Canon PowerShot SD30 Digital ELPH

The Canon PowerShot SD30 Digital ELPH sports a zoom lens; it's only 2.4X, but that's better than nothing. Like its predecessor, the still 5-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD30 comes in four colors--including vibrant purple and deep red--though it has a larger LCD.

DigitalCameraResourcePage have posted their Canon PowerShot SD30 Digital ELPH review.

Canon Powershot SD30 5MP Digital Elph

"Like the SD20 before it, the Canon PowerShot SD30 Digital ELPH is what I'd call a "second camera". I don't think it's suitable to be the camera you use for all occasions, especially indoor flash shooting. But if you want something small that's great for quick outdoor photos then the SD30 is worth a look.
...
If you want a camera that you can carry around for everyday outdoor shots, then I can recommend the PowerShot SD30. If you're looking for something small that performs when you need to use the flash, you'll likely be disappointed with the SD30. While it's hard to avoid the redeye problem on any camera in this class, you can find cameras with stronger flashes out there."

PowerShot SD30 Digital ELPH Features:
* 5.0 effective Megapixel CCD
* F3.2-5.4, 2.4X optical zoom lens equivalent to 38 - 90 mm (the SD20 had a fixed lens)
* Ultra compact metal body comes in four colors: Tuxedo Black, Rockstar Red, Glamour Gold and Vivacious Violet (no, I'm not making these up)
* 1.8" LCD display
* DIGIC II processor
* AF-assist lamp
* Can record video at 640 x 480 (10 frames/second) with sound until 1GB file size is reached
* Includes camera dock with remote control (for playback and printing)
* USB 2.0 High Speed support
* Uses proprietary li-ion battery and SD/MMC memory cards (16MB card included)
* Optional all-weather case; allows camera to go up to 3 meters underwater

Kodak CX7530 Review

The CX7530 is equipped with a high-quality Kodak Rectinar 3X optical zoom lens with a focal range of 34 - 102mm (equivalent in 35mm format). The aperture range is f/2.7 - 5.2 in wide angle and f/4.6 - 8.7 in telephoto. 5.0 megapixels of resolution, 32MB of internal memory and a 1.8-inch LCD display.

OSNews.com has just posted a Review: Kodak CX7530 5.0MP 3x/5x Zoom Digital Camera.
In it they say-

"In conclusion, as much as the CX7220 that I tested a few weeks ago can be used for 4x6 prints at a bargain-basement price, the CX7530 can certainly be used for 8x10 or letter-sized prints. In many situations where I can't carry around my Canon 5D, I'll gladly have a CX7530 at my belt, ready to shoot, armed with the knowledge that for common situations it's able to take good pictures."

A nice simple digicam for folks who don't want a lot of extra bells and whistles.

Samsung Digimax i5 review

The Samsung Digimax i5 is a 5-megapixel, 3x optical zoom digital camera with internal zoom technology. The i5 integrates its 3x optical zoom capability with SHD lens technology. When combined with its 5x digital zoom, users will have a total zoom of 15x. Sized at 3.5-by-2.4-by-0.68 inches, the Digimax i5 comes in four colors; silver, black, red and grey, and has a 2.5-inch high-resolution colour LCD with improved contrast and colour reproduction.

Samsung Digimax i5 5MP Digital Camera

CNET have posted their Samsung Digimax i5 review and rated it a 5.6 out of 10 or Average. They went on to say-

"The Samsung Digimax i5 is an ultracompact snapshot camera with an interesting feature set but subpar photos and performance.
...
The camera turned in an average performance at best and elicited mumbles of frustration in the continuous-shooting mode, which blacks out the screen while capturing less than 1fps. Both start-up time and shot-to-shot time exceeded two seconds--and twice that with the flash. Autofocus worked relatively quickly with high-contrast subjects but otherwise wandered and searched before locking in, often on the background rather than the subject. You can turn on the autofocus-assist lamp to improve matters somewhat.
...
Its feature set is both competitive and interesting, and it has a top-notch 2.5-inch LCD, but the 5-megapixel Samsung Digimax i5 can't keep pace with the competition when it comes to speed and photo quality."

More of a camera for teens I suspect.

FUJIFILM LAUNCHES HALLOWEEN PANDAMONIUM

FUJIFILM LAUNCHES HALLOWEEN PANDAMONIUM: LUCKY FAMILIES NATIONWIDE GET CHANCE TO VISIT FUJIFILM GIANT PANDA HABITAT

Campaign Celebrates Birth of Giant Panda Cub and Underscores A Shared Commitment to Conservation

Valhalla, NY, October 3, 2005 - Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. today announced "Fujifilm Halloween Pandamonium," a national sweepstakes campaign being launched in conjunction with popular family events hosted by zoos across the country where Fujifilm will have a key presence this Halloween season.

Fujifilm Halloween Pandamonium events will take place at the following zoos: the Bronx and Central Park Zoos in New York City; Brookfield Zoo in Chicago; Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden; Detroit Zoological Park; Denver Zoological Gardens; Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens; Memphis Zoo; Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC; Oregon Zoo in Portland; and the San Francisco Zoological Gardens.

The Fujifilm Halloween Pandamonium sweepstakes gives families nationwide the opportunity to win a trip to the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, where they can be among the first to get the chance to meet the giant panda cub born there in July. A Fujifilm donation helped make it possible to bring the cub's parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, to the U.S. in 2000, on loan from China. Last July, Mei Xiang gave birth to a male cub, and next year the panda family will take up residence in the new Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat.

"Our support of the giant panda program exemplifies Fujifilm's commitment to conservation, a commitment shared by the nation's zoos, which have long stressed the importance of educating the public about conservation and its impact on people and the natural world," said Camilla Jenkins, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Fuji Photo Film, U.S.A. "The new panda cub has gotten tremendous attention since his birth, and Halloween celebrations at zoos have grown enormously in popularity in recent years. Thanks to this winning combination, we look forward to reaching several hundred thousand people very directly with an important message about conservation - and give citizens from across the U.S. the chance to enjoy a wonderful trip to the nation's zoo."

Fujifilm Halloween Pandamonium launches nationwide on October 3, 2005, at www.fujifilm.com/zoo, and gains visibility at Halloween events scheduled at 11 zoos, including some of the nation's largest. All participating zoos will have an official Fujifilm Halloween Pandamonium booth on site for their Halloween celebrations, which will vary in duration from one day to several weekends. The Fujifilm booth highlights the plight of the giant panda, an endangered species with an estimated wild population of only about 1,660, all in China. Trick-or-treaters will be able to have their pictures taken with a Fujifilm panda mascot and will get cool panda trading cards full of interesting giant panda facts, as well as sweepstakes information.

The Fujifilm Halloween Pandamonium sweepstakes gives entrants the opportunity to win an all-expenses-paid trip for four to the National Zoo. The prize package includes roundtrip airfare and two nights' hotel accommodations. Winners will also receive a Fujifilm FinePix E900 digital camera. Those who are interested in more information or wish to enter the sweepstakes should visit www.fujifilm.com/zoo.

About Fujifilm
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and delivers technology solutions to meet the imaging and information needs of retailers, consumers, professionals and business customers. As a global leader in digital imaging, Fujifilm pioneered the development of digital medical systems, and today is the leader in digital minilab systems. The company was ranked number 15 for U.S. patents granted during 2004, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ending March 31, 2005, had global revenues of more than $23.6 billion.

In the United States, Fujifilm is a leader in delivering high quality, easy-to-use imaging and information solutions in the following categories: Digital Imaging Systems, Film and Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media, Motion Picture Film, Graphic Arts and Printing Systems and Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Systems. Fujifilm is an environmentally friendly, humane enterprise and an exemplary corporate citizen.

For more information on Fujifilm products, consumers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the Fujifilm USA Web site at www.fujifilm.com.

For more information, please contact:

Dean Bender
Thompson & Bender
(914) 762-1200
dean@thompson-bender.com

###

Olympus Announces SP-700 biggest LCD around

Olympus has announced the new SP-700, a 6.0 megapixel digital camera that features a huge 3.0 inch LCD screen.

PRESS SUMMARY
The Olympus SP-700: Shoot and share with the biggest LCD around - digital camera and photography news4 October 2005 – With the SP-700 from Olympus, users are not only blessed with 6.0 million pixels and a host of photographic functions that ensure top-class results, they also benefit from the largest LCD around to make shooting and sharing photos a sheer joy. At a whopping 7.6cm (3.0”) and boasting 230,000 pixels for breathtakingly clear depictions, the Sunshine LCD lets pictures be framed and viewed with considerably more comfort and ease than was previously possible. Thanks to its large screen, this 3x optical zoom model can incorporate an Album Function as well as a new Compare & Shoot function. The latter allows simultaneous shooting and playback of pictures – providing photographers with the luxury to keep an eye on the previously shot images. And with its special Guide Function, easy operation is assured – even for novices. The slim-line, metal-bodied SP-700 is available in blue and silver.

The SP-700 lets photographers see more. Its Sunshine LCD is one of the biggest available, providing large 7.6cm-sized views of any subject and is sure to draw envious glances from all around. The high-resolution screen displays 230,000 pixels and stands out with its extreme sharpness. Naturally, the generous LCD dimensions also mean that results can be viewed picture-by-picture or in slideshow mode by friends and family directly on the camera.

Making the compositions really come alive, the SP-700 captures shots in 6.0 million pixel quality. Together with the TruePic TURBO image processor, which as well as guaranteeing optimised results also ensures fast camera response and start-up, the photos will impress even the most ardent users with their true-to-life colour and vibrancy. A precision 3x zoom lens 1:3.3-4.0 provides for flexible shooting across a 38-114mm focal range (35mm camera equivalent).

Photographers benefit from the convenience of a large variety of shooting modes to compose their shots adeptly. In addition to Auto mode, there are 24 scene modes that cover the majority of shooting situations. No matter if for portraits, night scenes or while enjoying holidays at the beach or on the ski slopes, there's sure to be a pre-defined setting to match the users' needs. There's even a mode for underwater shooting – when used in conjunction with the optionally-available PT-031 Underwater Case. For attention-grabbing close-ups, the Macro or Super Macro mode can be invoked for shots from just 1cm away. To show the exposure distribution of scenes, a Histogram function is available which displays the information in both playback and shooting modes. And making sure that photo opportunities aren't beaten by insufficient lighting, a built-in, multi-mode flash is always at the ready to shed light onto the subject.

The Olympus SP-700 doesn't shy from capturing moving action either. A movie function lets video sequences be recorded in VGA quality at 30fps.

Various on-board editing functions give photographers control to fine-tune results after they have been shot. Besides Red-eye Fix, users can make adjustments to brightness and saturation as well and convert images to B&W or sepia – all without the need for a PC. Moreover, special creative features such as multi-shot, title or calendar insert, 2in1 and panorama (in conjunction with an Olympus xD-Picture Card) allow interesting effects to be added. Making great use of the available LCD area, the SP-700 also includes the Compare & Shoot function. This reserves a section of the screen for the last few shots while still allowing framing of new compositions. This gives photographers the freedom to keep an eye on pictures already captured so they can be immediately compared and retaken, if necessary.

Despite this wealth of features, the camera remains incredibly user-friendly. And even in instances where the photographer is unsure of menu options or scene modes, the handy Guide Function provides helpful on-screen information. Printing is also a cinch thanks to PictBridge compatibility. This standard enables direct printing of high-quality photos in the home – without the need to go via a PC – on compatible printers such as the ultra-fast Olympus P-11.

In terms of design, the SP-700 cuts a classically elegant form. Available in the colours blue and silver, its metal body ensures durability and the slim-line dimensions mean it can be slipped into just about any pocket for taking along wherever you go.

Amalgamating a head-turning 7.6cm LCD, high 6.0 million pixel image quality and versatile-yet-easy operation, the Olympus SP-700 will hit the stores in time for Christmas 2005.

The Olympus SP-700 – main features
Extra large 7.6cm/3.0” Sunshine LCD with 230,000 pixels
6.0 million pixels
Precision 3x optical zoom (38-114mm, 35mm camera equiv.)
Auto mode plus 24 scene modes (incl. Portrait, Beach, Snow, Night Scene and Underwater) for trouble-free shooting
Movie recording with sound (VGA size at 30fps)
Creative functions, e.g. Slide Show, Compare & Shoot, Multi-shot,
Histogram in shooting and playback mode
Guide Function for easy operation. Explains the different menu options and scene modes.
Image editing functions on board incl. red-eye fix, brightness, saturation, trimming, B&W and sepia – without need for a PC
11 MB internal memory plus slot for xD-Picture Cards
Super Macro mode for shooting from 1cm
TruePic TURBO image processor
PictBridge compatible

Corels Digital Imaging Portfolio Inspires Home Users

New Addition to Corel's Digital Imaging Portfolio Inspires Home Users to Explore their Creativity with Digital Art and Photography

OTTAWA, Ontario--Oct. 3, 2005--Corel Corporation today unveiled Corel(R) Painter(TM) Essentials 3, the complete home art studio built on the award-winning power of Corel Painter IX. The latest addition to Corel's digital imaging portfolio, Corel Painter Essentials 3 includes everything new users need to get started with digital art and create stunning paintings from their photos. The software is now available from Corel (www.corel.com) and will be hitting store shelves in North America later this month.

Available for the suggested retail price of $99 US, this affordable software package provides home users with more creative options than ever before. Ideal for digital camera enthusiasts, art, decor and scrapbook enthusiasts, and art students and teachers, Corel Painter Essentials 3 enables users to create beautiful, handmade digital-art keepsakes that are perfect for framing, craft projects, and special gifts for friends and family.

With a new easy-to-learn interface, dynamic painting palettes that automatically paint your photos for you, and extensive training resources, Corel Painter Essentials 3 empowers users to turn their mouse or tablet stylus into a digital paintbrush and begin a new journey of creative possibilities.

"Everything in Corel Painter Essentials 3 is designed to make it easy for any user, even if they don't have any previous experience with artistic or creative software, to create beautiful works of art. Whether you're hand painting your own original masterpiece or watching as the software magically paints for you, Corel Painter Essentials 3 opens up a new world of artistic expression that anyone can master," says Sean Young, Product Manager for Corel Painter Essentials 3. "Everyone who sees this software reacts in the same way - with wonder and surprise. It is truly unique and a great addition to any artist's, scrapbooker's, or digital photographer's bag of tricks!"

Powerful Features in Corel Painter Essentials 3 Introduce an Exciting World of Digital Creativity!

Turn Photos into Paintings

-- New! Photo Painting Palettes - In three easy steps, the new Photo Painting Palettes, including the Underpainting, Auto-Painting, and Restoration palettes, work together to help users create a beautiful hand-painted work of art from a digital photo. The software automatically applies individual hand-painted strokes, painting the image right before the user's eyes - like magic!

-- New! Quick Clone - The new Quick Clone feature starts the process of turning a photo into a painting with a simple mouse click.

Have Fun with Digital Art!

-- New! Artists' Oils - Delivering a new level of realism, Artists' Oils truly behave like traditional oil paint. They blend, mix, and feel gooey - providing users with a highly life-like experience.

-- Enhanced! Digital Watercolor - Digital Watercolor produces life-like watercolor effects that react with the canvas texture. Significantly enhanced, Digital Watercolor paint now stays wet between sessions, enabling users to start one session where the last one ended.

-- New! Rubber Stamp tool - The Rubber Stamp tool makes it easy for users to set up point-to-point cloning. Located in the toolbox, this tool lets users set a source and destination reference point, enabling them to clone within a image file or between different areas of separate image files.

-- New! Eraser tool - Conveniently located in the toolbox, the new Eraser tool erases any medium on the canvas.

Learn to Draw and Paint Digitally!

-- New! Quick Guide Palette - Click on a palette, the toolbox, the Brush Selector bar, or the property bar and the Quick Guide displays relevant information about the options available and a link to more comprehensive Help. Providing context-sensitive information about the options available from workspace items, the Quick Guide palette makes it easier than ever to get started.

-- New! Training videos by lynda.com - Corel Painter Essentials 3 includes 10 new training videos created by lynda.com, one of the world's most renowned graphics training companies, to guide users through the Corel Painter Essentials workspace, tools, features, and techniques. Users can also sign up to download 10 more free training videos.

-- New! Animated Training Movie for Kids from GeeGuides - GeeGuides Painter Essentials 3 Lessons is a fun, Web-based interactive art education program appropriate for grades 3 through 6. It provides the tools children need to understand, interpret and enjoy art, while fostering critical thinking. In addition, GeeGuides keeps track of your child's learning growth and provides customized achievement reports. A sample GeeGuides Painter Essentials 3 Lessons training movie is included in the box. Additional movies are available for purchase through GeeGuides.

-- New! Welcome Screen - Getting started with digital art has never been more straightforward, thanks to the new Corel Painter Essentials 3 Welcome screen. The Welcome screen gives quick access to recently used files, tutorials, and settings. It also showcases original images from renowned Corel Painter artists, inspiring users to explore the application and create their own works of art.

-- New! Quick Start tutorials - These short, instructive tutorials guide users through basic tasks, such as transforming a photo into a painting.

Works with Popular Software and Hardware!

-- New! Support for Corel(R) Paint Shop Pro(R) and Corel Photo Album - Customers using Windows can optimize their photos with Corel Paint Shop Pro X, create personalized handmade paintings with Corel Painter Essentials 3, and then use Corel Photo Album 6 to easily use their final painted images in creative projects, such as calendars and greeting cards, that are perfect for sharing! From photo editing and digital painting to organizing image collections and creating keepsakes and crafts, Corel's digital-imaging product family delivers a new world of possibilities and helps users get the most out of their digital camera.

-- New! Support for Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) CS and Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements - Users on Mac and Windows(R) can now seamlessly exchange files between Corel Painter Essentials 3, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Photoshop Elements. Layers and layer sets (layer groups) are maintained when users open and save files in the PSD file format.

-- New! Support for Apple(R) iPhoto(TM) - Mac OS users, including those using Mac OS X 4 (Tiger), can easily add art to their digital image collections, thanks to support for Apple iPhoto. Users can set their iPhoto preferences to designate Corel Painter Essentials 3 as their photo-editing software. Double clicking an iPhoto image will open the image for editing in Corel Painter Essentials 3 and saved changes are instantly updated in iPhoto.

-- Enhanced! Support for Wacom(R) Pen Tablets - Corel Painter Essentials 3 fully supports the most recent advancements in pen tablet technology from Wacom, including the latest Graphire(R), Intuos(R) and Cintiq tablets, as well as the 6D Art Pen.

Pricing and Availability

Corel is pleased to offer Corel Painter Essentials 3 as a stand alone application to customers in North America for the first time. Affordably priced at $99 US (SRP), the software is now available in English to customers in North America directly from Corel (www.corel.com) and will be offered through a variety of reseller partners including Amazon.com, CompUSA, PC Mall, CDW, and PC Connection, later this month.

For more information about Corel Painter Essentials 3, please visit www.corel.com/painteressentials3.

Canon Zoom Browser 5.5 for Windows Released

Changes in Canon ZoomBrowser EX 5.5 from ZoomBrowser EX 5.2.1 are as follows.

1. Added new functions in ZoomBrowser EX 5.5

a) You can now simply print one image per sheet of paper.
The [Print 1 Image per Page] menu was added. You can simply print one image per page and also print the shooting date on the image by using this menu.
b) When making index prints, it is possible to select the shooting information to print.
When printing the shooting information, such as the white balance or the shutter speed, you can select any of those items to print.
c) A new function has been added to extract frames from a movie and save them as images (for Windows XP only).
d) It now has the following new image-editing functions.

• Level adjustment


• Tone Curve


• Sharpness adjustment


• Auto adjustment


• Insert text


• Redeye correction

e)It is now possible to change the color scheme of the browsing area.

2. Improved major functions

a) The usability of scroll mode has been improved by adding folder opening/closing buttons, for example.
b) The software has been optimized to reduce the amount of time for importing images.
c) You can now easily recognize the destinations of imported images because those folders will be marked.
d) Shooting information displays have been improved.
e) The shooting information is now displayed in a table
f) The shooting information can now be displayed simultaneously with the image.

3. The specifications for rotating images have been changed.
a) Images taken vertically with the camera will be no longer rotated when they are imported. Only the on-screen image will be rotated. Please note that the previous settings will remain when updating from a previously installed version of ZoomBrowser.