http://www.ecoustics.com/latest/links Latest links, updated every five minutes http://www.ecoustics.com/dcrp/reviews/olympus/e520 While not the best entry-level D-SLR, the E-520 still offers a great value for the money. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17965 While the popular JPEG format unquestionably reigns as the standard for consumer-level digital photography, storing the so-called metadata that goes along with pictures, like the camera they were taken with, time, and camera settings, remains a wild west of different formats. The Metadata Working Group, a consortium formed by Adobe, Apple, Canon, Microsoft, Nokia and Sony, hopes to get that all straightened out in the future with a new standard for photo metadata. The organization released a sRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:35:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17953 Kodak has debuted its EasyShare Z1485 IS Zoom digital camera, aiming to put high resolution and optical image stabilization into a consumer-friendly offering—although it remains to be seen if color options will make the comparatively boxy unit appeal to fashion-conscious photographers.The EasyShare Z1485 IS Zoom boasts a 14.2 megapixel resolution, a 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder display, 32 MB of internal memory (with SD/SDHC card support for storage), and a Smart Capture feature that automatically adjusts the camera's settings for good shots in a variety of environments with intelligent scene sRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:10:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17937 Closely mimicking Memorex’s SimpleSave DVD-Rs, Verbatim launched its own line of intelligent backup media on Tuesday with its new PhotoSave DVDs. The writeable DVDs come preloaded with software that makes it easier for novice computer users to locate and backup media files on their PCs.Read | Permalink | Linking Blogs Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:10:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17928 Pentax has taken the wraps of its new K2000 camera, a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera specifically designed to appeal to consumers ready to migrate to the DSLR experience from simpler—and more-limited—point-and-shoot digital cameras. The K2000 will offer simplified operation and automatic features, while enabling users to tap into the range of manual controls and interchangeable lenses available in the DSLR world.The K2000 will offer a 10.3 megapixel resolution, a 2.7-inch LCD panel, and a compact design to facilitate one-handed operation. The camera will also offer Pentax's Auto Picture mode that automatically selects correct picture modes for a shot (including aRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:40:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17920 The annual Photokina trade show is set to launch tomorrow, which means camera manufacturers are (and have been) trying to jump ahead of the PR onslaught by announcing their new products early. Among them is Olympus, which has announced two new Four Thirds-based cameras in the works, including a capable mid-range DSLR and a retro-styled micro Four Thirds system that may help the format break into the consumer marketplace.First up, Olympus has announced it isRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:20:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17887 Canon has announced a bevy of new digital cameras, including new shooters for entry-level users, serious and pro-sumer photographers, and its much-anticipated EOS 5D Mark II DSLR digital camera, which can now shoot full frame high definition video. The announcements come just after Canon unveiled a new passel of cameras in August, which also ran the gamut from a pro-level DSLR to entry-level cameras.First up, the EOS 5D Mark II offers a 21.1. megapixel resolution along with the capability to capture full HD video atRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:50:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17875 At the beginning of 2008, Casio introduced the Exilim EX-F1, which could shoot up to 60 images per second and capture movies at speeds up up to 300 frames per second. Today, the company showed it was serious about the high-speed camera market by introducing the Exilim EX-FH20, which can shoot up to 40 images per second. That might seem a step back from the EX-F1, but hang on: the EX-FH20 can shoot high-speed movies at up 1,000 frames per second."Casio continues to create a new digital camera maRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:10:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17847 Panasonic has taken the wraps off its Lumix G1 digital camera, which claims to be the first commercially available camera to use Micro Four Thirds technology. The idea behind Micro Four Thirds is that it gets rid of the internal mirror in traditional SLR and DSLR cameras, creating a system that can get the same image quality in about half the physical space. The result should be cameras that can deliver the quality and power of DSLRs—in part by opening up the world of interchangeable lensRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:45:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17837 Although rumors keep swirling that SanDisk is on the verge of being acquired by tech giant Samsung, SanDisk today announced a new 32 GB edition of its Extreme III CompactFlash card. The new high-capacity card is aimed squarely at professional and high-end digital video and photography users, and the card maintains the same 30 MB/s transfer rate that's made the Extreme III series popular with the high-resolution crowd."High-definition camcorders require high-capacity memoRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:10:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17803 Although Sony has been showing the camera sine early this year, today the company officially announced its new Alpha A900 DSLR digital camera. The A900 features a full-frame 35mm CMOS sensor, 3-inch LCD display, and a resolution of 24.6 megapixels, along with dual BIONZ image processors and the capability to shoot five frames per second. Like many DSLR cameras, the A900 is aimed at serious and professional photographers, and it has the feature set to match, including sensitivity down to ISO 6,400 and Sony's SteadyShot optical image stabilization."The Alpha DSLR-A900 intrRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:10:00 -0400 http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/8301-13772_3-10035393-52.html?part=ecoustics-cnet The service aims to be a combination of stock photography site and ad revenue generator, even as it gives photographers tools to protect their work. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:57:47 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dcrp/reviews/pentax/k20d A well built and very capable digital SLR that sells for hundreds less than its competitors. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17705 Samsung has taken unveiled four new digital photo frames that offer stylish display of images throughout the house and—via Samsung's UbiSync technology—can act as secondary displays for PCs just by plugging them into a USB port.The new photo frames stick with Samsung's traditional photo frame design, with a piano-black bezel with capacitive touch controls built into the bezel: touch to make them appear, and when you're done, the controls vanish after 10 seconds. All the photo frames sport an integrated SD/MMC/MS/xD card reader and USB port for loading photos.The 8-inchRead | Permalink | Linking Blogs Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17698 Sony has taken the wraps off its new CyberShot T500 camera: it keeps the slim form factor of the CyberShot line, enables users to snap photos at a 10.1 megapixel resolutions, but adds one big extra: it can shoot 720p video at 30 frames per second in MPEG4 AVC/H.264 format."Our research revealed that people like to shoot video with their point-and-shoot cameras, but were very dissatisfied with the video quality and the resulting large files," said Sony Electronics' director of digital camera marketing Phil Lubell, in a statement. "Our new T500 fulfills this customer need for a digital camera that delivers high-quality movies in a small form factor."The T500 sports a big 3.5 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17683 Although the camera hasn't been a very well-kept secret, Nikon has formally introduced its Nikon D90 DSLR digital camera, offering a 12.3 megapixel resolution, scene recognition, outstanding sensitivity and image quality, and—for the first time in a DSLR camera—the ability to shoot video at up to 1,280 by 720 pixels at 24 frames per second.Although SLR (and DSLR) cameras are treasured by photographers for their extensive anual capabilities, letting experienced photo pros adjust and control their shows down to the most minute detail, the D90 packs a number of time-saving automatic features, in Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:15:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17670 Canon has taken the wraps off a new bevy of cameras, including the new EOS 50D DSLR, new A-series shooters, the new E1 aimed at tweens, and a new ultra-zoom model.First up, the EOS 50D DSLR offers a 15.1 megapixel resolution, can shoot 6.3 images per second, and has an expanded ISO sensitivity (down to 12,800!) for catching those low-light shots. The camera also features a Creative Auto Mode than lets users have most of the creative flexibility of a manual Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:20:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17661 Olympus has taken the wraps off five new consumer-oriented digital camera models today, including the semi-rugged 1050SW and the new SP565 UZ with a 20× zoom. The company has also unveiled a new green packaging initiative, in which it has cut out 70 to 80 percent of the plastic used to package its audio products and xD picture cards.First up, the new semi-rugged Stylus 1050 SW sports a "shockproof, waterproof, and freezeproof" body that uses a touch-sensitive body—rather than a touch-sensitive display—to access most camera setting. The 1050Sw offers a 10.1 megapixel resolution and Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:30:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17621 It’s been a good last few years for those of us who aren’t very photogenic. Face detection can make sure your face is in focus and exposed properly, smile detection can make sure the photo’s snapped at the right time, and now, thanks to the new Exilim 3.0 processing engine in Casio’s latest cams, your features will look a little better, too.Casio debuted two new cameras with the feature on Wednesday: the 10.1-megapixel EX-Z300, 9.1-megapixel EX-Z250, as well as the lower-end Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:05:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dcrp/reviews/kodak/z1085 While it's a good value, the EasyShare Z1085 ultimately has too many flaws to be recommended. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dcrp/reviews/nikon/d90 A first-rate digital SLR that bridges the gap between item-level and midrange models. And it records movies, too! Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dcrp/reviews/canon/powershot_sd890 A capable ultra-compact, 5X zoom camera, as long as you don't wear polarized sunglasses. Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:00:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17502 Nikon has taken the wraps off six new Coolpix digital cameras due to hit retailers in September, each targeting a different segment of the point-and-shoot digital camera market and offering unique features for different uses and different styles of photography. Each camera sports a smart scene selector that chooses an appropriate scene more for an image, along with smile detection and Blink Warning technology that displays a warning when it detects a subject has blinked.First up, the Coolpix S60 features a new 3.5-inch touchscreen interface, along with a 10 megapixel resolution, optic Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:30:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17501 Sony has introduced its new Cyber-shot T700 and T77 digital cameras, both keeping the T-series traditional super-slim designs and sporting intelligent photography functions designed to appeal to everyday camera users."Sony is taking the lead in developing "intelligent" cameras so that taking great pictures is an automatic function and not a complicated process," sa Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:45:00 -0400 http://www.ecoustics.com/dt/news/17472 Ask any photographer and they'll extol the virtues of an SLR (single-lens reflex) camera over a point-and-shoot consumer camera any day: depth of field, clarity, image quality, better control, and (of course) the ability to tap into all those nifty lenses and filters. But if you ask most consumers about the appeal of point-and-shoot digital cameras, one thing comes up over and over again: they want the cameras small and light so they're easy to use and carry around. And accessories like lenses and filters? Puh-lease.Today in Tokyo, Olympus and Matsushita (on the way to transitioning its corporate name to its Panasonic brand) announced a new format for digital cameras that promises smaller and lighter SLR cameras. Dubbed the Micr Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0400