DPReview has today reviewed the new 3 megapixel, 12x optical zoom Panasonic DMC-FZ3 digital camera.

“The FZ3 is also significantly smaller than previous models, and - thanks to the Venus II image processing engine - is faster, offers better resolution and lower noise. And that’s not all; it is packed with new technologies and upgrades; enhanced metering and focus systems, new shooting modes and a new mode dial, TIFF mode, a better electronic viewfinder, a new menu system and a new two mode image stabiliser.”

Website: DPReview - Panasonic DMC-FZ3 Review

Epson USA Press Release 14/09/04

EPSON OFFERS SCHOOLS AND NONPROFIT GROUPS NATIONWIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BENEFIT BY RECYCLING USED PRINTER CARTRIDGES

Company Partners with FundingFactory in Free Fundraising Program

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Sept. 14, 2004—Epson America announced today its continued partnership with FundingFactory which allows schools and nonprofits nationwide to return ink cartridges for rewards that can boost fundraising efforts and help the environment. Educational and nonprofit organizations can earn points by collecting genuine Epson ink cartridges and sending them to FundingFactory for recycling. The cartridges will be converted to energy through an environmentally sound incineration process at a licensed waste-to-energy recycling facility.

Participation in FundingFactory is completely free to all schools and nonprofit organizations. Once an organization registers at www.FundingFactory.com, materials are sent to help them launch the program and start earning points in an easy-to-use online account. The account is credited with points for every eligible Epson cartridge sent to FundingFactory; those points can be redeemed by the organization for cash and/or equipment.

SanDisk Press Release 14/09/04

SanDisk Supplies miniSD Flash Memory Cards to Samsung Electronics for New, High-Resolution Camera Phone

SUNNYVALE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 14, 2004—Samsung Combines a Mobile Phone with a Zoom Lens in One Device  

SanDisk(R) Corporation (Nasdaq:SNDK) today announced that it is supplying Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. with 32-megabyte (MB) miniSD(TM) memory cards that will be sold with a first-of-its-kind Samsung digital camera phone. The SPH-S2300, which has a resolution of 3.2 megapixels, is reportedly the world’s first such device with a 3X optical linear zoom. It has started selling in the Korean market.

According to Samsung, the camera phone combines quality imaging and phone functionality. In addition to the high megapixel lens and optical zoom, the device has both automatic and manual settings for ISO and white balance, and the flash has been upgraded from an LED to a full, brightness-adjustable camera flash. Also, said the manufacturer, the device can record more than two hours of videos and can be hooked up to a television set for immediate viewing.

HP UK Press Release 14/09/04

New HP Scanner to Convert Photos into High Quality Digital Images and Restore them to Full Glory

Users can scan photos easily with the HP Scanjet 4070 Photosmart digital flatbed scanner

LONDON, UK, 14 September 2004. HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) today unveiled the new HP Scanjet 4070 Photosmart digital flatbed scanner, a stylish device, with a unique photo door to hold photos in place and make scanning simple.

Specially designed for photo scanning, the HP Scanjet 4070 Photosmart digital flatbed scanner has an easy access photo zone with a photo door holding up to 12 10 x 15cm photographs, keeping them in place for the right result the first time.  Users can scan multiple photos at the same time and save the images as separate files easily.

A built-in Transparent Materials Adapter (TMA) holds up to four slides and two strips of negatives, helping people to convert a range of materials into digital files.  One-touch ?Scan Photo? or ?Scan Negative? buttons make scanning photos and negatives simple, at the touch of a button.  Users can scan large photographs and A4 size documents using the software that is included with the scanner, while a 10 second preview speed helps people scan documents and photos quickly.

HP UK Press Release 14/09/04

A Versatile, Ultra-slim Photo Scanner for the Home

Home users can scan photo quality images quickly and easily with the compact HP Scanjet 3770 digital flatbed scanner

LONDON, UK, 14 September 2004.  HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) today unveiled the new HP Scanjet 3770 digital flatbed scanner, a stylish device with a super-slim scanner lid. Offering versatile scanning of a variety of materials, this scanner has a built-in Transparent Materials Adaptor (TMA), for high quality scans of a range of media.

The HP Scanjet 3770 digital flatbed scanner offers outstanding photo quality with up to 1200 x 2400-dpi and 48-bit colour, producing crisp, true-to-life images every time.  With this scanner people can scan multiple photos at the same time and the digital images can be saved as separate files.  For scanning more than just photos, built-in CCD technology allows users to scan materials of all shapes and sizes, including 3D objects such as framed pictures and open books.  The scanner can also scan and copy standard documents and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) lets users convert text into editable documents, saving the time and effort of re-typing.

I thought a special mention was in order for tootsie, who has just become the first PhotographyBLOG Gallery member to post more than 1,000 photos! tootsie has been a member since April and is a regular participant in the Photo of the Week contest and the monthly Competition.

View tootsie’s Gallery

All PhotographyBLOG members are automatically given 5Mbs of free Gallery space (if you are not already a member, you can register here). You can choose to upgrade to an account with more disk space and features whenever you like.

View the Gallery Upgrades

Pentax USA Press Release 13/09/08

PENTAX DOWNSIZES DIGITAL AGAIN IN SECOND COMPACT DIGITAL SLR

*ist DS Delivers Outstanding Image Quality

GOLDEN, Colorado (September 13, 2004)...PENTAX has downsized digital SLR photography once again with the introduction of the *ist DS digital SLR.  Developed as a second, even smaller, PENTAX compact digital SLR, the *ist DS camera advances the PENTAX commitment to easy-to-use and portable digital.

The *ist DS is one of the smallest and lightest digital SLR cameras available.  Measuring just 4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches and weighing under 18 ounces, the *ist DS also delivers superior image quality in compact design.  Despite the size, the *ist DS offers 6.1 effective megapixels and PENTAX original image processing technology. The camera is designed to be compatible with most PENTAX interchangeable lenses to meet a wide range of applications and visual creativity.

The *ist DS hosts an array of advanced, user-friendly features including a high-magnification viewfinder, a 2.0 inch color LCD monitor, a generous LCD data panel, and an innovative Auto picture mode for automatic selection of the proper exposure program. Offering quick, effortless operation and easy portability, the *ist DS is the ideal digital SLR for all levels of photographers, including first-timer digital SLR users and families. 

PENTAX will unveil the *ist DS and other new and exciting digital products on September 20 at the PEPCOM Holiday Spectacular in New York City.  The PENTAX *ist DS will ship to major camera retailers in November 2004.

Pentax USA Press Release 13/09/08

TWO CAMERAS IN ONE NOW OFFERS 4 MEGAPIXELS

PENTAX Introduces The OptioMX4

GOLDEN, Colorado (September 13, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has introduced the new OptioMX4. A compact digital camera with a powerful 10X optical zoom and 4.0 effective megapixels, the OptioMX4 design captures both high quality still images and movies with telephoto capability.

The OptioMX4 meets consumer demand to capture distant subjects with 10X optical zoom through a focal range covering angles of view equivalent to those of a 37mm-370mm lens in 35mm format. The optional wide-angle conversion lens steps up the OptioMX4 angle of view to the equivalent of a 27.75mm lens in 35mm format. Comprised of 8 groups of 12 elements, the lens of the OptioMX4 features aspherical lenses and extra-low dispersion glass elements to minimize aberration. With 4.0 effective megapixels, the OptioMX4 has the power to achieve high-precision, vivid images at all zoom ranges.

Pentax USA Press Release 13/09/08

PENTAX Optio SV Packed With 5 Megapixels, A Powerful 5X Zoom And Advanced Features

GOLDEN, CO (September 13, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the Optio SV digital camera. With 5.0 megapixels, a powerful 5X optical zoom, and tiny dimensions, the Optio SV combines powerful digital with portability. 

The unique PENTAX Sliding Lens system in the Optio SV allows the powerful 5X zoom lens to retract and fully recede into the camera housing, flush with the body frame.  As result, the Optio SV boasts the ultra-compact body dimensions of 3.0 x 1.8 x 0.9 inches.  The novel lens system significantly reduces both the depth and length of the entire camera while it delivers a powerfully high zoom ratio for outstanding image quality. First incorporated in the Optio S digital camera launched last year, this innovative system is featured on select PENTAX digital cameras.

Pentax USA Press Release 13/09/08

PENTAX INTRODUCES THIRD DIGITAL LENS

PENTAX-DA Zoom 18-55 Perfect Fit For New Digital SLR

GOLDEN, CO (September 13, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has introduced the smc PENTAX-DA Zoom 18mm-55mm F3.5-F5.6 AL lens. Exclusively designed for PENTAX digital SLR cameras including the newly announced PENTAX *ist DS SLR, the PENTAX-DA Zoom 18-55 lens is portable and affordable to ensure comfortable, well-balanced operations.  This compact, lightweight standard zoom lens features an image circle to match the camera?s large 23.5mm x 15.7mm image sensor.

PENTAX will unveil the lens and other new and exciting digital products on September 20 at the PEPCOM Holiday Spectacular in New York City.  The PENTAX-DA Zoom 18-55mm lens will ship to major camera retailers in November 2004. 

O’Reilly Press Release 13/09/04

A New Community for Digital Media Enthusiasts O’Reilly Launches Digital Media Web Site

Sebastopol, CA—If there’s been one particularly bright spot in the rebounding tech economy, it would have to be the adoption of digital media tools by just about everyone, especially digital photography and music. Sales of digital cameras rival their film counterparts, and downloading music has become as almost as simple as turning on the radio. Fine artists and graphic designers are also benefiting from the growing array of new gear and software now available.

To inspire digital media users to new heights of creativity and expertise, O’Reilly has unveiled its Digital Media web site: http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/. “We built this site to bring digital media influencers and enthusiasts together to share and learn,” explained Bill Takacs, Product Marketing Manager for O’Reilly. “Our intent is to deliver the best of all things digital media: what’s new, what’s cool, what’s fun, and what matters.”

Milwaukee,  Sept. 1 2004—- Mike Johnston’s The 37th Frame newsletter, formerly published on white paper with no illustrations, is in the process of switching over to .PDF format and e-mail delivery.

Adobe .PDF (Portable Document Format), an international, cross-platform standard for document transmission,  offers many advantages for newsletter publishing. With no printing costs, there are no longer any restrictions on length: the longest print version of the newsletter was 16 pages long, whereas the first electronic issue is 33 pages long. Printing costs make illustrations prohibitively expensive for a small-circulation newsletter, but can easily be added to a .PDF. 

Delkin Devices Press Release 14/09/04

DELKIN’S PORTABLE BURNAWAY COMBINES A CD BURNER, CARD READER & DVD PLAYER IN ONE DEVICE

Poway CA, September 13, 2004 Delkin Devices Inc., maker of premium quality eFilm memory cards and other innovative digital photography products, is now shipping the BurnAway portable combo media player. The BurnAway is a versatile mobile CD burner that combines a number of today’s most popular digital electronic devices in one unit. The BurnAway features a Slim Type DVD/CD-R/RW Drive, and works as a memory card reader, a digital slideshow player that shows photographs on TV and a DVD/MP3/CD player. The unit operates independently of a computer and can be a lifesaver for traveling photographers looking for a quick and easy way to burn the contents of their memory card to a CD-R. Two built-in memory card slots support CompactFlash (I&II), Microdrives, SD, MMC, SmartMedia, Memory Stick and MS PRO. The BurnAway also supports XD cards with an adapter (not included). New high-resolution cameras need additional memory to accommodate larger file sizes, making the BurnAway a perfect solution for quickly clearing memory cards on the go so you can keep shooting. Connecting the BurnAway to a computer via High-Speed USB 2.0 also enables it to function as a card reader and external DVD/CD-R/RW Drive. You can share photos with family and friends in seconds by directly connecting the BurnAway to any television (NTSC or PAL), and display a slideshow of your images directly from either your memory card or CD-R. The unit’s remote control (included) allows you to customize your slideshow presentation with zoom, rotate and interval features. The BurnAway also functions as a DVD-ROM drive, which easily connects to a TV or stereo so you can watch DVDs or listen to MP3s and audio CDs.

The Slovenian website eFotoGrafija have published their review of the Canon PowerShot S60, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a wide-angle 28mm-100mm lens and a new thin body.

Website: eFotoGrafija - Canon PowerShot S60 Review

The Spanish website quesabesde.com have reviewed the 4 megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z40, which was first announced at the end of February.

Website: quesabesde.com - Casio Exilim EX-Z40 Review

Epson USA Press Release 13/09/08

THE EPSON STYLUS PHOTO R320 OFFERS THE FLEXIBILITY TO PRINT INCREDIBLE PHOTOS AND PRINT DIRECTLY ONTO THE SURFACE OF CDS AND DVDS WITHOUT HAVING TO USE A COMPUTER

New Direct Photo Printer Includes a Built-in Color Monitor for Added Convenience and Costs Less Than $200  

LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 13, 2004 - Epson America Inc. has replaced its popular, award-winning EPSON Stylus R300M ink jet printer with the new EPSON Stylus Photo R320.  This printer is ideal for digital camera owners who want a flexible and easy to use photo solution without having to spend a lot of money.  The EPSON Stylus Photo R320 offers convenient and innovative features such as PC-free printing, 13 supported memory card types, a built-in color monitor for viewing and selecting images before printing them and the ability to print long-lasting photos in a variety of popular borderless sizes.  The printer also features Epson?s unique ability to print directly onto the surface of ink jet printable CDs and DVDs. 

“The EPSON Stylus Photo R320 is one of our most versatile photo printers to date. It not only prints incredible looking photos with ease and gives customers choices as to the sizes and quantities they want to print without ever having to use a PC, but also prints directly onto CDs and DVDs,” said Lowell Wolf, product manager, consumer ink jet printers, Epson.  “Whether you want to print out a personalized CD or print out photos for preserving important memories, sharing photo memories with friends and family has never been so simple and fun.”

60 Years of History, Excellence and Activism Celebrated on American Society of Media Photographers Anniversary Web Site

In 1944, a handful of the world’s leading photojournalists felt it necessary to come together in New York to form a group that would demand the establishment of professional rights and working conditions, as well as fair compensation for the use of their images.

Today, that group - the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)—has grown to more than 5,000 members in 40 chapters nationwide and in many foreign countries.

And as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, which will culminate in a major birthday event this coming autumn, ASMP has just put up a special area on its web site to honor the past, consider the present and look ahead to the future of photography and the Society.

For members and non-members alike, the site can be found at http://www.asmp.org/60th/.

The 41st Photo of the Week contest is now closed.

I have choosen what I think are the best photographs in my opinion. Now it’s your turn to vote for the overall winner of the contest. A Public Poll has been setup on the PhotographyBLOG Forums and you have 7 days during which you can vote for your favourite photo from the ones that I have chosen. Voting will end on Monday 20th September. The Poll will then be closed and the overall winner announced.

Vote now for your favourite image from the Photo Of The Week 6th-12th September 2004 contest

The 42nd Photo of the Week contest is now open. This is a weekly photography contest with no set theme and you can enter as many photos as you like.

Click here to read the Photo of the Week Rules.

The voting for the 40th Photo of the Week contest has now finished.

The winner is “Night Light” by etfon911.

Congratulations to the winner!

You can view all of the entries that were submitted in this gallery.