Simple Star Press Release

Simple Star Announces Availability of PhotoShow 4 Software and All New PhotoShow Circle Online Sharing Service

Easiest-To-Use Consumer Imaging Software Now Supports Video and Provides Users With a Free, Personal Website to Showcase Memories

SAN FRANCISCO, July 12, 2005—With PhotoShow 4 desktop software, it’s easier than ever for consumers to bring digital photos and video clips to life, create and share captivating musical PhotoShows with friends and family, manage collections, and easily perfect all of their photos. What’s more, PhotoShow users always know exactly where their photos are and can quickly search their growing collections, thanks to an intuitive system that enables anyone to easily tag photos and videos on import and then find them in intuitive ways.

Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 is announced. Digital Image Suite 2006 is a siftware application that allows you to find, view and organize photos and videos. Available in 2 versions, Digital Image Suite 2006 and Digital Image Standard 2006, for $99.95 and $49.95 respectively.

Microsoft Press Release

Microsoft Debuts New Tools to Help Consumers Do More With Their Growing Number of Digital Memories

Consumers can get organized with Digital Image Suite 2006 and discover the many shades of black and white.

REDMOND, Wash. — July 5, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. today launched Microsoft® Digital Image Suite 2006, a powerful package of easy-to-use tools designed to help consumers organize, enhance and share their rising number of digital memories. The new digital imaging software helps consumers, from the novice to the sophisticated photographer, easily find their favorite snapshots and video clips and do more with them in just a few clicks.

BIOS 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: BIOS - Ricoh GX8 Review

Website: Read my Ricoh Caplio GX8 Review

The excellent website 28mm.org may have closed its doors last year, but that hasn’t stopped owner Rachel James from creating a printed final issue of the online photography magazine, showcasing 51 different photographers over 204 pages for $39.99.

Website: 28mm.org

Addonics Press Release

Addonics Announces Serial ATA to CompactFlash Adapter—High-Speed Reader/Writer is Bootable and Hot Swappable

SAN JOSE, CA (July 12, 2005)—Addonics Technologies has announced a SATA to CompactFlash adapter board, which allows a CompactFlash device to be used in any system that has a SATA port.

The Addonics SATA to CF Adapter is one of the fastest CF Readers/Writers available. It is compliant with Serial ATA 1.0a specifications and is capable of high transfer rates of up to 1.5Gbps, depending on the type of media used.

Macworld have published a comprehensive comparative review of nine different online photo services:

“There are a lot of online photo services out there, but there can be a huge difference in results from one online photo finisher to the next. To find the best option, I took a look at nine online photo ser-vices: Kodak EasyShare Gallery, Mpix, PhotoCheap, PhotoWorks, Shutterfly, Snapfish, Wal-Mart, Webshots, and the Order Prints option built into Apple’s iPhoto 5. I sent five different images to all of the services and then asked a jury of Macworld editors to evaluate the prints’ image quality. I incorporated their opinions into my overall evaluation of the services.”

Website: Macworld - Turn pixels into prints

Thanks to Terry Chay for letting me know about the article.

Imaging Resource have reviewed the new sharpening software Nik Sharpener Pro 2.

“When we reviewed the initial release of Sharpener Pro in Nov. 2000, we were already big fans of Photoshop’s unsharp masking filter. And that review discusses unsharp masking in general, if you need a refresher course. But since we became acquainted with Sharpener, we’ve printed no inkjet or dye sub photo nor published any Web site image from Seybold or Macworld without it. There are few utilities than can go five years without an update, but Sharpener is one of them.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nik Sharpener Pro 2 Review

After recently announcing a fall in profits, Sanyo seem to be getting back on track by cutting its digicam production costs, mainly by producing 90% of its output in overseas countires like Indonesia, China, South Korea and Vietnam. Interestingly Sanyo also aim to sell 300,000 of their Xacti C cameras in 2005/06, approximately 30% of the global market for combination video/still cameras.

“We are aiming to cut (production) costs by 30 percent with models coming out this fall compared with those launched in spring last year,” Kubo said. “We have to cut costs by that much to keep up with price falls in the market.”

Kubo said he would like to raise sales of Sanyo’s own branded cameras to 10 percent of its total in the future. The “Xacti C” series is the best way to achieve this target because it leverages the company’s strong video technology, he said.”

Website: Reuters - Sanyo cuts digital camera costs

Kodak are reportedly making available pre-production versions of a new CMOS sensor for use in digital cameras and camera-phones. Developed in partnership with IBM, Kodak’s new sensors will actually be produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

“We are providing the component, not building the camera ... (and) making it easier for cell phone makers to incorporate them into their designs for mobile phones, which helps to grow the opportunity for the sensors we are launching.” said Kodak executive Mike felucca. “This helps get us to better cameras and addresses some cost issues for the end consumer.”

Website: Washington Post - Kodak says distributing new digital camera sensors

Kodak Press Release

Kodak Accelerates Move into Image Sensor Market for Consumer Devices

Company Delivers New Products, Forms New Alliances to Advance Imaging Capabilities for Camera Phones and Digital Cameras

ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 11—Eastman Kodak Company reached another milestone in its digital growth strategy with the announcement of innovative new image sensors for mass-market products such as camera phones and digital still cameras. The company also announced important new alliances that will extend its reach in the market for image sensors.

BIOS have reviewed the Lexmark P4350 an all-in-one printer and scanner with a colour LCD screen and 48-bit color scan depth.

“Lexmark’s P4350 makes it easy to print, copy, scan and fax in colour. The attractive, low-profile device can also print independently of a computer, reduce and enlarge photos and documents in a snap, and allow you to share your scanned photos by e-mail thanks to an intuitive interface. The P4350 is an attractive product for a new user, and its general performance is pretty good considering its exceptionally low cost, but photo enthusiasts and business users will be left wanting and should pay more for a better-performing unit.”

Website: BIOS - Lexmark P4350 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Lexmark P4350

Write a Review of the Lexmark P4350

PhoTags Press Release

PHOTAGS INTRODUCES VISIBLE, NON-DESTRUCTIVE CAPTIONS AND PASSWORD PROTECTION TO THE ADOBE EXTENSIBLE METADATA PLATFORM (XMP)

New York, NY—PhoTags Inc., the Portable Infoimaging company, today announced Active Captions® support for the Adobeâ Extensible Metadata Platform (XMP), which adds intelligence to media, as part of it newly released SDK 6.0.

PhoTags takes the power of the Adobe XMP to the next level by offering additional capabilities that are only possible with Active Captions. Active Captions enhanced XMP allows the user to choose any XMP metadata stored in a JPEG, make it visible on the picture, and then turn it on and off at any time. For example, users can add a visible copyright notice that will not destroy the photo. The copyright can then be updated or turned off.

DIWA member and Spanish website Nuevafotografia have posted their review of the new 8 megapixel Olympus E-300 / Evolt DSLR.

Website: Nuevafotografia - Olympus E-300 / Evolt Review

Website: Read my Olympus E-300 / Evolt Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus E-300 / Evolt

Write a Review of the Olympus E-300 / Evolt

I have now returned from a hectic 2 week trip to the island of Tenerife, the Vendée region of France, seaside port of La Rochelle and the Northern town of Lille. And I thought this was supposed to be a holiday! From tomorrow, PhotographyBLOG will be back up to full speed, once I’ve read all my email / spam. For anyone who’s interested, this photo of the sun setting over a Tenerife mountain was taken with the new HP R818 camera (in the shops soon).

PhotographyBLOG and ColorVision Europe have teamed up to bring you an unmissable offer on ColorVision’s excellent Spyder2 range of monitor calibration products*. There are special deals on offer for all three Spyder2 products - you can save up to €90 / £60, plus ColorVision Europe are also including free delivery!

This special offer has now ended…sorry!

*offer is only open to European residents.

SeaLife DC500 underwater digital camera is announced today. The SeaLife DC500 has 5.5 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens and 2 inch LCD screen and retails for £349.99.

SeaLife Press Release

New DC500 Underwater Digital Camera, Made for Divers by Divers

Sealife Pioneer Research, the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of SeaLife underwater photographic equipment, introduces the new and long awaited DC500, 5.5mp digital camera with 3x optical zoom to its range of underwater photography products and accessories.

Canon PIXMA iP4200 and Canon PIXMA iP1600 printers are announced today.

The Canon iP4200 features one picoliter ink droplets and up to 9600 x 2400 dpi color resolution. The iP4200 uses five individual ChromaLife100 ink tanks along with the Canon FINE print head system and retails for $129.99.

The Canon iP1600 features two picoliter ink droplets and up to 4800 x 1200 dpi color resolution. The iP1600 is a four-color printer that uses the new Canon FINE Cartridge System and retails for $49.99.

Canon USA Press Release

Two New PIXMA Inkjet Photo Printers from Canon Offer Outstanding Value and Exceptional Performance

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—July 11, 2005—Canon U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:CAJ):
—New Canon PIXMA iP4200 Photo Printer Boasts Advanced Features at a Great Price Point;
—Canon PIXMA iP1600 Photo Printer Gives Customers More Bang for Their Buck

High quality and great value go hand in hand with the latest entries in the Canon PIXMA photo printer line - the new PIXMA iP1600 and PIXMA iP4200 printers. At estimated selling prices of $49.99(1) and $129.99(1), respectively, these printers fit a range of budgets while expanding the top quality photo printing capabilities the PIXMA line is known for.

HP Photosmart 8250 photo printer is announced today. The HP Photosmart 8250 features six individual ink cartridges and can print photos in just 14 seconds. The HP 8250 employs Scalable Printing Technology which minimises the need for priming the printer and therefore reduces ink wastage. The HP Photosmart 8250 Photo Printer is available from August 18, 2005 for £179.99 / €199 including VAT.

HP Press Release

HP Launches its Fastest Home Photo Printer Yet - Record print speeds with the all-new HP Photosmart 8250

TENERIFE, June 27, 2005 - HP today announced the launch of the HP Photosmart 8250 Photo Printer, a ground-breaking new model capable of printing photos in as little as 14 seconds. Believed to be the fastest home photo printing in the world , this is the first consumer printer from HP to feature six individual ink cartridges.

As well as providing high speed performance, the HP Photosmart 8250 Photo Printer with Scalable Printing Technology boasts a remarkable new ink delivery system. Unlike any other system on the market, HP’s new platform features a recirculation technology which minimises the need for priming – and therefore any associated wastage – to ensure that a far greater proportion of the ink is used for printing. Like all individual ink cartridge systems, only those inks that have been used up need replacing.

HP UK Press Release

Quality Photo Printing At Home from Just 23p Per Print

New HP Photo Packs offer high quality, affordable photo printing from the convenience of your own home

LONDON, UK, July 11, 2005 - A range of new HP Photo Packs that will enable customers to create professional quality photographs, at the lowest cost per print from the comfort of their own homes is being announced by HP today.

Each HP Photo Pack contains a customized tri-colour inkjet print cartridge together with the ideal amount of HP photo paper to print a specified number of clear, bright photographs from as little as 23p per print1.

HP Press Release

HP Ignites Printer Industry with Market-changing Technology; New Ink-Based Printing Platform Delivers Record-Breaking Print Speeds in the Home and Office, and Will Scale to High-Volume Printing Markets
 
NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)—July 11, 2005—HP (NYSE:HPQ) (Nasdaq:HPQ) today announced a breakthrough ink-based printing platform, the result of a five-year, $1.4 billion strategic investment that the company believes will catapult its leadership in the printer market years ahead of its competitors.

At a press conference here, HP unveiled its first products built on the new scalable printing technology, which is designed specifically to deliver high-performance printing for high-volume users. These include the world’s fastest home photo printing devices—4 x 6-inch photos in as fast as 14 seconds(1)—as well as the world’s fastest desktop color business printer, which enables small and medium-size businesses to print up to twice the speed(2) and 30 percent lower cost-per-page than color laser printers.(3)

HP Scanjet 4890 photo scanner is announced today. Featuring 4800 x 9600-dpi resolution and 48-bit colour, the HP Scanjet 4890 can scan up to sixteen 35 mm slides or 30 negative frames at once, with each scan taking less than 10 seconds at a time. The HP Scanjet 4890 Photo Scanner is available from August 1 2005 for £199 / €199.

HP Press Release

HP Introduces a High Quality Scanner for the Aspiring Photographer

The HP Scanjet 4890 Photo Scanner provides the fastest, highest quality, scanning at an affordable price, ideal for photo enthusiasts keen on archiving their pictures

TENERIFE, June 27, 2005 - HP today unveiled the new HP Scanjet 4890 Photo Scanner, an efficient, high speed, stylish scanner designed for the photo enthusiast wanting to archive and restore all of their pictures.