Pasini Reports: Sneak Peek Slide Show

20:28 EST - See a Flash slide show of this afternoon's press-only event.

With 650 exhibitors from around the world setting up booths in 12 acres of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center's South Hall, it can be hard for a company to be seen. One solution to the problem is PMA's Sneak Peek, which was held today at noon. Sneak Peek gave 100 of those companies who elect to attend a chance to tell their story in a tabletop presentation. Over 400 members of the press... (More)

Imaging Resource Crew Lands in Desert

11:03 EST - The team takes on two events the day before the show opens.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The six-man Imaging Resource crew landed in the Nevada desert yesterday afternoon and immediately set up shop to cover the Photo Marketing Association 2007 International Convention and Trade Show. Although the trade show doors don't open until tomorrow, the crew will be busy covering two press-only events today. Senior Editor Shawn Barnett and videographer Luke Smith will be shooting... (More)

Olympus - E-System Lineup photos

14:28 EST - In the early hours of yesterday morning, Olympus Japan published a press release describing future additions to its E-System product lineup.

You can find the release in another news item, but in brief the additions are as follows: A new professional digital SLR, successor to the existing E-1 model. This new model will apparently offer fulltime live view, and is the first SLR we've seen with a tilt / swivel LCD display. Although we've seen possible model names mentioned elsewhere, Olympus' press release states that the name for this new... (More)

Nikon announces D40X

23:00 EST - Nikon Inc. has today announced the new D40X digital SLR, a sibling to its popular D40 model.

The Nikon D40x has a sensor resolution of 10.2 megapixels, and offers ISO sensitivity ranging from 100 to 1600, with the ability to extend this to ISO 3200 using the Hi-1 setting. Even though the sensor resolution has been increased from six megapixels in the original D40 model, the ten megapixel D40x offers a faster burst mode of three frames per second. The D40x includes a fixed eye-level penta-Dach... (More)

Olympus announces EVOLT E-510

00:00 EST - The second of Olympus Imaging America Inc.'s two new entry-level digital SLRs announced today is the EVOLT E-510, a capable model offering mechanical image stabilization.

As with the E-410 model it is announced alongside, the Olympus EVOLT E-510 offers rather more "traditional" styling than some of the past EVOLT line, but the two don't share identical bodies. Instead, the E-510 is a few millimeters wider and offers a significantly deeper handgrip that adds to the camera's thickness, but should offer a comfortable hand-hold. The larger body also allows more... (More)

Olympus announces EVOLT E-410

00:00 EST - Olympus Imaging America Inc. has today unveiled two new entry-level digital SLRs that join the company's consumer-oriented EVOLT range.

The Olympus EVOLT E-410 offers rather more "traditional" styling than the EVOLT E-300 / E-330, and uses a fixed eye-level pentamirror with a 95% field of view. The Olympus E410's LCD displays is a high resolution 2.5" wide-view LCD with a 230,000 pixel resolution. As with the previous E-330 model, the E-410 allows images to be framed on the LCD display. Where the E-330 could do this... (More)

Olympus announces Stylus 780

00:00 EST - With PMA fast approaching, one of three new digital camera models announced today by Olympus is the Stylus 780 - an ultracompact point and shoot model in a sleek, attractive body.

The Olympus Stylus 780 offers both hardware image stabilization and software anti-blur in a very pocket friendly chassis, and includes both a seven megapixel CCD image sensor and Olympus-branded 5x optical zoom lens - a more useful range than the 3x zooms in most digicams. There's also a 2.5" LCD display with a higher than average resolution of 230,000 pixels. The LCD is a wide-view type that... (More)

Canon EOS-1D Mark III preview updated

19:59 EST - We've continued our preliminary testing of the Canon EOS-1D Mark III pre-release camera, and we remain impressed, especially with the high ISO images.

I found a computer that handled the Live View mode fairly well and updated that section of the Canon EOS-1D Mark III Hands-on Preview. I also added a new subtab to the Operation section for the EOS-1D Mark II's Live View mode, with larger screenshots and more detail. You'll also find a new video at the end of the EOS-1D Mark III Hands-on Preview that shows the WFT-E2A Wireless File Transmitter and... (More)

Sony: Two new T-series digicams

11:00 EST - Amongst a group of five digital camera announcements today in the runup to the PMA show, Sony has unveiled two new Cyber-shot T-series digital camera models.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T20 is a replacement for last August's DSC-T10, and combines eight megapixel resolution with a Zeiss-branded 3x optical zoom lens, and a 2.5" LCD display. The DSC-T100 - a replacement for last September's DSC-T50 - has the same resolution of eight megapixels found in the T20, but instead couples it with a Zeiss-branded 5x optical zoom and a larger 3.0" LCD display.... (More)

Sony: Two new long-zoom digicams

11:00 EST - Continuing its pre-PMA announcements, Sony has announced two new Cyber-shot H-series digital cameras that offer powerful lenses in bodies styled much like an SLR.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H7 is a replacement for the DSC-H2 announced at last year's show, and combines eight megapixel resolution with a 2.5" LCD display and an impressive Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar branded 15x optical zoom lens, offering a range from a moderate 35mm wide angle to a very useful 465mm telephoto. The DSC-H9 - a replacement for last February's DSC-H5 - has the same resolution of eight... (More)

Sony: Three new W-series digicams

11:00 EST - Completing Sony's announcements for the day, the company has revealed three new digital cameras in its W-series.

Two of the three of the cameras, announced in the runup to this year's Photo Marketing Association tradeshow, share essentially identical bodies, while the third model has mostly similar styling. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W80, DSC-W90, and DSC-W200 differ only in sensor resolution, featuring seven, eight and twelve megapixel imagers respectively. All three cameras couple this with a Zeiss-branded 3x... (More)

Preview update and SAMPLE IMAGES for Canon EOS-1D Mark III!

01:08 EST - We've had some hands-on time with a late-revision prototype of the EOS-1D Mark III, updated our preview, and posted some SAMPLE IMAGES...

Now that we've had some hands-on time with a late-rev prototype of the Canon EOS-1D Mark III, we're more impressed than ever. While the sample we've been working with is only a prototype, it's image quality and high-ISO noise levels are simply extraordinary. To our eyes, it looks like Canon has managed almost a full f-stop of noise improvement, the Mark III's ISO 6400 shots are only a little noisier... (More)

Canon announces EOS-1D Mark III

04:30 EST - Canon has today announced its latest EOS-series digital SLR, the Canon EOS-1D Mark III.

The Canon 1D Mark III has an APS-H sized 10.1 megapixel image sensor, 10 frames-per-second burst shooting to 30 RAW or 110 JPEG (Large, compression level 8) frames, ISO sensitivity from 100 to 3200, and the ability to extend this to ISO 6400. Rather than duplicating resources on news coverage and a preview, we're currently posting all information we have in an in-depth preview of the Canon 1D Mk... (More)

Fujifilm announces FinePix S700

04:05 EST - Rounding out its three digital camera announcements for the day, Fujifilm USA Inc. has unveiled its new FinePix S700 digital camera.

The Fujifilm FinePix S700 is an affordable long-zoom digital camera model, coupling a powerful Fujinon-branded 10x optical zoom lens which can focus down to just 0.4 inches, with a 1/2.5" seven megapixel standard CCD imager that yields a maximum ISO rating of 1600. Other features of the Fujifilm S700 include dual media slots (Secure Digital / MultiMediaCard and xD-Picture Card), a 0.24"... (More)

Fujifilm: Two new A-series digicams

03:55 EST - One of three digital camera manufacturers to announce new models today in the runup to this year's Photo Marketing Association tradeshow, Fujifilm has revealed two new A-series digital cameras based around its SuperCCD image sensors.

The Fujifilm FinePix A820 and A900 are closely related models, is based around eight and nine megapixel SuperCCD HR imagers respectively. The Fuji FinePix A820 features a maximum resolution of 3,296 x 2,472 pixels, while the A900 boosts this just slightly to 3,488 x 2,616 pixels. Fuji's SuperCCD HR sensors use an octagonal array of photodiodes that increases image resolution in the horizontal and... (More)

Canon: camcorder-like PowerShot TX1 (UPDATED)

23:00 EST - The Canon PowerShot TX1 has an emphasis on its better than average (by still camera standards, anyway) video capabilities, and features a vertical design reminiscent of a rather boxy camcorder, with no optical viewfinder in favour of a tilt/swivel LCD display.

The Canon TX1 features an F3.5-5.6 10x optical zoom lens that extends from the camera body on startup, coupled to a seven megapixel imager, plus a movie mode with resolutions up to 1280 x 720 pixels, and frame-rates up to 60fps in QVGA resolution. Other resolutions are limited to 30fps video, and surprisingly for a camera aimed at video capabilities Canon has selected a MotionJPEG AVI file format... (More)

7mpix ultracompact Digital ELPH revealed (UPDATED)

23:00 EST - Canon's new PowerShot SD1000 Digital ELPH packs seven megapixels of resolution into an ultracompact body.

Despite its trim dimensions - just 3.4" tall, 2.1" wide, and 0.8" thick - the Canon SD1000 is crammed with features including a 3x optical zoom lens and a large 2.5" LCD display with a higher-than-average resolution of 230,000 pixels. The Canon SD1000's 3x zoom lens covers a fairly average range from 35-105mm equivalent, a moderate wide angle to decent telephoto. Exposure is... (More)

Canon announces PowerShot SD750 (UPDATED)

23:00 EST - The Canon PowerShot SD750, like other SD models, is a slim and trim camera with a small, rugged metal case that has slightly rounded corners and a retracting lens to make it highly pocketable.

A feature-packed little camera, the Canon SD750 offers seven megapixels of resolution, and a whopping 3.0" LCD display which serves as the only option for image framing - it forgoes any form of optical viewfinder. The Canon SD750's 3x zoom lens covers a fairly average range from 35-105mm equivalent, a moderate wide angle to a moderate telephoto. Exposure is fully automatic, but the user can... (More)

Canon: New image-stabilized PowerShot (UPDATED)

23:00 EST - The Canon PowerShot A570 IS digital camera has a resolution of seven megapixels and is coupled to a Canon-branded 4x optical zoom lens with mechanical image stabilization achieved by moving elements in the optical path.

The Canon A570 IS' body includes a 2.5 inch LCD display with a fairly average 115,000 pixel resolution, along with a real-image optical zoom viewfinder. Other Canon A570IS features include 35mm-equivalent focal lengths ranging from 35 - 140mm, a maximum aperture that varies with focal length from f/2.6 at wide angle to f/5.5 at telephoto, nine-point autofocusing, a maximum ISO sensitivity of 1600,... (More)

Canon: 7mpix, 4x zoom digicam (UPDATED)

23:00 EST - The Canon PowerShot A560 digital camera has a resolution of seven megapixels and is coupled to a Canon-branded 4x optical zoom lens in a body that includes both a 2.5 inch 115,000 pixel LCD display, and a real-image optical zoom viewfinder.

Other Canon A560 features include include 35mm-equivalent focal lengths ranging from 35 - 140mm, a maximum aperture that varies with focal length from f/2.6 at wide angle to f/5.5 at telephoto, nine-point autofocusing, a maximum ISO sensitivity of 1600, three metering modes (evaluative, center-weighted average, and spot), seven white balance modes, and eleven scene modes. The A560 offers a useful... (More)

Pentax: Two new Optio digicams

18:00 EST - Pentax Imaging Co. has today announced two new digital camera models for this year's Photo Marketing Association tradeshow.

The Pentax Optio A30 is an attractive ten megapixel camera with an SMC Pentax-branded 3x optical zoom lens, and a 2.5" LCD display. Offering a higher than average resolution of 232,000 pixels, this LCD is the only method of framing images since the A30 forgoes any form of optical viewfinder. The Pentax A30 has a 35mm-equivalent focal range of 38 - 114mm, with a maximum aperture that varies from... (More)

Nikon announces Coolpix P5000

23:00 EST - One of a whopping eight digital cameras announced by Nikon today is the Coolpix P5000, part of the P-series which focuses on "Performance" features.

Aimed at photographers who want more control than is offered by many digital cameras, the Nikon P5000 offers a sensor resolution of ten megapixels coupled to a Nikkor-branded 3.5x optical zoom lens with optical vibration reduction - a useful addition that helps steady shots in low light situations. There's also a sizeable 2.5" LCD display with anti-reflective coating on the Nikon P5000, and... (More)

Nikon announces Coolpix S50, S50c

23:00 EST - Continuing its ramp of pre-PMA announcements, Nikon has today taken the wraps off two new S-series digital cameras- the Coolpix S50, and Coolpix S50c.

Both the Nikon Coolpix S50 and S50c feature 7.2 megapixel CCD image sensors coupled to prism-folded Nikkor 3x optical zoom lenses. The S50 and S50c also both include impressively large 3.0 inch LCD screens, and offer true optical vibration reduction - a useful addition that helps steady shots in low light situations. The big difference between the two models is the Nikon Coolpix S50c's addition of... (More)

Nikon announces Coolpix S200, S500

23:00 EST - Among four new announcements today for its S-series of digital cameras (where the "S" stands for "Style"), Nikon has today revealed the Coolpix S200 and S500 digital cameras.

Both the Nikon Coolpix S200 and S500 feature 7.1 megapixel CCD image sensors coupled to Nikkor-branded 3x optical zoom lenses. The Coolpix S500 couples this with the company's true optical VR (Vibration Reduction) technology as well, while the S200 makes do with what Nikon is calling "e-VR", which attempts to combat camera shake without any mechanical stabilization techniques. The S200 and... (More)

Nikon: Three new L-series digicams

23:00 EST - As the Spring 2007 Photo Marketing Association tradeshow fast approaches, Nikon has revealed three new digital cameras for its Coolpix L-series, where the "L" stands for "Life".

The five megapixel Nikon Coolpix L10, six megapixel Coolpix L11, and seven megapixel Coolpix L12 all feature Nikkor-branded 3x optical zoom lenses. The Coolpix L12 couples this with the company's lens-shift VR (Vibration Reduction) technology as well, something not found on the other two cameras. All three models feature similarly designed - but not quite identical - bodies which to our eyes are ... (More)

General Imaging prepares GE-branded digicams

14:12 EST - This year's Photo Marketing Association tradeshow will see the introduction of a new digital camera lineup under a very well known brandname.

General Electric - a company whose products span categories as diverse as home appliances and aircraft engines - has inked a deal with the newly formed General Imaging Co. which will see the latter company offering GE-branded digital cameras in the North American, European and Asian markets. Few details of the digital cameras that will be announced at the show have yet been revealed, with today's... (More)

Panasonic: 7mpix, 12x stabilized zoom digicam

03:07 EST - Completing a vast group of pre-PMA announcements, Panasonic has unveiled its new Lumix DMC-FZ8 digital camera.

Built around a seven megapixel CCD imager and a 12x stabilized zoom lens with a 36 - 432mm equivalent focal range, the Panasonic FZ8's SLR-like body also includes both a 2.5" LCD display and a 0.44" electronic viewfinder.. Scheduled to reach the market this February priced at $349.95, the DMC-FZ8 draws power from a proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery, and stores images on SD / MMC... (More)

Panasonic announces DMC-FX30

02:53 EST - Rounding out three new FX-series digital cameras for this year's PMA show, Panasonic has revealed its new Lumix DMC-FX30 digital camera.

The Panasonic FX30 is a replacement for the existing DMC-FX07 model, a camera that began shipping last September. Scheduled to reach the market this February priced at $349.95 - the same price point hit by the FX07 - the DMC-FX30 is said by Panasonic to be "the world's slimmest camera available with a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens". Compared to the FX07, the FX30's body has... (More)

Panasonic: Two new cameras for LZ-series

02:24 EST - Panasonic continues its pre-PMA announcements with the Lumix DMC-LZ6 and LZ7 - closely related cameras that differ only in a couple of areas.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ6 and DMC-LZ7 share essentially identical bodies, with sensor resolutions seven megapixels coupled to Lumix DC Vario-branded 6x optical zoom lenses. The only differences between the two cameras beyond the price - $179.95 for the Panasonic LZ6, and $199.95 for the Panasonic LZ7 - are the LCD display, audio capabilities, and battery life. The Lumix LZ6 has a 2.0" LCD... (More)

Two new Panasonic FX-series digicams

02:06 EST - Continuing its pre-PMA announcements, Panasonic has provided details on two new closely related new digital cameras.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX10 and DMC-FX12 share essentially identical bodies, with sensor resolutions of six and seven megapixels respectively. The only further difference between the two cameras beyond the price - $199.95 for the lower-res FX10, and $229.95 for the higher-res FX12 - is the choice of colors available. The FX10 will sell in silver, pink and blue variants while the FX12 will ship in... (More)

Panasonic announces Lumix DMC-LS70

01:44 EST - Among its eleven announcements in the runup to the PMA show, Panasonic revealed only one camera that won't be shipping in Europe - and it is the Lumix DMC-LS70.

Closely related to the DMC-LS60 and LS75 models which were simultaneously announced for the European market, the DMC-LS70 will be shipping in the US this February at a price of $149.95. All three cameras share an identical body, with a six megapixel CCD image sensor in the LS60, while the LS70 and LS75 share a seven megapixel imager. The LS60 and LS70 both feature 2.0" LCD displays with 86,000... (More)

Panasonic announces DMC-TZ3

01:31 EST - Panasonic has unveiled a compact digital camera with an impressive 10x lens - the Lumix DMC-TZ3.

Mirrored by the European announcement of the DMC-TZ2, the DMC-TZ3 will ship around the world, and is largely similar with the exception of image sensor and LCD display. Where the DMC-TZ2 keeps costs down a little with a 1/2.33" six megapixel imager plus 2.50-inch LCD display, the TZ3 comprises a 1/2.35" seven megapixel imager and three inch LCD panel. As with the TZ2, the Panasonic TZ3 couples... (More)

Samsung announces L74 Wide digicam

12:17 EST - The second of Samsung's pre-PMA 2007 Show announcements is the L74 Wide, a $350 camera with some fairly impressive features.

The L74 Wide has a seven megapixel CCD imager coupled to a Samsung NV-branded 3.6x optical zoom lens with a useful 28mm wide angle. At wide angle the lens is reasonably bright at f/2.8, although as you reach the 100mm telephoto the maximum aperture becomes a rather dim f/5.8. The Samsung L74 Wide has an exceptionally generous 512MB of built-in memory (450MB available for photos), as well as both SD... (More)

Samsung: 10mpix, 5x zoom digicam

08:38 EST - In the runup to this year's PMA show, Samsung Opto-Electronics has unveiled a new digital camera for its NV-series.

The Samsung NV11 digital camera derives a resolution of ten megapixels from a 1/1.8" CCD imager, and couples this with much of the feature set from last year's NV10 model, but with some interesting changes. Most signficantly, the NV10's 3x optical zoom lens has been replaced by a much more useful 5x zoom which is still branded as a Schneider-Kreuznach Varioplan, and has a 38 - 190mm equivalent... (More)

Pentax: Two new Optio digicams

18:00 EST - Pentax USA has today announced two new digital cameras that both combine seven megapixel CCD imagers with smc Pentax-branded 3x optical zoom lenses.

The Pentax Optio T30 has the higher specification of the two models. Priced at $349.95, the Pentax T30's standout feature has to be its 3.0" touch-screen LCD display with a higher-than average resolution of 230,000 pixels. The T30 also has more sophisticated metering, with choices of multi-segment, center-weighted or spot modes. ISO ranges from 64 to 400 under automatic control, with the ability... (More)