Fuji have joined in the pre-PMA fun by announcing two new digital cameras based on their proprietary Super CCD SR/HR sensors, which were announced in January.

The F700 is particularly interesting as it claims to improve 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.

“Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. today unveiled the first consumer 6.2 megapixel (S-pixel: 3.1 million, R-pixel: 3.1 million) digital camera, which carries its proprietary new Super CCD SR (Super Dynamic Range) technology. Capturing pictures with quality approaching that of film, with 2,832 x 2,128 (6.03 million) recorded pixels, and dramatically increased dynamic range, the new Fujifilm FinePix F700 represents a new frontier in digital photography. The Fujifilm FinePix F700 is the first 6.2 million effective pixel (S-pixel: 3.1 million, R-pixel: 3.1 million) consumer digital camera on the market today.”

Website: Fuji Press Release - FinePix 700

and

“Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. today unveiled the first digital camera to carry its fourth-generation Super CCD HR (High Resolution), the FinePix F410. The camera, which has 3.1 million effective pixels, provides first-time digital camera users with increased resolution, sensitivity and color reproduction, and produces high quality images.”

Website: Fuji Press Release - FinePix 410

As revealed yesterday, Pentax have announced the 5-megapixel Optio 550 and the 4-megapixel Optio 450. Both models host a variety of features including a high resolution 1.5 inch LCD monitor, a movie mode that captures up to ten minutes of video with sound, a voice memo recording mode, a vice memo function, panorama assist, full manual control and a 5X optical zoom (20X combined). As with Nikon’s earlier announcement, there is no sign yet of an imminent DSLR release from Pentax.

Website: Pentax Press Release - Optio 450/550

Pentax have also announced a new film camera, which like Nikon’s F75 is a direct competitor to Canon’s very popular EOS 300. The bizarrely named Pentax *ist (yes, that asterix is part of the name) is supposedly “one of the world?s smallest in the Auto Focus SLR category”. I’m not sure which other cameras’ are smaller, but this doesn’t seem like a great claim to fame from Pentax.

Feature highlights of the *ist include a multi-mode exposure system with an innovative Auto Picture mode and an accessible illumination mode dial, a 16-segment multi-pattern metering system, an 11-point Auto Focus system, a 1/4000-second high-speed shutter, 17 custom functions, a large LCD panel, a multi-data LCD viewfinder indicator, and a retractable auto pop-up flash.

Website: Pentax Press Release - New Film SLR

At a time when the digital race is getting ever faster, it seems a little odd that both Nikon and Pentax have announced new low/mid-end film SLRs. I guess there must still be a big market out there for these kind of cameras. ?200 -?300 is the typical entry-level price-range for most new photographers who are looking for a film camera that’s more sophisticated than a compact. But how many of those people are still considering film? Are they paying more money, say ?500, for a digital camera that offers similar functionality to a typical film SLR, but with all the convenience that digital offers?

As expected, Nikon have today announced their new digital and film products, ahead of PMA in March. In summary, there are 3 new digital cameras; the Coolpix SQ, Coolpix 3100 and Coolpix 2100. There is 1 new fim camera;the Nikon F75. And there are 3 new lenses; the AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED and the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED.

To give you an idea of where the new cameras fit within the Nikon product range, these are the suggested RRPs in the United Kingdom:

Coolpix SQ - ?349
Coolpix 3100 - ?279
Coolpix 2100 - ?179
F75 - ?299

And the suggested UK RRPs of the 3 lenses are:

AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED - ?299.99
AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED - ?529.99
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED - ?899.99

DPReview, Steve’s Digicams and Imaging Resource already have first looks posted for the digital cameras:

Website: DPReview

Website: Steve’s Digicams

Website: Imaging Resource

This is the official Nikon website for the Coolpix SQ:

Website: Nikon Coolpix SQ

And finally, Nikon’s UK website gives a good overview of the new announcements and also has all of the press releases:

Website: Nikon UK - What’s New

Website: Nikon UK - Press Releases

A quick reminder of Nikon Europe’s official statement from last week; on “February 18th (when) a variety of new imaging products will be officially made public”. So tomorrow is the day when Nikon finally and officially unveil the Nikon Coolpix SQ. What will the specifications of the Coolpix SQ actually be? We’ve all seen what it looks like, but not what it can actually deliver in terms of performance and image quality.

And what about the rest of the “imaging products” that Nikon have mentioned? Will there be a new Nikon DSLR to help the D100 compete with any new Canon DSLR(s)? Or will it turn out to be the new Nikon F75, a mid-range film camera that has been rumoured for the last few weeks. I’m a lot more interested in the possible release of a new Nikon DSLR than the Coolpix SQ. Hopefully we will find out everything tomorrow…

According to the website Fotopolis.pl, Pentax are about to announce the stylish 5-megapixel Optio 550, although as my Polish is not that great, I’m unsure of exactly when (PMA?).

Website: Fotopolis

Ricoh have announced the release of the Caplio G3, which apparently has the world’s shortest lag-time from pressing the shutter-release to taking a picture, beating film cameras as well as digital.

For all you golfers out there, this may be the ideal camera, as the “M-continuous mode allows the capture of the last 16 frames taken of a subject to one file, which is ideal for analyzing a golf swing” Now that’s I call targeted marketing!

Website: Ricoh Press Release

“With a blazing 0.14-second shutter response time, the new 3.24-Megapixel Caplio G3 has done what no digital camera has done before - exceed the speed of a conventional 35mm camera - a major milestone that makes it the world’s fastest in its class.”

“The Caplio G3’s unique body shape was born from close observations on how we hold objects such as pens, soda cans, round stones, and regular 35mm cameras. This examination led directly to the rounded shape that the camera was granted, thus making it extremely comfortable to hold.”

DPReview have exclusively reported Nikon’s response to the many rumours that are circulating about their new camera release(s). What is very interesting is the mention of “a variety of new imaging products”, to be announced on the 18th February. I’m guessing that this statement will add even more fuel to the fire, rather than clarify anything. Will there be an addition to the Nikon DSLRs after all?

Website: DPReview

“We are extremely heartened by the enthusiastic media and public response about even the smallest details of some of the new additions to our range of photo and imaging products. However we feel it is worth reminding customers that all information currently circulating on the World Wide Web remains inaccurate or incomplete and request their patience until February 18th when a variety of new imaging products will be officially made public. We regret any confusion or inconvenience caused to our customers by the inadvertent release of information earlier than planned.”

Following on from the Nikon SQ teasers debacle last week, the French website Chasseurs d’Images has revealed quite a lot of detail about the specification of Nikon’s square camera.

You may want to take this information with a large pinch of salt, as Nikon haven’t even officially announced the camera yet. But apparently Chasseurs d’Images have a past history of accurately leaking information about Nikon products, so who knows, it may all be true?

Website: Chasseurs d’Images - Nikon SQ

Here’s a few excerpts for you in (translated by Google) English:

“Nikon Coolpix SQ is a ultra-compact apparatus of square form, which measures approximately 8,5 X 8,6cm but which, in proportion, will seem relatively thick: 2,55cm, is close to the double of Dim?ge X!”
“The relatively significant thickness of the SQ is explained by the presence of a zoom of good level, offering at the same time a raised resolution, a low distortion and performances macro record. As opposed to what known as rumour Internet, it is not a question of a zoom x5: Nikon wisely chose to equip the SQ with a zoom of amplitude x3, associated a foction numerical zoom. The resolution is, it also, very wise since sensor CCC of the SQ is very wise 3,3 M?gapixels.”
“The price of the SQ is not stopped yet but it should be located at less than 599 euros. This apparatus will be presented at the beginning of March in the LDC of Las Vegas, but it will not be on sale before the second fortnight of April.”

Samsung have also just announced a new 4-megapixel compact digital camera, the Digimax V4, in what is becoming a very crowded and competitive marketplace. You certainly have a lot of choice if you’re thinking of buying a mid-range digital camera in the next few months.

The Digimax V4 has a very impressive, Macromedia Flash mini-site on the main Samsung website - no ordinary text-based press release for this camera! As for the camera itself, its spec certainly looks promising, with a 3x optical zoom, 4 megapixels, Schneider lens and an unprecedented 9 possible power sources!

Website: Samsung

“Whether you are new to digital photography or are looking to upgrade, the Digimax V4 is the perfect digital camera. The introduction of this highly specified and sophisticated digital camera makes a strong addition to the wide range of Samsung digital cameras.”

Minolta yesterday announced the new 4-megapixel Dimage S414, ahead of PMA 2003.

I was considering the popular Dimage S404 before choosing the Dimage 5 instead, so it will be interesting to see what improvements they’ve made to the new S414.

Minolta’s Press Release also contains links to detailed background and specification information.

Website: Minolta Press Release

“Minolta Corporation announces the new easy-to-use DiMAGE S414 featuring a 4.1 megapixel CCD, a high-quality Minolta GT 4x optical zoom lens, Minolta’s CxProcess, and additional versatile features. With a design based on the highly-regarded DiMAGE S404 and DiMAGE S304, the stylish new DiMAGE S414 also features a built-in flash, video recording capability, USB interface and Compact Flash card compatibility.”

Contax have just announced the Contax Tvs Digital, their first entry into the compact digital camera market. The 5 megapixel camera comes in either a black or silver finish and has a Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar f/2.8-4.8 lens.

You can read a roughly translated but very detailed article about the camera at this website:

Website: Contax Tvs Digital

The beans have been well and truly spilled…Nikon have involuntarily revealed their new digital Coolpix camera, the Coolpix SQ. It seems that Nikon posted all of the Flash teasers for the new camera onto their web server. An “enterprising” visitor has downloaded all of the teasers and made them available before Nikon!
This is the main news story on digitalkamera.de at the moment and they are also showing the 6th and final teaser, which shows the new camera in all its square glory:

Website: digitalkamera.de

There’s also a thread on the DPReview forums that has links to all of the teasers:

Website: DPReview Forums

and DCViews have the links as well:

Website: DC Views

DPReview has just taken it’s usual in-depth-look at the HP Photosmart 850, which competes with the Canon G3 amongst other diigial cameras. Can HP betray their non-photographic roots and produce a photographer’s camera? Find out by visiting DPReview.

Website: DPReview

“Just posted! Our full review of HP’s four megapixel, eight times zoom Photosmart 850. The 850 is the second of the ‘new generation’ of HP digital cameras and marks an improvement in both image quality and feature set since the 812. In our review the 850 is compared to the current king of the four megapixel class, the Canon PowerShot G3. Come in and see how the 850 performed in our tests.”

ePhotoZine has also recently posted a review of this camera, if you need another opinion:

Website: ePhotoZine

Nikon have announced two new entry-level digital cameras ahead of PMA in March.

Nikon are currently running a teaser advert on their website which doesn’t give much away about the new Coolpix, other than the cryptic clue “Starting February 3, meet a fascinating stranger.”

However, someone has spilled the beans over on the DPReview forums so it seems that everyone who was hoping for a high-end Nikon 6700 may be disappointed…

Phil Askey at DPReview has posted a new review of the Olympus C-5050 Zoom, which currently retails for ?699 at Jessops.

Website: DPReview

Just posted! Our full in-depth review of Olympus’s C-5050 Zoom five megapixel, three times optical zoom digital camera. The C-5050 Zoom is one of the first of a new generation of five megapixel digital cameras based around a 1/1.8” (7.2 x 5.3 mm) CCD sensor. The advantage of sticking to the 1/1.8” format are that existing lens systems and bodies originally designed for three and four megapixel sensors can be used as the basis for the new cameras. This is exactly the case with the C-5050 Zoom. Read on to see how the camera fared in our tests.

The same camera receives an even more enthusiastic response at Imaging Resource.

Website: Imaging Resource

“I dubbed this one “the best camera Olympus has ever made”, a tipoff to my feelings about it. The 5050 is the latest in one of the longest-running lines of digicams in the industry, but this time around Olympus has significantly redesigned the user interface, as well as added some very welcome features not present on the previous 4040. All in all, a really excellent camera, one that I’m sure is going to find many happy homes.”

Website: Read my review of the Olympus Camedia C-5050 Zoom