The Copernio Corporation Press Release

Future Formats Group Launches ‘The Consumer’s Guide to Understanding Blu-ray and HD-DVD’

LAS VEGAS, CES, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/—The Copernio Corporation, an innovator in the defense systems and photonics research markets, announced today that it has launched a consumer’s guide to next generation optical disc formats at the 2005 International CES. Offered as a simple guide to help consumer’s evaluate future optical disc technologies, Copernio anticipates that this practical guide will concisely inform consumer choices.

The optical disc market covers all areas related to the production and recording of CD, DVDs and newer emerging disc-based technologies such as Blu-ray, HD-DVD, EVD and holography. The technological sophistication of the market often leaves the average consumer behind.

Datacolor Press Release

Datacolor Debuts ColorVision ColorPlus Update; Puts Accurate Color on Consumer Monitors for Under $100
Produce Stunning Photos Using the Tools Professionals Rely on for Color Accuracy

LAS VEGAS, NV January 4th, 2005 - Datacolor, the internationally known name in color technology announced the latest updated V1.0.3 software for ColorVision® ColorPlus”, part of the PANTONE® COLORVISION® product line. Now available in 8 - languages - English, French, German, Spanish, Italian,Japanese and Chinese (Traditional and simplified) with an all new easy to use wizard and interface. ColorPlus is an affordable monitor calibration tool for consumers and photo hobbyists that calibrates a monitor to produce stunning photos in a few easy steps.

Datacolor has chosen to exhibit the ColorVision Digital Imaging product line at TechZones “Flash Forward 2.0: Bringing Digital Imaging into Focus” Central Plaza Booth # 24 &26. Previously driven by professionals alone, the demand for precision color in digital imaging still and moving has inspired the Colorvision Product line to expand distribution of digital color tools to consumer retail outlets.

Datacolor Press Release

Datacolor and Pantone Announce Spyder2 Plus, The New Standard in Consumer Color Electronics

Breakthrough ‘Darkroom in a Box’ Technology Provides Accurate and Affordable Color on Monitors and in Print

LAS VEGAS, Consumer Electronics Show International 2005 (CES) – January 4, 2005 – Datacolor, the internationally known name in color technology and global color authority Pantone, Inc., today announced ColorVision® Spyder2 Plus™, a virtual ”Darkroom in a Box™,” complete with digital imaging tools and software. The product debuted today at UNVEILED, the official press event of CES International.

The show runs January 6 - 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The ColorVision booth is located at TechZones; “Flash Forward 2.0: Bringing Digital Imaging into Focus” Central Plaza Booth # 24 & 26. This special area devoted to digital imaging innovation supports the growing interest among consumers for this product category.

Concord Camera Corp. Press Release

CONCORD CAMERA ANNOUNCES BLISTER PACK & HOLIDAY BLOW-OUT PRICES FOR 3-6 MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL CAMERAS

Packaging Increases Impulse Buying at Retail Stores
Concord First to Market with 6 Megapixel for $229

Las Vegas, NV, January 4, 2005 - Concord Camera Corp. (“Concord”) (Nasdaq:LENSE), a leader in award-winning, high-quality, easy-to-use, popularly priced digital cameras, announced today at CES new easy-to-reach consumer-friendly clamshell blister pack packaging and lower post holiday blow-out pricing for their award-winning lineup of 3, 4, 5, and 6 Megapixel digital cameras.  The convenient newly designed Concord clamshell-shaped packaging now makes it easier for consumers to purchase higher end cameras at more affordable prices—without waiting for sales staff.  In addition, retailers can increase sales and impulse buying by stocking cameras up front where consumers can easily buy, instead of hiding the cameras behind hard-to-reach display cases.

Concord also announced today new blowout pricing for their most popular 3, 4, 5, and 6 Megapixels digital cameras—with prices as low as $99 for the 3346z 3 Megapixel digital camera to $229 for the 6340z 6 megapixel digital camera.

DPReview have published their review of the 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8400.

“The Coolpix 8400’s unique lens makes it an interesting beast, it offers a slightly wider field of view (about 10° more; 72° horizontally at 24 mm equiv.) than other prosumer eight megapixel digital cameras which start at 28 mm equiv. That extra 10° can be especially useful if you shoot a lot of architecture, landscapes, real estate etc. At the other end of zoom however it has the least telephoto of any current eight megapixel, its nearest competitor, the Olympus C-8080 WZ offers 28 - 140 mm equiv. (compared to the 8400’s 24 - 85 mm equiv.)”

Website: DPReview - Nikon Coolpix 8400 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8400

DPReview have just posted their full review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800.

“The Coolpix 8800 is out to prove that it’s a credible alternative to the new cheaper digital SLR’s and a set of lenses. From a practicality stand point it certainly delivers, in a package not much bigger than the smallest D-SLR you get eight megapixels and a 35 - 350 mm equiv. lens with Vibration Reduction. Next you consider the price, which may seem high but when you take into account how much a D-SLR and matching set of lenses would cost it does start to make sense. Where the 8800 can’t compete however is noise at higher sensitivities and the ‘SLR shooting experience’ (camera feel, manual zoom, AF speed, shutter lag and processing / write speed).”

Website: DPReview - Nikon Coolpix 8800 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8800

D-Link Unveils Industry’s First Wireless Media Player Supporting Microsoft Windows Connect Now at Consumer Electronics Show

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/—D-Link(R), a global leader in consumer network connectivity, today unveiled the industry’s first Digital Media Player supporting Microsoft Windows Connect Now to help ease network installation and network expansion for consumers in the digital home. The D-Link MediaLounge(TM) Wireless Media Player with DVD and Flash Card Reader (DSM-320RD) is based on the best-selling D-Link MediaLounge Player platform and will be demonstrated at both the D-Link Booth # 35832 in Upper South Hall 4 and at the Microsoft booth at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 6 - 9, 2005.

The Slovenian website Slo-Foto.net have published their review of the 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8400.

Website: Slo-Foto.net - Nikon Coolpix 8400 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8400

Rob Galbraith has posted a review of the photo browsing software Photo Mechanic 4.3, which is due to be released later this week.

“Version 4.3 of Photo Mechanic continues the program’s march forward. We’ve been using successive beta releases on both supported platforms for some time now, and already can’t imagine going back to an earlier version. This is a way cool release.”

Website: Rob Galbraith - Photo Mechanic Review

The Spanish website Quesabesde have posted their first look report on the new Konica Minolta 7D DSLR.

Website: Quesabesde - Konica Minolta 7D First Look Report

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D

Newsline International Press Release

According to the recently completed 2003-2004 PMA U.S. Industry Trends Report: Retail Markets digital camera sales are estimated to have grown 30 percent in 2004 to 25.1 million units and accounted for 67 percent of all camera sales. Digital camera penetration is expected to be slightly above 40 percent of the U.S. household population compared to almost 30 percent in 2003. These positive trends are expected to continue through 2005 and 2006, and then unit sales are projected to peak in December 2006 when household penetration is anticipated to reach 63 percent. Sales will continue as consumers upgrade or buy additional cameras, but replacement cycles will lengthen as further improvement of features will have less of an impact on consumer satisfaction. For example, upgrading from a 2-megapixel camera to a 4-megapixel camera provides substantially more benefit to consumers than switching from a 6- to 8-megapixel model since the difference in quality is much less noticeable to most consumers.

New Aleratec CD Digital Photo Copy Station Copies from Memory Card to CD and is a CD Duplicator

Windows and Macintosh Support

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Jan. 3, 2005—Alera Technologies, developer and manufacturer of Aleratec Advanced DVD and CD Recording Solutions announced today its advanced new CD Digital Photo Copy Station(tm) that copies digital photos directly to CD from camera memory cards, without a computer, and does much more. The new CD Digital Photo Copy Station is also a stand alone 1:1 CD duplicator as well as a USB 2.0 external CD recorder that records CDs from Windows or Macintosh and an external memory card reader for use with your computer. This is an enhanced version of the Award Winning CD Copy Cruiser(tm) that has become the standard for performance, ease of use, and reliability in desktop CD duplicators.

Japan Today has a very interesting interview (in English) with Fujio Mitarai, president of Canon Corp.

”Do you think the digital camera market is saturated?
Sales of digital cameras more than doubled in 2003 and 2004. Research shows that 70% of families in Japan have a digital camera. Some digital camera manufacturers have excessive stocks of products.

Canon’s sales of digital cameras increased 70% in 2004. We are still doing unusually well. It is a reasonable view to suggest that market is about to mature. However, I can still see room for growth.”

Website: Japan Today - Unstoppable Canon

The Danish website Akamera.dk have published their review of the 5 megapixel Panasonic DMC-FX7.

Website: Akamera.dk - Panasonic DMC-FX7 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Panasonic DMC-FX7

Ricoh Japan have already announced this new model - now it’s the turn of Ricoh UK to introduce the Caplio R1V, which will be available in retail from February. Price to be confirmed.

Ricoh UK Press Release

Successor to the popular Caplio R1, the 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

Northampton 2004. Ricoh is extremely proud to announce the launch of the Caplio R1V 5.0 megapixel digital camera, the successor to the award winning Caplio R1. The Caplio R1V features an innovative lens retracting system that enables 4.8x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle shooting capacity to be housed in a 25mm ultra slim, aluminium body. The lens generates the finest quality images capable of being offered by this class of compact digital cameras. Moreover, with the world’s fastest shutter response* and Ricoh’s exceptional 1cm wide macro technology, the Caplio R1V incorporates all the latest high-end features to satisfy even the most discerning professional. At the same time, it offers user-friendly functionality that everyone who enjoys taking pictures will love. Even more impressive, is that the Caplio R1V’s powerful features are encased in a sleek body as thin as 25mm and weighing just 150 grams.

*As of

, 2004 for all auto focus digital cameras.

Verbatim Corporation Press Release

Verbatim Digital CD Photo Album Kit, All of the Tools Digital Camera Users Need to Save, Share Memories in One Convenient Package

Complete Solution for Creating Entertaining Slide Shows, Includes Photo Burning Software, CDs, Label Kit and CD Storage Album

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 3, 2005) – In response to the growing number of consumers switching from film to digital photos, Verbatim Corporation is now shipping Digital CD Photo Album, a new all-in-one digital photo kit.  Digital CD Photo Album includes everything consumers need to import digital photos, create entertaining slide shows, burn them to CDs, produce label artwork and safely store the CDs in an attractive album. With the new kit, even inexperienced users can quickly and easily turn their photos into high-resolution slide shows that can be viewed on virtually any TV equipped with a DVD player.

Verbatim Corporation Press Release

Combines with Leading Printers to Economically Produce Edge-to-Edge, Custom-printed Discs with Clean, Crisp Graphics and Error-free Recording

Las Vegas, NV (January 3, 2005) –Verbatim® Corporation, a leading producer of printable CD-R media, announced today that it is now shipping 1-52x-speed White and Silver Inkjet Hub-printable CD-R media in 50-disc spindles. The new media is designed to meet the needs of small businesses and consumers who want to give their CDs a professional look for sharing and distribution. By combining the ultra-reliability of Verbatim CD-R technology with an advanced inkjet-printable surface, users can produce clean, crisp photographic-quality text and images across the entire disc without having to worry about the quality of the recording.

Brother Introduces New Ultra Compact Personal Laser Printers Starting at under $150.00

Brother International Corporation Press Release

LAS VEGAS—(Business Wire)—Jan. 3, 2005 New HL-2040 and Network-Ready HL-2070N Set the Pace for Compact, Affordable, No Compromise Stand-Alone and Network Printers

Brother International Corporation today introduces its newest personal laser printers, the ultra-compact HL-2040 and HL-2070N. The HL-2040 ($149.99 estimated street price) is the successor to the award-winning HL-1440 personal laser printer, with even faster print speeds and a space-saving design almost 40% smaller than its predecessor. The HL-2070N ($229.99 estimated street price) features the same small footprint and print speeds and adds a built-in Ethernet print server for sharing on home and home office wired or wireless networks. The new models will be available starting in January 2005.

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. Press Release

Fujifilm Drives Consumer Capture, Store, Print and Share Solutions; Under the Banner of `Fujifilm Means Digital,’ Fujifilm Showcases a Spectrum of Consumer Digital Technologies at CES 2005

VALHALLA, N.Y.—(Business Wire)—Jan. 3, 2005 Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging and information solutions, is showcasing its full spectrum of consumer digital technologies at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) (booth #12606) - reinforcing its ongoing commitment to bringing digital technology solutions that help consumers quickly and easily capture, store, print and share pictures and data.
From digital cameras with advanced image sensor technology, to new environmentally friendly optical disc storage media, to photo printing solutions that offer consumers the flexibility of printing at home, from home or at retail, Fujifilm’s digital technology solutions let consumers conveniently capture, store, print and share.

Sanyo Press Release

SANYO VPC-C4 DIGITAL MEDIA CAMERA FEATURES DIGITAL IMAGE STABILIZER AND 8.0-MEGAPIXEL STILL IMAGE RECORDING WITH REAL-TIME INTERPOLATION

Next-Generation Digital Camera/Camcorder is a CES Innovations Award Honoree

LAS VEGAS, JANUARY 4, 2005, CES, Booth #9834 – It’s easy to be spontaneous when shooting photos and video with the new Sanyo VPC-C4 Digital Media Camera.

A pocket-sized, high-resolution 4.0 megapixel digital camera and full-motion MPEG-4 camcorder, the Sanyo VPC-C4 offers built-in digital image stabilization for accurate, steady shooting. Users can choose real-time interpolation to convert the CCD’s 4.0 effective megapixels to a recorded equivalent of 8.0 megapixels, ideal for clear printouts of large and detailed images. A trans-reflective 1.8-inch TFT LCD color monitor allows for easy shot framing and playback.