News

Monday, January 31, 2005

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Digital SLRPhoto-i have concluded their interactive review of the 16 megapixel Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Digital SLR.

“Would I buy one? Yes, without a second thought (I can explain to my wife later – a bunch of roses helps). It’s expensive and there is nothing else that competes with it on the market. It is absolutely superb. Just in case anyone is wondering why I put price as both a Pro and Con. The pro reason is that you would hate an Editor or Art director to turn up on an assignment and say I have one of those, the chances are they won’t at this price. The cons are, £5000 is a lot of money to spend on a camera without lens. But then again if I were a mini-cab driver I guess I wouldn’t bat an eye-lid at spending £10,000 to £15,000 on a new car (I’m glad I am not a cab driver really)”

Website: Photo-i - Canon 1D Mark II Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon 1Ds Mark II

Write a Review of the Canon 1Ds Mark II

Photo-i have concluded their interactive review of the 16 megapixel Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Digital SLR. “Would I buy one? Yes, without a second thought (I can explain to my wife later – a bunch of roses helps). It’s expensive and there is nothing else that competes with it on…

FujiFilm FinePix S3 ProDIWA member website LetsGoDigital have just posted their review of the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro digital SLR.

“The brightness is excellent and the colour edges are no problem. The extended dynamic range is obviously more than just an advertising stunt. It offers a solution in certain circumstances. The Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro might not be that much better than for example the Canon EOS 20D or the Nikon D100 but it features its own special characteristics. It seems an exceptionally fine camera for portrait, wedding and nature photographers. Only, Fujifilm ought to change and improve the storage speed. That seems to be the one disappointment we found on this camera.

Website: LetsGoDigital - FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro Review

Check the Latest Prices for the FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro

Write a Review of the FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro

DIWA member website LetsGoDigital have just posted their review of the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro digital SLR. “The brightness is excellent and the colour edges are no problem. The extended dynamic range is obviously more than just an advertising stunt. It offers a solution in certain circumstances. The Fujifilm FinePix…

Pentax *ist DSThe Hungarian website Index Digicam have posted their review of the 6 megapixel Pentax *ist DS DSLR.

Website: Index Digicam - Pentax *ist DS Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax *ist DS

Write a Review of the Pentax *ist DS

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have posted their review of the 6 megapixel Pentax *ist DS DSLR. Website: Index Digicam - Pentax *ist DS Review Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax *ist DS Write a Review of the Pentax *ist DS

Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPHDIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat.cz have just published a joint review of the 4 megapixel Canon Digital IXUS 40 (also known as the PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH) and the Canon Ixus I5.

Website: FotoAparat.cz - Canon Digital IXUS 40 / Canon Ixus I5 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon Digital IXUS 40

Write a Review of the Canon Digital IXUS 40

DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat.cz have just published a joint review of the 4 megapixel Canon Digital IXUS 40 (also known as the PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH) and the Canon Ixus I5. Website: FotoAparat.cz - Canon Digital IXUS 40 / Canon Ixus I5 Review Check the Latest Prices for…

Olympus C-7070 Wide ZoomDIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat.cz have published their review of the new 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom digital camera.

Website: FotoAparat.cz - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom

Write a Review of the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom

DIWA member and Czech website FotoAparat.cz have published their review of the new 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom digital camera. Website: FotoAparat.cz - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Review Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Write a Review of the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33Czech website Digineff have posted a short review of the 5 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 digital camera.

Website: Digineff - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 Review

Write a Review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33

Czech website Digineff have posted a short review of the 5 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 digital camera. Website: Digineff - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 Review Write a Review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33

Ricoh Caplio R1VSuccessor to the popular Caplio R1, the Ricoh Caplio R1V is a powerful 5.0 megapixel digital camera with a 28mm wide-angle, 4.8x optical zoom in an exceptionally slim 25mm body. Czech website Digineff have published a short review of the Ricoh Caplio R1V.

Website: Digineff - Ricoh Caplio R1V Review

Write a Review of the Ricoh Caplio R1V

Successor to the popular Caplio R1, the Ricoh Caplio R1V is a powerful 5.0 megapixel digital camera with a 28mm wide-angle, 4.8x optical zoom in an exceptionally slim 25mm body. Czech website Digineff have published a short review of the Ricoh Caplio R1V. Website: Digineff - Ricoh Caplio R1V Review…

I watched this mildly diverting debate on BBC’s Click Online TV program last week; which future disk storage format will win, Blu-ray or HD-DVD? You probably don’t care too much, just so long as the winner offers greater capacity, more reliability and cheaper prices than ever before. Richard Doherty, speaking for Blu-ray, and Vic Harasimow, standing up for HD-DVD, do care (principally because they may be out of a job if their respective companies don’t win…).

“Certainly a format war is unfortunate, but there is a lot of time left, so nothing is inevitable and we maybe able to fix something up in the next year before we reach product. At the same time it is very difficult for us to imagine what we might give up in a very successful and what we think is a compelling format to try and make a merge.”

Website: BBC News - Blu-ray versus HD-DVD

I watched this mildly diverting debate on BBC’s Click Online TV program last week; which future disk storage format will win, Blu-ray or HD-DVD? You probably don’t care too much, just so long as the winner offers greater capacity, more reliability and cheaper prices than ever before. Richard Doherty, speaking…

Primera Signature Z1 CD/DVD PrinterCameraTown has just reviewed the Signature Z1 CD/DVD Printer, a compact and affordable desktop printer that prints directly onto CD-Rs and DVD+/-Rs with tough, waterproof thermal transfer ink.

“If you are tired of spending 20 to 30 minutes designing a full-color, photo-quality sticky label for your discs, tired of bubbles or peeling that often plague sticky labels, and would prefer to be able to print directly onto standard media - without fear of smudging or fading - then I reccommend you consider getting the Primera Signature Z1. While it is not inexpensive, it just might be an expense you can justify.”

Website: CameraTown - Signature Z1 CD/DVD Printer Review

CameraTown has just reviewed the Signature Z1 CD/DVD Printer, a compact and affordable desktop printer that prints directly onto CD-Rs and DVD+/-Rs with tough, waterproof thermal transfer ink. “If you are tired of spending 20 to 30 minutes designing a full-color, photo-quality sticky label for your discs, tired of bubbles…

Epson L-500VThe Norwegian website Akamera.no has published a review of the 5 megapixel Epson L-500V digital camera.

Website: Akamera.no - Epson L-500V Review

Write a Review of the Epson L-500V

The Norwegian website Akamera.no has published a review of the 5 megapixel Epson L-500V digital camera. Website: Akamera.no - Epson L-500V Review Write a Review of the Epson L-500V

Saturday, January 29, 2005

Gateway MP3 Photo JukeboxPCMagazine have taken a look at the Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox, and they generally like what they see:

“The Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox combines a 4GB digital audio player with a color screen and a photo viewer, and includes the ability to upload images from your camera. It has an interesting blend of features at an attractive price, and digital camera owners will appreciate the ability to upload and view their pictures while on the go.”

Website: PCMagazine - Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox Review

PCMagazine have taken a look at the Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox, and they generally like what they see: “The Gateway MP3 Photo Jukebox combines a 4GB digital audio player with a color screen and a photo viewer, and includes the ability to upload images from your camera. It has an…

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II Digital SLRImaging Resource have posted their review of the Canon EOS-1D Mark II DSLR.

“The Canon EOS-1D was a groundbreaking digicam when it was first announced in late 2001, and held its ground amazingly well against the competition in all the time since then. In January of 2004, Canon announced the EOS-1D Mark II, a radical update of the original 1D, doubling its resolution, while simultaneously increasing its continuous shooting speed slightly to a blazing 8.5 frames/second, and cutting image noise in the process.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon EOS-1D Mark II Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Write a Review of the Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Imaging Resource have posted their review of the Canon EOS-1D Mark II DSLR. “The Canon EOS-1D was a groundbreaking digicam when it was first announced in late 2001, and held its ground amazingly well against the competition in all the time since then. In January of 2004, Canon announced the…

Olympus C-7070 Wide ZoomDIWA member and Polish website Fotopolis have published the first online review of the new 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom digital camera.

Website: Fotopolis - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom

Write a Review of the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom

DIWA member and Polish website Fotopolis have published the first online review of the new 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom digital camera. Website: Fotopolis - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Review Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Write a Review of the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom

Pentax Optio SVDIWA member and Slovenian website e-fotografija have reviewed the Pentax Optio SV, a compact digicam with 5 Megapixels and 5x zoom lens.

Website: e-fotografija - Pentax Optio SV Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax Optio SV

Write a Review of the Pentax Optio SV

DIWA member and Slovenian website e-fotografija have reviewed the Pentax Optio SV, a compact digicam with 5 Megapixels and 5x zoom lens. Website: e-fotografija - Pentax Optio SV Review Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax Optio SV Write a Review of the Pentax Optio SV

After yesterday’s news that Sony and Sanyo were cutting their sales predictions for the current year, Canon have announced that they expect to see sales rise in 2005, despite warnings of slowing growth and falling prices in the digital camera market.

“Canon said it sold 14.0 million digital cameras in 2004, falling short of its forecast of 14.7 million. It forecast sales to rise about 20 percent to 16.8 million this year, including 1.8 million digital single lens reflex (SLR) models.

Tanaka said prices of compact digital cameras would likely fall about 10 percent in 2005 after dropping 15 percent last year. But he said Canon would work to maintain margins and avoid the troubles faced by Olympus Corp. and some other makers whose camera divisions have fallen into the red.

Canon’s camera division boasts an operating profit margin of about 15 percent.”

Website: Reuters - Canon Q4 profit up 17 pct, sees record for 5th year

After yesterday’s news that Sony and Sanyo were cutting their sales predictions for the current year, Canon have announced that they expect to see sales rise in 2005, despite warnings of slowing growth and falling prices in the digital camera market. “Canon said it sold 14.0 million digital cameras in…

Taking a photograph is only half the battle; presentation is also a key element of any successful photograph. Framing and matting prints is one of the best ways of showing off your work. QuickMats is a new software program that simulates actual physical mats, either onscreen or in a print. Digital Outback Photo have published a review of QuickMats, which retails for $239.

“There is now a matting solution which will not require you to either go to a frame shop or have contact with any matting materials or matting tools whatsoever. This solution is called QuickMats, a program created by John Hartman. QuickMats relies on an arsenal of Photoshop files, actions, textures, etc. to create professional looking mats which, visually, are undistinguishable from the “real” thing.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - 
QuickMats: Virtual Matting has arrived

Taking a photograph is only half the battle; presentation is also a key element of any successful photograph. Framing and matting prints is one of the best ways of showing off your work. QuickMats is a new software program that simulates actual physical mats, either onscreen or in a print…

Nikon F6Professional photographer and Nikon user Moose Peterson has published a detailed review of the new Nikon F6 film SLR camera (found via digicamera.net).

“The F6 has a whole lot more to offer the wildlife photographer. This user report is from just one month of shooting with the F6. It was long enough and the results beautiful enough to impress the heck out of me. It makes me wish that the F6 was around when I was shooting film because it would have made capturing images possible that otherwise I missed. That’s really the true mark of an excellent piece of gear.”

Website: Moose Peterson - Nikon F6 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon F6

Write a Review of the Nikon F6

Professional photographer and Nikon user Moose Peterson has published a detailed review of the new Nikon F6 film SLR camera (found via digicamera.net). “The F6 has a whole lot more to offer the wildlife photographer. This user report is from just one month of shooting with the F6. It was…

Nikon CoolwalkerProfessional photographer and Nikon user Moose Peterson has posted a review of the Nikon Coolwalker MSV-01, a 30GB portable image storage device for the organisation of digital images.

“The display on the MSV-01 is a 2.5”, TFT color LCD 117,600 pixels (490x240). What does that translate to? The D1 has a 114,000 2” display and the D2H has 2.5-in., 211,200 display. The MSV-01 falls somewhere in between and is a pretty good display but not killer. I found by raising the display brightness to 10 (default is 8) that a slight improvement could be made. The display is such you can see images in daylight. In a darken area and with fresh eyes, I think the display will be good enough for a short term means of uploading images and learning from them.”

Website: Moose Peterson - Nikon Coolwalker MSV-01 Review

Professional photographer and Nikon user Moose Peterson has posted a review of the Nikon Coolwalker MSV-01, a 30GB portable image storage device for the organisation of digital images. “The display on the MSV-01 is a 2.5”, TFT color LCD 117,600 pixels (490x240). What does that translate to? The D1 has…

Nikon Coolpix 8800CNET have published their review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800.

“The Nikon Coolpix 8800’s vibration-reduction (VR) system dynamically shifts lens elements to compensate for camera shake when shooting stills and movies. This effectively lets you use shutter speeds three stops slower—1/30 second instead of 1/250 second, for example—than you would otherwise need. (By contrast, Nikon’s chief competition in the vibration-resistant, 8-megapixel EVF arena, the Minolta A200, builds its antishake technology into a floating CCD.)”

Website: CNET - Nikon Coolpix 8800 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Nikon Coolpix 8800

Write a Review of the Nikon Coolpix 8800

CNET have published their review of the new 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8800. “The Nikon Coolpix 8800’s vibration-reduction (VR) system dynamically shifts lens elements to compensate for camera shake when shooting stills and movies. This effectively lets you use shutter speeds three stops slower—1/30 second instead of 1/250 second, for…

Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200A-Digital-Eye have reviewed the 8 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 digital camera, which incorporates anti-shake technology and a swivelling LCD monitor.

“Image quality of A200 is extremely high. In extra fine Jpeg mode, A200 delivers extremely high resolution and therefore is able to captured very detailed images while RAW mode capture gives demanding photographers full control to tweak images. Most images show very accurate color under outdoor conditions, though under default natural color mode, color sometime can be a little muted, especially under overcast sky. In that case, I prefer shooting under vivid mode. Like most digicams, noise is a problem at higher ISO’s. ISO 800 images show lots of noise, but they are still very usable when resized. ISO 400 images are much less noisy and are capable of very large prints. No noise is apparent at ISO 200 and below.”

Website: A-Digital-Eye - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200

Write a Review of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200

A-Digital-Eye have reviewed the 8 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 digital camera, which incorporates anti-shake technology and a swivelling LCD monitor. “Image quality of A200 is extremely high. In extra fine Jpeg mode, A200 delivers extremely high resolution and therefore is able to captured very detailed images while RAW mode…