NuCore Press Release

NuCore Wins 21st PC Magazine Technical Excellence Award For Digital Imaging

NuCORE CleanCapture™ and InfiniteBurst™ image processors win prestigious award
 
Sunnyvale,CA – February 2, 2005— NuCORE Technology’s CleanCapture image processor family has been selected as the 2005 PC Magazine Technical Excellence Award winner for digital imaging. This award is given to the most pioneering and innovative products as reviewed by the PC Magazine editorial staff during the year. NuCORE’s Clean Capture image processors were chosen from the hundreds of digital imaging products seen by the editors. NuCORE’s innovative image processors for both digital video and still photography have set new expectations for image quality and performance. The hardwired processors produce superior images with greatly improved performance by reducing the noise and digital artifacts common in digital cameras. A cleaner, sharper image,while simultaneously reducing the image file size is the result.

Polaroid Corporation Press Release

—New PolaroidPics Offers Consumers Free Service for Storing and Sharing Photos Online Plus Lab-Quality Prints—

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/—Polaroid Corporation today announced PolaroidPics, its new online photofinishing website (http://www.polaroidpics.com/), developed for consumers who want a hassle-free way to store, share and print their digital images. PolaroidPics is a convenient, full-service site that offers innovative features plus full online security.

“With our strong background in photography and image printing, we are excited to be a part of the online photofinishing market,” said Jeff Hopper, vice president and chief marketing officer, Polaroid Corporation. “As digital capture continues to skyrocket, Polaroid is committed to serving its consumers across the spectrum of their digital imaging needs, including capture, print and storage. With the launch of PolaroidPics, we are poised to continue to expand our digital products and service offerings.”

Sony Announces the Cyber-shot DSC-W5. Sony Europe have now officially announced the Cyber-shot DSC-W5 that was leaked on the SonyStyle website last week.

Sony Europe Press Release

Sony Cyber-shot W5 compact digital camera combines ease of use with high quality and traditional design

Sony’s new Cyber-shot W5 is a 5.1 effective Megapixel model featuring a large 2.5-inch LCD display, durable aluminium casing in a traditional design, considerable STAMINA, Carl Zeiss zoom lens and a focus on ease of use.

Berlin, 1 February 2005

Top quality photography
Sony has launched the brand new Cyber-shot W5, a camera that provides 5.1 effective Megapixel resolution as well as a very high level of STAMINA battery life, easy-to-use functions, 32MB internal memory and large 2.5-inch LCD display. The appeal of this camera is strengthened by a robust aluminium metal body, which features a superb Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with a 3X optical zoom. The Cyber-shot W5 is designed along classic lines, appealing to the traditionalist as well as those looking for a stylish digital camera. However there’s nothing old-fashioned about its functions. As well as its several fully automatic modes for quick shooting and ease of use there are also manual exposure settings suitable for the more creative photographer.

Creative announces the DiVi CAM 316. An all-in-one digital camera, camcorder, webcam, MP3 Player and voice recorder with a 3.1 megapixel sensor.

Creative Technology Ltd. Press Release

Records everything and incorporates multi-functionalities - Digital Video Recorder, Digital Camera, WebCam, MP3 Player, and Voice Recorder

SINGAPORE - February 1, 2005 - Creative Technology Ltd. (NASDAQ: CREAF), a worldwide leader in digital entertainment solutions for PC users, today introduced the Creative DiVi CAM 316, an affordable digital MPEG-4 video recorder that doubles up with all-in-one functionalities such as digital camera, webcam, MP3 player and voice recorder.

The Creative DiVi CAM 316 is equipped with an effective 3.1-Megapixels CMOS sensor capable of recording video with audio at up to 640 x 480 resolutions in MPEG-4 format - a storage-efficient format that enables users to record longer durations using the same memory capacity. With the provided video and audio cables, users can also playback video or still images on TV to share with their family and friends.

Sigma announces the EM-140 DG electronic macro flash, fully dedicated with new TTL flash control systems of all popular camera manufacturers.

Sigma Press Release

ELECTRONIC FLASH MACRO EM-140 DG is designed to work with both AF 35mm film and Digital SLR cameras of all the popular manufactures. The EM-140 DG Flash is ideal for photographing subjects in fine detail when the shadowless mode is used and is extremely effective for scientific and medical applications. Dual flash tubes can fire simultaneously or separately. Using only one flashtube creates shadow, which can give a three-dimensional feeling to the subject. The flash features a guide number of 14 w/ISO 100.

Operation Photo Press Release

Operation Photo, National initiative to donate 10,000 used and older model digital cameras to military families by Valentine’s Day

The Eastman Kodak Company is donating one-hundred 3-mega pixel Kodak CX-6630 EasyShare digital cameras to Operation Photo for distribution to military families as part of Operation Photo’s national initiative to provide cameras to military families.Olympus Corp.  has announced that they are donating fifty Olympus digital cameras as well. Because Operation Photo (www.operationphoto.us) is receiving three-times as many requests for cameras as those being donated, Mitch Goldstone, founder of this national initiative is seeking support from other camera manufactures and from suppliers of memory cards and other accessories. Cameras are arriving from across the county and Operation Photo is listed on many digital camera and photography websites and on military-themed sites as well. Operation Photo was featured in The Chicago Tribune and on Fox Network News.

Back in August last year I reported that Ilford UK had gone into receivership, citing “the decline in the black and white photography market” as the main reason for its losses. It seems that Ilford UK will now survive after all, according to an interview over on Photoscala.

“Actually, there are two buyers interested in Ilford UK; a final decision is expected these days (end of this week). It seems to be sure, though, that Ilford’s black-and-white materials will be produced and be available further on: That’s for sure; that’s absolutely certain“ said Günther Neugebauer”

Ilford Germany will only exist until February 28th, 2005.

Website: PhotoScala - Ilford UK will survive

Nikon have released a new firmware version for the 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8700 digital camera.

Issues addressed with firmware version 1.3:

4GB CompactFlash memory cards can now be used.
Errors in Spanish menus have been corrected.

Website: Nikon Coolpix 8700 Firmware 1.3 (Windows)

Website: Nikon Coolpix 8700 Firmware 1.3 (MAC)

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8700

Write a Review of the Nikon Coolpix 8700

PCMagazine 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 that makes angle shots a snap.

“It might be too early to sell your existing digital camcorder, but if instead of videoing a whole event, you’re shooting mostly stills with the occasional short video—perhaps just your kid’s at bats in a baseball game or solos at a ballet recital—the quality and the versatility of the Casio EX-P505’s hybrid design might make it a worthwhile investment. Though we really like the P505, we’re reserving our initial Editors’ Choice in this category until we see a few more of these hybrids.”

Website: PCMagazine - Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505 Review

Spanish website Quesabesde have published their review of the FujiFilm FinePix S5500 Zoom digital camera (also known as the S5100 in the USA), which has a 10x optical zoom and 4 megapixel resolution and is the successor to the popular FinePix S5000 Zoom.

Website: Quesabesde - FujiFilm FinePix S5500 Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the FujiFilm FinePix S5500 Zoom

Write a Review of the FujiFilm FinePix S5500 Zoom

Imaging Resource have posted their review of the new 6 megapixel Konica Minolta Dynax 7D digital SLR camera.

”...the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D is easily one of the most eagerly-awaited digital cameras in the last year or so. Many thousands (millions?) of Minolta film SLR owners have been waiting and hoping for a digital SLR to use with their extensive collections of (typically excellent) Minolta optics. Now that the Maxxum 7D has arrived, their wait is over, and the obvious quality and features of the new model appear to justify the long wait.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Konica Minolta Dynax 7D Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D

Write a Review of the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D

DIWA member and Norwegian website digIT.no have published their review of the 6 megapixel Nikon D70 DSLR.

Website: digIT.no - Nikon D70 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon D70

Write a Review of the Nikon D70

PCWorld have asked if an all-in-one printer can match the quality of a dedicated photo printer, comparing Canon’s Pixma MP780 Photo All-In-One and the Pixma iP4000 photo printer (pictured).

“To check the status quo, I printed a few glossy photos on a recently released Canon MFP and on a Canon photo printer: Canon’s Pixma MP780 Photo All-In-One came out in September and costs $300; Canon’s Pixma iP4000 photo printer, which we reviewed in November, costs $150.

The MP780 uses the same inks as the iP4000 dedicated photo printer; and, like that printer, it has 1856 nozzles in its print head and can print droplets as small as 2 picoliters. So you might expect its photos to look as good as those from the iP4000. The good news is, you’d be mostly right.”

Website: PCWorld - Should You Buy a Multifunction Printer for Photos?

NikonNet Press Release

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Commercial and Fine-Art Photographer Steve Vaccariello

MELVILLE, N.Y., February 1, 2005—There are photographers who are defined by the lengths they go to in order to create the perfect shot. Then there are those who allow simplicity to take the best pictures. Legendary photographer Steve Vaccariello falls into that latter category with a career that echoes one of his own statements, “Photography isn’t what I do. It’s what I am.”

This February, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of award-winning commercial and fine-art photographer Steve Vaccariello. He has photographed some of the most recognizable images in national advertising campaigns for Sprint PCS, Ritz Carlton Hotels, Sure deodorant, Finlandia vodka, MasterCard, Nikon, and many others.

The NPD Group Press Release

Canon Named ‘America’s Choice’ For Digital Cameras in 2004, According to Leading Industry Data Source; Canon’s PowerShot and EOS Digital Cameras Capture the Overall #1 Brand Ranking from The NPD Group

Feb. 1, 2005 America has spoken, and it has chosen Canon as the leading brand for digital cameras in 2004, according to recently released retail sales data from The NPD Group, one of the leading providers of retail market information.

The NPD Group reports that the Canon brand captured the number one position in Total Digital Camera Sales in 2004, with a market share of 20.4 percent, based on unit sales of both compact cameras and digital SLR cameras combined*. In addition, Canon was the number one brand in both NPD’s Digital Point-and-Shoot and Digital SLR categories, with market shares of 18.6 percent and 62.8 percent, respectively.

I3A Press Release

I3A is Putting Magic into PMA 2005 on Feb. 21: Free Technical Forum, “Making Images Mobile;”

I3A Spotlight Reception and Annual Leadership Award

White Plains, N.Y., Feb. 1, 2005 — The International Imaging Industry Association (I3A), the leading global association for the imaging industry, will add magic to the mix for attendees at the upcoming PMA 2005 conference, to be held February 20-23 in Orlando, Fla.

On Monday, Feb. 21, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, I3A will hold a Technical Forum entitled “Making Images Mobile,” sponsored by Hewlett-Packard, Konica Minolta and Fuji Photo Film., which will focus on the standard for sharing and transmitting images, PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol), which was developed by an I3A Image Technology group. PTP is the foundation for the popular PictBridge specification, and work is underway to expand PTP to include transport over IP, Bluetooth and Infra Red.

Fujifilm is introducing its own range of high performance CompactFlash, SD and miniSD memory cards, as well as new Fujifim RS-MMC and miniSD cards.

Fujifilm Germany Press Release

Now in two categories, new appearances: RS-MMC and miniSD card

With the breakthrough of digital cameras onto the mass market there has also been a steep increase in demand for memory cards. The market volume in Germany is currently at approximately 9 million pieces per annum and has risen by more than 50% in comparison to last year. The digital memory cards are not, however, only used in digital cameras. They also store images, text or sound in PDAs, laptop computers, MP3 players and mobile phones.

Fujifilm is constantly expanding the range of memory cards and will offer two different categories in the future. In addition to the present range, currently sold under the name of High Quality Card, there will also be a series of High Performance Cards. Both card types use the tried and tested SLC (Single Level Cell) technology, which stands principally for speed, durability, compatibility and efficient energy consumption.

Yesterday at 12 midday CET, 7 names were randomly selected from the list of PhotographyBLOG Newsletter subscribers. If you are one of the winners, you will already have received an email from me ([email protected]). In order to protect the winners’ email addresses, I’m not going to publish them here.

- One person won a Kiesel TZ600 camera bag from Kiesel Bags  (worth $119.99).
- One person won a Kiesel MX500 camera bag (pictured) from Kiesel Bags (worth $109.99).
- Four people each won a book of their choice from the current ILEX list.
- One person each won a copy of Digital Photography & Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 from Total Training (worth $49.99).

If you haven’t won anything, then don’t worry, as a brand new contest for February has just started! There are over £600 of prizes on offer this month!

To have any chance of winning, you must subscribe to the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter.

Canon announces the PowerShot A520. With 4 megapixels, 4x optical zoom (35-140mm), the PowerShot A520 builds on the success of its predecessor, the PowerShot A85. The A520 is smaller and lighter than the A85 and now uses SD memory cards. The PowerShot A520 will be available from late February for £239 RRP inc VAT/ €349.99 RRP inc VAT.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon continues PowerShot A-series upgrade with the Feature-packed PowerShot A520

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the 4x optical zoom PowerShot A520 – big brother to the recently released PowerShot A510. The super compact 4.0 Megapixel PowerShot is smaller than many 3x zoom cameras and features 20 shooting modes, VGA movies, a powerful zoom flash, extended direct print functions, plus an optional waterproof case and adaptor lenses.
Compact and powerful

Casio Europe have unveiled 2 new colour versions of the 5 megapixel Casio EXILIM EX-Z55 digital camera.

Casio Europe Press Release

Scene style in twin-pack: The EXILIM Zoom EX-Z55 comes with two Special Editions  

EX-Z55 “Black Panther” EX-Z55 “Deep Blue” 
 
Norderstedt, January 2005 - EXILIM is well-known for innovative technology coupled with stylish design. Now the EX-Z55 is surprising with two Special Editions in trendy colour variations. The “Black Panther” in deep black and the “Deep Blue” in classic royal blue with 5 megapixels and 3x optical zoom stand for high-resolution photos and are real eye-catchers. All pictures can be admired immediately on the extra-large 2.5-inch TFT colour display. The slim, flat measurements of the “Black Panther” and the “Deep Blue” are also impressive: due to the integration of the optical viewfinder into the display with the aid of FIL technology, the little gems fit into any pocket, no matter how small.