Digital Camera News 2002

Introduction This report lists new digital camera announcements and reports in reverse chronological order.

2002 Dec. 21: Recent reviews of note: ZDNet Reviews looks at the Canon PowerShot G3, while MacUser reviews the Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi.

Dec. 12: MacAddict has a review of the 5-megapixel Minolta: DiMage 7i. The conclusion? It's great. A key feature, notes the review, is the camera's ability to shoot continuously at unbelievable, breakneck speeds -- up to 7.14 frames per second.

Aug. 15: The truth about digital cameras is blurred, complains the Philadelphia Inquirer, in an article taking the digital camera manufacturers to task for being "too creative" about pixel ratings, while downplaying lengthy time lags between photos. It reviews several models, including the Argus DC3500, Canon PowerShot G2, Fuji FinePix S602 Zoom, HP Photosmart 812, Kodak EasyShare DX4900, Minolta Dimage F100, Olympus Camedia C-720. It looks as though the reviewer liked the Fuji the best, and hated the Argus unit.

Aug. 12: Nikon has recalled a batch of melting Coolpix 2000 cameras, notes Macworld UK. The flaw, affecting serial numbers starting with the digits 2010001; 2042816; 2510001; 2543248; 3010001; 3060980; 3510001; 3561916; 4010001; 4063334; 4510001; 4555696; 5010001; 5014664; 5510001 or 5512592, can over-heat battery compartments, melting the camera's outside casing, causing irreversible damage. Affected consumers should discontinue use immediately, remove batteries and contact Nikon for replacement of the faulty products.

Aug. 12: Fuji dealers are blowing out new Fuji FinePix A201 2.0 Megapixel digital cameras at prices as low as US$139.95, notes Deals on the Web. Elsewhere, the Photo-i website provides news and reviews of inks, paper stocks and digital cameras, including a preview of the upcoming "gang of five" new printers coming in time for the holiday season from Fuji. [08/12/02]

July 30: Olympus and Fuji today unveiled a replacement for SmartMedia, in a market where there are already waaay too many competing "standards." Who needs another one? News.com has the story.

July 29: HP has introduced three new cameras, the Photosmart 720, 620 and 320, each of which include a new Instant Share system for one-click transmission of saved images to printers, e-mail programs and other applications. News.com has details.....

July 25: ZDNet AnchorDesk looks at what you get for US$2,000 in digital cameras, with commentaries on the Olympus Camedia E-20N and how it compares to the Olympus Camedia 4040 and traditional SLR cameras.

July 23: Macworld: Keller on Cameras: 2-Megapixel Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras: Three Unique, Well-Priced Cameras Bound to Suit Enthusiasts. The article looks at Fuji's FinePix 2800 Zoom, Minolta's Dimage X and Nikon's slim Coolpix 2500.

July 22: Fuji Photo Film Canada, Inc. has introduced the Fujifilm FinePix F401 digital camera. One of the smallest 2.1-effective-megapixel zoom digital cameras in its category, the digicam is equipped with Super EBC Fujinon 3x optical, retractable zoom (with up to 3.6x digital zoom) lens and a third-generation Super CCD sensor capable of capturing full-resolution shots at three frames per second for up to four frames. The camera also supports digital movie recording, capturing digital video with sound at 10 frames per second. An included PictureCradle allows easy syncing to computer, battery recharging, and the ability to use the camera as a webcam. There's also a digital picture voice captioning mode that attaches 30-second voice notes to images. Due to ship in August, the FinePix F401 sells for C$699, including PictureCradle, rechargeable batteries, AC power adapter, USB cable and a 16 MB SmartMedia storage card. The company says the FinePix F401 Zoom, FinePix F601 Zoom, FinePix S602 Zoom, FinePix S2 Pro and all future FinePix consumer digital cameras will be fully compatible with Windows XP. Details at www.fujifilm.ca. In related news, Fuji Photo Film Canada is the sponsor of Sympatico.ca Photocentre (www.photography.sympatico.ca), a site designed to provide Canadians with an extensive resource on digital photography – from tips and tutorials to photo essays.

July 6: Sony unveils palm-size digital still camera, notes Macworld UK.

July 5: SlashDot notes the release of Nokia's first mobile phone with a digital camera onboard. The Nokia 7650 Cell Phone's integrated camera captures images at 640x480.

June 12: Hardware Central has a Logitech Pocket Digital Review. Here's a snip: "Ordinary criteria don't apply to Logitech's new digital camera: It has no flash, zoom, or LCD monitor, and takes snapshots instead of spectacular pictures (advertised resolution 1.3 megapixels; actual 640 by 480). But it's the size of a credit card, half an inch thin, with all-day battery and image capacity. Gadget lover? Get out your US$130.Two models, dubbed the EX-S1 and the EX-M1, weigh in at 85 and 87 grams, respectively. According to Casio, both cameras can record 1.2 mega-pixel quality still images and 30 seconds of 320 by 240-pixel moving images and replays. The EX-M1 also features an MP3 audio replay function and a 50-minute voice recording function on 12Mbytes of internal Flash Memory. The cameras are due to be rolled out in Japan on June 21. No launch date for North America has been announced." Slashdot has further discussion on the topic, including a look at some lower-cost alternatives and why the Logitech camera's claimed 1.3 megapixel resolution is little more than a fib.

May 14: Casio creates credit card-size cameras. Two models, dubbed the EX-S1 and the EX-M1, weigh in at 85 and 87 grams, respectively. According to Casio, both cameras can record 1.2 mega-pixel quality still images and 30 seconds of 320 by 240-pixel moving images and replays. The EX-M1 also features an MP3 audio replay function and a 50-minute voice recording function on 12Mbytes of internal Flash Memory. The cameras are due to be rolled out in Japan on June 21. No launch date for North America has been announced.

May 10: HP releases PhotoSmart 812 digital camera. The 4-megapixel camera includes a 3x optical zoom lens and, in addition to still images, can capture up to a minute of video or audio clips. The Photosmart 812 features a USB connection and stores its data on Secure Digital flash media cards. It sells for US$499.99.

May 4: A thread at ZDNet, quoting an article in the NY Times (4/28) notes the absurdity of the new $600 Nikon Coolpix 885 digital camera that comes with a 205 page instruction booklet. The camera has some 200 functions, yet it lacks the ability to rotate an image 90 degrees.

May 3: Seen at DealNews: Kodak has announced a new Digital Camera Trade-in Program on the purchase of a new Kodak digital camera from the Kodak Online Store. Purchase a new camera, complete the trade-in application, and send in your old Kodak digital camera to receive up to US$125 in rebates. Camera must be purchased by July 1, 2002.

May 2: "HP camera simplifies e-mailing photos: Hewlett-Packard on Thursday will release a new digital camera with software and services that it says will simplify how photos are shared." CNET News.com

Apr. 23 : Hardware Central has an Olympus D-380 Review. It asks, "Is there any excuse left not to get into digital photography? If you remember the days when a megapixel of resolution cost you a thousand bucks (US), or even $500 or $250, you'll be amazed that Olympus America has introduced a two-megapixel camera for US$199. But how does this budget bargain compare to its slightly less affordable rivals?"

Apr. 23: New camera reviews at MacWorld (yes, we are seeing a lot of Mac-oriented camera reviews these days!):

• "Four 4-Megapixel Cameras: High Resolution Models from Canon and Olympus Focus on Portability, Expanded Controls" Macworld
• "Nikon Coolpix 5000: Automatic Image Processing and Color Manipulation" Macworld
• "Olympus E20N: Poor Performance Hampers Professional Feel and Price" Macworld

Apr. 19: "Buyer's Guide: The Megapixel Lineup Of Digital Cameras" has been updated at MacSpeedZone with comparative vendor pricing on various models from Canon, HP and Nikon.

Apr. 17: Fujifilm's FinePix F601 Zoom and FinePix 30i cameras are now available, notes MacCentral.

Apr. 11:  The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has posted a review of the Nikon Coolpix 2500. Elsewhere, DCresource.com offers a comparative review of three small two-megapixxel cameras - Canon's PowerShot S330 Digital ELPH, Nikon's Coolpix 2500 and Minolta's DiMAGE X. PC World reviews Fujifilm's new FinePix S602 camera for enthusiasts.

Mar. 27: Four 5-Megapixel Cameras In Review. Tom's Hardware takes an in-depth look at the Minolta Dimage 7, Nikon Coolpix 5000, Olympus E-20 and Sony DSC-F707.

Mar. 13:  Canon, Minolta tout new digital cameras - The four forthcoming cameras will have resolutions ranging from 2 to 5 megapixels, with models aimed at hobbyists and professionals. [News.com]

Feb. 28: Top 10 Digital Cameras: A simple point-and-shoot model from Toshiba joins the ranks of under-$500 winners. PC World Magazine

Feb. 27: Panasonic will reportedly begin shipping its new line of Lumix digital cameras next month, featuring world-renowned Leica DC Lenses. The compact, 2-megapixel DMC-F7 features a Vario-Elmarit lens, 2x optical zoom, 2x digital zoom, and will sell for US$499.95. The 4-megapixel DMC-LC40 and DMC-LC5 models sport Vario-Summicron lenses, 3x optical zoom, 2x digital zoom, and will sell for $699.95 and $899.95, respectively. Finally, the entry-level 2-megapixel DMC-LC20, shipping in April for $349.95, features a Vario-Elmarit lens, 3x optical zoom, and 2x digital zoom. [Attribution: MacMinute]

Feb. 27: Apple Digital Camera on the way? Apple is said to be planning to release a 4-megapixel digital camera. Allegedly, prototype units have been making the rounds to major graphics software developers. The camera reportedly sports FireWire connectivity along with a crisp 2.5" LCD display. For storage of images, it doesn't use floppies or flash cards, say those who claim to have seen prototypes; it uses a 5GB hard drive, similar to that found in Apple's iPod.