February 2003 news and reviews

Pre-PMA 2003: Kodak has today announced that after a couple delays they will be shipping their DCS Pro 14n this week. Featuring a 13.89-megapixel, full-frame CMOS sensor and magnesium body. Madhav Mehra, General Manager, Digital Cameras, Kodak Professional said "We're pleased to bring the Kodak Professional DCS Pro 14n Digital Camera to market in time for the imaging industry's largest gathering in the Western Hemisphere - PMA,".

Following our recent article about their new 20.8 megapixel digital back, Fujifilm Japan have released more detailed information. Initially only available for the Fujifilm GX680, a further release for the GX645AF will be available at a later date. Main features include a burst mode capability of up to 7 frames at 1.5 second intervals, the ability to output RAW, JPEG and TIFF files, Micodrive support and ISO sensitivities of 100, 200 and 400. It will be available in the fall for an as yet undecided amount.

Pre-PMA 2003: Just posted! Our detailed hands-on preview of the new Canon EOS-10D. The article includes a full summary of new features and improvements, design comparison, displays and menus, exploration of some of the new features, image quality tests (noise, resolution, color) as well as a head to head comparison with the EOS-D60 and a nineteen image samples gallery. Eleven pages of preview, and it's all right here, right now. Note that the camera used in this preview is considered pre-production.

Pre-PMA 2003, 14:00 GMT: Canon has today announced the new six megapixel EOS-10D digital SLR. The EOS-10D is the direct successor to the popular EOS-D60 digital SLR, just like the D60 the 10D utilizes a six megapixel 22.7 x 15.1 mm CMOS sensor which is a development of the D60's sensor. Unlike the D60 the 10D now has a magnesium body, orientation sensor, Adobe RGB color space, Kelvin selectable WB, ISO 1600 and 3200, more flexible image parameters and a new 7 area AF sensor (from the EOS-30). Other good news comes with the price, the US list price will be $1,999 (expected street $1,499), in Europe the 10D will have a €2,200 list price.

Pre-PMA 2003, 14:00 GMT: Canon has today announced a new 'L series' EF lens. The 17 - 40 mm F4.0 L is designed to be a high quality, lightweight lens for both film and D-SLR cameras. On the new EOS-10D this lens would produce a field of view range equivelant to a 27 - 64 mm zoom lens. For film SLR or EOS-1Ds users this lens provides ultra wide-angle zoom. Other features include a constant F4.0 aperture and minimum focus distance of 28 cm across the entire zoom range.

Pre-PMA 2003, 14:00 GMT: Canon has today announced the new PowerShot S400 Digital Elph / Digital IXUS 400. This new Digital Elph / IXUS has a four megapixel sensor and a three times optical zoom lens. The design is overall cleaner and smoother and uses a new 'Super Hard Cerabrite' (what a mouth full) finish which is supposedly a mix of metal and ceramics. The S400 isn't just good looking there's a lot more packed inside than was available on previous Digital Elph / IXUS models including nine point AiAF, a wide ISO range and a 2.5 fps continuous shooting speed. List price: $599 / €629.

Pre-PMA 2003, 14:00 GMT: Canon has today announced the new PowerShot S50, the new head of their 'S' product range with a five megapixel sensor and three times optical zoom lens. This camera is based on the S45 with which it shares its lens, body and controls. The S50 also gets many of the features enabled by the DiGiC processor, these include nine point AiAF, flexizone focus selection, three minute movie clips and automatic image rotation thanks to the orientation sensor. List price: $699 / €799. (Black body in North America, Silver in the rest of the world).

Pre-PMA 2003, 14:00 GMT: Canon has today announced the new PowerShot A60 and A70. These two models are the sucessors to the A30 and A40. Far from being simply 'entry level' digital cameras the A60 and A70 are now fitted out with a wide range of features including manual, aperture and shutter priority exposure modes. Just like the new A300 the a60 and A70 get a DiGiC processor, expanded sensitivity range (ISO 50 - 400), an orientation sensor and three minute movie clips (with audio). These two new cameras comer closer to the prosumer 'G' series. List prices, A60: $349 / €329, A70: $449 / €429.

Pre-PMA 2003, 14:00 GMT: Canon has today announced the new PowerShot A300. This new three megapixel fixed lens digital camera is the sucessor to Canon's current entry level A100. The A300 introduces several new features including five point AiAF, image voice memos, movie clips of up to 3 minutes (including sound), an orientation sensor, the new DiGiC processor and an expanded sensitivity range of ISO 50 to 400. An impressive specification for Canon's entry level digital camera. List price: $299 / €279.

Just posted! Our full in-depth review of the latest incarnation of what has to be one of the best image browsing / organizational packages available. ACDSee has been my image browser of choice for many years, the latest version marks a huge step forward in functionality and performance. The new version has full support for EXIF Metadata as well as advanced searching and categorisation features. Lossless JPEG rotation is back as well as automatic rotation based on the orientation flag in the EXIF header (useful for all those new Canon cameras with built-in orientation sensors!)

Pre-PMA 2003: As part of our ongoing coverage of new products announced at PMA we have produced a quick preview of Sony's new five megapixel four times optical zoom DSC-V1 digital camera. This compact digital camera packs a lot into a space only a little bigger than Canon's PowerShot S330 (IXUS Digital 330). The V1 gets all of the new features introduced by Sony in their latest wave of Cybershot cameras, this includes MPEG VX (640 x 480, 16 fps, unlimited), USB 2.0, color saturation / tone adjustment and more. Additionally the DSC-V1 has a flash hot-shoe and additional manual features.

Pre-PMA 2003: Kodak has today announced the three megapixel, four times optical zoom EasyShare DX6340 Zoom digital camera. The DX6340 is said to be the smallest four times optical zoom digital camera on the market, it has a Schneider zoom lens which provides an equivalent focal length range of 36 to 144 mm and a maximum aperture of F2.2. The DX6340 should be available in May at a suggested retail price of US$329.

Pre-PMA 2003: Kodak has today announced the EasyShare Printer Dock 6000. This innvoative product is a dock and dye-sub 4 x 6" printer all in one. You simply drop your EasyShare camera onto the dock on top of the device and can execute prints immediately. The printer dock can also be used for normal image transfer and battery charging. The dock is expected to retail at US$199 with paper/ink packs costing US$14.99 for 20 prints, US$24.99 for 40 prints and $39.99 for 80 prints.

Ricoh Japan has today announced yet another variation of the RDC-i700, the RDC-i700 model G. This one supports the CFGPS2 Compact Flash GPS card from I-O Data. When fitted fitted into the camera the GPS card enables it to record the exact location at which each image is taken (recorded into the image file header). It's not yet clear if this model is destined for worldwide release or just for the domestic Japan market. The RDC-i700 which is the basis for this camera is a three megapixel three times optical zoom digital camera which has both Compact Flash Type II and PCMCIA slots. The RDC-i700 model G is priced at 208,000 YEN (approx. US$ 1800).

Today we are introducing a new site feature, 'dpreview Mobile' provides access to dpreview news on the go. The Mobile pages (basic HTML) contain a stripped back, white background version of our latest news articles designed to be used on mobile 'smart phones' and PDA's. Note that this new site feature is still in Beta form and as such doesn't yet re-compress images within news articles. We hope that you will find this feature useful during trade shows such as the upcoming PMA 2003. Please note that these new pages are not WAP phone compatible.

Pre-PMA 2003, 15:00 GMT: Sony has today announced its first foray into the compact prosumer market since the excellent DSC-S85. The DSC-V1 is designed to battle against Canon's hugely popular PowerShot G3, Nikon's Coolpix 4500 and Olympus's C-5050 Zoom. The DSC-V1 has a five megapixel sensor and a four times 'Carl Zeiss' zoom lens. It has all the major manual controls you would expect, as well as various shared enhancements including MPEG VX (VGA, 16 fps), USB 2.0, color saturation / tone adjustment, Smart Zoom and MS Pro support. All this plus a flash hot-shoe, metallic case and it measures just 99 x 65 x 57 mm (3.9 x 2.6 x 2.2 in) - about the same size (from the front) as Canon's PowerShot S330 (Digital IXUS 330). UPDATE: Preview online.

Pre-PMA 2003, 15:00 GMT: Sony has today announced two new ultra-compact, pocketable 'P' series Cybershot digital cameras. The DSC-P8 has a three megapixel sensor and three times optical zoom lens, the DSC-P10 has a five megapixel sensor and three times optical zoom lens. Just like other cameras announced today both cameras benefit from some new features such as support for Memory Stick Pro, USB 2.0, MPEG VX (VGA, 16fps), color saturation / tone adjustment, Smart Zoom and more.

Pre-PMA 2003, 15:00 GMT: Sony has today announced two new CD Mavica digital cameras. The first is the three megapixel, three times optical zoom CD350 which has a slim profile thanks to the location of the lens / sensor unit to the side of the CD mechanism. Secondly is the black bodied five megapixel CD500. Based on the CD400 the CD500 has a five megapixel sensor and 'Carl Zeiss' three times optical zoom lens. Both cameras get the new MPEG VX 640 x 480, 16 fps movie recording mode (almost 6 minutes on a 156 MB disc). The CD350 has three area multi-point AF, the CD500 features five area multi-point AF. Other common enhancements include color saturation and contrast adjustment (at long last).

The PCMCIA technology association has today announced the 'NEWCARD' format. This new format makes use of PC Card, PCI Express and USB 2.0 technologies. The NEWCARD format is also aimed at both Mobile and Desktop PCs. "By drawing upon USB 2.0 and PCI Express, the NEWCARD specification will bring serial bus technology to a smaller form factor that offers more performance and improved ease of use. This new specification will revolutionize how PC developers and OEMs utilize the expansion slot for next-generation features such as wireless networking, storage and card readers."

Pre-PMA 2003: Due the popularity of this feature last year and knowing the importance of the show I have posted the beginnings of our PMA 2003 show report. The show report introduction page will enable you to stay informed about all the latest product announcements as well as getting reports and live updates from the show floor once the show commences. We are expecting several more announcements next week which will be posted both on the front page of the site and linked from the 'New Product Index' page in the show report. The show starts next Sunday and we will of course be there to bring you all the hottest news as it happens.

Pre-PMA 2003: Fujifilm has handed us a set of three comparison shots between the Finepix F601 (third generation SuperCCD) and the new Finepix F700 (fourth generation SuperCCD SR). These comparisons clearly demonstrate the additional dynamic range produced by Fujifilm's unique double photodiode design. Note that these samples are not those posted on the Fujifilm US site and are not available elsewhere.

Pre-PMA 2003: Adobe also yesterday announced the release of its Photoshop Album software which we reviewed last month. "Photoshop Album takes digital photography far beyond film. It makes it easier and more fun to do what users want to do today with pictures," said Alexis Gerard, president of Future Image Inc. "Since the product thinks the way picture takers do, users will appreciate unprecedented control and access to their entire lifetime of photos, along with sharing options that enable visual communication with loved ones around the world."

Pre-PMA 2003: Adobe has today released its Camera RAW converter and JPEG 2000 format plugin for Adobe Photoshop. The RAW converter plugin supports a wide range of RAW image formats from various digital cameras (Canon, Fujifilm, Minolta, Nikon and Olympus) and allows for a certain amount of adjustment (white balance, exposure adjustment etc.) to be carried out during the loading process. The JPEG 2000 plugin adds support for the new JPEG 2000 image format in Photoshop. The plugins are available for Windows and Mac OS X platforms and are priced at $99 for the set. Note that the plugins require Adobe Photoshop 7.0.1.

Pre-PMA 2003, 09:00 GMT 06:00 GMT: Fujifilm has today announced the new Finepix F700, the first Fujifilm digital camera to utilize the new high dynamic range SuperCCD SR sensor. The camera has a three times optical zoom lens and a three megapixel SuperCCD SR sensor (which produces a six megapixel output image). The F700 also supports VGA 30 fps movie capture, RAW output and comes with a PictureCradle docking station. UPDATE 20/Feb/03: Fujifilm post F700 samples.

Pre-PMA 2003, 09:00 GMT 06:00 GMT: Fujifilm has today announced the new Finepix 410 Zoom. This is the first Fujfilm digital camera to utilize the SuperCCD HR (High Resolution) technology, although not in its six megapixel guise, the 410 Zoom has a three megapixel SuperCCD HR sensor (which produces a six megapixel output image). The F410 Zoom is clearly a development of the F401 Zoom design, with the same three times optical zoom lens and body design. The F410 also comes with a supplied PictureCradle docking station.

Pentax has today announced the five megapixel Optio 550 and four megapixel Optio 450. Both cameras are based on the same modern and stylish aluminium alloy case and both feature an impressive five times optical zoom lens, this places the 550 in particular into a pretty special position of having five megapixels and five times optical zoom in a compact case. Both cameras are also fully featured with a wide range of manual control and features. Storage is via SD/MMC card and the 550/450 are powered by a supplied Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery.

Pre-PMA 2003, 00:00 TOKYO (19th): Pentax has today announced the new Optio 33L, this camera has a three megapixel sensor and a three times optical zoom lens. It also has a new swivel LCD screen which can rotate in both horizontal and vertical directions, unlike the Optio 330GS which could only swivel horizontally.

Pre-PMA 2003, 00:00 TOKYO (19th): Pentax has today announced their new compact 35 mm film SLR, the '*ist' (yes, just asterisk-I-S-T). Wait, I hear you cry, what has this to do with digital photography? Well, nothing at the moment but you never know this could be quite an interesting body design. Pentax claim that the new *ist is the world's smallest 35 mm autofocus SLR camera. The *ist measures just 122 x 84 x 64 mm (4.8 x 3.3 x 2.5 in) and weighs just 335 g (11.8 oz).

Pre-PMA 2003, 15:00 TOKYO: Nikon has today announced the radical new Coolpix SQ. Once more Nikon has taken their trademark split body design and implemented it into a different form factor. The SQ is a pocketable almost square digital camera which has a twisting lens / flash portion which would typically be orientated 90 degrees to the front in normal shooting situations. The Coolpix SQ measures just 83 x 85 x 25 mm (3.3 x 3.3 x 1.0 in) and weighs 216 g (7.6 oz) fully loaded, slightly larger and heavier than Minolta's DiMAGE X/Xi but still small and pocketable. And it has an AF assist lamp!! Another first for a Nikon Coolpix digital camera.

Pre-PMA 2003, 15:00 TOKYO: Nikon today announced three new digital cameras, the Coolpix 2100, 3100 and SQ. This article is a quick preview of the new three megapixel, three times optical zoom Coolpix SQ. A radical design and another new approach from Nikon, the SQ has a flat square profile with their trademark twisting lens design. In forward shooting mode it's wacky looking but oh-so Nikon. This preview is based on an early pre-production model, as such I won't be presenting any image samples or a particularly in-depth analysis of performance.

Pre-PMA 2003, 15:00 TOKYO: Nikon today announced three new digital cameras, the Coolpix 2100, 3100 and SQ. This article is a quick preview of the three megapixel, three times optical zoom replacement to the Coolpix 885, the new Coolpix 3100. This preview is based on an early pre-production model, as such I won't be presenting any image samples or a particularly in-depth analysis of performance.

Pre-PMA 2003, 15:00 TOKYO: Nikon has today announced the Coolpix 2100 and 3100. Both cameras are based on the same body (with some subtle styling differences), the Coolpix 2100 has a two megapixel 1/3.2" sensor, the 3100 a three megapixel 1/2.7" sensor. These cameras can be seen as the successors to the Coolpix 775 and 885, although these cameras offer significant developments including RGB color filter array, a new menu system and a smaller more stylish case. Storage is on Compact Flash card and the cameras are powered by two AA batteries (NiMH rechargeables supplied).

Pre-PMA 2003, 15:00 TOKYO: Nikon has today announced a new Vibration Reduction lens, the 24 - 120 mm AF-S VR F3.5 - F5.6G. This lens marks Nikon's further expansion of their VR lens line and although not a DX lens this lens will no doubt be of interest to Nikon mount D-SLR owners due to its wide 24 mm bottom end. When used with the D1x, D1H or D100 digital SLR's this lens would offer the equivelant field of view of a 36 - 180 mm zoom lens.

Pre-PMA 2003, 15:00 TOKYO: Nikon has today confirmed the details of their first digital only lens, the Nikkor AF-S DX 12 - 24 mm F4.0. This lens and the DX concept was first announced in December last year. The DX lens line is designed to be used exclusively with digital SLR's with a sensor size of 23.7 x 15.6 mm (a 1.5x FOV crop factor), thus this lens could be used on the Nikon D1x, D1H or D100. On these cameras it would provide an equivelant field of view range of 18 -36 mm.

Ricoh has today announced the Caplio G3, a three megapixel, three times optical zoom digital camera with SD/MMC storage (and 8 MB of internal storage). The big selling point of the Caplio G3 is (Ricoh's claim) the fastest focusing speed and shutter lag of any digital camera in this class. The G3 will be available in three variations: the base G3 (black, plastic body), G3 model M (black, magnesium body), G3 model S (silver, plastic body, supplied voice software). Personally I think it's a little confusing for Ricoh to choose a product name identical to Canon's well known PowerShot G3.

EXCLUSIVE: Nikon Europe has today responded to the recent publication of leaks and rumours about their upcoming products to be announced at PMA 2003. "We are extremely heartened by the enthusiastic media and public response about even the smallest details of some of the new additions to our range of photo and imaging products. However we feel it is worth reminding customers that all information currently circulating on the World Wide Web remains inaccurate or incomplete and request their patience until February 18th when a variety of new imaging products will be officially made public. We regret any confusion or inconvenience caused to our customers by the inadvertent release of information earlier than planned."

Samsung have announced their new DigiMax V4, it has a 4 megapixel CCD, a 3x zoom Schneider lens (equiv. 38mm-113mm), and is capable of using an astonishing 9 power sources including AA alkaline, AA lithium, Mi-Nn,CR-V3, as well as rechargeable NI-MH , Ni-Cd, I-pack batteries, and AC Adaptor as well as the dedicated Li-on battery.

Thanks to DPReview regular Kevin for noticing that Minolta Europe have posted firmware upgrades for their Dimage 7 cameras. The 7 gets updated to v1.23e, 7i to v1.11e and the 7Hi to v1.01e. As always please ensure that the correct update is applied.

Contax has today confirmed the digital version of its TVS line of compact cameras. The TVS Digital was first seen (and reported on here) during Photokina last September. This new announcement by Contax confirms the specifications, sale date in Japan and availiability of the camera in both silver and black finishes. The TVS Digital has a five megapixel 1/1.8" CCD sensor and a three times 'Carl Zeiss' optical zoom lens. Storage is to SD/MMC cards and the camera is powered by a proprietary Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery.

Sony Europe have announced their first range of cameras to use the new Memory Stick PRO media, the Cyber-shot DSC-P32, P52 & P72. Akihiro Nishikawa, Director Sony Digital Imaging Europe, commented: "Anyone who might be nervous about making the step to digital photography should try the new Cyber-Shot range. They are ‘point and shoot’ cameras that allow you to be spontaneous and take shots of real quality, whatever the conditions and, when printing the quality is perfect."
UPDATE: Product images added.