PCMagazine have cast their critical eye over the compact Canon SELPHY CP400 photo printer.

“Add the Canon Selphy CP400 ($149 direct) to the growing list of dedicated photo printers for 4- by 6-inch photos. Similar in many ways to other printers in this category, it’s easy to set up and use; it can print directly from PictBridge cameras or from computers (but not memory cards); and its output is smudge- and waterproof thanks to thermal-dye technology (also known by the misnomer “dye sublimation”). It also brings a few extra tricks to the table, including the ability to print on a variety of paper sizes, from credit card size to 4 by 8 inches (though most people print at 4-by-6).”

Website: PCMagazine - Canon SELPHY CP400 Printer Review

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Trusted Reviews have reviewed the 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom, which was announced at the CES show back in January.

“As a camera reviewer I get to see all the latest models usually before they’re in the shops, but I only have them for a week or so before they have to go back to the manufacturers. Most of the time this is a perfectly fine arrangement, however once in a while I get a camera that makes such an impression on me I’m reluctant to return it. The Olympus C-7070 is just such a camera. I’ve only had it two weeks so far, but I have to admit I’ve completely fallen in love with it. I wonder if the marketing team at Olympus would believe me if I told them I’d lost it?”

Website: Trusted Reviews - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Review

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Imaging Resource have published their review of the new Sony DSC-H1 digital camera. The DSC-H1 has a 12x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 36-432 millimeters), 5 megapixel CCD and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-H1 is a new form factor addition to a long and very broad line of digital cameras that reflect Sony’s commanding position in the digital camera marketplace. Like many other long zoom cameras, the Sony H1 has a miniature SLR look and feel, with the big grip and large lens barrel. Rather than an optical viewfinder, there’s a secondary LCD inside an eyepiece that you can use when in bright sunlight. Most of the functions will be familiar to users of other Sony digital cameras, as will be the generous 2.5-inch color LCD monitor that is appearing on more and more Sony digicams. What’s new on the Sony H1 is the 12x zoom and Super SteadyShot image stabilization mechanism. The Sony H1 offers a Beach preset scene mode, in addition to the six other preset scene modes common to Sony cams, plus four metering modes offering full exposure control. Solidly built, the Sony H1 has a smooth and fast zoom mechanism and a good feel in the hand.”

Imaging Resource - Sony DSC-H1 Review

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DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the 5 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 5600 that was announced at PMA in February.

“The Nikon Coolpix 5600 boasts 5.1 effective megapixels on its 1/2.5-inch CCD. When tested, we determined the camera utilizes just 2.72 megapixels for imaging. This is 54% of its advertised count and a dismal resolution score. These results are not altogether surprising as many of the compact Coolpix models we have tested thus far seem to fall short in this department. This does not mean small (4x6-inch) prints made from the 5600 will display compromised quality, it just limits the potential print size considerably. Users who attempt to make 8x10 prints from the 5600 will likely be disappointed, particularly after realizing much of the camera’s $249.99 retail price stems from the 5 megapixel CCD included. Consumers might be better off looking for a more affordable 4 megapixel camera with additional shooting flexibility and control. “

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Nikon Coolpix 5600 Review

Website: Read my Nikon Coolpix 5600 Review

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

“Image quality from the Nikon Coolpix S1 was decent but not great for a 5-megapixel camera. The exposure system was easily misled by backlighting, prompting us to use the Backlighting scene mode and the D-lighting option more than we’d have liked. Images tended to be a little soft, and there was noticeable blooming and color bleeding from one area to another.”

Website: CNET - Nikon Coolpix S1 Review

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Doing a search for the Polaroid x530 on PhotographyBLOG reveals the rather optimistic headlines like “Polaroid x530 Now Available”. First revealed way back in February 2004, the Polaroid x530 is the first compact digital camera to feature the Foveon X3 direct image sensor. Well, it would be if it ever reached the shops. There may be a chink of light at the end of the tunnel, however, as Polaroid have announced yet another release date for the long-delayed 4.5 megapixel x530.  Available August 2005 declares the Polaroid Digital Camera website. Will this elusive camera ever make it out of the factory? I wouldn’t bet my house on it (not that I own one, but still you get the idea…).

http://www.polaroid-digital.com/site.php?cid=13&lid=1

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures Press Release

Worldwide Consumer Scanning Market Shows Signs of Stabilizing after Market Consolidation and Fierce Competition from All-in-Ones, According to New Report by InfoTrends/CAP Ventures

(Weymouth, MA) June, 16 2005… The worldwide mass scanner market continues to evolve as digital imaging vendors vie for consumer mindshare. Today’s challenge is to continue differentiating single-function scanners from low-cost, multifunctional, inkjet based all-in-one devices. The combined functionality and rock-bottom price points offered by all-in-one vendors have recently made the price/performance of single-function scanners less attractive to prospective buyers, particularly in North America.

Adobe Press Release

Adobe Systems Reports Record Revenue in Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2005

Adobe Creative Suite 2 Launch and Continued Adobe Acrobat Momentum Drive 21 Percent Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth

SAN JOSE, Calif. — June 16, 2005 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today reported strong financial results for its second quarter ended June 3, 2005.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2005, Adobe achieved record revenue of $496.0 million, compared to $410.1 million reported for the second quarter of fiscal 2004, and $472.9 million reported in the first quarter of fiscal 2005.  On a year-over-year basis, this represents 21 percent revenue growth.  Adobe’s second quarter revenue target range was $475 to $495 million.

Lexar Press Release

Fremont, CA, June 16, 2005 – Is Fido ready for his close-up? Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a leader in advanced digital media and accessories, today announced the start of its online Picture Perfect Pets amateur digital photography contest, in conjunction with its sponsorship of the upcoming publication of “DOGS 24/7” and “CATS 24/7,” by Rick Smolan and David Elliot Cohen, follow-on books to the hugely popular “America 24/7” book series. Entry details for contestants are at www.lexar.com/pets.

X-Rite Press Release

-Calibration standard ensures precision, accuracy, and repeatability of results-

Grandville, MI—June 16, 2005— X-Rite (NASDAQ: XRIT) today announced that it has achieved ISO 17025 Accreditation for its Grandville headquarters in the United States and GMBH operations in Germany. Achieving ISO 17025 Accreditation validates X-Rite’s competence of calibration, ensuring customers consistent and repeatable production yields, optimized results, and compatibility with other products. According to its research, X-Rite is the first and only color management company with this accreditation.

As if you needed further evidence that film has been surpassed by digital, at least from a marketing point of view, Kodak have announced (well, more like whispered) that they are ending production of their entire black and white paper range. At the same time, the US manufacturer pledged to carry on producing both black and white film and chemicals - how confusing is that?

“Kodak will discontinue the production and sale of black and white photographic papers as part of its worldwide digital growth strategy,” said a company statement. “As the imaging industry transitions from film to digital technologies, demand for B and W paper is declining by 25 percent per year and no longer represents an attractive market for Kodak.”

Website: PDNOnline - Kodak Announces End Of Black And White Paper Production

Website: Fox News - Kodak to Stop Making Black-and-White Paper

Website: Yahoo News - Kodak to Stop Making Black-and-White Paper

Thanks to the several readers who let me know.

Samsung SPP-2020 and Samsung SPP-2040 printers are introduced today. The SPP-2020 and SPP-2040 use Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer technology to produce water and fade resistant 4” x 6” prints in 60 seconds. The Samsung SPP-2040 additionally offers a 2” color TFT-LCD and 7-in-1 memory card interface. Price and availability of the Samsung SPP-2020 and SPP-2040 to be announced.

Samsung Press Release

SAMSUNG MAKES BOLD ENTRY INTO THE COMPETITIVE PHOTO PRINTER MARKET

Two New Photo Printers Produce Striking Fade-Resistant 4” x 6” Prints At A Fast 60-Second Print Speed that Lessens the Gap from Snap to Fridge

Irvine, CA – Samsung, the world’s second largest laser engine manufacturer, bursts onto the photo printer scene with a pair of compact, high quality dye-sublimation photo printers—the SPP-2020 and the deluxe SPP-2040—that allow users to print perfect snap shots, with or without a PC. These desktop units feature an industry-leading 60-second print speed and produce beautiful 4” x 6” prints that emerge dry, and with a water and fade resistant finish that protects photos from fingerprints and smudging.

ProFotoSoftware Press Release

London, UK 16th June 2005

ProFotoSoftware have today released V1.73 of PFS Image Darkroom, the Canon EOS Raw Image processor for Windows.

This new version adds support for the Canon 350D/Digital Rebel XT camera. PFS Image Darkroom now supports Raw image processing for the entire range of Canon EOS Digital SLRs.

A 30 day trial version can be downloaded from:
http://www.profotosoftware.com/download.php

DPNow have published a detailed evaluation of the K3 Ultrachrome inkset from Epson, as used in the new Stylus Photo R2400 A3+ photo printer (pictured).

“In this article we focus entirely on colour gamut, the breadth of colour a printer is capable of reproducing. Using Gretag Macbeth ProfileMaker we custom profiled an Epson Stylus Pro 4800 for use with Epson Premium Semi Gloss photo paper and plotted the measured base colour gamut at L:50 (mid-density), L:25 (darker) and L:75 (lighter). The results are compared over the following pages with those from the Epson Stylus Photo R1800, which uses Epson’s UltraChrome High Gloss inks introduced last year and the Epson Stylus Photo 2100 (2200 in some markets), which uses Epson’s original three year old UltraChrome ink formulation. We’ve also compared the results with HP’s new Photosmart 8750 A3 printer and Canon’s i9950 A3 model.

Website: DPNow - Epson UltraChrome K3 inks on test

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Microsoft have released the RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer for Windows XP. The Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer is a free “PowerToy” for Microsoft Windows XP that provides the ability to view, organize, and print photos captured in RAW image formats from supported digital cameras. Not that the download is 49 Mbs in size and you must have Service Pack 2 for XP installed.

Overview
Often likened to a ‘digital negative,’ a RAW image is the native image format for a growing number of quality digital cameras. Because of the camera-specific nature of RAW files, they are not supported natively within Microsoft Windows. As a result, photographers shooting RAW have not been able to take advantage of the built-in features provided in Windows XP for viewing, organizing, and printing RAW photos—until now.

Like the look of the new Epson Stylus Photo R2400 A3+ photo printer, but don’t want to pay for one? Then Photo-i’s competition will be right up your street, especially if you live in the UK - they are giving away an Epson Stylus Photo R2400 to one lucky reader (but only if you live in the UK).

Website: Photo-i - Epson Stylus Photo R2400 Contest

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Wacom Press Release

Wacom receives international award for product design

The Intuos3 pen tablet system from Wacom was awarded the coveted “red dot” for high design quality in the product design category by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen. Deciding factors for the independent jury’s decision included the clear, straightforward design of the pen tablet system, coupled with the emotional appeal achieved through the use of high-quality material and backpainting to provide optical depth.

These electronic input devices, manufactured by market leader Wacom, are characterized by the manner in which they transfer the intuitive feeling of using pen and paper to a more technical workflow in an incredibly realistic way. For many professional users, who use a pen tablet on a daily basis for many hours at a time, the character and personality of a product play just as important a role as functionality.

Fujifilm USA Press Release

“Digital accents by Fujifilm” Offer a Range of Accessory Options for Digital Photographers

Valhalla, NY, June 16, 2005 - As digital camera penetration increases, amateur photographers are looking to accessory products like camera bags, tripods and media wallets to accent their digital imaging experience. Research shows that almost half of all consumers are likely to purchase related accessories at the time if their digital camera purchase*.

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., is responding to this trend by creating a new, universal line of digital camera accessories called “Digital accents by Fujifilm.” Designed to mesh perfectly with the lifestyles and photo habits of a wide variety of digital photographers “Digital accents by Fujifilm” accessories enhance the imaging experience, empowering consumers to take great photographs in exotic places around the world or in familiar surroundings around the corner from their home.

Extensis Inc has released free updates for all its Photoshop Tools products, including Mask Pro, PhotoFrame, Intellihance Pro and pxl SmartScale. The free updates for registered users will provide Adobe Creative Suite compatibility.

Website: Extensis - Product Compatibility Information

Sandisk Press Release

SANDISK’S EXTREME III FLASH MEMORY CARDS WIN MAJOR TIPA DIGITAL IMAGING AWARD—BEST 2005 IMAGING STORAGE PRODUCT

TIPA Award Is Europe’s Highest Prize For Best Photo Products

COLOGNE, GERMANY, June 16, 2005 -SanDisk® Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today announced that the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), an organization of 30 top photography publications from across Europe, has given its Best Imaging Storage Media Award For 2005 to the SanDisk Extreme™ III line of high-speed storage cards. SanDisk Extreme III cards, the world’s fastest flash memory cards, were recognized by leading editors, many of whom are professional photographers, as setting “a new standard for industry performance.”