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Archive for August, 2008

Casio EX-Z200 Review

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

TrustedReviews have reviewed the Casio EX-Z200, a new 10 megapixel compact digital camera.

“Despite the many similarities between the Z200 and the Z100, for some reason the camera’s overall performance is very different, and not in a good way. It takes nearly three seconds to start up, and nearly as long to shut down again, which is very slow by current standards. In single-shot mode at maximum image quality the shot-to-shot time was approximately 2.5 seconds, which is again extremely slow. I thought that maybe the large size of the image files in this mode (over 7MB for some shots) was the cause, but the performance is the same in lower quality modes.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Casio EX-Z200 Review


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Frozen in Mid-Air

Thursday, August 14th, 2008


“Two boys diving. Cala Mitjana beach, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain“. Taken by XosГ© Castro

Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com

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Everyone knows about the capabilities of Photoshop for graphic design, photography, and illustration, but did you know that it is also one of the most powerful tools for scientists and researchers as well? It is indispensable in the preparation of digital images of specimens for measurement; especially for separating relevant features from background detail.

The goal of Scientific Imaging With Photoshop: Methods, Measurement, and Output  is to be the authoritative guide to the use of Photoshop in scientific research, with a special emphasis on the ethical ramifications of the use of image-enhancement software to extract data from digital images. Scientific Imaging With Photoshop is 312 pages long divided into ten chapters spread over three parts.

Ethics and Background Information

Chapter 1, "Visual Data and Ethics," is concerned with what is done with the image after capture. When dealing with scientific images, many think that there should be no "enhancement" done to the image because they are to be used as visual proof of experimental evidence. What about when the captured image does not truly represent the actual specimen? This chapter examines the right and wrong ways to correctly represent visual data.

Chapter 2, "General Guidelines for All Images," continues the discussion of ethical dilemma by presenting what constitutes ethical guidelines for processing of scientific images. These guidelines are based on three main areas: acquisition, post processing, and conformance.

Chapter 3, "Guidelines for Specific Types of Images," concludes this section by discussing some content specific changes. These are changes based upon the intent of the image itself and many times address issues not clearly spelled out in author guidelines for the major scientific publications.

Input, Corrections, and Output

Chapter 4, "Getting the Best Input," focuses on specimen preparation and correct setup of the imaging device. The goal here is to get an accurate representation of the subject being imaged. Topics covered include illumination, noise reduction, and capture. Chapter 5, "Photoshop Setup and Standard Procedure," will show you how to get your Photoshop set up, calibrated, and ready to go. You will learn how to get the best out of your system.

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From: feeds.blogcritics.org

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Nikon has added a 3.5in ‘touchscreen’ to one of six new digital compact cameras announced this morning.

The 10-million-pixel Coolpix S60 (pictured) allows users to control all camera functions apart from the power and shutter release, via the screen, according to Nikon UK’s digital camera product manager Niki Needham. Users can control AF and AE by pressing the relevant area of the 16:9 widescreen display using ‘finger touch’ or by deploying the supplied stylus. The screen carries a resolution of 230,000 dots.

Due out on 19 September priced £299.99, the S60 includes Face Recognition, Smile Timer with blink detection, time-lapse movies and HDMi TV output. The Smile Timer function is designed to automatically release the shutter when the camera detects a smile on the face of a subject.

Nikon’s Best Shot Selector mode can capture a maximum of ten sequential shots and aims to automatically save the sharpest image. ‘This is ideal for macro close-up shooting when camera shake is difficult to avoid,’ explains the firm.

Features also include imaging sensor shift-type Vibration Reduction and ISO 3200 for resolutions up to 5MP.

The 5x lens delivers the 35mm viewing angle equivalent of a 33-165mm zoom.

The S60 weighs 145g (without battery and memory card) and measures around 97.5×60x22mm.

Also unveiled today is the Coolpix S710, a 14.5MP model sporting a 28-101mm lens (in 35mm terms), a 3in screen and a maximum ISO sensitivity of 12,800 (at a maximum of 3MP resolution). In stores next month priced a penny under £300, the ‘premium compact’ also boasts shutter and aperture priority and manual exposure options.

Nikon has revamped its S550 to reveal the 10MP S560, the key difference being the inclusion of CCD-shift image Vibration Reduction.

Meanwhile, replacing the S600 is the S610, a 10MP model which will come in a Wi-Fi version (S610c). The latter allows the user to connect to Nikon’s ‘myPicturetown’ image sharing website, a service that also allows file storage. Both models will cost £249.99.

В• Earlier today Nikon revealed its latest flagship compact, the P6000, which features a raw mode and GPS technology

Souce: www.amateurphotographer.co.uk

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DSLR Shootout: Five Top Cameras Compared

Sunday, August 10th, 2008



By: www.popphoto.com

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Fly Too High…

Friday, August 8th, 2008


Yemen, 1999″. Taken by Michel Banabila

Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com

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Sony’s profits almost halved in the three months to 30 June and operating income from its electronics division fell 57.2% compared to the same quarter last year.

Revenue earned from sales of digital compact cameras and video cameras was hit by ‘intensified competition from other companies and decelerated market growth for these products in developed countries’, according to financial statements released today.

Sony’s net profits fell by 47.4% to ¥35bn (around £163m).

Sony’s electronics earnings were also affected by a loss from its joint venture with mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson and a stronger Japanese Yen.

Souce: www.amateurphotographer.co.uk

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PhotoShelter Warns Flickr Users

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

Following a recent stock-image agreement between Getty and Flickr, PhotoShelter’s CEO Allen Murabayashi has cautioned photographers to carefully scrutinize the details of Getty’s contract terms. According to Murabayashi, photographers who sign-up to the deal will agree to exclusive sales rights and cede as much as 80% of every sale to Getty. “Over the past two years, Getty has approached us on multiple occasions with a similar partnership deal. We rejected Getty because we felt it was bad for photographers on many fronts and would not allow us to accomplish our mission of providing diversity to buyers and commercial independence to photographers, by sharing with them a greater percentage of every sale.” commented Murabayashi. The PhotoShelter Collection is a global stock photography marketplace where photographers from 130 different countries contribute over 4,000 new images daily for rights-managed and royalty-free licensing.

PhotoShelter Press Release

PHOTOSHELTER CEO COMMENTS ON PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT BETWEEN GETTY IMAGES & YAHOO! FLICKR

Announcement validates PhotoShelter’s approach to stock photography; Counsels Flickr photographers to mind the details on exclusivity and compensation

New York, NY, July 9, 2008 – PhotoShelter Inc., the leading online destination where more than 37,000 photographers sell stock photography and access powerful solutions for e-commerce and image storage, today released a statement from CEO Allen Murabayashi, commenting on the recent partnership announcement between Getty Images and photo sharing website flickr. Murabayashi directly linked the strategic move by Getty and flickr to the positive, tangible impact that PhotoShelter’s business model is having on the stock photo industry, and cautioned photographers to carefully scrutinize the details of Getty’s contract terms before agreeing to exclusive sales rights and ceding as much as 80% of every sale to Getty. 

“The Getty-flickr partnership validates that PhotoShelter is driving positive changes in the stock photo industry and is threatening Getty’s domination at the high end of the market. We entered this industry with a mission to change it after seeing how industry giants like Getty have grown increasingly out of touch with buyer needs and ever more exploitative of photographers’ rights and royalties. Our solution: offer image buyers new levels of freshness and diversity by cultivating a global community of photographers, giving them an open, commercial platform to sell their work as stock, and ensuring they get a fair deal on every sale. The structure and timing of this announcement validates that we are achieving our mission. Getty sees a successful approach that compromises their market share, margins, and control of the industry. They are tapping into the flickr community to find image diversity and new talent. In other words, they’re searching for exactly what is occurring every day at PhotoShelter. As we close the first half of 2008 with strong growth in photographers joining our movement and big ticket licensing deals to large clients that have traditionally bought through Getty, we view this partnership as a logical move by a threatened industry leader.. 

“Over the past two years, Getty has approached us on multiple occasions with a similar partnership deal. We rejected Getty because we felt it was bad for photographers on many fronts and would not allow us to accomplish our mission of providing diversity to buyers and commercial independence to photographers, by sharing with them a greater percentage of every sale.

Getty’s Fine Print
“Flickr users should be aware that the standard Getty contract terms give Getty exclusivity on selling their images, enables Getty to control the pricing and usage terms, and guarantees them pennies on the dollar for every sale. Sharing 20% to 40% of every sale with the photographer is simply a raw deal. When the agent for the sale earns a larger share of revenue than the artist who produced the work, that’s just inappropriate. Through PhotoShelter, photographers earn 70% of every sale and have access to the fastest growing set of commercial licensing opportunities to ad agencies, magazine and book publishers, corporations and leading design firms. This could mean a difference of thousands of dollars on a single sale. 

The standard Getty contract also prohibits a photographer from selling an image elsewhere, and gives Getty control to dictate pricing and usage terms. Through PhotoShelter, photographers set their pricing and usage terms, and are not bound to exclusively list images here. We are promoting photographers’ commercial success and don’t seek ways to control or restrict that success.

Image Buyers Embrace PhotoShelter
“Image buyers have embraced PhotoShelter’s approach because they demand the ultimate in diversity – fresh, high-quality images being replenished by thousands of photographers across the world on a daily basis. The only true way to achieve this is to cultivate deep relationships with a truly global community of photographers that are focused on commercial success, provide photographers with both a fair deal and the right incentives to continue to produce quality work, and share with them the tools and insights that push them to achieve their full potential in the business and art of stock photography. We believe image buyers will see this new partnership as a half hearted step toward offering greater diversity while battling the competitive threat posed by the organic community we are growing.

“In an attempt to address changing buyer demand and tap into a new source of content – this new arrangement still perpetuates Getty’s old-world business model that’s based on exploiting photographers and providing the minimum selection necessary to buyers, while focusing on eliminating competition. This partnership falls short of addressing the real movement—that’s changing the industry for the better.”

About PhotoShelter Inc.
PhotoShelter is an online photo community where 37,000 of the world’s photographers find new opportunities and liberation from the traditional model of selling their work.

The PhotoShelter Collection is a global stock photography marketplace where photographers from 130 different countries contribute over 4,000 new images daily for rights-managed and royalty-free licensing. Through PhotoShelter, photographers keep an unprecedented 70% of every sale, compared to the industry standard of 35%. The Collection provides image buyers with a freshness that results when accomplished pros and undiscovered hobbyists share their distinct perspectives in an edited collection designed to add diversity and authenticity to any project.

PhotoShelter Personal Archive is the leading online solution that enables independent photographers to succeed in selling their images directly to clients. Personal Archive provides state-of-the-art tools for image storage and protection, searchable galleries and slideshows and ecommerce capabilities for easy website integration and instant online sales of prints and licenses. A true solution designed to make the business of photography easier to manage – Personal Archive offers security, global accessibility, and advanced marketing tools so photographers can make their images work harder for them. 

To join our community, visit http://www.photoshelter.com.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


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Pentax launches Optio M60

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

Pentax has launched the Optio M60, a 10 megapixel compact camera with a 5x optical zoom. It’s got all the features you’d expect, including revised face detection technology that can locate the faces of the best part of a coach-party. The lens covers a range equivalent to 36mm - 180mm, so lacks any wide angle. The camera does offer an Auto Picture mode that automatically selects the scene mode it thinks most relevant for the shot being taken, helping to make the most of its 8 scene modes.

Specifications to follow.

PENTAX Optio M60

A stylish digital compact camera with enhanced functions to support a wide variety of shooting scenarios

July 30th, 2008 – PENTAX UK is pleased to announce the launch of the new PENTAX Optio M60, a feature-filled digital compact camera that is lightweight and equipped with advanced, easy-to-operate functions. The Optio M60 can be used widely by anyone in a variety of situations, and is equipped with the latest scene mode recognition function allowing for easy and convenient capturing of high-quality images.

The M60 is the latest model in the PENTAX Optio M series of digital compact cameras, which have been highly acclaimed for their small, lightweight bodies and enhanced functions. In addition to a metal exterior that gives it a sense of sophistication, the M60 is loaded with an impressive optical 5X zoom, a large LCD monitor, easy-to-understand operability, and approximately 10.0 megapixels. Furthermore, the Optio M60 makes taking great pictures even easier by leaving it up to the camera to determine specific settings. This is made possible thanks to the strengthened face recognition function and advancements to the convenient “Auto Picture” function unique to PENTAX, where the camera automatically detects the conditions of the subject and selects the optimal scene mode. The camera is also available in three different colours, allowing users to select their favourite.

Major Features

1. Advanced Auto Picture mode that lets the camera automatically select the scene mode

Improvements have been made in the recognition performance of the Auto Picture mode, which is a convenient function unique to PENTAX, where the camera automatically selects the optimal scene mode when pointed at the subject. Through the addition of Candlelight to the conventional scene modes of Landscape, Portrait, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, Standard, Flower, and Sport, a total of 8 scenes can now be recognised with the Optio M60, which is the greatest for this series. It is now possible to leave everything up to the camera and take beautiful photos of a wide variety of scenes easily and without hassle.

2. High-speed Face Recognition function takes only 0.03 seconds

The Optio M60 is equipped with the Face Recognition AF & AE function, which is useful when taking photos of people, as it automatically sets the focus and exposure. In addition to increasing to 32 the number of faces that can be detected at once, the detection time has been reduced to an impressive 0.03 seconds. The Optio M60 is also supplied with easy to use applications such as Smile Capture, which automatically distinguishes smiles and takes photos, and Blinking Detection, which is a function that warns the photographer if the subject blinked at the moment the shot was taken.

3. New design that pursues a sophisticated texture

The Optio M60 features a new design that is unique down to the texture of each part. Aluminum alloy, which has a certain sophisticated feel and look to it, is used for the body’s exterior. Different colours are used for the decorative ring around the lens that match the body colour. By using parts with a beautiful luster for the grip and the upper surface of the body, the Optio M60 becomes as much an accessory as a state of the art camera technology.

4. Optical 5X zoom lens

Within a compact body that fits into the palm of your hand, the Optio M60 is equipped with an optical 5X zoom lens, with an angle of view equivalent o approximately 36mm to 180mm in 35mm format. It is now possible to zoom in further when taking photos of landscapes, commemorative photos and portraits. The Optio M60 also features an Intelligent Zoom function that extends the zoom range without compromising the optical zoom’s image quality, enabling highmagnification zoom photography, equivalent to a maximum of approximately 28.5X.

5. High sensitivity Digital SR mode that reduces camera shake and subject blurring

The Optio M60 features Digital SR (shake reduction) mode, which can reduce camera shake and subject blurring during still-image photography. This mode automatically adjusts the image sensor sensitivity up to a maximum of ISO 6400, in accordance with the subject’s brightness to permit the fastest shutter speed possible to capture a sharp, clear image with minimal blurring.

6. Approximately 10.0 effective megapixels for high-definition images

For the Optio M60, the effective pixel count was increased to a higher definition of approximately 10.0 megapixels. In addition, clear and high-quality images are realised through a high-performance PENTAX lens. Clear prints, with exceptional detail are possible even when photos are stretched out to large sizes.

7. Other features

1) Large, 2.5-inch LCD monitor of approximately 230,000 dots, with a wide viewing angle for easy viewing even from diagonal directions

2) Digital Wide mode merges two shots into one image in the camera, for ultrawide- angle expressions equivalent to a focal length of approximately 28mm in 35mm format

3) Panorama mode for composing photographs into one panoramic picture

4) Movie recording function with shake reduction enabling high image quality rivaling camcorders

5) Mode palette provides quick access to 24 shooting conditions and 15 playback modes

6) Frame composite function allows photographers to shoot and create images with decorative frames; there are 80 built-in styles to choose from

7) Auto-Macro allows for close-up photography as near as 10cm, without changing the normal focusing mode

8) Date and Time imprint function for easy image categorising

9) Approximately 36.5MB of built-in memory

10)FotoNation’s red-eye compensation function for flash shots

11)Includes the ACDSee for PENTAX 3.0 image viewer/image management software that supports Windows VistaTM

12)Support PictBridge, DPOF functions, Eixf Print, and PRINT Image Matching III


By: www.dpreview.com

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Nokia N810 review

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Nokia N810 review : Mobile Internet is gradually becoming more important. The number of people using their mobile phone to find information about the weather/traffic, or to send and receive emails, is growing by the day. Nokia meet the demand for multimedia devices with their N-series. The handsets belonging to these series are perfectly suitable for Internet access, making video calls, navigation and many more functions. Generally, surfing the Internet on a small device such as a mobile phone works fairly well, however, if you frequently use the Internet, you do notice the lack of a full keyboard and touch screen on the Nokia phones. Nokia aims at a different target group with the Internet Tablet.
Nokia N810 internet tablet
The Nokia N810 Internet Tablet comes in a simple package with a picture of the device displayed on it. Furthermore; the type name is clearly mentioned all around the package. Inside it, there are several layers; the top layer shows a picture with an opening in which the Nokia N810 is visible, presenting its full QWERTY keyboard. At the bottom you will find a box with more accessories. Nokia standard deliver a car holder, a pouch, a battery charger, a data cable, a headset, two stylus pens and instruction manuals. You might say it’s a fully delivered device. Mozilla Web browser is installed for convenient surfing of the Internet. Thanks to the large screen of the Nokia N810 it is easy to surf the Internet. At times it is more convenient to work with the stylus pen than your finger, for example when scrolling through a Web page or clicking a link or entry field. It is also possible to zoom in, but this does mean a considerably smaller part of the Web page will be visible, which makes you having to scroll considerably more.


Nokia internet tablet memory
The Nokia N810 offers 2GB of internal memory. About one third of the internal memory is reserved for navigation software, which leaves you sufficient memory to store your music, videos and pictures. If the internal memory does not suffice, you can enhance it with a miniSD memory card. The Nokia N810 supports memory cards up to 8GB and in the future higher storage capacities will be supported automatically or through an update.


Nokia N810 review
The Nokia N810 features a large 4.1 inch (480×800) wide touchscreen which can be operated with your finger as well as the included stylus pens. The stylus pen comes in handy when dealing with somewhat more precise operations, such as dragging a file or changing a file name. It’s easier to work with more precisely, compared to working with your finger, in which case you might just miss the right spot. The touchscreen responses very fast which ensures a user-friendly operation of the Nokia N810. Additionally, a slide button is placed on the top side of the device to lock both the keys and the touchscreen. Very convenient, as it prevents unintentional changing or deleting of items. Continue to read the full Nokia internet tablet review at LetsGoMobile.

Souce: www.letsgodigital.org

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