The Danish website Akamera.dk have just published their review of the Sony Cybershot DSC U40, a stylish 2-megapixel digicam available in four colors (silver, black, dark blue and red), which costs around $200.

Website: Akamera.dk - Sony Cybershot DSC U40 Review

Steves Digicams has posted a First Look at the new 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera.

“The Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 inherits the excellent image quality and performance of the DiMAGE A1 and takes it to the next level with a high-quality 8-megapixel CCD and a Super Fine Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) with VGA resolution. The features continue with a fast, new 3D autofocusing system (1.5x faster than DiMAGE A1) with 3D Predicative Focus Control and Movement tracking, a sharp f/2.8 7x optical zoom lens with manual zoom and focus rings, Anti-shake function for still images and VGA quality movies, CxProcess II Image Processing technology, UHS Continuous Advance rate of 7 frames per second, high-speed USB 2.0 support and compatibility with portable and studio flash systems.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 First Look

PhotographyBLOG visitor Emil is the proud owner of the new Canon Powershot Pro 1 digital camera, and he has kindly sent me 2 sample images and a noise comparison between the Pro 1 and his old Canon G3. The images below have been resized in Photoshop - simply click on them to open the full-sized image in a new browser window. The first sample was taken with ISO set to Auto, the second was set to ISO 50.

Steves Digicams have published their full review of the new 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8700 digital camera.

“ISO settings of 50, 100, 200 and 400 are available, but you’ll prefer to use the low-end of that range. The noise at ISO 400 is unacceptable even at fast shutter speeds. The noise at ISO 200 is noticeable, and at ISO 100 it’s detectable.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Nikon Coolpix 8700 Review

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have published their review today of the new 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 8700 digital camera.

Website: Index Digicam - Nikon Coolpix 8700 Review

CNET have reviewed the Fuji FinePix S7000, which is the successor to the popular FinePix S602 model. The S7000 uses Fuji’s 4th Generation Super CCD HR with 6.3 Million Effective Pixels output and 12.3 million recorded pixels. It costs around $799.99 and is available now.

“Fujifilm’s FinePix S7000 combines prosumer features with a 6-megapixel Super CCD HR sensor and an impressive 6X zoom lens. The camera won’t fit in your pocket or win any beauty contests, and it lacks a few of the most advanced image-quality controls. But enthusiasts will like the S7000’s versatility and very good photos.”

Website: CNET - Fuji FinePix S7000 Review

Website: Read my review of the Fuji FinePix S7000

ByteSector have posted a review of the Olympus CAMEDIA C-5060 Wide Zoom camera, an updated version of the popular Olympus CAMEDIA C-5050 model, with a wider-angle lens that is equivalent to a 27-110mm lens on a 35mm camera.

“Truly amazing! The C-5060 takes the sharpest and most detailed pictures I have ever seen. The sharp quality is backed up by the 5.1 megapixel resolution this camera handles and an integrated technology known as TruePic? from Olympus . Combined together, these two features throw out an amazing picture. The highest resolution supported on this camera is 3264x2448. Also, there is a new file format supported in the C-5060 known as RAW (.ORF). When taking pictures under this format I noticed the outcome to be very sharp and very detailed compared to the TIFF and JPEG format settings.”

Website: ByteSector - Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom Review

Buy-n-Shoot.com have just published their review of the Leica Digilux 2.

“It’s the little things, like the way the lens cap has material inside the rim to slide onto the lens smoothly every time, or the extra lens hood with its own lens cap that make this camera complete. The packaging the camera arrives in is not cheap either - with a metallic silver finish and a very well laid out foam insert holding each of the cameras accessories, as well as the camera, manuals and cds required for digital imaging.”

Website: Buy-n-Shoot.com - Leica Digilux 2 Review

The OptioS30 - The ultra-compact digital with performance that?s a class above.

A compact digital camera that places the key emphasis on cost performance, PENTAX announces the OptioS30. Easy to handle for stress-free shooting, it makes it easy to enjoy quality digital photography anywhere, at any time. With a truly user-friendly design, it makes shooting in diverse situations a breeze. And with an attractive, hairline-textured aluminium exterior, it’s also strikingly stylish.

The OptioS30 is surprisingly capable too. It features an array of easy-to-operate functions that assist in making sure the end results live up to expectations, is empowered with 3.2 effective megapixels, and also features a lens offering 3X optical zooming versatility that can be combined with 2.6X digital zoom for total 8X (approx.) zooming freedom.

OLYMPUS TO LAUNCH 3 NEW UNDERWATER DIGITAL CAMERAS

Asia Pulse Businesswire via NewsEdge Corporation : TOKYO, March 10 Asia Pulse - Olympus Corp. (TSE:7733) plans to launch three new digital camera models usable both underwater and on land, marketing them together with special waterproof cases.

Until now, digital cameras have been used mainly on land. But Olympus has decided that demand for underwater cameras is set to grow, both from professional photographers and ordinary consumers, as diving is becoming an increasingly popular sport in Japan and overseas.

The first of the new models—the Camedia C-8080 Wide Zoom, priced at about 130,000 yen—will have top-of-the-line features: 8 megapixels, a 5x optical zoom, and a durable polycarbonate resin body that withstands water pressure at a depth of 40 meters.

Epson Japan Press Release 10/03/04

Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”) has launched the Epson Rangefinder Digital Camera R-D1*1, the world’s first rangefinder digital camera, in partnership with Cosina Corporation.

Technical collaboration
Epson has helped transform the world of photo printing into the digital world by developing inkjet printers and other digital photo printing technologies. Among the critical technologies behind the stunning quality of Epson’s digitally rendered photos is digital image processing - technology for optimizing digital data as a high-quality photo image. Digital image processing technology is already being used in Epson’s printer drivers, high-resolution scanners and other input and output devices, but Epson had been looking for new potentially intriguing applications for it, as well. It was while scouting the possibilities that Epson met up with Cosina, a company that can boast some of the world’s foremost original optical technologies.

Cosina has developed outstanding original optics technologies in the production of camera lenses while still maintaining a rigorous fidelity to the historic photography heritage. Epson felt that if the companies were to use the rangefinder camera platform - a platform that is being left in the wake of progress toward the digital age - and if they were to merge Epson’s digital image processing technology with Cosina’s advanced optics technology, they might be able to discover some completely new creative photographic possibilities. This idea led to collaboration between the two companies, with engineers from both sides paying uncompromising attention to detail during product development. Thus was born the R-D1.

The R-D1 dares to swim against the high tide of fully automatic electronic digital cameras. It is a digital camera that still manages to feel like a traditional manual camera, for people who appreciate the peculiar satisfaction that comes with the ability to use an analog camera well. In other words, the R-D1 is simultaneously a state-of-the-art digital camera that offers outstanding performance and image quality, and a throwback that offers camera buffs the look and feel of a vintage film camera, as well as the joy of skillfully using their camera as a tool.

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1 digital camera, which should be available in your local photography shop now.

“Sony’s Cyber-shot line of digicams have consistently proven themselves to be versatile performers, with high build quality, providing numerous innovations in the digicam marketplace. Now, the DSC-T1 breaks new ground in the subcompact category, packing more features into a smaller space than pretty much anything else out there.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1 Review

CNET have reviewed the Fuji FinePix S3000 digital camera, which features 3.24 effective million pixels, 6X Fujinon optical zoom and digital movie recording. The S300 uses xD-Picture Card (16MB to 512MB) storage and its lens focal length is equivalent to 38-228mm on a 35mm camera. The list price for the S300 is $399.95.

“With a 6X optical zoom, decent close-up capabilities, and compatibility with add-on lenses, this 3.2-megapixel camera will please point-and-shooters who like versatility. However, mediocre performance, a lack of manual focus and exposure controls, and some vexing quirks relegate the Fujifilm FinePix S3000 to also-ran status for more-advanced photographers.”

Website: CNET - Fuji FinePix S3000 Review

Website: Read my review of the Fuji FinePix S3000

Ricoh Press Release 10/03/04

Ricoh Announces The European launch of the Caplio 400G Wide.  Capture a Wider Image With This High Performance, Water and Dust Resistant, Digital Camera

March 2004.
Following on from the success of the 300G last year, Ricoh are proud to announce the Caplio 400G Wide. This model has the same characteristic tough body of its predecessor, the Caplio 300G, and is the perfect choice for taking pictures in the rain, in sandy, or in dusty environments. The new wide 28-85mm zoom lens allows you to capture a wider image with sharp focus and not compromise on any detail - it’s wider, faster, better.

Ricoh has taken digital imaging a step forward with the introduction of its wide lens technology. Zoom lenses for digital cameras generally do not compare favourably with those for conventional 35mm cameras. The main reason for this is because digital camera lenses require more peripheral light. Ricoh was able to overcome this handicap through a unique arrangement of eight lens elements in three groups. The first group, the most important for realising a wider lens, comprises three lenses, one of which is a concave, Meniscus aspherical lens, made of low-dispersion glass with a high refractive index. With the Caplio G4 wide and now the Caplio 400G Wide, users no longer have to make any sacrifices in zoom performance for the convenience of a digital camera.

Steves Digicams have also reviewed the new flagship model of the Canon Digital IXUS fleet, the 5.0 megapixel Powershot S500 (known as the Digital IXUS 500 outside North America), which was announced at the start of February.

“The camera’s auto focus system is as robust as its image processing and is enhanced by a focus assist lamp that insures proper focus lock even in total darkness. The auto focus employs a very accurate 9-point AF system that does its job quickly, even when the subject is not in the center of the frame.  If the LCD is on you’ll see which of the nine AF points were used for the focus lock. The Macro mode has excellent coverage from six inches to about two and a half feet and controls the flash perfectly even at the closest range.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon Powershot S500 Review

Steves Digicams have also taken a look at the 4.0 megapixel Canon Powershot S410 (known as the Digital IXUS 430 outside North America).

“The 3x zoom lens exhibits moderate barrel distortion in full wide angle and a little pin cushioning at full telephoto but no more than most zoom lenses and better than some. The zoom mechanism is smooth and fairly quiet and the control is conveniently located around the shutter button. The optical viewfinder although a bit small has a good eye point and covers about 90% of the captured image, it lacks any dioptric adjustment.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon Powershot S410 Review

Steves Digicams are first off the blocks with a review of the ultra-thin Minolta DiMAGE Xg, another digital camera that was first announced at PMA 2004.

“The DiMAGE Xg seems to be a downgrade of the popular DiMAGE Xt and features the same 3.2-megapixel imager and f/2.8 “folded” 3X zoom lens, but is missing the Audio/Video output capabilities. Also, the Xg can not be used with a charging cradle. The only upgrade found was the ability to record movies at 30fps with the XR (Extended Recording) movie mode that captures 320x240 or 160x120 size motion video with audio.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Minolta DiMAGE Xg Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the FinePix A205 Zoom digital camera, which has 2 megapixels and costs around $199.95.

“With a 2.0-megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom lens, the A205 offers the same great point-and-shoot convenience as its “big brother” the A210, but with a little less resolution. There’s still plenty of image here to make good-looking 8x10 prints though, so the A205 is great for people looking to really pinch their pennies yet still get good picture quality.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Fujifilm FinePix A205 Review

Website: Read my review of the Fujifilm FinePix A205

DCResource have published a quick comparative test of the Nikon Coolpix 8700, Canon PowerShot Pro1, and Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom, using the highest JPEG quality and lowest ISO value for each camera. All of the images are available as full-sized originals.

Website: DCResource - 8 Megapixel Shootout

The Danish website Digitalmagsinet.dk are the first to review the new flagship model of the Canon Digital IXUS fleet, the 5.0 Megapixel Digital IXUS 500, which was announced at the start of February.

Website: Digitalmagasinet.dk - Canon Digital IXUS 500 Review