The Taiwanese company Digimaster have just released the first SD memory card that also doubles up as a USB 2.0 flash drive, meaning that you can use it in your digital camera and then plug it directly into your PC to download your images (without having to buy or carry an SD card reader). Quite a cool technological solution that will make that ultra-compact digicam even more portable than before.

The 128MB version will retail for $880 (Taiwan New Dollars) and 256MB version for $1280.

Website: Engadget - The first USB-enabled SD card

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have published a review of the new 5 megapixel Panasonic DMC-FX7.

Website: Index Digicam - Panasonic DMC-FX7 Ultra Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Panasonic DMC-FX7 Ultra Zoom

The Polish website Fotopolis have today posted their review of the new Olympus E-300/Evolt DSLR.

Website: Fotopolis - Olympus E-300/Evolt Review

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

Write a Review of the Olympus E-300 / Evolt

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

“The Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 was easily a Dave’s Pick, capitalizing on fast shutter-lag, excellent exposure and creative control options, and an excellent image stabilization system. Though the Konica Minolta A200 is a slightly pared-down version of the A2, I see many of the same excellent features that I praised on the A2, such as fine-tuned creative adjustments for contrast, saturation, and hue; a full range of exposure control modes for any experience level; a high-resolution 8.0-megapixel CCD; and a sharp 7x optical zoom lens. The result is a camera with a really compelling set of features and capabilities…”

Website: Imaging Resource - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix A340 Zoom, a digital camera that offers 4 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 A340, a 4-megapixel digital camera. The Fuji A340 carries on the value-leading tradition of Fuji digital cameras by offering a 4.0-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 A340 trades off a few features and capabilities to achieve its remarkably low cost, but the camera still takes good-looking pictures in daylight conditions, and is simple enough for even rank beginners to get started with.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Fujifilm FinePix A340 Zoom Review

PCMagazine have just reviewed the new slimline 5 megapixel Casio EXILIM Card EX-Z55 digital camera.

“The Z55 is a very good camera, and it scores better than any ultra-compact we’ve seen, in terms of numbers. The images themselves are another story; while they’re good (and by far the best ultracompact images we’ve seen from Casio) they can’t quite compare to those of the Canon Powershot SD300.”

Website: PCMagazine - Casio EXILIM Card EX-Z55 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Casio EXILIM Card EX-Z55

PCMagazine have published a review of the new 5 megapixel Panasonic DMC-FX7.

“With ultracompact cameras, performance and optical compromises are inevitable. Still, we expected more from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX7. It’s a beautiful camera packed with features, but it lacks the speed and image quality necessary to make it our top choice.”

Website: PCMagazine - Panasonic DMC-FX7 Ultra Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Panasonic DMC-FX7 Ultra Zoom

PCMagazine have reviewed the 5 megapixel Canon PowerShot SD20 Digital ELPH.

“The Canon PowerShot SD20 Digital Elph is a sleek, attractive, and durable 5MP ultracompact that takes very good daylight pictures. Flash shots aren’t as impressive, though, and there’s no optical zoom. Still, this smaller-than-pocket-size beauty takes a lovely, high-resolution picture and offers lots of extra features for its size; it’s a fine “companion” camera.”

Website: PCMagazine - Canon PowerShot SD20 Digital ELPH Review

Some industry news for you, as Sony announces plans to invest heavily in semiconductors and CMOS image sensors:

“Sony Corp announced Tuesday that it plans to invest a total of some 60 billion yen (US$575 million) to build two new facilities for the fabrication of semiconductor components for flat-panel televisions and other digital equipment at its subsidiary Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Co.”

Website: Asia Times - Sony to invest US$575m to boost chip production

PCMagazine have just reviewed the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH (also known as the IXUS 40).

“The Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital Elph is only a 4MP camera with a 2 inch LCD in an ultracompact space increasingly dominated by 5MP contenders with 2.5 inch LCDs—but that’s okay, because this tough, tiny camera punches well above its weight. Superb picture quality more than make up for its sluggish flash recycle times, making this our new Editors’ Choice ultracompact camera.”

Website: PCMagazine - Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH

PCMagazine have just reviewed the new 3 megapixel Casio EXILIM Card EX-S100.

“The EX-S100 may satisfy extremely style-conscious casual shooters looking for an ultrathin camera that’ll be a conversation starter at parties, but its image quality may disappoint more serious shutterbugs. If you like Casio’s excellent menus but want a sharper lens, consider the slightly larger, 5MP Casio Exilim EX-Z55 for the same money.”

Website: PCMagazine - Casio EXILIM Card EX-S100 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Casio EXILIM Card EX-S100

Jessops Press Release

Jessops offer the perfect introduction to digital photography – the Jessops Funcam.

The compact camera takes digital images at a resolution of up to VGA size (640 x 480 pixels), meaning that results are ideal for e-mail and internet use.

The built-in 8MB internal memory will store up to 209 images (320x240). The results can then be transferred to a computer via the USB connection.

In addition to the still image mode, the Funcam features webcam and AVI (video clip) modes – all packed into a stylish body measuring just 8.8cm x 6.6cm x 2cm, and weighing just 42.5g without batteries.

Photo Tidbits have posted their review of the new Olympus E-300/Evolt DSLR (found via digicamera.net).

“While it is too early to draw definite conclusions, I can already say I’m mighty pleased with its performance.

First of all, the lens seems to be optically good in the whole focal length range. There is no objectionable softening of image in corners (just a tad at wide angle), no visible chromatic aberration. At the widest angle the zoom shows an average degree of spherical aberration (barrel) — 1% or less; not impressive, but not really bad.”

Website: Photo Tidbits - Olympus E-300/Evolt Review

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

Write a Review of the Olympus E-300 / Evolt

PCMagazine have just posted their review of the diminutive and stylish 4 megapixel Olympus Mju Mini digicam (called the Stylus Verve in the USA).

“The Olympus Stylus Verve is certainly one of the cooler-looking ultracompact digital cameras on the market today. And it’s full of nice design touches, like a weather-resistant body, and a built-in lens cover that can’t accidentally be pushed open. But unfortunately, the fact that it’s available in six colors and will impress your style-conscious friends doesn’t make up for its muddy, grainy pictures.”

Website: PCMagazine - Olympus Mju Mini Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus Mju Mini

Microtek Press Release

Slim and compact scanner with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Microtek launched a new consumer scanner in the European market: the ScanMaker 5800. Equipped with Hi-Speed USB 2.0, 7 scan buttons and a resolution of 2400 x 4800 dpi this scanner is particularly suitable for consumer and SOHO. With his slim 6 cm high body, this scanner is one of the slimmest with CCD technology and still keeps the image quality. With his slim and compact design you save more desk space. The transparency unit LightLid 35 is easy to connect. Additionally to this scanner you get a considerabl software
package. Including ScanWizard, Adobe Photoshop LE, ABBYY Fine Reader Sprint, Ulead PhotoExplorer and Ulead DVD Picture Show

NPD Press Release

Decline of Tech Product Prices Accelerates Moving into Holiday Buying Season; Latest Results from NPD CE Price Watch Released

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—(Business Wire)—Dec. 22, 2004—The average selling price of technology products was down during the month of October, according to the latest NPD Consumer Electronics Price Watch, a monthly pricing monitor from The NPD Group that provides a top-line look into the pricing of technology products being sold in the U.S.

While prices in October 2004 were down 18 percent when compared with October 2003, the average selling price of tech products was moderate when compared to September 2004, with the most expensive items in the basket - plasma and rear projection TVs - posting only slight declines. Overall, price declines accelerated in October as the total cost for the market basket of goods tracked by Price Watch fell. The overall basket of goods is now $11,280, nearly $5,400 less than it was in January 2003, and almost $2,500 less than it was in October 2003.

Digital cameras and memory cards saw sharp declines in prices from September 2004 to October 2004. Digital camera prices fell seven percent and dipped below the $200 level for the first time. Memory cards dropped 10 percent from September to $36.58, the first time a 128 MB card was under $40.

NETGEAR Press Release

NETGEAR Announces Wireless Digital Media Player Bringing Digital Entertainment to the Living Room

Wireless Digital Media Player (Model MP115) Bridges Gap Between PC Digital Content and Home Entertainment Systems, Delivering Digital Video, Photos and Music Over Wireless Networks

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — December 22, 2004 — NETGEAR®, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, today announced its easy-to-use networked digital home entertainment solution, the NETGEAR Wireless Digital Media Player (MP115). As the latest addition to NETGEAR’s family of digital entertainment solutions, the Wireless Digital Media Player provides simple, affordable access to video, photo, and music file collections from anywhere within the home network. Parents can share digital home movies and slideshows and kids can stream their favorite MP3s and online radio stations through their television sets and home entertainment systems – all without leaving the comfort of the couch.

Corel Corporation Press Release

Corel’s Paint Shop Pro 9 Named PC Magazine’s ‘Best of the Year’ : Flagship Digital Image Editing Software Takes Top Honors

OTTAWA—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 22, 2004—Corel Corporation today announced that PC Magazine will name its Paint Shop(TM) Pro(R) 9 “Best of the Year” in the Image Editing-Serious Hobbyist category in its upcoming December 28 issue. Paint Shop Pro 9 was lauded among products that, according to PC Magazine editors, “... wowed us, simply by being the best.”

According to the editors, “Paint Shop Pro 9 goes beyond simple image editing, with impressive new tools and capabilities,” and calls the product “excellent for digital photo editing.”

Norwegian website Akamera.no have reviewed the Fujifilm Digital Mobile Printer MP-100, a new wireless mobile printer for sharing photos from camera-phones.

Website: Akamera.no - Fujifilm Digital Mobile Printer MP-100 Review

Interested in reducing the noise in your digital photos? Then take a look at Photo.net’s latest article:

“This article is about a method of reducing noise in images taken with digital cameras - especially long exposure and/or high ISO images taken with digital SLRs. The simplified workflow presented here is derived from more advanced techniques of noise reduction (known as calibration) that are used in scientific and technical imaging. Because of limitations in the software tools commonly available to mainstream photographers, and because of limitations to the image-making equipment, there are several significant differences between the technique described here and a proper calibration of a scientific image. Still, the method here can result in significant aesthetic improvement to many digital images that suffer from noise.”

Website: Photo.net - Using Image Calibration to Reduce Noise in Digital Images