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

Kodak’s digital strategy seems to be paying off, at least in the USA anyway, as they maintained their market share as number one digital camera retailer. Canon moved up to second whilst Sony dropped to third.

“Kodak shipped 900,000 point-shoot digital cameras to domestic retailers in the January-to-March quarter - 41 per cent more than in the first quarter of 2004 - and its market share rose to 20.4 per cent from 18.1 per cent a year ago, according to IDC, based in Framingham, Mass.”

Website: cnews - Kodak retains lead over Japanese giants

After the recent controversy surrounding the encryption of the white balance data in Nikon RAW files, Engadget have stoked the fire and kept the flames burning by interviewing Steve Heiner, General Manager of Nikon’s Digital SLR Systems division. Did they ask about the encryption “issue” - of course they did! Did they get an answer from Nikon - of course they didn’t…

“There was a report in CNET on April 21 about the encryption being broken on the white balance metadata for RAW files in the Nikon Capture application, does Nikon plan to take any action against the programmer who broke your encryption code?

Wahi: Again, whatever information that we have available right now is available in the advisory, and I can make sure I can send that out to you.

Could we just talk about the business decision of Nikon encrypting its white balance metadata in the RAW files?

Wahi: Again, the advisory contains all the information that we have available to give to you, and we’ll send that out to you.”

Website: The Engadget Interview: Steve Heiner, General Manager, Digital SLR Systems, Nikon

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LZ1, which has a 6x optical zoom lenses and an Optical Image Stabilizer to combat camera shake.

“The overall image quality when using 2304/Fine mode was only average. The majority or our outdoor test shots were sharp and properly exposed, but noise was detectable in shadow areas even at the camera’s lowest sensitivity, ISO 64. In addition, the LZ1 applies more sharpening than I care for, compounding the effects of noise. Image noise is quite noticeable at ISO 100, and objectionable at ISO 200 and 400. While users of the camera’s Normal exposure mode can limit noise by selecting ISO 64, beginners who use Simple and Scene modes will be disappointed when the camera selects ISO 200 or higher.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ1 Review

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DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the 5 megapixel Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LZ2, which features a 6x optical zoom lens and an Optical Image Stabilizer to combat camera shake.

“In an entry-level point-n-shoot digicam market dominated by “me-too” 3x optical zoom 4 and 5-megapixel compact cameras, Panasonic has moved beyond the ordinary with their 2005 models, the LZ2 and LZ1, equipping them with a 6x optical zoom lens and image stabilization. With its Simple and Scene modes, the 5-megapixel LZ2 automates all of its exposure functions, allowing the beginner to concentrate on the picture, not the camera. Normal mode gives the more experienced user control of white balance, ISO, focusing modes and image processing options, but the advanced user will not find aperture priority, shutter priority or manual exposure modes.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LZ2 Review

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The Spanish website Quesabesde have published their review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

Website: Quesabesde - Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT Review

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Photoxels have reviewed the 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom, which was announced at the CES show back in January.

“In fact, the Olympus C-7070 packs more professional features into a rugged solid body than you would probably use and can do almost anything you ask of it, though you should be prepared to spend some time learning its many features. It provides full exposure flexibility, program shift, two live histograms, a swivel LCD, dual memory card slots (CF and xD), RAW file format, image stabilization in movie mode, a long-lasting rechargeable battery, a hot shoe to attach an external flash, and supports lots of optional accessories, including an underwater housing certified to depths of up to 131 feet.”

Website: Photoxels - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Review

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Imaging Resource have just reviewed the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 digital camera, which has 5 megapixels and a 12x image stabilized Leica lens.

“Moderate image noise, with a fairly fine grain pattern. The DMC-FZ5 generally showed moderate image noise with a fine grain pattern. There was noise in the blue channel, even at ISOs 80 and 100, but it was for the most part invisible when viewing the full-color image. At ISOs 200 and 400, the noise level increased, with stronger blue and yellow pixels present that were visible on-screen. Noise was most distracting at the 400 ISO setting, even though a modest amount of subtle detail was traded away to reduce it. While the noise at ISO 400 was quite distracting on-screen or in large prints, it didn’t look bad at all in 5x7 inch prints, and was for all intents and purposes invisible at 4x6.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 Review

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DPReview 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.

“It may not look it, but the FinePix F10 is something of a revolution, and is probably the first time a compact camera has really shown the potential offered by Super CCD for high resolution, high sensitivity and low noise. I cannot emphasize enough the value of usable high ISO settings in a compact camera - from reducing camera shake to more natural low light portraits (without flash) to extended flash range and all the other advantages DSLR users take for granted and most compact users - stuck to ISO 200 (or 400 at a push) can only dream of.”

Website: DPReview - Fujifilm FinePix F10 Zoom Review

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DCResource have published the first online review of the Sony DSC-S90 digicam, which has a 3x opticlal zoom lens, 32 MB of internal memory and 550 shots battery life.

“The DSC-S90’s F2.8-5.2, 3X optical zoom lens should look familiar to you. That’s because it’s been used on many other Sony cameras, including the DSC-P150/200 and the DSC-W5/7. This Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens has a focal range of 6 - 18 mm, which is equivalent to 39 - 117 mm. That’s not very wide-angle, so keep that in mind if you take a lot of indoor shots. Sony does offer a wide-angle conversion lens, but not everyone wants to carry it around with them. Speaking of which, to add conversion lenses to the S90 just remove that shiny plastic ring from around the lens and attach the conversion lens adapter and then the lens itself. Easy!”

Website: DCResource - Sony DSC-S90 Review

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