DIWA member LetsGoDigital have previewed the Fujifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom, a new 9 megapixel digital camera with a 28-300mm lens with twist-barrel zoom control.

“We have had the opportunity to get our hands on an early pre-production sample of the new Fujifilm FinePix S9500 digital camera, called Fujifilm FinePix S9000 in the United States. This brand new model is the next generation hybrid digital cameras that has a Super CCD image sensor on board. This in-house developed image sensor, Super CCD HR, is already the 5th generation Fujifilm is using and today Fujifilm is proud to introduce the first 9 Megapixel image sensor of the world for compact digital cameras. The model we have had in our office is an early pre-sample. The Fujifilm FinePix S9500 is aimed at the enthusiast photographer and eager amateur.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Fujifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom Preview

DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FX8, an updated version of the Panasonic DMC-FX7, principally offering enhanced battery life via a larger capacity lithium-ion battery and use of Venus Engine PLUS.

Website: FotoAparat - Panasonic DMC-FX8 Review

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CNET have published their review of the Nikon D50, a new affordable 6.1 megapixel digital SLR.

“Seven worry-free scene modes augmented by a serviceable set of manual controls and advanced focusing options make this least-expensive Nikon digital SLR camera a viable alternative to the popular D70s. The family-oriented Nikon D50, which includes a kid-friendly Child mode that brightens colors while retaining accurate skin tones, joins the Pentax *ist DL, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D, and the original Canon Digital Rebel in the 6-megapixel SLR sub-$900 price arena.”

Website: CNET - Nikon D50 Review

Website: Read my Nikon D50 Review

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Czech website Digineff have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S1, a 5.1 megapixel digital camera with a 35-105mm 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED lens.

Website: Digineff - Nikon Coolpix S1 Review

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DigiCamReview have published their review of the Sony DSC-W7, a 7 megapixel digital camera with a 2.5 inch LCD screen, battery life of 380 shots between power charges and 32 megabytes of internal memory.

“Image quality is quite good, the images have good colour, saturation, contrast and good detail - however there is some purple fringing, and some images were quite soft. Images tend to come out of the camera looking quite good, however exposure of the clock towere wasn’t excellent, and blown highlights occured in the shops photo. The camera did a good job focusing the majority of the time, only slightly struggling in low light. Noise was fairly well controlled but resulted in loss of detail. I did not notice vignetting in photos.”

Website: DigiCamReview - Sony DSC-W7 Review

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ByteSector have published their review of the 5 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1 digital camera.

“Sony has introduced another gorgeous camera to the market with more than a few tricks up its multi-industry-spanning and largely metaphorical sleeves. The DSC-M1 falls into the brand new Cyber-shot M category, with the M standing for movie. This new line not only takes great pictures, but is designed to record movies at high framerates, with small sizes. It may look more like a cell phone than a 5.1 megapixel camera, but it is yet another powerful product on the market from Sony.”

Website: ByteSector - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1 Review

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The Norwegian site Akam.no have posted their review of the new Olympus mju DIGITAL 800 digicam.

Website: Akam.no - Olympus mju DIGITAL 800 Review

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The 60th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by HD Connelly.

“I’m a digital photographer who is fascinated by the light/shadowplay and textures. I shoot a wide scope of subjects, but which all share a common vision of using texture and light to bring new life to things we see each day, but perhaps miss if not looking towards our toes or perhaps just spending a moment to enjoy the exciting things that await our eyes. I find solace from a complicated world in my viewfinder and each time I shoot, am in awe of all of the quiet beauty to be found right outside my own doorstep.”

Website: HD Connelly

The Olympus µ (mju) DIGITAL 600 digital camera is announced. The Olympus mju 600 has 6 megapixels, 2.5 inch LCD screen, a weatherproof metal body and a 3x zoom lens equivalent to 35-The Olympus µ (mju) DIGITAL 600 will be available from late September at a price around £220.

Olympus UK Press Release

Bright prospects for a shot in the dark

London, 29 August 2005 – The new Olympus µ (mju) DIGITAL 600 with Olympus’ BrightCapture Technology enables photographers to frame a live view in low light conditions, which will appear more than four times brighter on the LCD than on a conventional camera. As well as removing the guesswork out of framing in the dark, three special shooting modes; Available Light Portrait, Indoors and Night Scene enhance night-time images, making the best possible use of available light to achieve incredible quality shots.

Available in a choice of three colours - Navy Blue, Ruby Red and Arctic Silver - this stylish and compact camera boasts a weatherproof metal body, a precision 3x zoom lens (1:3.1-5.1, equivalent to 35-105mm in 35mm format) and 3x digital zoom.

The Olympus SP-350 and Olympus SP-310 digital cameras are announced. The Olympus SP-350 and Olympus SP-310 have 8 megapixel and 7 megapixels respectively. Both cameras offer a 3x optical zoom lens equivalent to 38-114mm and a 2,5 inch LCD monitor. Available from October, the SP-350 and SP-310 are priced at around £310 and £270 respectively with the SP-310 exclusive to Jessops.

Olympus Press Release

Creativity lies in the palm of your hand

London, 29 August 2005 – Offering 8.0 and 7.1 million pixels respectively, the new Olympus SP-350 and SP-310 are an enthusiast’s dream. Four exposure modes hand the photographer the freedom to experiment whilst a precision 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 38-114mm on a 35mm camera), ensures that crisp and razor-sharp images are produced each and every time.

Featuring a range of focusing options from regular iESP autofocus to spot and multi-spot AF both models also have a manual focus option. In addition a histogram function is available, both in playback mode and in real-time whilst framing, to enable exposure distribution to be checked on the extra-large 6.4cm LCD.

The Olympus SP-500UZ digital camera is announced. The Olympus SP-500UZ has a 10x optical zoom lens equivalent to 38-380mm, 6 megapixels, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an electronic viewfinder. The Olympus SP-500UZ is available from October priced around £300.

Olympus UK Press Release

Capture the action with the Olympus SP-500UZ

London, 29 August 2005- Get to the heart of the action with the new Olympus SP-500UZ digital camera. With its user friendly, professionally formed body combined with a large range of advanced features, this is the perfect camera to take on action packed holidays or for use at live sporting events.The SP-500UZ offers photographers the power and flexibility of a precision 10x optical zoom lens system for taking quality shots from a distance. This combined with the 5x digital zoom allows for 50x magnification. Matched with 6.0 million pixels, the camera guarantees high-definition images every time. For more ambitious photographers, this camera offers Aperture and Shutter priority shooting as well as the option of full manual exposure control. Light distribution can also be checked by using the histogram function – accessible in both shooting and playback modes, giving photographers ample room for creativity and experimentation. The SP-500UZ is available from October priced around £300.

The Olympus FE-120 digital camera is announced. The FE-120 is a 6 megapixel camera with 3x zoom lens and 1.8 inch LCD screen. The Olympus FE-120 will be available exclusively from Dixons from the end of September.

Olympus Press Release

Beginners luck

London, 29 August 2005 – Your first car may have been an old heap and your first place more a hovel than a home, but there is no reason for your first camera not to live up to expectation if you purchase an Olympus FE-120.

This first rate camera for beginners is packed full of the kind of features your more experienced digital camera using friends will be impressed by. Its 6.0 mega pixel resolution makes sure pictures have pinpoint clarity even while the camera gets close up with a 3x zoom lens. Its Super Macro technology allows even the tiniest detail to be captured up close, from just 2cms away.  So if you are honing your photographic skills on the British countryside you will be able to capture close up every petal and leaf.

The Olympus FE-100 and Olympus FE-110 digital cameras are announced. The FE-100 is a 4 megapixel model, whilst the FE-110 offers 5 megapixels. Both the Olympus FE-100 and Olympus FE-110 have a 2.8x optical zoom plus 4x digital zoom and a 1.5 inch LCD screen. The Olympus FE-100 is priced around £120 and will be available in shops in September and the FE-110 is priced around £150 and will be available in October.

Olympus Press Release

London, 29 August 2005 –If you struggle getting through manuals or become baffled by technology then getting to grips with a new piece of kit can feel more like a chore than the delight you envisaged whilst choosing your ideal camera.  Smart snappers will be relieved to know that with the new Olympus FE-100 and FE-110 cameras they’ll be capturing pictures perfectly in minutes!

Getting to grips with all the features is easy as each control button delivers just one function so there’s no fiddling around with buttons and missing that great picture opportunity. Also, these cameras mean even if you’re only just starting out with digital technology it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on top quality equipment.

The Olympus P-11 printer is announced. The Olympus P-11 is a 310dpi dye-sub photo printer that produces borderless A6 (10x15cm) prints in 33 seconds. The Olympus P-11 printer will be available from Autumn 2005 for around £150.

Olympus Press Release

Get the fastest prints around with the Olympus P-11 photo printer

London, 29 August 2005 – Digital photographers love their camera’s ability to display shots immediately onto the LCD screen so they can quickly review and edit them with ease. Now, thanks to the Olympus P-11 dye-sublimation printer, you can print pictures from the comfort of your own home in record quick time too.

The Olympus P-11 produces high-quality 10x15cm borderless prints in 33 seconds making it the fastest dye-sub photo printer available*. Copies of digital photos can be printed onto paper and shared with friends and family in next to no time.

Subscribe to the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter now to have a chance of winning one of two prizes in our August Contest. There are only 3 days left, so sign up quick!

- One person will win ColorVision Spyder2  (worth €189.00 + VAT).
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Both prizes kindly donated by ColorVision Europe.
http://www.colorvision.ch/index.php

If you are already a Newsletter subscriber, you do not have to do anything to enter this competition. Your name will automatically be entered in the prize draw. If you are not currently a subscriber, then what are you waiting for? Enter your email address to subscribe now.

The 59th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Rolf Hicker.

Website: Rolf Hicker

Are extended warranties worth buying for digital cameras and other electronics products? The New York Times finds out in an article that hints that warranties are more a way for the retailer to make a substantial amount of extra cash:

“In electronics, the gross margin for merchandise - the difference between what a store pays for goods and what it sells them for - is “25 percent, give or take,” at chains like Best Buy, Circuit City and PC Richards, said Professor Alan Kane of the Columbia Business School. Extended service contracts, on the other hand, produce a gross margin of “45 percent or more,” he said. Bill Cimino, a Circuit City spokesman, said that 3.8 percent of the company’s total annual sales of $10 billion, or about $380 million, are warranty sales for third-party insurers - or protection plans, as Circuit City calls them. Mr. Cimino said he bought one himself on a television, but declined one on a humidifier.”

What do you think - do you usually buy an extended warranty, or do you think they are a complete waste of money?

Website: The New York Times - To Buy or Not to Buy: The Quandary of Warranties

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the Canon PowerShot S2 IS, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 12x optical zoom equivalent to 36–432mm on a 35mm camera.

“The excellent working stabilisation combined with the high resolution is pleasant to work with. It makes photographing a lot more relaxed. The effort to keep the camera as still as possible when photographing in large telephoto, is no longer an issue. The sound quality and the possibility of taking pictures during recording a video enhance the multi-media joy. The camera’s hand fit is perfect, thanks to the obvious handgrip. Colour rendition and exposure are both excellent and hardly require any corrections. Add to this the remarkably economical character of the camera and Canon once again impressed friend and foe with a high quality digital camera added to the Mega zoom group.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Canon PowerShot S2 IS Review

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DCResource 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.

“Overall the DSC-T5’s image quality is good, but not great. As is the case with some other of these ultra thin cameras, the T5’s images have a soft, “fuzzy” look to them. This will only be noticeable when viewing images at 100% or making large prints, so it will not be a problem for most people. Otherwise the news is good: the camera took photos with accurate exposure and color, and noise levels were low. Purple fringing was not a problem.”

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

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Canon have published the latest issue of their monthly CPS (Canon Professional Services) Newsletter, including some stunning portraits of the Icebergs Winter Swimming Club from Matt Hoyle, an interesting look at how photographers are working together as part of a collective or agency, and some details about the new products that Canon announced this week, including the EOS 5D digital SLR.

Website: Canon CPS Issue#14