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Photokina 2002 News Page

-- Top News Stories -- Our Photokina 2002 News Page Canon EOS-1Ds Full-Frame dSLR Canon Intros New Digital ELPH S230 Canon Intros New Powershot G3 Casio Posts EX-S1/EX-M1 Firmware Update Casio EX-S2/EX-M2 Exilim Casio Intros New QV-5700 Fujifilm Intros FinePix F402 HP Photosmart 850 Kodak Pro14n Full-Frame dSLR Kodak EasyShare LS443 Kodak Recalls DC5000 Digicam Minolta DiMAGE 7i Limited Recall Minolta Intros New DiMAGE 7Hi Minolta Intros DiMAGE Xi Nikon Coolpix 5000 Firmware Update Nikon Intros Coolpix 3500 The "Olydak" SLR Unveiled! Olympus Intros C-50 Zoom Olympus Intros C-5050 Zoom Olympus Introduces C-730 UltraZoom Pentax Announces Optio 330GS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F77 Sony Cyber-Shot F717 and First Look Nikon Coolpix 4300 Olympus-Europe Announces C-5050 Zoom Sigma SD9 SLR Available in October Sony Cyber-shot DSC-U20 and DSC-U10 Toshiba Announces PDR-2300 Toshiba Announces PDR-3320 August 2002 News Index July 2002 News Index June 2002 News Index Steve's "Best of 2001" Camera Awards PMA 2002 Convention Report Sunday Morning Photographer Index (A weekly column by Mike Johnston)

09-30-2002

Nikon Posts Coolpix 5000 Firmware v1.7 Nikon has just posted the Coolpix 5000 firmware v1.7 update for Windows and Mac users. The following improvements and additions have been made with firmware version 1.7: Support for RAW (NEF) Image Quality - A RAW image-quality function has been added to the COOLPIX5000 firmware. When an image-quality setting of RAW is selected, "HI" blinks in the camera's control panel. Additionally, RAW images can be converted to TIFF using the camera menu. Control options for Shutter Release Speed - The Monitor Options item in the setup menu now contains a Shutter Release Speed setting that controls the speed of shutter response as follows. Option "Normal": Priority given to quality of preview displayed in monitor. Option "Quick Response": Reduces the time lag between pressing the shutter-release button all the way down and shutter being released to take a picture. Internal Flash Off option - The Speedlight Control menu now contains an Internal Flash Off option that allows you to turn the built-in Speedlight off entirely. The built in Speedlight will still fire if red-eye reduction is "on" only to reduce red-eye; it will not fire during the actual exposure. Additionally, the internal flash will fire a monitor pre-flash (but not an actual exposure flash) if a Nikon Speedlight is connected. Support for Picture Transfer Protocol - PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) option is now available in the USB menu in the Interface setting for the setup menu in User Sets 1, 2 and 3. Support for Exif 2.2 - The COOLPIX5000 firmware version 1.7 now supports Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras) version 2.2, a standard that allows information stored with photographs to be used for optimal color reproduction when images are output on Exif-compliant printers. PRINT Image Matching (PIM) is no longer supported by COOLPIX5000 firmware version 1.7. Users who require PIM should not apply this update. Improvements in LCD monitor display - The LCD monitor has been improved to allow better display of images when viewing in dark surroundings. Monitor brightness has also been improved. Shutter speed information corrected when using BULB exposure - Previously when shooting an image with a BULB exposure time of more than 100 seconds, the shutter speed information recorded in the shooting information was incorrect. This has now been fixed. Improvements in autofocus performance - Autofocus performance has been improved.

09-29-2002

Sunday Morning Photographer 9/29 Be sure to check out the latest Sunday Morning Photographer article. This week Mike expounds on Kodak's return to the top of the pro digital SLR world with the recent introduction of the DCS Pro 14n.  And I agree with Mike that many of us had just about written Kodak out of the dSLR picture given the latest Canon, Fuji and Nikon cameras.   Kodak's announcement of the Pro 14n and their new, high resolution image sensors should put any thoughts of their demise to rest - Kodak is definitely here to stay!

09-29-2002

Roberts Imaging 128MB CF Card Sale Site sponsor Roberts Imaging is having another CompactFlash memory card blow out sale. This time it's Lexar 4x USB-enabled 128MB CompactFlash cards for $49 (after a $20 instant rebate from Lexar Media.)   Now's a good time to stock up on quality flash memory cards at less than $0.50/Megabyte. Limit 5 while supplies last.

09-28-2002

LetsGoDigital.nl News from Photokina Our good friend Mark Peters from LetsGoDigital.nl is still hunting down the news at Photokina 2002. Everytime you think that you've just about heard it all something else new pops up. Mark sent me the following news URLs: Konica Revio KD-220Z Exclusive Interview with: Dona Flamme, general manager of Kodak's Image Sensor Solutions Sigma SD9 and new lenses Konica KD-500Z

09-27-2002

Pictographics Releases iCorrect® EditLab 3.0 Color Editing Software New version of Pictographics' flagship plug-in is optimized for Photoshop® 7.0 running under Macintosh® OS X and Windows® XP Operating Systems September 27, 2002-Burnsville, MN - Pictographics International Corporation, a leading developer of digital color technology software, has released Version 3.0 of its flagship product iCorrect® EditLab, a color correction and color editing plug-in for Adobe® Photoshop products. The new version was developed under the recently released Photoshop 7.0 SDK and is optimized for Apple's Macintosh OS X and Microsoft's Windows XP operating systems. In addition, iCorrect EditLab 3.0 includes new features and enhancements that make it even easier to "Make the Color Right". "The release of Adobe Photoshop 7.0, Apple's Macintosh OS X, and Microsoft's Windows XP has afforded Pictographics the opportunity to develop enhanced versions of our award winning iCorrect family of color correction and color editing Photoshop plug-ins", said Wayne Huelskoetter, Pictographics President. "Our first release under the new plug-in SDK architecture is iCorrect EditLab, our most popular and powerful color correction and editing program. Photographers and photo labs using iCorrect EditLab 2.0 have been eagerly awaiting the new Photoshop 7.0 version as it has become an indispensable tool in their digital imaging workflow." iCorrect EditLab is at the top end of the family of iCorrect "point and click" color correction products. It begins by making the color right, and finishes making the color even better by bringing very sophisticated color editing tools to digital imaging enthusiasts of all levels in a simple and easy to use form. Because it treats color in familiar terms such as hue, saturation, brightness and contrast, iCorrect EditLab is very intuitive and easy-to-use. Working in Auto mode, iCorrect EditLab automatically analyzes an image and sequentially sets each of its four color control areas to an optimum starting point. All that's left is the much simpler job of making small refinements. iCorrect EditLab Plug-in is compatible with Photoshop 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0 and Elements 1.0 and 2.0 and the following operating systems: Macintosh 8.6, 9.2, and 10.1and 10.2 in both Native and Classic modes and Windows 98, ME, 2000, and XP. iCorrect EditLab is available for $99.00 at www.picto.com. A special price of $39.95 is available for iCorrect EditLab 2.0 owners. For those who have never used iCorrect EditLab and would like to check out its capabilities first hand a free demonstration version is also available at www.picto.com. The iCorrect product family also includes the recently released Designed for Windows XP iCorrect 4.0 and the award winning iCorrect Professional 3.0 plug-in. iCorrect Professional 4.0, which is also being developed under the new Photoshop 7.0 SDK, will be available later this year.

09-26-2002

Hands-On with the New Sigma SD9 dSLR Our friendly competitors at the Imaging-Resource and DP Review are both at the Photokina show in Germany and have had a chance to give a final pre-production level Sigma SD9 digital SLR a little test spin. You'll find comments and some sample pictures here: Imaging-Resource's SD9 page DP Review's SD9 page

09-26-2002

Kodak DX4330 and CX4230 Reviews Posted I've been so busy in the last couple of days with all the Photokina related news and info I don't know how we managed to crank out some new reviews, but we did. Just posted is the Kodak DX4330 review of this very capable and reasonably priced 3-megapixel digicam. And the Kodak CX4230 review, its 2-megapixel sibling. Both cameras are fairly small (but not tiny), have 3x optical zooms and produce very good images. Check them out. And no sooner did we send those cameras back then the FedEx man dropped off the brand new Kodak LS443camera. I haven't had much time to play with it but what few pictures I have taken look excellent. The 3x Schneider lens is a very good one and the "Kodak Color Science" technology inside produces well-saturated and natural color images. 10/01/02 update:   Our LS443 review is now posted.

09-26-2002

Bibble Version 3.04 Now Available The new 3.04 version of Bibble with support for the Fuji S2 Pro is now available for download. Version 3.04 adds support for raw .RAF format files from the Fuji S2 Pro. Fuji users can now benefit from the improved color that Bibble offers via its fully ICC compliant imaging pipeline. In addition, they will be able to quickly/easily tweak and fix their photos using Bibble’s simple interface, integrated browser and included Photoshop plugin. As an added benefit, Bibble is up to two times faster than the bundled software when processing full size images, and offers the ability to generate 1/4-size proofs at a rate of about one a second. There is no faster solution for processing raw images. As always, more info and a fully functional 14 day trial may be found on the website at www.bibblelabs.com 3.04 also includes fixes for a few problems related to Nikon D100 images.

09-26-2002

YarcPlus Official Release Version 2.1 Now Available The YarcPlus Official Release Version 2.1 is now available for download. This is a free upgrade to all registered YarcPlus users. YarcPlus is the highly regarded Windows application for the Viewing and Converting of Canon RAW pictures files that features proprietary ARF (Artifact Reduction Filter) technology allowing what many consider to be the highest quality conversions available from Canon RAW files. Also featured is PictureByPicture Conversion (PBPC) that allows each picture within a session to be set to its own individual picture settings and then converted, together, at once as a batch. No other program offers the quality of ARF technology, with the extensive flexibility of PictureByPicture Conversion. In addition to the long list of features previously available within V2.0, Version 2.1 adds the following.. A comprehensive batch file renaming facility Post Processing functionality including Auto Levels/Contrast, USM Sharpening, and resizing The return of Unattended Batch Mode (UBM) for automated conversions from command lines, batch files and scripts. Enhanced Status and Title Bars with full time EXIF and conversion data display New preset system Newly optimized Thumbnail generation THM files no longer needed for the display of EXIF information Expanded EXIF support (and more coming) minor bug fixes and more... Complete details of the new features and changes within V2.1 can be found here in the release notes. The download, available here, can also be run in free evaluation (demo) mode for new users.

09-24-2002

HP Announces Photosmart 850 with 8x Zoom, Photosmart 230 Printer and Two Scanners We've seen one super zoom camera already today (Panasonic Lumix FZ1) and now we have a new HP Photosmart 850 with an 8x optical Fuji zoom lens and 4-megapixel resolution. HP also announces a new Photosmart 230 Photo Printer and Scanjet 5500c and 4570c scanners. Read the HP press release.

09-24-2002

The "Olydak" 4/3 SLR Unveiled, At Least A Mockup Was... LetsGoDigital attended today's Olympus pre-Photokina press conference where the now infamous "Olydak" SLR was unveiled for the first time. This is still only a mockup but it is a sign of things to come in 2003. To see and read more, click here. Click here to read the Olympus 4/3 SLR Standard press release Other coverage today by LetsGoDigital includes: Contax Tvs Digital Fujifilm FinePix M603 And the Panasonic Lumix FZ1 article below.

09-24-2002

Panasonic Shows New Lumix DMC-FZ1 with 12X Stabilized Lens Our good (and busy) friend Mark Peters from the LetsGoDigital.nl web site has managed to grab some pictures and information on Panasonic's new Lumix DMC-FZ1 camera that none of us had heard about. Seems that some companies can keep a secret :-) To see more pictures and read what information Mark was able to dig up on this interesting new super-telephoto digicam, click here:    LetsGoDigital.nl

09-24-2002

Olympus Announces The C-5050 Zoom For Advanced Photographers Melville, NY, September 24, 2002 - With the release of the new CAMEDIA C-5050 Zoom, Olympus America introduces the next generation of its popular C series family of digital cameras. A state-of-the-art zoom camera, the C-5050 Zoom was designed for advanced digital photographers seeking full manual and advanced photographic control typically found only in advanced SLR and rangefinder film cameras. With a fast f1.8 lens, 5.0 megapixels for outstanding image quality, durable all-magnesium construction, and the best optics available today in a compact zoom lens camera, the C-5050 Zoom is an all-purpose photographic tool to get the job done at a price that won't break the bank. Read the C-5050 Zoom press release.

09-24-2002

Canon Introduces EOS-1Ds Digital SLR with 11.1 Megapixel, Full-Frame CMOS Sensor Read our EOS-1Ds First Look review LAKE SUCCESS, NY, September 24, 2002 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is commemorating the 15th anniversary of the EOS system by announcing a digital SLR camera which includes an 11.1 megapixel, full-frame CMOS sensor. The new EOS-1Ds is designed primarily for studio photographers, but useful for a wide variety of professional and advanced amateur photographers. It incorporates a number of advanced features including an exceptionally strong magnesium alloy body, 45-point autofocus, 21-point evaluative metering, simultaneous RAW + JPEG recording, 10-mode White Balance and 5-mode Color Matrix selection. In addition, the new EOS-1Ds is supported by the world's largest selection of autofocus lenses and Canon's sophisticated E-TTL auto flash system, including E-TTL wireless autoflash. It is capable of shooting up to 3 frames per second in 10-frame bursts and is bundled with the latest software utilities for Windows and Mac OS. The EOS-1Ds will begin shipping in November with a suggested retail price of $8,999. Read the EOS-1Ds press release.

09-23-2002

Kodak Pro Debuts DCS Pro 14n Digital SLR with Full-Frame 13.89 Megapixel CMOS Sensor and Very Competitive Price Point COLOGNE, Germany, September 24 - Kodak Professional, a division of Eastman Kodak Company, which introduced the industry's first professional digital camera in 1991, today announced the latest addition to its camera family, the DCS Pro 14n digital camera, an SLR with the industry's first 35-mm size CMOS sensor (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) in an SLR camera. The new camera boasts a 13.89 million pixel CMOS sensor and provides variable resolution raw files. The estimated street price is near USD$4,000. Read the DCS Pro 14n press release.

09-23-2002

Kodak Unveils Flagship 4.0 Megapixel Digital Camera with New Schneider Professional Quality Lens Kodak EasyShare LS443 Zoom Digital Camera Features Large Indoor/Outdoor LCD for Better Viewing Read our Kodak LS443 Review ROCHESTER, NY, Sept. 24 - Eastman Kodak Company today announced the LS443 Zoom Digital Camera, the flagship model in Kodak's 2002 EasyShare portfolio. Continuing its tradition of quality and innovation, Kodak has teamed up with Schneider-Kreuznach, the German producer of the world's highest-quality professional lenses and a leader in lens technology and design for 89 years. Together, the companies developed the professional-quality Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens used by the LS443. The precision engineered 3X optical lens, coupled with Kodak's proprietary color science technology, ensures LS443 camera users get stunning pictures - from edge to edge - every time. The complete package will be available in October with a suggested retail price of $499.95. Read the LS433 press release.

09-23-2002

Sony Brings Speed, Spontaneity And Super-Compact Size To Digital Picture Taking With Latest Cyber-Shot Digital Cameras SAN DIEGO, Sept. 23, 2002 - Sony is blending expertise in miniaturization, digital imaging and sophisticated design with a new class of ultra-small digital cameras, beginning with the introduction of the Cyber-shot U® DSC-U20 and DSC-U10 models. Quick-on-the-draw, the tiny cameras are instantly ready to snap digital still images and record MPEG movie clips. Read the Sony press release.

09-22-2002

Minolta Introduces The World's Smallest And Lightest 3.2 Megapixel Dimage Xi Digital Camera Cologne, Germany, Hall 1.2, Stand G 2-18 (September 25, 2002) - Minolta Corporation announces today at Photokina the new Minolta DiMAGE Xi digital camera. Building on the success of the highly popular and award winning Minolta DiMAGE X, the new DiMAGE Xi is equipped with a 3.3 megapixel CCD (3.2 million effective pixels) as well as a host of new functions and features. The elegant new Minolta DiMAGE Xi features enhancements such as increased image quality, the world's fastest start-up time (1.2 seconds), and a seamless zoom range of 12x (combining both optical and digital zoom). Its camera body is made of aluminum with a brushed stainless-steel faceplate. Read the DiMAGE Xi press release.

09-22-2002

Peter iNova's "The Sony Advanced Cyber-shot eBook" For F707 and F717 Users Is Now Available The latest release from best-selling author Peter iNova, "The Sony Advanced Cyber- shot eBook," is a ten-chapter exploration of the functions, opportunities and secrets of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F707 and DSC-F717 5-megapixel cameras and related accessories. The long-awaited Sony eBook was released September 20 and has begun to ship. Peter iNova's Sony eBook is an evolution in publishing. Here is a full-color, 250- page volume featuring interactive links, direct imbedded Internet addresses, higher- than-printed-book image resolution and instantaneous browsing that lets readers scan the entire work visually via thumbnail images or by a table of contents that exists at the edge of every page. In many places, color coded text directly links to other topics within the eBook and on the Web. Read the Sony eBook press release.

09-22-2002

Photokina 2002 Coverage Begins As is the case whenever there is a major photo show or convention happening, we will cover it with a special report or index page. There have already been many pre-Photokina announcements made and there's lots more to come this week. To keep up with all the latest product announcements and news be sure to visit and bookmark our: Photokina 2002 Index Page Our friends over at LetsGoDigital.nl will be at the show in Cologne Germany and have also begun their coverage of the event. LetsGoDigital's Photokina 2002 News

09-20-2002

World's First Digital Camera To Incorporate Foveon X3 Image Sensor Technology Available In October New Sigma SD9 digital camera with Foveon X3 technology captures the highest level of sharpness and color detail in its class Photokina, Cologne, Germany, Hall 10.1, Stand C8 - (September 24, 2002) - Foveon, Inc., a technology leader in high quality digital photography and Sigma Corporation, a world class optical manufacturer, jointly announced today that the new Sigma SD9, high-definition digital Single Lens-Reflex (SLR) camera powered by the new Foveon X3 image sensor will be available for sale on October 21, 2002 for a list price of (U.S.) $1,800. Read the entire Foveon press release.

09-20-2002

Review Update I've just posted our Casio Exilim EX-S2 review of this ultra-slim and stylish 2-megapixel "wearable" digicam. The EX-S2 has the same size and durable metal body as the original EX-S1 but is now a true 2mpixel camera with other improvements. If you're looking for a "go anywhere" camera then this one is a real winner. And I have just finished the Sony F717 review, it is now complete with sample images and a conclusion. The F717 cranks out the image quality on every shot, the colors are truer and the camera operation and AF is noticeably improved from the F707. It's still the only digicam with a laser assisted AF system and NightShot modes and it's still one of the top performing 5-megapixel cameras on the market.

09-19-2002

Nikon Enhances Inner-Swivel Design In Coolpix Digital Camera Line Combining 3.2- Megapixel Power With Style MELVILLE, NY, September 19, 2002 - Nikon (www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, today introduced the new powerful and portable Nikon Coolpix 3500 digital camera, providing another new twist to Nikon's inner-swivel lens design. First featured on the popular Nikon Coolpix 2500, the new Coolpix 3500 builds upon the multi-angle capability and creative "personality" of the inner-swivel design sporting an enhanced 3.2 effective Megapixel CCD into the camera's sleek new charcoal gray body. The new 3.2 megapixel power will give consumers the ability to expand their digital creativity while still maintaining a pocket-sized profile. Read the entire Nikon press release.

09-19-2002

Fujifilm Unveils FinePix F402 – A Fusion Of Compact Style, Multimedia Features And Exceptional Image Quality ELMSFORD, NY, September 19, 2002 – Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. continues a tradition of great digital photography and eye-catching design with its new FinePix F402, one of the smallest and lightest 2-megapixel digital cameras in its class. Photographers will delight in the FinePix F402’s beautiful images with incredibly rich colors and slim, lightweight metal body, as well as multimedia features including movie recording and videoconferencing. The palm-sized FinePix F402 is one of the season’s ultimate accessories, fitting neatly into any pocket or purse. Equipped with Fujifilm’s third-generation Super CCD sensor system, its 2.1 million effective pixels can produce high-resolution images with 2304 x 1728 (4.0 million) recorded pixels, which allows consumers to print crisp and vivid prints up to 11 x 14 inches in size. Read the entire Fuji press release.

09-18-2002

Pentax Expands Digital Line Up With Affordably Priced And Full Featured Optio 330Gs Compact Digital Zoom Camera DENVER, Colorado (September 18, 2002) . . . PENTAX U.S.A., Inc. expands its digital camera line with the affordably priced and full featured Optio 330GS digital camera. Following in the footsteps of the successful Optio 230, this stylish compact digital camera delivers sharp, satisfying images, yet remains simple and fun to use. In addition to possessing the same advantages as the Optio 230, the Optio 330GS has been enhanced further in terms of operational ease. Resolution has also been elevated with the power of 3.2 effective megapixels. Read the entire Pentax press release.

09-18-2002

New Toshiba PDR-3320 3.2 Megapixel Digital Camera Offers Consumers Best Value in Three-Megapixel Class IRVINE, CA, September 17, 2002 - Toshiba Imaging Systems, a division of Toshiba American Information Systems, today introduced its new PDR-3320, a pocket-sized, full-featured 3.2 megapixel camera perfect for digital imaging enthusiasts demanding value, stylish design and dynamic, eye-catching photographs. Building on Toshiba's award-winning PDR-M25 camera design, the new PDR-3320 features an impressive array of technologies to achieve superior picture taking, including an advanced 3.2 Megapixel CCD for high-resolution photos up to 2048 x 1536, an all- glass, aspherical 3X optical zoom lens (equivalent to a 38-114mm lens on a 35mm camera) with built-in macro capability, plus an optional mounting system for third- party filters or wide-angle lenses on the lens barrel. Read the entire Toshiba press release.

09-18-2002

Toshiba Takes "Entry Level" Digital Photography To Next Level with PDR-2300 2.0 Megapixel Camera IRVINE, CA, September 17, 2002 - Consumer electronics giant Toshiba is offering budget-conscious shoppers a gateway to the exciting world of digital photography with the new PDR-2300, an affordable, easy to use Two-Megapixel digital camera that represents a marked improvement for the "entry level" digital camera category. Designed for users of conventional cameras who want to swap their film for pixels, as well as for current enthusiasts upgrading to today's friendlier, faster and better digital photography technologies, the Toshiba-brand PDR-2300 will be available at authorized retailers nationwide in October at an MSRP of $249. Read the entire Toshiba press release.

09-17-2002

Outback Photo Publishes Booklet for Nikon D100/D1x Users On Managing RAW File Workflows Our friend Uwe Steinmueller at Outbackphoto.com has just published the first of their new booklet series titled: "Nikon D100/D1x: Managing the RAW File Workflow" (Nikon Capture 3 Version). This details the right way to get the most out of your digital images from capture to printing. If you've been tempted to explore the power of the NEF (raw files) format but have been overwhelmed by the technical and software aspects of it then this is the answer. This booklet is published in Adobe .pdf format so it can be viewed onscreen or printed and the cost is just $9.95. Uwe will be publishing similar booklets for the Canon 1D/D60 and Fuji S2 Pro in the future. Click here for Outbackphoto's Booklets

09-16-2002

Casio QV-5700 at LetsGoDigital.nl The folks at LetsGoDigital.nl posted info today about the new 5-megapixel Casio QV-5700. They said, "Today Casio announces a follow-up of the successor Casio QV-4000, a brand new 5 Megapixel digital camera. The new Casio Qv-5700 will be available at the end of October 2002 and will have an estimated price of Euro 999,- with a 1GB Microdrive included!" Follow the link above to read the rest. So far there is no word as to whether this camera will make it to the N. American market or not.

09-16-2002

Canon Introduces The New Powershot G3 New Image Processor, Extended Zoom Range, Wide Area FlexiZone Autofocus, And 9-Position White Balance Make the New G3 More Advanced Than Ever Read our Powershot G3 First Look LAKE SUCCESS, NEW YORK, September 16, 2002 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), is once again redefining perfection with the introduction of the PowerShot G3 digital camera. By incorporating a new Image Processor called "DIGIC," along with an extended zoom range and new camera features, Canon continues to position itself as the leader in digital imaging technology. The new camera joins the current PowerShot G2, offering photographers a wider selection of products with multiple features providing greater creative latitude. Improvements in the new camera begin with its exterior. Canon has strategically re- engineered the PowerShot G3's control layout for easier access to key functions, and the enlarged handgrip provides more comfort and secure handling. Several new and improved features and functions have been added to the PowerShot G3 making it one of the most versatile compact digital cameras available. For example, a new proprietary dedicated signal processor called DIGIC provides better image quality, increased processing speed and Movie clips up to 3-minutes at 320 x 240 resolution. Additionally, Canon has increased the zoom range of the G3's built-in lens to 35-140mm (4x optical / 3.6x digital / 14x combined) while maintaining a maximum aperture range of f/2.0-3.0, offering the widest zoom range and largest aperture of any current Canon PowerShot model. Read the entire Canon press release.

09-16-2002

Canon Introduces The Powershot S230: The World's Smallest 3 Megapixel Digital Camera New Image Processor, iSAPS Technology, Enhanced Movie Mode for up to 3 Minutes of Recording with Sound, 9-Point AiAF, and Direct Print Capabilities Make the New S230 the Most Feature-Laden Digital ELPH Yet LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., September 16, 2002 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), continues to provide consumers with the most advanced and easy-to- use imaging devices with its introduction of the new PowerShot S230 digital ELPH camera. The new S230 incorporates a 3.2-megapixel CCD sensor while maintaining the same size and elegant design that has made Canon's line of digital ELPHs one of the best-selling digital camera series in the industry. In addition to its 3-megapixel sensor, the S230 includes a new Imaging Sensor called "DIGIC" to improve overall image quality, increase processing speed and further enhance other features including the camera's Movie Mode. Moreover, the new camera incorporates Canon's exclusive iSAPS technology to enhance the speed and performance of the camera's autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance functions; and a 9-point AiAF autofocus system makes focusing quick and easy, even with off-center subjects. Read the entire Canon press release.

09-16-2002

Canon Introduces Three New Flatbed Scanners CanoScan LiDE 50 Ultra Slim Photo Scanner and CanoScan 5000F and 8000F Film and Photo Scanners Add New Technology to Canon's Winning Scanner Line-up LAKE SUCCESS, NY, September 16, 2002 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE CAJ) today announced the launch of three new USB 2.0 High Speed flatbed scanners -the CanoScan LiDE 50, CanoScan 5000F and CanoScan 8000F. Covering both film and platen applications, these new products deliver professional level scans with Canon technology, performance, and style. Read the entire Canon press release.

09-16-2002

New Line Of Bubble Jet Printers From Canon Offer Advanced Home Photo Printing Capabilities New i850, i550, and i320 Provide Excellent Quality, Performance, and Ease-of-Use LAKE SUCCESS, NY, September 16, 2002 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ) today announced three new Bubble Jet printers - the i850 Photo Printer and the i550 and i320 Color Bubble Jet Printers, which offer sleek new industrial designs and high levels of performance. The i850 Photo Printer offers excellent image quality and speedy borderless photo printing with a new print head and ultra-fine 2-picoliter (pl) droplet size. The i550 and i320 focus on value and performance for printing photos and general output with Canon's advanced Microfine Droplet Technology. Read the entire Canon press release.

09-15-2002

LetsGoDigital at the CeBIT Bilisim Eurasia 2002 Last week LetsGoDigital visited the Asian version of the CeBIT, the CeBIT Bilisim 2002 fair. This fair is an IT and Communication fair where brands like Nikon, Sony, SanDisk, Minolta, FujiFilm, etc. have a booth and a presentation of their series of digital imaging products to the Asian visitors. We have made an impression of our visit to this CeBIT 2002 fair and published the article online. This time we did the article not only in Dutch, but in English, Spanish, German as well! You can read our impression at their CeBIT Bilisim 2002 pages.

09-13-2002

Kodak Professional 8500 Digital Photo Printer Review Posted I just finished the Kodak Professional 8500 Digital Photo Printer Review. This is an excellent page-size (8x10-inch) thermal dye diffusion printer that produces photo quality prints in about 75 seconds. The prints are exactly like conventionally processed photos in color, durability and longevity thanks to the protective overcoat. The Kodak 8500 sells for around $1000 with a low per print cost of about $1.80 per 8 x 10-inch photo.

09-13-2002

Glass Lantern's Pixfer Turns Pocket PC Into Digital Picture Storage Device Washington, DC, 5 September, 2002: Glass Lantern, LLC announces the release of Glass Lantern Pixfer, a Pocket PC application that allows digital photographers to efficiently transfer pictures from expensive camera storage cards to inexpensive PC Card hard drives. Pixfer is specifically designed to handle large digital camera files, frequently transferring data over twice as fast as the built-in Pocket PC File Explorer application. Data safety features include optional file verification as each file is transferred. Battery life is extended through options such as turning off the Pocket PC screen during transfer. In addition, pictures in either jpeg or Nikon D1-series raw NEF format can be automatically renamed to the embedded EXIF time/date stamp of the image. For professional photographers using high-speed Nikon D1-series digital SLRs, subsecond time information is appended to distinguish multiple images taken within the same second. Pixfer requires a Pocket PC that can simultaneously connect to both a storage card from the camera and a PC Card hard disk or other large storage device. Any storage technology that connects to the Pocket PC as a standard storage card can be used with Pixfer, including Toshiba 2GB or 5GB PCMCIA drives and the IBM Travelstar 8E 8.1GB external PCMCIA connector drive. Laptop drives that connect via a PCMCIA connector allow solutions with even more storage space. Since these drives are removable, images can be backed up to multiple storage devices, a crucial concern for professional and advanced amateur photographers away from their main storage system for an extended period of time. Although each Pocket PC manufacturer is different, most storage solutions require an add-on expansion pack, or sleeve, to contain one or both storage devices. In addition, some drives require additional drivers for full support. A free demonstration version of Pixfer can be downloaded at www.glasslantern.com

09-12-2002

Olympus Introduces World's Smallest 3.2 Megapixel 10X Optical Zoom Digital Camera: The C-730 UltraZoom Melville, New York, September 12, 2002 - Olympus America introduces the new CAMEDIA C-730 Ultra Zoom, the latest addition to its family of Ultra Zoom cameras that enable photographers to get as close to the action as possible from great distances. Whether at a sporting event, concert or on safari, when getting physically close is not an option, photographers are sure to appreciate the C-730's high quality 10X optical ultra-zoom lens (30X total seamless zoom when combined with the 3X digital zoom). A powerful, easy-to-use and affordable camera, the portable C-730 Ultra Zoom has a compact and stylish body weighing only 11.1 ounces and measuring a mere 4.2" wide x 3.0" high. The C-730 is truly the 3.2 megapixel camera of choice for an on- the-go lifestyle -- and all at a price of only $599. Read the entire press release & full specs.

09-11-2002

Photodex Corporation Releases Version 6.2 of the Popular CompuPic Family of Software September 10, 2002 - Austin, TX - Photodex Corporation a leading graphics software company, today announced the release of Version 6.2 of the popular CompuPic family of digital content managers. Version 6.2 adds dozens of new features and enhancements to the world's fastest digital image viewers and managers. This release of CompuPic 6.2 adds powerful new technology, including support for the rapidly growing JPEG 2000 file format and new editing features, making it a fun and useful tool for digital camera users. CompuPic Pro 6.2, the flagship of the CompuPic family, includes new image editing and enhancement features. The all new Border function lets users overlay eye-catching photo borders to their images. Over a dozen image effects, including emboss, despeckle, mosaic, twirl and more let users enhance their images. These features offer fun and fast artistic manipulation for working with digital images. Other feature enhancements in Version 6.2 include enhanced cropping and resizing, over 25 new slide show transitions, and address book support for e-mail. making CompuPic the most comprehensive image e-mail program available. All CompuPic 6.2 products are available today for download and purchase. Photodex offers three tiers of the popular digital content manager. The flagship of the CompuPic line, CompuPic Pro ($79.95) is the professional version offering web-design features, batch conversions, Picture CD creation and more. CompuPic ($39.95) is the mid-level version, offering fast viewing and browsing combined with commonly used features such as e-mailing and image editing. CompuPic Express ($24.95) is the entry level viewer for those wanting to view images from e-mail, CDs, digital cameras or the Internet. All versions are available from www.photodex.com as fully functional 15-day trials and can be purchased online or via telephone at 800-37-Photo (800-377-4686).

09-10-2002

Minolta Introduces The Stylish New DiMAGE 7Hi Digital Camera Read our DiMAGE 7Hi First Look San Francisco, CA (September 10, 2002) - Minolta expands its digital camera line with the introduction of the new DiMAGE 7Hi. Based on the DiMAGE 7 and incorporating improved features from the DiMAGE 7i - the new DiMAGE 7Hi has been further enhanced with features such as a built-in flash sync terminal, a new high-speed continuous- advance drive mode allows for 3fps capture rate even with high-quality TIFF and RAW images, the color space can be selected between sRGB and Adobe RGB, the LCD monitor and Digital Hyper viewfinder have been improved for wider viewing angles with more accurate color rendition. Read the entire press release & full specs.

09-09-2002

CPSC, Eastman Kodak Company Announce Recall of DC5000 Model Digital Cameras WASHINGTON, D.C, Sept. 9 -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Eastman Kodak Company, of Rochester, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 75,000 DC5000-model digital cameras worldwide. Due to a manufacturing defect, consumers using these cameras can suffer an electrical shock. Kodak has received 12 reports, including six in the U.S., of consumers who experienced an electrical shock while changing batteries, or installing or removing the memory card or USB cable. There have been no reports of serious injury. These are Kodak DC5000-model cameras. The brand name and model number is written on the front of the camera at the bottom right-hand corner. All DC5000 cameras carry a plate on the bottom of the camera containing the Kodak product identifier reading "KJCAA" followed by an eight-digit serial number. The serial number range is 01800001 through 11700825. Consumers should immediately stop using the Kodak DC5000 Zoom Digital Camera and contact Kodak. The company will cover the cost of inspection, any necessary repair and shipping to and from Kodak repair centers. To receive a postage-paid mailer to return your camera, or for more information, contact Kodak online at www.kodak.com. Consumers also can contact Kodak toll-free at (888) 793-2977 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. For consumers outside the United States, please contact your local Kodak digital camera support center or visit www.kodak.com. This recall includes the DC5000 model only. No other Kodak cameras are affected by this recall.

09-06-2002

Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Review Posted I've just posted our Epson Stylus Photo 2200 review and this is one amazing printer!  There had been some doubt that a pigmented-ink printer could ever equal the color gamut of the dye-based inkjets. Well, I for one no longer have any doubts. The Stylus Photo 2200 produces vibrantly colorful and well saturated prints the equal of those from the other Epson Stylus Photo printers. The print speed is easily two to three times faster than the "other" pigmented-ink printer, the Stylus Photo 2000P. After literally hundreds of prints, all I can say is that Epson definitely has a winner here, especially at $699. Check out my review for all the details.

09-04-2002

Sony USA Makes the DSC-F717 Official Read our Sony F717 First Look Announced a few days ago by Sony Europe, the Cyber-shot DSC-F717 has now been officially announced by Sony USA. The successor to the very popular F707 will be available in October for about $1000. Read the entire Sony USA press release.

09-03-2002

Casio Debuts 2.0 Megapixel Ultra Slim Exilim Digital Cameras DOVER, NJ, -- Image is everything … Casio, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Company, Ltd. Tokyo, today announced the expansion of the recently introduced EXILIM camera series, its new premier credit card-sized digital camera line, with the introduction of the EXILIM EX-S2 and EX-M2. The expanded line, perfect for every lifestyle, offers custom photography capabilities and a sleek design. The EXILIM series of exceptionally compact 2.0 mega pixel digital cameras, designed specifically for today's fast moving lifestyles, are among the thinnest, smallest and most lightweight cameras with LCD screen available anywhere in the world. Small enough to easily fit into a pocket or purse, these cameras are a truly functional lifestyle accessory -- ideal for family celebrations, evenings out, sporting events, vacations, weddings, work and more. The EXILIM EX-M2 is further enhanced with an integrated MP3-player and is only a fraction thicker and heavier than the EX-S2, measuring 0.49 inches thick/deep (12.4mm), 3.46 inches wide (88mm) and 2.16 inches high (55mm), and weighs only 3.18 ounces (90g). The EX-M2, with MP3 function, still allows users to take individual photos, self-timed photos, and up to 30 second AVI video clips with sound, but also offers the added benefit of integrated sound capture, to compliment both still shots and videos. Read the entire Casio press release.

09-03-2002

Casio Posts EX-S1/EX-M1 Firmware Update Casio has posted a Firmware v1.10 update for EX-S1 and EX-M1 cameras. To check your firmware version hold the MENU button down while pressing the POWER switch. Keep the MENU button depressed until you see the firmware info on the screen. If it says you have the "Ver.1.00-1.01" you need to download the new update and install it. Follow the link above to go to Casio's web site for the update. In a nutshell it adds/changes the following functions: Turning Image Review On and Off - Image review displays an image on the monitor screen as soon as you record it. Ability to turn off Controller Function Assignment - Under its current configuration, you can assign one of four functions (REC Mode, EV shift, Flash Mode, White Balance Mode) to the controller rock left or rock right operations. After installing this update, you have the option of turning off the controller function assignment. Monitor Screen On/Off Setting Memory - When you turn off the camera, it remembers whether you have the monitor screen turned on or off. The monitor screen on/off setting is restored the next time you turn on power. Other improvements

09-02-2002

Sony Europe Introduces New DSC-F77 Thanks to our friends at DC Views we now know of another new Cyber-shot camera and a pair of new personal dye sub printers from Sony. Sony Europe today announced a significant extension to its Cyber-shot family of digital still cameras. The DSC-F77 caters for the camera enthusiast that wants an advanced set of features and functions but also demands a sleek, compact and stylish camera. The camera’s compact and stylish design easily fits inside your shirt pocket and still these elegant good looks conceal a powerful 4.0 Megapixel Super HAD CCD and swiveling Carl Zeiss Distagon lens. It features one-second powerup time, USB 2.0 and BlueTooth connectivity in the model DSC-FX77, a docking cradle to charge the INFOLithium battery and facilitate quick image download to the PC. Sony Introduces New Dye Sub Printers The new DPP-EX5 with a retail of just $200 and the DPP-EX7 with a 3.8" color LCD at $450. Both printers produce 3.5x5" or 4x6" borderless prints with Exif print support and use Sony's advanced dye sublimation technology to produce 16.7-million colors at 403dpi. Both have a Memory Stick card slot, the DPP-EX7 also has a PCMCIA Type II card slot to accept other types of flash cards. Read the Sony printer press release.

09-02-2002

Sony Europe Introduces New 5-Megapixel Cyber-Shot DSC-F717 Read our Sony F717 First Look The Sony F717 has already been announced in Europe and other places, we expect the official U.S. announcement on 9/4 after our Labor Day holiday. This is a significant improvement on the already excellent F707 and employs the same super-sharp Zeiss 5x optical zoom and Sony 5-megapixel imager. There are lots of changes and new features, read our First Look for more details. We will have a final production camera by the end of the week and will post sample images at that time.

09-02-2002

Minolta DiMAGE 7i Limited Recall We just recv'd word that Minolta has a limited recall on some DiMAGE 7i cameras for a defective main power switch. Check your serial number and if it falls in the range of these two series of numbers you should contact Minolta immediately. 95217273 through 95219999 96201000 through 96226022 Note that this affects only DiMAGE 7i models, not DiMAGE 7. And these cameras were shipped during or after July 2002. Contact: DiMAGE Service Response Team Phone # : 1-877-IMAGING

August 2002 News

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