Alphabetical list (page 4)

Note: Most of the stand shots were taken before the show was open to the public (hence the lack of anyone in many of the stand shots).

Matrix Semiconductor

Behind closed doors (in the OEM suites) Matrix Semiconductor were showing and talking about their unique write-once Matrix Memory. This entirely new concept in digital photography storage is both interesting and a little unusual (as to whether or not it will take off). The idea is that Matrix Memory can only be written to once, when data is stored it 'blows the bit fuses' inside the memory cell and thus can not be rewritten (a bit like CD-R). The advantages are that it can be made far more cheaply than standard Flash storage (Matrix were talking $10-$15 for a 64 MB card) and can store its contents for a very long time (100 years+) and is robust (can withstand 8000 V charge).

Matrix Semiconductor are talking about a future where you'll be able to buy a three pack of their cards in a grocery store just like you can buy a three pack of Kodak film for today's film cameras. One disadvantage is that today's cameras could not use these cards natively, they would have to have firmware updates (clearly future cameras could directly support them). I'm not as convinced as Matrix on the concept but it's an interesting innovation.

Prototype Matrix Memory MMC card (write once)	Prototype Matrix Memory MMC card - rear
Site links	External links • Matrix Semiconductor

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Minolta

Minolta made their new announcements at CES this year which left them well placed to bring real working and demonstrable products to PMA. First off there's the new DiMAGE X, a tiny digital camera with a unique 'folded optics' design which manages to achieve a 3x zoom in a super-thin case. Then there's the DiMAGE S404, a four megapixel update to last years S304. Also on display were the DiMAGE 5 and DiMAGE 7.

The Minolta stand was very similar in design to last year, open and spacious with good visibility of all areas, new this year were two DiMAGE 'shooting stations' on the corners of the stand which gave people an opportunity to shoot a still life scene with any of the current range of digital cameras.

Minolta stand	Minolta DiMAGE X (2.1 mp, 3x zoom)
Minolta DiMAGE S404 (4 mp, 4x zoom)	Minolta DiMAGE 5 (3 mp, 7x zoom)
Minolta DiMAGE 7 (5 mp, 7x zoom)
Site links • Minolta DiMAGE X News Article • Minolta DiMAGE S404 News Article • Minolta DiMAGE X review • Minolta DiMAGE 5 review • Minolta DiMAGE 7 review	External links • Minolta USA

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Monaco Systems

Monaco Systems specialize in colour matching, calibration and profiling. Their three main products are MonacoEZcolor - entry level ICC profiling (scanner, monitor and printer), MonacoPROOF - higher quality ICC profiles and MonacoPROFILER - expert ICC profiles. One of their accessories is the MonacoSENSOR which works in association with either of the three profiling packages to more accurately profile your display (similar to ColorVision's Monitor Spyder).

Monaco Systems stand	Monaco Systems MonacoSENSOR
Site links	External links • Monaco Systems

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Nikon

As you may expect Nikon had one of the most impressive and cleverly designed stands at the show, located in the same position as last year (just behind the Fujifilm stand) there was always an active buzz around the stand. Not least I'm sure thanks to the D100, crowds were at least four deep around the D-SLR section of the stand and the D100 was always in demand. We were extremely fortunate to get an exclusive "overnighter" with the D100, just enough to post a hands-on preview of this exciting six megapixel D-SLR.

On the other side of the stand was the Coolpix section, the 5000 generating a fair amount of interest (along with all its accessories) as well as the new 2500 which appeared to receive a mixed reaction. I personally like the 2500 and feel it's a brave move by Nikon, although it's good to see they've at least brought the swivel design through to their lower-end camera.

Nikon Stand (D-SLR side)	Nikon Stand (Coolpix section)
Nikon Coolpix 5000 (5 mp, 3x zoom) + BP-E5000 battery pack + HN-E5000 lens hood	Nikon Coolpix 5000 (as left) + LC-E5000 LCD hood
Nikon Coolpix 2500 being demonstrated (2 mp, 3x zoom)	Nikon Coolpix 2500 compared in size to the Coolpix 775
Nikon D100 (6 mp D-SLR) - the camera everyone at the show wanted to get their hands on	The full Nikon D-SLR line-up: D1H, D100, D1x
Site links • Nikon Coolpix 2500 News Article • Nikon D100 News Article • Nikon Coolpix 5000 Review • Nikon D100 Exclusive Preview	External links • Nikon USA

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Nixvue Systems

Nixvue continue to develop their Digital Album product. This year it's renamed the 'Vista', features a full colour 1.8" TFT LCD display, built-in CF slot (compared to PCMCIA of last year), improved battery life and other new features. The 10 GB Vista can be used as an "in the field" storage device (download images directly from CF / SmartMedia etc.) as well as display and review on the built-in LCD and additionally display and review on an attached display (TV). Additional improvements in this years model include body mounted connectors (no more travel kit) and upcoming Firewire and USB 2.0 accessories.

Nixvue Systems stand	Nixvue Vista
Site links • Nixvue Vista News Article	External links • Nixvue Systems

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