LetsGoDigital have published a number of hands-on product shots of the new Olympus E-300 DSLR that was officially announced yesterday.

Website: LetsGoDigital - Photokina Show

Imaging Resource have posted their review of the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot A85.

“With a compact body similar in design to previous PowerShot “A” models, the Canon PowerShot A85 offers a 4.0-megapixel CCD as its major upgrade, delivering high-resolution images suitable for printing as large as 8x10 inches with good detail. (Lower resolutions are also available, including an email-friendly size, and a special Postcard mode that allows date stamp.) The A85’s all-plastic, two-toned silver body is lightweight and compact, although just a little too large for the average shirt pocket. Still, the A85 should easily fit into larger coat pockets and purses, and comes with a wrist strap for more security.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon PowerShot A85 Review

The Slovenian website e-FotoGrafija have posted a selection of photographs from yesterday’s Press day at the Photokina show in Cologne, Germany. There are product shots from the Canon, Olympus, Konica Minolta and Leica stands.

Website: e-FotoGrafija - Photokina 1st Day Photos

Sandisk Press Release 28/09/04

Sandisk Takes Security To A New Level With Powerful Encryption Software For Its Cruzer USB Flash Drives

Free Download of CruzerLock Upgrade Will Be Available To All Owners of Cruzer Mini, Micro and Titanium Drives

Sunnyvale, CA, September 27, 2004 - SanDisk Corporation today introduced a new file encryption system that provides owners of all SanDisk Cruzer USB flash drives with advanced security measures to protect important documents. The upgrade to SanDisk’s CruzerLock software is now available free for downloading from the company’s website.

The new version of CruzerLock, called CruzerLock 2, will enable users to encrypt, decrypt, compress and password-protect personal files - even entire folders - stored on Cruzer USB drives. Operating on the Windows platform with drag-and-drop functionality, the software will be available first in English, then in other languages.

“Because of the growing concerns over identity and intellectual property theft, we’ve made it a priority to enhance all SanDisk Cruzer drives in the family - not just one model—with a more comprehensive and versatile security program,” said Eric Bone, SanDisk’s director of retail product marketing. “This new software uses an industrial-strength commercial algorithm that has 448-bit Blowfish AES encryption and password protection, which is orders of magnitude greater than our original CruzerLock.”

Concord Camera Corp. Press Release 27/09/04

Concord Camera Corp. “Goes Hollywood” With Dvx “Diva Edition”

DVx is First Digital Video Camera, Digital Still Camera, Voice Recorder, MP3 Player, Card Reader & Flashlight That is Cool Enough for a Movie Star, but Priced for a Fan

Launches “Wanna Be A Hollywood Diva” Contest Around The World

Hollywood, FL, September 27, 2004 - Concord Camera Corp. (“Concord”), a leader in award-winning, high-quality, affordably-priced digital cameras, today unveiled the limited DVx “Diva Edition”, a 6-in-1 multi-multimedia digital video camera bejeweled with glamorous Swarovski crystals. The DVx takes digital photos, video clips, is a MP3 player, voice recorder and has a nifty little flashlight for night time shots - all in a tiny 3 ounce pocket-sized device. This limited edition of the ultra compact DVx will be awarded as part of Concord’s “Wanna-be a Hollywood Diva” promotion, where contestants can enter to win a trip to Hollywood, Swarovski crystallized faceplates for the DVx, as well as hundreds of other camera prizes. The “Wanna-be a Hollywood Diva” Contest is open to anyone 18 years or older, and no purchase is necessary to enter to win. Concord will be on “Diva Patrol” starting November 2004 through February 14th 2005. The grand prize winner will be crowned the “Ultimate Hollywood Diva Wanna-Be” on Sunday, March 27th, coinciding with when the real Hollywood divas will be walking the red carpet for the years biggest awards ceremony - the “Oscars”.

ColorVision Press Release 28/09/04

For Professionals Who Can’t Leave Digital Imaging To Chance

At Photokina September 28 through October 3rd at the Professional Imaging Hall

No.14.2 Aisle `L’ Booth Nr.040.

COLOGNE, GERMANY - September 28, 2004 - ColorVision, the digital imaging unit of Datacolor today announce at the PHOTOKINA international tradeshow an updated SpectroPRO2 Suite. This Spectro based product is the most inclusive solution for professionals who depend on accurate monitor calibration and printer profiling. SpectroPRO2 Suite has all the tools for high-level color control, professional monitor calibration, outstanding Spectro-built printer profiles and sophisticated profile editing.

Kodak Press Release 27/09/04

New KODAK KAF-8300CE Image Sensor Helps Camera Manufacturers Deliver High Quality, Affordable, Next Generation SLR Cameras

COLOGNE, Germany, September 27 - Eastman Kodak Company is delivering new technology that allows digital SLR cameras to provide higher quality, more versatility and greater affordability than ever before.

The company’s new KODAK KAF-8300CE image sensor has been selected by Olympus Corporation of Japan for use in the new Olympus EVOLT E-300 (E-300 in Japan and Europe) camera system, the second digital camera designed by Olympus for the growing Four Thirds System standard (see today’s related news from Olympus, “Introducing the Olympus E-300 digital SLR”). The KAF-8300CE image sensor allows Olympus to manufacture an affordable, standardized camera for the advanced amateur and professional photography markets.

Kodak Press Release 27/09/04

Kodak Delivers Software, Firmware Upgrades for its Digital SLR Cameras that Enhance Performance, Workflow, Via Faster Processes

Pro Photographers Will Get Upgraded Software in October; New Firmware Available Now

COLOGNE, Germany, Sept. 27—Eastman Kodak Company announced significant refinements to the software and firmware for its KODAK PROFESSIONAL DCS Pro SLR cameras that will enhance performance and workflow through faster processes, among other new features.

The upgraded versions of DCS Photo Desk software v4.3 and DCS Camera Manager software as well as a new version of the ERI File Format Module will be posted to Kodak’s website in October. New DCS Camera firmware already is available online. The cameras’ processing architecture enables substantial updates and new feature enhancements without replacing hardware. This pleases photographers who aren’t always eager to trade in their current cameras and relearn on new ones.

Kodak Press Release 27/09/04

New KODAK PROFESSIONAL 1400 Digital Photo Printer Delivers Durable, High-Quality Photos Immediately at Home, in Studio or on Location

Easy-to-Use, Affordable Thermal Printer Ideal for Professionals, AdAm Photographers

COLOGNE, Germany, September. 27 - Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the KODAK PROFESSIONAL 1400 Digital Photo Printer, an affordable system for professional and Advanced Amateur (AdAm) photographers that delivers outstanding quality and durability of KODAK prints immediately.

Whether in a studio or on location for proofing or at home for final printing and displaying, the robust desktop printer produces one 8x12, one 8x10, two 6x8, two5x7 or four 4x6-inch photos per sheet, and the water-resistant photos last a lifetime. The KODAK PROFESSIONAL paper and ribbon consumables are bundled in matched volumes to provide optimum color density for every print, eliminating worries associated with low ink levels. Consumablesincluding paper available in 50- and 25-sheet packsare priced competitively to similar offerings on the market.

“The KODAK PROFESSIONAL 1400 Digital Photo Printer is yet another way that Kodak satisfies professional and AdAm photographers’ need to print digital photographs in studio, on location or at home,” said Sue Gringer, Worldwide Marketing Manager, Digital Desktop Output, Professional Output Group, Digital and Film Imaging Systems, Eastman Kodak Company. “The affordable, easy-to-use printer produces high-quality, durable output that makes every print worth framing.”

This is perhaps the shortest press release from the first day of Photokina - “a digital camera, image viewer and a music player all in one” is virtually all the information that Olympus are sharing with us.

Olympus Press Release 27/09/04

Setting life to music

The Olympus m:robe - musical memory maker

Cologne , 27 September 2004 - Music and images are such an important part of memory. Out of nowhere a piece of music can set the pulse racing with vivid memories of life?s most potent moments, while a picture can paint a 1000 words. By combining the two the Olympus m:robe allows you to capture and remember events in an evocative manner.

Technology website Gizmodo have just reviewed the compact 4.1 Megapixel Fuji FinePix F440 Zoom (which is the bigger brother of the F420 that I reviewed last month).

“What I liked about the T1 was that it was so pocketable and easy. I need something that I can take everywhere just in case to take pictures when my cameraphone won’t cut it (which is most of the time). The F440 has almost everything I liked about the DSC-T1, but only costs about $250 (there is a 5-megapixel F450 version that goes for a little more). I’ve had the F440 in my jeans pocket and in either of the two bags I use for over a month and never noticed it at all. It’s small and light enough to be a non-factor (except you don’t want to put it in the same pocket as yours keys).”

Website: Gizmodo - Fuji FinePix F440 Zoom Review

Digital Media Thoughts have spent a week with the new Canon EOS 20D DSLR and published their thoughts as a review.

“One of the most important features of a camera is how comfortable it feels in your hand. This one felt pretty good to me. The magnesium alloy body, which should be familiar to 10D shooters, had a much denser balanced feel than the plastic body of the 300D. The rubber curved grip fit my hand nicely. At 1.5 pounds, the camera is a near perfect balance between a weighty feel without being overly heavy.”

Website: Digital Media Thoughts - A Week with the Canon 20D

Canon UK Press Release 27/09/04

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, will release over 90 new consumer products in 2004, averaging the release of one new consumer product every four days.  Of these, nineteen are digital cameras. The announcement coincides with the start of Photokina, the bi-annual European imaging and photography exhibition hosted in Cologne, Germany from September 28.

Canon holds the number one market position within Europe for Digital Still Cameras, Digital SLRs and Analogue cameras1. These figures reflect Canon?s ongoing investment commitment to focused Research & Development and the commercialisation of new technologies. Consistent with previous years, Canon last year invested approximately 8.2% of total global revenue ? just under 2 billion EUR -in R&D.  Canon was also second in terms of receiving US patents in 2003, with nearly 2,000 registered2.

“We are the only company in the world to manufacture our own lenses, our own digital imaging sensors and our own digital image processors,? said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe, commenting on Canon?s strong showing at Photokina this year. ?Our commitment, expertise and technological advantages translate into superbly built products of outstanding reliability and quality - the key reasons behind our number one position in Europe with digital cameras.”

Extensis Inc. Press Release 27/09/04

Free filter powered by Bibble Labs enables professional photographers to read Raw data from image files of leading digital SLR cameras.

Photokina, Cologne, Germany - September 27, 2004 - Extensis Inc. today announced an update to its Pro Photo Raw Image Filter for Portfolio 7. The updated filter will be a free upgrade for registered owners of Extensis’ digital asset management (DAM) solution for organizing digital photos, illustrations, page layouts and presentations.

With the Pro Photo Raw Image Filter, Portfolio generates high-quality thumbnails and previews from the unprocessed raw image files created by professional digital cameras from Nikon, Olympus, Kodak, Canon, Fuji, Konica-Minolta, Pentax and Imacon. With the Pro Photo Raw Image Filter, Portfolio 7 can extract EXIF metadata and IPTC from the Raw files, create thumbnails for displaying the images in catalogs, and generate high-resolution JPEG previews on the fly for detailed viewing, printing, slideshows and QuickTime movies.

“There have been rapid developments in the digital camera industry since we released our first Raw camera support for Portfolio last year,” said Dan Harlacher, Extensis Portfolio product manager. “With this update, professional photographers now have the Raw camera support they demand for keeping pace with the new camera developments without losing the ability to preview, keyword, organize and sort thousands of images within Portfolio without getting bogged down in a lengthy conversion process.”

FujiFilm UK Press Release 27/09/04

Fujifilm Printpix CX-550: versatile photo lab technology for home or professional use

Fujifilm reveals new prosumer digital photo printer

Fujifilm has announced the commercial launch of the Printpix CX-550 digital photo printer: a high-speed, versatile machine that builds on the success of Fujifilm’s Printpix CX-400.  Incorporating technology used in photo lab shops, the Printpix CX-550 is designed for photography professionals, enthusiasts and home users.

Multiple applications for the Printpix CX-550 include:

* Home use: printing of 6x4” or wallet-sized pictures for home enjoyment or for sharing digital photos with family or friends
* Commercial use: the CX-550 is approved for printing ID and passport photos, as well as being ideal for small businesses where space is at a premium and a standard minilab would be too large
* Professional use: professional photographers can use the CX-550 as a versatile proofing system in a studio or on location.

The Printpix CX-550 continues where its predecessor left off, but with some notable developments.  Fujifilm has increased the size of the built-in LCD screen from 1.8” to 2.5”, making operating, editing and image viewing even easier.

Press Release 27/09/04

Leading Digital Camera Manufacturers Announce IMAGELINK Print System to Simplify At-Home Picture Printing

New Specification Enables One-Touch Printing from Printer Docks; Supported by Forthcoming Cameras from Kodak, Konica Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Ricoh and Sanyo

COLOGNE, Germany, September 27 - A group of the world’s largest consumer digital photography companies today unveiled the IMAGELINK print system, a new specification designed to simplify at-home picture printing. Millions of consumer digital cameras from Eastman Kodak Company, Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc., Nikon Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Pentax Corporation, Ricoh Co., Ltd. and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. will provide effortless, one-touch picture printing from snapshot printers that incorporate the IMAGELINK print system, including new KODAK EASYSHARE printer docks.

With the IMAGELINK print system, people will be able to place their digital cameras directly on printer docks, and then press a single button to make snapshot-sized (4x6-inch or 3.5 x 5-inch) pictures in as little as 60 seconds. The first cameras and printer docks supporting the IMAGELINK specification - all of which will incorporate a new, small 26-pin connector - are expected to be available worldwide beginning in Q1 2005.

Michael Reichmann over at Luminous Landscape has an article about the new Digital Negative format that Adobe unveiled at Photokina earlier today.

“Not such a silly question if you think about it. Almost every raw file format from every camera maker is proprietary, and some are even intentionally encrypted. Many have been reverse engineered, but some haven’t, and in many cases there are still hidden features which no one outside of the manufacturer understands. Without software that can read your raw image files, do you really own them in a meaningful way? How comfortable are you with this?”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Adobe Digital Negative Converter

Luminous Landscape have published a field test report on the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 20D DSLR.

“I found the higher resolution of the 20D over the 10D to offer a very worthwhile increase in the amount of cropping that’s possible while still permitting adequate print sizes. Some photographers are cynical about ever-increasing pixel count, and it’s true that for many for whom an A4 (8X10”) print is considered “big”, higher pixel count may well be regarded as redundant. But for those that want A3 prints, as well as those who find that they need to crop a shot because they couldn’t get close enough, 8 Megapixel files will be most welcome.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Canon EOS 20D Field Test

Olympus Press Release 27/09/04

Compact and lightweight Olympus FL-36 flash is designed for performance and portability

Latest Electronic Flash Rounds Out “Designed For Digital” Product Offerings and Provides Impressive and Cost-Effective Performance

Melville, New York, September 27, 2004 - Olympus America Inc. today introduced the FL-36 Electronic Flash, an external flash unit that joins the existing members of the Olympus electronic flash family. Designed specifically for use with digital cameras, the FL-36 rounds out the comprehensive lineup of “designed for digital” accessories for the E-System Digital SLR cameras and other prosumer models from Olympus. The FL-36 flash offers the robust and full-featured functionality of the larger FL-50 combined with cost effectiveness.

“The FL-36 provides photographers with an additional option from the existing suite of electronic flashes Olympus offers for our E-System Digital SLR cameras and prosumer models like the C-8080 Wide Zoom and C-5060,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Olympus America. “As a result of its completely digital framework, the FL-36 achieves a higher level of exposure accuracy than flash units designed for film based cameras.”

Olympus Press Release 27/09/04

Life through a lens

Three new ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses see the big, the small and the wide picture

Cologne, 27 September 2004. There is more to life than seeing the big picture. Sometimes it’s all in the detail. Capturing life’s memorable moments on film means having the right lens for every occasion. Enter the new range of ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses from Olympus.

Explicitly designed for digital photography and adhering to the TIPA Award winning FourThirds Standard, the latest additions to the Olympus E-System broaden the optical spectrum

The ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 7-14mm f4.0 provides ultra-wide-angle performance for professional applications
 
The ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 covers the wide-angle to mid-telephoto range, whilst the ZUIKO DIGITAL 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 is ideal for mid- to telephoto requirements. Both are especially designed to provide more affordable lens options for the new Olympus E-300 body but are also compatible with the entire Olympus E-System

In addition to these three new lenses, Olympus has boosted the specifications of the soon-to-be-released ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150mm f2.0, by fitting a faster AF driving unit.