JP Distribution Press Release

JP Distribution is pleased to announce the new Digital Master L-758 Light Meter from Sekonic. The Digital Master L-758 is the world’s first multi-functional light meter that can be calibrated to match the sensitivity of a digital cameras sensor at all ISO settings, flash/ambient or file format characteristics. Sekonic have ensured that the L-758 offers photographers the greatest digital exposure control, accuracy and repeatability. Available in October, price to be confirmed.

The PictureMate Pal, Snap and Flash will all be available in September 2006 for $149, $199 and $299.

Epson America Press Release

Epson Builds on Success of PictureMate® Personal Photo Lab Family With New Printers That Deliver Even Better Image Quality, Speed and Ease of Use - PictureMate Pal, Snap and Flash Offer Professional Quality 4” x 6” Photos That Consumers Can Easily Print Themselves

LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/—Building on the phenomenal success of the PictureMate personal photo lab line, Epson America Inc. today announced three new printer models, which enable consumers to easily print professional looking 4” x 6” photos themselves at home or wherever they choose, with or without a computer. The newest PictureMate printer line, which includes PictureMate Pal™, PictureMate Snap™ and PictureMate Flash™, boasts several improvements over the previous generation, including features that make it even easier to print the best looking photos with no tradeoffs.

Casio have released a new firmware version (v1.03) for the Casio EX-S500, which adds SDHC memory card format support.

Website: Casio EX-S500 v1.03 Firmware Update

Sony have released a firmware update, v1.01, for the 10.2 megapixel Sony A100 DSLR camera.

The firmware update is to:
  1. Address the symptom that in very rare cases, RAW format files may not be opened by the supplied image control software, Picture Motion Browser.
  2. Improve image gradation when the shutter speed is 1 sec or longer.
  3. Improve printed picture quality when the image is printed by Epson(R) printer under PRINT Image Matching.

Website: Sony A100 v1.01 Firmware

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Pentax have released firmware updates for their *ist DL and DS series digital SLR cameras, adding support for the new SDHC memory card format.

Website: Pentax *ist DL2 v1.01 Firmware
Website: Pentax *ist DS2 v1.01 Firmware

Website: Pentax *ist DL v1.02 Firmware
Website: Pentax *ist DS v2.01 Firmware

ArcSoft Press Release

FREMONT, CA— Sep 05, 2006—ArcSoft, Inc. announced today ArcSoft® PhotoStudio® Darkroom, a new software application that focuses on non-destructive photo processing for RAW, JPEG and TIFF image files. The program offers professional photographers and photo hobbyists a complete set of image enhancement tools and export options inside a professional user interface. “As the popularity of DSLR cameras and RAW image processing grows, it becomes important to offer a photo software solution that works for a wide range of users. ArcSoft PhotoStudio Darkroom meets that need,” said Mr. Michael Downs, ArcSoft Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “The program boasts high-speed performance and a full catalog of advanced photo processing tools inside an interface that makes it easy for everyone to get the professional results they’re looking for.”

Samsung UK Press Release

International footballer and Samsung Cameras demonstrate great teamwork

London, UK – September, 2006: Chelsea and England footballer star, Joe Cole, has signed an exclusive partnership with Samsung Cameras to champion their new NV range of stylish digital cameras. This high profile relationship highlights Samsung’s dedication to the new NV series with Cole’s skill and creative flair on the pitch reflecting the high performance and results experienced with Samsung cameras. Both Joe Cole and the Samsung cameras are supremely talented in their own fields and this partnership is sure to reinforce the profile of Samsung as a serious player in the digital camera arena.

Nikon UK Press Release

Opodo Reflections and Nikon reveal new trends in travel photography

Thursday September 7, 2006 - The Feb launch of Opodo Reflections, in association with Nikon, to celebrate and reward budding photographers has brought to light some beautiful travel images from all over the world. Proof that more and more everyday holidaymakers are turning their hands to professional photography with the help of today’s digital camera technology. On the back of this, a recent survey of customers from the Opodo database* has revealed some significant and exciting changes in today’s travel photography trends…

Shutterfly Press Release

Shutterfly launches simple digital scrapbooking solutions with customizable pre-set styles designed to save customers time while sharing memories

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — (September 6, 2006) — Shutterfly, Inc., an Internet-based social expression and personal publishing service, today introduced a new line of Photo Books, designed to make it easier than ever for customers to be thoughtful and creative with their memories.  Joining Shutterfly’s award-winning hardcover 8x11 Classic Book and softcover 5x7 Casual Book, the Company’s new Photo Book line-up features three square book formats: the 12x12 Memory Book, the 8x8 Story Book and the 4x4 Brag Book. Nearly two thirds (65%) of Shutterfly customers surveyed cited the main reason that they preferred Shutterfly Photo Books is because the service is “easy to use.”  To build on this positive experience, Shutterfly added new design tools, a larger workspace, hundreds of creative page designs, greater editing flexibility including detailed preview and “zoom” features and the ability to re-arrange completed pages.  The new Photo Book creation process gives customers numerous choices while building the ultimate Photo Book in less time.

IDC Press Release

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 6, 2006—U.S. digital still camera and camcorder owners are accessorizing to complement existing assets. According to a new IDC survey of U.S. digital still camera and camcorder owners, 84% of respondents have purchased accessories, and the majority are very pleased with those purchases. For those looking to purchase accessories in the future, memory cards, add-on lenses, and 4x6 photo printers are among the wish-list leaders. “When digital still cameras owners outshoot the capacity of the memory card bundled with their camera, they are very willing to purchase additional, higher capacity cards,” said Chris Chute, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Digital Imaging Solutions group. The 4x6 photo printer has also emerged as a critical accessory to digital still camera users. “Photo printers are helping break the chains of traditional PC dependency,” Chute said. “Ease of use, photo print speed improvements and eroding prices are contributing factors to the success of the 4x6 photo printer.”

Up to 640x480 resolution, RAW file format not included…

Disney Press Release

Disney Launches New Line of Digital Cameras for Children; Designed to Inspire Creativity, Disney Pix Click Features Easy-To-Use Editing Software for a Fun and Personalized Experience

BURBANK, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 7, 2006—Fostering creativity and stretching the imaginations of children have long been a part of the Disney legacy, this month Disney Consumer Products delivers on this tradition with a new line of Disney Pix digital cameras especially designed for kids and tweens. Available in a variety of styles and character-themed designs for all ages, including “High School Musical,” “Cars” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” the new Disney Pix line features digital cameras, camcorders and peripherals that allow young users to shoot, edit, print and share their own digital photographs.

Breeze Systems Press Release

BreezeBrowser Pro v1.5.2.3 adds support for reading and writing Adobe XMP data, new keyword, IPTC scene and subject code editors and picture frames for slideshows and proofs. BreezeBrowser Pro runs on Windows and is available on a 15 day free trial from Breeze Systems’ website. BreezeBrowser Pro v1.5.2.3 is a free upgrade for all registered users who purchased a license within the last year. BreezeBrowser users and users who purchased a license for BreezeBrowser Pro before 1 September 2005 please see the upgrade page for details on upgrading.

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have just reviewed the new 10x zoom, 5 megapixel, compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 digital camera.

“Although the Panasonic Lumix TZ1 did well in the test run and we really enjoyed having the MEGA O.I.S image stabilizer, we still see some challenges ahead for Panasonic. The noise ratio at ISO values of 400 and higher is still a stumbling block for this manufacturer. Looking at the competition, we can see that it is possible to get more out of the small CCD image sensors and to have less obvious noise than there was at 400 ISO and higher.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Review

Website: Read my Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Review

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The-Digital-Picture have reviewed the new Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC lens.

“The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Lens’ AF sound is relatively quiet but not silent like an HSM or USM lens. AF speed is on the slow side of average. AF accuracy was also on the low side of average. When shooting the very well-lit ideal focus point on ISO 12233 chart tests using AF, every other image was completely out of focus at 18mm f/2.8 and AF was inconsistent at 24mm. In real world use, I missed a noticeably higher number of shots than I should have. AF performance was especially poor in low light (where focus hunting is frequent). Results were also poor in AI Servo mode.”

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC Lens Review

Disgruntled owner Pavel Kudrys has started an online petition about the new 10 megapixel Panasonic LX2 and FZ50 digital cameras.

“The main aim of this petition is to “force” the Panasonic to release a firmware update for their very recent prosumer cameras FZ50 and LX2. This new firmware should allow the users to turn the in-camera Noise Reduction (and other picture adjustments, like contrast, saturation and sharpness) completely OFF. The current option to set the picture adjustments to LOW is not enough, because the VENUS III NR is simply too strong and kills many fine details and gives the JPEG output very smudgy and watercolor paint look.”

So far 160 people have agreed with Pavel and signed the petition. We’re in the middle of reviewing the DMC-FZ50 at the moment, so expect our comments on this “issue” soon…

Website: Panasonic LX2 / FZ50 Petition

PCMagazine have just reviewed the Epson Perfection V750 Pro scanner.

“The Epson Perfection V750-M Pro ($799.99 direct) shares most of its traits with the Epson Perfection V700 Photo. Both claim an optical resolution of 6,400 pixels per inch (ppi); both deliver among the best-quality scans I’ve ever seen; and both cost enough to be of interest only to serious photographers, particularly those with a large library of negatives and slides to digitize. But where the target market for the V700 is the serious amateur photographer, the V750-M goes one step further, aiming at both serious amateurs and professionals.”

Website: PCMagazine - Epson Perfection V750 Review

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Steves Digicams have reviewed the 7 megapixel, 12x zoom Kodak Easyshare P712 digital camera.

“Shooting performance is very robust for a camera in this class. From power-on till the first image captured measures about 3.2 seconds. Shutter lag, the delay between depressing the shutter and capturing the image, measures less than less than 1/10 of a second when pre-focused, and only 2/10 of a second including autofocus. Shooting a sequence of JPEG/Fine or RAW images in single-shot mode yielded a shot to shot time of 1.4 seconds between frames; TIFF mode slowed to about 12.5 seconds. Flash images were captured at intervals of between 1.8 and 3 seconds, depending on the subject distance.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Kodak Easyshare P712 Review

Website: Read our Kodak Easyshare P712 Review

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Norwegian website Akam.no have reviewed the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX07, which has 7.2 megapixel, a 28mm wide-angle Leica lens and optical image stabilizer.

Website: Akam.no - Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX07 Review

Website: Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX07 Review

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ThinkCamera have just reviewed the Pentax Optio A10, which features a shake reduction system, 8 megapixels and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“The A10 was released before high sensitivity modes became the norm, and the camera only offers a maximum ISO of 400 (relying on its image stabilisation to compensate in low-light). Noise is a big issue however, and the images suffer from it at all levels apart from 50 at the bottom end of the scale. Despite the noise colours and detail are good and at low ISO very sharp.”

Website: ThinkCamera - Pentax Optio A10 Review

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TrustedReviews have just reviewed the 7 megapixel Samsung NV3 digital camera.

“As well as this, the overall image quality is very good, with excellent exposure and colour rendition especially in good light, and surprisingly good dynamic range for a 1/2.5” sensor. With 7.2MP it produces plenty of detail, however some of this is lost to the noise reduction system. The NV lens is excellent, producing virtually zero distortion at wide angle, and the stepless zoom makes accurate framing easy.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Samsung NV3 Review

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