Aug 24: Canon EOS 400D

The Canon EOS 400D (also known as the Canon Rebel XTi) is official (as we announced yesterday). It's a 10.1 megapixel camera, features a 2.5 inch LCD screeen and a burst rate of 3 frames per second at up to 27 JPEG images in a row (or 10 RAW shots).

The Canon EOS 400D has a 9 point focusing system, RGB histogram display, a battery life of up to 500 shots and plenty of other in built features.

Expect the Canon EOS 400D to retail at $799 (body only) and $899 with kit lens.

Compare prices on the Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi and get the latest price on the Canon Digital Rebel XTi / 400d at Amazon.

Canon EOS 400D News Release

Canon’s EOS Digital Rebel XT model – the camera that set all time sales records for digital SLRs of any persuasion (supplanting the original Digital Rebel’s claim to that title) – now takes its place alongside of the newest member of the irrepressible Rebel clan: the 10.1 megapixel EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR camera. For 16 years, the Rebel brand has stood for advanced, sophisticated and easy-to-use. The new Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera continues that legacy, taking discriminating photo hobbyists, enthusiasts, advanced amateurs and SLR aficionados to places digital dreams are made of…and more economically than ever before.

“The EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera continues to lead the way with impressive innovations and an array of advancements simply not found on other digital SLRs in the sub-$1,000 price-range,�? stated Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon USA, Inc. “Canon technology is born of inspiration, imagination and our passion to help photographers make the best pictures possible. Nowhere is the combination of undeniable quality and value more evident than on this new EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera.�?

In stores mid-September, the EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera is offered in both sleek brushed silver patina and “pro�? matte black finishes. It is available in two kit configurations: with and without Canon’s high quality EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens. The EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera will be available for an estimated selling price $899* with the zoom lens kit, while the body only kit will carry and estimated selling price of $799*. In order to maintain an appropriate pricing structure, the Digital Rebel XT model will carry an adjusted estimated selling price of $799* with the zoom lens kit and $699* for the body only kit.

No mere intermediate upgrade, this new EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR continues Canon’s combination of imaging excellence, intuitive ease of use and affordability. Indeed the EOS XTi Digital SLR camera now leads the Digital Rebel revolution with such marquee features as its higher 10.1 megapixel resolution; refined and redesigned Canon CMOS sensor; larger, easier to read 2.5 inch display screen (along with simplified and streamlined menu navigation), and the remarkable EOS Integrated Cleaning System, a self-cleaning image sensor unit/dust removal system that is available on no other camera of any make, at any price.

Despite the addition of these and other imaging improvements – including Canon’s fast, high-precision 9-point autofocus system and a new maximum burst rate in large/fine and raw quality modes that – at three frames per second – is double the capability of the Digital Rebel XT SLR, The EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR makes its debut at a price point that is $100 less than its top-selling sibling was at its introduction and hundreds of dollars less than other SLR cameras and camera kits in its class.

CMOS Sensor-tivity
At the heart of the Rebel XTi SLR’s high-resolution image capability is its large, single plate, CMOS color image sensor. Designed and manufactured by Canon specifically for the Rebel XTi SLR, this highly responsive sensor’s 10.1 million pixels are fractionally smaller than the pixels in the 8 megapixel Rebel XT model, yet deliver markedly improved resolution, enabling the sensor to capture more image information. This results not simply in the ability to generate larger images, but also permits details from cropped images to be rendered with higher image quality than cropped images from lower resolution sensors. At 22.2 x 14.8 mm in size, this new CMOS sensor maintains the 1.6x conversion ratio found on many other members of the EOS Digital SLR line including the Rebel XT and the EOS 30D models.

Inherently more efficient than CCD type image sensors, Canon CMOS sensors significantly reduce image noise levels by converting light values to electrical signals on the chip rather than having them converted elsewhere in the camera. The Rebel XTi SLR’s CMOS sensor goes further still, maintaining an exceptional dynamic range while reducing the noise level that one might typically expect for a pixel size delivering such high resolution. Canon engineers and designers achieved this breakthrough in sensor design by reducing the space between the chip’s microlenses while at the same time increasing the sensitivity of each photodiode. As a result, the camera achieves 20 percent greater resolution than an eight-megapixel sensor with comparable noise reduction and dynamic range.

The Digital Rebel XTi SLR also continues the long-standing tradition of featuring a wide range of ISO settings (100 –1600) with the ability to “float�? to any intermediate step along that range in fully automatic modes while allowing the user to set the ISO manually at full step intervals in the camera’s creative modes.

The Dust Free Zone
Beautiful, high-res images marred by the presence of ugly high-res dust spots can be cause for painstaking, time consuming photo retouching (with varying degrees of success). Canon takes the quest for imaging excellence and easier camera maintenance a unified giant step forward with its new, two-tiered dust removal technology called the EOS Integrated Cleaning System, available only on the EOS Rebel XTi camera.

While real world shooting rarely achieves “clean-room�? standards, Canon has gone out of its way to design the XTi model to first create or attract no dust. Canon begins by minimizing the dust and particles created by the camera itself, by reformulating the materials used in the body cap and shutter to materials more resistant to particle “fall out�? due to normal use and wear. Canon also treats the camera’s low pass filter with an anti-static charge to prevent static-charged dust from adhering to it.

Still, recognizing that humidity and a variety of real world conditions can cause dust to enter and adhere to the sensor or low pass filter despite the most scrupulous of efforts, Canon created the Self Cleaning Sensor Unit. The low pass filter on the front of the CMOS sensor is attached to an ultrasonic vibrating unit that literally shakes the loose dust particles off of the surface. The newly liberated dust is then captured by an adhesive material that keeps the particles from becoming airborne again once the camera moves.

The self cleaning sensor unit’s ultrasonic anti-dust shake activates automatically for one second whenever the camera is powered on or off, ensuring that the camera will be as relatively dust free as possible and can be activated at other times through a simple menu selection.

Despite the ingenuity behind the Self Cleaning Sensor Unit there are occasions when dust particles of a stickier nature are not vibrated free of the low pass filter. In these situations, the Dust Delete Data function can be engaged. Simply put, by aiming the camera at a white wall or even a white piece of paper (or, in a pinch, removing the lens from the camera) the Dust Delete Data function will map the size and position of the dust particles remaining on the low pass filter. Once the dust is “mapped�?, that information is attached as metadata to all subsequently shot images regardless of recording format, RAW or JPEG. When the images and appended dust data map are transferred to a computer using the Rebel XTi’s new Digital Photo Professional software, the dust information can be subtracted from the images simply by selecting the “apply dust delete data�? option. Users can update the Dust Delete Data at any time via controls found in the Rebel XTi’s LCD menu.

Bigger and Brighter: XTi Model’s Brilliant LCD Monitor
Among the decidedly user-friendly enhancements built in to the new Digital Rebel XTi is the 2.5 inch, 230,000 pixel color TFT LCD monitor with its wide, 160 degree viewing angle. The envy of the EOS digital SLR line, this new screen features a viewing area that is nearly twice as large as the Rebel XT model’s 1.8 –inch monitor, and offers six brightness settings for easy viewing of images and menu options in a wide range of lighting conditions. Indeed, this brilliant monitor is approximately 40% brighter at its maximum setting than screens found on the top-tier EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS 5D and EOS 30D digital SLRs. The monitor is also the new home for all camera settings information. This was previously housed on a separate LCD. This new configuration allows for more information and larger font & icons in one easy-to-view area.

The monitor is even intuitive enough to automatically (and temporarily) turn the display off when the camera is raised up to the user’s eye. This feature not only saves valuable battery life but also avoid subjecting the user to distracting screen brightness when looking through the viewfinder. For maximum battery life, the LCD display can be shut off manually as well.

Picture Style Optimizes Images
In keeping with this new, bigger, brighter monitor is the Rebel XTi SLR’s redesigned menu, made bolder, easier to read and easier to navigate. Notable among the expanded info screen menu features offered for the first time on a Digital Rebel camera are the RGB histogram and the Picture Style functions first introduced on the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS 5D cameras and most recently added to the EOS 30D’s imaging arsenal. With Picture Style, users can more easily select presets for sharpening, contrast, saturation, and color tone that most closely reflect their needs and intent for a particular picture. Similar to selecting the film type in order to achieve a desired result, the Picture Style feature offers six setting choices—Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful and Monochrome—with an additional three user defined settings available.

Fast Focus
Also migrating to the Rebel XTi camera from the upper reaches of the EOS Digital SLR line is Canon’s flexible folder management system with capability to store 9,999 images in a folder as well as manual creation of new folders and perhaps most importantly, the same high precision 9-point Autofocus sensor and AF unit found on the EOS 30D SLR.

Like its Digital Rebel predecessors, the EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera is equipped with Canon’s standard EOS EF lens mount making it compatible with Canon’s complete line of EF lenses as well as the EF-S line of lenses created specifically for the EOS 20D, and EOS 30D prosumer digital SLRs, and the EOS Digital Rebel models.

While the Digital Rebel XTi offers the same fast 3 frames per second as the Digital Rebel XT model, the burst rate in Large/Fine JPEG and Raw settings has nearly doubled, from 14 eight- megapixel JPEG images and five eight- megapixel RAW images on the Rebel XT model to 27 10.1 megapixel JPEGS and ten 10.1 megapixel RAW images on the new Rebel XTi camera.

CANON Software $avings: Bundled and In the Box
Purchasers of the EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera or any of Canon’s digital SLRs are never faced with extra-cost software to make the camera perform to its full capabilities. Rather, Canon continues its long-standing tradition of including “in the box�?, a comprehensive software bundle that includes both the camera’s utility programs and Canon’s Digital Photo Professional software (presently in version 2.2). Compatible with both Mac OS X and Windows XP operating systems** formats, the Digital Photo Pro software assists users with everything from image transfer and viewing, image enhancement and editing, RGB image editing functions, image noise reduction, viewing, processing and editing of RAW images, Direct Print functions and Canon’s groundbreaking new Dust Delete Data functions.

The EOS Technological Legacy
The EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera maintains the top-tier technologies that have helped power the EOS line of digital SLRs to the forefront of the industry and the marketplace. These include Canon’s power efficient DIGIC II Image Processor and E-TTL II, Canon’s evaluative-through the lens exposure control that ensures optimal exposure even in difficult lighting conditions.

Compare prices on the Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi

Canon EOS 400D Reviews

Camera Labs have a review of the Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi where they write - 'Ultimately the Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi is a great entry-level digital SLR which improves on its predecessor in many respects. It has higher resolution without compromising noise levels, a wide variety of anti-dust features, a bigger screen which doubles-up for detailed shooting information, the AF system of its bigger brother and fast overall handling. The only thing that’s missing is a cheap lens bundle with Image Stabilisation. This will undoubtedly have potential buyers carefully weighing it up against the Sony Alpha A100, while those looking for a tougher product may be tempted by the Nikon D80. But this aside, it’s hard to fault the EOS 400D / Rebel XTi.'

The Digital Picture (my favorite Canon review site) reviews the Canon EOS 400D Digital Rebel SLR where they write - 'If you want a big step up in capabilities from a prosumer point & shoot camera, the 400D/Rebel XTi will be an excellent choice. This may be the right time for original Canon 300D Digital Rebel users to make a jump as well - The Canon EOS 400D Digital Rebel XTi's features and image quality improvements are definitely significant enough to justify this upgrade. For 350D/Rebel XT owners, well, if you want the latest and greatest - and the cool factor - go for it. The improvements will be nice - but a new lens might make a bigger difference in your results. I suggest EOS 30D owners wait for the next 30D upgrade to be released unless they see a must-have feature in the 400D/XTi - or better yet, go for a Canon EOS 5D (the price has come down). Email me if you need other upgrade recommendations - be sure to tell me what you use the camera for. For an entry-level-priced Digital SLR, the Canon EOS 400D Digital Rebel XTi has more features than most entry-level-priced Digital SLR buyers will ever use - and has performance and image quality to satisfy many professional needs. Overall, I'm pleased with this DSLR.'

CNET reviews the Canon EOS Rebel XTi and writes - 'What's true for doctors applies equally to consumer electronics manufacturers: first, do no harm. Canon is usually pretty good at adhering to that philosophy, making only minor changes to successful products and saving the daring moves for the models that need it. Now, changing sensors isn't normally considered terribly daring when it comes to digital cameras. But when its predecessor--in this case, the EOS Rebel XT--was renowned for producing excellent, low-noise photos at a more-than-adequate 8-megapixel resolution, it's risky to replace it with a higher-resolution but potentially lower-sensitivity chip as Canon did with the EOS Rebel XTi. Perhaps the Nikon D80 upped the stakes; perhaps Canon felt it was an inevitable necessity. Whatever the reason, it yields mixed results.'

DP Expert reviews the Canon EOS 400D and writes - "The body costs $1300 (AU) and with the standard 18–55 kit lens it is $1500. There is a two lens kit with a 75–300 zoom for $1650. The “enthusiast’s kit�? with the image stabilised 17–85 is $2300. It’s a choice between two lenses covering 18 to 300mm for $350 or one lens of lesser focal length range for $1000. Hmm. We tried the camera with the kit lenses and didn’t like it. We switched to the better lens and loved it. $2300 buys a great camera but it’s certainly not “entry level�?."

Digital Trends reviews the Canon Digital Rebel XTi where they give it a rating of 8.5 and write - 'The Canon Rebel XTi has a decent kit. As noted, the basic lens that’s supplied is 18-55mm that’ll leave you wanting more on the telephoto side. Also this is not Canon’s finest piece of glass. You really need to buy higher-quality lenses to step up image quality. Consider the kit lens a place setter as you get more comfortable with the whole interchangeable lens world. You’ll definitely want another—or three. The camera comes with all the requisite accessories other than a CompactFlash card (go for a high-speed edition). There’s a nice 180-page owner’s manual, neck strap, lens caps, cables, battery/charger and two software CD ROMs. One has imaging software for PC and Mac and the second has operating instructions for the programs.'

Lets Go Digital reviews the Canon EOS 400D and writes - 'With the EOS 400D, Canon deliver an excellent digital SLR camera. It truly offers value for money, especially when considering the remarkable software that comes with the camera: a proper, extensive version, not one of those light editions. The Canon EOS 400D is an excellent first step into the world of DSLR cameras, as well as a great back-up camera. It is a genuinely versatile model, that remains user-friendly, offers comprehensible features and a clear operation. Although we do not doubt the success the Canon 400D will enjoy, we know the competition is rarely far behind. Canon have their rivals breathing down their neck, and the gap of differences between them is becoming increasingly smaller. We would genuinely recommend the Canon EOS 400D to all of those who have lost their heart to photography, whether it is the snapshot photographer that wants to capture his images in a simple, yet high quality manner, or the enthusiastic hobby photographer that wants to unleash his creativity. The extensive options and the camera's user-friendly operation ensure the Canon EOS 400D is perfectly suitable for a large group of photographers. Truly recommended! "

Digital Camera Info has posted their review of the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi where they write - 'Plenty of users will enjoy the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. In automatic modes, it's easy to use, and snapshooters will be pleased with its quality. If they don't make enlargements, though, users won't see a difference between shots from the 10-megapixel XTi and ones from lower-resolution cameras. DSLRs should have complete manual controls, and the Rebel XTi scores well on that account. However, it should have been more convenient to control and the dials and buttons should have been better designed, better finished, and more extensive.'

Steves Digicams review the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi / EOS 400D where they recommend - 'The Digital rebel XTi finds itself in the unusual position of having several advantages over Canon's current prosumer model, the 30D. The XTi offers greater resolution (10.1 versus 8-megapixels), greater burst shooting capacity (27 versus 23 frames) and a self-cleaning image sensor. But the 30D retains an edge with its faster continuous shooting (5 frames-per-second (fps) vs. 3 fps), more custom settings (18 vs. 11), a 3200 ISO sensitivity setting, a rugged magnesium body and a pentaprism viewfinder vs the XTi's pentamirror. While we wait for Canon's other shoe to drop in the form of a 30D successor, the XTi can capture larger images with a quality equal to the 30D, while lagging in capture rate and maximum ISO. Choosing between the two should focus on price and features, not the least of which is the XTi's self-cleaning image sensor.'

Pocket Lint reviews the Canon EOS 400D DSLR and gives it a rating of 8 out of 10. They write - "Metering is good as is white balance performance in all but the auto setting where it seems to leave well alone! The manual white balance settings works a treat of course if you need to iron out any issues, but is slower to use. However, the range of image setting adjustments you can make is pretty much the best in this class of DSLR and you get an excellent suit of software to help play with the RAW files this camera makes along with the usual array of JPEGs. The EOS 400D has its foibles not least of which is the kit lens. However, it is capable of superb results, is easy to use and it’s a great price given the kit levels and even though Nikon’s D40 has arrived on the scene. "

PhotographyBLOG reviews the Canon EOS 400D where they write - 'The 400D certainly has the bottle to take on its competitors with its 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor but it does not set the standards and stand out from the crowd anymore. It is not the cheapest or the most expensive model on the market and it is not even the smallest DSLR available, as the Olympus E400 takes that crown. Canon have done exactly what they had to do with their latest entry-level DSLR by adding new features like their EOS Integrated Cleaning System and the larger 2.5-inch LCD screen. There is no doubt that this camera will sell by the bucket-loads and any consumer wanting to take their first step into DSLR ownership won't go far wrong with this DSLR, but while the 400D offers a good all round performance, it is no longer top of the class.'

Macworld reviews the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi and writes, "As with the XT, the XTi yields excellent image quality, with very little noise up through ISO 400, and minimal noise at ISO 800 through 1,600, the maximum speed available. An increase in resolution can sometimes result in noisy photos, but Canon has managed to increase the resolution on the XTi’s sensor without increasing the noise. As such, the extra two megapixels are welcome, and provide much more output and cropping flexibility. ... You need to get your hands on the Digital Rebel XTi before you can make an evaluation as to whether it’s right for you. If you like its size and feel, then you’ll find it to be a full-featured camera that yields excellent image quality at a very reasonable price."

Megapixel has a review of the Canon Rebel XTi/EOS 400D and writes, "The Canon Digital Rebel XTi, although it resembles the XT, is in fact a distinct model. Its 10-megapixel CMOS sensor gives it a slight advantage in terms of resolution, but it is really the AF, the buffer memory, the Picture Styles, and the dust reduction system that position it ahead of the XT. Moreover, in view of its excellent image quality and its price, the Rebel XTi/EOS 400D is one of the most attractive DSLR cameras currently on the market, although the lens it is currently sold with in kit form does not do the camera justice, quite unlike when it is paired with any of Canon finer lenses."

Digicam Review has a review of the Canon EOS 400D Digital Rebel XTi DSLR and gives it a 9/10 rating, writing, "Image quality is excellent, the images have very good colour, with good contrast and detail, with low noise except at the highest ISO settings (ISO1600). Images were slightly smoothed but this is adjustable within the camera and detail was very good. Purple fringing was very low with the kit lens, and red-eye was not a problem. The camera was very competent at focusing (except on very plain surfaces). Vignetting in photos was very mild and I did not notice barrel or pincushion distortion. There is a good range of image sizes, and the compression options include a RAW mode. Auto white balance, metering, and exposure seemed to be good to very good. ... The Canon 400D Digital SLR is a great digital camera. It feels very comfortable in hand, and produces very natural pictures with little noise and rich pleasing colours. This camera is very easy to use (in auto mode), and would definitely suit an amateur who wants to become a professional. The camera offers excellent battery life, with very good controls and good build quality. Professional photographers might want to compare the camera with other DSLR cameras before purchase, as some may find the camera's features and options slightly limiting. "

Shutterbug has a review of the Canon Digital Rebel XTi and writes, "Advanced Canon shooters will miss the back Command Dial, and have to put up with toggles and the front knurled dial for menu changes and image playback. But what is most evident is that Canon has slimmed down some of the options to those most important, and has not economized on creative options and features in the bargain. ... In all, the Canon Rebel XTi is a generational update that brings much of Canon’s experience and technology into play. At $899 for the kit with the lens and $799 for the body only, it’s a good bet for first-timers and as a backup for those already with a Canon DSLR."

Trusted Reviews has a review of the Canon EOS 400D and writes, "I’m a bit puzzled by the image quality. I’ve read some reviews that have absolutely raved about it, saying it’s easily the best of the 10MP DSLRs, but personally I wasn’t that impressed. It’s good, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not that good. In terms of absolute sharpness and detail, it produced virtually identical results to the Olympus E-400, Sony A100 and Nikon D80.... I also found significant levels of purple fringing around some burned-out highlights, and while it might have marginally superior dynamic range, it’s not enough to give it a significant advantage. Colour rendition was very good, but then again it’s not a problem for any recent DSLR that I’ve tried. ... Surprisingly for a canon DSLR, I was also not massively impressed by the image noise control. Shots at 100-400 ISO were fine, but there was noticeable colour speckling in darker areas at 800, which spread to the mid-tones at 1600 ISO."

PCWorld has a review of Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xti and writes, "The XTi yields excellent image quality, with practically no noise up through ISO 400, and little noise at ISO 800 through 1600 (the maximum speed available). Priced at $899 (as of November 6, 2006) with an 18mm-to-55mm lens, the XTi is right in line with its chief competitors, the Sony DSLR-Alpha 100K and the Nikon D80. This full-featured SLR delivers excellent image quality at a very reasonable price and is a solid choice for users who like its size and feel."

Stuff has a review of the Canon EOS 400 D and writes, "The variation of the ISO (equivalent to the exposure time or film speed) in this camera goes from 100 to 1600, and the noise in 1600 is as little as can be expected on today's digitals. ... To sum up, the Eos 400D is an entry-level priced digital SLR, with more features than most buyers will ever need, user-friendly commands that any amateur will understand and has performance and image quality to satisfy many professional requirements."

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Aug 24: Nikon Coolpix S10

The Nikon Coolpix S10 is a 6.0 megapixel camera with a large 10x optical zoom lens (38-380mm). It's an update of the popular Nikon Coolpix S4 and features a 2.5 inch LCD screen, swivel body design (great for shooting pictures from all kinds of angles) and internal memory of 16MB.

Compare prices on the Nikon Coolpix S10 and get the latest price on the Nikon Coolpix S10 6MP Digital Camera with 10x Vibration Reduction Zoom

Nikon Coolpix S10 News Release

NEW NIKON COOLPIX S10 adds vibration reduction to a powerful 10X OPTICAL ZOOM for impressive Pictures from any angle

Nikon's popular compact unique body design, enhanced image quality and picture sharing features makes the COOLPIX S10 a great camera for parents, travelers, concert and sporting enthusiasts.

Nikon announced today the addition of a 10x zoom camera with image stabilization to the COOLPIX Style series line-up. The new COOLPIX S10 features an incredible 10x optical Zoom-Nikkor glass lens, Vibration Reduction (VR), 6.0 effective megapixels, a 2.5” LCD and an innovative, compact swivel design allowing the long-zoom camera to fit into a shirt pocket. The 10x powerful, optical zoom combined with Nikon’s VR and innovative body design gives digital photographers unprecedented freedom and creativity with the ability to take pictures from a wide range of angles such as overhead, from the hip and even self portraits.

“ Creativity is written all over this camera. This stylish camera with a 10x optical zoom, Vibration Reduction and Nikon’s expansive in-camera technology is a great camera to take to a sporting event, concerts, vacation and just about anywhere,” said Bill Giordano, General Manager of Marketing COOLPIX­­­ for Nikon, Inc. “The COOLPIX S10 makes it easy to take great-looking pictures from almost any angle.”

With a distinctive wave-surface design and a high-quality finish, the COOLPIX S10 is as attractive as the images it captures. But even more impressive, the COOLPIX S10 features 6.0 effective megapixel image resolution as well as a built-in 38-380mm (35mm equivalent) 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens – making it easy to compose everything from close portraits to wide-open scenery with fine detail and vivid color. The S10 provokes creativity with the camera’s swivel body design an incredible, bright 2.5-inch LCD allows users to frame shots with accuracy.

The COOLPIX S10 features a handy One-Touch Portrait Button that provides direct access to three unique Nikon In-Camera Image Innovations to fix common photo problems This system includes Face-priority AF*, which automatically finds and focuses on a subject’s face, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which automatically corrects red-eye, and D-Lighting, an innovation that automatically corrects images with insufficient light. The S10 is equipped with Blur Warning, which alerts the user when an image is blurred and Best Shot Selector, a feature that automatically identifies and saves the sharpest image from a series. Taking convenience even further, the COOLPIX S10 with its supplied rechargeable lithium-ion battery, can take up to 300 shots on a single charge. The COOLPIX S10 is PictBridge compatible so there’s no need to use a computer at all when printing – just connect the camera straight to a PictBridge-compatible printer and print directly easily and without delay.

With the advantage of Vibration Reduction (VR) capability, the COOLPIX S10 allows users to overcome camera shake to take sharper, more stable pictures in a range of shooting situations. Since the camera offers increased light sensitivity, up to an impressive ISO 800, users can get great-looking results in lower light without the need for an extended exposure.

An ample choice of Scene modes makes operation even easier in a wide range of common shooting situations. Simply select the most appropriate mode and the COOLPIX S10 automatically determines and sets the optimum combination of settings. In all, there are 15 Scene modes to choose from and 4 of them feature Scene assist, which helps users to achieve more attractive composition. The COOLPIX S10 adds new entertainment to photography with Nikon’s Pictmotion function that lets users combine images, movies, music and visual styles for automatically produced audiovisual shows, in-camera. And because the LCD of the COOLPIX S10 has an impressively wide viewing angle of 170 degrees, it’s easy for everyone to gather round and watch Pictmotion shows together.

Simply select any favorite movies and images, decide on a visual style, and then pick one of 5 music files pre-installed in the camera or load up to 3** of your own to complement the mood. The COOLPIX S10 then automatically combines these elements to produce a polished production with transitions between images and movies synchronized to the choice of music.

The S10 includes 16 MB of internal memory and operates on an EN-EL5 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger.

The S10 will be available at retail nationwide in September 2006 with an MSRP of $399.95. For more information on the S10 and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.

*Without Battery or memory card
** Via PictureProject for Windows only.

Nikon Coolpix S10 Reviews

Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes - 'The Nikon Coolpix S10 is a well-made and attractively finished camera with some useful capabilities, excellent noise handling and is capable of producing good results under the right circumstances. However, lacklustre performance, terminally slow AF, poor low-light capability and awkward handling limits its appeal. It is also expensive compared to rival cameras with superior performance, so the overall outlook is bleak.'

DCRP reviews the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes - "The Coolpix S10 has the same swivel design as the Coolpix 900, introduced back in 1998. One side of the body has the lens, while the other side has the LCD and controls. While it may seem silly, the swivel body comes in just as handy as the rotating LCDs found on many cameras -- you can shoot over things or take self-portraits, just to name two examples. The S10 is also quite small for an ultra zoom, packing a 10X zoom lens in a midsize body. Build quality is good for the most part, save for the cheap plastic door over the memory card and battery compartment. One of the nice new additions to the S10 is Nikon's CCD-shift Vibration Reduction (image stabilization) system. This effectively fights the blur of "camera shake", letting you use slower shutter speeds than you could otherwise. Strangely enough, you can't use the VR system in movie mode, though a decent electronic VR option is still available. While the camera has the same size LCD as its predecessor (2.5"), the resolution has been bumped up dramatically, so everything's nice and sharp. Low light and outdoor visibility were above average. One thing I didn't like is that your right thumb ends up resting on the right side of the screen, since there's nowhere else to put it. The S10 lacks a viewfinder of any kind -- electronic or optical."

CNET reviews the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes "We were pleased, for the most part, with the S10's performance in our lab tests. It took 1.7 seconds to start up and capture its first image, then took 1.9 seconds between subsequent images without flash, and 2.2 seconds with the flash turned on. In bright lighting conditions, its shutter lag measured a speedy 0.6 second, but slowed considerably in dim light to 2.5 seconds. In its standard continuous-shooting mode, we were able to capture 54 VGA-size JPEGs in 33.1 seconds for an average rate of 1.63fps. When we stepped up to 6-megapixel JPEGs, we captured 39 shots in 31.4 seconds for an average of 1.24fps."

Imaging Resource posts a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 where they write - 'The 10x Nikkor zoom lens makes the Nikon Coolpix S10 an exceptional swivel. It does exhibit some chromatic aberration at both wide and telephoto ends of the zoom range, but we thought it was kept under control, probably thanks to Nikon's use of ED glass in the Coolpix S10. ISO 800 shots were only usable at 4x6, but the ISO 50 shots were quite good at 11x14. There's little arguing with having such quality from a zoom this long in such a small and convenient package, especially at the street prices we're starting to see. And the special Nikon-only features included will all come in handy as you use the camera. The versatile Nikon Coolpix S10 is certainly a Dave's Pick.'

Megapixel has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes, "the S10 reproduces colours faithfully and avoids any excessive over-saturation. ... From 50 to 100 ISO, any noise recorded in the image is very limited and can only be found in shadows. At 200 ISO, noise starts to become visible in areas of solid colour, even when the image is captured under good light. At 400 and 800 ISO, noise is readily visible, limiting the usefulness of the higher sensitivities. ... With its split body design allowing more flexibility and creativity than normal when framing shots, and a compact shape that offers a fully internal stabilized 10X zoom, the most surprising aspect of Coolpix S10 is that it has a very reasonable street price, making it excellent value for the money."

Pocket-lint has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes, "The fact the image quality and lens perform well is good to see (as is the new price, down from a launch price of £349 to a much better RRP of £299), but noise is too quick to appear in shadows. And I can’t help wondering that despite the novel, use-at-any-angle-swivel-lens design and the practicalities it affords the user, it has perhaps now finally seen its day. In my First Look on this model, I wrote: “The Nikon Coolpix S10 follows in the footsteps of some very good and award-winning predecessors (the Coolpix 900 and 950 come immediately to mind) that give a tough act to follow”. And on the showing here, the S10 has not done as well as I’d have expected, which is a shame."

DPReview has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes, "I was disappointed with the S10 because I really wanted it to be better. The twisting body design, excellent screen and long zoom make it, on paper at least, the ultimate carry-always 'street' shooter, and the lack of creative controls is something I can live with in a pocket camera (though I can't bear not knowing my shutter speed...). But the faltering telephoto focus, awkward ergonomics and the cumulative effect of all the minor image quality issues and other annoyances make it a difficult camera to recommend over a compact 'super zoom' like the Canon S3 IS or Panasonic DMC-FZ7 (the new Panasonic TZ2 looks promising too). It's by no means a terrible camera; in many respects it's actually a pretty good camera, it could just be better, and there are more appealing all-round options out there for the same (or less) money. For all these reasons the S10 just misses a Recommended rating."

The Sydney Morning Herald has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes, " Image quality is very good. We attribute this in part to Nikon's decision to stick with 6 megapixels rather than getting involved in the ever-increasing pixel war. ... This model hides some important controls under layers of menu. Not to have instant access to exposure adjustment - the most frequently used correction in a digital camera - is inexcusable. The most humble point-and-shoot cameras put exposure-compensation buttons on the camera body, so why can't this model do that too? ... A good camera with some compromises that look as if they have been forced on the designers by the marketing department wanting to promise customers a camera that does all the thinking. Excellent value."

PhotographyBLOG has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes, "It looks like a blast from the past, and sure enough the Nikon Coolpix S10 struggles to match the performance of similarly priced compacts today. It's not awful but it's far from great, and, in the final analysis if I'd spent £300 on the Nikon S10, after my initial enthusiasm I'd be feeling pretty deflated. My chief frustration with the Coolpix S10 is the way it struggles to find critical focus time and again – the lens hunting more than it should – and happily takes the shot even if it has failed to find it. This camera is supposed to be easy to use, but you have to work against its limitations rather than with its strengths. Thus it gets a miserly '2 out of 5' stars for ease of use, when its score should be right up there. Of course noise is an issue, but it's less of a problem than I've experienced with Casio and Olympus compacts, and the Nikon S10 can – with a little encouragement – deliver pictures that cause you to muster a 'not bad', which in turn explains the average score I've awarded it. "

Digital Camera Review has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes, "The Nikon Coolpix S10 is a bit over-priced; it’s menu driven/non-intuitive and there are a couple of irritating design glitches, but it is not a bad camera. If it had been introduced two years ago it would have absolutely skunked the competition - today it may not be the best choice for smart digicam buyers. Potential purchasers might want to wait and check out the soon to be released Canon Powershot TX1. The TX1 may look quite different from the S10, but it is in fact a very comparable camera."

ComputerActive has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes, "Although sharp results are achievable with the S10, you have to work for them. It’s frustrating that it struggles to find focus in less than bright light, the lens ‘hunting’ around a lot and going on to take a blurred shot regardless. Colours are coolly naturalistic, and benefit from the ‘vivid’ colour option. Night shots reveal image noise (grain-like flecks) at ISO400 and above. Bucking recent design trends, the hip-swivelling S10 is not for everyone. Those who value flexibility may find it a draw, but performance falls short."

Steve's Digicams has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes, "While it seems that Nikon has not made many changes to this model when compared to the S4, (same resolution, lens, AF system, etc.), with its better image quality and performance the S10 is a much more capable camera. That said, with a price of US$349 or less, it offers a good value for a compact, 6-megapixel, super-zoom model, and is sure to please those in the market for a camera in this class. If you liked the S10's features, but don't need a 10x zoom and want something pocketable then check out our review of the "ultra- compact" Coolpix S9."

Cameras.co.uk has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes, "There are two points that strike me about the images produced by the Coolpix S10. The first is the levels of sharpness. The second are the depth of the colours. In both areas the camera excels. ... If you are looking for a straightforward digital camera that will give you plenty of zoom then I would recommend the Nikon Coolpix S10. I found great levels of sharpness and strong colours too. The twisting lens design gives the camera something different too."

PCPlus has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S10 and writes, "Despite its powerful zoom and sophisticated 6-megapixel sensor, this camera is aimed at the point-and-click crowd. Manual controls have been kept to the minimum, with Nikon instead providing a good range of pre-sets, including the self explanatory Face Priority mode. Nikon’s DLighting system rescues underexposed images or shots with too much back-light, too. While these widgets are good to have, you do feel the camera takes over a bit too much sometimes, and it would be nice to have the option to tweak aperture or shutter speed manually. Otherwise, this is a well-made compact, with enough clever technology to keep the typical point-and-click shooter very happy."

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Aug 24: Nikon Coolpix S9

The Nikon Coolpix S9 is a 6.1 megapixel point and shoot camera with a 3x Optical Zoom and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

It features 24 megabytes of internal memory, 'D-Lighting' exposure control, in camera red-eye reduction, one touch portrait shooting, SD card and a variety of other fairly standard shooting modes.

Expect to see the Nikon Coolpix S9 in September.

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Nikon Coolpix S9 News Release

NIKON REDEFINES 'SLIM COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA' WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COOLPIX S9

New compact camera delivers style and substance in an ultra portable package at an affordable price

Nikon is pleased to introduce the latest addition to its Style series of digital cameras, the COOLPIX S9. The embodiment of fun, function and fashion, the S9 boasts 6.1 megapixels, an easy-to-use camera in a slim, stylish body. The camera is equipped with a 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens ensuring sharpness with creative freedom, and a 2.5 inch LCD screen for effortless image composition and display. In addition, Nikon’s In-Camera Image Innovations ease the picture-taking process.

“ Aimed at the style-savvy consumer who wants a fashionable camera at an exceptional price, the S9 blends beautiful aesthetic attributes and advanced imaging technology”, says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Marketing COOLPIX for Nikon, Inc. “The S9’s sleek design paired with its ability to take sharp, beautiful pictures allows consumers to capture their memories in style.

Available for the first time in a COOLPIX camera, the S9 offers a Stop-Motion feature for creating fun, stop-motion animated video shorts. To use the feature, the consumer simply needs to pose an object they want to animate, take a picture, re-position the object and photograph again. Opaque versions of previous shots are shown on the camera’s LCD to assist users when positioning and repositioning their object. Once shooting is completed, the S9 automatically creates a Quicktime™ video of the object’s movement in-camera.

For ease of use, the COOLPIX S9 is equipped with a One-Touch Portrait Button, which activates Nikon’s In-Camera Image Innovations to fix common photo problems. This system includes Face-priority AF*, which automatically finds and focuses on a subject’s face, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which automatically corrects red-eye, and D-Lighting, an innovation that automatically corrects images with insufficient light. The S9 is equipped with Blur Warning, which alerts the user when an image is blurred and Best Shot Selector, a feature that automatically identifies and saves the sharpest image from a series.

Similar to other COOLPIX cameras, the S9 has 15 scene modes, 4 with scene assist that automatically program cameras settings such as flash and focus for great pictures in a variety of locations and situations.

The S9 features a Date Counter, which provides a visual in-camera countdown to a special occasion as well as a Time Zone function that allows the setting of multiple time zones for easy image sorting after traveling.

The COOLPIX S9 successfully packs all of these features into an ultra-slim, compact metal body. The camera’s wave surface body is pleasing to the hand as well as to the eyes as it is comfortable to hold and ultra-portable.

For transferring pictures to computers and other peripherals, the S9 is USB compatible. The camera utilizes a rechargeable EN-EL8 Li-on battery and can take up to 190 shots on a single charge. For storage, the S9 has 24MB of internal memory and is SD memory card-compatible. The S9 comes with Nikon’s PictureProject Software for the importing, editing and organization of images.

The COOLPIX S9 will be available in stores, September 2006 with an MSRP of $249.95. For more information about the S9 and the full line of COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.

* Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions

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Nikon Coolpix S9 Reviews

Digital Camera Review posts their review of the Nikon Coolpix S9 where they write - 'Overall, I liked the Nikon Coolpix S9. The camera is nice and compact - definitely small enough to slip into a pocket or purse. It operates quickly and takes good shots. The S9 is also one of the cheaper, high quality ultra-compact cameras that you’ll find. Unfortunately, with the money that you save, I would recommend that you get a spare battery since the battery life of the camera is not amazing. It would probably make it through a weekend vacation, but that’s about it.'

CNET has posted a review of the Nikon Coolpix S9 where they give it a raing of 6.6 out of 10 and write - 'The two main differences are in the cameras' LCD screens and lenses. The S5's LCD screen has 230,000 pixels, while the S9's has just 153,600 pixels. This difference makes the S9's LCD appear slightly more coarse than the S5's screen; you may notice that diagonal lines and curves appear jagged. Though this has almost nothing to do with the cameras' actual captured images, it's a slight knock against the newer S9. The S5's lens covers a range from 35mm to 105mm, with an aperture range of f/3 to f/5.4. The S9's lens covers a range from 38mm to 114mm, with an aperture range of f/3.5 to f/4.3. This means that the S9 can't achieve quite as wide an angle of view as the S5, but it does reach slightly further with its zoom. (Though most people won't notice much of a difference, since it's less than 10mm on either end.) The difference in aperture at the telephoto (a.k.a., far) end of the two zooms is more important, though still minor. The S9 lets in more light, which means you could potentially use a slightly faster shutter speed when zoomed all the way, under the same lighting conditions. This time, the edge goes to the S9, as it has more potential to positively affect your actual images.'

Imaging Resource has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S9 where they write - 'Though the attractive and slender Nikon Coolpix S9 looks a lot like its more expensive S-series counterparts, Nikon has cut corners on this model and made it significantly inferior. For one, this 6-megapixel camera produced excessively noisy images, especially when shooting at ISO 400. Shots I took of a bride and groom saying their wedding vows under a shady tree were riddled with chroma noise at ISO 400, especially in the groom's black suit jacket. Though the camera fared much better in brighter, daylight conditions, it had a tendency to overexpose images, so much so I had to crank exposure compensation down nearly half a stop to prevent blowing out highlights.'

Pocket-lint has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S9 and writes, "In terms of image quality, the S9 does rather well. Your shots are saved on SD/MMC storage housed in a flap on the base alongside the camera’s lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack. Despite that 6-megapixel sensor, there is a slight problem of noise in shadows even at the lowest ISO 64 setting and, even though the limited maximum sensitivity of ISO 400 should help, noise is still noticeable in all other ISO settings. ... Perhaps not one for the more advanced user, problems with image detail and JPEG artefacts frustrate an otherwise nice camera. Nikon’s Coolpix S9 is undoubtedly a stylish and easy to use (once you’ve mastered a couple of the small control issues) little camera that makes for a neat little snapper at a good price."

Computer Active has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S9 and writes, "With the lens on the far right (if viewed from the front) stray finger tips do sometimes mess up a shot, and, as we’ve found with previous Nikon Coolpix’s, it takes a Herculean effort to avoid blurred images in less than perfect light when avoiding flash. Colours are cool, though lent needed warmth by a vivid option. However, there's not much here to excite – nor out of the ordinary now many manufacturers have hopped on the face-recognition technology bandwagon – yet its lack of frills is disguised by attractive bodywork and entry-level price. Budget extra for a decent capacity SD card to supplement the 24MB internal memory, though."

Steve's Digicams has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S9 and writes, "The Nikon Coolpix S9 is a mixed bag. While offering good image quality, loads of user-friendly exposure modes, and a stylish "ultra-compact" body, the sluggish shooting performance dwindles a lot of its appeal. So, if you're in the market for an extremely pocketable camera, then we suggest also looking at other cameras, like the Canon PowerShot SD630, Casio Exilim EX-Z600 or Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35 just to name a few."

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Aug 24: Nikon Coolpix S7c

The Nikon Coolpix S7c is a 7 megapixel point and shoot camera that features a large 3.0 inch LCD screen, 3x optical Zoom and wireless technology allowing uploading of images via Nikon's new Coolpix Connect service.

The Nikon Coolpix S7c features 15 shooting modes, 'D-Lighting' exposure correction, one Touch portraits, vibration reduction and 14 megabytes of internal memory.

Expect to see the Nikon Coolpix S7c in stores in September 2006. It will have a retail price of $350 USD.

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Nikon Coolpix S7c News Release

NIKON'S MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA EVER! NEW 7.1 MEGAPIXEL COOLPIX S7c

The COOLPIX S7c Touts Stunning Style, Enhanced Image Quality and E-mail Picture Sharing Technology

Nikon today announced a stylish and edgy new addition to the Nikon COOLPIX Style Series of digital cameras. The new COOLPIX S7c combines high-quality imaging performance and style with impressive new photo sharing technology to make the S7c the most technologically advanced compact digital camera that Nikon has ever released. The S7c is a slim, sophisticated point-and-shoot camera, which packs good looks and great performance into compact dimensions, while offering the advantage of Vibration Reduction and Nikon innovations for in-camera image editing. The COOLPIX S7c camera includes 7.1 effective megapixels and 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens.

“The COOLPIX S7c is going to be a top choice for anyone looking for a camera that successfully unites style and technology seamlessly together,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager Marketing COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. “The COOLPIX S7c customer wants a camera that looks good enough to take with them, capture images wherever they go and share those images with their friends.”

Nikon is making it easier than ever to get great-looking pictures with a handy One-Touch Portrait Button that acts as a shortcut to three Nikon In-Camera Image Innovations to correct common photo problems. This system includes Face-priority AF*, which can automatically find and focus on a subject’s face, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which automatically corrects red-eye, and D-Lighting, an innovation that automatically corrects images with insufficient light. In addition, the S7c is equipped with Blur Warning, which alerts the user when an image is blurred and Best Shot Selector, a feature that automatically identifies and saves the sharpest image from a series. Satisfying shooting is made easier still with a choice of 15 Scene modes.

The COOLPIX S7c can capture everything from wide-open landscapes to tight portraits with outstanding clarity and true-to-life color. And because it features a huge, bright 3.0-inch LCD monitor with an uncommonly wide 170-degree viewing angle, it facilitates easier composition and high-quality playback anywhere. What’s more, the COOLPIX S7c offers Vibration Reduction (VR) capabilities that can compensate for camera shake to realize sharper, clearer results. The all new Anti-shake mode can automatically activate electronic VR and Best Shot Selector (BSS) that selects the sharpest image from up to ten sequential shots, while simultaneously setting the optimal ISO for steady results. Nikon added a High-Sensitivity mode in order to make the most of the camera’s exceptionally high light sensitivity by choosing the optimal setting up to ISO 1600 for the shooting of fast-moving subjects or sharper results in lower light.

Extending the enjoyment beyond shooting, the COOLPIX S7c offers Pictmotion, a function that lets users select their favorite images and movies as well as music** and visual styles ready for the COOLPIX S7c to combine them automatically in-camera to produce audiovisual shows that can be enjoyed anywhere on the huge built-in LCD. Furthermore, the COOLPIX S7c features a new Stop-Motion movie function that lets users create fun animated movies.

With the incorporation of a Rotary Multi Selector, users can easily scroll their way through the newly designed menu system or breeze through picture playback at up to 10 frames per second. For added in camera assistance, Nikon created a Help button, which is now standard on all Nikon’s new COOLPIX cameras. This component provides easy-to-understand explanations for functions on the main menu.

With built-in Wi-Fi the COOLPIX S7c offers the freedom and flexibility of Wireless LAN support (IEEE 802.11b/g). With Wireless transfer, it enables photographers to send pictures from the camera’s memory to a computer on demand. With Wireless shooting, it lets users transfer each image to the computer as soon as it is captured. Wireless printing sends images directly to the printer for printing on a PictBridge-compatible printer***.

In a first for COOLPIX, the COOLPIX S7c is now compatible with Nikon’s all-new COOLPIX CONNECT service that lets users take pictures and then e-mail them to friends across the world in mere seconds. Just take the shots, select recipients from the in-camera address list (up to 30 addresses may be entered) and send them straight from the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi to a local wireless network**. COOLPIX CONNECT is compatible with most open domestic Wi-Fi access points throughout the world and with T-Mobile™ Hotspots in the U.S.A. ****

Every Nikon COOLPIX S7c includes one year of complimentary T-Mobile Hotspot Wi-Fi service (for digital cameras) and the opportunity to connect in over 7,000 U.S. locations.

The service enables a total of up to 50MB of images to be sent to the Nikon COOLPIX Connect server and stored there for up to two weeks. It also sends an email to each specified recipient with a thumbnail and a link to the page, allowing users to invite friends and family members to view the images right away, and download the images to their own computer or enjoy them as a slideshow.

The COOLPIX S7c will be available nationwide in September 2006. The S7c has an MSRP of $349.95. For more information about this and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.

* Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.
** Via PictureProject.
*** Requires optionally available Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10.
**** COOLPIX CONNECT is compatible with most domestic Wi-Fi access points throughout the world and with T-Mobile Hotspots in the U.S.A. T-Mobile Hotspots can be used free of charge for the first year.
T-Mobile and HotSpot and design are federally registered trademarks and the magenta color is a trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. © 2006 T-Mobile USA, Inc

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Nikon Coolpix S7c Reviews

CNET reviews the Nikon Coolpix S7c and writes - 'Nikon's Coolpix S7c is a nice ultracompact camera. Though there's still plenty more Nikon can do to make its Wi-Fi functionality more useful, it's done a good job of delivering what it promised in this area. If Wi-Fi doesn't mean much to you, Sony's Cyber Shot DSC-T10 delivers slightly faster performance and comparable or slightly sharper image quality.'

PhotographyBLOG review the Nikon Coolpix S7c and writes - 'The Nikon S7c is one of the most distinctive point and shoot compact cameras on the market today, with an overall style that is subtle yet pleasing. The large 3 inch LCD screen is a joy to use, and the rotary wheel on the back of the camera echoes the Apple iPod. Pictmotion movies are a nice addition for sharing your images in a dynamic slide-show format, complete with your own songs, and the Nikon menu system is very easy to view and use. As a camera that is good to look at, the Nikon Coolpix S7c fits the bill, but does it take good photos? Thankfully yes - on the whole pictures from this camera are well-exposed, relatively noise-free up to ISO 400, with little purple-fringing. The only flies in the ointment are blurred corners and vignetting at the 35mm wide-angle focal length and poor night shots. Obviously, as the S7c is strictly a point and shoot camera, it offers very little in the way of creative controls, but it's perfectly suited to it's target audience. If you're looking for a stylish, slim, point-and-shoot compact camera with the added bonus of wireless connectivity, then make sure to take a look at the Nikon Coolpix S7c.'

Imaging Resource has posted a review of the Nikon Coolpix S7c where they write - 'Between capture and playback, the S7c provides a lot of picture-taking intelligence. The ED glass makes the most of the S7c's small lens. The Feature System provides Nikon exclusives like face detection auto focusing, in-camera red-eye removal, and D-Lighting. The Scene modes are easily accessed, especially Portrait, which has its own button. Everything else is fun to find with the new rotary multi-selector. In short, it's a smart choice -- and therefore a Dave's Pick.'

Digital Camera Review has a first impressions review of the Nikon Coolpix S7c and writes, "Overall, our impressions are that the S7c is a very "cool" camera. It has the looks and features of a high-end gadget that is a lot of fun. While not the most advanced camera, it has some very useful features, especially ones to help out snapshot style photographers (with face priority AF and on-screen guides to help you line up landscape shots). The wireless capabilities are good and fun, but the extra expense may not be justifiable to many people. The S7c has plenty of other great features, but we'll save them for our full review, as well as discussion about battery life and image quality."

Digital Camera Review has its final review up of the Nikon Coolpix S7c and writes, "Overall, I was pleased with the Nikon Coolpix S7c. The image quality was very good and the wireless features worked well. The camera is also very stylish and thin - you’re sure to turn some heads. If the looks aren't enough, then just flash the large 3 inch screen and that should just about do it. The camera includes a lot of great Nikon features, like their face priority AF, D-Lighting, and some nice scene assist modes. The Coolpix Connect service makes this camera more useful over wireless networks than previous WiFi-enabled Nikon cameras. The Nikon Coolpix S7c is perfectly suited to the “gadget freak” that is looking for an ultra-compact camera and wants to take advantage of the wireless capabilities of the camera. The camera’s style will also appeal to a broader cross section of users."

PopPhoto has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S7c and writes, "Photo quality and performance are class competitive without setting the world on fire. As you'd expect, the S7c gets noisier as ISO increases, to the point where chromatic noise is very visible even on the LCD preview. ... the S7c's time-lapse movie move is a really fun feature. Set the camera up in a corner during a party and watch the night unfold at an amazing pace! ... Like its stylish sister, the Nikon Coolpix S9, the Coolpix S7c also features a stop-action video mode. ... Is this a serious camera for the hardcore photo enthusiast? No, not really. But for the plugged-in member of the Internet generation who likes to share snapshots while sipping iced lattes, the Coolpix S7c is as good as they come."

DCRP has a reivew of the Nikon Coolpix S7c and writes, "Most people buy a camera for the quality of the photos it takes, and the S7c is a letdown in this area. On the positive side, it takes well-exposed photos with pleasing colors, low noise levels, and minimal purple fringing. The bad news the camera suffers from above average barrel distortion, significant blurring around the edges of the frame, and noticeable vignetting. These are the same issues that plagued the Coolpix S6 as well. It's disappointing to see a company like Nikon make a less-than-stellar lens like this. As with nearly all ultra-compacts, the S7c has a redeye problem, and its built-in removal tool did not help. ... While it has much to offer, the S7c falls short of the competition -- mostly due to sub-par photo quality -- but for plenty of other reasons as well. If you must have Wi-Fi then I suppose the camera is worth a look ..."

PCMag has a review of the Nikon Coolpix S7c and writes, "My test shots were impressive, sharp with very little noise. I also liked the color vibrancy and accuracy. There was nice, strong contrast and very little fringing. But the flash images weren't that great. That may be due to the small flash. I also found that the images had a blue-greenish cast. The camera displayed 1,600 lines of resolution, which is decent for a 7.1MP camera. I recorded a 3.1-second bootup time, which is adequate but not outstanding. The 4.2-second recycle time is a bit sluggish, too, and I noticed a decent amount of shutter lag. There was just a touch of barrel and no pincushion distortion in my test shots."

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Aug 24: Nikon Coolpix L5

The Nikon Coolpix L5 is 7.2 megapixel camera with a 5x Optical Zoom and 2.5 inch LCD.

It retails for $300 (USD) and features vibration reduction technology, 15 scene modes, 'D-Lighting' exposure correction, face-priority auto focus, 8MB of internal memory and a macro mode that focuses down as close as 1.6 inches.

Expect to see this $300 camera in September.

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Nikon Coolpix L5 News Release

THE NEW NIKON COOLPIX L5 ADDS VIBRATION REDUCTION TO A 5X ZOOM-NIKKOR GLASS LENS FOR COMPACT VERSATILITY

User-friendly design and function offers consumers an enhanced and steady shooting experience

Nikon is pleased to introduce the COOLPIX L5, a new addition to its Life series of digital cameras. Compact and user-friendly, the L5 is the ideal camera for the family snap-shooter that wants a capable, well-featured camera at an affordable price. The L5 has 7.2 megapixels for generating superior quality prints, a 5x zoom lens for creative compositional freedom, an incredible, bright 2.5-inch LCD screen that is easy to view in any condition, and Vibration Reduction, an in-camera stabilization that compensates for shaky hands or vibrations.

“The COOLPIX L5 represents the perfect balance of simple, intuitive design and innovative, useful technology,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Marketing COOLPIX ­­­for Nikon, Inc. “The L5 is a great choice for parents and families or anyone that likes to capture memories on the move.”

Building on the success of previous L series cameras, the L5 includes new technology designed to enhance the experience of the point and shoot consumer. The L5 is equipped with a high-powered 5x zoom lens for creative control and freedom in a variety of settings from intimate personal portraits to large or wide outdoor scenes. To help consumers utilize the camera’s long zoom capabilities, the L5 features Vibration Reduction, an innovation that minimizes the probability of blurry images by compensating for various levels of camera shake.

For composing and displaying images, the L5 is equipped with an incredible, bright 2.5-inch LCD screen. The LCD displays the Scene Modes menu with 15 Scene Modes, 4 with Scene Assist that automatically program the camera for optimum performance in a variety of shooting conditions.

Nikon’s In-Camera Image Innovations add to the convenience of the L5 by giving users the power to automatically improve images in-camera. For ease of use, the COOLPIX L5 is equipped with a One-Touch Portrait Button, which activates Nikon’s In-Camera Innovations. This system includes Face-priority AF*, which automatically finds and focuses on a subject’s face, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which automatically corrects red-eye, and D-Lighting, an innovation that automatically corrects images with insufficient light. The L5 is equipped with Blur Warning, which alerts the user when an image is blurred and Best Shot Selector, a feature that identifies and saves the sharpest image from a series automatically.

In addition, the COOLPIX L5 offers TV quality movie recording with sound in modes ideal to be played on televisions and computers.

Compact and easy-to-carry with a smooth and elegant design, the L5 packs an incredible amount of technology into a palm-sized camera. The L5 is compatible with AA-size batteries in alkaline, lithium, oxy-nickel and rechargeable batteries to keep you shooting while on the move. For storage, the camera has 8 MB of internal memory and is compatible with an array of SD memory cards.

The COOLPIX L5 even simplifies printing with PictBridge, and is USB compatible for transferring pictures to computers and other peripherals. A complimentary copy of PictureProject is included with the L5 for importing, editing and organizing images.

The COOLPIX L5 will be available in stores September 2006 with an MSRP of $299.95. For more information about the L5 and the full line of COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.

*Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions

CNET reviews the Nikon Coolpix L5 and writes - 'Sometimes, the appeal of simplicity is too hard to ignore. That could explain why we've seen a growing number of cameras that combine a very short list of features with lots of automation to provide a relatively thought-free shooting experience. This should definitely appeal to people who are confused by the various settings on most cameras and have no interest in learning about them, though as you'd imagine, tweakers will want to steer clear. Nikon's Coolpix L5 isn't as bare-bones an experience as Olympus's FE series or even Nikon's own Coolpix L6, but it's still fairly basic.'

DCRP review the Nikon Coolpix L5 and writes - 'The Coolpix L5 is a compact (but not tiny) camera that packs a 5X zoom lens. Despite being made almost entirely of plastic, the camera is pretty well built, without the "cheap" feeling that entry-level cameras usually have. The L5 uses Nikon's lens-shift vibration reduction system to produce sharp images at shutter speeds that would give you a blurry photo on cameras without image stabilization. Unlike the Coolpix S10, the L5's VR system can be used for both still and movie shooting. On the backside of the camera you'll find a large 2.5" LCD that's easy to see indoors and in low light. Unfortunately, it's resolution is lacking, so images aren't terribly sharp when viewed onscreen. As with most cameras in this class, the L5 lacks an optical viewfinder. While it looks small, the L5's flash is actually quite powerful -- and redeye wasn't a problem either thanks to the camera's advanced redeye reduction system.'

DigitalCameraReview has a review of the Nikon Coolpix and writes, "The images out of the L5 need to be sharpened in order to maximize their potential, but there is no in-camera adjustment to accomplish this, although the images readily lend themselves to sharpening in the computer. This is not a blanket indictment of the L5 images, which are quite good, but rather a simple fact that digital images are by their very nature more soft than a corresponding film image. An in-camera adjustment to sharpen the L5 shots would be welcomed, at least to my eyes. ... The Nikon Coolpix L5 is a light compact camera with a bundle of nice features that offers novice shooters a quick and easy way to shoot digital photos under a wide variety of conditions with relative ease, as well as do some simple processing and image correction in-camera. The camera would benefit from an in-camera adjustment to sharpen the images somewhat."

Trusted Reviews has a review of the Nikon CoolPix L5 and writes, "Finally we come to image quality, and here the L5 falls down badly. As I mentioned previously, even at the maximum quality setting it produces very small and highly compressed image files, and this seriously limits the picture quality. Furthermore the lens is not one of Nikon’s best, producing very noticeable barrel distortion at wide angle, with very poor edge and corner sharpness. While colour rendition and exposure were generally accurate, the level of fine detail was much lower than on most 6MP compacts that I’ve tested. One has to wonder what exactly is the point of putting a powerful 7.2 megapixel sensor in a camera it is crippled by poor noise control, high compression and a sub-standard lens? The Nikon CoolPix L5 is something of a mixed bag. It offers a useful zoom range and resolution, easy handling and simple operation, but the slow performance, bulky appearance and poor image quality are significant disadvantages. There are better cameras available for not much more money."

Imaging Resource has a review of the Nikon Coolpix L5 and writes, "the Nikon Coolpix L5 is a very sophisticated camera for entry-level users. While the camera's very limited manual control will frustrate all but the most beginning of users -- along with its slow overall performance -- the Nikon Coolpix L5 is an understated and stylish model that manages to cram a host of features into a relatively compact body. Features like D-Lighting exposure correction technology, a face-priority AF function, an in-camera red-eye function, and Nikon's Best Shot Selector mode are worth the price of admission -- in this case, as low as $200 at some online retailers -- while the Nikon Coolpix L5's one-touch portrait button is the icing on the cake for entry-level photographers."

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Aug 24: Nikon Coolpix L6

The Nikon Coolpix L6 is a 6.0 megapixel point and shoot camera with a 3x Optical Zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD.

The Nikon Coolpix L6 is definitely going for the entry level market with it's $200 retail price. It has no optical viewfinder but brags a battery life of 1000 shots per charge.

It has 15 scene modes, is powered by AA batteries and ISO of up to 800.

The Nikon Coolpix will hit stores in September and will sell for a price of $200 USD.

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Nikon Coolpix L6 News Release

NEW NIKON COOLPIX L6 TAKES 1,000 SHOTS RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX

Camera technology enhancements provide consumers with long lasting photographic capability

MELVILLE, NY (August 24, 2006) - Nikon is redefining the phrase “user-friendly” with its latest addition to the COOLPIX family of digital cameras, the L6. In addition to having 6.0 megapixels, an incredible, bright 2.5 inch LCD screen and Nikon’s In-Camera Image Innovations, the L6 can take an unprecedented 1,000 pictures on a single set of the included Energizer e2 Lithium AA batteries, the most of any camera in its class.

“ Nikon’s new COOLPIX L6 and its partnership with Energizer represent a continued dedication to improve the photography experience for the consumer,” said Bill Giordano, General Manager Marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon, Inc. With the L6, you may never have to worry about missing valuable photo opportunities again because the camera is always ready.”

In addition to having ground breaking battery life, the COOLPIX L6 offers a higher light sensitivity, up to ISO 800, than many conventional compact digital cameras, allowing the user to shoot pictures in a lower light without having to worry about their pictures being dark or blurry. The L6 has a higher shutter speed option for freezing time and capturing fast-moving subjects. In addition to these innovations, the camera boasts 6.0 megapixels for generating beautiful prints and a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor glass lens for creative freedom and an incredible, bright 2.5 LCD screen for effortless composition and display.

Like every camera in the COOLPIX family, the L6 is equipped with Nikon’s In-Camera Image Innovations to fix common photo problems. This system includes Face-priority AF*, which automatically finds and focuses on a subject’s face, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which automatically corrects red-eye, and D-Lighting, an innovation automatically corrects images with insufficient light. Furthermore, the L6 is equipped with Blur Warning, which alerts the user when an image is blurred and Best Shot Selector, a feature which automatically identifies and saves the sharpest image from a series.

In addition to these features, the L6 has 15 scene modes, which simplify picture taking by automatically programming the camera’s settings for great pictures in a variety of locations. Other features include color options for adding different color effects to your pictures, a date counter which visually records the number of days until a special occasion, and several white balance choices. Included with the L6 is a complimentary copy of PictureProject, Nikon’s imaging software for organizing, editing and sharing pictures.

The COOLPIX L6 offers 23 MB of internal memory and is compatible with an array of SD memory cards. The L6 uses PictBridge to easily connect to compatible printers.

The COOLPIX L6 will be available in stores September 2006 with an MSRP of $199.95. For more information about the L6 and the full line of COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.

Nikon Coolpix L6 Reviews

CNET reviews the Nikon Coolpix L6 and writes - 'Despite all the fancy, feature-rich cameras we've seen this year, 2006 may make its mark as the year that features went by the wayside in digital cameras. Just as Olympus's FE series brings new meaning to the idea of point and shoot, Nikon's L series eschews features in favor of simplicity. Exposure control consists of scene modes and exposure compensation. Of course, if you don't want any control, there's always the full auto mode.'

Digital Camera Review has reviewed the Nikon Coolpix L6 and writes - 'Overall, I'm very impressed with the Nikon Coolpix L6 - the camera is clearly designed to appeal to a specific target audience and it does a very good job of meeting the needs of that demographic. The camera is very user friendly and it consistently delivers surprisingly good images. It's an excellent choice for busy folks and casual photographers who want a camera that's compact enough to drop in a pocket and take along everywhere they go, tough enough to stand up to the rigors of modern life, cheap enough to be a real bargain, and if all that's not enough, the L6 has the best battery life of any digicam in its class. I wouldn't buy an L6 for me - but I would seriously consider buying one for my wife (who is a lifetime member of the L6's target audience).'

Steve's Digicams has a review of the Nikon Coolpix L6 and writes, "Nikon's Coolpix L6 is a mixed bag. While this model does offer great image quality and some very appealing features, it is disappointing with its overall sluggish shooting performance. At about US$199 or less, it does offer a good value, as long as you don't plan on capturing fast moving subjects (like kids running through the house.) If you like the L6 but would like a bit more resolution and a broader zoom range, then be sure to check out our review of its 7-megapixel brother the Coolpix L5."

Trusted Reviews has a review of the Nikon CoolPix L6 and writes, "when the L6 does eventually get around to taking a picture the results are excellent. Nikon’s compact lens provides good edge to edge sharpness, much better than most lenses of comparable size, although as usual for such lenses there is significant barrel distortion at the wide angle end. Colour rendition and exposure are very good, and the camera handles unusual exposure conditions extremely well, producing excellent results despite rapidly changing light. ... The Nikon CoolPix L6 is a well-made, sensibly designed pocket compact that would be ideal for holiday snaps or general snapshot photography. Its exceptional battery duration means that it won’t let you down when you need it, and the excellent image quality means you won’t be disappointed by the results. If you can live with the slow performance and lack of low-light ability then it is excellent value for money."

Imaging Resource has a review of the Nikon Coolpix L6 and writes, "The trim and stylish Nikon Coolpix L6 is impressive for an entry-level model that sells for less than $200. With a 6-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 3x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, and a host of easy-to-use in-camera Nikon technologies such as D-Lighting, Red-Eye Fix, and Face Priority AF, the Coolpix L6 would appear to be a steal for beginning photographers. The real news, though, is the Coolpix L6's extraordinarily long battery life, with the camera able to capture up to 1,000 shots on a pair of AA Lithium batteries. Despite its positives, I was disappointed in the image quality produced by the Coolpix L6, particularly its exposure issues, lack of sharpness, and struggles in low light. While the Nikon Coolpix L6 has a great design and a load of helpful features, there are other entry-level models on the market that simply take better pictures."

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Aug 24: Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens is a second new lens from canon today that rounds out their f/4 range of lenses. It is sealed from dust and moisture and has two IS modes built in (one for stationary subjects and another for intentional panning).

It will retail for $1249 and should hit stores in November.

The EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens - Versatile and Compact New EF Lens
Canon is also the only manufacturer to provide a full range of professional zoom lenses in both the high-speed f/2.8 category as well as the compact and lightweight f/4 category. Rounding out Canon’s f/4L lens lineup is the new EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens. This “L” series lens is designed for professional or advanced amateur photographers seeking maximum performance and versatility. This is a lens that can handle almost any assignment, ranging from distant subjects to the demanding requirements of up-close and personal portraits as well as nature photography.

Get a Price on the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

The EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens stands up to the rigors of professional use The lens is sealed from dust and moisture, and is equipped with the latest generation of Canon’s Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, making it an optimal everyday shooter. The image stabilization achieves three shutter speed steps of camera shake correction within 0.5 seconds after the shutter button is depressed halfway and yields correction for up to four full shutter speeds while handheld, providing a new level of performance. Users can also select two IS modes, one for stationary subjects and another for intentional panning.

The EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens is the same size as the EF70-200mm f/4L USM lens that remains in the EF lens line, but the new lens adds several valuable features. In addition to enhanced weather sealing and image stabilization, the EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens incorporates a circular diaphragm to create more natural looking background blur, and distance information to aid autofocusing and automatic flash exposure. The lens also suppresses flare and ghosting with advanced coatings and optimal placement of its 20 lens elements in 15 groups. One Fluorite element and two UD (ultra low dispersion) elements thoroughly suppress chromatic aberrations for crisp photos throughout the entire focal range. A ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) provides fast and silent autofocusing, while the full-time manual focus function provides maximum control even when the lens is set for AF.

The compact and universal EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM will also be available in November for an estimated selling price of $1,249.**

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Aug 24: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens is a great looking new L-series lens for camera that is sure to get Canon DSLR owners mouths watering.

It's f/1.2 aperture makes it the fastest AF lens in it's class and will be ideal for weddings (that's how Canon are promoting it) and other low light portrait situations.

It will retail for $1599 and should hit stores in November 2006.

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Canon News Release Extract

The EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens – Serious Glass for Serious Photographers
Canon is the only camera manufacturer to provide professionals and advanced amateurs with Digital SLRs that feature full frame sensors, such as the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and EOS 5D digital SLRs. The new EF50mm f/1.2L USM lens complements full-frame cameras, while delivering beautiful results on APS-C/H sized sensor models as well.

The EF50mm f/1.2L USM lens is a strong testament to Canon’s heritage of optical excellence. Every aspect of this lens exudes professional quality from its wide 72mm filter diameter to its dust and moisture sealed construction. A high refraction glass molded aspherical lens element helps to minimize spherical aberration, which is crucial in order to provide fine detail and maximum image quality from corner to corner, even when the lens is used wide open. Full frame digital camera users will especially appreciate the benefits of the 50mm focal length, when shooting waist-up portraits while maintaining appropriate subject distance at a wedding.

The large maximum aperture of f/1.2 allows this lens to produce shallow depth of field that softens the background and makes subjects “pop” out of a portrait. Photographers can also take advantage of higher shutter speeds to shoot in lower light and help prevent blurring caused by subject movement or camera shake. In addition to a large aperture, the new lens also has blazingly fast autofocus speed and response time, thanks in part to Canon’s ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), which quietly drives the lens. A full-time manual focus feature allows photographers to fine-tune the sharpness of their images, even when the lens is set for autofocus.

Canon designed the EF50mm f/1.2L USM to deliver the best possible optical quality while being tough enough to meet the needs of demanding photographers. Eight lens elements in six groups provide high resolution, while advanced coating suppresses flare and ghosting. A glass molded (GMO) aspherical element ensures maximum image quality by reducing spherical aberration and linear distortion. Dust and moisture resistant components in the lens mount, switches, and focus ring help to protect the lens in a wide variety of shooting conditions.

The powerful and fast EF50mm f/1.2L USM lens will be available in November for an estimated selling price of $1,599**.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens Reviews

The Digital Picture has posted their review of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens where they write - "The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens is going to be purchased by those who want the best image quality they can get from f/1.2 to f/2, by those needing a more-pleasing background blur quality than the other two 50s deliver, by those requiring the least amount of lens flare in their results or by those who need/want the best quality (build) lens they can get. I can't say that the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens is a good value, but I do think it is worth the price to serious photographers who need what it can deliver."

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Aug 24: Canon Powershot A630

The Canon Powershot A630 is an 8.0 megapixel camera with a 4x Optical Zoom and a 2.5 inch LCD.

Compare prices on the Canon Powershot A630 and

get the latest price on the Canon PowerShot SD630 at Amazon.

Canon News Release

Canon's New PowerShot A710 IS, A640 And A630 Digital Cameras Offer Consumers Feature Packed Options At Reasonable Price Points

New PowerShot A-Series Cameras Bring Such Sophisticated Technology As 10 Megapixels or Image Stabilization to Consumers at Entry-Level Price Points

Canon’s new PowerShot A710 IS, A640 and A630 compact digital cameras combine functionality with photographic simplicity, all in a compact form factor that fits snugly in the hand. These 7.1, 10.0 and 8.0 megapixel cameras pack a high resolution punch to ensure that consumers’ most cherished memories are clear and crisp today and for years to come. The cameras will be in stores this October for estimated selling prices of $399.99*, $399.99* and $299.99*, respectively.

As America’s choice for digital cameras, The NPD Group reports that Canon has maintained its number one market position throughout the 2006 first half, with 23.0 percent unit share**. In fact, the NPD Group’s top 10 digital camera listing has included at least two of Canon’s PowerShot A-series cameras within the 2006 first half as well.

Named for their use of AA batteries, Canon’s A-series digital cameras offer comfortably placed controls and feature high image quality in order for consumers to capture, save and share images of meaningful memories, personal milestones and family functions.

“All of our A-Series PowerShot digital cameras offer consumers an easy transition from traditional film cameras to digital imaging based on form factor, ease-of-use and design,” explained Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The PowerShot A-Series line-up continues Canon’s long-standing tradition of providing consumers with imaging excellence in an affordable and uncomplicated package.”

PowerShot A-Series – They All Pack A Punch
The PowerShot A710 IS digital camera features a high resolution 7.1 Megapixel CCD with a 2.5 inch LCD screen, an optical viewfinder and a high-quality Canon 6x Optical Zoom lens, along with Canon’s original Image Stabilizer (IS) Technology – making it the first A-Series model to provide image stabilization. The PowerShot A640 and A630 digital cameras are equipped with high resolution 10.0 and 8.0 Megapixel CCDs respectively. Both cameras feature a high-quality Canon 4x Optical Zoom lens, an optical viewfinder, and a 2.5-inch Vari-Angle LCD screen.

PowerShot A-Series – They Have More Scenes Then Ever Before
Each new PowerShot A-Series digital camera is equipped with Canon’s nine-point AiAF “Smart” autofocus system. The A710 IS model offers 20 shooting modes, while the A640 and A630 models feature 21 shooting modes. The standard shooting modes are Full Auto, Program, Manual, Shutter-priority, and Aperture-priority. Additional modes include Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Special Scene (10 varieties), Stitch Assist and Movie. Two new shooting features for the A-Series line are Safety Zoom and Digital Tele-converter. The Safety zoom function allows users to comfortably explore digital zoom without sacrificing image quality while the new Digital Tele-converter digitally emulates having a traditional tele-converter attached.

PowerShot A-Series – Lights! Camera! Action!
The new A-Series digital cameras are also capable of recording VGA movies with sound at 30 frames per second for up to 36 minutes per clip with optional high-capacity 4GB SDHC memory cards, making them perfect for capturing memories in motion.PowerShot A-Series – It Is All In the Design
The new cameras’ grips are ergonomically improved, and the control layout is even easier to use then before. The large and bright 2.5-inch LCD screens feature TFT design for a wide viewing angle, and the size of the screens makes it easier for users to read menu settings and preview or review their photos.

PowerShot A-Series - My Colors
Canon’s enhanced (from previous models) ‘My Colors’ mode provides PowerShot users with an incredible range of creative photo effects, which can be accessed directly from the camera with no need for post-processing in a computer. Consumers can adjust a specific color within an image to modify the look and feel of their picture. Available My Color playback modes include Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, and Vivid Red; lighter and darker skin tones, as well as options for creating black & white, sepia, neutral and positive film effects. Where previously, users could only enable ‘My Colors’ while shooting, the updated My Colors mode lets users retouch captured images as well, without the need for special software applications or tools.

PowerShot A-Series - The DIGIC Difference
Because of Canon’s proprietary DIGIC II (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor, consumers can enjoy long battery life, smooth operation, accurate color reproduction, and excellent image quality. The DIGIC II chip combines the roles of image processing and camera function control into one chip, resulting in faster display and write times for each image and lower power consumption, which extends battery life.

PowerShot A-Series - Print/Share Button
With Canon’s cameras and photo printers, consumer can enjoy a complete digital imaging solution from nearly anywhere. Located on the backside of the new PowerShot A-Series digital cameras is the Print/Share button. This button simplifies and accelerates direct printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge enabled printers and one-touch image transfer to computers*** for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet, or as email attachments. When consumers connect their camera to a compatible printer or computer via the supplied USB cable, the Print/Share button illuminates to let the user know to press the Print/Share button to begin the printing or downloading process.

PowerShot A-Series - What’s in the Box
The PowerShot A-Series digital camera kit includes a USB cable, audio and video cable, wrist strap, 16MB MultiMediaCard and AA-size alkaline batteries as well as the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disc Version 2.9, featuring the latest versions of Canon’s powerful software.

PowerShot A-Series - Optional Accessories
PowerShot A710 IS digital camera
High Power Flash – HF-DC1
Underwater Housing – WP-DC6
Conversion Lens Adapter – LA-DC58G
Wide Converter – WC-DC58N
Tele-converter – TC-DC58N
Close-up Lens 58mm 250D
NiMH Battery & Charger Kit CBK4-300
AC Adapter Kit ACK800

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Canon Powershot A630

Steves Digicams reviews the Canon Powershot A630 and writes - 'last year we said "Canon has struck gold" with the A620 and A610, and this year they have done it yet again. With an MSRP of just US$299, I feel the Canon PowerShot A630 offers and outstanding value for such a capable 8-megapixel model. Therefore, we feel it will make an excellent choice for anyone in the market for an affordable model with excellent image quality, speedy performance, and a wealth of exposure modes, all packed in a stylish, yet rugged metal/plastic shell. If you need a bit more resolution, and like Canon's Remote Capture feature, then check out the 10-megapixel A640, which can be had for about $100 more.'

Imaging Resource reviews the Canon Powershot A630 and writes - "In terms of picture quality the Powershot A630 performed just about how I expected it to in my tests. Colours are strong without being overpowering, plus the images are sharper than average. The manual exposure controls also give you the chance to have a greater influence over the way each image looks.... The Canon Powershot A630 is another solid offering from Canon. With manual exposure controls, a more than reasonable price tag and good picture quality the Powershot A630 is likely to be a big seller. Recommended."

TechTree has a review of the Canon A630 and writes, "Overall, the lens produced sharp results throughout its zoom range. The overall image quality is excellent. Extremely good color and skin tone reproduction are major pros here. In outdoor settings, it shows nice exposure and rich color saturation for images. We also noticed that sky detail was beautiful when there are clouds visible. Our sample pictures were pretty sharp, thanks to the fast 9-point "Smart" AiAF autofocus system. Image noise is very low when using ISO speeds of 200 or less, with noise becoming more noticeable at ISO 400 while getting even worse at ISO 800. When shooting indoors, we were able to focus on the object even in total darkness, once again thanks to the Focus assist lamp (which we believe should be standard with all digital cameras.) ... As with previous models in the Powershot series the A630 offers class, style, excellent image quality, swift performance, and a huge array of exposure modes. Plus it also allows you to attach extra lenses (if required.) and did I mention the camera burps out 8 MP images as well? All in all a pretty good buy if you are looking for a camera in that price range."

CNET has a review of the Canon PowerShot A630 and compares it to the A640, writing: "Aside from the approximately $75 street price differential, the real distinguishing element between the two is the photo quality. In general, both produce colorful and crisp photos, with relatively little fringing or distortion. Fine details showed up clearly in our test shots, though colors tended to appear slightly muted and cool. The A630 displays a bit less noise, however. Artifacts start to appear at ISO 400 and become a fine but visible grain at ISO 800. Images are still usable at ISO 800 for 4x6 prints but aren't as sharp as photos taken at lower sensitivity settings and display problems with color banding."

Imaging Resource has a review of the Canon PowerShot A630 and writes, "It's easy to see why Canon PowerShots continue to be popular. Their design is user friendly and well-built, the pictures are great, and they're easy to shoot. The Canon PowerShot A630 continues in that tradition of dependability, sporting an 8.0-megapixel CCD, a very good quality 4x optical zoom lens, and a big 2.5 inch swiveling LCD screen. It offers everything from full automatic to full manual exposure control, with a healthy set of Scene modes thrown in to make it easy to bring back great-looking photos from what might otherwise be challenging situations. It has a great movie mode, and its superb lens delivers great sharpness across the frame. Thanks to its high-speed DIGIC-II processing chip, it's also very responsive, and its movie capability is impressive as well. Bottom line, like its brother the A640, the Canon A630 is a classic; just an excellent all-around digital camera, and an easy choice as a Dave's Pick."

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Aug 24: Canon Powershot A640

The Canon Powershot A640 is a 10 megapixel point and shoot camera with a 4x Optical Zoom lesn and 2.5 inch Vari-Angle LCD screen.

Compare prices on the Canon Powershot A640 and get the latest price on the Canon PowerShot A640 at Amazon.

Canon News Release

Canon's New PowerShot A710 IS, A640 And A630 Digital Cameras Offer Consumers Feature Packed Options At Reasonable Price Points

New PowerShot A-Series Cameras Bring Such Sophisticated Technology As 10 Megapixels or Image Stabilization to Consumers at Entry-Level Price Points

Canon's new PowerShot A710 IS, A640 and A630 compact digital cameras combine functionality with photographic simplicity, all in a compact form factor that fits snugly in the hand. These 7.1, 10.0 and 8.0 megapixel cameras pack a high resolution punch to ensure that consumers’ most cherished memories are clear and crisp today and for years to come. The cameras will be in stores this October for estimated selling prices of $399.99*, $399.99* and $299.99*, respectively.

As America’s choice for digital cameras, The NPD Group reports that Canon has maintained its number one market position throughout the 2006 first half, with 23.0 percent unit share**. In fact, the NPD Group’s top 10 digital camera listing has included at least two of Canon’s PowerShot A-series cameras within the 2006 first half as well.

Named for their use of AA batteries, Canon’s A-series digital cameras offer comfortably placed controls and feature high image quality in order for consumers to capture, save and share images of meaningful memories, personal milestones and family functions.

“All of our A-Series PowerShot digital cameras offer consumers an easy transition from traditional film cameras to digital imaging based on form factor, ease-of-use and design,” explained Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The PowerShot A-Series line-up continues Canon’s long-standing tradition of providing consumers with imaging excellence in an affordable and uncomplicated package.”

PowerShot A-Series – They All Pack A Punch
The PowerShot A710 IS digital camera features a high resolution 7.1 Megapixel CCD with a 2.5 inch LCD screen, an optical viewfinder and a high-quality Canon 6x Optical Zoom lens, along with Canon’s original Image Stabilizer (IS) Technology – making it the first A-Series model to provide image stabilization. The PowerShot A640 and A630 digital cameras are equipped with high resolution 10.0 and 8.0 Megapixel CCDs respectively. Both cameras feature a high-quality Canon 4x Optical Zoom lens, an optical viewfinder, and a 2.5-inch Vari-Angle LCD screen.

PowerShot A-Series – They Have More Scenes Then Ever Before
Each new PowerShot A-Series digital camera is equipped with Canon’s nine-point AiAF “Smart” autofocus system. The A710 IS model offers 20 shooting modes, while the A640 and A630 models feature 21 shooting modes. The standard shooting modes are Full Auto, Program, Manual, Shutter-priority, and Aperture-priority. Additional modes include Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Special Scene (10 varieties), Stitch Assist and Movie. Two new shooting features for the A-Series line are Safety Zoom and Digital Tele-converter. The Safety zoom function allows users to comfortably explore digital zoom without sacrificing image quality while the new Digital Tele-converter digitally emulates having a traditional tele-converter attached.

PowerShot A-Series – Lights! Camera! Action!
The new A-Series digital cameras are also capable of recording VGA movies with sound at 30 frames per second for up to 36 minutes per clip with optional high-capacity 4GB SDHC memory cards, making them perfect for capturing memories in motion.PowerShot A-Series – It Is All In the Design
The new cameras’ grips are ergonomically improved, and the control layout is even easier to use then before. The large and bright 2.5-inch LCD screens feature TFT design for a wide viewing angle, and the size of the screens makes it easier for users to read menu settings and preview or review their photos.

PowerShot A-Series - My Colors
Canon’s enhanced (from previous models) ‘My Colors’ mode provides PowerShot users with an incredible range of creative photo effects, which can be accessed directly from the camera with no need for post-processing in a computer. Consumers can adjust a specific color within an image to modify the look and feel of their picture. Available My Color playback modes include Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, and Vivid Red; lighter and darker skin tones, as well as options for creating black & white, sepia, neutral and positive film effects. Where previously, users could only enable ‘My Colors’ while shooting, the updated My Colors mode lets users retouch captured images as well, without the need for special software applications or tools.

PowerShot A-Series - The DIGIC Difference
Because of Canon’s proprietary DIGIC II (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor, consumers can enjoy long battery life, smooth operation, accurate color reproduction, and excellent image quality. The DIGIC II chip combines the roles of image processing and camera function control into one chip, resulting in faster display and write times for each image and lower power consumption, which extends battery life.

PowerShot A-Series - Print/Share Button
With Canon’s cameras and photo printers, consumer can enjoy a complete digital imaging solution from nearly anywhere. Located on the backside of the new PowerShot A-Series digital cameras is the Print/Share button. This button simplifies and accelerates direct printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge enabled printers and one-touch image transfer to computers*** for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet, or as email attachments. When consumers connect their camera to a compatible printer or computer via the supplied USB cable, the Print/Share button illuminates to let the user know to press the Print/Share button to begin the printing or downloading process.

PowerShot A-Series - What’s in the Box
The PowerShot A-Series digital camera kit includes a USB cable, audio and video cable, wrist strap, 16MB MultiMediaCard and AA-size alkaline batteries as well as the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disc Version 2.9, featuring the latest versions of Canon’s powerful software.

PowerShot A-Series - Optional Accessories
PowerShot A710 IS digital camera
High Power Flash – HF-DC1
Underwater Housing – WP-DC6
Conversion Lens Adapter – LA-DC58G
Wide Converter – WC-DC58N
Tele-converter – TC-DC58N
Close-up Lens 58mm 250D
NiMH Battery & Charger Kit CBK4-300
AC Adapter Kit ACK800

Compare prices on the Canon Powershot A640 and get the latest price on the Canon PowerShot A640 at Amazon.

Canon PowerShot A640 Reviews

Steves Digicams reviews the Canon Powershot A640 and writes - 'Images were very pleasing when using the 10-megapixel Large SuperFine quality mode. Outdoors it captures beautiful pictures that show nice exposure and rich color saturation. I also noticed that sky detail was beautiful when there are clouds visible. Our samples were sharp from edge to edge, thanks in part to the fast and accurate 9-point "Smart" AiAF autofocus system. Image noise is very low when using ISO speeds of 200 or less, with noise becoming more noticeable at ISO 400, and very clear at ISO 800. However, when viewing these higher ISO images at 23% (the typical fit size for a 19-inch monitor set to 1024x768), they look good and still are capable of creating nice prints. The ability to use faster shutter speeds in lower lighting, and the ability to capture that special moment, makes up for the lost image quality, in my opinion.'

Camera Labs reviews the Canon PowerShot A640 where they write - 'What really separates the A640 from most compacts though is its degree of manual and creative control. It gives you full access to the aperture and shutter, along with quick and easy adjustments of all settings including a broad range of flash options. While physically larger and heavier than most compacts, it’s comfortable to hold and sports a decent grip. The lens is also slightly longer than average 3x zooms and the 1cm macro facility is remarkable. It’s just a shame you’ll need to supply your own set of rechargeable AA batteries.'

PhotographyBLOG post their review of the Canon Powershot A640 where they write - 'The Canon PowerShot A640 is, then, a reliable all-rounder that, with that 10 megapixel resolution, sets itself up as a possible back up compact for DSLR users (if they can make do with JPEG-only capture). Shame also about the lack of a built-in image stabilization of any sort; something that would have made the A640 even more compelling for the more demanding user.'

DP Review have posted their review of the Canon PowerShot A640 where they give it a rating of highly recommended and write - 'Compared to the other 10MP compact cameras on the market the A640 is an easy choice; there is little if any direct competition. What's interesting is that for many users the A640 is a serious alternative to Canon's own flagship G7 (which will set you back over $100 more). If you don't need the extra zoom (where the G7's image stabilization is useful) or flash hot shoe, you can get near-identical results from each camera, and there are areas where the A640 actually outperforms the G7. For anyone who prefers to do their own noise reduction processing the A640 is a better choice at higher ISO settings, where the noise and detail retention are both higher. The G7 might be more stylish and have a much better screen, and it certainly makes its huge feature set a lot easier to control, but image quality is - all things considered - pretty much a dead heat.'

DPInterface reviews the Canon PowerShot A640 and recommends the camera, writing, "The A640 has great battery life, a nice grip with easy one hand operation, very good performance, even a custom option on the mode dial and now, remote shooting via your PC. Then the A640 also shares the same quibbles as the very similar A630: low LCD resolution, no live histogram and a plastic tripod mount. The movie mode is excellent save for the per clip limit and inability to focus and optical zoom. Image quality, especially in terms of noise, was better than the A630. Yes, I'd definitely recommend the A640. The performance drop caused by the higher resolution is not significant, in fact barely noticeable and in my opinion, the slightly better image quality and higher resolution justifies the extra $40."

ePhotoZine has a review of the Canon PowerShot A640 and writes, "For a budget range camera to have a selection of full-feature camera modes, a flip-out LCD and a 10Mp resolution is something of a surprise. The A640 is a willing, lightweight and convenient little camera that can taken anywhere and used without drawing much attention to the photographer. The 10Mp is overkill and the result of packing those pixels in is that images are noisy, but fortunately, not to a significant degree at ISO 100. ... The image quality might not be flawless, but considering the functionality on offer its scarcely problematic. "

Good Gear Guide has a review of the Canon PowerShot A640 and writes, "Poor performance at ISO 800 combined with the lack of image stabilisation found on many of Canon's other cameras, means the A640 isn't the best choice for those who regularly shoot in high speed scenarios. The rest of the features are fairly standard. ... We found the A640 to be a reasonably quick camera, posting speeds slightly faster than normal in our tests. Exhibiting a shutter speed of .06 of a second, a 1.8 second shot-to-shot time, and a relatively speedy 1.9 second power up time, this model certainly won't leave you floundering at crucial moments."

LetsGoDigital has a review of the Canon PowerShot A640 and writes, "The Canon A640 is a typical camera from the PowerShot A series and is currently the top model in this camera segment. The ten Megapixel resolution is not really an improvement on its predecessor. It just gives you slightly bigger enlargements, but this is hardly worth the trouble.... The quality of the pixel and way in which the internal image processing achieves its final result is much more important. The Canon A640 manages to do this just fine. The quality of the optical zoom lens is excellent and can match the high resolution."

DigitalCameraInfo has a review of the Canon PowerShot A640 and writes, "What makes the A640 a solid camera is that it allows beginners to develop their photography skills by graduating from the scene modes to the manual mode without needing to buy different cameras. A few of the A640’s highlights include a rotating 2.5-inch LCD screen that has a wide view, a built-in flash with adjustable power, easy to use control and mode dial interface, and in-camera editing for simple direct printing. The Canon A640 is a bit pricey with its $399 retail. Bargain hunters can go for its PowerShot companion, the A630, though. It has 8 megapixels with the same modes and many of the same features – for about fifty to a hundred dollars less. Considering that most point-and-shooters won’t create huge prints, the A630 may be a better buy. The Canon PowerShot A640 is still a good digital camera though – if you’ve got the cash."

Megapixel has a review of the Canon PowerShot A640 and writes, "Many of the features of the A640 are devised so that it is appropriate for a wide variety of users: the A640 provides a simple to use point-and-shoot Auto mode, perfect for a novice; a large number of scene modes that can meet the needs of an intermediate user; and the Creative Zone modes — program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual — are what most advanced users will want. With a 10-megapixel CCD, the A640 offers a high resolution image that is able to capture a superb level of detail and which guarantees great prints. And this, combined with a broad set of modes that allow a photographer to grow, make it one of the best compacts on the market today."

PhotographyReview has a review of the Canon PowerShot A640 and writes, "The Canon PowerShot A640 is a great do-it-all compact digital camera. There's very little to find fault with, especially with the small price tag. The image quality is excellent for a compact, the size is a good compromise between pocket-sized and super-zoom cameras, and it's got modes and controls to meet almost any photographic need. The ISO 400 and ISO 800 image quality are good enough that most people won't miss having image stabilization. On the other hand, image stabilization would help people get more and better photos and it's the one thing that I would say is missing from the camera."

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Aug 24: Canon Powershot A710

The Canon Powershot A710 is a 7.1 megapixel point and shoot camera with a 6x Optical Zoom and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

The A710 runs on AA batteries (like all A-series cameras from Canon) and features a long list of shooting modes and in camera functions (see following news release from Canon).

Compare prices on the Canon Powershot A710 and get the latest price on the Canon PowerShot A710 IS 7.1MP Digital Camera with 6x Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom at Amazon.

Canon News Release

Canon's New PowerShot A710 IS, A640 And A630 Digital Cameras Offer Consumers Feature Packed Options At Reasonable Price Points

New PowerShot A-Series Cameras Bring Such Sophisticated Technology As 10 Megapixels or Image Stabilization to Consumers at Entry-Level Price Points

Canon's new PowerShot A710 IS, A640 and A630 compact digital cameras combine functionality with photographic simplicity, all in a compact form factor that fits snugly in the hand. These 7.1, 10.0 and 8.0 megapixel cameras pack a high resolution punch to ensure that consumers’ most cherished memories are clear and crisp today and for years to come. The cameras will be in stores this October for estimated selling prices of $399.99*, $399.99* and $299.99*, respectively.

As America’s choice for digital cameras, The NPD Group reports that Canon has maintained its number one market position throughout the 2006 first half, with 23.0 percent unit share**. In fact, the NPD Group’s top 10 digital camera listing has included at least two of Canon’s PowerShot A-series cameras within the 2006 first half as well.

Named for their use of AA batteries, Canon’s A-series digital cameras offer comfortably placed controls and feature high image quality in order for consumers to capture, save and share images of meaningful memories, personal milestones and family functions.

“All of our A-Series PowerShot digital cameras offer consumers an easy transition from traditional film cameras to digital imaging based on form factor, ease-of-use and design,” explained Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The PowerShot A-Series line-up continues Canon’s long-standing tradition of providing consumers with imaging excellence in an affordable and uncomplicated package.”

PowerShot A-Series – They All Pack A Punch
The PowerShot A710 IS digital camera features a high resolution 7.1 Megapixel CCD with a 2.5 inch LCD screen, an optical viewfinder and a high-quality Canon 6x Optical Zoom lens, along with Canon’s original Image Stabilizer (IS) Technology – making it the first A-Series model to provide image stabilization. The PowerShot A640 and A630 digital cameras are equipped with high resolution 10.0 and 8.0 Megapixel CCDs respectively. Both cameras feature a high-quality Canon 4x Optical Zoom lens, an optical viewfinder, and a 2.5-inch Vari-Angle LCD screen.

PowerShot A-Series – They Have More Scenes Then Ever Before
Each new PowerShot A-Series digital camera is equipped with Canon’s nine-point AiAF “Smart” autofocus system. The A710 IS model offers 20 shooting modes, while the A640 and A630 models feature 21 shooting modes. The standard shooting modes are Full Auto, Program, Manual, Shutter-priority, and Aperture-priority. Additional modes include Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Special Scene (10 varieties), Stitch Assist and Movie. Two new shooting features for the A-Series line are Safety Zoom and Digital Tele-converter. The Safety zoom function allows users to comfortably explore digital zoom without sacrificing image quality while the new Digital Tele-converter digitally emulates having a traditional tele-converter attached.

PowerShot A-Series – Lights! Camera! Action!
The new A-Series digital cameras are also capable of recording VGA movies with sound at 30 frames per second for up to 36 minutes per clip with optional high-capacity 4GB SDHC memory cards, making them perfect for capturing memories in motion.PowerShot A-Series – It Is All In the Design
The new cameras’ grips are ergonomically improved, and the control layout is even easier to use then before. The large and bright 2.5-inch LCD screens feature TFT design for a wide viewing angle, and the size of the screens makes it easier for users to read menu settings and preview or review their photos.

PowerShot A-Series - My Colors
Canon’s enhanced (from previous models) ‘My Colors’ mode provides PowerShot users with an incredible range of creative photo effects, which can be accessed directly from the camera with no need for post-processing in a computer. Consumers can adjust a specific color within an image to modify the look and feel of their picture. Available My Color playback modes include Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, and Vivid Red; lighter and darker skin tones, as well as options for creating black & white, sepia, neutral and positive film effects. Where previously, users could only enable ‘My Colors’ while shooting, the updated My Colors mode lets users retouch captured images as well, without the need for special software applications or tools.

PowerShot A-Series - The DIGIC Difference
Because of Canon’s proprietary DIGIC II (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor, consumers can enjoy long battery life, smooth operation, accurate color reproduction, and excellent image quality. The DIGIC II chip combines the roles of image processing and camera function control into one chip, resulting in faster display and write times for each image and lower power consumption, which extends battery life.

PowerShot A-Series - Print/Share Button
With Canon’s cameras and photo printers, consumer can enjoy a complete digital imaging solution from nearly anywhere. Located on the backside of the new PowerShot A-Series digital cameras is the Print/Share button. This button simplifies and accelerates direct printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge enabled printers and one-touch image transfer to computers*** for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet, or as email attachments. When consumers connect their camera to a compatible printer or computer via the supplied USB cable, the Print/Share button illuminates to let the user know to press the Print/Share button to begin the printing or downloading process.

PowerShot A-Series - What’s in the Box
The PowerShot A-Series digital camera kit includes a USB cable, audio and video cable, wrist strap, 16MB MultiMediaCard and AA-size alkaline batteries as well as the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disc Version 2.9, featuring the latest versions of Canon’s powerful software.

PowerShot A-Series - Optional Accessories
PowerShot A710 IS digital camera
High Power Flash – HF-DC1
Underwater Housing – WP-DC6
Conversion Lens Adapter – LA-DC58G
Wide Converter – WC-DC58N
Tele-converter – TC-DC58N
Close-up Lens 58mm 250D
NiMH Battery & Charger Kit CBK4-300
AC Adapter Kit ACK800

Compare prices on the Canon Powershot A710 and get the latest price on the Canon PowerShot A710 IS 7.1MP Digital Camera with 6x Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom at Amazon.

Canon Powershot A710 Reviews

DCRP reviews the Canon PowerShot A710 IS and writes - 'Camera performance is very good for the most part. The A710 is ready to shoot in a little over a second after you press the power button. Focus times are above average, and I didn't find shutter lag to be a problem. Low light focusing was excellent. The A710's burst rate isn't quite as good as on the A700 (probably due to the higher resolution), although you can still fire off an unlimited number of photos at 1.7 frames/second. Battery life was above average.'

Trusted Reviews have posted their review of the Canon PowerShot A710 IS and writes - 'The Canon PowerShot A710 IS is expensive for a compact camera, although it does offer a wide range of features for the money. Overall performance is outstanding, however build quality and more importantly image quality are not up to the standards we’ve come to expect from Canon, and the possible flash fault is damning. The latter may be an issue with our review sample, but as things stand, it’s a bit of a disappointment.'

Imaging Resource has posted their review of the Canon PowerShot A710 IS where they give it a high rating and write - 'Outright prolonged applause for the introduction of image stabilization in the A-Series. Canon's retention of an optical viewfinder on the PowerShot A710, no matter how spare, is also to be applauded. Startup and shutdown are quick and the menu option you need is quickly at hand, too. The Canon A710 has enough megapixels for excellent resolution in enlargements without risking much image noise. The A710's excellent 6x zoom is impressive, and a great argument in favor of picking a slightly larger camera over those sexy slim cameras, with great corner sharpness and very little chromatic aberration. A variable LCD would have made the Canon PowerShot A710 more useful to me, and I would have appreciated a live histogram, but that's just quibbling. The Canon A710 is a very nice piece of equipment to have at hand, which makes it an easy Dave's Pick.'

Lets Go Digital Review the Canon PowerShot A710 IS where they give it a rating of 78% and write - 'At first, it doesn't look very different to its predecessor. However, the Canon PowerShot A710 IS really is an improvement and a much more complete camera. You could say that, with the Canon PowerShot A710 IS, the A series has grown up and that it is the perfect stepping stone on the way to a digital SLR camera. I'm very positive about it. This camera has an amazing range of possibilities and excellent image quality for a great price and you will enjoy using it for a long time to come. It's a real winner!'

DP Review has reviewed the Canon A710IS where they give it a rating of 'highly recommended' and write - 'Without the metering / clipping issues this would be an easy Highly Recommended. As it stands its unique combination of features and keen pricing just saves it from a lower rating. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to the more experienced photographer on a budget wanting a compact camera packed with goodies, perhaps less wholeheartedly so for the absolute beginner wanting true 'point and shoot' infallibility.'

Digital Camera Review has a review of the Canon Powershot A710 IS and concludes, "The A710 IS retains everything that made the A700 a best buy digicam and adds the one element that was missing; optical image stabilization - making an already excellent digicam substantially better. I’ve used every “A” series Canon digicam since the A20 and I’ve enjoyed all of them for their winning combination of usability, practicality, functionality, dependability, durability, and excellent performance for price ratio. The A710 IS is an almost ideal general use digital camera that will appeal to everyone from beginners and casual shooters to advanced amateurs and even pros looking for a dependable high-performance personal pocket camera. It’s like a mini S3 IS with a big dose of G7 attitude. The A710 IS is my hands-down favorite digital camera of 2006, and I predict consumers will buy this digicam in amazing numbers."

ePhotoZine has a review of the Canon PowerShot A710 IS and writes, "The A710 IS offers something of a middle ground in terms of functionality. The 6x optical zoom is nice, but it's not a really telling feature, just good to have, and the image stabilisation works well with it. The resolution is good, but other in this kind of price range are now offering slightly more at 8Mp. Then again, for a compact, 7Mp is plenty and more is just overkill. The camera does offer a good deal of photographic control, even though the image quality is little better than average, and it only shoots sRGB as well. However, it handles very well, and it's small and pocket sized, starts up reasonably quickly and can be used in situations where an unobtrusive camera is required. For portraits, the various flash options are all good, enabling pleasing results with a little effort."

Megapixel has a review of the Canon PowerShot A710 IS and writes, "one drawback of the A710 IS is its dependence on only 2 AA-size batteries. Even equipped with new and fully charged Ni-MH batteries, the autonomy of the camera is shorter than cameras using rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs. And taking the camera on an outing, when it might be used extensively, should include a couple of fully charged spare batteries. Just like the camera it evolved from, the PowerShot A710 IS provides good value for money. Priced the same as the A700 was a year ago, the A710 offers an image stabilizer and a lower sensitivity to noise in addition to a modest increase in resolution. This, combined with a high quality image, make the A710 IS an excellent and worthwhile upgrade."

TechTree has a review of the Canon A710 IS and writes, "Image quality turned out to be very good. The photos were well-exposed with excellent color reproduction and smooth overall details. Noise levels are manageable even at ISO 400. In fact you could still make a decent looking postcard sized print of most images shot at ISO 400. When shooting in bursts, the A710 isn't as good as the A700 (probably due to the higher resolution), but you can still shoot an unlimited number of pictures at 1.7 frames/sec. ... In a way, it's got everything an average user could ask for. The OIS system is a boon, especially for that price. So, if you are looking for a sub 20k cam, don't think twice before getting this beauty."

Vnunet has a review of the Canon Powershot A710 IS and writes, "Happily, images are commendably sharp at both wide angle and extreme telephoto ends of the zoom, and as we’ve found from previous Canons, the colours delivered are some of the most evenly saturated and realistic on the market. Although the A710 is bulkier than the average pocket snapshot, at least it hasn’t compromised on usability – meaning that essential controls can actually be operated by finger and thumb rather than resorting to a toothpick. That makes for a more pleasurable shooting experience. ... Delivers colourful and sharp images across its better than average zoom range. Only the fact that it places quite a drain on non-rechargeable AAs loses it a star."

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Aug 24: Fujifilm Finepix S9600

The Fujifilm Finepix S9600 is a 9 megapixel digital camera with a 10.7x Optical Zoom that will build on the success of the previously released S9500.

The Fujifilm Finepix S9600 features:

• Fujifilm Super CCD sensor with 9.0 million effective pixels
• Fujifilm RP (Real Photo) Processor
• Intelligent Flash system
• New 28-300mm (10.7x) Fujinon zoom lens with manual twist-barrel zoom control
• Class-leading sensitivity setting of ISO 1600 at full resolution for photography in low light conditions
• Low sensitivity of ISO 80 for ultra-high quality photography2.0”, (235,000 pixel) tilting LCD screen for easy high and low angle shooting
• Ultra-fast response times (0.01 second shutter lag and 0.8 second start-up)
• Real-time histogram to assist exposure settings before shooting
• Highlight Warning feature for displaying highlight areas in playback
• VGA movie capture of 30 frames per second with zoom capability and sound
• Closed unit design to eliminate dust accumulation on the CCD
• Hotshoe and PC sync terminalHyper Utility Software HS-V2 version 3 for RAW format shooting
• Both xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash/Microdrive compatible Specifications are subject to change.

Fujifilm FInepix S9600 News Release Extracts:

Fujifilm today announces the launch of the FinePix S9600, a refinement of the highly-regarded FinePix S9500, with 10.7x Fujinon optical zoom lens, 9 megapixel Fujifilm Super CCD sensor, and class-leading ISO 80-1600 performance. The outgoing FinePix S9500 won an excellent reputation in a highly competitive area of the camera market and the FinePix S9600 builds on the quality of its predecessor with the addition of some significant extra features. The FinePix S9600 is aimed at serious hobbyist and enthusiast photographers who will benefit from its impressive optical zoom lens range, plus superb functionality, image quality and responsiveness.

The new camera’s sensitivity range, made possible by Fujifilm’s Real Photo Processor enables users to achieve images in all lighting conditions, not just bright sunlight. Furthermore, the potential for blurry images is all but eliminated – unlike optical image stabilisation systems, the high ISO setting combats blur caused by both camera shake and subject movement.

The camera’s highly-specified Fujinon 10.7x (28-300mm - 35mm equivalent) zoom lens incorporates aspherical elements within its design, and has already distinguished itself in terms of its optical qualities. Not only does its versatile optical range offer all of the most popular focal lengths in one package, but the closed unit of body and lens ensures that the user will not have to contend with the issue of external specks of dust compromising image quality. The lens is easily controlled via a manual zoom ring, giving pinpoint accuracy when composing the image.

The FinePix S9600’s areas of differentiation from the FinePix S9500 are:

- Increased sharpness and resolution achieved via improvements in new image processing algorithms: The image quality of this body and sensor combination has already gathered acclaim, and the FinePix S9600 delivers improvements in the area of resolution and image sharpness, giving enthusiast photographers a level of quality that will satisfy even the most critical inspection.

- Increased size 2” LCD monitor with 235,000 pixels: The size of LCD has been upgraded from the FinePix S9500. The new 2.0 inch tilting LCD screen on the FinePix S9600 means flexibility for shooting at any angle, such as close to the ground or above the head. Unlike conventional digital SLRs, the 235,000-pixel LCD can also be used to compose images, which means even more convenience for the photographer.

- Intelligent flash function, achieving even foreground illumination, with blur-free, well-exposed background: Using flash at night has traditionally involved the choice between the dark, underexposed backgrounds of conventional flash, or the blurred background swirl of slow-sync flash. Fujifilm’s Intelligent Flash on the FinePix S9600 makes full use of the camera’s inherent sensitivity to achieve a clear, sharp, well—exposed background, making a perfect match for the flash exposure in the foreground.

- Improved autofocus speed: The camera’s response times for autofocus have also been improved, enabling the user to compose, frame and take action photographs without delay especially in dark condition by up to 40%.

- Inclusion of HS-V2 software for full functionality in RAW file conversion: The inclusion of Fujifilm’s Hyper Utility Software HS-V2 version 3 as standard software, means that the photographer can explore the full potential of the camera’s RAW file format. By fully controlling the 18 million pixel RAW file from the Super CCD, the photographer can enjoy the control and flexibility of working on a ‘lossless’ file format.

In addition, the camera features a 30-frames-per-second movie mode with manual zoom capability, giving high quality moving images with sound – a function that cannot be integrated into traditional digital SLRs due to the physical design of the camera.

Fujifilm Finepix S9600 Reviews

Megapixel has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S9100/S9600 and writes, "In our opinion, presenting the FinePix S9100/S9600 as a serious revision of the S9000/S9500 is a bit of a stretch. And, while the S9000/S9500 was indeed a ground breaking camera when it was introduced in mid 2005, this is now 2007 and a lot of developments have taken place since. So, although based on an SLR design that makes it comfortable to use, the S9100/S9600 does not have either the flexibility, nor the image quality that dSLR cameras offer; and with a street price that is close to some entry-level dSLR cameras, the S9100/S9600 may be faced with some tough competition."

Trusted Reviews has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S9600 and writes, "To be honest, the fine JPEG mode with its big low-compression files so is so good it’s hardly worth using the RAW mode most of the time, unless you really want to hand-process all of your shots. You’ll still get the best picture quality this side of a good mid-range SLR, and you’ll be able to enjoy the camera’s improved performance. ... The S9600 offers only a few minor improvements to what was already an outstanding enthusiast’s camera. If you’ve already got an S9500 it’s probably not worth upgrading, but if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a digital SLR, or a second camera for when you don’t want to cart your whole kit around, the S9600 is the best choice on the market."

Digicam Review has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S9600 / S9100 and writes, " The Fujifim S9600 / S9100 is an impressive 9 megapixel digital camera with a wide angle 10.7x optical zoom lens and a large 2" display. The camera is one of very few to include ISO 1600. It has excellent responsiveness and is designed to be able to take great photos in situation the majority of cameras would fail. Although some people may be overwhelmed with the number of controls, with use and familiarity, they become almost intuitive. Particularly welcome is the pivoting screen (which could have been even better had it pivoted on both axes). The FujiFilm S9600 / S9100 is well worth considering - there are few digital cameras that offer so many options and so much quality for such a low price."

XYC Computing has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S9100 and writes, "In and of itself, I think the S9100 is a good camera. It is extremely easy to use and after a few minutes with the instructions almost anyone will be able to do things once reserved for camera geeks, like take multiple exposures, shoot with manual zoom/focus, or adjust exposure time in an instant with a thumb wheel. It also gives the versatility of a point-and-click with its ability to shoot movies and never need a new lens. The S9100 does have its problems though. The design features almost no changes from the last generation and it would have been nice if some things could be addressed. ... The camera needs to keep changing if Fujifilm wants to keep it competitive and while it is a good deal at the current price, it would be nice to see a slight decrease just so we can avoid the tempation of going with a true DSLR."

Photoxels has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S9100 and writes, "Noise starts to be visible at ISO 800 but is usable, and quite visible at ISO 1600. Despite advertised stated improvements, there does not seem to be any observable differences between the 5th and 6th Gen. Super CCD HR in the S9100. The low-light performance also does not unfortunately approach the exceptional low noise capability of the Fujifilm F30 (probably due to the higher pixel count). CA (purple fringing) can be visible in everyday shots."

Unbeatable.co.uk has a review of the Fuji Finepix S9600 and writes, "The improved image processing is as quiet as a mouse, or probably quieter, but unfortunately, not quite as good as that of the Fuji Finepix F30, however with a 1/1.6in sensor on board which is larger than most compact digital cameras and creates a better colour depth and keeps image noise to a minimum. The only way you will get better images is with a mid-range SLR but this will sting your pocket by a huge amount. ... We were very impressed by the improvements on the Fuji Finepix S9600, although quite minor and minimal. The S9500 digital is a great model and with the improvements we would certainly recommend this camera. If you already have the S9500 it is probably not worth trading in, but if you are after a cheaper alternative to a digital SLR, then the Fuji Finepix S9600 has got to be the one."

BlogCritics has a review of the Fuji FinePix S9100 and writes, "A lot of the shots were out of focus, even though they had seemed to be in focus on the camera's screen. When we used the Loupe to view good shots at 100%, all of them were trashed. I have no better way of putting it. It looks like the sensor isn't really meant for 9 megapixels, and FujiFilm is forcing it to produce that resolution through interpolation. But that results in some really cheap-looking shots at full-size. All of the detail is lost, and a whole lot of white pixels are seen instead. Really, the photos are that bad! To put things in perspective, the photos from my Kodak v610, which is a 6.1 megapixel camera released last summer, and my Panasonic Lumix FZ20K, which is a 5 megapixel camera that's about three years old, are better than the photos from the S9100!"

PCAuthority has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S9600 and writes, "Although focus and shutter-lag speeds are good, performance is an obvious step down from even entry-level D-SLRs. Startup time varies from virtually instant to nearly two seconds, and continuous shooting in best-quality JPEG mode is limited – just four shots before the camera runs out of buffer, and then 10 seconds while the resultant images are processed. ... The trouble for Fujifilm is that, at $749, the S9600 is less than $200 cheaper than true D-SLRs such as Nikon’s D40. The Nikon can’t match the 9-megapixel rating of the S9600, with a mere 6-megapixel sensor, but it offers much faster performance and better image quality."

PCPlus has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S9600 and writes, "While we like this camera a lot, it’s not the best when it comes to working with photos saved in the RAW format. As most readers will know, RAW refers to unprocessed, uncompressed digital photographs that you can fine-tune for maximum impact, and the S9600’s RAW files tend to be rather unwieldy. Another problem is the supplied HyperUtility 2 software for RAW to JPEG conversion. While it works fine, it can be infuriatingly slow, so this is probably not the package for semipros in a hurry to get shots to clients. A Camera RAW plug-in is available for Photoshop, but the results are worse than using the Fujiflm software. While we wouldn’t consider the rather clunky RAW processing a deal breaker, you certainly need to consider this niggle when making a buying decision – it’s one thing we would like Fujifilm to improve."

Let's Go Digital has a review of the FujiFilm FinePix S9600 and writes, "The Fujifilm FinePix S9600 leaves me with mixed feelings. The camera itself is fine and feels exceptionally solid. It really seems like a camera for the serious user. This is mainly because of the lens with the real zoom ring and the fine zoom range. The FinePix S9600 will surely please both wide-angle as well as tele-lovers. Also the large amount of buttons indicates a camera for the advanced photographer. This group benefits more from buttons than a button-friendly classification. Those who know more about photography will change a setting quicker to take the right picture. Even though some buttons can be on a strange spot, you will get used to this quickly after some hours of working with the camera."

Imaging Resource has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S9100 and writes, "Image quality was a mixed bag, unfortunately. Most of the shots I took were a pleasure to review both on the LCD, and later on the computer. But the S9100 has a tendency to lose highlight detail in shots taken in full sunlight. If you're shooting in full sun, use Exposure Compensation to protect your highlights. Turn on the live histogram display to see what's going on. But for shots taken in the shade, images were just gorgeous, with good detail and smooth tonality. If they gave awards for histograms, the S91000 would have a shelf of trophies. Color was true and natural, avoiding the oversaturation so common on digicams. ... Designed for the person who wants to take pictures instead of snapshots, the Fujifilm S9100 provides every tool for the job except image stabilization, which would certainly make this bargain more expensive. It's a pleasure to handle, relying on three sets of well-laid-out buttons to set its controls. And the images it captures in available light may just make you ignore its intelligent flash."

Absolute Gadget has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S9600 and writes, "Focusing on a subject is quick but the motor powering the auto focus is quite loud so maybe not a camera to use for spying with! Taking pictures is easy enough, and multiple shots can be achieved without having to wait an age for pictures to be committed to memory. The actual pictures themselves are also of decent quality. Pictures can be stored in JPEG or RAW formats. Taking pictures in the RAW format will allow you to store around 50 shots on a 1GB card. ... While this is a cheaper alternative to a digital SLR, we can't help but think that saving the extra money to buy a proper SLR will have more benefits. This is not to say it is a bad camera, the pictures are very good and it does a workmanlike job of producing decent photos and will give many years of good service to any owner."

Steve's Digicams has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S9100 and writes, "All users will enjoy the smooth essentially noise-free images shot at ISO 80, while sports shooters will appreciate the ability to shoot full-resolution images at ISO 800 and 1600. Image noise is usually present in consumer digicams at high sensitivities, and the S9100 is no exception. Noise can be detected in shadows at ISO 200, in highlight areas at ISO 400, and is noticeable throughout the image at settings of ISO 800 and 1600. There's also a sizable loss of image detail at ISO 800 and 1600, the result of in-camera noise reduction. While image quality suffers at high ISO settings, sports shooters will be happy to have sensitivity settings that may make the difference between getting the shot and not. "

Pocket-lint has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix 9600 and writes, "We have to say that we are a bit confused by the FujiFilm 9600 and where it now sits in the world of digital cameras. While like its predecessor, the 9500, there is a niche for cameras like this, the DSLR market has changed so much since the creation of these bridge models that the 9600 finds itself caught out. It's not small enough as the likes of the G series from Canon to slip into your pocket, nor is it fully functional enough as even entry-level DSLR's like the Nikon D40, the Canon 400D, the Sony Alpha or the Olympus E-400."

Cameras.co.uk has a review of the Fuji Finepix S9600 and writes, "There are plenty of plus points when it comes to picture quality with the Finepix S9600 and not too many negatives. Outdoors the camera has few problems. Looking at the first scenic shot I like the colours. They are vivid and retain a natural look. ... I feel pretty positive about the Fuji Finepix S9600. It will not appeal to everyone owing to its large size. If someone is looking for a camera that closely resembles a digital SLR in terms of look and feel, but is unable to afford one then this is about as close as you are likely to get. Picture quality is also good and I think the camera offers good value for money."

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Aug 23: Olympus Stylus 740

The Olympus Stylus 740 is yet another all-weather point and shoot camera to be announced by Olympus today. It features a 7.1 megapixel sensor, 5x Optical Zoom lens (36-180mm equivalent) with digital image stabilization, 2.5 inch LCD screen and TruePic Turbo image processor.

The Olympus Stylus 740 has 27 selectable shooting modes, in camera editing, USB 2.0, 15 frames per second video (VGA quality) and 17 megabytes of internal memory.

The Olympus Stylus 740 will retail for $349.99 (USD) and should be in stores in September.

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Olympus Stylus 740 News Release

OLYMPUS TAKES SLEEK, STYLISH CAMERA TO GREAT LENGTHS WITH NEW 5X OPTICAL ZOOM STYLUS 740

Ultra-Compact 5x Optical Zoom, All-Weather Camera Packed with 7.1-Megapixel CCD, Digital Image Stabilization and Bright Capture Technology

The new Olympus Stylus 740 digital camera delivers the long distance image capture benefits of a 5x optical zoom lens tucked inside a streamlined, All-Weather body design. The camera’s ultra-slim form contains a wealth of features not typically found on a camera in such a compact size, including:

• A 5x powerful zoom lens that combines with Digital Image Stabilization to ensure crisp, sharp images in any situation – group shots of friends and family, landscape vistas or zooming in on the action at a sporting event;
• A large 2.5-inch LCD and Bright Capture Technology that makes composition, capture and review of images in all lighting situations a snap; and
• Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor, which renders brilliant blue skies and accurate flesh tones, is coupled with a 7.1 megapixel image sensor to produce crisp, high-quality, large-format prints.

“With the Stylus-series digital cameras, the convenience of compact portability is matched by premium styling and innovative technologies that optimize image quality even in the most challenging shooting conditions,” said Tomoko Matsunaga, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The addition of a 5x optical zoom makes the Stylus 740 among the most versatile cameras on the market, ideal for active lifestyles.”

5x Optical Zoom
Olympus incorporates new lens technology into the Stylus 740 that enables the 5x optical zoom lens (36mm – 180mm, f3.3 – f 5.0 equivalent in 35mm photography) to bring the action five times closer in an ultra-slim body design. Olympus’ lenses are known worldwide for producing sharp, vibrant, high-quality images. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus’ high-refractive-index lens elements and dual super aspherical lens elements, designed specifically for digital cameras.

Stylish, Ergonomic Design
The Stylus 740 is defined by high-performance, durability and style. In addition to the All-Weather construction that made the Stylus famous, the Stylus 740 features a metal body, clean lines and smooth, rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold and easy to handle. In an ultra-slim size that’s less than one inch thick – 3.8 inch (W) x 2.1 inch (H) x 0.96 inch (D) – the camera fits snuggly into a pocket and won’t crowd a purse or briefcase.

Digital Image Stabilization
The Stylus 740 includes a Digital Image Stabilization Mode, which boosts ISO sensitivity and shutter speed for capturing crisp, clear pictures – free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects in virtually any shooting situation.

All-Weather Durability
Typically, water and photography are a bad combination, limiting outdoor photography options when rain, sleet or snow are involved. The compact, All-Weather Stylus 740 can brave the elements and go virtually anywhere. The metal body construction is durable and lightweight with rubber gaskets throughout the interior to ensure that rain, snow and dust won’t get in the way of great photos.

Bright Capture Technology for Easy Low-Light Photography
There are times when you want to photograph subjects in low light without having to use a flash, for example, 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 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 light. Plus, Bright Capture Movie lets enables users to record the moments in the dark even after the candles are blown out!

7.1-Megapixel Image Sensor for Superior Image Quality
The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor inside the Stylus 740 delivers high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even when printed in large formats – up to poster sizes as large as 16 x 20 inches.

Large 2.5-Inch LCD
With a bright 2.5-inch LCD, the Stylus 740 easily doubles as a portable digital photo album. The larger LCD makes it easier to view images clearly both when shooting and sharing photos with friends without having to download images to a computer.

TruePic TURBO for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor enhances image quality for brilliant blue skies and accurate flesh tones and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid start-up, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enables the Stylus 740 to capture information from all 7.1 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos. The fast start-up of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so the camera is always ready to take great pictures.

27 Selectable Shooting Modes
With 23 pre-programmed scene modes, such as Beach & Snow, Available Light Portrait, Sunset, and even Under Water Macro, the Stylus 740 makes it easy to capture beautiful images in a variety of lighting and shooting situations. Plus, with QuickTime® Movie Mode, the camera can also record VGA-quality videos with sound, limited only by the size of the internal memory or xD-Picture Card in the camera.

Built-In Help Guide
With the Help Guide function, each of the camera’s features is easily 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 in the Guide.

One-Touch EASY Print – 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. The one-touch “Print” button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier!

In-camera Editing
Users can edit photos anywhere with ease by utilizing in-camera editing features, which include red-eye fix, resizing, adding frames around images, inserting text such as “Happy Birthday,” and adjusting color brightness and saturation.

Underwater Photography
The large 2.5-inch LCD, 5x optical zoom, compact body size and three underwater scene modes make the Stylus 740 the perfect camera to take along diving. The new PT-034 underwater housing is constructed of transparent polycarbonate with safety-locked o-ring seals, enabling the Stylus 740 to safely travel down to 40 meters below the surface. Large red grips, a responsive shutter button and a precision zoom lever make it easy to operate even when wearing diving gloves. Plus, with Bright Capture Technology, images can be easily previewed on the LCD even in the darkest waters.

OLYMPUS Master Software
OLYMPUS Master Software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading images to a computer quick and simple; and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. Also, 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 740 will be available in September 2006. The camera ships with: a wrist strap, WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, LI-42B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, instruction manual, warranty card, and a CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master Software.

U.S. Pricing
Stylus 740 Estimated Street Price: $349.99 (U.S.)
PT-034 Underwater Housing Estimated Street Price: $249.99 (U.S.)

Olympus Stylus 740 Reviews

Digicam Review has reviewed the Olympus Mju Stylus 740 where they give it a rating of 'above average' and write - "The Olympus Stylus / Mju 740 has a lot going for it, particularly the 5x optical zoom lens and ultra compact weather proof body. The camera would be especially suited to someone who wants to take their camera with them in all weathers. The solid build of this camera is likely to make it last well, and makes it good value for money. Image quality was generally good, although slightly under-saturated for some people's tastes, and images can be slightly soft. Noise was quite well controlled although worse indoors. The camera is very easy to use and there are a lot of features built in to help get better results, such as the digital image stabilisation and numerous scene modes."

Imaging Resource have a review of the Olympus Stylus 740 Digital Camera where they write - 'Like its stable mate Stylus 750, the Olympus Stylus 740 has stunningly good looks, but I was disappointed in its performance. Color just seemed unnatural and I came home with far too many blurry images for a camera that has image stabilization. I really wondered if the review unit was just malfunctioning. But it wasn't a mechanical issue. The thumbnails were very blurred, even when the image itself was not. Our laboratory test shots reveal terrible problems with focus across the frame, so it wasn't just me. The Olympus Stylus 740 shows some of the worst lens performance we've seen in a modern digicam.'

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Aug 23: Olympus Stylus 730

The Olympus Stylus 730 is an interesting looking camera which has a 7.1 megapixel sensor, 3.0 inch LCD (its selling point) in an ultra slim body (just 0.83 inches depth). It doesn't have an optical view finder.

The Stylus 730 has a weatherproof body, digital image stabilization, four flash modes, USB 2.0, 3x Optical Zoom lens (f/3.5-5.0), ISO rating of 64-3200 and 20 scene modes to select from.

The Olympus Stylus 730 will retail for $400 (USD) when it ships in September.

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Olympus Stylus 730 News Release

OLYMPUS DEFINES STYLE AND SLIMNESS WITH EASY-TO-USE STYLUS 730

Extra-Large 3.0-Inch LCD, Digital Image Stabilization and Bright Capture Technology Deliver Superior Image Quality

Center Valley, Pa, August 23, 2006 – The new Olympus Stylus 730 digital camera is designed with all levels of users in mind. The camera’s durable and stylish All-Weather exterior design is coupled with an impressive array of features to ensure stunning images result, including:

• A large 3.0-inch LCD and Bright Capture Technology improves composition, capture and review of images in all lighting situations;
• Digital Image Stabilization Mode boosts ISO sensitivity and shutter speed to capture crisp, clear images;
• New Simple Mode offers easy-to-use auto settings so your camera does all the work to capture a great shot; and
• New Perfect Fix makes perfect pictures possible by activating three different editing features to fix red-eyes, underexposures and blurs.

“The Stylus 730 delivers innovative, easy-to-use features in an ultra-slim body design,” said Tomoko Matsunaga, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The 3.0-inch LCD, Digital Image Stabilization, Bright Capture Technology and the new Perfect Fix feature ensure great pictures regardless of the shooting situation. The new Simple Mode for easy-to-read and easy-to-understand menu choices, as well as the large function buttons that automatically illuminate in low light, make this premium point-and-shoot camera accessible to every user.”

Large 3.0-Inch LCD in Stylish & Ultra-Slim Body
The camera’s 3.0-inch LCD is 40 percent larger than a standard 2.5-inch LCD, making it easier to read text and navigate through menu options. Users can clearly see their images both when shooting and sharing photos with friends. Even with such a large LCD, the body maintains its slimness of less than 1.0 inch – 3.8 inches wide x 2.4 inches high x 0.83 inches deep. The clean lines and smooth, rounded edges make it comfortable to hold and easy to handle; plus, it fits snugly into a pocket and won’t crowd a purse or briefcase.

Digital Image Stabilization Mode & Edit
The Stylus 730 includes Digital Image Stabilization Mode, which boosts ISO sensitivity and shutter speed to capture crisp, clear images – free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects – in virtually any shooting situation. For unanticipated blurry images, Digital Image Stabilization Edit presents an easy solution for retouching a blurry image right in the camera after the image has already been captured. An electro-gyro sensor embedded in the camera tracks the vertical and horizontal movement of the camera and then uses this information to revert the image back to its original position to sharpen and reduce blurs in the image.

All-Weather Durability
Typically, moisture and photography are a bad combination, limiting outdoor photography options when rain, snow or sleet are involved. However, the compact, All-Weather Stylus 730 can go virtually anywhere. The clean and smooth metal body construction is durable and lightweight with rubber gaskets throughout the interior to ensure that rain, snow and dust won’t get in the way of great photos.

Bright Capture Technology for Easy Low-Light Photography
There are times when you want to photograph subjects in low light without having to use a flash for example, 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 specific scene modes for high sensitivity settings (up to ISO 3200) and rapid auto-focus, even fast-action photos can be captured under low levels of available light. Plus, Bright Capture Movie enables users to record the moments in the dark even after the candles are blown out!

7.1-Megapixel Image Sensor for Superior Image Quality
The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor inside the Stylus 730 delivers high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even when printed in large formats – up to poster sizes of 16 x 20 inches or larger.

High Quality Olympus Lens Elements
Olympus’ lenses are known worldwide for sharp, vibrant image quality. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as an ED lens and three aspherical lenses designed specifically for digital cameras. The Stylus 730 features a bright f3.5 speed lens and a 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 38 – 114mm focal length in 35mm photography) plus a 5x digital zoom for a total seamless zoom of 15x. In addition, Super Macro Mode captures details 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 start-up, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enables the Stylus 730 to capture information from all 7.1 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos. The fast start-up of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so the camera is always ready to take great pictures.

24 Selectable Shooting Modes
With 20 pre-programmed scene modes such as Sport, Available Light Portrait, Sunset, Candle Light and Cuisine, the Stylus 730 makes it easy to capture beautiful images in a variety of lighting and shooting situations. Plus, with QuickTime® Movie Mode, the camera can also record VGA-quality videos with sound.

Simple Mode
The Stylus 730 is designed with all levels of users in mind. It’s loaded with features to appeal to advanced users while offering simple menus and auto settings for the novice. For ultimate ease-of-use, the camera can be set to Simple Mode by selecting ON or OFF for flash, macro, backlight and self-timer. Large, illuminated buttons are easier to see and feel; and an extra-large 3.0-inch LCD provides ample space to display enlarged text and icon options.

Perfect Fix for Perfect Photos
Olympus’ new Perfect Fix feature offers quick solutions for unanticipated image quality issues, which may be caused by several adverse conditions. Digital Image Stabilization Edit can be used to reduce the effects of blur; Lighting Fix can be used to adjust any underexposed areas; and Red-Eye Fix can be used to reduce the effects of red-eye sometimes caused by a direct flash. Additional in-camera editing functions can be quickly accessed right in the camera by the touch of a button; features available include resizing, trimming, frames, text options, color brightness and saturation adjustments.

Built-In Help Guide
Each feature is easily accessible, even to novice users, thanks to the Built-In Help Guide function. 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 in the Guide.

One-Touch EASY Print – 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. The one-touch “Print” button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier!

OLYMPUS Master Software
OLYMPUS Master Software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading images to a computer quick and simple; and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. Also, 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 730 will be available in September 2006. The camera ships with: a wrist strap, 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 an advanced manual.

U.S. Pricing
Stylus 730 Estimated Street Price: $399.99 (U.S.)

Olympus Stylus 730 Reviews

Digital Camera Review have reviewed the Olympus Stylus 730 where they write - 'Image quality on the Stylus 730 was good, and in my opinion, slightly better than the Stylus 750 and Stylus 1000. I preferred the slightly cooler images that came out of the Stylus 730. They were also sharp and well exposed with some chromatic aberration (purple fringing) going on. The speed of the camera was good and even a bit better than the Stylus 750 and Stylus 1000. When you do a partial press of the shutter to get a focus and exposure lock, shutter lag is minimal – around 0.1 seconds. A full press of the shutter will take longer, with a shutter lag around 0.5 - 0.6 seconds.'

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Aug 23: Olympus FE-200

The Olympus FE-200 is most highly featured FE series camera to be announced today. It features 6.0 megapixels, 5x wide angle Optical Zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent) as well as a 2.5 inch LCD.

Like the other new cameras in the FE Series of cameras from Olympus the FE-200 features digital image stabilization, 16 shooting modes and is powered by 2 AA batteries.

The Olympus FE-200 will retail for $249.99 USD and will hit the stores in September 2006.

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Olympus FE-200 News Release

NEW OLYMPUS FE-SERIES DIGITAL CAMERAS DELIVER FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

Four New 6.0-Megapixel Cameras Designed For Ease-of-Use with Built-In Help Guides, Large 2.5-Inch LCDs and Digital Image Stabilization

Olympus today announced four new FE-Series point-and-shoot digital cameras that combine stylish design and approachable functionality to provide a fulfilling digital experience. Slim, compact styling and new features have been added to these latest FE cameras, including Digital Image Stabilization, a large 2.5-inch LCD, a 6.0-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 3x or 5x optical zoom and much more.

“The Olympus FE-Series cameras are designed for effortless picture taking and provide a variety of user-friendly features to easily navigate the cameras’ capabilities,” said Naoki Tai, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Features ranging from the Help Guide to the large LCD screen will provide an enjoyable digital experience to first-time users. Beyond their affordable price, the cameras also offer incredible image quality without a large learning curve.”

Unique Features of The New FE-Series Cameras

While the FE-Series digital cameras offer many of the same great features, each camera also has an impressive function of its own to lend an air of distinction, this includes:

• FE-170: An entry-level camera, which enables new users to shoot clear, crisp images with ease. The FE-170’s optional water-resistance case provides worry-free fun at the beach and pool. Users can capture photos while swimming to 10 feet below the surface.
• FE-180: Offers longer battery life than most other point and shoot cameras – up to 500 shots on a single charge – with the new bundled Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. Weddings, vacations/tours and other lengthy events are no challenge for this new digital camera.
• FE-190: Its 0.7-inch slim design and durable metal body makes this one of the most compact members of the FE family. Perfect for active lifestyles, the FE-190 fits inside a shirt pocket or small handbag.
• FE-200: The camera’s 5x wide optical zoom (28mm-140mm equivalent in 35mm photography) makes it easy to get everyone and everything into one shot. The FE-200 captures large family photographs, even when there’s no room to back up, as well as vast scenic panoramas. Its metal body provides durability and a sleek appearance that would fit-in at any cocktail party.

Features Shared By the New FE-Series Cameras

Easy Operation
The new FE-series cameras feature an enhanced Help Guide that makes digital photography simple for users of all levels. A tutorial “shooting guide” educates users on tips for achieving 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.

The FE-Series cameras also feature a “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. Shooting, playback, 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.

Digital Image Stabilization Mode
The new FE cameras feature 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 LCD Provides Clear Images
The large 2.5-inch LCD screens 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.

Pre-Set Shooting Modes Make It Easy to Capture Great Images
The inclusion of 16 shooting modes, including QuickTime® Movie, accessed via a rotating dial and menu button on the back of the cameras makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations, such as Sports, Fireworks, and Night Scene with Portrait. The FE-180, FE-190 and FE-200 models offer QuickTime® Movie mode, which enables users to create short movies of events that can be emailed to family and friends.

Simple Connection to PC
Linking 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.

Accessory Neoprene Carrying Case
Olympus’ optional Neoprene Carrying Case offers the camera protection from the elements and other items in your backpack. The case is made of soft, flexible neoprene fabric with a modern, sporty design.

Availability
The FE-170, 180, 190 and 200 will be available in September 2006.

The FE-170 includes: AA alkaline battery x2, USB cable, Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick Start guide, basic manual, CD-ROM (includes OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual) and warranty.

The FE-180/190/200 include: Rechargeable battery (FE-180 – Ni-MH, FE-190/200- Lithium-Ion) and Charger, USB cable, Audio/Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick Start guide, Basic manual, CD-ROM (including OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual) and warranty.

U.S. Pricing
FE-170 Estimated Street Price: $149.99 (U.S.)
FE-180 Estimated Street Price: $179.99 (U.S.)
FE-190 Estimated Street Price: $199.99 (U.S.)
FE-200 Estimated Street Price: $249.99 (U.S.)

Olympus FE-200 Reviews

Steve's Digicams has a review of the Olympus FE-200 and writes, "While the Olympus FE-200 has the ability to capture nice photos, includes several user-friendly exposure modes, and offers a 5x optical zoom with a nice wide field of view, shooting performance is comparable to the speed of a snail at full sprint, which really turned us off. I was disapointed to see that there were not more advanced controls offered for novice users, however this model is aimed more toward the complete novice. At about $249 or less, the FE-200 doesn't offer the greatest value, we suggest you take a look at other manufacturer's entry-level models before making a final decision."

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Aug 23: Olympus FE-190

The Olympus FE-190 is a 6.0 megapixel digital camera with a super slim 0.7 inch design. It features a durable metal body and ideal for slipping into a shirt pocket or purse.

It has a 3x Optical Zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD and USB 2.0 connectivity.

Like the other new cameras in the FE Series of cameras from Olympus the FE-190 features digital image stabilization, 16 shooting modes and is powered by 2 AA batteries.

The Olympus FE-190 will retail for $199.99 (USD) when it hits stores in September.

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Olympus News Release

NEW OLYMPUS FE-SERIES DIGITAL CAMERAS DELIVER FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

Four New 6.0-Megapixel Cameras Designed For Ease-of-Use with Built-In Help Guides, Large 2.5-Inch LCDs and Digital Image Stabilization

Olympus today announced four new FE-Series point-and-shoot digital cameras that combine stylish design and approachable functionality to provide a fulfilling digital experience. Slim, compact styling and new features have been added to these latest FE cameras, including Digital Image Stabilization, a large 2.5-inch LCD, a 6.0-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 3x or 5x optical zoom and much more.

“The Olympus FE-Series cameras are designed for effortless picture taking and provide a variety of user-friendly features to easily navigate the cameras’ capabilities,” said Naoki Tai, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Features ranging from the Help Guide to the large LCD screen will provide an enjoyable digital experience to first-time users. Beyond their affordable price, the cameras also offer incredible image quality without a large learning curve.”

Unique Features of The New FE-Series Cameras

While the FE-Series digital cameras offer many of the same great features, each camera also has an impressive function of its own to lend an air of distinction, this includes:

• FE-170: An entry-level camera, which enables new users to shoot clear, crisp images with ease. The FE-170’s optional water-resistance case provides worry-free fun at the beach and pool. Users can capture photos while swimming to 10 feet below the surface.
• FE-180: Offers longer battery life than most other point and shoot cameras – up to 500 shots on a single charge – with the new bundled Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. Weddings, vacations/tours and other lengthy events are no challenge for this new digital camera.
• FE-190: Its 0.7-inch slim design and durable metal body makes this one of the most compact members of the FE family. Perfect for active lifestyles, the FE-190 fits inside a shirt pocket or small handbag.
• FE-200: The camera’s 5x wide optical zoom (28mm-140mm equivalent in 35mm photography) makes it easy to get everyone and everything into one shot. The FE-200 captures large family photographs, even when there’s no room to back up, as well as vast scenic panoramas. Its metal body provides durability and a sleek appearance that would fit-in at any cocktail party.

Features Shared By the New FE-Series Cameras

Easy Operation
The new FE-series cameras feature an enhanced Help Guide that makes digital photography simple for users of all levels. A tutorial “shooting guide” educates users on tips for achieving 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.

The FE-Series cameras also feature a “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. Shooting, playback, 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.

Digital Image Stabilization Mode
The new FE cameras feature 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 LCD Provides Clear Images
The large 2.5-inch LCD screens 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.

Pre-Set Shooting Modes Make It Easy to Capture Great Images
The inclusion of 16 shooting modes, including QuickTime® Movie, accessed via a rotating dial and menu button on the back of the cameras makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations, such as Sports, Fireworks, and Night Scene with Portrait. The FE-180, FE-190 and FE-200 models offer QuickTime® Movie mode, which enables users to create short movies of events that can be emailed to family and friends.

Simple Connection to PC
Linking 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.

Accessory Neoprene Carrying Case
Olympus’ optional Neoprene Carrying Case offers the camera protection from the elements and other items in your backpack. The case is made of soft, flexible neoprene fabric with a modern, sporty design.

Availability
The FE-170, 180, 190 and 200 will be available in September 2006.

The FE-170 includes: AA alkaline battery x2, USB cable, Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick Start guide, basic manual, CD-ROM (includes OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual) and warranty.

The FE-180/190/200 include: Rechargeable battery (FE-180 – Ni-MH, FE-190/200- Lithium-Ion) and Charger, USB cable, Audio/Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick Start guide, Basic manual, CD-ROM (including OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual) and warranty.

U.S. Pricing
FE-170 Estimated Street Price: $149.99 (U.S.)
FE-180 Estimated Street Price: $179.99 (U.S.)
FE-190 Estimated Street Price: $199.99 (U.S.)
FE-200 Estimated Street Price: $249.99 (U.S.)

Olympus FE-190 Reviews

DCRP reviews the Olympus FE-190 and writes - "Despite its low price, the FE-190 has a very stylish design and pretty good build quality. It's as small and light as you'll find these days, and its metal body makes the FE-190 look a lot more expensive than it really is. The only weak spots can be found on the bottom of the camera, namely the plastic tripod mount and flimsy plastic door over the battery and memory card compartment. On the back of the camera you'll find a large 2.5" LCD that's easy to see in all conditions, though the screen resolution is quite low. Like all of Olympus' point-and-shoot cameras, the FE-190 lacks an optical viewfinder. The camera has a rather slow 3X zoom lens that has big problems with corner blurriness -- but more on that in a second."

Steves Digicams review the Olympus FE-190 Zoom and writes - 'The FE-190's shooting performance was average for a camera in this class, but much better than previous models. Power up to first image captured was about 2.3 seconds. Shutter lag, the delay between depressing the shutter button and capturing the image, measured less than 1/10 of a second when pre-focused and only 2/10 of a second including autofocus. When capturing a sequence of images, the shot to shot delay averaged 1.5 seconds without the flash and between 1.9 and 2.5 seconds with flash, depending on subject distance and battery life. Unfortunately, this model does not offer a continuous shooting mode. Our tests were done using an Olympus 512MB (High speed) xD card, SHQ quality, Program Auto mode, flash off, and all other settings at default (unless otherwise noted.) Times may vary depending on lighting conditions, camera settings, photographer response, media, etc.'

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Aug 23: Olympus FE-180

The Olympus FE-180 is another 6.0 megapixel point and shoot camera in the FE series that featurs 3x Optical Zoom, a long battery life (up to 500 frames per charge), 2.5 inch LCD screen and USB 2.0 connectivity.

Like the other new cameras in the FE Series of cameras from Olympus the FE-180 features digital image stabilization, 16 shooting modes and is powered by 2 AA batteries.

The Olympus FE-180 will be available in September for a retail price of $179.99.

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Olympus FE-180 News Release

NEW OLYMPUS FE-SERIES DIGITAL CAMERAS DELIVER FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

Four New 6.0-Megapixel Cameras Designed For Ease-of-Use with Built-In Help Guides, Large 2.5-Inch LCDs and Digital Image Stabilization

Olympus today announced four new FE-Series point-and-shoot digital cameras that combine stylish design and approachable functionality to provide a fulfilling digital experience. Slim, compact styling and new features have been added to these latest FE cameras, including Digital Image Stabilization, a large 2.5-inch LCD, a 6.0-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 3x or 5x optical zoom and much more.

“The Olympus FE-Series cameras are designed for effortless picture taking and provide a variety of user-friendly features to easily navigate the cameras’ capabilities,” said Naoki Tai, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Features ranging from the Help Guide to the large LCD screen will provide an enjoyable digital experience to first-time users. Beyond their affordable price, the cameras also offer incredible image quality without a large learning curve.”

Unique Features of The New FE-Series Cameras

While the FE-Series digital cameras offer many of the same great features, each camera also has an impressive function of its own to lend an air of distinction, this includes:

• FE-170: An entry-level camera, which enables new users to shoot clear, crisp images with ease. The FE-170’s optional water-resistance case provides worry-free fun at the beach and pool. Users can capture photos while swimming to 10 feet below the surface.
• FE-180: Offers longer battery life than most other point and shoot cameras – up to 500 shots on a single charge – with the new bundled Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. Weddings, vacations/tours and other lengthy events are no challenge for this new digital camera.
• FE-190: Its 0.7-inch slim design and durable metal body makes this one of the most compact members of the FE family. Perfect for active lifestyles, the FE-190 fits inside a shirt pocket or small handbag.
• FE-200: The camera’s 5x wide optical zoom (28mm-140mm equivalent in 35mm photography) makes it easy to get everyone and everything into one shot. The FE-200 captures large family photographs, even when there’s no room to back up, as well as vast scenic panoramas. Its metal body provides durability and a sleek appearance that would fit-in at any cocktail party.

Features Shared By the New FE-Series Cameras

Easy Operation
The new FE-series cameras feature an enhanced Help Guide that makes digital photography simple for users of all levels. A tutorial “shooting guide” educates users on tips for achieving 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.

The FE-Series cameras also feature a “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. Shooting, playback, 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.

Digital Image Stabilization Mode
The new FE cameras feature 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 LCD Provides Clear Images
The large 2.5-inch LCD screens 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.

Pre-Set Shooting Modes Make It Easy to Capture Great Images
The inclusion of 16 shooting modes, including QuickTime® Movie, accessed via a rotating dial and menu button on the back of the cameras makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations, such as Sports, Fireworks, and Night Scene with Portrait. The FE-180, FE-190 and FE-200 models offer QuickTime® Movie mode, which enables users to create short movies of events that can be emailed to family and friends.

Simple Connection to PC
Linking 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.

Accessory Neoprene Carrying Case
Olympus’ optional Neoprene Carrying Case offers the camera protection from the elements and other items in your backpack. The case is made of soft, flexible neoprene fabric with a modern, sporty design.

Availability
The FE-170, 180, 190 and 200 will be available in September 2006.

The FE-170 includes: AA alkaline battery x2, USB cable, Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick Start guide, basic manual, CD-ROM (includes OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual) and warranty.

The FE-180/190/200 include: Rechargeable battery (FE-180 – Ni-MH, FE-190/200- Lithium-Ion) and Charger, USB cable, Audio/Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick Start guide, Basic manual, CD-ROM (including OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual) and warranty.

U.S. Pricing
FE-170 Estimated Street Price: $149.99 (U.S.)
FE-180 Estimated Street Price: $179.99 (U.S.)
FE-190 Estimated Street Price: $199.99 (U.S.)
FE-200 Estimated Street Price: $249.99 (U.S.)

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Olympus FE-180 Reviews

CNET reviews the Olympus FE-180 and writes - 'The Olympus FE-180 is a fine, inexpensive snapshot camera. It doesn't have any manual settings to play with, but it quickly and easily produces attractive images for a low price. With an included set of rechargeable batteries and a charger, this sub-$200 shooter is a great deal for anyone who wants pretty pictures without a lot of trouble or cost.'

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Aug 23: Olympus FE-170

The Olympus FE-170 is an entry level point and shoot camera that features a water resistent casing (up to 10 feet), 6.0 megapixel sensor, 2.5 inch LCD screen an a 3x Optical Zoom lens.

Like the other new cameras in the FE Series of cameras from Olympus it features digital image stabilization, 16 shooting modes and is powered by 2 AA batteries.

The Olympus FE-170 will retail for $149.99 (USD) when it hits stores in September 2006.

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Olympus FE-170 News Release

NEW OLYMPUS FE-SERIES DIGITAL CAMERAS DELIVER FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITY AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

Four New 6.0-Megapixel Cameras Designed For Ease-of-Use with Built-In Help Guides, Large 2.5-Inch LCDs and Digital Image Stabilization

Olympus today announced four new FE-Series point-and-shoot digital cameras that combine stylish design and approachable functionality to provide a fulfilling digital experience. Slim, compact styling and new features have been added to these latest FE cameras, including Digital Image Stabilization, a large 2.5-inch LCD, a 6.0-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 3x or 5x optical zoom and much more.

“The Olympus FE-Series cameras are designed for effortless picture taking and provide a variety of user-friendly features to easily navigate the cameras’ capabilities,” said Naoki Tai, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Features ranging from the Help Guide to the large LCD screen will provide an enjoyable digital experience to first-time users. Beyond their affordable price, the cameras also offer incredible image quality without a large learning curve.”

Unique Features of The New FE-Series Cameras

While the FE-Series digital cameras offer many of the same great features, each camera also has an impressive function of its own to lend an air of distinction, this includes:

• FE-170: An entry-level camera, which enables new users to shoot clear, crisp images with ease. The FE-170’s optional water-resistance case provides worry-free fun at the beach and pool. Users can capture photos while swimming to 10 feet below the surface.
• FE-180: Offers longer battery life than most other point and shoot cameras – up to 500 shots on a single charge – with the new bundled Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. Weddings, vacations/tours and other lengthy events are no challenge for this new digital camera.
• FE-190: Its 0.7-inch slim design and durable metal body makes this one of the most compact members of the FE family. Perfect for active lifestyles, the FE-190 fits inside a shirt pocket or small handbag.
• FE-200: The camera’s 5x wide optical zoom (28mm-140mm equivalent in 35mm photography) makes it easy to get everyone and everything into one shot. The FE-200 captures large family photographs, even when there’s no room to back up, as well as vast scenic panoramas. Its metal body provides durability and a sleek appearance that would fit-in at any cocktail party.

Features Shared By the New FE-Series Cameras

Easy Operation
The new FE-series cameras feature an enhanced Help Guide that makes digital photography simple for users of all levels. A tutorial “shooting guide” educates users on tips for achieving 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.

The FE-Series cameras also feature a “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. Shooting, playback, 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.

Digital Image Stabilization Mode
The new FE cameras feature 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 LCD Provides Clear Images
The large 2.5-inch LCD screens 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.

Pre-Set Shooting Modes Make It Easy to Capture Great Images
The inclusion of 16 shooting modes, including QuickTime® Movie, accessed via a rotating dial and menu button on the back of the cameras makes it easy to capture great images in a variety of lighting situations, such as Sports, Fireworks, and Night Scene with Portrait. The FE-180, FE-190 and FE-200 models offer QuickTime® Movie mode, which enables users to create short movies of events that can be emailed to family and friends.

Simple Connection to PC
Linking 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.

Accessory Neoprene Carrying Case
Olympus’ optional Neoprene Carrying Case offers the camera protection from the elements and other items in your backpack. The case is made of soft, flexible neoprene fabric with a modern, sporty design.

Availability
The FE-170, 180, 190 and 200 will be available in September 2006.

The FE-170 includes: AA alkaline battery x2, USB cable, Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick Start guide, basic manual, CD-ROM (includes OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual) and warranty.

The FE-180/190/200 include: Rechargeable battery (FE-180 – Ni-MH, FE-190/200- Lithium-Ion) and Charger, USB cable, Audio/Video cable, Wrist strap, Quick Start guide, Basic manual, CD-ROM (including OLYMPUS Master software and advanced manual) and warranty.

U.S. Pricing
FE-170 Estimated Street Price: $149.99 (U.S.)
FE-180 Estimated Street Price: $179.99 (U.S.)
FE-190 Estimated Street Price: $199.99 (U.S.)
FE-200 Estimated Street Price: $249.99 (U.S.)

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Olympus FE-170 Reviews

CNET reviews the Olympus FE-170 where they write - 'Because of its terrible performance and mediocre shots, the Olympus FE-170 really isn't worth your time or money. If you really want an inexpensive, easy-to-use snapshot camera, spend the extra $30 and get the Olympus FE-180. It has all of the good qualities of the FE-170 and few of the bad. As a bonus, the FE-180 comes with a set of rechargeable batteries and a wall charger. Sometimes spending a little extra can go a long way.'

Cameras.co.uk reviews the Olympus FE-170 and writes - 'Despite having limitations in certain key areas the FE-170 manages to perform better than I had expected it to in others. Without doubt it is best suited to standard outdoor scenic shots in good light. When the light gets low the FE-170 starts to struggle quite quickly. Plus points showing up in the outdoor scenic shots include levels of sharpness and the way the camera handles light coloured areas. When it comes to sharp images this camera manages to outperform many more expensive digital cameras. The images are not pin sharp, but they are good enough to produced crisp 7 x 5" prints. The FE-170 also does a fairly good job of retaining sharpness up to the edge of a photo. '

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Aug 23: Olympus Stylus 1000

The Olympus Stylus 1000 is a 10 megapixel (CCD) point and shoot digital camera with a lovely looking metal all weather casing. it features a 2.5 inch LCD screen, 3x Optical Zoom lens and ISO sensitivity from 64 to 6400.

Also featuring image stabilization technology (digital), the Olympus Stylus 1000 has 24 selectable shooting modes, a number of in camera image editing features, USB 2.0, 30 frames per second VGA video and internal memory of 28.5 megabytes.

The Olympus Stylus 1000 will retail for $400 USD in September 20006.

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Olympus Stylus 1000 News Release

OLYMPUS FOCUSES ON IMAGE QUALITY WITH 10-MEGAPIXEL COMPACT STYLUS 1000

High-Resolution, All-Weather Stylus 1000 Features Digital Image Stabilization and Bright Capture Technology to Provide Superior Image Quality

Olympus announces its first compact, 10-megapixel digital camera, the Stylus 1000. The 10-megapixel CCD image sensor provides superior resolution for great pictures even when printed in formats 16 x 20 inches or larger. This elegant, slim, yet durable, All-Weather camera is packed with features, including:

• A 10-megapixel image sensor, which is coupled with Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO image processor, produces crisp, high-quality photos even when printed in large-size formats;
• Digital Image Stabilization Mode and Digital Image Stabilization Edit ensures crisp, sharp images both before and after a photo is taken;
• A large 2.5-inch LCD and Bright Capture Technology guarantees clear, bright composition, capture and review of images even in low-light situations;
• An All-Weather body design is resistant to rain, snow and dust.

“As Olympus celebrates 10 years of digital innovation, we continue to deliver digital imaging technologies that enable consumers of all levels to expand their creativity and photography skills,” said Tomoko Matsunaga, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “With the launch of the new Stylus 1000, users can capture images with amazing resolution while enjoying the convenience of an ultra-compact, point-and-shoot camera.”

10-Megapixel Image Sensor for Superior Image Quality
The Stylus 1000 offers the highest resolution in a compact digital camera resulting in superior quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even when printed in large formats – up to poster sizes of 16 x 20 inches or larger.

Digital Image Stabilization Mode & Edit
The Stylus 1000 includes a Digital Image Stabilization Mode, which boosts ISO sensitivity and shutter speed for capturing crisp, clear pictures – free from the blur sometimes caused by camera shake or moving subjects – in virtually any shooting
situation. For unanticipated blurry images, Digital Image Stabilization Edit presents an easy solution for retouching a blurry image right in the camera after the image has already been captured. An electro-gyro sensor embedded in the camera tracks the vertical and horizontal movement of the camera, and then uses this information to revert the image back to its original position to sharpen and reduce blurs in the image.

All-Weather Durability
Typically, moisture and photography are a bad combination, limiting outdoor photography options when rain, snow or sleet are involved. However, the compact, All-Weather Stylus 1000 can go virtually anywhere. The metal body construction is durable and lightweight with rubber gaskets throughout the interior to ensure that rain, snow or dust won’t get in the way of great photos.

Bright Capture Technology for Easy Low-Light Photography
There are times when you want to photograph subjects in low light without having to use a flash, for example, when trying to capture the softness and warmth of a candlelit dinner or natural skin tones in subdued lighting. Olympus’ Bright Capture Technology makes it possible to clearly compose subjects on the LCD in low light. The versatile manual ISO settings and specific scene modes enable users to increase the ISO sensitivity up to 6400. Also, with rapid auto-focus, even fast-action photos can be captured under low levels of available light. Plus, Bright Capture Movie enables users to record the moments in the dark even after the candles are blown out!

High Quality Olympus Lens Elements
Olympus lenses 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 and exclusive optical designs. The Stylus 1000 features a bright f2.8 speed lens and a 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 35 - 105mm focal length, f2.8 – f4.7 in 35mm photography) plus a 5x digital zoom for a total seamless zoom of 15x. In addition, the Super Macro Mode captures details from as close as 3.9 inches.

Large 2.5-Inch LCD
The large, bright 2.5-inch LCD with 230,000 high-resolution pixels makes it easy to see images clearly both when shooting and sharing photos with friends without having to download to a computer.

TruePic TURBO for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid start-up, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enables the Stylus 1000 to capture information from all 10.0 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos. The fast start-up of less than one second and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so the camera is always ready to take great pictures.

24 Selectable Shooting Modes
With 20 pre-programmed scene modes such as Sport, Available Light Portrait, Sunset, Cuisine and Candle Light, the Stylus 1000 makes it easy to capture beautiful images in a variety of lighting and shooting situations. Plus, with QuickTime® Movie Mode, the camera can also record VGA-quality videos with sound.

Perfect Fix for Perfect Photos
Olympus’ new Perfect Fix feature offers quick solutions for unanticipated image quality issues caused by several adverse conditions occurring at once: Digital Image Stabilization Edit can be used to reduce the effects of blur; Lighting Fix can be used to adjust underexposed areas; and Red-Eye Fix can be used to reduce the effects of red-eye sometimes caused by direct flash. Additional in-camera editing functions can be quickly accessed right in the camera with the touch of a button: features such as resizing, trimming, frames, text options, color brightness and saturation adjustments.

Built-In Help Guide
Each feature is easily accessible, even to novice users, thanks to the Built-In Help Guide function. 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 in the Guide.

One-Touch EASY Print – 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. The one-touch “Print” button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier!

OLYMPUS Master Software
OLYMPUS Master Software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading images to your computer quick and simple; and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. Also, 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 1000 will be available in September 2006. The camera ships with: a wrist strap, WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, LI-12B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, quick start guide, basic instruction manual, warranty card, (2) CD-ROM’s with OLYMPUS Master software and an advanced manual.

U.S. Pricing
Stylus 1000 Estimated Street Price: $399.99 (U.S.)

CNET reviews the Olympus Stylus 1000 and writes - "The Stylus 1000's sturdy metal body has a gentle wedge shape, making the camera extremely comfortable for one-handed use. However, the tapered left side makes it even more awkward for left-handed users than most point-and-shoots. The controls are mostly flat buttons that are responsive under the thumb, but extremely similar in feel. It's easy to accidentally hit the menu button instead of the direction pad when reviewing your photos. The power and the image-stabilization buttons sit on either side of the shutter release, but they're recessed enough that you probably won't accidentally press them while shooting. "

Digital Camera Review has posted their review of the Olympus Stylus 1000 where they write - 'Image quality on the Stylus 1000 was good, and in my opinion, slightly better than the Stylus 750. The images were sharper and didn’t have the corner softness that I noticed with the Stylus 750’s images. However, colors and exposure were generally good. I highly recommend that you examine the sample images from our review and other reviews to form your own opinion. The speed of the camera was pretty average. Personally, I don’t really worry too much about start-up time, but it was around 2 seconds. Shot to shot time without flash was about 2 seconds. If you turn on the flash, you’ll have to wait a couple more seconds between shots for the flash to charge. Shutter lag was quick enough to capture the moment, but only if you achieve a focus lock first. Without a partial press first, shutter lag is around 0.6 to 0.8 seconds or so.'

PCWorld has a review of the Olympus Stylus 1000 and writes, "In our lab tests, the Stylus 1000 earned top-notch image-quality scores, compared to other recently reviewed point-and-shoots. Those results were confirmed by my shots taken out in the field, which had fine sharpness and accurate, nicely saturated colors. This development is a pleasant surprise, because earlier Stylus models weren't known for great image quality. ... Overall, the Stylus is a good camera, especially if you love to take pictures in inclement conditions. Ironically, the camera may be hardest to use in clear weather."

Steve's Digicams has a review of the Olympus Stylus 1000 and writes, "The overall image quality when using the SHQ mode is good for an 10-megapixel model as long as there is good light. When shooting outdoors, it produced pleasing photos that were sharp and well exposed. Image noise was very low when the ISO was set to 200 or lower, becoming more noticeable when the sensitivity was increased. ... the weather-resistant Stylus 1000 has great image quality in good light, is easy to hold, and has many user-friendly exposure modes but it's lacking in performance and has image noise issues in low light. With a MSRP of $399 it falls short of our expectations."

Imaging Resource has a review of the Olympus Stylus 1000 and writes, "I haven't been very happy with other recent Olympus Stylus digicams (the 730, 740, and 750, to be specific), but the Stylus 1000 is the best of the litter. The control buttons are just right, and should percolate down to the other models suffering those odd buttons. Image resolution was good, and lens distortion was very low. On the downside, some shots were oversaturated and lost highlight detail. I actually liked having ISO 3,200, and 6,400 options, despite the soft images and smaller file size. I have the ability and inclination to fix these images with anti-noise and sharpening software. But we think most will be dissatisfied with even 4x6 shots at these sizes. Digital Image Stabilization was a disappointment, and is rather disingenuous despite the anti-blurring processing; but having some form of motion blur compensation is better than nothing."

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Aug 23: Olympus Stylus 750

The Olympus Stylus 750 is another 7.1 megapixel camera announced today by Olympus. This one sports a 5x Optical Zoom lens, dual image stabilization (both CCD-shift IS and digital IS).

The Olympus Stylus 750 comes in a metal 'all-weather' casing and has a lovely large 2.5 inch LCD display.

The Stylus 750 captures video at up to 15 frames per second in VGA quality and has 17 megabytes of internal memory. It is priced at $400 USD and should hit stores in September 2006.

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Olympus Stylus 750 News Release

OLYMPUS STYLUS 750 DELIVERS DUAL IMAGE STABILIZATION AND 5X OPTICAL ZOOM IN THIN, STYLISH CAMERA

5x Optical Zoom and CCD-Shift Image Stabilization are included in Slim, Compact Design; also features a 7.1-Megapixel CCD, All-Weather body and Bright Capture Technology

Olympus continues to innovate with the launch of the Stylus 750 digital camera, a technically sophisticated point-and-shoot camera offering a number of pioneering technologies such as Dual Image Stabilization, Bright Capture Technology and TruePic TURBO as well as a powerful 5x Optical Zoom that tucks away into a streamlined metal, All-Weather body design. The camera is distinguished by a number of premium features, including:

• An advanced combination of the mechanical CCD-shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization work together to ensure the clearest pictures possible in any situation;
• A 5x Optical Zoom lens with a newly developed lens element to maintain a small compact size;
• A 2.5-inch LCD and Bright Capture Technology dramatically improve composition, capture and review of images in low-light situations;
• Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processing engine is coupled with a 7.1-megapixel image sensor to produce crisp, high-quality photos.

“Olympus continues to demonstrate the power of its innovative technologies with the addition of the Stylus 750 to the Stylus line of digital cameras,” said Tomoko Matsunaga, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Appealing to the more sophisticated point-and-shoot user, technologies such as Dual Image Stabilization and Bright Capture Technology combine with the power of a 5x optical zoom and the versatility of a thin, durable, metal body to deliver superior image quality and convenience.”

5x Optical Zoom in Slim Body
Olympus incorporates new lens technology into the Stylus 750 that enables the 5x optical zoom lens (36mm – 180mm, f3.3 – f 5.0 equivalent in 35mm photography) to bring the action five times closer in a less than 1-inch thick body – 3.8 inch wide x 2.1 inch high x 0.96 inch deep. Olympus lenses are known worldwide for producing sharp, vibrant high-quality images. This is achieved through a number of key technologies, such as Olympus’ high-refractive-index lens elements and newly developed dual super aspherical lens elements.

Dual Image Stabilization
The Stylus 750 features an advanced combination of mechanical CCD-shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization. CCD-shift Image Stabilization uses built-in electro-gyro sensors to record camera movement and adjust the CCD image sensor. This ensures that light remains centered on the image sensor to maintain image clarity despite a slight movement on the part of the photographer. Digital Image Stabilization Mode boosts ISO sensitivity and shutter speed so that images remain crisp and clear – free from the blur caused by moving subjects. The combination of the two Image Stabilization Technologies ensures the best image clarity in virtually any shooting environment.

All-Weather Durability
Typically, water and photography are a bad combination, limiting outdoor photography options when rain, snow or sleet are involved. However, the compact, All-Weather Stylus 750 can go virtually anywhere. The metal body construction is durable and lightweight with rubber gaskets throughout the interior to ensure that rain, dust and snow won’t get in the way of great photos.

Bright Capture Technology for Easy Low-Light Photography
There are times when you want to photograph subjects in low light without having to use a flash, for example, 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 in low light. 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. Plus, Bright Capture Movie lets you record the moments in the dark even after the candles are blown out!

7.1-Megapixel Image Sensor for Superior Image Quality
The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor inside the Stylus 750 delivers high-quality images that are consistently sharp and vivid even when printed in large-formats – up to poster sizes as large as 16 x 20 inches.

Large 2.5-Inch LCD
With a bright 2.5-inch LCD, the Stylus 750 easily doubles as a portable digital photo album. This high quality LCD makes it easier to see images clearly both when shooting and sharing photos with friends without having to download the images to a computer.

TruePic TURBO for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor enhances image quality and delivers faster overall processing speeds for rapid start-up, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBOTM enables the Stylus 750 to capture information from all 7.1 million pixels with pixel “micro-smoothing” that delivers clearer and more color-accurate photos. The fast start-up 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.

27 Selectable Shooting Modes
With 23 pre-programmed scene modes, such as Beach & Snow, Available Light Portrait, Sunset, and Under Water Macro, the Stylus 750 makes it easy to capture beautiful images in a variety of lighting and shooting situations. Plus, with QuickTime® Movie Mode, the camera can also record VGA-quality videos with sound, limited only by the size of the internal memory or xD-Picture Card in the camera.

Built-In Help Guide
With the Help Guide function, each of the camera’s features is easily 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 in the Guide.

One-Touch EASY Print – No Computer Necessary!
The power of PictBridge? technology enables your photos to be printed directly from your camera to any PictBridge-enabled printer without using a computer. The one-touch “Print” button makes printing a single-step process. Printing and sharing images has never been easier!

In-camera Editing
In-camera editing features such as red-eye fix, resizing, frames, text options, color brightness and saturation adjustments enable users to edit photos right in the camera.

Underwater Photography
The large 2.5-inch LCD, 5x Optical Zoom, compact body size and three underwater scene modes make the Stylus 750 the perfect camera to take along diving. The new PT-034 underwater housing is constructed of transparent polycarbonate with safety-locked o-ring seals, enabling the Stylus 750 to safely travel down to 40 meters below the surface. Large red grips, a responsive shutter button and a precision zoom lever make it easy to operate even through diving gloves. Plus, with Bright Capture Technology, images can be easily previewed on the LCS even in the darkest waters.

OLYMPUS Master Software
OLYMPUS Master Software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading images to a computer quick and simple; and images are searchable by date or keyword in the Calendar View. Also, 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 750 will be available in September 2006. The camera ships with: a wrist strap, camera WIN/Mac USB cable, audio/video cable, Li-42B Li-Ion rechargeable battery and charger, instruction manual, warranty card, and a CD-ROM with OLYMPUS Master Software.

U.S. Pricing
Stylus 750 Estimated Street Price: $399.99 (U.S.)
PT-034 Underwater Housing Estimated Street Price: $249.99 (U.S.)

DCRP has posted their review of the Olympus Stylus 750 where they write - 'The Stylus 750 is a 100% point-and-shoot camera. Thus, it is not for those who want manual controls, but if you like scene modes and help screens, you'll love this camera. There are scene modes for just about every possible situation, whether you're shooting behind glass or underwater. There's also an available light scene, though I'd pass on it, as it uses ISO sensitivities so high that the resulting photo is just plain yucky. The camera also has a "shooting guide", which not only tells you how to do various things (such as reducing blur) -- it actually does them for you! You'll also find help screens for all menu items, which is certainly a nice extra. In playback mode you'll find a photo album, calendar creator, and basic editing tools as well. The movie mode on the Stylus 750 was disappointing. The video is of poor quality, it's choppy, and you can't use image stabilization for whatever reason.'

CNET reviews the Olympus Stylus 750 and gives it a rating of 6.8 out of 10 and writes - 'Olympus loves its Stylus line of cameras. They're shiny, they're slim, they're stylish, and they're weather resistant. That's certainly the case with the Olympus Stylus 750, a 7-megapixel snapshot camera with both digital and optical image stabilization. The Stylus 750's sturdy metal body is a gentle wedge shape, making the camera extremely comfortable for one-handed use. However, the tapered left side makes it even more awkward for left-handed users than most point-and-shoots. The controls are mostly flat buttons that are responsive under the thumb, but extremely similar in feel. It's easy to accidentally hit the menu button instead of the direction pad when looking over photos. The power and the image-stabilization buttons sit on either side of the shutter release, but they're recessed enough that you probably won't accidentally press them while shooting.'

Imaging Resource has posted a review of the Olympus Stylus 750 Digital Camera where they write - 'Olympus's Stylus 750 has Stunning good looks, but I was disappointed in its performance. Color just seemed unnatural, and I came home with far too many blurry images for a camera that has image stabilization. I really wondered if the review unit was just malfunctioning. But it wasn't a mechanical issue. The thumbnails were very blurred, even when the image itself was not.'

Unbeatable has a review of the Olympus Stylus 750 and writes, "The Olympus Mju 750 was everything we hoped for and more as it performed extremely well in many of our tests. The start-up time to shoot was the only let down for us as it took just over 2 seconds, with the between shot time being 2.2 secs, but this was increased to a very sluggish 4.5secs with the flash enabled. However, on a more positive note, the shutter lag time was only 0.6 seconds. When the macro modes were in use, particularly the Super Macro mode, the results were great with no blurring and fantastic realistic colours and tones. This was the same across the board with all images produced from the Olympus Mju 750 and even at ISO 800 noise was very minimal. Colours were again, very realistic with exceptional clarity and sharpness and we were very impressed with our results. We were also very impressed with the Mju 750’s 2.5” LCD screen which was exceptionally bright and clear and was visible in all conditions, with 215,000 pixels; images were very life-like."

Pocket-lint has a review of the Olympus Mju 750 and gives it a 9 out of 10, writing, "Nice to look at, very pocketable, weatherproof and able to create images able to be printed at A3 or larger (with the caveat on shadow noise), the Olympus Mju 750 would make a great snapper for anyone: novice photographer, outdoor types or those who’d rather spend their time partying down the pub and dodging spillages of wine and beer while snapping away."

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Aug 23: Olympus SP-510 UZ

The Olympus SP-510 UZ is a 7.1 megapixel (CCD) ultra zoom digital camera that packs a 10x Optical Zoom lens, ISO of a low of 50 and up to 4000 and full manual controls.

The SP-510 UZ features digital image stabilization, a 2.5 inch LCDelectric viewfinder, VGA quality movie capture (30 frames per second), 21 megabytes of memory, USB 2.0 and boasts a battery life of up to 630 shots per charge.

The Olympus SP-510 UZ will hit stores in September and will be priced at $330 USD.

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Olympus SP-510 News Release

NEW OLYMPUS SP-510 ULTRA ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA DELIVERS POWER, VERSATILITY AND VALUE

Most Full-Featured Camera in its Class with 7.1 Megapixels, 10x Optical ED Zoom Lens, Digital Image Stabilization, ISO 4000 and Full Manual Controls

The new Olympus SP-510 Ultra Zoom offers the ultimate value in its class with the highest image resolution of any 10x digital camera on the market, an Olympus ED Zoom Lens, a large 2.5-inch LCD and extra-long battery life (up to 630 shots from standard alkaline batteries). Designed to satisfy the needs of beginners and advanced users alike, this highly versatile camera provides incredible point-and-shoot functionality (including 21 preset Scene Modes) as well as professional features like full manual controls, ISO 4000 and RAW shooting.

“The Olympus SP-510 UZ is one of the best combinations of features, performance and price of any digital camera,” said Michael Barnett, product manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “This versatile camera does more than simply bring subjects closer than traditional compact cameras, it offers an easy-to-use, yet sophisticated, set of features that users can start with and stay with as their skills continue to develop.”

10x Optical Olympus ED Zoom Lens
First to introduce the Ultra Zoom category in 2000, Olympus once again delivers a designed-to-be-digital 10x optical zoom lens to bring the action closer in an ergonomic body that’s easy to handle. The bright, high-quality optical system is precision-crafted using extra-dispersion (ED) and high-refractive-index aspherical lens elements to deliver edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity. Olympus photos are known worldwide for sharp, vibrant image quality. The lens provides the equivalent of 38 to 380mm focal length, f2.8 – f3.7 (in 35mm photography), with 50x combined total zoom (10x optical and 5x digital). The Super Macro Mode allows users to capture details such as the iridescent petals of a flower or the wings of a butterfly from as close as 1.18 inches.

7.1-Megapixel Image Sensor
The 7.1-megapixel CCD image sensor delivers superior image quality capturing the most subtle details that are consistently sharp and vivid, even in large-format prints or when the image is cropped. Recording in both JPEG and RAW file formats, the SP-510 UZ is perfectly suited for a wide range of users – from new photographers to advanced users who want maximum creative control.

Digital Image Stabilization
The SP-510 UZ features Digital Image Stabilization 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 to stop the action.

Bright Capture Technology
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 preview your shot on the LCD in low light, quickly lock the focus and capture your subjects with limited available light. The SP-510 UZ offers the highest ISO sensitivity of any ultra zoom (ISO 4000).

2.5-Inch Premium Size LCD & Electronic Viewfinder
Don’t settle for less – use the electronic viewfinder or compose and review images on the LCD with ease. The large, 2.5-inch LCD enables you to view images in vivid detail. What’s more, 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.

Superior Battery Life
The SP-510 UZ offers extra-long battery performance to ensure that no perfect photo opportunity is missed. Using regular alkaline batteries, you can capture up to 630 shots (based on the CIPA standard) – the highest of any AA digital camera.

TruePic TURBO for High-Speed Response
Olympus’ exclusive TruePic TURBO Image Processor delivers incredible image quality for more true-to-life colors and skin tones as well as faster overall processing speeds for rapid startup, shutter release and playback. TruePic TURBO enables the SP-510 UZ 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 start-up and nearly instant shutter release time ensures a high-speed response so you can capture the shot you want and be instantly ready to shoot again.

Incredible Ease of Use
The SP-510 UZ makes it easy to take great photos in a variety of scenarios and lighting situations with 21 pre-programmed scene modes, including VGA-quality video with sound (640x480/30fps) up to the capacity of your xD card. Simply select the desired mode for portraits, landscapes, night scenes, fast-action, macro and much more.
With in-camera editing features such as Red-Eye Fix and the ability to add frames and titles, crop, adjust brightness, switch from color to black-and-white or sepia, make calendar prints, and more – all without using a computer and editing software. Also, the new Lighting Fix feature corrects the underexposed areas in your picture to reveal the details hidden in the shadows.

Built-in Help Guide
The Help Guide on the SP-510 UZ incorporates a built-in manual, a reference that explains the pre-programmed scene modes, features and settings, and a tutorial Shooting Guide that educates users on how to accomplish specific effects. 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.

Style and Ergonomics
With the SP-510 UZ, Olympus returns to the traditional compact appearance of its rangefinder cameras. At a compact size of just 4.2 inches wide, 2.9 inches high, 2.8 inches long and only 11.6 ounces, the camera tucks away easily into a case, bag or backpack. The addition of an enhanced ergonomic grip makes it even easier to shoot with one or two hands.

Accessory Lenses for Expanded Capabilities
The SP-510 UZ features 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-07 Wide-Angle Conversion Lens (26.6mm equivalent), which enable a wider field of view for shooting skylines, landscapes or group shots, and the TCON-17 Telephoto Conversion Lens, which extends the camera’s magnification capability to a 17x optical zoom for bringing subjects even closer, great for shooting sports events, concerts or wildlife.

Availability
The SP-510 UZ will be available in September 2006. It will also include: Neck Strap, WIN/Mac USB Cable, Audio/Video Cable, 4 AA Batteries, Quick Start Guide, Basic Instruction Manual, Warranty Card, OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM and Advanced Manual CD-ROM.

U.S. Pricing
SP-510 UZ Estimated Street Price: $329.99 (U.S.)

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Olympus SP-510 UZ Reviews

CNET reviews the Olympus SP-510 UZ where they give it a rating of 6.2 out of 10 and write - 'At its best, the SP-510UZ can capture images with abundant detail and accurate-looking, well-saturated colors, with only very minor JPEG artifacting and little or no fringing. The camera's automatic white balance did an admirable job of serving up neutral colors under our lab's tungsten lights. Interestingly, the tungsten preset was less neutral, with a slight bluish-green cast. So, you may as well stick with auto white balance when shooting indoors or outdoors, where it did just as good a job at producing neutral colors when shooting in natural daylight.'

Digital Camera Info reviews the Olympus SP-510 UZ and writes - 'The SP-510 UZ has a number of nice improvements over the SP-500 UZ. There’s more resolution, electronic image stabilization and a number of other small improvements. And the price has dropped: the SP-500 UZ was launched at $379, while the SP-510 UZ is launched at $329.95. That’s a pretty considerable drop which makes the camera even more attractive. The bulky case and weight will put of some users, but if you are looking for a well-featured camera with a zoom long enough to focus on the wildlife, the SP-510 UZ is definitely worth considering.'

PCMag has a review of the Olympus SP-510UZ and writes, "My daylight test shots didn't have much noise, but flash shots did—specifically, colored noise, which is generally more conspicuous. Color was pretty good, though, but I think hues could be a bit more saturated. I also found the images to have a moderate amount of purple fringing. The flash was a bit weak, resulting in an underexposed flash shot. But you are able to change the strength of the flash output manually and increase or decrease the illumination of the flash, which is rare on this type of camera. ... Despite the impressive guide modes, the Olympus SP-510UZ falls short on performance when compared with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7, an Editors' Choice, and the Canon PowerShot S3 IS."

Layers Magazine has a review of the Olympus SP-510 UZ and writes, "Its ISO settings are from 50–4000; however, it’s marred by appreciable noise at ISO settings higher than 200. And image stabilization isn’t optical but achieved by boosting the ISO ... In operation, shooting in RAW is slow with a 7-second shutter lag between shots, and it can only shoot two RAW files in continuous mode. In bright light, images are washed out on the 2.5" LCD; however, you can switch from the LCD to an EVF for composing—both screens display the same data. A wonderful onboard how-to guide gives exposure solutions to common situations, such as backlighting, and then automatically sets the camera."

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Aug 22: Pentax Optio A20

The Pentax Optio A20 is a 10 megapixel compact digital camera with 3x Optical Zoom and 1.8 inch LCD.

The A20 is the successor to the popular Optio A10 and it features a long list of specifications including 3 types of anti shake technology, 22 megabytes of internal memory, USB 2.0, PictBridge, Face Recognition Auto Focus and Auto Exposure for portrait shooting, Auto tracking Auto focus, 'auto picture mode' which switches between shooting modes automatically for you and MPEG-4 compliant DivX movies.

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Pentax Optio A20 News Release Extracts

10.0 effective megapixels image quality
The Optio A20 produces clear, high-quality images with 10.0 effective megapixels. The superb level of resolution makes it possible to produce prints with crisp detail even when the photo is enlarged to A#* size. The Optio A20 image sensor is a large 1/1.8 inch CCD with a wide light-sensitive area, which realizes superior tone reproduction, fine textures, and greater noise reduction.

*A3 (paper) size is an International / European paper size established by the ISO (International Standards Organization). It measures 297 x 420 millimeters, or equivalent to 11.69 x 16.54 inches.

High-performance smc PENTAX zoom lens
The Optio A20 is equipped with a high-quality smc PENTAX zoom lens, which is renowned for its clarity and high-contrast image performance. The lens configuration, with seven elements in five groups including three aspherical elements, effectively corrects for spherical aberration. The lenses are coated using a PENTAX-developed technique to reduce ghosting and flare.

Three Anti-Shake functions featured:

SR (Shake Reduction)
The SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, developed by PENTAX, features two gyro sensors that detect the amount of shake and an image sensor (CCD) that moves both horizontally and vertically to reduce the camera shake. The SR mechanism effectively prevents shake at the instant that the shutter is clicked to take a photograph.
Blur Reduction mode*

In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts the sensitivity to as high as ISO 1600 according to the brightness of the subject. The higher sensitivities permit faster shutter speeds that reduce not only camera shake but also the blurring caused by moving subjects.

*The image recording size is fixed to 5 M (2592 x 1944 pixels) when Blur Reduction mode is selected.

Movie Anti-Shake Function*
Camera shake while taking a movie can also be corrected automatically by software, thanks to an electronic, movie anti-shake function.

* Using the movie anti-shake function results in a narrower field of view than during normal recording.

New Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)
A new ASIC supplies the Optio A20 with dramatically more image-processing power. With this ASIC high-speed processing capability, the Optio A20 attains a high level of tone reproduction and color correction based on enormous amounts of actual photo data.

Face Recognition AF & AE for beautiful one-step portraits
The Optio A20 features the new Face Recognition AF & AE* function, which helps ensure bright, beautiful photos of people with perfectly focused faces free of shadows caused by exposing for the background or for the colors of clothing. This useful function automatically detects the position of the subject anywhere in the photo frame and then adjusts the focus and optimizes the exposure for the detected position.

* This camera's Face Recognition AF & AE function uses the Face Tracker face-recognition technology from FotoNation.

Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
The Optio A20's auto-tracking AF feature continuously focuses on subjects such as kids and pets that move around unpredictably. Since the focus frame automatically follows the movement of the subject inside the photo frame, you can be sure to capture those instantaneous photo opportunities.

High-quality movies with an anti-shake function
The Optio A20 smoothly captures movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640 x 480 pixels with image quality rivaling camcorders. Since it employs the DivX® (MPEG-4 compliant) movie format,* the Optio A20 can record longer, high-quality movies.

*The Optio A20 is DivX® certified. Movie playback is not supported on Macintosh operating systems.

Auto Picture mode automatically determines the best settings for the shooting conditions
The Auto Picture mode lets the camera automatically determine the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Program modes and choose the optimum settings for each subject. This PENTAX original function makes photography a lot easier for users since it eliminates the necessity of making a number of individual settings. A wide range of exposure setting mode in Programmed Exposure mode, the camera automatically determines the shutter speed and aperture. The camera also includes “Shutter-Priority AE” mode and “Manual Exposure” mode, which the user can set freely depending on the effect they are aiming to achieve.

Compact and lightweight body
Despite incorporating a large CCD and the SR system, we managed to create a slimmer and lighter body by using our unique Sliding Lens system* together with high-density mounting technology.

* PENTAX's proprietary lens system: The central lens group slides upward from the optical axis and the front and back lens groups slip under them. Housing the lens in two steps in the lens cylinder reduces overall lens thickness, thereby minimizing body depth.

Supports the SDHC memory card for greater storage of high-quality images and longer movies
The Optio A20 supports two removable storage media: the conventional SD memory cards and the new SDHC memory cards.*

* SD High Capacity; these memory cards have capacities in excess of 2 GB.

Red-eye correction available after shooting
The Optio A20 comes with FotoNation's red-eye correction function, which can correct red-eye problems, a side effect of flash photography, after the photo is taken. With the ability to manually select the area to correct, this function allows for more precise correction of red-eye photos.

Pentax Optio A20 Additional Features

• Calendar Display function allows image retrieval based on the capture date
• Easy image search and arrangement on a PC using a Date Folder function
• Green Mode enables the use of fixed, automatic settings when taking a photograph
• Digital zooming provides up to 4X magnification
• Approximately 22MB of built-in memory
• Pan-focus function for effortless snapshots
• ACDSee for PENTAX image viewer/image management software
• USB 2.0 (hi-speed) compatible
• Supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III

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Pentax Optio A20 Reviews

BlogCritics has a review of the Pentax Optio A20 and writes, "The quality of the shots are great, and the device is light, small and easy to use. ... Yes the shots are not as good as the ones I get from my Canon 400D, however the lens on my 400D cost the same as this camera, and because of these points I can highly recommend this camera to anyone that wants a new compact digital camera. The only downside that I noticed, was the USB port on the device. Instead of using a standard mini USB port, Pentax have gone for an even smaller port. This means that you cannot just use a standard cable, and instead have to carry the included one around."

DPReview has a review of the Pentax Optio A20 and writes, "If you want a compact point and shoot camera for normal sized prints or viewing on-screen there are many alternatives that offer a more reliable, faster shooting experience, and are more suited to the challenges of social photography where the A20's woeful low-light focus speed makes getting a picture of anything that's not nailed down challenging, to say the least. ... Put simply, this is a competitive sector of the market, and the A20 - despite ticking all the right boxes on paper - simply doesn't have what it takes to compete. For the typical user of a compact like this image quality (where the A20 does pretty well) is not the only measure of a camera, and it's in these other areas the A20 fails to impress. There is enough here to lift the A20's rating above the A10, but not enough to allow an unconditional recommendation."

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Aug 22: Pentax Optio M20

The Pentax Optio M20 is a brand new 7.0 megapixel point and shoot digital camera from Pentax.

It features 3x Optical Zoom lens, anti shake technology, battery life of up to 700 shots from two AA batteries, 21.9MB internal memory, soft flash function, PictBridge, macro shooting at up to 5cm, face recognition auto exposure and auto focus, SD card, 15 shooting modes and 13 play back modes as well as a 2.5 inch LCD display.

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Pentax Optio M20 News Release Extract

7.0 effective megapixels permit beautiful, crisp prints even at large-format sizes

The Optio M20 produces clear images with impressive quality thanks to the high resolution afforded by its 7.0 effective megapixels and to its high-performance smc PENTAX lens. This superlative resolution makes it possible to attain prints with crisp details even when the photo is greatly enlarged.

Outstanding battery life
With a comprehensive energy-saving design, the Optio M20 provides exceptional battery life (approximately 220 images with AA alkaline batteries,* or approximately 700 images with AA lithium batteries*) for on-the-go power.

*Measured under testing conditions prescribed by CIPA standards.

New Blur Reduction mode reduces camera shake and subject blurring
The Optio M20 is equipped with a High ISO Blur Reduction mode, a new feature that lets you take photos at faster shutter speeds for sharper images even in dim lighting conditions such as night scenes and indoor sporting events. In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts the sensitivity to as high as ISO 1600 to match the brightness of the subject. The higher sensitivity permits faster shutter speeds that effectively reduce not just camera shake but also blurring caused by moving subjects.

Auto Picture mode automatically determines the best settings for the shooting conditions
The Auto Picture mode lets the camera automatically determine the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Program modes and choose the optimum settings for each subject. This PENTAX original function simplifies shooting for users since it eliminates the necessity of making a number of individual settings.

High-quality Movies with Anti-Shake Function
The Optio M20 captures movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at resolutions up to 640 x 480 pixels and with an image quality rivaling that of camcorders. Camera shake while filming can be corrected automatically using the movie anti-shake function.*

*Using the movie anti-shake function results in a narrower field of view than that during normal recording.

Face Recognition AF & AE for beautiful one-step portraits
The camera includes Face Recognition AF & AE, which allows you to take bright, beautiful photos with perfectly focused faces free of backlighting shadows. This useful function automatically detects the position of the subject's face anywhere in the photo frame and adjusts the focus and optimizes the exposure for the detected position.

Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
The Optio M20's auto-tracking AF feature continuously focuses on subjects such as kids and pets that move around unpredictably. Since the focus frame automatically follows the movement of the subject inside the photo frame, you can capture those instantaneous photo opportunities.

Easy-to-view LCD Monitor
The Optio M20 comes with a 2.5 inch LCD monitor, which displays subjects' movement with very little time delay (60 fps). Its easy to view, large monitor and menu display make operation, setting, monitoring, and playback comfortable and easy. An auto LCD dimmer function automatically dims the backlight to preserve battery life and optimize the screen checks indoors and outdoors.

Easy to use 3X optical zoom
The Optio M20 includes a 3X optical zoom lens with a focal length from 38 to 114 mm for 35mm film, which is ideal for a broad spectrum of subjects from landscapes, through sightseeing photographs, to portraits.

SDHC memory card support for greater storage of high-quality images and longer movies

The Optio M20 supports two removable storage media: the conventional SD memory cards and the new SDHC memory cards.*

* SD High Capacity; these memory cards have capacities in excess of 2 GB.

Compatibility with the ImageLink printing system

The Optio M20 is compatible with the ImageLink printing system, which allows wireless connection of a digital camera to ImageLink-compatible printers. By simply placing the Optio M20 on the printer's dock, the user can take advantage of simple, push-button printing of recorded images, without requiring a personal computer.

Additional features

• World time function for 71 cities (28 time zones) worldwide
• Calendar display lets you choose photos by date
• Mode Palette provides quick access to 15 shooting modes and 13 playback modes
• Soft flash function avoids overexposure during close-up flash photography
• Macro mode allows close-up photography as near as 5 cm
• Digital zooming provides up to 4X magnification
• Approximately 21.9 MB of built-in memory
• Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX image viewer/image management software
• Supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III

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Pentax Optio M20 Reviews

Digital Camera Info reviews the Pentax Optio M20 and writes - 'While there are a few problems to consider with this camera - questionable flash positioning and a rubber flap that exposes the batteries and memory card - the camera is competitively priced for the market. With significant resolution, average image quality, in-camera editing options, and a general design that promotes ease of use, the M20 is a reasonable candidate for point-and-shooters looking to stay below the $200 mark.'

Cameras.co.uk has a review of the Pentax Optio M20 and writes, "I never like to be overly critical of cheaper, entry level models like the Optio M20. After all you do need to make some allowances for less expensive cameras and it is not fair to compare them directly against more expensive models. Even so, I was disappointed with the results I saw from this camera and I think there are better cameras out there in the same price bracket. ... I'm sorry to say the Pentax Optio M20 is not a camera I feel I can recommend. The important test for any digital camera is does it take a good photo. In too many of my tests I struggled to do this."

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Aug 19: Panasonic Lumix DMC L1 Review at Luminous Landscape

Luminous Landscape reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC L1 and writes - 'I'm of two minds about the Panasonic L1. Part of me really would like to like it. I'm pleased to see Panasonic entering the DSLR marketplace at around the same time as Sony with its A100. Since the camera business has very much become driven by the electronic giants, especially those that OEM sensors the way the both Sony and Panasonic do, having them each marketing a full featured DSLR is no bad thing. In the case of Panasonic what I find very attractive is the partnering with Leica. The Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 that comes bundled with the L1 is almost worth the price of admission by itself, and I wouldn't doubt that there will be Olympus owners who see it that way as well, since there's no telling when or if Panasonic will sell this lens by itself.'

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Aug 19: Fujifilm Finepix F30 Review at PopPhoto

Popular Photography reviews the Fujifilm Finepix F30 and writes - 'This camera has a truly usable ISO range of ISO 100 to ISO 800, and makes images at the extreme ISOs of 1600 and 3200 that can hold up to comparison with ISO 400 and 800 results from some of its competitors. The world is not made entirely of perfectly lit bright sunny days calling for ISO 100 -- and Fujifilm deserves praise for pushing camera performance technology towards much more usable high ISOs in the compact market.'

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Aug 17: Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM Telephoto Lens Review

The following Mini Review of the Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM Telephoto Lens was submitted by Liza 11.

This lens is one of Canon’s hidden gems. The image quality and ability to focus in low light are invaluable. It’s on par with the 85mm f/1.8 in terms of quality. I’ve used my 100mm lens for portrait head shots, concert photography, and gymnasium sports. Although I also own the 100mm macro lens, the f/2 version is for entirely different purposes and shouldn’t be compared to the f/2.8 lens.

Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM Lens Pros:

• Low light capability
• Lightweight and compact
• Sharp, even at f/2
• Excellent build quality
• Marvelous bokeh, especially at f/2.8
• Affordable price
• USM
• Fast focusing

Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM Lens Cons:

• Too long for indoor portrait work on a 1.6 crop camera
• Hood is not included
• Can’t autofocus at close distances

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Aug 16: Nikon D80 Reviews at Hardware Zone

Hardware Zone reviews the Nikon D80 and writes - 'For those of you willing to wait out no matter the availability concerns, the D80 will put a smile on your face when you lay your hands on it. With the D80, Nikon offers a complete DSLR lineup where there's something for almost every segment and price category, with this excellent newcomer taking a favorable spot between the low and midrange DSLR categories of the D70s and the D200. The D80 is definitely the best Nikon camera yet for its entry-level class and is strongly recommended for beginners migrating to the DSLR scene.'

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Aug 16: Kodak EasyShare V610 Review at DPexpert

DPexpert reviews the Kodak EasyShare V610 dual lens camera and writes - 'When the Kodak V610 hits its sweet spot the picture quality is superb. Auto white balance, colour, focus, image resolution and detail are outstanding. The V610 will render every feather on a bird and every vein on the petal of a flower. Images have the typical punchy Kodak look, bright without being garish. Sadly the V610 doesn’t do it every time. More often the picture is blurred and useless.'

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Aug 16: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 Review at Imaging Resource

Imaging Resource reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 and writes - 'The Panasonic Lumix LZ3 is a nice little camera at a very affordable price, particularly considering that it sports a 6x, optically stabilized zoom lens. Panasonic is very justifiably proud that they've managed to bring optical image stabilization to their entire product line, from top to bottom. The Panasonic LZ3 did quite well overall in our testing, delivering good bright color, good resolution, and only moderate lens distortion. The large 2.0-inch LCD screen is great for sharing your photos with friends, and makes the menus easier to see, but the difficulty of seeing the screen clearly under bright lighting often left us wishing for an optical viewfinder as well. Shutter response was also on the slow side of what passes for average these days, and high-ISO shots were only usable up to a print size of 5x7 inches. Finally, lack of sound in Movie mode makes the mode all but useless. All that said though, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 delivers really excellent value and good picture quality at a surprisingly low price. (Especially so in light of its image stabilization, remarkable at this price point.) While not a first choice for sports or other fast-paced action, the Panasonic LZ3 is a great little "all-around" camera with a nice long zoom lens, all in a compact, inexpensive package.'

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Aug 16: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W100 Review at Steves Digicams

Steves Digicams reviews the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W100 and writes - 'the Cyber-shot DCS-W100 is an awesome 8-megapixel digital package. In fact, the only compaint I had with the camera was the fingerprints on the LCD issue, and this is a common problem with most LCDs. With excellent image quality, robust performance, and versatile exposure modes, the W100 will make a great choice for anyone in the market for an "ultra-compact" pocket-rocket. With a durable all-metal body, you can be sure it will stand up to the active users lifestyle. With a price tag of US$350 at the time of this review, it offers an excellent value for compact and full featured 8-megapixel camera.'

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Aug 16: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Review at Cameralabs

Camera Labs has posted their review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 and writes - 'During our time with the TZ1 we found ourselves grabbing opportunist shots which those with average cameras simply missed out on. While super-zooms could match its reach, none could be slipped into a relatively small pocket – and that’s the TZ1’s unique selling point. While a better sensor could have made the TZ1 truly remarkable, it still delivers a highly compelling proposition for those who want the flexibility and power of a long zoom with the carry-everywhere convenience of a compact.'

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Aug 16: Canon IXUS 800 IS Review at PhotographyBLOG

PhotographyBLOG reviews the Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS and writes - 'Easy to use, reliable, fast in operation – and delivering pictures that, for the most part, require little if any post processing – the Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS suggests itself as one of the better (perhaps even one of the best) compromises between style, features and portability. Its zoom range is better than many fashion-orientated compacts at 4x, the LCD is large and clear enough to make framing and reviewing images a stress free process, while real optical image stabilization on such a camera, if not quite perfect, is still a real plus. As such, the IXUS 800 IS is a worthy continuation of the IXUS family lineage, and, for me, that feature alone makes it worth the extra £50 over and above the IXUS 65.'

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Aug 16: Kodak EasyShare P712 Review at TrustedReviews

Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Kodak EasyShare P712 and write - 'With 7-megapixel resolution, a full range of manual shooting modes, a high quality image stabilised 12x optical zoom lens, good overall handling and the all-important RAW mode, the P712 has specification closer to a professional SLR than a compact. However the small sensor size limits its otherwise excellent picture quality, and unnecessary complexity makes it difficult to use.'

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Aug 15: Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Telephoto Lens Review

The following Mini Review of the Canon 200mm f/2.8 II USM Lens was submitted by Liza 11

This lens is probably the best I own in terms of image quality and overall bang for the buck. When viewing the initial image taken with this lens, the first word out of my mouth was, "Wow!" The sharpness and bokeh are absolutely superb. The image quality is on par with the 135L, Canon's sharpest prime.

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Telephoto Lens Review Pros:

• Image quality
• Price
• Little image degradation when used with a teleconverter
• Lightning fast and accurate autofocus
• Lightweight
• Bokeh that will bring tears to your eyes

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Telephoto Lens Review Cons:

• Focal length can be awkward, depending on the setting
• Tripod ring not included

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Aug 14: Fujifilm Finepix A500 Review at DPExpert

DPexpert reviews the FUJIFILM FINEPIX A500 and writes - 'While there are manual over rides for some of the camera functions this is really a point-and-shoot camera for a person who takes the occasional picture. Its special virtue is its ability to produce very good photos on those occasions when it is used.... The Fujifilm Finepix A500 is excellent value for money. It will produce prints to A4 size with plenty of detail and fidelity. The Fujifilm Finepix A400 is a 4 megapixel alternative that is so similar to the A500 that they share the one instruction manual.'

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Aug 13: Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens Review

The following Mini Review of the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens was submitted by Liza 11.

Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

The Canon 100mm Macro lens should have been given L designation. It’s crazy sharp and produces the quality of images reserved mainly for the lenses with the red ring. When I first used this lens, you could hear a sharp intake of breath when I reviewed the images on the monitor. It’s that good.

Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens Pros:

• Internal focusing mechanism ensures a constant length, unlike other 3rd party lenses
• USM
• Build quality
• Insanely good image quality
• Sharp as a razor
• Full time manual focusing
• Doubles as a good portrait lens
• Sweet spot at f/11 to f/13
• Good working distance for insect macros
• Affordable

Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens Cons:

• Like most macro lenses, hunts in low light
• Lens hood not included
• Shows every speck of dust on your DSLR sensor

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Aug 13: Sony A100 Review at Lets Go Digital

Lets Go Digital reviews the Sony A100 and writes - 'All in all, Sony has come up with a decent camera in the Alpha 100. A good beginning is half the battle. Consider the price/quality ration in the current market and you will see that the well known DSLR manufacturers have suddenly been confronted with a competitor to be afraid of! Not only is the Sony Alpha 100 a pleasure to work with, it also gives great results. People who now work with a Konica Minolta can go on to Sony without a hitch. This is immediately a strong point for Sony. As well as launching a camera, it has come up with an enormous range of accessories and lenses. The Sony Alpha 100 is only the beginning of Sony's rise in the world of reflex cameras. To the competitors, one can only say - watch the Sony Alpha 100 - this camera is ready to conquer market share! '

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Aug 13: Samsung GX 1L Digital SLR Review at Steves Digicams

Steves Digicams reviews the Samsung GX 1L Digital SLR where they write - 'Shooting performance is typical for an entry-level dSLR. From power-on till the first image was captured measured 1 second, while waking it from sleep mode took only 8/10 second. Shutter lag, the delay between depressing the shutter and capturing the image, was 1/10 second when pre-focused, and between 2/10 and 8/10 second including autofocus time for a high-contrast subject, depending on the degree of focus change. Shot-to-shot delay averaged about 4/10 second without flash; use of the internal flash extended shot-shot delay to between 1 and 4.5 seconds, depending on subject distance. Use of Red-eye reduction flash mode extended shutter lag by about 1/2 second. Continuous Shooting mode captured 5 JPEG/Best quality shots at 2.8fps, with subsequent shots at 8/10 second intervals as the camera emptied its full buffer. It required ~4 seconds to write a buffer full of JPEG/Best images to SD card before being ready to capture the next burst at full speed. The above times were observed using an OCZ 2GB 133x SD memory card, 18-55mm Pentax DA kit lens, flash off, AWB, 6M JPEG/Best image size/quality.'

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Aug 12: Kodak Easyshare V570 Review at Cameras.co.uk

Cameras.co.uk reviews the Kodak Easyshare V570 and writes - 'The Kodak Easyshare V570 is a good idea, but the camera is let down by the sharpness of the images it produces. It is easy to use and will also slip into a pocket without a problem. Taking into account current prices of other five megapixel, pocket sized cameras I feel there are better bets elsewhere.'

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Aug 12: Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Review at DCRP

DCRP reviews the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 and writes - 'The DSLR-A100 has plenty of features for both beginners and enthusiasts. If you just want to point-and-shoot, the A100 has several scene modes, plus a standard fully automatic mode. If you want manual controls, naturally they're all here, from shutter speed to white balance. The unique Dynamic Range Optimizer brightens up your images, though I found that the results differed greatly depending on your subject. The Standard mode brightens this up a bit, with Advanced mode going far beyond that. Sometimes that was desirable, other times it's not. My advice is to shoot with DRO set to Standard most of the time, but it's certainly worth experimenting with the Advanced setting when the scene could use it. Do note that the DRO feature is disabled when shooting in RAW, full manual mode, or when the metering is set to anything but matrix. Speaking of RAW: yes, the A100 supports this format, and the bundled software (for both Mac and Windows) does a good job at letting you adjust the various image properties.'

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Aug 12: Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM Lens

Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM Lens Press Release

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM lens. Specially designed for digital SLR cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, this large aperture F2.8 lens has a compact and lightweight construction of 76.3mm (3.0”) in diameter, 132.6mm (5.2”) in length and weighing just 780g (27.5oz) (Nikon Mount). The incorporation of the very latest optical technology gives optimum lens performance providing excellent correction for flare, ghosting and all types of aberrations. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. Four SLD(Special Low Dispersion)glass elements are used for utmost correction of chromatic aberrations. The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) system ensures quiet and high-speed auto focusing with full time manual focus override. The addition of the 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters (optional extras) produces a 70-210mm F4 AF tele-zoom lens and a 100-300mm F5.6 AF ultra-telephoto zoom lens respectively.

Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM Lens Features

• Compact and lightweight
• Incorporation of the very latest optical technology, high image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range.
• Four SLD（Special Low Dispersion）glass elements are used for utmost correction of chromatic aberrations.
• Equipped with HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) with full-time manual focus override.
• Compatible with Sigma 1.4x EX DG and 2x EX DG APO Tele-Converters

Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM Lens Specifications (Sigma mount)

• Focal Length : 50-150mm
• Minimum Aperture : F22
• Lens Construction : 18 Elements in 14 Groups
• Angle of View : 27.9°-9.5°
• Number of Diaphragm Blades : 9 pcs
• Minimum Focusing Distance : 100cm (39.4”)
• Maximum Magnification : 1:5.3
• Filter Size : 67mm
• Lens Hood : Bayonet Type
• Dimensions : Diameter 76.3mm (3.0”)X Length 135.1mm(5.3”)
• Weight : 770g/27.2oz

• The appearance and specifications are subject to change 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.

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Aug 11: Canon 85mm f/1.8 Review

The following Mini Review of the Canon 85mm f/1.8 Lens was submitted by Liza 11.

This lens is one of the best and most versatile prime lenses I own. Not only do I use it as a portrait lens for my outdoor senior portrait shoots, I also keep it handy for basketball season. The 85mm is known in sports shooter circles as “the basketball lens,�? and for good reason. For a sideline shooter like myself, it’s the perfect focal length to capture tight action shots in low light. The autofocus is lightning fast, and the image quality is razor sharp. For a lens under $400 USD, it’s an excellent value for the money.

Canon 85mm f/1.8 Pros:

• Fast autofocus
• Low light capability
• Sharp images when stopped down a bit
• Excellent bokeh
• Inexpensive
• Lightweight and compact

Canon 85mm f/1.8 Cons:

• Chromatic aberration can occur at f/1.8
• Does not come with hood
• Lack of close focusing ability
• Can be a little long for indoor portraits on a 1.6 crop body
• Can be a bit soft at f/1.8

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update - 'Heal' left an additional comment on this lens below which I thought should be elevated into the main post:

I could have given this review the title, "In Praise of the EF 85mm f/1.8 Lens." It does almost everything that the EF 85mm f/1.2 L does faster, cheaper, lighter and smaller. There are a few notable exceptions. The 1.2L lens gathers more light, and it produces outstanding diffuse background blur (bokeh) and an associated exceedingly narrow plane of focus that can produce a unique look that is very attractive for portraits and useful in many indoor sports/action photography applications. However, unless you have a need to shoot at apertures wider than f/2 (f/1.4 or f/1.2) and/or are a portrait photographer, the EF 85mm f/1.8 lens will meet almost all of your needs for a fast 85mm lens.

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Aug 11: Kodak EasyShare V610 Review at DP Review

DP Review has posted their review of the Kodak EasyShare V610 where they give it a rating of Above Average and write - 'The V610 is a beautifully designed camera that has instant appeal (everyone here loved it when it came out of the box), and the innovative twin lens/CCD system is a clever solution to the limitations of lens size that keeps most ultra compact cameras firmly in the 3x zoom range. As it stands, I'd say this; if you want a really compact camera that performs superbly in all conditions, forget about the 10x zoom; if you really want a big zoom in a compact package, look at the (cheaper and more capable, though bulkier) Panasonic TZ1. If you've fallen for the V610's good looks, you really, really need something this slim and don't find the issues mentioned here too much of a compromise I'm sure you'll love it. Me, I'd wait for the V610's successor, which will hopefully see Kodak iron out some of this promising but flawed camera's more annoying problems.'

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Aug 10: Olympus FE-150 Review at TrustedReviews

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.'

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Aug 10: Canon 50mm f/1.8 II Review

The following Mini Review of the Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens was submitted by Liza 11.

This is the lens that every new DSLR user should have in their bag. Inexpensive but with good image quality, the “nifty fifty” is a crowd pleaser. It’s a good lens for the beginner, as I feel it makes you consider composition more carefully since you’re required to foot zoom instead of resorting to the convenience of a zoom lens. For the price, the 50mm f/1.8 is an outstanding value and delivers the goods. When I started shooting film seriously in 1986, this was my “kit lens,” which I continued to use on my SLR for many years. And when I upgraded to an EOS camera, it was the first EF mount lens I purchased.

Canon 50mm f/1.8 II Pros:

• Low light capability
• Bokeh is acceptable
• Good focal length for portrait work.
• “Sweet spot” at f/5.6 to f/8 makes for some really sharp images
• Lightweight

Canon 50mm f/1.8 II Cons:

• Build quality
• Lacks distance gauge
• Lacks USM and has loud focus
• Only 5 aperture blades

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Aug 10: Nikon Coolpix S5 Review at Digital Camera Info

Digital Camera Info reviews the Nikon Coolpix S5 where they write - 'The Nikon Coolpix S5 is the skinnier but duller twin sister of the S6, which is slightly thicker but has wireless connectivity. The Nikon Coolpix S5’s sexy all-metal housing is attractive and its 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens is durable from remaining in the camera body, but its looks don’t necessarily translate to awesome looking pictures. The 6.1-megapixel digital camera has a 2.5-inch LCD screen and some cool features like the time lapse shooting and Pictmotion slide show modes, but the poor quality of the pictures trumps any cool feature (who wants a sweet techno slide show of under-exposed pictures?). The flash casts harsh shadows but only in its tiny range, the S5’s controls are cramped and tiny, and the battery doesn’t last very long. In the end, the Nikon Coolpix S5 is a bit over-priced at $349 for its lack of manual controls and overall quality, but is still one of the hottest cameras around.'

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Aug 10: Casio Exilim EX-Z600 at ThinkCamera

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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Aug 10: Samsung NV3 Review at Pocket Lint

Pocket Lint reviews the Samsung NV3 and writes - 'People no longer want just good pictures when it comes to their digital camera, but to look good taking them as well. So can Samsung's latest approach with its new NV series be the ticket to stealing the lead from more traditional market leaders like Canon? We get snapping to find out.... The NV3 is a killer camera that oozes style and performance. The 7 megapixel resolution is a bit of an overkill in our mind, however the image quality is second to none. Better still with a sub-£250 price tag it's affordable too.'

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Aug 10: Canon PowerShot A530 Review at Imaging Resource

Imaging Resource reviews the Canon PowerShot A530 and writes - 'Featuring a 5.0-megapixel CCD a 4x lens and a full range of exposure control, the PowerShot A530 is another fine addition to Canon's A-series of digital cameras. Built on the same long-tested design as many A-series predecessors, the Canon A530 offers a lot in its compact package. Its combination of automatic and manual features make the Canon A530 very approachable for novices, but still interesting for experienced users, the net result being a camera that will satisfy a broad range of interests and provide a good path for novice users to expand their photographic horizons as their experience grows. You can even put it in a waterproof case. One of the more popular features of the A-series is their use of AA batteries, something we also like. I'd like to see it equipped with a more accurate optical viewfinder (the optical path is not straight through the front to the back), and its image noise at ISO 400 and 800 was on the high side, but that's pretty normal. Movie mode is present, but somewhat lacking in terms of frame rate. Still, the A530 is a camera that will meet the needs of the average consumer very well. '

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Aug 10: Pentax Optio A10 Review at Megapixel

Megapixel reviews the Pentax Optio A10 and writes - 'Clearly, the Optio A10’s images are not at their best when observed on a monitor at 100%. However, these high resolution, superbly coloured images can produce excellent prints up to 8x10 (25 x 20 cm), which will not show the small artefacts attributable to the compression. Indeed, as long as the A10 has the benefit of even and bright light, it will yield photos of landscapes and portraits, or macros, that will produce beautiful prints.'

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Aug 10: Going Digital by Alex L. Goldfayn - A Book Review

Over the last few days I've been reading a copy of Going Digital: Simple Tools and Techniques for Sharing and Enjoying Your Digital Photos and Home Movies by Alex L. Goldfayn.

I'm still going through it but thought I'd give some initial impressions of it because it's new and it's definitely worth a read if you're like many digital camera owners who take a stack of digital images or movies but don't know what to do with them after you've taken them.

Going Digital is, as the name suggests, a guide to the options before us these days when it comes to sharing and enjoying digital images and video.

It's aimed at the everyday camera owner, doesn't contain a lot of technical jargon and gives some good solid practical solutions and suggestions. I read a lot of technical digital imaging books and this one's a refreshing read because it's more of a lifestyle technology book than a technical technology book.

Alex starts this book by looking at the 'Digital Toolbox' - or the hardware and software you'll need to manage, capture, organize, edit, store and share your photos and movies.

He then moves onto a chapter on 'Going Shopping' and takes readers through how to buy the tools you'll need. He gives a list of suggested online tools and resources that will help in the process.

Other chapters include:

• Printing Photos - he gives a few options for how to do this with or without a computer
• Sharing Digital Memories - once again outlining a good variety of ways to share your photos and movies with others
• Digital Projects - Alex runs readers through a few creative projects they can do with their digital photos and video including restoration of old photos, scrapbooking etc
• What to do with your Camera Phone - a short chapter on using images and video from camera phones

All in all Going Digital is a good book for owners of digital cameras and camcorders who might not be quite as technological as others. It is not a book for experts but instead is probably more for those at the beginning of their journey.

It's well written (Alex writes the Tech column in the Chicago Tribune so you'd expect him to write well) and in language that even those with the most basic understanding of digital imagery would be able to understand and come away with some good ideas on.

The book is 182 pages (paperback) and is comprehensive without being overwhelming.

If it sounds like a book that's for you you can buy a copy of it via Amazon here at Going Digital.

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Aug 9: Fujifilm FInepix S3 Pro UVIR

Fujifilm has announced a special new version of their S3 Pro DSLR today - the Fujifilm Finepix S3 Pro UVIR.

This is a camera able to take images in the Ultra Violet and InfraRed range and is aimed at the scientific and medical communities as well as law enforcement.

The Fujifilm Finepix S3 Pro UVIR will have a retail price of $1799 USD.

Read more about it in the News Release from Fujifilm below.

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Fujifilm News Release

SEEING THE UNSEEN: HOW THE NEW FINEPIX S3 PRO UVIR D-SLR FROM FUJIFILM WILL HELP LAW ENFORCERS, MEDICAL RESEARCHERS, ART HISTORIANS, AND SCIENTISTS REVEAL THE TRUTH THAT LIES BEYOND THE VISIBLE SPECTRUM

A Technology Backgrounder

With the recent announcement of the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR, Fujifilm has unveiled the world's first production D-SLR camera capable of taking photographs in the ultraviolet and infrared light spectrums. But what does this mean and how does a digital camera that can take pictures at either end of the light spectrum help to empower photographers in technical fields such as law-enforcement, medical research, art history, science and fine art photography?

Ultraviolet & Infrared Light
The human eye is a remarkable imaging device to be sure, but it can’t see everything. Its sensitivity range is limited to wavelengths that normally start at 400 nanometers (violet) at the short end of the visible spectrum and extend to 700 nanometers (deep red) at the long end. This is also the realm of standard digital and film photography where, with certain exceptions, what you see is what you get. But there are times when ordinary visible-light pictures do not reveal everything a criminal investigator, scientist, or medical researcher needs to see. This is where ultraviolet and infrared imaging comes into play.

Scientists define wavelengths shorter than 400 nanometers as ultraviolet (UV), and wavelengths longer than 700 nanometers as infrared (IR). Technically, neither UV nor IR is "light" because humans can’t see it. However, photographs taken at UV and IR wavelengths can capture and reveal information that is otherwise undetectable by the human eye – literally "colors" we can’t see but that cameras, sensitive to IR and UV wavelengths, are able to record and make visible. It is the visual equivalent of the dog whistle we humans cannot hear.

This uncanny ability to reveal the unseen is why technical professionals in fields ranging from law enforcement, to military surveillance, to medical research, to art history, to biology have long used UV and IR photography to discover crucial observational facts that would ordinarily elude the keenest human eye.

Difficulties with UV and IR Photography
Until recently, both UV and IR photography were film based and entailed the use of heavy filtration and long exposure times. In the case of infrared, special, difficult-to-handle films were required along with heavy filtration that extended exposure times and often made focusing difficult.

Digital UV and IR photography had its own set of problems. Since the CCD and CMOS imager sensors of digital cameras incorporate strong UV and IR filters to achieve good color accuracy with standard visible-light subjects, a normal D-SLR is not very sensitive in the UV and IR ranges and is therefore inconvenient to use in these applications. That’s why many technical specialists, who needed UV and IR imaging in their work, modified their existing D-SLRs by removing the UV and IR filters, an expensive procedure undertaken by small private companies. Even if properly done, this bit of modification work voided the camera's warranty.

The solution: An advanced UV and IR D-SLR
Live View CCD
In response to the genuine need expressed by many top professionals in the law enforcement and scientific communities, Fujifilm developed the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR, the world's first and only factory-made D-SLR designed specifically for UV and IR photography. It has many of the same features that made the standard FinePix S3 Pro a stand-out -- like the Super CCD SR II sensor for expanded dynamic range and a Live View CCD that allows for real-time subject focus for up to 30 seconds -- with some modifications.

The IR and UV filters were removed from the standard model and, after exhaustive field and lab testing, replaced with a specially formulated glass protective filter. The FinePix S3 Pro's menu system was also reconfigured to be more user friendly for UV and IR shooters – for example, the Live Preview shooting now mode comes up on the very first screen.

A Better Mousetrap?
Just how important are these advances? Mike Brooks, a well-known consultant to law enforcement agencies who checked out a late prototype of the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR put it this way. "Capturing and displaying the alterations in a forged document, or the information hidden in an obliterated one using IR photography is now easier by leaps and bounds. With IR films, the amount of light required often meant exposure times measured in hours; with the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR typical exposure times range from 1/250 at f/16 to 1/4 sec at f/16. And with mirror lock-up and Live Preview, you can focus easily via the LCD even when you mount dark IR or UV filters over the lens to capture critical details. With more precise focusing plus the instant feedback of digital, you now have the ability to take sharper pictures in less time. Even more important, you can judge which filter is most effective in specific applications in real time, which can literally save you weeks."
Obliterated Writing Sample Image - Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro UVIR Digital Camera (©2006 Brooks Photo Imaging)

Brooks continued, "The enhanced image quality is another great advantage of this camera – it has the ability to capture mid-tones, which is crucial with the contrasty subjects we commonly shoot and it provides a wider exposure latitude than other D-SLRs. The software also makes it much easier to display comparison images, a key element in law enforcement. Having a factory-made UV and IR camera of this caliber available at a competitive price is nothing less than a great step forward in forensic photography."

How and Where UV and IR Photography works
While UV and IR photography are not really like the "X-ray vision" of comic books that lets you see through solid objects, both UV and IR can be used to reveal sub-surface details that are invisible to the naked eye. In a recent example provided by Brooks, police used differences in reflectance made visible only with IR photography to positively identify a charred body in a gangland murder. It revealed the victim's prison tattoo, which was invisible under ordinary light.

In a similar manner, both UV and IR photography can corroborate the presence of gunpowder, show altered signatures and the difference between similar-looking inks on a document, or make bone fragments stand out in a plowed field. Medical researchers and police investigators use IR and UV photography to find injuries below the skin. They can even determine whether an assailant wearing a specific ring punched someone, or if a set of two-week-old, no-longer-visible bite marks were made by an alleged perpetrator's teeth.

Infrared photography is also a great tool for nighttime surveillance with "invisible" IR flash or under IR-rich sources such as common street lamps – the same basic principle used in night-vision glasses. And since different plants reflect light in different shades of color or gray under IR, it can be used to detect illegal plants such as marijuana or opium poppies growing in a farm field.

Applications Aplenty
While the primary markets for Fujifilm's innovative FinePix S3 Pro UVIR are undoubtedly the law enforcement and technical-scientific communities, there are also legions of fine arts, portrait, and wedding photographers who will be attracted to this unique camera. Following in the footsteps of such legendary greats as Minor White and Ansel Adams who brought IR imaging into the art world with their stunning American landscapes, they have long used IR as a way of creating unique and beautiful images that set them apart from others in their fields. Many of today's top portrait and wedding photographers have made IR photography an essential part of the services they offer to their clients.

Now, at last, they have a camera worthy of their highest aspirations.

Fujifilm Finepix S3 Pro UVIR Reviews

DigitalCameraInfo has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro UVIR and writes, "The S3 UVIR is a potent and complex tool for technical photographers, with a steep learning curve. Fujifilm doesn't offer training in the UVIR's use. Company representatives say that the real experts on the S3 UVIR aren't at Fujifilm: they're users who have experimented with the camera, and come up with repeatable procedures. Some early-adopters in the technical field are making extra money training new users. Buying the camera body alone isn't the only expense, though. The camera only works in combination with special narrowband filters that cost hundreds of dollars each. A user could spend as much on distinctly different filters as on the camera body."

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Aug 9: Nikon D80 Previews

Well the news of today was definitely the new DSLR from Nikon - the D80.

A number of websites have published 'hands on previews/reviews' already which will give you some hints about whether the Nikon D80 is a camera to buy or not.

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Here's what they say:

Let's Go Digital previews the Nikon D80 and writes - 'The Nikon D80 is an extremely interesting digital SLR camera and offers both amateur and hobby photographers lots of creative possibilities to be able to practise digital photography in all its aspects. If the Nikon D200 was just a bit too advanced, the Nikon D80 has a perfect combination of high resolution and top quality reflex techniques. For the time being our observations are based on experiences with a pre-production model and we will have to wait for the production model before we can draw a definite conclusion. Our first experiences with the Nikon D80 were overwhelmingly positive and it looks as if Nikon will repeat the successes of the D200 with the Nikon D80. I am pleased to see that Nikon can react quickly to the rapidly changing DSLR market and produce a camera like the Nikon D80 that can demand a prominent place at this time. The Nikon D80's multifaceted character and techniques say a lot about the speed with which Nikon can integrate high quality techniques from the professional range into the amateur series of cameras. The DSLR market fluctuates continuously and by breaking into the high resolution DSLR segment, Nikon has made it interesting for consumers to step into it. In any case, Nikon is ready for them!"'

DP Review has posted their hands on preview and writes - 'The control layout at the rear of the D80 is less like the D70 and more like the D50, although even compared to it there are some differences. Just as with the D50 three of the buttons running down the left side of the LCD monitor have dual-purpose, in shooting mode they allow you to set White balance, ISO sensitivity and Image Quality / Size, in Playback mode the provide other functions. Sensibly on the right side the D50's Erase button has become 'OK' and the Enter button is gone for good. Press and hold the erase and metering (top of camera) buttons, release and repeat to format the SD card.'

Imaging Resource previews the D80 and writes - 'In our limited time with it thus far, it impressed us with its solid feel and responsive handling, as well as for just how much of the D200's capabilities it incorporates. The D200 was an enormously impressive camera, making it arguably more impressive that Nikon managed to cram so many of its advanced features into a body selling for $700 less. In the back-and-forth battle between the two giants, Nikon has once again thrown down the gauntlet to Canon, with an exceptionally capable camera (sporting an unusually capable kit lens as well), at a very aggressive price.'

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Aug 9: Nikon D80

The Nikon D80 is the DSLR we've been hearing about for the past few weeks from Nikon. It is a 10.2 (CCD) megapixel camera with a retail price of $999 USD for the body only or $1299 with a kit lens (an 18-135mm lens).

The new D80 shoots at up to 3 frames per second (for up to 100 shot bursts) , has a start up time of 0.18 seconds, has a 2.5 inch LCD TFT screen (with 170 degree viewing), 3D Color Matrix Metering II, configurable Auto ISO, SD card (with SD-HC), in camera image retouching and has 11 point Auto Focusing.

The D80 fits nicely into the space between the D70 and the more professionally oriented D200.

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Nikon D80 News Release

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the D80, a high performance digital SLR camera incorporating Nikon’s latest digital and photographic technologies.

This outstanding interchangeable-lens digital SLR boasts automated operation and advanced features, designed to satisfy photographers with the passion to create beautiful photographs. The D80 features a 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, providing a new level of high resolution and sharp detail. With this, however, also comes the freedom to crop creatively and print impressive enlargements. Nikon’s DX Format sensor and F bayonet lens mount design assures compatibility across the comprehensive range of AF and DX Nikkor lenses.

Featuring Nikon’s own high-resolution image processing engine and a new dedicated high-performance processing chip, the camera is a must have for photography enthusiasts. The processing chip has been introduced to significantly accelerate performance on all levels, while achieving lower power consumption and assuring more pictures per battery charge.

The new model inherits many advantageous qualities from Nikon's latest professional digital SLR cameras, including colour independent analog pre-conditioning and high-precision 12-bit digital image processing algorithms. These combine to produce natural-looking images built on faithful colour and tone reproduction.

Nikon's exclusive 3D Colour Matrix Metering II ensures accurate automatic exposure control, even in the most challenging lighting conditions. The system offers the added advantage of evaluating, rather than simply measuring the true content of each scene. Variable centre-weighted metering and spot metering are also available, as are exposure compensation and auto exposure bracketing.

Advanced Auto White Balance (AWB) produces natural colouration by measuring the entire frame of each scene and matching white balance to the light source. For those who wish greater personal control, there is a choice of six specific manual settings: Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, and Shade.

The Refined 11-area AF System is based on Nikon's advanced Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module to ensure consistently fast and precise focus lock in various shooting conditions. This new 11-area AF system offers effective new focusing options that will instill greater confidence for capturing the desired shot.

With a start up time of just 0.18 seconds and a shutter minimal release lag time of approx. 80 milliseconds, the D80 delivers instant response. Continuous shooting at a rapid 3 frames per second, in bursts of up to 100 JPEG makes action photography a reality.

Packing high performance and high resolution into a slimmer, more compact body, the D80 also remains true to Nikon's commitment to intuitive operation. The size, layout and operation of all controls are designed for maximum ease of use. A large, bright viewfinder with large 0.94x magnification ensures the clearest view possible and a built-in diopter adjustment control knob allows the photographer to alter the view to suit eyesight. An integrated grid display can also be activated to assist composition.

A large new 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD provides an ultra-wide 170-degree viewing angle from all directions. Images can be previewed easily thanks to a new dedicated zoom button which helps assess sharpness up to 25 times magnification. A new RGB histogram display also assists when evaluating exposures with greater precision. The D80 boasts built-in Standard or Advanced Pictmotion slideshow options, including style selections that control transitions and background music.

A new user-friendly menu interface makes for easier operation and menus can be customized using the "My Menu" setting. Exclusive in-camera image editing features, such as D-Lighting and Red-eye correction, in the new Retouch menu ensure consistently satisfying results and greater creative freedom without the use of a computer. A new Multiple Exposure option creates a single image from up to 3 consecutive exposures to offer a similar effect of that produced with film.

The powerful built-in flash employs Nikon's highly robust i-TTL flash control for greater precision in flash exposure evaluation. Full support for the Advanced Wireless Lighting System allows the built-in flash function to operate as a two-group remote commander providing direct control over wireless SB-800 or SB-600 Speedlights.

Convenient and practical Total Imaging System add-ons include the new MB-D80 Multi-Power Battery Pack, offering extended shooting potential. The Wireless ML-L3 (IR) Remote Control and MC-DC1 Remote Cord options provide necessary camera stability when using long exposures for landscape and macro photography. The D80 comes complete with PictureProject software, enabling easy image importing, editing, organisation and sharing. Design templates make it easy to produce prints, tailor images to e-mail, or layout several images on a page.

Capture NX (available for purchase separately) is Nikon’s highly versatile, yet simple new photo editing solution. It is designed for those who desire more creative control over post-processing and helps achieve the full potential of NEF (RAW) images. Its innovative user interface provides easier access to powerful and visually intuitive enhancement tools.

The Nikon D80 beautifully combines the latest advances in digital technology to ensure every aspiring photographer will enjoy the Nikon digital SLR experience as much as the superb pictures produced with the D80.

• RRP: Nikon D80 Body only £699.99
• Nikon D80 + 18-70mm £899.99
• Nikon D80 +18-135mm £949.99
• Sales release date: September 2006
• Major features

Exceptional imaging quality

• New 10.2 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor with the power to capture exceptional sharpness and faithful colour at 3,872 x 2,592 pixels size.
• Inherits the industry-leading advanced imaging processing engine of Nikon professional D-SLR cameras. Colour-independent pre-conditioning prior to A/D conversion works in harmony with high-precision digital image processing algorithms to produce natural-looking images that benefit from faithful colour and tone reproduction.
• 3D Colour Matrix Metering II automatic exposure control ensures ideal exposures in most lighting conditions. It evaluates brightness, colour, contrast, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance. The system references the data against an expanded onboard database created using data from more than 30,000 actual photographic scenes to instantly and accurately calculate the final exposure value for the shot. Variable centre-weighted metering and spot metering centered on the active focus area are also available.
• Refined 11-area AF system packs the same number of focus areas available for the professional D2 series into a space-efficient system that features fast, precise operation. Each of the 11 focus areas can be used individually, the centre sensor can be switched to wide-frame operation for broader coverage and new Auto-area AF mode measures all 11 focus areas. The system automatically determines which are on the primary subject and activates only those areas.
• ISO AUTO mode automatically adjusts sensitivity between ISO 100 -1600 to maximize available light and achieve optimal exposure. Sensitivity can also be set manually between ISO 100 - 1600 in steps of 1/3 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.7 and HI-1. Three levels of High ISO Noise Reduction are available when shooting at high ISO settings. Long Exposure Noise Reduction is also available when shooting at shutter speeds of 8 seconds or slower.

Optimized and Predictable Results

• Seven automated Digital Vari-Programs are easily accessed from the Mode Dial. They provide automatic operation optimizing white balance, sharpening, tone, colour, saturation and hue for crisp and vivid results that match the intended shot. Selections include Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close Up, Sports, Night Landscape and Night Portrait.
• Easily accessed image optimization options closely tailor results to the scene at hand or the intended use of the image. Image sharpening, tone (contrast) compensation, colour mode, saturation and hue adjustment is controlled by the user-selected choice of Normal, Softer, Vivid, More vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black-and-white (with colour filter options).

Immediate response and fast performance

• Near instant power-up of 0.18 seconds enables photographers respond to any shutter opportunities.
• A mere 80-millisecond shutter time lag (approximate) promotes fast handling.
• Swift continuous shooting performance at 3 frames per second* enables the shooting of up to 100 JPEG (FINE M-size or smaller) or up to 6 RAW (NEF) images.
• Shutter speeds ranging from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds or bulb setting provide full creative control.

* Average frame rate with continuous-servo AF, manual or shutter-priority auto exposure, a shutter speed of 1/250 seconds or faster, and remaining buffer memory.

In-camera image editing and effects

• Creative in-camera effects and editing functions available under the new Retouch menu:

D-Lighting automatically brings out detail to enhance results and add creative flair, all the while optimizing overall exposure balance.

• Red-eye correction automatically detects and compensates for the annoying red-eye effect sometimes caused by flash.
• Trim can be used to produce smaller files for easy sharing or greater efficiency for specific end purposes.
• Image Overlay merges a pair of selected RAW (NEF) files taken with the D80 to create a new composite image that can be saved in RAW or JPEG format.
• Monochrome settings (Black-and-white, Sepia, Cyanotype)
• Filter Effects (Skylight, Warm filter, Colour balance)
• Multiple Exposure creates a single image within the camera from up to 3 consecutive exposures to produce imaginative and even surreal results.

Ergonomics for efficient handling and further versatility

• The D80 is housed in a slim, compact body with the size, layout and operation of all buttons and controls designed for intuitive operation.
• A large new 2.5-inch LCD monitor with a 170˚ viewing angle and new dedicated zoom button assist accurate and easy assessment of sharpness by enabling image preview at up to 25 times magnification (for L-size images). Convenient displays include RGB information as a single histogram display or as separate histograms for each colour channel.
• Built-in slideshow options include Advanced Pictmotion shows with style selections that control transitions and background music, and that can be enjoyed on the 2.5-inch LCD, or complete with audio on a television via the supplied AV cable.
• The carefully chosen colour scheme and increased font size of the new colour-coded menu display makes navigation easier on the eye, easier to understand and easier to use. "My Menu" lets you customize Menus to display only the items you wish to see.
• Bright pentaprism viewfinder with large 0.94x magnification ensures the clearest view possible for precise composition.
• Nikon's EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers enough power to support the shooting of up to 2,700* images on a single charge. It can be recharged at any time and features a handy real-time fuel gauge system display that shows remaining charge by percentage, number of shots since last charge and overall battery status.

*Achieved under the following test conditions: Fully charged EN-EL3e battery; temperature of 20°C/68°F; Zoom-Nikkor AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED lens; continuous shooting mode: continuous-servo autofocus; image quality set to JPEG BASIC; image size set to Medium; shutter speed 1/250 second; shutter release pressed halfway for three seconds and focus cycled from infinity to minimum range three times with each shot; monitor turned on for five seconds after six shots and then turned off; cycle repeated once exposure meters turned off.

Seamless integration with Nikon’s Total Imaging System

• Unprecedented compatibility with Nikon’s lineup of AF Nikkor lenses and digital-exclusive DX Nikkor lenses. (When used with the D80 or any DX Format SLR, all AF and DX Nikkor lenses have a picture angle comparable to 1.5x that of 35mm [135] format.)
• Compatibility with the Nikon Creative Lighting System allows the D80 to work seamlessly with SB-800, SB-600 and SB-R200 Speedlights to deliver the benefits of i-TTL flash control’s advanced monitor pre-flash, accurate measurement for bounce and versatile wireless operation. SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlights also offer a Wide-Area AF-assist Illuminator, which aids flash photography in dim light by projecting a pattern of red light that covers all eleven autofocus areas of the D80’s 11-area Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module.
• The optional MB-D80 battery pack adds extended shooting capability in an ergonomic design that adds shooting stability. Able to run on either one or two EN-EL3e batteries or six AA-size batteries*, the pack also features an additional command dial and alternative buttons for shutter release and AE-Lock/AF-Lock that make vertical shooting more comfortable.
• PictureProject (complimentary with camera) software features an intuitive user interface that provides fast and easy access to powerful tools for organizing, editing and sharing images. Auto Enhance and other creative functions are readily available via handy buttons, as are Mail, Slideshow and CD/DVD burning functions. Pictures can be organized using simple drag ‘n’ drop operation, and can be quickly located by name, keyword, or date. Design templates make it easy to produce prints, tailor images to e-mail, or layout several images on a page to produce creative album layouts.
• Capture NX (available for purchase separately) is Nikon’s highly versatile and elegantly simple new photo editing solution designed to help photographers tap the full potential of NEF (RAW) images. Featuring an innovative user interface that provides easier access to powerful and visually intuitive enhancement tools, Capture NX's powerful photo image processing and editing tools can also be applied to JPEG and TIFF files to satisfy a broader range of photofinishing needs and applications.

* Compatible AA-size batteries comprise alkaline, Ni-MH, lithium and nickel-manganese batteries.

Nikon D80 Reviews

Hardware Zone reviews the Nikon D80 and writes - 'For those of you willing to wait out no matter the availability concerns, the D80 will put a smile on your face when you lay your hands on it. With the D80, Nikon offers a complete DSLR lineup where there's something for almost every segment and price category, with this excellent newcomer taking a favorable spot between the low and midrange DSLR categories of the D70s and the D200. The D80 is definitely the best Nikon camera yet for its entry-level class and is strongly recommended for beginners migrating to the DSLR scene.'

ephotozine reviews the Nikon D80 and is impressed. They write - 'Like the D100-200 upgrade before it, this upgrade from the D70 to D80 is a worthwhile step up, both in ability and performance. The jump in pixel count and autofocus ability alone warrants the change, but there are literally dozens of other tweaks as you delve further into the menus. The price also seems to be pitched about right, although market forces will soon see it settle into a slightly lower slot, which is all good news. Highly recommended.'

DCRP reviews the Nikon D80 and writes - 'The D80's feature-set is a mix of point-and-shoot and pro. It's easily the most consumer-friendly camera out there, with many features carried over from Nikon's Coolpix cameras. Those include numerous scene modes, D-Lighting (which brightens photos), redeye reduction, digital color filters, and a fancy movie mode with transitions and music (though you'll need to hook into a TV to enjoy that). There's also a handy in-camera help system, which explains all of those confusing custom functions. If you're a more experienced shooter than you'll have plenty of manual controls to play with. Besides manual shutter speed and aperture control there are also several white balance options (including color temperature adjustment and fine-tuning), ISO sensitivity that can be boosted in 1/3-stop increments as high as 3200, and support for the RAW (NEF) image format. It's too bad that Nikon doesn't include some decent RAW editing software with the camera, though.'

DP Review has posted their review of the Nikon D80 where they give it a rating of 'highly recommended and write - 'So we've established that the D80 is a great 'photographers camera', but how good are the images? The answer is, really very good, Nikon appear to have shaken off the soft-image demons of the past and are also using a slightly stronger (more consumer friendly) default sharpening level than the D200. Resolution is as good as other ten megapixel digital SLRs, color response is vibrant, yet accurate, images are more contrasty than some other manufacturers but of course if you prefer a slightly flatter response you can always create your own custom parameter set.'

Local Viewfinder reviews the Nikon D80 and writes - 'It's hard to find any fault with the D80. Only the mere existence of the D200 does it remind us what the D80 strives to be. The upgrade path from both D50 and D70 is clearly the D80 with its advanced features and SD memory requirements. The only downside is that early adopters who have established workflow or enjoy working with NEF will need to wait for 3rd party vendors to support the D80 among other accessories that will trickle in over the next few months.. but it's well worth the wait.'

CNET reviews the Nikon D80 DSLR and writes - 'Overall, we were impressed with the D80, from the build quality to the user interface, to performance and image quality. The D80 is very customizable to suit each individual's preferences as the user "grows" with the camera. And to give it that oomph, the Image Overlay and multiple exposure features allow the photographer to explore alternative shooting experiences. Even nitty-gritty handling issues like the double press of the Delete button was enough to make the whole user experience more enjoyable.'

Pocket Lint review the Nikon D80 DSLR and gives it a rating of 9 out of 10. They write - "The D80 reveals and unusual level of attention to detail from Nikon, 32 customisable options mean the camera can be tailored to almost any user’s proclivities. Excellent handling and build, superb performance from the metering and the focus set up add to the confidence the camera builds as you lift it from its box. The enhanced menus and the great Menu Help system that can be invoked to discover what any given menu is/does/means further boosts this confidence, as does the superb pentaprism viewfinder, which is clear, bright and crisp to use."

Shutterbug review the the Nikon’s D80 and write - 'All in all the D80 is an excellent traveling companion. It has a solid feel and strong body build, yet is not a drag on your shoulder or pack. Just about everything you need for field work is accessible right from the body, with the menu offering other layers of goodies. At 10+ megapixels it certainly delivers enough resolution for large-scale prints, and the color rendition and sharpness out of the box is excellent. The camera is built to appeal to both the step-up and advanced amateur, what with its Digital Vari-Program modes along with as many overrides and rendition options as even the most demanding photographer could require. And the enhanced battery life is certainly a boon for those taking this camera on a hike or a long weekend’s shoot.'

Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Nikon D80 where they write - 'The D80 is another superb camera in Nikon’s increasingly impressive DSLR range. It is expensive and complicated, but it is also extremely well made, incredibly versatile and capable of fantastic picture quality. However it is surrounded by some very strong competition most of which is equipped with shake reduction, and although it may be one of the best 10MP cameras so far, it is not necessarily the best value for money.'

Think Camera reviews the Nikon D80 and gives it a rating of 8 out of 10. They write - "Although Nikon D80 is supposed to be an entry level SLR you're actually getting a camera that is better than, or equal to, some more expensive SLRs. It's got some of the same features as the Nikon D200, like the same quality settings, 11 autofocus zones with an auto-select mode and some features that the D200 doesn't have like the seven scene modes and a customizable menu. If you are new to SLRs then this is an ideal first camera. "

Digital Camera Info reviews the Nikon D80 and writes - 'The 10-megapixel Nikon D80 is a success in a conservative way. Nikon didn’t add the dust reduction system or stabilization that many competitors are introducing this year. Still, it has most of what the D200 has for hundreds of dollars less, and adds features to woo snapshooters. It’s a solid DSLR that’s easy to use and a strong performer. It should appeal to casual shooters who aren’t price-sensitive, and some professionals who are.'

PCAuthority has a review of the Nikon D80 and writes, "Drawbacks of the D80 are few and far between. In fact, the biggest one isn’t the camera but its software. ... To get the most out of the D80’s images, you’ll need to spend more on a decent RAW editor (such as Bibble). Our only other criticism is the noise levels at high ISO settings. ... Some may argue that the price, being around $400 higher body-only than the new 400D and about $700 more for the kit, means that Canon still rules the roost. But for sheer picture-taking power, Nikon’s designers have thought of nearly everything. The significant advances over the previous generation of DSLRs is enough to knock Canon off its long-held A-List perch."

ThinkCamera has a review of the Nikon D80 and writes, "The D80 is a dream of a camera, packed with features and bursting with technology. It's a bit like a pup - responsive, fun to be with and eager to please. But like most pets you'll get more out of it, the more you put in. There's a lot of technology wrapped up inside and you'll have to put in the homework to maximise its (and your) potential but if you do, it will be worth it. I've only had it a few days but I've already grown very attached to the D80 and I don't think I'm going to like handing it back, or perhaps that's me just being petty."

DPReview has a review of the Nikon D80 and writes, "High ISO performance is particularly good. Finicky purists will no doubt find noise in high ISO shots but realistic photographers will be amazed at the image quality at ISO1600. We turned the in-camera noise reduction off to test the D80’s true performance and were convinced that this is the way to use it. We prefer to do the noise reduction, if it is necessary, post-camera. ... This camera is a worthy successor to the D70 and no doubt Nikon have another winner. It’s a pity that once again we have been disappointed by a kit lens. This is the one area where most makers are cutting costs. It is false economy."

Photoxels has a review of the Nikon D80 and writes, "Image quality is a function of the image sensor, firmware and especially the lens attached to the body. We find the overall image quality of the Nikon D80 with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens attached to be excellent with low noise up to ISO 800. ... The Nikon D80 DSLR has lots of exposure flexibility and gives excellent image quality to ISO 800. An advanced and knowledgeable photographer will be able to use RAW file format and noise reduction software to tweak out the best of higher ISO images. The Nikon D80 is a dream come true for the enthusiast: excellent image quality with low noise at high ISOs, instant response, and excellent handling -- at an affordable price."

GoodGearGuide has a review of the Nikon D80 and writes, "the D80 performed excellently in our image quality tests. It's score of 1818 in Imatest's sharpness test indicates extremely crisp shots, and is comparable to the results of other 10 megapixel models on the market, such as the Canon EOS 400D and the Sony Alpha A100. ... However the same can not be said for the D80's chromatic aberration performance, which is the one area where this model disappointed us. ... Overall the D80 is a great camera. We weren't entirely happy with the default lens, but in all other areas it impressed. It is by far the best camera in this price point, and D50 and D70s users should strongly think about making the jump. It offers all the features of the previous models, only with many improvements."

Digital Camera Review has a review of the Nikon D80 and writes, "The pictures this camera produces is phenomenal and especially with the 50mm lens it's extremely versatile. You can easily take quick pictures with automatic modes or spend a bit more time composing an artistic shot with manual (although it might frustrate your friends / subjects). I haven’t really had any gripes yet with the camera, the downsides such as size and complaints that it might not compare to higher end DSLRs is really fine to me. I think that has as much to do with lens usage as camera body. I feel I found a great camera that will last me the next several years as I explore photography further and begin to accumulate enough skill to warrant a higher end DSLR or several new lenses."

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Aug 9: Nikon 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Lens

The Nikon 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Lens is a second new lens being released today in conjunction with the Nikon D80 DSLR.

It features Internal focusing, silent wave motor, an aperture range of f/4.5 at it's widest focal length of 70mm and 5.6 at 300mm and vibration reduction.

Expect to see this lens retail at a price of around $700 USD.

Nikon 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Lens News Release
New Lens Offers Enhanced Nikon VR (VRII) Vibration Reduction System in a Compact, 4.3x Zoom Lens for Nikon DX Format Digital and 35mm Film SLR Cameras

Nikon today introduced the new 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lens, a 4.3x zoom lens that is ideal for telephoto shooting opportunities. It incorporates many of Nikon's most advanced lens design attributes such as Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass, Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM) and Enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR II), in a design engineered for use with both Nikon DX format digital and 35mm film SLR cameras. With a high-powered 70-300mm focal length range, the lens is ideal for sports, action, wildlife, travel and portrait photography, among other telephoto applications. When used on a Nikon DX format digital SLR, this lens approximates the picture angle performance of a 105-450mm lens on a 35mm SLR camera.

"Nikon's range of Nikkor lenses with Vibration Reduction technology has grown substantially and the new 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lens is another excellent addition, offering both Nikon digital and 35mm SLR photographers an advanced high-powered zoom lens in a surprisingly compact, lightweight design," said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products, at Nikon Inc. "High quality lens design requires a challenging blend of art, science and, of course, photographic experience. With the new 70-300mm AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor, Nikon engineers have again met that challenge, producing a lens whose optical performance delivers clarity and contrast typically found only in lenses costing substantially more," he added.

Beyond the lens' incredible optical versatility is the benefit of Enhanced VR II Vibration Reduction - an innovation that makes it possible to take substantially sharper handheld pictures at slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible. This provides the distinct advantage of being able to shoot more effectively in a much broader variety of challenging conditions. With the new Nikon VR II advantage, users can take pictures at shutter speeds as many as 4 stops slower* than they ordinarily could shoot without the image degrading blur associated with camera shake at slow shutter speeds. Nikon's advanced VR technology further enhances picture taking potential with a choice of two modes to match most shooting conditions. VR Normal Mode primarily compensates for camera shake, and includes automatic panning detection, as well as automatic tripod detection. VR Active Mode effectively compensates for vibration in situations where it is more pronounced and more frequent, such as when shooting from a moving vehicle.

To further ensure outstanding optical performance, the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor features two Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and three complex aspherical lens elements that provide for higher resolution, high-contrast images while minimizing chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion. The lens also features Nikon's compact Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM), which combines fast and precise autofocusing with super-quiet operation, as well as Internal Focusing (IF) construction that allows the lens to focus without changing its external size, improving balance and handling characteristics.

The 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lens will be available beginning October 2006 with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $669.00**. For more information about Nikon and Nikkor optics, please visit www.nikondigital.com.

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Aug 9: Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom lens

The Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom lens has been announced today alongside the new Nikon D80 DSLR and will be supplied as a kit lens with the D80. It features internal focusing, a silent wave motor and a maximum aperture range of f/3.5-5.6 across it's 18-135mm range.

Bundled with the Nikon D80 it will cost approximately $1299 or alone expect to see it in the £300 range.

Nikon 18-135mm News Release
Nikon today introduced the versatile, affordable new 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens, further expanding Nikon's successful line of DX Nikkor lenses, engineered for use exclusively with Nikon's DX format digital SLR cameras. Developed for use with all Nikon D-series digital SLR Cameras, the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX lens will be included as the compact, lightweight 7.5x zoom lens in the recently announced Nikon D80™ 10.2-megapixel digital SLR camera Outfit.

The 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX has a broad focal length range (providing picture angle performance approximating a 28-200mm lens on a 35mm film SLR camera) that is suitable for a wide variety of shooting situations, ranging from wide-angle landscapes to portraits, recreational sports, action and close-ups. This new lens offers a selection of Nikon's highly regarded technologies such as compact Silent Wave motor (AF-S) for super fast and quiet autofocus operation, Extra-Low Dispersion glass (ED) for minimized chromatic aberrations, and Internal Focusing (IF) for convenient and balanced handling.

"The new 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX is an excellent, all-encompassing lens that can be an ideal companion to any Nikon digital SLR camera, especially the recently announced D80," said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. "The 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX demonstrates remarkable optical performance along with wonderful compactness," he added.

Designed exclusively for use with DX Format digital SLR cameras, DX Nikkor lenses deliver a versatile range of angle-of-view, higher performance, and outstanding center-to-edge-to-corner image quality, while making possible smaller and lighter designs.

The 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX lens will be available beginning September 2006 for a suggested retail price of $485. The lens will also be sold packaged with the recently announced D80 10.2-megapixle digital SLR camera. The packaged outfit will have an estimated street price of $1299.95*, offering photographers substantial savings when purchased together.

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Aug 8: Kodak Easyshare V705

The Kodak EasyShare V705 is a 7.1 megapixel (CCD) camera with a 1/2.5 inch sensor, 5x Optical Zoom range, dual lens technology and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

Compare Prices on the Kodak Easyshare V705 or get the latest price on the Kodak EasyShare V705 at Amazon

Kodak EasyShare V705 Promotional Material Extracts

The world's smallest ultra-wide-angle zoom digital camera.

• KODAK RETINA Dual Lens Technology
• Capture amazingly wide views with the ultra-wide-angle (23 mm) lens
• Get closer and see the details with 5X optical zoom range
• Get exceptional clarity and sharpness with its two professional quality SCHNEIDER- KREUZNACH C-VARIOGON Lenses

It's not just ultra-wide. It's ultra-equipped.

• Experience the ideal combination of innovation and performance in a small, sleek package

Amazing quality prints with 7.1 MP

• With two 7.1 MP sensors you can create stunning quality prints up to 20 × 30 in. (50 × 76 cm)
• More pixels mean you can crop and enlarge, and still have great stunning quality

The KODAK EASYSHARE V705 camera allows consumers to capture amazingly wide views with the world’s smallest ultra-wide-angle optical zoom digital camera. Strengthening its commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology, Kodak designed the V705 to include KODAK RETINA Dual Lens Technology, which touts two 7 MP sensors, anti-blur technology and KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology. With the V705, consumers can get closer and see the details with 5X optical zoom range, and automatically adjust its setting when choosing from 22 scenes and three color modes. Picture takers can even capture the most expansive shots in just seconds with panorama stitch mode, capturing up to 180 degrees with only 3 shots.

The powerfully simple video features include the ability to record VGA video (640 x 480) at 30 fps with sound, and convenient on-camera video editing tools offers consumers to trim clips and create prints from video (4, 9 or 16 up), plus view and share single frames.

Compare Prices on the Kodak Easyshare V705 or get the latest price on the Kodak EasyShare V705 at Amazon

Kodak EasyShare V705 Reviews

CNET reviews the Kodak EasyShare V705 and writes - 'The Kodak EasyShare V705 is, without a doubt, a snapshooter's camera. With its fast performance and decent feature set, lots of casual shooters will probably like it. The one problem is that the dual-lens/dual-sensor design comes with a price tag that makes this camera compete with cameras such as Sony's Cyber Shot DSC-T9, which has one fewer megapixel but offers slightly less noise at comparable ISOs. The Sony doesn't offer the V705's ultrawide lens, but its 3X optical zoom is similar to the V705's zoom lens. Canon's PowerShot SD630, another 6-megapixel with speedy performance, can be found for about the same price as the V705, it didn't exhibit the JPEG artifacts we saw in this Kodak, and it has equivalent, if not less, noise than the V705. Again, if you value the wide angle of the extra lens, you'll probably want to stick with the Kodak EasyShare V705.'

Digital Camera Review has reviewed the Kodak Easyshare V705 where they write - 'The Kodak Easyshare V705 is a good camera for a snapshot type photographer who would like (or need) a wide angle lens (real estate agents, panorama afcionados). The camera is a nice size, looks fun, and is easy to whip out of a pocket or purse to capture the spur of the moment shot. The ultra-wide angle lens is impressive and a great feature to have in a camera of this size. By including the fun panorama assist feature, Kodak has given the photographer a lot of flexibility for fun landscape or cityscape shots.'

Pocket Lint reviews the Kodak EasyShare V705 and writes - 'When Kodak first launched this form factor almost a year ago we must admit we had trouble grasping whether or not it was a gimmick or not. Two models on, including the 10x zoom V610 and it seems that the design and offering is working for Kodak. The inclusion of the wide angle lens is certainly a bonus if you need to take photos within a wide area. A simple refresh of the V570, rather than the ultra zoom V610, the new Kodak EasyShare V705 bumps up the resolution without affecting the image quality by too much.'

Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Kodak EasyShare V705 Dual Lens Camera and writes - 'Other than that however the camera is sensibly designed and performs well. It starts up in a fraction over two seconds, which isn’t bad, and in burst mode it can fire off seven shots in a little under five seconds. In single shot mode it can shoot around once every a second until the card is full, with only occasional pauses to clear the buffer, which is ideal for a camera of this type.... Although it has its limitations, the EasyShare V705 is the ideal snapshot camera for recording social events. As long as you’re not too worried about image noise at high ISO settings or compression artefacts in everything else then it is ideal.'

PC Mag has written a review of the Kodak EasyShare V705 where they recommend - 'I also like some of the video capabilities on this ultracompact. Kodak included MPEG-4 encoding for its video clips, which are saved as QuickTime files in VGA (640-by-480) at 30 frames per second. Another nice thing about the V705 is that it allows you to zoom optically—not digitally, which tends to degrade the quality of the video. In low light, though, the camera doesn't produce the best results.'

Digital Camera Info has a review of the Kodak EasyShare V705 and writes, "It’s very easy to use and in theory makes the perfect camera for a point-and-shooter. The V705 has 22 scene modes and limited manual control. Better yet, it has an interesting dual lens system. Kodak claims that it adds up to a 5x optical zoom, but that’s a stretch. The camera really has two separate lenses – one a very wide 23mm lens and the other a 3x, 39-117mm lens. There is a big jump between 23mm and 39mm, and it is noticeable and abrupt in the live view (or recorded in movies). When all is said and done, the farthest the lens system can reach is 117mm, which isn’t as far as some other manufacturers’ 3x lenses. The Kodak EasyShare V705 would be a good camera for someone who only shoots outdoors in sunny conditions; the limited aperture range requires lots of light and its auto focus struggles in darker conditions. For anything else, though, the Kodak V705 will be a disappointment. Many pictures taken indoors and in imperfect light looked blurry, had horribly unrealistic colors, and were subjected to the awful built-in flash. So while the Kodak V705 has plenty of good looks on the outside, its pictures weren’t nearly as beautiful."

Cameras.co.uk has a review of the Kodak Easyshare V705 and writes, "On the whole I was happy with the test photos I took. They are not perfect, but in the main the results are good. ... my tests for higher ISO settings give fairly standard results. There is the expected decrease in overall picture quality and I would suggest avoiding the use of higher ISO settings whenever possible. ... Once again I think Kodak are trying to break new ground with the Easyshare V705. It may not be the very best when it comes to picture quality, but when you take into account the fast shutter response, ease of use and a wide angle lens I think it is well worth considering."

Steve's Digicams has a review of the Kodak Easyshare V705 and writes, "With a street price of $250 or less, the Kodak Easyshare V705 is a very stylish digital package for anyone wanting point-n-shoot simplicity and it's easy to carry. With its 23mm ulta-wide-angle lens, along with a 5X zoom, 22 scene modes, and Kodak's PERFECT TOUCH and Anti-blur Technologies the V705 provides an appealing package. Since this camera is part of the Kodak Easyshare System you can easily edit your pics with the included software, share them over the Internet, or dock with an Easyshare printer and print your photos with ease."

Let's Go Digital has a review of the Kodak EasyShare V705 and writes, "The operation is fine and straightforward and the compact format will entice you into carrying the camera around with you. The 23 mm wide-angle lens is also extremely tempting for anyone who is into landscape or architectural photography. I couldn't get rid of the feeling that this camera wasn't quite up to scratch. By this, I don't mean the disappointing ISO quality, but more the lack of progress and improvements to the dual lens concept. The idea is good - it's even daring and innovative, but the competition has not been standing still. The lack of an optical image stabilizer to compensate for the high ISO was a drawback, and that's putting it mildly. What is good, however, is its user friendliness, good picture quality, and extreme wide-angle and panorama shots. It's also a handy camera to have on you. However, I very much doubt if this is enough to enable this camera to keep up with the competition."

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Aug 8: Fuji FinePix F470 Review at Pocket-lint

Pocket Lint reviews the Fuji FinePix F470 where they give it a rating of 8 out of 10 and write - 'I started out on this test by stating the F470 is neither revolutionary nor dull, yes it has a great, svelte design and its attractive metal body is tough. Its price makes it an attractive proposition too and while it may lack some finesse at higher ISOs, in brighter conditions and for general subjects it is unlikely to let you down. '

Read more reviews of the Fujifilm FinePix F470

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Aug 8: Casio Exilim Card EX-S770

The Casio Exilim Card EX-S770 is a 7.2 megapixel digital camera with a 3x Optical Zoom and 2.8 inch LCD screen.

The EX-S770 also features 16:9 format video (MPEG-4), Anti Shake DSP, is just 17mm thin, 127 grams and has a variety of 'best shot' shooting modes.

Casio Exilim EX-S770 News Release

Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced today the release of the EXILIM Card EX-S770. This latest addition to the stylish EXILIM digital camera series is a powerful digital camera packed with advanced functions.

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The attractive EX-S770 shoots 7.2-megapixel still images and records high-quality movies in MPEG-4 format. In addition, it features Casio’s Super Bright 2.8-inch wide-screen LCD, but still retains the ultra-slim card size of its predecessors. Its impressive wide-screen display employs a 230,000-pixel LCD that clearly displays images and information down to the smallest detail, and boasts a maximum brightness of around 1100cd/m2—more than bright enough to see outdoors on a sunny day. Casio has also added new functions to make the most of the EX-S770’s new wide screen.

The high-quality stainless steel body of the EX-S770 is the epitome of design elegance and ensures ease of operation as well, while maintaining all the slimness and beauty the EXILIM Card line is renowned for. The EXILIM Card EX-S770 is available in three exciting colors: premium silver, blazing red, and graphite blue.

New Functions

• Wide-aspect movies
In addition to high-quality, VGA-size movies in MPEG-4 format, the EX-S770 can record 16:9 aspect ratio movies compatible with wide-screen TVs, which are growing in popularity. The camera records impressive movies with a simple press of the movie button. There is no need to change modes. It also features an electronic anti-shake function that delivers beautiful movies by minimizing blur from shaky hands.

• Data Storage function
The included Data Transport software enables computer data — including business documents, e-mail, and Web pages — to be automatically converted to JPEG format and transferred to the camera. For instance, tourist attractions and maps that users have looked up on the internet can be viewed on the camera's LCD, eliminating the need to carry around a guidebook. The camera also includes PHOTO TRANSPORT for transferring stored photos in a PC to the camera.

Key features for superior performance
• 7.2 million effective pixels; 3X optical zoom
• Super Bright 2.8-inch wide-screen LCD
• Anti Shake DSP for reducing photo blur due to shaky hands or moving subjects
• BEST SHOT modes deliver great photo results simply by selecting one of 35 sample images to represent the current photo scene

Casio Exilim Card EX-S770 Reviews

Pocket Lint reviews the Casio Exilim Card EX-S770 where they write - 'Stylish, very very compact, well built and packed with great features, the lack of more manual control might make some look elsewhere and the problems with noise and detail have dropped it a couple of points. But, if you’re not going to make bigger prints, it has to be said that at the £279 price (it’ll be cheaper online, so shop around) if you want a pocketable, smart and snappy-looking snapper, then the Casio Exilim Card EX-S770 might well be worth a gander.'

CNET reviews the Casio Exilim EX-S770 and writes - 'Casio is known for its small cameras and the Exilim EX-S770 carries on that tiny tradition. This 7-megapixel shooter has a few irritating bits, but its size, style, and speed make it a good choice for a pocket point and shoot. The S770 succeeds last year's Exilim EX-S600 by offering a higher resolution and an improved interface. The S770 is a slim and attractive little camera, with a stylish metal body that's available in silver, blue, or bright red. It weighs 5.1 ounces and is only 0.7 inch thick, making it the perfect size to slip into any pocket. The camera manages to feel solid in the hand, but its small body still has drawbacks. The S770's buttons are quite small and flat, making them feel awkward under large thumbs.'

Cameras.co.uk review the Casio Exilim EX-S770 and writes - 'The main attraction of the Casio Exilim EX-S770 is its slim shape and its extra gadget type features. If these prove to be the main requirements when you are buying then you will have to accept a degree of compromise with this camera when it comes to picture quality, especially in lowlight situations. Through its extra slim shape and movie features the Casio Exilim EX-S770 offers something different to other digital cameras. Photo quality is fair without ready hitting the heights, but if you are set on buying a truly small camera then this is an option worth considering.'

Trusted Reviews has a review of the Casio Exilim EX-S770 and writes, "Image quality is also very good. Despite the terminally overcast weather I was able to take some decent test shots, and I was suitably impressed by the level of detail, colour rendition, exposure accuracy and noise control. The lens does suffer from very visible spherical distortion at its widest angle setting, but provides very good overall sharpness right into the corners, with no chromatic aberration visible. There was also a refreshing lack of colour fringing on high-contrast shots. ... Apart from the wide-angle distortion and the CD manual I have nothing but praise for the S770. In my opinion it is currently the best ultra-compact digital camera on the market. Considering build quality, design, performance, value for money and photographic results it is comfortably ahead of the competition in every respect."

IT Reviews has a review of the Casio Exilim EX-S770 and writes, "This is more of a point-and-shoot solution then, like many modern compacts. There are plenty of settings to fine tune if you know your photography and in doing so you can achieve better results. ... The Exilim EX-S770 should appeal to the market it's probably intended for, the semi-casual photographer who wants a slim, compact camera to carry around that'll get decent results with a minimum of fuss, and in this respect it performs admirably."

Megapixel has a review of the Casio Exilim EX-S770 and writes, "The Casio Exilim EX-S770 is a good camera that offers good image quality. It's body design, however, is so thin that it can be a touch impractical. Too often, while holding the camera, the left-hand index finger touches the DATA button, turning off the capture mode, loosing the opportunity for the shot. So while it may be appealing because of the ease with which it can be carried, users should make time to get used to handling it before trying to capture important photos."

PCMag has a review of the Casio Exilim EX-S770 and writes, "The quality of the test images revealed the EX-S770 to be quite an excellent camera. In both daylight and flash shots, it produced stellar images with minimal fringing and vibrant, accurate color. The flash did blow out highlights a little, but you can quickly adjust the strobe's illumination. ... in terms of overall quality and performance, I was very impressed. ... For those who love shooting video, the Casio Exilim EX-S770 comes very close to replacing the Canon's PowerShot SD550, although the Canon still edges it out in quality and performance. But for shooting video and all those eBay lovers, the EX-S770 might be a perfect point-and-shoot digital camera."

DigitalCameraInfo has a review of the Casio Exilim EX-S770 and writes, "The Casio Exilim EX-S770 shares many characteristics with its predecessor, the S600. It has an ultra-slim body that comes in trendy colors and has tiny buttons. It is as cuddly as a box – in other words, it’s not that comfortable to hold and handle. It definitely isn’t made for lengthy photo shoots on the beach. Rather, the S770 is designed to fit in a pocket and take a few pictures at the restaurant before heading into the sunset. The camera has a Best Shot mode for sunsets, in fact, as well as 33 other situations. The 7.2-megapixel Casio S770 has some advantages over its predecessor: a bigger 2.8-inch LCD, dual recording buttons to shoot movies anytime, widescreen movies, and an interesting “data transport” function that allows users to view documents, maps, pictures, and web pages from the camera’s big screen. Basically, the S770 is a typical ultra-compact digital camera with its standard resolution and 3x optical zoom lens, but it adds a few frills. If you’re going to use those frills, then the $299 price tag isn’t all that bad. If all you want is a camera and you won’t ever transfer documents (or you have a Mac and can’t transfer data), then there are other digital cameras that can fulfill your needs for a cheaper price."

Imaging Resource has a review of the Casio EXILIM CARD EX-S770 and writes, "Many of my daylight images turned out just fine, but others were inexplicably underexposed. A look at the levels histogram shows no clipping, but I had to make a pretty significant adjustment to both the highlights and mids to make it all appear properly exposed. ... If you like your cameras slim and trim and like a lot of scene modes, the Casio EXILIM EX-S770 is a good choice. Packed with features, the 7.2 megapixel Casio S770 includes a 3x optical zoom, 34 Best Shot modes, a wide-screen movie mode, a very nice 2.8-inch LCD, and a Rapid Flash mode that lets you fire off three flash shots without having to wait for a recharge. Another interesting new feature is the Casio S770's ability to convert and transfer web pages, emails, and business documents for storing and viewing on the camera's display. While image quality could have been better -- especially its spotty low-light ability and its aggressive anti-noise processing -- the Casio S770 is a decent choice if you're looking for an ultraslim digital camera."

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Aug 8: How to Photograph Children

The following tip on photographing Children was submitted as an exclusive tip to DPB by Amy Renfry of the Digital Photography Success e-book.

Children and both wonderful and exhausting! They can leave a perfectly fit adult in a state of exhaustion we’re not careful! But how beautiful they are to photograph. I should say, to be more precise, they are beautiful and the experience of photographing them is a heartwarming one.

Kids are forever running, playing, imagining, inventing, discovering and trying out new things. There are a few mistakes we make with photographing children and I’m going to tell you what they are so you can avoid them and get sensational digital photos of your kids- or someone else’s kids.

There are four major important tips I to share with you when taking digital photographs of your children.

1. The first major important tip to taking great photos of children is taking them progressively, like you would a baby. Don’t just take photos of them when it’s Christmas time, or when they have a birthday party, or at a wedding. Photograph them while they are building a cubby house in the back yard, at the beach building a sand castle, paying with the dog, or even sleeping. If you are ready to go and whip out that digital camera of yours when children are active like this, you’ll be amazed at what sensational shots you can get.

2. The second important tip to taking great photos of children is to be super, super fast. One second they are climbing over the play equipment and the next they are running around the yard, and the next they want to play in the sandpit. And all that might be in the very fast space of about 5 minutes. In that five minutes with all that play activity you could have potentially 20 or 30 shots. And in all that shooting, you may find you have taken a winner. You might just get that all important digital shot of a great facial expression, a smile, a laugh and a joyous feeling from your child. And you will be so very, very glad you were speedy on that shutter button.

3. The third major tip is not to get them to pose. You can, but this will wear on the child’s patience quite quickly and they will get very bored in s fast time frame. So work with them, don’t expect them to do what you want, otherwise a nice photo shoot could change a happy child into an irritable one.

4. The fourth major tip of taking great photos of children is to take the photo at their eye level. So many times I’ve seen a photo where the angle is the child, small in the center of the photograph. Why not get on your knees or get in close and fill the frame and you’ll see what excellent composition this create and how much better your photos of your child will instantly improve.

Read more of Amy's tips in her Digital Photography Success e-book.

Also read more about photographing children at DPS.

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Aug 8: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N Review at CNET

CNET Reviews the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and gives it a rating of 'spectacular' (or 9.0 out of 10). They write - 'The photos I've taken with the Canon EOS-1D Mark II files are smooth and show almost no noise at ISO 100 and ISO 200; even ISO 400 and ISO 800 look very good. There is no sign of the banding that plagued images from the EOS-1D. As with most dSLRs, however, you must be careful not to underexpose your images. Noise can be seen very clearly in images that are too far underexposed. Just to be safe, I prefer to overexpose my images about half a stop, then bring the exposure down when converting the raw file with image-processing software.'

Read more about the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

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Aug 8: Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Digital SLR Review at Photoxels

Photoxels reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Digital SLR and writes - 'If you are thinking of moving up to a digital SLR, or are keen to return to enjoying a dSLR with excellent analogue handling and feel, then be sure to try out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1. With Live View LCD, optical image stabilization in the lens, built-in bounce flash, built-in dust reduction system, and excellent image quality, you may find that photography is intuitive and fun again.'

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Aug 8: Samsung Digimax Pro 815 Reviews at CNET

CNET reviews the Samsung Digimax Pro 815 where they give it an 'average' rating and write - 'As a precursor to Samsung's entry into the SLR market--and a statement by the company that it's serious about the camera market--the Digimax Pro 815 serves its purpose. It shows that Samsung has a handle on the systems and features that photographers want. Plus, more recent cameras, such as the most current L-series models, have shown that the company can deliver image quality better than that of the Pro 815. Given its flaws, it's difficult to recommend the Samsung Digimax Pro 815.'

Read more reviews of the Samsung Digimax Pro 815

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Aug 8: Fujifilm Finepix F30 Review at PhotographyBLOG

PhotographyBLOG reviews the Fujifilm Finepix F30 where they give it a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 and write - 'Ultimately, though, the Fujifilm Finepix F30 is currently the new best compact, carry-everywhere digital camera for the discerning photographer. There are still a few unnecessary faults, but Fujifilm have somehow managed to improve on an already impressive camera in the F11 and deliver the best low-light compact camera available today.'

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Aug 8: Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens Review at Cameralabs

Camera Labs has posted their review of the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens where they give it a rating of 79% and write - 'Canon’s highest-end EF-S lens so far may not meet L standards, in terms of build quality anyway, but it’ll be welcomed by EF-S body owners who are into portraiture or low light work. Since we believe the EF-S 17-85mm represents a more flexible and better value option for general-purpose photographers though we can only award the EF-S 17-55mm a Recommended classification overall, but if you’re a specialist portrait or low light photographer with a Canon EF-S body, it comes Highly Recommended.'

Read more reviews of the Canon EF-S 17055mm f/2.8 USM lens

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Aug 8: Kodak EasyShare C433

The Kodak Easyshare C433 is another new point and shoot that Kodak announced today in a news release received by Kodak Australia's PR company. It was announced in the same release as the Kodak EasyShare C875 so we're assuming they are similar in terms of features but with a lower megapixel rating and a smaller zoom.

The Kodak Easyshare C433 is a 4 megapixel digital camera with a 3x Optical Zoom,

We''re yet to see any more details of the C433 to this point but are told that it will be in stores in late September and will have a retail price of $169 *AUD.

We'll post pictures and more specifications and pictures of the C433 as they come to hand.

Kodak EasyShare C433 Reviews

Cameras.co.uk review the Kodak Easyshare C433 where they write - 'Taking the price into account I think the Kodak Easyshare C433 works pretty well. It is not perfect and is weaker in lowlight. A lot of people will find its ease of use a very big plus point.... The Kodak Easyshare C433 may not be the best digital camera around, but it offers good value for money at the cheaper end of the market. Its biggest attraction is its easy of use. In fact you will be hard pushed to find a digital camera much easier to use than this one.'

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Aug 8: Kodak EasyShare C743

The Kodak EasyShare C743 is a 7.1 megapixel point and shoot digital camera with a 3x Optical Zoom lens.

Features and how this camera looks are sketchy at this point as it was just a mention in a press release announcing the new Kodak EasyShare C875. I guess we can assume it is similar in terms of features to it.

We do know that it will have a retail price of $249 *AUD and should hit stores in late September 2006.

More details and pictures as they come to hand from Kodak.

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Kodak EasyShare C743 Reviews

CNET reviews the Kodak EasyShare C743 and gives it a raint of 5.6 out of 10. They write - 'Budget cameras are a dime a dozen these days, and without high-quality photos or unique capabilities, it's easy for these sub-$200 shooters to fall between the cracks. Of course, without a major flaw it's hard for a sub-$200 camera to really screw up, either. The Kodak EasyShare C743 is one such mediocre camera. It doesn't offer any notable benefits, but its flaws, while irritating, aren't enough to render it completely useless.'

Imaging Resource has a review of the Kodak EasyShare C743 and writes, "Though I wasn't expecting the Kodak C743's image quality to rival pricier cameras, images were mediocre. ... It's hard to resist the urge to grade the Kodak EasyShare C743 on a curve since this is a camera with very decent specs for a very reasonable price. But while it's true that the Kodak C743 has a 7 megapixel imaging sensor, a 3x optical zoom, a host of helpful scene modes, and a 2.4-inch LCD for less than $160, in the end the quality of the images I captured were disappointing. In particular, low-light indoor shots and images I captured during a couple of overcast days in New York City were often soft, and the color was flat, with frequent exposure problems. So while on paper the Kodak C743 would seem to give you good bang for your buck, mediocre image quality is the price you'll pay in the end with this camera."

Trusted Reviews has a review of the Kodak EasyShare C743 and writes, "The Kodak EasyShare C743's low price may be a temptation, but don't be fooled; it actually represents extremely poor value for money. The meagre list of features, horrible zoom control, slow performance, appalling low-light ability, limited battery life and very poor image quality will prove to be a major disappointment for anyone unlucky enough to find themselves in possession of this camera. If the C-series is going the way of the Dodo then the C743 will not be missed."

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Aug 8: Kodak EasyShare C875

The Kodak EasyShare C875 is an 8 megapixel point and shoot with 5x Optical Zoom (schneider-Kreuznach lens) and 2.5 inch LCD.

It features VGA video (30 frames per second), 32 megabytes of internal memory, SD memory card and PictBridge compatability.

The C875 weighs 6.3 x 9.5 x 3.6 cm and will be available in stores late August 2006 for a retail price of $399 *AUD.

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Kodak C875 News Release Extracts

The KODAK EASYSHARE C875 Zoom Digital Camera, with 8.0 MP, 5X all glass SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH optical zoom lens, is an impressively designed and unbelievably equipped offering from Kodak.

Easy-to-Use and Packed with Innovative Features
With 8.0 MP and 5X all glass SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH optical zoom lens, the affordable and feature-packed KODAK EASYSHARE C875 Zoom Digital Camera gets consumers closer to their subject and creates exceptional quality prints up to 76 x 102 cm (30” x 40”). Perfect for the second-time buyer, this unique camera combines a sophisticated design with ease of use and captures stunning shots with the smart scene feature – which automatically selects the best scene mode. Viewing these shots is made easier with its large 6.4 cm (2.5”) indoor/outdoor colour display featuring a wide viewing angle.

The camera also boasts KODAK PERFECT TOUCH technology for better, brighter pictures. Picture takers can even capture life in motion with TV quality (VGA) video at 30 fps, and create action prints from video (4, 9 or 16 up), plus view and share single fames while using less memory with MPEG-4 compression.

Kodak EasyShare C875 Reviews

Cameras.co.uk review the Kodak Easyshare C875 where they write - 'Digital cameras offering manual exposure controls and extra zoom, in a compact body are few and far between. On balance I like the Kodak Easyshare C875. It does well to retain good levels of ease of use and picture quality is good in most situations.... The Kodak Easyshare C875 offers a very good set of features for a compact digital camera. This includes fully manual exposure modes. Picture quality is good and one outstanding feature is the very fast shutter response times it is capable of.'

PC Mag reviews the Kodak EasyShare C875 and writes - 'In my experience, Kodak has consistently offered well-performing point-and-shoot devices, and I was happy to see very little noticeable shutter lag in the C875. Resolution averaged 1,850 lines, which is excellent for an 8MP camera. The bootup time was a respectable 3 seconds, and the 1.7-second recycle time was excellent. There was no pincushion distortion in my test shot, but there was a little more barrel distortion than I'd like to see, especially with just a 37mm wide-angle end of the zoom.'

DCRP reviews the Kodak EasyShare C875 and writes - 'Camera performance was about average. It takes 2.7 seconds after you turn the camera on before you can start taking pictures, which is on the slow side. The camera focuses fairly quickly at the wide end of the lens, but telephoto delays can exceed a second. Low light focusing was just so-so for a camera with an AF-assist lamp. Thankfully, shutter lag was not a problem, and shot-to-shot delays were minimal. The C875's continuous shooting mode was just okay -- nothing to write home about. Battery life was about average.'

Trusted Reviews has a review of the Kodak EasyShare C875 and writes, "Image quality is very good, thanks to the 1/1.8in, 8.0MP sensor and an excellent Schneider-Kreuznach lens. Photographs have very good fine detail resolution and edge-to-edge sharpness, although barrel distortion at the wide-angle end is quite noticeable. Corner sharpness is good and there is minimal purple fringing or chromatic aberration. Exposure was usually accurate under normal conditions, although the limited range of aperture and shutter speeds did mean that some shots in low light were under-exposed. Kodak cameras have always had outstanding colour reproduction, and the C875 is no exception, with an extremely good natural look. ... Noise control is also very good. ... Although the EasyShare C875 is a bit slow and clunky at times, and rather large and heavy for a pocket compact, you’d have a hard job finding a more versatile camera for the same price. Poor low light focusing and flash performance limit its usefulness in social situations, but overall image quality and especially high-ISO performance are very good."

DPReview has a review of the Kodak EasyShare C875 and writes, If you're on a budget and looking for a camera that allows you to experiment with the more creative side of photography as you learn more about shutter speeds, apertures and so on, then the C875 is well worth considering. Like the best cameras in Canon's A series it offers a wealth of controls, but - cruicially - it also offers very reliable 'point and shoot' operation, rarely failing to get a shot even in fairly challenging conditions. That famous Kodak color - if it's to your taste - produces great looking prints 'straight out of the camera', and unless you're looking very closely at the output on-screen and stick to lower ISO settings where possible, the output is surprisingly good. ... If you can live with the slightly sluggish focus, that awful over-the-top noise reduction at higher ISO settings, and the rather lame screen - and don't intend to produce huge prints - the C875 offers an awful lot of bang for your buck, and for this reason it just manages to sneak into our 'Recommended' category.

PCWorld has a review of the Kodak EasyShare C875 and writes, "In our tests, the exposure and contrast of both our still-life shot and our flash photo of a mannequin looked well balanced, with bright and accurate colors. We saw little distortion in our resolution chart, though several of our test shots could have been sharper. Overall, the C875 earned average scores for image quality. ... The Kodak EasyShare C875 is a good, inexpensive camera. First-time digital photographers will find it easy to learn on, and its more advanced features will give them room to grow over time."

Macworld has a review of the Kodak EasyShare C875 and writes, "In testing, the exposure and contrast of both a still-life shot and a flash photo of a mannequin looked well balanced, with bright and accurate colors. There was little distortion, although several test shots could have been sharper. Overall, the C875 earned average scores for image quality from a jury. The C875 comes with 32MB of internal storage and an SD card slot, but no bundled memory card. The box does include a pair of AA oxy-alkaline batteries, but these lasted a paltry 73 shots in battery tests. The camera can also run on a CRV3 lithium battery or on rechargeable AA cells. ... The Kodak EasyShare C875 is a good, inexpensive camera. First-time digital photographers will find it easy to learn, and its more advanced features will give them room to grow over time."

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Aug 8: Minox DC 8122

The Minox DC 8122 is an 8.1 megapixel (1/1.8 inch CCD) point and shoot camera from Minox with a 6x Optical Zoom and 2.8 inch LCD Screen (no optical viewfinder).

The DC 8122 features VGA movie mode shooting at up to 30 frames per second, 32 megabytes of internal memory and a decent array of automatic and manual control options. It measures 93 x 57 x 28mm and weighs 164 grams.

It looks like a solid enough camera with all the standard features but when you compare what the major manufacturers are offering in terms of features it looks quite 'standard'.

There's no mention yet from Minox on price or availability on the Minox DC 8122.

Minox For the new MINOX digital camera DC 8122 our slogan is: “Take a look – its worth it”! For any macro, zoom or portrait snapshot – the innovative optical system allows close focussing to just 20 millimetres with a 6x optical zoom, giving outstanding versatility. The small and handy DC 8122 offers a wide range of applications for both for the casual and creative photographer with 8 mega pixels. A new standard feature is protection against blurred images, especially when using the long zoom range, by the built-in image stabilizer.

Any unintentional shaking of the camera as the shutter is released is registered by the electronics and automatically balanced. The CCD image sensor with a resolution of 8.1 million pixels provides all the necessary performance. The high-speed autofocus MINOCTAR lens ensures that detailed images are produced so big enlargements of excellent quality can be expected. Lens, image sensor and software are perfectly coordinated to ensure sharp, brilliant and true colour images, even under difficult light conditions.

Aperture and shutter speed may be selected individually if required. Also, different programmes support the user in special situations. For example a portrait, sport or night-time mode is selectable, otherwise the automatic mode controls all settings from sharpness to the correct exposure, ensuring a perfect result. An automatic white balance adapts to the individual light conditions in daylight or artificial light.

Motif selection and subsequent image assessment are extremely convenient with the 2,8” TFT colour display on the rear of the MINOX DC 8122. Thanks to its anti-reflex coating it is also easy to read from different viewing angles, even in sunlight. With the slim and elegant aluminium body measuring only 93 x 57 x 28 millimetres, the DC 8122 is one of the smallest cameras in 8 mega pixel range.

Video clips in VGA resolution are available without any time limit dependent on memory. The actual possible length of the video relies on the capacity of the inserted memory card. The MINOX DC 8122 has a SD card slot for cards of up to 1 GB as well as an internal memory of 32 MB. For recording and playback of videos and voice recordings, the camera features an integrated microphone and a built-in speaker. The power supply comes from a changeable Lithium-Ion battery.

Complete with the MINOX DC 8122 are an ever-ready-case, wrist strap, USB and video cable as well as a CD with software and user manual.

Technical Data MINOX DC 8122

Image sensor:
8.1 Mega Pixel. 1/1.8 inch CCD
Resolution:
3.264 x 2.448 pixels / 2.560 x 1.920 pixels / 1.600 x 1.200 pixels /
640 x 480 (still) 640 x 480 pixels / 30 fps (AVI) (Video-Clip)
Colour:
24-bit RGB
Lens:
Autofocus MINOCTAR lens
Aperture:
f/2.8 ~ f/4.8
Focusing range:
2 cm to infinity (Wide Angle)
0.7 m to infinity (Tele)
0.3 m to infinity (Standard)
Exposure:
Auto / Portrait / Landscape / SCN / Movie / Sport / AV / TV / Manual / Program
Exposure Correction:
-2.0 ~ +2.0 EV (1/3 EV steps)
Focal length:
f/7.8 mm ~ 46.8 mm (corresponds to 37-222 mm with 35 mm format)
Shutter speed:
1/2 ~ 1/1500 sec
Zoom:
capture mode: 6x optical / up to 8.5x digital playback mode: 2x, 4x, and 8x digital
White balance:
Auto, Manual: Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Incandescent
LCD:
2.8" LTPS-TFT colour-LCD (230 K resolution)
Flash:
integrated
Flash program:
Auto, Forced, On/Off, Red-Eye-Reduction
Voice record:
Voice recordings up to 30 sec can be added to every photo
Self timer:
10 sec, 2 sec, 10+2 sec
File format:
JPEG (EXIF 2.2), DCF, DPOF, AVI, TIFF
Image quality:
Fine / Standard / Economy
Memory:
internal memory 32MB, (26MB free for images)
external memory with SD card up to 1GB
Language Support:
English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Netherland, Danish
Software:
Driver: for PC and Mac
AP: Photo Explorer 8.0 and Photo Express 5.0
Systemrequirements:
Windows 98/98SE/2000/ME/XP; Mac OS 9.0 or later
Connectors:
AC-DC-port, USB-2.0-port, Audio/Video-output (NTSC or PAL)
Power:
rechargeable Li-Ion Battery, AC-DC-Adapter (5 V)
Dimensions:
93 x 57 x 28 mm
Weight:
approx. 164 g

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Aug 8: Pentax Optio W20

The Pentax Optio W20 is an upgrade of the previously released W10 waterproof digital camera.

The W20 can be used in water to a depth of 5 feet (for up to 30 minutes at a time) without underwater housing. It is a 7 megapixel camera with a 3x Optical Zoom and 2.5inch LCD display (no viewfinder).

The Pentax Optio W20 is also dustproof, has a maximum ISO rating of 1600 (in blur reduction mode) , features face recognition auto focus and has a new auto mode that senses what scene mode is best. It has 21.93 megabytes of internal memory and uses the new SDHC cards.

Compare prices in the Pentax Optio W20 and get the latest price on the Pentax Optio W20 7MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom at Amazon.

Pentax Optio W20 News Release

PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the new PENTAX Optio W20, a compact digital camera featuring excellent waterproof performance with a slim, flat body design.

The Optio W20 is the latest model in the PENTAX Optio W series of cameras that are capable of underwater photography without requiring a waterproof case or other accessories. The waterproof design of the Optio W20 meets the JIS Class 8 waterproof standard, enabling it to withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous operation at an underwater depth of up to five feet.

In addition, this model features a new Blur Reduction High ISO mode that selects ISO up to 1600, and an upgrade to 7.0 effective megapixels to offer improved image quality in a fun, easy-to-handle package.

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital cameras, lenses, scopes, eyepieces, binoculars, mobile and laser printers, scanners and Internet cameras. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.

Visit all our websites at:
www.pentaximaging.com
www.h20camera.com
www.pentaxslr.com
www.pentaxsportoptics.com

# # #

PENTAX Optio W20 FACT SHEET

Water and dust protection for worry-free use in all kinds of environments
The Optio W20 features a waterproof design that meets the JIS Class 8 waterproof standard, enabling it to withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous operation at an underwater depth up to five feet, without needing a waterproof case. The Optio W20 also meets the JIS Class 5 dustproof standard, and is ideal for use skiing, marine sports, fishing, and enjoying other outdoor events.

3X optical zoom lens and 7.0 effective megapixels deliver outstanding pictures
The Optio W20 includes a 3X optical zoom lens that covers focal lengths from 6.3 to 18.9 mm (equivalent to 38 to 114 mm for 35mm film) and features a “folding” optical system so the lens never protrudes from the camera while zooming. The 7.0 effective megapixels produces extremely high-quality prints with crisp detail even when the photo is greatly enlarged.

Macro photography at less than an inch
The Optio W20 can be used at less than an inch away from a subject for stunning close-up photography. Macro photography provides many exciting photo options that allow you to fill the photo frame with subjects such as flowers, insects, and jewelry.

2.5 inch LCD monitor with superb visibility even outdoors
The Optio W20 comes with a 2.5 inch LCD monitor that is easy to view even in sunny outdoor conditions. The LCD cover is finished with a non-glare coating and features adjustable LCD backlight strength. The camera also has a Power Saving mode that automatically dims the backlight to save battery power.

Optio W20 automatically adjusts ISO as high as 1600
The Optio W20 is equipped with a Blur Reduction High ISO mode, a new feature that lets you take photos at faster shutter speeds for sharper images even in dim lighting conditions such as night scenes and indoor sporting events. In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts the sensitivity to as high as ISO 1600 to match the brightness of the subject. The higher sensitivity permits faster shutter speeds that effectively reduce not just camera shake but also blurring caused by moving subjects.

Face Recognition AF & AE for beautiful one-step portraits
The camera includes Face Recognition AF & AE, which allows you to take bright, beautiful photos of people with perfectly focused faces free of shadows caused by backlighting. This useful function automatically detects the position of the subject’s face anywhere in the photo frame and then adjusts the focus and optimizes the exposure for the detected position.

High-quality movies with an electronic anti-shake function
With the Optio W20, you can smoothly capture movies at 30 fps (frames per second) at sizes up to 640 x 480 pixels that rival those shot with camcorders. It also has additional features that make taking movies easier and more enjoyable, including the movie electronic anti-shake feature,* which automatically compensates for camera shake while taking movies, and the Mermaid Movie mode, which optimizes the settings for filming underwater.
*Using the movie anti-shake function results in a narrower field of view than during normal recording.

Auto-tracking AF continuously focuses on a moving subject
The auto-tracking AF feature of the Optio W20 continuously focuses on subjects such as kids and pets that move around unpredictably. Since the focus frame automatically follows the movement of the subject inside the photo frame, you can capture those instantaneous photo opportunities.

Supports the SDHC memory card for greater storage of high-quality images and longer movies
The Optio W20 supports two removable storage media: the conventional SD memory cards and new SDHC memory cards.*
*SD High Capacity; these memory cards have capacities in excess of 2 GB.

Digital filters add all kinds of fun expressions
A number of creative digital filter functions are built into the camera that you can use to customize your photos. In addition to a B&W filter, a Sepia filter, a Soft Focus filter, and six Color filters, there is a Fish-eye filter, which dramatically distorts the image so it appears to have been taken with a fish-eye lens. With these filters, you can obtain a rich assortment of digital effects without needing a computer.

Auto Picture mode automatically determines the best settings for the shooting conditions
The Auto Picture mode lets the camera automatically determine the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Program modes and choose the optimum settings for each subject. This PENTAX original function simplifies shooting for users since it eliminates the necessity of making a number of individual settings.

Other Pentax Optio W20 features

* Calendar display lets you choose photos by date
* Mode Palette provides quick access to 25 shooting modes and 15 playback modes
* Image Recovery function lets you retrieve accidentally erased pictures
* Soft flash function avoids overexposure during close-up flash photography
* Digital zooming provides up to 4X magnification
* FotoNation’s red-eye compensation function for flash shots
* Approximately 21.9 MB of built-in memory
* Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX image viewer/image management software
* Supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III'

Read more at NEWS! - Pentax announces Optio W20

Penax Optio W20 Reviews

Think Camera reviews the Pentax Optio W20 and writes - 'The W20 has a big selling point in its ability to be waterproof without being bulky, allowing it to be a perfect travel camera for all occasions, in water or out. It has a sensor that can perform when needed and enough options to satisfy every level of ability. The camera isn't without its faults, and these may hold it back compared to other compacts, but against similar waterproof cameras, it's well worth a look.'

Steve's Digicams has a review of the Pentax Optio W20 and writes, "Underwater photography is one of this camera's most important qualities. I was happy to find that the W20 performs very well underwater. Sample pictures were taken in a large aquarium, and the W20 captured very sharp images of the aquarium's bottom along with the fish inside. The flash also worked well to provide good exposure from .5 - 2 feet away. ... With a street price of $250 or less, the Pentax Optio W20 is a very sporty digital package. With JIS Class 8 waterproof and Class 5 dustproof ratings, this model can be taken almost anywhere, without the need for extra protection against the elements. Image quality is great for a 7- megapixel model, and the anti-shake/anti-blur technology performs well in less than perfect lighting conditions. The W20 adds another great model to Pentax's waterproof digital line."

DigiCamReview has a review of the Pentax Optio W20 and writes, "The Pentax Optio W20 is one of the cheapest completely waterproof digital cameras available - available from only £139 you'd be tempted to think that Pentax have made compromises in order to get the price so low - thankfully this isn't the case. Pentax have done an excellent job making a compact and easy to use digital camera full of features. Some you wouldn't expect to see on a compact point and shoot, such as manual focus, custom white balance, video recording with optical zoom and digital anti-shake. The camera doesn't compromise on image quality either, with good results available, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or taking macro photos. The only weakness was the camera's higher than average noise when taking photos indoors. If you're looking for a compact, waterproof, 7 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens, and a 2.5" screen, then the Pentax Optio W20 is an excellent choice."

Compare prices in the Pentax Optio W20 and get the latest price on the Pentax Optio W20 7MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom at Amazon.

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Aug 6: Casio Exilim EX-Z850 Review at DCRP

DCRP reviews the Casio Exilim EX-Z850 where they write - 'The Casio Exilim EX-Z850 puts a ton of features into a compact and stylish body. And for not much money, either -- this thing sells for about $325. It's a capable performer, and a camera that I can recommend to just about everyone, save for those people who take a lot of night scenes. It's not a perfect camera (but what is), but most people will really like what the Z850 offers.'

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Aug 6: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Review at SLRgear

I've been using my 24-105mm f/4L lens ALOT over the last week or two as I've photographed our new baby so when I saw SLRgear.com reviewing it I was really interested to see what they had to say about it. Here's what they've written about it:

'In our testing on a sub-frame camera, the 24-105 ranged from astonishingly good at 24mm to merely excellent at 105mm. At wide angle, this lens is exceptionally sharp from corner to corner, even wide open. From f/4 to f/8, sharpness is superlative, diminishing only slightly at f/11 as diffraction limiting comes into play. As you move toward the telephoto end, the lens gets slightly softer up to about 70mm, and then maintains that level of sharpness more or less unchanged until 105mm. At 105mm, it's slightly soft wide open, improving when you stop down to f/5.6, but then softens slightly again as you continue to f/8 and beyond. Still though, even in ranges where it's “soft,” it's noticeably better than most zooms you'll find.'

Compare prices on the Canon EF 240105mm f/4L IS USM Lens get the latest price on the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras at Amazon

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Aug 6: Nikon Coolpix P3 Review at Cameras.co.uk

Cameras.co.uk reviews the Nikon Coolpix P3 and writes - 'The Nikon Coolpix P3 is a good, solid offering. It takes a decent picture and in terms of megapixels has a plenty of power for making large prints. WiFi can come in useful, but it is not necessarily a feature that everyone will want to take advantage of.... The Nikon Coolpix P3 is a solid if slightly unspectacular digital camera. It has eight megapixels, image stabilisation and also offers WiFi connectivity. Everything appear to be in the right place and picture quality is good as well.'

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Aug 6: Nikon Coolpix L4 Review at TrustedReviews

Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Nikon Coolpix L4 and writes - 'It’s hard to imagine a better camera at the price. For under £100 you can get a well made, easy to use 3x zoom ultra-compact with good picture quality, a useful range of modes and options, and the prestigious Nikon name. If you’re looking for a gift, a starter camera or something to take on holiday, you won’t find much better.'

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Aug 6: Casio Exilim EX-S600 Review at ThinkCamera

Think Camera reviews the Casio Exilim EX-S600 where they give it a rating of 6 out of 10 and write - 'It's not the best camera on the market but for anyone wanting a respectable camera to carry with them in a pocket or handbag, it will do the job. The S600 includes many of the now common features in digital cameras such as self-timers, anti-shake and movie recording, but I think the major problem is that Casio have tried to pack a little too much into the space available- either be a style icon or a heavyweight camera; not both.'

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Aug 6: Nikon D70s Review at ThinkCamera

Think Camera has posted their review of the Nikon D70s where they write - 'This camera meets the needs of many. The digital vari-programs will suit those who still prefer a method of photography closer to point and shoot; on top of which, if you don't want to get your hands dirty with exposure, there's always Program mode. This sparks up bracketing and other ways to optimise image quality. Professionals and anoraks will revel in the plethora of options (only some of which I have covered). However, both beginners and advanced users will benefit from this camera's main strengths - build quality, great design and great image processing.'

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Aug 6: Sony Cybershot DSC-H5 Review at DPExpert

DP Expert reviews the Sony Cybershot DSC-H5 and writes - 'The Sony Cybershot DSC-H5 is a versatile camera providing all the controls found on a single lens reflex but without the benefit of a true optical viewfinder. It can be used as a point and shoot camera but it also has a full set of creative controls. It uses Sony’s unique Memory Stick and AA batteries. It comes with a pair of rechargeables and a charger.'

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Aug 5: Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Review at DP Review

DP Review has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 and gives it a rating of highly recommended. They write - 'For me it's a fairly comfortable Highly Recommended, the A100 is a very capable camera with a wide feature set, a good range of manual controls and some unique developments. The built-in Super SteadyShot provides you with that little extra comfort level at slower shutter speeds and the ability to use longer lenses with more confidence.'

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Aug 5: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Review at DPReview

DP Review has reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 where they write - 'The TZ1 is one of those cameras that positively encourages you to take pictures, to experiment, to try different framing and viewpoints, and the lightning-quick focus and simple operation make it a surprisingly nimble operator too. It is all the more disappointing then, that the overall package is let down by it's sensor. By only using the middle bit of the 6.3MP CCD in the TZ1, the lens is kept small, and the camera more compact, but you end up with a very small 5MP sensor indeed, and that has some serious ramifications. Heavy noise and even heavier noise reduction mean I personally wouldn't risk using it at anything over ISO 100, and even then you're losing some low contrast detail to NR. You can see noise it you look closely at even ISO 80, though this is usually masked by the fairly high contrast and is unlikely to mar standard sized prints.'

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Aug 2: Sony CyberShot DSC-T10

The Sony Cybershot DSC-T10 is a 7.2 megapixel point and shoot camera with a 3x Optical Zoom lens, ISO sensitivity from 64 to 1000 and shutter speed of up to 1/1000 second.

The Sony Cybershot DSC-T10 has spot metering, 56 megabytes of internal memory and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

The Sony Cybershot DSC-T10 has a recommended retail price of $400 (USD) and will start appearing in shops in August 2006.

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Sony Cybershot DSC-T10 News Release

SONY DEBUTS THE CYBER-SHOT DSC-T10 DIGITAL CAMERA IN FOUR EYE-PLEASING COLORS

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1, 2006 — Sony is launching a new color strategy with the introduction of its seven-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-T10 digital still camera. Premiering this summer in pink, white, black and silver, the new model upholds the standard for slim and stylish design.

“ The number of digital still cameras per household is steadily increasing, up to three or four, which suggests that people are buying cameras to fulfill different needs,” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital still cameras and photo printers at Sony Electronics. “Our new model is so stylish that it can be viewed as a fashion accessory.”

Not Just Another Pretty Face
The new T-series camera features double anti-blur protection to deliver great pictures, even in unfavorable lighting conditions, such as low-lit nightclubs or restaurants.

It incorporates Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization to reduce the chances of taking a blurry picture because of shaky hands. The camera automatically calculates the compensation needed to provide a clear, crisp image.

The model’s high light sensitivity, up to ISO 1000, minimizes blurriness when you need to shoot at faster shutter speeds because of low-light conditions or fast-moving subjects. By selecting the high sensitivity mode, you can shoot in available light for more natural exposure or in settings where flash is not permitted, such as museums.

The new camera does not scrimp on performance. It features a 3x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optical zoom lens, a large, 2.5-inch Clear Photo Plus LCD screen for higher resolution and optimal viewing at any angle, and a dynamic slide show feature with four selectable modes.

Powered by Sony’s Real Imaging Processor circuit, the DSC-T10 model features a quick start-up, fast shot-to-shot times and long battery life -- up to 250 shots per charge using rechargeable NiMH batteries.

This camera is equipped with 56MB of internal memory so you can start shooting straight out of the box. Its capacity can be expanded with an optional Memory Stick Duo media card or Memory Stick PRO Duo card, now available in capacities up to four gigabytes.

Share The Fun
When you want the convenience of printing at home, connect the new Cyber-shot DSC-T10 camera to a Sony DPP-FP55 photo printer. Beyond basic prints, you can also create postcards or calendars using the printer’s supplied software.

When tens or even hundreds of pictures are desired, digital prints can be ordered online at www.imagestation.com, where you can create online photo and video albums or make customized photo gifts, ranging from coffee mugs and photo books to calendars and T-shirts.

The Cyber-shot DSC-T10 camera will be available in August for about $400 at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide. Optional accessories include the SPK-THC sports pack for about $100, MPK-THC marine pack for about $200, LCS-THC leather carrying case for about $50, and NP-FT1 InfoLithium battery for about $60. Pre-orders will begin on Aug. 4 at www.sonystyle.com/T10.

Sony CyberShot DSC-T10 Reviews

Imaging Resource reviews the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T10 and writes - 'The 7.2-megapixel CCD delivers plenty of resolution for large prints, and the smattering of Scene modes makes it easy to bring back good-looking photos from what would otherwise be difficult shooting conditions. The biggest news of course, is the T10's Super SteadyShot image stabilization, which we found to be very effective. This will let you get crisp shots even when faced with hand-holding the camera under surprisingly dim lighting (assuming of course, that your subject is stationary as well). Of course, a tripod is always recommended when things get really dark, but we were very pleasantly surprised to see just how dark it could get, while we were still snapping sharp photos.'

CNET reviews the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T10 and writes - 'Years after the first Sony T-series hit the market, it's still impossible to deny the cool factor of these little, silver snapshot cameras. This time, Sony serves up the 7.2-megapixel Cyber Shot DSC-T10, which lands between the 6-megapixel DSC-T9 and the 7.2-megapixel DSC-T30 in the company's line. The DSC-T10 doesn't sport the fancy plexiglass back panel or the 3-inch LCD of the T30, but it's got most of that camera's other features and a nice looking 2.5-inch LCD of its own. To keep things interesting, Sony has offered a choice of four colors for the T10: black, pink, silver, and white.'

PopPhoto has a review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T10 and writes, ". Simply point and make your image and the camera does the rest. Almost without exception, the images made are amazingly sharp and very well exposed. I say amazing because some of the shots made were with exposures of as long as a full second hand-held. Add to this the legendary sharpness of the Zeiss lens, and you have an image that looks good even as a big enlargement. The Zeiss lens also enhances the sharpness of the NTSC quality video. ... Ultimately, it's image quality that really matters and Sony has earned very high marks in this category with the T10. Using a Zeiss lens in tandem with the superior optical image stabilization makes for great picture taking in a slim, stylish package."

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