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While
we're not at PMA this year, that doesn't mean that we can't report
on all the new camera introductions from the show in Orlando. Below
are all the PMA-related announcements that have occured over the
last week or so.
Last
updated: February 17, 2001 12:40 AM
Tuesday, February
13, 2001
In
an interesting development today, Kodak and Olympus announced
that they have signed a cross licensing agreement designed to "expand
the market for digital photography". The agreement includes
the mutual cross-licensing of patented digital camera technologies.
Both Kodak and Olympus hold over 1,000 patents related to digital
cameras. Kodak and Olympus are working together to develop new high
resolution CCDs, which Kodak will manufacture and Olympus
intends to purchase.
Both
parties have agreed to work together to promote improved digital
printing of images, which is expected to utilize Kodak Internet
capabilities, including the Print@Kodak Internet photofinishing
service and Kodak PhotoNet Online.
It
will be interesting to see what the future holds for these two!
 Yesterday,
Casio officially announced
the QV-3500EX, which we reported on a few days ago. I'm having an
awful hard time figuring out what's different about the QV-3500
versus the QV-3000, and this is all I could come up with:
- Support
for uncompressed TIFFs
- Support
for Epson's PRINT Matching Technology (designed to keep colors
accurate between camera and printer)
- "Best
Shot" mode -- aka Scene Mode -- which was last seen on Casio's
QV-2300UX.
- Selectable
ISO between 100 and 500
- Black
body vs. silver
There
will be two models of the QV-3500EX. The "plus" model
will include the 340MB IBM Microdrive for around $900, and there
will be a basic model with a 16MB CompactFlash card for an undisclosed
price. The camera ships in April.
Monday, February 12,
2001
 Minolta
is showing off three very interesting new cameras at PMA. They are
apparently only showing them off, and not announcing them yet --
so who knows when they'll actually ship, and for how much.
Dimage
S304 (shown at right)
- 3.3
Mpixel CCD
- 4X
optical zoom, equivalent to 35 - 140mm
- High
performance AF and AE
Dimage
5 (similar to model shown below right)
- 3.3
Mpixel CCD
- 7X
optical zoom (wow), equivalent to 35 - 250mm
- Electronic
Viewfinder (EVF)
 Dimage
7 (shown at right)
- 5.2
Mpixel CCD (holy smokes! I believe this CCD is made by Sony, by
the way)
- 2600
x 1900 resolution (!)
- 7X
optical zoom, equivalent to 28 - 200mm
- Electronic
Viewfinder (EVF)
 Epson
has announced
three new photo printers: the Stylus Photo 780, 890 (shown at right),
and 1280. All three of these printers are 2880 x 720 dpi, with 4
picoliter drop size, and 6 colors of ink. The new BorderFree photo
printing technology, allows users to print borderless photos in
a variety of frame-ready sizes, such as 4 x 6 and 5 x 7 inches,
without perforations or margin trimming. The Stylus Photo 780 and
890 can print as large as 8 x 10 inches, while the 1280 (with it's
13-inch wide carriage) can print on 11 x 14 inch or special 13 x
44 inch panorama paper. In addition, the 890 and 1280 include a
roll paper holder, to turn your printer into your own photo lab.
Print speeds remain fast: under a minute for 4 x 6", under
two for 8 x 10", and about four minutes for a 11 x 14".
Prices are $149 (after rebate), $299, and $499 respectively. No
word on when these printers will be on store shelves.
Flashpoint,
SprintPCS, and Sanyo have teamed
up to produce wireless-enabled digital cameras. Later this year,
Sanyo will ship digital cameras that support Digita Photivity, which
will allow users to transmit their photos via a SprintPCS phone.
The
RCA CDS6300 is a new 2.3 Mpixel camera with a 3X optical zoom. More
on this product as I get more info.
Just
a few days after Lexar's announcement, SanDisk has released news
on 512MB CompactFlash cards as well. The new card will ship in the
Spring for $799. 384MB and 256MB cards are also available, for $599
and $399 respectively.
Sony's
new DCR-TRV30 MiniDV camcorder is the industry's first digital camcorder
with the ability to take 1.5 Mpixel still images. The camera (which
has a 10X optical zoom) also supports MPEG movie recording, and
has both USB and Firewire interfaces. The camcorder will be available
in April for $1700. {press
release}
While
this wasn't introduced at PMA, it's still relevant: the Kodak
mc3 is a combination digital camera, video recorder, and MP3
player in one. The stats:
- Can
take still photos at 640 x 480 (uses a CMOS sensor, rather than
a CCD)
- Can
record video at 10 frames/sec, taking up 1MB of space for each
20 seconds of video.
- Can
also record at 20 frames/sec, taking up 1MB of space for every
4 seconds
- Full-featured
MP3 player; comes with RealJukebox for music management
- LCD
display for reviewing photos
- Video
out and USB ports
- Ships
in March for $229 with a 16MB CompactFlash card, or $299 with
a 64MB card (the latter is recommended for serious MP3 use)
The
eyemodule2 is a new version of the popular digital camera for the
Handspring Visor PDA. The new camera, priced at $199, now features
640 x 480 resolution, and (black & white) mini-movie mode. {press
release}
Sunday, February 11,
2001
Just
when you thought the Digital ELPH couldn't get any cooler, Canon
pulls a fast one on us. In addition to this new upgraded ELPH, there
are 2 other new cameras and a printer!
 Canon
PowerShot S300 Digital ELPH {info,
press
release}
- 2.1
Mpixel CCD (1600 x 1200 resolution)
- 3X
optical zoom lens (up from a 2X lens on the S100) -- equivalent
to 35-105mm.
- Body
is slightly larger than the S100: 3.7 x 2.5 x 1.2 inches and 8.5
ounces, but still the smallest 2 Mpixel camera with a 3X optical
zoom
- Supports
CompactFlash Type I cards -- still no Type II support
-
Burst mode of 2.5 frames/second
- New
movie mode (M-JPEG codec) can record as high as 640 x 480 (I think
this is the first camera that can do that), but for only 4 seconds.
Can also record at 320 x 240 (10 sec) and 160 x 120 (30 sec).
- Shipping
this Spring for $699 (will be known as the Digital IXUS outside
of the U.S., Taiwan, and Canada)
 Canon
PowerShot A20
{info,
press
release}
- 2.1
Mpixel CCD (1600 x 1200 resolution)
- 3X
optical zoom, equivalent to 35-105mm
- 4.3
x 2.8 x 1.5 inches, 8.8 ounces (not a whole lot bigger than the
ELPH)
- Powered
by 4 AA-sized batteries instead of expensive Li-ion batteries
(that's good news)
-
Burst mode of 2.5 frames/second
- Supports
a number of conversion lenses and filters
- Optional
underwater housing will allow for use in water up to 100 feet
deep
- Video
out, USB support
- Supports
CompactFlash Type I
- Available
in Spring for $599
Canon
PowerShot A10 {info,
press
release}
- Same
as above, except 1.3 Mpixel CCD (1280 x 960 resolution)
- Ships
in Spring for $499
Canon
also introduced the new CP-10 Card Photo Printer {info,
press
release}. Using dye-sublimation technology, the CP-10 can print
credit card-sized photos in just under a minute. The printer is
very small: 4.2 x 4.9 x 1.8 inches and only 18 oz. It even comes
in a translucent blue case. It can directly connect to the cameras
listed above for quick printing on the go. It's priced at $399 and
will begin shipping this Spring.
Saturday, February
10, 2001
The
Imaging Resource Page reports
that Casio will announce the new QV-3500 Plus camera at the show.
Here are the specs (courtesy of the IR Page):
- 3.3
Mpixel CCD (2048 x 1536 resolution)
- 3X
optical + 4X digital zoom
- CompactFlash
Type II slot - includes a 340MB IBM Microdrive
- Full
manual controls
- New
black body -- otherwise looks identical to the QV-3000EX.
- No
word yet on pricing or availability
- More
on this when it's officially announced!
Lexar
Media has announced a new 512MB CompactFlash Type I card, set
to ship this summer. Lexar is already selling 256 and 320MB Type
I cards. No word yet on pricing.
 Sony
yesterday unleashed a whopping seven new digital cameras
at PMA: three new Cyber-shot
models, and three new Mavicas.
Take a deep breath and read on:
Cyber-shot
DSC-S75 (shown at right)
- 3.34
Mpixel CCD (2048 x 1536 resolution)
- "Carl
Zeiss" 3X optical zoom lens + 2X digital zoom
- Shutter
priority, aperture priority, and full manual control
- MPEG
movie recording with sound - up to 90 minutes on a 128MB Memory
Stick!
- 2
frame burst mode
-
14 bit A/D converter, "providing for more accurate capture
of detail"
- Uncompressed
TIFF mode
- Variable
ISO (Auto, 100, 200, 400)
- Ships
in May with an 8MB (!) Memory Stick for $699 (I must admit, an
attractive price)
 Cyber-shot
DSC-P50 (shown at right)
- 2.1
Mpixel CCD (1600 x 1200 resolution)
- 3X
optical zoom + 2X digital zoom
- Body
similar to popular DSC-P1 (not sure if that underwater pack will
work though)
- MPEG
movie recording with sound - up to 90 minutes on a 128MB Memory
Stick!
- Uncompressed
TIFF mode
- Variable
ISO (Auto, 100, 200, 400)
- Can
operate on just two AA cells for up to 60 minutes operation, or
1100 shots
- Ships
in May with an 8MB Memory Stick for $499
Cyber-shot
DSC-P30 (similar to DSC-P50, shown above right)
- 1.3
Mpixel CCD (1280 x 960 resolution)
- 3X
optical zoom + 2X digital zoom
- MPEG
movie recording with sound - up to 90 minutes on a 128MB Memory
Stick!
- Uncompressed
TIFF mode
- Variable
ISO (Auto, 100, 200, 400)
- Can
operate on just two AA cells for up to 60 minutes operation, or
1100 shots
- Ships
in May with an 4MB Memory Stick for $399
 Mavica
MVC-FD97 (shown at right)
- 2.1
Mpixel CCD (1600 x 1200 resolution)
- 10X
optical zoom + 2X digital zoom
- SteadyShot
optical image stabilization
- 4X
Floppy Drive
- Memory
Stick slot (no more sluggish floppy adapter)
- Shoe
for HVL-F1000 external flash
- Electronic
Viewfinder
- Up
to 60 seconds of MPEG video
- Manual
focus using focus ring
- Shipping
in March for $899
Mavica
MVC-FD92 (similar to FD87, shown below right)
- 1.3
MPixel CCD, interpolates to 1.6 Mpixel (1472 x 1104)
- 8X
optical zoom + 2X digital zoom
- 4X
Floppy Drive
- Memory
Stick slot
- Up
to 60 seconds of MPEG video
- 2.5"
LCD is your viewfinder (no optical viewfinder)
- Shipping
in March for $599
 Mavica
MVC-FD87 (shown at right)
- 1.3
Mpixel CCD (1280 x 960)
- 3X
optical zoom + 2X digital zoom
- 4X
floppy drive
- No
Memory Stick slot-- you must use the floppy adapter
- 2.5"
LCD is your viewfinder (no optical viewfinder)
- Ships
this month for $499
 Mavica
MVC-FD75 (shown at right)
- 350k
pixel CCD (640 x 480)
- 10X
optical zoom
- 2X
floppy drive
- No
Memory Stick slot
- 2.5"
LCD is your viewfinder (no optical viewfinder)
- Ships
this month for $399 (it's nice to finally see the prices on Mavicas
come down a bit)
Friday, February 9,
2001
Sipix
is a new entry in the low-end digital camera market, showing off
two new cameras at PMA:
SC-2100
- 2.1
Mega Pixel
- Six
element glass lens
- 1.8"
color LCD and 2x digital zoom
- 8MB
CompactFlash Card allows users to take six 1600 x 1200 dpi "Superfine"
images, 31 1600 x 1200 dpi images in the "Fine" high
compression mode,
or 64 images in "Economy" mode
- Priced
at $279
iQuest
DualCam
- (I
assume) VGA resolution
- Can
be used as a video camera to create video mail or to make live
video
calls, as well as for flash-assisted still photography
- Full-featured
USB video camera, video conferencing camera, and digital
camera all in one
- Priced
at $99
Tuesday, February
6, 2001
First
up is a bunch of cameras from Toshiba:
 PDR-M65
(introduced at CES in January)
- 3.3
Megapixel (2048 x 1536)
- 3X
optical zoom
- USB,
SmartMedia support
- Priced
at $599
PDR-M61
(shown at right)
- 2.3
Megapixel (1792 x 1200)
- 3X
optical zoom 38mm lens
- "Super
fast circuitry for quick start-ups and less processing time between
shots"
- USB,
SmartMedia support
- Priced
at $399
PDR-M21
- 2.1
Megapixel (1600 x 1200)
- 2X
digital zoom
- Autofocus
F3.0/F8.0 lens
- USB,
SmartMedia support
- Priced
at $349
PDR-M11
- 1.3
Megapixel (1280 x 960)
- Fixed
focus, all-glass F2.8/F8.0 lens
- USB,
SmartMedia support
- Priced
at $249
If
those entry level cameras are putting you to sleep, how about some
professional cameras from Nikon?
We don't really cover professional cameras here at the DCRP, so
I'll be brief:
Nikon
D1X
- 5.47-megapixel
CCD produces whopping 4024 x 1324 pixel images!
- "Through
interpolation it can produce 8-bit 17.7-megabyte TIFF files, and
with the next Nikon Capture Version Software it will produce 16-bit
34.4-megabyte TIFF files"
- Shoots
at 3 frames/sec for up to 9 photos
- Supports
CompactFlash (Type II) and Microdrive (there are issues with the
340MB Microdrive though)
-
RS-232C interface for connection to GPS position information unit
- Top
shutter speed of 1/16000 sec and flash sync speed up to 1/500
sec
- IEEE-1394
(Firewire) support
- Shipping
in spring for $5,500
Nikon
D1H
- 2.74
Megapixel CCD produces 2000 x 1312 pixel images
- Can
shoot as fast as 5 frames per second for up to 40 photos!
- Supports
CompactFlash (Type II) and Microdrive (there are issues with the
340MB Microdrive though)
-
RS-232C interface for connection to GPS position information unit
- Top
shutter speed of 1/16000 sec and flash sync speed up to 1/500
sec
- IEEE-1394
(Firewire) support
- Shipping
this summer for $4,500
February 1, 2001
Fuji
FinePix 6800 Zoom
(shown above) {info,
press
release}
- New
3.3 Mpixel SuperCCD produces images with 6 million pixels (2832
x 2128)
- Palm-style
cradle lets you easily download pictures to Mac or PC just by
popping in the camera. When the camera is in the cradle, the battery
is also recharged.
- Body
designed by F.A. Porsche of Porsche 911 fame
- 3X
optical zoom
- Can
take up to 30 mins of voice annotations, 80 seconds of AVI video
with sound, and can also be used for videoconferencing (320 x
240, 10fps) on included 16MB SmartMedia card
- Can
take 5 shots in one second at highest resolution
- CCD
produces less noise than the FinePix 4700 it replaces (keeping
in mind there's some interpolation going on here)
- Weighs
just 9.1 ounces empty
- Shipping
in April for $899
Fuji
FinePix 4800 Zoom
{info,
press
release}
Same as above, with the following changes:
- Uses
the older 2.4 Mpixel SuperCCD which produces images with 4.3 million
pixels (2400 x 1800)
- Can
take 3 full resolution shots at 5 frames/sec
- Shipping
in May for $699
 Fuji
FinePix 2300
(shown at left) {info,
press
release}
- Replaces
the FinePix 1300
- 2.1
Megapixel (regular) CCD produces 1600 x 1200 images
- 2.5X
digital zoom (640 x 480 only)
- USB
support
- 1.6"
LCD and optical viewfinder
- Includes
8MB SmartMedia card
- Ships
in April for $279
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