Digital Photography Blog: Digital Camera Reviews, Ratings, News, Tips and Tutorials.
August 2008
July 2008
April 2008
March 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
Thanks to all who voted in our Digital Photography Site Awards. Voting is now closed. 324 votes were cast in this poll with a winner clearly emerging from the first day of voting. Minor place voting was tight and the results were as follows.
Congratulations to Digital Photography Review and all other sites for producing some amazing online resources that benefit us all. As some have said in comment or via email, our list of nominated sites only picked up 10 sites - there are other quality digital photography resources available online - many of which I have listed in our links section. Feel free to suggest more if you feel we've missed any.
TechTV has just posted their round up of the recent round of 8 megapixel cameras to be released. They take a look at the Canon Powershot Pro 1, the Minolta DiMAGE A2 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828.
The question I get asked more than any other about Digital Photography is 'How do I choose the right digital camera?' There are so many digital cameras currently on the market with more being introduced weekly (over 120 new ones this year alone so far) - how does one make the decision of which digital camera to choose?
A lot has been written online on this subject. Some take a very technical approach and talk about resolution, file formats and sensors, others talk more about usability and design while others seem to be looking for the latest gadget or feature. There is no one way to approach the decision of which digital camera and so we've decided to list some of the more helpful tutorials and tips that attempt to answer - 'Which digital camera should I choose?'
Also check out Digital Photography School for more free Digital Camera Tips on All Topics. Especially check out their posts on How to Choose the Right Digital Camera for You and How to Buy a DSLR
How would you choose a new digital camera? If you have any personal tips of how to choose a digital camera, or would like to suggest a tutorial or article that we haven't included please leave a comment below.
A special welcome to Digital Photography Blog to Beau Photos who will be with us for the next few months as a major partner.
Beau Photos was established in 1989 and has been providing quality photographic services ever since. It's founders, Rob and Meg have a passion for photography and give care and detail in all their work.
Beau Photos online printing service offers printing of quality 6x4 prints for only 40 cents each. They use Agfa D2 which is considered one of the best digital printing systems in the world. Their photographic paper ensures that you get real photos from your digital camera images.
We all love to take digital photos but so many of us don't have the time or equipment to actually print them. With an affordable service like this coupled with a broadband connections we can all have a 1 Hour Photo Shop in the comfort in our own home.
Check out this great service from Beau Photos today.
NHJ USA have launched their Fox Z2 - the world's thinnest 2.0 Megapixel digital camera at just 11.5mm thin. It has a 1.5inch LCD, 2x digital zoom, 8MB internal memory, takes SD cards and weighs just 50g.
The Foxz2 also has an optional All Weather Case and is available in red, black, silver, pink, or blue.
The Foxz2 will be available in Target stores this week.
Press Release from Iomega
SAN DIEGO, April 26, 2004 Iomega Corporation (NYSE: IOM), a global leader in data storage, today announced availability of the new Iomega Floppy Plus 7-in-1 Card Reader. Iomega's new host-powered drive is ideal for photographers and mobile users, bundling a convenient 1.44 MB floppy drive with the seamless capability to read and write all of the most common flash media formats.
Striking Industrial Design
The Iomega Floppy Plus 7-In-1 Card Reader is designed for simple, portable convenience. Just one inch tall and with a smaller footprint than a CD jewel case, the attractive two-tone design in silver and grey travels easily in any laptop computer bag and weighs just 12 ounces (340 g). A single USB cable handles all power and data requirements. Front-loading slots let users read and write the most common memory card formats and transfer data between different media types, providing an all-in-one solution that can replace multiple card readers.
“Iomega has created a perfect go-anywhere solution for digital audio and digital photography enthusiasts,” said Jennifer Burl, senior product manager, Iomega Corporation. “These people often own more than one type of storage media, and the Floppy Plus 7-In-1 Card Reader maintains harmony among the many different memory card formats, delivering access to the most-needed files from virtually any USB-equipped computer.”
Supports Multiple Card Formats
The Floppy Plus 7-in-1 Card Reader supports the following formats:
CompactFlash™ (type I and II)
SmartMedia™ (SM)
Microdrive®
Multimedia Card (MMC)
Secure Digital (SD)
Sony Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro (all formats)
Floppy disks
Features
Iomega’s Floppy Plus 7-In-1 Card Reader comes with Adobe® Photoshop® Album SE software for managing digital photos. Hot Plug and Play technology allows users to connect the drive to a running PC for convenient access—no rebooting required. The drive is also a host-powered USB device, so mobile users have no power cable to worry about.
The Floppy 7-In-1 Card Reader is compatible with PCs running the Microsoft® Windows® 98 and 98SE, 2000, ME, and XP operating systems with an available USB connection. It is also compatible with Mac® OS X operating systems or higher on computers with a built-in USB port.
Price and Availability
The Iomega Floppy Plus 7-in-1 Card Reader is available now for $59.95 (U.S. suggested retail price).
About Iomega
Iomega Corporation provides easy-to-use, high value storage solutions to help people protect, secure, capture and share their valuable digital information. Iomega's award-winning storage products include the new Iomega REV™ 35GB Drive, popular Zip® 100MB, 250MB and 750MB drives; high-performance Iomega® HDD External Hard Drives in desktop and portable configurations; Iomega Mini USB Drives and Micro Mini™ USB Drives; Iomega external CD-RW Drives; Iomega Super DVD Drives and the QuikTouch™ Video burner; and the Iomega Floppy USB-Powered Drive. Iomega simplifies data protection and sharing at home and in the workplace with Iomega Automatic Backup software, Iomega Sync software, HotBurn® CD-recording software, and Active Disk™ technology. For networks, Iomega NAS servers offer capacities of 160GB to 1TB. For unlimited capacity and anytime, anywhere access, Iomega offers iStorage™ secure online storage. Iomega also offers businesses and consumers a comprehensive data recovery services solution for recovering lost data due to hardware failure, file corruption or media damage. The Company can be reached at 1-888-4-IOMEGA (888-446-6342), or on the Web at www.iomega.com.
Fox News reports that Manalapan will become the first town in America to use digital cameras to take photos of every car passing through town.
'The new $60,000 system uses powerful computer software to compare cars’ license plates and drivers' faces against those of stolen cars and wanted criminals in a police database.'
This face recognition technology is similar to that being used in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles that can search for and recognize a face from up to 10 miles away.
The Fujifilm Finepix S3000 is a 3.34 megapixel camera with a 6x Optical Zoom lens.
Photography Blog reviews the Fuji FinePix S3000 and starts off as follows...
'The Fuji FinePix S3000 Zoom is a very stylish and affordable update of the FinePix S304 Zoom. The main difference between the two models is a video-out connection for immediate playback of images via your TV screen. The Fuji FinePix S3000 Zoom has a 3 megapixel sensor, like most other digital cameras at the entry-level end of the market, but it stands out from the crowd due to its 6x optical zoom, which is equivalent to 38–228mm on a 35mm camera. The Fuji FinePix S3000 Zoom has significantly fallen in price since its launch in August 2003 and can now be purchased for under £200 / $250. But is it the right budget digicam for you?' Photography Blog - find out how they rate it
DC Mag reviews the Fujifilm S3000 and writes - 'It’s the automatic point-and-shoot method, though, that suits the S3000 best. A rapid start-up means you can whip it out and get snapping almost straightaway, as long as you remember to put the flash up. The photos are crisp, with a good deal of clarity.'
Get more information and reviews on the Fujifilm Finepix S3000 at:
- Digital Camera HQ
A warm welcome is extended to Digital Photography Blog's latest partner - Digital City who will be headlining this site for the next month. Digital City specialize in all things Digital including (and especially) Digital Cameras from all the major manufacturers. They deliver anywhere in Australia or New Zealand (and on occasion world wide).
This month they have 27 special offers which include a variety of models of cameras with bonus accessories.
Check out their range of Compact Cameras, Digital SLRs and Digital Camera Accessories as well as their great range of computers, audio visual, mobile phones and PDAs. Add to that their Photo Processing Services and you have an online store I could lose myself in for hours.
You too can become a Digital Photography Blog Partner - Check out our partnership packages.
Camera Phones Freely Available Despite Ban is an insightful glimpse into some of the implications of new camera phone technology in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Yaum Arabic daily recently reported that a college student was expelled in the Eastern Province for taking pictures of her friends with her mobile phone camera on campus and distributing them via the Internet.'
Beyond Megapixels is part 1 of a three part series of editorial articles examining current digital photography hardware, as well as the author’s views of what is to come.
It starts with an examination of the latest collection of 8 megapixel cameras recently released by manufacturers and encourages the reader to look beyond megapixels alone when making the choice of which digital camera to purchase.
'Don’t get me wrong, I find that “8.0 megapixel” stamp on the front of the camera as enticing as any other high-tech craving camera connoisseur. The problem lies not in the number of pixels recorded, but in the quality of those pixels.'
This looks like an interesting series of articles to follow, parts 2 and 3 should be out shortly.
'Loading your camera with film is almost a thing of the past. But, says Joanna Wane, the digital revolution is creating a gaping hole in our heritage.'
Snap unhappy - digital photography's dirty little secret argues that the rise in digital photography has serious implications for our 'pictorial history'.
'Few of the images taken on digital cameras are ever printed out, which means many are permanently lost when the file is deleted or damaged. Even if prints are made, the cheaper commercial models currently used for family snapshots reproduce at significantly lower quality and have less depth than film, especially when enlarged.
Imagine, for example, the exhilarated couple who snap off some shots on their mobile phone to announce the arrival of their newborn baby to the world within minutes of his birth. Later, when they're looking for pictures to frame or save in an album, they'll be caught short if that low-resolution mobile-phone image is all they have.
At the professional level, the more critical problem is digital storage. The fear is that as technology evolves, any storage medium in use today will eventually become obsolete and the material it holds lost to future generations.'
Will we one day look back on the early years of this century and ask 'where are all the pictures?'
The Australian Financial Review reported this week the continued rise of Kodak on the back of their increased commitment to digital photography.
'Eastman Kodak Co, battling through a painful transition from film to digital photography, said on Wednesday it more than doubled its first-quarter profit and narrowly beat Wall Street forecasts.
The world's biggest film manufacturer also raised its profit guidance for all of 2004.
Helped by gains in digital products and the dollar's weakness abroad, Kodak earned $US28 million, or US10¢ a share, in the January-March period, up from $US12 million, or US4¢ a share, a year ago....
During the first quarter, sales of digital photography products jumped 44 per cent while revenue from chemical-based products fell 2 per cent.
Sales of consumer digital cameras, accessories and memory products leaped 98 per cent, revenues from photo kiosks and related products surged 55 per cent, and sales of inkjet paper and printer docks jumped 42 per cent.
But worldwide sales of traditional film products, including 35mm film, single-use cameras and batteries, fell 6 per cent in the quarter, and the number of rolls of film sold to retailers was down 10 per cent.'
Digital Review has just released a first impressions review of the Nikon Coolwalker MSV 01
'Whether you own a digital SLR camera, like the Nikon D70 or the Nikon D2H, or you own a high resolution prosumer digital camera, like the Nikon Coolpix 8700, you will most likely want to take a closer look at Nikon's new MSV-01 Coolwalker 30GB digital photo storage viewer.
The Nikon Coolwalker is a stylish portable storage device that offers a welcome solution to the organization of thousands of large resolution image files of all formats produced by today’s high-resolution digital cameras. The device has both outdoor and indoor applications.'
The Sony Qualia 016 was announced and released in Japan in June 2003 (as see announced here at DP Review. It is about to be released in the US (possibly world wide).
The Sony Qualia is 69.1×16.8×24mm in dimension (without flash), weighs 50g and comes with a little suitcase full of accessories (including flash unit, timer remote unit, video out unit, telephoto lens, wide angle lens, and battery charger). It has a 2 megapixel sensor, 4x digital zoom, .55inch LCD and takes a Sony Memory Stick.
'In order to eliminate the blur caused by tiny movements of the hand, the 016 takes up to 4 pictures in very rapid succession and then combines them into one image.'
For more information on the Sony Qualia 016 check out:
- Sony Qualia - Official Site - requires Flash.
- Dynamism - Sony Qualia 016
- Lets Go Digital - Sony Qualia 016
Trust have just announced their new 580Z Binocular DigiCamera. They have a 1.3 megapixel camera built in and 12MB of internal memory and will accommodate SD cards to increase memory capabilities.
'The 8x22 binoculars feature a 22mm objective lens with a 2.75 mm exit pupil which gives you a 7° field of view (37.1 metres at a distance of 914.4 metres).' - Source - Mobile Mag
We scoured the web today to find the best digital camera maintenance and care tips from some of the most respected digital camera sites:
Cameras and Camera Care introduces a useful little tool - the 'blower brush' (pictured left) - 'This little contraption is your camera�s best friend. It resembles a bulb or balloon with a removable brush at the end. It only costs around $3 and is an essential part of your camera care regimen.'
For more information on the topic of maintenance of image sensors check out some of the following links:
- Cleaning the CCD Sensor on my Canon D60
- Sensor Cleaning
- Cleaning the CCD of your Nikon D100
- Photo.net - Cleaning the CMOS Sensor of the Canon EOS 10D (and other digital SLRs)
- CCD Cleaning
- CCD/CMOS Cleaning
Check out some of our other Digital Camera Tips:
- Digital Photography Composition 101
- Night and Low Light Digital Photography Tips
- Macro Digital Photography Tips
- Taking Images with Camera Phones Tips
- Depth of Field Tips
- Introduction to Photoblogging and Moblogging
- How to Choose a Digital Camera
- Cleaning your Digital Camera Image Sensor
Soon to be released from Belkin is the iPod Digital Camera Link which makes storing thousands of digital images on your iPod a breeze.
'Storing digital photos is fast and easy using the Digital Camera Link for iPod. Now you can leave your PC at home and stop worrying about using up your camera's memory. With this portable innovation you'll easily transfer thousands of digital images from your camera to your iPod, and free up disk space to take more pictures. Belkin brings a new dimension to your iPod device - it's not just for tunes anymore.
Simply connect the Belkin Digital Camera Link to your iPod, and connect your USB mass-storage-class camera device. Using software support that's already built into your iPod (with software version 2.1 or later), your pictures transfer quickly and you're ready to start shooting again. When you get home, just connect your iPod to your computer to retrieve the images. It's like having virtually unlimited storage space for all your photos. '
The Belkin Digital Camera Link will be available shortly for $89.99(US).
'A GOOD photographer is not merely one who knows how to take great pictures. It is also someone who knows how to make the most of technology – mixing the use of analogue with digital – to get the best results in his photographs. '
Capturing the beauty of the ocean is an interesting article about Japanese underwater photographer, Ikuo Nakamura.
In the article underwater digital photography is examined in quite a bit of detail. Nakamura talks of his transition to digital, honestly sharing the pros and cons of digital photography.
'“I believe that both digital and film cameras have their pros and cons. The main strength of a digital camera is that you can check the pictures on the spot and correct them later. As a result, it is convenient since you don’t have to worry about lighting.”
As Nakamura sees it, this advantage can also be a big drawback.
“It can be disadvantageous too because being able to check pictures immediately may impede the development of one’s skills,” he explains. '
Luminous Landscapes has reviewed five of the new 8 Megapixel Digital Cameras that have recently been released and now asks the question - Which one is Best?
They test and comment upon the Sony F828, Minolta A2, Canon Powershot Pro 1, Olympus C8080 and the Nikon 8700. Which one is best? Luminous Landscapes have their say here - but what do you think? Leave your reviews and comments below.
PC Mag also has reviewed a similar variety of 8 megapixel digital cameras.
Photoblogs and Moblogs are becoming more and more popular with the release of many new models of camera phones. The internet is being flooded with pictures from the every day life of millions of camera phone users, but unfortunately many of the images that are taken using camera phones are poor in quality. This is partly due to the fact that camera phone technology is still developing and that their features are often limited (although this is changing with the release of 1MP and even 2MP Camera Phones) but it is also often due to poor photographic technique by budding camera phone photographers. As a result we've compiled this list of tips for taking pictures with camera phones to help us get the best results from our camera phones. They are not rocket science and will not ensure a crystal clear image - remember for the best quality digital images you should use a dedicated single function digital camera.
Also check out Digital Photography School for more free Digital Camera Tips on All Topics.
To get the best pictures from your camera phone you might like to incorporate some of the following tips:
Following are some of the better sites and books that we found that have camera phone tips on them:
Add your own tips, tricks and camera phone resources below in comments.
Check out some of our other Digital Camera Tips:
- Digital Photography Composition 101
- Night and Low Light Digital Photography Tips
- Macro Digital Photography Tips
- Depth of Field Tips
- Introduction to Photoblogging and Moblogging
- How to Choose a Digital Camera
- Digital Camera Care Tips
- Cleaning your Digital Camera Image Sensor
Gizmodo have just reported that the Sony DSC-T11 wont be released world wide. Rather it looks like it will be a Japan only digital camera.
Olympus Japan yesterday announced the introduction of the 3.2 megapixel CAMEDIA AZ-1 compact digital camera. It has a 3x optical zoom lens, 23 scene program modes, in camera album and slide show functions and high contrast 2.5inch Advanced Super View Display. This flat fronted camera is sure to be popular.
For more information, reviews and image samples (as they come to hand) on the Olympus AZ-1 check out the following press release from Olympus and:
- Imaging Resource - Olympus AZ-1
- DP Review - Olympus AZ-1
Press Release from Olympus Japan
Olympus Corporation (President: Tsuyoshi Kikukawa) is pleased to announce the introduction of the 3.2-megapixel CAMEDIA AZ-1 compact digital camera with 3x optical zoom. In addition to full range of camera features, the CAMEDIA AZ-1 is equipped with a sharp, clear, Mobile Advanced Super View Display that makes it equally suitable for use as a photo viewer.
With its Mobile Advanced Super View Display and new album functions, the CAMEDIA AZ-1 is an entirely new type of camera that offers "shooting," "viewing," and "sharing." The Mobile Advanced Super View Display offers high contrast and a wide viewing angle, and its incorporation into the CAMEDIA AZ-1 marks the first time that this display technology has been utilized in a digital camera or other such mobile device. The 2.5-inch display has a resolution of 210,000 pixels, and its large size and excellent image quality make it ideal for both reviewing and appreciating photos. In addition, New Album and slideshow functions allow users to organize images in the camera, and there is a Camera Album function that allows images edited on a computer to be uploaded and viewed on the camera. By taking advantage of the large, high-definition Mobile Advanced Super View Display, users can easily use the CAMEDIA AZ-1 as a portable photo album that allows them to share their favorite photos with other people wherever they go.
The CAMEDIA AZ-1 is also equipped with 23 Scene Program modes that allow users to obtain optimum image quality in a wide range of shooting situations. Ease of operation is also enhanced by a new control dial that allows various functions to be selected using only the thumb and forefinger of the right hand.
Development Background
The popularity of digital cameras continues to grow, and in 2003 some 43.41 million units were shipped worldwide (8.44 million in the Japanese domestic market). In 2004, worldwide shipments are expected to reach 60.9 million units (9.42 million in the Japanese market).* Although the number of digital camera users is growing, many users fail to fully enjoy the photos they take. Instead, the photos simply accumulate on the user's computer, and are only infrequently viewed and enjoyed. To address this problem, Olympus set out to develop a product that would allow users to enjoy both shooting and viewing to the fullest. The result is the CAMEDIA AZ-1, a camera that allows users "to enjoy digital photography from A to Z" — from "shooting" all the way through to "sharing." This was the design concept behind the CAMEDIA AZ-1's development, and the reason it is the first digital camera in the world to feature a Mobile Advanced Super View Display. With its ability to serve as a photo viewer, the CAMEDIA AZ-1 effectively represents a totally new style of digital communication.
* Source: Camera & Imaging Products Association
Main Features
1. An LCD Display Specifically Designed for "Viewing"
Until now, users have primarily used computer or TV monitors to enjoy viewing their digital camera photos, and the LCD monitor on the camera was used only to "review" images after shooting. The CAMEDIA AZ-1 changes that with its revolutionary new large, amazingly clear LCD display, which now allows digital photos to be viewed and enjoyed on the camera that was used to take them.
World's First Mobile Advanced Super View Display*
- Three Times Higher Contrast than Conventional LCD Screens
The Mobile Advanced Super View Display offers three times the contrast of conventional LCD screens (based on in-house testing), and dramatically reproduces images with excellent definition and bright, vivid colors.
- T160° Viewing Angle on Both Vertical and Horizontal Axis
The display offers a 160° viewing angle on both the vertical and horizontal axis, ensuring excellent visibility and beautiful image quality when photos are viewed by several people at the same time.
- Improved Visibility in Bright Light
The display offers excellent visibility even at beaches, ski resorts, and other bright outdoor locations where conventional LCD monitors can be difficult to see.
Large, 2.5-Inch Screen
The CAMEDIA AZ-1 display's 2.5-inch screen and 210,000-pixel resolution provide a clear, high-definition view that enhances both shooting and viewing enjoyment.
* Mobile Advanced Super View Display technology was developed by Sharp Corporation of Japan.
2. New Album Function Doubles The Fun of "Sharing"
A New Album function allows captured images to be organized into photo albums on the camera's memory card media. The albums can then be viewed on the large Mobile Advanced Super View Display, effectively making the CAMEDIA AZ-1 a "camera-and-photo-album-in-one" that users can carry with them wherever they go.
In-Camera Photo Album Creation and Storage
Captured images can easily be organized into photo albums created on the camera's memory card media. Up to 12 albums of 100 images each can be created for easy viewing.
Easy-to-Use Software for File Transfer and Image Editing
Included CAMEDIA Master 4.2 EX software makes it easy to upload images to the camera after they have been edited on a computer, and to backup photos and albums edited on the camera to a computer. It can also be used to upload photos from sources other than a digital camera, allowing users to carry their favorite images with them wherever they go.
3. Built-in Functions for Dramatic Slideshow Presentations
Easy-to-use slideshow functions allow users to present their favorite photo album images as dramatic slideshows. A choice of Normal, Wipe, Fade, and Zoom slide transitions is offered to further increase viewing enjoyment.
Normal: Instantaneous slide transition
Wipe: The currently displayed slide is pushed up or down off the screen by the following slide
Fade: The currently displayed slide gradually fades into the following slide
Zoom: Slides appear from the upper-left corner of the screen and expand outward until they cover the screen
4. 23 Scene Programs for Professional-Quality Results in a Wide Range of Shooting Situations
In addition to regular shooting modes, the CAMEDIA AZ-1 is equipped with optimized Scene Program modes that make it easy for users to obtain the results they want in virtually any situation. There are 23 modes in all, including a Beautiful Skin Tone mode that ensures smooth, faithful rendering of skin tones, a Beach & Snow mode for sunny days at the beach or in snowy mountains, a Sunset mode and a Candle mode that boost color saturation without using the flash in low-light situations, a Sleeping Portrait mode that adjusts light sensitivity to allow pictures to be taken in very low light without using the flash, a Document mode that ensures text legibility, and more.
5. Control Dial Significantly Enhances Operating Ease
New Rotating Control Dial for Easy Mode Selection
Operating ease is significantly enhanced by a new control dial that allows users to quickly and easily cycle through the various settings displayed on the LCD screen menu by rotating the dial with the index finger of their right hand; a quick thumb-press then activates the desired setting.
Easy-to-Understand Menu Interface and Image Quality Modes
The easy-to-understand LCD screen menu interface is designed with entry-level users in mind, and provides a short explanation of each mode's function when a Scene Program mode is selected. In addition, multiple unwanted images can be deleted in a single operation, and image quality selection has been greatly simplified. Now, instead of choosing a combination of image quality and compression ratios, users can simply choose from a list of image quality modes with easy-to-understand names (Super High 3MB, High 2MB, PC Monitor 1MB, E-Mail VGA) that indicate the purpose and approximate size of the resulting image.
Other Features
Flat Body with Clean, Uncluttered Lines
The CAMEDIA AZ-1's flat metal body features clean, uncluttered lines and measures only 94mm (W) x 67mm (H) x 21.9mm (D). As the first Olympus digital camera to feature a lens with a 'folded' light path, the CAMEDIA AZ-1 packs 3x optical zoom power into an extremely slim body.
Multi-Function Cradle
The CAMEDIA AZ-1 is also the first Olympus digital camera to come with its own multi-function cradle, which allows users take full advantage of the large, high-quality LCD display by setting the camera up and using it as an attractive "photo stand." A docking port is provided on the CAMEDIA AZ-1, and the cradle itself is equipped with a DC power input terminal, an AV output terminal, and a USB port so that users can enjoy slideshows on the built-in display, or in a larger size on a computer monitor or TV, while the camera is being recharged. In addition, PictBridge support allows direct printing to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer, further expanding the range of ways in which the camera can be enjoyed.
New TruePic TURBO Image Processor
A TruePic TURBO image processor enhances high-resolution detail and suppresses noise for sharper, clearer image quality, and optimizes processing speed for improved shooting response.
The following is a Reader Review of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z2 - submitted by Chris from Canberra Australia - Submit your own Review.
'I got my Z2 yesterday, bought online. Some intial impressions and thoughts: Picture quality is superb. The Digital Subject Processing and auto focus lock is beyond great, almost Blade-Runner like in it's screen feedback to you in realtime, allowing you to compose your shot and semi-preview before you even take it !! Put simply, this camera allows you to take totally professional looking shots without going to manual settings. (whch I haven't delved into yet, but you can manipulate aperture/speed/light settngs endlessly.)
UK/European Readers buy the Minolta DiMAGE Z2
When at max (10x) optiical zoom, I hope you got a steady hand otherwise you'll get slight blur. Tripod, no probs. An On screen icon warns you though of when your hand is shaking too much for a clear image. (cool, eh ?) The 800x600 video is beautiful looking, but it's 15fps, i prefer the 30fps 640x480. Being able to use the zoom at any stage of videoing is awesome. I meean, this thing is as good as a digital video cam. The realtime monitor is 60fps, unheard of for a digital still, giving you totally smooth screen preview.
I shot all day today at a bush cricket match on the first charge of batteries, no low warning. And if all that aint enough, It looks totally cool....people today were like, 'what IS that camera ?' :)
The only niggle I have is that I think the battery door is a little bit on the flimsy side. Just be careful and you should be fine.
It's a #$^%# great cam. I got it for $720(AU) and I'm totally wrapped. No hesitations on reccomending this cam for any stage of user. Advanced will get joy out of all it's manual settings and ability to manipulate images, and the novice can just set to auto and shoot fantastic looking shots.'
Write a Review for Digital Photography Blog on the Z2 or some other Digital Camera
Reviewers Needed
Do you have a Digital Camera? Got something to say about it? Want to get your thoughts published online?
Write us 100 - 500 words on your experience with your digital camera and shoot it to us via email. If its suitable to publish we'll post it on the main page of Digital Photogrpahy Blog within a couple of days.
If you have your own website or blog - publish your review there and let us know about it so that we can link up.
Samsung have just announced the 1.3 megapixel SPH-V4200 camera phone.
The SPH-V4200 also doubles as an MP3 player which stores up to 2 hours and 10 minutes of music.
Source - Digital Chosun: Samsung Releases New Camera Phones
Have you ever dreamed of being a a professional photographer? Secrets of Success might be a great place to start as it begins with the question:
'What does it take to succeed as a photographer? Here's an empirical top ten, in order of importance...'
Mike Johnston goes on to list his top 10 attributes that great photographers possess - it's a great read. How many do you have? Which do you wish you had? What would you add to Mike's list?
Camera's like the Nikon D70 are changing the way the amateur digital photograher approaches their craft. With release of this and other prosumer DSLRs we see quality products at increasingly competitive prices.
Digital SLRs put affordability and functionality in focus takes a look at some of the impact (and features) of the Nikon D70.
'For $1,299, including a tailor- made zoom lens that neatly complements the blocky black body (the body sells solo for $999), the just-out-of-the-gate D70 is a child born of both competition and economies of scale.
Not so long ago - around the turn of the century, and doesn't that sound funny? - a digital SLR that could claim a six-megapixel sensor cost upward of $20,000 to $25,000. Some digital SLRs still cost more than this Nikon and offer more in terms of manual control and stamina. But even a prosumer (that's short for professional consumer) cannot help but be impressed by the functionality, flexibility and overall goodness of the D70.'
Ethics in the Age of Digital Photography is an interesting article published on the National Press Photographers Association. Written in 1999 the article is a little dated, but the questions it raises are still important as we see more and more press journalists moving to the digital format.
'One of the major problems we face as photojournalists is the fact that the public is losing faith in us. Our readers and viewers no longer believe everything they see. All images are called into question because the computer has proved that images are malleable, changeable, fluid. In movies, advertisements, TV shows, magazines, we are constantly exposed to images created or changed by computers. As William J. Mitchell points out in his book, The Reconfigured Eye, Visual Truth in the Post-Photographic Era, we are experiencing a paradigm shift in how we define the nature of a photograph. The Photograph is no longer a fixed image; it has become a watery mix of moveable pixels and this is changing how we perceive what a photograph is. The bottom line is that documentary photojournalism is the last vestige of the real photography.'
Today I spent half an hour at a local camera store perusing the latest range of digital cameras to be released post the PMA show in February.
Of particular interest to me was the Canon Powershot Pro 1 (pictured left)which has been getting excellent reviews and attracting a great deal of attention on this site as the most searched for camera of March.
My initial reaction to spending a few minutes with the powershot pro 1 in the shop was that it was a solid (yet not too bulky) camera to hold. Having used Powershot cameras previously I found the layout of the camera to be quite familiar and easy enough to use.
The most impressive and attractive feature of the Powershot Pro 1 to me (aside from the whopping 8 megapixel sensor) is that 7x Optical Zoom lens. The fact that the zoom is controlled using a ring on the lens is something that I liked, however I suspect it would take a little getting used to to be accurate using it as it was a little touchy for me.
One of the big questions I found myself wondering in the shop was how the 8 megapixel compact powershot pro would compare with the 6 megapixel DSLR Digital Rebel EOS 300D? Both were exactly the same price.
I came home pondering what i would do if I had to make a choice between the two. Coincidentally I logged onto the net tonight and the first article I read was a test from Luminous Landscape which examines the difference in image quality between the two 8 megapixel cameras in Canon's range - the Powershot Pro 1 and EOS 1D Mark II DSLR (pictured right)(I'd like to see one with the 300D and the powershot pro...but this will do for now). One would think that with $3500 difference between the cameras that there would be no comparison between them - this review takes a look at this question and is well worth the read if considering whether the Powershot Pro 1 is the camera for you.
Here is the brief the review sets itself in the test:
'Naturally I couldn't resist doing a comparison. Of course there's no way that the Pro1 can compete with the Mark II when it comes to shooting speed, low noise, frame rates, or any one of a myriad of other shooting variables. But, what about something simple? A shot at the lowest ISO that each camera offers, so that each can produce as low noise an image as possible. '
The results definitely make you wonder....
Check out the following Depth of Field Tutorials for Digital Cameras.
Depth of Field is one of the most important aspects of photography, whether it be digital or film. It can be the difference between an ordinary and stunning photograph. However so many photographers have little or no idea of how to set their cameras for a desired Depth of Field effect.
Also check out Digital Photography School for more free Digital Camera Tips on All Topics.
'Everybody has probably seen photographs in which every element from foreground to background is in sharp focus, and other pictures in which only the subject is in sharp focus while everything else is blurry. The first picture is said to have more depth of field than the latter, which has shallow depth of field. For those that don't know, depth of field, or DOF, is how deep the area in focus is, when you focus on a given subject. It's a very powerful artistic tool.' Source - Depth of Field for Digital Cameras
Digital Cameras bring a whole new set of challenges when it comes to depth of field. They vary from camera to camera, largely depending upon the size of their sensor. It is worth doing some reading in conjunction with your experimenting with depth of field. Following are some useful tutorials, tips and information sites on the topic of depth of field, both for digital and general photographers.
Depth of Field for Digital Cameras
- Depth of field and your digital camera - a comprehensive look at the topic.
- Depth of Field and the Digital Domain - What is Depth of Field and how to get it.
Depth of Field in General Photography
- Do Wide Angle Lenses Really Have Greater Depth of Field Than Telephotos?
- Controlling Depth of Field
- Depth of Field - A helpful introduction to the topic of Depth of Field.
- Depth of Field Calculators - Online calculator for a variety of digital and 35mm cameras.
- Depth of Field - a general introduction with pictures.
- Depth of Field Info
- DOF Calculations - The Maths behind DOF.
- Depth of Field: One of the most important elements in photography - An introduction.
- Depth of Field - a good introduction to Depth of Field.
- Bob Atkins Photography has a good tutorial on Digital Depth of Field that is very informative and will help you get some excellent results.
Check out some of our other Digital Camera Tips:
- Digital Photography Composition 101
- Night and Low Light Digital Photography Tips
- Macro Digital Photography Tips
- Taking Images with Camera Phones Tips
- Introduction to Photoblogging and Moblogging
- How to Choose a Digital Camera
- Digital Camera Care Tips
- Cleaning your Digital Camera Image Sensor
Prices are set to drop on 5 Megapixel CMOS digital cameras according to DigiTimes as prices of 5 megapixel CMOS sensors fall.
'Prices for 5-megapixel CMOS digital cameras are expected to drop from around US$200 currently to US$150 in the second half of the year as local companies move into mass production, according to sources.'
forbes.com has just published this 6 page guide to help you choose the right digital camera. They break the market down into the four sections of Basic Shooters, Little Wonders, Megapixel Monsters and Digital SLR's and analyzes sixteen digital cameras from across these sections.
Also check out Digital Photography School for more free Digital Camera Tips on All Topics.
Canon Europe Press Release
Consumers vote Canon most trusted camera brand in Europe for fourth year running
Consumer confidence survey results support IDC research positioning Canon as leader of the European digital camera market.
LONDON, April 13, 2004 - Canon has been named most trusted brand for cameras for the fourth consecutive year in the Reader's Digest European Trusted Brands Survey 2004, one of the broadest pan-European surveys of consumer attitudes towards brands.
Reader’s Digest, the world's best-selling monthly magazine, asked over 29,000 people across 14 European countries to nominate the brands they trust the most within various consumer product categories. A total of 406,896 votes were cast across 20 categories in each participating country. Brands were measured in terms of quality, value for money, image and understanding of customer needs.
Canon was one of only four brands to be nominated as 'most trusted' in 10 or more countries. This consumer endorsement by Reader's Digest readers follows an earlier announcement by analyst house IDC, confirming Canon's position as leader of the Western European digital camera market.
James Leipnik, Chief of Communication and Corporate Relations for Canon Europe said: "At Canon our goal is to provide quality imaging products that deliver real value for money to our customers. These results demonstrate huge consumer confidence across many European countries and are a welcome confirmation that Canon is delivering on its consumer promises.
"Canon’s ‘You Can’ philosophy aims to empower personal creative ambition and potential, through the use of digital technology. We are delighted that Canon’s brand values have overcome geographical and cultural differences to become the most trusted camera brand of consumers across Europe."
Gavin Murray, Director of Marketing and Development for Reader’s Digest in Europe added: "Understanding cultural and geographical diversity is key to building consumer confidence for any European and global brand. The results of our survey show that Canon has a strong brand that is clearly recognised and trusted by consumers throughout Europe."
The European countries in which Canon won most trusted brand for cameras included the UK, Portugal, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Hungary, The Netherlands and Switzerland. Brands leading the other consumer categories include globally recognised names such as Nokia (mobile phones), Visa (credit cards) and Nivea (skincare).
Photography Blog reports that a 'NEW STUDY BY FUJIFILM AND INFOTRENDS REVEALS MORE CONSUMERS PRINTING THEIR DIGITAL PHOTOS AT RETAIL LOCATIONS...
The study reveals that the percentage of consumers now aware that they can print digital images at retail locations has doubled since the Year Two study. In addition, the survey, conducted by InfoTrends Research Group for Fujifilm in January 2004, shows a significant increase in the number of consumers now choosing to print at retail. The study surveyed the preferences of digital camera owners and prospective buyers in the areas of digital camera use, printing and storing of digital images.
Today, more than 30 percent of U.S. households own at least one digital camera 1. That number is expected to reach 40 percent by the end of 2004.'
Sorry to those who've had trouble accessing this site in the past few hours - I'm told we have been having server upgrades. There will be a few more outages in the hours ahead also. Thanks for your patience.
At the bottom of DP Review's announcement of the Sony DSC-T11 is a brief mention that Sony Japan also announced the release of the Sony DSC-P43 today. There isn't too much information around yet - but after a little searching of the net and a little translating of some European shopping pages I've managed to find the picture (left). From what I can gather it is a 4 megapixel camera with movie mode shooting at 30fps, 1.5 inch LCD, 6 scene modes and smart 3x digital zoom (fixed focal length lens).
UK/European Readers buy the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P43
The Sony DSC-P43 measures 10.1 x 5.4 x 3.6cm and weights 195g.
For more information on the Sony DSC-P43 read:
- Digital Camera - Sony DSC-T11 (Japanese)
- The Register
Sony Japan have just announced the Sony DSC-T11 a 5 megapixel camera with a 3x Optical Zoom lens. It seems to be strongly based on the Sony DSC-T1. DP Review observes that the main differences between the two cameras are that the T11 looks a lot slimmer and doesn't have a front lens cover - giving it a flat front which from the pictures looks pretty good to me!
More information on the Sony DSC-T11 can be found at:
- Lets Go Digital - Sony DSC-T11
- Digital Camera - Sony DSC-T11 (Japanese)
- The Register
- See the Sony T-11 compared to the Sony T-1