Version 2 of Picasa, a software program that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC, has just been quietly released by its owners, Google. It is still available as a free download (it previously cost $29.99) and now has the following additional features:

- Make CD - backup and gifts
- Edit with basic fixes, 12 lighting and color effects
- Organise using labels and stars
- Write captions for all your pics
- Order prints from favourite sites

Thanks to Sanj for the link.

Website: Picasa

Website: Read my Picasa Review

The Spanish website Quesabesde have posted their review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800.

Website: Quesabesde - Nikon Coolpix 8800 Review

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DPReview have posted their usual extensive review of the new Konica Minolta Dynax 7D DSLR.

“In use the 7D proved to be an excellent ‘photographic tool’, it feels good to hold, it’s easy to change settings (thanks to the fact that almost all the major settings have external buttons / levers) and the camera feels responsive in use. The 7D is one of those cameras which I enjoyed using and encourages you to shoot more and experiment more (the availability and access to manual controls achieves this).”

Website: DPReview - Konica Minolta Dynax 7D Review

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Capture One version 3.6 for Windows has finally been released - grab the 50Mb download file here (you need to login to download it; alternatively there is a trial version available).

Capture One Press Release

Capture One 3.6 available NOW

Support for Canon 1Ds MKII

Camera support highlights
Just bought the new Canon 1Ds MKII? Now is then the perfect time to get started with professional RAW shooting. Capture One allows you to open and edit RAW files from the most commonly used DSLR cameras and convert them into TIFF or JPEG. Working with RAW files instead of JPEGs provides you with better image quality since you are working with the camera’s “native image data”. Shooting RAW will help you get the most out of your pictures.

Digital Camera Info have published their first impressions of the 4-megapixel Olympus C-170 (also called the D-425 in the US) that was announced a couple of weeks ago at the CES show.

“As Naoki Tai, the product manager at Olympus Imaging America, Inc., put it, “The D-425 was developed with the first time digital camera user in mind. Every feature was designed for simplicity and ease of use.” This simple point-and-shoot is definitely easy to use and has a small price tag on it of $149. However, the cheap plastic construction and lack of optical zoom is disappointing. This is probably the cheapest camera with 4 megapixels currently on the market, so as long as consumers don’t use the digital zoom, the pictures should be decent quality and easy to obtain.”

Website: Digital Camera Info - Olympus C-170 First Impressions

DCResource have just reviewed the Pentax Optio SV, a compact digicam with 5 Megapixels and 5x zoom lens.

“I was a bit disappointed with the Optio SV’s image quality. While they are well-exposed with accurate color and little purple fringing, they seemed soft and fuzzy to me, with a lot of detail missing. Photos seem like they’re from a camcorder or a video grab rather than from a 5 Megapixel digital camera. Noise levels were quite high as well—images on the SV are noisier than on most of the 8 Megapixel cameras I’ve seen lately. Now I don’t want to discourage you completely. If your plans are to make 4 x 6 inch prints, these issues are major. For large prints or 100% on-screen viewing, you’ll likely be disappointed.”

Website: DCResource - Pentax Optio SV Review

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Pocket-Lint.co.uk have reviewed the 8 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 digital camera, which incorporates anti-shake technology and a swivelling LCD monitor.

“ISO sensitivity is very good (it has been improved over the A2 at the lower point) starting at ISO 50 (it was ISO 64 on the A2) through 100, 200, 400 and finally ISO 800, and you get four scene modes: sports, portrait, night portrait and sunset, each picked from the top plate mode dial. A new NP-800 Lithium-Ion battery pack provides improved power and more shots and a greater time between charges, so you can snap away for longer.”

Website: Pocket-Lint.co.uk - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 Review

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Konica Minolta UK has today announced the DiMAGE E50, a 5 megapixel version of the 4 megapixel E40 that was announced just before Christmas.

Konica Minolta UK Press Release

Thin, with Large LCD monitor — New E Series with 5.0 Megapixel CCD

DiMAGE E50 Outstanding value for money
17th January 2005 - Konica Minolta proudly introduces the DiMAGE E50, a digital camera that boasts an amazing combination of 2.5 inch type LCD monitor, thin and stylish design, and intuitive operation in an affordable, 5 Megapixel, entry-level model.

DiMAGE E50 is a user-friendly, compact digital camera equipped 3x optical zoom lens whilst achieving thin, pocketable dimensions.

Kodak Press Release

Enhancements to KODAK PROSHOTS System Provides Broader Print-Ordering and Creative Options for Pro Photographers and Labs

Greater Product Range, Overall Ease-of-Use Contribute to Improved Workflow

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 16—Eastman Kodak Company today introduced new versions of KODAK PROSHOTS Studio Software Suite v6.3, KODAK PROSHOTS Basics Software v2.0 and KODAK PROSHOTS Online Services v7.0 that, via labs, will provide photographers with a broader range of templates for their print ordering process. 

Photographers will also have improved tools for previewing and selling their images to customers in-person or over the Internet. The software enrichments will be on display in the Kodak booth during the Imaging USA trade show in New Orleans today through Tuesday, January 18.

Maxell Press Release

Released: 01/17/2005

Ideal for critical data protection

FAIR LAWN, NJ, January 17, 2005 - Maxell Corporation of America, the technology and marketing leader in advanced recordable media products, steps up to meet the needs of business users with its new premium line of DVD-RPRO media. Designed to withstand both abuse and contaminants, DVD-RPRO incorporates breakthrough technologies, resulting in the utmost in DVD durability for long-term data protection.

Maxell’s new 4.7 GB DVD-RPRO media features the company’s innovative MAXPRO Hardcoat technology™, producing a media surface that is 40 times more scratch resistant and 20 times more dust resistant than standard DVD media.

I’m excited (and a little nervous) to announce that PhotographyBLOG will be featured on Photo Talk Radio this coming Saturday, 15th January, at 8-9am Pacific Time in the US (5-6pm CET).

LIVE show listeners can call-in worldwide at 001 858 268 3068, or Toll-Free from the US and Canada at 888-514-2100. There will also be a link to the archived broadcast after the show, so you can all hear me witter on endlessly and incoherently!

UPDATE 17/01/05: You can now listen to the interview (available in 2 parts) by visiting this link: http://www.worldtalkradio.com/archive.asp?aid=3145

DIWA member website LetsGoDigital have just posted their review of the diminutive and stylish 4 megapixel Olympus Mju Mini digicam (called the Stylus Verve in the USA).

“The Olympus Mju-mini Digital has an exclusive and unique design. Jokingly people refer to it as: that piece of soap. However, this is detrimental to the daring design of the gentlemen of the Olympus’ design department. The camera is extremely compact and light-weighted. Despite its compact size, the camera is easily operable, also by users with a larger size of hands. The rounded off side lies ideally against the left middle finger and the left index finger rests on top of the camera. The right thumb operates with one easy move the total, yet brief control panel on the back side of the camera.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Olympus Mju Mini Review

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Following PhotographyBLOGs recent exclusive story about the banning of cameras on the New York transport system, Gizmodo are reporting that a photographer was prevented from boarding an El Al flight at the weekend, simply because he was carrying a Canon EOS 1Ds and an Apple IBook.

“When I asked them why it wasn’t publicly communicated, they answered that ‘they can’t have a list with all the permitted and prohibited cameras.’ Same with the laptop, according to the security dude the 1Ds and the iBook are too complex to be taken apart.”

Website: Gizmodo - El Al Prohibits Canon EOS-1D, iBook on Flight

Nikon Japan have quietly introduced a brand new, limited edition version of the classic film-based rangefinder camera, the Nikon SP, which is aimed at the professional photographer, along with a Nikkor 3.5cm F/1.8 lens. I think the price may be 690,000 YEN - not too sure about that though…Apparently, “Even among historical masterpieces such as the Nikon F, and high-class models like the Nikon F4 and F5, it is apparent that the camera most worthy of recognition as the “Best of Nikon” is the Nikon SP.” (quote from Nikon Web Magazine).

Thanks to Giallauk for sending me the link!

Website: Nikon Japan - Nikon SP Rangefinder Camera

Globetechnology have just reviewed the six colour, 4800 x 1200 dpi Canon PIXMA iP6000D printer, which uses FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology with 2-picolitre Micro-Nozzles and has card slots for all popular brands of memory card.

“The printer uses six ink colours and has separate cartridges for each. This is something I like to see on photo printers because ink consumption of the tints can vary dramatically and with individual cartridges, you change only the cartridge that’s depleted. Print quality is excellent: a bit on the warm side but very sharp when driven by a computer. However, 4-by-6 snaps printed from a memory card seemed a little soft.”

Thanks to Sanj for the link.

Website: Globetechnology - Canon PIXMA iP6000D Review

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Photoxels have a great new article which looks at the additional accessories that new camera users should consider buying (and budgeting for):

“Your new digital camera kit usually comes with everything you need to start taking pictures right out of the box. In some cases, you may need to purchase a set of rechargeable batteries and a battery charger; and, in most cases, you definitely need to purchase a larger memory card to store those high resolution images. There are also a few items “missing” in the box. In this article, we look at some of the accessories that every photographer must have, and a few others that are nice to have.”

Website: Photoxels - Digital Camera Accessories

The DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat have just reviewed the 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8400.

Website: FotoAparat - Nikon Coolpix 8400 Review

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Technology website AnandTech have published a very detailed review of the 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8400.

“In this noise comparison, we can see that the Coolpix 8400 does a good job of handling noise from ISO 50 to 200. At ISO 400, the noise becomes much more noticeable and there is a significant loss of detail. In addition, we can see the introduction of discolored pixels throughout the noise image.”

Website: AnandTech - Nikon Coolpix 8400 Review

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The DIWA member and Norwegian website Digit.no have just posted their review of the competitively priced 8 megapixel Olympus E-300/Evolt DSLR.

Website: Digit.no - Olympus E-300/Evolt Review

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The competitively priced 8 megapixel Olympus E-300/Evolt DSLR (pictured) is a great alternative to the Nikon D70 and Canon EOS 300D, and the Pentax * ist DS will please everyone who owns a cupboard full of Pentax lenses (both new and old). PCWorld have compared these two new DSLR cameras in a head-to-head test:

“The Olympus is easily the more eye-catching of the two. There’s no hump on the top of the camera—the signature mark of all SLRs for the past 45 years. Olympus moved the viewfinder’s optical path to the left side of the body, which makes the camera slightly shorter than most other digital SLRs. Though it isn’t a significant savings in size, the flat-top design does seem to slide in and out of an overstuffed camera bag more easily. Our shipping Olympus has a polished look and feel. Its solid, bricklike body feels as if you could pound nails with it. The dials turn smoothly and easily, and the body fits firmly in two hands.”

Website: PCWorld - Head to Head: We Test Affordable Digital SLRs

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Write a Review of the Olympus E-300