Epson America announced last week new tethering capabilities for their P-6000 and P-7000 line of multimedia photo viewers that allow users to instantly view and save images to the viewer as they’re shot.

Tethering involves connecting the Epson multimedia photo viewer to a digital SLR camera via a USB cable. Once connected, images saved to the camera’s memory card will also be backed up to the viewer’s hard drive allowing the photographer to preview images immediately on the 4 inch high resolution LCD display. The latest update also includes a remote shutter release function for additional convenience.

The new tethering feature will be released in late-October as a free download on epson.com and is compatible with select Nikon and Canon digital SLR cameras.

Other features of the P-6000 (80GB) and P-7000 (160GB) multimedia photo viewers include:

• Large 4-inch LCD with exclusive Epson Photo Fine Premia technology displays over 16.7 million colors
• Convenient jog dial to quickly scroll through images
• Wide LCD viewing angle
• Zoom function to confirm image focus and fine detail
• RAW and JPEG file support
• Built-in CompactFlash and Secure Digital memory card slots with many other cards supported via third-party adapter  
• Compatible with high-speed UDMA CompactFlash cards
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts up to three hours for extended shoots
• High-speed USB 2.0 interface for device to device backup
• Audio/video output to present customized slideshows
• Travel Pack with dual battery charger, car adapter and more (P-7000 only)

The Epson P-6000 has an MSRP of $599.99 while the P-7000 has an MSRP of $799.99.

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Technorati Tags: Epson P-6000, Epson P-7000

Ever have a friend look at a picture on your digital photo frame and say “gee.. can I get a print out of that picture?”.. OK.. maybe they’re more likely to say “gee.. can you email me that picture?” but JUST in case they do want a real printout, Sony now has you covered with the newly announced S-Frame digital photo frame with printer (model DPP-F700). This new all-in-one product combines a 7 inch 800 x 480 digital photo frame with a 4 x 6 inch 300 x 300 dpi photo printer into a single form factor. Features and specs include:

• 16:10 aspect ratio 7 inch WVGA (800 x 600) resolution display
• Print 4 x 6 inch professional quality 300 x 300 dpi photos in 45 seconds
• Edit images before printing with options such as enlarge, reduce, crop, date stamp on/off, border/borderless (for single prints), and brightness, contrast, hue, and sharpness adjustment
• Creative Print mode – you can make a calendar with pictures (more than 30 templates), print an ID photo, and create a “layout print” with multiple images on one sheet
• Screen Capture – print exactly what is displayed on the screen during a slideshow
• 1GB of internal memory
• Auto resizing to downsize photos
• Supports direct USB input from PC as well as media transfer from Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Secure Digital (SD), SDHC, Multi-Media Card (MMC), Compact Flash®, and xD-Picture Card media
• Auto Orientation sensor automatically rotates your photos into portrait or landscape format according to the placement
• Included remote control
• Display pictures as single images, as thumbnails for easy searching, or as a slideshow with ten built-in transitions.
• Supports JPEG, TIFF, and BMP image file formats

The new Sony S-Frame DPP-F700 digital photo frame printer will be available for $200 dollars in January.

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Technorati Tags: Sony S-Frame digital photo frame-printer DPP-F700

Canon introduces their latest next generation EOS 1D digital SLR camera today, the EOS-1D Mark IV, with features such as a massive 16 megapixel CMOS sensor, dual DIGIC 4 imaging processors, 14 bit A/D data conversion, and the widest ISO range to date from Canon. Here’s what you need to know about the new digital SLR:

• New 45-point Area AF sensor including 39 cross-type AF points with f/2.8 support plus new AI Servo II AF with improved algorithm.
• ISO 100 – 12800 (expandable to L: 50, H1: 25600, H2: 51200, H3: 102400) for shooting from bright to dim light with low noise levels.
• EOS HD movie capture with manual exposure control and multiple frame rates (1080: 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 720: 60p (59.94) / 50p, 480: 60p (59.94) / 50p).
• 16.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors for high image quality and speed – Dual DIGIC 4 processors provide six times the processing power of DIGIC III for full 14 bit A/D conversion at 10fps
• 10.0 fps continuous shooting up to 121 Large JPEGS or 28 RAW using a UDMA CF card.
• 3.0-inch ClearView II LCD monitor, 160° viewing angle, 920,000-dot VGA, reflection resistance with multi coating and high-transparency materials for bright and clear viewing.
• Magnesium alloy body with shutter durability up to 300,000 cycles and exclusive dust- and weather-resistance.
• Fully compatible with over 50 EF lenses and a wide range of EOS System accessories.
• 60 percent more pixels than EOS-1D Mark III
• Peripheral Illumination Correction function corrects darkening that can occur in the corners of images with most lenses when used at their largest apertures
• Record on CF Type I and II, SD/SDHC memory cards, UDMA Mode 6 CF cards and/or external media

The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR will be available in the U.S. starting in late December and will be sold in a body-only configuration for an estimated price of $4999.

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Technorati Tags: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR

As widescreen displays become more and more prevalent everywhere, it only makes sense that webcams would eventually make the switch to widescreen aspect ratios. That’s exactly what Microsoft has done with the introduction last week of the new LifeCam Cinema webcam – the first consumer webcam for the PC capable of capturing widescreen video with a native 720p sensor.

Features of the new Microsoft LifeCam Cinema include:

• Ability to maintain a high frame rate even under poor lighting conditions
• 720p HD video capture at 16:9 aspect ratio
• Auto focus
• Microsoft ClearFrame Technology which offers faster image processing technology to help deliver smooth video at any resolution and improved noise reduction technology to reduce image graininess and help keep videos sharp
• 74 degree angle of capture
• High precision glass element lens
• Digital microphone
• Aluminum body

In addition to the new widescreen-enabled LifeCam Cinema camera, Microsoft also announced the new LifeChat LX-1000 headset which provides high quality audio and a noise-cancelling microphone.

The LifeCam Cinema and LifeChat LX-1000 will be available starting in September with the LifeCam Cinema priced at $79.95 and the LifeChat LX-1000 priced at $24.95. Pre-sales on Amazon.com will begin today.

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Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Microsoft LifeCam Cinema, Microsoft LifeChat LX-1000

The Canon PowerShot family of digital cameras received a welcome upgrade today as the company announced six new models that would be joining the lineup. The new camera models are the PowerShot G11, PowerShot S90, PowerShot SX20 IS, PowerShot SX120 IS, PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH, and PowerShot SD940 IS Digital ELPH.

All six new models feature Optical Image Stabilization, the DIGIC 4 Image Processor, and Smart AUTO technology which can track moving faces and up to 22 different shooting situations (up from 18). Let’s jump right into the new models shall we?

Canon PowerShot G11:

• New 10.0 megapixel sensor
• DIGIC 4 Image Processor
• RAW+JPEG output
• 2.8 inch Vari-angle LCD with 461,000 dots
• Large collection of optional accessories including Speedlite flashes, underwater housing, and Tele-converter lens available
• High-powered wide-angle 5x optical zoom
• HDMI output
• Smart AUTO selects proper settings for the camera based on 22 predefined shooting situations
• Focal length – 6.1 (W) – 30.5mm (35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) – 140 (T) mm)
• ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600/3200
• Record video in 640 x 480 at 30fps
• MSRP of $499.99 and available in Sept.

Canon PowerShot S90:

• 10.0 megapixel sensor
• DIGIC 4 image processor
• Low light scene mode for ISO settings up to 12,800
• Pocket-sized camera
• Bright f/2.0 lens ideal for shooting in low light conditions or using a shallow depth-of-field
• Customizable control ring for easy access and operation of manual or other creating shooting settings
• Wide-angle 3.8x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer
• RAW+JPEG output
• 3.0 inch PureColor System LCD
• ISO 80 to 3200
• Record 640 x 480 video at 30fps
• MSRP of $429.99 and available in Sept

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS:

• 20x wide-angle optical zoom with optical image stabilizer
• Record 720p HD movies with stereo sound
• HDMI output
• Smart AUTO selects proper settings from 22 predefined shooting scenarios
• DIGIC 4 image processor
• 12.1 megapixel sensor
• 2.5 inch Vari-angle LCD
• AA battery powered camera
• MSRP of $399.99 and available in Aug

Canon PowerShot SX120 IS:

• Smart AUTO selects proper settings from predefined shooting conditions
• Easy Mode for super easy image captures
• 10x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilizer
• 10.0 megapixel resolution
• DIGIC 4 image processor
• 3.0 inch PureColor System LCD
• AA battery powered
• Record 640 x 480 video at 30fps
• MSRP of $249.99 and available in Aug.

Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH:

• 3.0 inch wide touch panel PureColor System LCD with new user interface
• Active Display for quickly switching between images during playback with a shake of the camera
• 5x optical zoom with ultra-wide 24 mm lens
• 12 megapixel resolution
• 720p HD video recording
• HDMI otuput
• Available in Silver, Blue, Purple, and Gold
• Smart AUTO selects proper settings from 22 predefined shooting conditions
• MSRP of $329.99 and available in Aug.

Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Digital ELPH:

• 12.1 megapixel resolution
• 28mm wide angle lens with 4x optical zoom and optical image stabilizer
• 720p HD movie recording
• HDMI output
• 2.7 inch PureColor System LCD with wide viewing angle
• Smart AUTO selects proper settings from 22 predefined shooting conditions
• Easy to use with built-in hints and tips
• MSRP of $299.99 and available in Aug.

Technorati Tags: Canon PowerShot G11, PowerShot S90, PowerShot SX20 IS, PowerShot SX120 IS, PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH, PowerShot SD940 IS Digital ELPH

So you’re out with a friend and you’d love to snap a picture of the two of you together. Problem is – no one is around to help take that picture. What do you do? Hold that camera out in front of you and hope/pray that the picture will come out just right. Press that shutter.. and.. whoops – your face is cropped. Grr.. try again!

Well folks – things are about to get a lot easier thanks to two of three new Samsung digital cameras announced yesterday which feature Samsung DualView technology. As the name implies, DualView cameras come with two LCD displays – your standard large display on the back and a smaller LCD display in the front designed to help make taking self portraits a snap. The two cameras to feature DualView are the TL225 and the TL220. The third new camera, the CL65, features geo-tagging, Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, DLNA support, and built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.

Here are the specs to the TL225:

• 12.2 megapixel resolution
• 4.6x zoom lens
• 1.5 inch front LCD display
• 3.5 inch haptic enabled 1,152,000-pixel touch-screen back display
• Schneider-KREUZNACH lens
• 720p HD / H.264 format capable with an optional HDMI adapter
• Measures 99.8mm x 59.8mm x 18.9mm
• Smart Gesture UI
• Advanced Real Dual Image Stabilization : Optical IS + Digital IS
• Smart Touch Auto Focus
• Smart Auto
• Smart Album
• Smart Face Recognition (up to 20 faces)
• Perfect Portrait System: Beauty Shot / Face Detection / Self Portrait / Smile Shot / Blink Detection
• Photo Style Selector
• Available in September for a price of $349.99

Next up, we have the TL220:

• 12.2 megapixel resolution
• 4.6x zoom lens
• 1.5 inch front LCD display
• 3.0 inch haptic enabled 230,000-pixel touch-screen back display
• Schneider-KREUZNACH lens
• 720p HD / H.264 format capable
• Measures 99.8mm x 59.8mm x 19.1mm
• Smart Gesture UI
• Advanced Real Dual Image Stabilization : Optical IS + Digital IS
• Smart Touch Auto Focus
• Smart Auto
• Smart Album
• Smart Face Recognition (up to 20 faces)
• Perfect Portrait System: Beauty Shot / Face Detection / Self Portrait / Smile Shot / Blink Detection
• Photo Style Selector
• Available in Sept for $299.99

Finally, there’s the CL65 which features:

• 12.2 megapixel resolution
• 5x internal optical zoom
• 3.5 inch 1,152,000 pixel touch-screen display
• Schneider-KREUZNACH lens
• 720p HD / H.264 Format capable with optional HDMI adapter
• Measures 99.8mm x 60.8mm x 18.9mm
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 2.0 Connectivity (DLNA Supported)
• Email / Direct upload to photo sharing Web sites
• Smart Gesture UI
• Advanced Real Dual Image Stabilization : Optical IS + Digital IS
• Smart Touch Auto Focus
• Smart Auto
• Smart Album
• Smart Face Recognition (up to 20 faces)
• Perfect Portrait System: Beauty Shot / Face Detection / Self Portrait / Smile Shot / Blink Detection
• Photo Style Selector
• Available in Sept for $399.99

Technorati Tags: Samsung TL225, Samsung TL220, Samsung CL65, digital cameras

Ladies and gentlemen – say hello to Nikon’s four latest COOLPIX Style Series compact digital cameras – the COOLPIX S70, COOLPIX S1000pj, COOLPIX S640, and COOLPIX S570. One has a new OLED touch screen display; one is the first camera ever to feature a built-in projector; one is fast and affordable; and one is cooler and easier to use than ever before.

According to Bill Giordano, GM of Nikon marketing – “These latest Nikon COOLPIX digital cameras reflect hallmarks of the COOLPIX line: performance, design and innovation,”

Without further ado – let’s check out the features and specs to the four new models:

COOLPIX S70:

• 12.1 megapixel resolution
• 5x Wide-angle Optical Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens
• 3.5 inch high resolution Touch Panel OLED display with Clear Color Display and anti-glare coating
• Swipe your finger to scroll through images and pinch your fingers with two fingers to zoom in or out on images
• Touch Shutter and Autofocus capabilities – tap on your display to have the camera focus and shoot a picture
• Scene effect adjustment by using touch screen sliders
• 5 way VR image stabilization system including Nikon’s Hybrid Optical and Electronic VR Image Stabilization
• Motion Detection
• Up to ISO 6400
• Best Shot Selector (BSS) automatically takes up to 10 shots while the shutter is pressed and saves the sharpest image
• Captures HD video at 1280 x 720 resolution
• Subject tracking will track a moving object
• Scene Auto Selector
• Nikon Smart Portrait System including new Skin Softening feature, In-Camera Red Eye fix, Face Priority AF, Smile Timer, Blink Proof, and Blink Warning technologies, and D-Lighting
• Macro shooting as close as 1.2 inches
• Available in Red & Red, Black & Black, Champagne & Beige, Champagne & Light Brown
• Available in Sept for $399.95

COOLPIX S1000pj:

• 12.1 megapixels
• 5x Wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens
• First camera to feature an ultra-small, built-in projector – project up to 40 inches
• 5 way VR image stabilization system including Hybrid VR Image Stabilization technology, Motion Detection, ISO support up to 6400, and Best Shot Selector (shoots up to 10 shots and saves the sharpest)
• 2.7 inch High Resolution LCD
• Scene Auto Selector
• Smart Portrait System including Skin Softening, In-Camera Red Eye Fix, Face-Priority AF, Smile Timer, Blink Proof and Blink Warning technologies, and D-Lighting
• Quick Retouch
• 16 scene modes
• Record video at 640 x 480 at 30fps
• Macro shooting as close as 1.2 inches
• Available in black
• Available in Sept for $429.95

COOLPIX S640:

• 12.2 megapixel resolution
• Fast startup
• 5x wide-angle Zoom NIKKOR Glass Lens
• 4 way VR Image Stabilization System including Optical VR Image Stabilization, Motion Detection, Up to ISO6400, and Best Shot Selector
• 2.7 inch Clear Color Display
• Scene Auto Selector
• Subject Tracking
• Smart Portrait System including Skin Softening, In-Camera Red Eye Fix, Face-Priority AF, Smile Timer, Blink Proof and Blink Warning technologies, and D-Lighting
• Quick Retouch
• 16 scene modes
• Record movies at 640 x 480
• Macro shooting as close as 0.8 inches
• Available in Calm Black, Velour Red, Precious Pink, Pearl White
• Available in Sept for $249.95

COOLPIX S570:

• 12 megapixel resolution
• 5x Wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR Glass Lens
• 4 way VR Image Stabilization System including Electronic VR Image Stabilization, Motion Detection, Up to ISO3200, and Best Shot Selector
• 2.7 inch LCD display
• Scene Auto Selector
• less than 1 inch thick
• Smart Portrait System including Skin Softening, In-Camera Red Eye Fix, Face-Priority AF, Smile Timer, Blink Proof and Blink Warning technologies, and D-Lighting
• Quick Retouch
• 16 Scene Modes
• Record movies at 640 x 480 at 30/15 fps
• Macro shooting as close as 1.2 inches
• Available in Black, Blue, Red, Pink
• Available in Sept for $199.95

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[Check out some product videos]

Technorati Tags: Nikon, COOLPIX S70, COOLPIX S1000pj, COOLPIX S640, COOLPIX S570

OK.. so the new D300s is a bit expensive for the average consumer – that’s why Nikon also introduced last week the new affordable D3000 digital SLR camera. The camera features a new guide mode, a 10.2 megapixel resolution, and an extensive Retouch Menu for in-camera picture editing.

The full features and specs of the D3000 include:

• 11 point autofocus system
• EXPEED image processing
• Active D-Lighting system
• 3D color matrix metering II
• Guide Mode is an easy-to-use interface for newcomers to digital SLR photography providing step-by-step instructions
• Three inch 230K dot LCD display with easier-to-read font size
• 3D Subject Tracking
• In-camera retouch menu allows users to apply effects to images
• Capture images in NED (RAW) format
• Stop-Motion Movie Mode
• 10.2 megapixel CCD image sensor
• ISO range from ISO 100 to 1600
• Supports Eye-Fi memory card functions

The Nikon D3000 will be available later this month for a price of $599.95.

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Technorati Tags: Nikon D3000 Digital SLR

Nikon introduced their latest digital SLR camera last week – the Nikon D300s. The camera features the friendly features of the D300 while improving and enhancing the speed, versatility, and agility of the camera. Features of the D300s include the following:

• 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor
• 51 point autofocus system
• 7 frame per second continuous shooting
• Record HD videos at 720p at 24 fps
• External stereo microphone input
• Dual card slots supporting CompactFlash, and SD cards separately
• One button Live View
• Quiet Shutter Release mode
• Active D-Lighting bracketing
• Three inch 920K dot LCD display
• Multiple focus modes including single point AF mode, and a dynamic area AF mode
• Face Detection System lets users zoom in on a human face in playback mode on the LCD monitor
• 1005 pixel 3D color matrix metering II
• Scene Recognition System (SRS)
• EXPEED image processing
• Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200
• Magnesium Alloy Body
• Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System using ultrasonic process to remove dust in front of the image sensor
• 4 preset image capture preferences ( Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome) and 9 user customizable settings controlling Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation and Hue.
• In-Camera image editing

The Nikon D300s will be available in late August for an estimated price of $1799.95.

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Technorati Tags: Nikon D300s Digital SLR

Panasonic expanded their LUMIX line of digital cameras on Monday with the introduction of three new models including the LUMIX DMC-FZ35, LUMIX DMC-FP8, and LUMIX DMC-ZR1. The DMC-FZ35 is the successor to the FZ28 and features AVCHD Lite, HD video recording, and a 27mm wide-angle, 18x optical zoom LEICA lens while the DMC-FP8 comes with a 12.1 megapixel resolution, and a 28mm wide-angle 4.6x Leica DC lens with folding optics. Finally, the DMC-ZR1 features the world’s first 0.3mm thin aspherical lens which allows for a super compact body while still yielding a 25mm ultra-wide-angle 8x optical zoom.  Here’s the low down on the new digicams:

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ35:

• Creative Movie Mode – allows you to set the shutter speed and aperture manually for movie capture
• My Color Mode – manually adjust the color, brightness, and saturation parameters while seeing how the adjustments change the picture live on the display
• High Dynamic Mode – helps capture a scene with moderate exposure even though the scene contains both bright and dark areas
• 12.1 megapixel resolution
• LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens
• Upgraded POWER Optical Image Stabilizer
• MEGA OIS
• Ultra high-speed Auto Focus (AF)
• 18x optical zoom lens
• Venus Engine HD
• Battery life of around 470 pictures
• Intelligent Auto Mode with features such as Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent Exposure, and Face Recognition
• Face Recognition that recognizes up three faces simultaneously while taking pictures
• Available in September for a suggested retail price of $399.99
• Available in black

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FP8:

• 12.1 megapixel resolution
• LEICA DC Vario-Elmar lens
• High-speed Auto Focus(AF)
• Intelligent Auto (iA) suite of technologies
• POWER Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
• MEGA OIS
• Blue LED cursor buttons that glow when pressed
• 2.7 inch large Intelligent LCD
• Face Recognition recognizes up to three faces simultaneously
• Venus Engine V
• HD movies with VIERA Link Networking – record in 1280 x 720 at 30fps or 848 x 480 or 640 x 480
• 27 scene modes including a new High Dynamic Mode which takes a scene in moderate exposure even though there are dark or bright areas in the scene
• PHOTOfunSTUDIO 4.0 software
• Available in September for $299.95
• Available in black, red, and silver

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZR1:

• Has the world’s first 0.3 mm thin aspherical lens providing a 25mm ultra-wide angle 8x optical zoom lens in an ultra-compact body
• Zoom range of 25-200mm
• 12.1 megapixel resolution
• LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens
• High speed Auto Focus
• High speed startup of 1.1 seconds
• 2.7 inch Intelligent LCD
• Venus Engine V
• Intelligent Auto (iA) technologies including hand-shake component, and a face recognition feature – up to 6 faces registered and three detected simultaneously
• POWER Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS)
• Travel Mode – organize information related to travel including destination, date, and time. Allows for simply playback of pictures
• High Dynamic Mode (see above)
• PHOTOfunSTUDIO 4.0 software included
• Available in September for a suggested price of $279.95
• Available in black, red, blue, and silver

[Check out the DMC-FZ35 Press Release]

[Check out the DMC-FP8 Press Release]

[Check out the DMC-ZR1 Press Release]

Technorati Tags: Panasonic, LUMIX DMC-FZ35, LUMIX DMC-FP8, LUMIX DMC-ZR1, digital cameras