Category: Digital Compact Cameras
Steves Digicams have reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50, a new compact and stylish 5.0 megapixel camera which features a large 2.0-inch LCD screen, enhanced speed and other design improvements.
“Ergonomics are good. Although small, I found it quite easy to hold (even with large hands), and one handed shooting is a breeze. Controls are well positioned and the menu system is easy to navigate. Its large 2.0-inch LCD works great outdoors in bright sun light, and also “gains up” when using it in low-ambient lighting. The sliding lens cover seems to be well built and sturdy and I did not have any problems with accidentally turning the camera off, which we have seen on some manufactures models.”
Steves Digicams have reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50, a new compact and stylish 5.0 megapixel camera which features a large 2.0-inch LCD screen, enhanced speed and other design improvements. “Ergonomics are good. Although small, I found it quite easy to hold (even with large hands), and one handed shooting…
Steves Digicams have just reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X31, a stylish new 3.2-megapixel compact digicam that is easy-to-use and affordable.
“I was disappointed with the quality of its 1.5-inch LCD. Considering that this is the only viewfinder on this camera, I would have thought they would have made it with an anti-reflective coating. When taking sample photos outdoors, I found it very difficult to use in bright sunlight. And it doesn’t do much better in low-ambient light, though it does “gain up” to help brighten your subject, it is very grainy.”
Steves Digicams have just reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X31, a stylish new 3.2-megapixel compact digicam that is easy-to-use and affordable. “I was disappointed with the quality of its 1.5-inch LCD. Considering that this is the only viewfinder on this camera, I would have thought they would have made it…
The Danish website Digital Magasinet have just reviewed the 5 megapixel Samsung Digimax V50.
The Danish website Digital Magasinet have just reviewed the 5 megapixel Samsung Digimax V50. Website: Digital Magasinet - Samsung Digimax V50 Review
Casio UK Press Release 15/08/04
CASIO flagship named European Digital Compact Camera of the Year 2004 / 2005
London, 15th August 2004 - A CASIO digital camera has for the second year in succession won a coveted EISA Award, this year it is the turn of the six megapixel EXILIM PRO EX-P600. Awarded every year by the European Imaging & Sound Association (EISA), the eyes of the camera and electronics trade will be directed towards Geneva, where a panel of international trade magazines will be honouring the most innovative technology products. These prestigious awards are in five categories: Photo, Video, Audio, Home Theatre and Mobile Electronics.
This year CASIO was honoured with an EISA award for the EXILIM PRO EX-P600. The compact digital camera has won in the Photo category and is afforded the title of the “European Digital Compact Camera of the Year 2004 / 2005”. The judging panel considered the EXILIM PRO EX-P600 to be a modern digital camera with numerous features, appealing to both amateurs and professional photographers alike. The panel made particular mention of the EX-P600’s unique functionality and aesthetically pleasing, practical design.
Casio UK Press Release 15/08/04 CASIO flagship named European Digital Compact Camera of the Year 2004 / 2005 London, 15th August 2004 - A CASIO digital camera has for the second year in succession won a coveted EISA Award, this year it is the turn of the six megapixel EXILIM…
Pentax USA Press Release
WELCOME TO SEVENTH HEAVEN: PENTAX UNVEILS 7 MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL
PENTAX ANNOUNCES HIGH-END OPTIO750Z WITH SEVEN MEGAPIXELS IN COMPACT SIZE
GOLDEN, Colorado (August 16, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has introduced a little heaven on earth in the new Optio750Z digital camera. With 7.0 megapixels and a 5X optical zoom, the Optio750Z will delight advanced photographers seeking high quality images from a compact digital camera. Strategically positioned at the high-end of the PENTAX Optio Series, the Optio750Z offers true performance in a pocket-sized digital camera.
Classically designed with an aluminum alloy exterior and a leather-grained rubber fa?ade, the Optio750Z delivers high-precision imaging with 7.0 effective megapixels, a high-performance smc PENTAX 5X optical zoom lens, newly developed ASIC (Application Specified Integrate Circuit), and other impressive features. The camera?s 10 shooting modes meet a variety of shooting situations, and a large dial simplifies mode selections. The generous 1.8 inch, low-reflection LCD monitor enhances visibility and shooting freedom and the camera captures VGA video with sound at a rate of 30fps (frames per second) with 640 x 480 recorded pixels up to the full available capacity of the chosen memory card.
Pentax USA Press Release WELCOME TO SEVENTH HEAVEN: PENTAX UNVEILS 7 MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL PENTAX ANNOUNCES HIGH-END OPTIO750Z WITH SEVEN MEGAPIXELS IN COMPACT SIZE GOLDEN, Colorado (August 16, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has introduced a little heaven on earth in the new Optio750Z digital camera. With 7.0 megapixels and a 5X optical…
Pentax USA Press Release 16/08/04
HIGH QUALITY DIGITAL EASIER THAN EVER IN OPTIO S50
NEW PENTAX OPTIO S50 OFFERS HIGH QUALITY DIGITAL WITH FIVE MEGAPIXELS
GOLDEN, Colorado (August 16, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the new PENTAX ptio S50 digital camera with a 5.0 effective megapixel CCD and a 3X optical zoom lens. A successor to the popular Optio S40, the PENTAX Optio S50 offers an easy-to-use help function menu to help guide digital newcomers through the camera?s array of digital features.
With the superior imaging capability of 5.0 effective megapixels and a generous 1.8 inch LCD monitor, the Optio S50 is equipped with a handy mode dial that allows users to select one of nine modes with a simple turn. Two AA batteries power the Optio S50 making it a perfect travel choice. Other easy-to-use features include 13 shooting modes to match any scene at hand and a menu display enlargement function. The Optio S50 also is PictBridge compatible to allow direct printing to compatible printers.
While positioned as a perfect choice for new digital users, the Optio S50 offers uncompromised image quality. The camera incorporates an smc PENTAX lens that delivers crystal clear images, a high-resolution CCD with 5.36 total megapixels, and a 12-bit A/D converter that achieves smooth reproduction for gradations.
Pentax USA Press Release 16/08/04 HIGH QUALITY DIGITAL EASIER THAN EVER IN OPTIO S50 NEW PENTAX OPTIO S50 OFFERS HIGH QUALITY DIGITAL WITH FIVE MEGAPIXELS GOLDEN, Colorado (August 16, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the new PENTAX ptio S50 digital camera with a 5.0 effective megapixel CCD and a 3X…
ByteSector have reviewed the Fuji FinePix S7000, which is the successor to the popular FinePix S602 model. The S7000 uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR with 6.3 Million Effective Pixels output and 12.3 million recorded pixels. It costs around $799.99 and is available now.
“This camera is equipped with a 6x optical lens. The great thing about this lens is that it can be controlled manually with a zoom ring or by the ?W? and ?T? buttons on the camera. This gives you both precision and control over your lens. When using the buttons a camera zooms in and out at a set interval, when you use the zoom ring you can be more precise and gain more control over your images; this comes in handy when you need to focus objects, a ring is much easier to navigate with than a button in such conditions.”
ByteSector have reviewed the Fuji FinePix S7000, which is the successor to the popular FinePix S602 model. The S7000 uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR with 6.3 Million Effective Pixels output and 12.3 million recorded pixels. It costs around $799.99 and is available now. “This camera is equipped with…
Olympus Press Release 15/08/04
OLYMPUS C-8080 WZ CROWNED “EUROPEAN DIGITAL CAMERA OF THE YEAR” IN 2004 EISA AWARDS
15th August 2004 Olympus announce today that their popular C-8080 WIDE ZOOM has been awarded the prestigious title of ‘European Digital Camera of the Year’ in the annual European Imaging & Sound Association (EISA) awards.
Comprising of nearly fifty leading photo, video, audio, home theatre and mobile electronics publications from over eighteen European countries the EISA awards are respected by consumers and valued by retailers alike. Highly coveted by manufacturers, Olympus hare proud to receive one of these highly valued industry commendations.
The winning camera delivers an outstanding performance and confidently measures up to any digital SLR in its class. Packed with features and offering a wide angle, 5x zoom lens, sunshine LCD technology and a short shutter release lag time, the C-8080 WIDE ZOOM is capable of even the most demanding of creative photography.
Olympus Press Release 15/08/04 OLYMPUS C-8080 WZ CROWNED “EUROPEAN DIGITAL CAMERA OF THE YEAR” IN 2004 EISA AWARDS 15th August 2004 Olympus announce today that their popular C-8080 WIDE ZOOM has been awarded the prestigious title of ‘European Digital Camera of the Year’ in the annual European Imaging & Sound…
Digital Camera Magazine have just reviewed the new 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera.
“The first thing you notice about the images from the A2 is their sheer size. After shooting on five and even six megapixel compacts, the extra gains wrought by eight megapixels are there for all to see on screen. However, things aren’t as rosy as you’d expect when you get up close and personal. The resolution appears to be a little weak, with lines breaking down at relatively close distances (at 20 metres, car number plates start to become unreadable, for instance). In some respects, this analysis is a little unfair, as it?s only because of the enormity of information that you can get in close enough to make these sorts of judgements - at six megapixels, things start to become jagged at these kinds of distances. That said, there’s nothing wrong in pointing out that improvements can be made.”
Website: Digital Camera Magazine - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Review
Digital Camera Magazine have just reviewed the new 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera. “The first thing you notice about the images from the A2 is their sheer size. After shooting on five and even six megapixel compacts, the extra gains wrought by eight megapixels are there for all…
LetsGoDigital have posted their review of the new 5 megapixel Sony DSC-W1 digital compact camera.
“The Sony DSC-W1 is a very successful digital camera, it can’t be commented on in a negative way. Alright, for me personally I would like to see the camera equipped with a 28-100mm lens in stead of starting with a 38mm one, however technically seen and after using the camera in practice there is hardly any reason to complain. The compact beautifully designed housing lies comfortably in ones hand and is solidly finished.”
Website: LetsGoDigital - Sony DSC-W1 Review
LetsGoDigital have posted their review of the new 5 megapixel Sony DSC-W1 digital compact camera. “The Sony DSC-W1 is a very successful digital camera, it can’t be commented on in a negative way. Alright, for me personally I would like to see the camera equipped with a 28-100mm lens in…
DPReview 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.
“Despite one or two minor annoyances - specifically the focus performance at the long end of the zoom and the rather puny screen - the Canon S1 IS is a camera it is hard not to like. Sure, there are a few high end features missing (no live histogram, no flash hot shoe, manual focus point selection rather than automatic, no RAW mode), but this is no glorified point-and-shooter. The movie mode is superb, the image stabilization works a treat - and certainly does away with the need for a tripod for most daylight shooting - and the control layout is excellent.”
DPReview 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. “Despite one or two minor annoyances - specifically the focus performance at the long end of the zoom and the…
DPReview have reviewed the new HP Photosmart R707, a stylish 5 megapixel digital camera.
“First impressions of the R707 are overwhelmingly positive - it is beautifully built, feels ‘right’ in the hand and is responsive enough for most every day photography. HP’s new ‘Real Life Technologies’ - from the extensive in-camera help to the red-eye removal and image advisor - offer a real benefit to the novice snapper without getting in the way of more experienced users. Shooting outdoors in good light the results are excellent; sharp, relatively free of processing artifacts and colorful without being over vivid.”
Website: DPReview - HP Photosmart R707 Review
DPReview have reviewed the new HP Photosmart R707, a stylish 5 megapixel digital camera. “First impressions of the R707 are overwhelmingly positive - it is beautifully built, feels ‘right’ in the hand and is responsive enough for most every day photography. HP’s new ‘Real Life Technologies’ - from the extensive…
DPReview 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.
“As five megapixel compact digital cameras go the S60 is certainly one of the best, it may not be quite as thin or pocketable as some of the ultra-slim competition but what it does do better than a lot of the rest is take pictures, and that is the often compromised essential requirement of a digital ‘camera’. Canon’s mature image processing and a good lens combine to produce sharp images with lots of detail, a nice tonal balance and vivid ‘pleasing’ colors. With a 28 mm wide angle it’s also a perfect camera to take on holiday or tour, group shots and architecture will no longer require you to keep walking backwards.”
DPReview 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. “As five megapixel compact digital cameras go the S60 is certainly one of the best, it may not be quite as thin or pocketable as…
The German website Photoworld.de have posted their review of the new 5 megapixel Sony DSC-W1 digital compact camera.
Website: Photoworld.de - Sony DSC-W1 Review
The German website Photoworld.de have posted their review of the new 5 megapixel Sony DSC-W1 digital compact camera. Website: Photoworld.de - Sony DSC-W1 Review
The Hungarian website Index Digicam have just reviewed the new Pentax OptioMX digital digital camera, which features 3.2 effective megapixels and 10X optical zoom to capture still images and high resolution (VGA) full-motion movies on MPEG-4 format with zoom capability.
The Hungarian website Index Digicam have just reviewed the new Pentax OptioMX digital digital camera, which features 3.2 effective megapixels and 10X optical zoom to capture still images and high resolution (VGA) full-motion movies on MPEG-4 format with zoom capability. Website: Index Digicam - Pentax OptioMX Review
Imaging Resource have just reviewed the 4 megapixel Kodak Easyshare LS743 digital camera.
“While the LS743 is very similar to the 5-megapixel LS753 model, after reviewing both models, I feel that the LS753 really offers better value for the money. While the LS743 is $50 cheaper than the 753 at retail, the 753 has a few more scene modes, twice the internal memory, and seems to have a more accurate white balance system than the LS743 as well. The LS753 shares the 743’s tendency to lose subtle subject detail to its anti-noise processing, but the higher resolution of its sensor will help win a little of that back. Bottom line, if you can afford the extra $50 (probably less than that, when comparing the cameras’ “street” prices), I’d recommend the LS753 as a better deal.”
Imaging Resource have just reviewed the 4 megapixel Kodak Easyshare LS743 digital camera. “While the LS743 is very similar to the 5-megapixel LS753 model, after reviewing both models, I feel that the LS753 really offers better value for the money. While the LS743 is $50 cheaper than the 753 at…
Imaging Resource have just reviewed the 5 megapixel Kodak Easyshare LS753, which was first announced back in January.
“High barrel distortion, but no pincushion. Very low chromatic aberration. Optical distortion on the LS753 Zoom was high at the wide-angle end, where I measured approximately 1.07 percent barrel distortion. The telephoto end fared much better, as I couldn’t find any geometric distortion, either pincushion or barrel. There appeared to be a little “coma” in the corners of the image, producing a little blurring of target elements there, but chromatic aberration was quite low, showing only very faint coloration on either side of the target lines. (This distortion is visible as a very slight colored fringe around the objects at the edges of the field of view on the resolution target.)”
Imaging Resource have just reviewed the 5 megapixel Kodak Easyshare LS753, which was first announced back in January. “High barrel distortion, but no pincushion. Very low chromatic aberration. Optical distortion on the LS753 Zoom was high at the wide-angle end, where I measured approximately 1.07 percent barrel distortion. The telephoto…
CNET have published their review of the new 5 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 5200 compact digital camera.
“Although targeted at the same snapshooting cadre as its Coolpix 3200 and Coolpix 2200 siblings, the Nikon Coolpix 5200 is a horse of a different color. It’s just as pocketable and as highly automated as its stablemates, but the Coolpix 5200 sports a 5-megapixel sensor and a slightly smaller metal—not plastic—body with a better layout. Additionally, it costs $150 to $250 more. It will please first-time digital camera owners who want to make large prints without much editing, but if you’re an image-quality snob, look elsewhere.
Website: CNET - Nikon Coolpix 5200 Review
CNET have published their review of the new 5 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 5200 compact digital camera. “Although targeted at the same snapshooting cadre as its Coolpix 3200 and Coolpix 2200 siblings, the Nikon Coolpix 5200 is a horse of a different color. It’s just as pocketable and as highly automated…
PhotoScala are reporting that Leica, in conjunction with a company called Hugyfot, have announced an underwater housing kit for their Digilux 2 digital camera, which allows you to dive up to 80 metres. As is usual with all things Leica, it is both very well-made and very expensive (2,400 Euros!).
“The Hugyfot underwater body has cable bushing for external flash units and sports many useful features, including a flat port, an anti-shock handgrip with screw ball and toothed rings for aperture, focus and shutter speed settings.”
PhotoScala are reporting that Leica, in conjunction with a company called Hugyfot, have announced an underwater housing kit for their Digilux 2 digital camera, which allows you to dive up to 80 metres. As is usual with all things Leica, it is both very well-made and very expensive (2,400 Euros!)…
In a blatant rip-off of a story that was on Engadget yesterday about people’s first ever cellphones, I thought it would be interesting (and a bit of a laugh) to find out what was your first ever digital camera. I was late to photography, never-mind digital cameras, so my first digicam was the Minolta DiMAGE 5 (pictured), a 3 megapixel model that I bought because it offered a lot of photographic control and because I couldn’t afford the 5 megapixel DiMAGE 7. The Minolta DiMAGE 5 cost me about ?500 a couple of years ago - how times have changed!
So what was your first ever digicam, or are you too embarassed to own up to it? :-) Post a comment below and share it with everyone…
UPDATE 11/08/04: As this story has proved so popular, I’m promoting it to be the lead story for the next few days :-)
In a blatant rip-off of a story that was on Engadget yesterday about people’s first ever cellphones, I thought it would be interesting (and a bit of a laugh) to find out what was your first ever digital camera. I was late to photography, never-mind digital cameras, so my first…