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While
I'm not at PMA this year, it doesn't mean that I still can't keep
on top of the new cameras that will be released at the show!
I
will update this page as news breaks, and will note any changes
on the DCRP home page as well.
Enjoy
the show -- and the cameras!
 Canon
Friday,
Canon introduced four new cameras plus a new dye sublimation photo
printer. Of the four cameras, three are updated PowerShot A-series
models, and the other is the new EOS-D60 Digital SLR. I was supposed
to get some of these last week, but didn't get anything. Soon, I
hope!
In
addition, Canon has released a PowerShot
G2 with a black body. Nothing else is different.
Here's
the scoop on the new models:
The
PowerShot A30 and A40 replace the A10 and A20, respectively.
 PowerShot
A30
Preview coming soon!
- 1.2
effective Megapixel CCD
- 3X
optical zoom lens, equivalent to 35 - 105 mm
- Shutter
speed range of 15 - 1/1500 sec
- Movie
mode (no sound)
- Selectable
ISO settings of 50 - 400
- Choice
of evaluative or spot metering
- New
"low sharpening" mode plus vivid and neutral color options
from the G2
- Zoom
into your photos as much as 10X in playback mode
- Uses
four AA-sized batteries
- CompactFlash
Type II slot
- Optional
WP-DC200 waterproof case and many accessory lenses available
- Ships
2nd quarter; price to be announced
 PowerShot
A40 - changes:
Preview coming soon!
- 2.0
Megapixel CCD
- Sound
in movie mode
- Ships
2nd quarter for $299
There's
an entirely new PowerShot A-series camera too -- the PowerShot A100.
 PowerShot
A100
Preview coming soon!
- 1.2
Megapixel CCD
- Fixed
focal length lens, equivalent to 39 mm
- 3.2X
digital zoom
- Same
photo effects as mentioned above (plus the usuals like sepia,
B&W, etc.)
- Continuous
shooting at 2.5 frames/second
- Movie
mode (no sound)
- Uses
two AA batteries
- Very
small - dimensions are 4.3 x 2.3 x 1.4 inches; weighs 160 grams
- Also
ships 2nd quarter -- priced at $179
And
now, the much rumored successor to the fabled EOS-D30 -- the new...
 EOS-D60
Preview coming soon!
- Whopping
6.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor
- Lens
focal length factor of 1.6X (same as D30)
- Most
responsive 3 point auto focus system - better in low light
- Three
illuminated viewfinder focusing points
- Can
capture RAW and JPEG images simultaneously
- Much
less noise -- exposures as long as 30 seconds without using noise
reduction!
- Illuminated
LCD info display on top of camera
- Shutter
speed range of 30 - 1/4000 sec, plus bulb mode
- Built-in
flash
- Burst
mode - up to 8 photos at 3 frames/second
- USB
1.1 only -- no FireWire
- Hot
shoe supports EX-series Canon Speedlites
- CompactFlash
Type II slot - Microdrive supported
- Body
weighs 780 grams
- Shipping
in April for $2999 (body only)
Last,
but not least, there's a new printer too! The CP-100 is a larger
version of the CP-10 printer, adding the ability to print photos
at 4 x 6, in addition to the credit card-sized photos of the CP-10.
Here's more:
 Card
Photo Printer CP-100
- Prints
up to 4 x 6 inch or credit card-sized photos
- Uses
dye sublimation technology
- 300
x 300 dpi
- Small
prints in 40 secs; 4 x 6's take 81 secs.
- Clear
UV coating protects your prints
- New
PowerShot models can print directly to the CP-100. Older ones
may require firmware update.
- Small
at 6.7 x 7.0 x 2.4 inches; Weighs 990 grams
- Optional
battery pack -- no need to plug into the wall
- Pack
of 36 prints plus ink will cost around $30
- Printer
will ship in May for $249
Delkin
Devices
Delkin
is announcing their new eFilm 6 in 1 Reader/Writer. This card reader
can read CompactFlash (Type I and II), Memory Sticks, SmartMedia,
and SD/MMC cards. Readers are USB Mass Storage compliant and should
not need drivers if you're running a newer version of the Mac OS
or Windows. Pricing was not available.
HP
HP
announced that they are entering the $14 billion digital photofinishing
market. HP is leveraging their inkjet and laser technology, as well
as their relationship with digital printing press maker Indigo to
create an all-digital photofinishing system. In the retail market,
HP will sell the Phogenix Imaging DFX digital photofinishing system,
which resulted from a two-year colloboration with Kodak. The DFX
system using HP's inkjet technology to produce 4 x 6 photos as well
as custom items like posters, calendars, and greeting cards.
Another
new HP product is the HP Memories Disc Creator Software, which lets
PC owners create personalized photo slide shows that play on a DVD
player. Not sure if this will require a DVD burner, or just a regular
CD burner. It will ship in March for under $30.
Finally,
HP and Shutterfly have signed an agreement where Shutterfly will
provide online photofinishing through HP's website and new Photosmart
812 digital camera. With the camera, you'll be able to choose pictures
you want printed right in the camera -- and have them ordered when
the camera is connected to your PC.
Kodak
Finally
got some info on the new EasyShare DX4900 camera, but can't find
any photos of it yet. Here's what we know about it:
 DX4900
- 4.0
Megapixel CCD
- 2X
optical zoom lens plus 3X "advanced digital zoom"
- Uses
optional EasyShare dock system to easy photo transfer and battery
charging
- Some
shutter speed control
- Manual
focus
- Burst
mode
- I
assume it still uses CompactFlash
- Ships
in March for $399 (nice price for a 4MP camera)
In
addition, Kodak also announced the new Multi-Card Reader, a single-unit
memory card reader-writer that enables the transfer of pictures
from five different memory formats: CompactFlash, MultiMedia Memory
Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), SmartMedia, and IBM Microdrive
(why do they try to separate it from CompactFlash?). It uses USB
(of course) and is WindowsXP and Mac OS X compatible. It ships next
month for under $40.
Konica
Here's
someone we don't hear from very often. Konica has announced two
small new cameras at PMA. These two look like competition for the
Pentax Optio, Kyocera Finecam, and other microcameras. Here's more
details:
 Digital
Revio KD-400Z
- 4.1
Megapixel CCD
- 3X
optical zoom, equivalent to 39 - 117 mm
- Supports
three types of memory card: MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and
Memory Stick! This is the first non-Sony camera to use the Stick.
- Movie
mode with sound
- Can
also record voice memos
- Uses
lithium-ion battery (charger included)
- EXIF
2.2 compatible
- Includes
16MB MMC card
- Ships
in June. Price not announced.
Digital
Revio KD-310Z
- Same
as above, with 3.3 Megapixel CCD
Leica
Camera
 Legendary
camera maker Leica has toyed with digital cameras in the past, though
their cameras have usually been Fuji cameras with a different name
on the front. From what I can tell, the new Digilux 1 is the first
"real" Leica digital camera, and it looks really
nice.
Digilux
1
- 4.0
Megapixel CCD
- 3X
LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens, equivalent to 33 - 100 mm
- Secure
Digital memory card support - 64MB card included (nice!)
- Huge
2.5" LCD display
- TIFF
file support
- Full
manual controls
- Burst
mode - as fast as 3.8 frames/sec, max 4 photos
- Hot
shoe for external flash
- USB
and Video out ports
- Uses
proprietary Li-ion battery
- Optional
Digital Adapter lets you hook up a Leica spotting scope
- 5.0
x 2.3 x 2.6 (W x H x D), weighs 365 grams
- Ships
in May; pricing not announced.
Meade
Instruments
Meade
Instruments, a major telescope manufacturer, will be showing
off a new set of binoculars that has a built-in digital camera!
CaptureView (as it is called) combines a full-function 8X22 folding-roof
prism binocular with an integrated digital camera capable of storing
up to forty 640X480 resolution pictures (as well as hundreds at
a lower resolution).
CaptureView
will be available in spring 2002 and is expected to sell for approximately
$100 at retail.
Nikon
Nikon
announced two cameras early Thursday morning (while yours truly
was asleep). There's an entry-level camera, and a mid-range Digital
SLR: the Coolpix 2500 and D100. Since this site focuses on consumer
digital cameras, I'll start with the 2500.
 Coolpix
2500 (the one Nikon's been hyping on their site)
- 2.0
Megapixel CCD
- Unique
inner swiveling lens
- 3X
optical zoom Nikkor lens, equivalent to 37 - 111 mm
- LCD
only - no optical viewfinder!
-
12 preprogrammed scenes available including:
- Portrait
-
Party/Indoor
- Night
Portrait
-
Beach/Snow
- Landscape
- Sunset
- Night
Landscape
- Museum
- Fireworks
Show
- Close
Up
- Copy
- Back
Light
- One-touch
upload to Mac or PC via USB
- Macro
mode as close as 4 cm
- Noise
reduction at slow shutter speeds
- Uses
new EN-EL2 rechargeable battery - lasts about 80 minutes per charge
- CompactFlash
Type I slot
- Weighs
just 165 grams
- Ships
with 8MB CompactFlash card
- Coming
in April for $379
 D100
Digital SLR
- 6.1
effective Megapixel CCD
- Produces
images at 3008 x 2000
- Focal
length conversion of 1.5X - Works with nearly all Nikon lenses
- 3D
Matrix metering system and D-TTL flash control
- Shutter
speed range of 30 - 1/4000 sec
- Normal
ISO range 200 - 1600
- Three
color modes
- RAW
image mode
- Built-in
Speedlight plus hot shoe
- CompactFlash
Type II slot - IBM Microdrive supported
- On-demand
gridlines can be displayed in viewfinder
- Viewfinder
covers 95% of the frame
- USB
1.1 support. Note *no FireWire*
- Uses
EN-EL3 Li-ion battery pack; Optional multifunction battery pack
(MB-D100) uses 6 AA batteries or two Li-ion batteries. Adds voice
memo recording, vertical shutter release button, more dials and
buttons, plus a 10-pin remote terminal.
- Camera
body weighs just 415 grams (no lens or battery)
- Ships
in second quarter 2002 - pricing not disclosed at press time
Olympus
While
not introducing any cameras at PMA, Olympus did have a few news
items of note. The one most relevant to our readers is the announcement
of the new Camedia
Master Pro software. This software can:
- Create
HTML albums to view and share photos
- E-mail
images quickly and easily
- Make
advanced slideshows
- Stitch
images together for Panorama effect (Sphere, perspective, 360-degree
VR)
- Utilize
advanced image-editing tools
- Edit
movies
- Print
Contact Sheets
- Back-up
images onto various media (CD, Floppy, etc.)
The
software works directly with Olympus cameras, and is Mac OS X and
WindowsXP compatible. It will ship in April for $39.95. Current
Camedia Master users will be able to upgrade for $19.95.
Panasonic
Although
they announced these cameras (created in partnership with Leica)
last year, we're finally getting some more details about the new
Lumix line of digicams from Panasonic. These look impressive (especialy
if you've used older Panasonic cameras), and I look forward to trying
them out in the next few months. Here are the models:
 Lumix
DMC-F7
- 2.0
effective Megapixel CCD
- Leica
DC Vario-Elmarit lens (F2.8)
- 2X
optical + 2X digital zoom
- 1.5"
LCD display
- Quite
small - Ê 2.0 x 4.0 x 1.2 inches; weighs 177 grams
- Mega-Burst
mode - 4 frames/sec
- 20
second video clips (no sound)
- Uses
proprietary Li-ion battery
- Uses
Secure Digital (SD) memory cards - 8MB card included
- Ships
in March for $499
 Lumix
DMC-LC20
- 2.0
effective Megapixel CCD
- Leica
DC Vario-Elmarit lens (F2.8)
- 3X
optical + 2X digital zoom
- Mega-Burst
mode - 3 frames/sec
- 1.5"
LCD display
- Movie
mode with sound
- Includes
8MB SD Memory card
- Available
in silver or black
- Uses
AA batteries
- Ships
in April for $349
 Lumix
DMC-LC40
- 3.9
effective Megapixel CCD
- Leica
DC Vario-Summicron Lens (F2.0)
- 3X
optical + 2X digital zoom
- 1.8"
LCD display
- Mega-Burst
mode - 4 frames/sec
- Includes
16MB SD Memory card
- Available
in silver or black
- Uses
proprietary Li-ion battery
- Ships
in April for $699
This
next one is the same as the Leica Digilux 1 described above.
 Lumix
DMC-LC5
- 3.9
effective Megapixel CCD
- Leica
DC Vario-Summicron Lens (F2.0)
- 3X
optical + 2X digital
- 2.5"
LCD display (huge!)
- Hot
shoe for external flash
- Mega-Burst
mode - 4 frames/sec
- Movie
mode with sound
- Includes
32MB SD memory card
- Uses
proprietary Li-ion battery
- Available
in silver or black
- Ships
in April for $899
Pentax
Pentax
has introduced
a new member to their Optio family of "micro cameras":
the Optio 230. Here's the scoop (and thanks to LetsGoDigital
for the photo).
 Optio
230
- 2.0
effective Megapial CCD
- 3X
optical zoom lens equivalent to 38 - 114 mm
- Swing-out
1.6" LCD display (so you can do self-portraits. I do not
believe that it rotates though)
- Small
- 4.0 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches, weighs just 180 grams
- Full
manual controls
- New
Stereoscopic 3D image mode (??)
- Noise
reduction for long exposures
- Movie
mode (AVI format, no sound)
- Uses
CompactFlash Type I cards - 16MB card included
- No
word on pricing or availability
Polaroid
Polaroid
Instant Digital Photofinishing System (Opal) - A revolutionary leap
over current technologies, this new digital printing system enables
users to instantly print 4x6-inch color pictures from digital camera
memory cards at a rate of nearly one print-per-second. This Polaroid
technology defines a whole new imaging category - Instant Digital
Photofinishing - and allows users the ability to get digital photos
printed instantly - just by inserting the memory card from a digital
camera into a kiosk containing the system.
I'll
try to dig up some more info on this one!
Sony
Electronics
Sony
has announced FIVE new digital cameras at PMA. That includes two
new CD Mavicas, and three P-series Cyber-shots. I've already posted
previews of three of them (links below). Here's the lowdown, starting
with the new CD Mavicas:
 CD
Mavica MVC-CD250
Read
Our Preview!
- Uses
CD-R and CD-RW discs (8 cm, 156MB)
- Includes
6 CD-R and 1 CD-RW dics in the box!
- 2.0
Megapixel CCD
- Refined
body design
- 3X
optical zoom
- New
MPEGMovie HQX mode - higher quality movies, record until your
CD fills up!
- New
Multi-point autofocus mode (camera-selected)
- New
pre-flash exposure metering (a la DSC-F707)
- New
Multi-frame burst mode takes 16 shots in a row and puts them into
one 1280 x 960 collage. You set the interval between shots.
- New
confirm before write mode - camera prompts you to save or dump
image before writing to disc
- Three
types of noise reduction: chrominance, luminance, slow shutter
- Ships
for under $600 in May
 CD
Mavica MVC-CD400
Read
Our Preview!
Same as above, adding:
- 4.0
Megapixel CCD
- 3X
Carl Zeiss optical zoom lens
- Hologram
AF laser focusing system (from the DSC-F707)
- Manual
focus point selection
- Full
manual controls
- Real
hot shoe (!) for external flash
- Ships
for under $900 in May
And
now, the new Cyber-shot models. These replace the DSC-P20, P30,
and P50.
 Cyber-shot
DSC-P31
Read
Our Preview!
- 2.0
Megapixel CCD
- 3X
digital zoom
- New
multi-point autofocus (camera-selected)
- New
pre-flash exposure metering
- New
MPEGMovie HQX (described above) but no sound recording
- AF
illuminator for low-light focusing
- Now
uses 2 NiMH batteries -- 1750 mAh -- included with charger in
the box
- New
smaller body
- Same
noise reduction options as described above
- Includes
8MB Memory Stick
 Ships
end of March for $220
Cyber-shot
DSC-P51
Same as above, adding:
- 2X
optical + 3X digital zoom
- Ships
in late April for $300
 Cyber-shot
DSC-P71
Read
Our Preview!
Same as above, adding:
- 3.2
Megapixel CCD
- 3X
optical + 2X digital zoom
- Includes
16MB Memory Stick
- Ships
end of March for $400
Toshiba
Not
one to be left out of new camera announcements, Toshiba has joined
in with three new ones. What's most significant in my eyes is the
desertion of SmartMedia for Secure Digital memory cards! I'm not
sure all of their future cameras will use SD Memory, but it sure
looks like it!
 PDR-T10
(is this thing bizarre looking, or what?)
- 2.2
Megapixel CCD
- Ultra
small body: 3.4 x 2.8 x 1.1 inches; weighs just 4.2 ounces (120
g)
- All
camera functions manipulated by touch-screen LCD!
- Fixed
focal length lens equivalent to 38 mm
- Auto-focus
and macro mode
- Uses
Secure Digital memory cards; 8MB card included
- Requires
2 AA batteries (included)
- Optional
color face plates
- Shipping
in April or May for under $300
 PDR-3310
(looks a lot like the Kyocera Finecam S3 but I don't think it's
the same camera)
- 3.2
Megapixel CCD
- Small
titanium body - 3.6 x 2.2 x 1.2 inches
- 3X
optical zoom lens, equivalent to 35 - 105 mm
- Movie
mode (AVI format; not sure about sound recording)
- Manual
white balance and focus
- Uses
Li-ion rechargeable battery
- Includes
16MB Secure Digital card
- Ships
in April/May for $499
 PDR-3300
(updated version of PDR-M71?)
- 3.2
Megapixel CCD
- 2.8X
optical zoom lens (made by Canon) equivalent to 35 - 100 mm
- Full
manual controls
- Burst
mode
- AVI
movie mode (not sure about sound recording)
- 1.6"
LCD display
- Includes
8MB (!) Secure Digital card
- Uses
4 AA alkaline batteries
- Pricing
and availability not set
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