Archive for January, 2008

HP today introduced HP SimpleSave Photo, an easy-to-use and automated solution for finding and backing up precious photo memories on a PC.
With only four percent of consumers regularly backing up PC files,(1) HP SimpleSave Photo represents a breakthrough for all who desire a hassle-free and affordable way to protect their most valuable photos. HP announced the new solution at PMA ‘08, the photography industry’s largest annual event.
HP SimpleSave Photo automatically searches a computer for all photos and stores them on a special DVD disc. The consumer simply drops the DVD into a PC’s DVD burner tray and the back up automatically starts, without requiring consumers to install or learn software.
Since many digital cameras also record video, SimpleSave Photo also will back up most common video files. In fact, HP SimpleSave Photo works with approximately 100 photo, video and image formats including JPEG and others commonly used to store digital photos.

More info at imaging-resource

Nikon is going to roll out its new lens ‘AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED’ engineered specifically for extreme close-up photography, and perfectly suited for general imaging as well.
The new AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED lens can focus at a distance of approximately 0.185m at its closest, and allows photographers to capture breathtaking close-up photography with reproduction ratios up to 1:1 (life-size).
Suggested price is 87,150(JPY).

Source AVING

If you really want to make taking photographs a fun event rather than a chore with baggage like: is the shot alright, or I hope the pic is not screwed; then you need to consider the Nikon D60 DSLR. It shares a form factor similar to the D40. It boasts of 10.2-megapixel image processor, intuitive LCD information display, EXPEED image processing concept, new dual dust reduction countermeasures, AutoFocus, in-camera editing tools and exciting creative options. The D60 has a 0.18-second start-up time and split-second shutter response. It can shoot continuously at up to three pictures-per-second. The specs include VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization technology, 3-D Color Matrix Metering II, Active D-lighting function, In-camera Retouch Menu, Stop-Motion Movie mode, Red-eye correction, Image Trim, auto-orienting screen (horizontal or vertical) plus the ability to create stop-animation movie clips from a series of as many as 100 consecutive JPEG picture files. It also features a new power conserving Eye Sensor that turns the big 2.5-inch color LCD monitor on and off automatically when you alternate between taking pictures and reviewing camera settings.

More info at Newlaunches.com

The Nikon Coolpix P50 features 8.1-megapixel image processor and is built on Nikon’s innovative EXPEED digital image processing concept and incorporating the precision optics of a NIKKOR lens. The specs include improved 5x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, Image sensor shift VR (Vibration Reduction) function, extended light sensitivity up to ISO 2000, Programmed Auto and Manual exposure modes, a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, 15 scene-optimized modes and four different movie modes. Power is supplied by AA-size batteries. The Coolpix P60 also features Face-priority AF, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, D-Lighting, Macro shooting from as close as 10 cm (4 in.), 4x digital zoom extends compositional freedom, Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations, SDHC card compatibility, Approx. 12 MB of internal memory, USB connectivity and PictBridge support. The pricing and availability of the Nikon Coolpix P50 is not yet available.

Source Newlaunches.com

FotoNation(www.fotonation.com) announced today that its face tracking hardware accelerated image processing technology ‘FastTrack’ is being integrated into the next generation Milbeaut chips of Fujitsu Limited.
Currently widely implemented in digital cameras and camera phones, the next version of Fujitsu’s Milbeaut chip will allow digital camera customers of Fujitsu to take advantage of FotoNation’s high performance face tracking capabilities to optimize the camera’s exposure, focus and color balance settings.
A live demonstration of this latest technology is being shown at FotoNation’s suite at PMA.

Source AVING

The DSC-T300 is Sony’s newest high-end thin/slim and compact digital camera, featuring a 10.1Mpix censor and a 3.5” wide screen, our T300 also managed to get a 5x optical zoom, an image stabilizer and can boost up to ISO3200. The camera can dynamically switch between five scene modes, trigger the shutter when it detects a smile, face detect with priority for adults and children, search through photos by face, improved focusing at close distance, image stabilization and a high ISO or 3200 for light sensitivity rare on a camera this small. It can output 1080p slideshows to an HDTV.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 camera specs:

* 10.1 megapixels
* Intelligent Scene Recognition (iSCN)
* 3.5″ touch screen Clear Photo LCD Plus LCD display (16:9 aspect ratio)
* Carl Zeiss 5x optical zoom lens
* Super Steady Shot image stabilization
* Smart Face Detection

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Crafts announced the immediate availability of LightZone 3.4, the latest release of its award-winning photo editing software. This recent iteration includes seven style families and 38 pre-defined styles that can all

Review By Imaging-resource

LightZone now instantly displays a real-time visual thumbnail preview of the picture rendered in the chosen style. Users can utilize this feature by simply holding their mouse over a style name. One click easily applies the selected style to a photo providing instant gratification. Multiple styles can also be added to the same photo to create combination effects. When used in conjunction with the Relight Tool, users have the power to enhance a large library of photos quickly and easily. LightZone’s ease-of-use of these photo modifications frees up more time for special images that require added attention and provides you with an end result you will be eager to share, store and publish.

Read Full Review Here

Review By Linux.sys-con

Light Crafts recognizes the diversity of the Linux platform and incorporated feedback from the Linux community into the newest Beta II version. The lengthy beta period is planned to ensure that the LightZone(TM) for Linux version is robust across a large number of Linux variants and configurations prior to releasing a production version. Light Crafts will collect additional Linux Beta feedback across a larger number of distributions that can be incorporated into the final product.

Read Full Review Here

Review By Photonewstoday

Light Crafts recognizes the diversity of the Linux platform and incorporated feedback from the Linux community into the newest Beta II version. The lengthy beta period is planned to ensure that the LightZone™ for Linux version is robust across a large number of Linux variants and configurations prior to releasing a production version. Light Crafts will collect additional Linux Beta feedback across a larger number of distributions that can be incorporated into the final product.

Read Full Review Here

LightZone 3.4 is available through Feb. 15 at a $50 discount for either the ‘full’ or ‘basic’ editions bringing the purchase price to $199.95 and $99.95 respectively. Both can be downloaded at http://www.lightcrafts.com/store/index.html. You can view a brief demo at http://www.lightcrafts.com.

PENTAX unveiled its 10.2M digital SLR ‘K200D’ in US market, which is expected to be available in March.
Equipped with a high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD image sensor, the K200D features a 2.7-inch 230,000 pixel LCD monitor, ISO 1600 and its original Shake Reduction(SR) system to reduce camera shake.
Suggested price is 799.95(USD).

Source AVING

Sony has unveiled its high-zoom Cyber-shot DSC-H10 digital camera, a compact model that is aimed at families.
Sony claims that with its small dimensions the new model combines the performance of much larger cameras in a more convenient size.
Designed to replace the current DSC-H3 model, the 8-megapixel DSC-H10 camera features a wider 3-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus screen.
The model has a Carl Zeiss 10x optical zoom lens and a long-range flash. Its face detection technology can identify and focus on up to eight faces in a frame.
The camera includes Sony’s advanced sports shooting mode, which combines high shutter speed and continuous auto-focusing to help you capture fast-action shots.
Other features include shooting up to ISO 3200 and Super Steady Shot optical image stabilisation.
The Cyber-Shot DSC-H10 digital camera will ship in the States in May for about $300. No UK pricing or launch details revealed.

Source pocket-lint.co.uk

The Digital Hero 3, just gone live for sale over on I Want One Of Those, is described as a "real tough-nut" digital camera.
It’ll do you 3-megapixel stills and up to 54 minutes of video with sound, whether you’re up a mountain in the snow, out at sea in a storm, or up to 30 metres under water.
Simple to use, this tough and chunky piece of kit can be strapped to your wrist, kayak paddles, dirt bike handlebars or your wind-surfer, so perfect for capturing those extreeeme sporting moments.
Shockproof, waterproof and - apparently - idiot proof, the cameras has 16MB of onboard memory but is expandable up to 2GB with an SD card.
Aimed at the YouTube generation, this new battery-powered offering costs £99.99, plus P&P.

Source pocket-lint.co.uk