PhotoNews

April 14, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikon Inc. today introduced the new D5000, a digital SLR camera with a host of features and capabilities that deliver superior performance and image quality along with amazing versatility for photo enthusiasts and those new to digital SLR photography. Leveraging Nikon's expertise and innovative technologies found in its pro-level D-SLRs, the 12.3-megapixel D5000 enables users to capture exceptionally stunning images and High Definition video with remarkable ease.

Whether consumers are progressing from a point-and-shoot digital camera or looking to upgrade their current digital SLR and elevate their photographic expression, the D5000 serves as an ideal solution. First time D-SLR photographers will appreciate logical and easy-to-use controls, while creative enthusiasts will appreciate the D5000's robust combination of features, technologies and performance. The D5000 boasts a versatile 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD monitor that encourages shooting with a fresh perspective, Nikon's revolutionary D-Movie Mode and expanded automatic Scene Modes, delivering superior Nikon innovation in a compact, user-friendly design.Read more

March 31, 2009 – Olympus announces its new entry-level digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera, which is small in size and powerful in creativity. The new E-450 continues the E-400 series' heritage of a small and portable design, powerful features, and ease of use for any skill level, including first time digital camera users. Thanks to Art Filters pioneered with the E-30 and E-620, the E-450 provides consumers with the creative freedom to capture their images in new fun and exciting ways.

The three Art Filters – Pop Art, Pin Hole and Soft Focus – bring greater creativity and freestyle experimentation to the new E-450. The creative filters were first introduced in Olympus' E-30 prosumer DSLR earlier this year, and now enable consumers to express themselves and capture it all – limited only by their imagination. The E-450 offers the 10-megapixel imager and other features from the E-420.

The new camera also provides heavyweight technologies, including a bigger, more viewable 2.7-inch LCD and fast consumer-friendly On-Screen Autofocus, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology and Perfect Shot Preview to get the most out of the Live View experience. Additionally, when it comes to Live View, not all LCDs are created equal. At 2.7-inches, the portable E-450 LCD is large enough for users to compose and review images without squinting. The small camera’s LCD is part of a camera with technologies intelligent enough to take advantage of the Live View photography experience. These innovative technologies include: Read more

March 2009 – Canon recently introduced a new addition to its Rebel lineup, the EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera, the first in the Rebel line to feature Full HD video capture. The new Canon Rebel T1i SLR incorporates some of the best technologies from the EOS 50D and EOS 5D Mark II models into an entry-level juggernaut. With a 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and HD video capture, along with the DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, the Rebel T1i gives aspiring photographers plenty of reason to step-up to the latest and greatest model in the Rebel lineup.

The new Canon EOS Rebel T1i raises the entry-level bar with a host of enhanced Canon technologies now available in an entry-level DSLR. Along with the boost in megapixels and Canon's most advanced imaging processor to-date, this latest Rebel camera has also been enhanced with HD video capture, a 3.0-inch Clear View LCD (920,000 dots/VGA) monitor and user-friendly functions such as Auto Lighting Optimizer, Creative Auto Mode and Canon's Live View modes, all the right tools to open new doors for imaging enthusiasts. From high-resolution to high-definition, the new EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera helps to give creative consumers a jumpstart on the next evolution in digital imaging.Read more

March 9, 2009 - Daydreaming about Anguilla's coastline at sunset? Taking a canoe down the Taramakau River? Or standing inside Mount Kenya's Ice Cave? If you're a U.S. resident with a camera and a vision, you could make your dream come true in Lenovo's first-ever "Name Your Dream Assignment" photo contest.

From March 3 to April 3, 2009, U.S. residents of any skill level will have a chance to win $50,000 to shoot a dream photo assignment anywhere in the world. In addition to $50,000, the grand-prize winner will also receive a digital camcorder and the Lenovo ThinkPad W700ds with Microsoft Windows Vista to take on the journey. Photographers can enter their ideas and with clear, succinct explanations at www.nameyourdreamassignment.com. Each participant may submit up to three ideas.

Participants don't just enter this contest - they'll help select the winner. A public online vote and a panel of expert judges will determine the outcome. The panel will also take into consideration skill and experience. Two runners-up will also receive the Lenovo ThinkPad W700ds with Microsoft Windows Vista.

To continue daydreaming with other hopefuls, please join the contest's online community at its official Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/pages/Name-Your-Dream-Assignment/42186564483 and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dreamassignment.

For contest rules and information, please visit www.nameyourdreamassignment.com.

SOURCE Lenovo, Microsoft

March 2009 - The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma DP2 compact digital camera featuring a 14 Mega Pixel FOVEON X3 direct image sensor (2,652 x 1,768 x 3 layers) as used in the Sigma SD14 digital SLR.

Sigma introduced to the market in March, 2008, the DP1 with its direct image sensor; the same sensor utilized by the Sigma SD14 digital SLR. It was called a “unique, groundbreaking, compact digital camera with all the power of a digital SLR”. Since then, the multi-award winning DP1 has earned respect among a wide range of both amateur and professional photographers and has gained their ardent support. Building on this success, the DP2 has arrived and is equipped with a 24.2mm F2.8 lens, equivalent to 41mm on a 35mm SLR camera, increasing creative possibilities, providing superior image quality and improving handling and performance.

Sigma is pleased to also announce that both the DP1 and DP2 will be a part of the Sigma line. Users can continue to enjoy the image quality of the DP2 camera for standard focal length photography and also take advantage of the DP1’s wider focal length. Both offer support and encourage creativity in a compact digital camera.

DP2 Special Site: www.SIGMA-DP.com Read more

March 2009 — ColorCentric Corp., a leader in web-to-print, real-time publishing for the photo and traditional publishing industries, announced this week that it is introducing the first audio enhanced photo book powered by Ekko Technologies.

"Whether one is flipping through an album or a shoebox of photos, voice is the most natural and intuitive way of sharing the memories behind the images." said John Lacagnina, CEO of ColorCentric. "With the Ekko™ Audio Photo Book amateur photographers, children and photojournalists alike, will be able to create photo books that play narration, music or ambient sounds simply by touching an icon on the printed page."

The Ekko™ Audio Photo Book contains a patented electronic audio panel on the back of the book block. The panel has a matrix of touch sensitive regions and the book is printed with PLAY graphic buttons on each page where audio has been added. In every other way, the Audio Book looks and feels like any other high quality photo book. Ekko Audio PhotoBooks are beautifully bound, completely customized, heirloom photo books – that play sound. They are created individually or collectively by family, friends, colleagues, children etc. around an event, milestone, trip, and story or as a gift. Read more

March 2009 – Panasonic just introduced the DMC-GH1, the newest member of the company’s revolutionary LUMIX G Micro System – a new digital interchangeable lens camera system that delivers professional-level features and performance in a compact and easy-to-use camera body.

Compatible with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the new LUMIX GH1 features advanced video photography functions, such as the ability to record High Definition (HD) AVCHD 1080p/24p video.* In addition, the new LUMIX GH1 comes with a newly developed long-zoom interchangeable lens – the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. This lens was specifically designed to support HD movie recording and features a silent motor and continuous auto focusing (AF) capability; two features which distinguish the LUMIX GH1 from DSLRs that offer HD video recording capabilities. Read more

March 4, 2009 – Canon just received two DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out awards for fine art photographic printing at the 2009 PMA International Convention and Trade Show. Canon is proud to announce that the Company received DIMA Digital Printer Shoot-Out awards for both the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9100 60-inch large format printer for "Inkjet 50 inches Wide or More" category and the PIXMA MP980 Photo All-In-One (AIO) printer for "Black and White, Best B&W with grayscale inks" category. The Digital Printer Shoot-Out award winning prints are on display at PMA 2009, March 3rd – 5th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Decided by a panel of judges, the award-winning prints won based on the "overall quality of the digital print."

"Inkjet 50 Inches Wide or More" Award – imagePROGRAF iPF9100

The winning image for the "Inkjet 50 inches Wide or More" category was printed with the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9100 large format printer on Canon-branded Heavyweight Satin, 300 gsm fine art media. The printer utilizes the Company’s twelve-color ink system featuring Canon’s proprietary LUCIA pigment inks including four enhanced monochrome inks. Canon’s LUCIA inks enable the imagePROGRAF printers to achieve smooth natural image expression for remarkable results. Read more

March 3, 2009 — Casio introduced the latest addition to its stylish series of EXILIM digital cameras today, the EXILIM Zoom EX-Z29. This newest member of the EXILIM line features a stylish, slim and compact design to increase portability, and provides an improved 10.1 megapixels of image resolution with 3X optical zoom. The EX-Z29 will be on display at Casio’s booth at the Photo Marketing Association International Convention and Tradeshow.

This new model stays true to the user-friendly features that have become standard to the EXILIM Zoom series. The 2.7-inch wide LCD display enables users to easily navigate camera operations and enhance the review of images, while the 23 Best Shot Modes and face detection technology help users take high quality photos without having to adjust camera settings.

“Casio is dedicated to creating digital cameras that feature superior technology while maintaining an ease of use for the consumer,” said Bill Heuer, Vice President of Sales for Digital Imaging Division at Casio America, Inc. “We continue to be a leader in the digital camera industry, providing fun and convenient ways to capture quality photographs.” Read more

March 3, 2009 –The 2009 line of JVC Everio camcorders offers innovations in video sharing, dual storage memory models and hi-def camcorders no larger than their diminutive standard definition counterparts.

For 2009, what the Everio line offers is choice – in storage medium, color and sharing. The line includes hard disk drive (HDD) models, memory camcorders, and for the first time dual memory models, including standard and high definition dual SD memory card camcorders, the world’s first dual card slot models. There’s also a standard definition model that combines SD card recording with internal flash memory. Read more