DIWA member and Czech website Fotoaparat have reviewed the Epson Stylus Photo R2400 A3+ photo printer.

Website: Fotoaparat - Epson Stylus Photo R2400 Review

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DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 which combines a 12x optical zoom lens with MEGA O.I.S. in a compact body.

“At a manufacturer’s list price of $349.95, the FZ7 looks like a better value than comparable cameras. Its limitations, such as image noise in particular, won’t break the deal for some users. We did find the fit and finish disappointing. The plastic parts that make up the shell of the camera are thick and sturdy, but they don’t meet perfectly, so there are gaps and ridges where the camera was designed to be smooth. While some cameras at least aspire to look like jewelry, the FZ7 has a low-end aesthetic. Its range of manual controls and their ease of use should be particularly appealing to users who want to begin experimenting with controls. Newbie photographers who are content with the image quality could learn a lot by experimenting with the FZ7. “

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 Review

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DPReview have reviewed the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 which combines a 12x optical zoom lens with MEGA O.I.S. in a compact body.

“The FZ5 was a camera that stood out in a very crowded market by virtue of an excellent lens, comprehensive set of photographic controls and fast, reliable operation. And most of the issues we did have - poor movie mode, fiddly manual exposure control, lack of external ISO control and poor low-light screen visibility have been addressed pretty convincingly in the FZ7.”

Website: DPReview - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7 Review

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On a recent press trip to Lisbon, Portugal, I was given the opportunity to try out the new 28mm wide-angle zoom, 6 megapixel, compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 digital camera. Here are some sample images taken with a pre-production version of the FX01 - please note that they do not represent the quality of the final production version of the camera.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 Photos

On a recent press trip to Lisbon, Portugal, I was given the opportunity to try out the new 10x zoom, 5 megapixel, compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 digital camera. Here are some sample images taken with a pre-production version of the TZ1 - please note that they do not represent the quality of the final production version of the camera.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Photos

PMA 2006: The Vivitar ViviCam X60 is announced today, proving that the megapixel race isn’t over yet. 10 megapixels, 2.8 inch LCD, 6x optical zoom lens, available in Q2/3 2006.

Vivitar Press Release

Oxnard, California–(February 13, 2006) – Vivitar today announced the launch of the new ViviCam X60, their new 10MP digital camera. According to Alan Tsao, Vivitar’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, “The ViviCam X60 and the ViviCam X30 represent the epitome of Vivitar engineering for truly extraordinary photography. The ViviCam X60 provides the photographer with a 6x optical and an 8x digital zoom enabling the user to photograph subjects at great distances while keeping the image sharp and clear. The camera has a huge 2.8” color LTPS screen for easy viewing indoors or outdoors on the sunniest of days.”

PMA 2006: The Vivitar ViviCam X30 is announced today, proving that the megapixel race isn’t over yet. 10 megapixels, 2.5 inch LCD, 3x optical zoom lens, available in Q2/3 2006.

Vivitar Press Release

Oxnard, California–(February 13, 2006) – Vivitar today announced the launch of the new ViviCam X30, their new 10MP digital camera. According to Alan Tsao, Vivitar’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, “The ViviCam X30 and the ViviCam X60 represent the epitome of Vivitar engineering for truly extraordinary photography. The ViviCam X30 provides the photographer with a 3x optical and an 8x digital zoom and a large 2.5” color LTPS screen for easy viewing.”

PMA 2006: The affordable Mustek MDC-832Z is announced. 8 megapixels, 2 inch LCD, 3x optical zoom lens, available for just $249.99.

Mustek Press Release

Mustek Sees Growth Potential in U.S. Digital Camera Market, Will Unveil Newest Models at PMA 2006 Tradeshow

IRVINE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Feb. 16, 2006—Mustek, a leader in digital lifestyle electronics, today announced it would showcase its newest digital cameras and camcorders at the 2006 Photo Marketing Association Show (PMA) in Orlando, Fla. Spearheading Mustek’s introductions is the MDC-832Z, a stylish eight-megapixel digital camera boasting 3264 x 2448 resolution, a 3X optical zoom AF lens, a 2.0-inch LCD, 32MB of internal memory, 30 fps video recording (640 x 480) and an MSRP of only $249.99 (U.S.). The MDC-832Z, along with several other exciting Mustek launches, will be on display in PMA Technology Suite X15.

Ferrania Press Release

Ferrania claims clear lead in inkjet photo paper market with exclusive PerDura™ Technology - Photos printed on PermaPix™ Advanced Archival inkjet photo paper will last a lifetime

Orlando, Fla. — February 26, 2006 — Ferrania Technologies today is exhibiting its revolutionary DIMA and TIPA award-winning inkjet photo paper that offers consumers lifetime protection for their color photos.  PermaPix™ Advanced Archival inkjet photo paper from Ferrania features the company’s exclusive PerDura™ Technology, which protects color images from ozone, water and other environmental elements that typically degrade photo quality. Ferrania demonstrated the paper and exhibited packaging for the PermaPix™ brand at the Photo Marketing Association International (PMAI) Annual Conference in Orlando today, Booth #3364. The PermaPix™ Advanced Archival inkjet photo paper — which is available in 15-sheet 8.5” x 11” and 50-sheet 4” x 6” retail packages — allows consumers to print highly durable, archival photos with any ordinary inkjet printer, whether it uses dye-based or pigmented inks.  Ferrania, which began shipping the PermaPix™ paper last year, claims that the paper is a perfect solution for a widespread consumer need.

Ferrania Press Release

Ferrania Technologies continues expansion of OptiJet™ family of inkjet cartridges and paper - Company adds new cartridges and papers for use in new Epson, Canon, HP and Lexmark printers

Orlando, Fla. — February 26, 2006 — Ferrania Technologies unveiled an expanded family of OptiJet™ inkjet cartridges and inkjet media today at the Photo Marketing Association International (PMAI) Annual Convention in Orlando (booth #3364).  The new cartridges are designed to provide cost-effective alternatives for consumers who have purchased one of the many new inkjet printers and multi-function machines that have hit the market in the past several months.  New media give consumers a wide range of sizes and stocks from which to choose, all with National Brand quality at a fraction of the cost. “The cost of inkjet cartridges makes them the single largest expense over the life of a desktop printer. The ultimate costs dwarf the initial purchase price of the printer,” said Tom Zohn, Inkjet Director of Growth for Ferrania.  “Bringing these new, value-priced cartridges to market gives consumers more choices when they shop and it gives retailers flexibility and depth in their product lines.  Best of all, it helps reduce the total cost of ownership for many inkjet printers.”

ExpoImaging Press Release

ExpoImaging to Exhibit ExpoDisc Digital White Balance Filters at PMA—A Fast and Easy Custom White Balance Solution for Professional Photographers

ExpoImaging Booth 5132 and at Sneak Peek 2/26 at Westcott Table

ORLANDO, FL (Feb. 26, 2006) – ExpoImaging Inc., the pioneer in diffusion filters that allow professional photographers and videographers to accurately color balance at capture, will exhibit its ExpoDisc Digital White Balance Filters here at PMA. The ExpoDisc is a custom white balance filter that allows digital photographers to set a custom white balance without having to carry, hold, position, or fumble with any of the numerous gray cards, white cards and targets available today. The snap-on white balance filter is, in effect, a gray card in filter form, without all the hassles and inconsistencies of a gray card.  The ExpoDisc is suitable for use with any digital still and video camera with a custom white balance function, including digital SLR and fixed lens prosumer cameras.

muvee Technologies Press Release

Singapore and New York, NY - February 20, 2006 - muvee Technologies, the pioneer and leader in Instant Personal Video, has partnered with Vector, Japan’s largest online software download website, to make its muvee autoProducer software more easily available to its Japanese-speaking customers. Jack Chen, muvee’s director of sales and marketing in Japan, said, “Japan is one of our key markets and this deal with Vector is part of our increasing efforts to cater to our customers here.  Vector’s success and popularity for software downloads makes it an ideal and convenient platform for our Japanese-speaking users to purchase our software via a secure payment network.”

FotoNation Press Release

FotoNation at PMA Feb. 26-March 1, Orlando - Technology Suite X9

FotoNation is the company that develops hot-new products for digital cameras such as in-camera WiFi as implemented by the leading camera companies and in-camera red-eye currently available in products by Kodak, Nikon, Pentax, Sanyo and more. FotoNation will show at PMA 2006 products related to Wireless Camera Connectivity and Embedded Imaging technology.

Wacom Press Release

Wacom launches new Interactive Pen Display for presentation, audio editing, office automation and command and control - PL-720 for direct pen input onto the screen

Wacom, the leading manufacturer of pen tablets and Interactive Pen Displays, today launches the PL-720, a high resolution, 17” LC screen equipped with a pen that allows the user to write, annotate and navigate directly with the pen onto the screen. Aimed at non-graphic markets such as presentation, audio editing, office automation, command and control systems markets, the new, modern design of the PL-720 provides an ideal tool for an intuitive workflow. The PL-720 has a sleek and contemporary design with a small robust footprint to conveniently minimise desk space. The new interactive pen display has a 17” diagonal viewing area, SXGA resolution with 1280x1024 pixel and 16.2 Mio colours. The stand is adjustable to allow the display to change positions from almost vertical (73°) to almost horizontal (18°).

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the Olympus E-500, an 8 megapixel DSLR with a 2.5 inch LCD screen in a body with a classic penta-prism design.

“One of the advantages of the FourThirds system is that a compact size can be created and that the lenses can be easily exchanged. All lenses have a focal length multiplier of two. The 14-45 mm Zuiko Digital lens that comes supplied in the kit thus handles itself as a 28-90mm on a 35mm camera; which is a beautiful and universal range. The lens itself is also very compact. In combination with the small body, it makes the Olympus E-500 an ideal digital camera to take with you on any trip. Furthermore, it is an extremely light-weight camera.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Olympus E-500 Review

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Northlight Images have been busy reviewing all three of Pantone’s new monitor calibration devices, including the affordable Pantone huey (pictured).

“At the price, it’s (Pantone huey) going to be popular, but I do take serious issue with the degree that the interface/help has been dumbed down, to the point of not including useful information that might help people make better and more consistent use of the product. The help available provides no additional information to help you beyond getting the device to work (it’s fine for that). I just wish that the need for product differentiation had not removed the opportunity to educate users in colour management if they were curious. A short sighted omission and I’ll blame my favourite villains—marketing”

Website: Northlight Images - Pantone huey Review

Website: Northlight Images - Pantone Eye One Display LT Review

Website: Northlight Images - Pantone Eye One Display 2 Review

Norwegian website Akam.no have published their review of the new Fujifilm FinePix E900 Zoom, a 9 megapixel digital camera with a 4x optical zoom lens equivalent to 32-128mm and an ISO range of ISO 80 to ISO 800.

Website: Akam.no - Fujifilm FinePix E900 Zoom Review

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CNET have just reviewed the new 10.2 megapixel Nikon D200 digital SLR camera.

“Overall, the Nikon D200 raises the bar a notch in the midrange digital SLR class, providing extra features and a more robust body than those of the Canon EOS 20D for only a few hundred dollars more, and most of the good stuff found in the 12.8-megapixel Canon EOS 5D—with the obvious exception of the full-frame sensor—for a lot less money.”

Website: CNET - Nikon D200 Review

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DCViews have just reviewed the 6 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F11.

“Colour rendition is excellent with clean natural looking colours which can be beefed up a bit by using the Chrome setting in the Fujifilm Finephoto mode. Exposure was generally OK although sometimes the camera would expose a bit too much for the shadow areas leading to some overexposure of the highlights. This is easily corrected though by applying some permanent exposure compensation of -1/3EV in the menu. Trying to assess correct exposure on the LCD monitor may prove misleading, as an image may seem lighter or darker than it actually is, depending on the angle at which you view the screen. As there is no histogram function, the only way to really find out if the image is correctly exposed will be when viewing the picture on your (calibrated) PC screen. It would be nice if Fuji could introduce this function in a follow up to the F11 next year”

Website: Fujifilm FinePix F11 Review

Website: Read my Fujifilm FinePix F11 Review

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This week’s Gary’s Parries topics are:

1. Noise Reduction 101
2. New Fuji And Panasonic Digicams (The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly)
3. Kind Words From A Gary’s Parries Fan

Introducing this week’s Gary’s Parries column. Everything you always wanted to know about digital cameras, but were afraid to ask. No question too difficult, or too easy. As a Principal Software Engineer, and a former Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems, as well as a recording studio owner/operator, and now, a digital camera enthusiast, GARY has more digital camera knowledge in his entire brain than most people have in their little finger. And, in the unlikely event that GARY would not know the answer to your question, he will answer it anyway, true to the spirit of the word “Parries”, a fencing term which, in this context, implies “cleverly evasive answers”. So let your imaginations run wild. Email all of your nagging questions to: [email protected], and then, En Garde!

The best question of the week will receive a small prize from the PhotographyBLOG goody bag, so send your questions now. If you would like your name, location, email address, and/or website included in the column with your question, please expressly give your permission in the email, along with the information you would like included. No private information will be included without your consent.

Here are this week’s questions and answers.