Hitachi has announced that it is currently delivering a tiny 4GB hard drive to electronic device manufacturers for testing. Blaupunkt, Eastman Kodak, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sigma and Sony are all evaluating the new storage device, which will also be available in a 2Gb version.

The most interesting thing about Hitachi’s announcment is the aggressive pricing. The 4Gb Microdrive is relatively cheap compared to other similar storage options. “The company expects the 4GB Microdrive to sell for $499. Lexar Media sells 2GB and 4GB flash memory cards that cost as much as $799 and $1,599, respectively, according to its online store.”

Website: Hitachi 4Gb Microdrive

Luminous Landscape have reviewed a new software product from Extensis called pxl SmartScale, which allows you to enlarge the sizes of your digital images with no discernible loss in quality. Or at least that’s what Extensis claim anyway - find out if they’re right in Luminous Landscape’s latest review.

“SmartScale is designed to allow image files to be scaled upwards. Why would one want to do this? Three reasons, usually. The first is because the original file is small or low resolution. Images taken with the 1 to 3 Megapixel cameras of the late ‘90s needed to be “ressed-up” to make anything more than wallet sized prints. Today’s 4-6 MP digicams though produce images large enough for most purposes, so that the need to res-up is reduced from what it once was. The second reason is if a small segment of an otherwise normal sized file needs to be extracted and enlarged. The third reason is to take a typical file and enlarge it so that a very large print, such as a poster or billboard can be made.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - pxl SmartScale Review

Digital Outback Photo have published a report of the one hour that they recently spent using the Canon EOS 300D. There are a few sample photos taken with the new EF-S 18-55mm lens, and some early observations about the general handling of the camera. Essential reading for everyone who has pre-ordered the 300D!

“The Digital Rebel with the new EF-S 18-55mm lens feels light. This is meant in a positive sense that you want to carry this camera more often with you than a 10D or even a 1Ds.

The time today was way to short to find out about the quality of the new EF-S 18-55mm lens. But as far as we can see in these sample shots this is a very useable lens.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Canon EOS 300D Hands-On Test

DP-Now are reporting that the price of the Olympus E-1 at the UK’s largest photography chain, Jessops, has just been rather drastically reduced.

“Olympus had set the suggested retail price of the price of the E-1 body in the UK when it was formally launched on 24th June. That price was ?1699, including VAT, but without a lens.

The Jessops price is now ?1819 including VAT, complete with the 14-54mm (28-108 equivalent) standard zoom, just ?120 more than the original body-only price. The lens in question is definitely no budget cheapie…”

Website: DP-Now - Could the Olympus E-1 price be coming down?

UPDATE Tues 26 2003
DPReview have just published some US street prices for the E-1 body only and lenses, as supplied by Olympus USA. The E-1 will cost $1799 body only, the 14-54 mm F2.8 - F3.5 lens $499, the 50-200 mm F2.8 - F3.5 lens $999, the 50 mm Macro F2.0 lens $499, and the 300 mm F2.8 lens a whopping $6999.

Website: DPReview - Olympus E-1 US Pricing

Photoxels have reviewed the Sony DSC-V1 digital camera, which features 5 megapixels resolution, 4x optical zoom, flexible exposure control and infrared laser hologram.

“The Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot is compact, light, extremely fast, and gives great results—a perfect combination for discreet street photography. It looks and handles like a professional camera should, is targeted to demanding serious amateur photographers, and features the full set of flexible exposure control.”

Website: Photoxels - Sony DSC-V1 Review

In the return of the Sunday Morning Photographer column this week, Mike Johnston explains why the Sony F-828 is a more exciting camera than the Canon EOS 300D.

“But I have to report that I find myself much more strongly drawn to the new Sony F-828. Of all the digital cameras I?ve owned, used, held, or seen, the Sony F-717 (which I wrote about here) was, so far, the only one that I?ve placed in my personal pantheon of favorite cameras. It was nifty, fun, cool, and different.

That last word is key. Different. The 300D, to me, is a mass-market 10D, and what?s a 10D? A digital 10S. So, okay. (Cover your mouth when you yawn like that.)”

Website: Sunday Morning Photographer: I?m a Sony Man

Digital Camera Resource have reviewed the much-delayed Fuji FinePix F700, which was first announced back at PMA in February, but hasn’t begun shipping until now. Fuji claims the the F700 sensor improves image quality by widening the dynamic range, rather than just increasing the number of pixels. This should mean more detail in the shadow and highlight areas of an image than Fuji cameras have previously captured. Find out if Digital Camera Resource agree.

“Cameras with zoom lenses don’t start any faster than the F700. It’s startup speed is stunning: it takes just 1.8 seconds before you can start shooting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lens extend and retract this quickly.

The F700 is just as fast in terms of AF speeds. It locked focus in about 1/2 second in most cases. In low light, it’s AF illuminator helped it focus pretty well, although it blinks on and off much faster than others I’ve seen.”

Website: DCResource - Fuji FinePix F700 Review

Website: Read my review of the Fuji FinePix F700

I’ve had several emails recently complaining that the layout of my blog is not what it should be in certain browsers (Internet Explorer 5 and Safari). In addition the old 2-column layout was inflexible and resulted in a long right-hand column which contained all things navigation-based. So I’ve decided to kill 2 birds with one stone and redesign the whole site so that it works in all modern browsers and so that there is a more adaptable 3-column structure.

As the redesign only went live about 10 minutes ago, there are bound to be some initial teething problems. If you spot anything that looks strange in any way, please send an email to:

[email protected]

You can also use that address if you have any further suggestions for improving the site layout, or more generally to let me know what you think of the new design.

Thanks,
Mark Goldstein

Michael Reichmann has relaunched his Critique Competition; you send in your photographic submission for a particular theme, Michael selects the best and worst and offers his critique, then declares an overall winner. The theme for August is Harvest.

“I will publish selected submission as they come in. Each competition lasts approximately a month, though depending on my travel schedule and workload any one competition may be cut short or extended.

Please note that not all submission will be published and critiqued. Only those which I feel are of particular interest (good or bad) will be put online. Also, I can not enter into private correspondence about your submission.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Critique Competition

Steve’s Digicams have reviewed 2 lower-end digital cameras from Kodak.

The Kodak EasyShare CX6330 is a 3.2 megapixel model that costs around ?220 in the UK.

“The CX6330 enables beginners to enjoy high-quality results without enduring a long learning process, and as experience is gained, they’ll enjoy the range of control afforded by several scene modes. Users will not, however, find the ability to directly control lens aperture or shutter speed; exposure control is automatic only.”

Website: - Steve’s Digicams - EasyShare CX6330 Review

The Kodak EasyShare CX6200 is a 2 megapixel model that costs around ?100 in the UK.

“Designed for the first-time digicam buyer, the CX6200 has only an automatic mode of operation, and it is simple enough for a child to use. Its lightweight plastic body is small enough to be carried in your pocket or purse, ready to capture that special snapshot.”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Kodak EasyShare CX6200 Review

Imaging Resource have also taken a look at the Pentax Optio 33L, which has 3.2 megapixels, a swiveling LCD monitor and a suggested RRP of $299.

“With the introduction of the Optio 33L, Pentax updates its Optio line of digicams with a 3.2-megapixel entry-level model sporting a few updated features. Stylistically, the 33L is similar to the previous 330 RS, with generally the same shape and control layout, though a slightly larger size and a plastic case, rather than the 330’s all-metal construction. However, the 33L features a swiveling LCD monitor, which actually lifts up from the back panel for more flexible viewing angles.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Pentax Optio 33L Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the 2 magapixel Canon PowerShot A60, which unusually for a cheap digicam ($249) offers a full range of exposure options including Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes.

“Last year, Canon’s PowerShot A40 topped the charts on the IR website for popularity, outstripping all other camera models. This was particularly impressive given that our readers generally gravitate toward higher-end models. This year, the A60 updates the A40, with more manual controls and a slightly different control layout.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon PowerShot A60 Review

Ian Burley at DP-Now.com has just posted an excellent First Look at the Canon EOS 300D, featuring 27 photographs from yesterday’s launch event in London. The 5th photo features a graph, not the most interesting subject you might think, but it shows Canon’s market forecast for DSLR’s:

“Canon sold 72,000 digital SLRs in Europe during the whole of 2002, but EOS-300D manufacturing for the worldwide market is already set at 70,000 units a month. By 2005 Canon expects to have at least a 50% market share of the DSLR market in Europe. That market will be 10x greater than 2002 in volume terms, predicts Canon.”

Scary stuff, especially for Nikon, Olympus and the other major players!

Website: DP-Now - Canon EOS-300D First Look

Ian has also updated his Canon EOS 300D report with links to some sample images taken with a pre-production camera, taken by Kai Thon, at the Norwegian site www.digit.no. The images show the ISO range of the 300D, with the same image taken at ISO 100, 200, 400, 600 and 1600.

Website: DP-Now - Canon EOS-300D Report

Digital Camera Resource are the first website to review the new FinePix S5000 from Fuji, which has a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera. The Fuji FinePix S5000 costs $499.95 and will be available in stores this month.

“Although the Fuji FinePix S5000 has a very exciting design and good feature set, but I think it’s a little disappointing in photo quality when compared to the latest offerings from HP, Olympus, and Toshiba. The 3.2 Megapixel SuperCCD HR sensor takes good shots at its native resolution, and so-so shots at the 6M interpolated size. Noise levels are above-average at 3M, and noticeably higher at 6M.”

Website: DCResource - Fuji FinePix S5000 Review

Canon have been extremely quick off the mark in releasing the 140 page Canon EOS 300D User Manual for download.

Website: Canon EOS 300D User Manual

The EOS 300D Kit will comprise the following items:

- EOS DIGITAL REBEL/EOS 300D DIGITAL camera body (with Eyecup, body cap and lithium backup battery for the date and time)
- EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 (with lens cap and dust cap) * In optional lens kit.
- Battery Pack BP-511 (includes protective cover)
- Battery Charger CB-5L
- Power cord for battery charger
- Interface Cable IFC-300PCU
- Video Cable VC-100
- Neck Strap EW-100DB ll (with eyepiece cover)
- EOS DIGITAL Solution Disk (CD-ROM)
- Adobe Photoshop Elements Disk (CD-ROM)
- Pocket Guide
- Quick guide to using the camera.
- EOS DIGITAL REBEL/EOS 300D DIGITAL Instructions
- Installing the Software Correctly - Explains the software installation and features.
- EOS DIGITAL REBEL/EOS 300D DIGITAL Software Instructions - Explains the procedure for transferring images to a personal computer and for RAW image processing.
- Battery Pack BP-511 Instructions
- Warranty card
- No CF card is included. Please purchase it separately. CF cards made by Canon are recommended.

Rob Galbraith has posted a pretty thorough comparison of the main differences in functionality between the new Canon EOS 300D (known as the Rebel in the US) and the EOS 10D. If you’ve read and re-read all of the information from yesterday’s launch, and you’re still wondering what the similarities and differences between the 2 cameras are, then Rob’s site is a good place to start.

Here’s one major difference that might influence you towards the 10D:

“The Digital Rebel incorporates the same 7-point autofocus module as the 10D, and is promised to have the same overall autofocus performance too. There’s one significant difference, however: the Digital Rebel doesn’t allow for the selection of AF mode. While you can choose between manual focus and autofocus (by flipping the AF/M switch on any Canon EF lens), in the exposure modes of most use to serious shooters - Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Program and Manual - the Digital Rebel chooses between One Shot AF and AI Servo AF automatically on the fly, in a mode called AI Focus. If you’d prefer to choose one or the other yourself, then you’ll need a different camera.”

You can click the image above to view the Canon 300D and 10D side-by-side; as you can see, the 300D is noticeably smaller than its big brother. It would be interesting to see a similar comparison with the Pentax *ist D…

Website: Rob Galbraith

Canon have now officially announced the EOS 300D. There’s an official Canon Japan website up and running with all the details, including sample images:

Website: Canon Japan

Features
Here is a brief summary of the main features:

- Effective pixels: Approx. 6.30 megapixels (3088x2056)
- Aspect ratio: 3:2
- 35mm-equivalent focal length is equal to approx.1.6 times the marked focal length
- Image format: JPEG and RAW (12-bit)
- White Balance Settings: Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten bulb, White fluorescent light, flash, custom
- Color temperature compensation: White balance bracketing: +/-3 stops in whole-stop increments
- Auto Focus points: 7
- Focusing modes: One-Shot AF, AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, Manual focusing (MF)
- Metering system: TTL full aperture metering with 35-zone SPC(1) Evaluative metering (linkable to any AF point)(2) Partial metering (approx. 9% of viewfinder at center)(3) Centerweighted average metering (Set automatically in manual exposure mode)
- ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
- Shutter speeds: 1/4000 - 30 sec. (1/3-stop increments), bulb, X-sync at 1/200 sec
- Drive modes: Single, continuous, Self-timer/Remote control
- Continuous shooting speed: Approx. 2.5 fps (at 1/250 sec. or faster speeds)
- Max. burst during continuous shooting: 4 shots
- PictBridge-compatible
- Weight: 560 g / 19.7 oz (body only)

Lens
The 300D will ship as a body only option or with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (29-88mm equivalent) zoom lens. Canon have also announced a 55-200mm (88-320mm equivalent) f/4-5.6 telephoto zoom.

Pricing
The Canon EOS 300D will retail for approximately Euro 1179 / ?899.99 for the body only, and Euro 1279 / ?999.99 complete with the 18-55mm (29-88mm equivalent) zoom lens. All prices include VAT.

Other websites that also have the news:

Website: DP-Now

Here is the full un-edited Canon EOS 300D Press Release from Canon Europe:

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, August 20, 2003. - Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today launches the EOS 300D 6.3 Megapixel digital SLR. The availability in the market of an affordable consumer digital SLR is expected to greatly accelerate the speed of adoption by consumers.

?Canon expects 400-500% growth in the digital SLR segment from 2002 to 2003 in terms of shipping volume[1],? says Hiroshi Komatsuzaki, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. ?The EOS 300D will play a key strategic role in this growth. By dropping the price so significantly, Canon is very deliberately putting high performance EOS digital technology into the hands of the consumer at a time of accelerating demand for high performance digital cameras?.

The EOS 300D bundles proven high performance technologies (such as seven-point, high-speed predictive auto focus, 2.5 frame per second burst rate, 35-zone metering and DIGIC image processor) into a camera affordable to everybody.

Canon has declared the EOS 300D to be the single most important consumer SLR since the AE-1 in 1976. Just as the AE-1 triggered an SLR revolution by being the world?s first camera with an embedded microcomputer, Canon believes the EOS 300D will be seen as the point in history when the SLR market shifted irrevocably to digital.

Precision optics, unrivalled sensor quality
At the front end of the EOS 300D is the lens system and digital sensor. Film EOS users considering the move to digital will be pleased to learn the EOS 300D works seamlessly with any of Canon?s renowned EF lenses, of which there are currently more than 60.

An APS-C sized sensor gives the camera a 1.6x magnification over 35mm film format. In order to furnish EOS 300D customers with the equivalent 28-90mm zoom range so popular with 35mm film EOS users, a new EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 lens [2] has been specially developed. This lens takes advantage of the compact sensor size, employing a ?short back focus system? which mounts the lens closer to the sensor than previous models. This provides high-quality images in a remarkably low-weight, short-length lens.

The 6.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor is almost identical to that found in the award-winning EOS 10D which remains the benchmark for image quality. ISO speeds of 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 are selectable, giving film users a film speed range with which they will be comfortable.

Print straight from the camera
The EOS 300D is the first digital EOS camera to support the vendor-independant PictBridge print standard from launch date. Lab-quality prints can now be produced without the need for a computer by directly connecting the EOS 300D to compatible photo printers via standard USB cable. A large 1.8? LCD is used to select and review photographs to be printed and set print variables.

Fast image processing with superb results
Underpinning the camera?s technical superiority is Canon?s high-speed DIGIC (Digital Image Core) processor. In the days of film, image processing was the role of film companies and mini-labs. With digital, the critical role of image processing must be handled by the camera. Complex algorithms required to accurately process functions such as white balance and color rendition are integrated into the DIGIC processor, resulting in highquality images with no trade-off in camera responsiveness. ?A great digital image requires both quality raw ingredients and quality processing? says Komatsuzaki. ?Superior lens and sensor technologies ensure the best raw ingredients. It is what DIGIC does with these that gives the EOS 300D the edge?.

Wide area, high speed focusing
7 selectable focusing points give an ultra wide AF area generally only found in advanced SLRs. Focusing modes include One-Shot AF (for fast, accurate single-shot focusing), and AI AF which can automatically switch to AI servo AF for continuous tracking of subject movement ? well suited to sports photography. A Manual Focus override is selectable from the lens.

High-end exposure control
The EOS 300D boasts 35 zone TTL metering, essentially covering the full frame. Three metering modes (evaluative, partial, and centre weighted average) assure balanced exposures in every situation. Along with the full range of automated and manual shooting modes expected in a high-end SLR, the EOS 300D features Programmed Image Control modes such as Night Portrait, Sports, Close-up, Landscape, Portrait and Flash OFF. A built-in automatic flash pops up nearly 90mm above the optical axis to lessen the chance of red-eye for better flash photos.

Shooting adaptability
The EOS 300D is superbly specified to deliver outstanding results in virtually any shooting situation. The camera has a shutter speed range of 1/4000 ? 30 seconds, bulb and high speed x-sync at 1/200s. Simultaneous recording to both RAW and JPEG (middle/fine) formats is possible, while 2GB and higher CompactFlash cards, Types I and II, are supported. Optional wired or infra-red wireless remote control is available. Adobe RGB has been added to the standard sRGB colour space. There are seven Auto White Balance settings (such as cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, etc.) plus custom White Balance and +/- 3 stop White Balance Bracketing (WB-BKT).

Comprehensive accessories, software and online access
The EOS 300D comes complete with battery pack, charger, USB cable, video cable, wide embroidered anti-slip neck strap. Purchase of the EOS 300D entitles customers to membership of the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY [3] web portal for a 100 MB online photo album for image uploads. A full software suite is included for handling image file transfers between camera and computer, managing and printing files, and preview and conversion of RAW image files. PhotoStitch is included for seamless merging of panorama shots.

Mr. Mitarai?s (President and CEO of Canon Inc.) announcement can be viewed after 14:00 CET on August 20th at the following link: http://www.canon.com/press_movies/speech0802.asx

[1] Source: JEITA data with Canon forecast
[2] The lens will not be sold separately and will only be available with the purchase of the EOS 300D
[3] May not be available in all regions

Here is the full un-edited Canon EF-S 18-55mm Lens Press Release from Canon Europe:

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, August 20, 2003 - Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today releases the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens, designed to work exclusively with the new EOS 300D, also released today. The lens will not be sold separately and will only be available when purchased together with the EOS 300D.

The EOS 300D features an APS-C sized sensor, which gives the focal length of the lens a 1.6x magnification effect over 35mm film format. Canon’s goal is to furnish EOS 300D customers with the equivalent 28-90mm zoom range so popular with 35mm film EOS users. The new lens was therefore given a focal length of 18-55mm, which is equivalent to 29-88mm in the 35mm film format.

The more compact sensor size of the EOS 300D means the camera’s reflex mirror can also be smaller, making it possible to bring the back of the lens closer to the image sensor. The ‘S’ in the EF-S nomenclature stands for ‘short back focus’, which describes this new system. Manufacturing costs associated with such a wide-angle zoom lens would normally be very high. The ‘short back focus’ system of the EOS 300D, however, has allowed Canon’s design engineers to develop a remarkably low-weight, short-length lens that retains all the high-quality hallmarks of the EF range. The result is an opportunity for EOS 300D users to work with a lens that would normally carry a prohibitively expensive price tag.

Perfect for digital
By optimising the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens coatings, Canon’s engineers have effectively minimised the chance of flare and ghosting which are more prone to occur with digital cameras than with film cameras. The coatings reduce reflections off the rear of the lens to deliver crisp, undistorted digital images.

Fast and close auto-focus
The drive pattern of the lens has been tailored to specifically match that of the EOS 300D, for quiet, precise and fast auto focus. A minimum focusing distance of just 0.28m is available at all focal lengths through the zoom range.

Appealing background blur
The lens incorporates an EMD (electromagnetic diaphragm), which in the widest apertures employs an almost perfectly circular barrel aperture. This provides the best blur effect in situations where the photographer is deliberately working with a small depth of field to isolate the subject.

New mount
While the EOS 300D is compatible with the more than 60 EF lenses, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 has a new mount in the EF lens series which fits only the EOS 300D. A white lens mount index (in addition to the traditional red marking) differentiates the lens from other EF lenses and a rear rubber ring prevents any damage in the event that an inadvertent attempt is made to mount the EF-S lens on a camera other than the EOS 300D.

In harmony with the environment
In keeping with Canon’s stringent environmental policy, only lead free glass is used in the lens’ optics.

New accessories
Because of the new mount, two new extension tubes have been developed for Canon’s EF lens range, the Extension Tube EF12II and EF25II. These new tubes replace the Extension Tubes EF12 and EF25 and, as with these superceded tubes, work with almost every available Canon EF lens. Their new mount allows them to also work with the new EF-S 18?55mm f/3.5-5.6.

Phenomenal magnification
Extension tubes are close-up accessories placed between the camera body and the lens to enable high-magnification photography. Through eight electronic contact points, electronic function is the same as during normal photography for compatible lenses. Magnification differs according to the lens, but for standard zoom lenses it is about 0.3 to 0.5 for the Extension Tube EF12II and 0.7 or over for the Extension Tube EF25II.

Mounting and data transfer
Both extension tubes have a white lens mount index (in addition to the traditional red marking) to indicate compatibility with the new EF-S lens. When mounted between an EOS camera and an EF lens, standard EOS-dedicated information is transferred seamlessly between camera body and lens. This includes lens status, lens type, metering information, focal length and AF drive information.