AnandTech have published their review of the 5 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1 digital camera.

“In our review of the Sony DSC-M1, we discovered that although the camera has quite a bit going for it, the camera falls short in the end because of the quality of its still images. For example, the camera does very well in terms of startup time, cycle times without the flash, and auto-focus/shutter lag times. The video mode is exceptional, offering the use of the optical zoom during recording as well as a few image adjustment options. The true downfall of the M1 is in its mediocre still image quality. In our sample images, virtually every image suffers from soft/fuzzy details. We were also surprised to find JPEG artifacts in a number of images from the M1. In general, the images were also much noisier than they should have been (even at ISO 100).”

Website: AnandTech - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1 Review

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InfoTrends/CAP Ventures Press Release

(Weymouth, MA) June 22, 2005…According to a groundbreaking new report from InfoTrends/CAP Ventures, the U.S. digital photo printing market could easily be in decline by 2010 unless vendors and market conditions change course.  The study examines significant changes that will occur, such as a continued decline in film prints, a shift to printing digital photos outside the home, and the growth of camera phones as a photo source.

This may come as a surprise to those that have witnessed such astounding growth in digital photography. Recent InfoTrends/CAP Ventures forecasts show that U.S. consumer digital camera penetration will reach 55% and shipments of around 25 million in 2005, growing to 81% and about 21 million units shipped in 2010.  Camera phone penetration will grow from 31% and just over 36 million units shipped to 86% and nearly 80 million units shipped over the same period.  But the growth in unit placements may not offset print volume decline.

LaCie SAFE Mobile Hard Drives are announced. Swipe your finger over the sensor to unlock the LaCie SAFE Mobile Hard Drive while connected to any PC or Mac. LaCie SAFE Mobile Hard Drives are available in 40GB or 80GB capacities for $149.99 and $199.99 respectively.

Lacie Press Release

LaCie Unveils SAFE Mobile Hard Drive With Biometric Control Access

· Protect confidential files from unauthorized use
· Unlock the drive by fingerprint recognition
· Ideal for parental control
· Compact bus-powered Hi-Speed USB 2.0 hard drive*

PORTLAND, OR (June 2005) – Today LaCie unveils the revolutionary LaCie SAFE Mobile Hard Drive with cutting-edge biometric technology. Fingerprint authentication grants access to the drive. Thanks to embedded software, no installation is needed on the host computer making this storage solution completely mobile, user-friendly and secure. Compact SAFE drive casing created by Porsche Design GmbH is small enough to fit comfortably in a shirt pocket or bag.

Rollei Press Release

Rollei Announces High Speed 50 MM Lens From Schneider-Kreuznach—Auto Focus f/2.8 Lens Is Designed for Rollei’s 6008 Professional Cameras

STROUDSBURG, PA, June 21, 2005 - Rollei, manufacturer of the classic twin-lens 6x6 Rolleiflex, today announced a new Schneider-Kreuznach high speed, versatile AF lens for the Rollei 6008 family of high-end professional cameras.

The ruggedly built AF Super-Angulon HFT PQS interchangeable auto focus lens features a high speed f/2.8 lens for a brilliant viewfinder image and a classical 50 mm wide-angle focal length. The new high performance lens will be available beginning this week in the U.S. for $4,499.

Gepe Press Release

In 2004 Gepe introduced their new product a range of memory card boxes called The Card Safe.  These innovative boxes feature the revolutionary Multi Card compartment, which holds all relevant memory card types in the photo video market.  All Card Safe models offer unique protection to the cards and their content.

The new Card Safe Mini widens the product range to also hold the smaller memory cards that are used in more and more electronic items.  The new concept of the Multi Card compartment safely holds different types of memory cards: XD, SD, MMC, RS-MMC, SD-Mini and the Memory Stick Duo.

Samsung USA have unveiled the price of the hotly anticiapated Samsung Pro815 digital camera, which is an 8 megapixel digital camera with a 15x optical zoom lens and a 3.5” LCD screen. $849 will buy you the Pro815 when it is released (as yet unknown).

Website: Samsung USA - Samsung Pro815 Press Release

Bonusprint Press Release

~ results that will last at a price that’s right ~

Digital photographers can now choose to print their images on Kodak professional quality photographic paper just by going online. By logging onto www.bonusprint.co.uk, you can order your prints directly, making considerable savings over traditional professional lab prices.

In addition to Bonusprint’s standard consumer service on Kodak Edge gloss paper, customers can now opt to print on KODAK PROFESSIONAL SUPRA ENDURA lustre paper from only 25p per print. This high-quality professional paper is thicker than standard paper and gives a particularly good result with skin tones.

In the latest article over on Luminous Landscape Alain Briot explains why he has switched to the 16 megapixel Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II digital SLR, in preference to 4x5 film.

“When asked for his opinion while I considered purchasing the 1DsMarkII Michael Reichmann said “The 1DsMark II is a fabulous choice.  You may never shoot film again.”  The first part of Michael’s answer has proved to be right on.  The 1DsMkII is a fabulous choice.  It is a professional tool which is a pleasure to use, both in terms of ergonomics, construction and image quality. What about the second part?  Will I ever shoot film again?  Well, I probably will for a little while longer but it is certainly proving to be an increasingly problematic choice provided the quality of the images I am getting from the 1DsMark II.  There is no doubt that for very big enlargements 4x5 retains an edge.  But in every other respect digital captures makes a lot more sense.  Furthermore, not all images need to be printed at 40x50.  Some images call for smaller enlargements,  and for those 4x5 is simply overkill.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - 1Ds Mark II and 4x5

PCMagazine have published their review of the Fujifilm FinePix Z1 Zoom, a 5 megapixel compact digital camera with a large 2.5inch LCD screen and 3 optical zoom.

“Roughly the size of a deck of cards, the Fujifilm FinePix Z1 is small enough to slip into your shirt pocket with room to spare. The 5.1-megapixel ultracompact features a bright, clear, 2.5-inch LCD, a nonprotruding 3X optical zoom, and Fuji’s Real Photo Technology for improved low-light shooting. Although there were a few issues with the Z1’s picture quality in certain instances, the camera is a very good point-and-shoot ultracompact, providing novices and experienced shooters with a variety of easy-to-use features.”

PCMagazine - Fujifilm FinePix Z1 Zoom Review

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The Hungarian website Index Digicam have published a joint review of the HP Photosmart M417 (pictured) and M517 digital cameras.

Website: Index Digicam - HP Photosmart M417 / M517 Review

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Pocket-Lint have just reviewed the Lexmark P315 portable photo printer.

“How does the low price point of Lexmark’s machine affect the quality of prints? We were satisfied with our prints although colours lacked brightness. Our disappointment was more with the odd, slim borders left blank on 6x4 prints. The P315 uses thermal inkjet to print, which takes a while longer than dye- sublimation and produces prints that we have found are susceptible to marks. A drop of water washes off the image whereas prints from our Canon photo printer, which lays down colours in layers, have been water resistant in our tests.”

Website: Pocket-Lint - Lexmark P315 Printer Review

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Pocket-Lint have posted their review of the Epson RD-1 digital rangefinder camera.

“Nothing can quite prepare you for the experience of using the R-D1, a digital camera with a distinctly ‘film’ feel. The R-D1 uses a combination of full manual controls gleaned from the camera’s adapted and jointly-developed-with-Epson Cosina/Voigtlander ‘Bessa’ film rangefinder body. And this is all spiced with core-to-the-camera digital elements that create a pretty unique camera indeed.”

Website: Pocket-Lint - Epson RD-1 Review

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DigitalCameraReview have reviewed the entry-level Fujifilm Finepix A345 digital camera.

“The biggest complaint of the A345 is image quality. I find it soft vs. other cameras I’ve used. Images appear a bit unfocused when looking at details closely—when compared to a Canon Powershot A95, for example. Shadows in some situations are underexposed and seem to lack definition. Textured objects are missing defined edges. In fact, many of the images taken were shot at 3 megapixels on the A95 and 4 megapixels with the A345. Images at 3 MP simply look better with more definition. Looking at the foreground you can see the individual grass blades pop. The A345 is soft and the blades blend like a green blob.”

Website: DigitalCameraReview - Fujifilm Finepix A345 Review

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Serif Press Release

Great value product contains Serif’s award-winning digital image-editor and brand new AlbumPlus 4

Serif (Europe) Ltd – the UK’s leading independent desktop publishing, design and graphics software developer – today announced the launch of PhotoPlus 10 Studio Pack, a powerful combination of software designed to help PC users get the most from their digital images.

The Wacom Intuos3 is a pen tablet that replaces the traditional keyboard and mouse combination for a wide variety of computer-based tasks, including photography related programs like Adobe Photoshop, and it supports over 100 software applications. Consisting of a cordless pen, cordless mouse, and tablet, the Wacom Intuos3 is designed to provide the serious photographer, designer, and artist with the ability to quickly and professionally edit photos and create digital artwork. Available in three different sizes, the Wacom Intuos 3 pen tablet promises to make what are often frustrating aspects of digital photography much more intuitive, saving you valuable time and money. So is the Wacom Intuos3 a worthwhile addition to your digital darkroom? Keep reading to find out.

Website: Wacom Intuos3 A4 Pen Tablet Review

Mike Johnston’s “Sunday Morning Photographer” provides one viewpoint on the cost of digital SLR cameras - are they value for money or not?

“I’m sure nothing like “The CD Effect” has happened yet in the digital camera market. Now, today, the D50 and the Maxxum 7D are assuredly worth what they cost, given manufacturing realities, R&D costs, and competition. But consider that the film equivalent of the $900 Canon Digital Rebel XT costs $200, and the film equivalent of the $5k Nikon D2X costs $2k, yet both digitals are seen as providing great value. Maybe it’s not the same scenario…yet. But the exact same conditions exist: exciting new technology; strong consumer demand; high initial prices, many times what the market previously bore; and rapidly falling prices creating a perception of strong value (that “ultra-budget” comment).”

Website: The “Compact Disc Effect” and the Konica-Minolta Maxxum 7D

Nikon have released a new firmware update for the 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8400.

Issues addressed with firmware version 1.5

  * The shutter releases immediately with self-timer photography using the remote control. Be aware that the 2-second shutter-release delay will no longer be possible with self-timer photography using the remote control.
  * The self-timer can now be used with Fireworks show, Museum, and Sports Scene modes.
  * Camera control using PictureProject COOLPIX Remote Control is now possible. (since firmware version 1.3)
  * 6-GB Microdrives can now be used.

Nikon have released a new firmware update for the 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800.

Issues addressed with firmware version 1.7:
  * The shutter releases immediately with self-timer photography using the remote control. Be aware that the 2-second shutter-release delay will no longer be possible with self-timer photography using the remote control.
  * The self-timer can now be used with Fireworks show, Museum, and Sports Scene modes.
  * Camera control using PictureProject COOLPIX Remote Control is now possible. (since firmware version 1.5)
  * 6-GB Microdrives can now be used.

DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat.cz have reviewed the new Fujifilm FinePix F10 Zoom, which has an ISO range of 80 to 1600, Super CCD sensor with 6.1 megapixels and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

Website: FotoAparat.cz - Fujifilm FinePix F10 Zoom Review

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DIWA member and German website Digitalkamera.de have published their review of the Nikon D50, a new affordable 6.1 megapixel digital SLR.

Website: Digitalkamera.de - Nikon D50 Review

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