom to $299ROCHESTER, N.Y., October 3 - Eastman Kodak Company today reduced the suggested list price of the Kodak DX3600 Zoom Digital Camera to $299.95, creating a great value for consumers who want to take, share and print digital pictures at an affordable price. With this move, Kodak now has a complete line of EasyShare cameras with suggested list prices that range from $199 to $449. "One of the top attractions for EasyShare users has been the simple, one-button approach to transferring digital pictures from the camera to the computer and recharging the camera's batteries," said Willy Shih, president of Kodak's Digital and Applied Imaging Group. "Our research found that more than 90 percent of EasyShare DX3600 camera buyers were highly satisfied with the product and its features." The Kodak DX3600 Zoom takes high quality pictures suitable for everything from e-mailing to printing 8 x 10-inch photos online or at home. It also features a 6X (2X optical, 3X digital) zoom, continuous digital video and sound. It offers 8MB of internal memory to hold up to 48 pictures. For more pictures, there is an expansion slot for removable COMPACTFLASH memory cards. In addition, all Kodak EasyShare cameras will include newly enhanced Kodak Picture Software, offering consumers more options for printing and sharing digital pictures online.
Currently, the Kodak EasyShare system features a camera dock, five digital
camera models and Kodak Picture Software. The Kodak EasyShare camera dock
makes it simple to transfer pictures from the camera to a computer with a press
of a button. Pictures can be viewed, enhanced, e-mailed or printed-at home or
online -- while the camera dock simultaneously charges the camera's battery
pack. Kodak EasyShare cameras will work well with Microsoft's Windows XP
operating system.
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| 10-02-2001 |
Canon Announces New S30 and S40 PowerShot Cameras
 Our PowerShot S40 First Look report.LAKE SUCCESS, NEW YORK, October 2, 2001 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), once again strengthens its commitment to digital imaging with the introduction of the new PowerShot S40 and Powershot S30 digital still cameras. The PowerShot S40 (4.0 megapixels) and S30 (3.2 megapixels) fit between the PowerShot S300 Digital ELPH and the PowerShot G2, and are thus positioned as upper-mid-range products that can be used and enjoyed by every kind of photographer from beginner to pro. The new cameras expand the number of current PowerShot models to eight, ranging from the entry level PowerShot A10 to the high-end PowerShot Pro90IS. The Canon PowerShot S40 and S30 will be available at authorized Canon USA dealers by the end of October and have street prices of approximately $799 and $599 respectively. The PowerShot S40 and S30 feature a high-resolution 7.1-21.3mm 3X optical zoom lens (equivalent to 35-105mm in the 35mm format), 3-point autofocus, and an extensive selection of 13 shooting modes ranging from fully automatic to fully manual. Other advanced features include compatibility with Type I and Type II CompactFlash (CF) cards, a high speed plug-and-play USB Interface, Movie Mode, a new feature called My Camera Settings, Microsoft Windows XP compatibility, plus Direct Printing using Canon's new S820D Bubble Jet printer. "Canon's mission has always been to make photography fun and affordable for everyone," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, vice president and general manager, Photographic Products Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "The new PowerShot S40 and S30 have allowed us to bring this concept to an even higher level. And the Direct Printing feature now possible with a full-size Bubble-Jet printer will certainly add to the fun photography brings to millions of people every day."
Read the full Canon press release.
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| 10-02-2001 |
CANON Introduces S820D Bubble Jet Photo Printer, World's First Direct-Connect Digital Bubble Jet Printing Technology
Read the full Canon press release
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| 10-01-2001 |
Epson Reduces Price of Stylus Photo 785EPX Printer and EPSON PhotoPC 3100ZLONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 2001--Epson America Inc. today announced that it has reduced the price of two of its award-winning products: the EPSON Stylus Photo 785EPX ink jet printer and the EPSON PhotoPC 3100Z digital camera. These products were Epson's first to offer PRINT Image Matching technology, which is a breakthrough technology that helps photographers easily produce the best possible prints by ensuring that digital cameras and printers work perfectly together. The EPSON Stylus Photo 785EPX was developed for digital camera owners and delivers convenient photo printing with and without a computer, as well as compatibility with popular digital camera memory cards and Epson's patented BorderFree photo printing. This printer is now available for an estimated street price of $199, a reduction of $50 from its original price. The EPSON PhotoPC 3100Z is a compact, three megapixel digital camera that offers several advanced features, as well as easy-to-use print tools that bridge the gap between digital capture and digital output. With the new price reduction, this camera carries an estimated street price of $599, which is a $200 reduction. "Epson has built a solid reputation with photographers of all levels by providing digital photography
products that offer superior technology, convenience and ease of use," said Lisa Graham, product
manager, photo imaging, Epson. "With these price reductions, we are able to offer an even greater value
without compromising the level of quality our customers have come to expect."
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| 10-01-2001 |
Canon Marketing Small Light Camcorder
Canon has introduced a small and light camcorder, the IXY DV2, measuring 48 mm wide, 106
mm high, and 86 mm deep, and weighing around 390 grams. The size and weight reduction was
accomplished by means of various schemes involving the ICs, mechanism, and lens and by
the use of magnesium and aluminum alloys for the case. With an RGB filter attached, the
camera is equipped with a 680,000-pixel progressive-scan CCD. It has a 3X recording mode
that allows four hours of recording with an 80-minute tape. In addition, the IXY DV2 can
accommodate SD Memory and Multimedia cards for recording still images. The 10X optical
zoom can be combined with digital zoom for a total 40X zoom capability. The camcorder is
priced at 175,000 yen ($1,458 USD). (Source:
Portelligent TechAlert Service))
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| 10-01-2001 |
Nikon Price Reductions Just in Time for Pre-Holiday ShoppingNikon today announced a price reduction and a rebate on two of its most popular digital cameras. The Nikon Coolpix 775 will now have a reduced manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $399.95 and the Nikon Coolpix 995 will be offered with a $100 manufacturer's rebate. The Coolpix 775, with the One-Touch Upload to the Web Transfer button, is an ultra- compact digital camera that packs a 3x Optical Zoom-Nikkor Lens and 2.14-megapixel CCD into the lightest, pocket-sized, point-and-shoot digital camera in its class. This significant price reduction makes the Coolpix 775 an attractive camera at an extremely attractive price.
The Coolpix 995 is a 3.34-megapixel CCD digital camera that combines a pop-up flash, 4x
Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens and a host of creative controls to extend picture-taking
capabilities for all level of photographers. This $100 rebate will be offered until
December 31, 2001 for all U.S., P.R. and V.I. sales.
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| 10-01-2001 |
MacBibble 1.99 Released. D1X/H Support. Major raw Quality Improvements, Firewire and OSX NativeNew version posted with new features, fixes, dramatically improved quality and support for the D1X at 10 Megapixel! OSX And D1H too! This version of MacBibble is Fully Carbonized. What this means is that while MacBibble will still continue to function as an OS9 App, It will also run natively under OSX without using "Classic". In addition to the spiffy new Aqua interface, many aspects of handling raw files will run quicker under OSX due to its multithreaded nature and modern 32 bit kernel. Right now MacBibble is your *only* option if you wish to handle D1/H/X raw files under OSX. And since you Mac folks always feel like you get things seconds, I've served up a couple of Firsts for MacBibble which haven't yet found there way into BibblePC. With this version, you will be able to process raw files from the New D1H as well as the D1X and D1. Additionally, Tethered shooting over fire wire will work (In OS9 only) for all three models. (Thanks for the drivers Petrina!) Firewire is now fully supported for All D1/X/H camera. Make sure you have the latest FireWire extensions from Apple, Install & Run Macbibble , select tehtered browser and point to a target folder. Hook up your camera, and turn it on in PC mode and shoot away! (OS9 Only) First off the MacBibble's "Raw" processing engine has been completely overhauled, this includes everything from the basic Demosaicing methods all they way through color processing. What this means for you is that Bibble will now process your raw files faster than ever, and will deliver superb sharpness and resolution. Additionally, with the new color profiling methods, Bibble will allow your camera to deliver spot on color every time. A New method of sharpening has also been included that works in conjunction with the other low level raw routines in order to maximize detail while minimizing shadow noise. Example photos can be found on the Bibble website. Contrary to conventional wisdom, this improved quality also brings about a increase in raw processing performance.
Other big news is Full support for the large files from the D1X. With
MacBibble 1.99 you can now use all of the same features you've grown to love
with your old D1. In addition Bibble will allow you to get the most detail
out of your D1X by generating a 10 Megapixel 4024x2624 Image from the raw
data! The standard size of 3008x1960 is also supported, but I am sure once
you've seen the extra detail in the larger files, you won't want to go back.
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"This new pricing will further enhance the appeal of Fujifilm's high-end digital cameras
for consumers, affording them the perfect opportunity to experience the technological
innovation, distinctive styling and picture taking abilities of Fujfilm's critically
acclaimed FinePix 4800, 6800 and 6900 Zoom digital cameras, " said Darin Pepple, Brand
Manager, Consumer Digital Products, Consumer Markets Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A.,
Inc.
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