The winner of the 7th PhotographyBLOG Photo of the Week contest is panchals with the entry “speeding squirrel”. There are no prizes as such for this contest, but the winning photo is displayed on the PhotographyBLOG homepage for a week, and the winner can display the Photo of the Week logo on their website if they wish.

The Photo of the Week contest is now closed for 2 weeks during the Christmas holidays, until 5th January 2004.

Photoxels have reviewed the latest 4x6inch dye diffusion printer from Canon, the CP-200 model.

“The Canon Card Photo Printer CP-200 (and its cousin CP-300 which comes with a rechargeable battery for ultimate carry anywhere convenience) is fun and easy to use. It is compact, sleek and look modern in design. Take it with you anywhere you can plug in the power cord and, together with a PictBridge-compatible digital camera, you’ll have the modern equivalent of the instant camera.”

Website: Photoxels - Canon Card Photo Printer CP-200 Review

This morning Photoxels have published their review of the tiny Canon PowerShot SD10 (also known as the Digital IXUS i in some countries). The SD10 has a street price of $349 in the USA and ?299 in the UK.

“Compared to a credit card, the PowerShot SD10 is just as wide (90.3 mm / 3.56 in.) but not quite as high (47.0 mm / 1.85 in.). It is 18.5 mm / 0.73 in. thin, and qualifies as being JeansPocket? Certified. There is no viewfinder and the 1.5 in. LCD is quite good at 78,000 pixels resolution. Surprisingly, you can even display a histogram when reviewing captured images. Battery life is excellent.”

Website: Photoxels - Canon PowerShot SD10 Review

In this week’s Sunday Morning Photographer column Mike Johnston tells us all to ignore the pixel count and noise levels and concentrate on the image:

“Agreement seems universal that the D2H is a masterpiece of ergonomics, proportion, and responsiveness. Where the cavils creep in is in the discussions of image quality. Too much noise at high ISOs? Too few pixels? Fret, fret.

I wonder sometimes if people can’t see the forest for the trees ? or the pictures for the pixels, in this case.”

Website: Sunday Morning Photographer: Can’t See The Pictures for the Pixels

A-Digital-Eye have posted some full-sized comparitive images taken with the Canon EOS 300D and Sony DSC-F828 digital cameras. The battle between these two cameras will be an interesting one; SLR vs Compact, 6 megapixels vs 8 megapixels, interchangeable lenses vs fixed lens. These images may help you to decide between the two.

Website: A-Digital-Eye - Canon EOS 300D vs Sony DSC-F828

The Danish website Akamera.dk have posted a review of Nikon’s uniquely designed 3 megapixel digital compact camera, the Nikon SQ.

Website: Akamera.dk - Nikon SQ Review

PMA Newsline International Release 19/12/03

SD Memory Card sales surpass CompactFlash Card sales in October

The SD Memory Card has passed the CompactFlash Card, to take the top position in market share among memory cards, according to the most recent sales data available from The NPD Group. The SD Memory Card captured the number one position with 30 percent of the U.S. flash memory market in October against 28.8 percent for the CompactFlash Card. In third place was Memory Stick, with a 22 percent market share. Panasonic is a co-developer of SD Memory cards along with Toshiba and SanDisk.

  Joseph Unsworth, analyst - Semiconductor Memories for Gartner Inc., noted: “The recent success of the SD Card in the retail channel is in line with my expectations of the SD Card becoming the leading flash card format. The SD Card is well-positioned in terms of performance, cost, and industry support across many applications and that is why I expect the SD card to have the largest share of revenue of all of the flash card formats in 2004.”

A total of 1,524 products worldwide, carrying 134 of the world’s foremost brand names, currently use the SD Memory Card. The format is further supported by the more than 650 members of the SD Card Association, a consortium working to set industry standards and promote the acceptance of SD Memory Cards in a wide variety of applications.

Fuji Japan have announced further details and pricing for its 20.8 megapixel SuperCCD based digital camera back, which was first announced in February 2003. The new back, which fits the Fujifilm GX680 camera, will cost 2,380,000 Yen (roughly ?12,506 GBP). It will be available in Japan from the end of January 2004. According to Imaging Resource, Fuji USA currently have no plans to release the product.

Website: Imaging Resource

Website: DPReview

Toshiba are set to launch the smallest ever hard-drive at next month’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The 0.85 inch is about the same size as an American quarter and is destined to find its way into MP3 players, set-top boxes, mobile phones and other electronic goods. Its capacity is expected to be between 2GB and 3GB. According to the website NE Asia Online, “at present, it has no plan to use it as an exchange medium such as a CompactFlash card”, so this may well be one for the future as far as digital cameras are concerned.

Website: CNET News

Website: NE Asia Online

CNET have reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Kyocera Finecam SL300R. Kyocera claims that this is the world’s thinnest 3x optical zoom digital camera, which virtually eliminates lag time and is capable of unlimited continuous shooting at an unprecedented 3.5 frames per second. Find out if Steve agrees…

“This svelte snapshot camera’s high-speed capture ability sets a new performance standard, making it an excellent pick for the casual sports and action photographer.”

Website: CNET - Kyocera Finecam SL300R Review

CNET have reviewed the Toshiba PDR-M700, a 3.2 megapixel digital camera with a massive 10x Canon lens (37-370mm equivalent focal length range) and 2.5 inch LCD display.

“Handsomely designed in miniature SLR fashion, the Toshiba PDR-M700 means business. It boasts many desirable features for both advanced amateur shooters and multimedia types. Paramount among the attractions offered by Toshiba’s latest M-series cameras—of which the 700 is the higher-res, 3-megapixel version—are the 10X Canon zoom lens and supersize 2.5-inch LCD. The camera is competitively priced among the megazoom crop, and its gargantuan display makes it stand out from the crowd. But the M700’s so-so image quality dampens our enthusiasm.”

Website: CNET - Toshiba PDR-M700 Review

DPReview is the latest in a long line of websites to publish a review of the Nikon D2H digital SLR.

“The Nikon D2H is one of a very few cameras which feels almost perfectly ‘sorted’. By this I mean it’s very difficult to use the camera and find faults, almost any faults, which will affect the camera’s purpose in life, which is to be a very fast, flexible, robust and reliable photographic tool. It’s very hard to live with the D2H and not love the way it feels in your hand and responds so quickly when that split second photographic opportunity arrives. I seriously can’t imagine a digital SLR which could operate more quickly, both in terms of delays to shutter release (power up, AF, shutter release lag) and continuous shooting speed.”

Website: DPReview - Nikon D2H Review

The Spanish website Nuevafotografia have reviewed the 3-megapixel Olympus ?[mju:] 300 Digital, a compact digital camera that is positioned in what Olympus call their “Stylish” category.

Website: Nuevafotografia - Olympus ?[mju:] 300 Digital Review

The German website PhotoWorld.de is the first website in the world to review a full-production version of the highly-anticipated Sony DSC-F828 digital camera, at least to the best of my knowledge.

Website: PhotoWorld.de - Sony DSC-F828 Review

PMA Newsline International Release 19/12/03

Leica kicks off its Oskar Barnack Award competition for pro photographers
 
Leica Camera AG, Solms, Germany, is accepting entries for its next international “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” competition for professional photographers. The annual “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” is given to the photographer whose observations most vividly express man’s relationship to his environment in a single photograph or photo story consisting of up to 12 pictures. The closing date for entering the “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” competition is Jan. 31, 2004.Either of 35 mm slide copies or enlargements may be submitted (minimum 7-by-9 inches, maximum 9-by-11 inches).

To qualify, entries must either be series of photos taken in 2003 or long-term projects with at least some of the photos dating from 2003. The winner will receive Euro 5,000 or a Leica camera of the same value. Entries should be marked “Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2004” and sent to: Leica Camera SARL, 106, Boulevard H?loise, F-95814 Argenteuil-Cedex, France. Further information is available at:

www.leica-camera.com/kultur/events/wettbewerbe/obp/index_e.html

PMA Newsline International Release 19/12/03

ACDSee 6.0, ACDSee 6.0 PowerPack released in French, Italian, German, Spanish

ACD Systems International Inc., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, released ACDSee 6.0 and ACDSee 6.0 PowerPack in the French, Italian, German and Spanish (FIGS) languages. ACDSee is known for its image management capabilities and ability to work with digital image collections of all sizes. Retail versions of ACDSee 6.0 and ACDSee 6.0 PowerPack FIGS will also be made available in the European marketplace.

ACDSee 6.0 - is the newest version of ACD Systems’ digital imaging software program. New features include the ability to rate images, burn photos to CD/DVDs and quickly view and locate photos from different folders and categories with the Easy Select and Selective Browsing features. ACDSee 6.0 PowerPack includes ACDSee 6.0. It also includes ACD FotoCanvas 3.0, which allows users to make quick edits to their digital photos and create simple web graphics, and ACD FotoSlate 3.0, which is the new version of the company’s photo printing program.

The French, Italian, German and Spanish versions of ACDSee 6.0 are available for US$59.99. The ACDSee 6.0 PowerPack versions are available for US$89.99. Upgrade pricing is also available. For more information, visit www.ACDSYSTEMS.com.

www.ACDSYSTEMS.com

As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to reflect and choose your best images of 2003, then post them for everyone to see in the new Favourite Photos of 2003 gallery. Try to limit yourself to 5 if possible :-) I’ve already added my favourite images to get things started…

Landscape photographer Steve Kossack shares his camera equipment experiences in the latest Luminous Landscape article.

“As a landscape photographer, workshop instructor and guide I do a lot of work in the field. And a lot of shooting. As a matter of fact, I do so almost constantly. Although I’m not what one might call an equipment junkie, I have to admit that I don’t do a lot of searching or thinking about new equipment. I do realize though that these are my tools, and if new and better are out there, I need to know about them. That’s what this wonderful website you are reading now does for me. I can see what’s new and hot, and most importantly how it handles in the field.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - What Works? What Breaks? What Then?

Imaging Resource have just published their usual in-depth review of the Nikon D2H digital SLR.

“The D2H has taken some heat for its color, particularly at high ISO, and there’s been some confusion in the market over its image noise characteristics. My overall impression of the camera is still very positive though. - I’ve said before and will say again that the D2H is easily the most enjoyable camera to shoot with that I’ve yet handled, with a fluid, fast, and easy to use user interface that intrudes minimally on the shooting experience. Overall, a powerful photographic tool, not to mention a thoroughly enjoyable one.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon D2H Review

The Slovenian website e-fotografija has published a very interesting article looking at the optional wide-angle lens adapter and battery grip accessories for the recently announced Olympus Camedia C-5060 Wide Zoom. With the adapter fitted, the C-5060 has a an angle of view equivalent to 18.9mm on a 35mm camera. e-fotografija have several pictures of the camera with the accessories fitted and lots of photos taken with the wide-angle lens adapter.

Website: e-fotografija - Olympus Camedia C-5060 Wide Zoom

Website: Slovenian Translator