Creative Press Release

Zen Micro Photo - MP3 Player/Photo Viewer Steals the Show to Win Creative’s Third Consecutive ‘Best of CES’ Award

MILPITAS, Calif., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—Creative (NASDAQ:CREAF) , a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced that its MP3 player/photo viewer—the Zen Micro Photo, won the “Best of CES” 2005 award in the “Audio to Go” category. This is the third consecutive year that Creative has won a “Best of CES” award.

Featuring a stunning, high-intensity 262,144-color 1.5” OLED screen, the Creative Zen Micro Photo can hold up to 7,500 JPEG images or 3,000 songs on a 6GB model. Users can watch slide shows of their favorite digital images while they listen to MP3 or WMA music. The Zen Micro Photo also includes all the features of the award-winning Zen Micro MP3 player.

Cardmedia Ltd. Press Release

VOSONIC MULTIMEDIA X’S-DRIVE RAW FORMAT SUPPORT FIRMWARE

XS Drive Super VP6210 / MMV VP6300

Date: 5th January 2005

Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer Vosonic, has announced the availability of a new firmware allowing the XS Drive Super VP6210 and MMV VP6300 to display Nikon RAW files directly on the screen.
The next firmware is under development and will allow to support Canon Raw files.

The XS Drive Super VP6210 and MMV VP6300 allow to copy from any memory card to the internal HD any type of files and display on their 2” LCD screen JPEG photos, MPEG-1 videos or MP3 – WMA music.

The Czech website FotoAparat.cz have just posted their review of the long-delayed DSLR, the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro.

Website: FotoAparat.cz - FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro First Look

Check the Latest Prices for the FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro

Shuttertalk have published a review of the Kata R-102 Photo Rucksack.

“So what’s a guy to do? You start innocently enough, buying a camera and lens. As time goes by, you buy more and more… along the way you accumulate camera bags to put all the stuff in. Eventually you end up carrying a double armful of camera bags, lens cases, tripods, and other assorted junk. At the airport, the security guards glare at you and your pile of “must-carry-on” and “oh-so-fragile” photo necessities.

Enough is enough - time for a new bag that meets my needs for organization, storage, transportation, security, and protection. After about 6 weeks of research, I decided on the Kata R-102 photo rucksack. I also looked seriously at cases from Lowepro, Tenba, Tamrac, Dakine, Crumpler, and Bogen, but for my needs, I chose the Kata.”

Website: Shuttertalk - Kata R-102 Photo Rucksack Review

DPReview have posted their review of the new, competitively priced Olympus E-300/Evolt DSLR.

“Although not a direct competitor to the Canon EOS 20D the E-300 does become the second only eight megapixel digital SLR and so comparisons will be made (and can be interesting). At ISO 100 the two are virtually indistinguishable, from ISO 200 to 400 the 20D looks cleaner although it’s a moderate difference. At ISO 800 the 20D begins to look much cleaner, and at ISO 1600 there’s almost no comparison, a large jump in noise is apparent in the E-300 sample. Visually the EOS 20D at ISO 3200 doesn’t look that much noisier than the E-300 at ISO 800.”

Website: DPReview - Olympus E-300/Evolt Review

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

Write a Review of the Olympus E-300 / Evolt

Press Release

The Just Show Me How Professional seminar series helps photographers improve their digital workflow

Industry-leading imaging companies share professional digital workflow secrets to photographers in 10 cities nationwide

NEW YORK, January 10, 2005 – How do digital photographers handle thousands of pictures, maintain quality and efficiency in their work, and stay competitive? Several leading digital photography companies - including Extensis, GretagMacbeth, Lexar, Mirra, Nik Multimedia, Wacom, Microsoft, Adobe, and Blue Pixel - have partnered together to address these questions. While most professional seminars focus on the camera, editing, or printing, the Just Show Me How seminar gives photographers the tools and knowledge they need to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the complete digital process - after they’ve taken the picture. The Just Show Me How Tour for professional photographers begins in February 2005 and will visit 10 cities through April 2005.

KW Media Group Press Release

Photoshop for Wedding Photographers and How to Show Your Photos Like a Pro DVDs Released by Scott Kelby and KW Media Group

TAMPA, Fla.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 10, 2005—KW Media Group, the premier training resource for the Photoshop community, announced today the release of 2 new DVDs - Photoshop for Wedding Photographers and How To Show Your Photos Like a Pro. These must-have DVDs feature Scott Kelby, author of the best-selling book The Photoshop CS Book for Digital Photographers, as he reveals the secrets to creating amazing wedding images and how easy it can be to transform photos into gallery-quality pieces. Packed with real world examples and presented in an easy to follow format, these DVDs are essential for photographers looking to take their skills and business to the next level. For the ultimate lessons on photography visit the website and order your copies today.

The New York Times have published a thought-provoking look at their reasons for choosing their front-page photo from the Indian Ocean catastrophe.

“Two Mondays ago, the scale of the Indian Ocean catastrophe was just emerging from the incomplete earlier reports (from a Times article the day before: a tidal wave had “killed more than 150 people in Sri Lanka”). By the 4:30 Page 1 meeting, picture editors had examined more than 900 images of devastation to find the one that would stretch across five columns and nearly half the depth of Tuesday’s front page. Into a million homes came a grieving mother crouched beside the lifeless bodies of tiny children [photo], and perhaps more horrifying, three pairs of feet extending from beneath a white sheet in an upper corner, suggesting the presence beyond the frame of row upon awful row of the tsunami’s pitiless toll.”

Website: The New York Times - No Picture Tells the Truth. The Best Do Better Than That.

Engadget have posted a few, slightly blurry shots from CES of the new, head-turning Kodak EasyShare One camera

“As if you couldn’t tell enough before, we’re really stoked on the Kodak Easyshare One Wireless Camera. We already told you everything you need to know about it, except what it’s like to hold. It’s a bit large, sure. But you know what? It’s pretty light, and it feels amazingly sturdy—way more so than our jaded hearts expected. Check it:”

Website: Engadget - Kodak @ CES - Hands on with the Easyshare One

Steves Digicams have posted a first look at the new 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom, which was announced at the CES show last week.

“The C-7070 Wide Zoom features a number of professional SLR-type features to satisfy the artistic needs of advanced users, including two autofocus systems. A Predictive AF mode enables users to shoot subjects moving towards them via an external AF sensor that detects the distance the subject has moved and predicts its location at the moment of shutter release. And an AF Target Selection function enables users to choose from 143 AF target zones to focus on virtually any area of their composition without reframing the shot.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Preview

Photo-i have published a short review of the book “Perfect Digital Photos in a Snap” from ILEX.

“ILEX publishes many outstanding books which are visually stimulating. Unfortunately, the photographs that have been selected for perfect digital photos in a snap really let this book down badly. If you’re talking about exciting and creative opportunities you’ve got to show it and pictures of roads, railways tracks, beer glasses, camels’ bottoms, and people looking awkward (p59 The flash), just don’t do it for me. Sorry.”

Website: Photo-i - Perfect Digital Photos in a Snap Review

Imaging Resource have taken a look at the venerable A3 photo printer, the Epson Stylus Photo 2200 (which is my own choice for long-lasting photo prints).

“Reviewing the 2200 so far from its introduction date gives us a different perspective from our other printer reviews. It isn’t the innovations that excite us but its lasting capabilities. Those include print quality on various oversized media with long-lasting pigments which is still among the best you can get on any inkjet, a roll feed option with an automatic cutter, high-speed interfaces and a well-developed set of ICC profiles.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Epson Stylus Photo 2200

The German website Digitalkamera have an exclusive review of the new 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom, which was announced at the CES show last week.

Website: Digitalkamera - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Review

DigitalCameraInfo have published their first impressions of the new waterproof Pentax OptioWP digital camera.

“The design of the OptioWP is subtle; cased in a reflective silver shell, the water-proof imager is not the sexiest camera on the market, but seems to draw an aesthetic parallel to traditional cell phone designs. This digital camera has a sturdy plastic and metal casing that has a two-tone silver color with polished silver highlights. The body is rectangular without any protrusions; the lens remains within the camera body at all times. The lens is in the center of the camera, which is different than most cameras where the lens is placed slightly to the right. For consumers who appreciate symmetry, this may hold appeal as a beautifully elegant design. The flash is on the top right of the front of the OptioWP – in perfect position to be covered by the left fingers of the user. The camera’s interior is designed with rubber gaskets, so water won’t rush into the OptioWP’s mechanized guts.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Pentax OptioWP Preview

CNET have chosen what they think will be the next big things for 2005 from the products that were on show at CES last week. Amongst the photography-related products are the Konica Minolta Magicolor 2430DL laser printer, Samsung YH-820 mp3 player/photo album, and the Kodak EasyShare One camera, which seems to be grabbing all the headlines at the moment:

“What’s so exciting about a 4-megapixel camera? The Kodak EasyShare One embodies several trends in digital photography that are about to go mainstream. The optional Wi-Fi lets you upload your photos wirelessly, whether you are still on vacation or just don’t want all the wires on your desk. And its large, bright LCD, in combination with the camera dock, allows for on-the-spot slide shows without the squinting. It may cost a little more, but the EasyShare One is the wave of the digital photo future.”

Website: CNET - Next Big Thing Awards at CES 2005

ByteSector have just reviewed the new 4 megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3.

“One thing is clear; Konica Minolta has fixed a very noticeable bug that was present in the Z2 model. If you read my DiMAGE Z2 review you would be aware of the colour distortion I talked about. Any image that I took with the Z2 would produce a pink hue. Below I have provided an image I took with the Z2 model and a recent image of the same location with the Z3 model. As you can see the Z3 model does not contain the colour distortion and the image appears more natural.”

Website: ByteSector - Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3

The website A-Digital-Eye has been pretty quiet for the last couple of months, so it’s great to see them return with a comprehensive report from the CES show that was held last week.

“Attendance at CES also gives one a sort of gauge for the level of confidence and the spirit of the competition that we are likely to see in the upcoming first half of the year. Along those lines we can say that the crowds were bigger than ever (maybe partly due to the absence of Comdex in November), the optimism seemed high, and thus we expect to see some intense competition in digital imaging which should translate into better performing products, easier to use cameras with even better sharing options, lower prices, and a bigger variety of both cameras and accessories.”

Website: A-Digital-Eye - CES 2005 Show Report

Trevoli Press Release

January 10, 2005 . . . Dallas, Texas – Trevoli, Ltd. announces the first ever fully automatic red eye removal you can buy in a consumer software product.

Photo Finale® Premium 3.0 has done what others haven’t been able to do: provide consumers using digital photography software with the ability to correct multiple red eyes in multiple photos with a single click.

“This wasn’t an easy task, because the software must be able to distinguish red eye when a person is sitting in a bed of red or pink roses, while wearing a patterned shirt,” said Lee Whitney, Chief Technology Officer for Trevoli.

“Knowing what is not red eye and maintaining the quality of the original photo is just as important as the correction process.”

BenQ Press Release

Enhancing Enjoyment in a Connected World at CES, Las Vegas
7 January 2005
 
Las Vegas, 6th of January, 2005 – BenQ, a leading manufacturer of digital lifestyle devices, today unveiled a new line-up of products that combine elements of style with technology and leads the charge to “enhancing enjoyment in a connected world.” At the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 6-9, 2005 in Las Vegas, BenQ will highlight the newest products that connect lifestyles, devices and people.

For BenQ, the focal point in 2005 will be to embrace lifestyle devices that enhance enjoyment, but also connect worlds through various product innovations. From smart phones and wireless digital projectors to a new line of LCD televisions and DVD recorders, the latest products from BenQ work seamlessly together. BenQ believes in delivering products that can be shared and integrated into various lifestyle devices to create a single, unified electronic environment. BenQ’s vision is to make the convergence of technology and entertainment a reality. From sharing movies, music or photos on a PC or home audio/video system to using Bluetooth and memory card technology to connect electronic devices, BenQ products have been designed to enhance enjoyment and share information with anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

BenQ Press Release

Enhancing Enjoyment in a Connected World at CES, Las Vegas
7 January 2005
 
Las Vegas, 6th of January, 2005 – BenQ, a leading manufacturer of digital lifestyle devices, today unveiled a new line-up of products that combine elements of style with technology and leads the charge to “enhancing enjoyment in a connected world.” At the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 6-9, 2005 in Las Vegas, BenQ will highlight the newest products that connect lifestyles, devices and people.

For BenQ, the focal point in 2005 will be to embrace lifestyle devices that enhance enjoyment, but also connect worlds through various product innovations. From smart phones and wireless digital projectors to a new line of LCD televisions and DVD recorders, the latest products from BenQ work seamlessly together. BenQ believes in delivering products that can be shared and integrated into various lifestyle devices to create a single, unified electronic environment. BenQ’s vision is to make the convergence of technology and entertainment a reality. From sharing movies, music or photos on a PC or home audio/video system to using Bluetooth and memory card technology to connect electronic devices, BenQ products have been designed to enhance enjoyment and share information with anyone, anywhere, at anytime.