It’s been quite a week for Olympus as they announce a restructure involving 4,000 job losses, following a recent sharp decline in profits. Falling prices are blamed for Olympus’ loss-making camera division. Olympus shares fell by 3% following the announcement.

“It aims to reduce its global workforce by 4,000 employees to 10,000 by the end of September, mostly by suspending hiring at two Chinese plants. The move marks the first drastic restructuring in the digital camera industry to include consolidation of manufacturing facilities, the financial daily said.”

Website: Forbes.com - Japan’s Olympus to overhaul digital camera ops; to cut 4,000 jobs

Website: BusinessWeek Online - Olympus closing plants in Japan

Kodak have had a lot of success recently with their Easyshare line of compact photo printers. Now they look set to introduce a range of bigger photo quality inkjet printers, at least according to a report by Reuters.

“Photo-quality consumer inkjet printers will be announced in mid-2006 by Kodak, which believes its technology is superior to that in current models, Cross Research analyst Shannon Cross said following a briefing with the Rochester, New York, company.

Kodak spokesman Dave Lanzillo reiterated that inkjet printers are part of its growth plan, but declined to comment on the likelihood of a 2006 product launch.”

Website: Reuters - Kodak seen selling consumer inkjet printers in ‘06

More Kodak news is the announcement yesterday of a new CEO, with Dan Carp retirng and being replaced by Antonio Perez.

Website: Yahoo News - Perez to Replace Carp As Kodak CEO

Thanks to Sanj for letting me know.

Phase One Press Release

CAPTURE ONE 3.7 - Available for download

Capture One 3.7 with new features & increased stability

What’s new in PRO/DB?
One of the major news in Capture One 3.7 PRO is tethered support for Canon cameras as well as new RAW file support for Canon 350D/G6, Nikon D2X, Olumpus E-300/C7070 and Pentax *istDS. Also, the new noise suppression slider will enhance the overall quality of your images.

The PRO Mac version provides you with the ability to use current image adjustments sliders to create special styles that can then be applied to individual images and saved as your personal styles.

Pixmantec Press Release

Pixmantec Demonstrate Impressive Dedication To Community Relationship Management

Copenhagen May 11, 2005 – Danish digital imaging software specialists Pixmantec ApS announce the appointment of Michael Tapes, as Executive Consultant. Michael Tapes, owner of RawWorkflow.com, will be head-up of Pixmantec community relationship using his extensive experience having previously held a similar responsibility for Capture One RAW conversion software.

Kenneth Laerke, Pixmantec CEO comments “Michael will manage our popular online communities and will serve our users with knowledge and integrity ensuring that they will get the best possible response to their product queries. With the unprecedented success of RawShooter essentials 2005 we aim to continue our valued community service and support and ensure that we provide the most up to date and best quality information available. Having a dedicated community manager clearly demonstrates our commitment to being the most responsive and innovative RAW workflow company in the market today.”

Total Training Press Release

Carlsbad, CA, May 12, 2005—Total Training™, Inc., a pioneer in engaging and innovative video-based training for popular software programs, today announced NewMedia AV as its newest UK trade distributor. NewMedia AV will market Total Training’s CD- and DVD-based video series for mastering Adobe’s print, web, and video software applications.

“We are delighted to be working with Total Training,” said Rob Pickering of NewMedia AV. “Total Training’s comprehensive videos are just what Adobe users need to develop a new skill or refresh existing knowledge. By providing resellers with a local source, it will now be easy for users to buy Total Training products and receive local customer support.”

“NewMedia AV will be instrumental in expanding the reach of our premium quality video training. We look forward to our new partnership with NewMedia AV and the opportunity to provide visual training to creative professionals around the world,” said Jerry Yen, VP of Sales & Marketing at Total Training, Inc.

Mike Johnson explains why 40mm is his favourite focal length in the latest Sunday Morning Photographer column.

“40mm has long been my favorite focal length for 35mm cameras. I got “turned on” to the focal length when I interviewed Sally Mann for Camera & Darkroom magazine in the 1980s. She told me she had supported her artwork by doing lots of small freelance jobs, including many for the local military academy. She said she used Olympus OM cameras, and that, if she were going to do any artwork in 35mm, she would use the 40mm Zuiko. We talked about the focal length for a while, but all I remember now is Sally saying that 40mm is “about right.” That’s what started my interest in 40mms.”

Website: Sunday Morning Photographer - Why 40mm?

DigitalCameraInfo have published their review of the waterproof Pentax OptioWP digital camera.

“While not intended for the fully manual control market, this sleek and small camera fits perfectly into the pocket of any traveling consumer wherever they go, regardless of rain or snow. This camera can operate free of the bulky and cumbersome add-on protective cases that other manufacturers sell in an attempt to waterproof their cameras. This camera comes with a moderate 1/2.5 inch 5 MP CCD and a 3x optical, 4x digital zoom lens. Its 2.0-inch LCD is large considering the petite and slender overall form of the camera, but the low pixel count of the screen displayed a poor overall image that is difficult to see in daylight, let alone underwater. The OptioWP can record in six still image settings and two movie settings, which offers some shooting versatility to the traveling vacationer. But if having a waterproof camera isn’t essential, then this camera doesn’t really seem like a sensible option.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Pentax OptioWP Review

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Successor to the popular Caplio R1, the Ricoh Caplio R1V is a powerful 5.0 megapixel digital camera with a 28mm wide-angle, 4.8x optical zoom in an exceptionally slim 25mm body. TrustedReviews have published their review of the Ricoh Caplio R1V.

“Concerning the all-important photography tests, the R1V performed well. It focused quickly and accurately, coped well in low-light situations and its extra-wide zoom range offers a lot more versatility than most cameras in its class. Colour rendition was generally excellent, although the landscape mode, which biases the camera towards blue and green, tended to produce rather unnatural-looking tones, making trees and grass look like plastic and any human skin tones look like something from a George Romero movie.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Ricoh Caplio R1V Review

Write a Review of the Ricoh Caplio R1V

CNET have just reviewed the new Casio EX-Z750 Exilim Zoom, which has a 7.2 megapixel CCD sensor, large 2.5-inch LCD screen and offers a battery life of 325 shots.

“The 7.2-megapixel Z750 is the impressive spiritual successor to the handsome Exilim EX-Z55, a camera with admirable looks but disappointing image quality and a dearth of manual features. It offers the same 2.5-inch screen and trendy sub-inch-thick jeans-pocketable design as its forbearer but brings a host of new features to the table, as well as solid performance and very good image quality. Though it still lacks some of the advanced manual features found in Casio’s larger but similarly priced EX-P700, we’re willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. If you’re a photographer who craves style but also has a creative itch, the EX-Z750 is one of the few cameras we’ve seen that adequately addresses both.”

Website: CNET - Casio EX-Z750 Exilim Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Casio EX-Z750 Exilim Zoom

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PHOTOgraphic Magazine have published a review of the 4 megapixel Contax U4R digital camera.

” It should come as no surprise to those familiar with Contax cameras that the U4R features a premium lens—in this case a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* 5.8–17.4mm f/2.8–4.7 zoom that’s equivalent to 38–115mm in the 35mm format. That’s a lot of numbers, but the short translation is with its combination of both aspheric and high-index elements, this lens delivers impressive sharpness, contrast and color rendition throughout its 3x zoom range.”

Website: PHOTOgraphic Magazine - Contax U4R Review

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The Nikon Coolpix 5600 is a stylishly designed 5 megapixel compact digital camera that was first announced at the PMA show back in February 2005. The Coolpix 5600 is one of the first Nikon digital cameras to feature the new D-Lighting technology, which intelligently lightens overly dark images, and Advanced Red-eye Reduction, which automatically detects and corrects red-eye in most situations. The Nikon Coolpix 5600 has a 3x optical zoom lens equivalent to 35-105mm on a 35mm camera, a 1.8 inch LCD screen and 16 different scene modes to help you take better pictures. This is one of the first Nikon digital cameras that I have reviewed, so did the Coolpix 5600 impress me with both its cutting-edge features and overall design? Carry on reading to find out.

Website: Nikon Coolpix 5600 Review

Olympus - µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 is announced today. The Olympus - µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 is an 8 megapixel compact digital camera that features Olympus’ new Bright Capture technology. Bright Capture improves shooting performance when photographing in minimal light. Other standout features on the mju 800 include a 6.4cm LCD screen with 215,000 pixels, a bright, 3x zoom all-glass lens, 19 scene modes and Aperture and Shutter Priority modes. The Olympus mju 800 uses xD-Picture Cards and has 19Mb of built-in storage. The Olympus - µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 is available from July 2005 and will have an estimated street price of £350.

Olympus UK Press Release

Highly illuminating - Eight million pixels in a stylish metal body, the new Olympus - µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 will light up your life

London, 12th May 2005 - Olympus is set to redefine low-light photography with the launch of their latest model, the µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800. Olympus’ new Bright Capture technology will enable photographers to achieve excellent results in dark situations, and provide trouble free night time and indoor photography in conditions that were previously unheard of.

Come rain or shine, night or day, the compact and weatherproof µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 allows you to keep on shooting. Its eight million pixel resolution coupled with Bright Capture technology and an array of additional image capturing options, means the µ [mju:] DIGITAL 800 is a welcome addition to the growing range of mju cameras. Finished in a dark blue or silver metal body with a 3x optical zoom the camera will be available from July 2005 and will have an estimated street price of £350.

Epson PictureMate 500 is announced today by Epson UK. The PictureMate 500 is an updated version of the original popular PictureMate which offers several improvements. Most notable is the addition of a 2.4 inch colour LCD screen for previewing and editing your photos (the lack of a colour LCD was something that I criticised in my review of the original PictureMate). There is also a new battery option which makes the PictureMate 500 truly portable. The PictureMate 500 can now print more quickly - Epson claims 40 percent faster than the original PictureMate. The PictureMate 500 will be available by June 2005 for a suggested retail price of £179.

Editor’s Note: This product was announced earlier today by Epson USA, where it is known as the Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition.

Epson UK Press Release

PictureMate 500, the latest personal photo-lab from Epson

Visits to high-street photo labs promise to be a thing of the past, as Epson introduce their new PictureMate 500. The 10x15cm photo printer offers a colour LCD screen, fast print speeds and an optional battery for improved portability.

June, 2005: As digital cameras continue to be favoured over the traditional film camera, the number of photos printed at home continues to increase.  In light of this change, Epson’s easy-to-use home photo printer range just gets better.  The PictureMate 500 is the latest 10x15cm photo printer providing professional lab quality photos from the comfort of your own home. It makes home photo printing even quicker and easier with the addition of a 2.4” LCD screen, optional battery for improved portability and faster print speeds.  You can now enjoy high quality photos, minutes after they are captured.  At 29p a photo1 it rivals the cost of most high-street vendors.

ExposureManager Press Release

ExposureManager: The Internet leader in Event Photography Services and Fulfillment

Visit us at www.exposuremanager.com.

ExposureManager announces recent major improvements to our popular online portfolio and sales management service. Responding to feedback from our users, we have recently added the following features:

- Our drag & drop uploader can now resize images prior to upload, therefore dramatically reduce upload time
- Set up color correcting, sharpening and watermark settings prior to uploading (note: this only affects the files used for display, not the files that will be send to the printer)
- Upload color-corrected, cropped print ready, files only after an order has been placed for those particular photos

Pentax Optio S5z, Pentax Optio S55 and Pentax Optio S45 are announced today by Pentax USA.

The Optio S5z (pictured) has a 2.5 inch LCD screen, 3x optical zoom lens and a 5 megapixel sensor. The Optio S5z features Pentax’s Sliding Lens system to help make it extremely compact and light. The PENTAX Optio S5z will be available for under $350 US.

The Optio S55 is also a 5 megapixel camera with a 2.5 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens. The Optio S55 features a Help mode that displays function explanations and will be available for under $300 US.

The Optio S45 has 4 megapixels, a 2.5 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens. The Optio S45 will be available for under $230 US. PhotoShow Express software ships with all 3 models.

Pentax USA Press Release

Golden, Colorado (May 10, 2005)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced three new digital camera additions to its popular Optio digital camera lines.  The PENTAX Optio S5z, the Optio S55 and the Optio S45 as well as the manufacturer’s sixth DA lens will ship to dealers in June 2005.

Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition is announced by Epson USA. The Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition is an updated version of the original popular PictureMate which offers several improvements. Most notable is the addition of a 2.4 inch colour LCD screen for previewing and editing your photos (the lack of a colour LCD was something that I criticised in my review of the original PictureMate). The Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition can now print more quickly - Epson claims 40 percent faster than the original PictureMate. The PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition will be available by June 2005 for a suggested retail price of $249.

Epson USA Press Release

At-Home Photo Printing Even More Convenient with Epson’s PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition

LONG BEACH, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—May 10, 2005—Extension of PictureMate Line Features Premium Photo Viewer, Faster Print Speed And Enhanced Printing and Editing Features for Easier, More Versatile Digital Photo Printing

With digital camera adoption surging to nearly 46 million households(a), an increasing number of consumers want better solutions for printing lab quality photos in the convenience of home. One of the biggest annoyances has been having to download images onto a computer and then fuss around with software in order to format and print photos, which can be difficult and time-consuming. And what about the growing number of digital camera owners who don’t even own a computer?

PNY Press Release

PNY and Olympus Sign Distribution Agreement to Offer the Latest Flash Card Format

PARSIPPANY, NJ – May 10, 2005 – PNY Technologies®, Inc. allows professional photographers and enthusiasts the freedom to entrust their most valuable photographs with the latest flash card format.  As a leader in the flash card market, PNY Technologies has signed a distribution agreement with Olympus Imaging America Inc. to introduce the xD-Picture Card.

“Resulting from increased market growth in portable, compact digital cameras, PNY Technologies is pleased to partner with Olympus to deliver our customers the xD-Picture Card,” said John Orzepowski, marketing manager for flash media, digital entertainment and flash drives for PNY Technologies.  “As demand for new flash formats continues to increase, PNY will offer more choices for popular digital solutions.  Therefore users can enjoy today’s sleek, stylish digital cameras while gaining increased memory capacity to ensure high quality photos.”

DIWA member and Slovenian website FotoAparat.cz have reviewed the new Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505, which features a 5X optical zoom, an imaging CCD with 5.0 megapixels, Casio’s “EXILIM engine”, and a large 2-inch TFT color rotating screen.

Website: e-fotografija - Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505 Review

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Imaging Resource have published their review of the Sony DSC-W7, a 7 megapixel digital camera with a 2.5 inch LCD screen, battery life of 380 shots between power charges and 32 megabytes of internal memory.

“Beginning through intermediate users will be right at home with the W7, and advanced users will enjoy its excellent portability and new manual exposure control option. Although the W7 is technically a high-end point-and-shoot digital camera, it has a lot of creative options and enough image adjustments to handle a wide variety of shooting situations. So, while it’s designed to relieve you from complicated exposure decisions, advanced amateurs and business users will appreciate it for its quality, portability, and varied shooting options. It appears well-built and its lens mechanism is impressively fast. Accessory lenses make it more versatile for wide or telephoto use. Overall, an excellent “all around” camera, with impressive speed and resolution.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Sony DSC-W7 Review

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PhotographyBLOG has teamed up with Shopping.com to bring you an online Buyer’s Guide for digital cameras and other photography products. You can use the new Buyer’s Guide to find the right product for you, compare products, prices, and stores and make a purchase from any one of thousands of trusted online stores. If you’re shopping for a new digital camera, memory card, printer or any photography product, make sure that you check out our Buyer’s Guide first.

Website: PhotographyBLOG Buyer’s Guide