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CNET Reviews has a review of the Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 and writes - 'One of several 12X-zoom cameras on the market, the 6-megapixel Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 differs in only a few respects from its 5-megapixel predecessor, the Dimage Z5. In addition to the resolution bump and the silver face-lift, the Z6 provides a slightly larger image buffer and, unfortunately, a lower-resolution movie mode. However, the Z5's primary attractions remain: 12X zoom, Anti-Shake technology, and a well-rounded feature set that includes manual exposure controls. Keen-eyed photographers might fuss about image quality, but the Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 offers enough benefits at an affordable price to attract enthusiasts who want an SLR-like feel and a long-reach lens.'
Read more about the Konica Minolta Dimage Z6
Get the Latest Price on the Konica Minolta Dimage Z6 6MP Digital Camera with 12x Anti-Shake Zoom
Lets Go Digital has a preview/review of the Nikon Coolpix S4 where they write - “The Nikon S4 pleases me tremendously. The practical concept of the tilting lens that Nikon scored with on the Coolpix 4500 and 995, is familiar and trusty. It offers every possibility to shoot from any imaginable position. The optical range from 38-380mm (equivalent of a 35mm camera) covers a huge area offered by a rather compact size camera. As far as operation and possibilities are concerned, the Nikon Coolpix S4 is a lot alike the other Nikon cameras that were introduced. The menu is neatly arranged and is easy to navigate. The pre-programmed scenes are well-known but the combination of scenes and composing-assistant; ”In Camera Red Eye removal“ and Face Priority AF are strong trumps that lift the Coolpix S4 camera to a higher level of user friendliness. The large size LCD monitor (2.5 inch) offers excellent rendering and is a good replacement for the ever too small optical viewfinder..”
Read more about the Nikon Coolpix S4
Get the Latest Price on the Nikon Coolpix S4 6MP Digital Camera
Pixmantec News Release
ANNOUNCING THE ULTIMATE RAW WORKFLOW TOOL - $59.00 OCTOBER ONLY!
Danish digital imaging software specialists Pixmantec announce the release of the latest addition to their Photographers’ Toolbox applications for the camera RAW format, RawShooter | premium 2006. Building on the incredible success of the FREE RawShooter | essentials 2005 product (now with several hundred thousand copies installed worldwide), RawShooter | premium 2006 provides unsurpassed RAW workflow functionality and professional image quality at an unbeatable competitive price. In addition to a state of the art feature set, RawShooter | premium 2006 adds camera RAW support for several new DSLRs including the Canon EOS 5D and Canon EOS 1D II N.
The ethic of RawShooter | premium 2006 is to allow any photographer, no matter what their level of expertise, to get the most from their RAW workflow. This is achieved by:
· Removing the need to have several different products for a photographer’s workflow by seamlessly integrating individual workflow functions within the existing and familiar user interface of RawShooter | premium 2006.
· Allowing the photographer to have complete control of how their RAW images are displayed by allowing them to create and save a Personalized Appearance. This could be to match a favourite high saturation slide film, to create perfect skin tones for portrait photography or to correct for a DSLR that always tends to over / under expose. This level of personalization, a unique feature to RawShooter | premium 2006, will save photographers valuable time, a vital consideration in these times of constant family and work pressures.
· Packing RawShooter | premium 2006 with state of the art image correction tools that use our Scene Adaptive Technology (patent pending) to work “under the covers” and make subtle changes to image contrast and other parameters. For instance, the new Vibrance tool progressively enhances colors in areas that need it. Intelligent, easy to use tools that give the maximum quality output with the simplest single keystroke.
RawShooter | premium 2006 is packed with features; here are some of the highlights:
· RAW vs. RAW comparison – a DSLR encourages the photographer to take many similar images, which causes a time delay during the editing stage of any workflow. The new RAW vs. RAW comparison tool removes this headache by allowing 2, 3 or 4 RAW images to be compared on the same screen. Using the fully integrated zoom and navigation functions of RawShooter | premium 2006 all of the images can be magnified to 800% simultaneously for the ultimate in sharpness evaluation. Once the best image in the sequence has been identified it can be prioritised for further processing; the others can be marked for immediate deletion.
· Integrated Downloader – getting RAW files onto the workstation from either an external card reader or portable downloader has never been easier than with the fully integrated RawShooter | premium 2006 downloader. Using a single keystroke the integral downloader will take the strain out of the downloading process, flattening all source directories into one target directory on the PC and automatically creating previews for viewing and colour correction.
· Image Formatting Toolbox – RawShooter | premium 2006 provides a great new toolbox to help the digital photographer format their images. The amazing new Horizon Straighten tool allows skewed horizons to be corrected quickly and simply using an on-screen guide. The Image Rotation tool allows arbitrary rotation as required. Both of these tools work in conjunction with the new Crop Tool which allows cropping of an image either to set aspect ratios or completely freeform. These tools are the most sophisticated to have ever been included in any RAW workflow application and are seamlessly integrated into the RawShooter | Premium 2006 application.
· Personalized Appearance - this great new function allows the user to save away a combination of corrections as a personalized appearance. One obvious example is to match the output of high saturation slide films, something which DSLRs have struggled to do, to date.
· FastProof – allows creation of email sized JPEGs at blazing speed; great for busy professionals to get their work to clients and for the hobby photographer to send to family and friends, create galleries etc. Simple to use, with options for resizing, sharpening and attaching an ICC profile too.
· Curves / Levels – support for both Curves and Levels adjustment of an image including the ability to fix points and pick the shadow / highlight points. Also included is the ability to save a custom curve for future use. This is a much requested feature on the Pixmantec support forums, clearly showing that Pixmantec listen to their customer’s needs.
· Sophisticated Correction Tools – several powerful, intelligent new tools have been added to the RawShooter | premium 2006 workflow. Vibrance is an intelligent saturation tool that creates the visual impact (the “punch”) of high saturation slide films by applying saturation only to areas where it is needed. Colour Balance allows a colour caste to be applied to an image and produces the same effect as using a filter on a lens.
· Interpolation – using proprietary algorithms, RawShooter | premium 2006 now provides the capability for re-sizing an image up to 200% of its default value. This allows even more capability to be performed at the RAW stage of a workflow, which results in images of the utmost quality.
· Magnifier – this tool allows a small section of an image to be magnified on screen, providing a simple, quick method of determining sharpness for a single image. It is also used to quickly assess the effect of corrections such as noise suppression and sharpening on small areas of the image.
· New Noise Suppression tool – the new Hot Pixel / Pattern noise suppression tool has a dual purpose. The hot pixel suppression combats the effect seen by photographers who take long-exposures (landscape photographers for example). The pattern noise suppression assists those users who have budget DSLRs or compacts to reduce the noise generated in their RAW images.
· FastBrowse – a new option which allows RawShooter | premium 2006 to act as a browser for large numbers of RAW thumbnails without degrading the performance of the host PC. This feature is useful if file management operations such as move / copy need to be carried out on a large directory of RAW files using the powerful drag & drop capabilities of the user interface.
· Batch Renaming – features the ability to rename groups of RAW images either at the download stage or after editing. Options allow the user to specify their own renaming format and a sequence number if required. This sequence number is updated with the last number in the renaming sequence and saved across product closure. When the batch rename feature is next used the new value of the sequence number is displayed thus saving the user having to remember it.
· Extended Colour Support – the colour profiles for several DSLRs have been fine tuned to provide even more accurate colour rendition and shadow detail.
· RAW Workflow Guide – written by professional wildlife photographer Andy Rouse, this guide takes the novice user through a logical workflow to maximize their usage of RawShooter | premium 2006. Available free to all registered users.
· Additional Camera RAW Support – support for several new cameras has been added including the Canon EOS 5D and Canon EOS 1D II N.
· Extra features – location specific RGB data for each image, customizable thumbnail display to show EXIF information and new support for RAW + JPEG.
In addition to these new enhanced functions, RawShooter | premium 2006 contains all the existing features, functionality and camera support (including the Adobe DNG format) that has made RawShooter | essentials 2005 such a roaring success. With an updated workflow orientated User Guide, RawShooter | premium 2006 is the ultimate workflow tool for all photographers no matter what their level of expertise.
CEO Kenneth Laerke adds “With the launch of RawShooter | premium 2006 we have clearly demonstrated our intent to supply state of the art digital photo imaging software applications of the highest quality available. We feel very confident that the level of features and functionality provided in this new release is superior to products available in the market today. This is only the beginning, we expect, by maintaining the same effectiveness since our launch of RawShooter | essentials 2005 in February this year, to be able to announce groundbreaking new software applications within the next 18 months that will dramatically enhance the workflow of any digital photographer”
Michael Johnson, Pixmantec’s Chief Technology Officer, says “It has been the goal of Pixmantec to combine leading edge technology with speed and ease of use in order to optimize the workflow of the digital photographer. With RawShooter | premium 2006 we are offering the most user-friendly tool for RAW image editing, correction and conversion targeting digital photographers at all levels of expertise.
Award winning professional wildlife photographer Andy Rouse has been testing RawShooter | premium 2006 and says ”I used this new software to process the images of Grizzly Bears that I took in Alaska during early September. The new integrated image downloader saved me time and hassle by loading all images onto my PC ready for me to edit. Using the new RAW vs. RAW comparison tool, I cut down my 4400 RAW images to a more manageable 720 in just a couple of hours. That same day I had converted the 90 best images and the following morning they appeared live on my website ready for clients to download and use. RawShooter | premium 2006 allowed me to get high quality images in front of clients far quicker than I have ever been able too before, a vital consideration in the competitive professional market“.
RawShooter | premium 2006 will be sold initially as an electronic download from the Pixmantec website at the competitive price of $99.00 Until the end of October 2005 it will be available for the incredible discounted price of $59.00!! RawShooter | premium 2006 has a trial period of 15 days and licensed via a product key. This means that the premium product can be installed on a PC without any internet access, a vital consideration in the war against internet viruses.
RawShooter | essentials 2005 will be shortly updated with the latest camera support and released as RawShooter essentials 2006; it will continue to be available as a freeware product and will continue to be supported alongside RawShooter | premium 2006.
There have been more 'accidental' leaks of the Nikon D200 - this time over at Nikon's Digital Website where another promotional page was put up too early (see screen capture - source, Engadget)
The promotional page has the D200 as having a 10.2 megapixel sensor (CCD), shooting at up to five frames per second, having the ability to take 1800 shots per battery charge, using Nikon's 1005 pixel 3D matrix Metoring, having a 2.5inch LCD and a price of $1699 (USD).
Looks like we're getting very close to a Nikon D200 release.
Pre Order the Nikon D200
PhotographyBLOG reviews the Olympus Mju Digital 600 (also known as the Olympus Stylus 600) and writes - 'the Olympus Mju Digital 600 is a purely point and shoot digital camera which offers a mixture of good looks, numerous scene modes and great playback features to entice the novice user. The Album, Calendar and Title options all help to make this camera more fun. The Olympus Mju Digital 600 is pocketable, quick to react, has a great 2.5 inch LCD screen, and is fairly easy to use.'
Read more information on the Olympus Mju Digital 600 (Olympus Stylus 600)
Get the Latest Price and/or order the Olympus Mju Digital 600
Technorati Tags: digital camera review, Digital Cameras
Digital Camera Info reviews the Nikon Coolpix 7900 and recommends - 'At $399.95, the Nikon Coolpix 7900 is built for the point-and-shooter with 16 scene modes, framing assists, and technology geared to fix red-eye in the camera and improve the lighting automatically. There is no manual mode, but there are still a few manual controls such as white balance. The movie mode offers three sizes with quick frame rates and the video quality looks pretty good – especially when used with the electronic vibration reduction. The Nikon 7900 includes 13.5 MB of internal memory, but additional memory will be essential as this digital camera has 7.1 effective megapixels. Overall, the 7900 has some odd quirks to it but would still be a good buy for novices who need an easy to use digital camera that will enable them print large and crop while still providing scene modes and movie options.'
Read more about the Nikon Coolpix 7900
Buy the Nikon Coolpix 7900
Imaging Resource reviews the Fujifilm FinePix A345 and writes - 'Fujifilm's FinePix digital cameras have always been associated with good image quality and color, with solid performance even at the lower-end of the line. With a 4.1-megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom lens, the FinePix A345 continues that tradition in an attractive new design, although I didn't feel that its color rendition was up to the level I've come to expect from Fujifilm cameras. Like other recent A Series models, it offers four preset scene modes and a long maximum exposure time. Overall, it's a decent entry-level digital camera, offering adequate resolution for 8x10 inch prints and an optical zoom lens at a very low price. A workmanlike entry-level model, particularly for daytime shooting, but a little limited after dark. (A good, inexpensive camera for the kids in a family? With online prices as low as $125 as of this writing in October, 2005, it's very inexpensive for a capable little digital camera.)'
Read more about the Fujifilm FinePix A345
Buy the Fujifilm Finepix A345 4.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
Imaging Resource reviews the Canon PowerShot SD550 and writes - 'Canon's ELPH line of digital cameras have consistently offered good image quality, user-friendly design, and excellent build quality, and the new Canon PowerShot SD550 is no exception. While it's not actually that much smaller than the previous CompactFlash-based SD550 model, it feels a lot smaller, thanks no doubt to its sleek, curving body design. When it comes to picture taking, while actual exposure control remains automatic, the ability to adjust ISO, White Balance, and access longer shutter times significantly increases the camera's shooting range. Thanks to its high-speed DIGIC-II processing chip, it's also very responsive for a subcompact digital camera, and its movie capability goes far beyond what I'm accustomed to seeing from subcompact digicam models. '
Read more about the Canon Powershot SD550
Get the Latest Price on the Canon Powershot SD550
A reader just emailed us some more pictures of the Nikon D200 - this time with some comparisons to the Nikon D70s, D50 and D2X. These are in addition to the pictures we posted earlier today of the D200.
Click images for enlarged views of the Nikon DSLRs
First we have a comparison between the Nikon D200 (left) and the Nikon D70s (right)
Get a price on the Nikon D200 from Amazon and compare prices on the Nikon D200 from around the web.
Lastly a comparison between the Nikon D2X, D200 and D70s.
Apologies to DP Review and to readers for previously posting an image of the D200 compared to the D50. It were forwarded to us by an anonymous reader who told us it was an official Nikon image. Unfortunately this was not the case and they were in fact images belonging to DP Review. Thanks to Phil from DP Review for letting us know.
CNET reviews the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-N1 and gives it a rating of 6.6 out of 10 (good). They sum it up by writing:'Either you'll love the idea of a touch-screen LCD or you'll find the necessity of constantly visiting the menu system totally frustrating, if not absurd; it's enough to make anyone's relationship with the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-N1 a love/hate proposition. Snapshooters frustrated with the assortment of buttons and dials on other digital cameras may find the N1's touch screen easier to use; those accustomed to changing settings via dedicated buttons or a four-way controller may reject the whole idea. At its heart, the DSC-N1 remains a basic 8-megapixel, 3X-zoom ultracompact camera for everyday photography. It has an assortment of shooting options that will meet the needs of snapshooters, and it boasts a 3-inch LCD for displaying the 500 or so photos you can store in onboard albums.'
Read more reviews of the Sony Cyber shot DSC-N1
Get the Latest Price on the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-N1
CNET reviews the Canon PowerShot S80 and gives it a rating of 8.0 out of 10 (excellent). They write - 'Canon's latest PowerShot S-series flagship, the 8-megapixel PowerShot S80, stands out just about every way you look at it. It's a fun little camera that packs a wallop in terms of features, performance, and photo quality. Its automatic-exposure modes and intelligent processing will impress casual shooters who want good images without a lot of fuss. Its manual controls and advanced features will provide enjoyment for fiddling amateurs. And its big 2.5-inch LCD, elegant good looks, and excellent build quality will please any shooter.'
Read more about the Canon Powershot S80
Get the Latest Price on the Canon Powershot S80 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Wide Angle Optical Zoom
PC Mag reviews the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 and writes - 'Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-W7 digital camera is a speedy little point-and-shoot with a high megapixel count and a rugged metal exterior. It's a bit heavy, and the boxy design—with hardly a curve on the body, other than a small hand grip—makes it a little tough to hold. Perhaps Sony used up all its curves on the DVD7 camcorder, which resembles a Frisbee with a lens and LCD. In any case, the W7 doesn't easily fit into a shirt or pants pocket. But there are positive points to this camera, namely the picture quality. And at $375, it's a good buy for this type of point-and-shoot camera with a high-megapixel sensor.'
Read more about the Sony Cybershot DSC-W7
Get a price on the “Sony - DSC-W7 Cyber-shot Digital Camera”
It looks like the Nikon D200 is getting closer to a reality - with photos of it appearing (by mistake we think) on the Nikon UK website in the past 24 hours. The pictures are now removed but here's what we saw before they disappeared! (more photos below the fold)
Pre Order the Nikon D200
Steves Digicams reviews the Olympus FE-100 Zoom digital camera and writes - 'the Olympus FE-100 will make a great camera for the consumer who needs a very affordable model with good image quality, but doesn't necessarily need to be able to capture images at blazing fast speeds or record high-quality video. Its 4-megapixel SHQ images can create beautiful prints up to 8x10-inches. Not bad at all for $149 or under! Like the features of this camera, but want more resolution? Be sure to check out its 5-megapixel brother the FE-110 that can be purchased for about $50 more.'
Read more about the Olympus FE-100 Zoom
Get a Price on the Olympus FE-100 4MP Digital Camera with 2.8x Optical Zoom
Steves Digicams reviews the Olympus FE-110 Zoom and writes - 'Shooting performance was a little disappointing. Power up to first image captured was about 4 seconds. Shutter lag, the delay between depressing the shutter button and capturing the image, measured 2/10 of a second when pre-focused and 1.0 seconds including autofocus. When capturing a sequence of images, the shot to shot delay averaged about 6.1 seconds without the flash and 8.6 - 10 seconds with flash, depending on the distance to the subject. These times are excessive due to the fact that you can not turn off image preview, which lasts for about 4 to 5 seconds. Our tests were done using an Olympus 512MB xD- Picture card, SHQ quality, Program Auto mode, flash off, and all other settings at default (unless otherwise noted.) Times may vary depending on lighting conditions, camera settings, photographer response, media, etc.'
Read more about the Olympus FE-110 Zoom
Get a Price on the Olympus FE-110 5MP Digital Camera with 2.8x Optical Zoom
Trusted Reviews has a review of the Ricoh Caplio R3 digital camera where they write - 'The Ricoh Caplio R3 is an attractively designed and well made camera with a highly unusual list of features, outstanding performance and a very reasonable price tag. The 28-200mm equivalent optical zoom and anti-shake system make it unique, and the exceptionally good macro performance is an added bonus. Picture quality could be better, but on the whole not bad.'
Wrotniak reviews the Olympus E-500 and writes - 'The E-500 is a clear winner. It inherits at least the image quality of its predecessor, the underrated E-300, delivering it in a smaller, nicely made package, with very wide range of adjustments, georgeous monitor, and ergonomics ranging from good to excellent. I'm going to keep it.'
Read more about the Olympus E-500
Get the Latest Price on the Olympus EVOLT E500 8MP Digital SLR with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 & 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Lenses
Cameras.co.uk reviews the Konica Minolta Dimage X1 and writes - 'Overall I must admit to a degree of disappointment with the Dimage X1. There is nothing that really stands out as terrible or anything like that, but at the same time nothing really grabbed me either.... I was unconvinced by the charms of the Konica Minolta Dimage X1. On the plus side I liked the style. If its megapixels you are looking for then this camera certainly has them. Picture quality is no better than average though and the shutter lag is likely to cause you to miss anything that moves. '
Read more about the Konica Minolta Dimage X1
Get the Latest Price on the Konica Minolta Dimage X1 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Anti Shake Zoom (Cradle Included)
Cameras.co.uk reviews the Panasonic DMC LZ2 and writes - 'With a six times optical zoom lens in a compact body the Panasonic DMC LZ2 offers something different to other digital cameras. The quality of the outdoor photos is excellent and I was also struck by how easy it is to use the camera. If you are looking for a compact camera with a lens that can get you in that bit closer then this camera is well worth considering. '
Read more about the Panasonic DMC-LZ2
Buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 5MP Digital Camera with 6x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Silver)
Buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 5MP Digital Camera with 6x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Black)
Megapixel reviews the Olympus SP-350 and writes - 'A relatively compact camera offering a good ergonomic design, the Olympus SF-350 incorporates a wide array of functions and a large, 8-megapixel image size at a comparatively reasonable price. While its 3X optical zoom is a standard expectation with current compact cameras, the inclusion of complete advanced shooting modes, a plethora of scene modes — 24 to be exact — a RAW image format, and a hot shoe are unusual for a camera in this range, and impart it with great flexibility.'
Read more about the Olympus SP-350
Get the latest price on the Olympus SP-350
DCRP Reivew has reviewed the Canon PowerShot A620 and writes - 'The A620 performs very well for a lower priced camera. It starts up in just 1.2 seconds, it focuses quickly, and shutter lag was not a problem. Shot-to-shot and playback speeds were also very good. In low light situations the camera focused accurately thanks to its AF-assist lamp. The PowerShot A620 shines in other areas as well. Its movie and continuous shooting modes are very good, assuming that you're using a high speed SD card. With that you can record up to 1GB of continuous VGA video with sound, or keep taking photos at 1.9 frames/second until the memory card is full. If you use high power NiMH batteries the A620 beats all of the competition in terms of battery life -- too bad Canon doesn't include any with the camera!'
Read more about the Canon Powershot A620
Get the Latest Price on the Canon PowerShot A620
CNET Reviews the Nikon Coolpix S2 and give it a rating of 5.8 out of 10 (Average). They write - 'Tiny size, acceptable but not outstanding image quality, and a lack of manual controls make the ultracompact Nikon Coolpix S2 a fine choice for snapshot photographers who want a good selection of fun features but don't want to make many decisions on their own. This Nikon's strong points are abundant scene modes, a 3X zoom lens that doesn't protrude during use, a postshot fix that automatically brightens dark backgrounds, and a clever Face Priority focus mode that ensures that the closest person to the camera will come out sharp and clear. But given the Coolpix S2's limited shutter-speed range of 2 seconds to 1/350 second, you won't be using it for long exposures or very fast action.'
Read more about the Nikon Coolpix S2
Get the Latest Price on the Nikon Coolpix S2
'Japan's Canon Inc. said on Tuesday it has developed tiny fuel cells that it hopes will start replacing conventional batteries to power some of its digital cameras and printers in three years.
Canon will join a small army of companies, including Toshiba Corp., NEC Corp. and Hitachi Ltd., that are working on the development and commercialization of fuel-cell batteries for the next-generation of consumer electronics.
Fuel-cell technology mixes hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and is considered a promising replacement for today's lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used to power a range of mobile products from notebook PCs to mobile phones.'
Read more at Canon to develop fuel cells for printers, cameras
Get the Latest Price on the Canon Powershot SD450
CNET Reviews the Canon PowerShot SD450 and writes - 'The Canon PowerShot SD450's image quality is marginally better than that of its 4-megapixel sibling, the SD300, and the same as that of its predecessor, the SD400. This camera produced photos that were sharper than the SD300's, but other 5-megapixel cameras in this class have done better, particularly at the telephoto zoom position. On the plus side, there was a good range of detail in shadows and highlights, although it was often masked by JPEG artifacts. Color saturation was somewhat muted at the default setting, and there was a tendency toward yellow casts in flesh tones.'Read more about the Canon Powershot SD450
a digital eye reviews the Sony DSC-N1 and writes - 'Sony's 8-megapixel compact camera stands out from the rest. It's ideal for shooting and sharing. The 3x optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens creates sharp images. The huge 3“ touch-screen LCD monitor is slightly recessed to help avoid scratches. At first I wasn't too sure of a touch-screen on a small camera, but after some use it's great. You can navigate much quicker, the buttons on the touch-screen are large enough that you rarely miss them. The screen can be made larger due to the fact that you don't have all these other buttons on the back of the camera fighting for real estate. Sony's Clear Photo LCD Plus design offers extremely vivid colors and a wide viewing angle - perfect for sharing images with family and friends. In fact, I found the 3” 230K Pixel LCD much brighter and sharper and enjoyable than some of the other dedicated photo-album type viewers on the market today. Unfortunately there is no way to download other photos into the photo album for sharing, and once deleted from the photo album, they are gone for good. Also there is no option to select which photos to show and which photos to hide.'
Read more about the Sony Cybershot DSC-N1
Get the Latest Price on the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-N1
Digital Camera Review has reviewed the HP Photosmart R817 and writes - 'Given the simplicity of the camera, its very good user interface, PictBridge capability, plethora of scene modes, ability to share photos by email easily, and integrated HP technologies, I would recommend the R817 as I did the R717. If you come across a Canon camera in the same price range and the feature set appeals to you, it's likely you'll get better images from the Canon. However, if HP would step up to the plate on the noise levels in some of its images, HP could be a leading player in the digital camera market.'
Read more about the HP Photosmart R817
Get the Latest Price on the HP Photosmart R817Recent InfoTrends/CAP Ventures surveys of the professional photography market show an industry in transition. The switch to digital has already transpired, with nearly 80% of pros owning a digital SLR and 52% planning to purchase a new one within a year. The immediacy and flexibility of the digital format has clearly made an impact. The new challenge for pro photographers is to find a way to leverage new technologies, software, and services to grow their businesses.
Survey results show that professional photographers across all specialties are taking a large number of shots – 482 per week on average for digital camera users. The vast majority of these images are saved to a computer, and nearly 65% of the photos taken are edited. Many photographers are using RAW conversion and color management software, and a significant percentage of photos are being published to the Web.
“Photographers are placing the highest priority on generating new business, creating a more efficient workflow, and using the Web for marketing and sales,” said Jeff Hayes, a Group Director at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. “Not surprisingly, when we turn to issues related to digital photo editing and the publishing process, their primary challenges seem to center upon workflow time, color management, and photo management.”
“We see a significant amount of opportunity in this market not only for camera, software, and solution providers, but also for printer, supplies, and media vendors,” stated Ed Lee, a Director at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. “Inkjet photo printing holds a dominant position among professional photographers, but silver halide is still very popular among certain subsegments. Output volumes differ substantially among the numerous photographer categories as well, and it’s important for the industry to understand these variations.”
InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ report entitled Digital Imaging and Professional Photographers End User Study is available immediately. It is based on a survey of 1,000 professional photographers in the United States. The study provides a detailed look into the digital photography behaviors of professional photographers, including what equipment they own; what they plan to buy; how many digital pictures they take, save, store, and print; and the types of software they use. A related document, the 2005 Professional Photographer Multi-Client Study, is due to be published in November.
Imaging Resource reviews the Casio Exilim EX-Z750 Digital Camera and writes - 'Tiny and stylish, the Casio Exilim EX-Z750 is packed with features. But with its its 7.2-megapixel CCD and very fast shutter response it's also an impressive performer. Toss in full Manual exposure mode and its 31 preset scene modes (not to mention Auto) and there's little this subcompact can't do. The mix of features and good performance should appeal to both novices and more experienced photographers interested in a fun digital camera for snapshots. Features like the whiteboard and business card modes that straighten “note taking” shots as well as the voice recorder make the EX-Z750 an exceptionally useful business tool, truly offering the “Unexpected Extra” that Casio claims for its products. Several kid and vacation modes are also contribute to the Z750's utility, and its fast shutter response make it a natural for sports shooting or just keeping up with a young family. Its somewhat overaggressive noise processing tends to flatten out subtle detail somewhat, particularly at high ISO settings, but the effect isn't all that noticeable in prints, particularly at 5x7 and below. A great “take anywhere” camera, the Casio EX-Z750 Zoom is so tiny and versatile, you can slip it in a pocket and go, with the confidence that you'll get good images just about anywhere.'
Read more about the Casio Exilim EX-Z750
Buy the Casio Exilim EXZ750 7MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
Petteri's Pontifications has a good article on the debate between Full Frame and Non Full Frame digital cameras:
'The release of Canon's newest digital SLR, the EOS-5D, has brought full-frame digital capture within reach of a new group of photographers. It costs just about the same as the ground-breaking EOS-D30 did when it was announced. Three grand is still a lot of money, but it's not in the sell-your-car territory where full-frame has hitherto resided (not counting Kodak's efforts, which are in skilled hands capable of incredible quality, but have some serious limitations compared to more mainstream cameras). With used but eminently serviceable EOS-1Ds's on the market too, going full-frame is now a realistic option not only for full-time pros but also well-heeled amateurs and semi-professionals. However, full-frame high-resolution digital capture is something of a mixed blessing. Nikon isn't blowing smoke about the issues with it. It's much more challenging to shoot than APS-C in more ways than one -- but also immensely rewarding. Is it worth the expense and effort?...'
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The Canon Powershot SD430 Wireless (also known as the IXUS Wireless) is a new digital camera with (as the name suggests) wireless technology (802.11b) built in to enable transferring to printer or computer without the need for a cable. The SD430 will be bundled with a Wireless Print adapter to enable PictBridge compatible printers to be hooked up to it.
The Canon Powershot SD430 Wireless features a 5.3 megapixel CCD image sensor, 3x Optical Zoom, 2.0 inch LCD display and USB 2.0 (for those times when WiFi won't be possible.
The Canon Powershot SD430 Wireless measures 99.0x54.4x21.7mm and weighs 130g.
The SD430 will retail for $499.99 (US$) and should hit stores by the end of January 2006.
Get the latest price on the Canon Powershot SD430
Wireless Print Adapter, Sleek New Design and User-Friendly Interface on SD430 Model Makes Wireless Photography and Printing Easy and Fun
Imagine taking a family portrait from the living room and then wirelessly beaming that image to a printer in the home office without ever having to leave your seat. Sound like magic? It�s not. With the sleek new PowerShot SD430 Digital ELPH Wireless digital camera, consumers can get rid of that tangle of computer and printer wires around their desk and take pictures more freely.
Perhaps the best thing about this new digital camera is not just that it�s wireless, but that it�s so easy to use. All the user needs to do is connect the supplied Wireless Print Adapter to a Canon PictBridge printer, such as the new Canon SELPHY CP510 or CP710 models, and press the blue lit Print/Share button on the back of the camera. Seconds later, the image is sent wirelessly to the printer and a photo-lab quality print begins to emerge. How�s that for a magic trick?
Consumers can also wirelessly download images from this 5.0 megapixel, 3X optical zoom digital camera to a compatible personal computer, or even operate the camera remotely from as far away as 100 feet � pretty neat if you�re a parent trying to capture a nice candid portrait of a son, daughter or significant other when they�re not looking. The SD430 digital camera is also sure to be a hit at parties where friends will be amazed as images are automatically transferred wirelessly from the camera to a computer display while the party is still in full swing. A straightforward user interface on the SD430 Digital ELPH makes using all the wireless features on this digital camera a snap.
�With the new Canon PowerShot SD430 Digital ELPH Wireless model, we�ve built a camera that takes the advances of wireless digital photography and makes them so simple that users of all levels can enjoy them,� said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. �Paired with one of our PictBridge-compatible SELPHY or PIXMA Photo Printers, this new wireless digital camera lets consumers easily shoot and print freely without ever feeling tied down.�
Wireless Made Easy
Since the Wireless Print Adapter WA-1N included with the SD430 Digital ELPH is pre-registered on the camera as a connecting device, wireless printing requires no initial setup. All the user needs to do is connect the adapter to a current Canon SELPHY or PIXMA PictBridge printer and they�re ready to go. Once they select the image they want from the back of the camera, one more press of the Print/Share button is all it takes to print wirelessly. When the print is finished, they just pop the image into a frame and they have a great gift with only minimal effort.
Using the IEEE802.11b Wi-Fi standard, the SD430 digital camera can transmit a 5.0 megapixel image file to a compatible Canon SELPHY or PIXMA Photo Printer at high speed in approximately six seconds. With wireless direct printing using the SD430 digital camera, consumers are freed from the trouble of connecting their camera to a printer with a USB cable each time they want to print.
Images captured with the PowerShot SD430 digital camera can also be transferred wirelessly to a PC equipped with a wireless LAN card or a wireless access point device such as a router. When the camera is set for Auto Transfer, all the user needs to do is take a picture. Within seconds, the resulting image appears on the computer monitor at full screen magnification. When Auto Transfer is shut off, images are transferred wirelessly to the PC using the camera�s Print/Share button. Users can even print their images wirelessly via the computer by camera operation alone.
Candid Camera
Another cool trick on the SD430 digital camera is its ability to be remotely operated when connected wirelessly to a PC, allowing the user to capture images to the computer at distances up to 100 feet from the camera. The user can actually track the action via a live, wireless video feed to the computer and instruct the camera to take a picture just by pressing a button on the keyboard. This feature is great for photographing a shy or reclusive subject. For instance, a photographer could set the SD430 digital camera next to a bird feeder and track the action on a computer, hitting the button at just the right moment when the bird lands. The photographer could also bring the camera and a laptop out into the woods and photograph wild animals from a distance without disturbing them.
New Futuristic �Slit & Frame� Design
Along with its technical innovations, the new PowerShot SD430 Digital ELPH Wireless sports a snazzy new design with sharp edges, a soft sloping shape and a blinking blue light visible from the front or rear of the camera to indicate when wireless transmission is occurring. The SD430 model�s new �Slit & Frame� design splits it into a camera section and an antenna section suggesting the elegance of the DIGITAL ELPH line with the high-tech innovation of its wireless capabilities.
Same Powerful Core Technology
Featuring the already proven 1/2.5-inch 5.0 megapixel CCD sensor from the Digital ELPH SD400 and SD450 models, the SD430 uses many of the same key imaging features including an ultra-small, high-quality 3X optical zoom lens which uses two �UA� glass-mold aspherical lenses. The SD430 Digital ELPH Wireless features Canon�s exclusive Intelligent Orientation Sensor/9-point AiAF autofocus system that allows the camera to automatically detect vertical or horizontal direction and accurately detect and focus on subjects within the 9-point focusing frame.
DIGIC� II Image Processing Technology- Hi-Speed USB 2.0
True to the PowerShot tradition, the SD430 Digital ELPH Wireless digital camera has many of the latest advances in Canon technology including the proprietary DIGIC II imaging processor. The processor enhances picture definition, vibrancy and quality, while helping increase the speed of the cameras� startup, autofocus, shutter response, playback and image processing speed while reducing power consumption by 35% compared to the original DIGIC chip. If the user would like to send their images over a wired connection, image transfer speed is accelerated (when used with a USB 2.0 compatible computer, printer or other peripheral), thanks to the inclusion of a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. The USB 2.0 port is backwards compatible (at no increased speed) with computers featuring standard USB 1.1 connections.
Print Photos in Seconds
Like all PowerShot digital cameras, the SD430 digital camera works seamlessly with Canon�s petite SELPHY Compact Photo Printers � an essential PowerShot accessory. Consumers connect their PowerShot digital camera to a SELPHY printer � such as the new SELPHY CP510, CP710 and CP600 models � press the lighted Print/Share button, and within seconds images emerge. Presto! It�s that simple. Canon�s SELPHY Compact Photo Printers are PictBridge compatible. They work with PictBridge enabled digital cameras and offer excellent image quality and ease-of-use, especially when paired with a Canon digital camera. At 28 cents-per-print , printing photos directly from a digital camera is both easy and affordable.
What�s Included
The PowerShot SD430 Digital ELPH Wireless camera kit includes Wireless Print Adapter WA-1N, Compact Power Adapter CA-DC20, Battery Pack NB-4L, Battery Charger CB-2LV, Interface Cable IFC-400PCU, AV Cable AVC-DC300, Wrist Strap WS-600, SD Memory Card SDC-16M and a set of instruction manuals as well as the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disc Version 27, featuring the latest versions of Canon�s powerful software and ArcSoft PhotoStudio
Pricing & Availability
The Canon PowerShot SD430 Digital ELPH Wireless digital camera is scheduled to be available in the U.S. by the end of January 2006 at an estimated selling price of $499.99.
Get the latest price on the Canon Powershot SD430
CNET reviews the Canon PowerShot SD430 digital camera and writes - 'With Wi-Fi networking integrated into most new laptops sold today and industry-standard add-on adapters available to easily upgrade older notebooks and desktop machines, the ability to use Wi-Fi to transfer photos from digital cameras is becoming an increasingly attractive option. Though not the first manufacturer to produce a consumer-level camera with wireless capabilities--Kodak and Nikon came to market before--Canon has created a boon for remote-shooting fans with its PowerShot SD430, a 5-megapixel ultracompact that is basically a PowerShot SD400 with a slightly different body and a built-in Wi-Fi transmitter.'
DCRP reviews the Canon PowerShot SD430 Digital ELPH Wireless and writes - 'The biggest selling point on the SD430 is its built-in 802.11b wireless transmitter. Once you get that set up (which is pretty easy), you can transmit photos without wires to your Windows PC, either as they are shot, or later in playback mode. You can also use Canon's RemoteCapture software to control the camera right from your PC. In addition, the bundled Wireless Printer Adapter hooks into any PictBridge-enabled photo printer, so you won't need a USB cable for that either. The downside here is that none of the wireless features are Mac compatible, though that will change in May of this year when a firmware upgrade is released.'
PCWorld reviews the wireless Canon PowerShot SD430 and writes - 'The image quality of the 5-megapixel SD430 was above average; test images were well exposed, with good color and plenty of detail. The zoom range is 5.8mm to 17mm (equivalent to 35mm to 105mm on a film camera). Battery life was unimpressive, though, with the battery running out after a disappointing 192 images. While that's enough for a couple of days of serious shooting, you'll want to keep the charger on hand, especially if you're using the wireless feature. The wireless adapter consumed a fair amount of power--using the remote control application ran down a fully charged battery in 65 minutes.... Upshot: The SD430 is attractively styled, and its wirel'
Trusted Reviews has just posted a review of the Canon IXUS Wireless where they conclude - 'Although it is a 5MP camera, the file sizes at the Superfine quality setting are quite large, averaging around 2.2MB. Nonetheless the download speed was quite respectable, copying over a dozen images in just a couple of minutes. The range on the connection was quite good too, and I was able to send images to my laptop in the next room with no problem, although this may vary depending on the wireless hardware in your computer.... Although it is very expensive for a 5MP compact, the Canon IXUS Wireless is an extremely high quality camera that is versatile but easy to use, and is capable of taking superb pictures. The WiFi connection is easy to set up and use, and works well. The only question is whether wireless downloading would be sufficiently useful to you to justify the price.'
PC Mag rates the Canon PowerShot SD430 Digital Elph Wireless at 'good' in their review and writes - 'The pricey Canon PowerShot SD430 Digital Elph Wireless ($499.99 list) is the latest addition to the growing wireless point-and-shoot category. It joins the Kodak EasyShare One and the Nikon Coolpix P1 and P2. Like those models, the 5.0-megapixel SD430 lets you connect wirelessly (using 802.11b) to a computer, network, or printer. Overall, this compact camera offers a compelling mix of ease of use, cutting-edge features, and good image quality, but like the other wireless cameras I've tested, it's not quite worthy of an Editors' Choice award.'
DP Review has reviewed the Olympus E-500 EVOLT (they give it a 'highly recommended rating) and write - 'Dive into the E-500s menus and you soon realize this camera offers far more from a features point of view than the competition, you just don't find features like this on a $699 camera; manual flash power, flash bracketing, manual focus bracketing, test picture, customizable buttons and dial, custom mirror-lockup, in-camera RAW development, lens shading correction. So despite some shortcomings, and assuming you can forgive the small viewfinder view you'll be hard pushed to argue with the 'value proposition' the E-500 represents. As a bonus you can always put some of the savings towards one of the excellent Olympus E system lenses (of which there are now considerably more to choose from).'
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PhotographyBLOG reviews the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 and writes - 'the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 is compact, stylish, well-built and takes good photographs that produce great A4 prints. As well as offering full auto and scene modes for beginners, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 also has a Manual exposure mode for the more experienced photographer who wants to take full control, although it would have been nice to see shutter and aperture priority modes too. This is a compact digital camera that will suit both the novice and more experienced photographer, as you can take as little or as much control as you like. In addition the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 is a responsive camera with long battery life.'
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DC Views has a review of the Kodak V550 where they write - 'With its catching design and compact size the Kodak EasyShare V550 is a true photo companion to take with you at all times. Although its features show that it is designed with the beginner in mind, it provides flawless picture taking possibilities which, even in the hands of the inexperienced, will deliver perfect shots every time. Overall we were pleased with the results we got from this little point-and-shoot camera. The large LCD screen makes framing and reviewing images very convenient even to those with less perfect eye-sight. It is viewable in bright outdoor light as well as in dimly lit rooms. With plenty of scene modes there is ample choice to find a mode that reflects the scene your are capturing and when you subsequently get home it is dead easy to share your pics with friends and family, whether by direct printing or e-mail.'
Read more about the Kodak Easyshare V550
Get the latest price on the Kodak EasyShare V550 5MP Digital Camera