NEWS BRIEFS (02/04/04)
Delkin has provided us with a press release indicating they are announcing the addition of Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard and Memory Stick formats to their Professional eFilm Pro CardBus 32-bit line of PCMCIA CARDBUS adapters. The new cards offer users a much faster transfer speed when moving digital camera images off of their memory cards and onto a computer. Many older PCMCIA adapters on the market offer only 16-bit adapters and are thus much slower in their transfer speeds. Since 1997 most laptops from companies offer the newer 32-bit CardBus format slots. These new adapters will be valued by many professionals and others who take a lot of digital camera images using newer high megapixel cameras and DSLRs especially while on the road where they are often having to transfer the image files to their laptops frequently and time matters. The new cards will sell for an estimated price of $79.99. Delkin also makes a 32-Bit Compact Flash Type II Pro Cardbus adapter which will work with Microdrives and sells at a price of $59.99.
UPDATE - 02/05/04
We have been in direct contact with Delkin to clarify the fact that the Memory Stick version of this new 32 Bit eFilm Pro CardBus will accept the Memory Stick Pro cards. Delkin has confirmed that the new MS Card version does accept the MS Pro cards which seemed apparant by their use of one in the product picture, but we had not seen an offical statement or specification (see image usssing the link below)! In addition, Delkin specifically has advised us that the new cards will take advantage of the much higher data transfer speeds of the Memory Stick Pro cards! This should be fantastic news for all the Memory Stick Pro users out there who use their cameras with their laptops, including all you new Sony F828 owners!
Here is the full Press Release from Delkin.
Lenmar has issued a Press Release regarding their new All-In-One Mach 1 Speed Charger. This charger can handle a wide variety of battery sizes and types including most Sony and Canon Digital Camera and Video Camera Batteries. It will be available in April at a base price of $99.95. Lenmar indicates that it is the World's fastest charger currently available for most batteries including AA/AA batteries. Specific Batteries may require purchase of an optional adapter plate at a price of $5.95. Here is the full Lenmar Press Release.
Pentax has issued a Press Release announcing a $300.00 price reduction on their recent 6 megapixel *iST DSLR interchangeable lens camera. In addition, Pentax is offering an additional $200.00 rebate when you buy the *iST in combination with their new 16 - 45 mm DA Digital Lens that was just announced in December and made specifically to fit the Pentax Digital SLR camera. There are also a number of other digital camera price reductions on Optio consumer digital cameras, so be sure to check them out as Pentax has some great digital cameras in all categories. Here is the full Press Release.
Olympus also recently lowered the price of their E-1 DSLR camera by the same $300.00 dollar amount. Olympus announced a special promotion that involves giving buyers a $300 trade-in for film SLR camera and certain digital cameras, allowing purchase of the E-1 body with the 14-54 Zuiko Lens at a final price of $1999. The offer is good now through March 31, 2004. Here is the full Press Release.
We recently were provided a Press Release by DO Labs regarding a very interesting new software which they claim will eliminate blur, distortion, chromatic aberrations, and vignetting thus enhancing image quality from most current Digital SLR cameras. The Press Release indicates that the software provides breakthrough technology to achieve some impressive improvements in pictures and so it is something we will look into closely at PMA and we hope to do a review soon. Here is the full Press Release.
The Photo Marketing Association has provided to us a Press Release for publication regarding their new retailer locator feature on their web site which is designed to help consumers through out the USA find the nearest Retail Store that can process and print their digital images files. The Photo Marketing Association has indicated that its goal is to assist consumers who are converting to digital cameras to have an easier ability to find locations where they can take their digital images, stored in various ways to a local retail store and have selected images made into prints with the similar ease everyone has been accustomed to with film cameras. These capabilities for easy digital prints do now exists and are quite widespread, however there is a need to get this word out to the public and help consumers realise the advancements digital imaging has now achieved. Once consumers start finding easy print solutions it is thought this will help promote the desire of many to finally go digital. Here is the Press Release.
We have posted an interesting Pre-PMA Press Release issued by American Multiplexer Corporation regarding the presentation of their new eFotoXpress product at the upcoming PMA show. The new program uses an advanced wavelet compression and the JPEG 2000 standard to greatly reduce file sizes of digital camera photos for mailing via e-mail, and it allows adding 10 seconds of voice/narration or sounds to the images as well as a slideshow presentation, which can be played back and viewed/listened to by the person receiving the e-mailed images. AMC has indicated that the announcement of this product recently has generated a lot of buzz and they indicate they will be very busy throughout the PMA show meeting with press and buyers interested in the new product as well as putting on demonstrations at their PMA booth to the masses in attendance at the show. With such bold claims, how can we resist but to check it out and report back to our reader what we find out about this new product. Here is the Press Release.
Kodak has announced a new improved Ultima Picture Paper that delivers Inkjet Prints that last more than 100 years! Using a New COLORLAST Technology, the paper is said to protect the inks from fading and damage for much longer time periods compared to most other papers. We will certainly get some of this paper and try it out on our several Epson as well as Canon and HP Photo Printers. Here is the full Press Release.
PENTAX ANNOUNCES 3 NEW OPTIO CAMERAS (02/02/04)
Pentax USA announced 3 new Optio Digital Cameras today, the 4 megapixel Optio S4i, the 4 megapixel Optio S40, and the 3 megapixel Optio30. All three cameras feature a 3X optical zoom lens, with the Optio S4i and Optio S40 sharing the same retractable high quality smc Pentax zoom lens with coverage from 35 to 105mm. The Optio30 has a zoom coverage from 38 to 108mm.
The Optio S41 (shown above) is an updated version of last year's 4 megapixel Optio S4 and features a very thin and ultra-compact aluminium alloy body that measures .81 inches in thickness, it has 10MB of memory built-in, uses SD or MMC memory, has a Lithium-Ion battery along with a 'cradle' for recharging, an optional underwater casing and can record movies with sound at 320 by 240 at 15 frames per second. It also features a 1.8 inch LCD display, has voice recording, a large variety of scene modes, has a 4X digital zoom, manual focus, offers histogram display in shooting or playback modes, there are controls for sharpness, contrast and saturation, it has a time lapse feature along with 21 shooting modes including an interesting sounding 3D mode, and a panoramic stick assist mode, ISO range from 50 to 400, has a Quick button for easy and quick access back to into shooting mode, there is a night scene mode, and it has bundled in the box ACDSee version 5.1. Like so many new cameras these days the Optio S4i has PictBridge connectivity with a PictBridge printer allowing printing directly from the camera to the printer without need of a computer. Pentax indicates in material provided to us that the S4i has a shutter lag time of just 0.01. The camera has USB mass storage compatibility and USB connectivity. There is an optional remote control unit for this camera or you can use a built-in a self-timer for self portraits. The camera will be available in April, however there is apparently no current MSRP at this time.
The Optio S40 is another 4 megapixel camera with a very compact body that is just one inch in thickness and weighs only 4.4 ounces without batteries (it uses 2 AA) and SD memory card. It comes in a nice looking aluminium design and easily will fit into a pocket or purse. Once again it has the same 4X digital zoom mentioned above, giving it a total of 12X Zoom and there is a nine mode dial positioned on top of the camera. The new Help function displays simple explanations of all of the button functions on the screen. It also has the PictBridge connectivity, which allow you to print directly with PICTBRIDGE supported photo ink jet printers. The Optio S40 has a movie mode with sound and can also record Voice recorded messages. There are 8 special scene modes, including a Surf mode, Snow mode, and Marine mode for shots underwater with optional underwater housings. Images are stored on SD or MMC cards, or on the 11MB of built in memory. The S40 can also work with a remote control unit, and it can record up to 30 second memos at a time. Advanced features include a Histogram available in both shooting and playback modes. The S40 will also be available in April at a currently unknown price.
The third model is the Optio30, a 3.2 megapixel camera with a 3X non-retractable zoom lens and a 4X digital zoom. The Optio30 features a Macro mode with focus down to just .79 inches from a subject, as well as simple menus including a split-screen option with full menus that offer helpful tutorial explanations of the most frequently used digital photo functions. There is 16 megabytes of built-in memory so the camera is ready to shoot without even installing a SD or MMC memory card. The mode dial on the Optio30 offers 12 shooting mode selections including 'Party' mode, 'Cuisine' mode and a 'Pet' mode, to assist in taking pictures of your pet, and there is a program mode for auto shutter speed, aperture and auto focus. This camera is also PictBridge compatible, allowing printing directly with PictBridge enable printers without need of a computer. Movies without sound can be recorded at 320 by 240 or 160 by 120 and special effects such as black and white and sepia are available. In regular picture mode there are 9 filter choices such as black and white, sepia, red, pink, purple, blue, green, yellow and brightness. The Optio30 also ships with ACDSee and has USB compatibility. The camera has a built-in auto flash with a red-eye reduction feature, and also has a 1.6 inch color LCD screen. Other features include interval shooting, an optical viewfinder, Nine Image/8X zoom playback, self-timer, continuous shooting, ISO range of 50, 100 or 200, sharpness, saturation and contrast settings, 4 in 1 shooting (4 shots in one frame), manual focusing and histogram display in both shooting and playback modes. The Optio30 will ship in April however once again we have no estimated pricing information.
For further details see our News Forum for posted stories featuring the press releases and fact sheets with all of the camera features as well as product photos.
KODAK ANNOUNCES 4 NEW CAMERAS (02/02/04)
Kodak has announced today 4 cameras including a somewhat unique new 6 Megapixel (files are 2856 by 2142) model called the EasyShare DX7630 which will sell for a suggested price of $499.95 starting in April. The new DX7630 has a 3X optical zoom lens (39 - 117mm) using a F2.8 - 8.0 Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens and offers manual metering controls, shutter speed range of 64 seconds to 1/1400 of a second, 16 special Scene Modes, a large 2.2 inch LCD display using 153,000 pixels, a very fast auto focus system with special low light capabilities (combines rapid phase detection with highly accurate through the lens (TTL) contrast detection) whick Kodak claims allows a 0.3 click to click capture time, 320 by 240 resolution movies with sound at 24fps up to the cards capacity, use of SD and MMC memory cards with 32 MB of built-in memory, the Kodak Print Share button for tagging images of e-mailing, or marking camera favourites for in-camera photo albums and use with the optional Camera Dock 6000 which is sold separately for $79.95 dollars. The EasyShare DX7630 will use a Kodak Lithium-Ion battery and has USB 2.0 computer connectivity. Kodak indicates that image quality in this model is stunning by using a new high quality German precision made Schneider-Kreuznauh lens and will be heightened even further with what they call the KODAK Color Science image processing chip for faster more sophisticated image processing routines in camera. There are also some nice advanced features in this new Kodak such as first and last burst modes, flash compensation, selectable sharpness, up to 8X magnification in review mode, Auto Picture Rotation, always ready to Snap feature which allows you to snap a picture immediately regardless of the mode or menu you are in, and what Kodak indicates is a highly responsive camera operation speed.
The next camera is called the EasyShare CX7430 which is a 4 Megapixel camera (2304 by 1728) using a F2.7 - 4.6, 3X optical zoom lens by Kodak. This camera has a 1.6 inch LCD display, the red jeweled Kodak "Share" button and features, movie mode with sound at 640 by 480 resolution at 13 frames per second or 320 by 240 at 20 frames a second up to the memory card's capacity, use of SD and MMC cards with 16MB of built-in memory, it uses just 2 AA batteries, and has USB connectivity along with the ability to use the optional Kodak Docking Unit 6000. The CX7430 also has the new "Camera Favorites" feature which allows storage of multiple pictures in an on-camera digital photo album. Kodak indicates that this camera will ship in March at an estimated price of $279.
Next Kodak has announced a new 3.2 Megapixel camera with a 3X digital zoom only (No Optical Zoom) called the EasyShare CX7300. This camera also uses a 1.6 inch LCD display to produce images with a resolution of 2080 by 1544 pixels. It has a movie mode which no sound that records at a resolution of 320 by 240 at 15 frames per second. The CX7300 will sell at a suggested price of $129 and will be available starting in March.
Finally, Kodak has announced a 2 Megapixel model (1632 by 1232) called the EasyShare CX7220. This camera has a 2X optical zoom lens at F3.8 to 5.0, a 1.5 inch LCD display and a movie mode with sound which records at 320 by 240 resolution and 15 frames per second. This model will not ship until May 2004 but will have a price of just $149.
NIKON COOLPIX 3200 SAMPLE PICTURES POSTED (01/29/04)
CANON ANNOUNCES NEW EOS D1 MARK II PRO DSLR (01/29/04)
Canon has announced today details of their new EOS D1 Mark II professional DSLR camera which will retail at a price of around $4500 and will be available in April here in the USA along with two new Lenses (see link below for more Camera & Lens details). The new camera features an 8.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor with RGB primary color filtering and can shoot images at rate of 8.5 frames per second, up to 40 jpeg images (20 RAW) at a time. The new 8.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor retains the same physical size (28.7 x 19.1mm), and a 1.3X field of view crop used on the prior 4 megapixel 1D camera as well as a 3:2 aspect ratio. Canon indicates that the new image sensor is using a new high-speed 8-channel reading technology to deliver a very high image quality with low noise and a high S/N ratio. Canon has used a newly developed DIGIC II imaging engine compatible with DDR-SDRAM to obtain the fast 8.5 frames per second with 8.2 megapixel 12 bit images. The new D1 Mark II has an advanced new Evaluative Through-The-Lens (E-TTL) Autoflash system for improved evaluative metering and new averaged metering using new recording alogorithms in order to obtain more consistent flash metering. The new WB Compensation system allows separate or combined adjustment of blue/amber and magenta/green biases in ±9 steps and there are a total of 10 White Balance Settings with fine tuning compensation of the color temperature. This provides the effect of using light-balancing (LB) and color-correction (CC) filters, with 360 combinations of 36 (4 colors with 9 steps each) built-in digital color filters. There are 45 AutoFocus Points. The camera has a 21-Zone TTL full aperture metering. Shutter speeds range from 1/8000 to 30 second in 1/3-stop increments with bulb and a X-sync at 1/250 sec. There are 7 Color Matrix settings for the JPEG and RAW images, which provides easy adjustment of color space, saturation and color tone. There are 5 factory presets, two customizable settings that have five-level adjustment that can be saved for use at a later time. ISO speeds range from 50 to 3200 and are adjustable in 1/3 increments. The EOS-1D Mark II features a rigid magnesium alloy and the external covers that contribute to electromagnetic shielding, and low body weight. The shutter durability is rated at 200,000 shutter cycles. The camera has dual slots and can record images on both Compact Flash Memory Cards (Type I & Type II) as well as Secure Digital Memory Cards. Playback is performed on a new 2.0 inch LCD display with 230,000 pixel resolution and a 10X magnification ability. The 1D Mark II does have audio recording capability. The camera has both Firewire and USB connectivity. Canon is also announcing a new EOS Viewer Utility Software for much faster image preview, and Digital Photo Professional for high-speed processing that provides easier operability and handling of the RAW images. Dimensions 156 (W) x 157.6 (H) x 79.9 (D) mm / 6.1 x 6.2 x 3.1 in. Weight 1220 g/43 oz. (Body only. battery: 335 g/11.8 oz.).
For more details see our Canon EOS 1D Mark II Preview Page with additional product photos, specifications and the Canon USA press release along with information on 2 new lenses by Canon which will be available in March.
NIKON ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF NEW D70 DSLR & COOLPIX 8700 (01/28/04)
Nikon is announcing details today of their upcoming under $1000 D70 DSLR interchangeable lens camera initially mentioned by Nikon in December for a product launch this Spring as well as their new 8 megapixel Coolpix 8700. We have full details of the Coolpix 8700 and hands on information in the story below.
Previously little was known about the new affordable Nikon D70 DSLR camera although much speculation was out there. According to the press release from Nikon the new D70 will feature a new generation 6.1 Megapixel CCD with improved dynamic range (12 bit) & signal to noise ratio, and will retain the same dimensions set for the Nikon DX lens system meaning there will still be an approximate 1.5X field of view crop (A 50mm lens will result in a 75mm equivalent area captured by the CCD). The camera will come configured in two ways. You can buy the 'Outfit' for an estimated street price of $1,299 which includes the new Nikkor AF-S DX 18 to 70 mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED lens, or you can buy the 'Set' which is just the camera body for $999. Both configurations come with the rechargeable battery and charger unit, a strap and Nikon Picture Project Software.
The new D70 has some incredible specifications, and Nikon claims it will have features beyond any other camera in its class (aka the Digital Rebel). In addition to a stated Ultra-Fast shutter lag time, it has a new advanced System LSI processor which Nikon claims ensures images with vivid color, accurate white balance and low noise. Nikon has added what they describe as a phenomenal new Dynamic Buffer technology which allows the D70 to take up to 144 continuous pictures at a rate of 3 pictures per second when using the JPEG Normal setting, Large Image Size, and a SanDisk 256 MB Ultra II CompactFlash card. Nikon claims this new burst mode is made possible by a combined new method of buffer handling, faster image processing, increased memory card access, and a greater system bus bandwidth. There are 25 Custom Settings in the Menus, and the camera has many image controls such as saturation, sharpness, color hue and contrast. The back of the camera has a 1.8-in., 130,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment.
The additional features include what Nikon calls their 7 new 'Digital Vari-Program Modes'( accessed from a new 'Mode" dial), as well as simultaneous RAW and JPEG image writing to the memory cards, and a new i-TTL flash compatibility with a sync speed of 1/500 of a second. Shutter speeds range from 30 to 1/8000 of a second and the ISO range is from 200 to 1600 (according to the specs sensitivity can be extended by 1 or 2 steps beyond ISO 1,600). The camera has a 5 area auto-focus system which Nikon claims is extremely fast, predictive tracking focus with fast lock on, and it has an AutoFocus Assist Lamp for focus in dark lighting. The camera is ready the instant it is turned on and has what Nikon states is near-instant image review in the LCD Monitor! The D70 uses the rechargeable high-energy EN-EL3 lithium-ion battery which is also used in the D100 and delivers what Nikon has rated as the power to shoot up to 2,000 images on a single charge. And, Nikon points out in the material released today that the D70 also comes with a battery holder that will let you use disposable batteries if needed (it uses 3 CR2 batteries). The D70 has an auto pop-up built-in flash, and a hot-shoe for accessory flash units.
The camera has USB connectivity and has the PictBridge technology for Printing. Nikon is also indicating that more accurate white balance can be achieved by use of Nikon's 3D Color Matrix Meter which has 1,005-pixels for highly precise control over white balance regardless of lighting conditions. You can choose from auto TTL white balance, six different manual modes, or preset white balance. White balance bracketing is also available. Of course it uses Compact Flash cards, both Type I and Type II and supports both Fat 16 and 32 as well as Lexar's Write Acceleration Technology. The D70 has, unlike the Canon Digital Rebel Flash Exposure Compensation and its appears from the details in the Specifications that ISO can be changed while in Sports mode and/or while using Predictive Focus which however like the Digital Rebel is only automatically activated by subject movement. Wireless remote control operation is made available using an optional ML-L3 (IR) remote control.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 140 x 111 x 78 mm/5.5 x 4.4 x 3.1 in). Weight; Approx. 595 g (1.3 lbs) without battery.
For more details see the Joint Coolpix 8700 and D70 Press Release and Nikon Japan Press Release with Specifications, and the story below regarding the new 8 megapixel, 8X zoom Nikon Coolpix 8700. We will have more details up ASAP.
NIKON ANNOUNCES NEW 8 MEGAPIXEL COOLPIX 8700 (01/28/04)
Order Now at Ritz Camera! - The new Nikon Coolpix 8700 is a 2/3 inch 8 megapixel CCD digital camera featuring an 8X optical Nikkor ED glass zoom lens (retractable style f/2.8 - f/4 upto f/8 range 14 elements, 10 groups) with coverage from 35mm to 280mm, full manual exposure and focus controls, a relatively small & lightweight 17 ounce Magnesium Alloy body, 12 scene modes, RAW image recording, and new for Nikon a 640 by 480 Quicktime movie mode at 30fps with audio (upto 35 second clips)! Other features include a 1.2 inch Macro Mode, continuous shooting at 2.5 frames per second, a high resolution 235,000 dot, .44 inch Electronic Viewfinder, an advanced rotating multi-angled 1.8 inch, 134,000 dot TFT LCD Monitor, one button 'Quick Review', a very Quick Camera Operational Response, 5 area multi-focus, a pop-up built-in Speedlight, as well as a time-lapse movie mode, a hot-shoe for external speed lights, and a 5 shot buffer mode. The Coolpix 8700 will sell at a MSRP of $999.
- We have the new Nikon Coolpix 8700 and have just started a brief "First Look" Review, along with some product images. We have been advised that the model we have is not cleared for posting images, however it did perform quite well! We will post samples from a final production unit soon. We do have some of the information such as full product pictures already up, our summary of features, the separate and full. ,Nikon Coolpix 8700 press release and will have much more ASAP.
NIKON "FIRST LOOK" REVIEW
SANDISK SHIPS FIRST PRODUCTION 1GD SD CARD (01/27/04)
SanDisk has issued a press release this morning indicating that they have started shipping the world's first 1 Gigabyte Production Secure Digital Flash Memory Card. The 1 GB cards are using a new ultra-thin "stackable" packaging technology developed by Sharp. According to the press release the new Sharp Technology allows a doubling of the capacity that the cards can hold without a need to increase the thickness, which would have prevented the cards from meeting the physical requirements of the format and fit in existing devices such as digital cameras, audio units and PDAs. The new High Capacity cards will sell at a suggested price of $499. According to recent reports the SD Memory Format has become the No. 1 format for memory cards, passing Compact Flash and we have seen companies such as Nikon and Canon move to the SD format especially in their newer small compact type digital cameras. Here is the link to the Full SanDisk Press Release for further details.
PMA 2004 PREVIEW (01/22/04 & 1/26/04)
