Sandisk 1-gigabyte miniSD memory card is announced, aimed at the mobile phone market. The Sandisk 1Gb mini SD card will cost $99.99.

Sandisk Press Release

Large Capacity Ideal To Store Digital Music, Video, and Photos On The Latest Mobile Phones

Cannes, France, Feb. 14, 2005 – SanDisk® Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today announced that it is doubling the current capacity of its popular SanDisk miniSD™ card to 1-gigabyte (GB)*. The miniSD card is used in a growing number of mobile phones with multimedia capabilities such as digital cameras, music players, video recording and playback, games and more.

“The 1GB miniSD card provides a level of storage that significantly enhances the features and usability of these full-featured mobile phones,” said Nelson Chan, executive vice president and general manager of SanDisk’s consumer and handset business. “For example, with a 1GB card you can store approximately 16 hours of MP3 songs, record up to several hours of MPEG-4 video or take more than 2000 digital photos on a 1-megapixel mobile phone. With that level of capability, consolidating music, video, digital camera and other key features into the mobile phone platform is much more meaningful and powerful.”

Olympus have released new firmware updates for their E-300/Evolt and E-1 DSLR cameras.

E-300 Version 1.1 Firmware:
- [AUTO] of the white balance setting has been improved to better accommodate subjects containing yellows.
- Highlighted parts appeared pink when the color space was set to [Adobe RGB] and [CUSTOM WB] was set to a low color temperature. This situation has been improved.
- Battery consumption during sleep mode has been improved.

E-1 Version 1.4 Firmware:
- The S-AF speed in low luminance conditions has been improved.
- AF accuracy under fluorescent lighting has been improved.
- Images shot with the E-300 (TIFF, RAW, SHQ) can be displayed normally.
- New high speed CompactFlash cards are supported.

Website: Olympus Japan - Olympus E-300 and E-1 Firmware Updates

Hamrick Software Press Release

Used extensively by professional photographers, film processing labs and consumers around the world, VueScan 8.1.30 offers an enhanced, user-friendly interface with support for raw files for 109 digital cameras, and support for more than 400 scanners, including all Canon and Epson scanners

PHOENIX, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/—When a married couple became embroiled in a bitter argument over the poor condition of the pictures in their wedding album, they didn’t go to a marriage counselor, but to Professor “A.”

Owned and operated by Alec Fromm, Professor “A,” based in Mississauga, Ontario, is an independent training service for Apple’s Mac OS X operating system. Alec agreed to help the couple restore their wedding memories. Even though a “professional photographer” took the pictures, Alec determined that the black & white and color 35mm negatives were underexposed and improperly processed for the types of film used. How could this marriage be saved?

Alec turned to Hamrick Software’s, VueScan, the award-winning program that lets users easily produce better looking digital images from color snapshots, negatives, slides, and documents. Using VueScan, Alec was able to capture the film data at a level that allowed him to manipulate the images to a point where the output was astounding, when compared to the original prints.

PicaJet.Com Press Release

PicaJet.Com Releases PicaJet 2.4

PicaJet 2.4 puts Picasa to shame.

Two years after entering the photo organizers market, PicaJet has created quite a stir, with some folks calling it “Picasa killer” or “Swish Army Knife of photo albums”.  But, all the hype aside, PicaJet’s success lies within a simple strategy on concentrating on few important features, rather trying to be many things to many people.  As Gregory Anderson eloquently put it in his October2004 article in Smart Computing, “unlike many other digital imaging programs, PicaJet focuses on doing one thing and doing it well.”

Casio EX-Z750 Exilim Zoom and Casio EX-Z57 Exilim Zoom are announced today by Casio USA. The EX-Z750 has a 7.2 megapixel CCD sensor, large 2.5-inch LCD screen and offers a battery life of 325 shots. The EX-Z750 will retail for $449.99. The EX-Z57 has a 5 megapixel CCD sensor, massive 2.7-inch LCD screen and has a battery life of 400 shots. The EX-Z750 will retail for $399.99.

Casio USA Press Release

NEW STYLISH EXILIM ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERAS—NEW FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS IMPROVE FUN AND EASE-OF-USE

EX-Z750: 7.2 Megapixel, High Quality Movie, Manual Photography
EX-Z57: Large 2.7-inch Liquid Crystal Display, Extended Battery Life

DOVER, NJ, February 15, 2005 – CASIO, Inc., in conjunction with its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced two stylish additions to its popular EXILIM® ZOOM series. The new EX-Z750 is equipped with an astonishing 7.2 megapixel imaging element and an array of high-tech features, while the new EX-Z57 boasts a large 2.7-inch liquid crystal display.  Both cameras will be available at retail in April, MSRP is $449.99 for the EX-Z750 and $399.99 for the EX-Z57.

Eastman Kodak Company and T-Mobile Press Release

KODAK Mobile Service teams with T-Mobile to offer first Pan European online picture sharing service to customers across Europe

T-Mobile Customers In 3 European Countries Will Be Able To Share And Print Their Pictures On The Go Like Never Before

London, 14 February.  Eastman Kodak Company and T-Mobile, one of the world’s leading mobile telecommunications companies, today announced a Pan-European partnership to provide a co-branded service enabling online picture sharing to T-Mobile customers in 3 European countries. With an April 2005 launch in the UK, Germany and Austria, the T-Mobile/Kodak Co-Branded Service will be an easy to use method for customers to upload, organize and store multimedia content from their mobile phone or via the internet as well as share and print images taken with their camera phone. Launches in The Netherlands and the Czech Republic will follow later in the year.

Auspiciousdragon.net have just punlished a detailed review of ColorByte’s ImagePrint RIP software for Epson printers.

“Then I stumbled across ImagePrint somewhere on the web. A UK retailer was offering to ship demonstration copies (fully functional but with the word “demo” across the centre of prints) which reduced the risk. It took just a few colour and then mono prints to convince me. The whole problem of colour management had gone. I got what I saw on the screen. The whole problem of gray neutrality had gone. Monochrome prints were perfectly neutral without me having to do anything other than push the print button. The whole problem of monochrome prints appearing to be different colours in different lights was reduced to nitpicking proportions (yes, in extreme cases you can produce a shift but you have to really try. In all normal viewing conditions there is no shift).”

http://www.auspiciousdragon.net/Photography/Articles/photoarticle%23003.html

Globetechnology have published a review of the new 5 megapixel Panasonic DMC-FX7.

“It seems natural to want to use ultracompacts with one hand, and some designs are more amenable to that than others. The FX7 is a middling performer in that regard. I found the little chrome badge on the front was placed a little too high to be effective as a finger stop, plus it’s a little too easy to accidentally move the function thumb wheel when gripping the camera. It might have been better to move the thumb wheel — which apart from the position is a very functional design — to the edge, since you have to shift away from shooting position and look down at the top of the camera to see the icons anyway.”

Thanks to Sanj for the link.

Website: Globetechnology - Panasonic DMC-FX7 Ultra Zoom Review

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The online edition of the Independent ran an interesting story yesterday on photography and how it is viewed in the United Kingdom. Having lived in London myself for a few years and now living in Paris,  it’s quite startling to see how much more the French are into photography as an art form, with lots of galleries and a constant cycle of exhibitions. So it’s good to read that the Photographer’s Gallery in London is moving to a bigger home in Soho.

“Hopefully photography will finally have the same status as it has in Europe and North America. Britain is quite unique compared with our European neighbours in how we don’t ‘get’ photography. This will be very good for London and will secure the city as a place where contemporary culture is seen and made.”

Website: The Independent - How photography in London got a glossier image

Epson Stylus Photo R1800 has been announced today by Epson UK. The R1800 is an A3 version of the Epson Stylus Photo R800 that I reviewed last year, featuring the same 8 colour UltraChrome Hi-Gloss inks and 1.5 picoliter droplet size. The Stylus Photo R1800 will retail in the UK for £399.99 inc Vat and $549.99 in the USA. As the older Epson Stylus Photo 2100 currently costs over £400, this sounds like a bargain to me (especially as I paid over £500 for the Epson 2100 in early 2004!).

Epson UK Press Release

EPSON(r) introduces new bench-mark A3 photo printer for photo enthusiasts and semi professional photographers

The Epson Stylus Photo R1800 photo printer, the latest addition to Epson’s photo printer portfolio, is designed to meet the needs of the most demanding photo enthusiasts and semi-professional photographers.

February 2005 - Epson announces the launch of the Stylus Photo R1800 printer. Available from April 2005, it is to feature many of the award-winning capabilities of the successful Epson Stylus Photo R800.  The Epson Stylus Photo R1800 now delivers border-free printing up to an A3 format, enabling photo enthusiasts and semi-professional photographers to print images large enough for photographic exhibitions.

The Epson Stylus Photo R1800 delivers unsurpassed print performance in an A3 photo printer. High definition images are achieved through Epson’s UltraChrome(tm) Hi-Gloss pigment ink, which is delivered in 1.5 picolitre (pl) droplets to capture the finest details.  It includes Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Blue, Red, Photo Black, Matte Black and Gloss Optimizer Technology. The inclusion of red and blue ink increases the colour gamut and colour space, primarily making it closer (and in some areas wider) than Silver Halide, essential for photographers requiring premium colour reproduction.  The Gloss Optimizer provides a smooth gloss finish to prints for exceptional premium glossy and semi-gloss prints.

Canon EOS 20Da is quietly introduced by Canon Japan. The 20Da is a new version of the Canon EOS 20D digital SLR camera that has been modified to make it suitable for astro or infra-red photography. The “hot mirror”, which filters out the infrared part of the colour spectrum, has been removed from the 20D a, and it also has a partially transmissive mirror, which allows for live focusing on the LCD monitor on the rear of the camera. The Canon EOS 20Da als has a new noise reduction capability specifically for high ISO use. No news yet on availability and price outside of Japan (stay tuned!).

Website: Canon Japan - Canon EOS 20Da

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Kodak and Lexar Press Release

Kodak and Lexar Expand Flash Memory Card Line-Up to Include Popular Mobile Card Formats

CANNES, France—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Feb. 14, 2005—miniSD, Reduced Size MMC (RS-MMC), MMCmobile Formats Make It Easy to Print, Share, and Store Pictures Anytime, Anywhere

Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) and Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR) today announced the further expansion of the KODAK flash memory card line to include popular formats for mobile devices including mobile camera phones and PDAs.

“Generations of people have trusted Kodak to help them take and preserve pictures. Our introduction of the new KODAK memory cards is yet another way of extending such trust and reliability to the mobile imaging market,” said Claudio D’Amico, general manager, worldwide memory business, Digital and Film Imaging Systems, Eastman Kodak Company. “The mobile memory card formats—miniSD, Reduced Size MMC, and MMCmobile cards—will be competitively priced and offered at retail locations where memory cards and mobile devices are currently sold.”

Konica Minolta today launches a Cashback Promotion for the Dynax 7D digital SLR. From 14/02/05 until 15/4/05 any purchaser of the Dynax 7D within the UK and Republic of Ireland can also purchase a lens** and/or Program Flash 5600HSD Flashgun and receive up to £150.00 cashback. Consumers within the Republic of Ireland can claim up to €216.00. Click the link below to see the list of lenses and a link to a PDF version of the cashback voucher.

The Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55 fits into the ultra-compact family of digital cameras, being about the same size as a credit card at just 8cms by 6cms and weighing a mere 130g. Despite its diminutive dimensions, Casio have still managed to include both a 5 megapixel CCD sensor and a massive 2.5-inch LCD screen which dominates the rear of the camera. In addition, the Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55 has a 3x optical zoom, a battery life of around 400 shots and no less than 23 different Scene modes to help you achieve the correct exposure. So is the Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55 the ultimate, carry-with-you-everywhere digital camera? Read my extensive review to find out.

Website: Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z55 Review

Konica Minolta UK Press Release

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Limited Management Restructure

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Limited announces changes to management positions.

By mutual agreement Laurie Moore, Sales and Marketing Director stands down with immediate effect. Laurie Moore joined Minolta (UK) Limited in 1993 as General Manager of the Photographic Division presiding over record growth, notably between 1993 to 2003, quadrupling turnover and profitability. Laurie played a major role in the successful merger of Konica and Minolta in 2003. He leaves Konica Minolta having established a firm foundation for growth and continued strength within a competitive marketplace.

Pocket-Lint have published a brief review of the Olympus C-470 ZOOM (also known as the D-590 Zoom), a digicam with four megapixels, 3x optical zoom and a 1.8” anti-glare LCD screen.

“This is a nice, compact machine and one that brings 4-megapixels to the masses at a superb price. But the smoothing of detail by over processing means the larger prints made possible by the high resolution are not what they could have been, so the C-470 is good rather than great.”

Website: Pocket-Lint - Olympus C-470 ZOOM Review

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DIWA member and Danish website Digital Magasinet have published a review of the new Canon BubbleJet i9950 printer.

Website: Digital Magasinet - Canon BubbleJet i9950 Review

The Czech website Digineff have reviewed the 8 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 digital camera, which incorporates anti-shake technology and a swivelling LCD monitor.

Website: Digineff - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 Review

Website: Read my Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 Review

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The Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens is announced today. Designed for digital SLRs with APS-C size image sensors, the Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens offer a focal length equivalent to approximately 16-32mm (assuming a 1.6x focal factor). The Sigma 10-20mm lens will fit Sigma, Canon and Nikon digital SLR cameras. Price and availability to be confirmed.

Sigma UK Press Release

Super wide-angle zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras

- Compact and lightweight ultra wide-angle zoom lens
- Covering an extensive angle of view of 102.4° to 63.8°
- Three Special Low Dispersion (SLD) elements and three aspherical lenses produce top quality optical performance by controlling aberrations
- Inner focusing system ensures the length of the lens remains unchanged whilst focusing
- HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) system complete with full time manual focus override
- Minimum focusing distance of 24cm (9.4”) at all focal lengths

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens.

The super wide-angle capability of the 10-20mm zoom makes it a very powerful tool for both indoor and landscape photography. It is specifically designed to optimise results with digital SLR cameras encorporating APS-C size image sensors.

Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens is announced. Designed for use with digital SLR cameras, the 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens covers wide-angle to telephoto focal lengths and features an inner focusing system so that the front of the lens does not rotate. The Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens is available for Sigma, Canon, Nikon, and Pentax digital SLRs. Price and availability to be confirmed.

Sigma UK Press Release

Compact, Lightweight Superzoom lens with high zoom ratio 1:11

- Exclusively designed for use with digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras.
- High zoom ratio 1:11
- Compact and Lightweight construction with diameter of 70mm (2.8”), length of 78.1mm (3.1”) and weight of 405g./14.3oz.
- Minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7”) at all focal lengths

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC lens.

This high zoom ratio lens is exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras and capable of covering a wide range of focal lengths from wide-angle to telephoto. Two Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements and two hybrid aspherical lenses offer the utmost correction for all types of aberrations, and enable this extended range super zoom lens to be housed in a compact and lightweight construction of 70mm (2.8”) diameter, and 78.1mm (3.1”) in length, and weighing just 405g/14.3oz. The new lens coating reduces flare and ghosting, which is a common problem with digital cameras and also creates an optimum colour balance. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7”) at all focal lengths and has maximum magnification of 1:4.4.