Canon EOS 40D Beta Preview Gallery

Digital Photography Review has posted a Canon EOS 40D Beta Preview Gallery. They also take an initial look at the recently announced new DSLR due out soon.

New CompactFlash Media Cards From ATP Electronics

Flash memory manufacturer ATP Electronics, Inc. released what the company calls “one of the world’s fastest CompactFlash cards equipped with the ability to support UDMA (Ultra Direct Memory Access) mode,” according to a recent company press release. To support the new memory card, ATP is also introducing a compatible USB 2.0 card reader. Pricing has not yet been announced for the ATP ProMax II CompactFlash card or reader.

The ATP ProMax II CF card is available in 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB storage capacities. Geared toward digital SLR users, the ATP ProMax II CF card has a 300x write speed. Promising a 45 MB per second transfer rate, the ATP memory card enables photographers to shoot continuously in high resolution format.

“Our ProMax II CompactFlash Cards deliver uncompromising performance for next generation DSLR cameras with UDMA feature. At the same time, we also wanted to give everyday users a convenient, cost effective way to take advantage of the new interface,” said ATP Vice President of Sales Michael Plaksin in the release.

To complement the ATP flash card, ATP announced a new card reader that supports both CF and SDHC memory cards. The ProMax card reader is compatible with USB 2.0 ports and has a read speed of 220x, according to the release.

“...we developed our USB2.0 UDMA card reader that allows for a performance increase on an interface that is widely used and adopted today,” Plaksin said.

The ATP ProMax II CF card is backwards compliant and compatible with standard CF-accepting cameras and readers.
provided by digitalcamerainfo.com

Two New Digital Photo Frames From JOBO

Photo storage device maker JOBO announced the introduction of two digital photo frames into its product line. The PDJ701, with 1 GB of storage space, and PDJ700, with 128 MB of internal memory, each include 7-inch monitors for displaying photos. The JOBO PDJ701 is priced at $179, and the PDJ700 at $159.

“These affordable new JOBO Photo Displays were created specifically to help consumers keep their memories alive and visible," said JOBO CEO Johannes Bockemuehl-Simon in a company press release. "With the popularity of digital photography and the ability of consumers to take more pictures than they ever did before, products like our Photo Displays are the perfect solution to proudly showcase digital images that until now were just being stored on home computers never to be seen again.”

Both JOBO frames are fitted with TFT color LCD screens with a 384,000 pixel monitor resolution. Users can display their photos in slide show form with transition effects. The frames feature built-in editing functions including Copy, Delete, Rotate functions, and Picture Effects such as black-and-white conversion.

The JOBO frames also include an alarm clock, calendar, and automatic shutoff by timer.

The JOBO PDJ701, with 1 GB of storage space, can hold more than 10,000 pictures, according to the press release. The JOBO PDJ700, with 128MB of space, can store 1,000 images. Both frames support JPEG and BMP file formats.

The new JOBO digital photo frames are compatible with CF, SD, MMC, MS, MS Pro, xD, and USB 2.0 media. The PDJ701 frame features a metal stand, while the PDJ700 includes a black plastic stand.
provided by digitalcamerainfo.com

Casio Announces Two New EXILIM Digicams

Casio America, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., released two new EXILIM digital cameras today. The EX-V8 features a slim, yet powerful optical zoom like its predecessors in the EXILIM Hi-Zoom series. The EX-Z1080, the latest addition to the core EXILIM Zoom series, packs an outstanding range of functions into a compact size.

The EX-V8 delivers 8.1 effective megapixels in a slim shape that is compact enough to fit in the palm of the hand. The camera features a 7X optical internal zoom lens designed for quiet operation. The EX-V8 also offers four blur reduction technologies, including a CCD-shift image stabilization mechanism.

The 10.1 megapixel EX-Z1080 produces beautiful photographs even when making large prints. It also enables high sensitivity photography up to a maximum of ISO 6400, and is ideal for photographing darker scenes and reducing blur caused by shaky hands and subject movement.

Both new models incorporate the EXILIM Engine 2.0 high-performance image processing module, which allows high quality movies to be recorded at the high compression rate of the next-generation H.264 standard. They also feature a YouTube™ Capture Mode, which enables users to shoot and save movies at the optimum size, quality and other settings for YouTube™, the leading online video community that allows people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube™ allows people to easily upload and share video clips on www.YouTube.com and across the Internet through websites, blogs and e-mail. Casio has also included an exclusive software application that makes it fast and simple to upload movies to YouTube™. This makes it easier than ever for people to enjoy “snapshot movies” of everyday fun, trips, and other occasions.

“Each year we strive to make advancements in our popular EXILIM digital cameras,” said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Sales for Casio’s Digital Imaging Division. “These models are no exception, as they blend many of the standard features EXILIM cameras are known for, with groundbreaking new technology such as YouTube™ Capture Mode, and the EXILIM Engine 2.0 high performance image processing module. If you ever needed an excuse to shoot photos and videos of friends or family these EXILIM cameras are it!”

The EX-V8 will have an MSRP of $329.99 and the EX-Z1080 an MSRP of $279.99. Both models will be available at retail in September.

Main Features of EXILIM Hi-Zoom EX-V8 & EXILIM Zoom EX-Z1080
- High-quality movies using the H.264 standard
- YouTube™ Capture Mode allows users to shoot movies at the optimum size, quality and other settings for uploading to YouTube™.
- Comes with unique “YouTube™ Uploader for CASIO” software that enables users to upload movies to YouTube™ in as few as two steps.
- The combination of face detection*1 technology and the auto-tracking AF system using motion analysis technology maintains both sharp focus and correct exposure for a human face
- Blur reduction technologies driven by the EXILIM Engine 2.0 image processing module
- Based on motion analysis technology, sets the most appropriate ISO sensitivity and shutter speed.

- Anti Shake DSP reduces blur due to shaky hands and subject movement, using high shutter speeds and high sensitivity settings.
- Movie mode with electronic image stabilization function.

Other Features of the EXILIM Hi-Zoom EX-V8
- 8.1 million effective pixels, 7X optical zoom
- CCD-shift image stabilization mechanism
- 2.5-inch Bright LCD display (maximum brightness of 1000 cd/m2 at the center of the screen)
- Maximum 4 shot/second*2 high-speed continuous shutter (only at 2.0 megapixel image size)
- Available in silver

Other Features of the EXILIM Zoom EX-Z1080
- 10.1 million effective pixels, 3X optical zoom
- BEST SHOT function with high-sensitivity shooting mode, up to a maximum of ISO 6400
- 2.6-inch Bright widescreen LCD display (maximum brightness of 1000 cd/m2 at the center of the screen)
- Maximum 7 shot/second*2 high-speed continuous shutter (only at 2.0 megapixel image size)
- Super Life Battery allows up to 370 shots to be taken when fully charged
- Choice of four body colors: gray, black, blue, pink

*1. The face detection feature includes a face detection technology provided by OKI’s face image processing engine, FSE (Face Sensing Engine).
*2. Number of shots can vary depending on the memory card used.

Nikon D3 And D300 DSLR Previews From Imaging Resource

Imaging Resource provides an early and detailed look at the recently announced D3 and D300 DSLRs from Nikon. Here is a brief excerpt:

… Both the D3 and D300 are pro-grade cameras, and share many of the same revolutionary features. While the D3 breaks new ground for Nikon with a full-frame sensor (called FX) at 12.1 megapixels, the D300 nearly matches that resolution at the old DX-size recording a 12.3 megapixel image with a 1.5x crop factor. They share so many features, we've come to think of the D300 as the build-it-yourself Nikon D3. You can almost achieve the D3's performance by adding accessories to the D300; all but the larger frame size…

Read the Nikon D3 Preview and the D300 Preview from Imaging Resource.

Boinx Releases FotoMagico 2.1 Upgrade

Official company press release:

As professional photographers master digital photography more and more, their interest turns to things to do with their photos. Stunning slide shows in minutes are the speciality of FotoMagico 2. Or as Macworld says: "A photographer's dream come true". With the latest update, FotoMagico 2.1 gains the ability to non-destructively adjust the color of an image, adapts to changes to iPhoto '08, exports to iPhone and Apple TV and exports better looking movies.

Color for Professionals
Imagine you took five images of sky on five different days. Due to differences in white balance, exposure and time of day, each of them is a slightly different shade of blue. You don't want to edit the original images, but just for this slide show, you want them to look the same. In FotoMagico 2 Pro, you can adjust the color of an image non-destructively. That means the color will be adjusted for presentation and export, but the original image file is not changed.

iPhoto '08
FotoMagico 2.1 is updated to support the latest changes to the iPhoto libraries introduced by Apple with the iLife '08 update. You can continue to access your photos in iPhoto as conveniently as with iPhoto 6 and before.

Plays Nice With iPhone, Apple TV
By creating a cool FotoMagico show from your photos and loading it on your iPhone, the iPhone becomes a powerful sales tool. Just think of the wow factor when your clients see how stylish you present your work. FotoMagico 2.1 adds export presets to make shows that play on the iPhone and the Apple TV easy to create.

Better Movies for Web
When exporting a movie, there is always a compromise between movie quality and file size. If you create a movie for the web, you want it to load quickly so you need a small file, but you also want good quality, which usually means a bigger file. As video encoding technology progresses, the FotoMagico presets are constantly improved to create better quality movies at the same file size. So you don't have to learn all about the technology.

Availability & Pricing
FotoMagico 2.1 is available immediately from Boinx. A built-in assistant will guide users through the process of aquiring the proper license. The update to FotoMagico 2.1 is free of charge to current FotoMagico 2 license owners at their current license levels. FotoMagico 2.1 Express is available for $49, FotoMagico 2.1 Pro is available for $129 via Kagi. For all purchase options see Boinx Fotomagico. Commercial Multi-User license discounts are available upon request.

Sony 11-18mm Wide Angle Lens Review

Popular Photography and Imaging reviews the widest Sony lens available for the Alpha 100 DSLR. Here is an excerpt from the online review of the Sony branded 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 DT AF Lens.

…IN THE LAB: Lens bench test data showed Excellent sharpness and contrast at the three tested focal lengths, in keeping with the majority of performances among today's digital-only ultrawides. In DxO Analyzer 2.0 tests, barrel distortion was in the Visible range at 11mm (0.49%), and in the Slight range at 14mm and 18mm (0.27% and 0.13%, respectively). These are among the best distortion performances in the digital-only ultrawide category…

Read the entire lens review and view gallery on popphoto.com.

Nikon Launches Digital Learning Center on Flickr.com

Nikon, known for its dedication to helping everyday people take better pictures, continues to raise the bar with the launch of the Nikon Digital Learning Center on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/Nikon). Complementing an interactive educational site on Nikon’s USA Web site, the launch of this new program on Flickr is revolutionary for a camera manufacturer. As an extension of Nikon School, this online resource provides Flickr members with tutorials, practical photography tips and advice from Nikon photo professionals to assist them in taking the photos they’ve always dreamed of capturing.

In addition, Nikon’s targeted sponsorship program on Flickr helps connect avid photographers with others who share their interests and/or use the same camera via Nikon-sponsored Groups on Flickr. The Nikon D50 and D80 digital SLRs rank among the most popular cameras in the Flickr community, and over 50,000 Nikon enthusiasts worldwide are already active participants in the many Nikon Groups on Flickr.

Different from other photo education sites, Nikon’s Digital Learning Center on Flickr offers live interaction with Nikon sponsored pros—including Rosanne Pennella, Cliff Mautner, and Nikon School instructors Reed Hoffman and Bill Durrence—who post images, interact with the community, explain the techniques used to achieve their end result, provide tips, and answer questions for those looking to improve their photography skills or just interact with other passionate Nikon photographers. The Nikon Digital Learning Center also includes information about understanding aperture, shutter speed, and composition, to specific genres like action, close-up, travel, landscapes, and portraits.

“This is a unique experience for both professional and leisure photographers to interact with and learn from the Nikon pros to increase their photography skills,” said Anna Marie Bakker, director of communications at Nikon. “Not only does it provide our customers with an interactive learning experience that will help them take better, sharper pictures, but it’s also available to anyone who is interested in photography. We are proud to further our partnership with Flickr by offering its members and anyone interested in photography, the chance to take great pictures.”

“It’s great to see the momentum that this innovative advertising program has already gained over a short period of time, as a result of providing useful community tools and information for Nikon photographers on Flickr,” said Kakul Srivastava, director of product management at Flickr. “The Nikon Digital Learning Center and the many official Nikon Groups on Flickr highlight one of the things that Flickr does best – connecting people with shared photography interests to help them learn and grow from each other’s experience.”

The Nikon Digital Learning Center is the latest way Nikon is fulfilling its mission to provide the best quality products and support to all levels of photographic experience and provide new and innovative ways of bringing photography to consumers.

Visit http://www.flickr.com/Nikon for more information.