The 8 megapixel Samsung Digimax S800, 6 megapixel Samsung Digimax S600 and 5 megapixel Samsung Digimax S500 point and shoot digital cameras are announced today. All three models offer a 2.4 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens. The S800, S600 and S500 are expected to hit the market in early 2006.

Samsung UK Press Release

Introducing the “S” Series of Point & Shoot cameras.

‘S’ series point and shoot digital cameras to be launched
  -  5, 6, and 8 megapixels, all with 3x optical zoom
  -  Easy and quick operation
  -  Ergonomic design with camera grip
  -  Large and Vivid TFT LCD (2.4 inch)

Kodak UK Press Release

Kodak Innovation Takes Center Stage at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show

Company Unveils World’s First Dual-Lens Digital Still Camera and New PHOTO VOICE Software; Chairman and CEO Antonio Perez to Address Attendees on Friday, January 6

LONDON, January 3 2006 - As the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) opens here to record crowds, Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) announced two products that propel picture taking and sharing to new levels:
• The KODAK EASYSHARE V570 zoom digital camera is the world’s first dual-lens digital still camera. Using proprietary KODAK RETINA Dual Lens technology, the elegant device ingeniously wraps an ultra-wide angle lens (23 mm) and an optical zoom lens (39 – 117 mm) into a sleek, pocket-size package less than an inch thick.
• KODAK PHOTO VOICE software combines Kodak’s online picture sharing service ? KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery ? with Skype global Internet communications. With this free download from www.kodakgallery.com/photovoice, people can share their pictures in real time with friends around the globe using Skype’s free Internet calling service, talking live about the pictures as if they were in the same room.

Kodak UK Press Release

New KODAK EASYSHARE Z650 Digital Camera Brings Users ‘Closer’ to Picture Perfection via its 10X Extended Zoom Capabilities - Fast Performance, Stunning Shots Define the Latest Z-Series Camera

LONDON, January 3 2006 - On the eve of the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Eastman Kodak Company announced the new KODAK EASYSHARE Z650 zoom digital camera, the latest model in its Z-series line. The 6.1-megapixel camera offers aspiring photographers exceptional performance and greater photographic control through its professional-quality SCHENIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON 10X optical zoom lens, helping capture detail from afar and flattering portraits.

Kodak UK Press Release

New KODAK EASYSHARE C663 Zoom Digital Camera First to Incorporate Innovative KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology for Better, Brighter Pictures - Affordable 6.1 Megapixel Camera Combines Compact Design and Stunning Image Quality

LONDON, January 3 2006 - Building upon its popular consumer digital photography system, Eastman Kodak Company has introduced the EASYSHARE C663 zoom digital camera. This model, with 6.1 megapixel resolution, a huge 2.5-inch LCD screen and a SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH VARIOGON 3X optical zoom lens, is the first camera to incorporate proprietary KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology.

At the touch of a button, this innovative feature — previously available only on KODAK printers and kiosks, or via lab processing — creates better, brighter pictures by bringing out detail in shadows without affecting lighter areas. It’s ideal for underexposed pictures caused by shooting beyond the flash range or in adverse lighting conditions.

Kodak UK Press Release

New KODAK EASYSHARE Software Version 5.2 Offers Innovative ‘Favourites’ Feature, Providing Effortless Access to Your Best Pictures Anytime, Anywhere

Favourite Pictures Automatically Made Available Anywhere in the KODAK EASYSHARE System for Instant Viewing and Sharing — On Your Camera, Computer, and Online

LONDON, January 3 2006 - Eastman Kodak Company has introduced KODAK EASYSHARE Software version 5.2, which is free, simple-to-use software that helps users effortlessly organise, edit, share and print their digital pictures. This new version helps people quickly view and share their best pictures anytime, anywhere — on their computer, online, and on their camera — through an innovative, enhanced ‘favourites’ feature. The free download is available at http://www.kodak.com/go/easysharesw/

Kodak UK Press Release

Kodak and Lexar Introduce High-Performance Memory Cards - New Cards Ideal for Rapidly Capturing and Viewing Still Pictures

LONDON, January 3 2006 - Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) and Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR) have introduced KODAK High Performance memory cards designed for digital camera owners who require high-speed processing for rapid-fire still shooting, high frame rate video capture, and fast computer transfer. Initially available in SD (Secure Digital) format, KODAK High Performance memory cards, offered by Lexar, are ideal for users of all SD format digital cameras with both still and video capture capabilities.

Datacolor Press Release

Datacolor Debuts New ColorVision Spyder2PRO At CES For Dynamic Display In Booming Digital Projector Market Introducing The Latest Color Calibration Tool for Digital Imagers in South Hall Booth 25754

LAS VEGAS, NV – Consumer Electronics Show (CES) – January 2, 2006 – Datacolor, an internationally known name in color technology, introduces the latest color calibration tool in its award winning
ColorVision line for the digital projector market at CES 2006. ColorVision Spyder2™ PRO V2.0, which targets digital imagers working in this growing medium, will be on display in Datacolor Booth No. 25754, South Hall No. 2 (Ground Level), at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“The new Spyder2PRO is in keeping with our R &D philosophy. We evolve color technology as market demands emerge, ensuring that color remains true as it migrates across media. In this case, LCD and DLP projectors continue to come down in price, replacing slide projectors as the fundamental tools for creative professionals. With Spyder2 PRO V2.0, pros know their work will be dynamically displayed in this new medium,” Datacolor Vice President Brian Levey explains.

Datacolor Press Release

Datacolor Brings Consumers “Digital Darkroom In a Box” For Complete Color Accuracy On Monitors and In Print At CES 2006 - ColorVision Spyder2 Plus Showcased at LVCC, Booth25754, South Hall No. 2

LAS VEGAS, NV– The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) – January 3, 2006 – Datacolor, an internationally known name in color technology, showcases ColorVision® Spyder2Plus™ at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth 25754, South Hall No. 2 (Ground Level), January 5 – 8, 2006.

ColorVision Spyder2 Plus (The Digital Darkroom in a Box™) is the latest color calibration innovation from the world color technology leader. It provides a full suite of tools for anyone working with digital
images and is frustrated by color discrepancy between the monitor image and final printout.

Sanyo Press Release

Pocket-sized, Tapeless SANYO Xacti HD1 Brings High-Definition Video Recording to the Mass Consumer Market in a Stylish, Feature-Rich and Affordable Package

LAS VEGAS, January 3, 2006, CES Booth #11017 – Making its debut at the 2006 International CES, the SANYO Xacti HD1 is the world’s first high-definition compact digital media camera.* Offering advanced, next-generation video performance, the SANYO Xacti HD1 is the world’s smallest and lightest high-definition digital media camera, ideal for recording today with the future in mind.

SANYO, the world’s leading manufacturer of digital cameras and components, designed the Xacti HD1 Digital Media Camera to easily record both 720p high-definition video and 5.1 megapixel digital still images to a standard SD flash memory card. The SANYO Xacti HD1 will be available in the U.S. in late March at an MSRP of $799.99**

Cornice Press Release

Cornice Introduces Ultra-Thin 8GB and 10GB Micro Hard Drive; Enables Smaller and Thinner Consumer Electronics Devices

LONGMONT, Colo.—(Business Wire)—Jan. 2, 2006 Small Form Factor Storage Innovator Launches Its First Two-Headed Storage Product and Decreases Its Size by 40 Percent

Cornice Inc.—an innovator in consumer storage solutions—today announced the expansion of its storage offerings with the addition of an ultra thin, high-capacity personal storage device. The Cornice Dragon series micro hard drives, available in 8- and 10-gigabytes, will allow OEMs to offer thinner and higher-capacity consumer electronics (CE) devices while featuring industry-leading robustness, durability, and low power requirements for everyday consumer use. Audio/video players, mobile phones and personal storage devices will all be enhanced by the Dragon series micro hard drive.

CameraBright Press Release

CameraBright Introduces Two New Products that Address the Growing Digital SLR Camera and High-End Camcorder Markets

The Extended Range Plus CameraBright! TM ER+ light Delivers Durability for Digital SLR or Camcorder users, while the HS1 Hotshoe Mount Adds Versatility for Connecting any CameraBright! TM Light to a universal shoe mount.

CameraBright, Inc. expands its product line of the world’s only consumer-based photographic lighting accessory product line by introducing two new products, the CameraBright! X1-ER Plus lighting accessory with durable metal threads for heavier use applications and the HS1 universal camera shoe adapter for connecting any of the available CameraBright! lighting accessories to a digital SLR camera or camcorder shoe mount. CameraBright! X1 lighting accessories connect to virtually any digital camera or camcorder to allow users to capture better pictures and videos in low and no light situations.

Pacific Digital Press Release

PACIFIC DIGITAL® AND MICROSOFT® COLLABORATE ON INTERGRATING WINDOWS VISTA TECHNOLOGIES WITH DIGITAL PICTURE FRAMES

Pacific Digital ® announces collaboration with Microsoft® in integrating new multimedia features of Microsoft’s Windows Vista with the MemoryFrame line of Digital Photo Frames.

LAS VEGAS, NV – January 1, 2006 – Pacific Digital Corporation is working with Microsoft to integrate the next generation MemoryFrame family of digital picture frames with enhanced features built into the upcoming Microsoft Windows Vista release. Pacific Digital will be demonstrating Microsoft Windows Vista at it’s booth at CES.

Digital Picture Frames are quickly becoming a standard part of the home, displaying digital photos and other content as an “electronic scrapbook”. The MemoryFrame will be able use the features of Windows Vista to further integrate digital picture frames into the home experience by supporting Windows Vista capabilities such as Windows Media Connect, Windows Connect Now and RSS Feeds.

Lexar Press Release

Lexar Increases Performance of Platinum Memory Card Line; Faster Platinum II Cards Ideal for Rapid Fire Shooting and Full Motion Video

LAS VEGAS—(Business Wire)—Jan. 3, 2006 Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, will showcase its new Platinum II offering, an enhanced version of the company’s Platinum line of flash memory cards, at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Lexar’s new Platinum II memory cards provide photographers with performance levels capable of sustained rapid-fire shooting and full motion video, two of the most popular and sought after features in digital cameras. The Platinum II CompactFlash memory card is speed-rated at 80X, capable of a minimum sustained write speed of 12MBs per second, while the Platinum II Secure Digital memory card is speed-rated at 60X, capable of a minimum sustained write speed of 9MBs per second. The Platinum II line also includes popular Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Pro Duo flash memory cards.

Lexar Press Release

Lexar Adds Corel Corporation’s Digital Imaging Software to Line of Flash Memory Cards; Award-Winning Paint Shop(TM) Family Software to Enhance Value of Lexar Memory Cards

LAS VEGAS—(Business Wire)—Jan. 3, 2006 Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced that the company is adding further value to its widely popular lines of flash memory products by including digital imaging software from Corel Corporation—valued at $30 to $100 per application—to select flash memory cards in Lexar’s Professional, Platinum and Value lines. The included software programs are Corel(R) Paint Shop Pro(R) 9, Corel(R) Photo Album(TM) 6 (Standard Edition) and Corel(R) Photo Album(TM) 6 (Starter Edition)—all designed to help photographers of all levels enhance, edit and manage their images.

Lexar Press Release

Lexar Bolsters High-Performance USB Flash Drive Lineup, Offering Exciting New Innovations Beyond Storage; Introducing JumpDrive(R) Mercury, Featuring A New On-Board Capacity Meter

LAS VEGAS—(Business Wire)—Jan. 3, 2006 Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR), a leader in advanced digital media and accessories, today introduced new additions to its lineup of high-performance USB flash drives, as well as enhancements to existing products, at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Lexar, a full line supplier of flash based technology and solutions, is demonstrating its broadened lineup of JumpDrive(R) products, designed with a wide variety of features and capabilities geared toward different consumer needs and lifestyles.

PCMagazine have reviewed the new Kodak V570 camera that was first announced yesterday.

“For us, the real appeal of this camera is the 23mm wide-angle view. It’s great for capturing landscapes, interior settings, or any picture where you’re fairly close to your subject. Like any wide-angle lens, using this one will distort images. Shooting with the 23mm lens is can be a very cool compositional tool, enabling you to work with interesting distortions or views that you generally get only on an SLR with a wide-angle lens. Just be sure to take some test shots to see what the distortion looks like.”

Website: PCMagazine - Kodak V570 Review

Website: Read my Kodak Easyshare V570 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Photo-i have tested the HP Photosmart 8250 photo printer, which features six individual ink cartridges and can print photos in just 14 seconds.

“When I first saw this printer in July 2005 I was impressed with the overall performance, although I was only using a pre-production model. I ran my photo-i test file through the printer and it produced an excellent print first time. Can this be repeated? In short the answer to this is yes, the A4 test prints colours are every bit as good as any I have seen from other HP printers, but under close magnification the print dot seems to be larger. Having said that, I should point out that you would need a good quality magnifying glass to see the dots, under normal viewing conditions the prints will surpass most wet chemistry photographs.”

Website: Photo-i - HP Photosmart 8250 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

DesignTechnica have reviewed the Canon PowerShot S80, an 8 megapixel update of the S70 which offers a 28-100mm f/2.8-5.3 lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen and Canon’s advanced image processor, DIGIC II.

“The 8MP Canon PowerShot S80 is the latest iteration of the company’s “Goldilocks” cameras. It’s not a simple point-and-shoot digicam neither is it as complicated as a D-SLR. It’s supposed to be just right, targeted to the photographer looking for a high-quality camera that’s easy to use but has enough tweaks to keep dial spinners happy. This compact camera is the replacement for the soon-to-be discontinued 7.1MP S70. Among the good features of the S80 are a wide focal length (28mm), higher movie clip quality, a real-time histogram and enough shooting modes to handle almost anything you can throw at it.”

Website: DesignTechnica - Canon PowerShot S80 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Minox Press Release

Entertainment at its best with the MINOX DMP2 - Miniature Media Player Excels in Performance and Design

Really talented performers are rare and therefore much in demand –MINOX GmbH now presents another multi-talent tool in its program - the DMP-2. This versatile, compact media player reveals completely new quality features in image and sound entertainment. The powerful performance of this tiny digital hub is hard to imagine considering its weight and dimensions. The key focus is on the playback and recording of video files in future-pointing, high-resolution MPEG4 format. The DMP-2 also stands out as an excellent portable digital photo album, MP3 Player, FM-Radio und voice recorder. Two folding speakers provide a wider base for the stereo playback and create an absolute highlight in design and sound. This MINOX DMP-2 is simply first-class multimedia enjoyment!

The unique Kodak V570 dual lens camera that PhotographyBLOG first featured back in August last year is to be officially unveiled at CES 2006. The Kodak V570 will be available in January for $399.95 / £299.99.

Kodak Press Release

Kodak Unveils World’s First Dual-Lens Digital Camera; Combines Ultra-Wide Angle and Zoom Lenses in Compact Body

Innovative KODAK EASYSHARE V570 Camera with RETINA Dual Lens Technology Shown First at CES 2006 in Kodak Booth 31400 (LVCC South/3)

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 2—Kicking off this week’s 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the world’s first dual-lens digital still camera, the KODAK EASYSHARE V570 zoom digital camera. Using proprietary KODAK RETINA Dual Lens technology, the elegant V570 camera wraps an ultra-wide angle lens (23 mm) and an optical zoom lens (39 – 117 mm) into a small, sleek package less than an inch thin.