Digital Camera News and Reviews

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

SLRgear has reviewed a prime lens from Nikon, the Nikon 105mm f/2D AF DC Nikkor. This lens is quite interesting for portrait photographers with its f/2, but the Nikon lens is quite expensive. The lens also feature “defocus control” where you can the appearance and nature of the out of foucs areas in photos.

SLRgear ends up giving the Nikon 105mm f/2D AF DC Nikkor lens a very good review as you get good results wide open and if you stop it down to f/2.8 you get excellent results. The lens handle chromatic aberration and there is about zero vignetting and distortion. The reviewer also enjoyed the defocus control. So I guess the only downside for the Nikon 105mm f/2D AF DC Nikkor is the high price, but when it comes to optics you get what you pay for.
Read the full review of the Nikon 105mm f/2D AF DC Nikkor lens here.

Nikon Coolpix L100

Nikon has announced new firmware for their compact camera Nikon Coolpix L100. The new firmware lets you use NiMH rechargeable batteries in the Nikon Coolpix L100 digital camera. The firmware will be available at the same time as Nikon releases new rechargeable batteries and a charger.
The firmware will be released later this summer.

Press release:
Release of Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries EN-MH2-B4 and Battery Charger MH-73/Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries EN-MH2-B4 Set

COOLPIX L100 firmware update adds support for NiMH batteries

June 9, 2009 – TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the release of a genuine Nikon set of four nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries, Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries EN-MH2-B4, and a retail set that includes the Battery Charger MH-73, for charging sets of four nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries, and one set of four Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries EN-MH2-B4.

In addition, a firmware update for the COOLPIX L100 (supports four AA batteries) that adds support for nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries will be released to coincide with release of these new sets of Nikon NiMH batteries and dedicated battery charger. Please look for information regarding acquisition of the firmware provided by companies or shops selling the camera.

Support for rechargeable batteries makes the COOLPIX L100 an even more convenient digital camera
The Battery Charger MH-73, which allows for simultaneous charging of sets of four batteries, is the perfect companion for the COOLPIX L100 with added support for nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries. Released in March of this year, the COOLPIX L100 supports AA batteries that are easily acquired anywhere. This convenience has made the COOLPIX L100 an extremely popular digital camera. The added support for nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries not only reduces the burden on the environment, but further increases the practicality of the COOLPIX L100 by increasing the number of shots that can be taken with a set of fully charged batteries.

Nikon will continue to respond to the demands of its customers with services and products that offer ever increasing ways of enjoying digital cameras.

Product overview
Product name Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries EN-MH2-B4, Battery Charger MH-73 / Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries EN-MH2-B4 Set
Scheduled release date Summer, 2009

COOLPIX L100 Nikon digital camera specifications with use of Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries EN-MH2

Power sources Four AA alkaline batteries (supplied), four AA lithium batteries (available commercially), four Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries EN-MH2-B4 (available separately in sets of four), or AC adapter EH-67 (optional)
Number of exposures possible (battery performance)* Approximately 350 shots with alkaline batteries, 600 shots with EN-MH2 batteries, and 900 shots with lithium batteries

*Based on Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) testing standards

Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.

Canon SELPHY CP780

Canon announced two new photo printer today. One of them is called Canon SELPHY CP780 (you read about the other Canon SELPHY CP790 here) and can print post card sized pictures in 47 seconds. The CP780 photo printer will be available in pink, blue, silver or white colors.

Some key features for the Canon SELPHY CP780:
-2.5″ LCD screen with image preview
-memory card slots
-available in pink, blue, silver or white
-small size

The software that comes with the Canon SELPHY CP780 can be used with both Windows and Mac computers.

Press release:
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 10 June 2009 : Canon today refreshes its SELPHY compact photo printer line-up with the launch of the SELPHY CP780. Replacing the SELPHY CP760, the new ultra-compact printer significantly improves on the printing speeds of its predecessor. Designed for fun, affordable family printing, it provides a user-friendly way to produce superb, lab-quality photo prints in under a minute. Available in pink, blue, silver or white – the SELPHY CP780 also offers fully portable printing with an optional battery pack.

Easier than ever
For ultimate ease of use, the SELPHY CP780 incorporates a user-friendly interface, plus large buttons with a straightforward layout – allowing anyone to start making prints effortlessly. The large 2.5” TFT colour LCD screen offers detailed image preview when printing straight from memory card, with easy-to-understand instructions and menu support for 7 languages.

The SELPHY CP780 incorporates three memory card slots. These allow direct, computer-free printing from a wide variety of popular memory cards*. PictBridge compatibility means users can also print directly from most models of digital camera. With an optional Bluetooth adaptor, prints can be made from mobile phones and other wireless devices.

The SELPHY CP780 includes updated, easy-to-use software – SELPHY Photo Print – which now includes audio guidance, so when users are printing from a computer a voice provides spoken instructions. This is particularly ideal for children, or those new to printing.

Fast lab-quality prints that last
In as little as 47 seconds**, the SELPHY CP780 prints to a variety of different sized media, including standard postcard size or wide photo prints, credit cards or miniature stickers. Plus, with its fast boot-up, there’s no waiting around for the printer to warm up – so your photos are in your hand in seconds.

Dye sublimation technology delivers smooth, glossy results, giving finished prints the quality, look and feel of traditional lab prints. A special over-coating covers the prints to protect them from spills and splashes. Prints will retain their quality for up to 100 years*** when stored in an album.

The SELPHY CP780’s range of clever image enhancement technologies ensures photos look their best – features such as Auto Image Correction and Auto Red-Eye Correction automatically optimising every image.

Ultra-compact, affordable photo printer
Easy to use – simple user interface, large buttons, audio guidance
Direct printing from compatible cameras or most popular memory cards*
Long lasting 100 year prints*
Prints in just 47 seconds* and quick boot-up time
Dye sublimation for lab-quality prints
2.5” colour TFT LCD
Optional battery pack for portable printing
Optional Bluetooth adaptor for prints from wireless devices
Available in pink, blue, silver or white

Technologies Explained
Low cost printing solution
As well as being affordable in their own right, SELPHY printers give you complete control over the cost of your photo printing. SELPHY cartridges contain paper and ink for an exact, pre-defined number of prints, so every single print has a predetermined cost. Waste can be further reduced by previewing images before printing on the LCD screen of your camera or printer – ensuring that you only print the images you want.

Media
Available media comprises:

Postcard Size (KP-361P, KP-712IP/IN, KP-108IP/IN)
Wide Size (KW-24IP)
L Size (KL-36IP)
Credit Card Size (KC-36IP)
Credit Card Size Stickers (KC-18IF)
Mini Stickers (KC-18IL)
Ink cartridge is included with media.

Software
The SELPHY CP780 is supplied with SELPHY Photo Print software, which includes step-by-step audio guidance on how to print images. This is ideal for users who are inexperienced with computers, printers or both – and provides a great way for children to learn how to print.
Purchasers of the SELPHY CP780 are eligible for free membership of
CANON iMAGE GATEWAY****: 100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space for sharing stills and video with family and friends.

Accessories

CP Printer Carrying Case DCC-CP1
Battery Pack NB-CP2L
BU-30 Bluetooth Adapter Unit
Dye Sublimation
SELPHY printers use a dye-sublimation printing process to produce high-quality prints with the look and feel of photos from the lab. This process is particularly suitable for photo printing because it transfers colour into the structure of the paper rather than printing onto the surface. Light reflects evenly off the print for a richer, glossier photo. And with a total reproduction range of more than 16.7 million colours, SELPHY printers deliver all the vibrancy and subtle tone gradations of professional, lab-produced prints.

100 Year Prints
SELPHY printers produce rich, vivid prints that are fade and moisture resistant for up to 100 years***. A durable, protective coating is applied at the end of the printing process to guard against splashes, spills and sticky fingers. To prevent smudging and fingerprint marks, photos are dry to the touch and ready to handle the moment printing finishes.

*The following cards can be used without an adaptor: CompactFlash, Microdrive, SD, miniSD, SDHC, miniSDHC, MMC, MMCplus,HD MMCplus, MMCmobile, RS-MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo.
**Postcard Size
***100 year figure based on accelerated tests. For further information see specifications.
****CANON iMAGE GATEWAY is not available in all European countries. Please see www.cig.canon-europe.com for available countries. Movie upload requires users to download and install the movie upload task, available after registration from the CANON iMAGE GATEWAY site.

Panasonic HDC-TM10

Canon has announced two new photo printers. The first one is called Canon SELPHY CP790 (you can read about the other, Canon SELPHY CP780, here) and looks pretty cool. The photo printer can print postcard sized images in 47 seconds.

Some key features for the Canon SELPHY CP790:
-3″ LCD screen
-47 seconds print speed for postcard sized images
-memory card slots
-Pictbridge port
-Auto Image Correction

The software that comes with the Canon SELPHY CP790 can be used with both Windows and Mac computers.

Press release:
Print great-looking photos with the smart, creative and easy-to-use SELPHY CP790

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 10 June 2009. : Canon is putting the fun into photo printing with the introduction of the SELPHY CP790 – a smart, compact photo printer that makes it easier than ever to produce lab-quality prints.

The SELPHY CP790 is smartly designed for maximum ease-of-use and convenience. A large 3.0” LCD display and Canon’s Easy-Scroll Wheel makes it simple, quick and easy to set-up, navigate and enjoy. The SELPHY CP790 incorporates a range of fun templates and layouts so users of all ages can customise their images creatively, whilst Automatic Image Correction features ensure that stunning lab-quality images are effortlessly produced.

“Canon has always made it easy to produce lab-quality photos,“ said Rainer Feuhres, head of Canon Consumer Imaging, “but the latest SELPHY printer takes it to a whole new level. Convenient, smart, simple and fun, the SELPHY CP790 is a great photo printer for everyone – and at a price families can afford.”

With an integrated carrying handle, storage basket and optional battery pack, the SELPHY CP790 also enables users to print wherever they are – no PC required.

Smart printing made simple
The SELPHY CP790 comes with everything needed to produce lab-quality photos simply and quickly. The angled 3.0” LCD display and Easy Scroll Wheel make it simple to operate. A built-in PictBridge port and memory card slots make it easy to print directly from a wide range of digital cameras and memory cards – so there’s no need to connect the SELPHY CP790 to a computer. Users can even produce prints directly from their mobile phones via Infra-red or an optional Bluetooth adapter.

The SELPHY CP790 is fast, flexible and fun, producing lab quality postcard sized prints in as little as 47 seconds, while a range of optional paper cassettes enable everyone to produce L, Wide, Credit Card Size and Mini Size stickers as well. The SELPHY CP790 uses a dye-sublimation printing process to produce smooth, lab-quality photo prints; with a special coating also ensures they’re protected from spills, splashes and smudges. With lasting quality – each print should last for up to 100 years when stored in an album –the SELPHY CP790 is a great way to preserve precious family memories.

The SELPHY CP790 also includes a range of Automatic Image Correction functions, such as Red-Eye Correction, Skin Tone optimisation and Noise Reduction that automatically enhances the quality of the photos. The My Colors option also enables users to quickly add special effects such as Sepia, Vivid, Positive Film and Black & White to their prints.

Creative fun for your photos
Families can personalise their photos using a range of creative functions that are built into the SELPHY CP790. Photo Diary enables users to insert their photos into a range of six different diary layouts, with dedicated areas for text, a choice of six background colours and 17 different fun stamps. Images placed in Photo Diary layouts can be trimmed, cropped and enhanced, while the image shooting date can be taken from an image and placed in the layout.

The SELPHY Photo Print software bundle for Mac and PC has been smartly designed to assist users through the printing process on screen and via voice guidance instructions.

Stylish and compact, simple and smart, the SELPHY CP790 makes it easy for anyone to produce lab-quality photos whatever their level of expertise. With its range of creative functions and convenient features, it is also ideal for families who want to enjoy creating together, whilst sharing precious memories.

Additional Information

Media
Available media includes:

Postcard Size (100mm x 148mm) – (KP-36IP, KP-72IP/IN, KP108IP/IN)
Wide Size (100mm x 200mm) – (KW-24IP)
Credit Card Size (54mm x 86mm) – (KC-36IP)
Credit Card Size Stickers (KC-18IF)
Credit Card Stickers Mini Size – eight stickers per card (KC18IL)
Software
The SELPHY CP790 is supplied with Canon’s Solutions Disk, which contains a variety of easy-to-use software for managing, storing and printing images via PC including:

Windows

SELPHY Photo Print 1.0
SELPHY CP790 Printer Driver 1.0 for Microsoft Windows 2000, XP SP2-3, Vista 32-bit/64-bit (including SP1)
Macintosh
• SELPHY Photo Print 1.0
• SELPHY CP Printer Driver 1.0 for Mac OS X 10.4-10.5

Purchasers are also eligible for membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, an exclusive online storage and sharing site with 100MB of online ‘personal gallery’ space.

Accessories
BU-30 Bluetooth Unit
CA-CP200 Compact Power Adapter
NB-CP2L Battery Pack
PCC-CP300 Card Size Paper Cassette
PCL-CP300 L Size Paper Cassette
PCW-CP100 Wide Size Paper Cassette