News
Digital Outback Photo have started a diary review of the Nikon D50, a new affordable 6.1 megapixel digital SLR.
“The ISO up to 800 looks really good for the D50 and you can make even useable shots at 1600 if you use extra noise removal software. What about only one command dial? This is clearly not as good as having two. But pressing the “+/-” while using the command dial to change aperture is ok. We use manual mode all the time and don’t feel really handicapped. So far we feel home with the D50.”
Website: Digital Outback Photo - Nikon D50 Review
Digital Outback Photo have started a diary review of the Nikon D50, a new affordable 6.1 megapixel digital SLR. “The ISO up to 800 looks really good for the D50 and you can make even useable shots at 1600 if you use extra noise removal software. What about only one…
DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the Pentax OptioS55, a 5 megapixel camera with a 2.5 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens.
“The Optio S55 is very easy to use in its automated mode, and generally produces its best results in Auto-select mode. On the other hand, it’s difficult to exert much manual control over exposure or focus, so attaining any degree of precision can be frustrating. There is no print or share button included on the Optio S55 body, as many similarly priced cameras tend to include due to the target audience and intended users of compact cameras within this price range. While there is a text magnification option available within the camera’s menu, once enlarged, all other settings dropped off the screen making it mildly difficult to scroll through and utilize. The lack of endurance or reasonable use of battery life was also enough of a problem to make the camera more difficult to use. The camera is not difficult for any level user to adapt to; however, if ease of use and simplicity is a priority, there are far more straightforward cameras out there within this price range.”
Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Pentax OptioS55 Review
DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the Pentax OptioS55, a 5 megapixel camera with a 2.5 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens. “The Optio S55 is very easy to use in its automated mode, and generally produces its best results in Auto-select mode. On the other hand, it’s difficult to exert…
CNET have reviewed the new Konica Minolta DiMAGE X60, which has a large 2.5inch LCD screen (but no optical viewfinder), 5 megapixels and a sliding lens cover.
“The 5-megapixel Konica Minolta Dimage X60 will appeal to snapshot photographers who want a no-fuss, no-muss camera that looks good and can be carried everywhere. This model updates the earlier X50 with a new internal 3X zoom lens, a 2.5-inch LCD, and a burst mode. It won’t overwhelm anyone with its list of features and doesn’t offer much in the way of manual controls, but it gives casual shooters all the tools they’re likely to need.”
Website: CNET - Konica Minolta DiMAGE X60 Review
CNET have reviewed the new Konica Minolta DiMAGE X60, which has a large 2.5inch LCD screen (but no optical viewfinder), 5 megapixels and a sliding lens cover. “The 5-megapixel Konica Minolta Dimage X60 will appeal to snapshot photographers who want a no-fuss, no-muss camera that looks good and can be…
Hardware Zone have briefly reviewed the new 5 megapixel Kodak Easyshare C360 digital camera.
“Through the use of a new high-resolution image sensor, the C360 is capable of churning out sharp and detailed photo printouts, and should exceed the imaging needs of most point and shoot digital camera users. When powered on, its 3x optical zoom lens will gracefully and silently extend out of its body and from there, the Kodak Retinar Aspheric All Glass lens and Kodak Color Science chip will function in unison for picture snapping. Like most digital cameras these days, the functions of the C360 are all tied down to a simple and easy to understand mode dial. However, the implementation on the Kodak camera is unusually stiff and it makes one-thumb rotation not only difficult but also annoying as the frequency of use increases.”
Website: Hardware Zone - Kodak Easyshare C360 Review
Hardware Zone have briefly reviewed the new 5 megapixel Kodak Easyshare C360 digital camera. “Through the use of a new high-resolution image sensor, the C360 is capable of churning out sharp and detailed photo printouts, and should exceed the imaging needs of most point and shoot digital camera users. When…
Looking for an ultra-zoom digital camera? DCViews have published a comparative review of two of the latest contenders, the Canon PowerShot S2 IS (pictured) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1.
“The SLR-type body of the Powershot S2 is made from plastic. Just like the Sony H1 the surface is rugged and has different colors. Together with its weight, it takes a experts eye to see it is not made of metal. The balance of the camera is okay. The grip of the camera is nice, but not as firm as the Sony H1.”
Website: DCViews - Sony Cybershot DSC H1 compared to Canon Powershot S2 IS
Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot S2 IS
Write a Review of the Canon PowerShot S2 IS
Looking for an ultra-zoom digital camera? DCViews have published a comparative review of two of the latest contenders, the Canon PowerShot S2 IS (pictured) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1. “The SLR-type body of the Powershot S2 is made from plastic. Just like the Sony H1 the surface is rugged and…
Siim Teller has posted a short review of the compact Canon SELPHY CP400 photo printer.
“So, Canon Selphy CP 400. I tell you one thing for sure, it made me want to start a postcard company. Just because printing postcards with my own pictures was so easy. This printer is small enough to fit into kitchen drawer, prints ready-to-send postcards and is cheap enough so you don’t have to sell your grandmother. Selphy is not your normal ink-jet printer, it uses dye-sublimation thermal transfer, you’ll see the whole process of applying one color at a time and how they mix together as the paper slides forwards and backwards. Last step is to add coating, presumably to give the print a longer life and protect it against UV-light.”
Website: Siim Teller - Canon SELPHY CP400 Printer Review
Siim Teller has posted a short review of the compact Canon SELPHY CP400 photo printer. “So, Canon Selphy CP 400. I tell you one thing for sure, it made me want to start a postcard company. Just because printing postcards with my own pictures was so easy. This printer is…
Siim Teller has a brief review of 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).
“SD 400 has nice aparance even though it’s nothing outstanding (unless you’re a chrome fan). Fast turn-on time, fast focusing results in very short wait times and less missed oportunities. On full automatic this camera is very flash-happy wanting to brighten up the world even when in my opinion there’s plenty of natural light. But flash is well balanced and I got many natural looking results.”
Website: Siim Teller - Canon Digital IXUS 50 Review
Siim Teller has a brief review of 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). “SD 400 has nice aparance even though it’s nothing outstanding (unless you’re a chrome…
DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the 5 megapixel, 8x zoom Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20.
“The overall image quality when using its 5-megapixel Fine mode was very good for an entry-level digicam. Almost every image we captured was sharp and properly exposed. Outdoors it captures true to life images that showed good color saturation. The LCD viewfinder was quite usable outdoors, even in bright sunlight. Its high refresh rate provided a high-quality real-time preview of moving subjects, and its viewfinder image reflected by the Switch Finder allowed for easy panning. Beginners will most likely achieve the best results when using its Auto and Program modes as well as the pre-programmed scenes. The moderate wide-angle field of view of its 8x zoom will be sufficient for some landscape shots, but let’s face it, people buy these type of cameras for their telephoto magnification.”
Website: Steves Digicams - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 Review
Website: Read my Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 Review
Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 Review
DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the 5 megapixel, 8x zoom Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20. “The overall image quality when using its 5-megapixel Fine mode was very good for an entry-level digicam. Almost every image we captured was sharp and properly exposed. Outdoors it captures true to life images that…
DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the new Konica Minolta DiMAGE X60, which has a large 2.5inch LCD screen (but no optical viewfinder), 5 megapixels and a sliding lens cover.
“The ergonomics are good. Although it is very small, I found it was easy to hold (even with large hands), and I had no problems with one-handed shooting. Controls are well positioned and the menu system is easy to navigate. The large 2.5-inch LCD covers almost the entire back side of the camera. We found it worked great outdoors in bright sun light, and when shooting in low-ambient lighting it “gains up” well to help brighten your subject. The sliding lens cover seems to be well built and sturdy and I didn’t experience any problems with accidentally turning the camera off, which we’ve seen on other similarly designed models.”
Website: Steves Digicams - Konica Minolta DiMAGE X60 Review
DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the new Konica Minolta DiMAGE X60, which has a large 2.5inch LCD screen (but no optical viewfinder), 5 megapixels and a sliding lens cover. “The ergonomics are good. Although it is very small, I found it was easy to hold (even with large hands)…
The 57th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Nick Stubbs.
“The theme here is people. I love photographing people and getting the best from them, getting them to show their true character and not that which they think the camera “wants”! Some of these images are from a wedding, some from portraits sessions and some from commissioned lifestyle shoots which I have to admit is my current favourite style. I have been into photography in a big way since 1979 when I got my first SLR and set up my own darkroom at a tender 13 years old. Digital has radically changed the way I photograph anything now as I am constantly thinking (what could I so to this later on?) as I am shooting. More work but a whole lot more fun. I now photograph for a living and cannot see that changing…ever. I am 38, married with a 2 year old son (who already knows how to scroll through images on our digicams) and a girl on the way.”
Website: Nick Stubbs
The 57th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Nick Stubbs. “The theme here is people. I love photographing people and getting the best from them, getting them to show their true character and not that which they think the camera “wants”! Some of these images are from a wedding, some…
PhotographyBLOG has teamed up with ExposureManager to bring you a special deal of 25% discount on either their Art or Event accounts. Just enter “photographyblog” in the Discount coupon box when you signup to claim the discount. If you have been looking for a better way to show and sell your photography online, look no further. ExposureManager offers you the most advanced gallery and sales system currently available for any type of commercial photography. ExposureManager is free to try for 15 days with no obligations and no strings attached.
Website: ExposureManager
PhotographyBLOG has teamed up with ExposureManager to bring you a special deal of 25% discount on either their Art or Event accounts. Just enter “photographyblog” in the Discount coupon box when you signup to claim the discount. If you have been looking for a better way to show and sell…
DIWA Press Release
Fujifilm FinePix F10 gets DIWA Gold Award for outstanding performance
With the FinePix F10, Fujifilm has elevated mini-compact digicams to a new level. With the low-noise, high sensitivity Super CCD HR, the camera is exceptionally versatile for any subject and lighting condition, adding boost to flash photography. Also, the F10 is extraordinary fast and features one of the best auto focus systems available.
Amsterdam, 29. July, 2005 – DIWA (Digital Imaging Websites Association), a world-wide organisation of collaborating websites within digital imaging, today announces a DIWA Gold Award to the palm-sized 6.3 Megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F10 digital camera.
DIWA Press Release Fujifilm FinePix F10 gets DIWA Gold Award for outstanding performance With the FinePix F10, Fujifilm has elevated mini-compact digicams to a new level. With the low-noise, high sensitivity Super CCD HR, the camera is exceptionally versatile for any subject and lighting condition, adding boost to flash photography…
Fuji Photo are the latest digital camera company to announce a fall in profits - a 22% decrease in the last 3 months to be precise - joining the likes of Olympus, Kodak, Sanyo and Sony. Weak sales of color photo film and digital cameras, especially in North America, were to blame. “The difficulty we have in North America is that we can’t do much face-to-face sales to explain our products’ sales points. But we are thinking of expanding our customer targets to more high-end users who purchase cameras at camera specialty stores,” said Chief Financial Officer Toshio Takahashi.
Website: Reuters - Fuji Photo profit down on digital cameras, film
Fuji Photo are the latest digital camera company to announce a fall in profits - a 22% decrease in the last 3 months to be precise - joining the likes of Olympus, Kodak, Sanyo and Sony. Weak sales of color photo film and digital cameras, especially in North America, were…
DXG USA Press Release
Both Cameras Offer Quality and Style at an Affordable Price
CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—July 28, 2005—DXG USA, one of the fastest growing digital camera manufacturers in the United States, today announced the introduction of two new 5.1 megapixel digital cameras designed for entry-level and step-up buyers. The two models will be available for shipping in August.
DXG-568 - 5.1 Megapixel Compact
Priced at $129.99, the DXG-568 is a compact digital camera loaded with features not found in similar models. The camera boasts a 1/1.8” 5.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 4x digital zoom, built-in 32MB flash memory, external SD card slot, 1.5” TFT LCD screen, full-motion (30 frames per second) 640x480 AVI video with sound, Direct Print capability and a flash. The camera also offers voice recorder functionality, TV-Out capability for viewing pictures on a television, five white balance settings, four still image settings (1MP, 3MP, 5MP, and 10MP using firmware interpolation) and a USB 2.0 interface.
DXG USA Press Release Both Cameras Offer Quality and Style at an Affordable Price CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—July 28, 2005—DXG USA, one of the fastest growing digital camera manufacturers in the United States, today announced the introduction of two new 5.1 megapixel digital cameras designed for entry-level and step-up…
UMAX Technologies Press Release
SilverFast HDR and HDR Studio Software Now Available for UMAX Scanners at UMAX.com
Professional-grade software captures full 48-bit dynamic range, retailing all potential image details, and fully optimized color with 33.4 million shades
DALLAS, TX., July 28, 2005—UMAX Technologies, Inc. today announced the availability of SilverFast HDR and SilverFast HDR Studio for its full line of UMAX scanners. SilverFast HDR enables users to process images at 48-bit full dynamic range, twice the detail of today’s average image processing.
The four upgrade and purchase options are:
1. SilverFast Ai upgrade to SilverFast HDR: This offer is only good for existing SilverFast Ai UMAX users and is available for $199.00.
2. SilverFast SE upgrade to SilverFast HDR: This offer is only good for existing SilverFast SE UMAX users and is available for $250.00.
3. SilverFast HDR full version new purchase: Retail is $299.00.
4. SilverFast HDR Studio full version new purchase: Retail is $499.00 and comes with IT8 color calibration and pocket target.
UMAX Technologies Press Release SilverFast HDR and HDR Studio Software Now Available for UMAX Scanners at UMAX.com Professional-grade software captures full 48-bit dynamic range, retailing all potential image details, and fully optimized color with 33.4 million shades DALLAS, TX., July 28, 2005—UMAX Technologies, Inc. today announced the availability of SilverFast…
Leica have released a firmware update for the Leica Digital-Modul-R digital back.
The following technical features are optimized by the Firmware Release 1.1:
- Automatic White Balance
- Ensuring SD card compatibility
- Correction of language errors in menu display
- Optimizing of internal data processing
Leica have released a firmware update for the Leica Digital-Modul-R digital back. The following technical features are optimized by the Firmware Release 1.1: - Automatic White Balance - Ensuring SD card compatibility - Correction of language errors in menu display - Optimizing of internal data processing Website: Download Leica Digital-Modul-R…
TrustedReviews have reviewed the new Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition printer (also known as the Epson PictureMate 500).
“Print speeds aren’t quite what Epson makes out. The company claims a 6 x 4in (15cm x 10cm) print completes in 1 minute 17 seconds, but we saw nothing out in under 1 minute 26 seconds, whether from memory card, camera or PC. That’s still not too bad though. Print quality is very, very good. The six-colour print system really improves light shades, giving them extra vibrancy and adding a fidelity we’ve rarely seen from an inkjet print. Even with the enhanced resolution of 5,760 by 1,440, though, you can still see some dots in areas of smoothly changing colour, like cloudless sky.”
Website: TrustedReviews - Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition Review
Check the Latest Prices for the Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition
Write a Review of the Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition
TrustedReviews have reviewed the new Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition printer (also known as the Epson PictureMate 500). “Print speeds aren’t quite what Epson makes out. The company claims a 6 x 4in (15cm x 10cm) print completes in 1 minute 17 seconds, but we saw nothing out in under…
The Hugarian website Index Digicam have reviewed the Epson R1800 A3 / 13x19 inch printer. The R1800 is an A3 version of the Epson Stylus Photo R800 that I reviewed last year, featuring the same 8 colour UltraChrome Hi-Gloss inks and 1.5 picoliter droplet size.
Website: Index Digicam - Epson R1800 Printer Review
The Hugarian website Index Digicam have reviewed the Epson R1800 A3 / 13x19 inch printer. The R1800 is an A3 version of the Epson Stylus Photo R800 that I reviewed last year, featuring the same 8 colour UltraChrome Hi-Gloss inks and 1.5 picoliter droplet size. Website: Index Digicam - Epson…
Imaging Resource have reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ4 digital camera, which has 4 megapixels and a 12x image stabilized Leica lens.
“Like its predecessor, the Panasonic Lumix FZ4 offers a 12x Leica zoom lens, incorporating Panasonic’s own “Mega OIS” Optical Image Stabilization technology. As I’ve said about other cameras offering image stabilization, it’s hard to overstate the benefit of this technology on long-zoom digicams: It makes an incredible difference in the usability of long telephoto focal lengths, and the Panasonic FZ4’s 12x lens with Mega OIS is no exception. The long-zoom category is becoming crowded, but the Panasonic FZ4 has the features and image quality to compete strongly there. Read on for the details, but if you’re in the market for a relatively affordable long-zoom digicam with optical image stabilization, the Panasonic Lumix FZ4 could be the camera for you.”
Website: Imaging Resource - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ4 Review
Imaging Resource have reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ4 digital camera, which has 4 megapixels and a 12x image stabilized Leica lens. “Like its predecessor, the Panasonic Lumix FZ4 offers a 12x Leica zoom lens, incorporating Panasonic’s own “Mega OIS” Optical Image Stabilization technology. As I’ve said about other cameras offering…
CNET have reviewed the 5 megapixel, 8x zoom Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20.
“The Dimage Z20 adds a 5-megapixel option to Konica Minolta’s line of quasi-megazoom cameras. Its 8X optical zoom is big enough to earn that Z in the name, but it’s a few notches shorter than the 12X zoom with which the Dimage Z5 is equipped. Generally speaking, the Z20 is geared toward beginning or budget-minded photographers, and its feature set is reduced accordingly relative to the more expensive Z5 and its brethren. The Z20 doesn’t include image stabilization technology, and its 1.5-inch LCD seems puny in the current market. But given those concessions and a handful of others, the Konica Minolta Dimage Z20 is still a capable, responsive camera with an impressive zoom range and better-than-average image quality.”
Website: CNET - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 Review
Website: Read my Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 Review
Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 Review
CNET have reviewed the 5 megapixel, 8x zoom Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20. “The Dimage Z20 adds a 5-megapixel option to Konica Minolta’s line of quasi-megazoom cameras. Its 8X optical zoom is big enough to earn that Z in the name, but it’s a few notches shorter than the 12X zoom…