Digital Photography Blog: Digital Camera Reviews, Ratings, News, Tips and Tutorials.
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Trusted Reviews has posted a review of the Nikon Coolpix P1 and writes - 'Even aside from this clever innovation, the P1 is a very nice camera in many other ways too. Available at a high street price of a slightly steep £329, you can find it online as low as £243, although the usual caveats about grey imports apply to some retailers.... Even without wireless technology, the CoolPix P1 is a superb high-end compact camera, with attractive and user-friendly design, rock solid build quality, some dazzling technology and excellent picture quality. It’s a little pricy compared to some of its competition, but it’s got the quality to back it up.'
Read more about the Nikon Coolpix P1
Get the Latest Price on the “Nikon Coolpix P1
Lets Go Digital has reviewed the Nikon D2X DSLR and are obviously impressed with it, giving it a rating of 5 stars (excellent). They conclude their review by writing - 'A beautiful, large dynamic range, fine plasticity and a beautiful colour reproduction. Photos that will gain your employer's full approval and satisfaction. The resolution is high and delivers images with rich details. The JPEG images are clean and almost completely free of artifacts. Working with a digital work-horse like the Nikon D2X is heaven, especially for the photo-freak and the devoted professional photographer. Swift startup, reliability, robust built, clear ergonomics, perfect image control and quality, large display are all elements that are necessary for a powerful digital tool with which the professional photographer can reach its target. In short, the Nikon D2X is a professional universal digital reflex camera that will appeal to many photographers. In the end we can be very short about the D2X; it's a fantastic camera. An absolute hit!'
Read more reviews of the Nikon D2X DSLR
Get the Latest Price on the Nikon - D2X Professional Digital SLR Camera
IS, Prime Lens, EF, AI, AF, f/1.4, USM - what the?
One of the problems with getting into any activity as a newbie is understanding the language that surrounds it. Digital SLR's have their own language surrounding them and as a result Chris at DSLR blog has begun putting together a DSLR Lens Glossary of sorts to help those in the market for a lens for their DSLR understand what they are reading. So far it covers some general lens terms as well as some specific to both Nikon and Canon lenses. They invite your contribution.
Ben at Creative Pro reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 Digital Camera and writes - 'there's a lot to like about the LX1. You won't give up any critical controls compared to an SLR, and the raw format and adjustable aspect ratios give you more image-editing and compositional options than you'll normally have on a small camera. Though it's not as tiny as some cameras, the LX1 still fits nicely in a coat pocket or bag, and it's a lot easier than lugging a full SLR kit.'
Read more ratings and reviews of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1
Get the Latest Price on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1K
Digital Camera Info has posted a review of the Kodak EasyShare V530 Digital Camera where they write - 'The Kodak EasyShare V530 was released at a retail price of $349 and then modified to a more affordable $299 price tag. The V530 is cheaper than most of its other competitors and has very similar features: 5 megapixels, a skinny body that can fit in a pocket, and automatic functionality. So while this camera can be tough to handle and has quirks like the eerie green light, it is still a bargain.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Kodak EasyShare V530
Get the Latest Price on the Kodak Easyshare V530 5MP Digital Camera
ephotozine reviews the Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM lens and writes - 'As a wide-angle lens for cropped sensors, this lens falls a little short, with virtually all of the standard zooms giving a wider angle of view. However, on the full frame sensors that Canon are now producing, this lens still warrants its place in their line-up. Nice results combined with ease of use will ensure it will stay there for some time to come.'
Get the latest price on the Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
There's a great article over at Gary Voth Photography titled The Forgotten Lens which examines the recent rise in popularity of the 50mm prime lens.
'The 50mm lens is called a "normal" or "standard" lens because the way it renders perspective closely matches that of the human eye. Consequently, images made with a 50mm lens have a natural and uncontrived look. This is the lens that likely would have come with your camera had you bought it 10-15 years ago. Before falling to its current level of disfavor, the 50mm lens had a long and distinguished pedigree. For many years the defining documentary instrument of the 20th century was the small format rangefinder camera (Leica, Contax, Nikon, Canon) with 50mm lens. Some of the world's best-known photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Ralph Gibson made virtually their entire careers with this combination. With the advent of the "wide angle" Leica M2 and the rise of the SLR camera with its broad range of focal lengths, the 50mm lens began to fall out of favor among professionals users. (I hardly ever used a 50mm lens early in my career.) Today's working pros mostly eschew prime lenses for the high speed f/2.8 "professional" zooms.
However, the 50mm prime lens has a great deal to recommend it., particularly as an alternative to the ubiquitous "consumer" zoom.'
I would echo Gary's recommendations to explore the 50mm prime lens if you have a DSLR.
While the 'convenience factor' might not be the same as if you had a zoom lens attached to your camera most of us have 'zooms' built into our bodies in the form of two legs. I bought a Canon f/1.8 lens for my 20D when I bought the camera and surprised myself by using it as much, if not more, than any of my other lenses. It's the fastest lens that I have in my kit so is incredibly useful for low light situations and I find that it takes beautiful portrait shots.
The other aspect that I love about this lens in addition to it's speed and the quality of the shots it produces is the fact that it's tiny and light. In fact it's so small that on occasion I've carried it with me in a pocket as a second lens.
Of course another factor I loved about the f/1.8 for my Canon is that it's cheap. I love the fact that I picked it up for around $100 (Aussie Dollars). Amazon currently has them for under $73 (USD). It's hard to find a lens much cheaper than that!
Lastly I find that it allows me to get close enough to portrait subjects to help them feel at ease during a session. There is nothing worse than having a camera shoved right in your face and the 50mm allows room to move which puts both subject and photographer at ease.
My only regret is that I didn't save up a little and pick myself up a f/1.4 (it's the next lens I've got my eye on) as the extra speed would be handy. Of course the f/1.4 is quite a bit more expensive with Amazon currently having them for $330.
Article found via DSLR Blog.
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.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Canon Powershot SD340 digital camera
Get the latest price on the Canon Powershot SD430
Camera Labs reviews the Panasonic DMC-FZ30 and writes - 'The Panasonic DMC-FZ30 is without a doubt a very classy all-in-one camera. Its massive zoom range simply beats rivals into submission, while the optical stabilisation really works a treat. Despite its low price, the FZ30's build quality is also of a higher standard than the competition.... If you decide and all-in-one camera is better for you than a Digital SLR, the Panasonic DMC-FZ30 is a great choice. It boasts a massive optically-stabilised zoom, fully-flippable screen, great build quality and decent images.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Panasonic DMC-FZ30
Get the Latest Price on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30K 8MP Digital Camera with 12x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Black)
Pocket Lint reviews the Fuji FinePix F11 digital camera and give it a rating of 8 out of 10. They write - 'Menu niggles aside then, the F11 is definite improvement over the F10 thanks to the new manual control and the good image quality and handling. Battery life is superb so if it’s a compact, stylish high-resolution digital camera your after, at £299.99, the F11 is one that should be very high on your hit list indeed. '
Read more reviews and ratings of the Fujifilm Finepix F11
Steves Digicams reviews the Canon Powershot SD430 Digital ELPH and recommends - 'We loved using the Canon PowerShot SD430. It captured great photos, was a robust performer, and how can we forget its wireless attributes. I think it is very "cool" that you can snap a pic of your kids (family member, friend, etc.) in the living room and have it print out within minutes back in the office, without having to leave the room. With all of these great features and performance, we feel it would make an excellent choice for any consumer in the market for a versatile 5-megapixel digicam. Even with a higher price tag of $499, it still offers a great value, and is sure to be a very popular model.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Canon Powershot SD430 digital camera
Get the latest price on the Canon Powershot SD430
Megapixel reviews the Fujifilm Finepix E900 and writes - 'Attractively finished, and equipped with an impressive 9-megapixel resolution, a 4X optical zoom and a well-rounded array of shooting modes, the FinePix E900 is designed to find a place near the top of anyone's list of potential candidates. Moreover, as do a number of other current Fujifilm cameras, the E900 provides a RAW mode in addition to its JPEG image format, making it possible to get the best image quality possible from its Super CCD sensor.'
Read more reviews of the Fujifilm Finepix E900
Get the Latest Price on the Fujifilm Finepix E900
Pentax Japan just announced the Pentax *istDL2 DSLR today (It seems every time they do an update to their *ist cameras the model number gets to be more of a mouthful).
The Pentax *istDL2 looks pretty similar to it's previous incarnation (the *istDL). It is a 6 megapixel DSLR with a CCD sensor and has a 5 point auto focusing system (two more than the older model).
The other noticeable change to this camera over the *istDL is that it now sports some silver plastic trimming where the old one was all black. It looks remarkably similar in specs to the new Samsung DSLR - the Samsung GX-1S (which is a joint project between Samsung and Pentax).
The Pentax *istDL2 will be available in Asian and Canada but there is no word on if it will be available elsewhere. Pentax Japan have not release price or availability details on this DSLR yet.
Pentax *istDL2 News Release
PENTAX Introduces the Compact, Lightweight *ist DL2 to Deliver Excellent Cost Performance and Simple Operations to Digital SLR Beginners
PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce the marketing of the PENTAX *istDL2 lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera to offer the fun and excitement of high-quality digital SLR photography to many levels of photographers — especially first-time digital SLR users.
Developed as a proud successor to the popular *istDL, this new digital SLR inherits many of its predecessor's popular features, including a compact, lightweight and easy-to-hold body and a simple, accessible operation system. At the same time, it provides several improvements and additions, such as an increased number of AF sensor points and eight user-friendly Scene Modes. As a result, it delivers greatly enhanced overall cost performance to its users.
PENTAX believes that the new *istDL2 is an ideal starter camera for many different users around the globe, ranging from photographic novices and family snapshot enthusiasts to current digital-compact and film-SLR users who want to take up digital SLR photography.
Major Features
1. User-friendly automatic operations
The *istDL2 is equipped with the innovative Auto Picture Mode, which automatically and instantly selects the most appropriate Picture mode from Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro or Action for a given subject or situation to assure the optimum combination of aperture, shutter speed, white balance, saturation, contrast, and sharpness. In addition, the built-in auto flash automatically pops up in dimly lit or backlit situations. As a result, even first-time digital SLR users can immediately produce high-quality digital images with minimal effort.
2. Simple, accessible operation system
The *istDL2 features a functional, easy-to-access operation system to simplify complicated camera operations. From the large, easy-to-use mode dial and the responsive Av/Tv select dial to the multi-function four-way controller, all switches and dials are designed and laid out for optimum accessibility and maneuverability. Coupled with its ergonomically designed, easy-to-hold grip, it assures smooth, flawless operation at every stage of photography.
3. Auto sensitivity setting
Like many digital compact cameras, the *istDL2 features an "AUTO" position for sensitivity setting. In this position, the camera's sensitivity is automatically set by the camera, based on such factors as subject brightness and lens focal length, while the user can randomly select the upper limit of sensitivity between the standard output of 400 and 3200. This position is extremely useful to avoid camera shake in poorly lit locations and to prevent sensitivity resetting failures by the photographer.
4. Large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor
The *istDL2 incorporates a large, high-precision 2.5-inch color LCD monitor on its back panel. With approximately 210,000 pixels, this monitor displays recorded images sharply and beautifully for effortless confirmation of focus and composition, even when the original image is enlarged by 12 times using the digital zoom capability. To maximize the benefit of this large monitor, the menus are displayed on-screen with large characters and digits for easy, quick confirmation. The menu screen also provides an optimum color scheme between menu descriptions and background to assure effortless menu reading under all types of lighting conditions.
5. Compact, go-anywhere body
The *istDL2 offers a compact, lightweight body for outstanding portability and maneuverability, thanks to such advanced downsizing technologies as a high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis, 10-layer electronic circuit boards, high-density packaging technology, and mirror-box and shutter units that are designed in perfect proportion to the CCD size. By combining a compact, lightweight penta-mirror with PENTAX-original optics and focusing screen, it provides a large, bright viewfinder image for easy confirmation of the subject's expression and picture framing.
6. High-definition, maximum-gradation images with 6.1 effective megapixels
Thanks to its large, high-performance CCD image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm), the *istDL2 offers 6.1 effective megapixels. Coupled with PENTAX's original image processing technology using a high-performance engine, it produces high-definition images rich in gradation and saturation. It also offers a choice of finishing touches between "bright" and "natural" to satisfy user preferences.
7. User-friendly guide screen
The *istDL2 features a user-friendly, multi-data guide screen, which offers detailed description of shooting modes, displays drive, flash and white balance settings using text and sample photos, and presents a comprehensive list of all camera settings on the large 2.5-inch monitor.
8. High-precision 5-point AF system
The *istDL2 incorporates a five-point wide-area AF system (SAFOX VIII with five cross-type sensors) to assure dependable, high-precision autofocusing. Using the five sensors positioned in a cross pattern over the image field (one in the middle, two at sides, and two at top and bottom), this system automatically and unfailingly selects the optimum sensor for a given subject. It also allows the user to fix the AF detection point at the middle sensor. In addition, the *istDL2 offers a choice of two AF modes: Single AF to lock the focus when the shutter release button is half-depressed, and Continuous AF to adjust the focus continuously to the subject's movement. *
* The AF-mode switching function is available only when the Programmed AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Metered Manual or Bulb shooting mode is selected. In the Auto Picture Mode, Picture Mode or Scene Mode, either the Single AF or Continuous AF mode is automatically selected by the camera according to the mode in use.
9. Eight Distinctive Scene Modes
The *istDL2 offers eight different Scene Modes (Kids, Pets, Candlelight, Museum, Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Text and Sunset) to simplify camera operations for particular subjects or certain situations. The user can easily and quickly set the most appropriate Scene Mode for a given subject or situation by selecting the corresponding icon on the mode palette displayed on the LCD monitor.
10. Two preview functions
In addition to the conventional optical preview function, which allows the photographer to confirm the depth of field in the viewfinder, the *istDL2 also comes equipped with a new digital preview function, which allows confirmation of not only the depth of field, but also the exposure level, image composition and flash lighting effect, on the LCD monitor.
11. 1/4000-second high-speed shutter
The *istDL2 incorporates a high-speed shutter unit, with a top speed of 1/4000 second and a top synchronization speed of 1/180 second, to assure greater visual creativity. The bulb setting is also available to accommodate extended exposures at night.
12. High-speed 2.8-frame consecutive shooting
The *istDL2 records up to five images (at "best" image quality in JPEG format) consecutively at a speed of approximately 2.8 frames per second, allowing the user to capture a series of photos of the subject's motion.
13. Compatibility with PENTAX interchangeable lenses
The *istDL2 offers the outstanding benefit of lens interchangeability, letting the user take advantage of the wide selection of PENTAX interchangeable lenses for use with diversified subjects and applications.**
** PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount 35mm-format lenses can be used without an adapter or modification. PENTAX screw-mount 35mm-format lenses and PENTAX 645- and 67-system lenses can be used with an adapter. Some functions may not be available with certain lenses
14. Sporty, fashionable design
The *istDL2 is designed to be sporty and fashionable, with eye-catching silver-colored edges around the shutter release button and LCD data panel on the upper panel, and the LCD monitor and four-way controller on the back panel.
15. Other features
• Eighteen user-programmable custom functions to personalize camera operations to user preferences
• SD memory card compatibility
• Storage of recorded images in separate day-by-day files on an SD memory card
• Versatile three-mode metering system, with a choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering.
• Noise-reduction system to minimize annoying digital noise during extended exposures
• Dual power source, with a choice of two CR-V3 lithium batteries or four AA-size batteries
• Effortless PC data upload via USB 2.0 (HIGH-SPEED) connection
• Functional playback functions, including 12X zoom display and nine-image thumbnail display
• A choice of image format between JPEG (good, better or best) or RAW
• Five built-in digital filters (black-and-white, sepia, slim, soft and brightness) for easy processing of recorded images.
• PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 2.1 RAW-data processing software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 2.1 browser software included
• PictBridge compatibility
* PENTAX and *ist are registered trademarks of PENTAX Corporation
* PENTAX PHOTO Browser and PENTAX PHOTO Labratory are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation
* All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
* This product supports PRINT Image Matching III. PRINT Image Matching enabled digital still cameras, printers and software help photographers to produce images more faithful to their intentions. Some functions are not available on printers that are not PRINT Image Matching III compliant
Copyright 2001 Seiko Epson Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Print Image Matching is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
The PRINT Image Matching logo is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
* Design and Specifications are subject to change without notice
REMARKS : This information is current as of the date of publication. Note that information displayed may have already been changed without prior notice.
Trusted Reviews reviews the Pentax *ist DL2 Digital SLR and writes, "Shooting performance is a little erratic. In continuous mode the DL2 can shoot five frames in about three seconds, and after that slows to an average of about one frame a second. I say average because it has no sense of rhythm at all, and shoots at apparently random intervals. ... However, in single shot mode, focusing and exposure are admirably quick and shutter response is effectively instant, which is what one expects from a digital SLR. ... In the default vivid mode, images are sharp bright and colourful. Possibly a little too colourful in fact, with reds especially being a bit over-saturated. In natural mode, images have a much more realistic tone, with just a hint of softness that responds very well to a light application of unsharp mask. ... The Pentax *ist DL2 is bargain-priced entry-level DSLR that combines the ease of use of a compact with the performance and picture quality of an SLR. It may lack some features, but it has all the important ones and even has one or two surprises. Experienced users may find it restrictive, but it is a perfect camera for the beginner who wants to learn, or for those making the switch from compact to SLR. It also gives you access to a vast range of Pentax lenses and accessories."
PhotographyBLOG reviews the Fujifilm Finepix F11 and writes - 'The Fujifilm Finepix F11 is a pocketable, responsive digital camera that can be used in most photographic situations and which delivers fantastic images. Its main strength is the combination of amazing performance at ISO 800 and 1600 with almost full creative control via the aperture-priority and shutter-priority modes. The Fujifilm Finepix F11 will appeal to anyone who is looking for the ability to shoot in low-light with or without flash, whilst retaining control over the picture making process, all in a form factor that can fit into a pocket and be carried at all times.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Fujifilm Finepix F11
The Olympus Stylus 810 is an 8 megapixel digital camera with 3x Optical Zoom and large 2.5inch LCD.
It features digital image stabilization, xD-Picture card, 28.4MB of internal memory, PictBridge connectivity, in camera editing and all weather durability.
Expect to see this lovely looking digital camera in stores in the US in March 2006. It comes packaged with a wrist strap, camera WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, Li-12B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, quick start guide, basic instruction manual, warranty card, CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master software, and camera advanced manual. It will retail at $429.00 (USD).
Compare prices on the Olympus Stylus 810 µ [mju:] 810 and get the latest price on the Olympus Stylus 810
All-Weather Durability Combines with Bright Capture Technology, Digital Image Stabilization and 8.0-Megapixel CCD in High-Performing, Compact Camera
Blurred images may be a thing of the past thanks to the new Stylus 810 digital camera featuring Digital Image Stabilization, a technology that allows you to take crisp clear pictures and to retouch blurred pictures at the touch of a button. The all-weather Stylus 810 produces crisp, high-quality photos in any situation with an 8.0-megapixel image sensor coupled with Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBOTM Image Processor. A large 2.5-inch LCD and Bright Capture Technology dramatically improve composition, capture, and review of images in low-light situations.
“The inclusion of premium features such as Bright Capture Technology and Digital Image Stabilization, along with a large 2.5-inch LCD and 8.0-megapixel image sensor, makes the Stylus 810 one of the most powerful, feature-rich point-and-shoot cameras available,” said Tomoko Matsunaga, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc.
Stylish, Ergonomic Design
The Stylus 810 is defined by high-performance, durability and style. In addition to the all-weather construction that made the Stylus famous, the Stylus 810 features clean lines and smooth, rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold and easy to handle. The compact stainless steel body is less than one inch thick – 3.8" W x 2.2" H x 0.89" D – so it fits snugly into a pocket and won’t crowd a backpack.
All-Weather Durability
Water from rain and snow usually ruins a day of shooting outdoors with a digital camera, limiting your photography options. The compact, all-weather Stylus 810, however, is designed with a durable all-metal body that can go virtually anywhere you can. Rain, sleet, or snow won’t get in the way of great photos thanks to rubber gaskets throughout the interior of the camera that keep the elements out.
Bright Capture Technology for Low-Light Photography
Sometimes, using a flash isn’t the right choice, such as when trying to capture natural lighting. Olympus’ Bright Capture Technology enables even dimly lit subjects to be clearly composed on the LCD. Specific Bright Capture scene modes with high sensitivity (up to ISO 3200), such as Indoor, Candle, and Available Light Portrait, enable you to capture bright images to be captured in low-light situations. And because it enables rapid auto-focus, even action photos can be captured in low levels of ambient light – a necessity when a child is on the move.
Digital Image Stabilization
The Stylus 810 features Digital Image Stabilization Mode for capturing crisp, clear pictures - free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects - with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speed. For any unanticipated blurred images, Digital Image Stabilization Edit presents an easy solution for retouching the image right in the camera. A gyro sensor embedded in the camera detects the vertical and horizontal range of the camera shake for every shot, and then uses this information to compensate and sharpen a blurred image.
2.5-Inch Premium Size LCD
With the large 2.5-inch LCD, the Stylus 810 is a veritable walking photo album. The large LCD makes it easier to see images clearly when composing shots, which you can then gather your friends around to review in vivid detail without having to download to a computer.
8.0-Megapixel Image Sensor for Large-Format Prints
An 8.0-megapixel CCD image sensor delivers high-density images that are consistently sharp and vivid, even in large-format prints.
High Quality Olympus Lens Elements
Olympus photos are known worldwide for sharp, vibrant image quality. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus’ new super high-refractive-index lens elements, designed specifically for digital cameras. The lens provides the equivalent of 35 to 105mm focal length, f2.8– f4.7 in 35mm photography, with 15x combined total zoom (3x optical and 5x digital) to bring the action closer, and a Super Macro Mode that captures details from as close as 3.9 inches.
TruePic TURBO Image Processor for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enables the Stylus 810 to capture information from all 8.0 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. The fast startup of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so you are always ready to take great pictures.
24 Selectable Shooting Modes
The Stylus 810 makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations with 20 pre-programmed scene modes, such as Night Scene, Indoor, Portrait or Cuisine Mode. And with its QuickTime® Movie Mode, the Stylus 810 can record movies with audio of any length, limited only by the size of the internal memory or xD-Picture Card in the camera.
Help Guide for Added Ease-of-Use
With the Help Guide function, the Stylus 810 makes every last one of its features accessible, even to novice users. By simply holding down the Guide button on the back of the camera, users can access brief descriptions of each of the camera’s functions and scene modes. And the improved auto-set Shooting Guide walks users through the camera settings with explanations of which features should be used for the situation, and then sets the camera automatically for the selected feature on the Guide.
PictBridge Enabled – No Computer Necessary!
The power of PictBridge technology enables photos to be printed directly from the Stylus 810 to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. And the one-touch Print button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier.
In-camera Editing
With in-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix, image composition with the option to add a built-in frame or text, and color brightness or saturation adjustments, users can edit photos on the fly – no longer do you have to worry about using computers and editing software for simple image touch-ups.
Easy USB Auto-Connect
Connecting the Stylus 810 to a computer is easy with the USB Auto-Connect feature, which connects directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software.
OLYMPUS Master Software
OLYMPUS Master software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. And with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye reduction, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away.
Availability
The Stylus 810 will be available in March 2006. It includes: a wrist strap, camera WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, Li-12B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, quick start guide, basic instruction manual, warranty card, CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master software, and camera advanced manual.
U.S. Pricing
Stylus 810 Estimated Street Price: $429.99 (U.S.)
Steves Digicams reviews the Olympus Stylus Digital 810 where they write - 'The overall image quality when using the SHQ mode is good for an 8-megapixel model. When shooting outdoors, it produced pleasing photos that were sharp and well exposed. I did notice some purple fringing (aka chromatic aberration) present around extremely lit objects. However, image noise was very low when the ISO was set to 200 or lower, becoming more noticeable when the sensitivity is increased.... The Stylus 810 is a welcomed addition to this "water resistant" Olympus line. While it offers great image quality and versatility with its multitude of user-friendly exposure modes and of course weather resistance, it could use a boost in the performance department. With an MSRP of about $429, I feel it's a bit expensive. '
Digital Photography Interface reviews the Olympus Stylus 810 and writes - 'Stylish and all-weather, the Stylus 810 is a pocket point-and-shoot camera with everything you need to, well, just point and shoot - 8 megapixels for cropping/printing, a large visible LCD, in-camera guide and 20 scene modes. Strange enough, the Olympus Stylus 810 has dropped the few manual controls (aperture and shutter priority) that were found on the Stylus 800 and the lower end Stylus 710 has more scene modes - four extra to be exact - so is this the flagship Stylus? I don't think so - at least for me.'CNET reviews the Olympus Stylus 810 and gives it a rating of 7.0 out of 10. They write - 'The versatile, water-resistant 8-megapixel Olympus Stylus 810 adapts to dim environments as readily as it braves damp ones. Thanks to a combination of high sensitivity (up to ISO 3,200), digital image stabilization, and Olympus's Bright Capture pixel-pooling technology, the Stylus 810 can take and display acceptable pictures in low light. Unfortunately, this camera doesn't do as well in fair weather--its LCD tends to wash out in bright sunlight.'
DC Views has posted their review of the Olympus Stylus 810 / µ [mju:] 810 and writes - 'Thanks to some clever automatic functions this Olympus Stylus 810 is a point-and-shoot model that can be used by any member of the family and deliver sharp and crisp results every time. Its compact size, durable construction and weatherproofing means it can be used under all circumstances and carried with you wherever you go. Image quality of this 8-megapixel model is excellent and its versatility, coupled to its user-friendly controls and multiple exposure modes, make it an ideal companion for those who are looking for a quality compact that can be operated without having to worry about extensive or complicated camera settings. And if you were planning to buy a compact for the holidays anyway, we think this Olympus would not be a bad choice at all.'
Cameras.co.uk reviews the Olympus MJU 810 where they write - 'On the whole the Olympus MJU 810 offers good picture quality. Weatherproof digital cameras are few and far between so this one is clearly an option if this appeals to you. With digital image stabilisation and help text to guide you through the menu system this camera has some worthwhile extra touches as well.... The Olympus MJU 810 is probably the best bet if you are looking for a weatherproof digital camera. It is not perfect, but I prefer it to other cameras in this range. With eight megapixels, digital image stabilisation and help text to guide you through the menu it has some very useful features.'
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The Olympus Stylus 720 SW is a 7.1 megapixel digital camera with a 3x Optical Zoom which is being promoted by Olympus as a camera with 'rugged versatility and style).
The Olympus Stylus 720 SW is shock proof (to MIL-STD-810F standards - dropable up to 5 feet, although we won't be trying it) and water proof (JIS level 8 - allowing it to be up to 10 feet underwater). If you want to dive deeper use the underwater housing designed for this camera (PT-033).
The Olympus Stylus 720 SW also features a 2.5 LCD display, USB 2.0, xD-Picture card and 19.1 megabytes of internal memory.
It will retail for an estimated price of $399.99 and should be available to purchase in March 2006.
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Shock Proof, Waterproof Body Design Combines with Bright Capture Technology to Deliver a Breakthrough in Digital Photography
With the new Stylus 720 SW, Olympus Imaging Inc. unveils its latest evolution in the Stylus series – a digital camera that can withstand a 5-foot drop, shoot under water down to 10 feet, and capture phenomenal photos in any situation. The Stylus 720 SW combines light, durable body construction and shock-absorbing materials throughout the interior with the sealant technology used in Olympus underwater housings. The fully-featured, compact Stylus 720 SW offers 7.1 megapixels, 3x optical Olympus Zoom Lens, 2.5” LCD, Bright Capture Technology, Digital Image Stabilization Mode and much more.
“The shock-proof, waterproof, dust proof design of the Stylus 720 SW sets a new standard in digital camera performance and versatility,” said Michael Barnett, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Powerful, durable, yet slim enough to fit in your pocket, the Stylus 720 SW is designed for capturing amazing images, anytime, anywhere.”
The rugged Stylus 720SW is packed with a wealth of premium features such a large 2.5” LCD and Olympus’ exclusive Bright Capture Technology providing dramatically improved shooting in low-light conditions – indoor, sunset, night time, and underwater. The combination of Olympus’ TruePic TURBO Image Processor and the 7.1-megapixel image sensor captures crisp, high-quality images fast. And the 28 shooting modes – including Digital Image Stabilization Mode – offer maximum versatility for shooting in most any situation.
Designed to Withstand Drops Up To 5 Feet
Built with durable materials and shock-absorption technology that minimizes the impact delivered to the lens and circuitry, the Stylus 720 SW delivers superior durability in a premium point-and-shoot digital camera.
Waterproof to 10 Feet
By combining a lightweight, metal, all-weather exterior with rubber gaskets and O-rings to seal the camera’s interior, Olympus delivers a slim body design that performs as well under water as it does on land. The camera can shoot under water to depths up to 10 feet. The large 2.5-inch LCD, Bright Capture Technology, and four underwater scene modes make it the perfect camera for the pool, beach or snorkeling. Want to dive deeper? The PT-033 underwater housing, designed specially for the Stylus 720 SW, enables the camera to shoot at depths up to 130 feet.
Stylish, Compact Design
Like all Stylus series digital cameras, the 720 SW is defined by high performance, durability and style. In addition to the shock proof, waterproof construction, the Stylus 720 SW features the metal body and clean, smooth lines that make it the ideal pocket camera. At a thickness of less than one inch – 3.6" (W) x 2.3" (H) x 0.78" (D) – the camera easily slips into a pocket, handbag or backpack.
Bright Capture Technology for Easy Low-Light Photography
Low-light photography has never been easier thanks to Olympus’ revolutionary Bright Capture Technology. Shooting in low light is easy with a brightened preview on the LCD; and with specific scene modes for high sensitivity settings (up to ISO 2500) and rapid auto-focus, even fast-action photos can be captured under low levels of available light.
Digital Image Stabilization Mode
The Stylus 720 SW also features Digital Image Stabilization Mode for capturing crisp, clear pictures - free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects - with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speed.
Large 2.5-Inch LCD
With a bright 2.5-inch LCD, the Stylus 720 SW easily doubles as a portable digital photo album. The larger LCD makes it easier to see your images clearly both when shooting and sharing photos with friends without having to download to a computer.
7.1-Megapixel Image Sensor for Superior Image Quality
The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor inside the Stylus 720 SW delivers high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even in large-format prints – up to poster sizes as large as 16 x 20 inches.
High Quality Olympus Lens Elements
Olympus lenses are known worldwide for producing sharp, vibrant image quality. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus ED and high-refractive lens elements, designed specifically for digital cameras. The lens provides the equivalent of 38 to 114mm focal length in 35mm photography, with 15x combined total zoom (3x optical and 5x digital) to bring the action closer, and a Super Macro Mode that captures details as nuanced as the iridescent petals of a flower, from as close as 2.8 inches.
TruePic TURBO for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enables the Stylus 720 SW to capture information from all 7.1 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos. The fast startup of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so your camera is always ready to take great pictures.
28 Selectable Shooting Modes
With 25 pre-programmed scene modes, such as Beach & Snow, Available Light Portrait, Sunset, and Under Water Snapshot, the Stylus 720 SW makes it easy to capture beautiful images in a variety of lighting and shooting situations. And with its QuickTime® Movie Mode, the Stylus 720 SW can also record VGA-quality videos with sound, limited only by the size of the internal memory or xD-Picture Card in the camera.
PictBridge Enabled – No Computer Necessary!
The power of PictBridge technology enables your photos to be printed directly from the Stylus 720 SW to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. And the one-touch “Print" button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier.
In-camera Editing
With in-camera editing features such as red-eye fix, resizing, adding frames or text, and color brightness or saturation adjustments, users can edit photos anywhere with ease – touch up or embellish your photos without your computer.
Easy USB Auto-Connect
Connecting the Stylus 720 SW to a computer is easy with the USB Auto-Connect feature, which connects directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software.
OLYMPUS Master Software
OLYMPUS Master software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. And with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away.
Availability
The Stylus 720 SW will be available in March 2006. It includes: a wrist strap, camera WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, Li-42B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, quick start guide, basic instruction manual, warranty card, (2) CD-ROM’s with OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual.
U.S. Pricing
Stylus 720 SW Estimated Street Price: $399.99 (U.S.)
DigiCam Review has posted a review (one of the first going around) of the Olympus Mju Stylus 720SW and writes - 'The Olympus Stylus / Mju 720SW has a LOT going for it, and would be especially suited to someone who wants to take their camera with them everywhere they go, especially if they're prone to dropping things, getting things wet, getting things dusty. The shockproof and dustproof qualities, and the solid build of the digital camera is likely to make the digital camera last much longer than other digital cameras, this makes it excellent value for money compared to less solid digital cameras. Image quality was generally good, although slightly under-saturated for some people's tastes, and images were slightly soft. Noise was quite well controlled. The camera is very easy to use and there were several features built into the camera to help get better results, such as the digital image stabilisation mode and numerous scene modes.'
Digital Camera Info has posted their review of the 7.1 megapixel Olympus Stylus 720SW Digital Camera which they give mixed opinion on. They write - 'Perhaps the camera�s best asset is its thick metal body: the Olympus Stylus 720SW can be dropped from 5 feet without incident because of its floating inner circuitry and sturdy outer body. This digital camera, with a waterproof classification that allows it to be immersed for an hour in 10 feet of water, also takes the all-weather Stylus line to a new level. On paper, the Olympus Stylus 720SW looks extremely attractive. In practice, however, many of its features fail to impress.'
Steves digicams reviews the Olympus Stylus Digital 720 SW where they write - 'the Stylus 720 SW is a tempting digicam in the weather resistant/water proof class. While Olympus claims it is also "Shock Proof" up to 5 feet, we opted not to test this feature; we'll take their word for it. The camera's 7-megapixel SHQ images have plenty of resolution to create high-quality prints up to 13x19 inches or larger. The only real issues we had were with the poor position of the lens and the below average results of its VGA movie mode. With an MSRP of $399, it offers a great value for a 7-megapixel underwater capable digicam.'
CNET reviews the Olympus Tough Mju 720SW and writes "The 720SW performed well but not exceptionally during our tests; for most photographic purposes it's quite well suited, although we did notice that the shutter was a touch sluggish when attempting any kind of quick photography. Despite the claims of the BrightCapture technology, we found that the camera also tended to overfill any dark scenes with its admittedly dazzling flash, leading to more than a few washed out pictures."
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Megapixel reviews the Olympus Stylus 720 SW and writes - 'The Stylus 720 SW is a camera for those with an adventurous spirit. Easily slipped into a pocket and carried anywhere without fear of damaging it, it can be used in all sorts of situations, in all types of weather, and in just about any place. Its 7.1-megapixel resolution allows photos to be printed out to a 10 x 8 size (26 x 19.5 cm) at 300 dpi, yielding excellent results. Moreover, its fully automatic modes are reliable, making it possible to leave the camera in charge of all photographic decisions, practical when wandering around.'
Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Olympus µ 720SW and writes - 'The new 720SW raises the stakes somewhat. It is fully waterproof to a depth of three metres, conforming to “IEC Standard publication 529 IPX8�, and is also shock proof “according to Olympus test methods�.... Despite its tough-guy credentials and the excellent reputation of its predecessors, the mju 720SW is a rather disappointing camera. Limited battery life, poor image quality and a confusing control system spoil what could have been the perfect travel and adventure camera.'
T3 has a review of the Olympus Stylus 720 SW and writes, "Image quality is pretty damn good for a compact. Even at maximum size, photos have waves of colour and plenty of detail. The flash is strong, but perhaps not powerful enough for serious underwater shooting. Nevertheless, this camera’s combination of SAS levels of toughness and performance make it a real contender."
Infosync has a review of the Olympus Stylus 720 SW and writes, "Pictures had good color, contrast, saturation. The 3X optical zoom sacrificed little quality but when we pushed the 5X digital zoom, resulting in rather grainy images. ... Making a stab at improving results under poorly lit conditions and reducing the impact of camera shake, photos can be taken up to ISO 1600 - but prepare for a certain loss of quality if it's pushed that far. ... Photo quality suffers when the zoom and ISO are pushed too far, but overall snaps look vibrant."
Imaging Resource has a review of the Olympus Stylus 720 SW and writes, "the color is muted and color detail is mushy at best, even at the lowest ISO. Colors on the Macbeth chart not only appear faded next to the sharply oversaturated Verve, it looks like each color was put into a blender and poured back into each square as a pulpy mess. Admittedly, the Verve's sharpness isn't much better, but the vibrant color ads a snap back to the picture. The Canon's colors are more tame, and image sharpness in color areas is considerably better. ... this is a case where the camera is an excellent hardware design with somewhat mediocre image quality. But our printer tests show clearly that what I see onscreen doesn't really make a huge difference in printed output. Honestly, if you're like most shooters, you'll be happy to have this rugged beauty along for all your activities, getting images where you'd normally not risk having a camera of any kind. And a good majority of shooters are hardly using all those megapixels when they output their stack of 4x6 images (you only need 2 megapixels for a decent 4x6, people), so maybe Olympus is right with their strategy of building the camera not only for the rigors of the real world, but for how the resulting images will be used in the real world."
Photography Review has reviewed the Olympus Stylus 720 SW / µ 720 SW where they write - 'This camera is unbeatable if you need something that can take a lot of abuse and might get dunked or rained on. Mountain bikers, climbers, fisherman, law enforcement workers, paddlers - this is your camera. If I was taking a trip to the Amazon and had to travel light, this would be my camera. I am confident it would last the trip. The Olympus Stylus 720 SW will also be a good vacation camera for a family that needs a simple, durable camera that can go from the beach to the mountains to the pool, and get dropped a couple of times along the way.'
The Olympus Stylus 710 is another 7.1 megapixel CCD digital camera to be announced by Olympus today.
It features a 3x Optical Zoom, 2.5inch LCD, USB 2.0, PictBridge connectivity, some in camera editing and 19.1MB internal memory as well as a maximum ISO of 1600.
The Olympus Stylus 710 has 'all weather' durability and is compatible with the new PT-032 underwater housing which has been specifically designed for this digital camera.
Expect to see the Olympus Stylus 710 in stores in February of 2006 for a retail price of $349.99
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Melville, New York, January 26, 2006 – Building on the Stylus legacy of all-weather durability and stylish design, Olympus Imaging America Inc. introduces the new Stylus 710 that delivers premium features, advanced performance and enhanced usability in a sleek, compact point-and-shoot body that’s less than one inch thick.
The camera’s large 2.5-inch LCD and Bright Capture Technology dramatically improves composition, capture and review of images in low-light situations. Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor, coupled with a 7.1-megapixel image sensor, produces crisp, high quality photos. The inclusion of 28 shooting modes offers versatility across a variety of shooting situations. And a built-in Help Guide provides on-the-fly instruction – a handy alternative to toting around a user manual.
“Stylus cameras are renowned throughout the world for their all-weather durability and stylish, classic design,” said Tomoko Matsunaga, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The Stylus 710 builds upon this reputation with the addition of a 7.1-megapixel image sensor, premium features such as Bright Capture Technology, enhanced usability and a sleek new body design.”
Stylish, Ergonomic Design
The Stylus 710 is defined by high-performance, durability and style. In addition to the all-weather construction that made the Stylus famous, the Stylus 710 features the metal body and clean lines and smooth, rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold and easy to handle. At a compact size that’s less than one inch thick – 3.7" (W) x 2.2" (H) x 0.8" (D) – the camera fits snugly into a pocket and won’t crowd a purse or briefcase.
All-Weather Durability
Typically water and photography are a bad combination, limiting your outdoor photography options when rain, snow or sea is involved. But the compact, all-weather Stylus 710 can go virtually anywhere you can. The body construction is durable and lightweight with rubber gaskets throughout the interior to ensure that rain, sleet, or snow won’t get in the way of great photos.
Bright Capture Technology for Low-Light Photography
There are times when you want to photograph subjects in low light without having to use a flash – such as when trying to capture the softness and warmth of a candlelit dinner, or natural skin tones in subdued lighting. Olympus’ revolutionary Bright Capture Technology makes it possible to clearly compose subjects on the LCD. With rapid auto-focus and specific scene modes with high sensitivity (up to ISO 2500), you can capture bright images even in ambient light.
Digital Image Stabilization Mode
The Stylus 710 features Digital Image Stabilization Mode for capturing crisp, clear pictures - free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects - with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speed.
2.5-Inch Premium Size LCD
With the large 2.5-inch LCD, the Stylus 710 is a veritable walking photo album. The large LCD makes it easier to see images clearly when composing shots, and when gathering friends around to review them in vivid detail without having to download to a computer.
7.1-Megapixel Image Sensor for Large-Format Prints
The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor inside the Stylus 710 delivers high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even in large-format prints – up to poster sizes as large as 16 x 20 inches.
High Quality Olympus Lens Elements
Olympus photos are known worldwide for sharp, vibrant image quality. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus’ super high-refractive-index lens elements, designed specifically for digital cameras. The lens provides the equivalent of 37 to 111 mm focal length in 35mm photography, with 15x combined total zoom (3x optical and 5x digital) to bring the action closer, and a Super Macro Mode that captures details from as close as 3.2 inches.
TruePic TURBO Image Processor for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enables the Stylus 710 to capture information from all 7.1 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. The fast startup of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so you are always ready to take great pictures.
28 Selectable Shooting Modes
With 24 pre-programmed scene modes, such as Indoor, Candle or Auction, the Stylus 710 makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations. And with its QuickTime® Movie Mode, the Stylus 710 can record movies with audio of any length, limited only by the size of the internal memory or xD-Picture Card in the camera.
Help Guide for Added Ease-of-Use
With the Help Guide function, the Stylus 710 makes every last one of its features accessible, even to novice users. By simply holding down the Guide button on the back of the camera, users can access brief descriptions of each of the camera’s functions and scene modes. An improved auto-set Shooting Guide provides users with an explanation of which features to use in a given situation, and then sets the camera automatically for the selected feature on the Guide.
PictBridge Enabled – No Computer Necessary!
Printing and sharing images has never been easier. The power of PictBridge technology enables photos to be printed directly from the Stylus 710 to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. And the one-touch Print button makes printing a single-step process.
In-camera Editing
With in-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix, image composition with the option to add a built-in frame or text, and color brightness or saturation adjustments, users can edit photos on the fly – no longer do you have to worry about using computers and editing software for simple image touch-ups.
Underwater Photography
The new PT-032 underwater housing is created specially for the Stylus 710 – so you can take your camera with you on your underwater excursions. The large 2.5-inch LCD, compact body size and three underwater scene modes make it the perfect camera to take along diving. And with Bright Capture Technology you’ll be able to easily preview images on the LCD even in the darkness under water.
Easy USB Auto-Connect
Connecting the Stylus 710 to a computer is easy with the USB Auto-Connect feature, which connects directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software.
OLYMPUS Master Software
OLYMPUS Master software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. And with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye reduction, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away.
Availability
The Stylus 710 will be available in February 2006. It includes: a wrist strap, camera WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, Li-42B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, quick start guide, basic instruction manual, warranty card, CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master software, and camera advanced manual.
U.S. Pricing
Stylus 710 Estimated Street Price: $349.99 (U.S.)
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Digital Camera Info has a review of the Olympus Stylus 710 where they recommend - 'The Stylus 710's menu system is easy to use and get around. Even though the menus area all vertical (no horizontal tabbing), the screen provides an indication of where you are at all times. If you don't want to dig for the right settings for a particular shot, use the Guide mode to find your scenario and let it set the camera for you. The Olympus Stylus 710 is a good option for the folks who need a little more ruggedness in a camera but don't need a full waterproof camera. The 710 will survive a rain shower unscathed. The 7.1 megapixel capture resolution is more than enough to make a large print of a great landscape that you mountain biked 25 miles to get to. The camera is also stylish and compact enough to take out on a night on the town.'
Steves Digicams reviews the Olympus Stylus Digital 710 and writes - 'the Olympus Stylus 710 continues the tradition of the Stylus line by offering good image quality, great performance, and sleek design all packed in a weather resistant shell. This is one of our favorite models in this series, when you pick one up you'll see why. It was a blast to use and I found very few problems in actual use. The image quality could be better and unfortunately it uses the incredibly slow xD memory cards that Olympus and Fujifilm designed (we hope someday they'll switch to SD). If you're in the market for a versatile little pocket-rocket that you can take out into the rain, look no further. With an MSRP of about $349, we feel it offers an outstanding value and should be a very popular model this year.'
DCRP has posted a review of the Olympus Stylus 710 where they write - 'The Stylus 710 is a very stylish, wedge-shaped ultra-compact camera. Olympus touts its scratchproof finish, and sure enough, the Stylus was the only metal camera to survive my ten camera Stanford trip without even a mark. Not only is the body scratchproof, but it's also water resistant as well. While you can't go swimming with it (without the optional underwater case, that is), the Stylus can get splashed, and since everything is sealed, dust, sand, and dirt stay out of the camera's important parts too. The camera is well designed for the most part, though it would've been nice if some of the buttons were a little bit larger. The Stylus has a large 2.5" LCD display that's great in low light, but the 115,000 pixel resolution left something to be desired.'
PC Mag reviews the Olympus Stylus 710 and gives it a rating of 'fair'. They write - 'The Olympus Stylus 710 ($349.99 list) is a stylish, portable ultracompact that looks snazzy, but becomes less appealing once you see its mediocre performance and picture quality. The Stylus 710 is a 7.1-megapixel camera that features a 3X optical zoom with a 6.5mm-to-19.5mm range (which is equivalent to a 35mm lens with a 37mm-111mm zoom) and corresponding maximum f-stops of f/3.4 to f/5.7.'
CNET reviews the Olympus Stylus 710 and writes - 'If you've ever sat through a graduation in the rain, you know that life's memorable moments don't wait for the sun. At times like that, a camera that can handle the elements sure comes in handy. Though the Olympus Stylus 710's gasketed body fills the bill and its combination of ISO 1,600 support and digital image stabilization can handle any fog banks that roll in, you'll likely be disappointed by the photos. According to Olympus, the Stylus 710's metal, vaguely wedge-shaped body is gold-plated and coated with a platinum alloy to produce an attractive, clean, scratch-resistant surface. The camera's fairly standard control layout is easy to navigate. The shutter release and the power button rest alone on top of the camera. The back panel holds the zoom rocker; the four-way-plus-OK control pad; the mode dial; and the menu, print, display, and trash buttons.'
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The Olympus SP-320 is a 7.1 megapixel digital camera with a 2.5inch LCD and 3x Optical Zoom lens.
The SP320 has an maximum ISO rating of 800 when used in it's digital image stabilization mode and features USB 2.0, xD Picture card and 25MB of internal memory.
It measures 99.5 x 65 x 35mm and will retail for $299.99 when it's released in stores this coming March.
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The new 7.1-megapixel SP-320 digital camera from Olympus introduces state-of-the-art features that enable photographers of all skill levels to express their creative visions. With the convenience of over 30 shooting modes or the option of using manual settings for more creative control, the SP-320 is a highly versatile camera with superb ergonomic design, powerful enough for advanced user yet simple enough for a beginner to capture incredible images. Available add-on accessory lenses, flashes, and an underwater housing further expand the photographic options of the SP-320.
“The new SP-320 digital camera offers a unique combination of power and versatility for users of all skill levels,” said Michael Barnett, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “This full-featured camera allows advanced users to produce professional-quality results, and beginners are assured amazing images with the SP-320’s convenient automatic settings.”
7.1-Megapixel Image Sensor for Superior Image Quality
The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor inside the SP-320 delivers high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even in large-format prints – up to poster sizes as large as 16 x 20 inches.
High Quality Olympus Lens Elements
Olympus photos are known worldwide for sharp, vibrant image quality. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus’ high-refractive-index aspherical lens elements, designed specifically for digital cameras. The lens provides the equivalent of 38 to 114mm focal length, f2.8 – f4.9 in 35mm photography, with 15x combined total zoom (3x optical and 5x digital) to bring the action closer, and a Super Macro Mode that captures the most subtle details from as close as 0.8” (2cm).
Large 2.5-Inch LCD
Composing and reviewing images is far easier when you don’t have to strain. The 115,000-pixel anti-glare LCD enables you to view images in large and vivid detail. Now you don’t have to download and print images each time you want to share them – you can treat your friends and family to a slide show right on the back of your camera.
Full Manual & Automatic Control
The Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes give users versatility and control for optimal performance in any situation. Users can express their creative vision – adjusting the f-stop for detailed portraits with softened backgrounds, or slowing the exposure speed to create the blurred effect of motion, or just sit back and let the camera do the work with the automatic settings.
Digital Image Stabilization Mode
The SP-320 features Digital Image Stabilization Mode for capturing crisp, clear pictures - free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects - with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speed.
Selectable Shooting Modes
The SP-320 makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations with 31 pre-programmed shooting modes, such as Night Scene, Indoor, Portrait, Beach, Snow, or Auction. And with its QuickTime® Movie Mode, the camera can record VGA-quality movies of any length.
Accessory Lenses & Flashes for Expanded Capabilities
Olympus’ SP-series cameras feature a threaded barrel, which enables easy attachment of add-on wide-angle or telephoto conversion lenses for even more creative control. Compatible accessory lenses include the WCON-07F wide angle lens, which enables a wider field of view (26.6mm equivalent) for shooting skylines, landscapes or group shots, and the TCON-17F telephoto conversion lens, which extends the camera’s magnification capability by 1.7 times (196mm equivalent) for bringing subjects dramatically closer, great for shooting sports events, concerts or wildlife.
TruePic TURBO for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enable the cameras to capture information with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. The fast startup of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so you are always ready to take great pictures.
PictBridge Enabled – No Computer Necessary!
The power of PictBridge technology enables photos to be printed directly from the camera to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. And the new one-touch printing button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier!
In-Camera Editing
With in-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix, resizing, color, brightness and saturation adjustments, and adding frames and titles, users can edit photos right in their camera. Simple image touch-ups are quick and easy without the hassle of a PC.
Style and Ergonomics
With the new SP-series cameras, Olympus returns to the traditional compact appearance of its range-finder cameras. At a compact size of just 3.9" W x 2.6" H x 1.4" D and weighing less than 7 ounces, the SP-320 tucks away easily into a pocket or backpack. And the ergonomic grip makes it easy to hold and steady the camera with one hand for fast and easy shooting.
Underwater Photography
The PT-030 underwater housing is created specially for the SP-series camera – so you can take your camera with you on your underwater excursions. The large 2.5-inch premium size LCD, compact body size, and three underwater scene modes make it the perfect camera to take along diving.
Easy USB Auto-Connect
Connecting the camera to a computer is easy with the USB Auto-Connect feature, which connects directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software.
OLYMPUS Master Software
OLYMPUS Master software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. And with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or emailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away.
Availability
The SP-320 will be available in March 2005. It includes: Wrist Strap, Camera WIN/Mac USB Cable, Video cable, 2 AA batteries, Quick Start Guide, Basic Manual, Warranty Card, CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master Software, and Advanced Manual.
Pricing
SP-320 Estimated Street Price: $299.99 (U.S.)'
Get the latest price on the Olympus SP-320
Joshua at DigiCam Review has posted his review of the Olympus SP-320 where he writes - 'I was generally very pleased with the Olympus SP-320's image quality straight from the camera, as pictures came out with low noise, accurate colour, and good saturation, contrast and detail. The camera also provides excellent control over image quality, with saturation, contrast, and sharpness options, and full aperture, shutter and manual controls. The SP-320 is a comfortable camera to hold with a good sized hand grip and a fairly compact but sturdy body. This camera is easy to use (in auto mode) especially with the built in help guide and numerous scene modes, although it offers a mixed bag with regards to camera speed. The camera offers good battery life with high powered rechargeable bateries. The camera has very good controls and features, such as custom white balance, digital image stabilisation, excellent macro mode, and good video features. The SP-320 is excellent value for money as one of the more competitively priced 7 megapixel digital cameras. If you are looking for an easy to use, compact, high resolution digital camera with advanced controls then I would definitely recommend the Olympus SP-320.'
Digital Camera Review has posted their review of the Olympus SP-320 where they write - 'The Olympus SP-320 is a good choice for someone looking for camera with advanced features (RAW, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes) but who still has a pretty tight budget. At a street price under $300, the SP-320 stays affordable for such "advanced" features. The camera takes high quality images with good color and detail. It's also easy to use, yet still has plenty of customizability with custom shortcuts and the ability to set up to four custom modes. Battery life is good, if you can handle some of the power management issues that I've brought up (cycle time and LCD black out after batteries have discharged a bit).'
Steves Digicams reviews the Olympus SP-320 and writes - 'while the Olympus SP-320 offers some very appealing features, it disappoints with its lackluster performance. On the positive side it delivers excellent image quality and has exposure modes to suit the needs of all users. With a street price of $299 or less, I feel it offers an OK value for an entry level 7-megapixel model.'
CNET has a review up of the Olympus SP-320 and writes, "Photo quality is decent; if you don't compare it to that of other cameras, you could probably be pretty happy with it. Hues are accurate and white balance is neutral, but a lack of dynamic range in the highlights make photos look low-contrast with desaturated colors. JPEG images are soft--the raw versions unusably so, even after turning up the sharpening as far as possible--with details falling just shy of resolved. Focus falls off sharply on the left side, producing haloes on light edges. Photos shot at ISO 64 and ISO 100 have little noise, but at ISO 200, the SP-310/320's odd combination of noise suppression and aggressive sharpening yields a noticeable, mosaic-like grain that is visible on 8x10 prints. ... The Olympus SP-310 and the Olympus SP-320 are competent shooters and compact, feature-rich cameras that are nevertheless outclassed by competitors' speed and photo quality."
The Olympus FE-140 is a 6 megapixel (CCD) point and shoot digital camera that features a 3x optical Zoom lens and 2.5 inch 110,000 pixel LCD display. It's aimed fairly and squarely at middle of the digital camera market with a retail price of $229.99.
The FE-140 features xD-Picture card storage, 22MB of internal memory, USB 2.0 and ImagLink.
It measures 96 x 63 x 26mm and will be released for sale in retail outlets in March 2006.
Compare prices on the Olympus FE-140 and get the latest price on the Olympus FE-140
Melville, New York, January 26, 2006 – Olympus today introduces the latest models of its FE line of point-and-shoot digital cameras that combine ease-of-use, style, and performance to deliver a seamless digital experience. The 5.1-megapixel FE-130 and the 6.0-megapixel FE-140 produce high-quality images at affordable prices. But one of the greatest assets of these cameras is their built-in Help Guide that can take users from menus that describe the cameras’ functions directly to the settings needed to take a picture (without the need to carry a manual along!)
'I believe the Olympus FE-Series cameras provide the best selection of features for first time users to explore digital photography. Features such as the Built-In Help Guide, One-Touch buttons, direct printing, and pre-set scene modes are designed for absolute ease of use,' said Naoki Tai, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. 'Even though these models are priced affordably, the FE-130 and 140 offer incredible image quality.'
Built-in Help Guide for Easy Operation
The enhanced Help Guide on the FE-130 and FE-140 cameras incorporates: a built-in manual that explains all of the terminology of specific functions; a reference that explains the pre-programmed scene modes; and a tutorial “shooting guide” that educates users on how to accomplish specific effects, such as “shooting into backlight” and “adjusting coloration.” The shooting guide not only provides detailed descriptions for various photographic scenarios, but also actually sets the camera with the touch of a button, making the transition from learning to doing instantaneous.
One Touch Design - Quick and Easy Access with Individual Buttons
The FE-Series cameras feature an easy-to-use “One Touch” design with individual buttons for shooting, reviewing and deleting images conveniently located on the top of the cameras with icons so that frequently used functions can be accessed easily. The Help Guide, direct print, zoom and delete options are at your fingertips. Macro mode, Flash mode and a self-timer are located on an arrow pad for quick use while setting up the perfect composition.
Pre-Set Shooting Modes Make It Easy to Capture Great Images
The inclusion of 22 shooting modes accessed via a rotating dial and menu button on the back of the camera makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations, such as Sunset, Portrait, and Night Scene. QuickTime Movie mode enables users to create short movies of events that can be emailed to family and friends.
Digital Image Stabilization Mode
The FE-130/140 features Digital Image Stabilization Mode for capturing crisp, clear pictures - free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects - with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speed.
Large LCDs Provide Clear Images
The large LCDs (2 inches for FE-130, 2.5 inches for FE-140) make it easier to see clear images when composing shots, as well as when gathering friends and family around to view the results, all without having to lug a laptop around to present your portable photo gallery exhibit.
Total 12x Seamless Zoom
The 3x optical zoom lens of the FE-130 and FE-140 cameras is a 6.3 – 18.9mm (38 – 114mm equivalent in 35mm photography) that combines with a 4x digital zoom to deliver a total 12x zoom, so virtually no photo opportunity is out of reach. The high-resolution CCD image sensors of the FE-Series cameras capture all the details in your images to create prints without a loss of clarity. The cameras produce high-quality prints that can be cropped and enlarged to 8 x 10 inches and larger.
Fast Response with TruePic TURBO Image Processor
The millions of pixels on the CCD image sensors of the FE-130 and FE-140 integrate with Olympus’ exclusive image processor, TruePic TURBO to significantly enhance image quality and deliver faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBO enables the cameras to capture information from every pixel with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. Superb high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even in large-format prints are the result. The fast startup and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so you are always ready to take great pictures.
In-Camera Editing Features
The new FE-Series enables users to add colorful borders and titles on their images, adjust brightness and saturation, crop and resize images, switch from color to black and white or sepia, even red-eye fix- all without using a computer.
Simple Connection to PC
Connecting any FE-Series camera to a computer is easy with the USB Auto Connect feature, which connects the camera directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software.
OLYMPUS Master Software
Back at the Windows PC or Mac, OLYMPUS Master software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple. Images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. With one-click editing tools, such as red-eye reduction, images can be touched up before printing or emailing. Online support, templates and other user services are just a mouse-click away.
Availability
The FE-130 and the FE-140 will be available in March 2006.
The FE-130/140: AA alkaline battery x2, USB cable, Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick start guide, Basic manual, CD-ROM (includes OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual), ImageLink tray, and Warranty.
U.S. Pricing
FE-130 Estimated Street Price: $179.99 (U.S.)
FE-140 Estimated Street Price: $229.99 (U.S.)
Get the latest price on the Olympus FE-140
CNET reviews the Olympus FE-140 and writes - 'If you want a simple camera, look no further than Olympus's FE-series point-and-shoot models, which have no manual settings but include low price tags and helpful features for photography newbies. The Olympus FE-140 is at the top of the FE series. It's a 6-megapixel digital camera with an extremely average 38mm-to-114mm (35mm equivalent) optical zoom lens, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, and very few intimidating camera settings.'
Steve's Digicams has a review up of the Olympus FE-140 and writes, "Image quality was sub par for a 6-megapixel entry-level model. The majority of our outdoor sample photos had good center sharpness, but the white balance was a bit off, showing a slight bluish bias. Corners of the FE-140's images were noticeably soft, and compression artifacts were evident. The 3x optical zoom lens offers flexibility in composing your shots with a focal range of approx. 38 - 114mm (35mm equivalent.) It exhibited average amounts of barrel distortion at wide angle and pincushioning at telephoto, and moderate amounts of purple fringing were evident in high contrast areas. Image noise was not an issue in our test shots. Auto ISO sensitivity settings can range from 80-320, and Digital Image Stabilization mode can extend ISO to 800. Image quality at ISO 400 was acceptable, especially considering the 4x6 prints that the FE-140's images will be called upon to produce. ... Bottom line - Olympus' FE-140 may be appealing because of its under-$180 street price, but its image quality leaves a lot to be desired."
The Olympus FE-130 is a 5.1 megapixel (CCD) point and shoot digital camera that features a 3x optical Zoom lens and 2.0 inch LCD. It's aimed fairly and squarely at the lower end of the market with a retail price of $179.99.
The FE-130 features xD-Picture card storage, 22MB of internal memory, USB 2.0 and ImagLink.
It measures 96 x 63 x 26mm and will be released for sale in retail outlets in March 2006.
Compare prices on the Olympus FE-130 and get the latest price on the Olympus FE-130
Olympus FE-130 News Release
Easy-to-Use and Affordable FE-130 and FE-140 Digital Cameras
Melville, New York, January 26, 2006 – Olympus today introduces the latest models of its FE line of point-and-shoot digital cameras that combine ease-of-use, style, and performance to deliver a seamless digital experience. The 5.1-megapixel FE-130 and the 6.0-megapixel FE-140 produce high-quality images at affordable prices. But one of the greatest assets of these cameras is their built-in Help Guide that can take users from menus that describe the cameras’ functions directly to the settings needed to take a picture (without the need to carry a manual along!)
“I believe the Olympus FE-Series cameras provide the best selection of features for first time users to explore digital photography. Features such as the Built-In Help Guide, One-Touch buttons, direct printing, and pre-set scene modes are designed for absolute ease of use,” said Naoki Tai, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Even though these models are priced affordably, the FE-130 and 140 offer incredible image quality.”
Built-in Help Guide for Easy Operation
The enhanced Help Guide on the FE-130 and FE-140 cameras incorporates: a built-in manual that explains all of the terminology of specific functions; a reference that explains the pre-programmed scene modes; and a tutorial “shooting guide” that educates users on how to accomplish specific effects, such as “shooting into backlight” and “adjusting coloration.” The shooting guide not only provides detailed descriptions for various photographic scenarios, but also actually sets the camera with the touch of a button, making the transition from learning to doing instantaneous.
One Touch Design – Quick and Easy Access with Individual Buttons
The FE-Series cameras feature an easy-to-use “One Touch” design with individual buttons for shooting, reviewing and deleting images conveniently located on the top of the cameras with icons so that frequently used functions can be accessed easily. The Help Guide, direct print, zoom and delete options are at your fingertips. Macro mode, Flash mode and a self-timer are located on an arrow pad for quick use while setting up the perfect composition.
Pre-Set Shooting Modes Make It Easy to Capture Great Images
The inclusion of 22 shooting modes accessed via a rotating dial and menu button on the back of the camera makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations, such as Sunset, Portrait, and Night Scene. QuickTime Movie mode enables users to create short movies of events that can be emailed to family and friends.
Digital Image Stabilization Mode
The FE-130/140 features Digital Image Stabilization Mode for capturing crisp, clear pictures - free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects - with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speed.
Large LCDs Provide Clear Images
The large LCDs (2 inches for FE-130, 2.5 inches for FE-140) make it easier to see clear images when composing shots, as well as when gathering friends and family around to view the results, all without having to lug a laptop around to present your portable photo gallery exhibit.
Total 12x Seamless Zoom
The 3x optical zoom lens of the FE-130 and FE-140 cameras is a 6.3 – 18.9mm (38 – 114mm equivalent in 35mm photography) that combines with a 4x digital zoom to deliver a total 12x zoom, so virtually no photo opportunity is out of reach. The high-resolution CCD image sensors of the FE-Series cameras capture all the details in your images to create prints without a loss of clarity. The cameras produce high-quality prints that can be cropped and enlarged to 8 x 10 inches and larger.
Fast Response with TruePic TURBO Image Processor
The millions of pixels on the CCD image sensors of the FE-130 and FE-140 integrate with Olympus’ exclusive image processor, TruePic TURBO to significantly enhance image quality and deliver faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBO enables the cameras to capture information from every pixel with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos, even at lower resolutions. Superb high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even in large-format prints are the result. The fast startup and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so you are always ready to take great pictures.
In-Camera Editing Features
The new FE-Series enables users to add colorful borders and titles on their images, adjust brightness and saturation, crop and resize images, switch from color to black and white or sepia, even red-eye fix- all without using a computer.
Simple Connection to PC
Connecting any FE-Series camera to a computer is easy with the USB Auto Connect feature, which connects the camera directly via USB 2.0 cable and requires no software.
OLYMPUS Master Software
Back at the Windows PC or Mac, OLYMPUS Master software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple. Images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. With one-click editing tools, such as red-eye reduction, images can be touched up before printing or emailing. Online support, templates and other user services are just a mouse-click away.
Availability
The FE-130 and the FE-140 will be available in March 2006.
The FE-130/140: AA alkaline battery x2, USB cable, Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick start guide, Basic manual, CD-ROM (includes OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual), ImageLink tray, and Warranty.
U.S. Pricing
FE-130 Estimated Street Price: $179.99 (U.S.)
FE-140 Estimated Street Price: $229.99 (U.S.)
Steve's Digicam's has a review of the Olympus FE-130 and writes, "Image quality was sub par for a 5.1-megapixel entry-level model. The majority of our outdoor sample photos had good center sharpness, but the white balance was a bit off, showing a slight bluish bias. Corners of the FE-130's images were noticeably soft, and compression artifacts were evident. The 3x optical zoom lens offers flexibility in composing your shots with a focal range of approx. 38 - 114mm (35mm equivalent.) It exhibited average amounts of barrel distortion at wide angle and pincushioning at telephoto, and moderate amounts of purple fringing were evident in high contrast areas. Image noise was not an issue in our test shots. Auto ISO sensitivity settings can range from 64-320, and Digital Image Stabilization mode can extend ISO to 800. Image quality at ISO 400 was acceptable, especially considering the 4x6 prints that the FE-130's images will be called on to produce. ... Bottom line - Olympus' FE-130 may be appealing because of its under-$160 street price, but its image quality suffers even in comparison to the entry-level FE-115."
Get the latest price on the Olympus FE-130
The Olympus Evolt E-330 is being billed by Olympus as the first Interchangeable DSLR with a 'Live View LCD'. This is possible by the digital camera having two image sensors, one 7.5 megapixel one (nMOS) for taking images and the other CCD sensor for the LCD's Live Viewing.
The E330 accepts CF and xD cards.
The Evolt-E330 also comes with a tilting LCD (2.5inches) and will be available in store in March 2006 at a retail price of $1100 (USD).
Compare prices on the Olympus E-330 and get the latest price on the Olympus Evolt E330 at Amazon
Since the introduction of the first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, photographers have prized SLRs because they can see with the naked eye, through an optical viewfinder, exactly what is passing through the camera's lens. The 'reflex'; of a mirrored shutter that bends light to the camera’s viewfinder, and then snaps open rapidly to create exposures, makes this possible and gives the SLR its advantage. But this SLR advantage, while delivering high-performance speed and accuracy, has one drawback in the digital age. Because the image sensor is blocked by the mirror and shutter until the moment the shutter button is pressed, the mirror and shutter mechanism prevents a traditional digital SLR from viewing and composing a photo using only the camera’s Liquid Crystal Display as a viewfinder.
As anyone who has used a compact digital camera knows, composing a photo just by viewing the camera’s LCD is easy and commonplace, and many compact cameras do not even offer an optical viewfinder. Composing on an LCD has its own advantages, and Olympus engineers asked the question: How can we design a new digital SLR that delivers not only the traditional through-the-lens optical viewfinder experience of an SLR, but also adds the ability to frame photos with an LCD like a compact camera?
The solution to this technical challenge is the revolutionary Olympus EVOLT E-330 digital SLR – the world’s first interchangeable lens digital SLR to feature a true "Live View" image on the LCD screen, in addition to the optical viewfinder, and unite the best of both worlds.
Live View is Designed to Do More
Users of the EVOLT E-330 will quickly realize that when composing an image on the LCD, they can do more with this camera than they could with comparable SLRs without Live View. Because the camera’s LCD is “articulated” it can extend out from the camera body and swivel downward or upward so the E-330 can be held overhead to shoot over a crowd, or held at the hip or even placed on the ground – something that’s not possible with a traditional SLR that relies on an optical viewfinder alone. Whether shooting from a low angle for dramatic composition or in close for detailed macro photos, with the exclusive Olympus Live View LCD photographers can follow action easily and capture just the right moment with greater creative control.
Large Live View 2.5-Inch HyperCrystal LCD Monitor
Big and bright with 215,250 pixels, the E-330’s 2.5-inch high-resolution HyperCrystal LCD offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors, so captured images can be beautifully displayed in vivid color on the screen with exceptional clarity. Because photos are for sharing, the E-330 LCD features a wide, 160-degree viewing angle on the vertical and horizontal axis, ensuring excellent visibility and beautiful image quality even when everyone huddles around the camera to see what you’ve created. The larger LCD also means the icons and text on the camera’s menu display are large enough for easy viewing.
A New Live MOS 7.5-Megapixel Image Sensor
The excellent image quality of the Olympus E-System takes a giant step forward with the EVOLT E-330. Newly developed specifically for this camera, the 7.5-megapixel Live MOS image sensor, with its high dynamic range, captures photos with accurate true colors, detail from edge-to-edge and lower noise – bringing home all the benefits of Live View and the E-System.
Patented Dust Reduction System for Spot-Free Photos
Dust is all around us, and when swapping out a lens on a digital single-lens reflex camera there’s a chance that a camera’s electro-statically charged image sensor will attract micro dust that can ruin photos. Since the main advantage of using an SLR camera is the ability to change lenses for better imaging effects, Olympus has developed a way for photographers to enjoy the freedom of using all the lenses of the Olympus E-System in the most challenging, dusty environments without compromising image quality.
Olympus’ Dust Reduction System produces spot-free photos with the exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter, a patented ultrasonic technology that shakes at 35,000 vibrations a second to remove dust from in front of the camera sensor every time you turn the camera on, and captures dust to prevent it from reappearing. These spot-free photos liberate users from hours spent retouching images at the computer. The new EVOLT E-330, like all Olympus digital SLR cameras, is equipped with this exclusive user-friendly technology, and only Olympus has a solution to provide spot-free photography in a digital SLR.
Digital-Specific Zuiko Lenses
Olympus offers the largest selection of lenses designed for digital excellence, and they’re all fully compatible with the E-330. Since each lens is perfectly matched to the camera’s image sensor, light is received by each pixel. As a result, images are brighter, more colorful and super-sharp from edge to edge.
The E-330 outfit includes a compact, Zuiko Digital 14 – 45mm f3.5 – f5.6 Lens (equivalent to 28mm – 90mm in 35mm photography) that perfectly matches the imager so light strikes the sensor directly to ensure rich, accurate colors and edge-to-edge sharpness. Its 3.2x zoom covers the range most frequently used in ordinary photography and weighs just 10 ounces (285 grams) offering users an extremely dynamic, portable everyday-use zoom. Close-ups as near as 15 inches (38cm) are possible throughout the zoom range.
Ergonomic “Flat Top” Body Design
The E-330 camera body is lightweight with a smart design that fits naturally in your hand with a full-sized grip, and is light and compact enough to comfortably shoot with all day. In place of the traditional pentaprism design, the camera incorporates the exclusive Olympus TTL Optical Porro Finder coupled with an exclusive side swing mirror that gives the camera its unique “flat-top” appearance and makes it more compact for greater portability. This design also enables the camera’s full-time Live View capabilities.
TruePic TURBO for Clarity and Speed
Olympus’ TruePic TURBO Image Processor provides fast camera response, operation and processing speed for more responsive camera operation. This is done by closely integrating the image processor and hardware elements to eliminate unnecessary processing tasks, accelerating camera operations.
Along with the speed advantages, TruePic TURBO also produces crystal-clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide you with the best digital images possible for every photo.
PT-E02 Underwater Housing
An underwater housing for the EVOLT E-330 that will enable users to enjoy underwater SLR shooting is planned for release in the spring of 2006. Easy to set up, it offers waterproof protection up to a depth of over 196 feet (60 meters). The Live View LCD is ideal for underwater photography because it’s much easier to compose on the EVOLT E-330’s large, bright LCD when under water rather than using the optical viewfinder. And, with three scene select modes for underwater wide, underwater macro and underwater wide-angle auto exposures, the E-330 is designed to perform optimally in the deep.
Availability
The Olympus EVOLT E-330 Digital SLR will be available in March 2006. It includes: EVOLT E-330 Body or EVOLT E-330 Body with 14-45mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLM-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCM-2), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM, Manuals, Warranty card.
US Pricing
EVOLT E-330 with 14-45mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price: $1099.99
EVOLT E-300 Body Only Estimated Street Price: $999.99
PT-E02 Underwater Housing Estimated Street Price: $1219.99
Get the latest price on the Olympus Evolt E330
Imaging Resource has a first look preview/reviewof the Olympus Evolt E-330 and writes - 'Whether the E-330's elaborate and multiple viewfinder modes are worth the effort and a price of US$1,099 can only be determined when we look at the images from a final production sample. If quality is good, specialty photographers will have a unique tool for composing interesting shots and tuning focus with a greater measure of accuracy than is possible with most digital SLRs. And interested amateurs will have an SLR with a live preview for the other parents to envy at their child's sporting events.'
Lets Go Digital previews the Olympus E-330 Evolt Review and writes - 'The introduction of the Olympus E-330 digital SLR camera is very much welcomed and interesting for future development of new generations digital SLR cameras. The Live View mode is a very useful feature and the solution of Olympus is offering simply the best of both worlds. Olympus has invested a lot of their experiences into the new E-330 camera resulting in a rich featured entry-level digital SLR camera with a lot of innovative solutions. 7.5 Megapixels, multi-angle LCD display with Live View mode, and the incorporation of the Supersonic Wave Filter, eliminating the dust problem, are key features to give Olympus every tool necessary to turn the Olympus E-330 into a big success...'
CNET reviews the Olympus Evolt E-330 and gives it a rating of 7.7 of 10 and writes - 'Olympus puts a second sensor to better use with its Evolt E-330: to provide its digital SLR with a live preview, just like those in standard snapshot cameras. Though the LCD certainly can't replace the viewfinder for most shooting, it turns out to be quite useful to have around. Aside from that innovation, the 7.5-megapixel E-330 is a decent, feature-packed, solidly built model, albeit with a few flaws. Opting for Olympus's f/2.8-to-f/3.5 14mm-to-54mm (28mm-to-108mm equivalent) lens rather than the f/3.5-to-f/5.6 14mm-to-45mm (28mm-to-90mm equivalent) that ships with the kit version makes this a more expensive--but ultimately more rewarding one--proposition.'
DPExpert has a review of the Olympus E-330 and writes, "As we expect from Olympus the camera has a nice feel with all controls and mechanical actions nicely damped. Auto-focus is quick and precise. Controls are well laid out and intuitive in use, which is just as well as Olympus sticks to its cheapskate policy of not providing a printed instruction book. ... The E-330 has the excellent Olympus ultra-sonic dust remover, something all DSLR cameras should have. ... we were surprised to see how badly the camera handles saturated reds. Colour bleeding in the red/orange areas on the birds’ chests was so bad that all feather definition was lost. We found a partial solution by turning down the in-camera saturation to its lowest setting. Default colours are absurdly over-saturated. Shooting RAW improves the image quality and the E-330 also records TIFF files which are very large and do not allow the same degree of post-camera manipulation as RAW does."
Get the latest price on the Olympus Evolt E330
Digital Camera Info reviews the Olympus EVOLT E-330 digital camera and writes - 'Olympus is the first to offer a true live LCD preview on a DSLR. That will be a significant enticement for users moving from a compact digital camera to a digital SLR; it's the technology that makes the EVOLT E-330 the first true transitional camera. On top of this, Olympus added a range of other interesting and useful technology. We hope the EVOLT E-330's image quality can keep up with the rest of its features.'
DP Review has posted a very helpful review of the Olympus E-330 EVOLT digital camera. The results were quite mixed and it ended up with a 'recommended' rating (could be better - could be worse). They write - 'Image quality is a mixed bag, you can get some excellent results by shooting RAW and converting, unfortunately the camera's internal processor appears to be the same as the E-300 / E-500 (with a little tweaking) which means a more 'consumer like' appearance to JPEG images and pretty unsophisticated noise reduction, ISO 1600 is so soft as to render many of those 7.4 megapixels unused. Color was good, tonal response was good and dynamic range just where we expected it to be. We just expected more.'
ePhotoZine has posted a review of the Olympus E-330 where they write - 'It isn't simple trying to decide exactly how I feel about the Olympus E-330. It is a well built camera, capable of delivering very high quality images in good light. The live-view display is a useful addition but, with concentrating on this new technology it seems Olympus have neglected to update other features of the camera, like the autofocus system. It just seems archaic when compared to the multipoint AF arrays in cameras like the Canon EOS 350D and the Nikon D50. Negative points aside, the quality of the images produced at the lower ISO settings is very good, contrasty and sharp right to the edges and this alone makes the Olympus E-330 worthy of consideration for photographers looking to buy a camera suitable for most general photography tasks.'
PCWorld reviews the Olympus EVolt E-330 where they write - 'The new EVolt's image quality is good, with good detail and sharpness. Like many other Olympus cameras, the E-330 comes with factory settings that add a big contrast and saturation boost to your images. If you think it's too much, you can easily tone down the effects by adjusting in-camera settings. If you shoot in RAW mode, you won't have this problem. We tested the E-330 with the included kit lens--a 14-to-45mm lens that delivers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 28-to-90mm. The lens is small and well built with excellent edge-to-edge detail and no discernable vignetting (a flaw in which the center of an image is brighter than the extremities).'
DCRP reviews the Olympus EVOLT E-330 and writes - 'The Olympus EVOLT E-330 is a breath of fresh air in the often stale world of consumer digital SLRs. While most new D-SLRs add things like more resolution and a larger LCD, Olympus has broken the mold and given us a camera with a live view LCD that everyone with a fixed-lens camera has been enjoying for ten years. Being a new technology, the live view feature is not without its problems, and the tradeoffs that come with it should be carefully thought over before you drop the thousand dollars (or more) On the E-330. If you can live with these tradeoffs you'll find a capable digital SLR that lets you shoot in ways that were impossible -- or at least back-breaking -- on other cameras in this class.'
Steves Digicams reviews the Olympus EVOLT E-330 Digital SLR and writes - 'As an amateur dSLR, the E-330 competes with prosumer digicams as well as other dSLR's while meeting the needs of the less-experienced photographer. Borrowing from its prosumer siblings, the E-330 incorporates scene modes that optimize camera settings for 20 distinct shooting conditions/subjects. But while most cameras shield the photographer from the exposure settings chosen by a scene mode, the E-330 displays the exposure settings on the LCD. This information can be educational for the intermediate photographer, providing a basis for experimentation using the E-330's more advanced shooting modes. The E-330 also provides 5 dial-selectable Easy Shooting modes whose settings can be overridden.'
Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Olympus E-330 Digital SLR where they write - 'This is a camera that you could use professionally and be assured of good results. Although it may look a little strange, it performs as well as any of its direct mid-range competitors. It has a full range of professional options, including excellent colour options. The live monitor view is a very welcome bonus on an excellent camera.'
Lets Go Digital reviews the Olympus E-330 where they write - 'All in all, the feelings on the Olympus E330 are positively mixed. The image quality should be improved, and the same goes for certain other features such as the live view and the white balance setting. On the other hand, the Olympus E330 is simply a delightfully sassy camera that -in addition to offering a live view- provides the user with a great range of settings that would certainly befit a professional camera. It seems that Olympus use the Olympus E330 mainly to try out a variety of new things on the consumer. And something can always be said for that. A pity, however, that it comes with a slightly higher price-tag than the one attached to the E500. Nevertheless, the Olympus E330 is a more than excellent camera, albeit one with slightly eccentric whims. But let's be honest: doesn't that have its charms in a world where we already see too much of the same thing?'
Megapixel reviews the Olympus E-330 and writes - 'Colours are well reproduced as well, but when capturing photos on a sunny day, using the Vivid setting, which increase saturation, produces photos with even snappier colours that look more cheerful, without being over saturated. The E-330 also stands out because of its low sensitivity to noise. Sensitivity can be pushed up to 400 ISO without any serious penalty on the image quality as at this level, noise is nearly undetectable.'
Photoxels reviews the Olympus EVOLT E-330 DSLR and writes - 'The Olympus EVOLT E-330 has the image quality and flexibility that advanced amateur photographers desire in a digital SLR but seems to be also targeting the beginner amateur photographers who want to make the jump to a Digital SLR with its Live View LCD and Scene Modes. It has 7.5 megapixel resolution on a 4/3 in. (17.3 x 13 mm) Live MOS Sensor, and can be purchased body only or with the 14-45mm (28-90mm, 35 mm equivalent) f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Lens kit.'
Imaging Resource has a review of the Olympus EVOLT E-330 and writes, "The Olympus E-330 is a pretty good SLR. Ask me about the viewfinders, and I'll tell you about the compromises. Ask me about the rest, and I'll tell you that it takes pretty good pictures, and I'd bet it has many happy owners. I've enjoyed shooting with it, especially through the viewfinder. I've not been tempted to buy one, like I was with the Olympus E-500. That sweet, light, nimble SLR charmed me to the core. I still look at it wistfully now and then. Since I shoot only with the E-330's optical viewfinder when it's important, I've come to think of the other modes as unnecessary gadgetry that I'd rather not have to pay for. I've used these modes for the sake of the review. The complicated viewfinder arrangement has gotten in the way of my review of the E-330, really; and I think they'll get in the way for users as well."
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The Olympus FE-115 is not only easy to use, it delivers great quality 5 million pixel photos at a very affordable price. With a 2.8x optical zoom lens and a 1.5 inch LCD screen even photo novices will have a great time using the FE-115. They’ll be able to find their way around the camera’s various functions in no time, as the controls are conveniently positioned and most buttons have just a single dedicated function. In addition, the ergonomically-designed, lightweight silver body coupled with 28MB of internal memory and xD-Picture Card compatibility make the FE-115 great for long-lasting photo fun. It will be available from February 2006 priced at around £120.
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Great quality, digital photography is child’s play with the Olympus FE-115. Due to a “one button, one function” design principle all essential functions such as shooting, playback and viewing on the LCD, as well as erasing, are easily activated via a single button. With a 5.0 million pixel CCD, the FE-115 produces clear and detailed images even if printed to larger sizes. Framing subjects is a doddle – a 2.8x zoom lens coupled with a clear 1.5 inch LCD screen makes chopping the top of peoples’ heads off a thing of the past and when the optical zoom is used with the 4x digital zoom, the camera can even achieve an overall magnification of more than 11x.
Anyone who fancies themselves as the next Spielberg will have no end of fun with the FE-115, as the camera includes a video function and the length of the recording is only limited by the amount of memory available. The camera comes with an internal 28MB memory, but this can be supplemented with compact removable xD-Picture Cards so filming can continue till the cows come home. And should they prefer to go down the natural history route they’ll find that the FE-115 also makes easy work of extreme close up photographs, as in Super Macro mode still images may be captured from as little as 2cm away. Five special scene modes covering popular shooting situations, such as Landscape, Self Portrait and Night Scene remove any worry of having to fiddle around with shutter-speeds and apertures, and should users need guidance on which scene mode to pick they can turn to the help function in the menu for direct on-screen assistance.
The hassle free nature of photography using the FE-115 even extends to printing pictures, as the camera can be connected directly to PictBridge compatible printers – such as the Olympus P-11, which prints in just 33 seconds – so there’s no battling with a computer and no need to take the camera or memory card down the shops. The FE-115 is a great option for anyone after 5 million pixel image quality and zoom flexibility without breaking the bank. It will be available through all photography retailers from February 2006 priced at around £120.
The Olympus FE-115 – main features:
· 5.0 million pixels
· 2.8x optical zoom (equiv. 38-106mm on 35mm cameras) 1:3.0-5.0, plus 4x digital zoom
· 3.8cm/1.5” LCD
· One button per function concept, reset button
· User-friendly interface with useful descriptions of scene modes
· Five scene modes (Landscape, Night Scene, Self-Portrait)
· Super Macro, from as close as 2 cm
· Movie function (recording time limited only by the size of the available memory)
· PictBridge support
· 28MB internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot
· Accepts standard (rechargeable) AA batteries
CNET Reviews the Olympus FE-115 and writes - 'The Olympus FE-115's chunky plastic body is about the size of a large bar of soap. It won't win any beauty contests, but it feels reasonably solid, and it fits well in the hand. The top side of the camera holds a large shutter-release button and a recessed but accessible power button. The back panel holds a puny 1.5-inch LCD and the rest of the camera's controls. Don't expect many options here, but the few settings you can change are accessible through the camera's mode dial; four-way-plus-OK pad; and five additional control buttons for shooting, playback, trash, menu, and flash. A large indentation between the zoom buttons and the mode dial gives you a comfortable place to rest your thumb when shooting one-handed.'
Steve's DigiCams has a review up of the Olympus FE-115 and writes, "The FE-115's Shooting performance was disappointing. Power up to first image captured was about 4.5 seconds. Shutter lag, the delay between depressing the shutter button and capturing the image, measured 3/10 second when pre-focused and 1.0 second including autofocus; both measurements include the approximately 1/10 second delay in the LCD's live image. When capturing a sequence of images, the shot to shot delay averaged about 6 seconds without the flash and between 7 and 10 seconds with flash. Use of the FE-115's red eye reduction flash mode extends the shutter lag to 1 second when pre-focused. The FE-115 does not offer a continuous shooting mode. Image review mode also suffers from poor performance, taking about 4 seconds to scroll from one image to the next."
Cameras.co.uk has a review up of the Olympus FE-115 and writes, "it is important to take into account the price level of the FE-115. This is after all one of the cheapest digital cameras you can buy from a well known brand. ... The results are a bit mixed. This is something to be expected. ... Starting off with the outdoor scenic shots focusing levels are good. A further plus point is that the level of focusing stays fairly sharp up to the edges and there is no really noticeable loss of quality as you move away from the centre. ... It would be too much to expect the Olympus FE-115 to produce brilliant photographs. The camera does have its weaknesses, but that is only to be expected in this price range."
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Olympus UK Press Release
5 million pixel photography for beginners and hobbyists - The Olympus FE-150, an easy way to take great photos
Anyone opting for the new Olympus FE-150 will find themselves snapping away like a pro within minutes of opening the box. The new 3x zoom, 5 million pixel camera has been designed very much with trouble-free photography in mind, but not at the expense of picture quality. The camera’s lightweight, slim metal body exudes style and is compact enough to be slipped into a bag or pocket ready for use at a moments notice. At 6.4cm, the large LCD makes taking photos and viewing the results dead easy. Most of all, beginners will really appreciate the camera controls that are virtually self explanatory. The attractively-priced FE-150 is the perfect solution for all beginners and hobby photographers alike and, from April, will be available from all good camera shops for around £160.
Having 5.0 million pixel resolution and a choice of Scene modes the FE-150 delivers extraordinarily detailed pictures in pretty much any given situation. Its precision 3x optical zoom lens give the photographer the freedom to decide exactly how much of the subject to focus on, as it extends from 32mm wide angle through to 96mm telephoto (equivalent 35mm camera focal lengths), making it great for landscapes, interiors and portraits. An additional 4x digital zoom boosts magnification power even further, great for sports. And the big 6.4cm LCD screen with 230,000 pixels means there’s plenty of scope for admiring the results as well.
Even complete beginners will be amazed (and relieved!) by straightforward camera controls. Most functions are accessible via a single button and the menus, easily viewed on the large LCD, employ easy-to-understand symbols which are supported by brief explanations of each function so that shooting in just about any situation becomes child’s play. Five different Scene modes including Portrait, Landscape and Night Scene are on hand, each preset with the optimal camera settings for each situation. Just select the appropriate scene mode and perfect results are delivered – automatically.
On top of the Scene modes, a Super Macro mode enables extreme close-up photography from as little as just 6cm away, and Movie recording with sound captures action at 30 frames per second, in QVGA quality, right up to the limit of memory available. The FE-150 has 9MB of internal memory which can be simply and inexpensively upgraded by purchasing xD-Picture Cards (currently available to a maximum of 1GB capacity). The latest generation of Olympus High-Speed xD-Picture Cards now offer data transfer rates 2-3 times faster than previous cards and also enable various art and 3D functions be applied to recorded images when used in conjunction with Olympus Master 1.4 image-editing software, which is included free with each camera.
Finally, to help ensure that the FE-150 never runs out of juice just at that crucial moment, the camera is powered by a new, longer-lasting LI-42B rechargeable battery. Hobbyists and newcomers to digital photography will have hours of fun with the FE-150, which will be available from camera shops from April, selling for around £160.
The Olympus FE-150 – main features:
· 5.0 million pixels
· 24.5mm slim stylish metal body
· 32-96mm, (35mm camera equivalent), 1:2.8-4.8
· 4x digital zoom
· 6.4cm/2.5” LCD (230,000 pixels)
· 5 scene modes (incl. Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene)
· Movie recording with sound up to card capacity
· Super Macro mode (from as close as 6cm)
· 12MB internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot
· Supplied with Olympus Master Software and new LI-42 battery
· Multi-language menu (6 languages) plus possibility to download further languages from the internet
Trusted Reviews posts their review of the Olympus FE-150 and writes - 'If the FE-150 didn’t have the Olympus badge on it, I’d have thought it was from one of the less reputable of the no-brand Chinese importers. For a major name in the photographic industry it is a shockingly bad camera, with very poor image quality, dismal low light performance, virtually no features or options (one of which didn’t even work), the worst movie mode I’ve seen in a year and performance that can only be summarised as crap. There are much better cameras available for the same money, so buy one of them instead.'
Olympus Press Release
6 million pixel photography for beginners and hobbyists
London, 26 January 2006 – Anyone opting for the new Olympus FE-160 will find themselves snapping away like a pro within minutes of opening the box. The new 2.8x zoom, 6 million pixel camera has been designed very much with trouble-free photography in mind, but not at the expense of picture quality. The camera’s lightweight, slim metal body exudes style and is compact enough to be slipped into a bag or pocket ready for use at a moments notice. At 6.4cm, the large LCD makes taking photos and viewing the results dead easy. Most of all, beginners will really appreciate the camera controls that are virtually self explanatory. The attractively-priced FE-160 is the perfect solution for all beginners and hobby photographers alike and will be available exclusively at Dixons, Currys and PC world stores from April.
Having 6.0 million pixel resolution and a choice of Scene modes, the FE-160 delivers extraordinarily detailed pictures in pretty much any given situation. Its precision 2.8x optical zoom lens give the photographer the freedom to decide exactly how much of the subject to focus on, as it extends from 35mm wide angle through to 98mm telephoto (equivalent 35mm camera focal lengths), making it suitable for landscapes, interiors and portraits. An additional 4x digital zoom boosts magnification power even further, great for sports. And the big 6.4cm LCD screen with 230,000 pixels means there’s plenty of scope for admiring the results as well.
Even complete beginners will be amazed (and relieved!) by straightforward camera controls. Most functions are accessible via a single button and the menus, easily viewed on the large LCD, employ easy-to-understand symbols which are supported by brief explanations of each function so that shooting in just about any situation becomes child’s play. Five different Scene modes including Portrait, Landscape and Night Scene are on hand, each preset with the optimal camera settings for each situation. Just select the appropriate scene mode and perfect results are delivered – automatically.
On top of the Scene modes, a Super Macro mode enables extreme close-up photography from as little as just 6cm away, and Movie recording with sound captures action at 30 frames per second, in QVGA quality, right up to the limit of memory available. The FE-160 has 12MB of internal memory which can be simply and inexpensively upgraded by purchasing xD-Picture Cards (currently available to a maximum of 1GB capacity). The latest generation of Olympus High-Speed xD-Picture Cards now offer data transfer rates 2-3 times faster than previous cards and also enable various art and 3D functions be applied to recorded images when used in conjunction with Olympus Master 1.4 image-editing software, which is included free with each camera.
Finally, to help ensure that the FE-160 never runs out of juice just at that crucial moment, the camera is powered by a new, longer-lasting LI-42B rechargeable battery. Hobbyists and newcomers to digital photography will have hours of fun with the FE-160, which will be available exclusively at Dixons, Currys and PC World stores from April.
The Olympus FE-160 – main features:
· 6.0 million pixels
· 24.5mm slim stylish metal body
· 35-96mm, (35mm camera equivalent), 1:2.8-4.8
· 4x digital zoom
· 6.4cm/2.5” LCD (230,000 pixels)
· 5 scene modes (incl. Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene)
· Movie recording with sound up to card capacity
· Super Macro mode (from as close as 6cm)
· 12MB internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot
· Supplied with Olympus Master Software and new LI-42 battery
· Multi-language menu (6 languages) plus possibility to download further languages from the internet
Low light need never be a problem again - the Olympus mju 700 with BrightCapture Technology
It's a problem we're all familiar with, the atmospheric lighting in bars, candlelit restaurants and at concerts looks great but flash photography leaves everyone looking like they've been caught in a headlights of an oncoming juggernaut. Luckily the Olympus mju 700 has the perfect solution built in. Olympus's innovative BrightCapture Technology allows the 7.1 million pixel mju 700 to take perfectly exposed shots in low light without having to use flash, so all of the romance, drama and excitement of the occasion are perfectly preserved. And as BrightCapture also boosts the power of the camera’s large 6.4cm LCD screen, there’s no more groping around in the dark to frame photos either. A weatherproof* metal body slim enough to slip into a pocket means that the µ (mju) 700 can be taken anywhere and, as a choice of four exciting colours are available there’s something for everyone. The great looking µ (mju) 700 will available in shops from March priced at around £230.
Like all cameras in the Olympus µ family the µ (mju) 700 looks great, but what are the photos like? With a resolution of 7.1 million pixels razor-sharp detailed images are guaranteed, whilst a bright 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 37-111mm on a 35mm camera) comprised of high-quality lens elements makes framing even distant subjects straight forward. And of course, thanks to BrightCapture Technology, light sensitivity is enhanced so often it is possible to shoot perfectly exposed images in low light without needing to use the flash.
With 23 scene modes to choose from, the µ (mju) 700 makes easy work of photographing in a diverse range of situations, from Landscapes through to Portraits, Macro and Super Macro as close as 8cm . This versatility is one of the camera’s great strengths. Other scene modes, including Night Scene, which extends the maximum shutter speed to four seconds, enhancing operation in low light and guaranteeing that none of the unique atmosphere of the night is lost. To make the best use of ambient light, the µ (mju) 700 features an ISO range covering ISO 64 through to 1600. In 3MP mode this is extended to ISO 2500, delivering great low light pictures free from image noise. However, the µ (mju) 700 is not only ideally suited to available light photography as, with such high ISO sensitivity, the flash working range is effectively doubled making the illumination of even large rooms perfectly feasible.
Don’t Forget the Memory
On top of an internal memory, the µ (mju) 700 has been equipped with an xD-Picture Card slot so that photographers can choose the individual storage capacity they require, currently up to a maximum of 1GB capacity. In addition to a Panorama function, the latest high-speed Olympus xD-Picture Cards now offer data transfer rates 2-3 times faster than previous cards. Various art and 3D functions can also be applied to images recorded on these cards, using the Olympus Master 1.4 software included with the camera. The µ (mju) 700 can also be used to capture video sequences with sound in high-quality VGA (640x480) resolution, with the maximum recording time only limited by the amount of memory available.
Easy to View Screen
The large 6.4cm LCD screen on the back of µ (mju) 700 makes framing subjects straight forward. In dark conditions BrightCapture Technology once again comes into its own, this time lightening the screen so that subjects are shown 4x brighter than on normal LCD’s making framing photos considerably easier. The high-contrast nature of this screen makes showing saved images or movies to even quite large numbers of people easy. And should photos need to be printed, the Olympus µ (mju) 700 is PictBridge compatible meaning that home printing is a breeze – even without a PC. Using the Olympus P-11 dye-sublimation printer, for example, a stunningly atmospheric low light photo just shot at a party can be printed out in 10x15cm format within just 33 seconds and then passed around for all the guests to enjoy immediately!
Weatherproof* construction, low light capability, loads of special scene modes and slim compact design – this camera really can be taken (and used) anywhere. And to ensure that shooting can continue for as long as possible, this model is equipped with a new, high-performance lithium-ion rechargeable battery (LI-42B). The versatility of the µ (mju) 700 even extends to use under the waves as for protection against extreme outdoor situations and water at depths of up to 3m users can purchase the outdoor case CWPC-02. And for those wanting to test BrightCapture on creatures skulking around in depths as low as 40m Olympus has produced the underwater case PT-032.
The Olympus µ (mju) 700 will be available from March, priced at around £230. And as the camera even features a clever Guide Function that explains different camera functions and menu options directly on the LCD screen ( a bit like having the instruction book built in!) the only difficulty will be deciding what to photograph first.
The Olympus µ 700 – main features:
• 7.1 million pixels
• Weatherproof* metal body in four colours: moonlight silver, sunset orange, midnight black and twilight blue
• BrightCapture Technology for better low light photography
• 6.4cm/2.5” LCD
• 3x zoom lens (equiv. to 37-111mm in 35mm format), 1:3.4-5.7
• 23 scene modes (incl. Candle, Night Scene, Beach & Snow) plus Programme c Auto mode
• Movie function with sound. Recording up to memory capacity.
• Macro and Super Macro mode for shooting from as little as 8cm
• Special editing functions to enhance images and to add creative effects: e.g. red- eye-fix, adjust brightness, insert frame and/or title
• PictBridge compatible
• Internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot for new high-speed cards
• Multi-language menu plus possibility to download further languages from the internet
• Supplied with Olympus Master Software 1.4 and LI-42B rechargeable battery
• Optional Underwater/Outdoor Cases (PT-032/CWPC-02) will be available from spring 2006
*weatherproof equivalent to the IEC standard publication 529 IPX4
BrightCapture Technology – How does it work?
In traditional live-view technology, only some pixel information is used to depict the image on the LCD. With BrightCapture technology, all available pixel information is used. Innovative software divides the surface of the CCD into square groups, each made up of nine pixels. Each of these pixel groups is then compressed to a single Super Pixel, and the information from these Super Pixels is then relayed on the LCD to give a brighter, clearer view.
BrightCapture technology is put to continuous use brightening, and generally improving, the view seen on the LCD monitor. It is also brought into play to improve picture results in certain scene modes where, as well as increasing ISO values and adjusting the shutter speed, the output of the CCD is read as Super Pixels. This means that information from every single one of the pixels on the CCD is used, but read out in blocks of nine as Super Pixels, each of which has an average reading of the nine pixels that make it up. After the picture has been taken, the Super Pixel information is expanded to a higher resolution by Olympus’ TruePic algorithm. When dividing the CCD into blocks of nine pixels, an average colour and brightness reading is calculated. This ‘averaging out’ eliminates any extraneous noise within the block and makes colour gradation from one Super Pixel to the next smooth and natural.
Pocket-lint revews the Olympus Mju 700 digital camera and writes - 'Being very critical, image softness and slight lens/optical performance problems reduce captured detail. However, prints up to around 10x8 inches won�t show most of these image problems and the camera�s many great shooting features easily outweigh those drawbacks, making the Mju 700 a great value slice of photo-technology well worth a look. '
ePhotoZine has posted a review of the Olympus Mju 700 and writes - 'The well-thought-out design of the Olympus Mju 700, makes it a very easy camera to use. All of the controls are within easy reach of your thumb and the wedge-shaped body feels more secure to hold than other ultra-compact digital cameras I have used. The quality of images produced is good, although I would have liked the SHQ mode to have used less compression to reduce the appearance of Jpeg artefacts in the images. The well-controlled noise levels up to ISO800 make this a very flexible camera for shooting in all sorts of conditions.'
T3 reviews the Olympus mju 700 and writes - 'At its thinnest point (admittedly it gets a lot chunkier at the controls end), this is a crucial 2mm thinner than its nearest rival, the five-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S2. Whip it out on a wet and windy afternoon and you’ll get detailed and vividly-coloured snaps. There is some slight noise on background sky, but figures in the distance remain sharp. Overall, picture quality is impressive.'
Lets Go Digital Reviews the Olympus Mju 700 where they write - 'Anyone with an eye for design looking for a digital camera that will let them take high resolution snapshots with ease will be able to get along with the Olympus Mju 700. It's an attractive looking camera and I've got sweet memories of the user friendly operation, but I expect more from Olympus. I expect more innovation from a manufacturer that has been at the forefront of photography for many years. A lot of time and money has been put into Olympus's digital reflex series, but the compact camera division seems to be lagging behind. The competition has shown that there are many more innovative possibilities for standing out in this large market. However, the Olympus Mju 700 does what it is good at. It is a stylish looking camera, easy to use and gives good picture quality; a fantastic camera for taking snapshots!'
Sony is taking the lead in bringing the focus on audio performance to the camcorder market with its new 2006 Handycam® models.
Leading the pack are two high-end DVD models and Sony's first hard disk drive camcorder. All models feature built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound and a unique center-channel microphone capability.
"Nothing preserves memories better than moving images with sound," said Linda Vuolo, director for camcorder products at Sony Electronics. "We are offering new enhancements to both audio and video performance in our 2006 product line."
Hearing Is Believing - Now when you record your child's lead performance in cinematic surround sound, you can be sure that his or her voice will stand out clearly in the troupe.
The new DCR-DVD505 and DCR-DVD405 DVD Handycam models support an optional wireless microphone that can be clipped to your subject while shooting. The microphone then amplifies the center channel sound in the camcorder's Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound system.
Thanks to Bluetooth technology, voices and sounds can be recorded wirelessly at distances up to 100 feet.
In addition to audio enhancements, Sony is bringing new ClearVID® CMOS sensor technology to the DCR-DVD505 model. The layout of this new sensor is engineered to increase the number of recorded green pixels in order to boost image resolution and better enable the human eye to distinguish precise detail.
Combined with Sony's Enhanced Imaging Processor®, ClearVID CMOS technology offers a host of user benefits. For instance, the camcorder not only records stunning video but also four-megapixel still images. Its Dual Record function allows users to shoot video and capture a three-megapixel still image simultaneously.
Other benefits from the CMOS technology include the smooth slow record function that allows you to view scenes in slow motion. Three seconds of video are played back in 12 seconds - ideal for analyzing your golf swing or tennis back-hand.
The DCR-DVD505 model stands out from the camcorder crowd thanks to its two-megapixel ClearVID CMOS sensor, compact body design, and wide 3.5" touch panel SwivelScreen™ LCD with Clear Photo Plus® technology for brighter images with high-contrast that are easy to view in virtually any environment.
In total, Sony is introducing five new DVD Handycam camcorders. Across the DVD line, you find Carl Zeiss optics for exceptional video quality, improved menu functions and access controls for greater ease of use, and enhanced digital still functionality.
Most models record digital still images in ratios of 4:3 and 16:9, perfect for slide shows on widescreen TVs. A Memory Stick Duo™ slot has been incorporated into select models so that images can be transferred easily from DVD disks to memory cards and vice versa. And with higher still image capability on these new models, PictBridge technology has been integrated for seamless PC-free printing.
Handycam Family Grows With Three-Megapixel Hard Disk Drive Camcorder
The latest addition to the Handycam camcorder line is the hard disk drive-based DCR-SR100 model. It offers long record times and seamless PC connectivity.
Unlike other camcorders in its class, the DCR-SR100 unit features built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and supports Sony's new optional center-channel Bluetooth microphone for a cinematic sound experience.
The model also sports a three-megapixel Advanced HAD™ CCD imager and Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens for excellent image clarity and color resolution. It records on a 30GB hard disk drive, which eliminates the need for tapes or discs. You can record up to seven hours of DVD movie-quality video or more than 21 hours in long play mode. Users will also enjoy the camcorder's three-megapixel still capture in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, built-in flash, and wide 2.7-inch SwivelScreen LCD display.
For additional reliability, the DCR-SR100 model has a sophisticated back-up protection. The camcorder has physical shock absorbers to protect the hard disk drive. It incorporates G-sensor™ shock protection which safeguards internal mechanisms to help prevent data loss.
Sony is also adding in-box PC applications to back up your video memories on DVD. For example, a DVD burn button on the model transfers video to a PC and automatically creates a DVD, with the entire process taking about 30 minutes for a full hour of high-resolution video. It also comes with DVD authoring software to edit footage.
High Quality Video On Any Budget
On the digital tape front, four new MiniDV models aim to please cost-conscious video enthusiasts with prices beginning at about $350.
All the MiniDV models deliver a powerful combination of precise image detail and vivid color reproduction thanks to Carl Zeiss optics and Sony's high-resolution CCD imaging technology. They feature top-side tape loading so it's effortless to replace tapes while shooting from a tripod, and wide LCD screens on select models to address the growing demand for 16:9 video. The high-end MiniDV models, the DCR-HC96 and DCR-HC46, are supplied with Handycam Station™ cradle, a tabletop cradle that charges the camcorders and connects them conveniently to a PC or television.
The top-of-the-line DCR-HC96 model offers advanced performance with its three-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD imager and Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens to capture vivid video and three-megapixel still images in both 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios. The camcorder is equipped with a wide 2.7-inch Hybrid SwivelScreen Touch Panel LCD screen, built-in flash, an intelligent accessory shoe, and Memory Stick Duo media slot.
Sony's new DVD camcorder models:
* DCR-DVD105 provides the benefits of recording video directly to -R/-RW/+RW DVD media. 680K-pixel Advanced HAD™ CCD, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar® lens, 2.5-inch hybrid SwivelScreen™ touch panel LCD, and color viewfinder. Available in February for about $500.
* DCR-DVD205 includes the above-mentioned features and adds a one-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD, one-megapixel digital still images, 2.7-inch wide (16:9) touch panel SwivelScreen LCD, and digital still image capture in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios. Available in February for about $600.
* DCR-DVD305 has the above-mentioned features and adds Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound capability. Supplied with a Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound microphone, USB 2.0, and Memory Stick Duo media slot. Available in February for about $700.
* DCR-DVD405 features the above and adds built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and supports an optional Bluetooth microphone for enhanced center channel sound. Three-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD, three-megapixel digital stills, built-in flash, and Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens. Available in February for about $900.
* DCR-DVD505 has the above-mentioned capability and adds a two-megapixel ClearVID CMOS sensor, four-megapixel digital stills, a 3.5-inch wide (16:9) touch panel SwivelScreen LCD, a dual record function to capture video and three-megapixel stills simultaneously, and smooth slow record function for slow motion video. Available in March for about $1,100.
Sony's new Hard Disk Drive camcorder:
* DCR-SR100 has 30GB hard disk drive storage and built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Supports an optional Bluetooth microphone for enhanced center channel sound. Three-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD, three-megapixel, digital still capture in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, built-in flash, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, 2.7-inch wide (16:9) touch panel SwivelScreen LCD, and supplied DVD burning software. Available in May for about $1,100.
Sony's new MiniDV camcorder models:
* DCR-HC26 features a 680K-pixel Advanced HAD™ CCD, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, 2.5-inch hybrid SwivelScreen touch panel LCD, and color viewfinder. Available in February for only about $350.
* DCR-HC36 has the above capability and adds a Memory Stick Duo media slot and supplied remote. Available in February for about $400.
* DCR-HC46 includes the above-mentioned features and adds a one-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD, one-megapixel stills, 2.7-inch wide (16:9) touch panel SwivelScreen LCD, and supplied Handycam Station cradle. Available in February for about $500.
* DCR-HC96 offers the above plus a three-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD, three-megapixel stills, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens, digital still image capture in 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, and built-in flash. Available in February for about $800.
All models will be available online at Sonystyle.com/newcamcorders, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide.
All Business has a good 'dummies' article on how to Share Photos between a Digital Camera and a Pocket PC:
'The most straightforward method of sharing digital images between your digital camera and your Pocket PC is to use a memory storage card that is compatible with both units. If this is an option, you can typically just pop the memory card out of the camera, plug it into your Pocket PC, and you're ready to go -- almost.
Your Pocket PC generally needs a bit of help finding files that are stored on a memory card if those files aren't stored in a folder called My Documents. Digital cameras, of course, typically have no need for folders, so they often store image files on the memory card without using any directory structure. Therefore, you may need to explicitly tell whatever software you're using on your Pocket PC to look on the storage card for image files because they won't be stored in the Pocket PC's preferred location.'
Want to know one of the secrets to successful shots of people? That's easy. It's them. What I mean by that is that the art to capturing a great shot of someone is simply finding a way to let their good self shine through.
You see, when someone feels good it shows in their eyes, their facial expression and their body language. And this means that the more relaxed someone is the better chance you have to capturing that great shot of them.
So how do we get someone relaxed enough to get a good shot of them?
Composition wise, medium to close creates good angle for people. There's nothing worse than a picture being too far away. What’s the point of that if youwant to really see who someone is in a photo? In good pictures you can see the person's whole face clearly without any sense of trying to get a better look. The eyes are the thing that the composition falls around so make sure the persons eyes are the main feature, not the nose or mouth.
If you want to get creative then try taking shots of them from a front/side angle and in sepia or black and white. Changing the colour of the pic adds a new definition and depth to emotion of the person. Just remember that colour is just one thing you can do. If your camera has only one setting, then you can ask a photo lab that specialises in digital prints to do you two prints of the same picture; one in black and white and one in sepia. (My lab charges me 64c for a 6x4 print. Very good value.)
With lighting, you need a fairly good amount, such as a flash at a medium distance away, such as under 3 meters, good focus, and the colour of the digital image is important. Its ideal to get the lighting right around the whole person such as reflective, soft light coming from a window for example. Window light is actually a great place to start if your person is indoors.
For outdoor light and people photography with digital, try to take the picture when it's not direct sunlight, as this hard light may cast unnecessary shadows. There's nothing worse than a great shot of a person with a huge shadow of their nose that you can't take your eyes off. It's not very flattering.
Getting your person to feel comfortable around you is another issue too. If they want a good picture taken of them selves then make sure it's not a posed pictures, as relaxed ones will bring out the fun, happy side of them.
And have fun. There is no reason you can't enjoy yourself or be relaxed yourself when taking someone's picture. Once you have all the components right and they feel comfortable then you will have a great picture.
This Portrait Photography Tip was submitted by Amy Renfrey - author of the popular Digital Photo Success - an e-book filled with similar tips on all types of digital photography.
ePhotozine reviews the Nikon Coolpix P2 and writes - 'There is no doubt that this is a quality, feature packed digital camera. The image quality and vast array of menus and features create plenty of opportunities for create photography, whether you are an advanced photographer or not. The camera is also built well, with a very well thought out design, making control of the cameras huge set of features a doddle.'
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Trusted Reviews has posted a review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5 and writes - 'Ultra-slim design and a good array of options cannot compensate for very low picture quality. Image noise, over-processing, lens distortion and purple fringing all conspire to ruin what could have been a nice little snapshot camera. Add in questionable handling and some flimsy components and it’s game over for the DSC-T5.'
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DCRP reviews the Samsung Digimax A55W and writes - 'The Digimax is a 100% point-and-shoot camera, with the only manual control being for white balance. You'll get a nice selection of scene modes and colorful menus, though the latter could be better organized. Fans of movie modes will enjoy the A55W's unlimited VGA-resolution recording, and the MPEG-4 codec means that you can fit longer movies on your memory cards than on cameras using things like M-JPEG.... Camera performance was the A55W's weak point. Startup speeds were average, and I found focus and shutter lag times to be bothersome. Low light focusing was poor, despite the fact that the camera has an AF-assist lamp. The continuous shooting mode was also a disappointment, with a slow frame rate and an LCD that blacks out while you're taking pictures. The only bright spots here are the snappy playback mode and the support for the USB 2.0 High Speed protocol.'
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Steves Digicams reviews the Pentax Optio WPi and writes - 'This is a versatile point-n-shoot model that can be used by any member of your family, whether you're at the beach, by the pool, or even in the water. Its fully automatic "Green" mode is perfect for those beginners who like simple operation, while the Program AE and various scene modes let users explore their creative side.... Pentax has yet again created a "cool" digicam that can capture great photos whether you're at home, in the office, or taking a dip in the pool. With 6-megapixels, you have plenty of resolution to work with and will have no problem making beautiful 8x10-inch or larger prints. Priced at around $299, it offers an excellent value for such a versatile little camera.'
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Photoxels reviews the Olympus SP-500 UZ and writes - 'This is a full featured digital camera, and the range of settings are tremendous for someone who wants to learn and grow in photography: Program AE, Shutter-Priority, Aperture-Priority, full Manual, RAW+JPEG, exposure bracketing, 15 sec. long shutter speed plus Bulb, Selective AF Frame, live Histogram, etc.... The Olympus SP-500 UZ is well designed, enjoyable to use and very easy to get good pictures with. More importantly to the serious amateur photographer, the wide range of features means that this fine digital camera will take a long time to outgrow.'
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The Casio Exilim EX-Z600 is a 6 megapixel digital camera that comes with a whopping 2.7 inch bright LCD display. It features a long life battery (taking up to 550 shots per charge) and a 3x Optical Zoom lens with anti shake technology.
We're yet to see a recommended retail price or due date on the Casio Exilim EX-Z600.
Compare prices on the Casio Exilim EX-Z600 and get the latest price on the Casio - Z600 Exlim at Amazon
The latest evolution in this popular series offers 6.0 megapixel high resolution photos in a stylish, compact, and pocket-sized package. The extra large 2.7 inch Super Bright LCD is approximately three times brighter than the previous EX-Z500 model, producing an impressive luminance of 1200 candelas per square metre.
This significant advancement makes the LCD easier to see, especially when viewed in the sunny outdoors. In auto mode, the LCD automatically adjusts to the brightness of the surrounding environment. The EX-Z600’s SUPER LIFE Battery now has an even longer battery life, supporting a staggering 550 shots per charge*.
The EXILIM line is a culmination of CASIO’s core technologies of miniaturization and digital technology resulting in a smaller, higher resolution camera -the established trend leader in stylish, quick responding, large LCD, and long battery life digital cameras.
The EX-Z600 includes the latest version of the EXILIM Engine, featuring the Anti Shake DSP, which along with the Auto Macro and Quick Shutter functions, considerably reduces the incidence of blurred photos due to moving subjects or shaking hands.
New to the EX-Z600 is the Rapid Flash function, which enables three consecutive high speed flash photos in only one second, allowing you to completely capture the moment without losing precious seconds between shots. The EX-Z600 includes Revive Shot, used to take still images from old album photos for long term preservation and enjoyment. Revive Shot digitally revives faded colours and automatically adjusts for obliquity, even when photos are shot while still in the album.
The EX-Z600 is equipped with a BESTSHOT Button, allowing convenient one-touch access to this popular feature that offers 32 different scene selections, including Anti Shake and Revive Shot, for hassle-free photos every time.The EX-Z600 embodies CASIO’s continuing commitment to offer digital camera users cutting-edge technology and convenient user-friendly functionality in a small, stylishly designed package. Providing the freedom to take high quality pictures and movies anywhere, anytime, the new EX-Z600 makes taking memories as easy and fun as making them.
The CASIO EXILIM EX-Z600 will be available in the UK and Eire from March 2006 in silver, black and blue from all good digital camera retailers.
CASIO EX-Z600 FEATURES
Highly Efficient, Advanced Performance
- 6.0 megapixel high resolution CCD and retracting 3x optical zoom
- Extra Large 2.7 inch TFT LCD display now approximately 3x brighter (approximately 1200cd/m2)*1
- SUPER LIFE Battery allows up to approximately 550 still images per charge on CIPA standards*2
- High quality images, high speed, and long lasting battery in a miniaturized package with EXILIM Engine image processing module
- The Anti Shake DSP (Digital Signal Processor) reduces blurring caused by shaking hands or moving subjects
Numerous Easy to Use Functions
- “Rapid Flash” enables three consecutive flash photos in one second
- The “Soft Flash” function reduces flash brightness when taking flash photos
- “Revive Shot” refreshes faded colours of old album photos, bringing them backto life in digital format
- The “9-Point Multi AF” clearly indicates areas in auto focus when photographing subjects with multiple focus points
- The “Quick Shutter” function reduces mistakes by enabling simple and easy high-speed focusing
- The “Auto Macro” mode allows for automatic switching between macro mode and autofocus mode
- The “Flash Assist” mode compensates for poorly illuminated areas of the shot
- The 32 scene “BESTSHOT” function enables selection of the appropriate camera setting for still photos via an easy to understand sample image menu
- The “Angle Correction” function corrects oblique shots to look as if they were taken from the front during image viewing
- “Colour Restoration” enables digital enhancement of faded colours in old photos during image viewing
- The USB cradle functions as a charger as well as a simple way toconnect the camera to personal computers and other AV equipment
Enhanced Quick Responsiveness
- Once powered on, the camera is ready to take pictures in approximately 0.9 seconds*3
- After the shutter release is released, pictures are captured almost instantly, with only an approximately 0.005 second*4 release time lag
- High-speed image viewing at approximately 0.1 seconds intervals
- The “Direct On” buttons allow quick startup of both shooting and viewing modes
- A one-touch “BESTSHOT” button allows selection of the appropriate mode for any shot
Movie Functions
- Movies recorded in VGA (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 frames per second (Motion JPEG)
- Using the “Motion Print” function, movies can be converted into a series of nine or one single image for printing
- Movies can be zoomed in during playback
- The “Movie Editing” function offers three options (beginning, middle, end) for cutting unwanted scenes from a movie
Digital Camera Info has posted a first impression review of the Casio Exilim EX-Z600 where they write - 'The Casio EX-Z600 is equipped with a 3x zoom, a 2.7-inch LCD with low resolution but a bright display, a 1/2.5-inch, 6 MP CCD, and access to a handful of manual controls which are provided with live view screens and simple interactivity. The EX-Z600 separates itself from the crowd with its wealth of preset modes and in-camera editing features with clear interfaces and full text descriptions. With these preset options, manual settings and a good movie mode, the Casio EX-Z600 should give competing manufacturers a run for the money at this price point.'
Steves Digicams reviews the Casio Exilim EX-Z600 where they write - 'the Casio Exilim EX-Z600 is a feature-rich, 6-megapixel model that offers amazing performance, loads of useful exposure modes, and good image quality. The only real issue I had with the camera was the degrading effects of its Anti-Shake mode - it often uses a very high ISO setting and produces noisy images. However, as long as you are using it in plenty of ambient light, you will not see any of these negative effects. That said, I feel with a street price of $299, it offers a great value for an "ultra-compact" 6-megapixel model that is packed with a handful of "cool" features.'
Digital Camera Review has posted their review of the Casio Exilim EX-Z600 where they write - 'The quick operation, bright LCD, and battery life of the Casio Exilim EX-Z600 are enough to put it on your list for consideration if you're looking for a compact, easy to use, auto-only digital camera. The image quality is good and with a little practice, you can get consistently good pictures. As with many compact point and shoot digital cameras, the more you know how your camera works in certain conditions, the better you get at taking good pictures with it.'
Photography Review has a review up of the Casio Exilim EX-Z600 and writes, "The EX-Z600's image quality is okay - about what you'd expect from a point-and-shoot digital camera. The manual ISO range is limited from 50-400. Under the BS key you can boost the ISO to 800 with the "High Sensitivity" mode. When set to auto-ISO the camera does a good job choosing an appropriate sensitivity between ISO 50 and 800. Of course, at higher ISO's the quality of the images is greatly affected by obvious noise. ... This is not a ground-breaking camera. It is, overall, one of the better point-and-shoots I have used -. The nice thing about the EX-Z600 is that you can count on it to simply and quickly produce a quality image. It's pretty "idiot proof." There are plenty of custom features included, if they are a bit hard to find. It's definitely a better point-and-shoot and easily compares with Canon's SD600 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01K. As long as you are not expecting a professional camera hidden in a point-and-shoot package, then you'll be happy with this camera. If you're going somewhere where image quality Is the top priority, then this isn't the right camera."
Think Camera rate the Casio Exilim EX-Z600 as a 9 out of 10 camera in their review. They write - 'This is a very good camera indeed. Don't confuse the Z600 with the S600 which is even tinier but doesn't take nearly such good pictures. Battery life is great at 4 - 500 shots and this camera would be on my shortlist if I was shopping for a compact digicam. The only downsides are minor niggles and the upsides are speedy response, great screen and excellent image quality. Low light pictures are particularly good with the Z600. Online suppliers are showing this camera at between £150 and £200 complete with the docking cradle and I would expect even this to drop as the camera is replaced with the Z700. '
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Imaging Resource reviews the Nikon Coolpix 7600 Digital Camera and writes - 'The Nikon Coolpix 7600 would be a good choice for anyone who wants an easy to use camera that delivers good-looking pictures with pleasing color and plenty of resolution. For those willing to delve just slightly deeper than “just pushing the button,” its extensive scene modes and unique framing-assist options greatly extend the camera's capabilities, making it easy to bring back good-looking shots of what might otherwise be difficult subjects. All in all, a good choice for the point & shoot user looking for an easy to use, compact digicam with a surprising range of capabilities. I would liked to have seen better low-light exposure capability, less-noisy flash shots at distances greater than 9 feet, and less color left in images shot under incandescent lighting, but the bottom line is that I think a lot of consumers will be very pleased by the Coolpix 7600's photos.'
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There are rumors flying around the Digital Camera space that a Canon EOS 20D replacement is just around the corner with a series of photos and lists of specifications of the digital camera - as well as a raft of suggestions on what it's name might be.
One name that seems to have some credibility with some in the know is the Canon EOS 35D with the following two images emailed to me today by readers - one seemingly a Canon EOS 35D instruction book and the other a picture of the rumored camera with the number blurred. The second image looks a lot like the 20D to me with a few minor differences.
35D is a bit of an odd number choice but you never know.
As usual with stories like these - this is all speculation and rumor at this point but it sure is getting a few Canon addicts (like me) excited!
The Panasonic DMC-FZ7 is a six megapixel digital camera with a large 12x Optical Zoom lens (with image stabilization) that succeeds the FZ5. It has a larger 2.5inch LCD display as well as extended ISO range (up to 1600 now) and the joystick control system from the LX1.
The Panasonic DMC-FZ7 will be priced at $399 USD and goes on sale in March of 2006.
Compare prices on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 and get the latest price at Amazon.
Panasonic Announces DMC-FZ7 12x Zoom, 6 MP DSC
Panasonic introduces the latest addition to its celebrated Lumix digital camera line with the new, six-megapixel DMC-FZ7. This compact camera features a Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens system, powerful 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 36mm to 432mm on a 35mm film camera lens) with aperture of F2.8 to 3.3, and Panasonic's MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer.
This compact, feature-packed model is Panasonic's most "anti-blur" camera ever, addressing the two major causes of blurred images: hand movement and subject movement. The DMC-FZ7 incorporates Panasonic's acclaimed MEGA Optical Image Stabilization technology, which uses a gyrosensor to detect and compensate for hand movement by shifting internal lens elements. It is a true optical system; the image is not electronically processed so there is minimal degradation and exceptional picture quality. MEGA OIS is especially important when utilizing the 12x optical zoom of the DMC-FZ7. At the greatest zoom, even the smallest hand movement could ruin the shot. With MEGA OIS, the image remains steady.
Additionally, the new DMC-FZ7 features a new High Sensitivity Mode which suppresses blur caused by quickly or unpredictably moving subjects, especially when shooting indoors with fast shutter speeds. The MEGA O.I.S. feature and High Sensitivity Mode allow the user to shoot with a maximum ISO 1600 setting.
"Panasonic's Optical Image Stabilizer technology used with this new High Sensitivity Mode dramatically helps consumers at all skill levels capture great shots," said Monica Helmer, marketing manager for Panasonic's Optical Group. "Everything about the DMC-FZ7 is designed to allow anyone to get high-quality results, whether composing a macro shot or catching the action on the fly."
The DMC-FZ7 packs a wealth of advanced technology and easy-to-use features in a sleek, compact package. It is equipped with both automatic and manual controls that meet the needs of prosumers and beginners alike.
Panasonic's LSI Venus Engine II handles image processing, LCD functions, and writing to the memory card simultaneously, making the DMC-FZ7 incredibly responsive with an industry-leading release time lag of 0.008 seconds minimum and shutter interval of approx. 0.5 seconds(1) minimum. The LSI also enables lightning-fast consecutive shooting capability, capturing sequential shots at a rate of up to 3 frames per second at full resolution(2). An unlimited(3) consecutive shooting function allows the user to take photos in succession until the memory card is full. The LSI also improves horizontal, vertical and diagonal resolution.
Users may choose from selectable AF settings. In addition to the 9-point, 3-point high speed, 1-point normal speed and Spot autofocus, the DMC-FZ7 can be set to 1-point high-speed autofocus. This setting nearly eliminates the time lag that often occurs with high-magnification zoom shots, letting users capture those great, spontaneous moments. An AF Assist Lamp provides extra lighting as a focusing aid for slightly dark situations where AF focusing would ordinarily be difficult.
The DMC-FZ7 also includes a new, large 710 mAh battery to help extend the amount of pictures taken on one charge; 16 scene modes; 4x digital zoom; color viewfinder; 2.5-inch LCD monitor; and normal (640 x 480) and wide (848 x 480) VGA motion image recording. Optional accessories include ND filters, AC adaptor, MC protector, close-up lens, wide conversion lens and tele conversion lens.
The DMC-FZ7 is scheduled for March delivery and will have a suggested retail price of $399.95.
1- Not including time for AF.
2- Max 13 images in standard mode/7 images in fine mode.
3- The speed of the consecutive shooting varies depending on the memory card. The number of recordable pictures depends on the memory card size, battery life, picture size and compression.
Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.
The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company's quality standards.
The use of recorded or printed materials that are protected by copyright for any purpose other than personal enjoyment is prohibited, as it would infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder.
All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.
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Digital Camera Info reviews the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 Digital Camera and writes - 'The FZ7 should attract a loyal following. It's easy and fun to use. It's versatile, and cheap for what you get. In our experience, no one does image stabilization better on compact cameras than Panasonic up to this point, and we give the company credit for its work on the technology. We also really like the lens. Not only does it have a nice range, but it maintains a wide aperture throughout that range. The FZ7 is a very useful camera and is easily transportable.'
DP Review has posted an excellent review of the six megapixel Panasonic DMC-FZ7 where they give it a rating of 'recommended'. It's safe to say that the FZ7 didn't get them too excited but that it's a good solid performer. They write - 'Over the last few years we've been spoilt - cameras have seen huge leaps in capabilities from one generation to the next, whilst at the same time prices have steadily been falling. I think it's safe to say that for the time being we've got to accept that these 'great leaps forward' are fewer and farther between, and the best we can expect from new models is tweaks and minor face lifts. In this context the FZ7 is a welcome upgrade to an already excellent camera - it offers everything that made the FZ5 so great, and adds a few features, better manual control (via the new joystick) and a refined design. And of course you still get a very reliable image stabilization system and a superb, fast 12x Leica-designed lens.'
Steves Digicams reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 and writes - 'I was very happy with the FZ7. It is a robust performer that captures beautiful 6-megapixel images, possesses a generous 12x zoom range, and let's not forget it can be easily used by every person in your household or office. With 6-megapixels, you can create stunning prints up to 13x19-inches. We feel the FZ7 will make an excellent choice for any consumer in the market for an affordable �super-zoom� model. With an MSRP of under $400 dollars, it offers a great �bang for your buck� and is sure to be a very popular model this year.'
Digital Camera Resource Page have a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 where they recommend - 'Despite a few flaws (most notably noise in images), the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 is a very likable ultra zoom camera, and one that I can recommend. It combines high quality optics, image stabilization, manual features, and performance, without breaking the bank. The noise issue might only be a problem for those who will be shooting at high ISOs or making very large prints. For everyone else, this is a very capable ultra zoom that should be on your shopping list.'
DigiCam Review has posted a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 and writes - 'This is a very good digital camera, a definite improvement over the older Panasonic FZ series digital cameras - with a 6 megapixel sensor, a high quality Leica 12x optical zoom lens, and a 2.5" screen - albeit with a low resolution. The camera has a very good wide aspect ratio video mode. The camera produces very good images with good colour, detail and sharpness straight from camera - unfortunately noise is high, and purple fringing is higher than average. I've had the FZ3, an earlier 3 megapixel version, and been immensely happy with it, I suspect I would be very happy with the FZ7 if I were to upgrade. With the FZ7 (and FZ3) it is necessary to learn to live with the lower ISO settings to avoid noise, something that shouldn't be a problem as the rest of the camera is so well thought out and put together. The FZ7 is fast and easy to use with scene modes or full manual controls to suit every level of experience.'
Digital Camera Review has reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 Digital Camera and writes - 'The FZ7 (12X image stabilized Leica zoom, 6 megapixel resolution, super fast performance, and SLR like handling and ergonomics) is an evolutionary rather than revolutionary update of last year's very popular Panasonic FZ5. The "best in class" FZ5 was designed by photographers for photographers. The FZ7 actually improves on its illustrious predecessor, and does so at a lower price. Check back here in a few days for an in-depth review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7.'
CNET reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7K (the black version) and gives it a rating of 7.2. They write - 'Compared to digital SLRs and some other megazoom cameras, the small, lightweight 6-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 feels almost like a toy. Only after acknowledging its powerful 12X (36mm-to-432mm, 35mm-equivalent) optically stabilized lens, manual controls, extended selection of scene modes, and VGA movie capture do you realize that this camera's capabilities far outstrip its size and weight. Despite some image flaws, this modest upgrade to the 5-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 will likely be as popular as its predecessor, appealing to a broad range of photographers who want a camera that will allow them to improve--or prove--their photographic skills.'
PC Mag reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 where they write - 'In the past, we've awarded the Editors' Choice to a number of Panasonic superzoom cameras, such as the Lumix DMC-FZ30, specifically for their combination of excellent optics and image stabilization. The only caveat was that most cost about what you'd pay for a D-SLR nowadays. Thankfully, prices have taken a tumble. So it's no big surprise that the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 sells for about $400�not super-cheap, but more than $100 below what the Lumix DMC-FZ15, our former budget superzoom EC, listed for when it was introduced. This low price and the camera's excellent optics make the Lumix DMC-FZ7 our new Editors' Choice for budget superzooms.'
Lets Go Digital review the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ7 and write - 'We can conclude that the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ7 is a powerful combination; guarantees high quality images and suits a large group of users. Despite its user-friendliness and low entry-level, the camera will certainly not limit or confine those who wish to expand their basic knowledge of photography, and are keen to experiment a little more. The Panasonic Lumix FZ7 is also an excellent step towards a possible future digital SLR camera. And well, what do you know: Panasonic have just announced that we may expect the Panasonic DMC L1 to make its entrance into the market later this year� We truly recommend the Panasonic Lumix FZ7!'
Imaging Resource also review the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ7 and conclude - 'Like other recent members of the line, the FZ7 combines good image quality, responsive handling, and very effective optical image stabilization in a very attractively-priced digital camera. Its range of exposure control and image adjustments will be appealing to experienced users, while its ease of use in Program and its various Scene modes make it approachable for even rank beginners. The FZ series of Panasonic long-zoom digital cameras have been very popular, witth good reason, as they've offered great value and image quality for the money.... If you're looking for a good deal on a long-zoom camera with image stabilization, the Panasonic FZ7 deserves your serious consideration.'
Photoxels reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 where they write - 'The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 continues to be a best value for money and one of my very favourite. In a compact, light and solidly built body, it includes all the features desirable in a digital camera and throws in a couple that are hard to find in many other digital cameras: an effective image stabilization (the real type) and an accurate High Speed AF. All of this wrapped in an interface that is now even more intuitive to use.'
Megapixel reviews the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 and writes - 'Clearly, the DMC-FZ7's primary appeal comes from its powerful, 12X, stabilized Leica lens. This is a lens that has little distortion at the wide end and none at the telephoto end. Similarly, there seems to be no serious chromatic aberration throughout its focal length range, and images are crisp from corner to corner. This, plus the fact that the FZ7 is equipped with a full range of shooting modes, makes it suitable for anyone and should ensure its success.'
PhotographyBLOG reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 and writes - 'So overall, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 is a stylish, easy to use, advanced camera with that 12x zoom lens as its main attraction. The noise issue is by no means a show-stopper, particularly if you live in a sunny climate or tend to shoot mostly outdoors, but it does stop me from recommending this camera more strongly. If you're really interested in the massive focal range on offer, then the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 should definitely be on your shopping list.'
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Lets Go Digital reviews the Sony Cybershot DSC R1 where they write - 'The Sony Cybershot R1 is far from your average digital camera. It is a definite trendsetter, a digital camera that has noticeably raised the bar another notch for the competition. Not only does the camera radiate quality, it shows it in every aspect and truly deserves all praise. Sony have every right to be pleased with the end result. We can only conclude we were lucky to have had an opportunity to work with such a top quality camera. Hats off to Sony!'
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Michael Carr has written a tips post on How to Protect Your Digital Camera from Extreme Heat, Cold Weather and Rain which might be helpful if you're planning a trip to anywhere with extreme conditions.
DigiCam Review has reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix S5600 / S5200 and writes - 'The Fujifilm FinePix S5600 is a good ultra zoom digital camera, better than it's predecessor, it's nice to see Fujifilm are developing and improving their digital cameras, rather than simply releasing the same camera with more megapixels. The easy to use camera offers very speedy performance, good battery life, a good camera body and controls, and good image quality, although with higher than average purple fringing, and slightly soft images. The high ISO settings may come in handy on occasion, at the cost of image quality. I would recommend this camera, especially to people who like it's SLR styling, and rubber body, as it is a good camera, and the cameras negatives are mainly minor complaints, but due to the very good competition, I would recommend having a look at some of the other ultra zooms featuring image stabilisation.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Fujifilm FinePix S5600 / S5200
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Imaging Resource reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 Digital Camera and writes - 'Without a doubt, the Panasonic FZ30 is one of the stronger entries at the top end of the "enthusiast" all-in-one digital camera range. Its performance and specs may not quite match those of typical digital SLRs, but when you consider the superb optical quality of its image-stabilized 12x Leica zoom len, you'd have to pay literally a couple of thousand dollars to match its reach with a SLR body and kit of two or three zoom lenses.... Bottom line, the Panasonic Lumix FZ30 is a very strong player at the upper end of the all-in-one digital camera field, and represents an excellent bargain for anyone interested in a long zoom range, optical stabilization, high resolution, and responsive performance.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
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CNET reviews the Kodak EasyShare V570 and gives it a rating of 7.2 out of 10. They write - 'The stylish Kodak EasyShare V570 mates this wide-angle lens with a separate 39mm-to-117mm 3X zoom lens. Each lens has its own sensor, thanks to a folded optical path that accommodates a 5-megapixel pair. The ultrawide lens is the perfect complement for the V570's in-camera panorama-stitching feature, which can capture a full 180-degree vista with only three shots. Unfortunately, only average picture quality, a lack of manual controls, and a few ergonomic glitches take some of the shine off the V570's innovation luster.'
Read more about the Kodak EasyShare V570
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Steves Digicams review the Sanyo Xacti VPC-C6 and writes - 'The overall image quality when using its 6-megapixel High mode is good. Our outdoor sample images were nice and sharp thanks to its internal 5x optical zoom lens and 5-point AF system. The lens covers an above average range of 38 - 190mm (35mm equivalent), offering a great deal of versatility over your typical 3x zoom lens. We noticed moderate barrel distortion at full wide-angle, with slight pin cushioning present at the telephoto extremes. The zoom mechanism is smooth and quiet throughout its range, allowing it to be used while recording video. The majority of our shots were well exposed and showed pleasing color saturation. Consumer digicams tend to be a bit oversaturated as this is what your average user likes - bright, breath-taking colors. The white balance system also does an excellent job in the Auto position, producing accurate color temperatures in a variety of different lighting conditions.'
Read more about the Sanyo Xacti VPC-C6
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Canon Inc. today announced the achievement of a new lens-production milestone as production of the company’s EF lenses passed the 30-million mark.
Production of interchangeable EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) SLR cameras began in 1987 at the company’s Utsunomiya Plant. Canon produced its 10-millionth EF lens in August 1995, its 20-millionth in February 2001 and, a mere five years later, has now reached the 30-million plateau. This achievement reflects users’ high level of satisfaction with the performance and quality realized by EF lenses, as well as the service offered through Canon’s marketing operations.
Canon’s proprietary EF (electro-focus) lens, which combines a large-diameter fully electronic lens mount and an internal autofocus motor, was born in 1987. In November of the same year, Canon introduced the industry’s first*1 Ultrasonic Motor (USM)-powered lens: the EF 300mm f/2.8L USM. In September 1989, the EF 50mm f/1.0L USM, featuring the world’s largest aperture*1 of f/1.0, was launched and in September 1995 the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, equipped with the world’s first*1 Image Stabilizer to correct for the effect of camera shake, made its debut. Further, in December 2001, Canon delivered the world’s first super telephoto lens incorporating a diffractive optical element for camera lenses*1: the EF 400mm F4 DO IS USM. Canon’s EF lens lineup, through the introduction of the latest innovative technologies, has consistently been recognized as the state of the art in the industry.
In conjunction with the launch in September 2003 of the highly acclaimed EOS Kiss Digital SLR camera, which has achieved outstanding success worldwide with sales to date surpassing 1.2 million units, Canon expanded its EF lens lineup with the introduction of the EF-S series of lenses, optimized for use with digital SLR cameras that incorporate APS-C size (22.2 x 14.8 mm) image sensors.
Canon’s current EF lens lineup comprises 60*2 models, the most comprehensive selection*3 in the industry. Canon EF lenses span the gamut from ultra-wide 14mm to super-telephoto 600mm lenses and include standard and super-telephoto zoom models, large-aperture lenses, and TS-E lenses, which are equipped with a special tilt-shift mechanism that permits the manipulation of image perspective and distortion. Canon EF lenses have garnered high praise from a wide user base, from professional and advanced amateur photographers to novice photo enthusiasts, and earned Canon top share of the interchangeable lens market.
Also, as EF lenses are ideally suited for use with Canon’s EOS D-series of digital SLR cameras in addition to its 35mm film SLR cameras, the company aims to continue developing the lineup as the core of the EOS system.
Canon, through continual innovations in every area of production technology, including optical design and electronics, will continue its efforts to deliver attractive products in response to user needs, opening up new directions in the future of photographic expression.
*1. For 35mm AF SLR cameras
*2. Including EF-S lenses and two EF lens extenders
*3. As of January 17, 2006.
Digital Camera Info reviews the HP Photosmart M425 and writes - 'With an understated and standard design, HP's M425 is a basic point-and-shoot 5 MP digital camera that will provide its users with an opportunity to shoot, alter, and share images, all while never moving outside the camera. The intensive Help menus will provide unsure or beginning users with a myriad of opportunities to learn and advance as camera users, even if the camera doesn’t have a large number of manual controls. The 1.7-inch LCD is undersized, even for this price range, and some control buttons are awkwardly placed, making continuous operation a hassle in the long run.'
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Digital Camera Info reviews the Kodak EasyShare C663 and writes - 'The Kodak Easyshare C663 is part of Kodak’s point-and-shoot series, and, in combination with the EasyShare printer, provides a quick and easy way to take pictures and make prints if you want to give copies of photos to people at a party, for instance. But there are cheaper point-and-shoot cameras available, and the C663 lacks image stabilization and a number of features, like customizable white balance and manual focus, which may be a problem for more advanced users. Still, the C-series by its very nature is geared towards less-advanced photographers.'
Read more about the Kodak EasyShare C663
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Digital Camera Info reviews the HP Photosmart R725 and writes - 'The HP Photosmart R725 is a small and easily portable camera for both beginning and casual point-and-shoot enthusiasts. The menu structures are easy to navigate, with a plethora of partial and full text options provided with both live view and example thumbnails. The inclusion of an automatic red-eye reduction feature is handy. The camera does move somewhat beyond sheer Auto mode, providing both custom image presets and manual control over settings like Bracketed Exposure, Exposure Compensation, Flash, Metering, and other options.'
Read more about the HP Photosmart R725 digital camera
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Digital Camera Info reviews the Panasonic Lumix LS2 and writes - 'We hope that Panasonic starts a trend by offering such low-cost image stabilization. We're not sure competitors will or can do it as well; MEGA O.I.S. appears to be very good stabilization on the Lumix LS2, and has been excellent on previous Panasonics. The Lumix LS2's automatic modes seem solid: in limited testing they delivered good exposures and correct focus. We look forward to the chance to give it a closer look, and to examine the noise levels in a controlled environment. '
Read more about the Panasonic Lumix LS2
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Digital Camera Info reviews the Pentax Optio E10 and writes - 'While it’s not bursting with fancy features or the latest image processing capabilities, it does a solid job of taking pictures quickly and easily. But be warned, Pentax: Olympus manufactures the D-series, a line of low-end point-and-shoots similar to the E10, many of which go for less than $200 online and Panasonic just released a $200 camera with their trademark MEGA optical image stabilization - a feature that alone makes it a better value than the E10.'
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Sony have released a press release with their side of the Konica Minolta deal which sees them as taking on some of KM's DSLR assets. They look like they are on a schedule to release their own DSLR based on the Konica Minolta lens mount system in the coming Northern Hemisphere's summer.
Sony News Release Excerpt
Since July 2005, Sony Corporation (Sony) and Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. (Konica Minolta PI) have been working on the joint development of digital single lens reflex (SLR) cameras. Sony, Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. and Konica Minolta PI are pleased to announce that they have decided to transfer a certain portion of Konica Minolta PI's assets related to digital SLR cameras to Sony, and at the same time, that Konica Minolta PI will consign its customer service operation for Konica Minolta cameras and related products to Sony. Agreement to this effect was reached today.
Under this agreement, on March 31 2006, Sony will receive certain assets from Konica Minolta PI that are necessary for the development, design, production and so forth of digital SLR cameras compatible with Konica Minolta PI's Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system. Sony will accelerate development of new digital SLR cameras based on and compatible with the Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system with a view to marketing these models this summer.
On the basis of its ongoing selection and concentration, Konica Minolta Group will concentrate on its core business technologies field and its strategic optics and display devices field and withdraw from camera business as of March 31, 2006. At the same time, Konica Minolta PI will partially transfer certain assets related to digital SLR cameras to Sony.
From April 1 2006, Konica Minolta PI will consign the customer service operations for Konica Minolta cameras and related products* to Sony, and Sony will implement service operations from that date onward.
DP Review has reviewed the Kodak EasyShare P880 and gives it a rating of 'recommended'. They write - 'Kodak has been quite clever with the P880, identifying a niche in the 'prosumer' market that isn't filled by the likes of the Panasonic FZ30, and filling it. Taken as an overall package the P880 offers little to differentiate it from its main competitors, but for those who like to 'shoot wide' it is almost in a class of its own. Looking at the three nearest competitors (the Fuji S9000, Samsung Pro815 and Konica Minolta A200), none has a 24mm equiv. lens (all start at 28mm equiv.) - though all have longer tele ends, and all are considerably pricier. The KM A200 - perhaps the nearest competitor - has a longer zoom range and the undeniable benefit of image stabilization, but the P880 produces sharper results with more appealing color.'
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We've seen rumors floating around the web for a couple of weeks about another Canon DSLR - the Canon EOS 3000D. Forums started talking about it a few weeks ago but yesterday's announcements from Canon didn't mention it so perhaps it's a fake. None the less here's a photo of the alleged Canon EOS 300D and some of the features it is supposed to have:
-6MP (appears to be same as 300D/10D)
-2fps (4 frame buffer)
-No RAW
-Plastic Lens mount
-Limited functionality
It's all just speculation at the moment - but so was the Canon EOS 5D two weeks ago!
update: We've just had an email from a reader who has sent us the following specifications sheet for the Canon EOS 3000D. Once again it could be a photoshop job but the evidence does seem to be mounting up. (click to enlarge the image below).
Shocking news from Konica Minolta today with their announcement of their withdrawal from the camera business. While Nikon recently announced it's continued pull back from film cameras this goes a step further to encompass Konica Minolta's digital business also.
The withdrawal centers around an agreement with Sony who Konica Minolta have transferred their DSLR assents to (no real detail yet on what this means practically).
The announcement from Konica Minolta is below.
Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business and Photo Business (Konica Minolta News Release)
Konica Minolta has long been a leading company in photo imaging business covering wide range of imaging from input to output. In addition, we have provided inspiring products and services by fusing our unique technologies.
In camera business, we have expanded picture-taking opportunities by developing innovative technologies such as the world’s first autofocus cameras. In 1962, our camera, well-accepted for its high reliability, boarded on the US’s first manned spaceship “Friendship 7.” Also, ever since introduction of the world’s first body-integral autofocus SLR camera, Maxxum/Dynax series, in 1985, SLR cameras have become more popular among picture-takers, and we have succeeded in selling 16 million units of interchangeable lenses since then.
However, in today’s era of digital cameras, where image sensor technologies such as CCD is indispensable, it became difficult to timely provide competitive products even with our top optical, mechanical and electronics technologies.
In photo business, represented by the silver-halide photography such as color film and color paper, we have produced Japan’s first photographic paper in 1903, and Japan’s first color film in 1940, thus pioneering joy of photography for more than a century. In 1984, we introduced the world’s first compact washless photofinishing system known as a minilab system. The minilabs contributed to the expansion of worldwide photographic market by making photos closer to consumers and amazingly shortening delivery time.
However, traditional silver-halide photographic market is shrinking astonishingly by the surge of the worldwide digitization. In such a changing world, profits for camera and photo businesses worsened in recent years, and it became necessary to drastically reform business structure for the further growth of Konica Minolta. Ever since we decided and announced restructuring guidelines of our businesses on November 4, 2005, we have been considering practical and detailed plan, and we would like to announce our decision made today as follows:
1) Camera Business
In camera business, we have reached an agreement with Sony Corporation(Sony), having numerous image sensor technologies such as CCD and CMOS, to jointly develop digital SLR cameras in July 2005. In order to continue to have our customers use Maxxum/Dynax lenses, and to maximize possibilities of the optical, mechanical and electronics technologies accumulated through development of SLR cameras in the years to come, we came to the conclusion that it was best to transfer assets concerning camera business to Sony. Since then, we have been negotiating with Sony, and as a result, we have reached an agreement with Sony to transfer a portion of assets regarding digital SLR camera system to Sony*1. In this relation, we have decided to withdraw from camera business*2, such as film cameras and digital cameras, within Konica Minolta Group as of March 31, 2006.
Sony is planning to develop digital SLR cameras compatible with Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system, so that the current Maxxum/Dynax users will be able to continue to use them with Sony’s digital SLR cameras. In addition, we will consign camera service operations for Konica Minolta, Konica,Minolta brand cameras and related equipment to Sony.
*1 Pease refer to the news release, “Partial Transfer of Assets Related to Digital SLR Cameras ”, separately announced today.
*2 Except for digital SLR cameras and interchangeable lenses produced for Sony.
2) Photo Business
In today’s shrinking photographic market represented by color film and color paper, we have been considering to scale back and to continue photo business at an appropriate size; however, when we foresee the photographic market, it is quite difficult to maintain profitability in this field, and we have decided to withdraw from photo business. As schemed below, we will, as much as possible, avoid causing any inconvenience in providing products to our worldwide customers in the course of withdrawal.
For color film and color paper, while considering our customer needs, we will step-by-step reduce product lineup and cease our color film and color paper production by the end of fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.
For minilab business, we will cease production of the system by the end of fiscal year ending March 31, 2006; however we will have such company as Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd to provide maintenance and customer services so as not to cause any inconvenience to our customers.
*1 Pease refer to the news release, “Consignment of Service and Maintenance Operations for Minilabs ”, separately announced today.
In line with the above scheme, with consideration to our customers and regional situations, we will step-by-step reorganize our sales offices and withdraw from all of our photo sales activities by September 30, 2007.
3) Personnel Management
As a part of Konica Minolta Group’s restructuring, we will proceed with withdrawal plan for camera and photo businesses and aggressively shifted their management resources to other Konica Minolta Group companies. While continuing this effort, in order to rationalize a number of employees, we have decided to reduce worldwide Konica Minolta Group employees by 3,700 from the current 33,000 including early retirement offering by September 30, 2007*.
* The early retirement offering is for Konica Minolta Group’s holding company, five business companies and two common function companies in Japan.
The expenses to be incurred with this restructuring are already included in the forecast for fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
Konica Minolta Group will make our utmost efforts not to cause any inconvenience to our customer due to the decision we made this time. At the same time, camera and photo businesses are our traditional businesses ever since our founding, and we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to the worldwide Konica Minolta fans for their patronage to our products for more than a century.
Konica Minolta Group is aiming to become more powerful corporate group by swiftly meeting market changes and pursuing “selection and concentration”. We will, from now on, be concentrating our business resources on non-consumer businesses, such as the core “business technologies” field, the strategic “optics and display devices” field, and the growth expected “medical imaging” and “sensing” fields, increase competitiveness, and endeavor to further expand corporate value.
Outline of camera business Main business: Manufacturing, sale, and related services of photographic equipment such as digital cameras, film cameras and lenses
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2005: Net sales: 117,000 million yen (Forecast for fiscal year ending March 31, 2006 is 75,000 million yen)
Operating Loss: 7,300 million yen
Outline of photo business Main business: Manufacturing, sale, and related services of consumer and commercial photographic materials, inkjet media, and related equipment
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2005: Net sales: 151,500 million yen (Forecast for fiscal year ending March 31, 2006 is 110,000 million yen)
Operating Loss: 1,400 million yen
Partial Transfer of Certain Assets Related to Digital SLR cameras
Since July 2005, Sony Corporation (Sony) and Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. (Konica Minolta PI) have been working on the joint development of digital single lens reflex (SLR) cameras. Sony, Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. and Konica Minolta PI are pleased to announce that they have decided to transfer a certain portion of Konica Minolta PI ’s assets related to digital SLR cameras to Sony, and at the same time, that Konica Minolta PI will consign its customer service operation for Konica Minolta cameras and related products* to Sony. Agreement to this effect was reached today.
Under this agreement, on March 31 2006, Sony will receive certain assets from Konica Minolta PI that are necessary for the development, design, production and so forth of digital SLR cameras compatible with Konica Minolta PI’s “Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system”.** Sony will accelerate development of new digital SLR cameras based on and compatible with the Maxxum/Dynax lens mount system with a view to marketing these models this summer.
On the basis of its ongoing “selection and concentration”, Konica Minolta Group will concentrate on its core “business technologies” field and its strategic “optics and display devices” field and withdraw from camera business*** as of March 31, 2006. At the same time, Konica Minolta PI will partially transfer certain assets related to digital SLR cameras to Sony.
From April 1 2006, Konica Minolta PI will consign the customer service operations for Konica Minolta cameras and related products* to Sony, and Sony will implement service operations from that date onward.
* Konica Minolta, Konica and Minolta brand film cameras, digital still cameras, lenses, accessories etc.
** An original lens mount system to connect camera body and lens adopted in Konica Minolta Maxxum/Dynax series SLR cameras
*** Excludes production of digital SLR cameras and interchangeable lenses for Sony
DPexpert reviews the Nikon D200 and gives it a rating of 'very highly recommended'. They write - 'The combination of high resolution sensor and exemplary in-camera image processing delivers photographs of exceptional detail and wide dynamic range. The ability of the D200 to preserve detail in shadows without producing blown highlights is impressive.... The Nikon D200 rates 5 stars because it does perfectly all that it promises. For any serious photographer with Nikkor lenses the choice of the D200 is easy.'
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Steves Digicams reviews the Kodak EasyShare P880 Zoom digital camera and writes - 'The P880 is Kodak's top of the line EasyShare camera and the "big brother" of the Easyshare P850 we recently tested. The P880 is distinguished from its sibling by its higher resolution, 8 versus 5 megapixels, and its high-quality 24-140mm wide-angle zoom lens. The P880 retains the broad appeal of Kodak's EasyShare family, satisfying beginners with its point-n-shoot automatic mode, intermediate users with its wealth of scene modes, and experts with its wide range of exposure controls in Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Program modes. This is a camera that everyone in your family can enjoy using.'
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Trusted Reviews has posted a review of the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H1 where they write - 'The H1 is not short of creative features. It offers the full range of manual exposure modes, with manual shutter speeds of 30 seconds to 1/1000th of a second, and apertures from F2.8 to F8.0 available. These settings don’t compete with an SLR, but they’re quite respectable for a semi-pro camera.... Sony’s first SLR-style super-zoom camera is a real winner, and a bargain at the price. Excellent handling, a good list of features and superior picture quality, combined with a 12x image-stabilised lens make this a good all-rounder and a superb enthusiasts camera.'
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DigiCamReview has posted a review of the Ricoh Caplio R3 and writes - 'The Ricoh Caplio R3 is a stylish digital camera with a 7.1x wide-angle optical zoom lens packed into a very compact metal body. The 5 megapixel camera features a 2.5" screen and built in vibration correction - this helps produce blur free photos in low light or at full zoom. The camera is very good feature wise, with quick access to options and speedy performance, however the camera is let down by average image quality - as the images produced have high noise, are generally soft, and have higher than average purple fringing. If having a lot of zoom power in a very compact camera is a priority then this is definitely worth considering, but if image quality is a top priority then this camera is best avoided. Ricoh are to be commended for innovation in providing such a large amount of zoom with image stabilsation in such a small and speedy camera, and for that reason I'm giving this camera an above average rating.'
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Steves Digicams reviews the Nikon Coolpix S3 and writes - 'The Coolpix S3 shares with its Coolpix S1sibling the honor of being the most compact point-n-shoot digicam that Nikon has to offer.... The Coolpix S3 has a lot of appeal to those wanting ease of use and good image quality in a very small package. It offers several unique features that distinguish it from the competition, including D-lighting, Red Eye Fix and Best Shot Selector. At a street price of around $300, it's a fairly good value for families who can live with the S3's limited flash range and sub-par movie quality.'
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Major InfoTrends Study Indicates Digital Cameras Will Dominate Professional Photography Market by 2010 - 90% of professional pictures will be taken with digital cameras by 2010
InfoTrends, the leading worldwide digital imaging and document solutions research and consulting firm, is pleased to announce the release of its highly anticipated multi-client study, North American Professional Photography Market. The study provides camera, printer, software, supplies, and service providers with the information necessary to support their marketing efforts, product planning, and distribution initiatives in the professional photography market in North America.
According to the study, there are over 131,000 professional photographers in North America , and they spend nearly $800 million a year on cameras, lenses, printers, ink and media, software, and other accessories. Approximately 65% of these professional photographers use film cameras for some of their shoots, however, InfoTrends’ estimates that 70% of all professional photos are taken with digital cameras.
The study indicates that by the end of the decade, 90% of professional pictures will be taken with digital cameras, and less than 40% of professional photographers will still use film cameras. Pro photographers continue to purchase new digital cameras and backs as performance improves; however, falling prices are keeping overall camera revenue flat.
“The transition to digital is changing the economics and profile of the professional photography industry,” commented Jeff Hayes, Group Director at InfoTrends. “Digital technology is lowering the barriers to entry and increasing competition. Successful pro photographers in the future will have more automated workflows from capture through publishing, establish a strong Web presence, and diversify their offering to include more post-capture products and services.”
The prevalence of digital cameras in this industry is increasing, but many professional photographers are struggling with photo editing, management, and printing issues due to the volume of digital pictures taken, the learning curve associated with software, and demands from their clients. Photographers indicate that they are spending more of their time in post-shoot activities and less time marketing and taking pictures.
“Many photographers struggle with pulling all the pieces together to get the most out of digital technology, especially after taking the shot,” noted Hayes. “While advances in image sensors, lenses, and photo printers are exciting, many of the biggest productivity and business improvements are coming from editing, color management, workflow, photo management, and collaboration.”
Research for the study consisted of interviews with over 1,750 professional photographers, 200 commercial photography customers, and 1,200 consumers that have used professional photography services. All the market sizing and research findings are split by key segments, including commercial, editorial, portrait and wedding, fine art/nature, and school photography.
The study is available immediately. For more information about the study or to make a purchase, visit our online store or contact Matt O’Keefe at (781) 616-2100, ext. 115 or matthew_okeefe@infotrends.com
source - InfoTrends Press Release
CameraLabs reviews the Fujifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom and writes - 'Compared to other all-in-ones the S9500 holds its own, delivering similar quality in real-life conditions to Panasonic's DMC-FZ30 and Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-R1. While there are differences in their designs and overall feature-sets, the choice between the three ultimately boils down to which optical zoom range best suits your requirements.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Fujifilm FinePix S9500 (also known as the S9000).
Get the Latest Price on the Fujifilm Finepix S9500
Carl Zeiss AG of Oberkochen, Germany is about to introduce ZF, a new range of interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras, both analog and digital. ZF lenses bring the highly acclaimed Carl Zeiss image quality to the Nikon SLR camera system, which has been the preferred equipment of millions of professional and ambitious amateur photographers for decades. ZF lenses can also be used on the Sinar m professional digital camera and a multitude of industrial video cameras.
ZF lenses provide Nikon F-mount cameras with the creative potential and phototechnical performance available so far only in the Contax system. In addition, ZF lenses incorporate new technical advances from the ZEISS Ultra Prime®, Master Prime® and DigiPrime® lenses for motion picture cameras. Results have been seen in feature films like “Lord of the Rings”, “Alexander”, “King Arthur”, “Air Force One”, “Collateral”, “King Kong” and many commercials and music clips.
Like the ZEISS lenses for motion picture, ZF lenses feature unusually high mechanical quality, fixed focal length, very precise manual focussing, reliability, and exceptional durability. Special attention is paid to guarantee absolute color matching throughout the whole range of lenses resulting in state-of-the-art image quality.
The first ZF lens will be the Planar T* 1,4/50 ZF, which, in its Contax RTS version, was rated the world’s best fast standard lens by “Popular Photography” in 1999. It will be followed by the Planar T* 1,4/85 ZF, which in its Contax RTS version became known as a great portrait lens and story-teller.
Both lenses will become available in spring 2006. The Pricing will be suitable competitive with similar items in the Nikon F-system. Several more ZF lenses will be introduced during 2006.
With the introduction of ZF lenses, Carl Zeiss will set up a new international distribution network and will announce information on availability of the ZF lenses at http://www.zeiss.com/photo
source: Carl Zeiss News Release
![Pro Cf 1Gb 133X Wa [1]](http://www.livingroom.org.au/photolog/Pro_CF_1GB_133x_WA_%5B1%5D.JPG)
Lexar News Release:
Lexar Media, Inc. , a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, announced availability of its new Professional CompactFlash (CF) and Secure Digital (SD) flash memory cards designed to deliver optimal performance in all digital SLR cameras. Speed-rated at 133X, Lexar’s new flash memory products are capable of a minimum sustained write speed of 20MB per second and signify the company’s continued commitment to providing professional photographers with reliable flash memory cards that deliver fast image read and write speeds, and seamless operation throughout each step of the digital imaging workflow process enabling the user to spend more time taking pictures.
“Our new 133X cards allow digital SLR cameras to perform optimally and support the high speed transfer of images and information, and help improve the photographer’s digital imaging workflow,” said John Omvik, director of professional product marketing, Lexar. “Lexar’s new 133X cards are ideal for those photographers who require reliable, high-performance flash memory that makes the most of all the professional-level features available in their digital SLR camera.”
Like all of Lexar’s Professional series CompactFlash memory cards, the new 133X cards include Lexar’s Write Acceleration Technology (WA). The WA technology is designed for optimal performance in digital SLR cameras, allowing these cameras to exchange and store images faster, for super fast image-write speeds. In addition, the new 133X CompactFlash and SD cards include Image Rescue⎪ 2.0, Lexar’s award-winning image recovery software, and a trial version of Photo Mechanic⎪ 4.0, the popular image browsing software from Camera Bits. As with all of Lexar’s professional products, each card includes a lifetime warranty and unlimited access to Lexar’s dedicated technical support team for professional photographers.
“Second to reliability, speed is the name of the game in digital photography, and Lexar has a lengthy history providing cards and accessories that are not only fast but also substantially improve workflow,” said professional photographer Vincent Laforet. “Having 133X cards in both card formats allows me to leverage both slots in my Canon EOS 1D Mark II. By storing RAW files on my CF cards and JPEGs on my SD card, I maximize my camera’s technology and reduce administrative time when I’m back in my studio,” he added.
“I am constantly working from remote locations like the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge and the Australian rainforests, so I need fast cards with the maximum capacity,” said professional wildlife photographer Moose Peterson. “I am very impressed with Lexar’s new 133X CompactFlash card because I know that they are capable of rapidly storing and uploading large images, especially those taken during burst mode shooting with the Nikon D2Hs. I love taking as many pictures as I can without changing cards and I shoot confidently knowing that in addition to an immediate write speed, the 4GB 133X has plenty of room for my largest files.”
In addition to a valuable suite of software, Lexar is providing additional value to its 2GB SD flash memory card package by including a high-speed USB 2.0 Card Reader with its 133X cards to proactively address industry compatibility issues that may otherwise arise with some SD card readers. Lexar’s new 133X speed-rated Professional Series CompactFlash and SD flash memory cards are currently available in photo specialty stores and through online resellers.
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., is now offering a hardware upgrade for the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro professional DSLR camera that will improve its continuous shooting capabilities, as well as other performance enhancements.
The FinePix S3 Pro has found a home in the camera bags of thousands of wedding and portrait photographers thanks to its world-renowned Fujifilm color reproduction and industry-leading dynamic range. The 12 MegaPixel FinePix S3 Pro has six MegaPixels dedicated solely to the capture of dynamic range with another set of six MegaPixels dedicated to resolution. Together, these MegaPixel sets create high-resolution files with tremendous dynamic range. At its widest setting the FinePix S3 Pro’s dynamic range is 400% percent greater than that of other cameras of similar sensor design.
The hardware upgrade announced today for the FinePix S3 Pro will double the camera’s internal buffer memory capacity (from 128MB to 256MB), increasing its continuous frame shooting capabilities. For example, when shooting in RAW Format at the widest dynamic range setting, the FinePix S3 Pro’s continuous shooting frames jump from three frames to eight frames.
The FinePix S3 Pro hardware upgrade also includes a “wake-up” feature for the camera’s vertical shutter release.
FinePix S3 Pro owners interested in boosting their camera’s performance are asked to submit their camera to Fujifilm for the optional upgrade, which costs $379.95 + tax (return shipping is included) Fujifilm will apply a $30 discount if certain conditions are met. To learn more about these conditions, as well as camera submission information, FinePix S3 Pro owners should visit http://www.Fujifilm.com/FinePixS3Pro and look for the “New Buffer Upgrade” information.
source: Fujfilm News Release
DCRP reviews the Fuji FinePix E900 and writes - 'Photo quality was very good for the most part. The E900 takes well-exposed, colorful images with good sharpness and reasonable purple fringing levels. My main complaint is regarding the watercolor-like look to fine details in photos, like grass, shrubs, and trees. The E900 does offer better-than-average high ISO performance. Though it's not up to D-SLR standards, it is noticeably better than what most compact cameras offer.'
Read more about the Fujifilm FinePix E900
Get the Latest Price on the Fujifilm Finepix E900
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO Information
Large aperture standard zoom lens designed Specially For Digital SLR Cameras. Macro lens level close up ability
Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO lens.
It can be used with wide variety of subjects and it is an ideal large aperture standard zoom lens for digital SLR cameras featuring APS-C size image sensor. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9”) throughout the entire zoom range. Maximum magnification of 1:2.3 enables close-up photography like a macro lens. The new lens design and multi layer lens coating reduce flare and ghosting, which is a common problem with digital cameras. A Special Low Dispersion (SLD) lens and two aspherical lens elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations and produce a high level of optical performance throughout the entire zoom range.
This lens offers a large aperture of F2.8 at 17mm wide angle and yet it is compact, with an overall length of 79mm (3.1”) and diameter 82.5mm (3.2”). It performs superbly even in relatively low light conditions indoors or at dusk.
The lens design incorporates an inner focusing system, which ensures fast AF speed as well as prevents the front of the lens rotating, making it particularly suitable for use with circular polarizing filters and petal shaped lens hoods.
This lens is also equipped with Zoom Lock Switch that eliminates “Zoom Creep”
during transportation.
• The appearance, specifications, and the like of the product are subject to change for improvement without notice.
• Vignetting will occur if the lens is used with digital cameras with image sensors larger than APS-C size or 35mm SLR cameras.
source: Sigma News Release Extract
The Samsung GX-1S has been finally made official today after weeks of speculation.
The GX-1S is a DSLR that has been in the wings from Samsung and Pentax (joint project) for some time now and is basically a rebranded Pentax *ist DS2 - with a 6 megapixel sensor and 2.5inch LCD.
This opens up the Korean market for a Pentax camera and extends Samsung's range of digital cameras with a much needed (and proven)DSLR.
Compare prices on the Samsung Digimax GX-1S DSLR and get the latest price on the SAMSUNG DigiMax GX-1S
Samsung unveils its first digital SLR - the GX-1S
* 6 mega-pixels CCD
* Light weight and portable - only 505g
* Large bright 2.5 inch colour TFT LCD screen
* Pentaprism technology provides clear, bright viewfinder
* 11 point auto focus
* High sensitivity up to ISO 3200
Samsung is announcing its advance into the digital SLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera arena with the launch of the six mega-pixel GX-1S.
Launching in February, the new interchangeable lens GX-1S is Samsung's first digital SLR camera, developed in conjunction with Pentax. Samsung now provides a full offering of digital cameras to cater for the needs of everyone - from point and shooters to advanced enthusiast photographers.
Offering high portability and mobility through its compact design, the GX-1S will weigh just 505 grams and house a 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD image sensor. The 3200 ISO equivalent allows high sensitivity shooting in indoor environments.
The GX-1S also provides a continuous shooting speed of 2.8 frames per second (up to eight frames in JPEG mode).
Lens
The GX-1S will utilize the new advanced Schneider Kreuznach D-Xenon lens system and Pentax's lens KAF bayonet mount technology - all Pentax DSLR lens will be mountable on the GX-1S.
Viewfinder
The large TFT colour LCD screen (2.5 inch and 210K pixels) and Pentaprism technology ensure a clear and bright view. The field of view is 95% with magnification at 0.95x (50mm F1.4 lens).
Focusing, Shutter & Flash
Modes include AF Single (with focus lock) and manual focus together with continuous AF . Shutter speed is 30 ~ 1/4,000 sec. with Bulb. The flash is a built-in retractable P-TTL auto pop-up offering the following modes: Auto, Manual, Auto/Red-eye reduction, Manual/red-eye reduction. Angle of view coverage is 28mm wide-angle (equivalent to 35mm). Recharge time is 3 seconds.
Samsung announced its vision of becoming a world class digital camera manufacturer in May 2005. Since then, Samsung has seen strong success and rapid sales growth via the launch of innovative slim style cameras such as the Digimax i5 and i50 MP3. Its advanced technology was recognized again in the high-end camera Pro815 for semi-professional photographers.
Digital Camera Info has posted a review of the Samsung GX-1S Digital Camera and writes - 'While there�s a lot to like about the camera, the few deficiencies in the GX-1S, namely slow autofocus and unreliable metering, are unfortunately more excusable in a compact model than a DSLR. For consumers considering purchasing an ultra zoom, the high sensitivity, expanded functionality, and customization available on the GX-1S might be worth sacrificing the longer fixed lens. However, those interested in buying their first DSLR and investing in an imaging system might be better off saving a little extra money and purchasing a slightly stronger model.'
ephotozine reviews the Samsung GX-1S and writes - 'At this budget price point, the Samsung GX-1S packs a lot of features into a compact body. I was impressed by the inclusion of an 11-area autofocus system, which works well, locking onto most subjects quickly and precisely. I was less impressed by the level of noise produced at high ISO settings. It is certainly not class leading performance, although images taken at these settings are still very usable.'
PCWorld reviews the Samsung Digimax GX-1S and writes - 'The Samsung Digimax GX-1S is a little expensive when compared with competitors such as the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, considering that the Rebel XT offers more controls, better image quality, and a larger selection of lenses. As with any digital SLR, it's best to get your hands on the GX-1S before making a decision. Its small size and thoughtful design may make it your obvious first choice.'
Macworld reviews the Samsung Digimax GX-1S Digital SLR and writes - 'Overall, the GX-1S delivers perfectly acceptable prints for its target market. It has a 6.1-megapixel sensor that delivers up to 3,008-by-2,008-pixel images. The camera is compatible with all Pentax KAF mount lenses as well as Schneider’s D-Xenon series lenses. I tested the camera with its included lens kit—a Schneider f/3.5-5.6 18-55mm with a 28-84mm, 35mm equivalent focal length.'
DCRP has posted their review of the Samsung Digimax GX-1S where they recommend - 'While the GX-1S is the smallest D-SLR on the market, it doesn't feel too small, like the Canon Rebel XT. Build quality is very good, not feeling cheap at all (again, like the Rebel XT). The large right hand grip makes the camera easy to hold, and the important controls are right where you'd expect them. The GX-1S supports Pentax K-AF lenses (Samsung has put their name on a few of them), which isn't surprising, as this camera is the *ist DS2. The camera has a large, high resolution LCD display plus an LCD info display on top of the camera. Unfortunately, this latter LCD lacks a backlight, making it impossible to see in low light. The optical viewfinder is large and bright, and it shows 95% of the frame. Being a digital SLR, all kinds of add-ons are available, and you can use accessories from both Pentax and Samsung. The GX-1S also gets points for being one of the few D-SLRs that uses AA batteries.'
Lets Go Digital reviews the Samsung GX-1S where they give it a rating of 74% and write - 'The Samsung GX-1S will certainly not be the only Samsung we will encounter in the near future. That is, besides the GX-1L of course, a camera that has already been announced, and that is based on the Pentax *ist DL2. The renumbered models of Pentax at least form the first step. In fact, I would not be surprised if Samsung baffle us all with something truly amazing one of these days. After all, it just wouldn't be right for a cutting-edge electronics brand like Samsung to sell something that clearly does not come from Samsung. It seems unlikely to me that the next Samsung will be an exact copy of the Pentax K100D. Samsung will simply have to come with something more convincing. After all, if one is presented with the choice between a relatively unfamiliar DSLR photo brand like Samsung, and the already established and distinguished Pentax, I must admit I cannot think of a reason why to go for the former. Did I not say in the introduction that photographers often turn out to be quite conservative?'
Compare prices on the Samsung Digimax GX-1S DSLR and get the latest price on the SAMSUNG DigiMax GX-1S
Carlo Van de Roer (a photographer - check out his site at Carlo Van De Roer Photography) has submitted the following mini tip for getting a digital image ready for email or posting on a website. He writes:
Here is a little tip about preparing digital images for web use, for emailing or posting on a website.
These 3 steps are fairly basic, but make a remarkable difference to sharpness and how your images are viewed across various browsers that deal with color spaces in different ways.
Step 1. Once your image is at the pixel size you require and is at 72 dpi run the Photoshop sharpen filter, this is found under Filter/Sharpen/Sharpen.
Step 2. Again in Photoshop, convert the profile to SRGB, this is found under Edit/Convert to Profile. In this box change the Destination Space to SGRB (if it is not already). The rest of the settings there can be left at Photoshop's default.
Step 3. When saving for web (under File/Save for Web) do not attach the ICC profile.
Young Australian inventor Steve Calavey has invented a displosable digital camera that can be sent through the mail as a postcard!
'Calvey's Snap+Send Postcard, a disposable digital camera, is so light and inexpensive it can be sent in the mail. All it needs is a stamp. “You would buy it at a newsagent or photo developer, take a few shots and, once it's full, you stick a stamp on it, address it and put it in the postbox,” Calvey says.
“Then grandma, or your girlfriend, gets it. They tear open the perforations, fold out a little kick stand on the back and sit it on a bench top. Then it's as simple as pressing a button and it will go through a slide show of images.”'
Full Story at Stamp of approval for disposable camera
PC Mag reviews the Sanyo Xacti VPC-E6U and gives it a rating of 2.5 out of 5. They write - 'The Sanyo Xacti VPC-E6U ($399.99 list) has fairly standard image-capture elements for an ultracompact: A 6-megapixel sensor and a 3X optical zoom with a 6.3mm-to-18.9mm range (a 35mm equivalent of 38mm to 114mm) and corresponding maximum f-stops of f/3.3 to f/4.0. It does have a sleek exterior and sweet 3-inch LCD screen, but here's the feature that distinguishes the camera from all others we've seen to date: It talks. The pleasant female voice, along with other odd features, gives it a quirky vibe. Unfortunately, this shooter just doesn't perform as well as its main rivals, the Kodak EasyShare-One and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1.'
Read more reviews of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-E6
Get the latest price on the Sanyo VPC-E6 Xacti
BIOS reviews the Canon IXUS iZoom (also known as the Powershot SD30) and gives it a rating of 7 out of 10. They write - 'The Digital IXUS i zoom is aimed at general users looking for effortless point-and-shoot operation, so you shouldn’t expect top-end picture quality. Images taken generally turned out well in our tests, though night photos were a little disappointing (too dark). Another downside is that the microphone is positioned beside the shutter button, meaning you’ll likely fully cover it when shooting movies. On a more positive note, the camera’s removable Lithium-ion battery should last approximately 250 photos on a single charge, and the time-to-first shot of about 3 seconds means you shouldn’t miss out on any spontaneous shots.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Canon IXUS i Zoom
Get the Latest Price on the Canon Powershot SD30
CNET Reviews the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T9 and gives it a rating of 7.6 (very good). They write - 'The Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T9, the latest in Sony's T-series of shirt-pocket-size digital cameras, is a great tool whether you're a casual shooter or a more serious photographer. Snapshooters will appreciate the camera's ease of use, and discerning photographers will appreciate the 6-megapixel model's above-average image quality and responsive performance. And while a not-so-wide lens and poor red-eye behavior will mar some indoor portraits, any user will love the camera's 2.5-inch LCD screen, its thin and attractive body, and its image stabilization for keeping low-light pictures sharp. The deal is sweetened by 58MB of internal memory.'
Read more reviews of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9
Get the Latest Price on the Sony Cybershot DSC-T9
PC Mag reviews the Canon PowerShot S80 and gives it a rating of 4 stars. They write - 'The sturdy, solid, 8-megapixel PowerShot S80 is the update to the PowerShot S70, last year's Editor's Choice winner. The camera is pricey ($549.95 list), but most features are improved, and only a couple have been dropped. As such, the S80 becomes our Editor's Choice for full-featured, compact digital cameras....The Canon PowerShot S80 is a solid compact camera that takes excellent photos. It may be a bit expensive, but as versatile compact digital cameras go, you'll be hard-pressed to find something better.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Canon Powershot S80
Get the Latest Price on the Canon Powershot S80 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Wide Angle Optical Zoom
BIOS reviews the Fujifilm Finepix S9500 and writes - 'In our tests the FinePix S9500 was comfortable to use, robust, and relatively easy to use - although we have seen much better menu systems. Captured images contained and a good level of detail and colour considering the small physical size of the sensor, and Fujifilm has got noise levels under control, too (except for ISO 1600). It didn’t quite approach the quickness or low light/high ISO prowess of most digital SLRs, but certainly performed well enough to suit the needs of most amateur photographers. The flash hot-shoe permits the use of powerful external strobes, and it even offers a threaded cable-release socket on its shutter button....The FinePix S9500 is a more than credible alternative for consumers considering an entry-level DSLR. Overall this is a camera that a pure novice can start with and grow into as their skills mature, but it doesn’t quite compete with a DSLR on speed, image quality or versatility. '
Read more reviews and ratings of the Fujifilm Finepix S9500
Get the Latest Price on the Fujifilm Finepix S9500 (also known as the S9000)
PC Magazine reviews the Fuji FinePix S5200 and writes - 'The Fuji FinePix S5200 is a light and portable digital superzoom camera that takes very good photos and video clips. It compares well with similar products on the market, but its smallish LCD and subpar optical zoom keep it from being truly outstanding.... We found it to be as good as competitors like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5, Canon PowerShot S2 IS, Nikon Coolpix S4, and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1.'
Read more reviews and ratings of the Fuji Finepix S5200 (also known as the 5600).
Get the Latest Price on the "Fujifilm Finepix S5200
PhotographyBLOG reviews the Canon PowerShot A620 and writes - 'The Canon PowerShot A620 is another winner from Canon. 7 megapixels, 4x optical zoom lens, a fold-out, twisting LCD screen, the usual excellent Canon image quality and general quick responsiveness (thanks to the Digic II processor) make this a great all-round camera. Even better for the aspiring shutterbug, the A620 also offers a complete range of photographic controls, perfect for those who want to take charge. And perhaps the best news of all, the Canon PowerShot A620 costs just over £200/$300 - I can't think of another camera that offers such good value.'
Read more reviews of the Canon PowerShot A620
Get the Latest Price on the Canon PowerShot A620
Ricoh announced today the launch of the Caplio R30 compact digital camera featuring a 5.7x optical wide zoom (28-160 mm in 35 mm camera format) in a trim body only 26mm thick. The new Ricoh Caplio R30 is positioned as a more affordable version of the popular Caplio R3 (Released on November 11, 2005), which featured a 7.1x optical wide zoom lens. Inheriting the Ricoh R3’s unique Double Retracting Lens System, the R30 houses a 5.7x (28-160 mm) wide-angle, high-powered zoom lens in its compact, 26 mm thin body.
Ricoh has historically manufactured products based on the concept of Expandability. In addition to the wide zoom, the new camera achieves increased photographic possibilities, anywhere, by employing an enhanced macro functionーRicoh’s specialtyーand anytime by extending the quick response function, a conventional weakness of digital cameras, which contributes to the concept.
BIOS magazine reviews the Ricoh R30 and writes - 'Ricoh’s Caplio R30 is a relatively powerful digital camera packed into a very compact metal body. The 5-Megapixel model is very good feature wise, with quick access to options and speedy performance, but is let down by average image quality - expect high noise, soft focus, and purple fringing.'
Main Features of the Caplio R30:
• The newly developed lens storage system, the Double Retracting Lens System, has made it possible for the R30’s slim body—a mere 26 mm thick—to hold a 5.7x wide zoom lens.
• The Double Retracting Lens System, which has been newly developed from the original Retracting Lens System, allows part of the lens assembly to protrude from the camera cone during lens storage. This enables the body, a mere 26 mm thick, to hold a 28-160 mm 5.7x wide zoom lens. (Caplio R2 has a 28–135 mm 4.8x lens.)
• The highly versatile Caplio R30 delivers outstanding results in practically any photographic situation, whether it’s capturing a vast landscape in one shot, wide-angle images in a room where everything is very close, or the fine details of distant objects.
The macro function, Ricoh’s specialty, has been further strengthened.
• The camera has the popular macro mode, which can take a macro shot of an object from as close as just 1 cm.
• The Zoom Macro Function automatically sets the focal distance of the lens at the optimum distance for capturing an image as large and close as possible.
• If AF Target Selection is used, it is even possible to focus on objects without moving the camera.
The popular high-speed response capability enables stress-free shooting.
• Release time lag (the time from the instant the shutter button is fully pressed—without
engaging pre-focus—until exposure actually starts) is as fast as approximately 0.09 seconds.
Quick responses are essential in order to capture picture-perfect but near-instantaneous moments such as the expressions and movement of children or pets. Now stress-free, near-instantaneous shots are possible.
• Time calculated from the instant the focus is locked (half-press) until exposure actually starts is a miraculous 0.007 seconds.
• Shooting interval and start time are both rapid, approx. 0.5 seconds and power up in approximately 1.1 seconds, respectively (measured while the flash is off).
The long-life rechargeable battery and charger included as a standard accessory lets you shoot approximately 330 pictures on one single charge.
• Thanks to the power-saving features of the internal circuit, it is possible to capture up to 330 separate images under CIPA standards using the DB60 & BJ6 long-life rechargeable battery and charger even while using the large 2.5 inch high-quality LCD display.
5.13 megapixel CCD coupled with an original image-processing engine for high-definition pictures.
• The CCD with 5.13 effective megapixels combined with Ricoh’s Smooth Imaging Engine enables for high-speed processing and noise reduction resulting in clear images with true colour and high-definition.
• It is possible to select a 35mm aspect ratio (the horizontal to vertical ratio of the image) of 3:2.This is the same as photo prints so there is no need to crop and lose part of the original image.
The new diagonal correction function.
• Through an original algorithm, which automatically detects trapezoids in images and corrects them to rectangles. The camera is most effective in business environments where blackboards, overhead projector, time schedules, signboards, etc. cannot be shot from the front.
Sporting such features as the 2.5-inch large-scale LCD, the camera achieves high operational performance.
• The Caplio R30 has an easy-to-see 2.5-inch large-scale LCD monitor.
• During playback, 12 pictures can be displayed simultaneously on the large screen. While checking previous and subsequent pictures, the screen can be separated into three parts to allow fast forwarding and rewinding.
• The brightness of the LCD can be increased to maximum with a single touch and visibility can be adjusted to suit well-lighted areas.
Ricoh Caplio R30 Optional Accessories List:
• Product Name Model Name
• Rechargeable Battery DB-60
• Battery Charger BJ-6
• AC Adapter AC-4c
• PC Card Adapter FM-SD53
• Soft Camera Case SC-60
• Cable Switch CA-1
Ricoh Caplio R30 Price and Availability:
• The Caplio R30 will be available from January. RRP £219.99 inc
Main Specifications of the Caplio R30.
Recording Format Compressed: JPEG (Exif ver. 2.21) DCF1 compliant, DPOF support
TIFF (MMR system ITU-T.6)
AVI (Open DML Motion JPEG Format compliant)
WAV (Exif ver.2.21 μ law)
Video Signal Method NTSC/PAL switchable
Recording Media SD Memory Card (3.3V 32.64.128.256.512MB,1GB)/Multi Media Card, Internal Memory (28MB)
CCD Effective 5.13 million square pixels (5.25 million pixels), 1/2.5-inch primary colour CCD
Resolution (pixels) 2592 x 1944,2592 x 1728,2048 x 1536,1280 x 960,640 x 480
2592 x 1944,2048 x 1536
320 x 240,160 x 120
Recording Mode Still (Continuous, S-Continuous, M-Continuous), Scene Mode (Portrait, Sports, Distant Landscape, Night Scene, Text, High Sensitivity, Skew Correction, Zoom Macro), Motion, Sound
Picture Mode2
F(Fine)/N (Normal)
Storage Data Capacity ＜Still＞ 2560 x 1920. F: approx. 1.81MB N: approx. 1.03MB, 2048 x 1536.F: approx. 1.35MB N: approx. 673KB, 1280 x 960 F: approx. 626KB N: approx. 326KB,640 x 480 N: approx. 83KB
Lens Focal length f4.6-26.4 (equivalent to 28-160mm for 35mm cameras. When setting Step Zoom, six fixed possible steps: 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm, and 160mm)
Brightness (F value) F 3.3 (W)-4.8 (T)
Zoom Optical 5.7x zoom (up to 20.5 x zoom when combined with digital zoom)
Shutter 8,4,2, 1-1/2000 sec. 1/30-1/2000 sec.
Object Distance approx. 0.3m-∞ (Wide), approx. 0.84m-∞ (Telephoto) Macro: approx. 0.01m-∞ (Wide), approx. 0.08m-∞ (Telephoto)
ISO Sensitivity AUTO/64,100,200,400,800
LCD Monitor 2.5 inch Translucent Amorphous Silicon TFT LCD (approx. 114,000 pixels)
Flash 3
Auto/ Red-Eye Reduction/ Flash / Slow Synchro/ Flash Off
Flash Range: approx. 0.2m-2.4m (Wide), approx. 0.14m-1.85m (Telephoto) (ISO: AUTO)
Focus Auto Focus/ Manual Focus/ Snap/ ∞ (includes AF auxiliary light) 4
Exposure Adjustment TTL-CCD method photometric system: Multi (256 segments)/ Centre weight/ Spot
Exposure Compensation Manual Compensation (+2.0～-2.0EV in 1/3EV steps) Auto Bracket Function
(-0.5EV.±0.+0.5EV)
White Balance Auto/ Fixed (Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten light, Tungsten light 2, Fluorescent, Manual)
Self Timer Operating Time: approx. 10 sec./ 2 sec.
Interval Timer Shooting interval: 5 sec. – 3 hours (in 5 sec. increments)5
PC Interface USB1.1 (Windows 98/98SE/2000Professional/Me/XP Home Edition/XP Professional pre-installed, or Mac OS 8.6-9.2.2/Mac OS X 10.1.2-10.3)
Choice of Ricoh original or Mass Storage driver6
AV Interface Audio Out/ Video Out
Battery Rechargeable Battery (DB-60)
Shooting Capacity7 Based on CIPA Standard: using the DB-60, approx. 330 pictures
Dimensions (W x D x H) 95.0mm(W) x26.0mm (D) x53.0mm (H) (excluding projections)
Weight Approx. 135g (without battery, SD memory card, and Hand strap)
Accessories approx. 45g (Rechargeable battery, SD memory card, and Hand strap)
Operating Temperature 0℃～40℃
Notes:
*1: DCF is the abbreviation of JEITA standard “Design rule for Camera File system”. (It does not guarantee perfect inter-camera compatibility.)
*2: Only N (Normal) is available for 640×480 size.
*3: When the flash range is set for ISO AUTO or ISO 400
*4: Under dark conditions, the flash may pre-flash before the camera shoots.
*5: With flash OFF
*6: Mass Storage driver is compatible with Windows Me/2000/XP, Mac OS9, and OSX10.2-10.4
It is not compatible with Windows 98/98SE or Mac OS8.6,
*7: Battery performance was measured using CIPA-standard parameters. Actual performance may vary according to usage conditions and
the brand of the battery.
Shutterbug reviews the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1 and writes - 'Konica Minolta’s DiMAGE X1 is an 8-megapixel point-and-shoot digicam that’s almost as tiny as their other X-series cameras. It’s also sleek, stylish, and comes with a cradle for transferring images and recharging. All that’s good stuff but the really big news is that the camera includes Konica Minolta’s Anti-Shake technology for taking sharp photos in low-light conditions with shutter speeds as slow as 1/6 sec.... Like I said, nothing’s perfect but the X1 delivers the best digital point-and-shoot experience currently available. When my friends who ask that perennial “what digital camera should I buy” question, I’ll tell ’em to get a Konica Minolta DiMAGE X1.
Read more reviews of 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)
Shutterbug reviews the Pentax *ist DL digital camera and writes - 'The Pentax *ist DL may not be perfect for sports photography enthusiasts, but it's a very desirable multipurpose camera. It would be a fine choice for families that include both novices and more experienced shooters. Faster than most of the digicams with built-in lenses, it's also capable of producing superior image quality particularly at high ISOs because of its larger sensor. It would also be a suitable choice for anyone who already owns some Pentax-mount lenses, whether autofocus or manual focus. At a street price of $749, including the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL zoom ($649 body only), the Pentax *ist DL is certainly a bargain for a versatile entry-level camera with an oversized LCD monitor.'
Read more reviews of the Pentax *ist DL
Get the Latest Price on the Pentax *ist DL
Adobe today announced a beta test of their new product called Lightroom which is a tool for Pro Photographers to import select, develop and showcases large numbers of digital images:
'Adobe Lightroom Beta is the efficient new way for professional photographers to import, select, develop, and showcase large volumes of digital images. So you can spend less time sorting and refining photographs, and more time actually shooting them. Its clean, elegant interface literally steps out of the way and lets you quickly view and work with the images you shot today, as well as the thousands of images that you will shoot over the course of your career. Because no two photographers work alike, Adobe Lightroom adapts to your workflow, not the other way around.'
Rhonda from Photography Hack has a great post today on Tips for Photographing Children with some very sensible tips (as well as some very cute photos of some children). Rhonda's main points in her advice for photographing children (each of which are expanded in the article) are:
1. Get them involved.
2. Location, location, location.
3. Be quick!
4. Be patient.
5. Choose your equipment wisely.
6. Shoot at eye level.
7. Get close!
8. Finish on a good note.
Photo Source
Steves Digicams reviews the Nikon Coolpix S4 digital camera and write - 'The Nikon Coolpix S4 is somewhat of a mixed bag. While we love the big 10x optical zoom lens, swiveling body design and its various user-friendly exposure modes; its average image quality, terrible movie mode, and slow flash recycle time really hinders its ability to "be all it can be". However, with an MSRP of around $399, it does offer a good value for a compact super-zoom model. If you don't mind spending a few more bucks, check out some similar cameras like Canon's PowerShot S2 IS, Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ5 or Konica Minolta's DiMAGE Z5.'
Read more reviews of the Nikon Coolpix S4
Get the Latest Price on the Nikon Coolpix S4 6MP Digital Camera
Digital Camera Info reviews the Fujifilm FinePix V10 and writes - 'With 5.1 megapixels, the Fujifilm FinePix V10 has just an average amount of resolution. Its 3.4x optical zoom lens has just enough focal length to be above average. The V10’s 3-inch LCD screen is excellent and its metal body is slim and stylish. It gets better. The camera has a gaming feature that can occupy kids for hours – or at least until the battery dies. The FinePix V10 definitely has a few quirks. Its playback mode button is a black hole, the navigation controls are tiny and not as comfortable as more traditional multi-selectors, and the highly touted games are buried in the playback menu. Nevertheless, the Fujifilm FinePix V10 has some very lucrative features: 64-1600 ISO sensitivities, good solid imaging guts, and a huge screen to view and capture pictures on. Overall, the V10 is simple to figure out. Users won’t have to wrestle it to get great pictures.'
Read more about the Fujifilm FinePix V10
Compare prices on the the Fujifilm Finepix V10 and get the latest price at Amazon
Digital Camera Info has a first impression review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 and LZ5 where they write - 'While we were evaluating preproduction models, initial impressions on image quality drag down the LZ5 and LZ3. We know there are users who aren't very sensitive to image quality, who won't mind the noise and boosted colors, and we expect they'll like the LZ5 and LZ3's interface, size, price, and image stabilization. For snapshooters primarily in search of additional insurance against blurred images, most of Panasonic’s optically stabilized cameras will suffice; however, those users printing their images at 8 x 10 or even 5 x 7, we recommend looking for cameras with cleaner images.'
Read more information on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5
Get the latest price on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 6MP
Get the latest price on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 5MP
The Democrat & Chronicle have news of a logo change over at Kodak this week:
'In another break with the past, Eastman Kodak Co. is introducing a new corporate logo designed to help the company forge a new image as a cutting-edge, 21st century innovator.
Kodak's new corporate symbol retains the company's distinctive red and yellow colors, but does away with the boxes that have contained the word "Kodak" for the past 70 years.'
'The Pentax Optio A10 is a small, well-built compact camera, designed to be Pentax's new flagship of their Optio line with the addition of a shake reductrion system. But there are some serious omissions: the lack of access to commonly-used manual controls is a big problem for a camera supposedly designed for more advanced users. There’s no way to manually set shutter or aperture and the manual focus is a pain. The battery life is also on the low side. '
Read more of this review of the Pentax Optio A10
Compare prices on the Pentax Optio A10 and get the latest price on the Pentax Optio A10 at Amazon
The HP Photosmart R927 has been given a first impression review at Digital Camera Info where they write - 'Overall though, the HP Photosmart R927 marks a definite change in both the style and intentions of prior HP digital cameras. These may actually provide a competitive alternative to the Kodak EasyShare consumer base. The R927 provides in-depth help, preset controls, manual options, WiFi connectivity, easy navigation, and in-camera editing options all while still producing a stylish and visually attractive product. While manual controls were the main concern, many users may never bother with them. With these points to consider, it will be interesting to see how well this model can perform when run through the DigitalCameraInfo.com testing system. We’ll find out if HP really will give Kodak a run for its money.'
Read more information about the HP Photosmart R927
Motorola and Eastman Kodak Company today announced a 10-year global product, cross licensing and marketing alliance intended to fulfill the promise of mobile imaging for the benefit of consumers.
By incorporating Kodak's image science and system integration expertise with Motorola iconic mobile device design, the two companies will greatly improve the ease-of-use and image capture experience of camera phones. The collaboration covers licensing, sourcing, software integration, marketing, and extends to co-development of image-rich devices with joint engineering teams. For example, Kodak expects to supply its CMOS sensors to Motorola for use in its camera phones, as well as in any future devices the companies co-develop. Additionally, the cooperation to seamlessly integrate millions of Motorola mobile devices with Kodak home printers, retail kiosks, and the KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery will finally provide an answer to those consumers who desire a quick and easy way to get their images out of the phone for sharing with friends and family.
"It's a natural partnership," said Ed Zander, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Motorola. "With Kodak, the global leader in imaging innovation, and Motorola, the global leader in mobile design and innovation, we'll forever change the way the world captures and shares mobile images. And by cooperating to simplify and enhance the quality of virtually every aspect of the development and delivery of the mobile imaging experience, we'll be able to bring new value and revenue opportunities to our operator customers while helping consumers by seamlessly liberating billions of photos stuck inside camera phones."
"Our companies will combine our knowledge and technological expertise to provide a mobile-imaging experience the way the consumer wants it," said Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kodak. "Motorola is the innovator in mobile devices; Kodak is the digital imaging innovator that has allowed people to easily make, manage and move pictures. Working in collaboration, our two companies have the capability and commitment to totally redefine photography in a connected world. Together, we will pursue our vision of a world where every consumer has a networked imaging device in her pocket or purse by the end of the decade."
The alliance delivers value by leveraging each company's intellectual property, particularly Kodak's patents covering digital imaging and Motorola's patents for wireless communications.
Motorola has always been at the forefront of mobile imaging with the global launch of the "must have" Triplets during the fourth quarter of 2003 and the subsequent integration of cameras into its award-winning RAZR, PEBL and SLVR phones worldwide. The fusion of voice communication with picture imaging communication into the device that is 'always with you,' has transformed the wireless communications industry.
Capturing moments was relatively easy for the wireless industry -- but sharing and printing those moments and turning them into revenue streams for wireless operators has proved to be a bigger challenge. Through this alliance, Kodak and Motorola will develop the answer -- and they've joined forces in an aggressive and global collaboration to bring this to market.
As Motorola contributes its knowledge of mobile devices and networks, Kodak will contribute its knowledge of the consumer's imaging behavior. Kodak is at the leading edge of connected imaging with the world's first wireless digital camera, the award winning EASYSHARE-One. Because the companies will have access to each other's technology, consumers can look forward to a more connected world, to a time when the ability to capture an image will always be available, when networks will exist to allow people to share images electronically through any number of devices, from camera phones to picture frames to products that have not yet been invented.
What's more, the advent of simple and seamless mobile imaging will redefine the camera while enhancing existing segments of the imaging market. Consumers, for example, will be able to more easily generate prints from KODAK kiosks and share memories from the KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery with wireless devices that are designed from the ground up with imaging in mind.
Under the alliance, Motorola and Kodak plan to initially expand access to and awareness of mobile-imaging services -- including retail programs, online services and customized operator-led initiatives that deliver a seamless, easy experience for consumers. During 2006, Motorola plans to launch handsets with integrated software to enrich the KODAK EASYSHARE experience, enabling consumers to access and manage their mobile images seamlessly and conveniently. In the years to come, Motorola and Kodak plan to deliver new and unique imaging experiences via the collaboration of Motorola and Kodak engineering teams, and the development of new co-created mobile devices.
This cross-licensing agreement between Kodak and Motorola delivers royalty revenues to Kodak. In keeping with both company's policies regarding royalty agreements, financial and other details will not be disclosed.
The Samsung SC-MS25 is another 6 megapixel multi function digital camera from Samsung.
It combines video and voice recording, music playback, data storage and web cam functionality in a sliding design (which for some reason looks like two wedges of cheese to me). The casing is magnesium.
The Samsung SC-MS25 has a large 3.0 inch LCD, 3x Optical Zoom lens, a large 512 megabytes of internal memory and shoots video in MPEG4. It comes in red, black and silver.
The SC-MS25 will have a retail price of $499.99 (USD) and should be available in stores in May of 2006.
Samsung SC-MS25 News Extract
The SC-MS25 combines 6 MegaPixel digital stills with high-quality MPEG4 recording allowing users to preserve those special moments in either photo or video format. Ultra-compact, with a chic magnesium body, the multi-function digital cameras slip easily into a pocket. A 3x optical zoom lens and a 3.0” wide LCD make it easy to capture the perfect shot while the built-in movie and photo image stabilizer supports the picture clarity.
Key features of the SC-MS25 include:
* Ultra compact 6MP digital camera
* 3.0” wide LCD
* 512MB (MS25) of built-in memory
* High-quality MPEG4 recording
* Chic magnesium body
* 3x optical zoom compact & slim lens
A sliding lens cover protects the lens from dust and scratches, and four “Hot Keys” provide shortcuts to the most frequently used functions according to the selected mode. The mode dial lets users switch functions easily with status displayed on the LCD screen. The camera can be charged via USB connection to a PC (when the power is off). The SC-MS25 includes 512MB of built-in memory. It comes with an SD/MMC slot for increased storage capacity.
The SC-MS25 will be available in May 2006 at $499.99 MAP.
The Samsung SC-MS10 is the most basic of the three mulitifunction digital cameras announced by Samsung today. Where as it's siblings have 6 megapixel sensors, the MS10 features a 5.3 CCD megapixel sensor and a smaller 2.5 inch LCD.
The SC-MS10 comes with a 3x Optical Zoom, Video recording (MPEG4 - 30 frames per second), voice recording, MP3 player, web cam functionality and data storage.
It comes with 64 megabytes of internal memory and USB 2.0.
The Samsung SC-MS10 will have a retail price of $349.99 (USD) when it appears in shops in February of 2006).
Samsung SC-MS10 News Release Extract
The SC-MS10 features a 5.3M CCD with 3x optical zoom and a 2.5” LCD. The camera captures MPEG4 movies in 640 x 480 resolution at 30 fps, the best available quality in the digital still camera category. Voice recording, data storage, MP3 playback and web cam capabilities offer true multi-function versatility in an ultra-compact, stylish package. With it’s 64MB of built in memory, expandable up to 512MB and a mini SD card slot, the SC-MS10 provides plenty of storage and transfers files easily with USB 2.0.
The SC-MS10 will be available in February 2006 at $349.99 MAP
Samsung have just announced three new digital cameras including the Samsung SC-MS20.
The flashy red SC-MS20 (it comes in black and silver also) has 6-in-1 functionality - with video and voice recording, music playback, data storage, web cam and digital stills. It has a 6 megapixel sensor, 3x Optical Zoom and MPEG3 video (30 frames per second - 640 x 480). It also features a lovely 3.0 inch LCD display and 64 megabytes of internal memory.
The Samsung SC-MS20 will be available in stores in May of 2006 at a retail price of $399.99 (USD).
The SC-MS20 model combines 6 MegaPixel digital stills with high-quality MPEG4 recording allowing users to preserve those special moments in either photo or video format. Ultra-compact, with a chic magnesium body, the multi-function digital cameras slip easily into a pocket. A 3x optical zoom lens and a 3.0” wide LCD make it easy to capture the perfect shot while the built-in movie and photo image stabilizer supports the picture clarity.
Key features of the SC-MS20 include:
* Ultra compact 6MP digital camera
* 3.0” wide LCD
* 64MB(MS20) of built-in memory
* High-quality MPEG4 recording
* Chic magnesium body
* 3x optical zoom compact & slim lens
A sliding lens cover protects the lens from dust and scratches, and four “Hot Keys” provide shortcuts to the most frequently used functions according to the selected mode. The mode dial lets users switch functions easily with status displayed on the LCD screen. The camera can be charged via USB connection to a PC (when the power is off). The SC-MS20 includes 64MB of built-in memory. It comes with an SD/MMC slot for increased storage capacity.
The SC-MS20 will be available in May 2006 at $399.99 MAP.
Steves Digicams has posted a review of the Pentax Optio S6 digital camera and writes - 'Like some of its predecessors, the Pentax Optio S6 offers some appealing features like its extremely pocketable size, all-metal construction and 6-megapixel sensor. It's not quite the performer we had hoped it wold be and like I stated above, image quality is average. While it comes with approx. 23MB of internal memory, there is no SD memory card included. And with the average file size of its 6-megapixel images being around 2.2MB, we strongly recommend you add at least a 256MB SD card to your purchase; you'll thanks us in the long run. At about $350, the S6 doesn't offer that good of a value, and we would recommend you look at some similar models like Sony's Cyber-shot P200, Casio's Exilim EX-Z750 or Canon's PowerShot SD550 just to name a few which can be found for about the same price. All of these will offer you better image quality and performance, but still allow you to tuck it away in almost any size pocket or purse.'
Read more reviews of the Pentax Optio S6
Pentax Optio S6BenQ News Release
BenQ Announces New High-Performance, Ultra-Slim Digital Cameras; Stylish Cameras Include the World’s Smallest 6-Megapixel Camera, a 5-Megapixel Model with an OLED Advanced Display and a Versatile 8-Megapixel Model
BenQ, a leading manufacturer of digital lifestyle devices, today unveiled three new additions to its digital camera lineup, the X600, C800 and E521. The highlight of the three models is the X600, the world’s smallest 6-megapixel camera. All three digital cameras offer an ultra-slim, compact design and versatile feature set, and are ideal for consumers seeking a high-quality multi-function digital camera at an affordable price.
Equipped with Pentax’s Super-Multi Coating (SMC) lens and a 3X optical zoom, the X600 delivers true-to-life, crisp photos with pristine clarity and superb contrast. A 2.5-inch high-resolution LTPS LCD screen and VGA movie recording at 30fps with AVI (MPEG-4) format ensures comfortable viewing and super smooth movie clips. In addition, the X600 offers a smart photo-editing function that includes trimming, resizing, rotation, color filter, movie editing, all of which can be done via a touch of a few buttons on the camera itself.
The compact design and ultra-thin thickness of 1.9 cm make the X600 an ideal accessory for on-the-go consumers.
The E521 features a 5-megapixel CCD (charge-coupled device), 3X optical zoom, MPEG-4 movie format and 2.0-inch OLED advanced display screen for very sharp rendering of photos. Targeting technology “first adopters” who demand the most advanced solutions, the camera features Pentax’s Super-Multi Coating (SMC) lens, a 3X optical zoom and fluid VGA movie recording at 30fps with AVI (MPEG-4) format.
The compact C800 features an 8-megapixel CCD (charge-coupled device), 3X optical zoom, MPEG-4 movie format and a large 2.4-inch TFT LCD screen for clear and comfortable photo viewing. The camera comes equipped with a Printer Mode for direct printing via a compatible printer and Burst Mode that enables four (4) shots to be taken per snap. The camera can be used as a Dictaphone and is bundled with 26MB of built-in memory.
Technical Specifications:
• X600 E521 C800
• Resolution 6 megapixel 5 megapixel 8 megapixel
• Display 2.5” color LTPS 2.0” color OLED 2.4” color TFT
• LCD (968x240 (640x240 pixels) LCD (480x234
• pixels) pixels)
• Movie VGA 30fps, MPEG4 VGA 30fps, MPEG4 VGA 30fps, MPEG4
• Internal Memory 23MB 20MB 26MB
• CIPA Power 150 shots 250 shots 80 shots
• Size 85.5 x 53.5 x 89 x 58.5 x 89 x 60.5 x
• 19 mm 23.7 mm 32.7 mm
Pricing and Availability:
X600 E521 C800
Estimated Street Price $399 $299 $229
Availability Currently January 2006
David Peterson from the popular Digital Photo Secrets Newsletter and e-books (that I know many readers of this blog have signed up for) has just announced a new product for Digital Photographers wanting to have a professional review their Digital Photos and get support to improve them.
I know many readers of this site want to improve their photos as our tips section is the most visited element of this site and I am emailed constantly asking for advice. This service will be well worth checking out. It's called:
The program is limited in numbers to ensure the quality of attention each member gets is of a high quality. The service includes chances to submit your photos as well as some live teleconferences with a Pro to take you through some elements to work on in digital photography.
David describes the product by writing:
'This area will highlight what you have done right in the photo, and what needs to be improved to make the photo truly sensational... And "how" to do that. You also receive a rating out of 10 from your professional reviewer to give you an indication of how great your photo is.'
David doesn't do things by halves so I suspect Review your Photos will be popular and helpful for those who use it. There are three levels of membership - so check it out today.
Update: I've just had an email from David and he's kindly offered a free bonus exclusively to anyone from Digital Photography Blog who signs up for his service. This isn't available anywhere else but with your membership you'll get an audio file bonus tip on fixing 'blurry pictures' - especially those taken in low light conditions. It also features tips on "Image Sharpening" and "Contrast". All of this is from David's interview with a Pro Photographer and is exclusive to DPB readers (that's you and me!).
French website Chasseur d'Images has published details of a rumored DSLR from Nikon - the Nikon D3H.
The Nikon D3H has not been mentioned by Nikon to this point so it's pure speculation - but if the rumors have legs it's a 10 megapixel camera with a 3 inch LCD, USB 2.0 and Wireless.
Some of the specifications are a little sketchy and bordering on dubious - but here's a summary of the specs list:
What do you think? Fake, True, Half Truth, Someone with too much time on their hands???
Samsung are also officially launching the Samsung Digimax V800 - a camera that has been previewed here previously. This digital camera features an 8 megapixel sensor (CCD), 2.5 inch LCD and 3x Optical Zoom lens.
The V800 shoots video at up to 30 frames per second (640 x 480 pixels), 11 scene modes and has digital image stabilization.
The V800 will retail at $399 (USD) and should be available in stores at the end of January 2006.
Buy the Samsung Digimax V800 8MP Digital Camera at Amazon.
The Samsung Digimax A503 is a camera aimed at the lower to medium end of the market with it's 5 megapixel CCD sensor, 2 inch LCD Display, 32 megabytes of internal memory, and fixed focal length lens (no optical zoom - just a 5x digital one).
The Samsung Digimax A503 retails for just $139 so it's no surprise that it has few manual controls and is pretty much a point and shoot camera with a few scene modes and a special effects button (if you want to make your pictures tinted red, green or blue).
The camera does has PictBridge printing via USB and has some novelty 'frames/borders' that can be attached to photos before printing.
Get the Latest Price on the Samsung Digimax A503
Lets Go Digital reviews the Samsung Digimax A503 and writes - 'The Samsung Digimax 503 digital compact camera gives beginners taking their first steps in the world of digital photography a host of possibilities as well as being user-friendly. Add to this great results and extensive possibilities and the final conclusion is that Samsung has managed to bring a digital camera on the market that has great possibilities, simple operation, excellent results and last but not least, also looks great. I can heartily recommend the Samsung Digimax A503 to any beginning photographer!'
The Sony Cybershot DSC-S600 is a new six megapixel (CCD) digital camera from Sony that features a 3x Optical Wide angle zoom (31-93mm) lens.
The DSC-S600 has 32 megabytes of internal memory, 2 inch LCD Screen and 30 frames per second VGA MPEG4 video mode. It measures 99.9 x 52.0 x 36.8mm and weighs 181 grams.
The Sony Cybershot DSC-S600 will be priced at the $200 (USD) mark and should be available in the coming weeks in some Sony outlets.
Compare prices on the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-S600 and get the Latest Price on the "Sony Cybershot DSC-S600 at Amazon
There is more to consider when purchasing a digital still camera than pixels and price. Sony's new Cyber-shot(R) DSC-S600 model offers that and more.
The new camera features six-megapixel resolution and a precision Carl Zeiss(R) Vario-Tessar lens with a 3x optical wide-angle (31 - 93 mm) zoom, which is much wider than other cameras in its class, so everyone is sure to be in the shot.
It has an advanced feature set engineered to deliver focused, properly exposed pictures in a snap.
"In addition to its impressive six megapixels, it's a camera with intelligence, helping you to capture every special moment without concern about complex camera settings," said James Neal, director of digital imaging products at Sony Electronics.
Sophisticated Controls for Better Pictures
For only about $200, the camera offers a combination of advanced features.
It offers sophisticated auto exposure and focus controls that work transparently behind the scenes for a seamless camera experience. Sony's multi-pattern measuring function gauges incoming light by examining 49 points across the frame. With multi-point auto focus, the camera intelligently evaluates five different focus areas and selects the best focus setting for the subject instead of the background.
Sony goes even further by adding high-light sensitivity (up to IS0 1000) to the model, allowing for higher shutter speeds in low-light conditions and reducing the chance of blurred images. With higher sensitivity, you can shoot in available light for more natural exposure or in settings where flash is not permitted, such as museums.
When you do need flash photography, this same sensitivity actually increases the camera's flash effective range to 33 feet -- significantly greater than previous models in its class.
Tools for Added Convenience
This compact, ultra-portable camera is ready to capture pictures whenever the moment strikes. Powered by Sony's Real Imaging Processor(R) circuit, this Cyber-shot model boasts a quick start-up, fast shot-to-shot times, and long battery life -- up to 460 shots per charge using rechargeable NiMH batteries.
The camera fits comfortably in your hand and has a large, two-inch LCD screen for easy viewing and image sharing.
For those moments when a simple still picture does not capture the entire mood, the DSC-S600 model captures 640x480 VGA-resolution MPEG video at 30 frames per second that is perfect for viewing on your television.
It is equipped with 32MB of internal memory so that you can start shooting as soon as the camera is out of the box. The camera's capacity can be easily expanded with an optional Memory Stick Duo(TM) media card or Memory Stick PRO Duo(TM) card, now available in capacities up to two gigabytes.
More Ways to Enjoy Cyber-Shot Cameras
The camera's image resolution is ideal for making high-quality prints. Simply connect the model to a Sony DPP-FP50 digital photo printer and print from the convenience of your own home. You can even create postcards or calendars using the printer's supplied software.
With Sony's ImageStation(R) online photo service, you can expand your options to print tens or even hundreds of pictures, create online photo and video albums, or make customized gifts from coffee mugs and photo books to calendars and T-shirts.
The Cyber-shot DSC-S600 camera is available now online at Sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin today at www.sony.com/S600
It is supplied with two AA alkaline batteries, a USB cable, wrist strap and CD-ROM software. Options include an accessory kit (ACC-CN3TR) for about $40, an AC Adapter (AC-LS5K) for about $40, and a tripod (VCT-R100) for about $35.
Get the Latest Price on the "Sony Cybershot DSC-S600
Steves Digicams reviews the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 and writes - 'The Sony Cyber-shot S600 is a very good all-around performer. It shuns ultra compact styling and the trend of providing a 2 1/2-inch LCD without an optical viewfinder, instead providing a versatile set of features that are useful in every day shooting situations; I especially liked the S600's wide angle zoom range, very powerful flash and versatile range of sensitivity settings. With very good image quality, 6-megapixels of resolution, high-quality movies and an MSRP of under $200, the Sony DSC-S600 is a terrific value, especially if you shoot a lot of indoor family events.'
CNET has posted a review of the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-S600 digital camera which they give a rating of 7.0 out of 10. They write - 'The chunky, 6.7-ounce Sony Cyber Shot DSC-S600 offers remarkable flexibility despite its bargain price. Its 6-megapixel resolution and moderately wide 31mm-to-93mm (35mm-film-camera equivalent) lens, in conjunction with pretty decent low-light photos and extended shutter-speed latitude in moderate light, combine to produce a point-and-shoot camera with enough versatility to handle most picture-taking situations.'
Imaging Resource has posted a review of the Sony Cyber-shot DCS-S600 and writes - 'The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 is a capable 6.0-megapixel digital camera, aimed at novices and consumers looking for a "no fuss" digital camera for travel, but we found its images somewhat contrasty for our taste and its images showed a bit more optical distortion than average at both ends of its zoom range. It packs a sharp, high-quality 3x optical zoom lens with a wider than average maximum wide angle setting, seven preset Scene modes and a handful of other creative options in to a very small, well-built package. As noted, we found its contrast levels a bit high, to the extent that it tended to lose detail in strong highlights and shadows when faced with harsh lighting.'
Think Camera reviews the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S600 where they give it a rating of 3 out of 5 stars and write - 'Although not as slim as some current cameras, the DSC-S600 is significantly cheaper, and you get Sony quality and features. For many people the size is much better as it's easier to hold and there's space to set the controls out in a more intuitive layout. You also get an optical viewfinder, which many people still find is a more natural way to take photos, and a decent tripod socket.... The Sony DSC-S600 is a good value, all-round entry-level camera, though because it's been built down to a price it's unlikely to satisfy experienced photographers. But the well-chosen blend of features makes it an extremely good choice for general use and particularly while travelling and on holiday.'
Sony have today announced the US release of the Sony Cyber-shot M2 - a digital camera previously announced for the European market.
The Sony Cyber-shot M2 is a digital camera that seeks to converge still photography and video into one unit.
It features a rotating design that looks a little like a phone and enables one handed shooting, 5.1 megapixel image sensor, MPEG-4 recording, 3x Optical Zoom lens, aluminum case, USB 2.0 and 2.5 inch LCD.
There has been no announcement on the US price or availability on the Sony Cybershot M2 at this point.
Featuring 5.1-megapixel resolution, a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar(R) lens and Sony's Real Imaging Processor(R) circuitry, the camera offers outstanding image capture in either mode.
"We recognize that some people don't want to have separate imaging devices for their photos and video," said James Neal, director of digital imaging products at Sony Electronics. "Our new Cyber-shot has been specifically engineered for these people."
A New Way To Record
Designed for optimal photo taking and video making, the camera's vertical one-handed grip sits comfortably in the palm of your hand. With just a gentle push to the side of the LCD panel, the camera powers up, the 2.5-inch LCD screen flips out, and it is ready to shoot.
Every moment becomes a full story with the camera's hybrid record mode. When you press the shutter release, you get more than a snapshot. The camera automatically records five seconds of video before snapping the picture and three seconds after. There is no longer a need to choose between stills and video -- you can get both.
Sony's MPEG MOVIE 4TV movie function captures full-screen, high-quality video. At 640 x 480 VGA resolution and 30 frames per second, the resulting clips are ideal for viewing on television. The model's sensor has been optimized with a high refresh rate, doubling the horizontal resolution.
The camera's MPEG4 compression captures high-quality video in far less space than other cameras using MPEG1 technology. You can record high- resolution still images and video clips without a large-capacity media card. Or, you can purchase a 2 GB Memory Stick PRO Duo(TM) media card and record up to 1-1/2 hours of continuous video.
Additionally, the new camera offers stereo audio recording to truly capture the full experience of being there with surprising fidelity for such a compact device.
And, while some digital cameras do not let you zoom in movie mode, the DSC-M2 model continues to zoom in all modes.
The camera is supplied with Nero Vision Express 3 software so that editing footage and burning it to DVD is effortless. Convert video clips into home videos for everyone to enjoy. The supplied Cyber-shot Station cradle provides a convenient connection point for television viewing, USB transfer, and in- camera battery charging.
On-Camera Show and Tell
The new camera features pocket album and slide show plus movie functions to maximize your viewing enjoyment.
With each full-resolution image shot and stored on your Memory Stick, the camera's pocket album function automatically stores a duplicate 640x480 resolution image in its internal memory, which holds 1,100 images. When the maximum capacity is reached, unprotected images are deleted leaving ample room for your favorites in pocket album for sharing wherever you go.
The camera's slide show function brings photos to life without using a PC. Images and video can be played back with pans, wipes, fades and zooms, and then choreographed to pre-loaded soundtracks. You can even upload your own music to personalize slide shows using the supplied Picture Package software. A built-in speaker gives your slide shows that cinematic effect with sound to complete the experience. And, of course, a television can be connected for added enjoyment.
More Ways to Enjoy Cyber-Shot Digital Cameras
The camera's image resolution is ideal for making high-quality prints. Simply connect the model to a Sony DPP-FP50 digital photo printer and print from the convenience of your own home. You can even create postcards or calendars using the printer's supplied software.
With Sony's ImageStation(R) online photo service, you can expand your options to print tens or even hundreds of pictures, create online photo and video albums, or make customized gifts from coffee mugs and photo books, to calendars and T-shirts.
Stylish and compact, the Cyber-shot DSC-M2 camera is finished in an elegant silver metallic aluminum case. The unit will be available this month online at Sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (http://www.sonystyle.com/retail), and for about $500 at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin today at http://www.sony.com/M2
The camera is supplied with a Cyber-shot Station(TM) cradle, which makes charging and connecting to a computer, printer or TV even simpler; an InfoLITHIUM(TM) battery; AC adapter; AV/USB cables, PicturePackage v. 1.2.1 and Nero Vision Express 3 software; and a wrist strap. Optional accessories include a form-fitting case (LCS-MHB) for about $40, a travel charger (BC-TR1) for about $60 and a tripod (VCT-R100) for about $35.
The HP Photosmart R927 is the top of the range digital camera to be announced by HP today. It has an 8.2 megapixel sensor, a 3x Optical Zoom lens and a lovely large 3.0 inch LCD display which is sure to get the mouths of HP fans watering.
The HP Photosmart R927 also features 32 megabytes of internal memory, 17 shooting modes, as well as the same array of in camera features as others announced today with in camera red eye removal, the ability to add artistic effects and on camera sharing via Snapfish using HP Photosmart Express.
It's ultra compact metal casing measures 96 x 25.6 x 62mm and it comes in with a total weight of 170 grams (not the smallest camera in their range but a solid looking one).
The HP Photosmart R927 will be in stores available for purchase in March of 2006.
Compare prices on the Hewlett Packard Photosmart R927 and get the Latest Price on the HP Photosmart R927
The premium styled, ultra-compact HP Photosmart R927 Digital Camera features a bright 3-inch LCD with a 170-degree viewing angle for unsurpassed indoor and outdoor viewing. Take brilliant 8.2-megapixel photos with the powerful HP Precision 24x total zoom. With the latest features such as automatic in-camera red-eye removal, HP Design Gallery and other HP Real Life technologies, users can easily take brilliant digital photos perfect for printing and sharing.
HP Photosmart R927 Key Features and Benefits
• 8.2-megapixels for brilliant resolution for beautiful prints and enlargements up to poster size
• HP Precision 3x optical lens, 8x digital zoom for 24x total zoom
• 3-inch image display with an extra-wide viewing angle for shooting indoors or out.
• 32 MB internal memory allows users to store photos in the camera
• 17 shooting modes, macro multi-zone auto focus and burst mode for quality shots in a variety of conditions
• On-camera button to easily order and share photos on Snapfish using HP Photosmart Express (1)
• Features an ultra-compact, durable metal body with a sleek, premium finish
HP Photosmart R927 Additional Features
• HP Real Life technologies help take the guesswork out of digital photography and make it easy to produce great photos that are crisp, realistic and true-to-life. HP Real Life technologies include:
- NEW: Automatic In-camera red-eye removal to remove red-eye while images are still in the camera
- NEW: HP Design Gallery adds artistic effects and borders right in the camera – includes slimming feature for your best possible photos
- Improved Image Advice now provides real-time feedback to users on how to improve a specific picture the next time it is captured—like having a professional photographer with you at all times!
- Adaptive Lighting Bracketing allows you to adjust high-contrast photos to bring faces out of shadows and details out of backgrounds while automatically capture 3 versions of the same scene – one with adaptive lighting off, one with adaptive lightingon low and the final with adaptive lighting on high
- In-camera panorama stitching allows the user to align, capture and review a panorama image on the camera and stitch up to 5 photos together to save as one image for easy printing before downloading to a computer
- High-quality VGA video with audio shoots at 24 frames per second and offers the ability to save still shots for printing
• HP Photosmart Express makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy – users simply take a photo and select its destination right on the back of the camera – up to 34 destinations, including e-mail addresses, online albums, printers and Snapfish for ordering photos
• Included dock recharges the camera and makes it easy to print and e-mail photos.
• Optional HP Photosmart 6221 Premium Camera Dock lets users easily save, view, print and share photos on a PC, Snapfish and TV, and recharge in-camera battery, plus a spare. Add Wireless capabilities by purchasing the HP Photosmart 6222 Wireless Dock Base to share your photos via a wireless home network. (2)
HP Photosmart R927 Technical Specifications
• 8.2-megapixel resolution
• 24x total zoom—3x optical, 8x digital
• Dimensions/Weight
- 96 mm (W) x 25.6 mm (D) x 62 mm (H)
- 170 grams without batteries
• PictBridge support
• JPEG (Exif 2.2 support)
• Support/Connectivity
- USB Connectivity
- USB-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows® XP, x64, 2000, Me, 98SE, or 98, Intel® Pentium® II, Celeron® or compatible CPU, Internet Explorer 5.01SP2 or later
o USB-compatible Macintosh computer with Mac OS v10.2.8, v10.3, v10.4
• HP offers a comprehensive support package for the HP Photosmart R927 Digital Camera that includes one-year of phone support as well as real-time chat and email support beyond the warranty as part of its HP Total Care portfolio of services.
HP Photosmart R927 Pricing and Availability
• Estimated U.S. street price is TBD
• Expected to be available for purchase March 2006 in North America, and specific countries in Latin America and Europe.
(1) On-camera Snapfish feature available in UK and US only.
(2) Not included; please purchase separately.
The HP Photosmart R927 has been given a first impression review at Digital Camera Info where they write - 'Overall though, the HP Photosmart R927 marks a definite change in both the style and intentions of prior HP digital cameras. These may actually provide a competitive alternative to the Kodak EasyShare consumer base. The R927 provides in-depth help, preset controls, manual options, WiFi connectivity, easy navigation, and in-camera editing options all while still producing a stylish and visually attractive product. While manual controls were the main concern, many users may never bother with them. With these points to consider, it will be interesting to see how well this model can perform when run through the DigitalCameraInfo.com testing system. We�ll find out if HP really will give Kodak a run for its money.'
Steves Digicams has posted a helpful review of the HP PhotoSmart R927 and writes - 'The PhotoSmart R927 is an appealing 8-megapixel model. Offering good image quality, performance, and durability, it should make a great camera for any family or business. You're sure to capture some great pictures thanks to its Real Life technologies and helpful hints and menus. With an MSRP of about $399, it offers a good "bang for your buck" and is sure to be yet another popular HP model.'
Digital Camera Tracker posts a review of the HP Photosmart R927 where they write - 'HP's Photosmart R927 is one fun camera to take pictures with. Menu navigation is without a doubt one of the easiest I've seen. Easy navigation combined with the 3 inch LCD makes for larger than normal print, which makes it SUPER easy to read. With that said if you will be making large prints you might be dissatisfied with the purple fringing issue. Otherwise, the R927 records well exposed photos with rich colors. The camera fires up almost instantly and is ready to go. However, once you begin taking pictures the R927 is a little arthritic and suffers from slow processing. If you're the kind of person that's bothered by that type of thing you might look to another camera. Personally, once I discovered that the R927 was a little on the slow side I just took it into consideration and from then on it didn't matter.'
Digital Camera Review has posted their review of the HP Photosmart R927 in which they write - 'The HP Photosmart R927 provides a vast array of options and capabilities neatly packaged into an easy to use device. It's solid enough for advanced use, and easy enough that someone with no prior experience can pick it up and go. All in all, I'd call it a very worthwhile camera for the money, whether you're looking for a simple and effective means of snapping a few casual pictures, or you're an hobbyist wanting more powerful equipment without sacrificing usability.'
CNET reviews the HP Photosmart R927 and gives it a rating of 6.2 out of 10 ('Good'). They write - 'Most digital cameras come with the assumption that the user has at least some knowledge of photography--but not HP's Photosmart R927. Sure, it's the 8-megapixel flagship of the company's camera line, but with a menu and help system that's every bit as slick at its sculpted, brushed-aluminum casing, the Photosmart R927 doesn't require you to know anything to get started with this camera. As in the past with some HP cameras, we were less than satisfied with its image quality. Still, very casual snapshooters will likely be pleased with the R927, especially if they're just getting into photography, but discerning users will be disappointed with the final output.'
Think Camera reviews the Hewlett Packard Photosmart R927 where they write - 'The middling lens on this camera is compensated for by above average software and features like the built-in help menu. Once you have accepted the unconventional styling, it is average to use. This isn't a camera to fall in love with. However, if you want a practical good value camera with some very good software this is a strong contender.'
Infosync has a review of the HP Photosmart R927 and writes, "Images retained bright colors and crisp details in a variety of lighting conditions. The 3X optical zoom is a bit scant yet acceptable, and we didn't experience any purple fringing or blur in our test shots. ... The HP Photosmart R927 isn't the most chic digicam on the market, but it takes very good photos and offers tons of scene modes and in-camera tweaks. Photos looked clear and vibrant overall, and its Design Gallery improves snaps before printing and provides creative controls not found elsewhere."
PCMag has a review of the HP Photosmart R929 and writes, "In our PC Magazine Labs testing, the daylight and flash shots revealed just a touch of noise, but nothing that interfered with the image. Colors were accurate and the exposure was good overall. The camera had excellent flash coverage in our still-life test shot, which gave it a nice well-balanced exposure. The saturation could have been stronger in the daylight image, which was a little contrasty, with shadow areas blocking some image details. ... The HP Photosmart R927 is a solid camera that offers myriad entertaining and useful features, from artistic effects and shooting modes to image advice and capture options. But nothing beats the "tummy tuck" feature for giving you a whole new, slimmer image."
Imaging Resource reviews the Hewlett Packard Photosmart R927 and writes - 'There's a lot to like on the HP R927 including a stylish but sturdy stainless steel design, a huge 3-inch LCD with decent resolution, and good overall speed for a consumer camera including virtually no shutter lag when you pre-focus. Best of all about the HP 927 -- as with many models in HP's Photosmart series -- is its extensive feature set. HP's helpful Real Life technologies include one of the best Red-eye removal features I've used along with a very fun new Design Galley function that lets you tweak your images in a variety of ways without the need of a PC or additional software. The R927 is also very simple and intuitive to use with an easy-to-read menu system and a straight-forward layout. The HP R927 has a lot of features a beginning photographer could definitely use including ample scene modes and easy-to-use Bracketing functions. Best of all is the HP R927's revamped Image Advice function which comments on your pictures after you've taken them, and offers suggestion on how to make them better the next time.'
Compare prices on the Hewlett Packard Photosmart R927 and get the Latest Price on the HP Photosmart R927
The HP Photosmart R727 is a 6.2 megapixel digital camera with a large 2.5 inch LCD display and 3x Optical Zoom lens.
Measuring just 92 x 23 x 61mm and weighing only 130grams the R727 fits into a pocket easily and should take a few knocks and bumps with it's metal casing.
The HP Photosmart R727 features the same array of in camera features as other HP digital cameras announced today with red eye removal, adding artistic effects to images and sharing via Snap Fish. It has PictBridge compatability and has the option of connecting with the HP Photosmart 6221 Camera Dock for viewing of photos on TV, printing, recharging and transferring of photos to PC. It can be extended with wireless capabilities by pairing it with the HP Photosmart 6222 Dock Base.
Expect to see the HP Photosmart R727 in stores in April of 2006.
Get the latest price on the HP R727 Hp Photosmart R727
HP Photosmart R727 News Release
HP Photosmart R727 Digital Camera
Take stunning 6.2-megapixel photos with the elegant, metal HP Photosmart R727 Digital Camera. This ultra-compact digital camera features a bright, indoor and outdoor 2.5-inch image display screen while being thin enough to slip in your pocket. With the latest generation of HP Real Life technologies, including automatic in-camera red-eye removal and HP Design Gallery, users can easily take brilliant digital photos perfect for printing and sharing.
HP Photosmart R727 Key Features and Benefits
• 6.2-megapixels for incredible resolution for beautiful prints and enlargements up to poster size
• Internal HP Precision 24x total zoom, 3x optical, 8x digital
• 2.5-inch LCD for framing and viewing photos and menus – indoors or out
• On-camera button to easily order and share photos on Snapfish using HP Photosmart Express (1)
• Features an elegant, thin all-metal design to fit easily in a pocket or purse
HP Photosmart R727 Additional Features
• HP Real Life technologies help take the guesswork out of digital photography and make it easy to produce great photos that are crisp, realistic and true-to-life. HP Real Life technologies include:
- NEW: Automatic In-camera red-eye removal to remove red-eye while images are still in the camera
- NEW: HP Design Gallery adds artistic effects and borders right in the camera – includes slimming feature for your best possible photos—no PC or software required.
- Improved Image Advice now provides real-time feedback to users on how to improve a specific picture the next time it is captured—like having a professional photographer with you at all times!
- In-camera panorama stitching allows the user to align, capture and review a panorama image on the camera and stitch up to 5 photos together to save as one image for easy printing without downloading to a computer
- High-quality VGA video with audio shoots at 24 frames per second and offers the ability to save still shots for printing
• HP Photosmart Express makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy – users simply take a photo and select its destination right on the back of the camera – up to 34 destinations, including e-mail addresses, online albums, and printers
• New HP Photosmart Software allows users to edit, organize, print, share and archive digital photos
• Optional HP Photosmart 6221 Premium Camera Dock lets users easily view photos on TV, transfer photos to the PC, print and recharge in-camera batteries, plus a spare. Add Wireless capabilities by purchasing the HP Photosmart 6222 Wireless Dock Base (2)
HP Photosmart R727 Technical Specifications
• 6.2-megapixel resolution
• 3x optical zoom, 8x digital zoom
• Dimensions/Weight
- 93mm (W) x 23mm (D) x 61mm (H)
- 130 grams without battery
• PictBridge support
• JPEG (Exif 2.2)
• Support/Connectivity
- USB Connectivity
- USB-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows® XP, x64, 2000, Me, 98SE, or 98, Intel® Pentium® II, Celeron® or compatible CPU, Internet Explorer 5.01SP2 or later
- USB-compatible Macintosh computer with Mac OS v10.2.8, v10.3, v10.4
• HP offers a comprehensive support package for the HP Photosmart R727 Digital Camera that includes one-year of phone support as well as real-time chat and email support beyond the warranty as part of its HP Total Care portfolio of services.
HP Photosmart R727 Pricing and Availability
• Estimated U.S. street price is TBD
• Expected to be available for purchase April 2006 in North America, and specific countries of Latin America and Europe.
(1) On-camera Snapfish feature available in UK and US only.
(2) Not included; please purchase separately.
DCRP reviews the HP Photosmart R727 and recommends - 'The R727 is packed with innovative features -- too many to list here. Some of my favorites include Adaptive Lighting, in-camera panorama stitching, Photosmart Express (photo sharing), and a redeye reduction system that really works. You won't find many manual controls on this camera, though -- in fact, there's just one: white balance. That means that the camera makes its own decisions, which isn't always the best, as the night shot illustrated. The built-in Photosmart Express feature lets you e-mail, print, and share your photos by tagging photos on the camera in advance. Connect the camera to your Mac or PC and the photos are sent to the appropriate destination. The software side is a bit clunky, with a sluggish web-based interface and the fact that e-mailed photos aren't really sent to the recipient -- they go to Snapfish instead. The camera has a decent movie mode, though the frame rate is lower than on most of the competition.'
Get the latest price on the HP R727 Hp Photosmart R727
The HP Photosmart R725 is a 6.2 megapixel digital camera with 3x Optical Zoom (no surprises there).
It features a slim but sturdy metal design and a 2 inch LCD display.
As with other HP digital cameras announced today the Photosmart R725 features a number of in camera editing and sharing technologies that allow images to be shared via Snapfish or emailed, saved and printed.
The HP Photosmart R725 features PictBridge compatability, in camera red eye removal and measures 93 x 23 x 81mm (weight is just 130 grams).
Expect to find the HP Photosmart R725 in stores by April of 2006.
Get the latest price on the HP Photosmart R725 6.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
Digital Camera Info reviews the HP Photosmart R725 and writes - 'The HP Photosmart R725 is a small and easily portable camera for both beginning and casual point-and-shoot enthusiasts. The menu structures are easy to navigate, with a plethora of partial and full text options provided with both live view and example thumbnails. The inclusion of an automatic red-eye reduction feature is handy. The camera does move somewhat beyond sheer Auto mode, providing both custom image presets and manual control over settings like Bracketed Exposure, Exposure Compensation, Flash, Metering, and other options.'
Take stunning 6.2-megapixel photos with the elegant HP Photosmart R725 Digital Camera. This ultra-compact digital camera features a bright, indoor and outdoor 2-inch image display and sturdy all metal body, while being thin enough to slip in your pocket. With the latest generation of HP Real Life technologies, including new features such as automatic in-camera red-eye removal and HP Design Gallery, users can easily take brilliant digital photos perfect for printing and sharing.
HP Photosmart R725 Key Features and Benefits
• 6.2-megapixels for incredible resolution for beautiful prints and enlargements up to poster size
• Internal HP Precision 24x total zoom, 3x optical, 8x digital
• 2-inch LCD for framing and viewing photos and menus – indoors or out
• On-camera button to easily order and share photos on Snapfish using HP Photosmart Express (1)
• Features an elegant, thin all-metal design to fit easily in a pocket or purse
HP Photosmart R725 Additional Features
• HP Real Life technologies help take the guesswork out of digital photography and make it easy to produce great photos that are crisp, realistic and true-to-life. HP Real Life technologies include:
- NEW: Automatic In-camera red-eye removal to remove red-eye while images are still in the camera
- NEW: HP Design Gallery adds artistic effects and borders right in the camera-– includes slimming feature for your best possible photos—no PC or software required.
- Improved Image Advice now provides real-time feedback to users on how to improve a specific picture the next time it is captured—like having a professional photographer with you at all times!
- In-camera panorama stitching allows the user to align, capture and review a panorama image on the camera and stitch up to 5 photos together to save as one image for easy printing without downloading to a computer
o High-quality VGA video with audio shoots at 24 frames per second and offers the ability to save still shots for printing
• HP Photosmart Express makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy – users simply take a photo and select its destination right on the back of the camera – up to 34 destinations, including e-mail addresses, online albums, and printers
• New HP Photosmart Software allows users to edit, organize, print, share and archive digital photos
• Optional 6221 HP Photosmart Premium Camera Dock lets users easily view photos on TV, transfer photos to the PC, print and recharge in-camera batteries, plus a spare set. Wireless capabilities are enabled by purchasing the HP Photosmart 6222 Wireless Dock Base (2)
HP Photosmart R725 Technical Specifications
• 6.2-megapixel resolution
• 3x optical zoom, 8x digital zoom
• Dimensions/Weight
- 93mm (W) x 23mm (D) x 61mm (H)
- 130 grams without battery
• PictBridge support
• JPEG (Exif 2.2)
• Support/Connectivity
- USB Connectivity
- USB-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows XP, x64, 2000, Me, 98SE, or 98, Intel Pentium II, Celeron or compatible CPU, Internet Explorer 5.01SP2 or later
- USB-compatible Macintosh computer with Mac OS v10.2.8, v10.3, v10.4
• HP offers a comprehensive support package for the HP Photosmart R725 Digital Camera that includes one-year of phone support as well as real-time chat and email support beyond the warranty as part of its HP Total Care portfolio of services.
HP Photosmart R725 Pricing and Availability
• Estimated U.S. street price is TBD
• Expected to be available for purchase April 2006 in North America and Europe.
(1) On-camera Snapfish feature available in UK and US only.
(2) Not included; please purchase separately.
Get the latest price on the HP Photosmart R725 6.2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
The HP Photosmart M527 is another 6 megapixel digital camera to be announced by HP today. It features a 3x Optical Zoom lens and a 2 inch LCD display.
The HP Photosmart M527 also comes with 16 megabytes of internal memory as well as on camera sharing via Snapfish (US and UK only), email and printing. It also has the HP Design Gallery which allows adding of effects while on camera.
The HP Photosmart M527 measures 95 x 32 x 62mm and weighs 152 grams. It will be available for purchase in North America from April of 2006.
Digital Camera Info reviews the Hewlett Packard M527 digital camera and writes - 'The HP Photosmart M527 will provide consumers with a 6 MP CCD, 3x optical zoom, 2-inch LCD, and features which are commonly found on other cameras within this price range. There are a few features which set this camera apart from other manufacturers’ offerings. The inclusion of an extensive Help structure and a basic simple external and internal navigation structure assures that users will be able to navigate all menus without needing to constantly refer to the User’s Manual or other resources.'
Get impressive 6-megapixel photos with the easy-to-use HP Photosmart M527 Digital Camera. This digital camera has 21x total zoom - 3x optical, 7x digital - and features HP Real Life technologies, including HP in-camera red eye removal and HP Design Gallery. With the new HP Design Gallery, users can easily take brilliant digital photos. Intuitive button design allows for quick, one-handed shots, in addition to one-button ordering and sharing of photos with HP Photosmart Express. (1)
HP Photosmart M527 Key Features and Benefits
• 6-megapixels for impressive resolution for beautiful prints and enlargements up to poster-size
• 2-inch image display, intuitive button layout and overall compact stylish design allow for easy one-handed shots
• On-camera button to easily order and share photos on Snapfish using HP Photosmart Express (1)
• 16 MB internal memory allows users to store photos in the camera
• Extra storage capacity available with optional SD card (2)
• HP Photosmart Premier Software is a complete, easy-to-use software solution for editing, organizing, printing and sharing digital photos
HP Photosmart M527 Additional Features
• HP Real Life technologies help take the guesswork out of digital photography and make it easy to produce great photos that are crisp, realistic and true-to-life. HP Real Life technologies include:
- NEW: HP Design Gallery adds artistic effects and borders right in the camera
- In-camera red-eye removal to remove red-eye while images are still in the camera
• HP Photosmart Express makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy – users simply take a photo and select its destination right on the back of the camera – up to 34 destinations, including e-mail addresses, online albums, printers and Snapfish
- When the digital camera is later connected to a computer or the optional camera dock,(2) the selected photos are automatically printed and/or e-mailed without burdening the recipient with large file attachments
- E-mail recipients see thumbnails of the images right in the body of their e-mail message, as well as a link to the web page where they can very easily view, print and save the photos, and upload them to online albums
• Optional HP Photosmart 6221 Digital Camera Dock lets users easily save, view, print and share photos on a PC, Snapfish and TV, and recharge in-camera batteries. Add wireless capabilities by purchasing the HP Photosmart 6222 Wireless Dock Base to share your photos via a wireless home network. (2)
HP Photosmart M527 Technical Specifications
• 6-megapixel resolution
• 3x optical zoom, 7x digital zoom
• Dimensions/Weight
- 95mm (w) x 32mm (d) x 62mm (h)
- 153 grams without
• Support/Connectivity
- USB Connectivity
- USB-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows® XP, x64, 2000, Me, 98SE, or 98, Intel® Pentium® II, Celeron® or compatible CPU, Internet Explorer 5.01SP2 or later
- USB-compatible Macintosh computer with Mac OS v10.2.8, v10.3, v10.4
• HP offers a comprehensive support package for the HP Photosmart M527 Digital Camera that includes one-year of phone support as well as real-time chat and email support beyond the warranty as part of its HP Total Care portfolio of services.
HP Photosmart M527 Pricing and Availability
Estimated U.S. street price is TBD
Expected to be available for purchase April 2006 in North America.
(1) On-camera Snapfish feature available in UK and US only.
(2) Not included; please purchase separately.
The HP Photosmart M525 is a 6 megapixel digital camera with a 3x Optical Zoom lens.
The M525 has a 1.7 inch LCD Display as well as 16 megabytes of internal memory to back up it's SD card.
It features a new feature called HP Design Gallery that allows adding of effects in camera as well as HP Photosmart Express which allows sharing, saving and printing of photos to be organized all from within the camera.
The camera measures 95 x 31 x 62mm and weighs 139 grams and is expected to hit stores in the US in April of 2006.
Get the latest price on the HP M525 Hp Photosmart M525
HP Photosmart M525 Press Release
HP Photosmart M525 Digital Camera
Get impressive 6-megapixel photos with the easy-to-use HP Photosmart M525 Digital Camera. This digital camera has 21x total zoom - 3x optical, 7x digital - and features the latest generation of HP Real Life technologies. With a new feature called HP Design Gallery, users can easily take brilliant digital photos. Intuitive button design allows for quick, one-handed shots, in addition to one-button ordering, printing and sharing of photos with Photosmart Express. (1)
HP Photosmart M525 Key Features and Benefits
• 6-megapixels for impressive resolution for beautiful prints and enlargements up to poster-size
• HP Precision 3x optical lens and 7x digital zoom for 21x total zoom
• 1.7-inch image display, intuitive button layout and overall compact stylish design allow for easy one-handed shots
• 16 MB internal memory allows users to store photos in the camera
• On-camera button to easily order and share photos on Snapfish using HP Photosmart Express (1)
• Extra storage capacity available with optional SD card (2)
• HP Photosmart Software is a complete, easy-to-use software solution for editing, organizing, printing and sharing digital photos
HP Photosmart M525 Additional Features
• HP Real Life technologies help take the guesswork out of digital photography and make it easy to produce great photos that are crisp, realistic and true-to-life. HP Real Life technologies include:
- NEW: HP Design Gallery adds artistic effects and borders right in the camera
- In-camera red-eye removal to remove red-eye while images are still in the camera
• HP Photosmart Express makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy – users simply take a photo and select its destination right on the back of the camera – up to 34 destinations, including e-mail addresses, online albums, printers and Snapfish
- When the digital camera is later connected to a computer or the optional camera dock, (2) the selected photos are automatically printed and/or e-mailed without burdening the recipient with large file attachments
- E-mail recipients see thumbnails of the images right in the body of their e-mail message, as well as a link to the web page where they can very easily view, print and save the photos, and upload them to online albums
• Optional HP Photosmart 6221 Digital Camera Dock lets users easily save, view, print and share photos on a PC, Snapfish and TV, and recharge in-camera batteries. Add wireless capabilities by purchasing the HP Photosmart 6222 Wireless Dock Base to share your photos via a wireless home network. (2)
HP Photosmart M525 Technical Specifications
• 6-megapixel resolution
• 3x optical zoom, 7x digital zoom
• Dimensions/Weight
- 95mm (w) x 31mm (h) x 62mm (d)
- 139 grams without battery
• Support/Connectivity
- USB Connectivity
- USB-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows® XP, x64, 2000, Me, 98SE, or 98, Intel® Pentium® II, Celeron® or compatible CPU, Internet Explorer 5.01SP2 or later
- USB-compatible Macintosh computer with Mac OS v10.2.8, v10.3, v10.4
• HP offers a comprehensive support package for the HP Photosmart M525 Digital Camera that includes 90-days of phone support as well as real-time chat and email support beyond the warranty as part of its HP Total Care portfolio of services.
HP Photosmart M525 Pricing and Availability
• Estimated U.S. street price is TBD
• Expected to be available for purchase April 2006 in North America.
(1) On-camera Snapfish feature available in UK and US only.
(2) Not included; please purchase separately.
Get the latest price on the HP M525 Hp Photosmart M525
The HP Photosmart M425 is a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 3x Optical Zoom lens.
The M425 features a 1.7 inch LCD, 16 megabytes of internal memory, share button to enable sharing of photos on snapfish and email and fast shot mode. It also has a number of in camera editing features including red eye removal, adding of borders etc.
The digital camera measures 95 x 31 x 62mm and weighs 139 grams.
It will hit stores in April of 2006.
Get the latest price on the HP Photosmart M425 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom at Amazon and from around the web.
Easily snap beautiful photos with this stylishly designed 5-megapixel digital camera, featuring 18x total zoom. With the HP Photosmart M425 Digital Camera users can effortlessly snap and edit photos on the 1.7-inch image display, and order prints and share photos using the on-camera HP Photosmart Express button. (1) The camera also includes the new HP Design Gallery.
HP Photosmart M425 Key Features and Benefits
• 5-megapixels for impressive resolution for beautiful prints and enlargements up to poster-size
• HP Precision 3x optical lens and 6x digital zoom for18x total zoom,
• 1.7-inch image display, intuitive button layout and overall compact stylish design allows for easy one-handed shots
• 16 MB internal memory allows users to store photos in the camera
• On-camera button to easily order and share photos on Snapfish using HP Photosmart Express (1)
• Fast shot mode allows users to capture quick, fleeting shots with minimal shutter lag
• Extra storage capacity available with optional SD card (2)
• HP Photosmart Software is a complete, easy-to-use software solution for editing, organizing, printing and sharing digital photos
HP Photosmart M425 Additional Features
• HP Real Life technologies help take the guesswork out of digital photography and make it easy to produce great photos that are crisp, realistic and true-to-life. HP Real Life technologies include:
- NEW: HP Design Gallery adds artistic effects and borders right in the camera—no PC or software required.
- In-camera red-eye removal to remove red-eye while images are still in the camera.
• HP Photosmart Express makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy – users simply take a photo and select its destination right on the back of the camera – up to 34 destinations, including e-mail addresses, online albums, printers and Snapfish
- When the digital camera is later connected to a computer or the optional camera dock, (2) the selected photos are automatically printed and/or e-mailed without burdening the recipient with large file attachments
- E-mail recipients see thumbnails of the images right in the body of their e-mail message, as well as a link to the web page where they can very easily view, print and save the photos, and upload them to online albums
• Optional HP Photosmart 6221 Digital Camera Dock lets users easily save, view, print and share photos on a PC, Snapfish and TV, and recharge in-camera batteries. Add wireless capabilities by purchasing the HP Photosmart 6222 Wireless Dock Base to share your photos via a wireless home network. (2)
HP Photosmart M425 Technical Specifications
• 5-megapixel resolution
• 3x optical zoom, 6x digital zoom
• Dimensions/Weight
- 95mm (w) x 31mm (h) x 62mm (d)
- 139 grams without battery
• Support/Connectivity
- USB Connectivity
- USB-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows® XP, x64, 2000, Me, 98SE, or 98, Intel® Pentium® II, Celeron® or compatible CPU, Internet Explorer 5.01SP2 or later
- USB-compatible Macintosh computer with Mac OS v10.2.8, v10.3, v10.4
• HP offers a comprehensive support package for the HP Photosmart M425 Digital Camera that includes 90-days of phone support as well as real-time chat and email support beyond the warranty as part of its HP Total Care portfolio of services.
HP Photosmart M425 Pricing and Availability
• Estimated U.S. street price is TBD
• Expected to be available for purchase April 2006 in North America.
(1) On-camera Snapfish feature available in UK and US only.
(2) Not included; please purchase separately.
Digital Camera Info reviews the HP Photosmart M425 and writes - 'With an understated and standard design, HP's M425 is a basic point-and-shoot 5 MP digital camera that will provide its users with an opportunity to shoot, alter, and share images, all while never moving outside the camera. The intensive Help menus will provide unsure or beginning users with a myriad of opportunities to learn and advance as camera users, even if the camera doesn�t have a large number of manual controls. The 1.7-inch LCD is undersized, even for this price range, and some control buttons are awkwardly placed, making continuous operation a hassle in the long run.'
PC Mag reviews the HP Photosmart M425 and writes - 'The daylight test shot revealed very little noise, but the flash test shot displayed a fair amount of colored noise. Both had decent color, although the daylight shot had a slight magenta color cast and the flash shot was tinged yellow. There was some purple fringing in both images, but nothing too conspicuous. Overall, the dynamic range was better in the daylight shot than in the flash shot. I found the flash coverage to be pretty good, but it was slightly uneven, resulting in some vignetting.'
Get the latest price on the HP Photosmart M425 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom at Amazon and from around the web.
The HP Photosmart E327 is a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 1.8 inch LCD display and no optical zoom (4x digital zoom only). It has a sliding design where the lens cover slides back to switch it on.
The E327 has 16 megabytes of internal memory. It measures 52 x 31.8 x 9.5mm.
Expect to see it in stores in March of 2006. Stay tuned for the price and reviews of this digital camera.
HP Photosmart E327 News Release
HP Photosmart E327 Digital Camera
Capture exceptional photos with the easy-to-use, point-and-s