SmartDisk
Corporation today introduced FireLite XPress, a portable, palm-sized hard drive
that includes a unique cholesteric liquid crystal display. The always-on display
is readable without power, identifies the drive by a user-designated name, indicates
the last date that information was recorded and provides a table of contents
for the drive. The display provides excellent readability even in direct sunlight,
allows for wide-angle viewing and exhibits high brightness and contrast.

...

Photo sharing and printing options are becoming more interesting every day.
HP has announced that customers of its Snapfish online photo service can now
order prints online and have them ready for pickup in as little as one hour
at their local Walgreens. The in-store service applies to sizes 4x6 through
8x10 inches. The service is first rolling out for Walgreens locations in Boston,
New York and San Francisco. By late September HP anticipates that the service
will expand to over 4000 Walgreens locations.

...

Adobe Systems Incorporated has announced the availability of a Software Developer's
Kit (SDK) for the Digital Negative Specification (DNG), an industry-wide initiative
to create a universal file format for solving workflow and archiving issues.
DNG SDK provides support for reading and writing DNG files as well as support
for converting DNG data into a format easily displayed or processed by imaging
applications. DNG SDK serves as a crucial starting point for adding DNG support
to imaging applications and allows camera manufacturers to incorporate native
DNG support to their cameras.

...

The DSLR-A200 model features upgrades influenced by the recently-introduced, enthusiast-class
DSLR-A700 camera and replaces the former Sony DSLR-A100 model, which was Sony's
first in the DSLR class. The new model is designed to be faster, lighter and easier
to use. Upgraded features include a wider, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCDTM screen for
easy playback viewing; a more compact body and an easily-accessible mode dial;
an easy-to-use function menu (camera function display); improved noise control
for higher quality images; an auto focus speed 1.7x faster than the previous model;
improved predictive control performance; quieter shutter sound; automatic pop-up
flash; and a battery life indicator that displays the percentage of battery life
remaining so you know exactly when to recharge.



As seen in all a (alpha) camera bodies, the DSLR-A200 camera incorporates Super
SteadyShot image stabilization in the body to allow shooting at shutter speeds
of 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than otherwise possible -- a benefit realized
with every compatible lens attached to the camera. Compatible lenses encompass
all Minolta Maxxum mount lenses, in addition to Sony a (alpha) lens lineup - including
Carl Zeiss® lenses.



With its 10.2-megapixel (effective) APS CCD image sensor, the DSLR-A200 camera
is said to continue to offer high-quality images by allowing more light to pass
through to each pixel -- increasing sensitivity, reducing noise, and providing
greater detail. Clean, reduced-noise signals are sent from the image sensor to
Sony's BIONZ processing engine, which processes data-rich picture information
at high speeds and reduces picture noise in the RAW data stage before image JPEG
conversion. The results are high-resolution, detailed images with rich tonal reproduction.



The DSLR-A200 model supports JPEG and RAW file format support. It has a slot for
CompactFlash Type I/II media cards. An adaptor for Memory Stick Duo media cards
is sold separately as an accessory.



Get The Photo Results You Want

In addition to Super SteadyShot image stabilization for virtually blur-free photos,
the new model incorporates Sony's D-Range Optimizer (DRO). It helps you
capture well-exposed images, especially when shooting high-contrast or backlit
scenes that often lead to loss of highlight and shadow detail. Sony's DRO
modifies the range from highlights to shadows, including gain and contrast, through
its in-camera hardware processing to produce more natural, evenly exposed pictures.
The camera's image analysis technology studies the captured image data and
instantly determines the best exposure and color tonality for the image before
JPEG compression.



The BIONZ image processing engine powers the camera up immediately and the eye-start
autofocus starts the focusing system before you even press the shutter. The camera
can shoot up to three continuous frames per second at 10.2-megapixels at the finest
JPEG compression level.



As seen in previous a (alpha) models, the new model carries a static-free anti-dust
coating on the CCD filter which is gently vibrated to dislodge any dust that might
have collected each time the camera is powered off.



Additionally, the DSLR-A200 camera's supplied lithium ion battery offers
up to 750 shots per full charge.



Sony is providing a full line of accessories for the model, including flashes,
rechargeable battery packs and several carrying cases. An interesting addition
is the VG-B30AM ergonomic vertical grip equipped with the most essential controls
for portrait orientation shooting. It also allows for the use of two InfoLITHIUM
batteries (sold separately) for up to 1,500 shots on a single, full charge.



The DSLR-A200K kit includes the camera body and a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom
lens for about $700. The DSLR-A200W kit includes the camera body, the DT 18-70mm
lens and a 75--300mm f4.5-5.6 lens for about $900. Both will ship in February
and will be available at sonystyle.com,
Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail),
military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online
on Jan. 7 at www.sonystyle.com/dslr.
...