Nikon Press Release

Nikon Capture 4 (Version 4.3.1 Update)

The latest update to Nikon’s powerful photo finishing software with improved RAW(NEF) image processing enables faster processing of image data with stress-free handling for image display and data saving.

Amsterdam, 22 August 2005. – Nikon is pleased to announce an update of Nikon Capture 4, version 4.3.1, which became available for download from August 22nd 2005. In response to users’ requests, the latest version of Nikon’s post-production tool has realized faster processing and stress-free handling of image data more than ever. Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) is also supported.

Hasselblad Press Release

Four new products address needs of both general and specialist professional photographers

A year from the launch of the new Hasselblad, the company is setting a new benchmark for digital professional photography with the announcement of new flagship digital cameras and camera backs based on a new digital platform, satisfying the needs of both the general and specialist professional photographer. 

Building on the success of the H1 range of products, Hasselblad has developed the H2 cross-platform camera and the H2D fully integrated digital camera.  Both the cameras include a series of brand new features, and are fully compatible with Hasselblad’s existing H system lenses. 

New products in the Ixpress digital back line include the Ixpress CF and Ixpress CFH, bringing new levels of flexibility to specialist professional photographers, enabling them to take full advantage of everything that leading-edge digital photography can offer.

Rob Galbraith are the third site today to share their initial impressions of the Canon EOS 5D.

”“The Canon EOS 5D looks to be everything I’ve been waiting for in a DSLR camera. If the image quality is everything that I anticipate from Canon, then I will most likely acquire two as soon as they’re available. The pixel count, buffer size, feature list and weight are all very appealing and the price makes acquiring one seem more like a buying a camera and less like buying a car.”“

Website: Rob Galbraith - Canon EOS 5D to ship in October for US$3299

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have published a preview with lots of glossy pictures of the Canon 5D, a new 12.8 megapixel full-frame digital SLR camera.

“Today we were invited to join Canon with their presentation of the 2nd digital wave that will hit the world. Amazing, how many products Canon have launched this year, every 4 days they have launched a new digital imaging product! During the presentation I was able to get my hands on the new Canon 5D digital SLR camera. Although it was only for a short moment I was able to get a first impression and the following article gives you a closer look at the already famous new Canon EOS 5D D-SLR. For those of you who already start ordering their own Canon 5D, the price in the Netherlands is set at EUR 3299,- including VAT. Expect the Canon EOS 5D digital reflex camera to be available on the market in September 2005.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Canon EOS 5D Preview

Luminous Landscape have published their first impressions of the Canon 5D, a new 12.8 megapixel full-frame digital SLR camera.

“In a nut-shell, the 5D is a 13 Megapixel full-frame DSLR. What sets it apart from any prior full-frame DSLR, such as the 1 Ds Series Canon’s or the now-defunct Kodak DCS 14n and Pro n models is that it is about the physical size of the current generation of 6 and 8 Megapixel cameras, as well as current film-based SLRs such as the Canon 1V. It’s the first high-resolution full-frame digital SLR that can make this claim. The price of course is the other differentiator. Though street price isn’t yet certain, it will likely be just slightly more than US $3,000, which makes it expensive in many people’s books, but a bargain compared to the Canon 1Ds MKII which is US $7,000, and the only other full-frame DSLR currently available.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Canon EOS 5D First Impressions

The Spanish website Quesabesde have reviewed the Canon Digital IXUS 50, a 5 megapixel digital camera with stainless steel finish that is Canon’s smallest ever 5.0 Megapixel optical zoom camera (also known as the SD400).

Website: Quesabesde - Canon Digital IXUS 50 Review

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DigiCamReview have published their review of the Ricoh Caplio GX8, an 8.24 megapixel update of the Ricoh Caplio GX.

“Ricoh’s Caplio GX8 is a slim and compact 8.2-Megapixel digital camera that commands one of the world’s fastest shutter response time, super-close macro mode and a fast start-up time of 1.3 seconds. The wholly-black camera is quicker, lighter and even easier to use than its wide-angle lens predecessor, the Caplio GX, but only offers a 3x optical zoom lens. Nevertheless, it can easily slip into a jacket pocket, is a snap to use and produces excellent quality images. You’ll struggle to find a camera in this price bracket that offers so much functionality or that produces such good images.”

Website: DigiCamReview - Ricoh GX8 Review

Website: Read my Ricoh Caplio GX8 Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LZ1, which has a 6x optical zoom lenses and an Optical Image Stabilizer to combat camera shake.

“Priced about $50 less than its 5-megapixel Lumix DMC-LZ2 sibling, this affordable point-and-shoot offers the same 6X zoom lens with a 37mm-to-222mm reach (35mm-camera equivalent) and the same highly desirable optical image stabilization to counter shaky hands at slow shutter speeds or high magnifications. Panasonic trimmed about a million pixels to create this 4-megapixel version, but its image quality is almost as good as the higher-res model’s. The only key feature missing is a microphone to record video sound clips.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ1 Review

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DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat have reviewed the HP Photosmart R717, a 6.2 megapixel digicam with a 1.8 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens in a stylish stainless steel body.

Website: FotoAparat - HP Photosmart R717 Review

Website: Read my HP Photosmart R717 Review

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DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat 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.

Website: FotoAparat - Fujifilm FinePix Z1 Zoom Review

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Digital Outback Photo have published their review of the 6 megapixel Konica Minolta Dynax 7D digital SLR camera.

“This was the first day we used the AS feature and we may need a bit more practice using AS for maximum benefit. But at the lower shutter speeds it is clear that AS works. At 1/125 sec the results are pretty close. If we have some more time we may revisit AS as part of our diary. Note: We are very much used to IS/VR on Canon/Nikon. The main advantage of stabilizing the lens is that also the viewfinder image gets stabilized as well.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Konica Minolta Dynax 7D Review

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DIWA member and Danish website Digital Magasinet have just reviewed the recently released Adobe Photoshop CS2 digital imaging software.

Website: Digital Magasinet - Adobe Photoshop CS2 Review

The Czech website Digineff have just reviewed the new 3 megapixel Casio EXILIM Card EX-S100.

Website: Digineff - Casio EXILIM Card EX-S100 Review

Website: Read my Casio Exilim Card EX-S100 Review

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ByteSector have reviewed the new 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 one of those few cameras with that killer feature I was just talking about. This little 6.3 MP point-and-shoot has the ability to shoot images with film speeds as high as ISO1600 and as low as ISO80. In theory, this means it’ll be possible to shoot in just about any situation, regardless of shutter speeds or room lighting. If this were an SLR or even an SLR-styled camera, I wouldn’t have looked twice. But this is pretty much unheard of in a digital point-and-shoot. Aside from this feature, I’ll be looking at whether or not the camera has everything it needs to compete and whether or not it’s worth the MSRP of $530 CAD.”

Website: ByteSector - Fujifilm FinePix F10 Zoom Review

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DesignTechnica 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.

“The camera easily focused on flowers, plants as well as trees with strong blue skies quickly with little “grabbing.” It was here that I had my first problems.  Since I purposely tried to shoot with the bright sun shining directly on the screen, I immediately ran into problems.  Although the screen didn’t wipe out, I had trouble framing the image.  Instead of holding the camera in a comfortable arm’s out position, I had to bring the camera much closer to my face so my head could act as a block (no jokes, please).  It was better, but a little viewfinder would’ve solved those problems like the one on the Canon SD500.”

Website: DesignTechnica - Fujifilm FinePix Z1 Zoom Review

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DigitalCameraReview have reviewed the new 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.

“The F10 has no “jaggies” to speak of at all, and the photos are very smooth, with little evidence of compression (look at the sky in the photos below). Noise is way below average for a 6 Megapixel point-and-shoot camera, and truly rivals dSLRs that are much more expensive. Overall photo quality from the F10 is excellent, and an amazing performance from such a small, relatively inexpensive camera. If I wasn’t fortunate enough to own a dSLR, the F10 would make a fine substitute for someone as picky as I am about picture quality.”

Website: DigitalCameraReview - Fujifilm FinePix F10 Zoom Review

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DxO Labs Press Release

DXO OPTICS PRO V3.0 SOFTWARE TO SUPPORT NEW FULL-FRAME CANON DIGITAL SLR

Photographers worldwide to benefit from DxO Labs’  image enhancement technologies with the new Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS-1D Mark II N and new Canon lenses

Paris, France, August 22, 2005 – DxO Labs announced today that DxO Optics Pro v3.0 Digital SLR and lens automatic image quality enhancement software will soon support Canon’s new Digital SLRs and lenses. DxO Optics Pro v3.0 incorporates revolutionary optics, noise and exposure corrections in an all-new, easy-to-use, feature-rich application for both Mac and PC users.

“DxO Optics Pro has always been about allowing Digital SLRs and their compatible lenses to automatically achieve peak performance – beyond what is possible with the hardware alone. We are very excited by Canon’s announcements today and in particular by the new full-frame Canon EOS 5D. We plan to support these major products from Canon in the weeks following their availability,” stated Luc Marin, vice president of the Photography Business Unit at DxO Labs.

Epson have announced 6 new printers today - the Epson Stylus CX7800, Epson Stylus CX5800F, Epson Stylus CX4800, Epson Stylus CX4200, Epson Stylus CX3810 and Epson Stylus C88. All of the new models use DURABrite Ultra pigment ink.

Epson America Press Release

EPSON ANNOUNCES SIX NEW PRODUCTS THAT INCORPORATE LATEST INK INNOVATION—DURABRITE® ULTRA INK

New Epson single function and multifunction printers are affordably priced and include Epson’s DURABrite Ultra pigment ink for printing beautiful smudge, fade and water resistant images on plain and glossy photo papers

LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 22, 2005 – Epson America, Inc. is announcing a new line of ink jet products that are perfectly suited for the home as well as the Small Office/Home Office environment.  These new models include one single-function printer—the Epson Stylus® C88—and five all-in-one devices—the Epson Stylus CX7800, CX5800F, CX4800, CX4200, and CX3810—that all utilize Epson’s new DURABrite Ultra pigment ink.  This new formulation of DURABrite pigment ink provides customers with the fade-resistance, water-resistance and smudge-resistance they’ve come to expect from DURABrite, plus now is compatible with Epson’s Premium Glossy Photo Paper.

The Pentax OptioS60 digital camera has been announced. The Pentax Optio S60 is a 6.36 megapixel model with a 3x optical zoom lens equivalent to 35-106mm in 35mm format. The Pentax S60 has a large 2.5 inch LCD screen, uses AA batteries and offers 12 different scene modes. Price and availability of the Pentax OptioS60 to be announced.

Pentax UK Press Release

Solving the Christmas Gift Dilemma - the Pentax OptioS60 - The perfect introduction to digital photography this Christmas

The latest addition to the award-winning range of Optio digital compact cameras, the OptioS60 offers high-quality imaging performance with 6.0 effective megapixels and 3x optical zoom. Simple to use, yet offering superior image capabilities, it’s ideal for the beginner and slightly more experienced photographer alike. The Auto Select mode selects the most suitable shooting mode for the environment, making it even easier to take digital photos. Retailing for less than £250, the OptioS60 is the perfect gift for budding photographers this Christmas.

The OptioS60 is also compatible with AA batteries, which, combined with its lightweight body, makes the camera a great choice for the discerning traveller.  The camera also features a large, 2.5 inch LCD monitor, making shooting and playback simple and your result easy to view.

Pentax UK Press Release

Pentax Introduces a Compact Ultra-Wide-Angle 2x Zoom Lens for Digital SLRs

Pentax Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the smc Pentax-DA 12mm-24mm F4 ED AL [IF]. Developed for exclusive use with Pentax digital SLR cameras, this compact, lightweight, two-times zoom lens lets the photographer capture unique, eye-catching images with its ultra-wide-angle perspectives.

Major features
1. Ultra-wide-angle coverage
When mounted on one of the Pentax *istD-series digital SLR cameras, this two-times zoom lens offers an angle of view from 99 degrees to 61 degrees (equivalent in focal length from 18.5mm to 37mm in the 35mm format) to create extraordinary visual effects available only in ultra-wide-angle photography, including a greatly emphasized sense of perspective and an extremely wide depth of field (or in-focus area).