After weeks of rumours, dodgy product shots and their own teaser website, Konica Minolta have at last officially announced their first DSLR, the 6.1 megapixel Dynax 7D (Maxxum 7 in the USA). No news yet on pricing.

Konica Minolta Press Release 15/09/08

KONICA MINOLTA DYNAX 7D

Unterfohring, September 2004

The World’s first*1 Digital SLR camera with revolutionary, body-integral, Anti-Shake technology

Konica Minolta is delighted to unveil the Konica Minolta Dynax 7D. This groundbreaking 6.1 Megapixels resolution, interchangeable lens digital camera is the World’s first digital SLR to contain a body integral CCD-Shift, “Anti-Shake” (camera shake compensation) technology that enhances picture quality, performance and improved handling characteristics.

The Dynax 7D is compatible with the full range* of Dynax AF lenses.

The Konica Minolta Dynax 7D is an interchangeable lens digital SLR camera that inherits many of the high specifications and much of the Award winning performance from the Dynax Series SLR cameras.

Introduced in 1985, the Minolta 7000; the first 35mm film SLR with body integrated AF system designed to use interchangeable AF lenses.

The new model’s high technological standards and heritage make it an intensely appealing camera.

The Dynax 7D is a digital SLR created using a broad range of sophisticated photographic technologies each developed with years of camera making experience and expertise.

The unique built-in CCD-Shift type “Anti-Shake” technology endows the new camera the first digital SLR to feature body-integral Anti-Shake function. The key benefit of Anti-Shake is it can support all Dynax AF lenses. *2 Anti-Shake technology allows photography with reduced blur due to camera shake, even when shooting dimly lit scenes or when using telephoto lenses and shooting macro subjects without the aid of flash or a tripod.

Konica Minolta have also announced 2 new lenses, a wide-angle and a standard zoom, which can be used with their new Dynax 7D (Maxxum 7 in the USA) DS:R, or any Dynax film SLR. No news yet on pricing.

Konica Minolta Press Release 15/09/08

Konica Minolta introduces two new Zoom lenses: Konica Minolta AF ZOOM 17 - 35 mm F2.8 - 4 (D) and Konica Minolta AF ZOOM 28 - 75 mm F2.8 (D)

Unterfohring, September 2004

Each designed to provide optimum image quality when used with the new Dynax 7D Digital SLR or a Dynax Film SLR.

Features:

1. A large aperture zoom lens and wide angle zoom lens with excellent performance. Both new zoom lenses offer superior handling characteristics making them ideal in a diverse range of shooting situations

2. Beautiful defocused image made possible by circular aperture blades. Using a round aperture enhances the defocused image with smooth gradations and depicts scenes like the mind’s eye - naturally!

3. A Distance encoder is incorporated for accurate, high-precision ADI* Flash Metering
When attached to the Dynax 7D, the new lenses can provide additional important information on in-lens focus distance calculations, which is used to further enhance the flash lighting performance and exposure accuracy when using either the built-in flash or external flash units such as the “Program Flash 5600HS(D),” “Program Flash 3600HS(D),” or the “2500(D).”

* ADI (Advanced Distance Integration)

This is the surprise announcement from Konica Minolta today; the 8 megapixel DiMAGE A200 bridge style camera, which incorporates the anti-shake technology and a swivelling LCD monitor. I think this is a new addition to the Konica Minolta range, rather than a replacement for the A2.

Konica Minolta Press Release 15/09/08

Unterfohring, September 2004

An 8.0-Megapixel SLR-type Digital Camera with Handy Vari-Angle LCD Monitor and Anti-Shake Function with CCD-Shifting

The DiMAGE A200 is a portable 8.0-megapixel SLR-type high performance digital camera that’s perfect for everyone from novices to camera enthusiasts. Equipped with Anti-Shake technology, a CCD-Shift mechanism that can reduce handheld camera shake. Easy to capture sharp images, even in low lighting and without the use of a tripod.

With the rotating 1.8-inch TFT Vari-Angle LCD monitor, the photographer has always got a clear viewpoint for shooting artistic angles or taking flawless self-portraits. What’s more, the DiMAGE A200’s simplified operation means that everyone can make use of its advanced specifications that maximise picture taking opportunities and the fun of photography.

The 2/3-inch CCD with 8.0 million effective pixels and the high-performance Konica Minolta GT APO lens combine to give incredibly faithful smooth-toned colours. With its new advanced LSI engine and CxProcess? III image-processing technology the DiMAGE A200 delivers high speed and stress free image processing with low power consumption. Its ability to suppress noise and give exceptionally accurate colour reproduction means that users still get high-quality images every time.

Even novice users can avoid blurry pictures thanks to the proprietary Anti-Shake technology that employs a unique CCD-Shift mechanism. This stabilising system is connected directly to a CCD sensor that quickly responds to camera shake thus producing finer images in dim light and with telephoto shots. Especially helpful when using the 4x digital zoom (maximum equivalent of 800mm) and high-performance 7x optical zoom (28 to 200mm). The DiMAGE A200’s Anti-Shake technology is activated with the simple touch of a button. Its three focusing areas; Wide Focus Area, 11-point Selectable AF Area, and Flex Focus Point, combine in the DiMAGE A200 ensure that the subject is always in perfect focus.

Konica Minolta USA Press Release 15/09/04

KONICA MINOLTA INTRODUCES NEW IMAGE EDITING AND ENHANCING SOFTWARE

Konica Minolta’s DiMAGE Master software further enhances the creative opportunities for photographers using DiMAGE digital cameras

Mahwah, NJ (September 15, 2004)—Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. introduces the new image editing and enhancing software DiMAGE Master to coincide with the launching of the world’s first digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera with body-integral anti-shake technology, the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D. DiMAGE Master is optional software designed to improve creative workflow for professional and advanced digital camera users. The software’s newly developed 3D Lookup Table technology for RAW processing enables more accurate color reproduction, and can process any RAW images taken by Konica Minolta digital cameras. Diverse image management operations, such as viewing, classifying, correcting, printing and more, can be performed in the three main operating windows.

“Serious digital photographers will especially appreciate the ease-of-use and enhanced workflow that DiMAGE Master software permits,” said Todd Schrader, vice president of marketing for Konica Minolta Photo imaging U.S.A., Inc. “Konica Minolta software engineers recognize that efficient image management is a vital tool for today’s’ digital workflow. We are pleased to make this powerful software application available to photographers using our digital cameras.

DigitalCameraInfo have just reviewed the Canon Powershot S1 IS digital camera, which offers 10x image stablised zoom, 3 megapixels and high-quality 640 x 480 video at 30 frames/second with sound.

“The Canon PowerShot S1 retails for US $399. Although this low price seems great when evaluating the 10x optical/3.2x digital zoom, a positive judgment of the camera is somewhat diminished when the 1/2.7 inch 3.2 effective MP CCD and imaging performance are added to the mix. The considerable size and bulk of the PowerShot S1 make it a camera more suited for static, homebound situations.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Canon PowerShot S1 IS Review

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the new 5 megapixel FujiFilm FinePix E510 Zoom.

“As the mid-range model of its 2004 “E” series camera line, Fuji equipped the FinePix E510 with a 5.0 megapixel imager while retaining the same features of the entry-level E500 we reviewed earlier in 2004. Like the E500, the E510 allows the beginner to obtain good results in Auto mode and offers the intermediate user several Scene modes with optimized exposures for special subjects or lighting. The needs of advanced users are met with Manual, Aperture-priority and Shutter-priority shooting modes, as well as control of exposure compensation, ISO and White Balance.”

Website: Steves Digicams - FujiFilm FinePix E510 Zoom Review

Fred Miranda released two new sharpening plugins yesterday - one for the Canon EOS 10D and one for the Nikon D70:

The Canon 10D CSpro II and Nikon D70 CSpro plugins were just released!—These new customized Photoshop plugins use a sharpening technology specific designed to accommodate Canon 10D and Nikon D70 files respectively. They are compatible with JPEG files straight from the camera or TIFF/JPEG files converted from RAW or NEF files.

They are compatible with Photoshop 6, 7, and CS. Also compatible with Photoshop Elements 1 and 2.0. Both Mac and PC versions are available.

Website: Fred Miranda

Digital Photography Blog have published a handy guide to online photo processing and printing sites, which coincidentally includes a link to my own online print services review.

“Along with the rise of the digital camera, the past year or so has seen a large number of Online Photo Processing and Printing services appear one the web. Its difficult to sort through the different options - especially when many of them seem to have a very similar online presence and special offers.

We’ve found a few sights that have tested many of them and have collated them below for your convenience. Feel free to add your own experiences of online photo processing and printing services below in our comments section.”

Website: Digital Photography Blog - Online Photo Printing

The Danish website Akamera.dk have published their review of the new Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom digital camera.

Website: Akamera.dk - Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom Review

Adobe Press Release 15/09/04

Adobe Enters Home Video Editing Market with All-New Adobe Premiere Elements  
 
New Addition to Adobe Product Family Gives Home Videos the Professional Touch with Reliable Video Capture, Automated Editing Tasks and Integrated DVD Burning

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 15, 2004 - Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe Premiere Elements, a brand new Windows-based product for customers who want creative control and reliability when editing their home videos. Leveraging the award-winning professional functionality found in Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Premiere Elements automates tedious tasks so video hobbyists are free to experiment with effects, transitions, text and audio. Using Adobe Premiere Elements, footage can easily be captured from a DV camcorder directly to the video timeline, edited with professional-level effects and delivered as stunning custom DVDs, complete with menus and scene indexes to share with family and friends.

Adobe Press Release 15/09/04

Adobe Delivers Photoshop Elements 3.0 for Windows with New Ways to Share and Organize Photos  
 
New Generation of Editing Tools Round Out Milestone Upgrade to No. 1 Selling Consumer Photo Editing Software*

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 15, 2004 - Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: ADBE) today announced Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0, a major upgrade to the No. 1 selling consumer photo editing software*. Photoshop Elements 3.0 software delivers impressive new ways to share, organize and edit photos, allowing people to easily review, compare and enhance photos and create dynamic slideshows and personalized creations. Photoshop Elements 3.0 is the software consumers can use for quick, one-click fixes, in addition to more sophisticated editing techniques when they require more advanced creative control.

Also today, Adobe announced the availability of Adobe Premiere Elements, a complete home video editing solution (see separate release). Available as separate products, Adobe Premiere Elements and Photoshop Elements 3.0 also can be purchased together in a single retail package. Combined in one affordable solution, these products deliver the powerful software customers need to easily blend still photos with video clips. Consumers can then create dynamic slideshows and photo-rich video projects - that can be burned to DVD and easily viewed by friends and family on the TV screen.

“Photoshop Elements remains the top-selling consumer photo editing product, leveraging our powerful Photoshop technology and its expert editing tools,” said Bryan Lamkin, senior vice president of Digital Imaging and Digital Video products at Adobe. “However, people want to do more than edit their photos - they want to share them in fun and interesting ways with family and friends, as well as organize their rapidly growing photo collection. We have responded by creating one product that addresses these needs without compromising the quality editing Photoshop Elements is well-known for.”

Adobe Press Release 15/09/04

New Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 for Macintosh Brings Pro Features to Digital Photo Hobbyists  
 
New Generation of Advanced Image Editing Features Make Photoshop Elements 3.0 the Perfect Complement to iPhoto

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 15, 2004 - Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 for Macintosh, a major upgrade to its must-have digital imaging software for photo hobbyists that makes it easier than ever to enhance images and dramatically transform photos. With the latest advanced editing tools, previously only available in Photoshop CS, Photoshop Elements 3.0 is the perfect companion to Apple’s iPhoto, allowing aspiring photographers more creative control over their digital images for outstanding photographic results.

“A new set of powerful editing tools, such as the Healing Brush, makes this a milestone release for Photoshop Elements on the Mac,” said Bryan Lamkin, senior vice president of Digital Imaging and Digital Video at Adobe. “For consumers who love iPhoto but want to advance to sophisticated image editing, Photoshop Elements 3.0 is the best choice, providing them with incredible creative control over their photos.”

Adobe Press Release 15/09/04

Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 and Adobe Premiere Elements allow consumers to edit, share and enhance digital photos and home video just in time for the holidays

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sept. 15, 2004 - Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced two new products for digital photo and digital video hobbyists. Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 software, adds new organization and sharing functionality, as well as the latest image editing tools, to the No. 1 selling consumer photo editing software*; and Adobe Premiere Elements software delivers the professional-level results consumers expect from Adobe in an all-new product that combines simple video capture, sophisticated editing and quick output to DVD.

Available as separate products, Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 for Windows and Adobe Premiere Elements also can be purchased together in a single retail package. Combined in one affordable solution, these products deliver the powerful software customers need to easily blend still photos with video clips. Consumers can then create dynamic slideshows and photo-rich video projects - that can be burned to DVD and easily viewed by friends and family on the TV screen.

“This holiday season, sharing your memories through video will be right up there with digital photography as the hot trend,” said Bryan Lamkin, senior vice president of Digital Imaging and Digital Video products at Adobe. “Adobe Premiere Elements and Photoshop Elements strike the right balance between simplicity and sophisticated creative control, ensuring that digital video and photo enthusiasts get results they are proud to share whether it’s on DVD, in prints or online via email.”

DPReview has today reviewed the new 3 megapixel, 12x optical zoom Panasonic DMC-FZ3 digital camera.

“The FZ3 is also significantly smaller than previous models, and - thanks to the Venus II image processing engine - is faster, offers better resolution and lower noise. And that’s not all; it is packed with new technologies and upgrades; enhanced metering and focus systems, new shooting modes and a new mode dial, TIFF mode, a better electronic viewfinder, a new menu system and a new two mode image stabiliser.”

Website: DPReview - Panasonic DMC-FZ3 Review

Epson USA Press Release 14/09/04

EPSON OFFERS SCHOOLS AND NONPROFIT GROUPS NATIONWIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BENEFIT BY RECYCLING USED PRINTER CARTRIDGES

Company Partners with FundingFactory in Free Fundraising Program

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Sept. 14, 2004—Epson America announced today its continued partnership with FundingFactory which allows schools and nonprofits nationwide to return ink cartridges for rewards that can boost fundraising efforts and help the environment. Educational and nonprofit organizations can earn points by collecting genuine Epson ink cartridges and sending them to FundingFactory for recycling. The cartridges will be converted to energy through an environmentally sound incineration process at a licensed waste-to-energy recycling facility.

Participation in FundingFactory is completely free to all schools and nonprofit organizations. Once an organization registers at www.FundingFactory.com, materials are sent to help them launch the program and start earning points in an easy-to-use online account. The account is credited with points for every eligible Epson cartridge sent to FundingFactory; those points can be redeemed by the organization for cash and/or equipment.

SanDisk Press Release 14/09/04

SanDisk Supplies miniSD Flash Memory Cards to Samsung Electronics for New, High-Resolution Camera Phone

SUNNYVALE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 14, 2004—Samsung Combines a Mobile Phone with a Zoom Lens in One Device  

SanDisk(R) Corporation (Nasdaq:SNDK) today announced that it is supplying Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. with 32-megabyte (MB) miniSD(TM) memory cards that will be sold with a first-of-its-kind Samsung digital camera phone. The SPH-S2300, which has a resolution of 3.2 megapixels, is reportedly the world’s first such device with a 3X optical linear zoom. It has started selling in the Korean market.

According to Samsung, the camera phone combines quality imaging and phone functionality. In addition to the high megapixel lens and optical zoom, the device has both automatic and manual settings for ISO and white balance, and the flash has been upgraded from an LED to a full, brightness-adjustable camera flash. Also, said the manufacturer, the device can record more than two hours of videos and can be hooked up to a television set for immediate viewing.

HP UK Press Release 14/09/04

New HP Scanner to Convert Photos into High Quality Digital Images and Restore them to Full Glory

Users can scan photos easily with the HP Scanjet 4070 Photosmart digital flatbed scanner

LONDON, UK, 14 September 2004. HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) today unveiled the new HP Scanjet 4070 Photosmart digital flatbed scanner, a stylish device, with a unique photo door to hold photos in place and make scanning simple.

Specially designed for photo scanning, the HP Scanjet 4070 Photosmart digital flatbed scanner has an easy access photo zone with a photo door holding up to 12 10 x 15cm photographs, keeping them in place for the right result the first time.  Users can scan multiple photos at the same time and save the images as separate files easily.

A built-in Transparent Materials Adapter (TMA) holds up to four slides and two strips of negatives, helping people to convert a range of materials into digital files.  One-touch ?Scan Photo? or ?Scan Negative? buttons make scanning photos and negatives simple, at the touch of a button.  Users can scan large photographs and A4 size documents using the software that is included with the scanner, while a 10 second preview speed helps people scan documents and photos quickly.

HP UK Press Release 14/09/04

A Versatile, Ultra-slim Photo Scanner for the Home

Home users can scan photo quality images quickly and easily with the compact HP Scanjet 3770 digital flatbed scanner

LONDON, UK, 14 September 2004.  HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) today unveiled the new HP Scanjet 3770 digital flatbed scanner, a stylish device with a super-slim scanner lid. Offering versatile scanning of a variety of materials, this scanner has a built-in Transparent Materials Adaptor (TMA), for high quality scans of a range of media.

The HP Scanjet 3770 digital flatbed scanner offers outstanding photo quality with up to 1200 x 2400-dpi and 48-bit colour, producing crisp, true-to-life images every time.  With this scanner people can scan multiple photos at the same time and the digital images can be saved as separate files.  For scanning more than just photos, built-in CCD technology allows users to scan materials of all shapes and sizes, including 3D objects such as framed pictures and open books.  The scanner can also scan and copy standard documents and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) lets users convert text into editable documents, saving the time and effort of re-typing.

I thought a special mention was in order for tootsie, who has just become the first PhotographyBLOG Gallery member to post more than 1,000 photos! tootsie has been a member since April and is a regular participant in the Photo of the Week contest and the monthly Competition.

View tootsie’s Gallery

All PhotographyBLOG members are automatically given 5Mbs of free Gallery space (if you are not already a member, you can register here). You can choose to upgrade to an account with more disk space and features whenever you like.

View the Gallery Upgrades

Pentax USA Press Release 13/09/08

PENTAX DOWNSIZES DIGITAL AGAIN IN SECOND COMPACT DIGITAL SLR

*ist DS Delivers Outstanding Image Quality

GOLDEN, Colorado (September 13, 2004)...PENTAX has downsized digital SLR photography once again with the introduction of the *ist DS digital SLR.  Developed as a second, even smaller, PENTAX compact digital SLR, the *ist DS camera advances the PENTAX commitment to easy-to-use and portable digital.

The *ist DS is one of the smallest and lightest digital SLR cameras available.  Measuring just 4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches and weighing under 18 ounces, the *ist DS also delivers superior image quality in compact design.  Despite the size, the *ist DS offers 6.1 effective megapixels and PENTAX original image processing technology. The camera is designed to be compatible with most PENTAX interchangeable lenses to meet a wide range of applications and visual creativity.

The *ist DS hosts an array of advanced, user-friendly features including a high-magnification viewfinder, a 2.0 inch color LCD monitor, a generous LCD data panel, and an innovative Auto picture mode for automatic selection of the proper exposure program. Offering quick, effortless operation and easy portability, the *ist DS is the ideal digital SLR for all levels of photographers, including first-timer digital SLR users and families. 

PENTAX will unveil the *ist DS and other new and exciting digital products on September 20 at the PEPCOM Holiday Spectacular in New York City.  The PENTAX *ist DS will ship to major camera retailers in November 2004.