News
DPReview have posted their review of the 16 megapixel Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II DSLR.
“The EOS-1Ds was the first digital SLR released with a full frame 35 mm size sensor and the first digital SLR with double-digit megapixel count. Two years later and the new EOS-1Ds Mark II raises the megapixel count by 5.6 million pixels, which equates to a 23% increase in horizontal and vertical pixel count. It shows too, the EOS-1Ds Mark II delivers a level of detail unmatched by any other current digital SLR (excluding the more ‘exotic’ medium format backs). The 1Ds Mark II also demonstrates a level of per-pixel sharpness which is often so difficult to achieve with Bayer pattern sensors.”
Website: DPReview - Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Review
DPReview have posted their review of the 16 megapixel Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II DSLR. “The EOS-1Ds was the first digital SLR released with a full frame 35 mm size sensor and the first digital SLR with double-digit megapixel count. Two years later and the new EOS-1Ds Mark II raises the…
DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat have just reviewed the new HP Photosmart R817, which offers 5 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom lens.
Website: FotoAparat - HP Photosmart R817 Review
Website: Read my HP Photosmart R817 Review
DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat have just reviewed the new HP Photosmart R817, which offers 5 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom lens. Website: FotoAparat - HP Photosmart R817 Review Website: Read my HP Photosmart R817 Review Check the Latest Prices for the HP Photosmart R817 Write a Review…
Hungarian website Index Digicam has published a joint review of the Nikon Coolpix P1 and Nikon Coolpix P2 Wi-Fi digital cameras, which offer 8.0 and 5.1 megapixels respectively.
Website: Index Digicam - Nikon Coolpix P1 / P2 Review
Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix P1
Write a Review of the Nikon Coolpix P1
Hungarian website Index Digicam has published a joint review of the Nikon Coolpix P1 and Nikon Coolpix P2 Wi-Fi digital cameras, which offer 8.0 and 5.1 megapixels respectively. Website: Index Digicam - Nikon Coolpix P1 / P2 Review Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix P1 Write a Review…
DIWA member Steves Digicams take a look at the Canon PowerShot A410 compact digital camera, an entry level model with 3.2 megapixels and 1.5 inch LCD screen which replaces the A400. The Canon A410 offers a 3.2x optical zoom lens and includes Canon’s renowned DIGIC II image processor as used in their high-end digital SLR cameras.
“Bottom line - Canon has done it again with yet another model that offers great image quality and performance, all with a very appealing price. We feel it is a perfect money saving replacement to all those disposable 35mm cameras. It is simple to use and still includes many features found on more expensive models. With a street price of around $149 the Canon PowerShot A410 offers an excellent value to the price conscious consumer and will make a great gift this coming holiday season!”
Website: Steves Digicams - Canon PowerShot A410 Review
DIWA member Steves Digicams take a look at the Canon PowerShot A410 compact digital camera, an entry level model with 3.2 megapixels and 1.5 inch LCD screen which replaces the A400. The Canon A410 offers a 3.2x optical zoom lens and includes Canon’s renowned DIGIC II image processor as used…
The Olympus Mju Digital 800 (also called the Olympus Stylus 800) is an 8 megapixel compact digital camera with a weatherproof body that is resistant to water spray. Standout features on the Olympus Mju 800 include a large 2.5 inch LCD screen (although there is no room for an optical viewfinder), manual control in the form of shutter priority and aperture priority modes, 19 different scene modes for the novice user, and a Super Macro mode that focuses as close as 3cm from your subject. Olympus have also incorporated some completely new ideas. BrightCapture Technology, which automatically brightens the LCD screen in dark conditions, Image Blur Reduction mode, which reduces blur created by a moving subject or camera movement, and an Album function which sorts and displays your photos. So does all of this add up to make the Olympus Mju Digital 800 the perfect compact digicam for you? Find out in my extensive review.
Website: Olympus Mju Digital 800 Review
The Olympus Mju Digital 800 (also called the Olympus Stylus 800) is an 8 megapixel compact digital camera with a weatherproof body that is resistant to water spray. Standout features on the Olympus Mju 800 include a large 2.5 inch LCD screen (although there is no room for an optical…
The Epson Stylus Photo R340 printer is announced today. The Epson Stylus Photo R340 has a 2.4 inch LCD screen abd can print directly onto ink jet printable CDs and DVDs. The Epson R340 can print a 4” x 6” lab-quality borderless photo in as fast as 57 seconds, and it is available now for $199.
Epson America are also announcing the Stylus Photo R220, which was first announced by Epson UK back in September.
Epson America Press Release
Two New Printers Join Epson’s Six-Color Ink Jet Printer Line and Offer Enhanced Printing Features
LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 11, 2005 – Epson America Inc. is debuting two new six-color photo printers today—the Epson Stylus Photo R220 and R340—each with a rich set of photo-centric and user-friendly features. The Epson Stylus Photo R220 is the most affordable six-color photo printer in Epson’s line with a price tag under $100, but is rich in features and quality. The Epson Stylus Photo R340 is a full-featured, PC-free printer that provides a convenient 2.4” premium photo viewing monitor and memory card slots.
These new printers share some improvements over the previous products, such as better color saturation for brighter reds and yellows and automatic image enhancement for adjusting a photo that is too dark when a subject is backlit. In addition, both printers offer the capability of printing directly onto the surface of ink jet printable CDs and DVDs and can now print from the center to the edge of the CD or DVD with no visible blank space for a cleaner, more professional look. Epson was the first and still is the only consumer ink jet printer manufacturer in the U.S. to include CD/DVD printing on its printers.
The Epson Stylus Photo R340 printer is announced today. The Epson Stylus Photo R340 has a 2.4 inch LCD screen abd can print directly onto ink jet printable CDs and DVDs. The Epson R340 can print a 4” x 6” lab-quality borderless photo in as fast as 57 seconds, and…
Photobird.com Press Release
200 cameras, 1000 reviews in 12 languages. Comprehensive, easy-to-use, and free.
San Francisco, CA - October 11, 2005 - Photobird.com, the easy way to share your photos around the world, today announced the immediate availability of the Photobird Digital Camera Buyer’s Guide. This comprehensive and frequently updated list of 200 digital cameras and 1000 reviews in 12 languages makes it easy to shop for digital cameras. The intuitive, easy-to-read design assists digital camera shoppers with their research and helps them choose from a myriad of available digital camera features and options. The Photobird Digital Camera Buyer’s Guide is available for free at www.photobird.com/buyersguide/ and can be found in the Photobird Learning Center at www.photobird.com/learn/ . A free trial to Photobird.com and more information about easily sharing your photos with friends and family is also available at www.photobird.com .
Photobird.com Press Release 200 cameras, 1000 reviews in 12 languages. Comprehensive, easy-to-use, and free. San Francisco, CA - October 11, 2005 - Photobird.com, the easy way to share your photos around the world, today announced the immediate availability of the Photobird Digital Camera Buyer’s Guide. This comprehensive and frequently updated…
Another day, another advisory notice about the CCD issue that has affected most of the major manufacturers over the last week. This time it’s Nikons turn to warn their customers who have bought the COOLPIX SQ, COOLPIX 3100 and COOLPIX 5700 cameras.
Konica Minolta USA - Digital Camera Service Advisory
It has come to our attention that electronic components related to imaging in some COOLPIX cameras may, on rare occasions, fail. Should you experience this problem with your COOLPIX SQ, COOLPIX 3100 or COOLPIX 5700 camera, Nikon will replace the associated components free of charge even if the camera’s warranty has already expired. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have suffered because of this problem. To check if your camera has failed due this reason, please read the symptom description, below.
How can I identify if my camera is faulty?
Images displayed on the monitor, in both shooting preview and post-recording playback exhibit one of the following:
- Images exhibit a strong colour tint.
- Images are totally black.
- Images appear corrupted.
- Images contain vertical lines or bands.
- Images contain horizontal lines or bands.
Website: Nikon Europe Customer Notice
Another day, another advisory notice about the CCD issue that has affected most of the major manufacturers over the last week. This time it’s Nikons turn to warn their customers who have bought the COOLPIX SQ, COOLPIX 3100 and COOLPIX 5700 cameras. Konica Minolta USA - Digital Camera Service Advisory…
The Spanish website Quesabesde have just reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FZ30. This is an 8 megapixel compact digital camera with a 12x Leica optical zoom lens equivalent to 35-420mm, optical image stabilizer, addition of a manual zoom ring and rotating LCD screen with 235,000 pixels.
Website: Quesabesde - Panasonic DMC-FZ30 Review
The Spanish website Quesabesde have just reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FZ30. This is an 8 megapixel compact digital camera with a 12x Leica optical zoom lens equivalent to 35-420mm, optical image stabilizer, addition of a manual zoom ring and rotating LCD screen with 235,000 pixels. Website: Quesabesde - Panasonic DMC-FZ30 Review…
Luminous Landscape have reviewed Epson ColorBase, a new free program that is designed to calibrate the R2400, 4800, 7800 or 9800 printers.
“My own testing shows that the visible difference between printing with the calibration file active, and not, with both Epson’s provided profiles and my own created with Gretag Macbeth’s Eye One for my 4800, are very slight, but visible. On Enhanced Matte, my usual paper, I can see a slight increase in red density, as the most obvious difference. According to Epson the real value in the use of ColorBase is when you are using multiple printers of the same type and wish to bring them all as close as possible. You could thus create one custom profile (or use Epson’s) and then use that profile on each printer, allowing the ColorBase calibration done on each printer to bring them all to a matching factory standard. Since I don’t have multiple K3 ink printers available, I can’t test this myself, but it sounds plausible.”
Luminous Landscape have reviewed Epson ColorBase, a new free program that is designed to calibrate the R2400, 4800, 7800 or 9800 printers. “My own testing shows that the visible difference between printing with the calibration file active, and not, with both Epson’s provided profiles and my own created with Gretag…
DIWA member and Polish website Fotopolis have published their review of the new 12 megapixel Nikon D2X digital SLR.
Website: Fotopolis - Nikon D2X Review
DIWA member and Polish website Fotopolis have published their review of the new 12 megapixel Nikon D2X digital SLR. Website: Fotopolis - Nikon D2X Review Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon D2X Write a Review of the Nikon D2X
CNET have reviewed the Kodak Easyshare Z7590 camera, which has 5 megapixels, 10x zoom lens and costs $450.
“The Kodak EasyShare Z7590 looks great on paper: it has a 10X optical zoom, a 5-megapixel resolution, an SLR-like electronic viewfinder, and manual exposure controls. Unfortunately, its photos tell a different story. A variety of artifacts, including purple fringing around highlights and noise at higher ISO settings, drop this camera’s desirability a few notches. Still, niceties such as an action-ready burst mode and a standard PC (Prontor-Compur, not personal computer) connection for an external flash will appeal to photographers who love to play with a full set of features”
Website: CNET - Kodak Easyshare Z7590 Review
CNET have reviewed the Kodak Easyshare Z7590 camera, which has 5 megapixels, 10x zoom lens and costs $450. “The Kodak EasyShare Z7590 looks great on paper: it has a 10X optical zoom, a 5-megapixel resolution, an SLR-like electronic viewfinder, and manual exposure controls. Unfortunately, its photos tell a different story…
The Fujifilm FinePix Z2 Zoom digital camera is announced today. The Fujifilm Z2 Zoom is a 5 megapixel camera with a large 2.5 inch scratch-resistant glass LCD screen and a non-extending 3x zoom lens. Improved sensitivity up to ISO 1600, aperture range up to f/8.0, 256-zone metering and 4 second maximum shutter speed complete the improvements that the Fujifilm FinePix Z2 Zoom offers over its predecessor, the Z1. The Fujifilm FinePix Z2 Zoom will be available in November in black or silver, price to be confirmed.
Fujifilm UK Press Release
Fujifilm FinePix Z2 Zoom: the sensitive supermodel that’s naturally slim - New member of the ‘Z’ series adds class-leading sensitivity
Fujifilm today announced the launch of the FinePix Z2 Zoom, a super-slim digital compact offering 5.1 megapixels, a high resolution 2.5” LCD monitor and improved sensitivity up to ISO 1600, all housed within a chic, sleek body.
As anyone with an eye for the world of fashion knows, occasionally you may want to take discreet photos in low light. With an amazing sensitivity setting of ISO 1600, this model certainly won’t be dropped for a poor performance.
A stylish successor to the hugely popular FinePix Z1 Zoom, this camera boasts an even higher- sensitivity performance (up to ISO 1600) meaning that clean, sharp images can be captured in low light or difficult lighting situations, such as parties, concerts and other indoor events. What’s more, Fujifilm’s Real Photo Processor enables users to achieve more natural-looking images, without the harsh effects often caused by camera flash – and avoiding the blurring caused by camera shake or subject movement.
The Fujifilm FinePix Z2 Zoom digital camera is announced today. The Fujifilm Z2 Zoom is a 5 megapixel camera with a large 2.5 inch scratch-resistant glass LCD screen and a non-extending 3x zoom lens. Improved sensitivity up to ISO 1600, aperture range up to f/8.0, 256-zone metering and 4 second…
Fujifilm U.S.A. Press Release
A good thing is now even better. Fujifilm’s FinePix S3 Pro, the wedding and portrait photographers’ camera of choice, is now available at a reduced price of $1999.
In addition, professional photographers purchasing a FinePix S3 Pro* between October 1, 2005 and November 30, 2005, can also receive a FinePix S3 Pro Power Promotion package worth $400.
The highlight of this free package is Stitcher 4.0 from RealViz, a software program for the PC that gives professional photographers the power to create panoramas from individual photos in just a few mouse clicks. Other items in the FinePix S3 Pro Power Promotion package include an extra FinePix S3 Pro battery tray, a battery charger and a flexible, white balance card for easy and accurate camera calibration.
Promotion details can be found at http://www.Fujifilm.com/S3PowerPromo .
Fujifilm U.S.A. Press Release A good thing is now even better. Fujifilm’s FinePix S3 Pro, the wedding and portrait photographers’ camera of choice, is now available at a reduced price of $1999. In addition, professional photographers purchasing a FinePix S3 Pro* between October 1, 2005 and November 30, 2005, can…
Colour Confidence Press Release
Take it as Red that the Triangle Colorscale will give you the hue you need
An invaluable tool for graphic designers who specify colours for four-colour process print - 300g Silk stock paper provides a high quality finish and durable format
Birmingham UK, 10th October, 2005 - Colour Confidence, the leading independent colour management specialists, have today been announced as UK distributor of the new Triangle Colorscale.
The Triangle Colorscale is the most efficient CMYK colour scale ever; enabling designers and print specifiers to identify the colour they want with a minimum of fuss. It represents great value priced at just £99.00/€149.00 ex. VAT, and is available now from www.colourconfidence.com
Colour Confidence Press Release Take it as Red that the Triangle Colorscale will give you the hue you need An invaluable tool for graphic designers who specify colours for four-colour process print - 300g Silk stock paper provides a high quality finish and durable format Birmingham UK, 10th October, 200…
Konica Minolta have also issued an advisory notice about the CCD issue on some of its older models, which seems to have affected most of the major manufacturers.
Konica Minolta USA - Digital Camera Service Advisory
We have recently been made aware that a component in a limited number of products may, in some instances, fail affecting camera performance and /or operability. The symptom may appear as a freezing or distortion of the electronic analog exposure display. The following digital products may be affected; A1, 7i, 7Hi, Xi, Xt, X20, S414 and F300.
While only a limited number of cameras are affected by this advisory, if your camera is experiencing the above problem, Konica Minolta will service it free of charge even if your standard one year limited warranty has expired. If your camera is beyond the standard one year, limited warranty period, you will receive a written estimate for any additional damages or malfunctions not listed in this service advisory.
To obtain complimentary service for cameras affected by this advisory please print the service return form below and follow the instructions on the form. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Website: Konica Minolta USA Service Advisory
Konica Minolta have also issued an advisory notice about the CCD issue on some of its older models, which seems to have affected most of the major manufacturers. Konica Minolta USA - Digital Camera Service Advisory We have recently been made aware that a component in a limited number of…
Following on from Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm last week, Sony have now issued a notice to its customers about a potential problem with the CCD sensor used in many of its products.
Sony UK - Important Notice for Customers
Notice to Owners of Sony Digital Still Camera, Camcorder, PDA CLIÉ and Professional Camcorders & Cameras
October 3, 2005
Thank you for your support and patronage of Sony Digital Still Cameras.
It has recently come to our attention that a limited number of Sony Digital Still Cameras that incorporate an image sensor device, CCD Chip, manufactured from October 2002 through March 2004 may exhibit the following condition:
When the Digital Still Camera is used in camera mode, the LCD panel and/or electronic viewfinder will show either a distorted image or no image.
We have determined that this condition only occurs to a limited number of units.
Following on from Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm last week, Sony have now issued a notice to its customers about a potential problem with the CCD sensor used in many of its products. Sony UK - Important Notice for Customers Notice to Owners of Sony Digital Still Camera, Camcorder, PDA CLIÉ…
DesignTechnica have reviewed the HP Photosmart 475 compact photo printer, which can store up to a thousand photos internally on an internal hard drive, eliminating the need to store images on a PC or camera.
“At first it was enough for photo printer makers to add a portable model to their mix. Now that most companies sell one, a little more creativity is required to separate one from the pack. HP has stepped up to the challenge with the Photosmart 475 ($279), a.k.a. GoGo, an unabashedly cute tagalong that prints not only the requisite 4 x 6 prints but 5 x 7 enlargements too. GoGo went a step further, adding 1.5 gigabytes of internal storage that can pack up to 1,000 images. Take it to the next family party, hook it up to a TV and you can run a slide show that lasts all afternoon.”
Website: DesignTechnica - HP Photosmart 475 Review
DesignTechnica have reviewed the HP Photosmart 475 compact photo printer, which can store up to a thousand photos internally on an internal hard drive, eliminating the need to store images on a PC or camera. “At first it was enough for photo printer makers to add a portable model to…
The Slovenian website Slo-Foto have published their review of the waterproof Pentax OptioWP digital camera.
Website: Slo-Foto - Pentax OptioWP Review
The Slovenian website Slo-Foto have published their review of the waterproof Pentax OptioWP digital camera. Website: Slo-Foto - Pentax OptioWP Review Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax OptioWP Write a Review of the Pentax OptioWP
Luminous Landscape have taken a look at the curiously named Arctic Butterfly, a new digital SLR sensor cleaning solution from the company VisibleDust.
“I’ve been trying to think of a good pun or some other humorous lead in, given this product’s whimsical name. But nothing comes to mind. Instead I’m simply going to start by saying that the Arctic Butterfly from VisibleDust is hands-down the finest sensor cleaning tool yet developed, particularly for anyone that travels by air. To my mind the best sensor cleaning tools on the market are from VisibleDust. My review of their products describes how they work and what they do. They have been the mainstay of my sensor cleaning since they first came to market in late 2004.”
Luminous Landscape have taken a look at the curiously named Arctic Butterfly, a new digital SLR sensor cleaning solution from the company VisibleDust. “I’ve been trying to think of a good pun or some other humorous lead in, given this product’s whimsical name. But nothing comes to mind. Instead I’m…