Digital Camera News and Reviews

Artensoft Photo Collage Maker 1.0

Artensoft has released a piece of collage photo software called Artensoft Photo Collage Maker 1.0. Tho program is able to automatically generate mosaic pictures of smaller pictures.

The Artensoft Photo Collage Maker 1.0 is available from December 2010 and costs about $80.

Press release:
Software Generates Photo Collage à la Steve Jobs Mosaic Portrait

New computer program makes impressive photo collages in the manner of a famous photomosaic of Steve Jobs from Apple icons, products and logos

December 20, 2010 – Artensoft today announces Artensoft Photo Collage Maker 1.0, the first and only Windows application that can automatically generate high-resolution photographic collages in the manner of a mosaic portrait of Steve Jobs composed of small pictures of Apple’s gadgets. To create a photo collage, there is no need to have any knowledge of design and mosaic techniques.

“A while back I saw an article in Forbes, which had a portrait of Steve Jobs made out of hundreds of tiny Apple icons and gadgets and decided to write a mathematical algorithm that could allow ordinary Windows users to create a photo collage like that automatically,” says Eugene Baryshnikov, the program’s chief developer, Artensoft. “As a result, we have developed a unique technology that was derived from the analysis of the Steve Jobs photomosaic. Now anyone with Windows PC can create an exclusive photomosaic with a push of a button”.

The program offers a wizard that makes it a matter of a few minutes to create a photo collage. The first thing is to choose a source photograph to make into a mosaic, and then add a collection of pictures that will be used as source material for the collage. For producing good results, it is recommended to have between 500 and 1500 images (picture sets are supplied with the program). Similar to a human artist, the program examines a source image and then recreates it as a hand-made mosaic automatically. The output can be saved to JPEG, BMP, TIFF or PNG.

Artensoft Photo Collage Maker gives a full range of options to produce a coherent collage. For example, the user can specify types of tiles to be used for generating a mosaic (mirrored images, 90 degree image rotation to the left or right, or 180 degree rotation). Besides, it is possible to set a radius for eliminating neighboring duplicate tiles, increase or decrease the number of large pictures, and select areas to be filled. When the first mosaic is generated, the user can manipulate a collage to individual preferences by replacing some tiles.

With Artensoft Photo Collage Maker, home users can create a one-of-a-kind mosaic portrait of relatives and friends and present it as a gift. The program can also be used by professional designers and advertisers, who can, for instance, create a mosaic ad banner from the products of a company or photos of happy employees.

Read more about the program at: http://www.artensoft.com/ArtensoftPhotoCollageMaker/
Screenshots of the interface: http://www.artensoft.com/ArtensoftPhotoCollageMaker/screenshots.php
Photo mosaic gallery: http://www.artensoft.com/ArtensoftPhotoCollageMaker/gallery.php
Demo: http://www.artensoft.com/ArtensoftPhotoCollageMaker/download/ArtensoftPhotoCollageMaker-Setup.exe

Pricing and Availability
Artensoft Photo Collage Maker 1.0 is available immediately from Artensoft, its online shop, and through a network of authorized resellers worldwide. For new customers the program is available for $79.95 (US). Upgrades are available for free. More information on the product can be found at http://www.artensoft.com

About Artensoft
Founded in 2007, Artensoft develops software tools for editing images and creating photo collages. The company has launched two popular programs: Artensoft Photo Mosaic Wizard, a software tool for creating photo mosaics, and Artensoft Photo Editor, a photo editor. For more information, visit http://www.artensoft.com

HP Photosmart eStation C510

CNET has tested a HP printer that lets you do so called ePrinting. What this means is that you can print directly via emails and mobile devices. The printer is called HP Photosmart eStation C510 and is an All-in-One inkjet printer.

Some key features for the HP Photosmart eStation C510:
-All-in-One inkjet printer
-Wireless printing by email
-Detachable 7-inch Android-powered tablet
-Removable auto-duplexer
-Prints from mobile devices

CNET ends up giving the eStation printer an overall score of 3 of 5 possible stars and a “Good” rating. The printer scores highest on service and support, a little lower on performance and lowest on features and design. The HP printer has some shortcomings hindering it from getting a better score and include a high price tag, error with network connectivity and buggy interface. If they are able to fix this with the next printer in this series they should get a higher score.
Read the full review of the here.

Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm F2.8

When it comes to macro lenses for the Micro Four Thirds there are not many choices, but Panasonic has now released a 45 macro lens called Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm F2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. The Panasonic lens comes at pretty high price tag (about $899.99 in USA) so it is interesting to see if Photography Blog, who have reviewed the lens, think it is worth that price.

Photography Blog ends up giving the 45mm macro lens a very good review with a “Highly Recommended” rating and an overall score of 4.5 stars out of 5 possible. The lens scores highest on design, features, image quality and ease of use while it scores a little lower on value for your money. If you are a Micro Four Thirds photographer and are interested in a high quality macro lens this is definitely your choice. Let us hope that the price will go down a bit and that we will get more macro lenses for this format in the future.
Read the full review of the Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm F2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens here.

Brother HL-4140CN

Trusted Reviews has tested a workgroup laser printer from Brother. The printer is called Brother HL-4140CN and is able to print up to 22 pages per minute.

Some key features for the Brother HL-4140CN:
-Print speeds up to 22 pages per minute
-250-sheet main paper tray
-50-sheet multipurpose tray
-USB2 and ethernet connectivity

Trusted Reviews ends up giving the HL-4140CN an overall score of 7 out of 10 points. The printer scores highest on print quality while it scores a little lower on print speeds, features and value for your money. The Brother is a pretty good workgroup color laser printer. In addition it comes at a low price tag and the running costs are not all that bad.
Read the full review of the Brother HL-4140CN workgroup laser printer here.