Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer Update
Version 1.0 (Build 50)
The Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer provides the ability to view, organize, and print photos captured in RAW image formats from supported Canon and Nikon digital cameras.
The updated version of the software adds support for the Canon EOS 5D, Nikon D50, and other recent camera models from Canon and Nikon (see list of new supported camera models below). In addition, a new Save As button has been added to the toolbar, allowing users to conveniently save either an embedded preview or processed RAW image to disk as a JPEG or TIFF file.
It also adds fixes for known issues in version 1.0 of the software, including the TIFF file locking issue, and a related problem with RAW files produced by the Canon EOS 5D. A complete list of fixes will be made available in the documentation for the new software.
Supported Camera Models
The following new camera models are supported in the version 1.0 Build 50 release of the Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer:
- Canon EOS 1D Mark IIn
- Canon EOS 5D
- Nikon D2Hs
- Nikon D70s
- Nikon D50
Camera models already supported in version 1.0: (more…)
Acer CR-8530 Digital Camera
A high quality camera with the ease-of-use of a point-and-shoot, the new silver-and-black CR-8530 typifies Acer’s ethos: high-end technology, attractive design, fully convergent with other consumer electronics devices and all at an affordable price £199 ($350 US).
The 8-Megapixel camera (shoots up to 3264×2448 pixels) comes with a 64MB SD card, 2.5-inch LCD display and a built-in flash with different shooting modes to prevent red-eye. With an attractive black housing it also comes with ArcSoft/NTI photo software. The CR-8530 also features a 3x optical zoom lens and an optical viewfinder, and comes with a leather cover and USB cables to connect to other devices.
The stylish CR-8530 lets you capture all important details for as close as 5cm away with the Macro Mode. Shooting should be easy thanks to scene program modes from full automatic to full manual. Other features include a focal length of 7.5- to 22.5mm, shutter speed of 1/2- to 1/1500s, ISO ratings of 50, 100, 200, and choice of colour modes: standard, vivid, sepia, monochrome. Finally, white balance modes let you select from manual, daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent 1 and 2, and manual.
Kodak EasyShare P850 Review
The Imaging Resource has a “quick” review of the EasyShare P850 from Kodak. A super zoom camera, with its 12x optical zoom, and a 5 megapixel CCD this camera could be a good fit for a wide variety of people.
The Kodak EasyShare series of digital cameras continues to be a popular option for many consumers, due to its ease of use and consistent picture taking quality. With the full range of manual and automatic shooting modes, plus a very healthy selection of preset Scene modes, the P850 is quite capable for just about anything you can throw its way. The uncomplicated, easy to understand interface means you won’t spend much downtime learning the camera, and the range of exposure control modes will appeal to both novices and enthusiasts alike. The EasyShare P850’s 12x optical zoom lens and bounty of features will likely be a crowd-pleaser, and the fairly compact body (considering the long lens) will be much less cumbersome for travel than a more serious digital SLR. Yet again, Kodak has improved the EasyShare line with a more feature-laden digital camera, without compromising the “easy” in the name.
Pentax ist*DL DSLR Digital Camera Review
Pocket-Lint has a great review of the Pentax ist*DL, a digital SLR with decent performance, and a top end compact camera price.
Like everything, you have to make some important decisions. Do you buy a better compact, or do you stump up the extra cash and buy a digital SLR. If only there was something in between – a sort of best of both worlds compromise.
Well, the Pentax *istDL might just be that compromise. This is a digital SLR with 6.3 megapixels and is widely available bundled with an 18-55mm lens at around £550, putting it firmly in place at the top end of the compact camera price range.
So, what do you get? The *istDL is a scaled down version of the earlier *istDS SLR and what Pentax have done is to trim some of the features to bring the price down.
In the end thought he camera only scored a bit above the middle line, grabbing a 6/10 on Pocket-Lint’s scoring system.
Consider Your Digital Camera Use
USAToday.com has an article that I thought everyone would be interested in. It is an article going over the different types of cameras different people may need based on what they expect to do with their camera.
Point and shoot
Do you just want to turn on your camera, point it at your subject and click the button? Take a look at the compact camera category. These easy-to-use cameras do just about everything but say “cheese.”
You will have some control over how the camera takes the picture. Most have flash options (off, on, fill, red-eye reduction). They also have pre-programmed exposure modes. The modes will automatically change the camera’s exposure to accommodate different conditions, such as bright or low-lit areas or action shots.
Olympus SP-350 Review
Digital Camera Resource Page has a look at the SP-350 from Olympus, and as much as they liked the features, the performance just was not there for a camera in its class.
The Olympus SP-350 is a full-featured compact 8 Megapixel camera that falls short in one important area: performance. That’s too bad, because there’s a lot to like about the SP-350.
Camera performance is, without a doubt, the SP-350’s biggest weak point. While the camera starts up quickly, it’s all downhill from there. Focus times are just fair, shutter lag was noticeable (which was very surprising), and shot-to-shot times can be lengthy, especially if you’re using RAW mode. The continuous shooting modes were nothing to write home about, either. Playback speeds were slow as well, especially when RAW images are displayed. Low light focusing performance was a little disappointing for a camera with an AF-assist lamp.
Odd in my opinion for Olympus to be so behind on some of those things. Hopefully their next camera will have a bit more speed built in.
Fuji FinePix S5600 Digital Camera Review
The Fuji FinePix S5600 Digital camera is a 5.1-megapixel Digital SLR styled camera and it was recently reviewed by Pocket-Lint.
The 5600 is around 30g heavier than its predecessor, weight that is in no way a burden but has been arrived at via the addition of a larger (but still small by today’s standards) 1.8-inch colour screen. Other new technology includes Fuji’s “Anti Blur Mode”, in effect a boosted ISO setting. That means the camera can achieve a faster shutter speed due to the increased sensor sensitivity, helping reduce camera shake or subject blur.
In the end they gave the camera a seven out of ten on their rating system.
Casio EX-Z750 firmware version 1.02
Casio has updated the firmware for the Exilim Zoom EX-Z750 to version 1.02, which will add Revive Shot mode to the Best Shot scenes. Revive Shot was included in the list of scene modes for the EX-S600, and is designed to refresh faded colors.
To check your firmware version
On your EX-Z750 camera, hold down the [MENU] button as you press the [POWER ON/OFF] switch to turn on the camera. Keep [MENU] depressed until the version of your camera’s firmware appears on the monitor screen.
1. If “Ver.1.00-1.01″ appears, you need to download this update software and install it on your camera.
2. If “Ver.1.02″ appears, it means that your camera already is running the latest firmware version, so you do not need to install this update.
Get that update at http://world.casio.com/qv/download/en/ex_z750_firmup/
HP to Acquire European Online Photo Service PIXACO
PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 13, 2005 – HP today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire bilderservice.de GmbH, which operates PIXACO – a leading online photo services and products site in Europe.
The acquisition of the privately-held company will enable HP to rapidly extend the reach of its online photo services throughout Europe, building on the purchase of Snapfish earlier this year. HP plans to extend many of its Snapfish capabilities to the PIXACO service – bringing European customers greater choices for printing, sharing and storing their photos.
“This acquisition gives HP the ability to quickly become Europe’s largest online photo service, just as it is in the U.S. today,” said Ben Nelson, vice president and general manager, Snapfish, Digital Photography and Entertainment, HP. “Together, Snapfish and PIXACO have the experience and scope to provide a world-class online photo experience that will uniquely meet the needs of consumers in Europe.”
Today, Snapfish has 20 million registered users in the United States and United Kingdom and is adding up to 1 million new users every month.
The acquisition also is expected to foster the growth of Internet-to-retail digital photography services in Europe. Currently, Snapfish powers online photo services for more than two dozen leading retailers, Internet service providers and consumer brands in both the United States and United Kingdom, and will now look to align with similar partners throughout Europe.
Since PIXACO was established in 2003 by bilderservice.de, customers in 11 countries across Europe have come to recognize and trust the products and services made available through the PIXACO site.
“With this move, Europeans will now be exposed to a whole new level of digital photography services in addition to the best-value offering that they have come to expect from PIXACO,” said Karsten Schneider, chief executive officer and founder, bilderservice.de GmbH. “We look forward to providing our customers with a more powerful and sophisticated online digital photography experience.”
PIXACO customers will continue to enjoy the same benefits they receive today, along with new features and services from HP’s Snapfish portfolio of digital photography solutions.
More information about all of Snapfish’s products and services is available at http://www.snapfish.com.
First shipment of Nikon D200 Delayed
You would think that I would have heard about this before most other sites, being that I am Canadian, but I had to find it through an Australian site first which led me to another site that had the details.
It looks like the D200’s have been delayed by Nikon Canada. The dealers were originally planning on seeing the first shipment around December 15, 2005, to coincide with the worldwide ship date of the camera, but it has been said that it will be pushed back a week. Mary Mulder, National Sales Manager for Nikon Canada, said that dealers can expect to see stock sometime towards the end of the week of December 19, 2005 at the earliest.
No word on the reason for the delay, but speculation says that Nikon Canada wanted to build a larger inventory before supplying the retailers. It has also not been noted if the same will happen around the world, or if it is just a Canadian thing.
Source: Rob Galbraith
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