Sony Updates NEX Lens Roadmap

Sony has updated its roadmap for E-mount lenses. Currently, the NEX system offers seven Sony and Zeiss branded lenses alongside a few recently announced Sigma, Tamron and Kenko/Tokina products. As this is a relatively narrow selection of optics. especially when compared to the dozens of lenses available for the system’s main rival, Micro Four Thirds, Sony has decided to introduce eight new lenses in the course of less than two years. On top of the wide zoom, high-performance standard zoom and medium telephoto lenses that were already on the roadmap, the company has now added a new standard zoom, a new superzoom, a large-aperture standard prime, a “mid-magnification zoom” and a pancake lens. This should bring the total number of E-mount Sony/Zeiss lenses to 15 by the end of 2013.

The specifications of the new lenses have not been released yet.

Source: Sony Blog

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Lensbaby Teases New Product Announcement for Valentine’s Day

Lensbaby is teasing its Facebook fans with the promise that it will announce a brand new product on Valentine’s day. Claiming that their new optic[?] “will make you fall in love with photography all over again,” the company is encouraging photographers to submit their ideas on what they think Lensbaby should develop next. And if you care to share their announcement post on 14th February, you may even win a copy of their brand new product - whatever it may be.

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Nikon Camera Control Pro 2.10.0

Nikon has released a new version of its Capture Control Pro software. Camera Control Pro allows the user to remotely control a camera from a computer using either a wired connection or a wireless connection if using a Nikon Wireless Transmitter with the camera. Version 2.10.0 adds support for the Nikon D4 digital SLR camera and its special features, and adds ‘Movie’ as a separate camera control tab. Additionally, the Macintosh version gains MacOS X 10.4 and 10.7 support. You can download the software update from the website below.

Website: Nikon Europe

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Ricoh Reorganises Imaging Systems Business

Ricoh has announced that Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, which was established last October, will assume control of the design, development and distribution of all consumer-oriented imaging products, including all digital cameras. Ricoh’s other business unit, Ricoh Personal Multimedia Product Company - which has hitherto been responsible for the development, manufacture and sales of Ricoh branded cameras -, will now focus on security systems and imaging solutions for the B2B market. The changes will take effect from 1st April.

Ricoh Press Release

Re-organization of Imaging Systems Business including Digital Camera Business

Tokyo, February 9, 2012 — Ricoh Company, Ltd. (President and CEO: Shiro Kondo, hereinafter Ricoh) announces an organizational change to its imaging system business including security system business and consumer digital camera business.

Since October 1, 2011 when PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY (President Zenji Miura, hereinafter PRI) was established, Ricoh managed its global imaging system business under two brands, RICOH and PENTAX. Specifically RICOH brand digital cameras were designed, developed and sold by Personal Multimedia Product Company (hereinafter PMMC), an internal organization of Ricoh, while PENTAX brand digital cameras were designed, developed and sold by PRI.

In an effort to strengthen customer relationships and provide innovative products and services, Ricoh will re-organize its structure.

1.Effective date
April 1, 2012 plan

2.Scope
Worldwide

3.New functions of each business unit
PRI:   Consumer businesses such as digital cameras for B2C market
(This includes Ricoh development resources to improve capabilities and support Ricoh branded cameras )
Ricoh PMMC:   B2B businesses including security system business, and imaging solutions business for B2B market

February 9, 2012
Ricoh Company, Ltd

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Kodak Stops Making Cameras

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Kodak has announced that it is ceasing production of digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames. Due to take place in the first half of 2012, Kodak will instead expand its current brand licensing program, and seek licensees for cameras. Kodak will continue to honor all related product warranties, and provide technical support and service for its cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames.

Kodak Press Release

Kodak Focuses Consumer Business On More Profitable Growth Opportunities

Plans to phase out dedicated capture devices business

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 9 – Eastman Kodak Company (the “Company”) (OTB: EKDKQ.PK) announced today that, as a result of its ongoing strategic review process and commitment to drive sustainable profitability through its most valuable business lines, it plans to phase out its dedicated capture devices business – comprising digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames – in the first half of 2012. Kodak will instead expand its current brand licensing program, and seek licensees for cameras. Following this decision, Kodak’s Consumer Business will include online and retail-based photo printing, as well as desktop inkjet printing.

Kodak has contacted its retail partners, and is working closely with them to ensure an orderly transition. Kodak will continue to honor all related product warranties, and provide technical support and service for its cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames.

“For some time, Kodak’s strategy has been to improve margins in the capture device business by narrowing our participation in terms of product portfolio, geographies and retail outlets. Today’s announcement is the logical extension of that process, given our analysis of the industry trends,” said Pradeep Jotwani, President, Consumer Businesses, and Kodak Chief Marketing Officer. 

In addition to its Consumer Businesses segment, Kodak has a Commercial Businesses segment that includes the Digital and Functional Printing, Enterprise Services and Solutions, and Graphics, Entertainment and Commercial Films units. Kodak’s digital businesses now comprise approximately three-fourths of total revenues.

Kodak continues to have a strong position in the personal imaging market.  While photos are increasingly taken on multi-function mobile devices, Kodak technology makes it easy for consumers to produce a broad range of photo products, anywhere, anytime – from prints to photobooks, photo greeting cards and personalized calendars. These items can be made on Kodak products, with Kodak quality at retail, at home, and ordered for delivery to home.

Kodak’s continuing consumer products and services will include:
• Retail-based photo kiosks and digital dry lab systems, a market in which Kodak is the clear worldwide leader. Kodak pioneered the retail-based kiosk market, and the company now has more than 100,000 kiosks and order stations for dry lab systems around the world, with some 30,000 of those units connected to the most popular photo-sharing sites.
• Consumer inkjet printers, where Kodak has outpaced overall market growth for several years. Kodak consumer inkjet printers provide consumers with high-quality output and the lowest total ink replacement cost. Consumers can send documents and photos to Kodak printers from anywhere, using any web-connected device.
• Kodak apps for Facebook, which make it easy for consumers to obtain photo products using photos from their Facebook albums.
• Kodak Gallery (http://www.kodakgallery.com), a leading online digital photo products service. Kodak Gallery enables consumers to share their photos, and offers product and creation tools that enable people to do more with their photos.
• The Kodak camera accessories and batteries businesses. These products are universally compatible with all camera brands, and extend into other consumer product segments such as charging units for smartphones.
• The traditional film capture and photographic paper business, which continues to provide high-quality and innovative products and solutions to consumers, photographers, retailers, photofinishers and professional labs.

View the original article here

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Nikon Coolpix S30 / L26 / L810

Nikon has announced three new, AA battery operated Coolpix models, including the simple but rugged Nikon S30, the easy-to-use Coolpix L26 and the long-zoom L810 (pictured). The 10.1-megapixel Coolpix S30 boasts a shock- and waterproof body and a wide-angle lens with 3x optical zoom ($119.95 / £99.99 / €118.00). The sixteen-megapixel Nikon L26 offers a 26-130mm equivalent lens and a 3” rear display (but no waterproofing) for the same amount of money. Finally, the Nikon Coolpix L810 comes with a remarkable 22.5-585mm equivalent lens, 16-megapixel CCD, Vibration Reduction, a Sports Continuous Shooting mode and a 3”  screen with 921,000 dots ($279.95 / £229.99 / €271.00). All three cameras can shoot 720p movies and all come with Nikon’s Smart Portrait System on board.

Nikon Press Release

Nikon Makes It Easy For The Whole Family To Enjoy COOLPIX Versatility And Performance For Stunning Photos And HD Video

Easily Capture Special Moments with Spectacular Photo Quality and Have Fun While Doing It

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Jan. 31, 2012) – Today, Nikon Inc. introduced a new line of COOLPIX digital cameras that combine affordability and convenience with performance and versatility to create a lineup of cameras that are ideal for the modern, fast-paced and connected family.  Perfect for any type of family adventure from the sidelines to the backyard, the COOLPIX L810, L26 and S30 each offer a simple, convenient and fun way to capture great photos and HD movies with ease.

Expanding on Nikon’s outstanding long zoom reputation, the COOLPIX L810’s extremely powerful zoom (26x) offers a chance to capture every detail without giving up the convenience of a compact point-and-shoot camera.  The COOLPIX S30 is a new type of camera from Nikon, providing worry-proof construction with a simple to use interface and an affordable price point so any family can enjoy photography with a camera that instills confidence. The COOLPIX L26 is ideal for casual photographers and streamlines photo-taking with intelligent Nikon technologies like automatic Scene Modes and easy-to-understand controls.  All three cameras are AA battery compatible for the ultimate on-the-go convenience.

“Today’s family spends time together in more places than the dining room table; they are on adventures and vacations together, constantly in motion and creating memories,” said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc.  “Nikon’s latest COOLPIX cameras combine Nikon’s renowned image quality, advanced performance and superior technology to offer simple and affordable cameras for every member of your family.”

COOLPIX L810: Zoom That Goes the Distance
Whether at the game or in nature, users need a camera that can go the distance to get in close to the action. The COOLPIX L810 sports a powerful 26x (22.5mm-585mm) zoom that makes it possible to capture every detail with extraordinary precision.  This latest affordable ultra zoom continues in a long line of superb Nikon compact long zoom cameras and features a super wide 22.5mm wide angle lens with VR image stabilization technology to help eliminate blur in photos and movies, regardless of focal length.  Nineteen Scene Modes optimize camera settings automatically for picture-perfect results, while the Smart Portrait System helps make every portrait flattering and pictures priceless. Additionally, the COOLPIX L810 features a Sports Continuous Shooting mode to capture fast moving subjects. If still images aren’t enough to tell the whole story, begin recording 720p HD movies with stereo sound through a simple one-touch control button and play them back on a 3-inch, 921,000-dot high resolution LCD display.

COOLPIX S30: No Muss, No Fuss - Ready for Action
A wonderful addition to any family, the COOLPIX S30 makes it easy and fun to preserve memories from the priceless to possibly messy, including a baby’s first steps, first swim or first plate of spaghetti.  Boasting a shockproof* (up to 2.6 feet) and waterproof *(up to 9.8 feet) exterior, the COOLPIX S30 affords a chance to capture all of their favorite moments without hesitation or worry.  A 10.1-megapixel image sensor produces high quality images and HD video that can be easily shared, printed and framed for family and friends.  A 3x wide angle zoom lens, HD video capabilities and extremely easy-to-use modes like the Smart Portrait System make the COOLPIX S30 simple, durable and affordable.

COOLPIX L26: The Simple Way to Great Photos and Movies
Let the camera do the thinking while marveling at the great images taken with the COOLPIX L26. Simply point, shoot and let the camera do the rest with easy-to-use and intelligent automatic Scene Modes, helping bring out the user’s inner photographer. Featuring a 5x (26mm-130mm) optical Zoom-NIKKOR lens for close to intermediate distance shots, the COOLPIX L26 is fun and easy to use whether snapping photos on a field trip or capturing 720p HD video of a birthday party. A wide and bright 3-inch LCD screen, vibration reduction and Smart Portrait technology make this the ideal camera for the beginner or casual photographer who might not use a camera often, but knows they want amazing image quality when they do.

Price and Availability
The COOLPIX L810 will be available in February 2012 for a suggested retail price (SRP) price of $279.95** in a choice of colors including Black, Red and Blue. The COOLPIX S30 will be available in February 2012 for an SRP of $119.95** in a choice of colors including White, Blue and Pink. The COOLPIX L26 will be available in February 2012 for an SRP of $119.95** in a choice of colors including Red, Black and Silver. For more information about these and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit http://www.nikonusa.com.

*More information at http://www.nikonusa.com/S30info

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Panasonic FX80, FT20, FT4, LS6 Hands-On Photos

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic FX80, FT20, FT4 and LS6 compact cameras look like in the flesh?

Then check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Panasonic’s new compact cameras.

17 photos of the new Panasonic Lumix FX80, FT20, FT4 and LS6 compact cameras.

Click on a thumbnail to see the full version.

 

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