PMA 2006: The Canon PIXMA MP830 and Canon PIXMA MP530 all-in-ones are announced today. The PIXMA MP830 and PIXMA MP530 will be available from May 2006, priced at around £329.00 / €475.00 and £249.00 / €360.00 respectively.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon targets small business market with new multifunctionals; the PIXMA MP830 and MP530

Canon is pleased to announce the launch of two new multifunctional products aimed at the small business market: the PIXMA MP830 and PIXMA MP530. The new products are fully featured to meet office requirements, while also continuing in the PIXMA tradition of producing high speed lab-quality photo prints – achieved with Canon’s FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology , which lies at the heart of PIXMA’s photo lab performance. Both deliver 4-in-1 functionality with rapid, high quality prints for documents and graphics, as well as high-speed copy, scanning and fax functions. In addition to the new multifunctionals, Canon launches two new printers that also target the small business market: the PIXMA iX5000 and PIXMA iX4000. The new products strengthen the PIXMA range by bringing the sub-brand’s core values – designer styling and advanced technology for high quality, high speed photo printing – into the important small office and home office segment. “At a time of converging home and office life, and increased use of digital imaging in business communications, Canon’s engineers have evolved PIXMA technology to meet business needs,” explained Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe.

DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the new dual lens Kodak V570 camera.

“Taking over from the V550 as the top of Kodak’s pocket series of consumer digicams, the V570 continues to live up to its EASYSHARE family name. Designed with the beginner in mind, it combines point-n-shoot simplicity with a 5-megapixel imager, brilliant 2.5-inch LCD and a unique dual lens system into a very stylish, pocketable body.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Kodak V570 Review

Website: Read my Kodak Easyshare V570 Review

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PMA 2006: The Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z850 camera is announced. 8.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens, manual exposure and advanced flash options. Available from the beginning of March.

Casio Europe Press Release

High Resolution 8.1 Megapixel Images Highlight Casio EX-Z850 - New Digital Camera Offers Big Performance In A Small, Sleek Package

February 21, 2006, Norderstedt - CASIO Europe GmbH, in conjunction with its parent company CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. announced the release of the latest addition to its EXILIM ZOOM digital camera series with the stylish, compact, and high-resolution EX-Z850. Offering high quality 8.1 megapixel photos, the EX Z850 includes a 3X optical zoom, and offers both manual aperture and shutter speed priority AE options for advanced users who prefer to create customized images. The impressive 2.5” Super Bright LCD generates approximately 1,200 cd/m2 of luminescent output, making the monitor even easier to view when outdoors. The Casio EX-Z850 includes the latest version of the EXILIM Engine, featuring the Anti Shake DSP which considerably reduces the incidence of blurred images due to shaky hands or moving subjects, so you only have to worry about which shots to take, not how they will come out. In response to user’s high demand, the Casio EX-Z850’s Super Life Battery supports 440 shots per charge, providing convenient, long-lasting usability.

PMA 2006: The Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z850 camera is announced. 6 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD. Available from the beginning of March.

Casio Press Release

New Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z60 Loaded With Convenient Features, Even Easier To Use - Combines Cutting-Edge Technology With User-Friendly Functionality and Compact Style

February 21, 2006, Norderstedt - CASIO Europe GmbH, in conjunction with its parent company CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. announced the release of a new addition to its stylish and high-resolution EXILIM ZOOM digital camera series. The simple to use Casio EX-Z60 offers 6.0 megapixel images and a 3X optical zoom packed into a slim body enhanced by rounded edges. The camera features a large, easy-to-see 2.5” LCD monitor as well as the Anti Shake DSP, which along with the Auto Macro and Quick Shutter functions considerably reduces the incidence of blurred images due to moving subjects or shaky hands, ensuring that beautiful images can be created and enjoyed by anyone. The Casio EX-Z60 comes with many other convenient and user-friendly features, including Easy Mode, a simplified camera menu that facilitates effortless picture taking. The EXILIM line is a culmination of CASIO’s core technologies of miniaturization and digital technology resulting in a smaller, higher resolution camera—which has created the current digital camera trend with stylish, compact and fast action functions. The Casio EX-Z60 is the latest in CASIO’s pursuit of a digital camera that is both high tech and hassle-free—bringing the fun and enjoyment of digital photography to everyone.

DCResource have reviewed the new dual lens Kodak V570 camera.

“The Kodak EasyShare V570 is a one-of-a-kind ultra compact camera with two lenses: one is a fixed 23 mm ultra wide, while the other is a more traditional 39 - 117 mm zoom. While Kodak’s “5X zoom” claim is misleading, the camera more or less gives you the best of both worlds: a regular zoom lens for normal shooting, and an ultra-wide lens that you can call on for interior and landscape shooting. While the camera is far from perfect, it does earn my recommendation.”

Website: DCResource - Kodak V570 Review

Website: Read my Kodak Easyshare V570 Review

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PMA 2006: The Nikon Coolpix S5 and Nikon Coolpix S6 are announced. 6 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch and 3 inch LCDs respectively. Coolpix S5 available end of February for £299.99 / €369. Coolpix S6 available mid March for £349.99 / €459.

Nikon Press Release

Two exciting digital compacts packing new photo-sharing entertainment into attractive wave-surface designs.

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the Nikon Coolpix S5 and Nikon Coolpix S6. Two exciting new cameras built for the sharing of digital photographic enjoyment, the Nikon S5 and Nikon S6 combine high-quality imaging performance with impressive wave-surface design, enable images to be improved in-camera, feature outstandingly large LCDs and introduce the powerful Pictmotion function that allows users to create entertaining in-camera shows. With the COOLPIX S5 and S6, image quality is also pleasingly high. Both cameras offer a 1/2.5-inch CCD and 6.0 effective megapixel resolution to produce images that stay sharp even when significantly enlarged. The Nikon Coolpix S5 and Nikon Coolpix S6 also each feature a superior quality 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED lens with a range of 35-105mm (35mm equivalent) that gives the photographer the freedom to zoom out for beautiful landscapes, zoom in for tightly composed portraits, and enjoy macro photography from as close as 4cm.

PMA 2006: The Nikon Coolpix P3 and Nikon Coolpix P4 are announced. 8.1 megapixels, 3.5x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD. Coolpix P3 available end of February for £349.99 / €459. Coolpix P4 available mid March for £329.99 / €399.

Nikon Press Release

Higher performance, further functionality and extended photo enjoyment in attractive body.

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX P3 and COOLPIX P4. Two compact digital cameras combining an exceptional 8.1 megapixels of resolution with an array of advanced features, the COOLPIX P3 and P4 take picture-taking enjoyment a step ahead. The COOLPIX P3 and P4 feature a 1/1.8-inch CCD. And because they offer 8.1 effective megapixels of image resolution, both cameras deliver outstanding imaging power that’s not only enough to show beautiful skin texture and capture the myriad colors of the human eye, but also enough to ensure shots stay breathtakingly clear even when significantly enlarged. They also each incorporate a 36-126mm (35mm equivalent) Zoom-Nikkor lens that offers ample freedom to zoom in for close compositions, zoom right out to capture breathtaking scenery and even enjoy macro shooting from as close as 4cm.

PMA 2006: The Nikon Coolpix L2, Nikon Coolpix L3 and Nikon Coolpix L4 are announced. 6, 5.1 and 4 megapixels respectively, 3x optical zoom lens, 2 inch LCD. Coolpix L2 available end of February for £199.99 / €245. Coolpix L3 available end of February for £169.99 / €212. Coolpix L4 available mid March for £129.99 / €159.

Nikon UK Press Release

Three compact digital cameras offering exceptional design and high-quality finish, with the easy operability to let anyone take a better class of picture

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the COOLPIX L2, COOLPIX L3 and COOLPIX L4. These three entry-level digital compact cameras combine high-quality components like a 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens and a bright 2.0-inch LCD with in-camera image-improvement features, in lightweight and compact, yet elegantly finished bodies. All three cameras boast powerful 38-116mm (114mm for the COOLPIX L4) Zoom-Nikkor lenses (35mm equivalent), providing the liberty to zoom in for tight personal portraits, or zoom out to take in expansive outdoor scenes. The CCD delivers higher performance within tighter dimensions, greatly adding to the cameras’ compact portability while offering generous effective megapixel values of 6.0 for the COOLPIX L2, 5.1 for the COOLPIX L3, and 4.0 for the COOLPIX L4, ensuring the refined image clarity that you’ve come to expect from other members of the COOLPIX family. All three also feature a bright, easy-to-view 2.0-inch LCD that’s now even easier to operate with new icons and function selection, and easier on the eyes thanks to a new color scheme.

PMA 2006: The Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens is announced today. Available end of March for £599.99 / €889.

Nikon Press Release

The world’s first macro lens equipped with SWM and VR systems.

Tokyo — Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, the world’s first macro lens equipped with Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and Vibration Reduction (VR) systems. It offers a host of Nikon’s advanced optical features and technologies such as Nano Crystal Coat, Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass and Internal Focusing (IF) . The AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED is engineered for use with both Nikon DX format digital and 35mm film SLR cameras. This lens has been developed to meet user demand for a 105mm macro lens equipped with SWM, IF and VR system. The SWM ensures fast and quiet autofocusing and quick switching between autofocus and manual operation. The IF system also offers a non-rotating front lens element that facilitates the use of circular polarizing filters.

PMA 2006: Nikon Capture NX digital image editing software is announced today. Available in May 2006 for £119.99 / €179.

Nikon Press Release

Nikon Capture NX - Advancing full-scale digital image processing and editing

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation announces the new digital image editing software, Capture NX, featuring Nik Software, Inc.’s patented U Point™ technology. This new product, evolving from previously released Nikon Capture 4 software, gives digital photographers more powerful tools complimented by simple and visual operation for exploring NEF, JPEG and TIFF files potential for optimizing images. The new software is scheduled for delivery during Spring 2006.Advancing the world-acclaimed Nikon Capture concept, Capture NX releases not only the latest powers of Nikon’s Electronic Format (NEF) files; for the first time, it makes image processing of JPEG and TIFF files created by other cameras elegant and easy enough for any photographer to implement*. A user-friendly interface makes image editing more visually intuitive and provides access to all necessary enhancement tools. Nikon’s legendary expertise in creating innovative digital cameras and images has expanded the potential for high quality digital photography which will soon be complimented by Capture NX with its technology to maximize the potential for each compatible image. With performance, versatility and convenience it is the perfect match to any Nikon digital camera, as well as for any other camera brand that produces JPEG and TIFF files.

PMA 2006: Nikon View Pro image management software is announced today. Available in May 2006 for £34.99 / €50.

Nikon Press Release

High Speed and Versatile Performance with Image Management and Browsing to speed up and improve the professional digital workflow – Compatible with Capture NX and other Software.

New performance includes: Faster loading of thumbnails, faster NEF preview plus exclusive high speed processing, Action Keys, High Speed Image Management, IPTC Editing Performance, Versatile Display Modes for Image Comparison, Image Marking and FTP Transfer Compatibility

TOKYO — Nikon Corporation is pleased to introduce the versatile new Nikon View Pro software. The new Nikon View Pro is designed to make viewing and handling of large quantities of images faster, and with versatility to make the professional workflow more productive. As digital files grow in size and quality, professional photographers will appreciate Nikon View Pro’s enhanced image display, faster browsing of NEF RAW files, and the ease of editing IPTC information, all in a conveniently fast workflow.

PMA 2006: Nikon Pictmotion in-camera slideshow functionality is introduced in the new Coolpix S5 and S6 cameras.

Nikon Press Release

So much more than a slideshow, Pictmotion blends images, movies, music and visual styles to produce entertaining in-camera shows.

Tokyo – Nikon Corporation is proud to announce Pictmotion – a unique new feature that makes it easy to share the joy of photography in a more entertaining, more advanced manner. Presently available with the newly released COOLPIX S5 and S6, this in-camera capability enables recorded image and movie files to be combined with music and visual styles to produce intuitive in-camera shows that take the fun of digital photography much further. Containing patented technologies provided by muvee Technologies Pte. Ltd., Pictmotion empowers the COOLPIX S5 and S6 with an embedded muvee-making function similar to the muvee feature previously available with Nikon PictureProject software – automatically analyzing selected images, movies, styles, music and settings to produce creative, compelling slideshow productions that are easy to make and exciting to show. And because the software is already in the camera, users can make and view their Pictmotion productions on the go, save them to memory, and enjoy playing them back again and again anywhere – without the need for a PC.

Nikon Press Release

Nikon launches a website dedicated to its COOLPIX Premium Features - The place to learn about and experience the advantages of the advanced features built into Nikon’s COOLPIX cameras

Tokyo – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of its new website dedicated to introducing the four sets of advanced functions that collectively comprise the COOLPIX Premium Features built into new Nikon COOLPIX cameras, which aim to make it easier and more fun to shoot, to achieve optimized images, and to share the fun with others. The site’s easy navigation and interactive graphic presentation is designed to let visitors experience the effects and advantages of each feature first-hand.

Sigma Press Release

Notice to customers using Sigma’s NA- i TTL type flashguns

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce firmware updates that bring refined performance to the EF-500 DG SUPER NA-iTTL and EF-500 DG ST NA-iTTL flashguns. This free firmware update service will be given to customers from February 20, 2006 onwards. This firmware update service will ensure compatibility of the above-mentioned flashguns with the i-TTL system of the D2X, D2H, D2Hs and D200 digital SLR cameras. This update service is only possible if the above flashguns’ back panel shows NA-iTTL marking. (This update service is not available if only “NA” is marked on the back of the flashgun). Concerning the EM-140 DG NA-iTTL, we will post further information regarding service procedure and time-scales in due course.

Epson Press Release

The Epson Stylus Photo RX640 and Stylus Photo R340 win iF product design award 2006.

Epson has won an iF product design award 2006 for the Stylus Photo RX640 all-in-one photo printer (pictured) and the Stylus Photo R340 photo printer. The iF product design awards, established in 1954, now rank amongst the most prestigious design competitions in the world. An international panel of top design experts critically examine and select the winning products from a total of around 2,300 entries from over 30 different countries each year. This year it attracted products from 37 nations. The Stylus Photo RX640 and Stylus Photo R340 were awarded in the Computer category.

Epson UK Press Release

21st February 2006 - Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”) has started patent infringement proceedings in the English High Court against Medea International Limited in respect of UK patents belonging to Epson, which Epson believes are infringed by Medea International by importing ink cartridges compatible with Epson printers into the UK.  Medea International sells these imported cartridges in the UK under a number of brands, including Inkrite PhotoPLUS. Following rumours within the industry that Medea International is not infringing any UK patents by importing cartridges into the UK that are compatible with Epson printers, Epson has now chosen to set the record straight.

TrustedReviews have a good review of the large format Epson 4800 printer which uses the UltraChrome K3 inkset.

“‘Print quality on plain or photo paper, is very good. Black is dense and full, with the two supporting ‘light black’ inks, or as we techies call them, ‘greys’, providing smooth gradations of tone. When printing large format pages, costing on the basis of 20 per cent of an A4 page isn’t appropriate. We don’t think Epson’s basis for costing a photo print, 40 per cent of a page, is that realistic either. If you’re going to spend this kind of money on a printer, you’re going to be covering most of each page you print with ink – 80 per cent would be a more realistic average.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Epson Stylus Pro 4800 Review

Photo-i have taken a look at the new affordable Pantone huey monitor calibration device.

“The first thing that strikes me is its small size, its about the same size as a Wacom pen. The huey has eight tiny suckers which hold it in place on the screen and it can be used for both LCD and CRT screens (and laptops). I was reluctant to use this on the delicate surface of a LCD screen. The suckers need a slight amount of moistening, I resisted the temptation to lick the suckers and used a damp cloth. A small amount of pressure is required to make the huey stick to a LCD screen, but not enough to cause any damage. For CRT screens there isn’t a problem, just whack it on.”

Website: Photo-i - Pantone huey Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the new Olympus SP-350, an 8 megapixel camera that offers a 3x optical zoom lens equivalent to 38-114mm and a 2.5 inch LCD monitor.

“The Olympus SP-350 features a 8.0-megapixel CCD, 3x lens, the availability of full manual exposure control and a flash hot shoe in a pocket-friendly, compact size. In addition to the camera’s automatic and manual controls, the SP-350 offers no less than 24 preset Scene modes, including a QuickTime Movie mode. With its small size, nice selection of creative controls, and high resolution sensor, the Olympus SP-350 is an excellent all-around camera suitable for novices and experienced amateurs alike.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Olympus SP-350 Review

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DIWA member and Polish website Fotopolis have published their review of the 12.8 megapixel Canon EOS 5D digital SLR.

Website: Fotopolis - Canon EOS 5D Review

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