DigiCamReview.co.uk have published what I think is the first online review of the 4 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 4600.

“The Nikon Coolpix 4600, has some very appealing qualities, it’s compact size, red-eye reduction, blur warning, lots of scene modes, built in help, a 3x optical zoom lens, a 1.8” screen, a 4 megapixel sensor, and a very good macro mode. Another bonus is that the camera takes AA batteries, something quite rare for compact cameras. The camera has very good image quality - however the camera is let down by purple fringing, and a lack of sound on videos. The Nikon is very good value for money especially for a Nikon - it’s a real shame it doesn’t record sound on videos - but if you’re not interested in videos then this would make a very good digital camera.”

Website: DigiCamReview.co.uk - Nikon Coolpix 4600 Review

Website: Read my Nikon Coolpix 4600 Review

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DigiCamReview.co.uk have reviewed the new budget-priced Olympus Camedia C-310 Zoom 3.2 megapixel digital camera.

“The Olympus Camedia C-310 is a compact 3 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens and a decent 1.8” screen. Even though the camera is nearly a year old, the camera takes good quality pictures and is very good value for money. The camera records unlimited 15fps videos without sound. It is very easy to use, and produces good images with good colour, saturation and detail. The camera is quick enough, although the camera does have a slow flash charging time. For around £95 (UK) this camera is very good value for money, especially with the free case and battery charger from Amazon. The camera has a very good macro mode, and is very easy to use.”

Website: DigiCamReview.co.uk - Olympus Camedia C-310 Zoom Review

Website: Read my Review of the Olympus Camedia C-310 Zoom

The Slovenian website Slo-Foto.net have reviewed the Olympus MJU DIGITAL 500 digital camera.

Website: SloFoto.net - Olympus MJU DIGITAL 500 Review

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The Slovenian website SloFoto.net have reviewed the 7 megapixel Pentax Optio750Z.

Website: SloFoto.net - Pentax Optio750Z Review

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The Slovenian website SloFoto.net have posted their review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800.

Website: SloFoto.net - Nikon Coolpix 8800 Review

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PocketLint.co.uk have published their review of the new waterproof Pentax OptioWP digital camera.

“Overall the Pentax Optio WP is the perfect all rounder. Light, small. Impeccably well dressed, yet hard as nails and a resilient as a cockroach at ground zero. In camera terms this is the sort of camera that photographers should keep tucked in their sock, a ‘back-up’ as they would say on NYPD blue.”

Website: PocketLint.co.uk - Pentax OptioWP Review

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. Shuttertalk have published their review of the Ricoh Caplio R1V.

“The images produced by the R1V appeared to be sharp, with a reasonable degree of detail. Colours were saturated and pleasing, although the metering did have a tendancy to overexpose. More concerning though is the evidence of random noise patterns throughout the empty areas of the frame – even at the default ISO100. I also found some evidence of some sharpening or compression artifacts - making some areas look almost painted or post-processed. While this should not be noticeable in printed images, they could pose a problem if the images are magnified on screen. If overly concerned, the ISO sensitivity can be set to 64, which will reduce noise at the expense of ½ a stop of light.”

Website: Shuttertalk - Ricoh Caplio R1V Review

Write a Review of the Ricoh Caplio R1V

Samsung SCH-V770 is announced at CeBIT - the Samsung V770 is a 7 megapixel cameraphone that resembles a digital camera, with 3x optical zoom and a 1/1.8” CCD. Price and availability of the Samsung V770 to be announced.

Samsung Electronics Press Release

- A true digital convergence product with advanced multimedia features, including digital power amp, VOD&MOD functions and high-capacity memory.
- A camera phone capable of professional photography. It is the first camera phone that supports manual functions and wide-angle & tele-conversion lenses. It also features 3x optical zoom, 5x digital zoom and auto focus.

Hannover, Germany – 10th March - Samsung Electronics unveils the world’s first mobile phone (model: SCH-V770) equipped with a 7 megapixel camera at CeBIT 2005. Just six months after the introduction of its world’s first 5 megapixel camera phone, Samsung has reached another milestone in camera phones.

The V770 offers the same level of picture-taking sophistication that a 7 megapixel digital camera does. The camera functions have been upgraded to include a 3x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom with a 1/1.8” CCD. It also supports auto focus and a flash unit that performs optimally for 7 megapixel photographs.

Acoustica Press Release

(Acoustica Inc, Oakhurst, CA, March 9, 2005) - Acoustica Inc. has just released our new simple to use digital photo archiving program - Photos Forever. Photos Forever has a user friendly interface that is so simple to use, that even the most inexperienced digital camera user will be backing up their most precious memories to a CD or DVD within minutes. Photos Forever does all the work for you!  It will find your digital image files (JPG, BMP, TIF, PNG and raw formatted photos)?wherever they may be on your computer, prepare them for backup, tell you how many CDs or DVDs you’ll need and then proceed to burn them!  After each disc is done, a sound chimes to let you know it’s ready for the next one.  After the discs are created, it will even print out a convenient ‘Key’ list so
that you can reference what picture is on which disc.  What could be easier?

NPPA Press Release

DURHAM, NC (March 9, 2005) ­ The National Press Photographers Association, the society of professional photojournalism, today said that Newsweek magazine’s use of an altered photograph of Martha Stewart on its cover last week was “a major ethical breach.” Stewart’s head was superimposed upon the body of a model who was photographed separately in a Los Angeles studio, and the composite image was published on Newsweek’s cover.

“NPPA finds it a total breach of ethics and completely misleading to the public,” NPPA president Bob Gould said today. “The magazine’s claim that there was a mention on Page 3 that it was an illustration is not a fair disclosure. The average reader isn’t going to know that it isn’t Martha Stewart’s body in the photograph. The public often distrusts the media and this just gives them one more reason. This type of practice erodes the credibility of all journalism, not just one publication.”

The website Whichlens.com has published a comparative review of the new Canon EOS 350D DSLR versus it’s bigger brother, the EOS 20D. Thanks to Mark Cho for letting me know.

“The 20D shutter seems to fire slightly quicker than the 350D. The blackout between shots is also slightly shorter on the 20D. The 350D is still very responsive, but a small difference between the two is present. The 20D has a faster, longer continuous shooting mode of around 24 frames at 5fps versus the 350D’s approximate 15 frames at 3fps. I say approximate because the number of continuous frames at 5 or 3fps depends on the speed of the card being used. Nonetheless, there is a difference in the size of the buffer and for sports and fast action shooters, the 20D would be the preferable camera.”

Website: Whichlens.com - Canon EOS 350D Review

Imagenomic Press Release

NOISEWIRE, 03/10/05 - Imagenomic, LLC today announced a new release for its popular Noiseware Plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X.

For Noiseware Professional and Standard Plug-in Editions, version 3.2 adds new /Multiple Preview and Bracketing/ features that provides for increased versatility and productivity.

The /Multiple Preview/ feature allows the user to compare different filter settings by simply switching between preview tabs. The/ Bracketing/ feature automatically generates a preset series of previews for suppression and noise level filter settings for quick assessment via one-click operation.

This new software version of the Noiseware Plug-in is available for immediate download from Imagenomic’s website: (www.imagenomic.com and www.noiseware.com).

Samsung SGH-i300 smartphone is announced at CeBIT 2005. The Samsung SGH-i300 features a 1.3 megapixel camera and a 3Gb hard drive which can store up to 1,000 music files. Price and availability of the Samsung SGH-i300 to be announced.

Samsung Press Release

Samsung’s SGH-i300 Offers Incredible Storage as the World’s First Music Smartphone with 3GB HDD

SEOUL, Korea—(BUSINESS WIRE)—March 10, 2005—Samsung Electronics, a premium provider of mobile phones, exclusively unveils the world’s first 3GB HDD embedded music smartphone, the SGH-i300, at CeBIT 2005.

This development follows its 2004 introduction of the world’s first 1.5GB hard disk drive phone. This 3GB handset is the first phone featuring “Plug & Play Files-to-go,” which allows the phone to function as a removable hard disk drive. Businessmen and students can easily transfer files to / from their computers, as well as store and transfer files in any format conveniently.

Pretec C-Flash memory card is introduced at the CeBIT show in Hannover, Germany. The Pretec C-Flash format is one third the size of a RS-MMC or miniSD card. The Pretec C-Flash cards will be available in a capacity of 1GB by Q2 of 2005.

Pretec Press Release

PRETEC Introduces C-Flash Next Generation Super Small Flash Memory Card

HANOVER, Germany—(BUSINESS WIRE)—March 10, 2005—PRETEC Electronics Corp., creator of the smallest USB flash drive in the world since 2002, is introducing today a new generation of flash memory card and module, C-Flash, at CeBIT 2005 (Hall 23, D30) in Hanover.

With physical size of 17mm x 12mm x 1.0mm, about 1/3 the volume of RS-MMC or miniSD, C-Flash is one of the smallest form factor flash memory cards in the world. Taking advantage of the built-in smart card (SIM card) support, multimedia mobile phones utilizing C-Flash will require a smaller footprint for the memory card allowing for new designs not previously possible with existing memory card formats. Multiple interface functions such as MMC/SD and USB make C-Flash the most versatile flash memory card in the world. Supporting the most popular high capacity flash IC today such as those from Micron, Renesas, Samsung and Toshiba, C-Flash supports the widest range of flash sources for any small form factor card (Table 1).

Sandisk Cruzer Profile flash storage drive is introduced at CeBIT. The Sandisk Cruzer Profile is a USB 2.0 hi-speed flash storage drive with fingerprint identification technology. The Sandisk Cruzer Profile will ship in April for $199.99 for the 1Gb version and $99.99 for the 512Mb version.

Sandisk Press Release

SANDISK INTRODUCES CRUZER PROFILE, A SECURE USB FLASH STORAGE DRIVE WITH FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION

New Device Offers High-Level Protection For Your Data

HANNOVER, GERMANY, MARCH 10, 2005 – SanDisk® Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today introduced the Cruzer® Profile, a portable, hi-speed USB 2.0 flash memory storage drive with added personal security capability to safeguard data, images, presentations and other personal information.* Fingerprint identification technology embedded in the device helps restrict access to only the designated user(s) of the Cruzer Profile. The Cruzer Profile was introduced at the annual CeBIT Show where SanDisk is demonstrating products in Hall 1, Stand 4E6.

The stylish, compact Cruzer Profile, about the size of a pack of gum (dimensions: 60mm long, 24mm wide and 14mm in height), will be sold in 512 megabyte (MB) and one gigabyte (GB)** capacities, and includes dual LED’s. One LED indicates USB functionality and data transfer and the second one provides proper status during enrollment and authentication of the biometric fingerprint.

2 Gigabyte SanDisk Cruzer Titanium flash storage drive is introduced at CeBIT. The SanDisk Cruzer Titanium is a USB 2.0 hi-speed flash storage drive made from an advanced Titanium alloy. The SanDisk Cruzer Titanium will ship in April for $249.99.

Sandisk Press Release

SANDISK DOUBLES THE CAPACITY AND STRENGTHENS ITS CRUZER TITANIUM LINE WITH LIQUIDMETAL’S ADVANCED TITANIUM ALLOY

2-Gigabyte SanDisk Cruzer Titanium Offers Extraordinary Mechanical Strength, Style and Encryption Software to Safeguard Important Data

HANNOVER, GERMANY, MARCH 10, 2005 – SanDisk® Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today announced the addition of a 2-gigabyte (GB)* Cruzer® Titanium to its award-winning line of portable flash drives. Cruzer Titanium is a sleek, USB 2.0 hi-speed flash storage drive that is virtually indestructible and designed to physically protect the valuable data of business and power users. The announcement was made at the annual CeBIT Show where SanDisk is demonstrating products in Hall 1, Stand 4E6.

Cruzer Titanium will be manufactured using an advanced Titanium alloy from Liquidmetal® Technologies, commonly used for aerospace, medical devices, sporting goods and other applications that require lightweight strength and the ability to withstand extremes of temperature. This unique alloy is approximately 2.5 times the strength of titanium.** . Its superior strength, hardness, high corrosion and wear resistance make it ideal for the Cruzer Titanium.

Sandisk 1 gigabyte XD-Picture Card is introduced at CeBIT. The Sandisk 1 Gb XD Card is aimed at owners of Olympus and Fuji digital camera owners. The Sandisk 1Gb XD-Picture card will ship in April for $139.99 in the U.S.

Sandisk Press Release

New High- Megapixel Olympus And Fuji Cameras Spark Demand For High-Capacity xD-Picture Cards

HANNOVER, GERMANY, MARCH 10, 2005 – SanDisk® Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today doubled the capacity of its xD-Picture Card™ and introduced a one gigabyte (GB)* version (Type M) of the popular flash memory card. The announcement was made at the annual CeBIT show where SanDisk is demonstrating products in Hall 1, Stand 4E6.

The announcement follows the introduction last month of 10 new, four megapixel and higher digital cameras by Olympus and Fuji that are fully compatible with the 1GB xD-Picture Card.

Susan Park, SanDisk’s xD product marketing manager, said, “These new Olympus and Fuji digital cameras are all in the four-to-seven megapixel range, and consumers who buy them are going to benefit significantly by using high capacity flash storage cards. Higher megapixel cameras and video recording features typically require higher data storage capacities. Our new 1GB xD-Picture Card will ensure that consumers can take plenty of pictures each time they use their camera and not worry about running out of memory capacity.”

Ulead Press Release

Ulead VideoStudio 9 Meets Video Editing Needs of Both Novices & Hobbyists

Novices can make movies instantly with automated DV-to-DVD Wizard while hobbyists have complete creative control with powerful features such as Chroma Keying and Flash Animation Overlays

CeBIT (Hannover, Germany) – March 10, 2005 – As more and more consumers use digital camcorders, cameras, and camera phones to take videos and photos, all too often these digital memories never reach their intended audience. To help consumers begin sharing these memories as fun-to-watch DVD movies and slideshows, Ulead Systems, Inc., a 15-year developer of digital media software, debuts VideoStudio 9, the newest version of its easy-to-use and powerful video editing software. Ulead designed VideoStudio 9 to make it scalable, with three different video editing modes, to meet the skill level and various project demands of both novices and hobbyists.

Ulead Press Release

Ulead Announces DVD MovieFactory 4 Disc Creator – New Version of DVD Burning & Creation Software for Videos, Photos, Data and Music

Latest version of DVD Creation Software Takes User-Friendly Layout to Next Level while Offering Convenient Quick-Drop Task Icons, and Creative DVD Menu Design Tools

CeBIT (Hannover, Germany)– March 10,  2005 – Ulead Systems, Inc., a 15-year industry leader in video, image and DVD software, announces Ulead® DVD MovieFactory™ 4 Disc Creator, the latest version of its all-in-one consumer-level DVD creation software for the PC.  DVD MovieFactory 4 Disc Creator offers useful digital media tools such as the ability to burn audio DVDs, fit dual layer DVDs to a single layer disc and quickly sync music to an MP3 player. At the same time, it enables consumers to turn videos and photos into DVD movies and slideshows to watch on TV with a professional-looking DVD menu. DVD MovieFactory 4 Disc Creator is the right fit for anyone who wants a variety of tools to handle their digital media as well as the ability to create polished home movies, slideshows and business presentations.

Canon UK Press Release

IDC names Canon number one in European digital camera market for third consecutive year

· International Data Corporation (IDC) annual research positions Canon in first place for Western European digital camera sales in 2004
· 58% annual growth recorded for Western European digital camera market in 2004
· Canon supports predicted 2005 D-SLR market growth with launch of the EOS 350D

Figures released by analyst house IDC confirm that Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is the market leader in Western European digital camera sales for the third consecutive year.

Canon increased its leadership position in 2004 to claim a 16.8% share of the entire Western European digital camera market, which saw total shipments across all brands exceed 25 million units . With sales of 4.2 million units of digital SLR (D-SLR) and compact digital cameras in 2004, Canon has achieved an increase of over 66.6% on equivalent sales in 2003. 

According to IDC research, 38.4 million (24.4%) of all households in Western Europe own a digital camera. This trend looks set to continue with household penetration rates expected to increase further in 2005.