Dec 21: Pentax and Hoya to Merge

Today it was announced that Pentax and Hoya will be merging. The new company will be called Hoya Pentax HD Corporation with Pentax president and CEO Fumio Urano becoming Chairman of the new board and current Hoya President and CEO Hioshi Suzuki becoming President and CEO of the new company.

This mere will be finalized at the start of next October.

Pentax Press Release

HOYA and PENTAX Reach Basic Understanding for Management Integration

[TOKYO December 21, 2006] HOYA CORPORATION (“HOYA”) and PENTAX Corporation (“PENTAX”) announced today that they have reached a basic understanding aimed at a management integration of the two companies, expected to be completed on October 1, 2007. The new company’s name will be HOYA PENTAX HD Corporation. Under a corporate center with strategic planning functions, the new company will realign the business areas of HOYA and PENTAX. HOYA and PENTAX have recognized that they are the best possible business partners to establish a solid business structure that draws on their respective strengths. Through this management integration, the planned new structure will allow the new company to swiftly allocate significant management resources to develop strategic business areas, aiming at accelerating future growth.

1. Purpose of Management Integration
In an integration of equals, HOYA and PENTAX aim to enhance customer and shareholder value. The parties aim to achieve this through the establishment of a solid management foundation that will draw on the complementary managerial resources of the two companies to create synergies and accelerate business growth.

The common core technological platform for HOYA and PENTAX is grounded in optics, imaging and materials. Using this core platform, the two companies aim to optimize their business portfolios, focusing on the life care, optics, information technology, eye care and imaging systems areas. Expected stable revenue from the information technology and eye care areas will support the life care area to achieve strategic growth. In addition, vertical integration of the optics areas will lead to qualitative structural reform and further strengthen competitiveness.

The divisions of the new company are expected to be as follows:
• Life care area: (Major products include: endoscopes, medical accessories, new ceramics, and intraocular lenses) Life care is positioned as a strategic growth area. HOYA and PENTAX will pursue business development in the minimally invasive medical area where future demand is expected to grow. The newly integrated company will operate in areas which range from diagnostic to treatment fields, such as minimally invasive diagnosis using endoscopes and treatment using endoscopes and ancillary surgical devices, and will focus on globally cultivating bionic material markets including new ceramics and intraocular lenses. In addition, HOYA and PENTAX will enhance product development capabilities through aggressive research and development and mergers and acquisitions strategies and will strengthen sales and marketing structures in Japan and overseas. Through these measures, HOYA and PENTAX aim to double the size of their life care business.

• Optics area: (Major products include: optical glass and lenses, digital camera modules, micro-lenses, etc.) HOYA and PENTAX will vertically integrate the design, materials, lenses, processing and module groups in the optics area, which is expected to lead to qualitative structural reform and further strengthen competitiveness. HOYA and PENTAX will mutually utilize their respective manufacturing sites and customer bases, in order to secure a competitive edge against newly emerging Asian players and strongly position themselves for sustainable growth in the face of structural change in the optics industry.

• Information technology area: (Major products include: mask blanks, glass disk substrates, etc.) This is a core earnings driver where HOYA has secured a leading market position globally. The integrated company aims to further strengthen competitiveness and growth in this area.

• Eye care area: (Major products include: eyeglass lenses, contact lenses) Stable earnings growth is expected in this business. Positioning this business as another core earnings driver, the new company will continue to further strengthen competitiveness and further grow this business area.

• Imaging systems area: (Major products include: digital cameras, binoculars, etc.) In order to enhance business value, the new company will differentiate its offerings by specializing in high-value added products with unique technology and will focus on areas where it has a competitive edge. This area will be positioned as a foundation for development of new optical-related equipment and is expected to diversify into the life care and security business areas.

• New areas, other areas: (Major products include: business systems equipment, survey equipment, etc.) HOYA and PENTAX seek to invest aggressively in areas where they see future earnings growth opportunities. At the same time, they will focus on selected business areas to improve efficiency and to achieve optimal usage of managerial resources.

2. Background to the Management Integration Plan
HOYA started as an optical glass manufacturer. Since its inception, the company has been diversifying its business by leveraging its optical materials technologies and precision processing technologies. HOYA has successfully built global niche market positions through its aggressive technological innovation and has established leadership in its areas of expertise, resulting in strong earnings. In the information technology area, HOYA has maintained a leading position globally for its semiconductor-related mask blanks and glass disk substrates for hard disk drives, and it is positioned as one of the leading manufacturers in optical glass and lenses. The company has also established a leading position in the eye care area, including in eyeglass lenses. HOYA continues to cultivate new business areas, in particular medical-related areas which are positioned as mid- to long-term core growth drivers, and has initiated global business development of intraocular lenses used for the surgical treatment of cataracts.

PENTAX’s expertise stems from its long-accumulated know-how attained through the development and manufacturing of cameras and lenses. The company has successfully adapted its optical design and image processing technology for use in a variety of product areas and has developed businesses based on this optical technology. In the life care business, PENTAX has made early progress in developing a leading global position in the production of endoscopes, and it is also marketing globally various other products such as medical accessories and new ceramics for bone grafts. In its optical components business, PENTAX has leveraged its competitive edge in advanced optical technologies, where its major products include digital camera modules and DVD/CD convertible pickup lenses. PENTAX has also built a strong global brand in its imaging systems division, and the company has positioned the life care area as the focus for its mid- to long-term growth strategy. PENTAX has been working to ensure earnings improvement and company-wide growth through mergers and acquisitions, alliances and aggressive research and development activities.

While the market for advanced medical products has been growing globally with further growth expected, competition has also been intensifying. HOYA and PENTAX have been developing advanced medical products including endoscope diagnostics, minimally invasive surgical technologies, and bionic materials including new ceramics and intraocular lenses. In order to continue delivering growth in this market, it is critical that HOYA and PENTAX leverage their respective competitive advantages and make aggressive investments through mergers and acquisitions and research and development, as well as establish global sales and marketing networks at the earliest possible stage.

Significant structural changes have occurred in optical equipment and related materials since the emergence of digital cameras. Competitors in Asia have grown rapidly and are expected to continue gaining market share through low price campaigns and increasing the added value of their products. Along with existing camera manufacturers, home appliance makers have also entered the digital camera market, further intensifying competition in this segment. In order to maintain growth capabilities, cost competitiveness must be strengthened by lowering production costs and focusing on unique, high-end products. Measured structural change is necessary to ensure differentiation in this environment.

Based on the recognition that HOYA and PENTAX are the best possible business partners to establish a solid business structure that draws on their respective strengths, the two companies have reached a basic understanding aimed at management integration. Through this management integration, the planned new structure will allow the integrated company to swiftly allocate significant management resources to develop strategic business areas, aiming at future growth.

3. Method of Management Integration
Under the terms of the basic understanding announced today HOYA will be the surviving company.

4. Management Integration Timing
The merger of the two companies is planned to become effective as of October 1, 2007.

5. New Company Name
After the management integration, the new company will be named HOYA PENTAX HD Corporation.

6. New Company Structure
(1) Corporate Governance
The integrated firm will be managed through a committee system under Japanese Company Law to ensure strong corporate governance. The board will consist of 10 directors, five of whom will be non-executive directors, further reinforcing management transparency. Three of the executive directors will be appointed from HOYA and the others from PENTAX.

Fumio Urano (current PENTAX President & CEO) will become Chairman of the Board and Hiroshi Suzuki (current HOYA President and CEO) will become President & CEO.

(2) Organizational Structure
The structure of the integrated firm will be based on the concept of a small headquarters with empowered business divisions. Allowing for an appropriate transition period, the new company is expected to have a corporate center with strategic planning functions and the business divisions outlined below. Moreover, the newly integrated company will continue to make the best possible use of the respective brands of both HOYA and PENTAX.

• Life care area: Combining HOYA’s medical division and PENTAX’s life care division
• Optics area: Combining HOYA’s optics division and PENTAX’s optical components division
• Information technology area: The remaining business after separating HOYA’s optics division from the electro-optics area
• Eye care area: The remaining business after separating HOYA’s medical division from the eye care division
• Imaging systems area: Continuing PENTAX’s imaging systems division
• New areas, other areas: Continuing other existing divisions
• Research and development: Integrating HOYA’s research and development center and PENTAX’s research and development division

7. Merger Ratio
Each shareholder of PENTAX common stock will be allotted 0.158 shares of HOYA common stock per PENTAX share.

In order to achieve fairness, the parties received advice from third party advisers in respect of the determination of the merger ratio. HOYA was advised by UBS Securities Japan Ltd. (“UBS Investment Bank”), and PENTAX was advised by Morgan Stanley Japan Securities Co., Ltd., (“Morgan Stanley”) for the basis of the merger ratio calculation. Both companies have discussed the results presented by the financial advisors, and settled at the ratio announced today.

Both financial advisors used a combination of average market price analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, comparable trading multiples analysis and other methods, respectively, to calculate the merger ratio.

Based on these analyses, HOYA obtained a fairness opinion from UBS Investment Bank, and PENTAX from Morgan Stanley, regarding the merger ratio from a financial point of view.

Neither UBS Investment Bank nor Morgan Stanley are related parties of HOYA and PENTAX.

This ratio is subject to change if there is a material change in the conditions which were used as fundamentals in the calculation.

8. Schedule
HOYA and PENTAX intend to continue discussions to conclude a definitive agreement on the management integration in early April 2007. The expected schedule is outlined below. However, as discussions proceed, if exceptional circumstances arise, the two companies may decide to change the schedule or the method of integration in their effort to achieve management integration.

(1) Early April 2007: Signing of definitive agreement
(2) Middle of June 2007: HOYA will hold an Annual General Meeting of Shareholders where it will seek approval for proposed changes in the company articles of incorporation and the board of directors
(3) End of June 2007: PENTAX will hold an Annual General Meeting of Shareholders where shareholders will be asked to approve the merger agreement
(4) October 1, 2007: Effective merger date
(5) TBA: Delivery to PENTAX shareholders of shares in the new company

Under Article 796, Clause 3, of the Japanese Company Law, HOYA is not required to receive shareholders’ approval for the merger.

9. Structure for Proceeding with the Management Integration
HOYA and PENTAX will form an integration committee, co-chaired by Fumio Urano, President & CEO of PENTAX, and Hiroshi Suzuki, President and CEO of HOYA, to ensure swift and smooth integration of the management and operations of the newly integrated company. The integration committee will review the administrative systems of each company, aiming at creating a best-practice administrative system for the newly integrated company.

10. Accounting Policies
Accounting treatment associated with the merger will be disclosed when definitively determined. The exact amount of goodwill, the probability of accrual, and the amortization period have yet to be determined, and will be disclosed in due course.

11. Expected Impact on Earnings Forecasts as a Result of Merger
The newly integrated company aims to strengthen the competitiveness of each business area and to maintain the rate of growth of corporate value.

12. Other
The newly integrated company will continue the listing status of HOYA on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Information regarding the new company headquarters, total assets, paid-in capital, the number of shares newly issued upon the merger, and treatment of warrants and convertible bonds issued by PENTAX, will be provided when such matters are determined.

13. Overview of the Integrating Companies (as of September 30, 2006, non consolidated basis)
(1) Company Name
HOYA CORPORATION
(merging company)
PENTAX Corporation
(company to be merged)
(2)
Areas of Business
Manufacturing and sales of electro-optics, eye care, and health care products Manufacturing and sales of life care, imaging systems, and optical component products
(3) Established August 23, 1944 December 17, 1938
(4) Headquarters 2-7-5 Naka-Ochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 2-36-9 Maeno-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo
(5) Representative Hiroshi Suzuki, President & CEO Fumio Urano, President & CEO
(6) Paid-in Capital 6,264 million yen 7,510 million yen
(7)Shares Outstanding 435,017,020 127,697,952
(8)Shareholders’ Equity 102,330 million yen 40,088 million yen
(9) Total Assets 236,504 million yen 119,570 million yen
（10） Fiscal Year End: March 31 March 31
（11）Number of Employees 3,338 (27,974 on a consolidated basis) 1,336 (5,651 on a consolidated basis)

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Dec 17: Canon Powershot G7 Review at Steves Digicams

Steves Digicams reviews the Canon Powershot G7 and writes - 'I was very pleased with this latest addition to Canon's legendary "G" series line. While we miss the Vari-Angle LCD, the new 6x IS lens is a definite plus. The only negative issues we found were the problem with the optical viewfinder and the higher image noise at ISO 800 and 1600. That said, the G7 is a good choice for the beginner, novice, or enthusiast that wants a less bulky alternative to carrying around a dSLR and a bag of lenses. With an MSRP of around US$599 the G7 offers an outstanding value that will be hard to beat this holiday season.'

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Dec 17: Pentax K100D Digial SLR Review at TrustedReviews

Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Pentax K100D Digial SLR and writes - 'It may be the cheapest DSLR on the market, but the Pentax K100D isn’t short of advanced features, performance or image quality, and can comfortably hold its own against the Nikon D40. Build quality, design and handling are all superb, and the Shake Reduction system is as good as any on the market. If you're looking for a good entry-level DSLR with the option to build up a kit, then look no further.'

Digicam Review also reviews the Pentax K100D and writes - '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 and ISO3200). 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 or dark 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, although auto-white balance did struggle in doors (as with most DSLRs). The camera gives very good control over image quality - pressing the menu button lets you change saturation, sharpness, contrast, gamma curve etc. Shake Reduction adds image stabilisation to every lens attached to the camera, and helps acheive blure free photos in low light meaning that the camera has a very good photo success rate.'

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Dec 15: Announcing Digital Photography School Forums - Win Prizes by Participating

DPB's sister site, Digital Photography School, today announced a brand new design and the launch of Forums.

These forums came as a result of a lot of feedback from readers that they wanted a place to:

• Share their digital photos
• Work on common assignments
• Talk about what they were learning
• Ask questions of other digital photographers
• Submit reviews of cameras and lenses
• Read the opinion of other real users of cameras that they were considering buying
• Get to know other Digital Photographers

As a result the Digital Photography School Forum was launched today.

I'd like to invite you to head over and join in the great discussion already happening in the forums.

We already have 120 members, 270+ posts and 34 threads of conversation happening.

If you register as a user and become active (posting at least 5 comments between now and the end of the year) you'll go in the running to win some of my favorite digital photography books.

One lucky registrant will win their choice of 5 of the following books and 10 others will win their choice of 1 of the following books:

1. The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby
2. 2. Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographsby Bryan Peterson
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4. 4. Complete Digital Photography by Ben Long
5. 5. Perfect Digital Photography by Jay Dickman
6. 6. The Complete Guide to Night and Low-Light Photography by Lee Frost
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To be eligible you need to meet two conditions.

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2. Secondly you need to have made at least 5 genuine posts/comments in the forums before the end of the year. By 'genuine' I mean comments that actually contribute in some way (ie not spammy comments). They could be an introduction in the intro thread, a submission in an assignment, a comment on your digital camera in the digital camera section, a question in the techniques area, an answer to someone else's question.

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Dec 15: Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens

Camera Labs review the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens and gives it a rating of 83%. They write - 'The EF 17-40mm f/4.0L is one of the best lenses in Canon’s range. It brings you a taste of the truly exotic with ultra-wide coverage, while boasting ‘L’ quality all at a surprisingly affordable price. Sure it ain’t exactly cheap, but it’s considerably more affordable than the EF 24-105mm f/4.0L and almost half the price of the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L.... So the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L comes Highly Recommended both for full-frame body owners, along with those who have APS-C bodies and are thinking of upgrading to full-frame in the future - see our 400D lens upgrade group test. It may not be as flexible as the EF 24-105mm, but it's much more exciting and cheaper too. Put it this way, if you’re into wide angle photography with a full-frame body and don’t already have the EF 16-35mm, we’d say it’s a mandatory purchase.'

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Dec 15: Olympus E400 DSLR Review at Pocket-Lint

Pocket-Lint review the Olympus E400 DSLR and give it a rating of 9 out of 10. They write - 'In a camera replete with so much clever stuff, you’d be forgiven for expecting a much bigger device. Until you hold the camera however, it is not immediately apparent just how svelte the E400 really is. But one worry I have is the price; it is not svelte by any standard. The E400 twin lens kit it is to be sold in includes the lens tested here plus a very compact 40 to 150mm (80 to 300mm in 35mm terms) lens for around £850. This is far too expensive for an “entry level” model and particularly so when there are cheaper 10-megapixel models on the shop shelves already, which would be a shame because it will prevent many people from buying this camera when they should, because I can heartily recommend this camera to all those who might consider it.'

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Dec 15: Olympus Stylus 740 Review at Image Resource

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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Dec 15: Sony DSLR-A100 Review at Megapixel.net

Megapixel review the Sony DSLR-A100 and writes - 'With an attractive price, the 10-megapixel Alpha 100 is deserving of the attention it has received. Purchased as a kit with one or two lenses, the Alpha is immediately useable, and will produce high quality photos at all but the widest angle of the 18 - 70 mm lens. Moreover, with its numerous advanced features and full compatibility with a wide number of Minolta A mount lenses in addition to the upcoming Carl Zeiss designed Sony lenses, the Alpha 100 should prove to be one of the most popular entry-level DSLR cameras.'

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Dec 15: Ricoh Caplio 500G Wide Review at Pocket Lint

Pocket Lint reviews the Ricoh Caplio 500G Wide digital camera where they give it a rating of 8 out of 10 and write - 'The Ricoh Caplio 500G Wide provides a tough package in terms of build, ease of use and versatility. Image quality is good thanks to a nice lens, fast, accurate focusing and good metering with the caveat on image noise at higher sensitivities. The optical viewfinder leaves a bit to be desired as does the overall clunky look of the camera, but when you bear in mind this camera is more tool than tasty-looking technology.'

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Dec 14: Kodak EasyShare C875 Review by PC Magazine

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.'

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Dec 14: Canon PowerShot G7 Review at Trusted Reviews

Trusted Reviews has reviewed the Canon PowerShot G7 and writes - 'While the G7 is unquestionably a superb camera, head and shoulders above anything else at the same size or price, the slower lens, smaller profile and lack of RAW mode will deter many potential buyers from trading in their G6. Instead of the best semi-pro camera on the market, Canon has produced a well specified general purpose camera that will appeal to the more ambitious casual user, rather than as an SLR-alternative for the serious hobbyist.'

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Dec 14: Nikon Coolpix S9 Review at Imaging Resource

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.'

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Dec 14: Nikon Coolpix L5 Review t PhotographyBLOG

PhotographyBLOG review the Nikon Coolpix L5 where they give it a rating of 4 out of 5 and write - 'The Nikon Coolpix L5 compact camera has a very similar feature set to its brother, the L6, which I reviewed at the same time. Of course, the extra zoom range, resolution and the inclusion of VR technology developed for Nikon's DSLR range puts the L5 ahead of its lesser specified brother on first look. That said, the L6 impressed me in terms of its image quality, which may have partly been down to the fact that I wasn't expecting great things. The L6 is better suited to daylight photography, however, with that wobbly hand icon making quite a number of appearances when skies were any less than blue in hue, leading me to conclude that the L5 is indeed the preferred all-round option for a pocket snapshot camera, even if its design is bulkier and more clunky. The ability to access such hand-holding features as Face Priority AF at the touch of a button on the L5 rather than sift through screen menus is a bonus, but in truth otherwise there's not much to choose between the two cameras. Although there are better designed and sleeker compacts out there offering similar specification and performance, the Nikon Coolpix L5 serves the point and shoot amateur market for which it's intended, and is a more than acceptable marriage of price to build to performance.'

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Dec 14: Nikon Coolpix S7c Review at Imaging Resource

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.'

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Dec 14: Canon Powershot SD40 Review at Steves Digicams

Steves Digicams reviews the Canon Powershot SD40 and writes - 'The Canon PowerShot SD40 Digital ELPH is an awesome pocket-sized digicam. That said, I feel it will make just about any user who wants an ultra-compact model, very happy by offering great image quality, robust performance, ease of use, and let's not forget the stylish and durable body that comes in four different colors. With an MSRP of about US$399, I feel it offers a good value for a model in this category.'

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Dec 14: Pentax K10D Review at PopPhoto

Popular Photography has posted their review of the Pentax K10D where they write - 'Overall image quality is Excellent throughout the ISO range. Color accuracy is Excellent. Noise is exceptionally well controlled all the way through, and Resolution is excellent at all ISOs. In fact, there is less than a 5 percent drop off in resolution from ISO 100 (1925) to ISO 1600 (1845), and noise only climbs from Very Low (1.15) to Low (1.95) from lowest to highest ISO.'

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Dec 14: Nikon D80 Digital Camera Review at Digital Camera Info

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.'

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Dec 14: Canon A710IS Review at DP Review

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.'

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Dec 13: Kodak Easyshare C875 Review at Cameras.co.uk

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.'

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Dec 13: Nikon Coolpix L5 Review at DCRP

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.'

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Dec 13: Kodak Easyshare C433 Review at Cameras.co.uk

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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Dec 10: How to Choose the Right Digital Camera for You!

Are you looking to buy a digital camera for yourself or that special someone as a gift?

Here are a few tutorials and guides from our sites that might be of some assistance in choosing the right camera:

• Digital Camera and Photography Gift Ideas
• How to Buy a Digital Camera - A 9 Step Guide
• When is the Best Time to Buy a Digital Camera? 3 Questions to Ask
• Should You Buy a DSLR or a Point and Shoot Digital Camera?
• How to Choose a DSLR
• Best Digital Cameras
• Digital Camera Shop - Compare Prices Here

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Dec 8: Kodak EasyShare Z710 Review at Pocket-lint

Pocket Lint reviews the Kodak EasyShare Z710 and gives it a rating of 5 out of 10. They write"The Z710 is pricey for what it is, it has some odd flaws in design such as that maddening flash/on/off button and it has a build, best politely described as “plasticy”. The camera’s resolution should allow prints up to A3 but there simply is not enough detail to support such a size, add to that some barrel distortion at the wide end of the zoom and purple fringing around high-contrast areas and I have to say that I cannot recommend this camera. "

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Dec 8: Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd Review at ThinkCamera

Think Camera reviews the Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd where hey give it a rating of 9 out of 10 and write - 'If I wanted to buy a bridge camera right now I'd get a Fujifilm S6500fd. If I wanted to buy a budget DSLR with a travel zoom then I'd also think long and hard about whether the S6500fd wasn't a better choice. It's between £50 and £100 cheaper than the S9600 and unless you need the extra pixels I think it's a better buy. It will also save you £100 - £200 off the price of an entry level DSLR and be somewhat easier to live with. The face detection isn't perfect - many times it just doesn't work yet but I like to see it as a handy bonus. This is a great camera with face detection thrown in. '

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Dec 8: Casio Exilim EX-S770 Review at Camera.co.uk

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.'

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Dec 8: Olympus Stylus 730 Review at Digital Camera Review

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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Dec 8: Pentax K10D Review at ePhotozine

ePhotozine reviews the Pentax K10D where they write - 'Pentax are back! With the possible exception of frame rate, made up for in part with the Shake-reduction and dual RAW capability, this camera is up there with Nikon’s D200 and Canon’s 30D. Packed with features that have been well thought out and are easily accessible in a body that has been built to withstand the pressures of hard use in typically English climates it has a lot going for it. If their lens line-up takes a similar leap in the next twelve months, Pentax will be back toe-to-toe with the big boys. This is a serious advanced amateur or semi-pro camera.'

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Dec 8: Fujifilm S6000fd Review at DP Review

DP Review has reviewed the Fujifilm S6000fd and gives it a rating of 'highly recommended'. They write - 'I must admit I didn't really know what to expect from the S6000fd (having used some of its predecessors), and I was pleasantly surprised to find it was a well designed, well executed and surprisingly versatile photographic tool. It's probably not the best 'point and shoot' model in its class (you'll get better results if you know what you're doing), but the combination of features, output and unusually able high ISO performance means that - whilst far from perfect - it can easily hold its own against some of it's more 'high profile' competitors.'

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Dec 8: Nikon Coolpix S10 Review at Imaging Resource

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.'

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Dec 8: Olympus FE-190 Zoom Review at Steves Digicams

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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Dec 8: Sigma postponed SD14 until March 2007

Sigma today announced delays to the release of their eagerly anticipated Sigma SD14 DSLR in the following news release.

Postponement of the Sigma SD14 launch date

Dear Customers,

I appreciate your strong and kind support for our products.

At photokina 2006, we introduced our next generation digital SLR camera, the Sigma SD14. At the time, we made it clear that we would begin shipping production cameras late November 2006. Soon thereafter, we revised our release plan from late November to the middle of December.

Of course we continued our development work on the SD14 in preparation for production and shipping. During this process, we found one issue that occurred occasionally and only under certain circumstances. Initially, we felt that this could be solved with a programming or processing solution. However, after careful investigation and many attempts at a solution, we have come to the conclusion that we need to make a hardware change to fix this issue completely.

All of us at Sigma regret very much that this will result in a delay in the availability of the SD14 until late February or early March 2007. Retail sales should start in mid-March.

We deeply and sincerely apologize to all of our current and future Sigma users for this delay. We are confident that the SD14 will be an important product for photographers. The results we have produced thus far have been outstanding. However, we feel that we would not be serving our community of present and prospective photographers well by delivering a camera with a known issue. We ask for your understanding. For our part, we will do our best to fix this problem and begin delivery of the SD14 as soon as possible.

The amount of interest shown in our digital imaging products at photokina 2006 and thereafter was very encouraging. Please note that the delay of the SD14 will not have a significant impact on the development work on other cameras or lenses. This work continues and we will announce delivery plans as they become firm.

At this time, I would like to once again express my gratitude to all of our Sigma customers for their support. Thank you very much for your understanding and we appreciate your patience in waiting for the SD14. We are confident it will be worth the wait.

Best regards,

Kazuto Yamaki
Chief Operating Officer
Sigma Corporation

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Dec 8: Fujifilm confirms the launch of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

More word this week from Fujifilm on their upcoming Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro DSLR.

Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro News Release
Confirming the company’s commitment to professional photographers, Fujifilm today announced the much anticipated FinePix S5 Pro digital SLR camera. The new FinePix S5 Pro is further affirmation of Fujifilm’s goal to achieve professional D-SLR image quality consistent with Fujifilm’s professional film heritage.

The FinePix S5 Pro carries a number of attributes that made its predecessor, the FinePix S3 Pro, so popular with wedding, portrait and studio photographers. One of them is increased dynamic range from the new Super CCD SR. Using a unique layout of twelve million paired photodiodes (6.17 million larger ‘S’ photodiodes for main image information, combined with 6.17 million smaller ‘R’ photodiodes for bright area information), the new FinePix S5 Pro continues this tradition of expanded dynamic range and goes a step further by coupling the new Super CCD SR Pro sensor with Fujifilm’s new RP (Real Photo) Processor Pro for even more outstanding, film-like results. A low noise to achieve high sensitivity ISO3200 by improving the device performance has been achieved. Moreover, the FinePix S5 Pro will house the two technologies in a fully digital and durable metal alloy body frame. This opens the door for Fujifilm’s digital imaging technologies to expand into other professional applications such as outdoor and high endurance commercial photography as well as enthusiast photographers in any shooting situations.

Highlight features of the FinePix S5 Pro include:

Image Processing and Quality
Real Photo Technology Pro, which combines the Super CCD SR Pro sensor and the RP Processor Pro, allows for the wide dynamic range with smoother tonality from brightest light to darkest shadow. The re-designed new Super CCD SR Pro features an optimized low-pass filter that will reduce the noise and minimize moiré. The newly developed RP Processor Pro features two cycles of noise reduction so photographers can snap pictures at light sensitivities as high as ISO 3200 with less noise than comparable cameras at similar ISO settings.

Photographers can choose from AUTOMATIC and six preprogrammed ranges, 100%,STD, 130%, 170%, 230%,W1, 300% and 400%,W2, for greater creative control over the FinePix S5 Pro’s expanded dynamic range.

Toughness and Extended shutter cycle
With its predecessor achieving recognition for its excellent ergonomics, the FinePix S5 Pro will take the system into a different league, using a tough, professional magnesium alloy shell. With weatherproof seals, and first-rate design, the S5 Pro will be a camera truly deserving of the term ‘workhorse’, equally at home in the studio as on a nature assignment in a humid rainforest. The camera’s shutter mechanism will be testament to its durability, as it has been tested to exceed the key benchmark of 100,000 cycles.

Enhancement of Film simulation mode
Three new variations of the original film simulation mode have been added (five modes in total) for improved reproduction of natural skin tones to be optimized under various lighting conditions.

With ‘Fujichrome’ mode, it will be set to deliver the images with rich saturation as photographers have loved with Fujifilm’s reversal films for many years.

Face Detection Technology for post image verification
At the push of a button, the FinePix S5 Pro’s Face Detection Technology detects up to ten faces in a scene immediately after each image is captured. Photographers can zoom in and confirm facial detail, whether eyes are open or closed, focus and exposure on the FinePix S5 Pro’s LCD monitor. This technology, developed for Image Intelligence over a number of years and adopted in the Frontier model, has been made available on a single chip that can be installed in digital cameras.

Other camera functions and features

• Nikon F mount compatibility with all Nikkor AF-D/G and the latest AF-S optics
• RAW+JPEG (4,256 x 2,848 pixels, 3,024 x 2,016 pixels, 2,304 x 1,536 pixels) dual-save mode
• Mac and PC supported tethered shooting mode via USB 2.0 port and optional Hyper-Utility software
• Robust, lightweight magnesium-alloy body
• Durable shutter unit tested up to approximately 100,000 releases
• Adoption of high-precision i-TTL flash control
• 11-point AF sensor for consistent, fast and precise focusing.
• Supports 1/3, 1/2, and 1 stop lens aperture control
• Shutter speed 30 sec. to 1/8000 sec. and bulb, maximum flash sync speed of 1/250 sec.
• Remark function enables addition of comments to an image file by connecting a RS-232C bar code reader to the camera body.
• 3 levels of custom Function Locking with password protection
• 2.5 inch LCD with aaprox. 230,000 pixels with 100% frame coverage featuring color or monochromatic 30 seconds, live view function to check the focusing and the framing.
• Li-ion rechargeable battery
• Compact Flash™ (CF) Card (Type ) and Microdrive™ compatible

Optional Accessories

• New Hyper-Utility Software HS-V3 for precise editing control of images taken in CCD-RAW
• 14-bit format. Software also enables PC control of the FinePix S5 Pro. It will be compatible with Windows Vista For existing Hyper-Utility HS-V2 customers, the upgrade software will be available as an option.
• Rechargeable Battery NP-150
• Battery Charger BC-150
• AC Power Adapter AC-135VN

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Dec 6: Nikon Coolpix S10 Review at CNET

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."

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Dec 6: Nikon D80 Review at ThinkCamera Reviews

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. "

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Dec 6: Olympus Mju Stylus 740 Review at DigiCam Review

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."

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Dec 6: Nikon D40 Review at Ken Rockwell

Ken Rockwell posts his review of the Nikon D40 where he recommends - "I'm suggesting the D40 to my friends who just want great pictures of family, kids and friends. The D40 is for normal people who just want great pictures, not photographers who want fancy cameras. The D40 is the smallest and lightest Nikon DSLR ever. Photographers may use this for a backup, but the lack of immediate access to the critical adjustments photographers make for each shot could drive active photographers up a wall. "

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Dec 6: HP R967 Review at Megapixel

Megapixel reviews the HP R967 and writes - 'The image quality the 10-megapixel CCD yields varies greatly with the compression used. The R967 provides 4-JPEG compression levels, each identified by a number of stars. The highest image quality is obtained with the compression, but it is only accessible as a custom option of the image quality settings. At this level, images reveal no compression artefacts, and retain a good overall sharpness. However, as soon as the compression is increased, a commensurate loss of details can be observed.'

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Dec 6: Nikon D80 DSLR Review at TrustedReviews

rusted 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.'

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Dec 5: Canon Powershot A700 Review at DigiCamReview

DigiCam Review have reviewed the Canon Powershot A700 where they write - "I've been using the Canon Powershot A700 for nearly 6 months now and taken thousands of photos with it - this camera has consistently produced excellent results and been able to take great photos in every situation, including WWE shows! Image quality is excellent with great colours, and the 6x optical zoom lens is an excellent feature, especially as the camera is not much bigger than a lot of other 3x optical zoom lens cameras. If you want a good optical zoom, but don't want the bulk normally associated with ultra zoom cameras, then the A700 (and A710 IS) is an excellent option. The camera only takes 2 AA batteries, yet battery life is still very good, and has the added bonus of allowing you to buy replacement batteries in any local shop, no matter where in the world you are. The manual white balance will let you get great macro photos, and full manual controls mean you can take some great night photos. The only thing missing from this camera is image stabilisation - thankfully Canon have released the A710 IS, and if it's as good as the A700, then it's bound to be excellent! The A700 is Highly Recommended! Although if you can't find it anymore, then go out and buy an A710 IS."

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Dec 5: Nikon D80 DSLR Review at Shutterbug

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.'

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Dec 5: Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd Review at Imaging Resource

Imaging Resource review the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd and writes - "The Fuji S6000fd is one of the better superzoom models I've tested. It has a very responsive 10.71x (28 - 300mm) zoom lens that's easy to adjust using the rubberized manual zoom ring around the barrel of the lens. Though this camera includes a bevy of pro-like features, including a professional look, RAW image support, and a very responsive processor, it also has a host of features that a less advanced photographer would appreciate. In particular, technologies such as Face Detection and the ability to shoot low-noise images at high light sensitivities, will surely be appreciated by a wide range of photographers, making the Fuji S6000fd a real winner."

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Dec 5: Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Review at PopPhotography

PopularPhotography has posted a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and writes - 'With its excellent stabilized zoom lens, live preview, and bright-image DOF capability, the L1 offers some significant benefits over most other DSLRs. Is it worth the $1,900 price tag? If you subtract the value of the Leica 14-50mm stabilized lens, you're getting a well-built DSLR with a dual-position pop-up flash, tons of controls, and Extremely High image quality at most ISO speeds for only about $600. Try to beat that!'

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Dec 5: Leica D-Lux 3 Review at CNET

CNET posts their review of the Leica D-Lux 3 where they write - "Unsurprisingly, the D-Lux 3 performs similarly to the DMC-LX2, always taking a fraction of a second longer than I could spare when photographing animals and children. A 0.7-second lag in typical lighting is just a bit too slow, and 1.7 seconds in dim light is not as good as its twin. It takes 2.3 seconds between shots under the best conditions, and the flash recycling adds little overhead--a mere 0.4 second. Raw shooting takes a relatively slow 5.2 seconds between shots. And though the continuous-shooting speed is a decent 1.3 to 1.5fps, it can take only a few shots before stopping to process."

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Dec 4: Canon EOS 400D Review at PhotographyBLOG

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.'

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Dec 4: Nikon D2Xs Preview at CNET

CNET posts their preview / review of the Nikon D2Xs DSLR and writes - 'The D2Xs retains the professional aspects of its predecessor and improves on many of them. It's a worthy addition to Nikon's professional stable of digital SLRs and will likely find fans and converts mainly among the action and sports photography crowd. Other industry-grade functions are also retained -- GPS information recording remains possible with the use of the optional GPS Adapter Cord MC-35, along with high-speed wireless support with the IEEE802.11b/g compatible Wireless Transmitter WT-2/2A.'

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Dec 4: Nikon D40 Review at DCRP

DCRP has posted their review of the Nikon D40 and writes - "The D40 is one of the most compact D-SLRs on the market, but it's not too small like the Rebel XTi. Yeah, the grip is a little too small for my hands, but most people will find it to be acceptable (and better than the one on the Rebel). Build quality is also better than the Rebel, with higher grade plastics and an overall more solid feel. To cut down on the size of the camera, Nikon removed both the internal focus motor and LCD info display found on their other D-SLRs. The latter isn't a big deal, as Nikon did a nice job integrating shooting data onto the main LCD. You've got two views to choose from (I prefer the classic myself), and you can quickly change commonly used settings at the press of a button. The LCD itself is big, bright, and sharp. As for the lens motor issue, this really depends on how you plan to use the D40. If you'll be sticking to the kit lens and lenses like it, then you'll probably be fine. If you want throw on a 50 mm prime, then you'll probably want to get the D80 instead, as it'll be manual focus only otherwise."

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Dec 4: Pentax K100D Review at DP Review

DP Review has posted their review of the Pentax K100D where they write - 'Not only has Pentax improved in-camera image processing but they appear to have overtaken some of the competition, the amount of detail delivered is about as much as we could expect to see from a six megapixel CCD. On top of this they've also taken the sensible compromise of using a minimal amount of noise reduction and not turning down sharpening at higher sensitivities which means you get almost as much detail at ISO 1600 as you would at ISO 200. This combination means that assuming the 'input image' is sharp (good lens and/or stopped down slightly) you're going to get a great detailed image.'

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Dec 4: Nikon D40 DSLR Review at Pocket-lint

Pocket Lint reviews the Nikon D40 DSLR camera and writes - "The general impression of the camera is that it's a well-made device that has had a lot of thought go in to it. Things that have been changed make it easier for the newbie to get around what may initially seem a daunting device. However, the D40 will have to get over the almost-stigma of having offering just 6MP of resolution. The unfortunate fact is that most consumers, entry-level users, will walk in to a camera shop hungry for megapixels, and may unfairly dismiss the D40 out of hand in favour of something along the lines of 8MP or 10MP. Those who know a little bit more about cameras and photography will release that the 6MP D40 may offer useful functions that the others don't - but they most likely won't be in the market for an entry-level camera."

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Dec 3: Canon Powershot SD800 IS Digital ELPH Review at Steves Digicams

Steves Digicams has written a review of the Canon Powershot SD800 IS Digital ELPH where they recommend - 'Our indoor shots were also nice. The flash has an average range of about 13 feet (at wide angle and using ISO Auto). While this unit is sufficient for close-up shots and small groups, do not expect it to illuminate large open rooms. If you need more power, look into a unit like the HF-DC1 external flash, which delivers proper illumination up to approximately 30 feet, at all zoom positions. I was able to capture nice portraits with good flash exposure and pleasing skin tones, from about 6 feet away using the telephoto end of the zoom range. The only issue I had was actually the same thing we found with the SD700. The Red-Eye reduction system doesn't work as well as a true red-eye reduction flash mode. There's no delay when using red eye reduction, as the SD800 uses the bright orange LED of the AF-assist lamp rather than a pre-flash to cause the subject's pupils to close-down. However, this can be fixed very quickly by taking only a minute or so in any image editor.'

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Dec 3: Sony alpha DSLR-A100 Review at Digital Camera Info

Digital Camera Info reviews the Sony alpha DSLR-A100 and writes - 'The Sony α (alpha) A100 is a good value for users who want stabilization, dust control and 10 megapixels, but don't mind a clunky interface and slow operation. It's a snapshot camera with some very appealing bells and whistles, and it will be a very good fit for casual photographers who want a DSLR, but don't need one. The Sony A100 is an overall disappointment. It's far too similar to the Konica-Minolta cameras it's built on. Those cameras failed in the marketplace, and some of Sony's few and minor changes, such as the parameters dial, aren't improvements. The strategy doesn’t seem to improve a product that didn't sell; it just markets it with a bigger name.'

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Dec 3: Canon Powershot SD900 Digital ELPH Review at Steves Digicams

Steves Digicams reviews the Canon Powershot SD900 Digital ELPH and writes - 'Canon's PowerShot SD900 is a welcomed addition to the very popular Digital ELPH line. With robust performance, awesome image quality, loads of user-friendly exposure modes, and a durable Titanium outer shell, the SD900 is sure to stand the test of time and be a very popular model this holiday season. And, with 10-megapixels of resolution, the printing possibilities are almost endless. At an MSRP of US$499, we feel it offers a great value for a 10-megapixel model in the "ultra-compact" digicam class.'

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Dec 3: Canon EOS 400D DSLR Review at Pocket-lint

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. "

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Dec 3: Kodak EasyShare V705 Review by PC Magazine

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.'

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Dec 3: Canon Powershot G7 Review by DPexpert

DP Expert reviews the Canon Powershot G7 and writes "This camera is a joy to use, except for the absence of the swivelling LCD screen which is incredibly useful. But the images are disappointing. The pixel madness has Canon in its grip -- this is the second camera from the company that has disappointed by its excess pixel-induced image degradation. And to think that nine months ago Canon announced that the pixel race was over."

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Dec 3: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 Review at Digital Camera Info

Digital Camera Info has posted their review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 where they write - 'The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 is a great addition to the compact market if only for the unique 16:9 native 10-megapixel CCD. Photographers should keep in mind that the megapixel count will drop when shooting in other aspect ratios and when shooting at the somewhat ludicrous ISO 3200 level in High Sensitivity mode.'

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Dec 3: How to Photograph Concerts in Small to Medium Sized Venues

Popular Photography has a helpful guide to photographing live events and concerts in small to medium sized venues:

"Whether you simply want a souvenir of your favorite act, photos of your children at the school recital, or aspire to be a professional music photographer, learning to photograph under available stage light is important. The inherent lighting conditions, while making for atmospheric shots, present challenges and require a certain amount of specialized equipment, film, and technique to get optimum results. Shooting in smaller venues, especially bars and clubs, also creates more practical problems, from potential drink spillage on equipment to the threat of gear theft both at, and transporting to and from, the venue."

Learn more about Concert Photography in this book - Concert Photograpy: How to Shoot and Sell Music Business Photographs

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Dec 3: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50K Review at CNET

CNET reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50K and writes - "It's not easy being a 7-megapixel snapshot camera. You have to be fast, cute, cheap, smart, and talented just to get noticed. If you're lucky, your company will give you a clear spot in the lineup with your siblings; if not, you've got to duke it out with a cheaper version of yourself. By these standards, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50 has a hard life. Forced to share a spot in the line with the marginally less-expensive, nearly identical DMC-FX07, which comes in a peacockish array of colors, the DMC-FX50 has only its slightly larger, 3-inch LCD to jazz up its black (DMC-FX50K) and silver (DMC-FX50S) bodies. And though it has a few things going for it--it's stylish and smart--its poor photo quality and nondescript performance leave it destined to be a wallflower."

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Dec 3: Leica V-Lux 1 Review at CNET

CNET has posted a review of the Leica V-Lux 1 where they give it a rating of 7.4 out of 10 and write - "Leica's V-Lux 1 performed well in our tests, though came in slightly slower than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50. Since the cameras have different firmware, including seemingly different JPEG compression, it's no wonder we saw different results. The V-Lux took 1.4 seconds from power-up to capturing its first shot. The time between subsequent shots was 2.1 seconds without flash and 2.8 seconds with the flash turned on. The time between capturing raw images was a respectable 5.4 seconds. This may seem like a long time, but if you want significantly faster raw performance, you'll have to step up to an SLR. Shutter lag measured 0.7 second under bright light and 1.1 seconds in dim lighting conditions. In continuous-shooting mode, we clocked slightly more than 1fps when capturing VGA-size JPEGs and approximately 1.2fps when capturing 10.1-megapixel JPEGs."

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Dec 1: Ricoh Caplio R5 Review at Trusted Reviews

Trusted Reviews has posted their review of the Ricoh Caplio R5 and writes - 'Ricoh proves once again that it can match and often exceed anything its rivals can produce. The Caplio R5 has a unique specification, combining wide angle and long telephoto abilities, effective image stabilisation and a usable high ISO setting, with good image quality and outstanding performance. Its only weak point is its poor low light focusing ability.'

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