Photoxels has posted a review of the Fuji FinePix S5000, a mid-range digital camera looks like a traditional SLR (but isn’t) and has a 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera.

“Most people considering the Fujifilm FinePix S5000 are probably attracted to its 10x optical zoom. The reach of that long zoom is just incredible and, once you use it, you might find it quite hard to go back to regular 3x or 4x zoom. A tripod (or monopod) is recommended over 6x zoom.”

Website: Photoxels - Fuji FinePix S5000 Review

Imaging Resource have just posted a Quick Review of the 5 megapixel Kodak EasyShare DX4530. This new digicam retails for ?399 in the UK.

“The Kodak EasyShare DX4530 is very much a pure “point and shoot” camera, as it offers the user very little in the way of exposure adjustments or flexibility, but manages to capture surprisingly good images under a variety of conditions. Besides being easy to use to take photos with, the Kodak 4530 also mates with their optional 4000-series “dock,” for easy downloading of images to your computer, and built-in charging of NiMH batteries.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Kodak EasyShare DX4530 Review

Konica Minolta Press Release 16/10/03

Langenhagen, October 16th, 2003

Minolta’s digital cameras already support the Epson USB DP and PIM II standards* to connect the camera directly with the printer. Now the DiMAGE Z1 and DiMAGE E323 digital cameras are also incorporate the new industry standard PictBridge for direct printing. Both 3.2 megapixel cameras were introduced in August 2003.

PictBridge is a new industry standard for direct printing of images and allows a user to print directly from a PictBridge compatible digital camera connected via a cable to a PictBridge compatible printer without the use of a PC.

“PictBridge support provides consumers with more options for sharing their digital photos than ever before,” says Hidenori Toyoda, General Manager Photo Division, Minolta Europe. “We are delighted that users of our new DiMAGE Z1 and DiMAGE E323 cameras will now benefit from easily sharing prints of their digital images without using a computer.”

Overview compatibility*:
DiMAGE A1 (PIM II, Epson USB DP)
DiMAGE Z1 (PictBridge, PIM II, Epson USB DP)
DiMAGE Xt (PIM II, Epson USB DP)
DiMAGE X20 (PIM II, Epson USB DP)
DiMAGE E323 (PictBridge, PIM II)

Website: http://www.minoltaeurope.com/

The Norwegian digital photography website DigIT have reviewed the Fuji FinePix F700, which has a 6.2-megapixel Super CCD SR. As a reminder, the F700 CCD improves image quality by widening the dynamic range, rather than just increasing the number of pixels. This should mean more detail in the shadow and highlight areas of an image than Fuji cameras have previously captured. Or at least that’s what Fuji claims anyway…

Website: DigIT - Fuji FinePix F700 Review

Website: Read my review of the Fuji FinePix F700

DCResource have reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Minolta DiMAGE Z1. This digicam has a 10x optical zoom lens, equivalent to a 38-380mm 35mm camera zoom, which in combination with the digital zoom offers a 40X zoom range.

“The DiMAGE Z1 is a unique looking camera, with a silver plastic body. I’d rate the build quality as average, reminding me of the Toshiba PDR-M700. It’s definitely not as well built as the plastic Kodak DX6490 or the all-metal Olympus C-750UZ. Something else I notices is that the lens rattles if you give the camera the slightest shake. I’m not sure if this actually affects camera operation, but it’s food for thought.”

Website: DCResource - Minolta DiMAGE Z1 Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the 4 megapixel EasyShare DX6490 digital camera, a digital camera which features a 10x optical zoom lens (38-380mm focal length). The Kodak EasyShare DX6490 has a suggested retail price of ?399.99.

“Eastman Kodak’s “EasyShare” line of digital cameras have consistently impressed me as living up to their name, being one of the most unfailingly easy to use line of digicams out there. With the new EasyShare DX6490 though, Kodak moves beyond pure ease of use (although the camera is still very easy to use in full-auto mode) to encompass a range of capabilities that allow the DX6490 to satisfy the desires of “enthusiast” photographers as well.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Kodak EasyShare DX6490 Review

Peter iNova, who runs the DigitalSecrets website, has just returned from a long trip to Europe, where he put no less than 6 different digital cameras through their paces, including the Sony DSC-V1 shown on the left.

“When you lug a trunkload of digital cameras into the hinterlands, you expect results, results, results. And with a number of cameras to choose from, results are pretty much guaranteed, but what if you don’t want to carry a fifteen pound bag of technology around with you, the way the working pros do, and you still want results?

Then the one camera you carry had better deliver.

So I packed up no less than six champion digital cameras and set out for views unknown where the treasures of travel awaited…”

Website: DigitalSecrets - Special Travel Report

The price of the 5 megapixel Minolta DiMAGE A1 digital camera has been drastically reduced by some retailers in the UK and USA. The UK photography website digitalfirst.co.uk is now selling the A1, which improves upon the DiMAGE 7 series of digital cameras, for ?638.49 including VAT - that’s over ?150 less than the camera was originally selling for when it was launched a few weeks ago. The A1 has also had its price slashed by $200 in the USA. The Canon EOS 300D has a lot to answer for!

Website: digitalfirst.co.uk

Website: DPReview Forums - USA Price Reduction

Konica Minolta Press Release 14/10/03

Konica Minolta Introduces Stylish New DiMAGE G400
Easy to use 4.0 megapixel camera features fully automatic operation as well as creative capabilities for enhanced picture taking

Mahwah, NJ (October 14, 2003) ? Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc., announces today the new high-performance compact DiMAGE G400 4.0 megapixel digital camera.  The ergonomically designed Konica Minolta DiMAGE G400 creates beautiful images at the touch of a button. Featuring a built-in 3x optical zoom lens, sleek metal exterior with an impressive 0.7-second startup time, autofocusing, autoexposure, auto white-balance, and other creative capabilities this new compact camera is ready to go at a moment?s notice.

?It?s appropriate that this fashionable and easy-to-use DiMAGE G400 digital camera is the first to be introduced by our newly formed company,? said Jon Sienkiewicz, vice president of marketing, Konica Minolta?s Camera Division. ?The new fully-featured DiMAGE G400 is the perfect companion for any photo enthusiast.?

The DiMAGE G400 features a 4.2 megapixel CCD for sharp, clear pictures as well as a 3x GT Hexanon optical zoom lens incorporating seven elements in six groups to provide sharp, high-contrast images. The lens is designed to minimize flare and unwanted aberrations so that the tonal range and detail in the scene are apparent in the final image.

A newly designed signal-processing engine makes this compact camera twice as fast as the DiMAGE G500. In fact, the Konica Minolta DiMAGE G400?s rapid startup (0.7 seconds) and fully-automatic picture taking and shut down cycles in only 1.5 seconds. This allows users to take a properly exposed and in focus picture in the blink of an eye.

You wait a while for one Steve’s Digicams review, then three come along at once!

Steve’s first review is of the Toshiba PDR-5300, which has a 5 megapixel CCD sensor, 3X optical zoom lens (equivalent to a 35mm to 105mm 35mm zoom lens) and a stainless-steel body. The PDR-5300 has an RRP of $399.

Website: Steve’s Digicams- Toshiba PDR-5300 Review

Next up is the Pentax Optio 33WR, a compact 3-megapixel camera with a 2.8x optical zoom and a weather resistant case.

Website: Steve’s Digicams- Pentax Optio 33WR Review

Finally, Steve has reviewed the Casio EXILIM EX-S20, a 2-megapixel digital camera with a 1.6-inch color LCD monitor squeezed into a 0.44-inch thin body. The EX-S20 retails for $279.99.

Website: Steve’s Digicams- Casio EXILIM EX-S20 Review

The Norwegian photography website digit.no has spotted a new digital camera from Minolta. The Minolta G400 is now featured on the Konica Minolta Japan website (which is thankfully available in an English version). The G400 is a 4 megapixel camera with an F2.8-4.9 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 34-101mm on a 35mm camera). The G400 is very thin, 23mm to be precise, and weighs just 145g. Konica Minolta have already posted 5 sample images for you to judge the image quality for yourself.

Website: Konica Minolta Japan - G400

Website: Konica Minolta Japan - G400 Sample Images

CNET has posted its review of the Fuji FinePix S5000, a mid-range digital camera looks like a traditional SLR (but isn’t) and has a 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera.

“If you’re looking for a megazoom digicam, Fujifilm’s 3-megapixel FinePix S5000 seems like an enticing proposition at first. It combines a 10X zoom lens with a compact body, decent overall performance, plenty of advanced features, and an affordable price. When you dig under the surface, however, you find some design drawbacks and disappointing image quality. In the end, the S5000 isn’t so attractive.”

Website: CNET - Fuji FinePix S5000 Review

Photoxels have reviewed one of the more popular consumer digicams, the 4-megapixel Canon PowerShot A80, which sells for around $399.

“One of the most popular cameras of 2003 has been the Canon PowerShot A70 (see our review). It’s received positive reviews from camera review sites (like this one) and users alike. Due to its popularity, finding an A70 proved difficult for many consumers, who would show up at Best Buy to find them out of stock. What made the A70 so desirable? In my opinion, it’s because Canon “gets it”. They created a lower cost camera which not only took good quality pictures, but also offered full manual controls, support for add-on lenses, and an AF-assist lamp—items rarely found on cameras in that class.”

Website: DCResource - Canon Powershot A80 Review

DCViews have enthusiastically reviewed the Canon Powershot S400 (called the Canon Digital IXUS 400 in Europe), a 4-megapixel camera that retails for around ?500 in the UK.

“The camera’s metering works faultlessly and difficult lighting situations are handled with ease, delivering clean and well exposed images every time. Clicking the sample images on this page will enlarge them to reveal how good the automatic exposure really is and show the terrific amount of image detail the camera records. It may be worth noting that none of the sample images used here have been manipulated or tampered with in any way - what you see here is what the camera delivers.”

Website: DCViews - Canon Powershot S400 Review

This morning DCResource have published their review of the tiny Canon PowerShot SD10 (also known as the Digital IXUS i in some countries). The SD10 has a street price of $349 in the USA and ?299 in the UK.

“Overall, I was very surprised at how good the photo quality was on the SD10. There are no tradeoffs here, like you’d find on other cameras (blurry corners being an example). Images are very sharp, color is good, and exposure was accurate most of the time. I did see some purple fringing, but it wasn’t bad enough to be considered a problem.”

Website: DCResource - Canon PowerShot SD10 Review

CNET have reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Kyocera Finecam L3v, whose main defining feature is its large 2.5” LCD display.

“The 3.2-megapixel Kyocera Finecam L3v brings the big-screen viewing experience to digital photography with a large 2.5-inch LCD. Simple enough for beginners to master, the L3v also offers adjustments for those who like to tinker. However, the camera’s lack of manual shooting modes and its average image quality will disappoint more-advanced photographers.”

Website: CNET - Kyocera Finecam L3v Review

Popular Photography have tested the Kodak EasyShare DX6340 3.1 megapixel digital camera, using it with the EasyShare Printer Dock 6000. Here’s a quote from the review:

“For years, a lot of us thought that what the digital world really needed was a seamless way to print pictures?no computer necessary, just a quick hookup of camera to printer, a press of a button, and out would pop a 4x6 print. And now Kodak has done it.

But what makes the EasyShare Printer Dock 6000 a success isn?t so much the idea, but the excellent execution. This is one of the nicest photo gadgets we?ve seen, both useful and fun.”

Website: Popular Photography - Kodak EasyShare DX6340 Review

CNET have also recently reviewed the Leica D-Lux, a 3.2-megapixel digital camera that has a whopping $800 price-tag! Find out why you should spend your money on this camera, rather than on something like the Canon EOS 300D, in CNET’s review…

“A few years ago, Panasonic and Leica entered into a partnership to build digital cameras. Leica brought the lenses, and Panasonic supplied the electronics. Among the fruits of the deal are Panasonic’s DMC-F1, which got a positive write-up from this reviewer, and Leica’s D-Lux. Cosmetically, the Leica looks different from the Panasonic—it has an old-school design intended to be “reminiscent of the classic Leica rangefinder camera”—but its performance and image quality are very similar. This leads us to ask: Are the superior body, the clout of the Leica brand, and a deluxe accessory package worth a nearly $500 markup? Answer: Only if you’re someone who doesn’t mind overpaying at Tiffany.”

Website: CNET - Leica D-Lux Review

Website: Leica D-Lux

CNET have just reviewed the Minolta Dimage F300, a 5-megapixel digital compact camera that looks good and retails for around $599.

“Minolta’s Dimage F300 fits neatly into the crowd of compact, high-style 5-megapixel digital cameras designed for advanced snapshooters. It looks and feels good, costs a bit less than much of the competition, comes equipped with a 3X zoom lens, and offers some unique features. Unfortunately, lackluster performance and mixed image quality tarnish what could have been a sparkling digicam.”

Website: CNET - Minolta F300 Review

As well as announcing the new C-755 Ultra Zoom and C-745 Ultra Zoom digital cameras yesterday, Olympus Japan also announced new versions of the mju range of compact digital cameras. The 3 new models are the Camedia X-250, mju-15 Digital and mju-25 Digital, which I think is the Japanese version of the Olympus ?[mju:] 400 Digital that I have just reviewed. The major new feature in all of the new cameras is added support for the Pictbridge standard for direct printing.

Website: Olympus Japan - Pictbridge