SanDisk Press Release

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Sep. 29, 2005 – SanDisk® Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) and Sony Corporation today announced the development of the “Memory Stick Micro” format, an ultra-small IC recording media designed to meet the growing storage needs of highly compact, multifunctional mobile phones. Licensing for the development of “Memory Stick Micro” compatible hardware will begin October 3, 2005.

“Memory Stick Micro” media is approximately one-quarter the size of “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media, yet only about 1.2 mm thick. The media’s edges are slotted lengthwise to allow for more slim-line designed connectors to reduce space in host devices. As dual-voltage media, Memory Stick Micro supports devices operating at 3.3 volts and 1.8 volts.

Memory Stick Micro is designed as an externally removable media with a controlled eject function to prevent users losing the media. Users will be able to insert Memory Stick Micro into an adapter for exchanging data to a Memory Stick PRO compatible product.

Ulead and InterVideo Press Release

Ulead and InterVideo Launch WinDVD 7 with Unprecedented List of New High Definition and DVD Video/Audio Technologies - Top-selling Universal Video Player Brings the Hollywood Theatre Experience to Desktop and Laptop PCs

London UK – Ulead® and InterVideo®, Inc. (NASDAQ: IVII) announced today WinDVD® 7, the latest release of the software DVD player favoured by 125 million users worldwide.
WinDVD 7 takes video and audio playback to the next level with an unprecedented list of new and expanded features while delivering the smooth, crystal-clear video and rich surround sound users have come to expect from WinDVD.

Equipped with a brand new look and feel, WinDVD 7 is available in two versions. WinDVD 7 Gold will appeal to movie lovers and business travellers who just want an easy way to enjoy high-quality movie playback. For power users who want the latest audio/video technologies and the ability to tweak the controls for their personal preferences, InterVideo offers WinDVD 7 Platinum.

Manfrotto Press Release

Manfrotto Launches New Portal Website Focused On Data Management and Integration - Website offers better service to distribution partners and end users

Bassano del Grappa, Italia (29 September 2005) - Manfrotto, the world’s leading manufacturer of support products for pro video and photography, is proud to announce that it has launched the first phase of its new portal website. A natural evolution of the company’s previous website, the new portal features many similarities in appearance; however, content and data integration amongst various business units has been enhanced, reflecting much more accurately the way Manfrotto operates.

For the first time, R&D, customer service, sales and marketing – all coordinated by the Bogen Imaging distribution arm – will use the same data. Proper processes have been incorporated throughout the new website to ensure that information is integral and unique throughout the various applications that the group uses, and that it is properly managed by those responsible for each part of its creation and maintenance. The aim is to gradually eliminate the incongruence and inaccuracy that naturally creep into systems where data is replicated in several different places. As a result, Manfrotto will provide better service to distribution partners and end users alike.

iolo technologies Press Release

Avoid Digital Disasters: File Recovery Software Resurrects Deleted Files, Photos, Music, and E-Mail From Virtually All Digital Devices

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/—Digital technology allows users to delete an unwanted image still in the camera, something that millions of novice photographers are learning. Today’s photographers can prevent the heartache of lost photos with an easy-to-use software tool like Search and Recover to find and recover deleted digital photos.

Proprietary new StrongScan(R) from iolo technologies helps users locate and identify lost files even months and years after being deleted using improved search algorithms. Enhanced file pattern searching locates and recovers even the most difficult items by scanning byte-by-byte. Data recovery is designed to be fast, safe and reliable.

The Search and Recover Version 3 powerful tool arsenal is designed for both advanced and novice users to quickly and easily find and recover deleted, destroyed or damaged files from DVD-R, CD-R, and other optical media. The software works with digital cameras, and with music players, compact flash, memory sticks, smart media, hard drives, and other portable media.

Epson Press Release

Seiko Epson Corporation continues to enforce its Intellectual Property rights

30th September 2005 - Following the recent settlement of legal action taken in the United States against the suppliers of Print Rite branded printer cartridges, Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”) has started High Court proceedings in England against Mills Computer Products (International) Limited, an importer of Print Rite branded cartridges in the UK. Epson has started these proceedings to stop the importation and supply of Epson compatible printer cartridges that infringe its patents.

TrustedReviews have tested the HP Photosmart 8250 photo printer, which features six individual ink cartridges and can print photos in just 14 seconds.

“While HP has ratcheted up the speed of its photo printing and finally separated its ink tanks by individual color, its photo quality has suffered slightly. Whereas the default prints from the HP 8150 were impressive (see our HP 8150 review), you’ll have to fiddle with the 8250’s settings to get best results. And you probably won’t want to print at the 8250’s fastest speeds—the quality isn’t great at all. Also, if you print a lot of black and white photos you may be disappointed with the bluish cast you’ll get from the 8250.”

Website: TrustedReviews - HP Photosmart 8250 Review

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PCMagazine have reviewed the Epson Perfection 4990 Photo flatbed scanner, which has the ability to scan medium and large format film. The Perfection 4990 Photo scanner features, 4800 x 9600 dpi resolution, a high optical density of up to 4.0 Dmax and is aimed at photo enthusiasts and professionals.

“The Epson Perfection 4990 Photo ($450 street) is one of the most photocentric flatbeds we’ve seen. This makes sense for a scanner aimed at photo enthusiasts. Among its strengths are high quality photo scans; the ability to scan film in 35mm, 120, 220, 2.25-inch, 6 by 12 cm, and 4- by 5-inch formats; and a claimed resolution suitable for film, at 4800 pixels per inch (ppi) optical by 9600 ppi mechanical. On the negative side, the bundled programs include little for anything but photos and film.”

Website: PCMagazine - Epson Perfection 4990 Photo Scanner Review

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The Hungarian website Index Digicam have just reviewed the Nikon Coolpix L1 digicam, which offers a 5x optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD monitor and 6.2 megapixels.

Website: Index Digicam - Nikon Coolpix L1 Review

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DigitalCameraReview.com have just reviewed the new Olympus mju DIGITAL 800 digicam.

“Excellent optics was one of the reasons the original Stylus cameras achieved legendary status, and the Stylus 800 continues that tradition with an all glass Olympus f2.8-f4.8/38 - 114 mm (35mm equivalent) optical zoom lens. Barrel Distortion (straight lines bow out from the middle) is a bit lower than average at the wide-angle end. Pincushion distortion (straight lines bow in from the middle) is very well controlled at the telephoto end of the zoom range. There’s no visible vignetting and chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is essentially invisible. Minimum focusing distance is 1.2 inches (in Super Macro mode) more than tight enough for frame filling flower/insect close-ups.”

Website: DigitalCameraReview.com - Olympus mju DIGITAL 800 Review

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CameraTown have published their review of the new ZAP-SHOT RF Wireless Remote control for the Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Rebel XT, 300/350D Digital SLRs.

“Announced in early September, the ZAP-SHOT is the perfect accessory or gift for owners of the Canon EOS 300D, 350D, Rebel, or Rebel XT. What is the ZAP-SHOT? The ZAP-SHOT is a wireless remote trigger for the aforementioned Canon Digital SLRs that use Radio Frequency to trigger the shutter release of the camera. By using RF, the photographer is able to trigger the camera from up to 75 feet (or more) away and without a line-of-sight limitation. Unlike a remote cable switch, the ZAP-SHOT allows you the freedom to operate your camera’s shutter without having to touch or even be near the camera. The flexibility will start to get your creative juices flowing. Just think, you’ll now be able to shoot pictures that you’re actually in - without having to use the customary “Ready…. Set .... RUN.”

Website: CameraTown - ZAP-SHOT RF Wireless Remote Review

Luminous Landscape have an interesting take on the new Canon EOS 5D, Sony Cyber-shot R1 and the state of the photography industry.

“Though I know these are fighting words, I’m afraid that I regard the 4/3rd concept is an evolutionary dead-end. A -2X sized sensor may have made some sense five years ago when 35mm sized sensors were nearly astronomical in cost. But now this differential has shrunk dramatically, and will continue to do so. The promised smaller size of camera bodies due to the use of smaller sensors is modest at best. For example, the Olympus E-1 is only 150 grams lighter than the Canon 5D. True, Olympus lenses are smaller and lighter, but this hasn’t turned out to be all that compelling a sell.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Industry Push and Pull

The Fujifilm FinePix F11 Zoom is announced today. The Fujifilm F11 is an updated version of the popular F10 model, offering additional aperture and shutter priority modes and a higher resolution 2.5 inch LCD screen. The FinePix F11 Zoom will be available from November 2005, price to be announced.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Fujifilm FinePix F11 Zoom: best-selling performance with added creativity

Fujifilm introduces latest ‘F’ range camera to build on the international success of the FinePix F10 Zoom

Fujifilm today announces the launch of the FinePix F11 Zoom.  This new camera sits alongside EISA Pocket Camera of the Year, the FinePix F10 Zoom – which achieved best-seller status – in Fujifilm’s high quality compact range.  The new model builds upon the FinePix F10 Zoom’s success by adding improved functionality and manual shooting options for increased creativity.

This 6.3 megapixel camera is set to become renowned for the picture quality excellence already demonstrated by the FinePix F10 Zoom. In addition, it has been bestowed with aperture priority and shutter priority modes, giving scope for a level of creativity and photographic control that will appeal to photography enthusiasts.

The Fujifilm FinePix F460 is announced today. The Fujifilm F460 is a 5 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. Price and availablity of the Fujifilm FinePix F460 to be announced.

Fujifilm Europe Press Release

5.1 Megapixels, 3x Optical Zoom, 2.5-inch LCD and 13MB of Internal Memory in Stylish Metal Body

Fujifilm has announced the debut of the new FinePix F460, a 5.1- megapixel digital camera featuring a 3x optical zoom lens, a large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, and 13 megabytes of internal memory, all packaged in a stylish slim, metallic body.

Distinguished by a full array of basic functions and innovative design, the ultra-slim FinePix F460, a mere 19.7mm thick, features a grip that fits well in the hand and a mode dial that allows selection of any of three modes (Auto/SP/Movie) with a single touch, making this digital camera remarkably simple to operate.

A black version of the Olympus mju DIGITAL 800 is announced today. The limited-edition mju DIGITAL 800 Black Premium Kit will be available from October 2005.

Olympus Europe Press Release

Individual styling to make a real impression - The Olympus µ DIGITAL 800 Black Premium Kit

Hamburg, 29 September 2005 – Easy to handle, compact, good looking and jam-packed with the latest digital photography technology for creating magnificent, high-resolution compositions: what more could one ask for in a digital camera? Joining glossy dark blue and silver, Olympus now adds a sleek black version to its very successful range of µ DIGITAL 800 cameras. Available in a specially-designed package which includes a case and silver neckstrap along with the camera, the limited-edition Black Premium Kit is just the ticket for individualists – especially those wanting to capture the spirit of the night. The 8.0 million pixel model features BrightCapture Technology which significantly improves night-time shooting and incorporates an extra-large 6.4cm HyperCrystal LCD to ensure results are easy to see and show off to everyone around.

BenQ Press Release

BenQ unveils three new ultra slim digital cameras - the BenQ Digital Camera X600, C500 and C800. The new BenQ DC C500 will be available on the market in October and the BenQ DC X600 and C800 will be launched in November.

EUROPE, 28 of September, 2005 – BenQ will unveil three new additions to its digital camera line up, the X600, C500 and the C800. The new BenQ DC X600 is the world’s smallest 6M camera featuring Pentax’s Super-Multi Coating (SMC) lens, 3X Optical Zoom and a large 2.5” LTPS LCD screen. The BenQ DC C500 is the lightest 5 mega pixels digital camera with fixed-focus lens in the market and the DC C800 features 8 mega pixels CCD with 3X Optical Zoom. Both digital cameras are sleek, compact design and versatile in functions, and are an ideal option for consumers seeking high quality multi-function digital camera at a reasonable price range.

I3A Press Release

ISO 15740 Enables Seamless Image Transfer Between Devices

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., September 26, 2005 — The International Imaging Industry Association (I3A), the leading global association for the imaging industry, today announced that the widely supported Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) for Digital Still Photography Devices, originally developed by I3A’s IT10 Standards Committee, has been published as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 15740. I3A serves as secretariat for ISO TC (technical committee) 42, which develops and approves international photography standards, with a focus on advanced digital imaging. I3A also serves as administrator of the USA Technical Advisory Group for the ISO/TC42 committee.

OmniVision Press Release

New OmniPixel2 Architecture Brings Higher Resolutions Into Mainstream Camera Markets

SUNNYVALE, CA - September 28, 2005 - OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), the world’s leading supplier of CMOS image sensors, today unveiled its new OmniPixel2™ architecture. OmniPixel2’s pixel size of just 2.2 x 2.2 microns is less than half the size of the first generation OmniPixel structures, and represents one of the industry’s smallest pixel sizes commercially available. OmniPixel2 also features three major new process and technology developments on both the sensor and system level, enabling better performance per area and a further reduction in overall sensor size.

In a separate announcement today, OmniVision also introduced the OV3630, its first 3 megapixel CameraChip™ designed for mobile applications and based on the new OmniPixel2 architecture.

CNET have taken a look at the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5, an ultra-slim 5.1 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“Considering the large number of 5-megapixel cameras that are on the market, it’s unfortunate that the Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T5 didn’t bring with it better image quality. At its best, the T5 will make good snapshot prints. At its worst, you’ll find limited dynamic range with clipped highlights, blocked shadows, and less than razor-sharp clarity. Details weren’t as evident as we had hoped, and it’s best to set the ISO manually to a lower number; otherwise you’re likely to see some very noticeable visual noise in your shots. Red-eye was often a problem, as it usually is with cameras of the T5’s size, but colors were generally reproduced well, and we saw little purple fringing.”

Website: CNET - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5 Review

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DigitalCameraInfo have just reviewed the new Olympus mju DIGITAL 800 digicam.

“The Olympus Stylus 800, known in Europe as the µ[mju:] Digital 800, comes equipped with an 8.0 megapixel, 1/1.8-inch CCD and Olympus’ Bright Capture Technology. A member of the long line of Stylus cameras, first introduced to film-based point-and-shooters in 1982, the camera is built for the automatically-reliant crowd with 22 automatic shooting modes. But it also includes several manual controls and a fast burst mode, which should broaden its appeal to more advanced users. Like the rest of Olympus’ Stylus line, the Stylus 800 is weatherproofed with rubber seals within its body. This enables the camera to endure raindrops and splashes, but it certainly can’t be taken swimming.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Olympus mju DIGITAL 800 Review

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The Hungarian website Index Digicam have published their review of the Fujifilm FinePix Z1 Zoom, a 5 megapixel compact digital camera with a large 2.5inch LCD screen and 3 optical zoom.

Index Digicam - Fujifilm FinePix Z1 Zoom Review

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