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news snapshot
Have some news for us to report? Send it in to news@dcresource.com.
Wednesday, November 24th (on vacation until 12/2)
- The last review for a little while is now online! Check out the DCRP review of the Nikon Coolpix 800. After my vacation, I'll work on the Kodak DC215, Umax AstraCam, and maybe even the Epson PhotoPC 850Z!
- While the v. 1.2 firmware upgrade was supposed to fix problems with the Nikon Coolpix 950, it did create a new one:
- Nikon Corporation has reported to the Technical Office Organization that while the AE-lock function for panorama shooting has been corrected in the AUTO mode (the default white balance mode ) with version 1.2 of the Coolpix 950 firmware using any of the preset white balances will now result in a heavy shift to green after the third shot is taken. We regret that this problem was not fully corrected for firmware version 1.2. Please use the "Auto" white balance setting ( the default) if you intend on using the AE lock function. It is advised to finish any panorama shooting projects before installing the 1.2 firmware update to avoid having images that are of different color balances.
- There seems to be some kind of price war brewing for the Casio QV-2000UX (which we reviewed last week). Several resellers are selling it for less than $520, which makes it a pretty tempting choice.
- Delkin Devices is now shipping 224Mb CompactFlash Type II cards. No word on the price though.
- The DCRP will be on vacation until Thursday, December 2nd. After Thanksgiving, I will be headed back to Florida for a few days. Have a great Thanksgiving weekend!
- The DCRP will be down on Monday, December 6th while our hosting provider, Pair Networks, moves to a new datacenter. Expect us to be down for 3-6 hours that day. Also, I'm looking at moving us over to a dedicated web server, which may also lead to downtime. I'll post more info about both of these things when it becomes available!
Monday, November 22nd
- We're pleased to present the DCRP Holiday Buyers Guide! Here you'll find some of Jeff's favorite picks, in a variety of price ranges. In some cases, we've even got links to our sponsors so you can buy these products online!
- Our review of the Casio QV-2000UX has been updated, with a few corrections, and a note about how you can get full manual control of aperture and shutter settings!
- The Imaging Resource Page has a review of the Sony DCR-PC100 digital camcorder (which doubles as a Megapixel digital still camera), and a Comdex wrap-up. It's a shame I couldn't make it-- I could've gone for a ride in the FujiFilm blimp too!
- At Comdex, Simple Technology announced their 320Mb Type II CompactFlash card. This is not a Microdrive, no moving parts here! The price, however, is $1399, about 3.5 times more than the Microdrive.
Thursday, November 18th
- As promised, our review of the Casio QV-2000UX has been posted! This is really a winner from Casio -- but you'll have to read the review to find out why!
- The Coolpix 800 should finally arrive tomorrow. After the Kodak DC215 review is posted next week, it's next!
- Our advertising rates will be going up next year, thanks to our higher traffic! If you want to get your ad up on the DCRP, sign up before the end of the year and pay 1999 rates!
Wednesday, November 17th
- Nikon has released the Coolpix 950 v 1.2 firmware upgrade (NTSC). European (PAL) users should get it here. Mac users should note that you can NOT use a USB-to-Serial adapter, which leaves many users in the dark, myself included. Changes include:
- LCD brightness is significantly improved in the "+" and "O" setting mode. This makes outdoor use easier.
- Seqential numbering now operates in M-rec OR A-rec modes.
- Auto sensitivity is active in "P" mode. This will improve the low light shooting.
- Shutter speed display changes to yellow at speeds of 1/4 second or lower, to indicate need for tripod or a very steady hand.
- Change in the screen display used when custom folder names are used.
- AE-lock function now operates in AUTO white balance mode.
- It looks like our Casio QV-2000UX review will be delayed another day. The weather hasn't been cooperative, so I haven't been able to take very many pictures. Hopefully it'll be posted tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 16th (Comdex News)
- IPIX and Olympus announced the IPIX Upgrade for Olympus cameras. Priced at $249, the kit includes a fisheye lens and IPIX software, for creating 360 degree panoramas using IPIX's software. It apparently only works on the D-2xx, D-3xx, and D-4xx line of cameras.
- IXLA Ltd. introduced a Mac version of their $99 USB SuperPro camera. I believe this is a no-frills 640x480 camera, and it also includes the Mac version of Corel Custom Photo.
- It looks like Panasonic's long-awaited 1.3Mpixel PV-SD4090 Superdisk-based camera should be shipping this month. Included in the box are rebates for Superdisk drives and media from Imation.
- The Kodak DC280 was recently chosen as Consumers Digest Best Buy. We recently reviewed it, as well.
- Minolta and MetaCreations announced that the Minolta 3D 1500 digital camera is now shipping. Using MetaCreations' MetaFlash technology, users of this camera can create realistic 3D images, just as you'd take any other photo. The camera is based on the 1.5 Mpixel Minolta Dimage EX 1500, and also uses Flashpoint's DigitaOS.
Monday, November 15th
- DCRP Comdex Coverage: Well, I won't be there (again), but I do promise to quickly post any relevant information as soon as I hear about it. If you're a DCRP reader fighting the crowds at Comdex, send in your reports. If you've got a camera there with you, send photos.
- Major additions to Reviews & Info section: I actually did some major catching up on the reviews this weekend, plus added something new!
- Several new reviews and photos for new cameras, like the Kodak DC290, Olympus D-340R, Epson PhotoPC 850Z, and Olympus C-2500L. I still need some for the Toshiba PDR-M5, Canon PowerShot S10 and PhotoPC 850Z though!
- Now you can search the reviews! Well, sort of... just click on the search link on the "big list" of cameras, and you can narrow down your choices. It's not perfect, but it works fairly well.
- I made a few optimizations that should make the "big list" load a little faster. Not that it was ever really slow. Things are quite a bit better since the Filemaker Pro days, for sure...
- I'm going to attempt to get the Casio QV-2000UX review posted tomorrow or Wednesday, and the Kodak DC215 review by next Monday. I corrected the part in my Kodak DC280 review about USB support, as well. I'm also going to work on a special feature that many people will find useful in the next month or so. Now, onto real news!
- IBM is now shipping CompactFlash cards, and in big sizes too. Here's the scoop: $179 for 64MB, $279 for 96MB and $339 for 128MB cards.
- Digita Desktop is software for your Mac or PC that lets you control a Digita-powered camera, as well as download, edit, and organize photos from it. You can also use it to update the Digita software, or installed new scripts onto the camera. It's priced at $24.95 and is available now from Flashpoint's site.
- The guys at the Imaging Resource Page have been very busy lately (as have I) reviewing cameras and more:
Old News is available in the news archives!
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