The second preview of the new Olympus E-300/Evolt DSLR (UK price £699 with a lens) is courtesy of DPReview.

“The rear of the E-300 features no less than thirteen more buttons, although it sounds daunting the use of these buttons to change camera settings becomes second nature, especially as they integrate nicely with the information display on the LCD monitor. For instance, press the ISO button and ISO is highlighted on the information display (or if off a dedicated selection screen is shown), now just turn the main dial to select ISO. In addition every adjustment (apart from flash mode) is repeated on the viewfinder LCD, so once you get used to the position of controls it’s easy to adjust settings without removing your eye from the viewfinder.”

Website: DPReview - Olympus Evolt Preview

WACOM Europe GmbH Press Release 08/11/04

Wacom updates Graphire3 Studio and Studio XL pen tablets with Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0

Krefeld 8.11.2004

WACOM Europe GmbH, the market leader in pen based digital imaging, today announces an update to the Studio and Studio XL versions of its Graphire3 range, aimed at digital photography and video enthusiasts. From mid-November, the Graphire3 package carrying the ‘promotion’ sticker on the front, will include an upgrade voucher for the recently launched Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0. Customers can go online and register by entering the code found on the voucher and the new software CD will be sent out from January 2005 onwards.

DCResource have published a preview of the new Olympus Olympus E-300/Evolt DSLR (UK price £699 with a lens).

“The Olympus EVOLT E-300 (it’s just called the E-300 outside of the U.S.) is the first consumer digital SLR to use the FourThirds system. The FourThirds system (co-developed by Olympus, Fuji, and Kodak) was first seen on the Olympus E-1, which was released last year. The E-300 takes many of the same features used on the E-1, removes a few manual controls, slows things down a bit, and boosts the resolution from five to eight million pixels. The E-300 has a rather unique design (to say the least), and build quality isn’t quite as nice as the E-1.”

Website: DCResource - Olympus Evolt Preview

The Czrech website Digineff have published their review of the Ricoh Caplio R1 digital camera.

Website: Digineff - Ricoh Caplio R1 Review

Canon USA Press Release 08/11/04

CANON INKS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH WIMBLEDON CHAMPION AND POP-CULTURE ICON MARIA SHARAPOVA

‘Substance and Style’ Play Center Court as Canon Embarks on Multi-Year, Integrated Relationship with Teenage Global Superstar

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Nov. 8, 2004 - Canon today announced a global marketing relationship with Wimbledon Champion and pop-culture icon Maria Sharapova. The multi-year relationship will include global advertising, retail promotions and events.

Sharapova’s winning record on the court as well as her style, presence and elegance off it make her a natural global representative for Canon. From sleek digital cameras to reliable office products and everything in between, Canon products deliver a championship performance every time, just like the 17-year-old tennis phenom. Sharapova’s grueling travel schedule - up to 30 weeks each year - is more manageable with Canon products by her side, enabling her to capture and share her experiences with family and friends around the world.

“Maria Sharapova’s combination of style and substance is a natural fit for Canon,” said Debra Epstein, vice president and general manager of corporate communications at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ). “Her powerful game and approachable personality represent a perfect match for the Canon brand, and we are thrilled about the partnership. Canon and Maria Sharapova embody excellence, elegance and a winning team for our company, our retailers, and our global customers.”

Samsung Press Release 08/11/04

SAMSUNG BRIDGES GAP BETWEEN QUALITY AND “COOL” WITH LAUNCH OF U-CA 4 THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Designed for Today’s Young, Tech-Savvy Snap Shooters, the U-CA 4 Has it All

SECAUCUS, N.J., (November 8, 2004) - With the holiday shopping season rapidly approaching, millions of American consumers are turning their attention to the task of getting their hands on the hottest, most cutting-edge gadgets and gizmos for everyone on their gift list this year.  Finding the coolest high-tech gifts is difficult enough, but finding high-tech gifts for the kids that combine quality and cool has been nearly impossible—until now.  Samsung has bridged the gap between quality and cool with the launch of its new Digimax U-CA 4 digital still camera.  With 4 mega pixel resolution, MPEG 4 video compression, a stylish, compact design, the choice of three body colors and a street price of just $299.99, the U-CA 4 is sure to be a hit with parents as well as tech-savvy kids this holiday season.

M-ROCK Press Release 06/11/04

M-ROCK ANNOUNCES LINE OF LARGE SLR DIGITAL CAMERA BAGS FOR TRAVEL & OUTDOOR USE

M-ROCK?s Everglade & High Sierra Bags Protect SLR Digital Cameras with Attached Lenses up to 6 Inches Long

Centennial, CO, November 6, 2004, M-ROCK, the ultimate camera and accessory bag manufacturer, announced today the Everglade and Sierra bags, two additions to its popular line of camera and accessory bags especially built for digital camera amateur photographers, travelers and outdoorsmen.  The large Everglade and Sierra camera bags securely store and carry photographers? SLR digital cameras and lenses wherever they go, whether to the beach, hiking the Rocky Mountains, or through the Florida marshlands. 

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 15th November. The Poll will then be closed and the overall winner announced.

Vote now for your favourite image from the Photo Of The Week 1st-7th November 2004 contest

The voting for the 48th Photo of the Week contest has now finished.

The narrow winner this week is “Nutty for you…” by cramer.

Congratulations to the winner!

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

The 50th 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.

Please note that there has been an important change to the Photo of the Week rules:

“2. You can enter up to a maximum of 5 images.”

Click here to read the Photo of the Week rules.

Olympus UK have announced the UK price of their new DSLR, the E-300.

In the UK Olympus will sell the E-300 and the Zuiko 14-45mm lens as a kit for £699.99 inc VAT.

This puts it in direct competition with Canon’s entry-level DSLR, the EOS 300D, and cheaper than the Nikon D70.

The New York Times has recently published an article looking at portable storage devices for digital photographers, including the new Epson P-2000 Multimedia Storage Viewer (pictured) (found via Website: Engadget).

“Of the six devices I tested, the P-2000 is arguably the most ambitious and, in many respects, the most successful.

The device, which is now reaching stores (information will soon be at www.epson .com), acts as an electronic snapshot as well as a shoebox for digital photos. Its L.C.D. display is 2? by 3 inches - smaller than a snapshot (typically 4 by 6 inches) but larger than those on any of the other devices I tried, not to mention the tiny camera monitors.”

Website: New York Times - Portable Storage Devices Review

The Spanish website quesabesde.com have published their review of the Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom digital camera.

Website: quesabesde.com - Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom

Steves Digicams have reviewed the 5 megapixel Pentax Optio S50 compact digital camera.

“The ergonomics of the S50 are surprisingly good considering its diminutive size; the buttons are well placed and functional, and menu screens are legible and logically organized. The menu system has a nice feature for those who have difficulty reading its small font size, the ability to enlarge the font by touching the telephoto zoom control. The only issue I had with the camera’s controls was a very sensitive shutter button. When shooting outdoors the LCD, with its brightness adjustment, is quite usable even in bright sunlight. Whether you’re shooting in low-ambient light or capturing night scenes, the LCD “gains up” or amplifies the live image, helping you compose the shot.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Pentax Optio S50 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax Optio S50

Photoxels have today reviewed the new 7 megapixel Sony DSC-P150 digital compact camera.

“The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P150 is very easy to use, compact enough to carry with you anywhere at all times, and gives excellent pictures with point-and-shoot simplicity. With its incredibly fast startup time, fast shutter response, long battery life, and AF-assist illuminator, the P150 is always ready to capture those special moments. It is currently perhaps the best P&S around.”

Website: Photoxels - Sony DSC-P150 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Sony DSC-P150

“How to Create a Portfolio of Your Work” is the eighth part of Alain’s Aesthetics and Photography series over on the Luminous Landscape website:

“Creating a portfolio is an important aspect of being a dedicated and committed photographer. It is also relatively easy once the hurdles that have stopped so many have been pushed out of the way. Creating a portfolio allows you to see what you have accomplished so far and where you are at right now. It also allows you to plan what you want to focus on in the future. In this sense it is a landmark event that will stay as a record of what you accomplished in photography up to this point. Once completed it will make it easier for you to chart the course ahead, plan your future assignments and schedule your upcoming shoots. Your sense of purpose and direction will be enhanced once the completion of a successful portfolio is behind you.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Aesthetics and Photography Part 8

The Slovenian website eFotoGrafija have killed three birds with one stone by reviewing Canon PowerShot A75, A85 and A95 all at the same time.

Website: eFotoGrafija - Canon PowerShot A75/A85/A95 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot A95

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot A85

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot A75

Olympus have just announced a significant drop in profits during the first half of the current financial year, blaming lower digital camera prices for the 57% decrease in net income. (found via Digital Photography Blog

“The average price for digital cameras fell 18 percent during the second half, Hideo Yamada, an Olympus managing director, said at a news conference in Tokyo. Olympus last month lowered its digital camera shipment forecast for this business year to 9.5 million units from previous estimate of 11 million.”

Website: Bloomberg.com - Olympus 1st-Half Profit Drops on Lower Camera Prices

Minox Press Release

A real gem from the house of MINOX: The golden DC 4211 digital camera - crowned with sparkling diamonds

With this new digital camera the optical specialists from Wetzlar once again stand out from the rest, demonstrating a feeling for aesthetic detail, competence in design and diligence in their choice of the most noble materials - and without neglecting function and technical innovation. The golden DC 4211 is a treasure to put in your handbag or jacket pocket, a distinguished accessory and a highlight - in every sense of the word - in the history of MINOX GmbH.

The body of this wee camera in the latest slim-line look is coated in 24-carat gold; three real 0.2 carat diamonds adorn the front of the body to create the sparkling highlight.

DCResource have published their review of the new 7 megapixel Sony Cybershot DSC-V3.

“When used at the right settings, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V3 takes very good photos that compare nicely to my 7 Megapixel camera of choice, the Canon PowerShot G6. A few days, I wouldn’t have been able to say that, but after someone very knowledgeable pointed out the aperture issue I discussed above, my opinion changed. For whatever reason, the V3 likes to use small apertures (high F-numbers) outdoors, which dramatically reduces image quality. By forcing the camera to use a larger aperture (F4 worked great for me), I got much sharper photos. Colors were saturated, noise levels were comparable to other 7MP cameras, and purple fringing levels were low. I did, however, notice some vignetting in several of my photos.”

Website: DCResource - Sony Cybershot DSC-V3 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Sony Cybershot DSC-V3