PMA 2001 Special Report Our daily reports from the Photo Marketing Association's show in Orlando Florida - February 11 through 14, 2001.

Quick links to info on the new Adobe PhotoShop Elements $99 ASF's ICE3 in New Nikon Scanners Canon FS4000US High-Speed Film Scanner Canon PowerShot A10 and A20 Canon CP-10 Card Printer Canon PowerShot S300 Canon S800 Photo Bubble Jet CanoScan 1230UF & 2400UF Color Flatbed Scanners Canon ZR30MC, ZR25MC, ZR20 Camcorders Casio QV3500EX Plus Contax N Digital SLR 2001 DIMA Digital Camera Shoot-Out Winners eye Q Digicam Features LightView QVGA Display EFS Finally Demo'd by Silicon Film EPSON Stylus Photo 780/890/1280 Printers Epson PRINT Image Matching technology EPSON Stylus Pro 5500 Fujifilm FinePix 2300, 4800, 6800 Kodak MC3 - Camera/MP3/Video Kodak's New Inkjet Media Kodak & Olympus Join Forces Kyocera Finecam S3 3-Megapixel Lexar Media 512MB CF Type I Minolta Dimage S304, 5 and 7 Nikon D1H and D1X Pro SLRs Nixvue Photo Album Panasonic PV-DV851, PV-DV901 PV-DV951 Camcorders Pentax EI-3000 SLR-like SanDisk 512MB CompactFlash Type I Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P30, P50, S75 Sony Mavica MVC-FD87, FD92, FD97 Sony Cyber-shot & Mavica Press Releases Sony TRV30 1.5-Megapixel Camcorder Toshiba PDR-M11, M21, M61, M65

02-09-2001

Kyocera Releases The World's Smallest 3.3 Megapixel Camera SOMERSET, NJ - Kyocera's new Finecam S3 digital camera is the smallest high-quality 3.3 million-pixel class digital camera in the world with dimensions of 3.4" (W) x 2.2" (H) x 1.2" (D) and weighing only 5.6 ounces. The Kyocera Finecam S3 takes crisp, sharp images that rival the quality of conventional photographs while offering all of the conveniences of an advanced digital device. The camera boasts a full line-up of functions, including auto exposure control, exposure compensation, white balance controls, various types of shooting modes and playback function. Those functions can be operated smoothly using the 1.5" color LCD panel. The key to the superior image quality of the Finecam S3 is its Charge Couple Device (CCD). The high definition 3.34 million pixel CCD, the image capture element for the Finecam, is coupled with a high-resolution zoom lens that has a center resolution of over 200 lines/mm. The result is imaging quality that is on par with that of photographs taken with conventional 35mm film cameras. The camera is equipped with an optical 2X zoom covering wide-angle to telephoto shooting at a focal distance of 7.8mm to 15.6mm (equivalent to approx. 38-76mm for 35mm film camera) allowing a wide range of photography, such as landscape, portraits as well as snap shooting. Combined with a 2X digital zoom at shooting mode, a maximum of 4X zoom (38-152mm) can be achieved. A 2X digital zoom can be also used during playback mode (with recording mode at Super Fine or Fine.) As an added feature, the Kyocera Finecam S3 has an AVI movie mode, allowing users to make movies of up to 15 seconds. The AVI file format can be played back on the Kyocera FinecamS3 camera or on a PC, using Quick Time 4 or above. The Finecam offers an array of shooting and flash modes, including: Macro, which allows shooting approximately 9 cm from the lens surface when in wide angle Infinity Mode Manual focusing 4 Flash modes (Auto, Red-eye reduction, Fill-in or Flash Off) Color modes (Color, Sepia or Black & White) White Balance (Auto, Daylight, Tungsten Lamp, Cloudy, Fluorescent Lamp, Manual) Exposure compensation (+ - 2EV, 1/3 EV step) The camera is built with a durable metal cover, providing not only a smooth feeling for the user but long-lasting protection for the camera itself. Protecting the lens is a built-in auto lens barrier, which allows for usage without fear of losing or forgetting to remove the lens cap. The Finecam also comes with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery that helps to protect the environment. Additionally, the Finecam S3 comes with a 16MB Memory card, an ultra compact SD/MMC USB reader and the popular ArcSoft PhotoImpression software.

02-09-2001

Kyocera EZ Digital 1.3 Camera Makes Taking And E-Mailing Digital Pictures A Snap SOMERSET, NJ - Emailing photographs is the number one use of digital cameras around the world and the new, easy-to-use, Kyocera EZ Digital 1.3 makes it simpler than ever. The new camera from Kyocera, well known for its Contax and Yashica lines of cameras, comes complete with ArcSoft Instant Email software that makes emailing images a snap. The EZ Digital 1.3 features multiple resolution modes that make it the perfect camera for creating and sending online images. The 640x480 mode is ideal for sending images via email. The image created in this mode is small enough to send quickly and will be universally accepted by computers around the world. The EZ Digital's 1280x960 resolution mode is perfect for printing superb 5" by 7" prints. The fast f2.8 lens and 2X digital zoom ensures that users not only get all of the action in a photograph, but also get close enough to make it appear that they were in the thick of the action as well. The ability to shoot the smallest pictures in macro mode and the most distant in infinity mode, as well as being able to focus anywhere in between, means that photographers always get the best pictures possible. Using the camera's 1.8" color LCD monitor or the real-time optical viewfinder makes composing photographs equally as simple. The Kyocera EZ Digital 1.3 also offers a host of features that make it the only digital camera one will ever need, including: Date and Time on each image A real time clock Auto or manual white balance Stores images as industry standard jpeg files Four Flash Modes (Auto flash, fill-in flash, flash off, red-eye reduction flash) Auto shut off The camera can also run under Windows 98, Windows 2000 or Mac OS 8.6 or higher. Included with the EZ Digital 1.3 are: 6MB memory and a 2MB internal memory (4MB CompactFlash card), a USB Cable for quick and easy downloads, NTSC Video Cable for real time video output, creating an ideal way to compose images with the high-resolution digital zoom lens, a battery indicator for the four AA batteries (Either NiMH, Lithium-ion, or standard AA Alkaline)

02-10-2001

Lexar Media to Launch Pro Series 512MB CF Type I Card In Summer 2001 ORLANDO, Fla., PMA Booth 3160, Feb. 10 -- Lexar Media, a leading designer, developer and marketer of award-winning high-performance digital film and connectivity products for the digital photography market, is planning to release its 512 MB Type I CompactFlash card in Summer 2001. Designed to meet the needs of the professional photographer, this will be Lexar's highest capacity card, which will offer enhanced image capabilities for the latest high- resolution megapixel digital cameras. It will compliment Lexar Media's existing 320 MB and 256 MB high capacity professional series digital film products. "Lexar Media consistently seeks to break barriers when it comes to digital film," said John Reimer, Lexar's president and CEO. "Professional photographers have unique needs and with the introduction of higher megapixel digital cameras, the demands are greater than ever. We intend to provide them with ultra high capacity storage so they can shoot even more pictures with a single card." The 512 MB digital film card is being developed to complement the next generation of high-end, high-megapixel professional digital cameras and camera backs such as the Nikon D1X and the Kodak Professional DCS Pro Back, which generate file sizes up to 48MB per image. Typically, top professionals using high-end digital cameras also insist on flash memory-based digital film because of its reliability and performance over lower cost, but very fragile hard disk alternatives. Reimer continued: "Lexar's leadership in the digital film market has helped pave the way for professional digital photographers to shoot the way they like, to get the pictures that build reputations and portfolios. We're proud to be a partner in their success."

02-09-2001

Sony's New Cyber-Shot™ Line Continues Advancement Of Quality, Style And Performance ORLANDO, PMA, Booth #3449, Feb. 9, 2001 ­ Sony Electronics announced today feature-rich additions to its Cyber-shot® digital still camera line. The diverse line will appeal to a broader variety of consumers with more options in convenience, resolution and value. The DSC-P30, DSC-P50 and DSC-S75 cameras will be available in May, and will sell for around $400, $500, and $700, respectively. Read the entire Sony press release.

02-09-2001

Sony Introduces New FD Mavica Camera Line With Both Floppy Disk And Memory Stick Capability ORLANDO, PMA, Booth # 3449, Feb. 9, 2001 - Sony announced today the four latest additions to its industry leading FD Mavica camera line. The new models include the MVC-FD75, MVC-FD87, MVC-FD92 and the top-of-the-line MVC-FD97. These cameras boast enhanced features, expanded file formats and value. The MVC-FD87 and MVC-FD75 cost about $400 and $500 respectively, the MVC-FD92 and MVC-FD97 will be available in March for about $600 and $900 respectively. Read the entire Sony press release.

02-09-2001

Sony Takes Camcorder Imaging Beyond The Mega-Pixel -- New MiniDV Handycam Camcorder Offers 1.5 Mega-Pixel Imager ORLANDO, PMA Booth #3449, Feb. 9, 2001 - Sony Electronics continues to lead the way in camcorder innovations with today's introduction of two new high-performance MiniDV Digital Handycam camcorders, the DCR-TRV17 and the DCR-TRV30 - the latter being the industry's first 1.5 mega-pixel CCD camcorder with an intelligent pop-up flash and a precision color viewfinder. The DCR-TRV30's 1.5 mega-pixel imager raises the bar by delivering up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution and stunning 1360 X 1020 digital still images; unprecedented image quality for a single CCD camcorder. The DCR-TRV17 and the DCR-TRV30 will be available in April for about $1,100 and $1,700, respectively. Read the entire press release here.

02-09-2001

Digital Prints Anywhere, Anytime, For Anyone… Print By Sony Campaign Takes Pictures From Darkroom To The Digital Daylight ORLANDO, Fla., PMA (Booth #3449), Feb. 9 - Sony is bringing the next wave in digital photo imaging to retailers and consumers with its new Print by Sony campaign, which aims to expand the world of high-quality digital photo printing options anywhere, anytime for anyone. A Print by Sony logo will also appear on new digital photo printers, digital photo- finishing kiosks and other related hardware, as well as on the back of Sony print media. Sony's Digital Photo Finishing Systems accept images recorded on a variety of removable digital media, including Sony Memory Stick® media, SmartMedia, CompactFlash cards, compact discs and floppy disks. The systems can also be configured to access Internet- based images. In addition, entire rolls of 35mm and APS film based images - including prints and slides in color or black and white - can be digitized, hands free, in minutes and scanned into the new finishing systems via Sony's UY-S90 film scanner. The systems also work with flatbed scanners for copying existing photos, CD-R/RW drives and printers capable of producing photos in all stock sizes up to 5" x 7". The cornerstone of Sony's Digital Photo Finishing Systems are the printers. For borderless glossy or matte 3.5" x 5", 4"x 6", and 5" x 7" laminated prints, the Sony UP-DR100 dye sublimation printer produces photo lab quality results at a resolution up to 300 dpi. Measuring only 7 ˝ inches high, 19 ˝ inches wide and 18 ˝ inches deep, the system can be configured in multiples to accommodate pre-loaded media in each of the stock sizes. A Sony UP-D70AP printer for 8" x 10" print services also can be added to the digital mix. This worldwide initiative includes stand-alone and fully integrated, scalable and customizable digital photo-finishing systems for retailers of every size. Sony will offer an array of printing applications from in-store services to economical digital photo solutions for portrait, passport, event, amusement, and tourism venues. "Clearly the demand for digital imaging technology is growing greater and greater," said Andrew Mougis, senior vice president of application systems division for Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company. "Photo industry forecasts show U.S. sales of digital cameras will exceed sales of film-based cameras for the first time ever in 2001. "This Print by Sony global initiative is the next logical step in the integration of digital hardware, software, content and services whether retailers are selling Sony's state-of-the-art home printers, digital processing services or both." "We have redefined and redesigned the retail photo processing paradigm, creating an opportunity for consumers to create brilliant pictures anytime and anywhere they want, while introducing a gateway for all types of businesses to participate in and profit from the digital photo boom," Mougis added. "Sony is the only company to complete the digital picture by bringing consumers high-quality digital still and video capture, ubiquitous file storage, online digital photo-sharing services, and photo-quality printing in both retail and home environments."

02-10-2001

Canon Announces Three New Digital Camcorders in Popular ZR Series LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--Feb. 9, 2001-- Three new digital camcorders with advanced features and lower prices have been added to the popular ZR series by Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). The new feature-rich models are priced attractively for consumers just entering the digital video revolution, or for anyone seeking greater versatility with the latest digital video technology in a compact design. The three new models - ZR20, ZR25 MC and ZR30 MC - create a progression of prices and features, helping consumers to choose the best model that meets their needs and budget. The ZR30 MC boasts the most unique features and accessories, but all three models have capabilities that, until now, were found only in more expensive digital camcorders. The ZR series will be available at authorized Canon dealers. The ZR30 MC will be available in March with the suggested list price of $999. The ZR25 MC will be available in April with the suggested list price of $899. The ZR20 will be available in May with the suggested list price of $799. Read the entire press release with specifications and pictures of the new cameras.

PMA 2001 News Index