News

Panasonic
has introduced two new Lumix digital still cameras with 12x optical zoom and
MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer). Models DMC-FZ5 and DMC-FZ4 offer 5.0-megapixel
and 4.0-megapixel resolution, respectively, and incorporate a newly developed
12x optical zoom equivalent to 36mm to 432mm (DMC-FZ5) / 35mm to 420mm (DMC-FZ4)
on a 35mm film camera lens. The 12x optical zoom combined with 4x digital zoom
magnifies images by as much as 48x, enabling users to capture images of subjects
at longer distances. Both cameras feature a high-performance LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
lens.



Panasonic first introduced the MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer with its DMC-FZ1
digital still camera in 2003; and, in 2004, was the first to market a digital
camera with 12x zoom and MEGA O.I.S. Panasonic's MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer
automatically detects and corrects for hand movement, providing precise compensation
with no image quality degradation. This technology is especially appreciated
when taking telephoto shots or when using slow shutter speeds to capture the
atmosphere in dimly lit scenes.



Panasonic's LSI Venus Engine II handles image processing, LCD functions, and
writing to the memory card simultaneously, making these cameras responsive with
an industry-leading release time lag of 0.008 seconds minimum for the DMC-FZ5
and 0.006 seconds minimum for the DMC-FZ4; and shutter interval of approx. 0.4
seconds minimum for the DMC-FZ5 and 0.3 seconds minimum for the DMC-FZ4. The
LSI also enables fast consecutive shooting capability, capturing sequential
shots at a rate of 3 frames (DMC-FZ5) or 4 frames (DMC-FZ4) per second at full
resolution. An unlimited consecutive shooting function allows the user to take
photos in succession until the memory card is full. The LSI also improves horizontal,
vertical and diagonal resolution.



Auto angle detection, a new feature, records whether an image was taken horizontally
or vertically and displays it accordingly, whether viewed on the camera's LCD
or on a connected TV.



Other features include fast AF; selectable manual functions (such as aperture-priority
AE, shutter-priority AE and manual exposure); a Simple Mode, in which most settings
are made automatically; real-time histogram; color viewfinder; built-in flash,
and more.



www.panasonic.com



MODEL AVAILABILITY MSRP

DMC-FZ5 April 2005 $499.95

DMC-FZ4 April 2005 $449.95

...

Kanguru Solutions has announced the release of the newly redesigned Kanguru
Quicksilver external hard drive. The Kanguru Quicksilver external hard drive
features a high strength exterior alloy casing allows for improved heat dissipation
during prolonged use. It also provides the option for users to lay the product
horizontal or stand vertical to economize precious storage space.

...

Distinguished businessman Mitch Goldstone recently started a humanitarian campaign
titled Operation Photo which will provide the families of deployed service members
with digital cameras. These cameras will allow the families to keep in close
contact with their loved ones overseas with the aid of digital images.



As a part of the communications programs, the cameras will be distributed by
the national non profit organization known as Operation Homefront and each package
will include a 40 percent discount when ordering Kodak quality images from the
www.30minphotos.com
website.



Both the Eastman Kodak Company and the Olympus Corporation have announced their
participation and support of Operation Photo. The program's website www.operationphoto.us
is currently receiving more requests than their current supply can handle.


Please send your used digital camera in good working condition to Operation Photo,
c/o 30 Minute Photos Etc., 92 Corporate Park Plaza, Suite B, Irvine, CA 92606
and if you include your e-mail address you will receive a 25% off all online photo
orders at www.30minphotos.com
through Dec 31. For more information on this program please e-mail inquires to
info@30minphotos.com.

...

If you've ever been walking down the street and a picture caught your
eye, but had no camera to capture the moment, then the small, shirt-pocket size
digicams might just be item you're seeking. A number of companies, including
Pentax, Casio and Minolta have already introduced such models, each with their
own unique feature sets. Now, Contax, a name renowned for exquisite cameras
and excellent lenses, has jumped into the fray with their own version, the U4R,
a 4-megapixel camera sporting a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* lens. Those familiar
with the amazing image clarity of this line of lenses will immediately recognize
the name; those unfamiliar with it can be assured that it is a legendary name
in optics. The camera has just under a 3x optical zoom lens, delivering the
equivalent of 38-115mm in 35mm format. There's also a digital zoom if
you need it, delivering over 400mm, but as with many digital zooms it's
really a crop into the frame, and will not deliver the quality of the prime
optics.

...

Eastman Kodak Company has introduced new versions of KODAK PROSHOTS Studio Software
Suite v6.3, KODAK PROSHOTS Basics Software v2.0 and KODAK PROSHOTS Online Services
v7.0 that, via labs, will provide photographers with a broader range of templates
for their print ordering process. Photographers will also have improved tools
for previewing and selling their images to customers in-person or over the Internet.




The KODAK PROSHOTS System, a powerful set of image-management, design and ordering
tools, serves professional wedding, social and portrait photographers whether
they work with film or digital cameras. PROSHOTS System Participating Labs use
hybrid and complete digital lab workflows to offer a broad range of products and
services to photographers through the PROSHOTS System. The KODAK PROSHOTS System
is the industry's most-used service of its kind, with more than 40 labs,
11 album and frame companies and two studio management software companies integrating
it seamlessly with existing lab products.



PROSHOTS Studio Software Suite v6.3

Available as a free download to photographers with a current version of PROSHOTS
Studio Software Suite, or US$249 for new users, version 6.3 includes enhanced
proof book options with a variety of selectable background colors and definable
cover pages. Additional improvements include enriched digital product ordering
and presentation features:

· Lab templates now can be organized into categories, e.g., "Weddings,"
"Sports," etc., for easier navigation.

· More sophisticated lab products, e.g., templates with images displayed
on an angle or customizable text, can now be displayed and cropped as "what
you see is what you get" for better previewing and ordering.

· Enhanced slide-show options to play music through a PC, and a slide show
that can now easily be saved to be burned later to CD or DVD.



The album and frame interface definitions are streamlined, further enhancing Kodak's
full-featured software product for both photographers and labs.



PROSHOTS Basics Software v2

PROSHOTS Basics Software now includes additional features to simplify the image-ordering
process. As with the PROSHOTS Studio Software Suite, PROSHOTS Basics Software
now allows the organization of lab templates into categories, and enhanced proof
book options are now available. The features are all available in the intuitive,
easy-to-use interface for which PROSHOTS Basics Software is known.

In addition, key selling features have been added to PROSHOTS Basics Software.
With version 2, users can for the first time:

· Preview and order a broad range of lab digital products in a "what
you see is what you get" manner.

· Access the capabilities of PROSHOTS Online Services to create product
and price lists, post images and take orders over the Internet.

· Use a new built-in slide show capability for reviewing images with customers.



For PROSHOTS System Participating Labs, PROSHOTS Basics Software expands the potential
printing volume by providing a solution for the estimated one-third of professional
photographers who are MACINTOSH OS users.

PROSHOTS Basics software is free, runs on both MACINTOSH OS X and WINDOWS 2000
or XP platforms, and is available as a download at www.kodak.com/proshots/basicsinfo.




KODAK PROSHOTS Online Services v7

The award-winning PROSHOTS Online Services have been redesigned to enhance the
image viewing and ordering experience for the increasing number of consumers using
the Internet. Redesign features include:

· A modern, sophisticated look and feel with a cleaner shopping cart and
checkout process.

· Improved slide show with faster refresh and improved navigation and speed
controls.

· Increased image-zoom capability to better view image details.



Access to PROSHOTS Online Services is integrated within PROSHOTS Studio and PROSHOTS
Basics Software so photographers only need one piece of software for lab print
ordering, in-studio presentations and online selling. A new rewards program provides
benefits to photographers the more they make use of PROSHOTS Online Services.


The PROSHOTS System software updates will be available in March. For more information
on the KODAK PROSHOTS System and membership benefits for photographers ¾
including Web site and other training resources ¾ please visit www.kodak.com/proshots/membershipinfo.
...

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. has introduced the new compact DiMAGE
Z5 -- a digital camera that offers a built-in 12x optical Mega Zoom lens,
Konica Minolta's proprietary Anti-Shake System, 5.0-megapixel CCD, fast
overall response including Rapid autofocusing (AF), and a large 2.0-inch LCD
screen.

...