DCResource have posted their review of the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot A85.

“As it was with the A75 and A95, the PowerShot A85 is a first-rate entry-level camera. It’s great for both beginners who want fully automatic operate to more experienced photographers (or those who want to become one) who like manual controls. The A85 offers very good photo quality, full manual controls, plenty of scene modes, an AF-assist lamp, and expandability. The A85’s photo quality is quite good, with only a bit of noise and purple fringing. The camera has the full suite of manual controls, including white balance and focus. For those who aren’t ready for those yet, the camera offers 11 scene modes.”

Website: DCResource - Canon PowerShot A85 Review

PCMagazine have published their review of the Canon PowerShot S60, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a wide-angle 28mm-100mm lens and a new thin body.

“The 3.6X zoom operates smoothly, and we like the camera’s 28-mm wide-angle ability. In macro range, you can shoot from as close as 2 inches, though with wide-angle distortion (as you’d expect). The camera’s 1.8-inch TFT LCD panel wasn’t particularly bright, and even when it was adjusted for daylight viewing, direct light washed it out more than we’d like.”

Website: PCMagazine - Canon PowerShot S60 Review

PCMagazine have just reviewed the 5 megapixel Kodak Easyshare LS753, which was first announced back in January.

“Image quality is very good - equal to or better than any point-and-shoot we’ve tested in terms of resolution: 1,300 horizontal lines per inch (lpi) and 1,250 vertical lpi. Our simulated daylight and flash test shots were crisp, with excellent detail and color, though slightly underexposed.”

Website: PCMagazine - Kodak Easyshare LS753 Review

Well, sort of. There is no official press release yet - just one paragraph on the new-look Praktica website which gives rather limited information about what the German company are calling the “perfect on-the-spot report camera”. The Luxmedia 5003 will have 5 megapixels, a rubberized hand- grip, movie and microphone modes, 3x optical zoom and a 1.5” TFT display.

Website: Praktica - Luxmedia 5003

Editor’s Note: This camera is known as the Olympus C-7000 Zoom in the USA.

Olympus UK Press Release 16/09/04 15.00 CET

A 7.1 million pixel marvel, full of creative potential

The Olympus C-70 ZOOM

Compact and light, the Olympus C-70 ZOOM is a real performer. By combining 7.1 million pixel print quality images with a 5x optical zoom, the camera delivers stunning pictures - even from a distance.  With a 6x digital zoom too, the C-70 ZOOM can deliver an impressive 30x magnification.

The C-70 ZOOM is planned for release in October 2004, priced ?419.99 inc VAT.

Geared to quality
The compact C-70 ZOOM has much to tempt the enthusiastic hobby photographer.  The combination of 7.1 million pixels with a bright 5x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 38-190mm on a 35mm camera, f2.8-4.8) delivers stunning performance.  The camera?s high resolution ensures great image clarity even when using the 6x digital zoom. The TruePic TURBO image processor further enhances picture quality - boosting contrast and colours for even more lifelike results. Moreover, it significantly increases processing speed.

Enabling creative expression
The C-70 ZOOM offers photographers immense creative freedom. For example, manual control of the aperture and shutter speed allows users to personalise their pictures. Many other settings, such as white balance and auto-bracketing are also adjustable, while a host of precision metering systems guarantee amazing results with the minimum of fuss.

Editor’s Note: This camera is known as the Olympus D-535 Zoom in the USA.

Olympus UK Press Release 16/09/04 15.00 CET

Easy handling, great portability and fantastic results

The unbeatable Olympus C-370 ZOOM

Anyone can get great results with the Olympus C-370 ZOOM. Compact and lightweight, this camera is simple and fun to use.  It is based on a ‘one button, one function’ design principle, which makes navigating menus and features easy. However, this camera should not be underestimated. With 3.2 million pixels and a 3x optical zoom lens, delivering crisp photos is a snap, whilst the Super Macro mode allows dramatic close-up shots of extremely small subjects.

The Olympus C-370 ZOOM will be available from October 2004, priced
?119.99 inc VAT.  It comes with the new Olympus Master 1.0 software and incorporates a range of features including:

- Easy to use, ‘one button, one function’ operation
- 3.2 million pixels
- 3x optical zoom
- 1.5 inch LCD
- Endless recording with movie function (limited only by the size of the available memory)
- PictBridge compatibility

“The image quality is stunning as is the case with all Canon cameras. The Canon DIGIC image processor has never disappointed me with final visual results; the colours are great and don’t present any noticeable distortions. Where this camera falls behind in my view is clarity and detail which makes perfect sense; it is a 3.2 megapixel camera and thus can only capture that much detail, the reduced amount of detail this camera captures results in less defined images that are low in clarity. When compared to the PowerShot Pro1, which has an 8 megapixel CCD, this camera is a mere toy. But for those who are beginners and need a good camera to learn with this is an ideal choice that won’t empty your wallet.”

Website: ByteSector - Canon PowerShot S1 IS Review

Nikon UK Press Release 16/09/04

Nikon is pleased to introduce the Coolpix 8800. The 8-megapixel Coolpix 8800 carries a high-powered 10x Zoom-Nikkor ED lens with a Vibration Reduction (VR) System - a first for the Coolpix range.

The Coolpix 8800 is designed for serious photographers who aspire to take the highest quality images. With its 10x zoom, it also targets those who require higher zoom power and those who benefit from its fully loaded yet completely portable design. The extremely versatile Coolpix 8800 meets their requirements, as well as demands from those who want state of the art image quality and even greater ease of use. And for those who want to expand their options, the Coolpix 8800 offers a range of lens converters,speedlights and other accessories.

The Coolpix 8800 carries 8.0 effective megapixels for ultra high-definition photography. Your image clarity is ensured because of the professional quality, 10x Zoom-Nikkor ED lens. With its 35-350mm focal range (35mm equivalent), the lens incorporates two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass lens elements to minimize chromatic aberration and produce amazingly sharp and clear images.

The lens of the Coolpix 8800 incorporates the Vibration Reduction System - a first for the Coolpix range. VR automatically detects and compensates for the small camera movements that cause image blur. This offers the user the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to three stops slower without the risk of camera vibrations blurring your image. Along with Normal Mode, which enables remarkably clear handheld shots, Active Mode helps to ensure a smoother view in shaky conditions, such as shooting from a moving vehicle. Thanks to VR, users can achieve sharp and clear images when shooting in low light or when taking handheld telephoto and macro shots. It even works with the accessory telephoto converter lens at 600mm (35mm equivalent).

Nikon UK Press Release 16/09/04

New 8.0 million pixel Coolpix 8400 with exceptional wide-angle 24-85mm zoom

Nikon are pleased to announce the introduction of the Coolpix 8400, a high-quality compact digital camera combining 8.0 effective megapixel performance, versatile 24-85mm (35mm equivalent) zoom capability, fast AF and a host of other features.

With a 24-85mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range the Coolpix 8400 offers exceptional wide-angle zoom capability and macro shooting from as close as 3cm (1.2 inches). Packing an impressive 8.0 megapixels, the Coolpix 8400 has the ability to produce images with amazingly high resolution. Furthermore, printing can be carried out without the need for a PC as the camera offers the direct print convenience of PictBridge. The Coolpix 8400 is also a ?system? camera, offering a variety of optional lens converters and other accessories.

Fast autofocus makes it easy to capture unexpected moments and the lightweight, high-strength magnesium body enables simple handling in all situations. The addition of a 134,000-dot Vari-Angle TFT LCD monitor makes it easy to compose shots from above the head, from the waist or other imaginative angles. The Coolpix 8400 is both simple to hold and visually attractive due to its Nikon D-SLR-consistent design created by industrial designer Giorgetto Giugiaro.

Nikon UK Press Release 16/09/04

Nikon, a world leader in film and digital cameras, today announced the introduction of the Coolpix 4800 - a high quality compact digital camera combining 4.0 effective megapixel performance, a versatile 8.3x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens and a range of functions that make operation exceptionally easy.

One of the most distinctive features of the Coolpix 4800 is its powerful 8.3x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED lens. Offering a focal range equivalent to that of a 36-300mm lens in 35mm photography and fast 1.3-second operation across its entire range, it enables all kinds of compositions ranging from wide-angle scenes to close telephoto shots. Within its compact body dimensions, it incorporates one lens with two aspherical surfaces in addition to its two ED glass lens elements, and it also has a macro function which offers shooting from as close as 1cm (0.4 inches).

Despite its wide-ranging capabilities, the Coolpix 4800 is easy to operate. Its lightweight body is more compact than any other digital camera in its class, and it has a well designed grip that makes it easy to hold while shooting. Furthermore, all the mode dials and controls are located on the back of the camera body to enable more intuitive control and each button has one function to eliminate confusion. A high-resolution EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) adds compositional accuracy with a 97% field of view during shooting, and the Coolpix 4800 also features a large 1.8-inch LCD monitor too, which is ideal for both the shooting and viewing of images.

This is the surprise announcement from Konica Minolta today; the 8 megapixel DiMAGE A200 bridge style camera, which incorporates the anti-shake technology and a swivelling LCD monitor. I think this is a new addition to the Konica Minolta range, rather than a replacement for the A2.

Konica Minolta Press Release 15/09/08

Unterfohring, September 2004

An 8.0-Megapixel SLR-type Digital Camera with Handy Vari-Angle LCD Monitor and Anti-Shake Function with CCD-Shifting

The DiMAGE A200 is a portable 8.0-megapixel SLR-type high performance digital camera that’s perfect for everyone from novices to camera enthusiasts. Equipped with Anti-Shake technology, a CCD-Shift mechanism that can reduce handheld camera shake. Easy to capture sharp images, even in low lighting and without the use of a tripod.

With the rotating 1.8-inch TFT Vari-Angle LCD monitor, the photographer has always got a clear viewpoint for shooting artistic angles or taking flawless self-portraits. What’s more, the DiMAGE A200’s simplified operation means that everyone can make use of its advanced specifications that maximise picture taking opportunities and the fun of photography.

The 2/3-inch CCD with 8.0 million effective pixels and the high-performance Konica Minolta GT APO lens combine to give incredibly faithful smooth-toned colours. With its new advanced LSI engine and CxProcess? III image-processing technology the DiMAGE A200 delivers high speed and stress free image processing with low power consumption. Its ability to suppress noise and give exceptionally accurate colour reproduction means that users still get high-quality images every time.

Even novice users can avoid blurry pictures thanks to the proprietary Anti-Shake technology that employs a unique CCD-Shift mechanism. This stabilising system is connected directly to a CCD sensor that quickly responds to camera shake thus producing finer images in dim light and with telephoto shots. Especially helpful when using the 4x digital zoom (maximum equivalent of 800mm) and high-performance 7x optical zoom (28 to 200mm). The DiMAGE A200’s Anti-Shake technology is activated with the simple touch of a button. Its three focusing areas; Wide Focus Area, 11-point Selectable AF Area, and Flex Focus Point, combine in the DiMAGE A200 ensure that the subject is always in perfect focus.

DigitalCameraInfo have just reviewed the Canon Powershot S1 IS digital camera, which offers 10x image stablised zoom, 3 megapixels and high-quality 640 x 480 video at 30 frames/second with sound.

“The Canon PowerShot S1 retails for US $399. Although this low price seems great when evaluating the 10x optical/3.2x digital zoom, a positive judgment of the camera is somewhat diminished when the 1/2.7 inch 3.2 effective MP CCD and imaging performance are added to the mix. The considerable size and bulk of the PowerShot S1 make it a camera more suited for static, homebound situations.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Canon PowerShot S1 IS Review

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the new 5 megapixel FujiFilm FinePix E510 Zoom.

“As the mid-range model of its 2004 “E” series camera line, Fuji equipped the FinePix E510 with a 5.0 megapixel imager while retaining the same features of the entry-level E500 we reviewed earlier in 2004. Like the E500, the E510 allows the beginner to obtain good results in Auto mode and offers the intermediate user several Scene modes with optimized exposures for special subjects or lighting. The needs of advanced users are met with Manual, Aperture-priority and Shutter-priority shooting modes, as well as control of exposure compensation, ISO and White Balance.”

Website: Steves Digicams - FujiFilm FinePix E510 Zoom Review

The Danish website Akamera.dk have published their review of the new Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom digital camera.

Website: Akamera.dk - Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom Review

DPReview has today reviewed the new 3 megapixel, 12x optical zoom Panasonic DMC-FZ3 digital camera.

“The FZ3 is also significantly smaller than previous models, and - thanks to the Venus II image processing engine - is faster, offers better resolution and lower noise. And that’s not all; it is packed with new technologies and upgrades; enhanced metering and focus systems, new shooting modes and a new mode dial, TIFF mode, a better electronic viewfinder, a new menu system and a new two mode image stabiliser.”

Website: DPReview - Panasonic DMC-FZ3 Review

Pentax USA Press Release 13/09/08

TWO CAMERAS IN ONE NOW OFFERS 4 MEGAPIXELS

PENTAX Introduces The OptioMX4

GOLDEN, Colorado (September 13, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has introduced the new OptioMX4. A compact digital camera with a powerful 10X optical zoom and 4.0 effective megapixels, the OptioMX4 design captures both high quality still images and movies with telephoto capability.

The OptioMX4 meets consumer demand to capture distant subjects with 10X optical zoom through a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 37mm-370mm lens in 35mm format. The optional wide-angle conversion lens steps up the OptioMX4 angle of view to the equivalent of a 27.75mm lens in 35mm format. Comprised of 8 groups of 12 elements, the lens of the OptioMX4 features aspherical lenses and extra-low dispersion glass elements to minimize aberration. With 4.0 effective megapixels, the OptioMX4 has the power to achieve high-precision, vivid images at all zoom ranges.

Pentax USA Press Release 13/09/08

PENTAX Optio SV Packed With 5 Megapixels, A Powerful 5X Zoom And Advanced Features

GOLDEN, CO (September 13, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the Optio SV digital camera. With 5.0 megapixels, a powerful 5X optical zoom, and tiny dimensions, the Optio SV combines powerful digital with portability. 

The unique PENTAX Sliding Lens system in the Optio SV allows the powerful 5X zoom lens to retract and fully recede into the camera housing, flush with the body frame.  As result, the Optio SV boasts the ultra-compact body dimensions of 3.0 x 1.8 x 0.9 inches.  The novel lens system significantly reduces both the depth and length of the entire camera while it delivers a powerfully high zoom ratio for outstanding image quality. First incorporated in the Optio S digital camera launched last year, this innovative system is featured on select PENTAX digital cameras.

The Slovenian website eFotoGrafija have published their review of the Canon PowerShot S60, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a wide-angle 28mm-100mm lens and a new thin body.

Website: eFotoGrafija - Canon PowerShot S60 Review

The Spanish website quesabesde.com have reviewed the 4 megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z40, which was first announced at the end of February.

Website: quesabesde.com - Casio Exilim EX-Z40 Review

Sanyo have just announced the new 5 megapixel Xacti VPC A5, featuring a 2.8 optical zoom lens and 2” LCD screen. DCViews comment “Some of you might think that they have seen this camera before and indeed, a closer inspection of the camera and its specification reveal a striking resemblance to the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50…” So another case of a camera manufacturer “borrowing” another company’s design to cut corners and make a fast buck.

Website: DCViews - Sanyo announces the 5 megapixel Xacti VPC A5