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.
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September 1999
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November 1999
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October 1999 news and reviews
October 29
October 28
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.
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."
October 26
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.
"
October 25
October 22
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.
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!)
October 21
October 20
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"
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. "
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.
October 19
October 18
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."
October 15
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.
October 14
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.
Here's some jolly news for Digicam owners (assuming
more manufacturers actually implement USB)...480 Mbs Announcement
Coincides With Specification Draft Release to Industry.
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.
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. "
October 11
October 9
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.
October 8
October 7
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).
October 4
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. "
October 3
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.
October 1
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.
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