Shutterbug Staff

Nikon Inc. has announced pricing and availability for its D2X professional
digital SLR camera introduced at Photokina last year (see Jan, 2005 Shutterbug,
or visit at www.shutterbug
.com). The camera will begin shipping on February 25, 2005 with a suggested
street price of $4999.95 (MSRP $6299.95). Designed as a truly versatile workhorse
camera for many professional disciplines, the 12.4 million-pixel D2X blends
high levels of resolution and class-leading speed. The D2X can comfortably shoot
full resolution 12.4 million pixel images at 5 frames per second (up to 21 consecutive
JPEGS and 15 NEFs), and when the situation demands yet faster frame rates, the
D2X has a unique 6.8 megapixel 'High Speed Cropped Image' mode that boosts the
shooting rate to 8 frames per second (up to 35 consecutive JPEGs or 26 NEFs)
by cropping the number of pixels used on the sensor to create the image.

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If you're an underwater photo fan, or just like to photograph in all sorts
of weather, or when surfing, etc. you are probably going to be interested in
the Pentax Optio WP. This small, 5-megapixel camera has a 3X zoom, a 2.0 inch
low reflection LCD, 10MB built-in memory, quick start-up, a nine point autofocus
system and captures movies at 30 frames per second in JPEG format.

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The new C-7070 Wide Zoom from Olympus features a wide-angle lens on a magnesium body and a 7.1-megapixel CCD. With its 4x optical zoom wide-angle lens (equivalent
to 27 to 110mm, f2.8 -- f.8.0), the C-7070 Wide Zoom enables photographers
to capture more of their field of view. For nature photographers, the C-7070
features a Super Macro mode that enables shooting from 1.18 inches. The camera's
1.8-inch Semi-Transmissive swivel LCD makes it easy to take pictures at any
angle -- above the head, from the side, or with the camera placed on the
ground. The LCD can even be swiveled 180° for taking self-portraits. And
while conventional LCD screens appear dim against bright light, the Semi-Transmissive
LCD technology is said to provide excellent high-contrast visibility in any
light condition. The camera body is constructed of magnesium alloy with a rubberized.
The camera is also compact, measuring 4.9" (W) x 3.3" (H) x 3.9"
(D) and weighs 15.3 ounces.

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The International Photographic Council (IPC), a non-governmental organization
of the United Nations, has named Mr. Toshiro Shimoyama, Supreme Advisor, Olympus
Corporation, Tokyo, Japan as the recipient of its annual Hall of Fame award. The
award honors legendary contributors to the photographic industry. The presentation
is scheduled to take place at the IPC's 2005 Annual New Years Luncheon on
Tuesday, January 25, 2005, 11:30 a.m., at the United Nations in New York City.
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