DigitalCameraInfo have posted their review of the new 5 megapixel Olympus C-5500 Sport Zoom digital camera (called the C-55 Sports Zoom in the rest of the world).

“The Olympus C-5500 received an overall color score of 9.2, which is quite good. Most colors were slightly off of the ideal, but did not stray very far. The only tones that are considerably off are the warm, reddish hues (#15, 9, 17). So perhaps this might not be the ideal camera to capture gorgeous sunset landscapes in the Grand Canyon, but it does quite well otherwise. The oversaturation of warm tones will translate favorably when shooting portraits, embellishing skin tones and minimizing minor blemishes and imperfections. The mean saturation score for the C-5500 is about 105 percent, which is average for digital cameras.”

DigitalCameraInfo - Olympus C-5500 Sport Zoom Review

CNET have published their review of the 5 megapixel Epson L-500V digital camera.

“Epson’s L-500V has many of the usual specs for a $400 model: a 5-megapixel sensor, a 3X zoom, an SD card slot, a continuous-shooting mode, and a small collection of scene modes. It also has one stand-out feature: the best LCD screen we’ve seen on a digital camera. The big, bright, high-resolution display should make the Epson a hit with families and friends who want to immediately share the fun. While the LCD will wow even the most hardened of professionals, the L-500V’s performance and photo quality don’t follow through on the promise.”

Website: CNET - Epson L-500V Review

O’Reilley Digital Media have published a great guide to getting the best performance out of Photoshop Elements 3.

“Nobody is neutral about Adobe’s decision to include the Organizer as part of Elements 3. It has some wonderful features, but if you already use another program for organizing your photos, or if you just want to be disorganized, you may find it vexing as all getout to have to use the Organizer. The good news is that while you can’t install Elements without the Organizer, you can hide it from Elements if you really want to, and run an Editor-only version of Elements.”

Website: O’Reilley Digital Media - Revving Up Photoshop Elements 3 for Windows

Create-A-Gift Press ReleaseCrumpler announces Bens Glamour Digi-photobag, a new limited edition range of bags in the typically bright Crumpler colours.

Crumpler Press Release

Snap stack and pack your Bens Glamour Digi-photobag from Crumpler

It’s time to grab attention, time to be the mirror ball, time to snap your way out of the monochrome mould with the new Ben’s Glamour bags from Crumpler.

These bags are the lip-gloss coated, booty assed, fully optioned digi-photobag. And without Ben – your bum will look big!

Ben’s Glamour bags are made of flexy lusious material (1000d Chicken Tex™), and feature easy adjusting compartments, waterproof ripstop lining, a mesh lined accessory pocket and an adjustable strap. Best of all, Ben’s Glamour bags are unique – in limited edition colours – once they are gone, they’re gone! Remember, black is for darkrooms – express yourself, be unique with CRUMPLER!

Create-A-Gift Press ReleaseCreate-A-Gift, the largest supplier of personalised print in Europe, is launching an exciting new feature on its website which will enable amateur photographers to sell their work from its online library for the first time.

Photographers can upload their images at the Create-A-Gift website and will earn a commission if customers select one of their pictures for use in a gift. The copyright of the image will remain the property of the photographer and images can be added to or withdrawn at any time.

Phill Rodgers, Director of Create-A-Gift; “This is a really exciting opportunity for any photographer to get a presence on the web and exposure for their work. It’s also a great way to make money from their creativity without any risk since there is no cost involved.”

FolioLink Press Release

Artists and Photographers Get Flashy Web Sites

FALLS CHURCH, Va., March 30 /PRNewswire/—FolioLink’s new FLASH movie web sites take advantage of the visual richness of FLASH technology while allowing search engines to index metadata and text content. This technological feat makes FolioLink the first service of its kind that can offer FLASH movie web sites with search engine visibility.

Lonna Tucker, professional photographer since 1978 and former Arizona Chapter President of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) collaborated with FolioLink on the development of its first FLASH movie template. Within the first three weeks of her new site launch she was listed on the first page of Google (TM) for the search term Golfscapes Photography. She also received sales requests from around the world. Her site can be visited at http://www.lonnatucker.com/ . “We solved the FLASH movie search engine riddle and now we can offer FLASH templates that are visible to Google and other crawler-based search engines. This is a terrific advance in technology for art-based web sites,” said Raul Jarquin, FolioLink developer.

Nikon D50 and D70s are confirmed by Nikon Japan. After an earlier story here on PhotographyBLOG about Nikon targeting the DSLR market, it seems that the Japanese manufacturer has decided to be more specific by releasing details about 2 new DSLRs, the D50 and D70s. Rumours have been circulating about the new D50 and D70s on the usual digital photography forums for the past couple of days after Nikon Germany and Nikon Japan “accidentally” posted the user manuals for a few hours. Now a story over on Macworld, which quotes Susumu Enomoto, a spokesman for Nikon, has confirmed the new Nikon D50.

”“The user manual was uploaded in error and we can’t tell you when the official announcement about the D50 will be made,” said Susumu Enomoto, a spokesman for Nikon. However, he noted that the existence of a user manual for the D50 suggests the camera will go on sale in the not-too-distant future.”

Website: Macworld - Nikon to release new range of digital SLR cameras

And a report over on the pro photography site Rob Galbraith sort of confirms the existence of the D70s (well, a D70s manual anyway).

“Nikon has not confirmed the existence of another new digital SLR called the D70s, but a PDF copy of a user manual for this camera is also apparently loose on the Internet. It, too, appears genuine. We can’t decide whether it’s amusing, mystifying, or both, but this manual is available on a fan web site for the Asian pop singer Buachompoo Ford.”

Website: Rob Galbraith - Nikon confirms D50 coming soon; D70s may also be on the way

Olympus PT-E01 underwater case for the Olympus E-300 DSLR is announced by Olympus Japan. The The PT-E01 will be available in Japan in June.

Olympus Japan Press Release

This news release is only for the Japanese Market.

Olympus Imaging Corporation is pleased to announce the PT-E01 underwater case for the E-300 interchangeable lens single-lens reflex camera. The PT-E01 is a genuine Olympus accessory for use with the E-300 and can be combined with Olympus brand underwater lens ports for various ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses to create a system suitable for professional underwater photography. The PT-E01 will go on sale in June 2005, together with the PPO-E01, PPO-E02 and PPO-E03 underwater lens ports for use with ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses and the PFL-E01 underwater case for the FL-36 external flash unit.

These underwater cases for the E-300 and the FL-36 and underwater lens ports for ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses together form an underwater digital SLR camera system capable of withstanding the water pressure at a depth of 60m. The professional-class specifications of these products make them ideal for professional underwater photography.

DPReview have published their review of the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot A520 digital camera.

“It would be hard to find a more suitable first digital camera for the novice digital photographer than the PowerShot A520. No matter what the situation, the A520 turns out perfectly exposed and focused results shot after shot. And the fact that as well as idiot-proof ‘point and shoot’ modes and scene modes you get a full array of manual options means it’s a camera that you can grow with as your skills develop.”

Website: DPReview - Canon PowerShot A520 Review

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Pentax UK Press Release

Pentax to Offer its Highly Acclaimed Entry Level Digital SLR, the *istDS, With Up To £100 Cashback

Bringing High-End Digital Photography Another Step Closer For Photographers of All Abilities

31st March 2005 - Pentax is delighted to announce that its latest digital SLR, the *istDS, is, for a limited time only, available with up to £100 cashback. One of the markets smallest and lightest digital SLRs, the *istDS has won many plaudits since being introduced in November 2004. 

Lightweight, stylish, compact and yet packing all the functionality and optical excellence that you would expect from a Pentax, the sales promotion will see £100 cashback being offered on *ist DS with smc Pentax DA 18-55mm AL Lens and £50 cashback on *ist DS body only.  The promotion runs from the 4th April 2005 through to the 31st May 2005 and can be redeemed at all participating retailers.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon offers over £600 cash back on selected lenses and accessories

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the Canon Extra Promotion; a cash back offer exclusive to purchasers of the Canon EOS 20D or the new EOS 350D Digital. For a limited time, cash back offers between the value of £35 and £100 are available on a selection of products from Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses, extenders, EX Speedlite flash system and an Ink Jet printer. 

Whilst companies like Canon and Nikon turn their attention to selling more high-end digital SLRs, Casio are focusing on providing quality cameras that provide innovative features like digital video, in a report over on Macworld.

”“We are not trying to invade the Digital SLR space and we are not trying to be the lowest price out there with the highest number of megapixels. We are trying to go after the consumer value—value not defined as lowest price, but benefits we bring that are real benefits given the price.

“We are excited about digital video—this so-called convergence product, said Clough. “We think we can do it in a way that doesn’t just replicate what’s being done but brings new dimensions of usage to the consumer.”

Website: Macworld - Casio president talks digital camera strategy

Following Canon’s recent announcement that they are going to concentrate on digital SLRs, Nikon seem to have followed suit according to a report by the Edinburgh Evening News.

“Mr Yoshida said Nikon aimed to ship some 7.5 million units in 2005/6, which would mark a rise of 14 per cent compared with its target for 6.6 million units in 2004/5. He was particularly upbeat about the prospects for high-end digital single lens reflex (SLR) models, which typically sell for more than £600 and fetch juicier profit margins than cheaper, high-volume compact designs. Nikon is looking for digital SLR shipments to jump 50 per cent to 1.5 million units next year. “

Website: Edinburgh Evening News - Nikon to focus on top models for more profit

PCMagazine have just published their review of the Canon Digital IXUS 700 digital camera (also known as the Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital ELPH).

“Canon has added yet another sibling to its ever-popular Digital Elph series—the 7.1-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital Elph. As we’ve said time and again, having more megapixels doesn’t necessarily lead to better images. But we certainly can’t argue with this camera’s excellent image quality. The SD500 also performed very well on our speed and sharpness tests, and it’s got a fun My Color feature that will appeal to many types of shooters. Overall, the SD500 is strong enough to earn Editors’ Choice among ultracompact cameras.”

Website: PCMagazine - Canon Digital IXUS 700 Review

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PCMagazine have just reviewed the compact 4.1 Megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F450 Zoom.

“Shaped like a Klondike bar, the Fujifilm FinePix F450 is on the smaller end of the ultracompact scale—somewhere between the Konica Minolta DiMage X50 and the extra-tiny Canon PowerShot SD20 Digital Elph. The F450’s metal body has a sleek yet industrial appearance, and it feels nearly indestructible. But it has some limitations that may turn off more savvy shutterbugs—or even novices who want that perfect shot on their vacation. And alas, the camera’s speed and image quality aren’t as good as those of many other ultracompacts we’ve reviewed.”

Website: PCMagazine - Fujifilm FinePix F450 Zoom Review

Website: Read my Fujifilm Finepix F450 Review

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

“The sturdy, metal-bodied 7.1-megapixel Olympus Camedia C-7070 Wide Zoom boasts a wide-angle, f/2.8 to f/4.8, 5.7- to 22.8-mm (27- to 110-mm, 35-mm equivalent) 4X optical zoom lens. This lets photographers capture more of an interior scene in a single shot. And outdoors, everything from skyscrapers to landscapes will fit comfortably in the frame. But if you’re looking to get real close to your subjects without having to rely on digital zoom, the lens might leave you feeling left out of the action.”

Website: PCMagazine - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Review

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DIWA member Steves Digicams have just published their review of the Canon Digital IXUS 700 digital camera (also known as the Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital ELPH).

“The Powershot SD500 is the first Canon digicam to exceed 1-megapixel per ounce, packing a 7.1-megapixel CCD into a diminutive body weighing only 6 ounces. That’s quite a milestone in this industry; miniaturization and good design have been combined in an attractive package that barely creates a bulge in your pocket, yet captures high resolution images capable of producing 13x19-inch and larger prints.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon Digital IXUS 700 Review

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DCViews 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.

“Casio have succeeded in producing a truly hybrid camera that is capable of taking high quality still images as well as excellent video clips with zoom function during filming. Its compact size coupled to a 5-megapixel CCD and a 5x optical zoom lens makes it ideal for holidays or family snaps. Some might argue that there is no RAW or TIFF option, but the quality of JPG images at ISO 50 is easily good enough for the kind of photography most users will need the camera for.”

Website: DCViews - Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505 Review

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The-Digital-Picture.com have published their review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

“The Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT’s color LCD is 1.8” - the same as the 20D. A histogram + image is optionally available with image review (the histogram displays a graph of the brightness of each pixel). It is very useful for determining if the exposure was correctly determined. Unfortunately, the size of both the image review and the histogram is very tiny in this mode. There is no top LCD, but a mono LCD is included on the back for settings display (sans ISO). Incidentally, my 350D sometimes skips a picture when using the Cross Keys for image review navigation. “

Website: The-Digital-Picture.com - Canon EOS 350D Review

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The Slovenian website Slo-Foto.net have posted their review of the new 5 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 5900 digital camera.

Website: Quesabesde - Nikon Coolpix 5900 Review

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