Konica Minolta have released more detailed information and 3 sample images each for the DiMAGE Z5 and DiMAGE Z20 (pictured) cameras that were announced yesterday.

Website: Konica Minolta Z5

Website: Konica Minolta Z20

DCViews have posted their review of the new 6 megapixel Pentax *ist DS DSLR.

“We took some images with a Nikon D70 with the AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm standard zoom alongside the Pentax *ist Ds and noticed that colours on the D70 appeared to be slightly warmer in tone than on the Pentax. Contrast on the *ist Ds appeared to be a little higher as well, whereas purple colours tended to shift towards blue. Remember though that purple is one of the trickiest colours to render in a natural way, even conventional film has trouble recording this as our eyes see it. Also every brand of digital camera renders different colours in slightly different ways, whereas different lenses can show a slight difference in colour tone with some lenses being warmer than others.”

Website: DCViews - Pentax *ist DS Review

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Western Digital Corp. Press Release

WD ENTERS MINIATURE HARD DRIVE MARKET FOR CONSUMER ELECTRONICS APPLICATIONS

High-capacity 6 GB 1-inch Hard Drives to Ship in Second Calendar Quarter of 2005

LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Jan. 19, 2005 - Serving a rapidly expanding base of customers for mass storage, Western Digital Corp. (NYSE: WDC) announced today that the company will enter the market for miniature hard drives with a family of 1-inch drives that enable a variety of handheld consumer devices, which are experiencing explosive demand.

An increasing number of current applications, such as MP3 players, PDAs, digital still cameras and digital video cameras, rely on 1-inch hard drives. Newly available and future products enabled by innovations in rotating magnetic storage, such as 1-inch drives, have driven demand in the quickly developing market segment that includes combination digital video/still cameras and cell phones.

KW Media Group and Adobe Systems Press Release

Free Photoshop Elements Training Session Offered by KW Media Group and Adobe

TAMPA, Fla.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 21, 2005—KW Media Group and Adobe Systems announced today that a free Photoshop Elements training session will be held Monday, Jan. 31st from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas. The Photoshop Elements 3 Summit, hosted by Photoshop Elements Techniques newsletter and its companion website, http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com will cover the new features found in the latest edition of the popular Adobe Photoshop Elements image editing software and explore the variety of actions and techniques that it offers.

“This is our first in a series of nationwide Photoshop Elements Summits, and we’re excited about the opportunity to get to know America’s Elements users and offer them a training session specifically tailored to their needs,” said Dave Cross, editor-in-chief of Photoshop Elements Techniques.

The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 is announced, a 5 megapixel update of the DiMAGE Z3, with a 12X optical zoom lens that is equivalent to a focal length of 35-420 mm on a 35mm camera, and Konica Minolta’s anti-shake image stabilization system.

Konica Minolta USA Press Release

Konica Minolta Introduces the New DiMAGE Z5 Digital Camera

Compact, high-performance 5.0-megapixel CCD digital camera features CCD-Shift Anti-Shake System, 12x optical “Mega Zoom” lens, fastest-in-class Rapid AF, and large, easy-to-view 2.0-inch LCD

Mahwah, NJ (January 24, 2005) – Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. introduces the new compact DiMAGE Z5 – a superb all-round digital camera that offers a built-in 12x optical Mega Zoom lens, Konica Minolta’s proprietary Anti-Shake System, 5.0-megapixel CCD, fast overall response including Rapid autofocusing (AF), and a large 2.0-inch LCD screen for easy viewing. All of these features combine to ensure that photographers won’t miss a photo opportunity and that the subjects of their photos are big, beautiful, and shake-free.

“The new DiMAGE Z5 is the ideal companion for travel photography as well as everyday picture taking,” said Todd Schrader, vice president of marketing for Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. “Sophisticated photographers will appreciate everything this high quality versatile digital camera has to offer. Plus, thanks to the camera’s built-in 12x optical zoom lens and Konica Minolta’s innovative Anti-Shake technology, even novice photographers can easily capture clear, sharp detailed views of the world around them.”

The Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 is announced, a 5 megapixel update of the DiMAGE Z10, with a 8X optical zoom lens that is equivalent to a focal length of 36-290 mm on a 35mm camera.

Konica Minolta USA Press Release

Konica Minolta Introduces the Speedy New DiMAGE Z20 Digital Camera

Featuring Fastest-in-Class*1 Startup, 8x Optical “Mega Zoom” lens, 5.0-Megapixel CCD, and Energy Efficient Design*2

Mahwah, NJ (January 24, 2005) – Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc.introduces the new DiMAGE Z20 5.0-megapixel digital camera. Featuring a built-in 8x optical zoom lens, the DiMAGE Z20 is perfect for taking high quality close-up portraits as well as distant scenic landscapes. And with the camera’s Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control and a 0.5-second (approx.) fastest-in-class startup*1, photographers will be sure to captures those unexpected photographic opportunities.

“In creating the new DiMAGE Z20 digital camera, Konica Minolta engineers have succeeded in producing the ideal solution for both first-time digital photographers and those consumers upgrading from earlier generations of digital cameras,” said Todd Schrader, vice president of marketing for Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. “Nearly all consumers share a common expectation of unparalleled ease-of-use and images of the highest quality. Thanks to the DiMAGE Z20’s powerful built-in optical zoom lens plus its large 1.5-inch LCD screen, composing and taking terrific digital pictures has never been easier or more effective.”

The latest issue of Nikon’s Pro Views online magazine has just been published. Highlights this month include an indepth look at Nikon’s NEF RAW file format and a preview of the D2X digital SLR, complete with sample images (found via Rob Galbraith).

“Long-awaited…highly anticipated…state-of-the-art…new generation of professional quality. Those are some of the things we can say about Nikon’s top gun, the D2X digital SLR, which is coming to market in February. All true, but nowhere near adequate. Let’s say it right off: Nothing we can tell you is going to compare with picking up the camera and working with it. But here are a few things to keep in mind.”

Website: Nikon - Pro Views

Photo-i have started an interactive review of the 16 megapixel Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Digital SLR.

“The Canon EOS 1Ds Mk II is a full frame 36 x 24mm (35mm film full frame) digital camera, with a 16.70 megapixel CMOS sensor. This will produce a 47.5mb file, a good selling point for professional users and the seriously rich hobbyist. For the editorial, stock and commercial photographer this may be the only camera a photographer will ever need. At just over £5000 it has to deliver a lot of quality, so does this camera live up to expectations? Read on and find out.”

Website: Photo-i - Canon 1D Mark II Review

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Digital Outback Photo casts doubt on a photographic technique that I use all the time - select the centre autfocus sensor on my camera, point it at the part of the photo that I want to be in focus, then reframe the image as required. Sounds like a familiar technique that yo use too? Well, at least in Jonathan Wienke’s opinion, this will cause the focus to fall behind the subject, instead of on it, which is pretty critical in situations where you have a very shallow depth of field available. Wienke’s suggests that we should all use the autofocus points that is nearest to the subject instead to achieve correct focus, which does mean having to faff about with changing the autofocus point…

“The error introduced by focus-recompose is greater with shorter camera-to-subject distances. If you are using a telephoto lens and focus-recompose on a football coach on the other side of the field, the error introduced would only be a small fraction of an inch and would be dwarfed by many other factors such as subject movement, photographer movement, and the fact that depth of field at 50+ yards distance is usually at least a few feet; even an inch of error in that case is about as significant as a fart in a tornado. But when shooting portraits at close range with wide apertures and the resulting narrow depth-of-field, it can really cause problems.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Why Focus-Recompose Sucks

creativepro.com have reviewed the 8-colour Canon i9900 printer (also known as the i9950), which can create a 13 x 19-inch borderless photograph in under three minutes and has a maximum resolution of 4800 x 2400 dpi (found via digicamera.net).

“In the interest of full disclosure I must admit that, when it comes to photo printing, I have been a devout Epson chauvinist. Yes, down through the years, there have been some very nice photo printers from other vendors, but overall, Epson has always had an edge in terms of quality, longevity, and overall value. Therefore, after several months of using Canon’s new i9900 Photo Printer, I’m surprised to say that not only am I satisfied with my prints, I’m a bit relieved to be rid of some perpetual Epson hassles (more on that anon).”

Website: creativepro.com - Canon i9900 Printer Review

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Pentax have released a new firmware version for the new 6 megapixel Pentax *ist DS DSLR.

Version 1.01 contains the following change:

At the long time exposure situation such as astronomical photography, green noise might be generated partially on the image when the noise reduction is turned on.
This phenomenon only occur rarely under special shooting condition such as starry sky, and will never occur at the general situation that we are assuming.
The version 1.01 will minimize this phenomenon as much as possible for the customer who use *istDS for this purpose.

Website: Pentax *ist DS Firmware

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CNET have just reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z10 digital camera, which features fastest-in-class startup, 8x optical “Mega-Zoom,” fast and reliable autofocusing, and energy efficient design.

“Konica Minolta’s Dimage Z10 is the lowest-end unit in the company’s Z series of unusual-looking megazooms. It pairs a 3-megapixel CCD with an 8X zoom lens and offers respectable performance as well as a feature set flexible enough for midlevel photographers. Other Z-series models, past and present, might have bigger zooms, higher-resolution sensors, or antishake stabilization, but the Z10 offers plenty to bargain-hunting megazoom lovers.”

Website: CNET - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z10 Review

Website: Read my Review of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z10

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CNET have just reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Pentax Optio 30, which is a simple digital camera aimed at photography beginners.

“Our test photos were nicely saturated, with generally accurate colors and good exposure. The flash powered down nicely for most macro shots, although we noticed a hot spot here and there. A little haloing occurred around high-contrast edges, but we noticed little purple fringing. Transitions between highlights and shadows could be a little smoother, but that will make little difference in 4x6-inch snapshot prints.”

Website: CNET - Pentax Optio 30 Review

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It seems that prints are still the way that most of us want to view our photographs, according to a recent IDC survey, with over 60% of people saying that they preferred a physical print to viewing images on a monitor. The number of megapixels is still by far the leading criteria for deciding which digital camera to buy, and France takes the most pictures out of all the European countires surveyed.

IDC Press Release

IDC’s European Consumer Digital Imaging Survey Highlights Key Growth Opportunity in the Home Printing Market

19 Jan 2005

LONDON, January 19, 2005 — IDC’s European Consumer Digital Imaging Survey has brought to light several key priorities and preferences in consumers’ experience of digital photography and photo printing. Most notable is the fact that the majority of respondents (62%) either agreed or strongly agreed when asked if they get more pleasure out of seeing a good quality printed photo rather than viewing the image electronically on a screen or LCD. Of the countries surveyed, respondents in France gave the most positive response to this question with 72% expressing this opinion.

The Estonian website Foto.diip have just posted their review of the competitively priced 8 megapixel Olympus E-300/Evolt DSLR.

Website: Foto.diip - Olympus E-300/Evolt Review (English)

Website: Foto.diip - Olympus E-300/Evolt Review (Estonian)

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Photo.net have a great do-it-yourself article that describes how to hook your digital camera up to a 7 inch portable LCD display - great for zooming in to see all the detail in your images. At $129, this is a cheap alternative to a laptop too.

“In the ‘old’ days we used to pass Polaroids around the studios to clients, art directors, teachers, etc. Now that I have switched to DSRL I really don’t feel like passing around my camera nor do I enjoy holding it while everyone has a chance to look at the image(s). So, I set out to find a solution that would allow instant playback with an image large enough for clients & me to view comfortably, without having to take the CF card out of the camera and load the images into a laptop. (I like to keep my shoots as time conscious as possible).

After much researching I have found the solution in the automotive retro-fit market.”

Website: Photo.net - Portable LCD Display

Think Tank Photo Press Release

SANTA ROSA, CA –  For veteran photographic equipment bag creator Doug Murdoch, designing camera bags and accessories is more than a craft, it is a cause.  “Many of history’s greatest moments are captured only because the photographer was ready ‘Before the Moment,’ intuitively pressing the shutter before the definitive moment occurred,” says Murdoch.  The goal of his new company, Think Tank Photo (www.thinktankphoto.com), is to design inventive carrying solutions, based upon photographer behavioral input, that help them capture these moments.

Canon has kicked off its pre-PMA announcements with an entry-level model, the compact 3 megapixel PowerShot A510, available from early Febuary 2004 for £ 199.00 RRP inc. VAT / € 289.99 RRP inc. VAT.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the 4x optical zoom PowerShot A510. The super compact 3.2 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.

Minox Press Release

MINOX MobiDV – the multimedia bundle that fits into a shirt pocket

A digital video camcorder, a digital camera, a MP3 player and a dictating device, all combined in a flat slimline body of just 16mm and weighing a featherweight 87 grams including storage card and battery – a device boasting these key data is absolutely unique, just like the famous MINOX spy camera was. This small and powerful MINOX MobiDV is a true multimedia bundle in shirt pocket format.

Rollei Press Release

January 2005

Digital Super Bundle from Rollei

Ever since the dawn of the digital era, Rollei 6000 Series cameras have neatly blended in with the digital workflow thanks to the option of simply exchanging their film magazine (and this without losing a single picture due to their laminar drawslide) for a digital back.

A development that started over 10 years ago with the Chip Back and the Scan Back has been consistently pursued and now culminates in a unique bundle offer. To meet the requirements of extremely discriminating digital photographers, Rollei are offering the Rolleiflex 6008 AF with a db20p digital back – an outfit that covers the entire spectrum from studio work to architectural and landscape photography because it benefits from the extensive line of Rollei-6000 lenses.