Olympus Japan have today announced the new C-755 Ultra Zoom and C-745 Ultra Zoom digital cameras, which are updated versions of the C-750 and C-740 respectively. There are photographs of each camera and also the camera kits on the Olympus Japan website. I’ll let you know more details about each camera when the announcement is made in English!

Website: Olympus Japan

Steve’s Digicams 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 most dominant feature of the Minolta DiMAGE Z1 is its Minolta 10X optical zoom lens. Ranging in focal length from 38 to 380mm in 35mm equivalence, it offers the photographer enormous versatility in image composition; the 38mm wide-angle covers most interior shots, while its 380mm telephoto magnification will please the nature and sports photographer.”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Minolta DiMAGE Z1 Review

Steve’s Digicams have reviewed the 5 megapixel Minolta DiMAGE G500, which has a 3x zoom lens with a range that is equivalent to 39 - 117mm on a 35mm camera.

“The Minolta DiMAGE G500 is a very compact “pocket size” point-n-shoot 5-megapixel digital camera. It’s physically identical to its Konica siblings (KD-500Z, KD-400Z) and employs the same high quality Hexanon 3x optical zoom lens, state of the art image processing hardware, and adjustability of the image contrast, sharpness and color (with adjustments for the red, green and blue channels).”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Minolta DiMAGE G500 Review

It was only announced just over a week ago, but already Steve’s Digicams has posted a First Look review of a pre-production version of the Olympus CAMEDIA C-5060 camera.

“The C-5060 sports a fast F2.8 and W-I-D-E “made to be digital” Olympus 4x zoom lens with a 27-110mm focal length (35mm equivalent.) It’s an all-glass, aspherical lens that’s further enhanced by a digital zoom function with 3.5x possible. With an optional lens adapter you can attach Wide Angle and Tele Converter lenses and filters.”

Website: Steve’s Digicams: Olympus C-5060 First Look

After Photoworld.de’s recent review of the Fuji FinePix S5000 a couple of days ago, another German digital camera website, digitalkamera.de, has posted its review of the S5000. This mid-range digital camera looks like a traditional SLR (but isn’t) and has a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera.

Website: digitalkamera.de - Fuji FinePix S5000 Review

CNET have published a number of digital camera reviews recently, which I didn’t notice because they keep changing the URL for their main page :-( Anyway, here are the links:

- Olympus Camedia C-740 Ultra Zoom
- Olympus Camedia C-750 Ultra Zoom
- Ricoh Caplio RR30
- Fujifilm FinePix F700

Website: CNET - Digital Cameras

The German website Photoworld.de has reviewed the Fuji FinePix S5000, which uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR and sports a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera.

Website: Photoworld.de - Fuji FinePix S5000 Review

The German website digitalkamera.de have spotted another new development from Panasonic, shown at the Japanese entertainment electronics fair CEATEC. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 seems to be a 5-megapixel digital camera with a 28-90mm Leica lens that has a constant aperture of f/2.0. It looks like being a very classy camera to me. The Lumix DMC-LC1 has not been officially announced yet and probably won’t be released until next year.

Website: CEATEC

Website: digitalkamera.de

UPDATE 05/10/03
This camera and a few more details about it is now appearing on some of the other photography websites:

Website: letsgodigital.org

Website: Photoxels

In addition to the DMC-FZ10 Lumix, Panasonic also announced two other new digital cameras yesterday. Here’s the official press release from Panasonic for all 3 cameras:

Panasonic Press Release 02/10/03

Tokyo, Japan - Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (NYSE and PCX: MC) best known for its Panasonic-brand products, announced today it will launch three new models of digital still cameras. A high-end single-lens reflex camera DMC-FZ10 featuring a 12x super optical zoom and a four-megapixel CCD will be introduced in the Japanese market this month. A compact, easy-to-use and stylish DMC-FX5, with a 3x optical zoom and a four-megapixel CCD, and DMC-FX1, with a 3x optical zoom and three-megapixel CCD, will be introduced in November with no suggested retail prices. These three models incorporate Panasonic’s MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer (MEGA O.I.S.). The company plans to ship the equivalent models to overseas markets.

“Digital still camera market is one of the fastest growing categories in Japan”, said Shunzo Ushimaru, Director of Corporate Marketing Division for Panasonic Brand in Japan. “We estimate that total number of digital still camera shipment in Japan will be 8.1 million units, 15% growth from 2002, in the fiscal year 2003 ending March 2004. The rapid growth of digital still camera market is realized by the significant improvement of its picture quality which gets closer to that of film cameras. Panasonic also helps expanding the market with networking applications with a wide range of digital audio-video products such as TVs, DVD recorders and printers through SD Memory cards.”

LUMIX is a line of digital still cameras that integrate the world-renowned optical technology of Leica Camera AG of Germany with Panasonic’s advanced digital video technology. The three new models feature the enhanced performance newly developed Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and Panasonic’s MEGA O.I.S. which suppresses jitter that is more conspicuous when shooting in telephoto position and shooting night scenery with slow shutter speed without using tripod. The DMC-FX5 and DMC-FX1 are the world’s first 3x optical zoom compact digital cameras that are equipped with O.I.S.

These models also incorporate VENUS Engine, the digital signal processor developed by Panasonic which enhances the image quality, boosts the processing speed and shortens the interval time between shots down to less than one second. It also enables consecutive shooting to capture up to seven full-size images for DMC-FZ10 and DMC-FX5, eight full-size images for DMC-FX1 at the speed of four frames per second.

About Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand name, is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the Company recorded consolidated sales of US$61.68 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. Matsushita’s shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, New York, Pacific, Euronext Amsterdam, Euronext Paris, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf stock exchanges. For more information, visit the Matsushita website at http://www.panasonic.co.jp/global/top.html

Panasonic Press Release 02/10/03

Elevating the performance of digital still cameras to a new standard of excellence,
Panasonic’s new Lumix digital camera is industry’s first 4-megapixel consumer camera offering 12x zoom.

SECAUCUS, NJ (October 2, 2003) Panasonic, creator of the celebrated Lumix? line of digital cameras, introduces the industry’s first 4-megapixel consumer digital camera with 12x optical zoom. Featuring F2.8 brightness throughout the entire zoom range, the camera’s powerful 12x zoom is equivalent to a 35 - 420mm zoom lens on a conventional 35mm film camera. Its precision Leica lens, extraordinary telephoto features and no-lag processing speed enable this camera to capture every detail of distant or quick-moving subjects with superb brightness and clarity.

The new, high-performance DMC-FZ10 Lumix camera is targeted for retail introduction in November, and will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $599.00.

The camera features a 1/2.5” CCD and F2.8 large-aperture Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with 13 elements in 8 groups and three aspherical lenses. Legendary for rendering images with superb color reproduction and expressive depth, the Leica lens opens the door to exciting new creative possibilities, for both the first-time digital camera user and the experienced photographer. Especially important for a high zoom camera, Panasonic’s advanced MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) enhances the camera’s telephoto zoom capabilities, helping to deliver sharp, vivid images even when taking handheld telephoto shots or shooting in low light. This feature uses motion sensors, which detects even slight hand movement and integrally links the lens control to the motion of the camera to reduce jitter. Unlike digital image stabilization systems, this optical system provides precise compensation with no degradation in image quality.

The DMC-FZ10’s new histogram feature functions like a digital light meter, providing a graphic representation of the luminance level of the pixels composing an image. By using the histogram, users can exercise more precise exposure control for quality photos. The histogram can be displayed on the unit’s large, 2-inch LCD screen while an image is being recorded and also after a shot has been taken.

Incredibly responsive, the DMC-FZ10 captures consecutive shots nearly as quickly as a motor-driven film camera. As soon as the camera’s CCD captures the image signal, Panasonic’s multi-tasking Venus Engine LSI simultaneously displays images on the LCD while writing data to the memory card, significantly reducing lag time between shots. To capture sudden events as they unfold, Panasonic’s exclusive MEGA BURST? recording feature enables consecutive rapid-fire shooting, capturing 4 frames per second with undiminished quality from frame to frame.

The camera can also record motion images (320 x 240 pixel JPEG) in 30 or 10-frames-per-second QuickTime?, complete with audio. The DMC-FZ10 features manual focus, aperture, shutter and exposure functions to help enhance the picture taking experience. Other features include centering guidelines; self timer; program AE; continuous AF function, Spot AF Switching and AF Lock; digital automatic pop-up flash and multiple flash modes; multiple image display; a special panning mode for capturing fast action with clear detail; built-in USB1 port and more.

The camera comes with a lens hood to help diminish flare and ghosting when photographing extremely bright scenes. Other accessories included are: rechargeable battery pack and charger; 16MB SD Memory Card; AC cable; DC cable; A/V cable; USB connection cable; lens cap; carrying strap and software on CD-Rom.

Website: Panasonic Japan

Website: Panasonic DMC-FZ10 Lumix Appearance

Website: Panasonic DMC-FZ10 Lumix Sample Images

Steve’s Digicams have posted their review of the 3 megapixel DiMAGE E323 compact digital camera. Equipped with a 3X optical zoom, the DiMAGE E323 has a focal range of 5.6mm to 16.8mm, which is equivalent to a 36 - 108mm zoom on a 35mm camera. The maximum aperture of f/2.8 - 4.9 allows the camera to be used in less than ideal lighting conditions without the need of the flash. For those occasions requiring larger prints, the camera automatically resizes the captured data to create a 6-megapixel image. This allows the production of A3-size 150dpi prints or A4-size 300dpi prints.

“At a street price of under $300, the Minolta DiMAGE E323 offers levels of performance, features and quality that will please the intermediate photographer, yet remains easy enough for the novice to use. If you’re looking for an under-$300 3-megapixel 3X zoom digicam with movie mode that can capture family, travel and sports images, and produce pleasing prints 8x10-inches and larger, you should include the Minolta’s DiMAGE E323 on your short list.”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Minolta DiMAGE E323 Review

Imaging Resource have just reviewed the Fuji FinePix S5000, which uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR and sports a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera.

“Fuji’s FinePix S5000 offers a 10x optical zoom lens, great color, exceptional battery life, and an interesting continuous-shooting mode that’s a great feature for sports and other action photography. A solid entry, but facing stiff competition in an increasingly crowded field. (Long-zoom digicams.) Definitely worth a look though…”

Website: Imaging Resource - Fuji FinePix S5000 Review

Canon yesterday released a new firmware update (Ver. 2.0.0.0) for the following digital cameras:

- PowerShot S400 DIGITAL ELPH
- DIGITAL IXUS 400
- PowerShot G5
- PowerShot S50
- PowerShot A70
- PowerShot A60
- PowerShot A300

The firmware update will make your camera PictBridge compliant if it is not already compliant. PictBridge is a new industry standard for direct printing that allows you to print images without using a computer by directly connecting digital cameras and digital camcorders to a printer, regardless of the devices’ brand and model.

Website: Canon Firmware Updates

Photoxels have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix 3100, a 3-megapixel digital camera that Nikon first announced back in February at PMA 2003.

“The Nikon Coolpix 3100 is an attractive, compact, lightweight and affordable digital camera perfect for taking superb macro close-up pictures. It is strictly a point-and-shoot camera for those who want the camera to take care of exposure for them. It’s strong points are good handling, excellent macros, and quality 3MP images you’ve come to expect from Nikon.”

Website: Photoxels - Nikon Coolpix 3100 Review

DP-Now editor Ian Burley is currently in Dubrovnik, Croatia to take a look at the latest digital cameras from Fuji. He’s started a thread on the DP-Now forums inviting you to ask questions about the S7000 camera; Ian will then do his best to answer them :-)

As a reminder, the S7000 uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR with 6.3 Million Effective Pixels output and 12.3 million recorded pixels. The electronic viewfinder has been upgraded from 103,000 pixels to a much-higher resolution 235,000 pixels and now uses the xD-Picture Card format instead of SmartMedia that the S602 Zoom used. The Fuji FinePix S7000 will cost $799.99 and be available in October.

Website: DP-Now - Fuji FinePix S7000 Hands-On

Olympus Press Release 30/09/03

Less waiting, more picture-taking

The Olympus CAMEDIA C-5060 WIDE ZOOM

Olympus announces the high-end C-5060 WIDE ZOOM compact digital camera.  The C-5060 WZ offers a 27mm-110mm equivalent wide angle zoom - the widest currently available - and is packed with a full compliment of features and manually-adjustable photographic functions. The 5 megapixel C-5060 WZ is one of the fastest digital cameras on the market today, with a start-up time of just 3 seconds and a release time lag (including Auto Focus time) of 0.4 seconds.  Available from November 2003, RRP ?599.99.  For stockist information call freephone 0800 072 0070 or visit www.olympus.co.uk. 

The C-5060 WZ boasts a bright f2.8-4.8, 4x optical zoom [3.5x digital zoom] lens. At 27mm [35mm equivalent] the wide-angle of the zoom range extends to 110mm; this increases to a super wide 19mm with the new wide-angle converter. At the other of end of the scale, the C-5060 WZ?s macro mode records the tiniest of detail close-up. Furthermore, the dual Auto Focus system will ensure that a subject is perfectly focussed in order to achieve precise, bright, colourful results.

To avoid the problem of corner shading (a loss of picture quality at the edge of the frame), often seen when using a wide-angle lens with a digital camera, the C-5060 WZ boasts first-class optical elements, arranged to permit the ?telecentric? transmission of light. This ensures that light hits the camera?s sensor at a right angle.

Not only does the C-5060 WZ take just a fraction of a second from pressing the release to taking the picture, it also boasts a shooting speed of three HQ frames per second in speed sequence mode. Users can also experiment with the six different scene programmes such as landscape and sports, as well as a movie recording function

The camera’s four different exposure modes (programme, shutter priority, aperture priority and fully manual) are not only easy to use but give you room for professional creativity.  Additionally, the new high power Lithium Ion battery supplied with the C-5060 WZ will allow up to 600 shots; an optional power grip over 1000 shots.

However you are positioned to take a shot, you can see your subject clearly thanks to the C-5060 WZ’s multi-angle high-resolution LCD monitor.  This is fixed to a flexible hinge which can be tilted up and swivelled round by 270?.  The C-5060 WZ looks great too with a full magnesium body and sleek black finish perfectly reflecting the model’s pro capabilities.

The C-5060 WZ is also compatible with a range of CAMEDIA system accessories such as a hot shoe, external flash systems, a power grip, filters plus a tele and wide angle lens converter.  A variety of newly-developed accessories are also available including a direct filter mount and bayonet conversion lens system.

DCResource 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.

“Where the DX6490 really stands out is in terms of ease-of-use. The Kodak EasyShare system lets you easily share pictures, whether via e-mail or prints. The one-of-a-kind album feature is intriguing as well. The software that runs on your Mac and PC is very nice—the whole thing is tied together nicely. Throw in the printer dock for another $200 and you’ve got a complete system for sharing and printing your photos. Nobody, with perhaps the exception of HP, comes close to Kodak in this area.”

Website: DCResource - Kodak EasyShare DX6490 Review

Olympus Press Release 30/09/03

Olympus celebrates Ferrari F1 sponsorship with limited edition Mju 400.

- The first digital camera in the world to be officially authorised by Ferrari SpA
- Sleek, stylish, all-weather metal body with official Ferrari team colours and logo

Just in time for Christmas, Olympus launches the first, and only, digital camera in the world currently branded by Ferrari SpA. The ?Ferrari DIGITAL MODEL 2003? is a limited-edition camera, developed to celebrate the Olympus sponsorship of the Ferrari Scuderia Formula One Racing Team. The camera will be available in the UK by mid-November 2003. 

Olympus became an official sponsor of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro F1 racing team at the start of the 2003 Formula One racing season.

The Ferrari DIGITAL MODEL 2003 is based on the all-weather Mju 400 digital camera. Its distinctive design reflects the style and quality that are hallmarks of Ferrari craftsmanship. The body of the camera is finished in distinctive Ferrari Red, and the lens barrier is adorned with the world famous “Cavallino Rampante - Prancing Horse” logo, featured on Ferrari road cars and F1 racing cars.

When the camera is switched on, the built-in colour LCD monitor displays the Ferrari name and logo, as well as an image of a Ferrari F1 racing car. As a limited-edition model with a production run of only 10,000 units worldwide, each camera is stamped with a unique production number.

The Ferrari Red finish was subjected to approximately five times as many checks as usual to ensure colour accuracy, and the external aluminium parts were hand-polished and given a special coating to ensure a level of lustre and durability which are extremely difficult to achieve through ordinary mass-production methods.

A limited-edition camera designed to appeal to both motor sport fans and the style conscious photographer, the Ferrari DIGITAL MODEL 2003 comes complete with a red-toned suede-textured camera case and custom-designed camera strap, both of which are emblazoned with the Ferrari logo. A Certificate of Authenticity bearing the serial number is also included, along with a greeting card featuring autographed photos of the Ferrari drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.

The German digital photography website digitalkamera.de seems to have exclusive news this morning about a new digital camera from Olympus. The new C-5060 seems to be an updated version of the popular C-5050 camera. The C-5060 has a tilting, swivelling LCD screen, 5 megapixel CCD and 27.5-110mm optical lens. digitalkamera.de are even quoting a price - approximately 850 Euros. I’ll let you know more details when I find them…

Here’s a poorly-translated quote from the digitalkamera.de article:

“If the C-5050 zoom shot got only recently with the C-5000 zoom shot (in puncto form, equipment and price)“smaller” a model to the side posed, zoom shot a C-5xxx-Produktlinie develops at the latest now with the conception of the new C-5060. The C-5060 zoom shot extends this line upward; among other things with equipment characteristics such as wide angle zoom shot , trick and tiltable LCD color screen, optional battery handle and an adapter/converter system with bayonet connection.”

Website: digitalkamera.de - Olympus C-5060

UPDATE 15:22
As Mad@TT has kindly pointed out, DPReview are also now reporting the release of the C-5060, which will have a UK RRP of ?599.99.

Website: DPReview - Olympus C-5060

Rumours are circulating that the Canon Powershot G6 will be released before Christmas! The monthly Newsletter G Series User, “For Owners of the Canon Powershot G Series Digital Cameras”, has a few details on its website. It doesn’t seem like 5 minutes ago that Canon released the G5…(found via Digicamera.net).

“The G6 is on its way, although no one is exactly sure when. Unconfirmed reports for the G6:

- Mid November shipping
- 20% size reduction
- 5 x Optical Zoom (maybe higher?)
- 6.5 Megapixel sensor
- New case design”

Website: G Series User - Canon Powershot G6 Rumours