Archive for February, 2007
Sony DSC-W200, DSC-W90 and DSC-W80 Digital Cameras Announced
eCoustics.com (press release)
Designed to make photo-viewing crystal clear, Sony today announced a new line of digital cameras featuring a high-definition component output. These new Cyber-shot® W-series cameras offer direct connection to an HDTV, which is ideal for integrating full 1080 HD photo-viewing into a home theater.
At the top of the line is the DSC-W200 camera, the most compact 12-megapixel camera in the industry. It is followed by the 8-megapixel DSC-W90 unit and the 7.2-megapixel DSC-W80 model. All sport Carl Zeiss® 3x optical zoom lenses; traditional, eye-level viewfinders; and large, 2.5-inch LCD screens wrapped in sleek metal bodies.
Seeing Is Believing in High Definition
“As HDTV becomes more pervasive in American households, it is only natural to want to view all of your content in high definition, including photos,” said Phil Lubell, director for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “Our new cameras support a shift in customer behavior — from viewing digital photos on a PC to having a full entertainment experience in the living room.”
Sony is offering three accessory options to begin enjoying high-definition photo viewing. The new cameras are compatible with the Sony VMC-MHC1 high-definition component cable for simple connection to an HDTV set.
The cameras can also be used with the new Sony CSS-HD1 high-definition Cyber-shot Station®, which comes with the component cable. You can connect the cameras to the station just one time, and it will also work as a charger for the camera.
For complete integration into your home theater system, there is the DSC-W80HDPR kit, which bundles a DSC-W80 camera and Sony’s DPP-FPHD1 printer package. This package consists of the VMC-MHC1 high-definition component cable, a Cyber-shot cradle, a remote commander, and a digital photo printer with high-definition component output.
This new printer lets you print photos on the spot in about 45 seconds. Designed to complement any living room, it comes in elegant black and can be positioned horizontally or vertically.
All of the new cameras feature a built-in slide show function. You can play back your images with pans, fades and wipe transitions set to your choice of music clips.
Reduce Your Chances of Taking Bad Photos
With these cameras, you can be more confident in your ability to take properly-exposed, sharp photos. All incorporate Sony’s new face detection technology, which can identify up to eight faces in the camera’s LCD frame, and automatically adjust white balance and flash as well as focus and exposure.
If you decide that the flower arrangement should be in the picture as well, the new multi-point auto focus (AF) feature can automatically determine the right focus of up to nine points in the camera frame, rather than focusing on what is in the middle of the frame.
You can easily knock out blurry photos, especially in challenging low-light conditions. The cameras incorporate Super Steady Shot® optical image stabilization to safeguard against blur caused by camera shake. Their high sensitivity (up to ISO3200) settings can help to fight blur associated with fast-moving subjects. Sony’s Clear RAW™noise reduction technology will minimize picture noise common to images shot at high ISO levels.
Edit On The Fly
The new W-series models incorporate selectable in-camera editing functions that can save you from hours of post-editing time at the computer. Equipped with Sony’s Dynamic Range Optimizer, the cameras can analyze captured image data and instantly determine the best exposure and tonality of each picture before JPEG compression.
Other helpful in-camera functions include red-eye correction and retouching effects. You can create artistic photos with the soft edge filter that emphasizes a focused subject by blurring the background. The partial color filter highlights the subject by letting it remain in color while making the background black-and-white. Photos can be enhanced with the cross filter that adds four-point star effects to the light in an image, and enlivened with the fish-eye filter for an amusing fishbowl effect.
Shoot At The Speed of Life
All of the new cameras are powered by the Bionz™ processing engine, first used in Sony’s Alpha digital SLR camera system. This newly-added circuitry delivers the fast image processing speeds needed to produce color rich, detailed pictures for true high-definition photo viewing.
The Bionz engine also helps to speed up the cameras’ response times and extend battery life. On a full chare, the W90 camera can shoot up to 350 shots, the W80 model up to 340 shots and the W200 unit up to 270 shots.
The silver W200 camera will ship in May for about $400. The W90 camera will be available in March for about $300 in black and silver. The W80 model will be hit stores in March for about $250 in pink, white, black and silver. Options will include batteries, travel chargers, lenses, filters, sports packs and cases. The DSC-W80HDPR kit will be available for about $400 in April. All products can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin on Feb. 28 at www.sonystyle.com/newcameras.
February 28th, 2007
Sarantel Unveils GPS Enabled Ruggedised Digital Camera
Telematics Journal, NY -
February 26, 2007 | 11:55 AM
Sarantel ltd today announce their movement into a new market application – GPS enabled cameras. The GeoHelix was selected by Ricoh Corporation for their newly launched 500SE because of its high performance, reliability and small size.
Ricoh developed the highly ruggedised 500SE to overcome problems associated with marrying pictures or videos with points on a map. The camera automatically embeds GPS data and is able to record the location of the object as well as the photographer. In addition the user is able to send images wirelessy via bluetooth or wi-fi
Achieving reliable GPS was essential for Ricoh in an applications where location accuracy under all conditions is critical to the workflow. Sarantel’s GeoHelix is high performing, doesn’t detune when hand-loaded and has proven reliability in all conditions from heavily wooded areas to urban canyons. And its omni-directional properties mean that satellites are detected regardless of the orientation of the camera.
Jeff Lengyel, Manager of Ricoh Digital Imaging Division comments, “We needed an antenna that was small, light weight and highly accurate. The GeoHelix was a natural choice which allowed us to integrate GPS quickly and without hassle.”
Ben Sandford, Vice President of Sales, Sarantel Ltd said “We are delighted to have been chosen by Ricoh in this application which is a first for us. Our technology is a perfect fit and clearly demonstrates where we can genuinely add value to our customers and their products.”
February 27th, 2007
FUJIFILM brings advanced features to entry-level digital camera
CNW Telbec (Communiqués de presse), Canada
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 23 /CNW/ - Entry-level just took on a whole new
meaning, as FUJIFILM Canada Inc. today announced the launch of the 8.0
megapixel FinePix A820. Designed specifically for the first-time digital
camera buyer and consumers seeking an affordable, easy-to-operate upgrade to their current digital camera, FUJIFILM’s FinePix A820 is loaded with features usually reserved for more advanced models. It also incorporates FUJIFILM’s signature Super CCD sensor technology, a 4x Optical Zoom lens and feature ISO levels of up to ISO 800.
Following in the footsteps of FUJIFILM’s more advanced digital cameras,
the FinePix A820 shoots with light sensitivities of up to ISO 800 at full
resolution. This higher light sensitivity enables the user to shoot with
faster shutter speeds, which lessen the likelihood of blurry pictures caused
by a moving subject or the shake of an unsteady hand. To make it easy for
consumers to achieve blur-free results, the FinePix A820 features a “Picture
Stabilization” mode in the dial setting. This easy-to-identify setting
automatically chooses the correct light sensitivity and best-matching shutter
speed, producing the highest quality digital pictures without the blur and
noise often associated with high sensitivity photographs.
The FinePix A820 features a new, intuitive icon-based Graphic User
Interface (GUI). When users switch shooting modes, scene positions or control settings, a brief explanation of the setting is momentarily displayed on the LCD screen, taking much of the guess work out of digital camera operation. Additionally, the FinePix A820 features a conveniently placed mode dial that provides easy access to the most commonly used shooting modes, including Auto, Picture Stabilization and Movie mode, while allowing one-touch access to other pre-programmed scene modes.
The FinePix A820 also features an “xD/SD Media Compatible Slot”; a single slot that accepts not only FUJIFILM’s traditional xD-Picture Cards(TM), but also SecureDigital(TM) (SD) media cards. In offering these media options, FUJIFILM is providing greater choice and flexibility to consumers who purchase
FUJIFILM digital cameras.
FUJIFILM’s new A820 also offers the following attractive features:
<<
- IrSimple(TM) Technology: Demonstrating FUJIFILM's commitment to
innovation, 'IrSimple(TM)' enables mobile devices - like the FinePix
A820 - to instantly and wirelessly connect and transmit digital
images to other IrSimple(TM) enabled devices, such as other digital
cameras, PDAs and photo kiosks. It provides a faster, more secure
means to share pictures with family and friends.
- Fujinon lens: The FinePix A820 features a 4x optical zoom lens that
was developed specifically for the A-Series by Fujinon, a FUJIFILM
sister company and leading provider of broadcast-grade television
lenses and other high quality optical products across many consumer
and industrial applications.
- Internal memory: When their xD-picture card or SD memory card (sold
separately) is filled with images, users have extra internal storage
space on each camera to capture additional pictures.
- Large LCD: 2.5-inch LCD display with anti-glare properties.
- Scene modes: A wide range of 16 pre-programmed scene modes provides
top-quality photos in a range of shooting conditions.
>>
The FinePix A820 will debut in May 2007 at a retail price of $219.99.
About FUJIFILM Canada Inc.
FUJIFILM Canada Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation
of Tokyo, one of the world’s leading imaging and information product
developers and manufacturers. FUJIFILM Canada is based in Mississauga,
Ontario, with regional offices in Montreal and Vancouver.
FUJIFILM Canada creates new dimensions in photography and storage media
by introducing innovative technologies in the digital camera, digital and film
photofinishing, camera and data media categories. Recent advancements such as
Digital Super CCD, Image Intelligence, 4th Colour Layer Film Technology, ATOMM
and NANOCUBIC Media have helped the company establish itself as the brand of
choice by Canadian consumers.
FUJIFILM Canada Inc. also makes environmentally friendly practices
central to its business including its operations, its products and its
community outreach. Green is more than just its corporate colour. It is a
symbol of its commitment to improving our world - one person, one classroom,
and one species at a time. Their efforts and dedication to continual
improvement is reflected in the ISO 14001:1996 certification achieved in 2001
and ISO 9001:2001 in 2004.
All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their
registered owners.
February 26th, 2007
Canon Unveils EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR Camera
Playfuls.com, Romania
Canon celebrates the 20th anniversary of its top-selling EOS single lens reflex camera system by announcing the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR, the world’s fastest digital SLR camera. At 10 frames per second, the 10.1 megapixel EOS-1D Mark III digital SLR can fire huge motor-driven bursts of 110 Large JPEGs or 30 RAW files because it employs the new Dual DIGIC III image processor engine, providing enough computational horsepower to do parallel processing at a rate unmatched by any other digital SLR. The all-new 10.1 megapixel, APS-H size CMOS sensor which is designed and manufactured by Canon, is the most light-sensitive and innovative sensor that Canon has developed to date. It features a new microlens array and a more efficient pixel structure for ultra-low noise, resulting in exceptional image quality and an amazing ISO range of 100 to 3200 with extensions to ISO 50 and a highly usable ISO 6400.
Scheduled for initial U.S. shipments in Spring, the estimated selling price of the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR will be similar to that of its predecessor, the EOS-1D Mark II N Digital SLR. This makes the new camera a stunning bargain and a “must have” for most pro shooters on the basis of features, performance, reliability, ease of use and compatibility with the powerful Canon EOS system.
One of the landmark functions of the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR is the introduction of a Live View shooting mode, tweaked to meet the needs of professional shooters. Photographers who use point-and-shoot digital cameras are familiar with looking at the LCD screen on the back of the camera to compose their images. Normally, a single lens reflex cannot do this because the mirror that lets you look through the lens is in the way. With the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR, a photographer has several options in addition to conventional SLR through-the-lens viewing. If the camera is going to be close at hand, the new Live View shooting mode lets the user focus and compose on the extra-large 3.0-inch LCD screen and magnify the image 5x or 10x, to achieve the optimal focus. If a user is going to be several feet away from the camera, in a studio, for example, the camera can be connected to a computer with a USB 2.0 high-speed cable. New software included with the camera, EOS Utility 2.0, lets you view what the camera is seeing in real time and control its operation. If a professional photographer is going to be far away from the camera, say, on the other side of a racetrack or stadium, or if the camera is hidden or buried someplace inaccessible, the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR can be operated wirelessly with the assistance of the new WFT- E2A Wireless File Transmitter. This allows users to view images directly off the camera’s sensor in virtually real time with the ability to adjust many camera settings on the fly. As a side benefit, Live View shooting mode helps to reduce vibration by lifting the reflex mirror out of the optical path well in advance of the exposure, improving image quality at slow shutter speeds.
Another first for a professional digital SLR of this caliber is a complete dust management solution, called the EOS Integrated Cleaning System. The new CMOS image sensor is designed with a lightweight infrared absorption glass cover that vibrates for 3.5 seconds when the camera is turned on or off. This brief delay can be cancelled immediately upon startup if desired, simply by pressing the shutter button. In fact, the sensor is sealed around its edges to help keep dust out. The shutter, newly upgraded to 300,000 cycle durability, generates less dust; it fires three times during the process so dust is shaken off the shutter curtains, too. This cleaning system uses very little battery power and can also be turned off in the custom function menu, if the user chooses to do so. The second part of the anti-dust system is a software solution that records the location of any spots that may remain on the sensor as Dust Delete Data and this information is appended to the image file. In the Digital Photo Professional 3.0 software application included with the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR, the spots are erased automatically.
The brand-new autofocus system in the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR represents a complete reconsideration of professional AF. Like previous EOS 1-Series Canon cameras, the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR has 45 AF points, but unlike its predecessors, 19 of them, rather than seven, are of the high-precision cross-type configuration. In addition to the center point, the new array allows the other points to be divided into groups of nine inner and nine outer focusing points plus a center point, which makes picking an individual focusing point much faster and easier than going through all 45, as in the past. During manual AF point selection, the AF point area is expandable. At the request of sports and wildlife photographers, a new micro-adjustment feature allows for very fine changes in the AF point of focus for each lens type in use, along with the addition of adjustable focus-tracking sensitivity as another sophisticated new AF feature. In addition to the AF sensor itself, other new components in the AF system include the reconfigured concave submirror and the secondary image formation lens, both products of Canon’s vast expertise in optical engineering. Last but not least, the low-light sensitivity of the new AF sensor has been doubled to EV-1 for superior performance compared to earlier EOS digital SLRs.
To cope with the voluminous signal processing required by the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR’s 10.1 megapixel resolution and top continuous shooting speed of 10 fps, Dual DIGIC III imaging engines are incorporated for parallel signal processing. The DIGIC III image processor replaces the DIGIC II and assists in rendering very fine image detail and natural color reproduction with 50% less shadow noise than previous EOS digital SLRs. The CMOS sensor reads out to the dual DIGIC III processors simultaneously in eight channels. By having two processors handle the workload, image processing is now approximately 1.5x faster; Compact Flash access speed is now 1.3x faster and SD card access is now 2x faster. The EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR is compatible with the new high-capacity SDHC format memory card. The extra power of dual DIGIC III processors has also allowed analog-to-digital conversion to improve from 12 to 14 bits per channel, meaning that tonal gradation for RAW images is now divided into 16,384 separate levels per channel rather than 4,096. The difference can be seen in the superb prints and magazine spreads the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR makes, as well as, in its freedom from defects such as moiré.
The EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR has several new features that make it much more reassuring and confidence inspiring. Highlight tone priority extends the dynamic range of highlights by about one stop and improves gradation within highlight areas. Safety shift lets the camera automatically change the shutter speed, the aperture or even the ISO speed, according to the photographer’s choice, even if the light level changes out of the range that the settings on the camera can normally handle, thus avoiding unhappy surprises. In-camera noise reduction for high ISO images and silent drive mode reduce a different kind of noise: the sound of the camera shutter in a quiet place.
The EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR is the product of a “reset to zero” design process; absolutely everything was re-evaluated. The result is a new and exceptionally easy to use set of controls. The 1D Mark III Digital SLR uses a Main Dial, a Quick Control Dial, a Multi-controller, a SET button and several other buttons to select and set various functions. In addition, the ISO speed button, AF Start (AF-ON) button, Picture Style button, and Memory selection/Image size/White balance function button have been newly added to make camera operation faster and easier than previous models. This system follows the logic of the EOS family of cameras. You use the Quick Control Dial to make the selection and press the SET button. When you press a button, it remains active for a while so you can let it go and then turn a dial to set something. You use the Quick Control Dial or the Main Dial to select any of the 19 cross-type AF points. Answering the requests of many current EOS system users, information displays have also been improved. For example, both the ISO speed and the metering pattern in use are now visible at all times, not only on the top LCD data panel, but in the viewfinder as well.
The EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR’s power supply is yet another valuable new feature: The camera now uses a new LC-E4 Lithium-ion battery pack instead of the previous NP-E3 Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) type. As a result, the weight of the 1D Mark III Digital SLR with the battery and memory cards installed is approximately 8 oz. lighter than the EOS-1D Mark II N Digital SLR when comparably equipped, and estimated shooting capacity has significantly improved from 1200 shots for the 1D Mark II N Digital SLR to approximately 2200 shots for the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR under normal shooting conditions. Additionally, new technology makes it possible for the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR to display battery charge levels in 1% increments.
The Custom Functions and Personal Functions of previous EOS models have been merged to create an easier to manage set of 57 Custom Functions arranged in four groups according to categories such as exposure and autofocus. Up to six frequently used menu options and Custom Functions can be registered in a new user-friendly feature, called “My Menu.” Up to 10 sets of camera settings can now be saved to one recording medium and moved from one camera to another. Up to five Personal white balance settings and five custom white balance data items can now be registered.
Major advances have also been made in recording, storage, and playback. For example, in addition to the RAW and JPEG options found in previous EOS Digital SLRs, the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR now offers the “sRAW” recording format. “sRAW” has all the flexibility of standard RAW data recording, but at one quarter the resolution and approximately half the file size of conventional RAW images. Another breakthrough option is the ability to record to external USB storage devices connected to the camera via the optional WFT-E2A Wireless Transmitter (see below for more information on the WFT-E2A). Yet another new option is automatic switching of recording media; when the current recording medium becomes full, the camera switches to another automatically and continues recording without interruption. With separate recording, a captured image can be recorded in varying sizes on different media. Each recording medium can be set to record a specific image size (L, M1, M2, S, RAW, sRAW) for each shot. With recording of identical images, the same image is recorded to all recording media. This is also possible with RAW+JPEG and sRAW+JPEG. Any image stored in a memory card or external media can be copied to another installed or connected recording medium.
With the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR, if the card slot cover is opened during the writing operation, an alarm sounds and a warning message appears on the screen to indicate that writing is in progress. The card writing continues even if the slot cover is opened. Also, if you set the power switch to the “off” position during the card writing process, a message appears on the screen to indicate that writing is in progress. After the writing is completed, the power turns off.
A new EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens succeeds the versatile EF16-35mm f/2.8L USM Lens as a high-performance L-series wide-angle zoom lens, specifically designed for improved peripheral image quality. Compatible with all EOS SLRs past and present, it uses three high-precision aspherical lens elements and two Ultra Low Dispersion (UD) lens elements to minimize lateral chromatic aberration and to produce superb image quality with excellent resolution and contrast. New coatings minimize ghosting and flare. It is an internal focus design, so the front element does not rotate during focusing and zooming, a convenience for users of circular polarizer filters. The lens is also fully gasketed and sealed for dust and moisture resistance, and it features an electronic diaphragm with circular blades for natural-looking background blur effects.
The popular Speedlite 580EX Flash is being replaced by the new Speedlite 580EX II Flash, which features a host of improvements, including a metal hot shoe with an improved locking mechanism for added durability, an external metering sensor for non-TTL automatic flash exposure control and a PC socket for use with non-dedicated slave triggers. Fully compatible with all EOS SLRs, the new Speedlite 580EX II is gasketed for dust and moisture resistance, making it possible for users of EOS-1 class digital SLRs and many L-series EF lenses to use flash safely when shooting in dusty or wet environments.
The new accessory dedicated Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2A allows wireless transfer and backup, as well as remote control of the camera in Live View mode. The new transmitter is much smaller and lighter than its predecessor and more affordable as well. The WFT-E2A has many useful capabilities besides wireless transmission of digital photos. In addition to supporting the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR’s Remote Live View functions, it can also be connected to various Hi-Speed USB 2.0 external storage devices such as high-capacity hard drives or convenient flash drives with much larger storage capacity than the memory cards in the camera, for instant backup as images are captured. Whats more, the WFT-E2A can be connected to portable GPS devices to record GPS information (longitude, latitude, altitude, UTC) which is added to file metadata and displayed on the camera’s LCD screen below the histogram.
The newly developed Original Data Security Kit OSK-E3 enables independent verification of the authenticity of image data and metadata (including GPS data). Additionally, the OSK-E3 Data Verification Kit features optional data encryption of EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR files upon capture to prevent modification of image data or unauthorized interception of images during wireless transmission.
The EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR will be supplied with the latest versions of Canon’s powerful software applications, including Digital Photo Professional 3.0 and EOS Utility 2.0, which now support the camera’s Remote Live View and Dust Delete Data functions, as well as incorporating a broad range of additional improvements designed to improve image quality and speed up workflow. Also included are new versions of ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser for easy browsing, viewing, printing and archiving with compatible computer operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows XP, as well as Mac OS X.
Canon will display and demonstrate the EOS-1D Mark III Digital SLR and its new accessories March 8 - 11 at the PMA trade show in Las Vegas.
February 23rd, 2007
A Pocket Digital Camera That Holds Its Breath Under Water
New York Times, NY
Pentax updates its line of waterproof, compact digital cameras with the aluminum-alloy Optio W30, a 7-megapixel model out next month.
A high-brightness setting makes the 2.5-inch screen more easily viewed in sunlight, which extends the camera’s usefulness as a tool for capturing beach behavior and ski scenes.
Waterproof to a depth of 10 feet for up to two hours, the 5.6-ounce camera is dust-sealed, which should afford protection against sand
A small amount of memory is included in the camera, but the SD slot is set for the new higher-capacity SDHC cards, which are sold in versions up to eight gigabytes.
Under water, light can be scarce, so this camera can automatically switch to higher light sensitivities as needed, or be manually set as high as ISO 1600.
Zoom range is 38 to 114 millimeters, but subjects less than an inch away can be shot, and then followed as they depart — perhaps swimming — in an auto-macro mode, which switches to regular autofocus as a subject moves away.
In video mode, the $300 camera shoots 30 frames a second — all the while recording sound, just in case the fish speak.
MARTY KATZ
February 22nd, 2007
Nikon Has Another Crack at Mass Digital Camera Market
Smart House, Aus
David Richards - Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Despite being a leader in the high end camera market Nikonhas failed to impress in the bottom end digital camera market. Now they have introduced several new cameras, including the Coolpix P5000 in an effort to compete head on with brands like sony and Canon.
Nikon has introduced several new cameras, including the Coolpix P5000. The P5000 has 10 effective megapixels, a 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor glass lens, an optical viewfinder and a high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD monitor with anti-reflection coating. It incorporates a new advanced image processing engine, which optimizes low light performance and color reproduction, and Nikon’s optical VR image stabilization, which compensates for camera shake.
Nikon also added three new L or “Life” Series cameras to its Coolpix family. Designed with the casual snap-shooter in mind, the Nikon Coolpix L10, L11 and L12 have a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor glass lens, a bright LCD and a lightweight body. The Coolpix L12 (MSRP also features Optical VR Image Stabilization, which overcomes camera shake to produce clearer, sharper images. The “L” series will be available next month.
February 21st, 2007
Get the most from your digital camera
Once you get over the urge to just pointandshoot, become familiar with your digital camera’s helpful features.
By Gregg Ellman, McClatchy News Service
Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription), MN
When most people get their first digital camera, they usually just put in the batteries and start taking pictures. For the most part, that works fine. The camera’s factory settings will allow for good pictures in most situations. But after a while, look at the menu on the LCD screen. It controls settings such as the brightness of the LCD, how long the display will stay on after each photo is taken and the image quality. Here are some basic things you can adjust on most pocket-sized digital cameras:
LCD instant review time: This is a big drain on the battery. Try to have it set as low as possible or turn it off. Shoot photos and review them later. Using a computer, delete the ones you don’t want.
LCD brightness: This adjustment is helpful in really bright or really low light. But don’t be fooled by a dark photo adjusted on the screen. The photo will still come out dark.
Auto shut-off: Sometimes you might want to keep the camera on to make sure you don’t miss a photo opportunity, but generally, have this option set so the camera shuts off after a few idle minutes. That will help conserve battery power.
Date and time: A great feature of digital cameras is that they put the date and time in the file of the image as it is taken. Initially, you might not need that, but if your interest in digital photography grows, you may prefer computer programs that allow viewing of images in the order they were taken.
Sound effects: They seem fun at first, but after a while they’re just another feature that eats up battery power. Turn them off before you head out to a wedding or other event where the noise won’t be appreciated. A good time to use a sound effect is on the timer mode. That way, those being photographed will know when the photo is taken.
Auto rotate: This helpful feature allows vertical photos to be rotated on the LCD for proper viewing. Many of Canon’s new cameras automatically rotate the image when the camera is turned 90 degrees.
Shooting modes: Most cameras have different modes for different settings. The best practice is to experiment with each mode when taking photos that you won’t mind deleting.
JPEG quality: Leave this at the highest setting. While more images can be held on media cards at lower settings, the quality declines and can result in poorer enlargements.
Formatting: This is a very dangerous area for beginners. Digital media cards need to be formatted, but make sure all images have been downloaded first. Image recovery programs can get back images lost by accidentally formatting a card.
February 20th, 2007
Digital SLR Superguide: Choosing a dSLR
By Larry Loh, CNET Asia staff
19/2/2007
Cnet Asia, CA
Which dSLR is right for what you want to do?
Cameras are great tools to capture those special moments, but you’d want to make sure you get the right tool for the right use. Digital technology is advancing so rapidly that new terms and innovative features are being introduced at Internet broadband speeds. It’s hard not to get swamped by all the techno-jargon and marketing babble, but as with any kind of high-priced purchases like a car or a house, it’s all about doing your research and asking the right question
The trick to choosing the right dSLR is to be honest with yourself. There is a big difference between what you want and what you really need. Ultimately it is your own wallet that suffers. Some painful soul-searching before the purchase will save you a lot of heartache and wallet burn.
There will be a lot of grey areas, of course, but everything is relative to the budget and what the camera will be used for. For example: If you’re a novice at nature photography, water-proofing in cameras might be fairly important considering the locations of nature shoots, but you might want to start off with a midrange model first to pick up the basics before venturing into the top range (where all the weather-proofing niceties are). You might also consider other alternatives such as a water-resistant camera wrap to reduce spending.
Tally up your budget
The first thing when considering a heavy investment such as a dSLR system is always money and how much of it you are prepared to spend. Bear in mind that the cheapest dSLR would still set you back at least about S$1,000 (US$636.21) together with a usable lens. This excludes any additional expenditure on accessories you might (and probably will) need.
Bundled kits, which usually include an entry-level lens for beginners, are a good way to get started. Some sales events will offer package deals where they bundle the camera with various accessories. You may be able to pick up some genuine bargains.
One thought to give some consideration to before you decide to splash out on a whole range of lenses, tripods, and external flash units is the weight that you will want to carry around. If you are planning to be fairly mobile then it is better to settle for a camera and lens that will not be too heavy. Of course, there will also be a trade-off: A camera and lens selection that weighs a bit more will often give better results. Just make sure that you know how heavy everything will be, and that you have a nice, big camera bag to fit it all into.
February 19th, 2007
Digital Camera’s To Slow Digital Prints To Grow
Smart House, Australia
David Richards - Friday, 16 February 2007
Digital Camera sales may be set to slow but digital print volumes will grow from 13.2 billion in 2005 to 16 billion by 2009, according to a new report from the research firm InfoTrends.The report also noted that digital print volumes eclipsed film print volumes for the first time in 2006.
The market will contract, however, in 2011, InfoTrends said.
“We are expecting market growth in the near future, but each year slightly more people either stop printing photos entirely or only print when they have to,” said David Haueter, InfoTrends associate director.
Haueter also noted that growth in digital printing has largely come from new camera owners. Existing owners are actually printing less than they used to, he said. “We’ve seen the…
February 16th, 2007
Camera phones to de-throne the digital camera?
Register, UK
But will the cameraderie hold?
By Maxim Kelly, ElectricNews.net → More by this author
Published Wednesday 14th February 2007 10:26 GMT
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Mobile phone manufacturers are increasingly looking to integrate established technology from the digital camera industry, and an Irish company is at the forefront.
Digital imaging researchers at Galway-based Fotonation have not only developed a faster method for wirelessly sending image and audio files between mobile phones, they have also pioneered red-eye reduction technology for camera phones, as well as face detection software.
Fotonation’s marketing vice president Eric Zarakov said mobile phone makers were playing catch up with the digital camera industry in terms of integrating existing and new technologies.
“With camera phones and their flashes becoming increasingly powerful the phone makers have realised they have to migrate functions such as red-eye reduction onto their phones,” Zarakov told ENN. “The volumes are huge. Compare around 80 million or 90 million digital cameras sold in 2006 to 500 million camera phones.”
The firm, which specialises in communications technology for the digital camera industry, claims its new MTP-IP connectivity solution (Media Transfer Protocol-Internet Protocol) is 10 times faster than existing Bluetooth technology, and can transfer a 3 megapixel mobile phone photo to another phone, computer, or other device in only 0.3 seconds.
Fotonation, which is headquartered in California and runs a 35-strong research team in Galway, has also come up with what it claims is the world’s first face detection system for camera phones. Its Face Tracker software can detect a subject’s face at up to 30 frames per second. This means the camera phone can set optimal exposure settings, focus, and colour balance for the faces of up to eight subjects in a shot. The software will also allow face cropping on the phone and thumbnail image generation for use in a phone’s address book.
Fotonation’s current client list includes AOL, Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Kodak, Microsoft, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, Sanyo, and Sony.
Zarakov said the company is currently in negotiations with new and existing clients about integrating its technology into the next generation of mobile phones.
“Bringing digital camera technology into phones is a symptom of a wider move as phones increase their functionality. Camera phones are now beginning to displace low-end digital cameras. Just look at who is now the biggest camera manufacturer in the world: I’d say Nokia.”
February 15th, 2007
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