News
Canon have just announced quarterly operating profits of 18.7%, boosted by the weak Yen and strong sales of digital cameras and printers.
“As for digital cameras, Canon maintained its sales forecast of 19.2 million units, citing uncertainty amid growing price competition in the sector.”
Website: Reuters - Canon says Q1 profit up 19 pct, raises outlook
Canon have just announced quarterly operating profits of 18.7%, boosted by the weak Yen and strong sales of digital cameras and printers. “As for digital cameras, Canon maintained its sales forecast of 19.2 million units, citing uncertainty amid growing price competition in the sector.” Website: Reuters - Canon says Q…
Sony have announced the largest profit rise, 68% for 2005/6, on the back of good sales of PSPs, LCD screens and Vaio PCs. The Reuters report doens’t contain much information about the company’s dgital camera division.
“Sony plans to boost capital spending by 20 percent this year to 460 billion yen, with a good chunk of that going to image sensor chips. As a result, its depreciation and amortisation burden will rise 7 percent to 410 billion yen.”
Website: Reuters - Sony’s profit jumps 68 pct, sees PlayStation costs
Sony have announced the largest profit rise, 68% for 2005/6, on the back of good sales of PSPs, LCD screens and Vaio PCs. The Reuters report doens’t contain much information about the company’s dgital camera division. “Sony plans to boost capital spending by 20 percent this year to 460 billion…
ACD Systems Press Release
ACD Systems Updates ACDSee 8 and ACDSee Pro Photo Manager - Company renews commitment to customers with added RAW support and feature improvements
VICTORIA, British Columbia – April. 27, 2006 – ACD Systems International Inc. (TSX: ASA), today announced updates to its two flagship products, ACDSee 8 Photo Manager and ACDSee Pro Photo Manager. The enhancements are designed to improve speed, performance and productivity, and include advanced support for RAW formats that meet and exceed industry demands. “In our continued commitment to our customers, these updates allow them to take full advantage of the powerful capabilities that the RAW format offers,” said James Latham, vice president of marketing for ACD Systems. “Professional photographers depend on the latest RAW format support and feature improvements, while photo enthusiasts are just beginning to discover this format. These releases underscore our commitment to delivering the very best in product integrity and flexibility, and providing feature improvements that make the user experience and workflow both smoother and more enjoyable.”
ACD Systems Press Release ACD Systems Updates ACDSee 8 and ACDSee Pro Photo Manager - Company renews commitment to customers with added RAW support and feature improvements VICTORIA, British Columbia – April. 27, 2006 – ACD Systems International Inc. (TSX: ASA), today announced updates to its two flagship products, ACDSee…
Nikon USA Press Release
Nikon continues to break new ground in the world of digiscoping — not only with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, but with how simple it has made matching up the proper components in a digiscoping system. The new Nikon Coolpix DigiScope 8.1 Photo Package is the simplest, most versatile digiscoping system ever, putting extreme high power, high-resolution digital photo capabilities into the hands of wildlife photographers of every level. This new package includes the latest in Nikon’s digital cameras—the Nikon COOLPIX P4 digital camera, a Nikon 16x/24x/30x wide Digiscoping Eyepiece, and a Nikon DigiScope P4 Digital Camera Adapter Bracket. MSRP for this package is $729.95. The only thing you need to add to complete the system is your choice of Nikon Fieldscope body: whether it’s the award-winning 82mm Fieldscope ED, 60mm Fieldscope or 60mm Fieldscope ED or the incredibly compact, new 50mm Fieldscope ED (awarded Outdoor Life magazine’s 2006 Editor’s Choice in spotting scopes).
Nikon USA Press Release Nikon continues to break new ground in the world of digiscoping — not only with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, but with how simple it has made matching up the proper components in a digiscoping system. The new Nikon Coolpix DigiScope 8.1 Photo Package is the simplest…
Samsung Press Release
Samsung Techwin has announced the selection of its convergence camera Digimax i6 PMP as the “Best Multimedia D-Camera” by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) of Europe. TIPA is an association of expert editors from 31 major camera and video related professional magazines throughout 12 European countries, and TIPA Awards are given annually to some of the world’s best products. The “MULTIMEDIA D-CAMERA” category was added this year as the convergence products gain popularity in the digital industry, and Korea’s “Digimax i6 PMP” was selected to be its very first recipient.
Samsung Press Release Samsung Techwin has announced the selection of its convergence camera Digimax i6 PMP as the “Best Multimedia D-Camera” by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) of Europe. TIPA is an association of expert editors from 31 major camera and video related professional magazines throughout 12 European countries…
Digital Trends have the first review of the Kodak Easyshare V610, the world’s smallest 10x zoom digital camera.
“Since the V610 has built-in Bluetooth capability, I couldn’t resist beaming an image or three to a Kodak Printer Dock Plus Series 3. It’s as easy as can be. By hitting the Share button and entering the Bluetooth menu, 4x6 prints were churned out with nary a wire to be seen. This is a very nicely implemented function. After going through the tediousness of setting up a Bluetooth USB adapter on my laptop and PC, I was able to send images to them as well.”
Website: Digital Trends - Kodak Easyshare V610 Review
Website: Read my Kodak Easyshare V610 Review
Digital Trends have the first review of the Kodak Easyshare V610, the world’s smallest 10x zoom digital camera. “Since the V610 has built-in Bluetooth capability, I couldn’t resist beaming an image or three to a Kodak Printer Dock Plus Series 3. It’s as easy as can be. By hitting the…
CNET have published the first online review of the SD700 IS (also known as the Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS), a 6 megapixel camera with an image stabilized 4x zoom lens (first time on an IXUS camera).
“Though it’s the first SD-series Digital ELPH to use Canon’s optical image stabilization system, the SD700 IS does a very good job of minimizing blur. Zoomed-in photos look crisp and clean with image stabilization, and wide-angle, low-light photos suffer less blur than usual.”
Website: CNET - Canon SD700 IS Review
Website: Read our Canon SD700 IS Review
CNET have published the first online review of the SD700 IS (also known as the Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS), a 6 megapixel camera with an image stabilized 4x zoom lens (first time on an IXUS camera). “Though it’s the first SD-series Digital ELPH to use Canon’s optical image stabilization…
DIWA member Steves Digicams have the first review of the wireless Canon PIXMA MP800R all-in-one printer.
“The Canon PIXMA MP-800R Photo-All-in-One can do everything that other “multi purpose” photo devices can do plus it can also scan and print 35mm slides and film too. It’s a 1200dpi flatbed scanner, a one-page color copier and a high quality photo printer. You can make digital prints directly from flash memory cards, PictBridge-enabled digital cameras or from a computer. The only thing it doesn’t do is transmit and receive faxes. Equipped with Canon’s FINE printhead and 5-color individually replaceable ink tanks, it’s an economical photo inkjet printer with exceptional print quality. It’s also a very speedy all-purpose printer with both a top and bottom paper source.”
DIWA member Steves Digicams have the first review of the wireless Canon PIXMA MP800R all-in-one printer. “The Canon PIXMA MP-800R Photo-All-in-One can do everything that other “multi purpose” photo devices can do plus it can also scan and print 35mm slides and film too. It’s a 1200dpi flatbed scanner, a…
DigitalCameraInfo have taken a look at the new 6 megapixel Sony DSC W30 which offers a 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD screen.
“Built with the technologically disadvantaged in mind, the W30 comes with a function guide that explains what each mode is for and how to make large prints from each image size. A High Sensitivity mode also allows entry-level photographers to grab a low-light shot without the flash. This mode utilizes the high end of the wide 80-1000 ISO range included on the Cyber-shot W30. While its inclusion is a bonus for such an affordably priced digital camera, the mode itself yields less than lovely pictures. Even with Sony’s noise reduction system at full throttle, a lot of noise comes through.”
DigitalCameraInfo have taken a look at the new 6 megapixel Sony DSC W30 which offers a 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD screen. “Built with the technologically disadvantaged in mind, the W30 comes with a function guide that explains what each mode is for and how to make…
Imaging Resource have just reviewed the Canon PowerShot SD430 (also known as the Digital IXUS WIRELESS), which features automatic wireless image transfer, wireless control of camera shooting functions from a PC and ships with a wireless print adapter.
“The Canon ELPH series of digital cameras continues to be a popular option for many consumers, given its tiny size and reputation for great quality. Although exposure control is mainly automatic, the availability of exposure times as long as 15 seconds and adjustable ISO increases the Canon PowerShot SD430’s exposure versatility a great deal. The uncomplicated user interface and smooth styling help novices and more advanced amateurs alike feel at home, with enough control over the exposure to make both happy. And when it comes time to print, the Canon SD430 can do it effortlessly without a cable. It really is ridiculously simple. It makes a great all-around camera for anyone, and would make a good second camera for enthusiasts who don’t want to lug along their full-size all-the-bells-and-whistles camera. All in all, it’s one of the better subcompact digital cameras currently on the market.”
Imaging Resource have just reviewed the Canon PowerShot SD430 (also known as the Digital IXUS WIRELESS), which features automatic wireless image transfer, wireless control of camera shooting functions from a PC and ships with a wireless print adapter. “The Canon ELPH series of digital cameras continues to be a popular…
Seagate Press Release
First-ever 750GB External Hard Drive can Store it all - Your Entire Digital Music, Movie, Photo and Data Libraries in the Same Desk Space as a Stapler
SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.—27 April 2006— Seagate Technology (NYSE:STX), the world’s number one hard drive maker, today introduced the world’s first three-quarter Terabyte external hard drive - the Seagate 750GB Pushbutton Back-up Hard Drive. As the newest addition to Seagate’s award winning line of consumer products, the stylish 750GB Pushbutton Back-up Hard Drive is designed to offer the most convenient way for consumers to store all of their treasured digital content right on their desktop. For the first time, digital aficionados can easily manage their ever-increasing digital content on one small desktop device that can hold all of the following: 15,000 digital songs, 15,000 digital photos, 50 hours of home videos, 50 computer games, and 25 DVD movies - with 300GB of additional space left over to easily backup their notebook and desktop computers. What previously would have resided on multiple hard drives in a large enclosure on the floor has now been replaced by Seagate with a sleek, stylish desktop design that takes up as little space as a tape dispenser.
Seagate Press Release First-ever 750GB External Hard Drive can Store it all - Your Entire Digital Music, Movie, Photo and Data Libraries in the Same Desk Space as a Stapler SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif.—27 April 2006— Seagate Technology (NYSE:STX), the world’s number one hard drive maker, today introduced the world’s first…
Ricoh have released a new firmware version, 2.02, for the Ricoh GR Digital, an 8 megapixel compact digicam based on the GR Series of 35mm compact film cameras.
- Improved accuracy of the AF algorithm when used the AF Target Shift Function.
Ricoh have released a new firmware version, 2.02, for the Ricoh GR Digital, an 8 megapixel compact digicam based on the GR Series of 35mm compact film cameras. - Improved accuracy of the AF algorithm when used the AF Target Shift Function. Website: Ricoh GR Digital v2.02 Firmware Update (Windows)…
Olympus have released a new firmware update, version 1.1, for the 7.5 megapixel, live preview Olympus E-330 DSLR camera.
The update adds the following improvements:
- Improved image quality of 10x enlargement in Live-View B mode (macro live view).
- Live-View B mode (macro live view) can be used in underwater macro mode and underwater wide mode . (Only when the mode dial is customized)
- Changes made to Korean Language.
Olympus have released a new firmware update, version 1.1, for the 7.5 megapixel, live preview Olympus E-330 DSLR camera. The update adds the following improvements: - Improved image quality of 10x enlargement in Live-View B mode (macro live view). - Live-View B mode (macro live view) can be used in…
Jobo Press Release
Gummersbach/Germany. JOBO AG has been awarded the prestigious Best Technology in Europe Award at the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) European Photo & Imaging Awards 2006. The TIPA is an organization of 31 different specialist camera publications from 12 countries throughout Europe. It is among the leading and most influential organizations in the imaging industry in Europe. JOBO is very proud to earn this high decoration as a small medium-sized company with its long tradition in the market. The product draft is fully aimed on the professional photo features that JOBO already developed and marketed since 1923 in the worldwide photo market. With own products like GIGA Vu PRO evolution JOBO documents the jump in the digital future has been succeeded and ideas and concepts are fully aimed at the market of DSLR cameras. This is also reflected in today’s 85% of the sales at JOBO are generated by the digital business.
Jobo Press Release Gummersbach/Germany. JOBO AG has been awarded the prestigious Best Technology in Europe Award at the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) European Photo & Imaging Awards 2006. The TIPA is an organization of 31 different specialist camera publications from 12 countries throughout Europe. It is among the leading…
Nikon UK Press Release
Wednesday April 26, 2006 - Nikon has scooped three awards at the prestigious Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) awards 2006 with three top products earning best-in-class accolades. The D200 was named “Best D-SLR Expert in Europe 2006”, the D50 won the “Best D-SLR Entry Level in Europe 2006” award and the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED has been dubbed the “Best professional Lens in Europe 2006”. Martina Beckmann, Manager Marketing Communications at Nikon Europe BV, said: “We are delighted to receive the three TIPA awards, especially after the success we had last year with the Nikon F6, Nikon COOLPIX 7900 and the Nikon AF-S VR 200 f/2 lens all winning awards.”
Nikon UK Press Release Wednesday April 26, 2006 - Nikon has scooped three awards at the prestigious Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) awards 2006 with three top products earning best-in-class accolades. The D200 was named “Best D-SLR Expert in Europe 2006”, the D50 won the “Best D-SLR Entry Level in…
DIWA member Steves Digicams have just reviewed the Canon PowerShot SD630 (also called the Canon Digital IXUS 65), a 6 megapixel camera with 3x zoom lens, ISO 800, Widescreen (16:9) mode and a 3 inch LCD screen.
“As usual, the SD630’s ergonomics are awesome. At about the size of a deck of playing cards, it can easily be tucked away in any pocket, yet still fits comfortably in your hands. The well positioned controls fall naturally underneath your finger tips, and we especially like the zoom controls being mounted around the shutter release. The 3.0-inch LCD takes up over 2/3 of the back of the camera. I noticed it was a bit more reflective than we have seen on other Canon models, however it was still very useable outdoors in bright sunlight. When shooting in marginal lighting conditions (indoors, at night, etc.), the display “gains up” well, which helps aid in framing.”
DIWA member Steves Digicams have just reviewed the Canon PowerShot SD630 (also called the Canon Digital IXUS 65), a 6 megapixel camera with 3x zoom lens, ISO 800, Widescreen (16:9) mode and a 3 inch LCD screen. “As usual, the SD630’s ergonomics are awesome. At about the size of a…
Imaging Resource have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-LX1, an 8.4 megapixel digital camera with a 4x Leica optical zoom lens equivalent to 28-112mm, optical image stabilizer and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.
“The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 was a bit of a mixed bag in the output quality department. On the one hand, it delivered loads of fine detail, its excellent lens and conservative in-camera sharpening algorithms doing a great job of delivering crisp-looking images without coarsening fine detail or leaving behind other distracting artifacts. The downside is that at least some of this commendable sharpness comes at the expense of image noise: Even minimum-ISO shots in full sunlight show at least some evidence of chroma (color) noise, which increases steadily as you increment the ISO light sensitivity setting.”
Website: Imaging Resource - Panasonic DMC-LX1 Review
Imaging Resource have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-LX1, an 8.4 megapixel digital camera with a 4x Leica optical zoom lens equivalent to 28-112mm, optical image stabilizer and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. “The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 was a bit of a mixed bag in the output quality department. On the one…
DPReview have the first online review of the new Kodak Easyshare Z650, which has a 6.1-megapixel sensor and 10x zoom lens.
“Although it offers some real improvements over the Z740 (better picture quality, larger screen), it’s more evolutionary than radical. Like its predecessor it’s actually a very nice camera, and an easy and (usually) enjoyable one to use, and the color is typical Kodak - rich, vivid and generally very accurate. It’s also very compact, has excellent photographic controls and is very easy to use. The results won’t win it any awards for detail or sharpness, but - once you’ve spent a few days with it and learned its foibles - the Z650 is capable of a very high hit rate…”
DPReview have the first online review of the new Kodak Easyshare Z650, which has a 6.1-megapixel sensor and 10x zoom lens. “Although it offers some real improvements over the Z740 (better picture quality, larger screen), it’s more evolutionary than radical. Like its predecessor it’s actually a very nice camera, and…
DPReview are first out of the blocks with their review of the Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z850 camera, which offers 8.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens, manual exposure and advanced flash options.
“So then, a camera that improves on its highly capable predecessor, and one that proves anyone writes off Casio because it is better known for cheap watches than high performance cameras is ignoring one of the most innovative manufacturers in the market. But it is also a camera with a few infuriating - though far from fatal - flaws that mean it can’t be considered 100% foolproof, and though capable of some of the best results in its class the EX-Z850 doesn’t necessarily supply them using its default, fully automatic settings, which is unfortunate.”
Website: DPReview - Sony Casio EX-Z850 Review
DPReview are first out of the blocks with their review of the Casio EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z850 camera, which offers 8.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens, manual exposure and advanced flash options. “So then, a camera that improves on its highly capable predecessor, and one that proves anyone writes off Casio…
DCResource have the first online review of the Sony DSC-W100, an 8 megapixel camera with 3x zoom lens and ISO 1250.
“I have a bit of a dilemma in writing my final thoughts about the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W100. On the one hand, it’s a very good camera. In fact, it exceeded my expectations in terms of photo quality and high ISO performance. At the same time, I’m a bit disappointed that Sony didn’t add more features to separate it from the other W-series cameras. In other words, is it worth the price premium for a higher resolution sensor and limited manual controls, while giving up battery life and conversion lens support? Ultimately that decision in yours.”
Website: DCResource - Sony DSC-W100 Review
DCResource have the first online review of the Sony DSC-W100, an 8 megapixel camera with 3x zoom lens and ISO 1250. “I have a bit of a dilemma in writing my final thoughts about the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W100. On the one hand, it’s a very good camera. In fact, it…