An
anonymous contact has let me know that Olympus will be releasing
a new camera named the D450Z, it will apparently be the same form
factor and resolution as the ever popular D400Z (AKA. C900Z) but
will feature much faster operation and new burst mode operable
in any resolution. This info should become more apparent towards
the end of August, suggested retail price will be around the $500
mark.
As yet, this is unconfirmed by Olympus so treat
it as such. (04:00 GMT)
Toshiba
today announced their OEM 2 x 256Mbit SSFDC SmartMedia (64MB),
this will be the largest SmartMedia card announced to date and
brings SmartMedia part of the way to catching up with CompactFlash
(Type I). (04:00 GMT)
Kodak
have just announced their v1.0.7 firmware update for the DC260,
this update is a minor update which Eliminates the Red -> Magenta
Colour Shift problem.
The firmware download contains two parts. The first
is the Firmware Upgrade, and the second is the Color Profile Utility.
If you have a DC260 camera with a serial number EKH84000001 or
higher, the camera may have the red-magenta shift problem and
you might need to run the Color Profile Utility in addition to
the firmware upgrade. (04:00 GMT)
In
an effort to constantly improve the service level to our readers
we're in the process of improving site design, specifically in
the areas of easy of use, loading speed and browser compatibility.
You'll see some changes in the site over the next few weeks (the
most major of which will be the removal of frames) which will
make the site not only look better but work better and load quicker
for you.
Along the same lines we've now enhanced our "My
Netscape" Portal support to include descriptions with each
news item... (04:00 GMT)
PC Watch Sales Charts:
In Japan, not much changes in the digital camera sales charts, Fuji
still dominate the top ten sales chart with no less than four cameras,
Olympus C-2000Z still at the top of sales and the Sony DSC-F55 is
still popular along with the Olympus C-900Z (D400). And of course
the Coolpix 950 in short supply... (04:00 GMT)
Japan's
Sanyo Electric Co Ltd , Olympus Optical Co Ltd , and Hitachi Maxell
Ltd said on Tuesday they have jointly developed a new high-capacity
memory disc for use in next-generation digital cameras.
The new rewritable magneto-optical disc has a memory
capacity of 730 megabytes,
enabling it to store about 20 times more data than memory devices
presently used in its digital cameras, he said.
Delkin
Devices introduces the first CompactFlash type II cards on the
market. New thicker card will be standard in next generation digital
cameras, PDA's and Audio MP3 players. Advantages to consumers
include higher capacity in small form factor.
Delkin Devices today announced first shipments
of their new CompactFlash type II (CF/2) cards in four capacities
up to 80MB. Designs are testing currently up to 224MB, to begin
shipping in Q4 1999.
Thanks to Steves-Digicams for pointing me to this
snippet of news. (04:00 GMT)
Japan's Sanyo Electric Co Ltd , Olympus Optical
Co Ltd , and Hitachi Maxell Ltd said on Tuesday they have jointly
developed a new high-capacity memory disc for use in next-generation
digital cameras.
The new rewritable magneto-optical disc has a memory
capacity of 730 megabytes,
enabling it to store about 20 times more data than memory devices
presently used in its digital cameras, he said. (04:00 GMT)
DC
Resource have had their hands on the interesting Fujifilm MX-2900,
and although this is still a pre-production model it's the first
US model review yet.
"DCRP review of the Fuji MX-2900! We're the
first site to do a review of the US model of this camera! While
this is a pre-production camera, we were told by Fuji that it
was "very close" to what will be shipping soon! Take a look to
see what I thought of it! " (04:00 GMT)
Kodak
have announced the DSC330 Professional Digital Camera with a new
Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) 3 megapixel CCD (2008 x 1504) based on
the same body as the DCS315, that of the Nikon Pronea 6i and as
such can take numerous Nikon and 3rd party lenses and other accessories.
Agfa Offers Free ePhoto Digital
Cameras With Purchase of Select DuoScan Scanners
Free Agfa ePhoto CL50 with Purchase
of DuoScan T2000 XL
Free Agfa ePhoto 780c with Purchase of DuoScan T2500
Agfa
Corporation's Desktop Products Group (USA-DTP), a leading provider
of award-winning digital cameras and desktop scanners, announced
today that it will offer free ePhoto digital cameras to customers
who purchase a DuoScan T2000 XL or DuoScan T2500 flatbed scanner.
Customers who purchase either scanner between July 1 and November
30, 1999 are entitled to receive an ePhoto CL50 or ePhoto 780c
digital camera. (Customers who purchase a T2000 XL receive an
ePhoto CL50, while those purchasing a T2500 receive an ePhoto
780c.) (04:00 GMT)
The
always-there-first PC Watch website has the exclusive again, this
time sample shosts from Kodak's first 2 megapixel digicam the DC280J. (04:00 GMT)
Here's what they say: "The '99 PPA (Professional
Photographers of America) Annual Convention and Trade Show is now
underway in Atlanta, and we'll have some selected highlights from
it appearing here over the next few days. - There isn't a whole lot
that's truly new, so there won't be a huge amount of news from it,
but there are a few things worth reporting" (04:00 GMT)
Ed Hamrick, author of the excellent VuePrint and
VueScan has just released a new version (3.0) of VueScan which
offers support for the Minolta Dimage Scan Dual film scanner which
can support both 35mm and APS film.
"The
Scan Dual only costs $350 from www.buy.com (without a SCSI card),
and with VueScan it produces very nice looking scans. I was surprised
how well it works and how quiet it scans. The APS adapter works
really well too - it's motorized, the film can be randomly positioned,
and a whole roll of APS film can be scanned without any manual
intervention (set the Automatic feed option to do this)." (04:00 GMT)
Steve
has had his hands on Panasonic's offering to the digital camera
market (bandwagon?) with the funky PalmCam PV-DC2590.
Here's what he had to say: " Interesting camera
with a few unusual features like dual CF slot and an included
Compact Modem card. Unfortunately it only generates mediocre quality
images... ...Overall the image quality of the PV-DC2590 is about
average for a 1280x960 pixel digicam but nothing spectacular.
The Nikon Coolpix 900 literally blows this camera away at the
same 1280x960 resolution. " (04:00 GMT)
Professional Photographer Yamada posts on PC Watch a
vast image quality comparison between all of the top two megapixel
zoom, two megapixel fixed and less than two megapixel digital cameras
taken at all the possible compression settings. Including new cameras
such as the Sony DSC-D770, Olympus C-21 (beta), Epson CP-800, Kodak
DC280 and Fuji MX2900. (04:00 GMT)
Even though I've already updated my 950 (it's a
PAL version) the US and EUROPE have officially announced their
firmware updates, heres what the US site says:
There will be two distinct versions of the Updater,
one for NTSC ( USA) products and another for PAL ( European Products)
The USA/NTSC version Will be posted on NikonTechUSA.com and the
Euro/PAL version will be posted on Nikon-Euro.com.
(As of right now
the Windows / NTSC version is not yet available... ???)
Nikon Corporation has indicated the following items
have been corrected or improved in the Coolpix 950 Firmware version
1.1
The "self portrait mode" green pixel problem
has been eliminated.
Settings that were not retained when the LCD
was turned off are now saved
Improved System reliability many of the bugs
causing camera freeze up have been eliminated
Focus speed in Macro operation has been optimized
Improved visibility of LCD when shooting with
flash The LCD will not dim when shooting with the flash.
Improved Auto file numbering system operation
This may mean the sequential numbering problems have been
resolved
Note that I also found zoomed-in scrolling in playback
mode to be faster. (04:00 GMT)
Casio have announced the introduction of:
QV-8000SX (1.3 megapixels, 8 x optical
zoom)
QV-2000UX (2.1 megapixels, 3x optical
zoom)
and officially announce a camera we've known about for a while QV-5500SX
(1.3 megapixels, fixed focal length lens).
The two newer cameras (QV-8000SX and QV-2000UX)
feature USB connectivity. (04:00 GMT)
Dave Etchells over at Imaging-Resource dropped me
a note:
"Just a note to let you know
I posted a "digest" (N.P.I.) of a lunch meeting I had with some
Oly folks back during PC expo. A lot of the conversation was pretty
unfocused, not worth printing, but I did ask about such things
as "Why no USB", "Why no manual controls on the C-2000", and "Where's
SmartMedia going". (04:00 GMT)
As
an update to our previous D770 information sheet we now have all the
details on the Sony DKC-FP3 digital camera which is aimed more at
the professional end of the digicam market and features an IEE1394
(FireWire) connection. (04:00 GMT)
As
you may have noticed we had been affiliated with Outpost.Com for
price listings and direct purchases through the website. After
feedback from readers we realised that Outpost couldn't offer
buyers the best prices, product knowledge or reliability.
We're proud to announce our new affiliation with
State Street Direct Online. (04:00 GMT)
Rob
Says: "Thanks also to those who took the time to send an email
explaining their thoughts about and experiences with the D1. Among
those was Mike Deluca, US Product Manager for Digital Capture at Kodak.
Mike forward a detailed document responding to a number of the assessments
I made of Kodak's pro digital cameras in the D1 report. As I'm sure
that prospective purchasers of pro digital cameras in the next few
months are as keen as I am to understand Kodak's current offerings
and how they measure up to the D1, I've excerpted Kodak's document
below, framed by my comments in response. Be warned, this is highly
technical stuff. To ensure fair representation of Kodak's position
I've posted it largely unedited." (04:00 GMT)
Nikon Japan (as expected) have just posted the Coolpix
950 v1.1 firmware update, uploadable from both PC and Mac via
serial cable.
NOTE: *DO NOT*
install this firmware on your Coolpix 950 unless you are in Japan
and own a Japan purchased Coolpix 950, please wait for the international
websites (noteably Nikontech USA; due July 30th) to post the ENGLISH
version of the firmware. I have deliberately not posted the download
URL (although it'd be easy enough for you to find) as I DO NOT
want to encourage international Coolpix 950 owners to install
this firmware.
DPR disclaims
any responsibility for damage caused / invalidation of warranty
caused by ignoring this advice. (04:00 GMT)
This is the latest word from the NikonTech USA
website:
Some new information was supplied
7/15/99
There will be a delay between the
release of the Japanese Language Updater and the availability
of the English Language Updater. We expect to be able to supply
the English Language Version before July 30.
The Updater will operate over the
Coolpix 950 serial port connection.
No other information, including
the list of corrected problems is available at this time, but
an indication of minor improvements in function have been supplied.
Nikon's US support offices wishes
to thanks all Coolpix 950 users for their patience while this
update is being finalized for distribution.
NOTE: I don't recommend ANYONE attempts to install
the Japanese firmware on their Coolpix 950 simply because it's
released first and I think now would be a good time to say please
follow what NikonTech USA recommend. (04:00 GMT)
In Japan, Fuji dominate the top ten sales chart, Olympus
C-2000Z still at the top of sales and the Sony DSC-F55 is still popular
along with the Olympus C-900Z (D400). (04:00 GMT)
Just
posted is our latest review which is of the
Olympus C-2000Z, it fits into the same class of cameras
as the Nikon Coolpix 950 and the two are often compared. "When
the Olympus C-2000Z was announced it surprised some people, everyone
was expecting Olympus to release a 2 megapixel 3x zoom digicam
to match Nikon, but most expected it to follow along the lines
of the popular D600/D620L (C1400XL) digital SLR."
It's
not often I make mention of online galleries, there's just so many
of them out there, but I'm always impressed by photographers who can
take basic equipment and produce something beautiful. Mark Czerniec
posted a link to his site on our Samples and Galleries forum, all
his shots were taken with the fixed-focal-length Nikon Coolpix 700
and are a perfect example of how it's possible to take excellently
composed, exposed colourful and interesting photographs without big
lenses, manual features and all that fluff. (04:00 GMT)
For
those of you how haven't yet seen The Digital Journalist online magazine
it's a compilation of articles by professional photographers and journalists
who work out in the field with combinations of professional digital
equipment and traditional cameras to bring us some of the photographs
that make our front pages and magazine covers. A worthy read with
some beautiful photography, well worth spending an hour on. (04:00 GMT)
Thanks
to a reader "Patrick" who used our forums to point me
to this item of news:
Nikon Japan have officially announced that the
Nikon Coolpix 950 firmware v1.1 update will be distributed with
Nikon Service Worldwide on July 15 and made available to the general
public on Friday, July 16, we have the URL where it will be made
available (Japan Site). (04:00 GMT)
Firstly Epson announce the new Epson PhotoPC 650 which
is a 1.09 megapixel USB (using Lexar's new JumpShot CF cards) for
less than US$350! Secondly they officially announce the PhotoPC 800
(2.1 megapixel) in the US at US$699. (04:00 GMT)
Steve
Just posted another user review, this time it's the Agfa ePhoto CL-50,
he says "There are some positives here, really! I bought the
camera (tried to get a loaner from Agfa but they said no twice --
guess now I know why) for only $525 from www.ubid.com and there's
a $100 mail-in rebate for U.S. buyers until August 31, 1999. $425
for a brand new and fully warrantied 1.3 megapixel camera with a 3x
optical zoom and 2-inch LCD ain't bad. I would have to recommend that
most people spend a little more and get the ePhoto 1680 instead, it
just works better. " (04:00 GMT)
I've
finally found time to sort through the 1,000+ images I took with
the Nikon Coolpix 950 whilst on a recent trip home (UK) to bring
two new galleries. The first, English
Garden (25 images) contains mostly images of flowers, plants
and nice insect macros. The second just called "England
'99" is a larger (40 images) gallery which covers everything
from landscape to buildings, friends and family to animals.
I must admit using the 950 was a pleasure to use
and every image a keeper and rewarding, they're all nicely categorised
and stored away on CD-R now, I'm also enjoying printing off the
better shots on my Epson 750. (17:35 GMT)
Foveon Inc. has built a high-end digital still camera
that aims to rival the quality of analog film. The new startup is
backed by Carver Mead, the inventor of the gallium-arsenide transistor,
the silicon compiler and the artificial retina. Although Mead is not
revealing details of the three analog VLSI image chips that are to
be used in place of a charge-coupled device (CCD), he claims the Foveon
camera spits out a 48-Mbyte, 4,000 x 4,000-pixel Photoshop file. (04:00 GMT)
VICTORY!!
7 July 1999: As a result of the combined efforts of thousands
of people willing to make themselves heard, Yahoo has just altered
the Geocities Terms of Service to guarantee that your work will
only be used for the purposes of "displaying, distributing and
promoting your Yahoo GeoCities Site" (04:00 GMT)
A little background on the microdrive: When two IBM
designers started tinkering around in a motor-research project five
years ago, they weren't planning to create a new form factor around
1-inch disks. After all, the industry hadn't embraced a smaller disk-drive
format in more than a decade. (04:00 GMT)
PhotoPoint.com
Members Share Over One Million Photos Digital Imaging Explosion
Drives Growth of Popular Photo Sharing Site.
PhotoPoint.com announced today that it has reached
a major milestone in the photo sharing site's history: members
have shared over 1 million photos since the site launched last
August. The millionth photo was submitted by Laurence Poh, a 47-year
old Malaysian businessman who has been using the site since February.
Mr. Poh has had a keen interest in photography since he was a
teenager. His interest was recently revived when he bought his
first digital camera earlier this year. (04:00 GMT)
Canon have posted english releases of their version
2.4 TWAIN drivers for the Powershot series of cameras (350, 600, A5,
A5 Zoom, A50, Pro 70). This release does seem to do some extra processing
when importing CCDRAW images. (04:00 GMT)
Just
posted: the latest of our 2 megapixel digital camera reviews comes
the Fuji MX-2700. "The MX-2700 is Fuji's answer to the easily
pocketable easy-to-use 2 megapixel class camera and to that extent
it fits the bill. A worthy successor to the popular MX-700."
(04:00 GMT)
Rob
Galbraith, professional photographer, author and photojournalist has
just posted the first-look at the Nikon D1. He says "A trip to
New York last week afforded me an opportunity to spend some quality
time with a pre-production Nikon D1 digital camera. The camera, known
as Sample 43 and the only pre-production unit currently circulating
in North America, was on display in the bustling, crowded Nikon booth
at the PC Expo trade show." (04:00 GMT)
Nikon
show off the D1, Sony show the D770 and new black coloured DSC-F55,
Olympus show the C-21 (small!), Fuji show the MX1500 and MX2900, Toshiba
show the M4 and Epson the CP800. Iomega slice a PC Card Clik! drive
in half!! (04:00 GMT)
A warning to people who post photographs on Geocities:
Yahoo, faced with a growing boycott of its recently launched, integrated
Yahoo-GeoCities, said today it is likely to announce a change in its
terms of service, which many users believe gives away rights to their
intellectual property. (04:00 GMT)
An
anonymous contact has let me know that Olympus will be releasing
a new camera named the D450Z, it will apparently be the same form
factor and resolution as the ever popular D400Z (AKA. C900Z) but
will feature much faster operation and new burst mode operable
in any resolution. This info should become more apparent towards
the end of August, suggested retail price will be around the $500
mark. 
Toshiba
today announced their OEM 2 x 256Mbit SSFDC SmartMedia (64MB),
this will be the largest SmartMedia card announced to date and
brings SmartMedia part of the way to catching up with CompactFlash
(Type I). (04:00 GMT)
Kodak
have just announced their v1.0.7 firmware update for the DC260,
this update is a minor update which Eliminates the Red -> Magenta
Colour Shift problem.
In
an effort to constantly improve the service level to our readers
we're in the process of improving site design, specifically in
the areas of easy of use, loading speed and browser compatibility.
You'll see some changes in the site over the next few weeks (the
most major of which will be the removal of frames) which will
make the site not only look better but work better and load quicker
for you.
Japan's
Sanyo Electric Co Ltd , Olympus Optical Co Ltd , and Hitachi Maxell
Ltd said on Tuesday they have jointly developed a new high-capacity
memory disc for use in next-generation digital cameras.
Delkin
Devices introduces the first CompactFlash type II cards on the
market. New thicker card will be standard in next generation digital
cameras, PDA's and Audio MP3 players. Advantages to consumers
include higher capacity in small form factor. 
DC
Resource have had their hands on the interesting Fujifilm MX-2900,
and although this is still a pre-production model it's the first
US model review yet.
Kodak
have announced the DSC330 Professional Digital Camera with a new
Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) 3 megapixel CCD (2008 x 1504) based on
the same body as the DCS315, that of the Nikon Pronea 6i and as
such can take numerous Nikon and 3rd party lenses and other accessories.
Agfa
Corporation's Desktop Products Group (USA-DTP), a leading provider
of award-winning digital cameras and desktop scanners, announced
today that it will offer free ePhoto digital cameras to customers
who purchase a DuoScan T2000 XL or DuoScan T2500 flatbed scanner.
Customers who purchase either scanner between July 1 and November
30, 1999 are entitled to receive an ePhoto CL50 or ePhoto 780c
digital camera. (Customers who purchase a T2000 XL receive an
ePhoto CL50, while those purchasing a T2500 receive an ePhoto
780c.) (04:00 GMT)
The
always-there-first PC Watch website has the exclusive again, this
time sample shosts from Kodak's first 2 megapixel digicam the DC280J. (04:00 GMT)
18.0 %
