Specifics For The New Pentax Optio S10 Digicam

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce the new PENTAX Optio S10, the newest model in the “Optio S” series of highly acclaimed compact digital cameras, with a stylish and ultra-compact body and realizing 10.0 effective megapixels and high resolution images. In addition to enabling easy mobility and photography of high resolution images, the Optio S10 comes with enhanced usability by upgrading Shake Reduction and Face Recognition functions.

Main Features

1. Ultra Compact body with a stylish design

The Optio S10's compact design makes carrying more comfortable and convenient not only in travel and leisure but also in the daily snapshots and business scenes. The aluminum alloy adopted as outer cover gives a sophisticated texture to the camera, and the front face with glossy spindle finish creates an elegant appearance. Despite a 3X optical zoom lens and a large 2.5 inch LCD monitor, the Optio S10 realizes one of the smallest and the lightest ultra compact camera body with 10.0 megapixels, by miniaturizing circuit board and applying high-density compact mounting technology.

2. 10.0 effective megapixcels with high resolution

With an upgraded 10.0 effective megapixels, the Optio S10 ensures much higher resolution and delivers clear and crisp photo even when images are enlarged to A3 ( 11.7 x 16.5 inch ) size. A large 1/1.8 inch CCD with large sensing area is newly used for the image sensor, so it provides excellent performance for tone reproduction, texture delineation and noise reduction.

3. Digital SR ( Shake Reduction )

Digital SR ( Shake Reduction ) *1 mode reduces camera shakes and blurring of the subject when photographing still images. The sensitivity is adjusted automatically, to as high as the ultrahigh sensitivity of ISO 3200, to match the brightness of the subjects. This enables photography with fast shutter speeds, and images with less blurs can be obtained.

*1 Recording image is fixed at 5M ( 2592 x 1944 pixels ) when “Digital SR” mode is selected

4. “Face Recognition AF & AE” function that photographs portrait more beautifully with simple operation

The Optio S10 is equipped with a “Face Recognition AF&AE” function *2 that automatically detects and focuses on faces. In addition, the Optio S10 also comes with new functions that apply face recognition technology, such as “Natural Skin Tone” mode, which smoothly presents skin texture based on the detected information, and “Half-length Portrait” mode *3 , which automatically takes close-up photograph of the upper body by trimming the people recognized in photo frame.

*2 Available when the picture mode is “Portrait”, “Natural Skin Tone”, “Kids”, or “Half-length Portrait” and the camera is directed at people from the front
*3 Recording size is fixed at 3M ( 2048 x 1536 pixels ) when “Half-length Portrait” mode is selected
This Camera's Face Recognition AF & AE function use the Face Tracker face-recognition technology from FotoNation.

5. Auto Picture mode automatically determines the best settings for the shooting conditions

The Auto Picture mode lets the camera automatically determines the shooting conditions for Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, and Normal mode and choose the optimum settings for each subject. This function makes photography a lot easier for users since it eliminate the necessity of making a number of individual settings.

6. Bright and easy-to view LCD monitor

This LCD monitor is a high intensity type equipped with an LCD booster that adjusts the brightness of screen, which users can easily check the screen even at the outdoors. With 2.5-inch and high resolution of 232,000 pixels, it is easy to confirm picture compositions and the focus. Due to its wide viewing angle, the screen can also be easily viewed, since there is little change in brightness and colors even when looking at the monitor diagonally.

7. Video recording function enabling high-quality recording for long period of time

The Optio S10 smoothly captures movies at 30 fps ( frames per second ) at sizes up to 640x480 pixels with image quality rivaling camcorders. Since it employs the DivX® ( MPEG-4 ) movie format *4 , the Optio S10 can record long, high-quality movies. In addition, Movie SR ( Shake reduction ) effectively corrects blurring in images through software, so it enables users to easily enjoy movie recording.

*4 The Optio S10 is DivX® certified. Movie playback is not supported on Macintosh operating systems

8. Other features

* A “Green button” that enables you to assign functions that are frequently used, and recall them in just one touch
* An “Intelligent zoom” function which enables images to be magnified even larger and stored, while maintaining the image quality of optical zoom
* Mode palette provide quick access to 18 shooting modes and 15 playback modes
* Data imprint function for easier image categorizing
* Approximately 22.0 MB of built-in-memory
* Compatible with SD memory cards and SDHC memory cards
* FotoNation's red-eye compensation function for flash shots
* Includes the ACDsee for PENTAX image viewer/image management software
* Support PictBridge, DPOF functions, Eixf Print, and PRINT Image Matching III

Pentax Announces Two New Digicams

It’s time again for digital camera manufactures to release another wave of new digicams. Canon, Olympus and Sony have recently announced new models due out soon, and now Pentax adds to the list. Here is the official company press release for the new Optio Z10 and S10.

PENTAX Imaging Company has announced two digital compact cameras including the Optio Z10 with a high-magnification 7X optical zoom lens and the small, stylish PENTAX Optio S10 with 10.0 megapixels.

The PENTAX Optio Z10 is equipped with a 7X optical zoom lens, the highest magnification among current PENTAX compact digital camera models. Designed with a refraction lens system so the lens never protrudes from the camera while zooming, the 7X optical zoom covers a broad range, from wide-angle to telephoto zoom, and offers an ultra high-magnification of up to approximately 35.7X when combined with digital zoom. With 8.0 megapixels, the Optio Z10 also features high speed detection time Face Recognition for improved portraits and digital Shake Reduction that allows ISO to 3200 to capture sharper images even in low light settings. The sleek, stylish PENTAX Optio Z10 body design also features a sliding lens cover for extra protection that also operates the on/off camera setting.

PENTAX also announced the stylish PENTAX Optio S10 compact digital camera with 10.0 effective megapixels. This latest model in the popular PENTAX Optio S series offers digital Shake Reduction and a high-speed Face Recognition AF&AE function for fast, high-quality portraits. The Optio S10 is the seventh DivX Certified® digital camera from PENTAX. Now enhanced with digital Shake Reduction, the DivX format enables users to create high-quality video files that may be played back on a wide variety of DivX DVD players and other devices. The PENTAX Optio S10 digital camera is one of the smallest, lightest 10 megapixel digital cameras in the world.

Priced at US $249.95 each, both cameras will ship in September. The PENTAX Optio S10 will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart Stores in the United States.

Toshiba Announces 32GB SDHC Memory Card

The Toshiba 32GB SDHC memory card is the world’s biggest capacity SD card. Meeting the Class 4 specification in the SD Speed Class, the Toshiba 32GB SDHC card will be launched worldwide in January 2008. Also unveiled are a 16Gb SDHC card and an 8GB microSDHC card. The expanded new card series will be featured at the IFA 2007, in Berlin, Germany from August 31 to September 5.

Toshiba Adds New High Density SDHC Cards and microSDHC Card to Extensive Memory Card Line-up

Press Release:
Toshiba Corp., a leading innovator in memory card solutions, today reinforced its line up of SD High Capacity (SDHC) cards with three new cards, including the worlds first 32-gigabyte (GB) memory card in this high density. Alongside the 32GB SDHC card, Toshiba also announced a 16GB SDHC card and an 8GB microSDHC card. All the new cards meet the Class 4 specification in the SD Speed Class, ensuring they deliver the high level performance and functionality essential for advanced mobile phones and other personal digital products.

The 16GB SDHC card will be available worldwide from October, and the 32GB SDHC card and 8GB microSDHC card will be launched worldwide in January next year.

The market for high density memory cards is growing fast, driven by increasing demand for personal digital equipment able to handle motion pictures and high resolution images. Demand for high density microSDHC cards is expected to emerge in the mobile phone market, as on-board cameras advance multi-megapixel capacities, and demand for music and motion pictures are expanding as well.

Toshiba will continue to expand and upgrade its SDHC and SD Memory Card series to meet the growing demand for high speed, high density products.

The expanded new card series will be featured at the IFA 2007, in Berlin, Germany from August 31 to September 5.

Note: Product names above are for the Japanese market.

Key Features
1.SDHC Memory Card (High Speed Type)
(1) Realizes maximum write speed of 6MB per sec.
(2) "Class 4” SD Speed Class, guaranteeing sustained data write at 4MB/s.
(3) Integrates highly secure CPRM copyright technology.
2. microSDHC Memory Card
(1) Realizes large 8GB capacity in a microSDHC Card. It can store 139 hours of music at a bit rate of 128kbps.
(2) "Class 4” SD Speed Class, guaranteeing sustained data write at 4MB/s.
(3) Integrates highly secure CPRM copyright technology.

Note: Product names above are for the Japanese market.

Notes:
* Maximum read and write speed depends on such factors as device and file size.
* SDHC Memory Cards can be used with devices that support the SD Memory Card Ver. 2.00 standard. They are not backward compatible with standard SD Memory Cards.

New 7MP Stylus 790SW Waterproof DSLR From Olympus

Olympus today announced the 7.1-megapixel Stylus 790 SW, an addition to its waterproof, shockproof camera line. The Stylus camera can be submerged in up to 10 feet of water at 14 degrees Fahrenheit and survive a 5-foot fall, according to an Olympus press release. The new model features a TruePic III image processor and comes in five colors. It will retail for $299.99 when it is available in September.

The Stylus 790 SW is “a durable, worry-free camera,” said Olympus Product Manager Sally Smith Clemens in an interview with DigitalCameraInfo.com.

Targeted toward vacationers and travelers, the SW-series was first introduced a year and a half ago. The Stylus 790 SW, the third in the series, marks a price cut from the previous two models. At just under $300, the 790 SW is less expensive than last year’s $400 720 SW and the $380 770 SW, released earlier this year.

Despite the higher model number “790 SW,” it reverts back to some of the features of the earlier 720 SW. For the new reduced price, the 790 SW downgrades to a 10-foot underwater submergence level, down from the 770 SW's 33-foot maximum. The new camera also ditches the crushproof rating, whereas the 770 SW can withstand 220 pounds.

The 790 SW retains some of the same features from the earlier models. It has a 7.1-megapixel count and 3x optical zoom lens. It also has the 2.5-inch, 230,000 pixel resolution HyperCrystal LCD screen, a borrowed feature from the 770 SW. The LCD has an anti-glare coating and 176-degree angle of view. It carries over the shockproof rating of up to 5 feet and includes specialized components that allow the camera to function at temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit, like the 770 SW.

The 790 SW adds a few updates, including the TruePic III image processor, the same technology used in Olympus’ EVOLT E-510 and E-410 digital SLRs. With the 790 SW, the processing technology is brought down to the consumer level, according to Clemens. The TruePic III promises to reduce grain at high ISO settings and increase processing speed. It also equips the camera with face detection to automatically expose and focus on faces.

The 790 SW comes with Shadow Adjustment Technology to compensate for underexposure in high contrast situations, such as backlit scenes. Like its predecessors, the camera features Olympus' Bright Capture technology that boosts sensitivity to 1600 ISO for improved low light shooting. To reduce blur, the 790 SW possesses Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) that increases both ISO sensitivity and shutter speed.

Other features include in-camera editing tools for red-eye fix, resizing, and adding borders to images. The camera possesses a Perfect Shot Preview that displays a multi-frame window on the LCD so users can select exposure compensation, white balance, and metering before capture with the live view. The 790 SW has 27 Scene modes.

Among the noticeable exterior differences are the Stylus 790 SW's new color options. In addition to the standard silver or black, it is offered in orange, blue, and lime. For additional waterproofing, users can purchase the PT-041 underwater housing for a submergence level of up to 130 feet. The Olympus Stylus 790 SW is compatible with xD memory cards and accepts lithium-ion batteries.

“This is the year where technology, style, and price merge together,” Clemens said. “You’re not forsaking technology for that lower price."
provided by DigitalCameraInfo.com

Olympus Announces New SP-560UZ 8MP Digicam

Olympus today unleashed the compact, ultra-zoom SP-560UZ. As the sophomore version to the SP-550UZ, the company's first camera with18x optical zoom, it carries a higher megapixel count, slightly wider zoom, the latest TruePic III processor, and two new Scene modes called Smile Shot and Quick Shutter. The 8-megapixel Olympus SP-560UZ has a suggested retail price of $449.99 and is expected to ship for October.

The SP-550UZ was the longest zoom non-SLR on the market when Olympus announced it last January. A class of 18x optical zoom cameras has emerged since then, categorized by SLR-like features in a smaller frame. Competitors include the Panasonic FZ18 and the Fujifilm S8000fd, both launched last month.

The new Olympus SP-560UZ offers the widest zoom capabilities among its competitors. It's fitted with an f/2.8 to f/4.5 extending lens, constructed of 14 lenses in 11 groups. With an equivalent focal range of 27 to 486mm, the updated camera touts a slightly wider but shorter zoom range than its predecessor; the SP-550UZ's lens reaches from 28 to 504mm.

At $50 less than the 7.1-megapixel 550-UZ, the Olympus SP-560UZ carries a higher 8.0-megapixel count. Both models are fitted with 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD monitors.

Whereas the previous Olympus edition included the TruePic TURBO image processor, the SP-560UZ upgrades to the TruePic III. With it comes Olympus’s Face Detection system to auto expose and auto focus on faces. Other features include Shadow Adjustment Technology for high-contrast lighting, Perfect Shot Preview for live preview of different settings, and Perfect Fix with built-in editing functions.

The new camera has 33 Scene modes, including two new shooting modes. Olympus’s Smile Shot comes just days after Sony’s launch of the “Smile Shutter” feature, which Sony declared the first in digital camera history. Similarly, the new Olympus Smile Shot is a preset mode that automatically captures an image when the subject smiles. The Quick Shutter mode captures images once the user hits the shutter, without having to wait for the auto focus lock, to allow for faster shooting.

The camera maintains the 15 fps Sequential Shooting and Pre-Capture burst that takes photos before the user hits the shutter. The Sequential Shooting mode, however, comes with some asterisked fine print; it captures images at a lower 1.2-megapixel resolution. The Olympus compact also borrows the dual image stabilization system from the SP-550UZ, with both mechanical and digital image stabilization.

The Olympus SP-560 UZ has full manual exposure control with JPEG and RAW shooting abilities, and includes an eye dioptric.
provided by DigitalCameraInfo.com

Canon Restores RAW support With New G-Series Digicam

The people, bless their hearts, have spoken.

As reported Monday, Canon will restore raw-image support for its G line of compact cameras when its new $500 PowerShot G9 goes on sale in October. Raw images, the unprocessed data from an image sensor, retain a lot of information that's otherwise thrown away when cameras convert sensor light into a JPEG image. Raw images are useful for tasks such as correcting underexposure, enhancing tonal subtleties and tweaking color balance for different lighting conditions.

Raw images are not for everyone. They're bulky, usually proprietary, and photographers have to spend time staring at a computer to convert them into more portable, universal, standard formats such as JPEG. But for a lot of enthusiasts--in particular, those who have grown accustomed to shooting raw with increasingly widespread SLR cameras--a compact camera that lacks raw support is somewhere between a bummer and a showstopper. Raw image support was a top desire I encountered when interviewing people for a story about dearth of compact cameras for the SLR crowd.

The absence of raw support was particularly notable in the PowerShot G7, given that its predecessors supported raw and the G line is geared for sophisticated buyers who appreciate its manual controls, fast performance and hot shoe to mount an external flash. Canon's decision to remove raw support was unpopular.

Asked why raw support was restored, Canon spokesman and tech guru Chuck Westfall had two words: "Popular demand."

As a raw shooter myself, I'm delighted with the decision, even though it doubtless means more software hassles and support expense for Canon. In particular, I hope it sets a precedent: Canon is the dominant camera maker--both compact and SLR--so it's plausible that competitors such as Nikon will follow suit. Panasonic, Ricoh and Olympus already offer some raw support, but not as much as I'd like. And perhaps Canon will expand raw support to other compact models, such as the super-zoom PowerShot S5 IS.

However, until we see the detailed camera reviews, it won't be clear how much advantage over JPEG the G9's raw images will offer. That was certainly a concern when I asked Westfall last year about why Canon removed raw support from the G7: Because increasing megapixels means pixel size gets smaller, sensitivity is degraded. "The net result is that even if the G7 offered raw image capture...there would be no discernible improvement in image quality compared to...Superfine JPEG mode," Westfall said.

The G9 offers 12.1 megapixels compared with 10 for the G7, so the shrinking pixel size is still an issue. However, new generations of sensors often decrease the amount of sensor area lost to electronics so that more light can be gathered, and Westfall said the G9's sensor is actually "slightly" bigger than the G7's--0.59 inches diagonally instead of 0.56--so there's a bit more surface area to work with.

Other differences between the G7 and G9 include improved face detection, which helps with focus and exposure; the built-in ability to correct red-eye; better support for Canon Speedlite external flashes; and a larger LCD screen.
provided by Stephen Shankland of CNet News.

Nikon Announces Three New NIKKOR Lenses

Nikon users have a lot of good news today, two new DSLR cameras and three new NIKKOR lenses. The following is the official press release for the new lenses.

Nikon (www.nikonusa.com) today introduced three new super-telephoto NIKKOR lenses that offer professional photographers the latest innovations in lens technology and optical design. The new AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR, AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR, and AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR all offer unprecedented image quality, responsiveness and versatility along with new features such as Nikon’s VR II Vibration Reduction technology and Nikon's exclusive Nano Crystal Coat. These new lenses are designed for use with Nikon’s FX and DX format digital SLR cameras and together with Nikon’s current AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR lens, they complete Nikon’s range of super-telephoto lenses.

“An incredible number of the most famous moments in sports history have been captured faithfully and forever with NIKKOR super telephoto lenses,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products, at Nikon Inc. “And a long list of the world’s finest nature and wildlife photographers rely on NIKKOR super telephoto lenses to capture images that inspire and educate people the world over. With the introduction of the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR, and the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm and 600mm f/4G ED VR lenses, we are thrilled to offer professional photographers the most sophisticated super-telephoto optics available today.”

These new super-telephoto lenses are equipped with Nikon’s VR II Vibration Reduction system that minimizes image blur caused by camera shake and offers up to four stops of compensation for clean, crisp images. When using Nikon’s VR function, photographers can view a stabilized image through the viewfinder and therefore are able to compose their pictures naturally and with greater accuracy. A Tripod mode in the camera reduces vibration that may occur at shutter release when shooting with a super-telephoto lens attached to a tripod.

The new optical design for all three lenses features three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements that minimize chromatic aberration, producing consistently high-quality images. Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat – an extra-low refractive index coating – virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of wavelengths, and is particularly effective in reducing ghosting and flare. A meniscus protective glass element also minimizes the ghosting that occurs when light reflected from a digital camera’s image sensor is in turn reflected off an ordinary flat protective glass element.

All three new lenses feature ergonomically arranged controls that enable easy access and comfortable operation. The Focus Preset function instantly recalls a focal point preset with a simple push of a button while the Focus Limiter switch restricts AF-servo movement to a controlled shooting distance range. The lenses also feature an AF-L switch that makes it possible to lock focus from the lens; and AF-ON engages auto focus from the lens.

By employing magnesium die-cast to construction the lens barrel, Nikon has achieved considerable weight reduction advantages without sacrificing rugged field-proven construction that's resistant to both dust and moisture.

Price and Availability
The three new Super-Telephoto lenses will be available beginning November 2007. Estimated selling prices* for the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR, AF-S NIKKOR 500mm and 600mm f/4G ED VR lenses are $8,799.95, $7,899.95 and $9,499.95 respectively. These lenses will be compatible with all current F-mount Nikon cameras, as well as the NIKKOR 1.4x, 1.7x and 2.0x AF-Tele-converters.

* Estimated selling prices listed are only an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

Nikon Announces New D300 12MP Digital SLR

The Nikon D300 digital SLR has a resolution of twelve megapixels - the same as the D3, but achieved courtesy of a smaller and hence more economical "DX Format" image sensor (roughly analogous to an APS-C film frame), which is rather smaller than the D3's "FX Format" type (near-identical to the size of a 35mm film frame). The D300 can shoot full-res photos at six frames per second for as many as 100 JPEG Large/Normal photos, pulling almost neck and neck with the 6.5 fps of Canon's just-announced EOS 40D digital SLR. Add the optional Nikon MB-D10 battery grip though, and that jumps to 8 fps - a significant step up from the Canon. The Nikon D300's combination of modern CMOS sensor technology, and Nikon's a new image processor dubbed "Expeed", come together to yield an impressive ISO sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3,200 with the ability to extend this to an ISO 100 to 6,400 range.

With the D3 and D300, Nikon becomes the latest manufacturer to support a "live view" function in a digital SLR - letting you preview the frame to be captured in the LCD display rather than having to hold the viewfinder to your eye. The LCD, incidentally, is the same one used in the Nikon D3 and should prove easy on the eye with a diagonal of three inches, 640 x 480 pixel (920,000 dots) of resolution, and 170-degree wide viewing angle. Nikon's live view functionality has two operating modes. In "Handheld" mode, autofocus is allowed by dropping the mirror briefly to allow light to reach the camera's TTL phase detection autofocus module - the downside being an interruption to the live view while focusing is happening.. In "Tripod" mode, the camera uses contrast detection autofocus from the image sensor, allowing for autofocus to occur without interruption to the live view - and usefully, also allowing for the AF point to be set anywhere in the image area.

Which brings us to autofocus, another area of the Nikon D300 that impresses. A new Multi-CAM 3500 DX autofocus system has 15 cross-type sensors and 36 linear sensors, for a total of 51 autofocus points. 3D Focus Tracking is possible across all 51 points, with the camera automatically switching between focus points to follow your subject. A new Scene Recognition System is described as a "world's first" by Nikon and is said to recognize the scene being photographed, then use this information accordingly when calculating exposure, autofocus and white balance. An Active D-Lighting system corrects for shadows and highlights to produce more appealing images. There's also a new Picture Control System with four basic presets - Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome - which the user can then tweak to their taste, adjust imaging parameters such as saturation, brightness, sharpening and tone compensation. Up to nine different customized presets can be stored in each D300 body, and up to 99 can be stored on a CompactFlash card - enabling easy sharing of settings among multiple cameras (or for that matter, easy sharing of cameras between multiple photographers).

As with the Nikon D3 it is announced alongside, there are enough standout features on the Nikon D300 that a full discussion is beyond the scope of this news article. Briefly though, other features of note include a 0.13 second startup time, 45 millisecond shutter release lag, viewfinder with near-100% coverage, UDMA-compatible CompactFlash storage media slot, an HDMI connection (cable not included) that allows for the Nikon D300 to be connected directly to a high definition display, in-camera correction of chromatic abberations based on information on the lens in use, dust and moisture-resistant gaskets, a magnesium alloy body, tempered glass over the LCD display, a self-cleaning sensor, and a shutter mechanism rated to last to 150,000 releases.

The Nikon D300 digital SLR goes on sale from November 2007, priced at just under $1,800.
provided by Imaging Resource