Imaging Resource have also taken a look at the Pentax Optio 33L, which has 3.2 megapixels, a swiveling LCD monitor and a suggested RRP of $299.

“With the introduction of the Optio 33L, Pentax updates its Optio line of digicams with a 3.2-megapixel entry-level model sporting a few updated features. Stylistically, the 33L is similar to the previous 330 RS, with generally the same shape and control layout, though a slightly larger size and a plastic case, rather than the 330’s all-metal construction. However, the 33L features a swiveling LCD monitor, which actually lifts up from the back panel for more flexible viewing angles.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Pentax Optio 33L Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the 2 magapixel Canon PowerShot A60, which unusually for a cheap digicam ($249) offers a full range of exposure options including Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes.

“Last year, Canon’s PowerShot A40 topped the charts on the IR website for popularity, outstripping all other camera models. This was particularly impressive given that our readers generally gravitate toward higher-end models. This year, the A60 updates the A40, with more manual controls and a slightly different control layout.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon PowerShot A60 Review

Ian Burley at DP-Now.com has just posted an excellent First Look at the Canon EOS 300D, featuring 27 photographs from yesterday’s launch event in London. The 5th photo features a graph, not the most interesting subject you might think, but it shows Canon’s market forecast for DSLR’s:

“Canon sold 72,000 digital SLRs in Europe during the whole of 2002, but EOS-300D manufacturing for the worldwide market is already set at 70,000 units a month. By 2005 Canon expects to have at least a 50% market share of the DSLR market in Europe. That market will be 10x greater than 2002 in volume terms, predicts Canon.”

Scary stuff, especially for Nikon, Olympus and the other major players!

Website: DP-Now - Canon EOS-300D First Look

Ian has also updated his Canon EOS 300D report with links to some sample images taken with a pre-production camera, taken by Kai Thon, at the Norwegian site www.digit.no. The images show the ISO range of the 300D, with the same image taken at ISO 100, 200, 400, 600 and 1600.

Website: DP-Now - Canon EOS-300D Report

Digital Camera Resource are the first website to review the new FinePix S5000 from Fuji, which has a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera. The Fuji FinePix S5000 costs $499.95 and will be available in stores this month.

“Although the Fuji FinePix S5000 has a very exciting design and good feature set, but I think it’s a little disappointing in photo quality when compared to the latest offerings from HP, Olympus, and Toshiba. The 3.2 Megapixel SuperCCD HR sensor takes good shots at its native resolution, and so-so shots at the 6M interpolated size. Noise levels are above-average at 3M, and noticeably higher at 6M.”

Website: DCResource - Fuji FinePix S5000 Review

Canon have been extremely quick off the mark in releasing the 140 page Canon EOS 300D User Manual for download.

Website: Canon EOS 300D User Manual

The EOS 300D Kit will comprise the following items:

- EOS DIGITAL REBEL/EOS 300D DIGITAL camera body (with Eyecup, body cap and lithium backup battery for the date and time)
- EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 (with lens cap and dust cap) * In optional lens kit.
- Battery Pack BP-511 (includes protective cover)
- Battery Charger CB-5L
- Power cord for battery charger
- Interface Cable IFC-300PCU
- Video Cable VC-100
- Neck Strap EW-100DB ll (with eyepiece cover)
- EOS DIGITAL Solution Disk (CD-ROM)
- Adobe Photoshop Elements Disk (CD-ROM)
- Pocket Guide
- Quick guide to using the camera.
- EOS DIGITAL REBEL/EOS 300D DIGITAL Instructions
- Installing the Software Correctly - Explains the software installation and features.
- EOS DIGITAL REBEL/EOS 300D DIGITAL Software Instructions - Explains the procedure for transferring images to a personal computer and for RAW image processing.
- Battery Pack BP-511 Instructions
- Warranty card
- No CF card is included. Please purchase it separately. CF cards made by Canon are recommended.

Rob Galbraith has posted a pretty thorough comparison of the main differences in functionality between the new Canon EOS 300D (known as the Rebel in the US) and the EOS 10D. If you’ve read and re-read all of the information from yesterday’s launch, and you’re still wondering what the similarities and differences between the 2 cameras are, then Rob’s site is a good place to start.

Here’s one major difference that might influence you towards the 10D:

“The Digital Rebel incorporates the same 7-point autofocus module as the 10D, and is promised to have the same overall autofocus performance too. There’s one significant difference, however: the Digital Rebel doesn’t allow for the selection of AF mode. While you can choose between manual focus and autofocus (by flipping the AF/M switch on any Canon EF lens), in the exposure modes of most use to serious shooters - Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Program and Manual - the Digital Rebel chooses between One Shot AF and AI Servo AF automatically on the fly, in a mode called AI Focus. If you’d prefer to choose one or the other yourself, then you’ll need a different camera.”

You can click the image above to view the Canon 300D and 10D side-by-side; as you can see, the 300D is noticeably smaller than its big brother. It would be interesting to see a similar comparison with the Pentax *ist D…

Website: Rob Galbraith

Canon have now officially announced the EOS 300D. There’s an official Canon Japan website up and running with all the details, including sample images:

Website: Canon Japan

Features
Here is a brief summary of the main features:

- Effective pixels: Approx. 6.30 megapixels (3088x2056)
- Aspect ratio: 3:2
- 35mm-equivalent focal length is equal to approx.1.6 times the marked focal length
- Image format: JPEG and RAW (12-bit)
- White Balance Settings: Auto, daylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten bulb, White fluorescent light, flash, custom
- Color temperature compensation: White balance bracketing: +/-3 stops in whole-stop increments
- Auto Focus points: 7
- Focusing modes: One-Shot AF, AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF, Manual focusing (MF)
- Metering system: TTL full aperture metering with 35-zone SPC(1) Evaluative metering (linkable to any AF point)(2) Partial metering (approx. 9% of viewfinder at center)(3) Centerweighted average metering (Set automatically in manual exposure mode)
- ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
- Shutter speeds: 1/4000 - 30 sec. (1/3-stop increments), bulb, X-sync at 1/200 sec
- Drive modes: Single, continuous, Self-timer/Remote control
- Continuous shooting speed: Approx. 2.5 fps (at 1/250 sec. or faster speeds)
- Max. burst during continuous shooting: 4 shots
- PictBridge-compatible
- Weight: 560 g / 19.7 oz (body only)

Lens
The 300D will ship as a body only option or with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (29-88mm equivalent) zoom lens. Canon have also announced a 55-200mm (88-320mm equivalent) f/4-5.6 telephoto zoom.

Pricing
The Canon EOS 300D will retail for approximately Euro 1179 / ?899.99 for the body only, and Euro 1279 / ?999.99 complete with the 18-55mm (29-88mm equivalent) zoom lens. All prices include VAT.

Other websites that also have the news:

Website: DP-Now

Here is the full un-edited Canon EOS 300D Press Release from Canon Europe:

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, August 20, 2003. - Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today launches the EOS 300D 6.3 Megapixel digital SLR. The availability in the market of an affordable consumer digital SLR is expected to greatly accelerate the speed of adoption by consumers.

?Canon expects 400-500% growth in the digital SLR segment from 2002 to 2003 in terms of shipping volume[1],? says Hiroshi Komatsuzaki, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. ?The EOS 300D will play a key strategic role in this growth. By dropping the price so significantly, Canon is very deliberately putting high performance EOS digital technology into the hands of the consumer at a time of accelerating demand for high performance digital cameras?.

The EOS 300D bundles proven high performance technologies (such as seven-point, high-speed predictive auto focus, 2.5 frame per second burst rate, 35-zone metering and DIGIC image processor) into a camera affordable to everybody.

Canon has declared the EOS 300D to be the single most important consumer SLR since the AE-1 in 1976. Just as the AE-1 triggered an SLR revolution by being the world?s first camera with an embedded microcomputer, Canon believes the EOS 300D will be seen as the point in history when the SLR market shifted irrevocably to digital.

Precision optics, unrivalled sensor quality
At the front end of the EOS 300D is the lens system and digital sensor. Film EOS users considering the move to digital will be pleased to learn the EOS 300D works seamlessly with any of Canon?s renowned EF lenses, of which there are currently more than 60.

An APS-C sized sensor gives the camera a 1.6x magnification over 35mm film format. In order to furnish EOS 300D customers with the equivalent 28-90mm zoom range so popular with 35mm film EOS users, a new EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 lens [2] has been specially developed. This lens takes advantage of the compact sensor size, employing a ?short back focus system? which mounts the lens closer to the sensor than previous models. This provides high-quality images in a remarkably low-weight, short-length lens.

The 6.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor is almost identical to that found in the award-winning EOS 10D which remains the benchmark for image quality. ISO speeds of 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 are selectable, giving film users a film speed range with which they will be comfortable.

Print straight from the camera
The EOS 300D is the first digital EOS camera to support the vendor-independant PictBridge print standard from launch date. Lab-quality prints can now be produced without the need for a computer by directly connecting the EOS 300D to compatible photo printers via standard USB cable. A large 1.8? LCD is used to select and review photographs to be printed and set print variables.

Fast image processing with superb results
Underpinning the camera?s technical superiority is Canon?s high-speed DIGIC (Digital Image Core) processor. In the days of film, image processing was the role of film companies and mini-labs. With digital, the critical role of image processing must be handled by the camera. Complex algorithms required to accurately process functions such as white balance and color rendition are integrated into the DIGIC processor, resulting in highquality images with no trade-off in camera responsiveness. ?A great digital image requires both quality raw ingredients and quality processing? says Komatsuzaki. ?Superior lens and sensor technologies ensure the best raw ingredients. It is what DIGIC does with these that gives the EOS 300D the edge?.

Wide area, high speed focusing
7 selectable focusing points give an ultra wide AF area generally only found in advanced SLRs. Focusing modes include One-Shot AF (for fast, accurate single-shot focusing), and AI AF which can automatically switch to AI servo AF for continuous tracking of subject movement ? well suited to sports photography. A Manual Focus override is selectable from the lens.

High-end exposure control
The EOS 300D boasts 35 zone TTL metering, essentially covering the full frame. Three metering modes (evaluative, partial, and centre weighted average) assure balanced exposures in every situation. Along with the full range of automated and manual shooting modes expected in a high-end SLR, the EOS 300D features Programmed Image Control modes such as Night Portrait, Sports, Close-up, Landscape, Portrait and Flash OFF. A built-in automatic flash pops up nearly 90mm above the optical axis to lessen the chance of red-eye for better flash photos.

Shooting adaptability
The EOS 300D is superbly specified to deliver outstanding results in virtually any shooting situation. The camera has a shutter speed range of 1/4000 ? 30 seconds, bulb and high speed x-sync at 1/200s. Simultaneous recording to both RAW and JPEG (middle/fine) formats is possible, while 2GB and higher CompactFlash cards, Types I and II, are supported. Optional wired or infra-red wireless remote control is available. Adobe RGB has been added to the standard sRGB colour space. There are seven Auto White Balance settings (such as cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, etc.) plus custom White Balance and +/- 3 stop White Balance Bracketing (WB-BKT).

Comprehensive accessories, software and online access
The EOS 300D comes complete with battery pack, charger, USB cable, video cable, wide embroidered anti-slip neck strap. Purchase of the EOS 300D entitles customers to membership of the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY [3] web portal for a 100 MB online photo album for image uploads. A full software suite is included for handling image file transfers between camera and computer, managing and printing files, and preview and conversion of RAW image files. PhotoStitch is included for seamless merging of panorama shots.

Mr. Mitarai?s (President and CEO of Canon Inc.) announcement can be viewed after 14:00 CET on August 20th at the following link: http://www.canon.com/press_movies/speech0802.asx

[1] Source: JEITA data with Canon forecast
[2] The lens will not be sold separately and will only be available with the purchase of the EOS 300D
[3] May not be available in all regions

Here is the full un-edited Canon EF-S 18-55mm Lens Press Release from Canon Europe:

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, August 20, 2003 - Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today releases the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens, designed to work exclusively with the new EOS 300D, also released today. The lens will not be sold separately and will only be available when purchased together with the EOS 300D.

The EOS 300D features an APS-C sized sensor, which gives the focal length of the lens a 1.6x magnification effect over 35mm film format. Canon’s goal is to furnish EOS 300D customers with the equivalent 28-90mm zoom range so popular with 35mm film EOS users. The new lens was therefore given a focal length of 18-55mm, which is equivalent to 29-88mm in the 35mm film format.

The more compact sensor size of the EOS 300D means the camera’s reflex mirror can also be smaller, making it possible to bring the back of the lens closer to the image sensor. The ‘S’ in the EF-S nomenclature stands for ‘short back focus’, which describes this new system. Manufacturing costs associated with such a wide-angle zoom lens would normally be very high. The ‘short back focus’ system of the EOS 300D, however, has allowed Canon’s design engineers to develop a remarkably low-weight, short-length lens that retains all the high-quality hallmarks of the EF range. The result is an opportunity for EOS 300D users to work with a lens that would normally carry a prohibitively expensive price tag.

Perfect for digital
By optimising the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens coatings, Canon’s engineers have effectively minimised the chance of flare and ghosting which are more prone to occur with digital cameras than with film cameras. The coatings reduce reflections off the rear of the lens to deliver crisp, undistorted digital images.

Fast and close auto-focus
The drive pattern of the lens has been tailored to specifically match that of the EOS 300D, for quiet, precise and fast auto focus. A minimum focusing distance of just 0.28m is available at all focal lengths through the zoom range.

Appealing background blur
The lens incorporates an EMD (electromagnetic diaphragm), which in the widest apertures employs an almost perfectly circular barrel aperture. This provides the best blur effect in situations where the photographer is deliberately working with a small depth of field to isolate the subject.

New mount
While the EOS 300D is compatible with the more than 60 EF lenses, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 has a new mount in the EF lens series which fits only the EOS 300D. A white lens mount index (in addition to the traditional red marking) differentiates the lens from other EF lenses and a rear rubber ring prevents any damage in the event that an inadvertent attempt is made to mount the EF-S lens on a camera other than the EOS 300D.

In harmony with the environment
In keeping with Canon’s stringent environmental policy, only lead free glass is used in the lens’ optics.

New accessories
Because of the new mount, two new extension tubes have been developed for Canon’s EF lens range, the Extension Tube EF12II and EF25II. These new tubes replace the Extension Tubes EF12 and EF25 and, as with these superceded tubes, work with almost every available Canon EF lens. Their new mount allows them to also work with the new EF-S 18?55mm f/3.5-5.6.

Phenomenal magnification
Extension tubes are close-up accessories placed between the camera body and the lens to enable high-magnification photography. Through eight electronic contact points, electronic function is the same as during normal photography for compatible lenses. Magnification differs according to the lens, but for standard zoom lenses it is about 0.3 to 0.5 for the Extension Tube EF12II and 0.7 or over for the Extension Tube EF25II.

Mounting and data transfer
Both extension tubes have a white lens mount index (in addition to the traditional red marking) to indicate compatibility with the new EF-S lens. When mounted between an EOS camera and an EF lens, standard EOS-dedicated information is transferred seamlessly between camera body and lens. This includes lens status, lens type, metering information, focal length and AF drive information.

In this interview, given just days before the launch of the EOS 300D, Alessandro Stanzani talks about the EOS 300D, its role in changing the face of photography and Canon?s passion for the SLR.

Why is Canon suddenly placing so much emphasis on SLRs?
SLR is Canon?s heritage. EOS is our heart; SLR is our story. We are number one in SLRs around the world. In Europe we have a 40% share of the SLR market. And the future of SLR is digital. As leader, our mission is to be at the vanguard of the global shift to digital. Already most major news agencies are specifying the professional series EOS 1D for their photographers. The EOS 300D is the best proof Canon can give to the market that the age of digital SLR has arrived.

What is so important about the EOS 300D?
Canon is also the world leader in photography. The EOS 300D carries this leadership forward by making available, for the very first time, high-end digital SLR technology at an affordable price. History will remember the launch of the EOS 300D as the point in time when the imaging market shifted irrevocably from analogue to digital.

What are Canon?s expectations for digital SLR growth?
Canon anticipates the market for digital SLRs to grow between 400% and 500% in 2003, over 2002. This market will increase 10 times from 2002 to 2005. Canon expects to have a 50% share of this market.

Canon has said this is the most significant camera since the AE1. How so?
The AE-1 was the world?s first camera with an embedded microcomputer. But what did that mean? There were other cameras available at the time capable of doing what the AE-1 could do. The critical point of this development was that it allowed for the production of a low-cost camera with high-end features. This sparked an SLR revolution. There are hundreds of thousands of people across Europe waiting for an affordable digital SLR. Either they are using film SLR, or they understand the benefits of SLR photography. Maybe they remember the AE1. Until today their only chance of digital SLR ownership has been to purchase a professional or semi-professional camera, which for most people is simply not affordable. The EOS 300D changes all that. It will spark enormous growth, opening up the market not only to keen amateur photographers, but to the masses. The EOS 300D is about to trigger the next SLR revolution.

Why has Canon waited until now to declare that this is the time to convert to digital?
Photography used to be tightly limited. Shoot a roll of film, take it to the photo store and pick up the prints some time later. For 99% of people, this is what photography was. Only professionals and dedicated enthusiasts had the time and resources to truly explore their creativity.
Now we are witnessing a convergence of services, products and technologies that is putting choice and creativity into the hands of consumers. It is not just about digital cameras now having the quality to compete with film. Consumers can produce lab-quality prints at home by connecting their camera directly to affordable, high quality photo-printers. They can use web services ? such as our CiG web portal for Canon customers ? to store and share albums and make online orders for home-delivered prints. And as for dropping off rolls of film to the lab, photographs to be printed can now be left on flash cards or Microdrives and dropped off to an ever-expanding base of digital print retailers.

Alongside that, we are witnessing a huge shift in consumer behaviour. Consumers with digital cameras are taking five times as many photographs as they used to. They are experimenting with software to edit, manipulate and enhance their photographs. They are expressing their imagination. So the digital world is removing the limits to creativity by opening up entirely new possibilities.

The final ingredient in the mix is camera affordability. Sales of digital compacts show they are already at a realistic price point. The EOS 300D price now brings digital SLR into the picture.

Why has Canon chosen to stick with the CMOS sensor?
The Canon CMOS sensor is a complete Canon development and considerable R&D resource has been invested into perfecting it. Awards won by our current product line-up would suggest our efforts have been well directed. Given that it now represents the current image quality benchmark against which other sensors are compared, it makes good sense for us to have chosen CMOS.

Is Canon committed to sticking with CMOS ahead of CCD technology?
Canon?s approach has always been to select the most appropriate technology for the product under consideration. In the case of the EOS 300D, CMOS was chosen simply because it is the most suitable sensor technology to enable us to introduce consumers to digital SLR photography.

What is the difference between the CMOS sensor found in the EOS 10D and the EOS 300D?
The CMOS sensor found in the EOS 300D is similar to that found in the EOS 10D. The manufacturing process is slightly different, but the quality output between the two devices is essentially the same. The three-layer optical low pass filter and IR cut filter are identical to those found on the EOS 10D, where they have proven highly effective.

Why does the EOS 300D have an APS-C sensor instead of full frame?
The APS-C sensor has some advantages, which made it the obvious choice for the EOS 300D. The key has been the possibility to bring professional quality digital SLR photography to the consumer price point of the EOS 300D.

Does Canon have a full-frame consumer digital SLR in the wings?
No. The EOS 1Ds has a 35mm sensor but this is a camera which suits the highly specialised requirements of a very select group of professional photographers. The strategy for Canon is to design cameras to suit our customer?s needs. So what does full frame really mean? With 6.3 million pixels, the EOS 300D sensor has a resolution which, in most situations, would meet the needs of many professional photographers. At the same time, this sensor size has allowed us to meet our design objective of putting high-end technology into the hands of the consumer. From a technical perspective, putting a 35mm sensor into the EOS 300D would, in most cases, give no advantage to our customers. Yet in doing so we would force the price well out of our target range.

Is the EF-S lens the start of a new EF-S series?
The short back focus system of the EOS 300D provided a route for Canon to develop the EF?S 18?55mm - a high performance, low weight, short length, cost effective standard zoom lens for EOS 300D customers. This lens only fits the EOS 300D but, as with all EOS cameras, the EOS 300D fits every lens in the EF range. So when the time comes for EOS 300D customers to consider their next lens, they will share the advantage of every other EOS user by having the whole range of over 60 EF lenses to choose from. This particular EF-S lens is therefore seen as a specialised lens within the EF range. It is the EF range to which we are committed and to which Canon continues to invest substantial development resource.

Canon has recently made a lot of noise about the success of DIGIC. Is the DIGIC processor in the EOS 300D the same as that found in other Canon cameras?
Yes, it is the same chip. The DIGIC processor has a number of functional blocks within it. Different functional blocks are used, depending on what type of camera we are dealing with. For example, the focusing systems between compact cameras and SLRs are fundamentally different. If you look at the digital SLR body, it has a sensor dedicated for focus, a sensor dedicated to exposure metering and then the image sensor, all on different optical paths. A digital compact camera has all those three functions integrated into the main imaging sensor. So given the integral role DIGIC plays in the camera?s image processing, it stands to reason that the way in which DIGIC is used will depend largely on what type of camera is employed.

The market seems intent on using pixel count as a means of measuring a camera?s worth. Is having the highest number of pixels important to Canon?
Pixel count is of course crucial to Canon; it is the parameter on which many users first focus when comparing models. But as numerous specialised and reliable magazines have proved, it is just one of many factors influencing image quality. Lens quality is obviously critical and image processing functions play a crucial role ? hence Canon?s massive investment in lens technologies and DIGIC processors.

Winning the pixel race can have very little to do with building quality cameras that return exceptional images, and customers are beginning to understand this.

What does Canon see as the competition to the EOS 300D?
There is no directly competing digital SLR at this price point for consumers. Competitors for the EOS 300D therefore come from outside its field, either in terms of price or performance. In terms of performance, the EOS 300D is up against digital SLRs that are currently more than twice its price. In terms of price, the EOS 300D offers potential purchasers of digital compact cameras a choice; either digital SLR or advanced digital compact camera.

In an interview you gave in February you predicted that sales of digital still cameras would double this year. How has the market performed against that prediction?
The market continues to be ahead of that projection. Canon expects that the introduction of the EOS 300D will trigger 500% growth in the digital SLR market in 2003, over 2002. The research we now have shows that across the whole array of consumer products, digital cameras are one of the three most desirable products; the other two being DVD players and new generation mobile phones.

In that same interview you predicted that unit sales of digital cameras will outstrip that of analogue. Has that yet happened?
Yes. Shipment of digital cameras has already over-taken that of analogue; in fact this happened at the beginning of 2003. In terms of market value, digital overtook analogue two years ago. The world-wide install base of digital cameras was predicted to overtake that of analogues by 2010 but we now expect this to happen earlier.

Will Canon continue to develop analogue SLR products?
Yes. There will continue to be demand for analogue SLRs and we will continue to develop products to meet that demand. This is clearly the turning point where the market will make a significant shift to digital, but we recognise there is enormous value in continuing to support the analogue market.

A complaint of Canon digital cameras is that Canon is often unable to keep supply up to meet demand. How does Canon intend to meet anticipated demand for the EOS 300D?
Once the market is aware, there is no doubt there will be enormous demand for the EOS 300D, and we have stocked accordingly. What Canon wants to do is shorten the time between availability and market awareness. Waiting for reviews, articles and information to be published can take two or three months. But we want everybody to know right now that this is the product, and this is the price. This is why there is so much focus on the launch.

Olympus has proposed a common lens mount. Does Canon have any plans to join the program?
The Kodak and the Olympus lens mount is a completely new and largely unproven development and as yet there are very few lenses which work with this system. With over 60 proven lenses available to our EOS customers in the EF lens line up, we have no plan to join the common lens mount proposed by Olympus.

This news may be lost in the hype surroundig the new digital EOS 300D SLR, but Canon have also made a couple of other interesting announcements. First up is a new film SLR in the shape of the EOS 3000V.
 
The EOS 3000V is a compact, lightweight and stylish SLR that lets you realise how exciting and creative photography can be. It has exceptionally fast auto-focusing, a wide AF area and advanced focusing-point-linked 35-zone evaluative metering.

Features
- Exceptionally fast auto-focusing
- Ultra-compact styling
- 35-zone evaluative metering
- Wide area 7-point Auto Focus
- High positioned built-in flash
- Large LCD panel
- Continuous shooting max 1.5 frames per second
- 12 shooting modes

The EOS 3000V is a compact, lightweight and stylish SLR that lets you realise how exciting and creative photography can be.

Stylish and ergonomicWith its compact design, lightweight and ergonomic styling, the EOS 3000V can easily be used one-handed. Controls are positioned exactly where they should be. Menu navigation is easy thanks to a large LCD.

Metering and auto-focus
The camera has AF point linked 35-zone metering so that it accurately works out the right exposure. The wide AF area with 7 auto-focus points perfectly captures your subject even when it is off centre (set automatically or manually). The Auto-focusing is exceptionally fast and creates sharp pictures even when the subject is moving.

Flash
On top of the EOS 3000V is a built-in E-TTL flash unit, which can pop-up automatically. The high positioned flash delivers improved red-eye reduction and is linked to the focusing points.

Shooting modes
12 shooting modes are available, with AF mode set automatically to match the shooting mode. Continuous shooting is possible at approximately 1.5 frames per second.

The camera’s film transport mechanism is comfortable and quiet.

Pricing
The EOS 3000V will be available from late September 2003 for ?180 RRP body only or with the following lens kits:

- EOS 3000V + EF28-90mm f/4.0-5.6 II non USM lens - ?240
- EOS 3000V + EF28-90mm f/4.0-5.6 II non USM lens and EF90-300mm f/4.0-5.6 non USM lens - ?340

Website: Canon Europe

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the 4.0 Megapixel PowerShot A80; the new flagship camera in the PowerShot A-series range.
Packed with features to put creativity back into the hands of the photographer, the PowerShot A80 brings together a newly designed 3x optical zoom with fast f/2.8 aperture, Vari-angle
LCD monitor and nine-point AiAF (Artificial intelligence Automatic Focus).  A 32 MB CompactFlash card is included with the camera, enabling it to store between 14 and 337.

Canon’s engineers have built a camera with the features of the EISA European Digital Camera of the Year 2002 award winning PowerShot G2, but in a smaller, more stylish body and with all
the advantages of today’s technologies.  Canon’s purpose-built, high performance DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) processor drives 2.4 fps continuous shooting, up to three minutes of movie clips with full sound and Canon’s patented iSAPS (intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology. iSAPS acts like a photographer’s assistant, presetting the camera for faster focusing and more pleasing brightness and white balance settings.  This is the first compact digital still camera from Canon to support PictBridge, the new industry standard for direct printing. It enables PC-free printing via direct camera-to-printer connection to any PictBridge compliant photo printer, regardless of brand.

“Our customers are really starting to benefit from Canon’s long term, large scale R&D investment into optics and digital technology,” explains Hiroshi Komatsuzaki, Head of Canon
Consumer Imaging Europe. “This camera sets new standards for image quality, photo flexibility and value, outperforming other models on the market.”

More pixels, larger CCD sensor
The 4.0 Megapixel CCD sensor is the same as that found in Canon’s multi award-winning Digital IXUS 400 and PowerShot S45 models. Each of the individual pixels is almost 50% larger than in the PowerShot A70 enabling the camera to provide superb image quality that is suited to photo prints up to A3 in size.

14 shooting modes
A choice of 14 shooting modes allows users to take complete control of any shooting situation, dictating precisely the type and level of automation required.  Along with all of the fully
manual Program and Aperture/Shutter speed priority modes expected in an advanced digital, the PowerShot A80 includes two custom modes for storing preferred camera settings. Portrait
and Landscape modes minimise/maximise depth of field appropriately, and a Night Scene mode, providing slow sync speed for realistic shots, balances exposure to maintain both
background and foreground detail.  Stitch Assist mode enables precise alignment of multiple images for panoramic and poster shots that can be merged with Canon’s PhotoStitch software.
Movie clips of up to three minutes are also possible with sound recording, playback and even editing functions all performed through the camera’s menu screen. Photo effects include vivid
colour, neutral and low sharpening, sepia and black and white.

New display, improved optics
When not in use, the PowerShot A80’s Vari-angle LCD monitor completely reverses and swivels into its housing in the rear of the camera body, meaning it is completely protected.  The
screen can swing open a full 180o and be rotated to virtually any angle, allowing for shooting with the camera close to the floor or high in the air. A lateral reversal or ‘mirror image’
function is available for easy self-portraits.

Introduction of the Vari-angle LCD monitor means less room for the PowerShot A80’s lens than in previous PowerShot A-series models, and necessitated a fundamental redesign of the camera’s optics. This redesign has meant the camera maintains compact dimensions when not in use.  Even though the CCD is larger than previous models Canon has managed to design an f/2.8 3x optical zoom (35mm equivalent: 38 ? 114mm) with a shorter retraction length.  Two aspherical elements have been introduced to this new model in order to keep focus crisp throughout the image, right to the very edge of the picture, despite the reduction in size of the camera’s lens. Employing a rear-focus technique,moving only one element in the third group, the new lens delivers pin-sharp focus more quickly than previous models. The fast f/2.8 aperture is ideal for capturing images in low light conditions and for achieving narrow depth of field.  A digital zoom extends the effective zoom range to 11x combined optical and digital.

High-end processing, high-end performance
The complex algorithms required to accurately process functions such as white balance and colour rendition have all been integrated into Canon’s unique high speed DIGIC processor.
This allows the PowerShot A80 to deliver stunning quality images with no compromise in camera responsiveness.  The DIGIC processor is so fast that it reduces power consumption by
running only when needed. The PowerShot A80 will take up to 250* shots or provide up to 280 minutes playback from a single set of batteries.  The camera takes every-day Alkaline or NiMH rechargeable AA batteries, providing greater flexibility for travel and other occasions.

Nine-point AiAF
The AiAF (Artificial intelligence Automatic Focus) has been extended to nine zones, the first time such a powerful system has been deployed on a PowerShot A-series camera. Focusing is now more precise regardless of subject position.  An Intelligent Orientation Sensor allows the AF frame to be weighted differently for horizontal and vertical shooting, further increasing the accuracy of exposure, and saving time when managing photos on a computer or slideshows on TV. Standard single centre-point AF is selectable and can be combined with a magnified display of the centre zone to enable highly accurate manual focusing.

Waterproof case and lenses
For those with an interest in water sports or diving, an optional waterproof case ? submersible to 40m ? is available, complete with anti-fog double glass and flash light diffusion plate.  To increase the range of the lens, a bayonet mount adapter fits easily over the lens to accommodate both a Wide Converter and Tele Converter, extending the possible zoom range
to 26.6?200mm (35mm film equivalent). A close-up lens for extreme macro shooting is also available.

Printing without PC
The PowerShot A80 can be connected via a USB cable directly to any PictBridge compliant photo printer, regardless of brand, for PC-free printing of lab-quality images.  The camera is also backward compatible with Canon’s Direct Print and Bubble Jet Direct standards.  When printing direct to a Canon printer, the camera automatically selects the optimum communication protocol to maximise print speed and quality.

1. 14 images in Large/Superfine, 337 images in Small/Normal mode under Canon standard testing method. File size depends on scene complexity.

* 250 shots with LCD monitor on, using AA alkaline battery under standard testing conditions.

Kodak have announced the 4 megapixel EasyShare DX6490 digital camera, featuring a 10x optical zoom lens (38-380mm focal length) with a f/2.8 - f/3.7 maximum aperture.

“Eastman Kodak Company today unveiled its most advanced EasyShare digital camera to date, the Kodak EasyShare DX6490 zoom digital camera. With its unique combination of sophisticated features, exceptional performance, and ?399.99 suggested retail price, it establishes a new price-to-performance benchmark for ?advanced amateur? photography, giving more people the opportunity to shoot like a professional.

The 38-380mm focal length of the Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 10X zoom lens gives photographers superb framing flexibility. It enables users to get close to the action and fill the frame, or achieve more natural poses from subjects by shooting them from a distance. The long lens also provides the “flattened” perspective and narrow depth of field that portrait photographers crave, all in a compact, SLR-like body. With a f/2.8 maximum aperture at wide angle and a f/3.7 at 10X - and the ability to step down to f/8 - the camera is well-suited to perform in both low and bright light.”

The Kodak EasyShare DX6490 has a suggested retail price of ?399.99.

Website: DP-Now - Kodak DX6490 Hands-on Look

Website: Kodak.com

Ricoh yesterday announced 3 new additions to its range of digital cameras.

Ricoh Caplio G4
The new 3.24-megapixel Caplio G4 breaks new ground in digital camera speed. With a shutter response time of just 0.14 seconds, it actually exceeds the speed of a conventional 35mm camera. Indeed, the Caplio G4’s shutter response time is the world’s fastest in its class.

That’s not all. The Caplio G4 is blazing fast in its start-up time-a mere 1.9 seconds-and its flash recycling time. The camera’s speed pays off by allowing the photographer to capture the desired shot with a minimum of delay.

An advanced zoom lens helps bring the shot into reach. With a 3x optical zoom lens plus a 3.4x digital zoom, the Caplio G4 features an exceptional 10.2x zoom.

Website: Ricoh Caplio G4

Ricoh Caplio G4wide
Ricoh has taken digital photography to a new level with the new 3.24-megapixel Caplio G4wide. This technologically impressive camera boasts both a newly developed compact lens and exceptional speed.

The Caplio G4wide’s 3x zoom lens ranges from 28mm to 85mm (equivalent on a 35mm camera). A unique lens arrangement and use of highly refractive low-dispersion aspherical lenses allows it to perform on the level of conventional 35mm film cameras, a significant step in the evolution of the digital camera.

Speed is another area in which the Caplio G4wide distinguishes itself. With a shutter response time of just 0.14 seconds, it exceeds the speed of a conventional 35mm camera. Indeed, the Caplio G4wide’s shutter response time is the world’s fastest in its class.

Website: Ricoh Caplio G4wide

Ricoh Caplio 300G
Ricoh will launch the Caplio 300G digital camera into European market from October 2003. The new Caplio features a water and dust-resistant design, sturdy body, fast shutter response, long battery life, and more, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

The Caplio 300G is designed for durability and geared toward a wide range of outdoor applications. It affords users JIS protection grade 7-equivalent water resistance and JIS protection grade-6 dust resistance, which make it possible to take pictures in the rain or in sandy or dusty environments. It is even possible to wash the camera with water!

Website: DCViews - Ricoh G300

ePhotoZine have reviewed one of Nikon’s top-of-the-range prosumer digital cameras, the 5 megapixel CoolPix 5400.

“The Coolpix 5400 is placed towards the high-end of the Nikon digital range. Photographers investing in camera like this will not only expect a versatile and powerful tool, but one that produces a very high standard of image quality too. Fortunately for Nikon few photographers will be very disappointed with the kind of images the Coolpix 5400 is capable of producing.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Nikon Coolpix 5400 Review

Tomorrow is the day when Canon will make the big announcement that they are claiming will be “historic”. Unfortunately I’m just an amateur photographer with a full-time job, so I won’t be able to attend the 2-day event (not that I was invited anyway!). Ian Burley of DP-Now, however, is joining the 400+ members of the European press at the Canon extravaganza in London. Ian has kindly set up a webpage that will be updated as the news breaks, and you can also sign-up for a notification email that will deliver all the news straight to your inbox.

Website: DP-Now - What will Canon reveal?

Steves Digicams have reviewed the latest 4 x 6-inch dye diffusion printers from Canon, the CP-200 and CP-300 models. The only difference between the two is that the CP-300 accepts an external battery that attaches to the back of the printer and makes it completely portable.

“The CP-300 is a small (40% smaller and 13% lighter than the CP-100) and portable printer that can be easily taken along with you on your travels and right out into the field thanks to the included battery pack. It produces brilliant 4 x 6-inch prints in a minute and twenty seconds.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon Card Photo Printer CP-300

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon Card Photo Printer CP-200

Imaging Resource have reviewed the 5 megapixel Canon Powershot G5, which features a rotating LCD monitor and 4x optical lens.

“Image Noise: This isn’t one of my standard “Test results” categories, but it’s worth mentioning. I was surprised by how little image noise crept up with increasing resolution, as we’ve gone from the original 3-megapixel G1 to the four-megapixel G2 and now to the 5-megapixel G5.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon G5 Review

ePhotoZine have reviewed one of Nikon’s newest entry level offerings, the 3 megapixel CoolPix 3100.

“The Nikon Coolpix 3100 we’re looking at here is a better specified version of the Coolpix 2100. These type of cameras are aimed at a growing market of people new to digital photography who want an easy to use camera which is reasonably priced and capable of high quality image capture. We looked to find out if the Coolpix 3100 can provide these people with what they want.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Nikon Coolpix 3100 Review