Epson Press Release 30/07/04

Epson Introduces PRINT Image Matching III for Improved Digital Images

- TOKYO, Japan, July 30, 2004 -

Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”) today announced that it has developed PRINT Image Matching III, advanced technology that provides users of digital cameras an easy way to consistently produce the best quality prints, prints that accurately reflect the photographer’s intent.

In 2001, Epson developed the introduction of PRINT Image Matching, a technology to help ensure faithful output of the colors captured by digital cameras. Many digital camera manufacturers agreed to support the new technology, and Epson succeeded in driving further expansion of the digital photography market. Over one hundred models of cameras equipped with PRINT Image Matching have arrived on the market, including digital still cameras, digital video cameras, and camera-equipped mobile phones. On the printer side, this technology is supported by all Epson inkjet printers currently on the market (as of July 30, 2004). As digital cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones deliver ever-increasing image quality and resolution, user requirements such as the desire to create attractive, faithful reproductions and prints of their photographs, are growing, as well. To respond to this demand, Epson has developed PRINT Image Matching III, with improved color-correction functionality.

PC Magazine have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FX5, which features a 1/2.5” CCD with a total of 4.23 mega pixels and interestingly a stabilized 3X zoom lens.

“Our simulated-daylight shot showed adequate detail and good exposure, though colors were decidedly warm. When we invoked the flash, it blew out foreground whites and yellows slightly, giving them a posterized look, and we detected some noise in darker areas of the image. So while the DMC-FX5 has some notable features, it doesn’t match the best in the 4MP point-and-shoot field.”

Website: PC Magazine - Panasonic DMC-FX5 Review

PC Magazine have just reviewed the Kodak Easyshare Printer Dock that was first announced back in April.

“Although the printer is obviously of most interest if you have a Kodak camera that’s designed to fit into the docking area on top of the unit, like the EasyShare LS600/700 series, you can also print from a PictBridge camera, a memory card (with an external adapter), or a computer. The instructions for printing from a PictBridge camera lack important details, but we managed to figure it out on our own. We also successfully printed from a computer and from a SanDisk memory card reader, even though the printer officially supports only Kodak memory card readers.”

Website: PCMagazine - Kodak Easyshare Printer Dock Review

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have reviewed the 3 megapixel, entry-level Pentax Optio S30 digital camera.

Website: Index Digicam - Pentax Optio S30 Review

Coincidentally, the Slovenian website eFotoGrafija have also published a comparative review of high-speed memory cards, this time Compact Flash, testing them in conjunction with the Canon EOS 1D Mk II digital SLR. The 100x speed Apacer Photo STENO ProII card is one of the 5 cards in the test.

“Manufacturers mark speed with X values, which indicates the speed 150KB/s. The larger the number in front of X, the faster the transfer rate should be. Few years old memory cards have 4x or 8x transfer rates and many new cards still maintain this speed. This is perfectly acceptable for average users shooting family or travel photos, where read and write speed are not so crucial. However when using cameras with more million pixels, more frames per second and longer video clips, we encounter first troubles. This is the moment when we need to consider faster memory cards.”

Website: eFotoGrafija - Compact Flash cards and transfer rates

The website Digital Media Thoughts have published a comparative review of 4 different high-speed SD memory cards, testing which one is the quickest and how that relates to its overall value.

“In the realm of flash memory cards, most vendors offer two or more types of cards: the regular version, and a professional version that’s said to be much faster than the normal version of the card. I always thought that those “high speed” memory cards were something you could only take advantage of if you had a high-end professional camera, and that the extra top-end speed was wasted when used in a PDA, phone, or consumer-level device. Imagine my surprise when performing a test on a Pocket PC and I saw different numbers when using a high speed Sandisk memory card! This prompted me to do some further investigating, so I created a simple test to see how several cards from top vendors measure up against each other.”

Website: Digital Media Thoughts - Memory Card Shoot-Out: Four 512 MB Secure Digital Cards Compared

A forum user over on Photohobby.net has got hold of a production Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 and posted some pictures of the camera and sample photos.

Website: Photohobby.net -  Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3 Preview

Josh Waller has just reviewed the 5 megapixel BenQ DC C50 digital camera.

“Everything else (the camera as a whole): Everyone I handed the camera to reacted positively to the camera - they were able to use the camera within minutes. They often would remark that the screen is very clear and the pictures viewed in playback mode have good colour. The battery life is a bit dissapointing, as it may be necessary for you to purchase another battery depending on your usage (and unfortunately you can’t just put in some AA batteries from the local corner shop).”

Website: Josh Waller - BenQ DC C50 Review

Website: BenQ Europe -  DC C50 Camera

Nikon Europe Press Release 28/07/04

A number of Nikon D70 digital SLR camera kits destined for Spain have been stolen from Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on July 17, 2004.

The kits comprised of a D70 body with AF-S DX Nikkor 18-70G lens, battery, charger and English and Spanish language User manuals. Importantly they also carry a Warranty Card carrying the following address of Nikon’s Spanish distributor Finicon S.A.

Finicon S.A.
C/ Ciencias, 81 Nave-8
Poligono Pedrosa
08908 L’Hospitalet de LLobregat
Barcelona
Spain

A spokesman said: “Nikon would like to take the opportunity to warn the trade and customers to be wary about unrealistically low prices being offered for D70 bodies, 18-70mm lenses, batteries or chargers without retail packaging or valid warranty cards or manuals. Should anyone become aware of these products being made available, they are advised to contact their national Nikon office.”

Canon Inc. Press Release 28/07/04

Canon Inc. Reports Results for First Half 2004

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.—(Business Wire)—July 28, 2004 Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ - news) and a leader in imaging technologies, today announced Canon Inc. first half 2004 consolidated net sales of 1,648.4 billion yen (US$ 15,263 million), which represents an increase of 7.3% over the first half of fiscal year 2003.

Canon reported first half net income of 160.8 billion yen (US$ 1,489 million), a significant increase of 25.8% over the same period last year and an earning per share of 181.84 yen (US$ 1.68).

Canon Inc. also reported second-quarter revenue of 850.4 billion yen (US$ 7,874 million), 5.8% higher than second-quarter 2003 with net income of 76.5 billion yen (US$ 708 million), 36.2% higher than second-quarter 2003.

“Although the yen was a negative factor, we were able to achieve this through continued strong sales growth of both digital cameras and color copying machines and higher sales of IC steppers along with a recovery in the semiconductor market. Consequently, we achieved our eighth consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth in both net sales and profit,” said Toshizo Tanaka, Senior Managing Director and Group Executive for Finance and Accounting Headquarters, Canon Inc.

For more detailed information and tables, please refer to our Announcement of First Half 2004 financial results at http://www.canon.com/finance/index.html.

Eastman Kodak Company Press Release 25/07/04

Free Trial version of the DIGITAL GEM Professional Plug-In now available at www.asf.com

Rochester, N.Y., July 25—Eastman Kodak Company today introduced the new DIGITAL GEM Professional Plug-In, which enables users to dramatically reduce both visual noise and film grain in their digital images without excessive softening.  This new, professional plug-in has the same basic features and functionality as the award-winning DIGITAL GEM Plug-In, plus it offers 16 bit support, more control and improved results for automatic noise and grain reduction.In conjunction with the release of the new DIGITAL GEM Professional Plug-In, the original DIGITAL GEM Plug-In price has been reduced from $79.95 to $49.95. The recently released DIGITAL GEM Airbrush Professional Plug-In which automatically smoothes and renews skin surfaces without affecting prominent details like hair, eyes, lashes, etc, rounds out the family of DIGITAL GEM products. 

FortuneCity Inc. Press Release 27/07/04

ONLINE PHOTO ALBUM SERVICE TEAMS UP WITH PREMIER BLOG DIRECTORY

New York, NY, July 27, 2004 - MyPhotoAlbum, a service from the leading web-hosting provider, FortuneCity Inc., has teamed up Blogarama.com, an active directory of thousands of web blogs.  Blogarama.com has named MyPhotoAlbum the “Official Online Photo Album of Blogarama.com.”  MyPhotoAlbum is providing online photo album services, printing services and community based photo sharing for Blogarama. 

Colin Cheung, owner of Blogarama.com states, “Blogging has gone mainstream and is here to stay. It’s everywhere and everyone is doing it. For those that think blogging is confined to just text based diaries, then think photoblogs! MyPhotoAlbum will open the world of photoblogs to our users.”

Innova Art Press Release 28/07/04

Beyond the creative boundary

Making its Photokina debut, newly launched fine art media supplier Innova Art will be mounting an exclusive presentation of The Passion Exhibition by internationally acclaimed photographer Ken Duncan on its stand D019, Hall 14.1.

The show of limited edition photographic prints taken from Mel Gibson’s masterpiece, The Passion of The Christ, is in itself a first, as the images have not previously been seen outside Duncan’s native Australia.

The project marks the summation of long cherished ambitions for all three parties involved. Mel Gibson’s devotion to recreating the life of Christ on the big screen, in all its horror, pathos and transcendent power, astounded the critics and drew audiences by the millions. For Duncan - invited on set by his boyhood friend, Gibson, to interpret the film through his trademark Panographs - the experience inspired some of the most moving, masterful images he has yet produced. And for Innova Art, onto whose papers the exhibition prints were made, it has meant an extraordinary start to their entry into the fine art market.

The Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM macro lens is a wonderful tool in the right hands, and macro photography itself can often be very emotive. I don’t really use the lens or try macro photography very often, but at the weekend we visited my girlfriend’s parents, whose garden at this time of year is full of brightly coloured flowers. I’ve also started to use a Photoshop plugin called ColorWasher (full review coming soon), which makes it easier to achieve more accurate, punchier images than using Photoshop alone. So these 3 images are the combination of a great lens, vibrant subject matter, ColorWasher, and last but not least, my roving photographer’s eye :-)

Fujifilm UK Press Release 28/07/04

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro: the vital statistics unveiled

Adjustable dynamic range and film simulation modes raise the standard for digital SLRs

With excitement building towards the retail availability of the FinePix S3 Pro digital SLR, Fujifilm today announced that the camera of choice for many enthusiast and professional photographers will be available in late October 2004, with a number of previously unannounced features, including adjustable dynamic range and film simulation modes.

The FinePix S3 Pro is the culmination of Fujifilm’s professional photography heritage and imaging know-how. The FinePix S3 Pro sets itself apart from its competitors by using Fujifilm’s proprietary Super CCD SR II sensor ? a new and advanced image processor ? and a number of professional controls developed exclusively for this camera. The combination of Nikon lens mount and Fujifilm image capture is one that has been highly regarded by photographers for years.

With knowledge gained from years of dedication to the professional photography community, Fujifilm understands that a quality image is about more than just resolution, and therefore created the FinePix S3 Pro to bring the digital picture closer to film standards than ever before. Photographers shooting with the FinePix S3 Pro will experience greater dynamic range, improved tonal capabilities, exceptional colour balance, and better signal-to-noise ratios: all factors that contribute to a colourful, clear and detail-rich picture.

Fujifilm UK Press Release 28/07/04

Fujifilm FinePix F810 Zoom: Super CCD performance hits new heights

Super CCD HR technology takes further steps forward with key sensitivity improvement

Fujifilm’s obsession with improving digital image quality has hit a new level with the launch of the FinePix F810 Zoom. This compact digital camera introduces a refinement in the construction of Fujifilm’s Super CCD HR sensor, enhanced processor technology and a new sensitivity rating of ISO 80. These enhancements translate into something very simple - purer, clearer, sharper pictures.

The newly-designed Super CCD HR sensor featured in the FinePix F810 Zoom improves the storage capacity for electric charge held by each of its six million photodiodes (pixels). Along with the trademark Super CCD high sensitivity of ISO 800, this sensor refinement translates into a new lower sensitivity of ISO 80, greatly improved signal to noise ratio, along with an attendant increase in image quality. In other words, the FinePix F810 Zoom is capable of storing more electric charge in the sensor to generate a higher quality image.

Looking at the photographic results, followed by the specifications, any observer the user would be forgiven for coming to the same conclusion that this is a high-end , enthusiast camera . Manual exposure control, flash compensation, RAW mode, manual focus and JPEG compression options are all features that are at home on much bigger , enthusiast-level , bulkier cameras. This is a camera for those who know about photography, but don’t require over-sized photographic equipment to prove it!

Fujifilm UK Press Release 28/07/04

Fujifilm’s FinePix S5500 Zoom: get ready for a closer examination

Introducing the FinePix S5500 Zoom with 10x optical zoom and four megapixel resolution; successor to the popular FinePix S5000 Zoom

Fujifilm today announces the FinePix S5500 Zoom, a digital camera that combines impressive focal strength with increased sensor resolution.

Building on the success of the best-selling FinePix S5000 Zoom, the S5500 Zoom maintains the SLR-inspired design and incredible 10x optical zoom Fujinon lens of its predecessor, the equivalent of 37-370 mm on a 35 mm camera. It also adds an extra megapixel of effective resolution, perfect for extracting additional detail from distant shots.

Whilst retaining the ergonomic design and layout of the FinePix S5000 Zoom, the S5500 Zoom also adds full VGA 30fps movie recording, custom white balance control, histogram playback and 100% frame coverage in the LCD and electronic viewfinder.

Photographers will find this an ideal camera to have at hand at any sporting event thanks to 10x optical zoom and continuous shooting mode. For example, any football fan wanting to capture some fast-moving action from the stands can simply switch modes to ensure they get their shot. This versatile camera is also perfect for travellers ? for example, those going on safari, where they are unable to (or may not wish to!) get too close to the subject.

Fujifilm UK Press Release 28/07/04

Fujifilm FinePix S3500 Zoom: power and pixels packed in

Fujifilm launches four megapixel successor to popular FinePix S3000 Zoom

Fujifilm today unveils the FinePix S3500 Zoom, an affordable SLR-shape digital camera that weds smooth metallic looks and super-zoom technology with an ultra user-friendly format.

Retaining the desirable features of its predecessor, the acclaimed FinePix S3000 Zoom, the introduction of a four megapixel sensor means images can be reproduced to a larger size than before. The addition of PictBridge compatibility also allows for printing without the need for a PC or Mac.

While the enhanced pixel count means users can capture the minute detail of your composition, the powerful six times optical zoom lens (equivalent to 39 - 234mm on a 35mm camera) allows photographers to home in on the action.

Furthermore, this versatile camera offers intuitive handling for manoeuvres such as switching from LCD display to electronic viewfinder, or taking advantage of the six flash modes ? allowing optimum results to be achieved in any conditions. No matter what your level of expertise, the contemporary ergonomic exterior and metal-look housing of this SLR-style camera conjure up an unmistakably professional look, with results to match.

Fujifilm UK Press Release 28/07/04

Fujifilm’s new FinePix E550 Zoom: the perfect combination of form and function

The most advanced camera in Fujifilm’s new E range balances ease of use with exceptional sensor performance

Fujifilm today announces the launch of the FinePix E550 Zoom, which heads up the company’s new, no-nonsense ‘E’ range of digital cameras. Featuring manual controls and boasting major sensor refinements, the 6.3 megapixel FinePix E550 Zoom is a competitively-priced digital camera with tremendous hidden strength, giving the ideal balance of form and function.

Fujifilm has made great strides to develop its celebrated Super CCD HR sensor and processor technology for the FinePix E550 Zoom. This latest sensor enhancement gives the camera the capability of low sensitivity and a higher signal-to-noise ratio, both contributing to superb image quality.

Alongside powerful sensor improvements, the FinePix E550 Zoom features a 4x zoom lens, which gives a focal length equivalent to 32.5mm - 130mm on a 35mm camera, and a 6.3 million effective (12.3 million recorded output) pixel count. The high pixel output ensures that picture enlargements maintain exceptional sharpness and detail.