Kodak EasyShare M590

The M590 is a small, thin, attractive, 14 megapixel point-and-shoot camera with an internal folded-optics lens, which means the lens does not move in and out when optical zoom is enabled.

The M590 has other appealing features – optical image stabilization, 5x optical zoom, HD movie ability and a “share” button which allows the user to tag photos to be emailed or loaded to Facebook, YouTube,

Top 10 Digital Camera Under 100 Dollars

For those of you who need a place to start, here is our list of the top ten best digital cameras under $100:

1. 1. Polaroid t1031 10.0 MP Digital Still Camera with 3.0 LCD display ($64.99)
2. Nikon Coolpix L22 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3.6x optical zoom and 3.0 inch LCD display ($99.50)
3. Kodak EasyShare CameraMD41 12.2 MP with 3x optical zoom and 2.7 inch LCD display ($89.99)
4. HP PB360 12

Fujifilm FinePix S2800HD

All About Photography,

Fujifilm FinePix S2800HD24th january 2011
FujiFilm digital camera S series introduces the long zoom FinePix S2800HD latest with Fujinon lens (28mm-504mm) Wide-Angle 14 Mp CCD and 18x optical zoom. This latest FinePix camera equipped with an electronic viewfinder and 3-inch LCD screen and can record 720p HD video and provides a mini HDMI port.FujiFilm FinePix S2800HD

Kodak EasyShare Z980

All About Photography,
Kodak EasyShare Z98015th June 2009

Kodak EasyShare Z980 release on 15th June 2009, Kodak EasyShare Z980 is a new super-zoom digital cameras, sports 24x optical zoom, which provide exceptional focus 26-624mm! It covers every subject imaginable, from wide-angle landscapes to close-ups and natural action, with built-in optical Image Stabilizer luckily on hand to help keep

Kodak EasyShare Z950

All About Photography,
Kodak EasyShare Z95017th September 2009

Kodak EasyShare Z950 released on 17th September 2009,This camera is equipped with 3" LCD - 10x Optical Zoom - 4000 x 3000 Image - 1280 x 720 Video.Kodak EasyShare Z950 is the latest compact camera to feature a 10x zoom lens. Provide a variety of focus 35-350mm, with a Kodak Z950 makes for a lack of wide-angle capability to offer

Kodak EasyShare Z981

All About Photoraphy,
Kodak EasyShare Z98111th June 2010

Kodak EasyShare Z981 equipped with 14 Megapixel - 3" LCD - 26x Optical Zoom - 1280 x 720 Video.Kodak EasyShare Z981 is a new super zoom digital camera that looks and feels like a DSLR. Changing the model Z980, Z981 features a 26x larger, 26-676mm lens is equipped with a built-in optical Image Stabilizer. The 14-megapixel Kodak Z980 also

Kodak Easyshare M580

All about photography,


                                                                 Kodak Easyshare M580                                                                       16th August

Camera with 14 Megapixel - 16:9 - 8x Optical Zoom - 3" LCD - 4288 x 3216 Image - 1280 x 720 Video - Built-in Microphone, Speaker. Kodak released on 16th August 2010.
Kodak Easyshare M580  boasts Face

Kodak EasyShare Z990

All about photography,
Kodak EasyShare Z990  3rd May 2011    (3" LCD - 30x Optical Zoom - Optical, Electronic IS - 4000 x 3000 Image - 1920 x 1080 Video - MP4 - HDMI - PictBridge).

Kodak Easyshare Z990 product release "Max", with the products issued Kodak Hopesto Compete with other products of this series. Kodak is equipped with 30x zoomSchneider Kreuznach lens, 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, full

Top 8 Budget Cameras for 2010

If you're shopping around for a new point and shoot camera you'll be interested in this new article at DCResource. They have compared eight budget digital cameras in one article. Remember that you should always try a camera out for yourself before you lay down your cash, whether it's $150 or $1500.
Here's the cameras tested:

1. Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS Digital ELPH
   
2. Kodak EasyShare M550
   
3. Nikon Coolpix S3000
   
4. Olympus FE-4030
   
5. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
   
6. Pentax Optio H90
   
7. Samsung SL600
   
8. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W330

Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS
What I liked:

• Very good photo quality
  
• Optical image stabilization
  
• Stylish, compact metal body
  
• Fastest startup time in the group
  
• Nice LCD with good outdoor/low light visibility
  
• AF-assist lamp, good low light focusing
  
• Smart Auto mode selects a scene mode for you
  
• Manual white balance and slow shutter speed controls
  
• Well-implemented face detection, with handy face self-timer feature
  
• Effective redeye removal in playback mode
  
• Optional underwater case and external slave flash

What I didn't care for:

• Some corner blurring and highlight clipping
  
• Even with two anti-redeye systems, you still need to use the removal tool in playback mode
  
• Flimsy door over battery/memory card compartment; cannot access while camera is on a tripod
  
• Plastic tripod mount
  
• Full manual on CD-ROM; manuals are not terribly user-friendly
  
• No built-in memory or included memory card

Pentax Optio H90
What I liked:

• Good photo quality; better than average high ISO performance
  
• 5X, 28 - 140 mm lens in a uniquely styled and compact body
  
• Auto Picture mode selects a scene mode for you
  
• Lots of bells and whistles: instant panorama stitching, photo frames, virtual color filters
  
• Manual focus and white balance
  
• Customizable "green button"
  
• Good face and smile detection
  
• Can record up to ten minutes of continuous 720p video; in-camera video editing tool available
  
• Large, detailed, and easy-to-read printed manual (woohoo!)

What I didn't care for:

• Redeye a problem, even after digital correction
  
• Some corner blurring and highlight clipping
  
• Lens is on the slow side
  
• No AF-assist lamp (though camera does okay in low light)
  
• Below average battery life
  
• Not great for night shots
  
• Video quality isn't great
  
• Poorly placed I/O port on bottom of camera
  
• Plastic tripod mount and flimsy door over memory/battery compartment

Worth a Look

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
What I liked:

• Good photo quality in most situations
  
• Optical image stabilization
  
• 5X, 28 - 140 mm lens in a solid, well-designed metal body
  
• Nice LCD has good outdoor and low light visibility
  
• Intelligent Auto mode does just about everything for you
  
• Tons of scene modes, some of which are quite unique (though require compromises in terms of image quality)
  
• Fast autofocus, even in low light
  
• Best continuous shooting mode in the group
  
• Well-implemented face detection
  
• Records about eight minutes of continuous 720p video
  
• Best-in-class battery life; gets even better with optional battery
  
• Metal tripod mount!

What I didn't care for:

• Redeye a problem, even with digital correction feature
  
• Some vignetting and corner blurring
  
• Details tend to get smudged by noise reduction
  
• Lens is very slow at the telephoto end (F6.9)
  
• Not great for night shots or unusual lighting conditions
  
• Lens moves through zoom range way too slowly
  
• No USB 2.0 High Speed support
  
• Flimsy door over memory card/battery compartment
  
• Full manual on CD-ROM; manual is not user-friendly

Samsung SL600
What I liked:

• Decent photo quality in good lighting
  
• Nice value for the money
  
• 5X, 27 - 135 mm zoom in a compact metal body
  
• Generally snappy performance
  
• Smart Auto mode selects a scene mode for you
  
• Only camera to feature AE bracketing
  
• Redeye not a problem
  
• Handy Photo Guide shows you what settings to change
  
• Cool self-portrait, Frame Assist, and motion timer features
  
• Performed well in our night test, despite lack of manual shutter speed control

What I didn't care for:

• Some detail smudging from noise reduction; images get noisy fairly quickly
  
• Weak flash
  
• Unimpressive burst mode
  
• LCD on the grainy side
  
• Stiff zoom controller
  
• Flimsy door over memory card/battery compartment; cannot access compartment while using tripod
  
• Plastic tripod mount
  
• Very little built-in memory
  
• No video output cable; accessories difficult to find
  
• Full manual on CD-ROM; manual is not user-friendly

Nikon Coolpix S3000
What I liked:

• Good photo quality in most situations; performs better than average at high ISOs
  
• 4X zoom lens in the smallest and lightest body in the group
  
• Fast startup, focus times (at wide-angle)
  
• Auto Scene Selector picks a scene mode for you
  
• Smart Portrait mode combines face, smile, and blink detection with skin softening
  
• Help screens for all menu items

What I didn't care for:

• Redeye a problem
  
• Noise reduction smudges fine details
  
• Telephoto/low light focusing not great
  
• LCD has poor viewing angle
  
• Not great for night shots
  
• Below average battery life
  
• Poorly located I/O port on bottom of camera
  
• Plastic tripod mount
  
• Full manual on CD-ROM

I'd Pass on These

Olympus FE-4030
What I liked:

• Good photo quality at low ISOs
  
• Ultra-wide, 26 - 105 mm zoom in a small package
  
• iAuto mode features automatic scene selection
  
• Quick AF performance when lighting is good
  
• Handy preview of exposure compensation and white balance options in overlay menu
  
• Fun "Magic Filters"
  
• One-step image retouching and redeye removal in playback mode
  
• Help screens for some menu items via dedicated button

What I didn't care for:

• Detail smudging from strong noise reduction; traditional noise shows up early
  
• Strong corner blurring
  
• No AF-assist lamp; slow low light focusing
  
• No burst mode
  
• No custom white balance
  
• Digital zoom cannot be turned off
  
• Sluggish menu system
  
• Below average video quality
  
• Small buttons on back of camera
  
• Flimsy door over memory card/battery compartment
  
• Plastic tripod mount
  
• Full manual on CD-ROM

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W330
What I liked:

• Performs better than average at high ISOs (but isn't so hot at low sensitivities)
  
• Ultra-wide, 26 - 105 mm zoom
  
• Only camera in the group with a 3-inch LCD
  
• Intelligent Auto mode picks a scene mode for you
  
• Well-implemented face and smile detection
  
• Support for both Memory Stick Pro Duo and SD/SDHC media
  
• Optional underwater case

What I didn't care for:

• Strong noise reduction smudges details
  
• Redeye a problem
  
• LCD has poor viewing angle
  
• Lack of custom white balance leads to color casts in unusual lighting
  
• Poor showing in night test
  
• Weak flash
  
• No AF-assist lamp; poor low light focusing
  
• Below average battery life; slow battery charger included
  
• Controls on back of camera are small; right thumb ends up leaving prints on LCD
  
• Can't access memory card slot while camera's on tripod
  
• Plastic tripod mount
  
• Full manual on CD-ROM; manual not user-friendly

Kodak EasyShare M550
What I liked:

• 5X, 28 - 140 mm zoom in compact metal body
  
• Smart Capture mode selects a scene mode for you
  
• Limited slow shutter speed control
  
• Good face detection/recognition
  
• Photos can be tagged for uploading/e-mailing at the push of a button
  
• In-camera panorama stitching and video editing

What I didn't care for:

• Details in photos have been flattened by noise reduction; images often have a fuzzy appearance, as well
  
• Very noisy at higher ISOs
  
• Redeye
  
• Strong vignetting/fall-off at wide-angle; plenty of corner blurriness, as well
  
• Lens on the slow side
  
• No AF-assist lamp; poor low light focusing
  
• Nearly useless burst mode
  
• Video quality isn't great
  
• No manual white balance
  
• Small buttons on back of camera; other buttons are hard to distinguish
  
• Below average battery life
  
• Flimsy door over memory card/battery compartment; can't access compartment when using tripod
  
• Plastic tripod mount
  
• No A/V output cable included
  
• Software and manual must be downloaded from Kodak's website; manual is easy-to-read, but not detailed

Kodak EasyShare Z915

There are plenty of sub-$200 compact cameras around, but few offer as much as the Kodak EasyShare Z915. The pocket mega zoom camera has a strong feature set including fully manual and fully automatic shooting options. It's uncomplicated to use and has faster performance than much of the competition.Considering its 10x optical zoom, the Z915 is still compact enough to fit in a large pants pocket

Black Friday Deals

It's that time of year again!

Amazon.com has contacted me directly with an offer I'm passing along here today. Don't miss this!

Black Friday deals start today!

Don't spend Black Friday jostling for bargains and parking spots. Amazon have amazing deals to help you get holiday shopping done for less.
Their Black Friday page (www.amazon.com/blackfriday) is already up and ready for business, including the Gold Box hourly deals featured from midnight to 11pm PST and thousands of products that are on sale for a limited time only.

Save some gas, stay at home, forget the crowds and shop online at Amazon.com

© 2008 Amazon.com. All rights reserved. Amazon.com is a registered trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. Amazon.com, 1200 12th Ave. S., Suite 1200, Seattle, WA 98144-2734, USA.

Fathers Day Gift Idea

From now through June 3rd, Kodak Gallery is offering customers 25% off of purchases of $25 or more on all merchandise!

Just in time for shoppers that have not yet purchased that gift for Dad.
Offer excludes prints.


Make sure you use this coupon code>> GOODOLDAD.

Save 25% on all Kodak Gallery merchandise!

Learn How To Share Your Photos Easily With Free Digital Photo Albums

By Trevor Sadowski

Digital photo albums are a great way of sharing your photos with friends and family, whatever country they live in.

What makes digital photo albums so special?

Unlike the old days of film, if you take photos using a digital camera it is now much easier to share these images across the world, using photo albums hosted on a website.

Instead of arranging for extra copies of photos to be made, all you need to do is to open a free account at websites like the Kodak Easyshare Gallery or Photobucket and start uploading your photos. You then decide which style of album you wish to display your photos in and then invite people to view them. You will find that most photo albums sites allow you to comment on your photos. Not only that but you can also allow visitors to add comments too. This takes sharing photos to a new level and of course you can upload from anywhere in the world. You just need access to an internet connection.

So, if you are traveling, your friends and family can see where you are and really get into the experience of your adventures.

What are the benefits of digital photo albums?

The main benefit is the avoidance of hassle when you want to share your photos. Uploading them to a website is a once only operation. You avoid the need for sending large attachments with emails. In my experience you are never sure whether they will reach their destination anyway.

You can request printed photos directly from the photo albums site if you need copies but in particular, friends and family can do this too. A major saving in your time on what is usually a laborious task.

What are the downsides?

You will find that you have to sign up for a free account which grants you access to the main photo albums creation area. However, be aware that you usually have to make a purchase, at least one a year, to keep your account active. This purchase may take the form of a few hard copies of pictures from your digital photo albums or perhaps your images printed on mugs, keyrings or posters etc.

You need to read the terms and conditions carefully as digital photo albums suppliers usually reserve the right to delete your digital photos or videos should you not make the required purchase. But don’t worry, some only require the purchase of a few of your digital photos printed and it is not very expensive.

Trevor Sadowski has been taking photos for more than 30 years and loves to help people improve their photos.

For more information and reviews of the main photo albums sites visit Trevor’s website for some solid recommendations.

Get 20% off prints and collages at the Kodak Gallery!

Now for a commercial break-

For a limited time, customers will receive 20% off all prints and collages at the Kodak EasyShare Gallery!

Photo collages are great for scrapbooking, party posters and framed mementos. Collages feature as few as four and as many as 100 photos on one print and accommodate both landscape and portrait shots. All collages feature Kodak Perfect Touch processing for richer detail and more vibrant color and are high-quality Kodak paper, all at no extra charge.

Plus, prints are one of the most popular items purchased at the Gallery.

To receive 20% off, the coupon code SHOEBOX20 should be used at check out. This offer is valid only until September 13th.
Get 20% off prints and collages at the Kodak Gallery

Looking for other Gallery specials? Here are other great promotions going on right now:

Buy a calendar, get 12 free prints. Use coupon code SKOOLCAL. Expires 9/30
Create a custom photo calendar at Kodak EasyShare Gallery

New customers receive 10 free prints after sign up. On going sale with no coupon code required.
New Customers Get 10 Free Kodak Prints!

Frame Sale! Select frames marked up to 45% off. While supplies last.
Special Offers from KodakGallery.com

Creating close-up pictures

Whether you are capturing the beauty of a flower or documenting the value of a crystal vase, you'll find many opportunities to take close-up pictures. Close-ups are easy as long as you hold the camera at its specified close-up distance. If you don't watch the distance carefully or get too close, the picture will be blurryCameras vary greatly in their close-up capabilities. Some digital cameras allow you to focus inches away, while some point-and-shoot cameras go no closer than several feet. Some cameras have a close-up mode or accept accessory close-up lenses.

Close-Ups with close-up mode

Some film snapshot cameras and most digital cameras have a close-up mode. Not sure if your camera has a close-up mode? Check the camera manual. Or look for a small icon of a flower on your camera or its display screen. The flower usually indicates a close-up mode.Once in the close-up mode, your camera will take sharp pictures only within a specific distance range, such as 1 to 2 feet. Subjects outside this range will be blurry.

Close-Ups without close-up mode

This procedure is fairly simple because you can get only as close as your camera's minimum focusing distance. For most snapshot cameras, that's about 30 inches. Check your camera manual. At this distance, you can get close enough to fill the picture area with an object about the size of a soccer ball.

Close-Ups with close-up lens

Some cameras can accept accessory close-up lenses that attach to the front of the camera, allowing you to take pictures of small flowers, stamps, coins, jewelry, and other very small subjects. This allows you to get extra close to your subject—only a few inches away. Sometimes you can screw two lenses together for extra magnification.

Because you are working so close to the subject, you need to handle the camera with more precision—holding the camera extra steady and at a precise distance from the subject. Check your camera manual to determine if your camera will accept accessory close-up lenses.

Note: If you're serious about doing a lot of high-quality close-up photography, you may want to invest in a single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera with a macro lens.

Close-Ups by cropping

By cropping your pictures, you can make the subject look bigger in the final picture. This is a great way to "get closer" even if your camera doesn't have close focusing capability.

If you're using a digital camera, start with the highest resolution because cropping will reduce the resolution.If you're shooting film, your processing lab should be able to crop the pictures for you if you give them special instructions. You can also do it yourself at a Kodak picture maker. Digital pictures can easily be cropped in picture-editing software on your home computer.

Kodak Easyshare online Photo Book service

Looking for an easy online photo-sharing solution?  We're not talking about the likes of Flickr, who only let you share tiny, unorganized photos.

Now you can publish your photos with friends and family members with the new Kodak Easyshare Gallery Legacy Photo Book (see sidebar for link). Available today at the Kodak website, the Legacy Photo Book is the latest addition to the Kodak Easyshare Gallery Photo Book portfolio that also includes the popular Classic and Mini Photo Books. "Kodak Easyshare Gallery is committed to providing people with a variety of ways to share pictures and stories with friends and family," said Madhav Mehra, Vice President of Product Management, Kodak Imaging Network Inc.

"This new addition to the existing photo book portfolio makes it possible for everyone to publish the story of their lives in a big, bold way with this high quality book." The Kodak Easyshare Gallery Legacy Photo Book joins the immensely popular Mini and Classic Photo Books currently available at the kodak website. The newest addition to Kodak Easyshare Gallery's photo book portfolio provides consumers with a larger alternative to the 10"x9" Classic Photo Book and 7"x5" Mini Photo book. With the new Legacy Photo Book, Kodak Easyshare Gallery ensures you'll have the perfect size photo book to show off and share memories from any occasion.

- Starts at $69.99 for 20 pages. Each additional page is $1.49
- Printed on high quality, thick, professional premium photo paper
- Hardbound linen or leather cover measures 12"x14"
- Brand new page layouts include full bleed and nine picture collage among other popular layouts.

About Kodak
Kodak is the world's foremost imaging innovator, providing leading products and services to the photographic, graphic communications and healthcare markets. With sales of $14.3 billion in 2005, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak's system of digital and traditional image capture products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using Kodak solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; creative professionals rely on Kodak technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images; and leading healthcare organizations rely on Kodak's innovative products, services and customized workflow solutions to help improve patient care and maximize efficiency and information sharing within and across their enterprise.
Tags: easyshare, kodak

Things You Should Know Before Buying Discount Cameras

by Nicky Pilkington

Taking photographs has always been considered an enjoyable pastime. Photography is one of the best ways to capture a moment in time. It seems now the world has become obsessed with taking pictures. Everywhere you look there are advertisements for cameras. Probably one of the most significant innovations in the Digital Age has been the digital camera. At one time these cameras had one thing in common with their non-digital counterparts--an expensive price tag. In recent years the cost of digital cameras has dropped considerably; so much so that you can easily purchase a digital camera for less than $200. To find the best deal you will need to do some comparison-shopping. By arming yourself with some information about digital cameras, you will better prepare yourself for buying discount cameras.

As most of the innovations in digital technology, digital cameras are considered more complex than they really are. When you shop for discount cameras, price should not be your only guide. It is a good idea to understand some of the basic features of digital cameras so that you can effectively compare the various models available on the market.

If you're interested in buying discount cameras, you undoubtedly are familiar with at least one buzzword associated with digital cameras: megapixel. Megapixel, which refers to the number of pixels per one million or how fine an image's resolution is, is important to consider when buying discount cameras because megapixel directly relates to the image quality you are able to obtain. When you shop for discount cameras you will notice that there are a wide range of megapixels. At one time, a digital camera with 1.3 megapixel was standard and a camera with 5.0 megapixels was considered top-shelf. With the recent introduction of digital cameras with 9.0 megapixels, the standard in megapixels is changing.

Buying a digital camera with the highest number of megapixels is not necessarily the best method of selecting a digital camera. Since megapixels relate to an image's resolution, you should first determine your plans for the digital camera. If you want simply to take images for personal use, a median number of megapixels such as 3.5 may be sufficient. If on the other hand you intend to enlarge and crop images, you may want to shop for digital cameras with a higher number of megapixels.

The number of megapixels that a camera uses is the primary selling point for digital cameras. However, it is the additional features that will have the greatest effect on price. Optional features that you may want to consider include video recording capabilities, an optical zoom lens, and a histogram. Most cameras include a zoom lens, but it is usually a digital zoom lens. This type of lens only appears to enlarge the image. An optical zoom lens is an ideal option if you will use your digital camera to shoot distant objects. Creating a digital movie is another popular option. If you want a digital camera with this feature, be sure to note the maximum recording time. A handy feature that is not used often, but is very handy if you are serious about digital photography is histogram. Once you snap an image you can use the histogram option to analyze the exposure. If an image is too bright or too dark you can reshoot the image.

---

You should be aware of the five distinct types of digital cameras available:

* Compacts. Simple to use and inexpensive (around $150 to $300), these are best for everyday shooting situations. As a consequence of their simplicity, however, they may have limited manual controls for exposure and composition. Models from our tests whose combination of low price and high performance qualify them as CR Best Buys are the top-rated Canon PowerShot A510 (3 megapixels; $180), the Kodak EasyShare CX7430 (4 megapixels; $180), and the Olympus D-580 Zoom (4 megapixels; $160). The Canon has manual controls and a 4x zoom lens. The Kodak and Olympus have 3x zooms and longer battery life.

* Subcompacts. Their small size and light weight let you carry these anywhere, although that smallness may make them awkward to operate. Expect to pay from $200 to $350. We like the Canon PowerShot SD300 (4 megapixels; $310), the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-L1 (4 megapixels; $240), and the Nikon Coolpix 7900 (7 megapixels; $350). All have a 3x zoom and all lack manual controls.

* Advanced compacts. These have versatile controls, long zoom ranges, and can store a shot as a "RAW" image -- preserving the original data the sensor captured, eliminating any undesirable effects of the camera's built-in processing. Cost: $300 to $600. The Fujifilm FinePix E550 (6 megapixels; $300) and the bulky Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom (7 pixels; $390) have 4x zoom lenses. The Canon Powershot S60 (5 megapixels; $360) has a 3.6x lens.

* Super zooms. Larger, bulkier, heavier, and -- at $250 to $450 -- costlier than most compact models, these have a very long zoom range with powerful telephoto settings. They're a good choice for travel, nature and sports photography. Our choices are the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 (5 megapixels; $420), the Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom (4 megapixels; $270), and the Canon PowerShot S1IS (3 megapixels; $270). The Olympus and Canon have 10x zooms; the Panasonic, 12x.

* SLRs. Serious photographers who want more control over their images than most point-and-shoots provide have that option in single-lens-reflex (SLR) digital cameras. These accept interchangeable lenses, and lack or minimize some of the shortcomings of point-and-shoots. (For example: Shutter lag, the delay between the time you trip the shutter and when the camera takes the picture, is almost nonexistent in SLRs. In other digital cameras, the lag is about 1 second.) Expect to pay $900 to $1,500 for these big, heavy models. We like the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (8 megapixels; $1,000) for its near-professional power and controls. It comes with an 18mm-55mm zoom lens, and at 27 ounces is the lightest of the SLRs we tested.

Kodak Announces EASYSHARE-ONE 6MP

Kodak has announced today the EASYSHARE-ONE 6MP, the next generation of the 4MP EASYSHARE-ONE, available this summer. No specs yet, but it will probably feature the same 3x zoom as the original ES-ONE, as well as Kodak's new WISPr (recommended Wireless ISP) service to access an increased range of hotspots.

Kodak Unveils Archival Storage Solution

With the average silver CD-R lasting only 5-15 years, Kodak released a storage solution that will last much longer. Kodak manufactured 24 karat gold CD and DVD discs that will last 300 years. Kodak affiliate KMP Media is distributing the products in spindles for commercial use and jewel cases for consumers.

The Kodak DVDs last 80-100 years, while the CDs last the full 300 years. The archival quality of the discs is credited to the gold reflective outer layer that won’t tarnish or oxidize. The triple protected discs are designed to last through hot days in the sun and other adverse conditions. The storage component of the discs is constructed from phtalocyanine dye and sandwiched in layers of gold and other tough protective material.

Micron Acquires Lexar

Micron News Release: Micron Technology, Inc. and Lexar Media, Inc., today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Micron to acquire Lexar in a stock-for-stock merger. Under terms of the agreement, each outstanding common share of Lexar will receive 0.5625 shares of Micron stock. Micron anticipates issuing shares in exchange for 81.6 million Lexar shares outstanding. Additional Micron shares will be issued upon the exercise of assumed stock options.

The acquisition will strengthen Micron’s position in the NAND flash business and enable the company to deliver innovative NAND flash solutions from design, development and manufacturing to marketing and sales of products to worldwide consumers and device manufacturers. The merger is designed to combine Micron’s technology and manufacturing leadership in NAND flash memory with Lexar’s leadership in NAND controller and system design technology, brand recognition and retail channel strength to create a vertically integrated entity fully focused on the NAND business.

“With this acquisition, Micron will have a complete package of NAND memory solutions for our customers,” said Steve Appleton, Micron chairman, CEO and president. “Together with our NAND designs, technology, manufacturing capability and distribution channels, Micron is in a strong position to serve the flash storage requirements of consumer electronics and enterprise customers.”

“Through this acquisition, we expect to better align Lexar’s cost structure with business conditions and increase our development and go-to-market scale in order to compete more effectively,” said Eric Stang, Lexar chairman, CEO and president. “By merging with Micron, Lexar can achieve significant cost synergies and become better positioned to satisfy customer needs and establish faster growth, especially in new emerging mobile handset and solid- state computing businesses. We view this as an exciting opportunity for our company and its shareholders.”

The transaction is subject to regulatory review, Lexar stockholder approval and other customary closing conditions. Completion of the merger is expected by the end of the third calendar quarter. Upon closing, Lexar, as a continuing entity, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Micron, and Lexar's stock will cease trading on the NASDAQ stock market.

Lexar is a leading marketer and manufacturer of NAND flash memory products including memory cards, USB flash drives, card readers and ATA controller technology for the digital photography, consumer electronics, industrial and communications markets. The company holds over 94 issued or allowed controller and system patents, and licenses its technology to companies including Olympus Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SanDisk Corporation and Sony Corporation. Lexar sells its memory cards worldwide and through an exclusive agreement, also sells memory cards under the Kodak brand. Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., Lexar has operations in countries around the world. More information is available at www.lexar.com.

Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets DRAMs, NAND flash memory, CMOS image sensors, other semiconductor components, and memory modules for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, and mobile products. Micron's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit www.micron.com .

Micron and the Micron orbit logo are trademarks of Micron Technology, Inc. Lexar and the Lexar logo are trademarks of Lexar Media, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties concerning Micron's proposed acquisition of Lexar Media, Inc., Micron's expected financial performance, as well as Micron's strategic and operational plans. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in this press release due to a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the possibility that the transaction will not close or that the closing may be delayed; the reaction of customers of Micron and Lexar to the transaction; Micron's ability to successfully integrate Lexar's operations and employees; and general economic conditions. In addition, please refer to the documents that Micron and Lexar file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. The filings by each of Micron and Lexar identify and address other important factors that could cause their respective financial and operational results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements set forth in this press release. Micron and Lexar are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND WHERE TO FIND IT

Micron and Lexar intend to file with the SEC a prospectus/proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed acquisition of Lexar by Micron pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Micron, March 2006 Merger Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Micron, and Lexar. The prospectus/proxy statement will be mailed to the stockholders of Lexar. Investors and security holders of Lexar are urged to read the prospectus/proxy statement and the other relevant materials when they become available because they will contain important information about Micron, Lexar and the proposed merger. The prospectus/proxy statement and other relevant materials (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Micron or Lexar with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Micron by contacting Micron Investor Relations, Kipp Bedard, 208-368-4465. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Lexar by contacting Lexar Investor Relations, Diane Carlini, (510) 580-5604. Investors and security holders of Lexar are urged to read the prospectus/proxy statement and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the proposed merger.

Micron, Steven Appleton, Micron's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, and certain of Micron's other executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Lexar stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of Mr. Appleton and certain of Micron's other executive officers in the solicitation by reading the prospectus/proxy statement when it becomes available.

Lexar, Eric Stang, Lexar's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, and Lexar's other directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Lexar stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. Such individuals may have interests in the proposed merger, including as a result of holding options or shares of Lexar common stock. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of Mr. Stang and Lexar's other directors and executive officers in the solicitation by reading the prospectus/proxy statement when it becomes available.