Pro
Photographer Kazuhisa Nishikawa has posted a Nikon D1 vs. Canon EOS2000
(AKA. Kodak DCS520) comparison gallery. This gallery features portrait shots
of Japanese model Sachie Koike. (04:00 GMT)
I noticed over on the Nikontech webpage that there
will be another firmware update "during the last week of
November" for the ever popular Coolpix 950, this time the
firmware will be revision 1.2, no details on the contents of the
update yet, suffice to say as soon as it's available you'll find
all the info right here.
(Let's hope Nikon can roll this update out a little
more smoothly than the last). (04:00 GMT)
We
reported about the DS-260 back in January when it was first announced
in Japan. Looks like Fuji are going all-out to bring new cameras to
the market (US market) as often as possible, so here's the DS-260...
Fujifilm's DS-260 HD: The Digital Camera for
the Weekend Warrior: A rugged, outdoor-friendly megapixel model that
protects its inner workings with a dust-proof, impact- and water-resistant
outer shell. This tough exterior makes the DS-260 HD an ideal choice
for outdoor enthusiasts who want to capture their images electronically. (04:00 GMT)
Just
finished our latest review: the Fuji MX-2900. An interesting camera
with some strengths and some weaknesses: "The
MX-2900 is a fair attempt to capture the imagination of owners who
are looking for a 2+ megapixel digital camera with manual features
and a traditional look and feel. And for most it would produce good
results." (04:00 GMT)
The
guys over at the excellent Imaging Resource have posted a full review
of the Nikon Coolpix 800 (a camera I'm reviewing right now.. nice).
Here's what Dave had to say in his conclusion "The
Coolpix 800 is a great camera for those wanting many of the features
of the 950 model, at a lower price point. We miss the rugged all-metal
body of the 950 but understand that costs have to be cut somewhere.
" (04:00 GMT)
The
Japanese Magazine D# have just posted a large gallery of image samples from
the Nikon D1. I've said it once, and I'll say it again.. you've gotta love
that D1, check out the last image, a low-light shot. (04:00 GMT)
Kodak
today announced that they are now shipping the DC290. Unfortunately
they've still not got off the "3.2 megapixel" claim and
use it in the title to the press release... oh dear, how misleading.
For those in the know, the DC290 is a 2.1 megapixel version of the
DC265, it features an interpolation (read "blow-up") mode
which expands the image to 2240 x 1500 resolution, don't be mislead,
this isn't the TRUE resolution of the camera. (04:00 GMT)
Comparison number 13 now includes samples from: Olympus
C-920Z, Sony DSC-F505, Nikon Coolpix 800, Olympus C2000Z & C2020Z,
Canon Powershot S10, Olympus C2500L, Kodak DC290Zoom and BEST OF
ALL the Nikon D1 (use this as the benchmark!) (04:00 GMT)
Fuji
Japan have just posted their press release on the new "Super
CCD" which includes a picture of the CCD and a couple of descriptive
diagrams. Looks interesting, lets hope we can see some products soon. (04:00 GMT)
Here's some very interesting news from FujiFilm: "Fujifilm
Announces Digital Imaging Breakthrough: New, Honeycomb-Shaped Super
CCD Image Sensor Technology Significantly Improves the Color, Clarity
and Sharpness of Digital Pictures" (04:00 GMT)
As
the line between Digital Still Cameras and Digital Video Cameras gently
converges Sony release the first DV camera (DCR-PC100) offering acceptable
(just) still image capture quality onto their proprietary Memory Stick.
The Japanese Magazine Mobile Central post a short article on the PC100
along with the first still capture samples to be found on the net. (04:00 GMT)
Toshiba
Japan announce the PDR-M40, a 2.1 megapixel 40mm fixed lens digicam.
Up against the Nikon Coolpix 700 and Olympus C-21 this compact digicam
is priced at 75,000 YEN (US$675). (04:00 GMT)
Jeff
over at DC Resource has just posted a review of Canon's ever-so-interesting
2.11 megapixel pocket wonder the S10. And, he likes it "The
Canon PowerShot S10 is a fantastic camera. It's very small and light,
and really stands out in a crowd, and the photo quality is very good.
You can easily use it with one hand, and it's fast processing speeds
let you record and view photos quickly. And the built-in USB support
helps you get the photos onto your PC just as quickly. " (04:00 GMT)
Olympus
Japan announce two updated cameras, the C2020Z and C920Z (Equv. of
US D450Z), updated on the C2020Z is the addition of Motion JPEG mini-movie
capture, slightly faster image capture, manual mode and a much closer
manual focus setting. (04:00 GMT)
The
Japanese webzine PC Watch have posted a samples gallery from
the interesting Casio QV2000UX, this 2.1 megapixel 3x zoom digicam
is up against some big players in the higher price band, slide over
to PC Watch and check out the image quality for yourself. (04:00 GMT)
SST
Expand their line of CompactFlash cards with new 64MB and 96MB capacity
cards. Here's what they say: "SST today announced the addition
of 64 MByte and 96 MByte CompactFlash cards to its successful, high-performance
CompactFlash card family. SST developed the 64 MByte and 96 MByte
cards to meet the market demand for increased storage capacity in
applications such as digital cameras, MP3 audio players and personal
digital assistants." (04:00 GMT)
Once
again the excellent Japanese website PC Watch has turned up the goods
with a set of sample shots from the Canon S10, this is one interesting
looking camera with a great image quality, some sensible options /
functionality and all that in a neat, small yet sturdy package.. I'm
looking forward to reviewing this camera. (04:00 GMT)
No
doubt in the face of stiff competition, Agfa have decided to drop
the price of this 1.3 megapixel 3x zoom digicam (looking a little
aged now). (04:00 GMT)
Thanks to reader Andy Williams for pointing me at this
story. According to the Korean website "ComTimes" Samsung
have introduced a 1GB flash memory chip. (04:00 GMT)
Here's some jolly news for Digicam owners (assuming
more manufacturers actually implement USB)...480 Mbs Announcement
Coincides With Specification Draft Release to Industry.
"A group of seven PC industry leaders announced
today that the target speed of Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0
is 40 times faster than the existing USB 1.1. The achievement
is anticipated to further build on the momentum of USB into more
demanding user applications, such as image creation and interactive
gaming. " (04:00 GMT)
Nikon
have just launched the Coolpack accessories set & bag for the
Coolpix 950, it includes: A set of four 28mm filters -- a UV, Circular
Polarizer, Neutral Density 4 and a Neutral Density 8 -- all in a handy
wallet that attaches to the camera strap; four rechargeable Energizer®
AA NiMH batteries that can be recharged up to 1,000 times; and a battery
charger with a five hour quick charge and LED indicator. The Coolpack
comes in a ruggedly handsome beige canvas carrying case with a fully
adjustable interior, lots of pockets, and places for assorted gear. (04:00 GMT)
Unfortunately
Canon haven't been able to supply me with an S10 yet (are you reading
this guys?) and he's posted a review of this very interesting "pocket
sized power pack", here's what Steve says: "All things considered
this is one great camera. It's everything the A50 is plus twice the
resolution and even faster image processing. I'm no real fan of small
cameras but the S10 is a very durable camera that performs better
than other cameras three times its size. And at a price of $699 I
see it flying off the dealer's shelfs and landing in a lot of stockings
this Christmas. " (04:00 GMT)
Ricoh
today announced (officially.. this news has been knocking around
for a few weeks) the 2.3 megapixel, 3x zoom, RDC-5300. Interesting
features include USB, bracketing (multiple shots at -0.5EV, normal
and +0.5EV). And only $699. (04:00 GMT)
PC Watch's resident pro photographer Yamada reports
from the Japan Electronics Show 1999. Sony are showing off their next
generation 3.2 megapixel CCD, and the guts of their upcoming DC-PC100
DV / digicam. Philips have a 6 megapixel CCD and Sanyo have a BIG
2/3" 2 megapixel CCD and a 0.8" organic EL LCD display for
use in viewfinders. Matsushita (Panasonic) showed some odd looking
digicams using their new SD flash storage cards (yes another new storage
standard). Sony also showed a chunky MiniDisc digicam. Going back
to storage Sanyo showed the 730MB iD magneto-optical disk. (04:00 GMT)
Asami
Azuma (the photographer who took the previous C2500L / F505 images)
posts a gallery of Olympus C-2500L images on the Japanese Digital
Olympus website.
For those with an interest in the C2500L you should
check out this gallery. (04:00 GMT)
Fuji
Japan publish information about their new unique PR21 digital camera,
it's a 2.3 megapixel digicam based around the MX2700 , the big deal
with this little digicam is that it has a built-in printer which can
print up to 62 x 46 mm (2.4" x 1.8"). And the damage? A
pricey US$890. (04:00 GMT)
A personal congratulations go to Steve Sanders of Steves-Digicams
for reaching the astonishing milestone of 2,000,000 visitors. Steve
works very hard and always has the latest reviews, here's to your
next 2 million Steve!! (Note: I'm just hoping we can hit 2,000,000
before Y2K). (04:00 GMT)
Why
you shouldn't always trust PC Magazine reviews...
"For the past three months I've been using the Nikon
CoolPix 950 digital camera, and I have never been so disappointed in a
camera before.".. John C. Dvorak. (04:00 GMT)
Canon
have announced in a press release that the S10 will be shipping to
US dealers around October 15 to make the S10 available for the holiday
season. The best news? The estimated street price of $699. (04:00 GMT)
Ok,
you can keep your CF cards, your MemorySticks and your SmartMedia...
I want one of these in my digital camera... (just one, that's
all you'd need...)
C3D Debuts Three-Dimensional Optical Storage Technology:
New Card & Disk Technology Reduces Cost and Size While Increasing
Storage Capacity Up to 2,500 Times That of Current Systems
"...It will also substantially increase the
capabilities of existing devices such as digital cameras/videos
and cellular phones, enabling them to become super-compact multimedia
information devices. C3D's ClearCard, for example, will hold up
to 10 gigabytes (10,000 megabytes) of data on a credit card sized
carrier -- compared with the approximately 4 megabyte capacity
of current Smartcards..." (04:00 GMT)
InfoTrends Research Group publish this interesting article
on the digicam market: "The transition from film-based photography
to digital photography is underway worldwide. Though the complete
transition is still many years away, it is happening in all market
segments, including youth, consumer, and business. InfoTrends Research
Group, Inc.'s "1999 Low End Digital Camera Forecast Worldwide Summary"
shows that worldwide digital camera sales will top 3.6 million units
in 1999, growing at an annual rate of 36% through 2003. "A combination
of forces are driving this growth, including increasing penetration
of PCs, Internet connectivity, mass market awareness and digital photo
retail and online services," says Michelle Lampmann, market research
analyst at InfoTrends Research Group. " (04:00 GMT)
Sorry folks, but this has been a no-news week, hopefully
next week will be more interesting. To note, Toshiba are shipping
the PDR-M5 (which I reported on some time ago). I've also added
the PDR-M5 to the database along with the HP C200 & C500.
For those of you researching any particular type
of camera there are four things I recommend you to do... (04:00 GMT)
Both DC Resource and Imaging-Resource have posted reviews
of the Fuji MX-1700, on top of that Imaging-Resource have posted a
review of the MX-2900 (a camera I'm reviewing at the moment). Steves
Digicams posts an MX-1200 first look. (04:00 GMT)
Pro
Photographer Kazuhisa Nishikawa has posted a Nikon D1 vs. Canon EOS2000
(AKA. Kodak DCS520) comparison gallery. This gallery features portrait shots
of Japanese model Sachie Koike. (04:00 GMT)
We
reported about the DS-260 back in January when it was first announced
in Japan. Looks like Fuji are going all-out to bring new cameras to
the market (US market) as often as possible, so here's the DS-260...
Fujifilm's DS-260 HD: The Digital Camera for
the Weekend Warrior: A rugged, outdoor-friendly megapixel model that
protects its inner workings with a dust-proof, impact- and water-resistant
outer shell. This tough exterior makes the DS-260 HD an ideal choice
for outdoor enthusiasts who want to capture their images electronically. (04:00 GMT)
Just
finished our latest review: the Fuji MX-2900. An interesting camera
with some strengths and some weaknesses: "The
MX-2900 is a fair attempt to capture the imagination of owners who
are looking for a 2+ megapixel digital camera with manual features
and a traditional look and feel. And for most it would produce good
results." (04:00 GMT)
5.9 %
