DCResource have just reviewed the 3 megapixel Canon PowerShot SD200 Digital ELPH (also known as the IXUS 30).

“Overall the PowerShot SD200 is a very ultra-compact point-and-shoot camera. Photo quality is very good, though the occasional dark or blurry corner and purple fringing are a step down from the old S410/S500. Still, this camera will do a great job for its target audience: namely, web photos and smaller-sized prints. The SD200 features a stylish, ultra-thin metal body that will go anywhere. It’s well-built for the most part, save for the incredibly cheap plastic door over the memory card / battery compartment on the bottom of the camera.”

Website: DCResource - Canon PowerShot SD200 Digital ELPH Review

Bob Atkins has published his review of the 8 megapixel Canon EOS 20D DSLR.

“Probably the most obvious change from the point of view of camera specifications is the change from a 6.3 MP sensor in the EOS 10D to an 8.1 MP sensor in the 20D. This means that the maximum image size of 3072 x 2048 of the 10D has increased to 3045 x 2336 pixels in the 20D. What people really want to know is what does this translate to in practice.

Well, it’s not a “night and day” difference. Casually viewing an 8x10 print you might not even notice it. However if you make a large print, or if you significantly crop an image (of if you view the image at 100% magnification on a monitor!) the higher resolution is more noticeable.”

Website: Bob Atkins - Canon EOS 20D Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon EOS 20D

Cameratown have just reviewed the blast from the past in digital form that is the recently-announced Rolleiflex MiniDigi digital camera.

“It would be easy to drag this camera through the mud if image quality and features were the real reason to own this camera. However, the truth is, this camera is for Rolleiflex enthusiasts who will get great pleasure at showing up at an event with this camera around their neck, cranking the handle, and looking down into the LCD viewfinder to snap a picture. Yes, the camera lacks a flash, zoom lens, good image quality, and many more features we have come to expect in cameras selling for $100.00 - but none of the those cameras will give you the nostalgic feeling that holding this Rolleiflex MiniDigi camera will give you. I think it is similar to driving around in a antique “kit” car. It is less about performance than it is nostalgia. The anticipated street price is $299. It’s your money. You decide.”

Website: eCameratown - Rolleiflex MiniDigi Review

Olympus America Press Release 23/11/04

Olympus Announces Prices For EVOLT E-300 Digital SLR Camera, Digital Specific Consumer Lenses, And Accessories  
 
100% “Designed-for-Digital” SLR Comes with Lens for Under $1000 for World-Class Image Quality; Camera Packs Dust Protection and an 8-Megapixel Imaging Sensor into Innovative Compact, Low-Profile Body

Melville, NY, November 23, 2004 - Today Olympus officially announced that the 8.0-megapixel EVOLT E-300 Digital SLR, the first 100 percent “digital-from-the-ground-up” consumer SLR system with interchangeable digital specific lenses, will be sold with a lens for $999.99. Incorporating a newly designed compact body featuring the Dust Reduction system pioneered on the professional E-1 SLR body, the EVOLT delivers the versatility, durability and reliable performance of an SLR that isn’t just for the pros - now it’s for photographers of all skill levels at a price they can afford.

Camera, Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses, and Accessories Prices:
EVOLT E-300 Digital SLR: $999.99 estimated street price including the 14-45mm lens ($1399 MSRP)
14-45mm f3.5 - f5.6 Lens: $249.95 estimated street when purchased separate from EVOLT ($299 MSRP)
40-150mm f3.5 - f4.5 Lens: $279.95 estimated street ($349 MSRP).
HLD-3 Battery Holder: $99.99 estimated street price ($119.95 MSRP).
Semi Hard Case CS3-SH (for EVOLT E-300 and 14.45mm or 14-54mm zooms): $49.95 estimated street price ($59.95 MSRP).

ArkiPix I/S Press Release 23/11/04

ArkiPix I/S is now offering an English version of their image archive management software ArkiPix in version 2.0

With this new and highly improved ArkiPix 2.0 for PC, photographers, companies and digital photography enthusiasts will find a wide range of functions for archiving, importing and searching for photos.

ArkiPix 2.0 turns the job of archiving into a positive experience with fast results. New users become familiar with the program quickly because ArkiPix in daily use requires only a few clicks of the mouse. The many essential and unique features of ArkiPix make it a strong competitor for established and more costly image archiving programs.

ArkiPix will archive your images directly from your hard drive and CD/DVD’s. You will not have to reorganize your images collection. When archiving your images ArkiPix collects the EXIF and IPTC information from your images. All original information from your digital camera remains in the archive images. The information is stored in a JPEG image file made from each of your original images and used for searching and preview.

Apacer Press Release 22/11/04

22 NOVEMBER 2004 - NEW HIGH SPEED CARDS FROM APACER

After launching a new range of RS-MMC and mini-SD cards for the mobile phone market last month, Apacer (www.apacer-uk.com / 0870 900 6055) blitzes the memory market with further proof of the company’s quest for quality and speed. Apacer further enhances its solid reputation in Single-Layer Memory cards with the addition of a range of new 66X-speed Compact Flash and Secure Digital cards. Further news is that competitive 2GB and 4GB cards have been launched in both the existing CF 20X and the new CF 66X range.

Retail pricing: CF256-66X £30, CF2GB-20X £115, SD256-66X £27 (www.davoom.com). A range of high Speed MultiMedia cards will be announced shortly.

Triscape, Inc. Press Release 22/11/04

Triscape Announces FxFoto Version 2.1 and New Online Photo Sharing Partners

FxFoto Standard, Deluxe Collage, and Pro Media now provide easy Upload Wizard for online photo sharing and printing partners

WINDHAM, NH, Nov. 22, 2004 - Triscape, Inc. today announced enhancements to its popular software suites, officially making available FxFoto 2.1 Standard, Deluxe Collage, and Pro Media Editions.  FxFoto is targeted at photography enthusiasts and advanced multimedia users giving them everything the need to edit, organize and present their digital pictures.  FxFoto 2.1 Standard is available today as a fully functional free download, while the Deluxe Collage Edition can be obtained for $29.99 and Pro Media Edition for $39.99.  All titles are upgradeable to Pro Media Edition.

Triscape is providing its updates free of charge for all current users. Included in the update is a new “Upload Wizard” that facilitates seamless uploading of images to Triscape’s newly announced online photo sharing and printing partners abcphotolab.com, Smugmug.com, and Myphotoalbum.com. Additional partners will be announced in future versions.

Lexmark UK Press Release 23/11/04

Research Opens the Shutters on Picture Practices of the ‘Heat Generation’

The Brits have become a nation of paparazzi, constantly on the lookout for a striking picture opportunity, and taking and appearing in more shots than ever before, according to research released today by printer manufacturer Lexmark International.

Yet whilst the explosion in digital photography means we?re now likely to star in a picture for friends or family at least twice a week, we’re vainer than ever when it comes to the results, with men serial offenders in the vanity stakes.

Lexmark commissioned the study to mark the launch of their new range of photo printers which makes it easier than ever before to ‘touch up’ and print your pictures at home.

Snapfish UK Press Release 22/11/04

Snapfish UK Launches Premier Online Digital Photo Service and Offers Industry’s Best Value

—With Deep Local Market Experience, Leading U.S. Online Photo Service Opens UK Operations and Launches www.snapfish.co.uk—

London,- November 22, 2004 - Snapfish, the leading online photo service in the U.S., today announced the opening of UK based operations and the launch of Snapfish UK (www.snapfish.co.uk). Offering United Kingdom customers the same unsurpassed digital photo services that over 10 million Americans already enjoy, Snapfish UK opens with the market’s best value, 4"x6” prints just 15p everyday and as low as 12p with a pre-paid plan.

Snapfish already powers the online photo service for Truprint, the leading mail-order film brand in the UK. According to data from independent monitoring group Hitwise, Truprint quickly became a top-3 online service within just weeks of its launch. With a wealth of experience in the UK and understanding of the marketplace, Snapfish now offers local users the quality, pricing and breadth of services that has become the gold standard in the industry.

“We are excited to begin providing British consumers the highest quality, lowest cost online photo services. Snapfish UK is a decidedly UK based operation that is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of local consumers, not simply syndicating an American idea,” said Helen Vaid, Managing Director, Snapfish UK. “According to CAP Ventures, in Western Europe there were only
8 million digital cameras in 2002. In 2005 that number is expected to balloon to over 22 million. We are looking forward to playing a big roll in helping that growing group share their precious memories.”

Fujifilm UK Press Release 23/11/04

Fujifilm’s online guide dispels confusion surrounding digital camera technology

For those new to the world of digital photography, understanding megapixels, image quality and the difference between optical and digital zooms can be a daunting prospect. Fujifilm has developed a useful online guide containing helpful tips for those new to the technology, with the aim of helping to dispel some of the myths that currently surround digital cameras.

Available to view online at http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/ten_things.php, the handy guide is packed full of information and advice about digital photography, and what customers need to know when buying a camera.

The 49th Photo of the Week contest is now closed.

I have choosen what I think are the best photographs in my opinion. Now it’s your turn to vote for the overall winner of the contest. A Public Poll has been setup on the PhotographyBLOG Forums and you have 7 days during which you can vote for your favourite photo from the ones that I have chosen. Voting will end on Monday 29th November. The Poll will then be closed and the overall winner announced.

Vote now for your favourite image from the Photo Of The Week 15th-21st November 2004 contest

The voting for the 50th Photo of the Week contest has now finished.

The winner this week is “Deathhead Hawk-moth Caterpillar” by finnl.

Congratulations to the winner!

You can view all of the entries that were submitted in this gallery.

The 52nd Photo of the Week contest is now open. This is a weekly photography contest with no set theme and you can enter any photograph that you like.

Click here to read the Photo of the Week rules.

Japanese website AV Watch have posted the first review of the Olympus m:robe MR-500i photo viewer/MP3 player (found via Engadget).

Website: AV Watch - Olympus m:robe MR-500iReview

Steves Digicams have published their review of the 7 megapixel Sony Cybershot DSC-V3.

“The DSC-V3 is Sony’s 2004 upgrade to the 5-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-V1 we reviewed in 2003. In addition to the improvement in resolution courtesy of Sony’s 1/1.8” 7.2 Megapixel Super HAD CCD, the V3 includes a higher capacity battery, a larger 2.5-inch LCD monitor, and the ability to record on both Memory Stick and CompactFlash Type I media. Many of the V1’s advanced features were in no need of improvement; the V3 has retained its rich set of exposure modes, and unique Hologram AF illuminator, Night framing and Night shot features”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony Cybershot DSC-V3 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Sony Cybershot DSC-V3

The Spanish website quesabesde.com have reviewed the Kodak Easyshare DX7440, a 4-megapixel digital camera with a 4x (33 - 132 mm equivalent) optical zoom lens.

Website: quesabesde.com - Kodak Easyshare DX7440 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Kodak Easyshare DX7440

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have today reviewed the CanonDigital IXUS i5, which is Canon’s smallest ever 5.0 Megapixel camera, weighing just 100g.

Website: Index Digicam - Canon Digital IXUS i5 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon Digital IXUS i5

ePhotoZine have have posted a review of the Konica Minolta 7D DSLR by member Gary Wolstenholme.

“As you can see from these images and their respective exposure times, the Anti-Shake system can produce some stunning results in difficult situations, the last two images were taken a full 4 stops below what is considered safe. All this makes impressive reading, although each one of these images took 3-4 attempts on average, which is fine if critical timing isn?t an issue. Much of the softness in the images can be attributed to the cheap plastic zoom lenses available to me at the time. No amount of technology can redeem images taken with poor lenses.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Konica Minolta 7D Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D

The Slovenian website e-fotografija have published their review of the 7 megapixel Sony Cybershot DSC-V3.

Website: e-fotografija - Sony Cybershot DSC-V3 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Sony Cybershot DSC-V3

DP-Now have posted an initial report on the Konica Minolta 7D DSLR - full review to follow soon…

“Up to 1/15th sec. I was able to get consistently steady shots. From 1/8th onwards, I was getting softer results and the occasional obviously blurred frame. It could be that the softness has something to do with the very small aperture (f/18) necessitated to force the shutter speed down, but certainly with the lens I had, 1/15th sec. was probably the practical limit for dependable anti-shake performance. That said, the 1/8th second image could be sharpened with some care and be printed with acceptable quality. The full review will explore this feature in a lot more detail. “

Website: DP-Now - Konica Minolta 7D Initial Report

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D