Shutterbug Staff

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the immediate availability
of Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 software, a major upgrade to the No. 1 selling
consumer photo-editing software. Available for Windows, Photoshop Elements combines
power and simplicity for consumers to find, view and easily infuse creativity
and personality into their photos. This landmark release helps consumers at
all experience levels achieve outstanding results and provides interactive options
for sharing unique creations via print and Web.



In addition, Adobe today announced Adobe Premiere Elements 4 software, a complete
home video-editing solution (see separate press release). Available separately
or together in a single retail package, Photoshop Elements & Adobe Premiere
Elements give photo and video enthusiasts more creative ways to organize, edit,
create and share digital photos and home movies.



Photoshop Elements software helps enthusiasts achieve desired results quickly
and easily. New Photomerge technology helps address the challenge of capturing
the perfect group photo by combining the best facial expressions and body language
from a series of shots to create a single cohesive group shot. The new Quick
Selection Tool reduces a once time-consuming select-and-adjust task to a single
click. Photographers at all grades -- beginner to expert -- can choose
from one of three edit modes, each geared toward a different experience level.
A new Guided Edit mode helps walk users through the steps of improving a photo.
Photoshop Elements 6 streamlines editing with clean, uncluttered screens that
draw focus to where it belongs, with new tabs providing simple access to the
many capabilities of the program. Tight integration with Adobe Premiere Elements
and a shared Organizer, with a common database accessible from either application,
allow users to do more with their photos and videos with speedy performance
and easy import, tagging and retrieval tasks. Additional enhancements include
an improved conversion tool that dramatically converts color images into elegant,
nuanced black-and-whites.



Photoshop Elements 6 offers users more creative sharing possibilities, including
online galleries based on Adobe Flash which provide an interactive experience
for friends and family to enjoy. With a variety of settings and themes, these
galleries can be easily accessed via the Web and help bring moments and memories
to life. Animated slideshows, e-mail and printed creations available in Photoshop
Elements such as photo books, scrapbook pages, cards and CD/DVD labels deliver
high-impact sharing options, and also require no previous experience.



Adobe's digital imaging and digital video products are available immediately
at www.adobe.com and online retailers including, Amazon.com. The products will
also be available at Best Buy, Staples, Costco, Fry's, Circuit City, Office
Max, Office Depot, Microcenter, J&R, Buy.com and NewEgg.com. Photoshop Elements
6 and Adobe Premiere Elements 4 for Windows are available separately for an
estimated street price of US$99.99 each. Photoshop Elements for the Macintosh
platform is expected in early 2008. Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 & Adobe Premiere
Elements 4 for Windows is available as a bundle at an estimated street price
of US$149.99. Information about the other language versions, as well as pricing,
upgrade and support policies for other countries is available on www.adobe.com/go/pse6.

...

Direct Source Marketing, the U.S. distributor for medium and large format Horseman
and Rolleiflex professional cameras, has announced the MiniDigi AF 5.0, a three-inch
high, fully functional digital replica of the original and classic twin reflex
camera. In 2006, Rolleiflex introduced the original MiniDigi, which looked like
the original but, due to popular demand quickly sold out. The new MiniDigi AF
(auto focus) 5.0 has been given some significant performance upgrades, including
a 3 megapixel CMOS sensor; auto focus (between 10CM and infinity); and a clear
1.1 inch TFT, which is located at the top of the camera as it is on the full-sized
Rolleiflex TLR.



It
is available through specialty retailers. Pricing is expected to be $399 MSRP.
...

Digital imaging software developer Nik Software, Inc. has announced an arrangement
with digital asset management pioneer iView Multimedia Ltd., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Microsoft Corp., to offer a software bundle of Nik Color Efex
Pro 2.0 Select Edition and iView MediaPro 3.0. This bundle combines two leading
software solutions for improving digital imaging workflow to provide solutions
for busy professional photographers.

...

Sony's new Cyber-shot DSC-W300 digital camera integrates an ultra-high
13.6-megapixel CCD imager along with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom
lens, a 2.7-inch LCD screen and an eye-level viewfinder in a compact size. With
its ultra-hard titanium coating, the W300 camera newly features an "extra
high-speed" burst mode that can shoot three-megapixel photos at five frames
per second, ideal for fast-action shooting of sports, pets or children.



In addition to the blur-reducing effects of Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization,
the camera also has a new "extra high sensitivity" mode (up to ISO
6400 in this mode only) to help minimize blurry photos when shooting in challenging
lighting conditions, such as indoors or at twilight, even without a flash.



Noise reduction is now a user-selectable option, with high, low and standard
settings, for greater control over the final look of images. For example, a
low setting can help reduce noise without sacrificing resolution, making it
ideal for landscapes and detailed subjects.



As the top-of-the-line model in the series, the W300 camera integrates the latest
"intelligent" features. Sony's Smile Shutter technology prioritizes
the faces of children or adults so that the camera takes the photo at the moment
the intended subject smiles. Improved face detection technology can also prioritize
child or adult faces as the basis for the camera to apply focus, exposure, white
balance and flash color controls for up to eight faces in the camera's
frame.



The model's intelligent scene recognition technology automatically can
detect five different types of scenes and optimize the camera settings for those
conditions for a better photo. And advanced mode can take two shots almost immediately
-- one with standard automatic settings and the other with optimized settings.



The W300 model has a number of features to maximize picture quality. Among them
are five color modes, including "real" for less in-camera processing
and more faithful color reproduction; 12 scene selection modes with a new "underwater"
mode that adjusts white balance for more natural-looking photos; Sony's
new D-Range Optimizer Plus that process picture to improve detail in photos
with harsh highlights or dark shadows; and an improved auto focus system that
includes macro ranges.



Viewing and image management has also been enhanced with helpful date and calendar
views, in-camera search by face or date, slide show with longer music files,
and high-definition component output for viewing photos on a compatible HDTV
set.



The DSC-W300 camera and optional accessories will be available in May for about
$350. All can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores
(www.sonystyle.com/retail),
at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.



www.sony.com

...