DPReview have published their review of the new 5 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 5200 compact digital camera.

“The Coolpix 5200 is a little gem of a camera that proves Nikon is not merely dabbling in consumer-level cameras, and it’s the best proper compact they’ve produced in years. Design, build and ease of use are excellent, and there is a surprising amount of power hidden in the well-designed menus, offering control over focus, metering, white balance and so on for those who like to tweak. The novice market the 5200 is aimed at will surely welcome the hand-holding approach of the scene and scene assist modes, and the overall responsiveness makes using the 5200 a real pleasure.”

Website: DPReview - Nikon Coolpix 5200 Review

An interesting article on creativepro.com looks at the various options for storing digital photos whilst on an extended stay. They’ve reviewed 3 different portable storage devices; SmartDisk FlashTrax,Belkin Media Reader for iPod and the Epson P-1000 Photo Viewer.

“With the emergence of professional digital cameras, photographers have moved away from film to solid-state digital cards as their electronic version of film. Though significantly smaller and easier-to-store, media card-equipped digital cameras create a new kind of problem: where to download images and where to store them when you’re on a long-term assignment.”

Website: creativepro.com - Bit by Bit: On the Road with Digital Storage Devices

CNET have published their review of the new Canon EOS 1D MKII.

“Canon ups the ante with its 8-megapixel EOS-1D Mark II, the fastest-shooting digital SLR on the market. Made for magazine photographers covering news and sports, the Mark II also works well for portrait shooters who want a versatile, small-format digital camera. The Mark II replaces the EOS-1D—which was already at the top of its class—and makes improvements across the board.”

Website: CNET - Canon EOS 1D Mark II Review

DigiCamReview.co.uk have published their review of the new Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom digital camera.

“Image quality is very good - the images have great colour, good detail, low noise, but seem a bit soft occassionally - there is some purple fringing, which unfortunately is quite normal for ultra zoom digital cameras at the moment. The macro mode is very good. The flash didn’t cause any problems in any of the pictures I took. The movie mode is very good but unfortunately you can’t use both sound and the optical zoom at the same time. I had some of the photos printed by www.photobox.co.uk and they all looked EXCELLENT.”

Website: DigiCamReview.co.uk - Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom Review

Photo Mechanic is an image browser for both MAC and Windows that is aimed at the professional photographer. Rob Galbraith has posted a great overview of the features in the new 4.2 version.

“Also added is a customizable color class assignment, which can be used to rank or categorize photos, the option of directing photos to a different external editor based on file type, optional automatic launching of Photo Mechanic when a camera card is inserted, a faster photo preview mode (this has been somewhat broken in recent releases), initial support for JPEG and RAW files from the Canon EOS 20D and numerous refinements intended to make the program quicker to use (including renaming of files directly on a thumbnail’s file name).”

Website: Rob Galbraith - Photo Mechanic 4.2

Website: Photo Mechanic

Photo.net have today published an interesting overview of the new EF-S lenses that were announced by Canon at the end of last week, courtesy of Bob Atkins.

“I was a little disappointed that the EF-S 10-22/3.5-5.6 USM was so expensive. I’d hoped that maybe Canon could have made a lens like this for $300 or so, but I guess it’s not easy making a lens of such a short focal length, and a 2.2x zoom at that. Canon seem to have gone for the “upscale” market with this lens, rather than the “low end” market at which the original EF-S 18-55 was targeted. Personally I’d have taken a small hit in performance for a large drop in price - but that’s just me! At $800, if you buy one you have to hope that Canon will stick with the 1.6x sensor size for a while, since this lens isn’t going to fit on any film body, or even any of the “pro” EOS 1 digital models.”

Website: Photo.net - Canon’s New EF-S lenses

The German website Photoworld.de have published their review of the new 5 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 5200 compact digital camera.

Website: Photoworld.de - Nikon Coolpix 5200 Review

Digital Camera Info have reviewed the 4.0 megapixel Canon Powershot S410 (known as the Digital IXUS 430 outside North America).

“The Camera is pretty straight forward to handle when utilizing complete automatic mode settings. It is completely feasible to hold the camera and shoot with one hand when using the Canon PowerShot S410, though often images were blurred and out of focus. Even with digital image stabilization, it is recommended with most digital cameras to try to shoot with two hands, allowing one to be an added stabilizer. Most of the buttons are flush with the camera body and easy to access. The miniscule viewfinder, as mentioned before is completely useless, a pet peeve of mine. The small 1.5 inch LCD monitor is set slightly above the rest of the camera body and solarizes when turned slightly in any direction.”

Website: Digital Camera Info - Canon Powershot S410 Review

CNET have posted their review of the Nikon D2H digital SLR.

“The D2H replaces Nikon’s D1H, and almost everything about it has been updated—from the camera body itself to the autofocus system. I recently used the Nikon D2H on a few assignments for Sports Illustrated and was impressed in many ways and disappointed in others. Shooting a game for SI means you can’t miss a shot, and the D2H delivers, with a fast shooting speed, a large buffer, and the longest-lasting battery of any digital SLR available.”

Website: CNET - Nikon D2H Review

Casio UK Press Release 25/08/04

New EXILIM ZOOM Models With 5 Megapixels & Long Lasting SUPER LIFE Battery

2.5” LCD EX-Z55 and 2.02 LCD EX-Z50 models announced

August 25th, 2004, LONDON, UK - CASIO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. today announced the release of the 5 megapixel EX-Z55 and EX-Z50, two new models in the EXILIM ZOOM range of digital cameras with extra long SUPER LIFE battery operation and large LCD viewing screens.

Designed to build on the success of CASIO’s 4 megapixel EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z40, both new models replicate the thin body construction with a large TFT LCD screen. This predecessor model offered high picture quality, high-speed response and power saving circuitry in a compact unit. Thanks to the incorporation of CASIO’s proprietary compact image processing module, the EXILIM Engine, the model also offered superior portability and exceptional performance, providing 2.5 times longer battery life, and representing a significant improvement over what remains a common drawback with conventional digital cameras. This attention to the needs of consumers in terms of features and usability ensured the EX-Z40’s extraordinary popularity.

Casio UK Press Release 25/08/04

CASIO Launches The World’s Smallest Digital Camera With Optical Zoom, The EXILIM CARD EX-S100

Stylish & Elegant EXILIM CARD pushes the boundaries of design and photography

August 25th, 2004, LONDON, UK - CASIO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. has announced the world?s smallest* digital camera with an optical zoom (2.8x), the “EXILIM CARD” EX-S100. The camera owes its exceptionally compact design to another world first - the application of ceramic lens technology, providing a great advance in optical quality with a strength even greater than glass.

In 2002, CASIO launched the first EXILIM digital camera, an ultra-thin credit card sized camera designed as the ultimate in point and shoot photography. The camera could be carried easily, and enabled photography for any occasion, anytime and anywhere, having a huge impact on the digital camera market overnight and helping the ultra-slim genre to become a major segment of its own. Since that first EXILIM, CASIO has continued to create even thinner cameras with more rapid responsiveness and superior performance, creating an EXILIM lineup that has expanded to become a trend setting force in the marketplace.

Casio UK Press Release 25/08/04

CASIO Introduces New 6 Megapixel Compact Digital Camera to its QV Range

August 25th, 2004, LONDON, UK - CASIO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. today announced the QV-R61, a 6 megapixel digital camera in the popular QV-R range with improved image quality and responsiveness thanks to the incorporation of CASIO’s proprietary EXILIM Engine technology. In addition, several new advanced features have been included to enhance overall performance. This compact model is the flagship in the QV-R series, and features a large 2.0” TFT LCD screen and a 3x optical zoom lens in a compact aluminum body.

Pentax USA Press Release 24/08/04

OPTIO X CAMERA OFFERS SHOOTING FREEDOM AND VIEWING EASE

PENTAX DELIVERS A DIGITAL TWIST

GOLDEN, Colorado (August 24, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the new Optio X digital camera featuring a new twist in design innovation.  Offering twice the versatility in digital imaging, the PENTAX Optio X opens with just a twist of the hand and positions the lens on one side for shooting freedom and the generous LCD monitor on the other side for viewing ease.  With 5.0 effective megapixel clarity, a 3X optical zoom and a unique design that allows both above-the-head and hip-level shots, the Optio X also features a high-performance, 2.0 inch, low-temperature poly silicon TFT color LCD monitor.

Optio X users will not sacrifice size for innovation.  The Optio X body is a mere .7 inch thick making it the thinnest model in the entire Optio series.  The Sliding Lens system - a unique PENTAX feature that allows the lens to be completely retracted inside the body as soon as the power is turned off - makes the Optio X so easy to carry in a bag or pocket.

Along with the 5.0 megapixel clarity, a newly developed ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) improves image quality and enhances processing speed.  The Optio X also features a new “My Menu” function, which allows users to group together frequently used functions for easy future access.  With such wide-ranging capabilities and customized functions, the Optio X is a comprehensive personal digital imaging tool designed to be carried everywhere. 

PENTAX will unveil the Optio X and other new and exciting digital products on September 20 at the PEPCOM Holiday Spectacular in New York City.

Pentax USA Press Release 24/08/04

BIG STYLE IN A SMALL DIGITAL CAMERA

GOLDEN, Colorado (August 24, 2004)...PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the new Optio S5i. With 5.0 effective megapixels and a 3X optical zoom lens, the Optio S5i features a stylish design in an ultra-compact, lightweight digital camera. Following in the footsteps of the popular Optio S, the stylish Optio S5i features the highest megapixel count in this ultra-compact series.         

The Optio S5i is a perfect digital camera for action photographers.  The Optio S5i features a new Sport mode that sets the camera for shutter speed-priority to enable spur of the moment shooting while Pan focusing mode ensures optimal focusing from close range to infinity.  Both modes help offer optimal results for capturing fleeting action shots.  For additional user confidence, the Optio S5i battery charger stand is capable of simultaneously charging one rechargeable Lithium-ion battery housed inside the camera as well as a spare battery.  The Optio S5i is equipped with 10MB of internal memory and is compatible with SD memory cards.

PENTAX will unveil the Optio S5i and other new and exciting digital products on September 20 at the PEPCOM Holiday Spectacular in New York City.

Pentax USA Press Release 24/08/04

GOLDEN, Colorado (August 24,  2004)...PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Magazine has awarded two HOT1 Awards to PENTAX Imaging Company for the two digital SLR lenses in the PENTAX DA-series. Positioned as the perfect companion lenses for the *ist D digital SLR camera, the magazine has recognized the smc PENTAX-DA 16mm-45mm F4 ED AL lens and the smc PENTAX-DA 14mm F2.8 ED [IF] interchangeable wide-angle lens.

The compact, high-performance, interchangeable smc PENTAX-DA 16mm-45mm F4 ED AL lens features a 3X zoom ratio with focal lengths covering ultra-wide to moderate-telephoto ranges for the angle of view equivalent to 24.5mm-69mm in the 35mm format.  The smc PENTAX-DA 14mm F2.8 ED [IF] interchangeable wide-angle lens is the second model of the DA-series lineup.  At 14.8 ounces and measuring just 2.7 inches long and 3.3 inches in diameter, the lens is one of the lightest in its category.

The German camera manufacturer Voigtlander has quietly announced a new 4 megapixel digital camera, the Virtus D4. There’s not too much information about it, just a picture and a specifications table. The Virtus D4 has a 4.2 megapixel sensor, 2” LCD and is quite light at 125g.

Imaging Resource have just reviewed the new Pentax OptioMX digital digital camera, which features 3.2 effective megapixels and 10X optical zoom to capture still images and high resolution (VGA) full-motion movies on MPEG-4 format with zoom capability.

“Good macro in normal mode, astonishing in “Super” macro mode. The Optio MX performed well in its normal Macro mode, capturing a minimum area of 2.98 x 2.23 inches (76 x 57 millimeters). Resolution was very high, showing a lot of fine detail in the dollar bill, coins and brooch. All four corners of the frame are soft, with the right side of the image being the worst, but this is fairly common in digicam macro modes, in my experience. In Super Macro mode, the camera focuses incredibly close, with a minimum area of 0.99 x 0.75 inches (25 x 19 millimeters). However, getting light in to the subject is nearly impossible at the very closest range. - The MX’s manual states the minimum focus distance in Super Macro mode as “0 cm”.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Pentax OptioMX Review

Sony Press Release 24/08/04

SONY’S MEMORY STICK PRO MEDIA ADDS 2GB CAPACITY, PLUS FASTER READ AND WRITE SPEED OPTIONS

Entire Line-up Offers Reliable Performance Under Wider Temperature Range

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2004 - Sony Electronics is providing Memory Stick PRO media users with an expanded range of enhanced media that not only offers higher capacities and are high-speed read and write capable, but are also compatible with a vast array of current Memory Stick PRO devices.

The updated Memory Stick PRO (High Speed) media features capacities of up to 2GB in the standard-size media and 1GB in the Memory Stick PRO Duo media size and are designed to support both read and write speeds of up to 80Mbps (10MB/s.). Among the fastest in the flash media industry, this higher speed will be especially beneficial for transferring data-intensive images, such as high-resolution digital photos, to and from PCs and other devices that may incorporate a high-speed parallel data transfer interface in the future.

Kodak Press Release 24/08/04

Enhances Kodak’s capabilities to provide CMOS Image Sensors targeted to Consumer Markets
Rochester, N.Y., August 24—Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK) has signed an agreement to purchase the Imaging business of National Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:NSM), which develops and manufactures complimentary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor (CIS) devices.  Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

As part of this agreement, Kodak will acquire certain assets, including intellectual property and equipment, and plans to hire approximately 50 employees currently supporting National’s Imaging business.  Most of the employees are based in Santa Clara, Calif.  These assets will become part of Kodak’s Image Sensor Solutions organization, which currently designs and manufactures image sensors for professional and industrial imaging markets.

A very sad day for Ilford, as the UK-based supplier of traditional photographic materials has been forced to go into adminstration. The entire business could now be sold as a going concern by the appointed adminstrator, Grant Thornton.

Grant Thornton said: “Although growth and profitability in its digital inkjet business has continued to accelerate, the decline in the black and white photography market, in which Ilford Imaging has a major share, has continued. This, combined with the weakness of the dollar and major de-stocking, has led to losses.”

Ilford’s inkjet digital business, which is based in Switzerland, has been unaffected and will continue to trade normally. Ilford Imaging was founded in 1879 and is the world’s leading supplier of dyes for inkjet photo printers and is the second-largest manufacturer of inkjet photo paper.

So potentially another loss for the film market, after the announcement last week that Agfa were withdrawing from the photography business.

Website: The Telegraph - Ilford Imaging reaches the final frame

Website: The Guardian - Digital revolution threatens Ilford jobs