Steve’s Digicams have posted their review of the 3 megapixel DiMAGE E323 compact digital camera. Equipped with a 3X optical zoom, the DiMAGE E323 has a focal range of 5.6mm to 16.8mm, which is equivalent to a 36 - 108mm zoom on a 35mm camera. The maximum aperture of f/2.8 - 4.9 allows the camera to be used in less than ideal lighting conditions without the need of the flash. For those occasions requiring larger prints, the camera automatically resizes the captured data to create a 6-megapixel image. This allows the production of A3-size 150dpi prints or A4-size 300dpi prints.

“At a street price of under $300, the Minolta DiMAGE E323 offers levels of performance, features and quality that will please the intermediate photographer, yet remains easy enough for the novice to use. If you’re looking for an under-$300 3-megapixel 3X zoom digicam with movie mode that can capture family, travel and sports images, and produce pleasing prints 8x10-inches and larger, you should include the Minolta’s DiMAGE E323 on your short list.”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Minolta DiMAGE E323 Review

Imaging Resource have just reviewed the Fuji FinePix S5000, which uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR and sports a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera.

“Fuji’s FinePix S5000 offers a 10x optical zoom lens, great color, exceptional battery life, and an interesting continuous-shooting mode that’s a great feature for sports and other action photography. A solid entry, but facing stiff competition in an increasingly crowded field. (Long-zoom digicams.) Definitely worth a look though…”

Website: Imaging Resource - Fuji FinePix S5000 Review

DCResource have completed their review of the Canon EOS 300D, adding test photos and a conclusion to their earlier first look at the camera. Like everyone else, they only have positive things to say about the 300D:

“Based on the pages of text above, you probably don’t need to hear my conclusion. But I’ll repeat it anyway: the Canon Digital Rebel is a breakthrough product, bringing the digital SLR to the masses. I must confess that my level interest in the Minolta A1 and Sony DSC-F828 dropped immediately after the announcement of the Rebel. Many will ask, “why spend $1199 on a fixed lens camera when I get get a D-SLR and choose from scores of lenses and accessories for $899?” That will be a tough decision for many people over the holiday shopping season!”

Website: DCResource - Canon EOS 300D Review

Canon yesterday released a new firmware update (Ver. 2.0.0.0) for the following digital cameras:

- PowerShot S400 DIGITAL ELPH
- DIGITAL IXUS 400
- PowerShot G5
- PowerShot S50
- PowerShot A70
- PowerShot A60
- PowerShot A300

The firmware update will make your camera PictBridge compliant if it is not already compliant. PictBridge is a new industry standard for direct printing that allows you to print images without using a computer by directly connecting digital cameras and digital camcorders to a printer, regardless of the devices’ brand and model.

Website: Canon Firmware Updates

SanDisk Press Release 01/10/03

Small Form Factor Offers Reliable High-performance Flash Storage For Demanding Industrial Applications, Portable Devices

SUNNYVALE, CA, Oct. 1, 2003 ? SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today introduced a new line of Industrial Grade SD cards designed specifically for demanding applications where extreme durability, enhanced data integrity and exceptionally fast data read and write functionality are required.

SanDisk Industrial Grade SD card users have the ability to update information at industry leading write speeds of up to 9 megabytes per second (MB/sec.), and access to data at read speeds up to 10MB/sec.* SanDisk anticipates broad applications for the Industrial Grade SD card within manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, communications, networking, automotive and aviation market segments. Industrial Grade SD cards are suited to serve the storage needs of today?s industrial handheld device user who relies on consistent and reliable access to data from any location.

SanDisk is the only company that offers a complete line of Industrial Grade flash memory cards with industry leading performance, extreme endurance and enhanced reliability. All Industrial Grade cards must pass a stringent qualification and on going ?Industrial Test Process? including statistically-based quality control that measures all points of manufacture including memory, controller and final card test. Every SanDisk Industrial Grade memory card is guaranteed to exceed rigorous industrial application requirements.

Leica Press Release 01/10/03

The LEICA CM is a high-quality analog compact camera. The letter “M” in the name of the new LEICA CM is eminently justified: Its outstanding performance is unusual for a compact camera and makes it as unique in its class as the Leica M cameras are in the category of rangefinder photography. The LEICA CM has a solid titanium body and is fabricated with precision craftsmanship in Germany. A Leica lens with a speed of f/2.4 masters virtually every application and it achieves impressive pictorial results with the finest nuances. Whether it is used in the fully automatic mode or with manual settings ? with its extensive, easy-to-operate settings, this compact camera offers the best conditions for individual picture composition. With its brilliant viewfinder, the subject coverage can be evaluated confidently, even under poor light conditions. A detailed LED display in the viewfinder helps in controlling the photographic parameters.

Further information on the LEICA CM is available:

Website: LEICA CM

Website: LEICA CM Technical Specifications

Website: LEICA CM Product Brochure (PDF)

I’ve now received the official PhotoPC P-1000 Photo Viewer press release from Epson, which Photo-i first revealed last week.

Espson Press Release 01/10/03

EPSON’s(r) new digital photo album signals a new era of digital photo sharing

With a high definition display, 10GB hard disk and support for photo printing and CD writing, the new PhotoPC P-1000 Photo Viewer from EPSON delivers a flexible way of viewing digital photos and images.

Launch Date 1st November 2003 - The PhotoPC P-1000 from EPSON is the company’s first entry into the mobile imaging market. Aimed at digital photo enthusiasts and professional photographers, the PhotoPC P-1000 utilises EPSON’s latest LCD and display technologies to deliver a new method of viewing high definition photos and images on the move.

The PhotoPC P-1000 has a 3.8” LTPS LCD screen capable of displaying 260,000 colours for viewing high definition images and photos in crisp vibrant colour. With a screen resolution of 640 x 480 the PhotoPC P-1000 is ideal for digital photographers needing to view high-resolution images direct from their camera. In addition, the PhotoPC P-1000 has a Video-out connection and supports NTSC and PAL format for viewing output on a television or a projector.

To offer users maximum flexibility the PhotoPC P-1000 has a 10GB hard disk capable of storing over 7500 high-resolution photos. The device also has an integrated CF/Micro Drive card slot and supports Memory Stick, Smart Media, MMC and SD memory cards via an optional adapter, for viewing or transferring images direct from a digital camera. The PhotoPC P-1000 supports the Jpeg file format, a standard amongst digital camera users.

The PhotoPC P-1000 comes with an EPSON Graphical User Interface enabling users to manage their images in digital photo albums and run slideshows with transition effects. Users can also change the way they view files and control the behaviour of the PhotoPC P-1000 through the intuitive GUI.

The Digital Journalist website has presented a selection of images from the “100 Photographs That Changed the World” book, which were voted for by readers of LIFE and The Digital Journalist earlier this year.

“A collection of pictures that ?changed the world? is a thing worth contemplating, if only to arrive at some resolution about the influential nature of photography and whether it is limited, vast or in between. We do not claim that LIFE?s 100 are the 100 or the top 100, but that they, and the other related landmark images presented here, argue on behalf of the power of pictures.”

Website: The Digital Journalist: 100 Photographs That Changed the World

Website: LIFE

The latest issue of the monthly online photo magazine, Vivid Light Photography, has just been published. As I’m a Canon 10D owner, the “Hands On with the Canon 10D” article was the most interesting read this month. Here’s an excerpt from that article:

“Let me begin by saying that I am a devoted Canon EOS user. And quickly add that this does not make my review of the 10D biased. In fact, it makes me more critical, since I never accept any new product as “the answer” to my photo-imaging prayers on the manufacturer’s say-so alone. I demand performance, and if the camera can’t deliver, then I don’t want it anywhere near me.

In a nutshell, I am loath to return this camera at the end of the loan period. In fact, the 10D makes it difficult to work with any consumer or prosumer digicam. I have to remind myself that working with those other cameras requires me to lower my expectations, at which point I can move forward. But we’re here to talk about the 10D, not those other cameras.”

“Photos That Lie” is a very interesting article that encourages you to open your eyes and look around your local neighbourhood. You might be surprised to find that you suddenly see a lot of photographs in scenes that you usually walk or drive past.

Website: Vivid Light Photography - Issue #30

Photoxels have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix 3100, a 3-megapixel digital camera that Nikon first announced back in February at PMA 2003.

“The Nikon Coolpix 3100 is an attractive, compact, lightweight and affordable digital camera perfect for taking superb macro close-up pictures. It is strictly a point-and-shoot camera for those who want the camera to take care of exposure for them. It’s strong points are good handling, excellent macros, and quality 3MP images you’ve come to expect from Nikon.”

Website: Photoxels - Nikon Coolpix 3100 Review

ePhotoZine have added 6 new articles to their Techniques section for the month of October. “Storing your digital images” should be read by every new digital photographer, as it gives a useful overview of an often confusing topic. “Creative silhouettes” shows you how to control your camera’s exposure so that the main subject is recorded as an effective, moody silhouette.

Website: ePhotoZine - October Techniques

DP-Now editor Ian Burley is currently in Dubrovnik, Croatia to take a look at the latest digital cameras from Fuji. He’s started a thread on the DP-Now forums inviting you to ask questions about the S7000 camera; Ian will then do his best to answer them :-)

As a reminder, the S7000 uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR with 6.3 Million Effective Pixels output and 12.3 million recorded pixels. The electronic viewfinder has been upgraded from 103,000 pixels to a much-higher resolution 235,000 pixels and now uses the xD-Picture Card format instead of SmartMedia that the S602 Zoom used. The Fuji FinePix S7000 will cost $799.99 and be available in October.

Website: DP-Now - Fuji FinePix S7000 Hands-On

digitalkamera.de have posted a new article looking at the Olympus E-1 and the concept of the Four Thirds system. It’s a useful refresher if you haven’t already read this somewhere before (and you probably have…).

Website: digitalkamera.de - Olympus E-1 Article

The flood of articles looking at the new features in Photoshop CS continues with a PDF article from Martin Evening called “What’s new in Photoshop CS”. You should fight off the Photoshop fatigue and read this because it’s actually Chapter 1 of Evening’s upcoming book, “Photoshop for Photographers”.

Website: Imaging Revue - Photoshop CS Article

ACD Systems Press Release 30/09/03

ACD Systems Releases Latest Version of its Flagship Digital Imaging Software - ACDSee 6.0?

New features deliver innovative selective browsing and image rating technologies that streamline workflow

VICTORIA, British Columbia ? September 30, 2003 - ACD Systems International Inc. (TSE:ASA), the digital imaging company and makers of ACDSee? and Canvas?, today released ACDSee 6.0, the newest version of its flagship digital imaging software program for consumer and corporate markets.  ACDSee is known for its speed, ease-of-use and powerful image management capabilities including features for viewing, organizing, searching, printing and sharing digital image collections of any size. New features in ACDSee 6.0 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 solves the problem facing the escalating digital imaging market by offering an easy solution for managing large volumes of images. The new Easy Select feature allows users to select multiple folders and categories to get a combined view of all images that are contained in them.  The robust Selective Browsing feature, unique to ACDSee 6.0, takes the frustration and time out of looking for images by combing the search results from different folders and categories simultaneously and then displaying all the images in one window.

After easily finding their images, users can place their selection in an Image Basket where they are temporarily ready for editing, creating an HTML album ready to share on the web or email to friends and family. ACDSee 6.0 also boasts a new Image Rating system, in which photos can be assigned a numerical rating.  Image Rating assists users in sorting and searching their images and helps them to distinguish the quality of their photos.

ePhotoZine are the third website today to post a review of Photoshop CS.

“Photo filters is a feature that many photographers have been crying out for. Automated colour correction filters. Applying a filter adds a preset such as an 81 warm up or 80 blue while you can select any colour you like using the colour picker. The strength of the filter can be reduced using the opacity slider and faded using Edit>fade option.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Photoshop CS Review

Olympus Press Release 30/09/03

Less waiting, more picture-taking

The Olympus CAMEDIA C-5060 WIDE ZOOM

Olympus announces the high-end C-5060 WIDE ZOOM compact digital camera.  The C-5060 WZ offers a 27mm-110mm equivalent wide angle zoom - the widest currently available - and is packed with a full compliment of features and manually-adjustable photographic functions. The 5 megapixel C-5060 WZ is one of the fastest digital cameras on the market today, with a start-up time of just 3 seconds and a release time lag (including Auto Focus time) of 0.4 seconds.  Available from November 2003, RRP ?599.99.  For stockist information call freephone 0800 072 0070 or visit www.olympus.co.uk. 

The C-5060 WZ boasts a bright f2.8-4.8, 4x optical zoom [3.5x digital zoom] lens. At 27mm [35mm equivalent] the wide-angle of the zoom range extends to 110mm; this increases to a super wide 19mm with the new wide-angle converter. At the other of end of the scale, the C-5060 WZ?s macro mode records the tiniest of detail close-up. Furthermore, the dual Auto Focus system will ensure that a subject is perfectly focussed in order to achieve precise, bright, colourful results.

To avoid the problem of corner shading (a loss of picture quality at the edge of the frame), often seen when using a wide-angle lens with a digital camera, the C-5060 WZ boasts first-class optical elements, arranged to permit the ?telecentric? transmission of light. This ensures that light hits the camera?s sensor at a right angle.

Not only does the C-5060 WZ take just a fraction of a second from pressing the release to taking the picture, it also boasts a shooting speed of three HQ frames per second in speed sequence mode. Users can also experiment with the six different scene programmes such as landscape and sports, as well as a movie recording function

The camera’s four different exposure modes (programme, shutter priority, aperture priority and fully manual) are not only easy to use but give you room for professional creativity.  Additionally, the new high power Lithium Ion battery supplied with the C-5060 WZ will allow up to 600 shots; an optional power grip over 1000 shots.

However you are positioned to take a shot, you can see your subject clearly thanks to the C-5060 WZ’s multi-angle high-resolution LCD monitor.  This is fixed to a flexible hinge which can be tilted up and swivelled round by 270?.  The C-5060 WZ looks great too with a full magnesium body and sleek black finish perfectly reflecting the model’s pro capabilities.

The C-5060 WZ is also compatible with a range of CAMEDIA system accessories such as a hot shoe, external flash systems, a power grip, filters plus a tele and wide angle lens converter.  A variety of newly-developed accessories are also available including a direct filter mount and bayonet conversion lens system.

Steve’s Digicams has just reviewed the Canon Bubble Jet i900D printer (known as the i905D outside the USA). The 4800 x 1200 dpi Bubble Jet i900D is a six-colour photo printer with card slots for the most popular brands of memory cards. It’s also compliant with the new industry standard PictBridge protocol, allowing it to print directly from any PictBridge compatible digital camera without the need for a PC.

“The Canon i900D is a very versatile printer allowing you to make photo-quality borderless prints with or without the need of a computer.

The i900D’s print quality is equal that of Canon’s i960 but it isn’t as fast because its print head only has 1,536 nozzles versus 3,072 nozzles on the i960. If speed is your thing and you don’t need the standalone features of the i900D then go with the i960 instead.”

Website: Steve’s Digicams - Canon i900D Printer Review

Luminous Landscape owner Michael Reichmann has just published his review of the Canon EOS 300D digital SLR. Find out how the EOS 300D fared in the hands of an experienced professional landscape and wildlife photographer.

“Rather than provide a bells and whistles review, which sites like DPReview do with mind-numbing detail, it’s my intention here to see how well the Rebel accomplishes its goals, both from the consumer’s as well as Canon’s perspectives. Of course I will be comparing the Rebel to Canon’s 10D, which from an image quality perspective is almost identical, yet which costs nearly twice as much.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Canon EOS 300D Review

On Sunday DPReview posted a new gallery of sample images from the Olympus E-1, taken at the USA Formula One Grand Prix in Indianapolis. Now Imaging Resource have joined in by posting their own gallery of photos taken at the same event with the same camera.

“All of the following photos were taken with the E-1 camera body and either the 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens or the 300mm f2.8 Zuiko Digital Telephoto Lens last Friday. We also had access to the 50mm f2.0 Zuiko Digital Macro Lens and 1.4x Zuiko Digital TeleConverter Lens, and will be sharing photos taken using these items shortly.

We captured around 2000 images with the camera throughout the course of the weekend. Tomorrow, we will bring you a selection of the images taken during Saturday, and shortly thereafter we’ll have the photos from Sunday - the day of the race itself.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Olympus E-1 Samples