Canon released new HD CAMCORDER : HV20 HD

• Canon is going to release HV20 HD Camcorder a feature rich, high-quality, High Definition (HD) camcorder.
• HV20 includes 10x HD video zoom lens.
• Super Range Optical Image Stabilization to protect your video from shaking.
  
• Most noticable feature is True HD 1920 x 1080 CMOS Image Sensor, the HV20 HD Camcorder records true 1080 high definition video, making it an ideal companion to today's HD televisions.
• Both aspiring filmmakers and home movie shooters can give their video a truly cinematic look and feel with the addition of a 24p Cinema Mode.
• This HV20 HD Camcorder dramatically raises the bar for consumer camcorder capabilities, and will no doubt be the model of choice for discerning video enthusiasts who accept nothing less than premium quality equipment to capture and preserve their memories.
• Among the new features within the Canon HV20 HD Camcorder is an Advanced Accessory Shoe capable of accommodating such additional components as select external video lights or directional microphones.
• The HV20 HD Camcorder also features microphone and headphone input terminals with manual level control for professional quality audio recording and a 24p Cinema Mode - found previously only on professional video equipment.
• The HV20 HD Camcorder also features an HDMI terminal for quick and easy one-cable transport of the High Definition video signal to a HDTV.

FE-250 : ISO 10000 camera from Olympus

Introduction : Olympus going to introduce in the market a new 8 Mega pixel camera with ISO 10,000. That means this is going to be very efficient to shoot picture in low light condition. This is going to be available in market by February 2007.

·Sensor: 1/1.8" Type CCD
8.3 million pixels total
8.0 million effective pixels

• Image sizes: 3264 x 2448
  2048 x 1536
  640 x 480
• Movie clips: 640 x 480 30 fps
  320 x 240 30fps
• File formats : Still: JPEG (EXIF 2.21)
  Movie: AVI motion JPEG
  Sound: Wave format
• Lens : 3x optical zoom
• Digital zoom: Up to 4x
• Image stabilization: Not Available
• Focus : TTL iESP auto focus with contrast detection
• ISO sensitivity: Auto ISO (64-3200)
  ISO 50-3200 (full res)
  ISO 6400, 10,000 (3MP)
• Exposure compensation: +/- 2 EV
  1/3 EV steps
• Shutter speed: 1/2-1/2000 sec

• Self timer : Yes

• Viewfinder : No

• LCD monitor: 2.5" TFT LCD, 230,000 pixels

• Connectivity : USB and AV output

• Storage : xD Picture Card (optional)

20 MB internal memory

• Power : LI-42B Lithium-Ion cell

• Dimensions: 94 x 56.5 x 22.3 mm (3.6 x 2.2 x 0.6 in)

Adobe released Photoshop Lightroom 1.0

• Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced that Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.0 software is now available for pre-order and is expected to ship in mid-February 2007.
• Photoshop Lightroom enables professional photographers to import, manage and present large volumes of digital photographs, helping photographers spend more time behind the lens and less time at the computer.
• Adobe is offering Photoshop Lightroom at a special introductory price of US $199 through April 30, 2007 at the Adobe Store. Photoshop Lightroom will later sell for an estimated street price of US $299.
• Photoshop Lightroom includes new functionality added since beta 4.1, with significant changes to the Library and Develop modules complementing improvements to the Slideshow, Print and Web components.
• While in the Library module, new advanced keywording tools help photographers filter through large collections, and an improved import dialogue with more flexible file handling allows more choice when determining file location.

Source : http://www.livingroom.org.au

PowerShot A550 & PowerShot A460, two new releases from Canon

Canon announced two new entry–level PowerShot A–Series models, the 7.1 megapixel PowerShot A550 and the 5.0 megapixel PowerShot A460 digital cameras. Both cameras will be available in stores mid–February and will carry estimated selling prices of $199.99 and $149.99, respectively.

PowerShot A550 Digital Camera
The new PowerShot A550 digital camera is a 7.1 megapixel model with a 4x optical zoom lens and a 2-inch LCD screen. It features Canon's renowned DIGIC II image processor for crisp, vibrant images, responsive performance, and low power consumption. Replacing last year's popular PowerShot A530 digital camera, the new model offers not only higher resolution and a bigger LCD screen, but also better battery life, compatibility with MMC, SD and SDHC memory cards, and an enhanced movie mode that can record 30 fps VGA clips. Operating this camera is even easier than before with a redesigned mode dial featuring five of Canon's most popular Special Scene modes for easier access, as well as standard fully automatic settings. The PowerShot A550 digital camera retains many hallmark A-series features, including an optical viewfinder and a comfortable handgrip, making it ergonomically friendly for comfortable handling while providing yet another option for viewing the subject and saving battery power while shooting.PowerShot A460 Digital Camera
The new PowerShot A460 digital camera features 5.0 megapixel resolution with a 4x optical zoom lens and a 2-inch LCD screen, up from 4.0 megapixels and a 1.8-inch LCD screen on last year's PowerShot A430 model. The new camera also incorporates Canon's renowned DIGIC II image processor, which delivers superb image quality, fast performance, and excellent battery life. Additional features include an optical viewfinder and compatibility with MMC, SD and SDHC memory cards. At its value price point, the PowerShot A460 digital camera is an ideal purchase for a first time digital camera buyer.

Casio Products Win iF Product Design Award

• Casio Computer Co. Ltd., announced today that three of its products-two digital cameras and one data projector-have been recognised with the iF product design award 2007, one of the world's leading industrial design honours.
• The iF product design award is sponsored by the International Forum Design of Hannover, Germany, and is recognised around the world as one of the premier industrial design competitions. The entries are judged not only on their design, but also on criteria such as quality, price, and environmental considerations.
• The iF product design award 2007 attracted 2,293 entries from 35 countries, and 756 entries received awards. The three Casio products earning honours were the EXILIM Zoom EX-Z1000, EXILIM Card EX-S770, and the Super Slim Projector XJ-S35

Source : http://www.imaging-resource.com

Microsoft released Photo Info 1.0

• Microsoft launched this week a new Windows Explorer tool for viewing metadata on photos on the web.
• The free Microsoft Photo Info Tool software allows users to change metadata attached to photos within Explorer, saving the user from having to open a separate photo editing program.
• The new Microsoft Photo Info displays file type, image size, ISO, white balance information, among other properties.

Source : http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/

Single Pixel Camera developed by Rice University

• Call it impossible or just plain craziness, researchers at Rice University recently developed a prototype digital camera that can deliver high quality images with just a single pixel.
• As an alternative to traditional CCD or CMOS sensor designs, the single pixel camera uses a micromirror array and a process of compressive sensing.
• Unlike standard digital cameras that use megapixels - millions of sensing detectors - the compressive sensing camera uses only one detector to sample light, and then it is combined with post-capture computations to reconstruct the image. The prototype was developed by Rice University's Electrical and Computer Engineering assistant professor Dr. Kevin Kelly and professor Dr. Richard Baraniuk. The prototype consists of two off-the-shelf lenses, a photodiode, and a micromirror array worth hundreds of dollars made by Texas Instruments, the official sponsor of the project.
  
• The single pixel camera combines recent mathematics developed in the last few years with hardware construction available since January 2005. At the heart of this single pixel camera is the Texas Instruments-manufactured digital micromirror device (DMD),that replaces a traditional CCD array.

Source : http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com

Canon PowerShot A640 10MP Digital Camera

Canon's first A Series digital camera with 10.0 Megapixel resolution and 4x Optical Zoom lens.

2.5 inch LCD monitor with wide viewing angle for easier on-camera viewing and optical viewfinder.

21 shooting modes, 9-point AiAF, ISO 800 and High ISO Auto to reduce image blur and expand low-light shooting capability.

Movie Mode recording with sound at 30 fps VGA (640x480).

Pros :

Reasonably low price .

10-megapixel PowerShot A640 is a smart, full-featured camera.

most striking feature is its pivoting 2.5-inch LCD. You can flip and twist it to help frame odd-angled shots or fold it against the camera for a more traditional feel.

Cons :

Not very good in low light.

Four new Cyber-shot digital camera in Sony's pipeline

• Sony plans to release four new models in its Cyber-shot digital camera line over the next couple of months.
• The DSC-W55, DSC-W35, DSC-S700 and DSC-S650 will feature 7.2-megapixel imagers, 3x zoom lenses, and more internal memory than other models.
• The W-series cameras include technologies for taking clearer pictures in low-light conditions. All the new models feature longer battery life than previous cameras. A fully charged battery can power 380 shots with the W55 and W35 models, and 460 shots with the S700 and S650.

• The W55, W35 and S650 models are scheduled to ship to stores in February. Prices are set at $200, $180, and $150, respectively. The S700 model is set to ship in March, and is expected to cost $180.

  Source : http://www.informationweek.com
  

Nikon COOLPIX S7 Digital Camera

• 7.1 Megapixels.
• 3x Optical Zoom-Nikkor ED Glass Lens.
• Vibration Reduction minimizes the effect of camera shake.
• 3.0-inch LCD offers 170 degree wide angle viewing.
• Auto adjusts up to ISO 1600.
• Wireless COOLPIX Connect - email pictures directly from the camera. Plus, One Year Free T-Mobile(R) HotSpot(R) Service for Digital Cameras.
• One-Touch Portrait Button automatically activates In-Camera Red-Eye Fix(TM) and Face-Priority AF.
• USB and Pictbridge compatible.
• Price : $349.95.

Canon PowerShot A630 Digital Camera

Specification :

Total Pixels : Approx. 8.30 Megapixels

Focal Length : 7.3-29.2mm f/2.8-4.1 (35mm film equivalent: 35-140mm)

Digital Zoom : 4x

Focusing Range :Normal: 1.5 ft./45cm-infinity
Macro : 0.39 in.-1.5 ft./1-45cm (WIDE), 9.8 in.-1.5 ft./25-45cm.

LCD Monitor: 2.5 inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD

LCD Pixels “ Approx. 115,000 pixels.

Shutter Speed: 15-1/2500 sec.

ISO Sensitivity : Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800 equivalent.

Drawback : No Image stabilization .

FinePix IS-1: new camera released from Fuji

Fuji showed the FinePix IS-1 infrared-sensitive camera this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It's a modified FinePix S9100, a 9-megapixel super zoom with a focal range comparable to a 28-300mm lens on a 35mm camera.

Features of this Camera :

CCD Sensor 1/1.6-inch Super CCD HR
Number of Effective Pixels 9.0 Million Pixels ( Visible – IR 400nm 900nm)

Movie: 640 x 480 pixels (30 frames/sec.), 320 x 240 pixels (30 frames/sec.), with monaural sound

Storage Media

Slot No. 1: xD-Picture Card (16MB to 2GB)
Slot No. 2: CF Card and MicroDrive

File Formats

Still image: JPEG (Exif Ver. 2.2), CCD-RAW
Movie: AVI (Motion JPEG), (Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible)

Movie:
Resolution Movie Length
-- 640x480 Approx. 223 sec
-- 320x240 Approx. 7.3 min

Lens Fujinon 10.7x zoom lens, (F 2.8 - 4.9) (58mm lens threads)
Lens Focal Length f=6.2 - 66.7mm/Equivalent to 28 - 300 mm on a 35 mm camera (IR and IR Cut Filters are Optional – 58mm)
Aperture Range F 2.8 - F11, 13 steps in 1/3 EV increments Manual/Auto selectable
Digital Zoom ratio at Shooting Approx. 2.0x (10.7x optical zoom lens is used together: Max. zoom scale: 21.4x)

Focus

Auto focus (Area, Multi, Center)*/Manual focus/Continuous AF*

xD-Picture Card: 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB
Rechargeable Battery 2HR-3UF (2xAA type Ni-MH)
AC Power Adapter AC-5VX
PC Card Adapter DPC-AD
Image Memory Card Reader DPC-R1
xD-Picture Card USB Drive DPC-UD1 (Not available for 2GB xD-Picture Card)
CompactFlash Card Adapter DPC-CF
Soft Case SC-FXS9
Wide Conversion Lens WL-FXS6
Accessories Included

4xAA typeAlkaline Batttery
Shoulder Strap
USB cable (Mini-B)
A/V cable

Wireless data transfer from camera to a PC

• Artimi® Inc., developer of wireless semiconductors for portable Certified Wireless USB consumer electronics, has developed a small format module pre-integrated into a leading digital still camera reference platform to help manufacturers bring Wireless USB-enabled cameras to market more quickly. The camera uses embedded technology, not external Wireless USB dongles, for high-speed wireless data transfer of photos from the camera to a PC, printer, storage or display.
• allows visitors to take high resolution photos and immediately download and print them using Wireless USB.
• Artimi's wireless technology will provide high rates of real user throughput, allowing one gigabyte of photos to download in about 30 seconds.
• Next-generation digital cameras with Wireless USB will provide valuable benefits for consumers by eliminating need to use cables and speeding transfer of multimedia content and data. Both the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and the Bluetooth SIG have chosen WiMedia ultra-wideband (UWB) as the technology for this next-generation of high-speed wireless connectivity.

Source: http://www.imaging-resource.com

Canon PowerShot SD800

• The Canon SD800 IS is a compact, stylish case with rounded horizontal edges, and a retracting lens to make it pocket-friendly.
• 7.1 megapixel, 3.8x optical zoom.
  
• SD800 IS incorporates Canon's excellent Image Stabilization.
  
• 2.5 inch LCD display plus an optical viewfinder.
• ISO sensitivity range 100 to 1,600.

Casio introduced ner camera Exilim EX-V7

• Casio has unveiled a 7.2-megapixel addition to its Exilim family of digital cameras Casio Exilim EX-V7.
• 2.5” Super Bright LCD.
• The EX-V7 uses an anti-shake DSP, but also moves its CCD sensor to compensate for camera movement.
• Records video using the new MPEG-4/H.264 AVC video codec for high data compression.
• Casio expects the EX-V7 will hit retail shelves in March and cost $400.

Source : http://www.pcworld.com/

Panasonic upgraded DVD camcorders

• Panasonic unveiled an upgraded line of DVD camcorders featuring advances in image-stabilization technology, increased optical zoom range and enhanced usability.
• the most substantial 2007 upgrade is the addition of Panasonic's Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) system to the value-priced D210 and mid-level D230 models.
• Other features on selected DVD Camcorder models include 3.1 megapixel CCDs, one-touch navigation and joystick control for easy, one-handed shooting, low-power EfficiBright™ LEDs for subject illumination with minimal battery drain, SD Card slots, high-speed shutters, 2.7-inch wide LCDs for enhanced 16:9 video composition, multi-format (DVD-RAM/-RW/-R/-R DL) DVD recording, MPEG 2 VBR (variable bit range) compression technology based on Panasonic's high-end DIGA DVD recorder system, and still-picture recording.

Source : http://www.imaging-resource.com

Hard-Drive-based Camcorders from JVC

• JVC was the first company to introduce a consumer-targeted digital camcorder that stored video on a hard drive instead of a miniDV tape, a miniDVD disk or memory card.
• In the high def arena, JVC will debut the Everio GZ-HD7, JVC's first high-definition, three-CCD, hard-drive based camcorder. This Everio will feature full HD 1920 x 1080i video quality, store footage on a built-in 60 Gbyte hard drive (offering up to five hours of 1920 x 1080i recording and playback, according to JVC), add a 10x optical zoom lens, and include optical image stabilization.
• Targeted at the high-end, early adopter, the new Everio GZ-HD7 camera will include a manual focus ring, include HDMI, USB 2.0 and Firewire connections, come bundled with HD editing software and will list for just under $1800. The GZ-HD7 camcorder will be available in April of this year.

Source : http://www.pcmag.com

• In the on going Consumer Electronics Show in LasVegas, Sony presented the newest member of its Memory Stick® media family - the 8GB Memory Stick PRO™ Duo.
  
• Weighing in at just two grams, 0.79-inches wide, 1.22-inches long, and sporting the ten-pin Serial Memory Stick® interface, this new flash memory card can be packed with music, movies and photos.
• the 8GB MSX-M8GS Memory Stick model will store approximately 1,500 images in 10-megapixel, fine mode; more than 18 hours of video at 768Kb per seconds in MPEG4 compression; and can hold a collection about 2,000 songs in the MP3 format at 128 kbps with an average of four minutes per song.

You can get complete news at : http://www.dpreview.com

Kodak Easyshare V803, V1003 and C653

Kodak has announced three new digital cameras; the eight and ten megapixel V803 and V1003 and the entry-level six megapixel C653.

EASYSHARE C653Zoom Digital Camera:

• 6.1 MP for prints up to 20 × 30 in. (50 × 76cm)
• 3X optical zoom lens.
• 2.4 in. (6.1 cm) indoor/outdoor color display
• Digital IS using anti-blur mode
• KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology
• 20 programmed scene and 3 color modes
• Panorama stitch mode
• Price $129.95

EASYSHARE V803 Zoom Digital Camera:

• 8.0 MP for prints up to 30 × 40 in. (76 × 102 cm)
• 3X optical zoom lens.
• Customize with on-camera settings, including the Favorites feature.
• Available in many fresh colors.
• KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology.
• Digital IS using anti-blur mode.

EASYSHARE V1003 Zoom Digital Camera:

• 10.0 MP for prints up to 30 × 40 in. (76 × 102 cm)
• 3X optical zoom lens
• Customize with on-camera settings, including the Favorites feature
• Available in many fresh colors
• KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology
• Digital IS using anti-blur mode

You may want to visit http://www.dpreview.com for full news.

4GB Class 6 SDHC Card from Toshiba

• Toshiba Corp. announced three new memory cards: the 4GB Class 6 SDHC card for cameras and camcorders. the tiny 4GB Class 4 miniSDHC card, and the 2GB microSD memory card for mobile applications.
• The new Toshiba cards are due out in March in the U.S. Pricing has not yet been announced.
• The new Class 6 SDHC card improves upon the Class 4 version launched in September.
• The Class 6 title indicates the card can sustain a higher write speed of 6MB per second and a maximum speed of 20MB per second, according to the release.

You can get more information at:

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com

New Digital Point-and-Shoots from Fuji

• Fuji launched two new A-series compact models, the six-megapixel FinePix A610 and eight-megapixel FinePix A800.

• They both sport a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5-inch LCD displays and run on AA batteries.
• the cameras will include different top ISOs: the A610 will have a top ISO of 400, while the A800 will have an ISO of 800.
• The A610 will be available $129, and the A800 will be available for $179.

For more info visit: http://www.pcmag.com