Vosonic Press Release

VOSONIC X’S-DRIVE II Plus VP2160

9in1 Portable Storage Device with 20GB to 80GB Capacity
Fast transfers from memory card to the HD
LCD Panel
Long battery life

Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer Vosonic, has announced the availability of the X’S-Drive II Plus VP2160, a new Portable Storage Device with LCD display, which is to replace the popular XS Drive II VP2060.

The X’S-Drive II Plus VP2160 remains a 2 button operation unit; “Power on / off” and “Copy” with an LCD display for file transfer status, battery power level, capacity on the HD left.

The X’S-Drive II Plus VP2160 allows the transfer of pictures and any other file from any memory card including xD picture cards via the 2 multi-memory card slots to its internal 2.5 inches hard drive.

Konica Minolta Japan yesterday announced a new waterproof digital camera. The 4 megapixel DG-5W is waterproof down to 1.5 meters, dustproof and shockproof. Sporting a 2 inch LCD screen and 28-78mm lens, the DG-5W will launch in March costing ¥80,000. No word yet on availability/price outside Japan.

Business Week Online of all places discusses the ways in which you can rescue digital photos that you think are lost from your memory cards. Touch wood, I’ve never actually experienced losing photos due to a faulty card, but if you have this article recommends several software packages that may help you to recover your images:

“I loaded three of the programs—RescuePRO, Image Rescue, and ImageRecall—onto my computer and used them to recover my pictures from a CompactFlash card. I was unable to deliberately damage the card, but I “lost” individual images by opening the card access door on my camera while it was still writing the image and index data to the card. Neither the camera nor my computer could see the pictures, but all three programs could find them and write them to the computer’s hard drive. I also reformatted the card: The software still found pictures, including a hundred or so that I’d deleted months ago.”

Thanks to Sanj for the link.

Website: Business Week Online - Lost Your Digital Photos? Stay Calm

Nikon have just released a new firmware version for the Coolwalker MSV-01, a 30GB portable image storage device for the organisation of digital images.

Issues addressed with firmware version 1.2:

In some instances, image data recorded to certain Lexar Media CompactFlash memory cards could not be copied to the COOLWALKER.

When RAW or TIFF images captured with the D2H were displayed in full-screen playback, the image displayed in the monitor sometimes did not fill the entire screen.

Website: Nikon Coolwalker Firmware - Windows

Website: Nikon Coolwalker Firmware - MAC

The German website Photoworld have reviewed the 7 megapixel Pentax Optio750Z.

Website: Photoworld - Pentax Optio750Z Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax Optio750Z

I’ve completely overlooked Mike Johnston’s “Sunday Morning Photographer” column, which this month takes a look at Pentax and the *ist DS DSLR camera.

“So what does the Pentax DS offer to make it special? What unique feature sets it apart? Nothing! That’s right, nothing.

Well, actually I suppose you could say small size, which as I say is a longtime hallmark of Pentax products. The *ist DS is the smallest, lightest digital SLR so far. But beyond that, there’s no special feature to grab the fickle attention of the buying public. It hasn’t got anti-shake. No sensor-cleaner. The Canon 20D has better image quality, if only marginally. Several cameras focus somewhat faster. You can get slightly better value out of a couple of others. The DS is not the quietest, the fanciest, the most feature-laden, the most special in any way. Except one…”

Website: Sunday Morning Photographer: The K-1000 of Digital SLRs

Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax *ist DS

Are you looking to buy a digital cmaera, but you’re not sure how much you should spend and what you can actually expect for your money? PCWorld have a handy guide to the lower-end price points (less than $300), detailing what features you can get and recommending some specific models.

“Today, the price of a 5- or 6-megapixel point-and-shoot digital camera has dropped below what a 4-megapixel camera was selling for less than a year ago. Take the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P150, for example. When it debuted, this 7-megapixel model sold for $500. Today, you can find it at some online retailers for $369—a price drop of 26 percent.

What should you expect to spend for a digital camera? How low can you go?”

PCWorld: Digital Cameras: How Low Can You Go?

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix A330 Zoom, a digital camera that offers 3 million effective pixel resolution, 3x optical zoom and a sturdy but stylish body.

“Known for great color and performance, Fuji has also carved out a niche for itself by consistently providing good-quality consumer digicams at rock-bottom prices. The latest in their line of bargain-priced cameras is the Fuji FinePix A330, a 3.2-megapixel digital camera. The Fuji A330 carries on the value-leading tradition of Fuji digital cameras by offering a 3.2-megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom lens at a low price, and including a longer maximum exposure time of two seconds and four preset scene modes. As you’d expect, the Fuji FinePix A330 trades off a few features and capabilities to achieve its remarkably low cost, but the camera still takes reasonably good-looking pictures in daylight conditions, and is simple enough for even rank beginners to get started with.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Fujifilm FinePix A330 Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Fuji FinePix A330 Zoom

The Czech website FotoAparat.cz have published their review of the Ricoh Caplio R1 digital camera.

Website: FotoAparat.cz - Ricoh Caplio R1 Review

Website: Read my Review of the Ricoh Caplio R1

Olympus / Panasonic Press Release

Olympus and Panasonic Sign Joint Development Agreement for Interchangeable Lens Type Digital SLR Cameras

Olympus Corporation (Olympus) and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic) today announced the signing of a joint development agreement for interchangeable lens type digital SLR cameras based on the Four Thirds System standard. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will jointly develop technologies and devices, and promote the development of digital SLR cameras that maximize the extensive user benefits of the Four Thirds System.

The aim of the agreement is to meet the needs of the rapidly growing global market for digital SLR cameras*1 by fusing Olympus’s industry-leading SLR camera technology with Panasonic’s advanced digital AV technology, and by developing innovative new design concepts for next-generation digital SLR cameras.

Delkin Press Release

New Unique Rechargeable CR123A Charger and Batteries – Available in NOW!
                                                                                                                           
Delkin’s CR123A is a rechargeable Lithium Ion version of the disposable CR123.  The Rechargeable CR123A Kits comes complete with a charger and battery and will work with a variety of cameras.

Features:
·      High performance Li-ion technology with no memory effect.

·      Protection circuits to ensure safe operation.  Automatically shuts off when charge is complete.

·      Charging Time: 2 to 3 Hours.

·      Low self-discharging rate.  Retains 90% of its charge after 28 days sitting idle.

DigitalCameraInfo have posted their first impressions of the new Olympus C-55 Zoom digital camera (also called the C-5500 Sports Zoom in the US) that was announced at the CES show last week.

“The Olympus C-5500 has a full automatic mode, both Shutter and Aperture Priority modes, 11 scene modes, and a manual mode. These provide a versatile range of shooting options for both beginning and intermediate users. Beginners who purchase this camera can expect to keep it for several years. It is easy to navigate and operate, which is a feature that attracts all levels of users. The 2.7 frame-per-second burst mode and 5x optical zoom make this camera a perfect candidate to shoot soccer games or action-packed sporting events. The image stabilization function active on the Movie Mode is a rare feature that only enhances the value of the C-5500. The 5.1-megapixel Olympus C-5500 seems to be an impressive camera and will be enhance the Camedia series when it hits shelves in February 2005.”

DigitalCameraInfo - Olympus C-55 Zoom Preview

The German website Digitalkamera have published their review of the 5 megapixel Panasonic DMC-FX7.

Website: Digitalkamera - Panasonic DMC-FX7 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Panasonic DMC-FX7

NE Asia Online have published a thought-provoking look at the new Sony CMOS sensor that Nikon are using in their D2X DSLR.

“That isn’t the only reason engineers are watching, though. The other key reason is that there is an excellent chance that the new CMOS sensor will deliver top-class sensitivity (signal/noise ratio, or S/N) in comparison with other sensors of the same pixel area. Pixel pitch, a key indicator of S/N, is 5.49µm (Table 1), which is probably the finest pitch of any imager ever used in a relatively large-format SLR, including CCD imagers. Nikon commented, “High-end digital cameras, including SLRs, no longer have to rely solely on CCD sensors. CMOS sensors are well worth considering.”

Website: NE Asia Online - Sony’s CMOS Sensors to Compete with CCDs

Epson UK first announced this before Christmas - now it’s the turn of Epson America to introduce the Epson Perfection 4990 Photo Scanner series.

Epson America Press Release

EPSON PERFECTION™ 4990 SCANNER SERIES FEATURES GREATER DYNAMIC RANGE AND LARGER TRANSPARENCY UNIT FOR GREATER PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE

New Models Combine the High Resolution and DMax of a Dedicated Film Scanner with the Versatility of a Flatbed Scanner to Deliver Outstanding Results

LONG BEACH, Calif.—Jan. 12, 2004 – Epson America Inc.’s newest flatbed scanners offer enhanced productivity and performance for photographers, graphic designers and other professionals by offering a higher DMax for greater dynamic range and a larger transparency unit than its predecessor models.

The EPSON Perfection™ 4990 PHOTO and EPSON Perfection 4990 PRO scanners both have a versatile built-in 8”x10” transparency unit (TPU) with a moving carriage and lamp optimized for film scans for quality rarely seen in a consumer-level scanner. The TPU is almost 50% larger than the predecessor models. It includes film holders that support eight 35mm mounted slides, four 35mm film strips up to 24 frames, three to six medium format frames or two 4” x 5” frames. It also has an 8” x 10” guide for transparencies and proof sheets without film holders, allowing for a larger volume of negative scanning.

Linspire, Inc. Press Release

Lphoto 2.0 Improves Photo Management on Desktop Linux With DVD and Flash Options

Linspire, Inc. Announces Major Upgrade to Open Source Digital Photo Software

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/—Linspire, Inc. today announced a new version of Lphoto, the complete desktop Linux solution for digital photo management. Besides convenient tools to import, re-touch, manage, and share digital photos quickly and easily, Lphoto 2.0 includes advanced features like album-to-CD and album-to-DVD functionality and options to create MP3 soundtracks on custom DVD slide shows. The photo manager is available for several popular Linux versions, including Linspire, MandrakeSoft, Xandros, Debian, SuSE, and Knoppix. Further details on Lphoto plus screen shots and a flash demo can be viewed at www.lphoto.com.

EDGE Tech Corp Press Release

EDGE Tech Corp Introduces Digital Picture Frame Plus MP3 Player; New Digital Picture Frame Product Now Shipping

DALLAS, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/—EDGE Tech Corp, a leading supplier of DRAM and Flash memory upgrades, portable computing products, storage devices, and other experience-enhancing technology solutions announced today the launch of its Digital Picture Frame plus MP3 Player. This product is the latest addition to the company’s growing digital media product line.

The Digital Picture Frame plus MP3 Player by EDGE is now available at the company’s reseller and distribution partners, as well as the EDGE Tech Corp online store at http://www.edgetechcorp.com/ . The picture frame is compatible with most digital cameras that store JPEG images and motion files. Using the built-in digital media card slots, users simply place their flash memory cards in the appropriate slot located on the back of the frame and view photos stored on the card. The device also has a slide show option to automatically display and rotate the pictures onscreen as well as the added ability to play MP3 background music through the built-in speakers on the frame. The picture frame supports up to 12 Mega Pixel image files and has a 5.6” TFT active matrix LCD screen. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $199.99 after mail-in rebate.

The following press release only has a tenuous link to photography, in that a new cameraphone with 1.3 megapixels is hardly going to set the world on fire. What is interesting is the way in which the Samsung SCH-S310 mobile phone is controlled by the user - apparently it detects 3-dimensional movement, so that “the user can “write” the number “three” in the air. The mobile phone can read this movement and then dial “3.” Shaking the phone twice will conclude a call or delete spam messages.” Imagine millions of people all drawing madly in the air with their hands…George Orwell never predicted that!

Samsung Press Release

The Samsung SCH-S310 mobile phone, the world’s first “3D movement recognition” mobile phone. (Photo: Business Wire)

SEOUL, South Korea—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 12, 2005—Samsung Electronics

—The world’s first movement recognition mobile phone is unveiled; a new starting point for mobile phone technology.

—Ultra-precision technology calculates spatial movement in three dimensions.

Samsung Electronics unveiled the world’s first “3D movement recognition” mobile phone (model: SCH-S310). ‘Accelerometer’ is built in to accurately calculate and ascertain movement in three dimensional space and then carry out commands according to those calculations.

Sophisticated sensing technology calculates the direction in which the mobile phone is moving as well as its speed of movement. The capability extends beyond the identification of the general locus to include precise recognition of small and rapid movements as well as alphanumeric symbols.

Kodak Press Release

UNICEF Ambassador Sir Roger Moore joins KODAK to celebrate $1million dollars raised for children

Geneva, Monday 10 January 2005 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore KBE, joined Chairman of Eastman Kodak SA Etienne Bourgeois in Geneva today to mark the $1 million milestone in the corporate partnership between Kodak and UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.  The impressive target was reached as Kodak’s 2004 ‘One Million Smiles’ appeal reached $150,000, largely due to the support of Kodak customers and employees, bringing the total donation to $1 million over four years.

This is quite an old link, but a useful one none-the-less. Rangefinder Magazine cast thier critical eye over the image management software Extensis Portfolio 7.

“I have found Portfolio quite robust and easy to learn. I was able to use the software right out of the box and only needed the reference manual on several occasions. There were no crashes. Only once did I feel it was missing a capability: When opening the original file for editing (in the Preferences the program can be configured to launch an image editor by double-clicking rather than using the menu command), there was no place to select which editor to launch, so Portfolio uses the default editor.”

Thanks to Kurt Skeels for sending me the link!

Website: Rangefinder Magazine - Extensis Portfolio 7 Review