Yes, ladies and gentlemen, here's just what the world needed: a new memory card format! The new xD memory cards are here. Developed by Fuji, Olympus, and Toshiba, xD cards are the smallest out there -- the size of a penny, as you can see. If you have trouble keeping track of where your memory cards are (like I do), these tiny things will really give you a headache.

The xD-Picture Card (as they are officially known) will be available shortly in sizes of 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, and 128MB. A 256MB card will be available later in the year. xD cards can theoretically get as large as 8GB, but that is years away.

The 16MB and 32MB cards can record data at 1.3MB/sec, while larger cards record at 3MB/sec. All xD cards can read data at 5MB/sec. This is comparable to SmartMedia, the popular format which xD is replacing, as well as the other memory card formats.

Believe it or not, the "xD" moniker was inspired by "eXtreme digital". SmartMedia has reached the end of the road apparently, and manufacturers will start making the move to xD shortly. Card readers and all that fun stuff will be available shortly as well. It's a shame they couldn't have used an existing format like SD instead of creating a new one.

In case you're wondering where the xD-capable digicams are, all I can say is stay tuned, I will have news very soon.

Nikon has discovered an issue with the white balance bracketing feature of their D100 digital SLR. In order to fix this problem, you must send the camera in for a firmware update. To find out if you have the problem, and to learn how to get it fixed, check out this technote (PDF format).

Remember that update package I mentioned a few weeks ago that turns your Minolta DiMAGE 7 into a 7i (well, almost)? Well, it's now available for purchase online for $80. (Thanks, DP Review.)

Late yesterday, I posted our review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P9.

I have finally posted my review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P9! Thanks to our readers who (mostly) waited patiently for this one. I think it was worth the wait, as the P9 is a very nice camera.

I've updated the photo galleries for the:
Konica KD-400Z
Nikon D100

My second "Keller on Cameras" column for Macworld magazine is now available online.

HP introduced three updated Photosmart digital cameras today (as well as several new photo printers). I don't have much information to share about the new cameras, at this point. Here's what we do know:

Photosmart 720

• 3.3 Megapixel CCD
• Records videos w/sound
• Supports Photosmart docking station
• Priced at $329

PhotoSmart 620 - same as above except:

• 2.1 Megapixel CCD
• Video w/o sound
• Priced at $229

PhotoSmart 320 - same as above except:

• Priced at $179

As soon as I find out more, I'll let you know. I assume that last camera lacks an optical zoom.

Believe it or not, there are more new cameras still to come this week. Stay tuned to the DCRP for the very latest!

Our recent reviews include:

Nikon Coolpix 5700
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P7
Minolta DiMAGE 7i

I have posted my review of the Nikon Coolpix 5700. This is a great camera, and probably what the Coolpix 5000 should have been. Take a look for all the details. (A few errors fixed since original posting.)

Updated photo galleries today include:
Nikon Coolpix 4500
Nikon D100
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P9

Delkin Devices has introduced a new "digital wallet" type device, with a huge hard drive and LCD display. The eFilm PicturePAD has a 20gb or 30gb hard drive, a 1.8" LCD display, and a CompactFlash Type II slot. Adapters are required for other memory cards. You can organize your photos, view EXIF data, and do basic adjustments like brightness and contrast. The PicturePAD is quite expandable as well: you can add USB 2.0, FireWire, Ethernet, and MP3 modules. The 20gb model is priced at $549, while the 30gb model is $649.

Harbortronics released the DigiSnap 5000, a remote shutter cable adapter for the Nikon Coolpix 5000. This $55 adapter screws into the tripod mount, and lets you use any number of remote shutter release cables with your Coolpix. It ships next week.

Steve's Digicams recently posted reviews of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P7, Nikon Coolpix 5700, and the Konica KD-400Z.

If you want to see some impressive underwater digital photography (taken by Eric Cheng using a Canon D60), take a look at this. Thanks to Steve's Digicams for this link.

Over the weekend, I posted:

• Our review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P7
• Nikon Coolpix 5700 vs. Minolta DiMAGE 7i shootout
• Nikon Coolpix 5700 photo gallery
• Nikon Coolpix 4500 photo gallery

Late update: I've put up the final reader fireworks photo gallery. Thanks to everyone who participated this year!

This week I'll mostly be working on getting more photos up and starting the CP5700 review.

An 8-day Digital Photography & Imaging Cruise featuring workshops for beginning and intermediate photographers will embark from Ft. Lauderdale, FL on December 4, 2002, aboard Carnival's LEGEND, visiting Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama. Each workshop attendee can choose a camera, accessory or software gift package worth over $1,000 provided by participating sponsors including Epson, Olympus, Adobe, and two dozen others.

Quick weekend update: I've posted photo galleries from the Nikon Coolpix 4500 and Coolpix 5700.

I've posted two features late today:

• First, the web's first review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P7. Another nice, small 3.2MP camera from Sony. Sony reviews have been easy lately, as all the cameras are very similar.
  
  
• Secondly, a special treat for those looking at the 5 Megapixel cameras. I've posted a Nikon Coolpix 5700 vs. Minolta DiMAGE 7i Shootout. Here you'll find several side-by-side shots, many taken in some pretty challenging lighting conditions. It's not terribly decisive, but worth a look.

The rest of this month and all of next are looking pretty busy. Look for reviews of cameras from Nikon, Kyocera, Konica, Casio, and more! You can always see what's next by clicking on the Upcoming Reviews link just above the news. My dream of a summer vacation is rapidly fading away...

At Macworld Expo this week, Epson announced the Stylus Photo 960 printer. This six color printer has a maximum resolution of 2880 x 1400, and is twice as fast as the Stylus Photo 890 that it replaces. It can print borderless photos on 4 x 6 and 5 x 7 inch paper, as well. The printer will be available this September for under $350. (I've been a satisfied owner of two Stylus Photo printers over the years.)

I know I usually don't review printers, but I plan on reviewing two small dye-sublimation printers next month!

Here's a quick update on reviews at the other digicam sites:

Imaging Resource: Canon PowerShot A100 and A200; Great Battery Shootout
Steve's Digicams: Casio Exilim EX-S1 and Nikon Coolpix 4500

I have updated three photo galleries for you today:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P7 (review coming later this week)
Casio Exilim EX-S1
Konica Digital Revio KD-400Z (our first Konica camera!)

If you haven't sent in your fireworks photos yet, please do so by Friday. I will be posting the final gallery at that time. Take a lot at our reader gallery and Jeff's gallery (which as apparently mentioned on a radio station this week??) to see what I've already posted.

I have added a 35mm lens equivalency field to the Reviews & Info database. Most of the cameras on the "most popular" list have this information. I hate data entry.

My second "Keller on Cameras" column for Macworld magazine has hit newsstands. This one covers three 2 Megapixel cameras (that you've already read about here). It's in the August 2002 issue, so take a look if you pick up a copy.

Here it is folks, our much anticipated review of the Minolta DiMAGE 7i. I have to say that this is one of my favorite cameras of the year so far. A great improvement over the original D7, this one is a real winner in the "prosumer" arena.

I have finally updated the FAQ and About the DCRP pages.

A reader suggested that I compile a page about the repair costs and experiences with digital camera manufacturers. What do you think about this idea? Comments and suggestions are always welcomed.

I should hopefully be receiving the new Nikon Coolpix cameras this week. That includes the 2000, 4500, and 5700. The D100 won't be far behind, either. I will probably get to reviewing these cameras in August.

As for the Sony DSC-P9, I'm still working on getting one from Sony, but they don't have any to send me right now. Thanks for your patience -- I'm doing the best I can to get one.

OK, only three days late -- it's the review of the Toshiba PDR-3300! I overall liked this camera, though the autofocus wasn't the best indoors and a few photos were "too blue" for my taste. Check it out.

I started the photo gallery for the Casio Exilim EX-S1. If you haven't seen this camera, it's an ultra-thin camera that would even catch the eye of James Bond. It doesn't take great pictures, but it sure is cool.

I posted more reader-submitted fireworks photos. There are some really spectacular photos in this batch!

I have posted the first group of reader-submitted fireworks photos. They look quite nice, and I've already got several more to add.

If you want to add your photos to the gallery, just pick your favorite photo or two, and send them to fireworks@dcresource.com. Be sure to tell me where they were taken, and the camera used.

If you haven't seen them, I posted my own collection of photos.

I added a few more sample photos to the Minolta DiMAGE 7i gallery.

Coming in a few days -- a review of the Toshiba PDR-3300!

Olympus today introduced the C-4000 Zoom, a 4 Megapixel camera using the same (aging) design as the C-2000/3000/4000 series cameras. Here's more:

C-4000Z

• 4.0 effective Megapixel CCD
• F2.8, 3X optical zoom lens (note that the C-4040Z has an F1.8 lens) equivalent to 32 - 96 mm
• Full manual controls, including white balance
• Noise reduction feature on longer exposures
• Super Macro mode for shooting subjects an inch away
• Selectable focus point feature
• Has an external TTL flash sync terminal
• Six "scene" modes
• My Mode stores your favorite settings
• Histogram available in record and playback mode
• Uses SmartMedia cards; 16MB card included
• Ships in August for $499

I was shocked at the number of great fireworks pictures I was able to pull off last night. I saw a smaller/slower paced show so they weren't as likely to come over overexposed. I also had some very lucky timing. And using the still impressive Olympus E-10 didn't hurt either. Anyhow, I've posted my July 4th Fireworks Gallery. Check it out!

You've seen my photos, now I want to see yours! Pick your favorite photo or two, and send them to fireworks@dcresource.com. We won't be giving away any prizes like in past years, so it'll be more of a showcase of the talent of our readers!

It took a few days longer than I anticipated, but today I've posted my review of the Olympus D-550 Zoom. This is a nice point-and-shoot camera with a 3 Megapixel CCD and a 3X optical zoom lens.

This year I won't be giving away any prizes for the best fireworks photo, but it doesn't mean that we won't be showcasing them! Send in one or two of your best pictures from this July 4th to fireworks@dcresource.com and I'll put them up on the site! If you're looking for tips on how to photograph fireworks, might I recommend this page (as I do every year).