ELMSFORD, NY, May 30, 2002 - Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. continues its tradition of exceptional photo quality and distinctive styling with the new FinePix F401 digital camera. The FinePix F401's ultra-slim, trend-setting metallic body is sure to turn heads. It is one of the smallest 2.1-effective-megapixel zoom digital cameras in its category and features Fujifilm's third-generation Super CCD sensor and optional PC-sync cradle. Fujifilm's new FinePix F401 is the perfect solution for those looking for excellent picture-taking performance, advanced multimedia features and pocket-sized convenience. "Fujifilm continues to expand its extensive portfolio of digital cameras that are designed to make the digital photography experience easy and fun for consumers," said Darin Pepple, Brand Manager, Consumer Digital Products, Consumer Markets Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. "The FinePix F401 is ideal for the on-the-go photographer who wants a choice of features and point-and-shoot simplicity in a sleek, stylish package." Fujifilm's Third-Generation...[read more]
05/29/2002: Sony Announces Two New Ultra-Compact Cyber-Shot "P" Series Digital Cameras
Read our full Sony DSC-P2 review Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P2Sony is pleased to announce the DSC-P2 Digital Still Camera, which combines a high resolution 2.0 Megapixel (effective) Super HAD CCD with a 3X optical zoom lens in an easy to use camera of elegantly compact design. Though compact enough to fit most any pocket or purse, the DSC-P2 is packed with performance and technology. Sharply focused shots are a snap with 3 Area Multi-point AF, which can evaluate focus and for low-light conditions, Sony's AF Illuminator briefly illuminates the subject for an accurate focus lock. The Multi-burst function captures 16 320x240 frames with 3 selectable intervals for convenient motion analysis. Versatile MPEG Movie modes are highlighted with MPEG HQX, which captures 16 fps 320x240 full screen playback video (w/o audio) clips whose length is limited only by the capacity of the media. You can even edit in MPEG clips in the...[read more]
05/29/2002: Nikon Announces Three New Coolpix Cameras for the Summer of 2002
Coolpix 5700 - 5-Megapixel CCD and 8x Optical ZoomCoolpix 4500 - Nikon's First 4-Megapixel, 4x Optical ZoomCoolpix 2000 - 2-Megapixel, 3x Optical Zoom Entry-Level...[read more]
05/29/2002: Nikon D100 SLR First Look Posted
It's still a work in progress and will be for some time yet - but in the meantime we've posted our Nikon D100 SLR First Look. Later today I will begin posting the first of our sample images and will be adding to them as we go along. If you were waiting for a reasonably priced dSLR for your Nikon lenses, that wait is almost over. The D100 delivers on its promises and then some!...[read more]
05/22/2002: BreezeBrowser v2.0 Released
Breeze Systems is proud to announce the latest release of its popular BreezeBrowser software. A free evaluation copy of BreezeBrowser can be downloaded from www.breezesys.com New features in BreezeBrowser v2.0:...[read more]
05/21/2002: New Kodak EasyShare System and CX4230 Digital Camera
ROCHESTER, NY, May 21, 2002 ? Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the new Kodak EasyShare system, combining enhanced software, digital cameras and an enhanced camera dock to take digital photography beyond e-mail and take the challenge out of obtaining high-quality prints. Until today, printing photos from digital cameras was difficult, time-consuming and frustrating. With the new EasyShare system, making high-quality prints becomes fun and easy because of EasyShare?s one-touch simplicity. The new EasyShare system provides the industry?s broadest number of integrated printing options that allow consumers to easily print at home using One Touch to Better Pictures and Kodak inkjet paper, from home by choosing to upload to either the EasyShare online print service or another retail online photofinisher of choice, or at retail using Kodak digitally-enabled kiosks or over the counter. The new Kodak EasyShare system features a series of technological advances that give consumers an unmatched digital photography...[read more]
05/20/2002: LetsGoDigital Posts First Impression of the Pentax Optio 230
The folks over at LetsGoDigital.nl have posted their Pentax Optio 230 First Impression short review. This is a small and pocketable 2-megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom and a swing-out color LCD monitor....[read more]
05/16/2002: Fred Miranda Compares Canon's EOS 1D and D60 SLRs
If you're struggling between choosing a Canon EOS 1D or D60 (lucky you), then you should take a quick hop over to Fred Miranda's web site and check out his Canon 1D versus D60 review. To quote Fred: "Many advanced professional studio, catalog and landscape photographers wonder if they should invest the money to buy a more expensive Canon 1D or purchase a less expensive D60 body. Each camera is intended for specific usage. In a perfect world, one could alternate between the two cameras using them each for their intended purpose since these cameras do not compete with each other in terms of features and build quality. In this article, I will touch on what I find to be the best features and limitations of both cameras."...[read more]
See our complete Mini DigiDrive review SAN JOSE, CA (May 15, 2002) -- Addonics Technologies today announced several new editions to its DigiDrive line of multi-format Flash Card readers that offer more mobility and added features at a lower price. Regardless if users are mobile professionals, digital hobbyists or building multimedia kiosks, the common ground shared by all products in Addonics DigiDrive family is the ability to eliminate the need to carry different types of Flash readers. Users can have multi-format compatibility with one DigiDrive. The Addonics Mini DigiDrive is the latest Flash memory reader solution in the product family for mobile users who need to transfer data to their PC from digital cameras, digital camcorders, PDAs, MP3 players, or digital voice recorders and more. Similar to its cousin (the Pocket DigiDrive), the Mini DigiDrive also reads/writes to seven mainstream Flash media formats but in a smaller palm size package...[read more]
05/14/2002: Qimage Pro 2002 v2.0 Released
Mike Chaney has released Qimage Pro 2002 v2.0 which is a major upgrade to his excellent Windows image printing program. Over the last couple of years we have watched this program mature from just a printing application to a very sophisticated image manipulation program with many unique features. Qimage Pro makes image printing easy by eliminating the need to resample images to higher resolutions, manually place images on printed pages, make touchups and apply filters in separate photo editors. It's an application that is capable of producing professional quality prints that exceed the quality of most other photo printing applications, even high end photo editors. It was not designed to be (or replace) a full featured photo editor, but Qimage Pro is the only tool you'll need to enhance and/or print your digital images. Qimage Pro 2002 version 2.0 contains significant enhancements that increase overall productivity while providing a concrete...[read more]
IRVINE, CA, May 10, 2002 Toshiba Imaging Systems, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced shipment of the new "button-free" Toshiba PDR-T10, the world's first digital camera to utilize its LCD as an interactive touch-screen menu. Also distinguishing the two-megapixel PDR-T10 -- and adding to its excitement -- is a collection of interchangeable, snap-on faceplates, including zebra stripes, polka dots, and retro orange, that let the user alter the look of their camera to match whatever mood they find themselves in. Three faceplates come with the camera, with eight more available to be purchased separately. "The PDR-T10 is perfect for people who want serious digital imaging performance from a point-and-shoot camera that lets them express their own distinct personality," said Doug Freck, Vice President & General Manager, Toshiba Imaging Systems. "Younger, more fashion-minded users will appreciate the camera's good looks, compact size, and uniqueness, while experienced...[read more]
The folks at Digital Outback Photo are putting a lot of energy into their newest project, Digital Outback Fine Art Photography Handbook, an eBook that describes in detail the how-to of creating fine art photographs using today's digital SLR cameras, printers and software. Here's some quotes from their web site about this new project: "What is this book about? We share our experience in using digital SLRs for fine art photography. We will not get into such questions as "Isn't Film better than digital?". This might be a valid question if you want to decide to go the full digital path. We had made the decision 2 years ago. The only question for us is "How can I get the most out of our digital cameras" and of course we are convinced that we are capable to produce Fine Art photos. What does the term Fine Art mean in this...[read more]
05/11/2002: Cerious Software Releases New and Improved ThumbsPlus v5.0
Our good friends at Cerious Software have just released ThumbsPlus v5.0, the latest update to my favorite graphics "Swiss Army knife" for Windows users. ThumbsPlus reads just about every popular graphic file format and many proprietary digital camera formats - v5.x even supports Canon CRW files via a new plug-in. ThumbsPlus lets you view, print, adjust, convert, resize, catalog and batch process files. The Web Page Wizard builds web-photo pages with hi-rez thumbnails and links to the full-size picture files. Database search by keyword or the filename. Windows Color Management support (ICM, ICC profiles). Loads and observes embedded ICC profiles in TIFF, JPEG and PNG files. Auto-launch with scanner or when a digital camera is attached. EXIF info is now displayed in text for many fields. Support for JPEG 2000 (read and write) for both lossless and lossy compression modes. Many new batch processing features and slide show options...[read more]
05/10/2002: Digiphoto 101 Registration Now Open
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05/10/2002: Epson Perfection 2450 Photo Scanner Review Posted
Thanks to Keith Krebs we have posted an Epson Perfection 2450 Photo Scanner review. I have one of these scanners and use it daily but because I am always behind a pile of new digicams it never got reviewed. This is a very versatile flatbed reflective scanner with a built-in transparency unit in the lid for scanning film negatives and slides. It isn't going to replace a dedicated 35mm film scanner but it's the only reasonably priced scanner that handles 120/220, 4x5" and up to 4x9" sized film. Equipped with both USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 FireWire it is very robust when connected to a fast host computer....[read more]
05/09/2002: Sony DPP-SV88 Printer/CD-RW Reviewed
Here's one incredibly versatile digital printer, CD-RW drive, flash card reader, video frame printer and digital image display unit that's hard to beat. One small and lightweight unit that takes the place of many digital imaging peripherals and it does it all - well! Read our complete Sony DPP-SV88 review....[read more]
05/09/2002: Apple Introduces iPhoto 1.1
Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, Calif., USA, unveiled iPhoto 1.1, a free application update for saving, organizing and sharing digital photos. iPhoto 1.1 features new brightness and contrast controls, integration with Mac OS X's Mail application for e-mailing photos, displays EXIF data, and controls for setting photos as desktop backgrounds and screen saver slide shows. iPhoto 1.1 is available immediately as a free download from www.apple.com/iphoto....[read more]
05/09/2002: Fuji FinePix F601 Zoom Review Posted
We had previously posted a first look of the FinePix F601 Zoom and have now updated and completed this review with a new gallery of sample pictures from a full production level camera. Fuji packs a lot of picture power and features in a small, stylish and highly durable metal body. How does it rate against the competition? Check out our Fuji FinePix F601 Zoom review. AFT PRO II USB card readerI have also posted a review of the new AFT PRO II multi-slot USB card reader. We've looked at several multi-slot USB flash card readers but this is the first that can be used as an external drive or mounted internally in a 3-1/2 inch drive bay. For less than it lets you read/write to CompactFlash Type I and II including Microdrives, SmartMedia, Secure Digital or MultiMedia Cards and offers a front-mounted USB port....[read more]
05/08/2002: Olympus Introduces Easy To Use Pocket-Size 3 Megapixel Camera
May 8, 2002, Melville, NY -- Olympus America announces the CAMEDIA D-550 ZOOM, a 3 Megapixel point & shoot camera with a 2.8X optical zoom with a totally seamless 10X zoom (2.8X optical & 3.6X digital); 5 Scene Program modes with the camera world's first Virtual Mode Dial; an improved easy menu navigation system; large 1.8" LCD; and high-end imaging features in a comfortable, compact and easy-to-use stylish clamshell body for only . Read the entire press release with full specs....[read more]
May 8, 2002 Melville, NY -- Olympus America announces the new 3 Megapixel CAMEDIA C-720 Ultra Zoom with a high quality 8X optical zoom lens (24X total seamless zoom) in a compact and stylish body. The C-720 Ultra Zoom is easy to use, and is the ideal camera for family, sports, action, and nature photography. Weighing only 11 ounces and measuring a minimal 3.1" x 4.2, the C-720 Ultra Zoom is the ultimate 3 Megapixel camera for an active lifestyle at a price of only . Read the entire press release with full specs....[read more]
05/06/2002: FotoAlbum v3.0 Released
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05/03/2002: Misc. Digicam News Tidbits
The PowerShot website of Canon U.S.A. Inc. has re-posted the firmware upgrades for the A10, A20, S110 Elph, S300 Elph, S30, S40, G2 and EOS D30. Enhancements include support for the new Direct Print function with the Canon CP100 photo printer and support for multi-vendor Exif2.2 data. These firmware updates were temporarily pulled until Canon could verify that they were not the cause of some users' problems experienced during the upgrade process. Also available is an update to the ZoomBrowser EX software included in Canon digital cameras. HP is now shipping its first 4-megapixel digicam, the PhotoSmart 812, announced back in Jan. 2002. The 812 features a Pentax 3x optical zoom and can connect directly to HP USB inkjet printers and has an optional camera dock. The 812 has an MSRP of and has been spotted on the "street" for around . Epson America Inc. has reduced the price of...[read more]
05/03/2002: Kodak EasyShare LS420 Review Posted
If you're looking for an affordable and pocketable digicam that produces good images then you might want to give a good look at Kodak's latest EasyShare camera. The LS420 is housed in a sleek and stylish silver aluminum case and comes complete with a docking cradle and a rechargeable lithium battery, all for just . For all the details and sample pictures check out our Kodak EasyShare LS420 review....[read more]
05/03/2002: Bibble 3.0 Posted, Kodak Color and Raw Support
One of my favorite D30 programs has just been updated, in fact, it has been completely re-written. Eric Hyman has spent the last 7 months redesigning the user interface, adding "Kodak Color" and support for new cameras. Bibble version 3.0 took longer than Eric had planned but he's pretty sure that you will agree that it was worth the wait. Since this version is such a major change the normal summary of changes sent out would be way too long. You can find a more complete list on the Bibble website. Major new items in 3.0 include:...[read more]
05/02/2002: New ShortCourses Books and eBooks
Dennis Curtin from the excellent ShortCourses web site has just released two new digicam books and eBooks, one for the Sony F707 and the new Canon EOS D60 dSLR. The printed book is in black & white and the eBook comes on a CD in PDF format in full color along with some trial versions of digicam related programs. These books and eBooks are available now on theShortCourses web site. Dennis also has books for most of the popular Canon, Nikon and Olympus digicams too!...[read more]
05/01/2002: Epson's New Large Format Inkjet Printers
Epson is raising the bar and lowering the cost of large format inkjet printing with the introduction of two new Stylus Pro printers. The 24" wide Stylus Pro 7600 and the 44" wide Stylus Pro 9600 are priced at and respectively. Like the recently announced Stylus 2200, these large format Stylus Pro printers will make use of the new 7-color Epson UltraChrome pigmented inks for true archival performance. Preliminary data from Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. indicates the lightfastness of color UltraChrome prints will be rated at up to 100 years under glass. The "7th color" is a user exchangeable black that is available in three different densities (Photo Black, Matte Black and Dual Matte Black) for various media types and printing applications. Not only do these new printers bring down the price barrier to large format printing, they also raise the resolution and performance standards. The Stylus Pro 7600 and...[read more]
05/01/2002: Panasonic Lumix LC5 and LC40 Reviews Posted
Many of you have been asking me for the full Panasonic Lumix LC-5 review and sample photos, it is now online. We have also posted a full Panasonic Lumix LC-40 review as well. If you've been wondering how these cameras shape up against the competition, now you'll know....[read more]
05/01/2002: Microsoft Launchs Windows XP Digital Photography Site
Nikon Inc. today announced support of Microsoft's launch of the Windows XP Digital Photography site.. The Windows XP Digital Photography site is a comprehensive resource for digital photographers of all levels to find helpful and fun information -- from tips and tricks on how to edit photos to making a professional quality print. The Windows XP Digital Photography site offers a wealth of resources and information around digital photography and the PC that will help everyone, from the amateur to the professional be more productive, be more creative and have more fun with digital photography. The site includes how-to and tips/tricks articles, ongoing photo and "test your skills" contests and special offers around digital photography products, applications and services, including Nikon digital cameras. Nikon provides the Windows XP Digital photography site with a host of exciting and informative tips and articles about digital photography as well as links to valuable...[read more]
