DigiCamReview have reviewed the entry-level Pentax *ist DL digital SLR camera. The Pentax *ist DL is a 6.1 megapixel DSLR which features a 2.5 LCD screen and light 16 ounce body.

“Image quality is excellent, the images have very good colour, with good contrast and detail, with low noise except at higher ISO settings. Images were slightly smoothed but this is adjustable within the camera. Purple fringing was not noticed, and red-eye was not a problem. The camera was very competent at focusing (except on very plain or dark surfaces).  Vignetting in photos was very mild and I did not notice barrel or pincushion distortion. There is a good range of image sizes, and the compression options include a RAW mode.  Auto white balance and metering, and exposure seemed to be good to very good.”

Website: DigiCamReview - Pentax *ist DL Review

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ePhotoZine have reviewed the Casio EX-S600, a 6 megapixel ultra-slim digital camera with a movie stabilizer function that reduces camera shake when recording movies.

“The Anti-shake DSP function is basically a glorified high-sensitivity mode. In situations when light levels drop and camera shake would normally occur, the camera raises the ISO sensitivity to increase the shutter speed. This can still be an effective way of reducing camera shake, the major drawback is that higher sensitivities mean more image noise. The camera bumped the sensitivity up to ISO1600 for the shot on the left, which has resulted in a sharp image. It hasn’t suffered greatly from digital noise either.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Casio EX-S600 Review

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Imaging Resource have just reviewed the new 5 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS2 digicam.

“With a five-megapixel CCD, a 3x zoom and a new 1-point high speed Autofocus option, the LS2 has plenty of functionality while still listing for less than $200. Where it sets itself apart from cameras like the Canon A530 and Sony S600 is that the LS2 offers Panasonic’s mega-helpful MEGA Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.), which is great for reducing blur from handshake. The LS2 is the only camera in its price range to offer optical image stabilization, which is certainly a strong selling point. Though it doesn’t dazzle with its design—the camera is basically a slightly rounded silver brick—it’s not unattractive to look at either.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS2 Review

Website: Read my Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS2 Review

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DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the new dual lens Kodak V570 camera.

“he dual-lens system offers indisputable advantages, not to mention the fact that this type of wide-angle packaged in a compact digital camera is absolutely unique. However, it remains a pity that the image quality ranges only from average to good, and that we see rivalling 5 Megapixel digital cameras produce better results. Overall, the images are not as sharp as one would expect, which greatly affects the fine details in the image. Granted, the results do improve after applying a little extra sharpness to the image, but this is in fact a process that should already have taken place inside the camera.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Kodak V570 Review

Website: Read my Kodak Easyshare V570 Review

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This week’s Gary’s Parries topics are:

1. Nikon D70 Front-Focused Images
2. The Big Picture
3. A Question! A Question! My Kingdom For A Question!

Introducing this week’s Gary’s Parries column. Everything you always wanted to know about digital cameras, but were afraid to ask. No question too difficult, or too easy. As a Senior Principal Software Engineer, and a former Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems, as well as a recording studio owner/operator, and now, a digital camera enthusiast, GARY has more digital camera knowledge in his entire brain than most people have in their little finger. In the unlikely event that GARY would not know the answer to your question, he will answer it anyway, true to the spirit of the word “Parries”, a fencing term which, in this context, implies “cleverly evasive answers”. So let your imagination run wild. Email all your nagging digital camera questions to: [email protected], and then, En Garde!

You may also attach to your email an ORIGINAL PHOTO of your choosing. A preview of the photo will be displayed with your question, and a full-sized version will be just a click away. No personal information will be published with your question unless you specifically include it in the text or attached photo of your email, which may be further edited for grammar, content, or other reasons.

Wi-Fi has started to appear as a built-in feature in a few digital cameras, most notably with the Kodak EasyShare One, but earlier this week a company called Eye-Fi revealed plans to make Wi-Fi available to a whole lot more digicams by embedding wireless into an SD card. In an earlier Saturday Shout you gave your opinion on whether Wi-FI was a good thing, the general concensus being that it needed more support to succeed (more camera, software, networks support etc). So do you think a Wi-Fi SD card would open up the market and create more interest in this feature? Is this the best way of adding Wi-Fi capabiliy to digital cameras? Would you buy a Wi-Fi enabled SD card for your camera? Shout out now…

Here are the stand-out news stories from the last 7 days:

New Cameras
Casio EX-Z5

New Accessories
Wi-Fi Enabled SD Cards

New Software
Apple Aperture 1.1.1
Sony DSC-H2 Version 2 Firmware Update

Other Headlines
Kodak Reports 1st Quarter Sales of $2.889 Billion
Fujifilm’s Real Photo Technology Explained
Pixelplus 1/11th Inch Image Sensor

Apple have just released Aperture 1.1.1, a free update for current owners of Aperture. This update addresses several issues related to performance, stability, color correction, and display compatibility and is recommended for all Aperture users.

Note: You must first update to Aperture 1.1 and Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later before installing Aperture 1.1.1.

Website: Apple Aperture 1.1.1 Update

Kodak Press Release

Digital Sales Increase 29%; 1st-Qtr GAAP Net Loss Totals $298 Million ($1.04 Per Share); Company Ends Quarter with $1.077 Billion in Cash; Company Reaffirms 2006 Performance Targets in Three Key Areas: Digital Earnings Growth, Digital Revenue Growth, and Cash Generation

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 4—Eastman Kodak Company reported that revenue rose 2% in the first quarter, led by a 29% increase in the sale of digital products and services. On the basis of generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP), the company reported a first-quarter loss of $298 million, or $1.04 per share, largely stemming from restructuring charges ($197 million after taxes) and rising silver and oil costs.

Kodak UK Press Release

New centre will strengthen Kodak’s position at the forefront of technological advances in digital imaging, display technology and health care.

Cambridge, May 4th 2006- At a ceremony attended by representatives from the European Commission, academia and industry on 26th April, Mr Ken Ducatel, Member of the European Commission for Information Society & Media, officially opened Kodak’s new European Research Centre, which is based on the Cambridge Science Park. This groundbreaking facility was established at the end of 2005 to consolidate the company’s research operations in Europe and forge increased links with Europe’s leading university.

Sony have released a new firmware update, Version 2, for the new Sony DSC-H2 ultrazoom camera.

Sony has recently discovered a problem in the Digital Still Camera Cyber-shot DSC-H2 where SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo media may not be recognized.

When inserting or removing a Memory Stick Pro Duo made by SanDisk, the following errors may occur:
- Appearance of an error message to reinsert the Memory Stick.
- File error.
- Error indication “C13:01”

O’Reilly Press Release

Introducing “dekePod”—Fresh, Fast, Hip Video Podcasting Scan & Open Money in Photoshop

Sebastopol, CA—Digital imaging guru Deke McClelland, today introduced the pilot for his new show “dekePod”—a video podcast with a hip, visually compelling style. “dekePod” is personal and entertaining with rapid-fire imagery that keeps the viewer engaged. The pilot episode “It’s Your Money, Scan It!” shows viewers a workaround in Photoshop to scan and open money (legal in the U.S. under the specific guidelines detailed at www.rulesforuse.org). Deke is the host of this educational, zippy, sometimes laugh-out-loud show.

ePhotoZine have posted their review of the Ricoh Caplio R4, a 6 megapixel camera with 7x zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen and Vibration Correction function.

“I really enjoyed using the Ricoh Caplio R4, having a long zoom range like this in such a tiny camera is a lot of fun, especially as it is equivalent to 28mm at the wide end. The price you pay is in the maximum aperture of the lens being only f/3.3-4.8, although in my opinion it is a price worth paying. Also the CCD shift vibration correction is very effective, with good technique long exposures are possible handheld.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Ricoh Caplio R4 Review

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DCResource have reviewed the 7.5 megapixel, live preview Olympus E-330 DSLR camera, awarding it their “Editor’s Choice” award.

“The Olympus EVOLT E-330 is a breath of fresh air in the often stale world of consumer digital SLRs. While most new D-SLRs add things like more resolution and a larger LCD, Olympus has broken the mold and given us a camera with a live view LCD that everyone with a fixed-lens camera has been enjoying for ten years. Being a new technology, the live view feature is not without its problems, and the tradeoffs that come with it should be carefully thought over before you drop the thousand dollars (or more) On the E-330. If you can live with these tradeoffs you’ll find a capable digital SLR that lets you shoot in ways that were impossible—or at least back-breaking—on other cameras in this class.”

Website: DCResource - Olympus E-330 Review

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Digital Photography Blog have a short review of the Fujifilm FinePix F10 Zoom, which has an ISO range of 80 to 1600, Super CCD sensor with 6.1 megapixels and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“This is not a digital camera for people who want lots of manual controls. It does have five ‘shooting modes’ (natural light, portrait, landscape, sport and night modes) as well as a one touch macro mode but beyond that in ‘manual mode’ you only really have some basic control over exposure compensation and white balance. I played around with these settings but found that in most cases the fully automatic mode performed to such a high standard that manual mode is not something I’d use a lot with this camera. This is the reason that I first thought of this camera as a great mothers day gift - I know not all mums are ‘auto mode shooters’ but my mum is!”

Website: Digital Photography Blog - Fujifilm FinePix F10 Zoom Review

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The new Casio EX-Z5 is announced. Offering 5 megapixels, 3x zoom, a 2.5 inch LCD screen and integrated Anti Shake DSP (Digital Signal Processor), the Casio EX-Z5 will be available from the end of May 2006.

Casio Europe Press Release

Norderstedt, April 2006 - The new EXILIM EX-Z5 is the perfect companion for the summer. With its matt-brushed, black surface it is a well-designed eye-catcher in every situation. At the same time the easy-to-handle digital camera convinces due to its simple operability and innovative EXILIM technologies. Users appreciate the 5 mega-pixel resolution with 3x optical zoom for fantastic photo quality, as well as the 2.5-inch TFT color display to view the photo motifs in comfort. A large number of BEST SHOT motif programs, which can be easily activated via the BEST SHOT button, makes it easy to take photographs at selected moments. Beginners therefore also have the possibility of setting their digital camera specifically to outside motif conditions. The freely selectable Easy Mode prevents inadvertent adjustment of the technical settings and makes it easier than ever to take pictures. The DIRECT ON function rounds off the user-friendly operability of the EX-Z5.

Microsoft have just announced a new photo contest aimed at college students, complete with a $20,000 first prize!

“The inaugural Microsoft Future Pro Photographers Photography Contest is the most lucrative contest of its kind and provides a unique opportunity for college and university student photographers from around the world to showcase their artistic talent and photographic style.  Microsoft is committed to carrying the art of digital photography forward by encouraging new and emerging talent at the student level to learn, utilize, and implement state-of-the-art equipment, software, and techniques to produce the finest images possible.”

The submission period is May 1st until May 31st, so you don’t have much time left to enter.

Website: Microsoft Future Pro Photographer Contest

Nokia Press Release

Five of world’s best photographers recognize up and coming photography talents

Espoo, Finland - A software engineer from India has today been named the global winner of the Nokia Nseries See New competition, one of the most ambitious mobile photography competitions ever undertaken, judged by five of the world’s best photographers. Pinjalim Bora joined thousands of people from around the world taking up the challenge to ‘shoot new’ - capturing something from a different angle or something never previously photographed - using a megapixel camera phone.  Pinjalim’s image, ‘The Nose Ball’ caught the eye of judge Raghu Rai, one of India’s most respected documentary photographers and was then voted the overall winner by a panel of Nokia imaging experts.

Epson UK Press Release

4th May 2006 - At the heart of all Epson’s digital printing technology lies the unique Micro Piezo print head.  The leader of the project responsible for its invention, Minoru Usui, currently Seiko Epson director and the general administrative manager of the Production and Engineering & Development Division, has been awarded the prestigious Perkin Medal in recognition of his achievement.  The award, established by the Society of Dyers and Colourists, recognizes individuals for their outstanding technical development within the realm of colour science. Only 22 of these medals have been awarded since the award’s inauguration in 1901.

Sony UK Press Release

Sony United Kingdom Ltd is pleased to announce the arrival of Paul Genge from Konica Minolta. Having previously spent 7 years at Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Limited, working as Product Manager Paul has a wealth of experience in the Digital Imaging market. Paul will work closely with the Sony Digital Imaging team lead by Shaun Dorrington on current and future developments in this area.

“Sony develops leading digital imaging technologies appealing to photographers who desire the increased performance of Digital SLR systems, I am pleased to join Sony at this exciting time and assist in the challenge of establishing Sony at the forefront of Digital SLR photography” said Paul Genge.