Canon UK Press Release 31/08/04

Canon’s PIXMA iP6000D

Ultimate photos, ultimate connectivity

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the new six colour, 4800 x 1200 dpi PIXMA iP6000D - the personal photo printer with complete connectivity. The sleek printer uses FINE (Full-photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology with 2-picolitre Micro-Nozzles to deliver high contrast glossy photo prints that rival professional photo lab quality. With card slots for all popular brands of memory card, the iP6000D also connects and prints direct from any PictBridge compatible digital camera and digital video camera without the need for a PC. A generous 2.5” colour LCD screen displays image thumbnails from memory cards and provides an intuitive interface for effortless cropping, paper size selection, photo effects and image orientation.

“The iP6000D is the ultimate direct personal photo printer,” said Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging in the UK and Ireland. “It perfectly embodies the PIXMA philosophy of combining radical, cutting-edge design with unsurpassed quality, speed and reliability. It works seamlessly with contemporary digital camera and digital video devices.”

Canon UK Press Release 31/08/04

Canon’s latest industry first

The 1-picolitre PIXMA iP5000

Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the futuristic-looking PIXMA iP5000 - the PIXMA personal photo printer that awards Canon two industry firsts: an astonishing 1-picolitre droplet size and 9600 x 2400 dpi resolution. The clean lines and lustrous jet black shell of the iP5000 make a clear departure from traditional ‘beige box’ design, reflecting the growing importance of ‘look and feel’ in consumer products.

The 25 ppm iP5000 plugs directly into most contemporary digital cameras and digital video cameras via a PictBridge port for direct photo printing. Five-ink ContrastPLUS technology produces high contrast glossy photo prints with a quality that rivals that of photo labs and a full 4” x 6” borderless photo prints in just 36 seconds.

“Canon revolutionised the printer market in 1981 when it introduced the world’s first Bubble Jet printer, the BJ-80, with a droplet size in excess of 100-picolitres” said Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging in the UK and Ireland. “By combining the first 1-picolitre drop size with comparison-defying style at a time when digital photography is exploding, Canon has set another defining moment in printing technology.”

Canon UK Press Release 31/08/04

PIXMA goes wireless

Canon announces the iP4000R

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the addition of built-in-wireless connectivity to its PIXMA range with the launch of the PIXMA iP4000R. Based on the 5-ink, 25 ppm iP4000 personal photo and document printer, the iP4000R integrates WiFi (IEEE802.11g) print server technology for wireless networking, ready to run on either Windows or Mac platforms.

Launched last month, Canon’s PIXMA sub-brand now includes fourteen new printers and multifunctionals. Each device in the range incorporates futuristic styling, and FINE (Full-Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology, which delivers 2-picolitre droplet size and high-speed lab quality photo printing. “The introduction of the iP4000R coincides with a convergence of market factors, including the dramatic uptake of broadband and wireless in the home market, increased demand for photo printing in the home and office, lower prices, and the rapid growth of digital photography in the last 12 months” said Malcolm Hills, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging UK and Ireland. “Canon anticipates that the introduction of built-in wireless connectivity to the iP4000R will feed into the accelerating demand for photolab quality printers that integrate well in any environment.”

The Polish website Fotopolis have today posted their review of the recently announced Sigma SD10 digital SLR.

Website: Fotopolis - Sigma SD10 Review

The Slovenian website e-fotografija have posted a review of the Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm lens (equivalent to 100-400mm on a 35mm camera). There is a varied selection of sample photos that really show what this E-System lens is capable of in conjunction with the Olympus E-1 DSLR.

Website: e-fotografija - Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm Lens Review

DPReview have published an extensive preview of the 7 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V3 that was announced yesterday.

“The top of the camera is straightforward enough, shutter release button, mode dial, night framing / night shot button and power button. Sony has gone for larger shiny buttons for the top of the camera and although they look a little awkward they’re actually well placed. Overhanging the rear of the camera and ‘under your thumb’ is the multi-function jog dial (it has a click ‘pressed’ function too) which can be used to change value settings such as shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation. This dial can also be used to browse images in play mode. My only gripe would be that Sony still stick with having a separate play mode on the mode dial, a shift to shooting priority play would be far better.”

Website: DPReview - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V3 Preview

Konica Minolta Europe have added some more information to their Konica Minolta Dynax 7 Digital DSLR teaser website. The third topic looks at the aspects of the Dynax/Maxxum series of film SLR cameras that the new digital model will inherit:

“Another important aspect of operability is how quickly and easily camera settings can be grasped by the user. To best serve this need, we introduced an effective layout of dials and levers that would allow operation with the fingertips alone while the camera was held, and we also developed the Navigation Display, which displays all camera information at once on a large LCD.”

Website: Konica Minolta Dynax/Maxxum 7 Digital Website

DigitalCameraInfo.com have reviewed the Fuji FinePix S7000, which is the successor to the popular FinePix S602 model. The S7000 uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR with 6.3 Million Effective Pixels output and 12.3 million recorded pixels.

“The Fuji FinePix S7000’s price falls right in the middle of SLR and point-and-shoot, much like its style and design. For US$559 you are making quite an investment, but there are a lot of features and control that comes along with this camera and more importantly room to grow. If coming from a point-and-shoot perspective it?s hard to complain about the price when there is so much offered by one camera. It’s not as advanced as a digital SLR, but then again you’re not paying SLR prices either. I would venture to say that you are getting a fair deal for this camera’s suggested price.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo.com - Fuji FinePix S7000 Review

Website: Read my review of the Fuji FinePix S7000

The 39th 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 6th September. The Poll will then be closed and the overall winner announced.

Vote now for your favourite image from the Photo Of The Week 23rd-29th August 2004 contest

The 40th Photo of the Week contest is now open. This is a weekly photography contest with no set theme and you can enter as many photos as you like.

Click here to read the Photo of the Week Rules.

The voting for the 38th Photo of the Week contest has now finished.

The winner is “Our Green Tree Frogs” by tootsie.

Congratulations to the winner!

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

Sony Press Release 30/08/04

VERSATILITY, QUALITY AND DESIGN COLLIDE IN SONY’S NEWEST ENTHUSIAST CAMERA, THE CYBER-SHOT DSC-V3

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 29, 2004 - With its 7.2 megapixels and a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens with 4x optical zoom, Sony’s new Cyber-shot DSC-V3 digital still camera puts outstanding image quality, sophisticated controls and a compact ergonomic design in the hands of photo enthusiasts. It will be available in late October for about $700.

Providing all the versatility of a much larger camera, the V3 is a compact, classic rangefinder-style camera featuring a large easy-to-handle grip. The new design incorporates a 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder, providing more room than ever before to see and share images the moment they are captured.

“The Cyber-shot DSC-V3 model is for a special class of photographer that wants creative control over the picture-taking process in an ultra-portable package,” said Greg Young, general manager for digital still camera marketing in Sony Electronics’ Personal Mobile and Imaging Division.

Sony Press Release 30/08/04

SONY RELEASES ITS SLIMMEST FULL FEATURED CAMERA

New Cyber-shot T3 Model Features Elegant Design and Improved LCD

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 29, 2004 - Thin, fast and good-looking describe Sony’s new 5.1 megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-T3 digital camera, announced today.

The pocket-size T3 camera is Sony’s thinnest digital camera to date, measuring in at less than three-quarters of an inch. And due to Sony’s Real Imaging Processor circuit, this new model is lightning fast. It shoots bursts of up to four full-resolution images at three frames per second.

The T3 camera incorporates a built-in, electrically operated lens cover that opens instantly when the camera is activated. With a single push of the power button, it springs to life in under a second. The new camera will be available in October for about $500.

Sony Press Release 30/08/04

MORE ZOOM IN A SMALLER POCKET: SONY’S TINY CYBER-SHOT DSC-L1 CAMERA GRABS FARAWAY DETAIL AND ADMIRING GLANCES

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 29, 2004 - The challenge to Sony engineers: pack a 4.1-megapixel, 3X- optical zoom camera into a hip little package a fraction the size of a candy bar. Their answer? The Cyber-shot DSC-L1 camera, an elegant confection that will come in four colors and finishes: brushed silver, dark blue matte, black and a striking dark red piano gloss.

The silver DSC-L1 camera will be available in mid-October, and the blue, black and red models will follow in January, each for about $300.

The Danish website Digital Magasinet have just reviewed the 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera.

Website: Digital Magasinet - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Review

Finnish photographer Petteri Sulonen has just published a new article about landscape photography, in his usual eloquent and out-spoken style. Here’s a great quote:

“Since most people have pretty bad taste, they easily mistake the cutesy postcards for good photography, especially if they’re displayed as large, impeccably sharp prints. Hence the success of photographers like Alain Briot, Michael Reichmann, and Ken Rockwell. Their photography is pure Socialist Realism, only not as honest about its program—relentlessly upbeat, eager to please, depicting the world not as it is, but as it surely should be? and utterly devoid of power to evoke anything but the most trite and saccharine-sweet of emotions.”

Website: Petteri’s Pontifications: Why Most Landscapes Suck

First announced in September last year, the 5 megapixel C-5060 Zoom is currently the second most advanced compact camera in the Olympus lineup, behind the 8 megapixel C-8080 Zoom. Probably it’s main attraction is the 27-110mm lens, which opens up wide-angle photography again in a marketplace dominated by cameras with lenses that start at 35mm. The C-5060 Zoom is heavily based on the older C-5050 Zoom, but Olympus have added a number of improvements, including that wide-angle lens, a swivelling LCD screen and faster start-up and shutter-lag times. With the Photokina 2004 show approaching and a shelf-life of one year, can the C-5060 Zoom still cut it in the fast-moving world of digital cameras? Read on to find out.

Website: Olympus Camedia C-5060 Zoom Review

The book publisher O’Reilly has just launched a new website which focuses on their range of digital photography books. Derrick Storey commented “As our digital media books continue to roll off the presses, we realized that we hadn’t provided an online meeting place for this community. As of today, that’s changed. Welcome to our new Digital Media site.” As well as promoting their books, the O’Reilly site also has some interesting articles and interviews.

Website: O’Reilley Digital Media Centre

O’Reilly have also created a new Digital Media Professionals Directory, where you can browse the directory, find and rate professional photographers, and enter your own free listings.

Website: O’Reilley Digital Media Professionals Directory

Website: Read my Review of Digital Photography Hacks

The Digital Wedding Forum website have announced their first ever convention, to be held in Las Vegas in March 2005. It will feature 17 seminars, a sunset shooting trip in the desert and 200 people have already signed-up.

“The DWF Convention will be a learning experience that could change your career!

Intensive seminars will feature some of the world’s best wedding photographers. They’ll teach shooting styles, lighting, processing, marketing, sales, and much more.

Road Trip!  The entire convention moves an hour outside Las Vegas for a live sunset seminar in the Valley of Fire.  Yervant will lead a live shooting demonstration amidst the Red Rocks.  You’ll also have an opportunity to shoot landscapes, hike, and we’ll provide the picnic!*

You’ll stay at a modern, hotel, with awesome rooms, and clean air!  The Westin Casuarina Hotel & Spa Casino at a special DWF rate.”

Website: Digital Wedding Forum Convention

Digital Camera Magazine have just reviewed the 4 megapixel Canon Digital Ixus 430.

“As a general all-rounder the Ixus 430 is a stylish piece of kit that’s more than adequate for everyday shots. Some of the camera’s navigation takes a little getting used to but once familiar with it, the quick one push to major functions is useful. The overall image quality at the lower ISO setting is excellent, but in some lighting conditions, ISO200 and above, the images produced are grainy. Overall image quality is reasonable but no better than other cameras in this price bracket. In high contrast situations detail can be lost and the appearance of blue fringing becomes apparent. The small flash works well and is powerful enough for most situations that you?ll need it for.”

Website: Digital Camera Magazine - Canon Digital Ixus 430 Review