Olympus Stylus 800 Review
Digital Camera Review has a look at the Olympus Stylus 800 digital camera.
They like its image quality, ease of use, but don’t like its tendency towards over exposure and the fact that it is not USB 2.0.
With the Stylus 800, Olympus combines tradition and innovation to create an attractive, weatherproof, and feature-rich digital camera that is a worthy successor to that first Stylus. The new digital Stylus 800 retains much of the style, charm, and usability of its 35mm predecessor and adds the ability to withstand extended exposure to mist, rain, snow, jungle humidity, desert dust, and ocean spray.
The Stylus 800 also provides 8-megapixel resolution, a very bright 2.5 inch LCD screen, a 3X optical zoom, “Point & Shoot” ease of use, some manual exposure capability, and an ISO 1600 sensitivity setting.
Read the rest of the review at Digital Camera Review
Phanfare, Inc. Announces Mac Support
New Jersey-based online photo and video sharing service Phanfare, Inc. (http://www.phanfare.com) announces support for users of Apple Mac computers running Mac OS X. Public beta testing of the new Mac version of Phanfare begins today.
“The Mac is a great platform for managing digital photos and video, and Phanfare is the best way to share digital albums, so we’re excited to bring the two together,” said Adam Stein, vice president of marketing for Phanfare, Inc. “People have been amazed at how easy it is to share their photos and videos using Phanfare, and we are very excited to extend the power of Phanfare to Mac users. We’re the only complete package offering Mac and PC users the ability to organize, edit, and share their photos and video.”
Phanfare offers consumers a permanent, advertising-free home for their photos and video clips. With innovative technology that eliminates wait times during file uploads, Phanfare makes publishing photos and videos in albums on a personal Web site as easy as taking a picture. Phanfare also provides secure archival storage so if a user’s computer crashes, full resolution image and video files will remain safe and accessible via the Internet. In addition, users can print their favorite pictures through any number of online printing services including Kodak EasyShare, Snapfish and Shutterfly, or download full-size images for home printing.
Phanfare is available for $54.95 per year or $6.95 per month and is PC and Mac compatible. A 30-day free trial is available via download for both Mac and PC. The Phanfare service is free to nonprofits, schools, and religious groups.
Leica D-Lux 2
One of the cameras listed in the recent Adobe RAW update is not even out yet, and Imaging-Resource has the details.
The list included a model that caught our interest, as we’d recently seen a press release attributed to a leak from camera manufacturer Leica bearing the same name. Adobe’s mention of the camera makes it fairly likely that the press release (which appeared first) is real, and we’ve thus assembled a list of specifications from the information that is now publicly available. The Leica D-Lux 2 looks to be a variant on the existing Panasonic DMC-LX1, a model announced last July that lays claim to the title of the first digital camera with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
They go on to list what they think the specifications will be at around 8 megapixels, with a 4x optical zoom, and 64 mb of bundled memory.
No word on pricing, or release as of yet, but the fact that it was in Adobe’s RAW update list means that we should be seeing this camera at some point.
Memory Stick Micro
Sony and SanDisk have announced a new format for memory technology that is one quarter the size of their Memory Stick PRO Duo line called the Memory Stick Micro.
At only 1.2mm thick, it has been designed for mobile phones. It may head to digital cameras at some point like the Duo did.
The Memory Stick Micro will be compatible with Memory Stick PRO devices and products when an adapter is used.
The Memory Stick Micro media will be made available in the first half of 2006.
Fujifilm FinePix F11 Zoom
Fujifilm today announces the launch of the FinePix F11 Zoom. This new camera sits alongside EISA Pocket Camera of the Year, the FinePix F10 Zoom – which achieved best-seller status – in Fujifilm’s high quality compact range. The new model builds upon the FinePix F10 Zoom’s success by adding improved functionality and manual shooting options for increased creativity.
This 6.3 megapixel camera is set to become renowned for the picture quality excellence already demonstrated by the FinePix F10 Zoom. In addition, it has been bestowed with aperture priority and shutter priority modes, giving scope for a level of creativity and photographic control that will appeal to photography enthusiasts.
The FinePix F11 Zoom features market-leading sensitivity of ISO 80-1600, thanks to Fujifilm’s ‘Real Photo Processor’ technology. This gives startlingly clean images, whether composing shots in bright sunshine, in low light or indoors without flash. The refined Super CCD sensor features the octagonal photodiodes pioneered by Fujifilm, which receive light more efficiently than traditional photodiode patterns.
The camera also features a higher resolution 2.5” LCD screen, boasting an impressive 153,000 pixels – helpful when composing shots or viewing images in playback mode. The focus response of the macro mode has been improved, enabling accurate, satisfying close-up photography at distances as close as five centimetres.
Furthermore, the FinePix F11 Zoom is a camera with longevity, delivering around 500 shots on a single battery charge – making it the perfect model for photographers travelling or those on intense photo shoots.
Kodak Ships the World’s First Wi-Fi Consumer Digital Camera
Signaling a new era in photography, Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) has begun shipping its innovative, highly anticipated EASYSHARE-ONE zoom digital camera to retailers. Initial customer availability is expected within the coming days, dependent on individual retailer and store stocking schedules.
Since it was announced earlier this year, the EASYSHARE-ONE model ― the world’s first Wi-Fi consumer camera ― has won hundreds of accolades from industry organizations and consumer electronics writers for its groundbreaking design and functionality, making it one of the most talked about digital photography products in years.
“The KODAK EASYSHARE-ONE camera combines the power of sharing, taking, organizing, and printing pictures into a single, highly innovative product,” said Greg Westbrook, general manager, Digital Capture, Digital and Film Imaging Systems; and vice president, Eastman Kodak Company.
“Only the EASYSHARE-ONE camera has the ability to send e-mail from the camera, to connect to the KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery at home and on-the-go from thousands of hotspots worldwide, to store up to 1,500 favorite pictures, and to optimize viewing and operation via its unique touch screen and graphical menus. It’s the ultimate picture sharing device, redefining the digital photography experience.”
E-mail, Upload, View and Share Pictures at Hotspots Worldwide
Kodak is working with the world’s leading wireless hotspot companies to make sharing pictures across town, across the country, or across the globe as easy and convenient as possible. When visiting a hotspot, EASYSHARE-ONE camera users can effortlessly send pictures with personal messages via e-mail, upload pictures to the EASYSHARE Gallery, and view and share existing Gallery albums — all without a computer.
EASYSHARE-ONE camera purchasers receive a complimentary, camera-specific trial service in conjunction with major hotspot providers*. Current preferred service providers include T-Mobile USA, with more than 6,000 T-Mobile HotSpot locations across the United States; T-Mobile International, with over 5,000 hotspot locations in Germany (in conjunction with T-Com) and more than 800 hotspot locations in the United Kingdom; and Telstra, with over 850 Telstra Wireless Hotspot® locations in Australia.
Kodak is also working with other providers to expand broadband hotspot coverage in Europe and Asia, enhancing the thousands of public freespots available in venues such as airports, parks, business centers, and municipalities.
Fujifilm’s Digital Dropbox
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. today introduced the GetPix Digital Dropbox, offering consumers a brand-new and more affordable way to get quality digital photo prints at retail locations. Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB locations are the first retailers to offer this 2-day off-site printing.
The Digital Dropbox is the industry’s first free-standing unit that combines a traditional film drop box, with a digital order terminal. Consumers can drop off their film in an envelope or simply insert their digital media into the terminal, enter their name and phone number, choose print size and quantity, remove their media, take their receipt, and go.
The digital photos are uploaded to Fujicolor Processing, a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., for off-site printing, and are ready for pick up in store two days later, just like film orders. This affordable option is ideal for customers who don’t have broadband access, or a computer at home, but own a digital camera and want quality prints via the traditional film processing “drop-off” experience.
By November 2005, all 3,400 Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB locations will offer Fujifilm’s Digital Dropbox solution. This 2-day option is a very affordable choice for customers or members — Wal-Mart is pricing 4×6 prints at 15 cents; SAM’S CLUB 13 cents and complements their existing 1-hour and home delivery options (which are also powered by Fujifilm technology).
The Digital Dropbox offers a complete line of print sizes, as well as greeting and holiday cards, Digital Album CDs and photo gift items, such as T-shirts, posters, stickers, puzzles, ornaments, mouse pads, mugs, and more.
“Through years of imaging innovation, Fujifilm has built an infrastructure of software, minilabs and kiosks to lead the digital print at retail market,” said Hiro Sakai, President and CEO, Fujicolor Processing, Inc. “As the company that supported Wal-Mart’s move to digital in 2000, we are pleased to extend our relationship by providing the technology to offer customers more options than ever for lab-quality photos conveniently and affordably.”
More info on Fujifilm’s digital photo printing solutions:
Fujifilm offers a range of products and services designed to enable consumers to print their digital photos at retail locations. The company led the retail photofinishing industry in its shift to digital, introducing the first digital minilab and the first online-to-retail offering, Get the Picture Online Service. This service, available at over 10,000 locations, enables consumers to upload their digital photos and pick them up in-store, sometimes in as little as one hour.
Fujifilm was the first company to connect camera phone users to retailers with Get the Picture Mobile Service, allowing them to order prints of their digital photos, directly from their handset. The company also offers a line of GetPix digital photo kiosk solutions, with the Digital Dropbox being the latest addition. These multiple kiosk configurations give retailers the ability to choose the option that best meets their customers’ needs.
Kodak Easyshare V550 Review
TrustedReviews has a review up of the Kodac Easyshare V550 which includes a detailed overview of the features and some sample images.
Kodak has been a major player in the digital camera industry from the very start, producing some of the first digital SLR cameras such as the revolutionary DCS420 in conjunction with Canon and Nikon over 10 years ago. It has also been making consumer digital cameras since 1998, which is much longer than most of its rivals. It’s rather odd therefore that until comparatively recently Kodak’s digital cameras have been regarded rather poorly, and the company’s share of the lucrative digital compact market is not as large as one might expect, given that the name Kodak is practically synonymous with consumer photography. Part of the reason for this is that many of its cameras, although generally reliable, capable and easy to use, have lacked a certain style. In fact, many of them have been downright ugly. But all that is about to change, with the launch of the V series, including this, the top-of-the-range V550.
Read the rest at TrustedReviews.
BenQ Digital Camera X600, C500 and C800
Press Release:
BenQ will unveil three new additions to its digital camera line up, the X600, C500 and the C800. The new BenQ DC X600 is the world’s smallest 6M camera featuring Pentax’s Super-Multi Coating (SMC) lens, 3X Optical Zoom and a large 2.5” LTPS LCD screen. The BenQ DC C500 is the lightest 5 mega pixels digital camera with fixed-focus lens in the market and the DC C800 features 8 mega pixels CCD with 3X Optical Zoom. Both digital cameras are sleek, compact design and versatile in functions, and are an ideal option for consumers seeking high quality multi-function digital camera at a reasonable price range.
“BenQ once again steps onto the global stage by providing consumers with digital cameras that possess high quality lens, a large comfortable display, and enriched features in a compact, stylish design,” said Peter Chen, BenQ Vice-President and Digital Media Business Group General Manager. “The BenQ DC X600 is a perfect demonstration of how BenQ combines its technology strength with its design prowess.”
BenQ DC X600 Equipped with Pentax’s Super-Multi Coating (SMC) lens, the BenQ DC X600 is able to deliver true-to-life, crisp photos with pristine clarity and superb contrast. The featured 2.5” high resolution LTPS LCD screen and VGA movie recording at 30fps with AVI (MPEG-4) format ensures comfortable viewing and super smooth movie clips. The BenQ X600 additionally offers a smart photo-editing function including trimming, resizing, rotation, color filter, movie editing, which can be done via a touch of a few buttons instead of a computer.
Apart from offering quality image performance and versatile functions, the stylish and exquisite design of BenQ DC X600 makes it an ideal accessory while on the go. The BenQ DC X600 is the world’s smallest 6 mega pixels digital camera with an ultra-thin thickness of 1.9 cm.
BenQ DC C800 The compact BenQ DC C800 features 8 mega pixels CCD, 3X Optical Zoom, MPEG-4 movie format and a large 2.4” TFT LCD screen for clear and comfortable photo viewing. The camera is equipped with Printer Mode for direct printing via compatible printer and Burst Mode, which allows 4 shots to be taken per snap. The camera can be used as a Dictaphone and is bundled with 32 MB built-in memory.
BenQ DC C500 The fashionable and stylish BenQ DC C500 is the lightest 5 megapixel digital camera with fixed-focus lens in the market. This small and portable camera is coupled with a 1.7-inch high resolution LCD screen and offers PicBridge compatibility for easy printing without the need for going through the computer. The BenQ DC C500 camera also supports PC camera for video conferencing.
The new BenQ DC C500 will be available on the market in October and the BenQ DC X600 and C800 will be launched in November.
(source: DPReview)
Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw 3.2
A updated version of the RAW plug-in for Photoshop CS2 has been released expanding support for a multitude of new cameras and adding support for DNG (Digital Negative) files. The plug-in is available as a free download from the Adobe website.
Support for the following cameras has been added from Camera Raw 3.1 to 3.2:
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
- Hasselblad H2D (DNG)
- Konica Minolta Alpha Sweet Digital (Japan), Alpha-5 Digital (China), Maxxum 5D (USA), Dynax 5D (Europe)
- Leaf Valeo 17
- Leaf Aptus 22
- Leica D-Lux 2
- Leica Digital-Modul-R (DNG)
- Nikon D2Hs
- Nikon D70s
- Nikon D50
- Nikon Coolpix 8400
- Nikon Coolpix 8800
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