Six months after its launch the Olympus E-System on the right track

Introduction:
The award winning Olympus E-System is the first digital SLR system to be launched based on the FourThirds standard. Just six months after its launch, a comprehensive assortment of accessories, including various interchangeable lenses and flash systems, are now available.

All components of the system are perfectly tailored to one another; ensuring professional users can take full advantage of the enormous performance potential of the technology.

Kodak Press Release 12/02/04

New KODAK PROFESSIONAL Digital SLR Camera Delivers High Resolution, Broad ISO Performance; Extended Burst Depth

Next-Generation Camera Offers Medium-Format Image Quality, 35 mm Flexibility

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 12 - Strengthening its commitment to push the boundaries of high-end digital camera technology while delivering outstanding image quality and ease of use, Eastman Kodak Company unveiled the new KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR/n digital camera.

The latest addition to Kodak’s venerable professional camera portfolio, the DCS Pro SLR/n digital camera contains a new high performance imaging system with an entirely new 35 mm size CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, which delivers 14 million pixels with a total available ISO range of 6 to 1600.

Built on an F-mount compatible body, the DCS Pro SLR/n is ideally suited for wedding photographers and uniquely addresses the needs of event, portrait, commercial and advanced amateur photographers as well.

“The DCS Pro SLR/n combines the best of medium format image quality with the convenience and flexibility of 35 mm photography. Its high ISO provides excellent performance in low-light settings and captures images with stunning detail that wedding and event photographers expect. It also creates amazing images at low ISOs using long exposures,” said Madhav Mehra, General Manager, Professional Digital Capture. “We’ve accelerated the evolution of the digital SLR with this camera. The DCS Pro SLR/n is able to merge high-resolution and the best image detail with a broad ISO range.”

Canon have launched an official website for their new professional DSLR, the EOS 1D Mark II. The site includes 8 full-sized sample images so that you can judge how good the 8 megapixel images are. Canon have thoughtfully included a selection of action, portrait and night-time shots.

Website: Canon EOS 1D Mark II Official Site

Website: Canon EOS 1D Mark II Sample Images

The Canadian digital photography website Digitalreview.ca posted some sample images yesterday taken with a production version of the Nikon D70 and the new 18-70mm lens, at different ISO speeds (200-1000).

“We have just posted a series of images taken with a production level Nikon D70 digital SLR camera (Firmware Ver 1.0) and using the new Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF zoom lens.

From what we have noticed, compared to the Nikon D100 digital SLR, the Nikon D70’s white balance settings seem to be geared to be a little warmer.

Our overall impressions of the D70 so far are very favorable. The Nikon D70’s Auto WB, metering (1005-segment RGB 3D meter) and low light noise suppression is very good. (See images below taken at 1000 ISO)

The new Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm f3.5-4.5G IF-ED zoom is certainly also an impressive lens. Sharpness and edge to edge detail all looks very good.”

Website: Digitalreview.ca - Nikon D70 Sample Images

I’m not sure if these pictures are the real deal or someone’s artistic impression, but there are rumours circulating about a new Minolta DSLR and less convincingly about a new Olympus digital compact. Pictured above is the Minolta Dynax 7d, below is the Olympus c8080 Wide Zoom. I believe that both manufactuers will make their PMA announcments in the next few days, so you won’t have too long to wait to find out if these rumours are true or not.



UPDATE: 4.34 PM
There are now some specifications circulating for 2 new Olympus digicams:

Olympus Camedia C-8080 Wide Zoom
- Effective pixels 8.0
- 4X Optical Zoom - 27-110mm (35mm Equiv)
- F2.8-F4.8
- Min shutter 30 Seconds + Bulb
- Max shutter 1/8000 sec
- Sensor 1/1.8 ” (7.18 x 5.32 mm)
- Macro focus to 3 cm
- ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800
- New super noise reduction processor
- NOISE FREE IMAGES UP TO ISO 400
- xD Picture Card
- Hot shoe

Olympus Camedia C-788 Ultra Zoom
- Effective pixels 8.0
- 10X Optical Zoom - 35-350mm (35mm Equiv)
- F2.0-F2.8 with IS
- Min shutter 20 Seconds + Bulb
- Max shutter 1/4000 sec
- Sensor 1/1.8 ” (7.18 x 5.32 mm)
- Macro focus to 5 cm
- ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400
- New super noise reduction processor
- NOISE FREE IMAGES UP TO ISO 400
- External flash via adapter (no hot shoe)
- xD Picture Card

Again this may be completely made-up, so don’t shoot the messenger :-)

The Digital Journalist has published an article by sports photographer David Drapkin which offers a brief insight into the handling of the Canon EOS1-D Mark II DSLR:

“I couldn’t have been happier with the results. The new maximum frames per second(FPS) rate is 8.5fps. And because they nearly doubled the amount of full res JPEGs that you can get in a burst, It seems like the camera is faster than my old film based EOS1V. And while I personally would never need 40 full res jpegs, level 8 or 20 raw or full res maximum frames in a burst, I sleep better at night knowing that they are there.”

Website: The Digital Journalist - Using the Canon EOS1-D Mark II at the Super Bowl

Several members of the Minolta forum over at DPReview have received a very interesting email from Konica Minolta, which more than hints that they will finally be releasing a digital SLR camera:

“Dear Minolta User,

Thank you for your interest in a Minolta Dynax Digital SLR. You have previously contacted us in regards to this product class. As we did not have a product to inform you of at that time we have registered your details, in preparation to contact you when we did.

Now that time has arrived…”

Apparently the announcement will be made on 11th February 21:00 CEST. As Las Vegas is eight hours behind the UK this translates as 12th February 05:00 here.

Website: DPReview - Interesting Email from Minolta

Professional fine-art photographer Alain Briot has had a new article published on the Luminous Landscape Website, discussing a recent trip to Paris with the Canon EOS 300D DLSR camera.

“In December 2003 and January 2004 I spent two weeks photographing in Paris. I took along with me my trusty Linhof Master Teknica 4x5, my Fuji 645zi medium format, and my just-acquired Canon 300D “digital rebel” camera. Yes, a digital camera, and an entry-model at that! Let’s see how these 3 different cameras performed, or interfaced, in a large-city environment.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - A Rebel in Paris

Fujifilm Press Release 05/02/04

2004 successor for FinePix S2 Pro

Development of new SLR almost complete

5 February 2004 - PMA, Las Vegas, USA*: This year will see the eagerly-anticipated launch of the FinePix S3 Pro - successor to Fujifilm’s critically-acclaimed FinePix S2 Pro digital SLR. Set to confirm Fujifilm?s status as one of the top three digital camera makers, this model has been conceived as the camera of choice for photographers who wish to achieve image quality worthy of Fujifilm’s professional film heritage.

This camera will be a breed apart from all other DSLRs because of its sensor and processor technology, without doubt the most important components within any digital camera. The FinePix S3 Pro’s 4th Generation Super CCD SR sensor will use 6.17 million S-pixels and 6.17 million R-pixels (12.3 million effective photodiodes) to deliver 12 million recorded pixels. The picture quality from this 23 x 15.5mm sensor will show noticeable image improvements to that of single-pixel cameras. The SR sensor’s unique double photodiode design will produce images with a dynamic range four times greater than that of a sensor working on single-pixel technology. This dramatically broadens tonal capability, and guarantees exceptional rendition from bright highlights to deep shadows. It gives greater sensitivity, improved signal-to-noise ratio and consistently natural colour reproduction.

Rob Galbraith has published a report by Eamon Hickey on the debut of the Canon EOS 1D Mark II at the Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, USA last weekend. There’s some reaction from press photographers and some interesting news about when the camera will start shipping (in the USA):

“Canon USA is expecting to ship small quantities of the camera in March with significant deliveries in April, May, and June, Metz said. The Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) for co-op advertising reimbursement on the EOS-1D Mark II is US$4499 in the US, and Metz said that will likely be the street price as well.”

Website: Dphoto.us - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Question and Answer

Dphoto.us in conjunction with New York fashion photographer Stephen Eastwood, who has been lucky enough to test the Canon EOS 1D Mark II, held a question and answer session last night on Canon’s new DSLR. There are 7 pages of questions and answers to look through - essential reading if you are interested in this camera:

“I shot some beauty shots at 1600 iso and many at 800 and 200 iso, 200 being what I would like as I got use to having that extra stop of light around so comparing it to the 1D that is necessary, 800 is something I rarely use, but I was so impressed I have some prints here now that were at 800 iso, they are sharp and noise free, on screen they look as good as scanned film of 100 iso, and with no noise reduction and no sharpening I have printed images that are completely noise free, I could submit these for publication no problem to run full bleed in any quality glossy out there.”

Website: Dphoto.us - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Question and Answer

DPreview have just posted a preview of the new entry-level Nikon DSLR, the 6-megapixel D70:

“People’s first reaction to the D70, especially existing D100 owners was that it doesn’t appear to be a downgrade from the D100. Indeed, this is also my reaction. Yes, the D70’s design is simpler than the D100 and the menus have larger type face, there are some custom functions missing and you can’t add a vertical hand grip. But in all other respects the D70 is as good as and in some cases better than the D100. This then makes the naming convention a little odd. This also raises another note of interest, the D70 is already looking better than Canon’s EOS-300D.”

Website: DPReview - Nikon D70 Preview

It seems that some enterprising Russian programmer has hacked the Canon EOS 300D firmware to create a new version that contains some of the custom functions found on the more expensive and complex EOS 10D. Apparently the following functions have been added:

1. Set button functions:
  a. change quality
  b. change settings

2. Make a shot without a flash card
  1. available
  0. not available

3. Flash synchro in AV mode
  0. auto
  1. 1/200

4. RAW+JPEG writing
  0-5 - size of embedded JPEG image

There’s a LOT of discussion about the undoubtedly illegal and warranty-invalidating new firmware version over on the DPReview Canon EOS 300D forum, and it looks as though it works for many people. If it was my camera, I don’t think I would touch it with a very long bargepole, even it it does work…

Website: DPReview - “New” Canon EOS 300D Firmware

Website: DPReview - “New” Canon EOS 300D Firmware Risks/Benefits

The Norwegian website Digit.no have reviewed the Pentax *ist D digital SLR, awarding it 77% overall.

Website: Digit.no - Pentax *ist D Review

CNET have published a brief First Take on the new Canon EOS 1D MKII.

“The Mark II features an 8.2-megapixel CMOS sensor; a full-resolution, 40-shot, 8.5-frame-per-second drive mode; a top shutter speed of 1/8,000 of a second; dual CompactFlash and SD media slots; and 45-point autofocus—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The camera’s flexibility will appeal to a broad range of professional photographers and (very) serious amateurs.”

Website: CNET - Canon EOS 1D Mark II First Take

Long-time Nikon user Thom Hogan has posted his first impressions of the Nikon D70’s feature specification, comparing it with the D100:

“Note how many of the features in the above list are “better than D100” and how few are “worse than D100.” Given the lower price, the D70 effectively removes the D100 from the market and lowers the resale value of the D100. Note that this doesn’t mean the D100 is any less capable than it has been (which is to say “very”), just that the target for digital cameras moves forward.”

Website: Thom Hogan - Nikon D70 First Impressions

Imaging Resource have posted a very indepth and handy guide to the new Canon EOS 1D Mark II digital camera, including a feature-by-feature comparison with its predecessor, the EOS 1D, and its direct competitior, the Nikon D2H.

“Given the major resolution increase, it is extremely impressive that Canon has managed to not just maintain the speed and burst depth of the camera, but actually increase it as compared to the EOS-1D to 20 RAW or 40 JPEG frames at 8.5 frames per second. The speed comes courtesy of the new CMOS sensor coupled with a doubling of the amount of buffer memory, the choice of DDR-SDRAM for that buffer memory (a first for a digital camera), and the new DIGIC II processor (now a single board instead of two) which reads 8 channels of data off the sensor at a time instead of the usual 2 channels.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Analysis and Comparison

DPReview are reporting that both the Pentax *ist D and the Olympus E-1 have had their prices cut in the USA. Pentax have reduced its only DSLR by $300, effective from February 1, 2004 through June 30, 2004. There are also a number of smaller discounts on other Pentax cameras. Meanwhile Olympus USA have apparently announced a $300 trade-in promotion on the E-1 DSLR and 14-54 mm lens kit, via a trade-in system. You can take in any digital or film SLR camera and get $300 off, available until March 31st 2004. The E-1 kit after the trade-in costs $1,999. Both of these cameras have only been on the market for a few months, so it’s great news for us consumers.

Website: DPReview - Pentax *ist D Price Cut

Website: DPReview - Olympus E-1 Trade-in

As usual with the release of a major new camera, several websites have already got their sticky little fingers on pre-production units and have provided First Look reports for you. Even more impressively, the Slovenian website e-Fotografija have published a number of sample images from the new EOS 1D MKII. And the camera was only announced this morning!

So without further ado, here are some handy links for you to follow…

UPDATE 11:43 - Canon have asked e-Fotografija/DP-Now to remove the sample images… :-)

Website: Canon Japan - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Product Page

Website: e-Fotografija - Canon EOS 1D Mark II First Impressions (in English)

Website: DPReview - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Preview

Website: Dphoto.us - Stephen Eastwood’s Hands On Impressions

Website: Rob Galbraith - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Preview Report

Canon Press Release 29/01/04

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 29th January, 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, sets new standards in professional photography with the announcement of the EOS 1D Mark II. Combining formidable speed and exceptional resolution, the EOS 1D Mark II delivers approx. 8.5 frames per second at 8.2 Megapixels, taking over from Canon’s EOS-1D as the most powerful D-SLR camera in the world.

Canon has integrated three new technologies to deliver the EOS 1D Mark II’s high-speed / high-resolution combination: Canon’s next generation DIGIC II processor, a new CMOS sensor, and a new extra large buffer system. These technologies work in concert to deliver 40 frame bursts at 8.5 fps in JPEG, or 20 frame bursts in RAW mode. This high level of performance can be achieved in either Single Shot AF or AI Servo AF mode.

“With commanding speed and phenomenal image quality, the EOS 1D Mark II sets a new performance benchmark for sports and news photographers,” says Mr. Komatsuzaki, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “With nearly double the resolution of the EOS-1D, the EOS 1D Mark II also opens the digital SLR realm to the areas of fashion, nature and event photography”.