PMA Newsline International Release 19/12/03

SD Memory Card sales surpass CompactFlash Card sales in October

The SD Memory Card has passed the CompactFlash Card, to take the top position in market share among memory cards, according to the most recent sales data available from The NPD Group. The SD Memory Card captured the number one position with 30 percent of the U.S. flash memory market in October against 28.8 percent for the CompactFlash Card. In third place was Memory Stick, with a 22 percent market share. Panasonic is a co-developer of SD Memory cards along with Toshiba and SanDisk.

  Joseph Unsworth, analyst - Semiconductor Memories for Gartner Inc., noted: “The recent success of the SD Card in the retail channel is in line with my expectations of the SD Card becoming the leading flash card format. The SD Card is well-positioned in terms of performance, cost, and industry support across many applications and that is why I expect the SD card to have the largest share of revenue of all of the flash card formats in 2004.”

A total of 1,524 products worldwide, carrying 134 of the world’s foremost brand names, currently use the SD Memory Card. The format is further supported by the more than 650 members of the SD Card Association, a consortium working to set industry standards and promote the acceptance of SD Memory Cards in a wide variety of applications.

Fuji Japan have announced further details and pricing for its 20.8 megapixel SuperCCD based digital camera back, which was first announced in February 2003. The new back, which fits the Fujifilm GX680 camera, will cost 2,380,000 Yen (roughly ?12,506 GBP). It will be available in Japan from the end of January 2004. According to Imaging Resource, Fuji USA currently have no plans to release the product.

Website: Imaging Resource

Website: DPReview

Toshiba are set to launch the smallest ever hard-drive at next month’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The 0.85 inch is about the same size as an American quarter and is destined to find its way into MP3 players, set-top boxes, mobile phones and other electronic goods. Its capacity is expected to be between 2GB and 3GB. According to the website NE Asia Online, “at present, it has no plan to use it as an exchange medium such as a CompactFlash card”, so this may well be one for the future as far as digital cameras are concerned.

Website: CNET News

Website: NE Asia Online

CNET have reviewed the 3.2 megapixel Kyocera Finecam SL300R. Kyocera claims that this is the world’s thinnest 3x optical zoom digital camera, which virtually eliminates lag time and is capable of unlimited continuous shooting at an unprecedented 3.5 frames per second. Find out if Steve agrees…

“This svelte snapshot camera’s high-speed capture ability sets a new performance standard, making it an excellent pick for the casual sports and action photographer.”

Website: CNET - Kyocera Finecam SL300R Review

CNET have reviewed the Toshiba PDR-M700, a 3.2 megapixel digital camera with a massive 10x Canon lens (37-370mm equivalent focal length range) and 2.5 inch LCD display.

“Handsomely designed in miniature SLR fashion, the Toshiba PDR-M700 means business. It boasts many desirable features for both advanced amateur shooters and multimedia types. Paramount among the attractions offered by Toshiba’s latest M-series cameras—of which the 700 is the higher-res, 3-megapixel version—are the 10X Canon zoom lens and supersize 2.5-inch LCD. The camera is competitively priced among the megazoom crop, and its gargantuan display makes it stand out from the crowd. But the M700’s so-so image quality dampens our enthusiasm.”

Website: CNET - Toshiba PDR-M700 Review

DPReview is the latest in a long line of websites to publish a review of the Nikon D2H digital SLR.

“The Nikon D2H is one of a very few cameras which feels almost perfectly ‘sorted’. By this I mean it’s very difficult to use the camera and find faults, almost any faults, which will affect the camera’s purpose in life, which is to be a very fast, flexible, robust and reliable photographic tool. It’s very hard to live with the D2H and not love the way it feels in your hand and responds so quickly when that split second photographic opportunity arrives. I seriously can’t imagine a digital SLR which could operate more quickly, both in terms of delays to shutter release (power up, AF, shutter release lag) and continuous shooting speed.”

Website: DPReview - Nikon D2H Review

The Spanish website Nuevafotografia have reviewed the 3-megapixel Olympus ?[mju:] 300 Digital, a compact digital camera that is positioned in what Olympus call their “Stylish” category.

Website: Nuevafotografia - Olympus ?[mju:] 300 Digital Review

The German website PhotoWorld.de is the first website in the world to review a full-production version of the highly-anticipated Sony DSC-F828 digital camera, at least to the best of my knowledge.

Website: PhotoWorld.de - Sony DSC-F828 Review

PMA Newsline International Release 19/12/03

Leica kicks off its Oskar Barnack Award competition for pro photographers
 
Leica Camera AG, Solms, Germany, is accepting entries for its next international “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” competition for professional photographers. The annual “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” is given to the photographer whose observations most vividly express man’s relationship to his environment in a single photograph or photo story consisting of up to 12 pictures. The closing date for entering the “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” competition is Jan. 31, 2004.Either of 35 mm slide copies or enlargements may be submitted (minimum 7-by-9 inches, maximum 9-by-11 inches).

To qualify, entries must either be series of photos taken in 2003 or long-term projects with at least some of the photos dating from 2003. The winner will receive Euro 5,000 or a Leica camera of the same value. Entries should be marked “Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2004” and sent to: Leica Camera SARL, 106, Boulevard H?loise, F-95814 Argenteuil-Cedex, France. Further information is available at:

www.leica-camera.com/kultur/events/wettbewerbe/obp/index_e.html

PMA Newsline International Release 19/12/03

ACDSee 6.0, ACDSee 6.0 PowerPack released in French, Italian, German, Spanish

ACD Systems International Inc., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, released ACDSee 6.0 and ACDSee 6.0 PowerPack in the French, Italian, German and Spanish (FIGS) languages. ACDSee is known for its image management capabilities and ability to work with digital image collections of all sizes. Retail versions of ACDSee 6.0 and ACDSee 6.0 PowerPack FIGS will also be made available in the European marketplace.

ACDSee 6.0 - is the newest version of ACD Systems’ digital imaging software program. New features include the ability to rate images, burn photos to CD/DVDs and quickly view and locate photos from different folders and categories with the Easy Select and Selective Browsing features. ACDSee 6.0 PowerPack includes ACDSee 6.0. It also includes ACD FotoCanvas 3.0, which allows users to make quick edits to their digital photos and create simple web graphics, and ACD FotoSlate 3.0, which is the new version of the company’s photo printing program.

The French, Italian, German and Spanish versions of ACDSee 6.0 are available for US$59.99. The ACDSee 6.0 PowerPack versions are available for US$89.99. Upgrade pricing is also available. For more information, visit www.ACDSYSTEMS.com.

www.ACDSYSTEMS.com

As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to reflect and choose your best images of 2003, then post them for everyone to see in the new Favourite Photos of 2003 gallery. Try to limit yourself to 5 if possible :-) I’ve already added my favourite images to get things started…

Landscape photographer Steve Kossack shares his camera equipment experiences in the latest Luminous Landscape article.

“As a landscape photographer, workshop instructor and guide I do a lot of work in the field. And a lot of shooting. As a matter of fact, I do so almost constantly. Although I’m not what one might call an equipment junkie, I have to admit that I don’t do a lot of searching or thinking about new equipment. I do realize though that these are my tools, and if new and better are out there, I need to know about them. That’s what this wonderful website you are reading now does for me. I can see what’s new and hot, and most importantly how it handles in the field.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - What Works? What Breaks? What Then?

Imaging Resource have just published their usual in-depth review of the Nikon D2H digital SLR.

“The D2H has taken some heat for its color, particularly at high ISO, and there’s been some confusion in the market over its image noise characteristics. My overall impression of the camera is still very positive though. - I’ve said before and will say again that the D2H is easily the most enjoyable camera to shoot with that I’ve yet handled, with a fluid, fast, and easy to use user interface that intrudes minimally on the shooting experience. Overall, a powerful photographic tool, not to mention a thoroughly enjoyable one.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon D2H Review

The Slovenian website e-fotografija has published a very interesting article looking at the optional wide-angle lens adapter and battery grip accessories for the recently announced Olympus Camedia C-5060 Wide Zoom. With the adapter fitted, the C-5060 has a an angle of view equivalent to 18.9mm on a 35mm camera. e-fotografija have several pictures of the camera with the accessories fitted and lots of photos taken with the wide-angle lens adapter.

Website: e-fotografija - Olympus Camedia C-5060 Wide Zoom

Website: Slovenian Translator

Phase One have released a new version of their popular RAW conversion software, Capture One. The new Special Edition is available now for purchase for $199 (after Dec 31 - $249) at www.pictureflow.com. This includes a free camera profile from Etcetera.cc (by Magne Nilsen). Capture One SE is positioned between Capture One LE (Light Edition) and Capture One, which is the full version.

Website: www.pictureflow.com

Phase One Press Release 19/12/03
New C1 “Special Edition” RAW conversion software breaks price barrier for high-end digital SLR shooters for Mac and Windows

- New C1 SE RAW Workflow software announced at $249 with full “Pro” camera support; special introductory pricing now available on C1 SE for $199 until end of year -

NORTHPORT, NY, December 19, 2003 - Phase One, the world leader in professional digital imaging camera backs and software, is pleased to announce C1 Special Edition (SE) RAW Workflow software, the latest version in the C1 DSLR line of RAW Workflow Solutions which is being rolled-out today.

The extensive feature set of the new C1 SE RAW Workflow software is based on the C1 LE (Limited Edition) version, with the exception of the RAW conversion simultaneous batch limit being raised to 100 images (from 20 in LE) and the addition of the full camera support previously available only in the C1 PRO version. On the Mac platform, RAW conversion support is provided for the full line of Canon digital SLR?s (1Ds, 1D, 10D, 300D, D30 and D60). On the Windows platform, the Nikon D1X and D100 are also supported, in addition to the full Canon DSLR lineup. All C1 versions, including the new C1 SE, provide unlimited batch processing by using the Quick Proof Export function which converts RAW files into high-quality proofs in approximately three (3) seconds each (depending on computer configuration).

To celebrate the release of C1 SE, special pre-release pricing of $199 is now available from the three authorized C1 web sites: www.c1dslr.com, www.pictureflow.com (US) and www.pixource.com (Asia).

CNET have published their review of “the world’s smallest and lightest 2-megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom”, the Minolta DiMAGE X20.

“Looking for style on a budget? Consider this lower-cost addition to Konica Minolta’s deservedly popular Dimage X line. The 2-megapixel X20 lacks the deluxe finish and some of the design and performance virtues of its upper-crust cousins, but it retains several of their other strengths, including a 3X zoom lens and adjustable light sensitivity.”

Website: CNET - Minolta DiMAGE X20 Review

The US magazine Popular Photography has mentioned this website in its latest issue (January 2003), awarding PhotographyBLOG 4 out of 5 stars in the “PhotoBlogs: The Chart” section :-) Thanks to Ed Gerrard and Paul from BytePhoto.com for letting me know. Click on the thumbnail image to view the scanned excerpt from the magazine.

Website: Popular Photography

Ricoh are to set to release a new waterproof digital camera into the Japanse market in January 2004. The Ricoh Caplio 400G Wide will have a 28-85mm lens (35mm film camera equivalent) and 3.24 megapixels. It is is an improved version of the previous Caplio 300G and G4 Wide models. The 400G Wide is waterproof up to one meter for a duration of 30 minutes. It will retail in Yapan for 99,000 Yen (found via Visually Speaking).

Website: Akibalive - Ricoh Caplio 400G Wide

MacDevCenter.com posted an interesting article last week which looks at the possibilities offered by using the Belkin Media Reader and the Apple iPod. Apparently allocating 10 GBs of the iPod’s hard disc for images is enough storage space for well over 7,000 pictures taken with a Canon S400 digital camera.

“Apple has done a good job of letting the world know that you can store thousands of songs in your pocket. Now they can add the claim for thousands of pictures too. For the digital photographer on the go, the iPod can be a valuable addition to the camera bag. It entertains while stuck in airports between flight connections, stores your appointments so you know where to be and when, wakes you up if you oversleep, and stores an entire trip’s worth of photos.”

Website: MacDevCenter.com - iPod as Digital Photographer’s Best Friend

Canon Japan have today said in a statement to Reuters that they plan to introduce no less than 20 new digital cameras during 2004, in a bid to capture 25% of the market. Canon anticipates shipping “at least” 12.5 million compact digital cameras in 2004, a jump of nearly 50 percent from the 8.5 million it estimates for the current year. Those figures do not include Digital SLR sales.

“Takashi Oshiyama, head of Canon’s digital imaging business group, told Reuters in an interview that his firm’s long history building cameras would give it the upper hand against its rivals, many of which have only been making cameras for a few years.

“We have a 67-year history making cameras and there is still lots of technology gathered over that time stored away in the shed,” Oshiyama said at Canon’s headquarters in Tokyo.”

I’m not exactly sure what Canon have locked away in the shed (!), but 2004 is certainly building up to be an exciting and eventful year for digital cameras.

Website: Canon Japan - 2004 Digital Compact Cameras