Manfrotto Press Release

Online guides help customers get full benefit of camera supports and equipment

Bassano del Grappa, Italia (August 18, 2005) – Manfrotto, the world’s leading manufacturer of support products for pro video and photography, is proud to announce the launch of a series of practical photography lessons available to the public at www.manfrotto.com.  The lessons were developed in collaboration with Web Photo School, the California, United States based digital photo education company.

Developed to help Manfrotto customers get the most out of their equipment in various “real-life” photographic situations, the lessons provide valuable information on how to tackle different subjects from still life to macro, from nature photography to portraits and more.  Each lesson has been created utilizing a range of Manfrotto tripods and heads.  Each lesson provides detailed information on every step of the photographic process, from setting up the tripod through framing and lighting technique and turning a good photograph into a great one.

Panasonic Europe Press Release

Panasonic has won a remarkable four prized EISA Awards, it was announced this week (Monday 15th August). The Awards include the European Zoom Camera of the Year, European DV Camcorder of the Year, European DVD Player of the Year and European Green TV of the Year – the first time this category has been awarded. EISA (the European Imaging and Sound Association) is a prestigious organisation of 50 Audio, Mobile Electronics, Video and Photo magazines drawn from 20 countries across Europe.

Panasonic’s powerful 12x optical zoom DMC-FZ5 won the European Zoom Camera of the Year 2005/2006.

The Photo Panel remarked “Small is not only beautiful but also powerful in the case of the Lumix DMC-FZ5. This very compact camera includes a fast 12x Leica zoom lens, which can be used with confidence at its maximum focal length and in low light thanks to Panasonic’s Mega OIS image stabiliser.” The judges commented further that “A 5-Megapixel CCD assures picture quality, while the Venus Engine II image-processor ensures swift operation and provides an enhanced range of creative options.”

MAGIX Press Release

Burn DVDs from Internet Video, TV Cards, Camcorder Home Movies, VHS Films, and Commercial-Free TV for Enhanced Home Entertainment

Miami, FL, August 18, 2005 – MAGIX, the market leader for photo, video, and audio software (1), announced today MAGIX Movies on CD & DVD 4 for enhanced home entertainment.  MAGIX Movies on CD & DVD 4 livens up everyday TV and video viewing by restoring and preserving collections of home videos, favorite TV shows, VHS films, and video downloaded from the Internet.  MAGIX Movies on CD & DVD 4 converts all your favorite movies into high-quality CDs or DVDs to enjoy on your home or portable entertainment systems.  Available in the retail channel starting September 15th, 2005, MAGIX Movies on CD & DVD 4 is priced at $39.99.

Kodak Press Release

Kodak Ranked Highest in Two Segments of J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Digital Camera Satisfaction Study SM For Second Year In A Row

KODAK EASYSHARE Cameras Highest Ranked Brand in the $200-399 and $199 or Less Price Segments; Representing More Than 85 Percent of the U.S. Digital Camera Market

August 17 2005 — Solidifying its reputation for quality and ease of use among consumers, Eastman Kodak Company today again captured the highest rankings in two of the four segments in the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Digital Camera Satisfaction Study SM. 

In the second annual consumer study evaluating digital camera performance, connectivity, cost and appearance, KODAK EASYSHARE digital still cameras ranked highest in customer satisfaction in two price categories:  $200-399 and $199 or less.  This is the second year in a row that Kodak has captured the coveted $200-399 price segment.  Digital cameras in these two segments comprise more than 85 percent of the U.S. market, according to NPD Techworld.

Lexar Press Release

Lexar’s New JumpDrive® Lightning Strikes With Top-Of-The-Line Capacity, Blazing Speed and Dazzling Design

London, August 2005 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR), a leader in advanced digital media and accessories, today announced the JumpDrive Lightning range.  The JumpDrive Lightning is the company’s flagship USB flash drive and its stainless steel casing protects between 512mb (£49.99), 1GB (£79.99) and 2GB (£149.99) of plug&play memory.

JumpDrive Lightning is unrivaled in terms of capacity, software functionality and design. With a distinctive stainless steel casing, JumpDrive Lightning is capable of impressive read/write speeds, the 2GB JumpDrive Lightning providing a speed rating of 120x (18MB/sec) minimum sustained write speed capability and 160x (24 MB/sec) minimum sustained read speed capability. It’s ideal for business professionals, power users and anyone looking for high performance storage, portability and the ability to save and carry large amounts of digital pictures, music, presentations or any other data files.

Lexar Press Release

Lexar Offers Personality and Fun with New JumpDrive® Expression

London, August 2005 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR), a leader in advanced digital media and accessories, today announced the JumpDrive Expression range of stylish, high speed USB 2.0 flash memory drives that bring an element of fun and personality to portable storage needs.
“Continuing in Lexar’s quest to provide consumer-driven product features and distinctive industrial design, JumpDrive Expression is the newest addition to Lexar’s complete line of USB flash drives,” said Fraser MacDonald, Product Marketing Manager at Lexar. “JumpDrive Expression continues in this tradition, providing functionality well beyond storage with a creative twist appealing to those people who want a little more personality and distinct character in their JumpDrive product.”

Lexar Press Release

Lexar’s Platinum Series Flash Memory Cards Provide Consumers with High-Speed Performance and Superior Reliability

Complete Platinum Series of Cards Now Speed-Rated at 40X, Including Memory Stick PRO and Secure Digital (SD) Formats

London, August 2005 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced the company’s full line of Platinum Series flash memory cards. All cards in the Platinum Range are speed-rated at 40X, equivalent to a minimum sustained data read and write speed capability of 6MB per second, and provide consumers with superior performance.
Available in recently updated, contemporary packaging designed to drive consumer interest at retail sales locations worldwide, Lexar’s Platinum Series now includes Memory Stick PRO™ and Secure Digital™ (SD) flash media formats as well as CompactFlash®.

LaCie Press Release

LaCie Introduces New d2 Hard Drive Range With Unrivaled Speed, Capacity and Design

August 16, 2005 - LaCie continues to break the boundaries of speed, capacity and design with the launch of its fourth-generation d2 Extreme range of external hard drives. This award-winning range of drives combines unrivaled features and benefits including:

  * Capacity: from 160GB to 2TB in ultra-compact metal case
  * Speed: up to an amazing 88MB/s per drive and 800Mbits/s per bus
  * Connectivity: FireWire 800, FireWire 400/iLink, Hi-Speed USB 2.0
  * Reliability: ultra-quiet smart fan on some models and improved natural heat dissipation
  * Versatility: daisy-chain, stack, stand upright or mount in a rack

Ulead Press Release

Ulead Announces CD & DVD PictureShow 4 - New Version of Software for Creating Slideshows to Watch on TV.

Latest Version Takes Ease-of-Use to the Next Level Offering High-Quality Themed Templates and Creative Expression Functionality Together in One Package.

Northampton August 18th 2005 – Ulead Systems, Inc., a 15-year industry leader in video, image and DVD software, today announced the release of CD & DVD PictureShow 4, the latest version of its award-winning slideshow creation software. CD & DVD PictureShow 4 is the must have software accessory for digital camera users who want to easily make a photo album slideshow that they can watch on TV and also share with family and friends.

J.D. Power and Associates Press Release

Consumers Find Improved Functionality and Speed in Digital Cameras, Even as Prices Fall

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Aug. 16, 2005—Kodak and Sony Lead the Industry in Satisfying Digital Camera Owners  

Consumers find improved functionality and speed in new digital cameras on the market, even as digital camera prices fall, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Digital Camera Satisfaction Study(SM) released today.

The study finds digital camera buyers are increasingly satisfied with the functionality and speed of the cameras they purchase, particularly with cameras in the lower price segments. The gap in terms of camera performance between high and low-priced cameras has shrunk considerably compared to 2004.

Colour Confidence Press Releases

Colour Confidence Broaden Their Gamut with Pantone ColorVANTAGE Inks

Birmingham, UK, August 16th 2005, Colour Confidence, the leading independent colour management specialists, have today announced the availability of Pantone ColorVANTAGE Inks. ColorVANTAGE Inks are an optimised set of pigmented inks, specially formulated, they feature a wide colour gamut, rich colours and superior lightfastness, all with a 20% saving in comparison to Epson original inks. They are available immediately from www.colourconfidence.com

Epson Press Release

The Epson P-2000 and the Epson Stylus Photo R2400 win ‘Best Product’ awards in this year’s European Image and Sound Awards (EISA)

16 August 2005: Epson was the proud winner of two awards at this year’s EISA awards. The judging panel chose both the Stylus Photo R2400 and the Epson P-2000 Multimedia storage viewer for ‘Best Product’ awards, confirming Epson’s commitment to delivering high-quality solutions to its customers.

The judging panel comprised representatives of 50 top photo, video, audio, home theatre and mobile electronics magazines from over 18 European countries.

Website: Read my Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer Review

Sony Europe Press Release

Aug 15, 2005 - Sony Europe Scoops Prestigious Consumer Electronics Awards for HD Camcorder & Projector, Photo Printer & Car Navigation System
   
Berlin, 15. August 2005 - Europe’s premier consumer electronics awards organisation – the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) – has selected Sony Europe as recipient in four key categories. These EISA awards recognise the significant process that Sony has made in terms of harnessing new generation High Definition (HD), miniature and mobile electronics, integrating them into consumer equipment and creating revolutionary new consumer propositions and possibilities that were previously impossible.

The EISA 2005 – 2006 categories awarded to Sony include European High-End Camcorder (HDR-FX1), European High-End Projector (Sony QUALIA 004), European Mini Printer (DPP-FP50) and European Navigation System (KPNC9950). The awards will be presented at the EISA Gala Event in Berlin on 1 September 2005.

Nokia Press Release

Espoo, Finland - Nokia today announced that its flagship imaging device, the Nokia N90, has been awarded the European Media Phone of the Year 2005-2006 by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA), the largest editorial multimedia organization in Europe. The award is an endorsement of the Nokia N90’s industry-leading feature set, which makes it one of the most high performance devices in the marketplace.

Commenting on the award, EISA praised the Nokia N90 as a ‘true best-of-breed multimedia phone, stuffed full of advanced photo, video audio and messaging features’. EISA also highlighted the Nokia N90’s Carl Zeiss optics which ‘endows it with serious photographic ability, including capturing and editing 2 megapixel digital photos and MPEG 4 352x288 resolution video.’

TrustedReviews take a look at the new Pentax OptioS5z, which has a large 2.5 inch LCD screen, 3x optical zoom lens and a 5 megapixel sensor.

“In terms of picture quality the S5z is a solid performer, although it does have a few minor problems. Exposure, focusing and colour reproduction are first-rate, and noise control is especially good. As with the S5n there is no visible noise at 80 or 100 ISO, and only a little at 200 ISO. Some noise is creeping into the shadows at 400 ISO, but images are still completely useable.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Pentax OptioS5z Review

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DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat have published the very first online review of the eagerly-anticipated 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: FotoAparat - Panasonic DMC-FZ30 Review

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PCMagazine have published their review of the new 12 megapixel Nikon D2X digital SLR.

“Digital-SLR enthusiasts and even pro shooters will be rendered speechless when they pick up Nikon’s top-of-the-line D-SLR, the 12.3-megapixel Nikon D2X ($4,999.95 list). After the oooohs and aaaahs (and recovery from the shock of its very high price), there will be a long pause as they analyze all the features available on the D2X’s body (the camera doesn’t come with either a kit lens or a built-in flash).”

Website: PCMagazine - Nikon D2X Review

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DCResource have published their review of the Kodak Easyshare V550, a 5 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5inch LCD screen.

“Overall I was quite pleased with the EasyShare V550’s photo quality. Pictures were well-exposed, with saturated colors (maybe a little too saturated at times) and low noise and purple fringing levels. I thought photos were a little soft at default settings, and if you agree you can adjust the in-camera sharpening to “high”.”

Website: DCResource - Kodak Easyshare V550 Review

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DigitalCameraInfo have just reviewed the Casio Exilim EX-Z57, a compact 5 megapixel digital camera with a 2.7 inch LCD screen.

“The Casio Exilim EX-Z57 joins the crowded field of 5 megapixel sub-compact point-and-shoot cameras. With an oversized 2.7-inch LCD and sturdy metal construction, the EX-Z57 will appeal to a variety of users in search of a small camera for snapshots. Unfortunately, our testing shows that the camera’s image quality is generally poor, with marginal color accuracy, and substandard control of noise. Available online for around $300, the camera is priced competitively.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Casio Exilim EX-Z57 Review

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

“When it comes to the digital SLR market, Nikon has always focused on high-end, professional models like the D2X. While the company has not ignored consumer D-SLRs, its primary mission has always been serving pro shooters. That is why we were pleasantly surprised by the introduction of the D50 and what seems to be more of a commitment to the consumer. The D50 has a great price and includes helpful, user-friendly features. These, combined with excellent quality and performance, made it easy to single out this camera as our new Editors’ Choice for D-SLRs.”

Website: PCMagazine - Nikon D50 Review

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