Pre-PMA 2009: Nikon has unveiled the Coolpix P90 superzoom with 24x optical zoom. With 26mm – 624mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range this superzoom camera sports a 12.1 MP sensor, 3.0 inch tilting LCD and includes manual and auto features such as Scene Auto Selector, Smile Mode, Blink warning and P/A/S/M exposure modes. In addition, continuous shooting mode can deliver 45 images at 15 fps, with images being recorded before pressing the shutter button.

Press Release:

Nikon’s Ultra-Zoom Bridge Camera

Nikon introduces 24x zoom compact camera

Nikon UK is proud to announce the P90 compact camera that boasts an impressive 24x wide angle optical zoom. Its high-performance super-telephoto zoom, wide-angle capabilities and other powerful features are combined in an easy-to-use camera, making it ideal for users looking for the famous Nikon quality, in a camera that’s compact and portable.

Mark Pekelharing, Product Manager Consumer Products at Nikon Europe B.V: “This camera demonstrates Nikon’s devotion to camera enthusiasts. The amazingly powerful 24x zoom, 3.0-inch LCD screen with vari-angle tilt function, vibration reduction, and high sensitivity make the P90 a no-compromise bridge between a compact camera and a D-SLR.”  

Features to write home about
The P90 has an immensely powerful 24x optical zoom that offers the 35mm-equivalent of a 26mm wide-angle to a 624mm telephoto and is capable of shooting pictures as close up as 1cm. High-speed continuous shooting up to 45 shots at 15 fps means it is an ideal camera for sports photography and can even record images before you’ve pressed the button. Add to this its 12.1 effective megapixels and sensitivity up to ISO 6400, and it is clear why it excels in almost any shooting situation. Users can set it to full automatic or various manual settings using the camera’s four exposure modes (PSAM) and compose their ideal picture using the electronic viewfinder. The camera offers many other Nikon-quality features such as four Anti-blur technologies, Auto Scene and Face Priority AF, recognising up to twelve faces. It also includes the latest features, such as Smile Mode and Blink Warning, Nikon’s proprietary D-Lighting for optimising contrast and Quick Retouch. The camera can also record movies, including time-lapse movies and its 3-inch vari-angle LCD screen makes taking pictures easy even in challenging situations.

The P90 comes supplied with a USB cable, audio/video cable, strap and a software suite for COOLPIX CD-ROM. It will be available in Black All Nikon cameras come with 2GB free online image storage at Nikon’s my Picturetown service on mypicturetown.com.

Nikon Coolpix P90 specifications

Source: www.dpreview.com

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Anybody can pick up a camera and snap off a bunch of photos that will serve as a memento of an occasion. However doing that has a much in common with the work of a photographer as the scribbles of a five-year-old have with the writings of William Shakespeare. For while the digital age has given us unprecedented access to the means to take pictures, it hasn't changed the fact that only a few of us have the ability to see and capture something special in a moment in time.

In his most recent volume of photographs, Mostly People published by Perceval Press, American photographer Robert Whitman, shows that not only does he possess that ability, he also understands the importance of environment in portraiture. Yet his skills as a photographer, as the title of this volume suggests, don't end with his ability to bring people and their surroundings to life; he is equally capable of letting us see meaning in the rust stains of a swimming pool as he is the frown lines of a brow furrowed in concentration.

Ask anyone who has ever attempted to take a picture of a loved one, or who has ever posed for their picture, about the process and you're almost bound to hear a variation of one of two complaints: that doesn't look like them/me, or I/they aren't photogenic. Sure all the bits and pieces that make up the subject are contained within the frame and are all in the right place, but somehow or other nothing that you or they do can make your pictures look like them.

Every holiday season it's the same thing; collections of photos filled with people who look vaguely familiar sitting on the family couch. Taking pictures of people so that we are able to see them is a skill that seems to escape most of us.

Where most of us fail is by attempting to capture an accurate representation of a person in an atmosphere devoid of life or activity. Unless we have trained to work in front of a camera, standing still, or posing, leaves the majority of us incredibly self-conscious and awkward. Without the focus that an environment can give – even if its something as simple as waiting in the lobby of a theatre for a play or movie to begin – the subject of a photograph appears lifeless or artificial. Yet the instant we liberate them from the shackles of posing and photograph them candidly, they miraculously turn into living breathing souls.

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CES 2009: Olympus has announced three new 12 megapixel Stylus compact digital cameras. The Stylus 9000 (mju 9000 in Europe) is the smallest 12MP 10X zoom digital camera on the market, the company says. There’s also a 7X version, the Stylus 7000 (mju 7000 in Europe) and, in Europe only, so far as we can tell, the mju 5000. All three feature ‘Beauty Mode’ that aims to smooth people’s complexions in portraits.

Specifications to follow

Press Release:

Beautiful cameras for beautiful photographs

Power and elegance combined

London, 7 January 2009 – The popular Olympus µ series is once again setting the standard for cameras that combine graceful design with practical innovative features. Confirming Olympus’ status as the leading developer of opto-digital technology, the new models feature compact optical zooms, with magnifications ranging from 5x in the µ-5000, 7x in the µ-7000, to an incredible 10x in the µ-9000. All three cameras feature 12 Megapixel CCDs and a host of features that guarantee brilliant results, including Dual Image Stabilisation to reduce the effect of camera shake, and a remarkable Beauty Mode that smoothes out the completions of people, knocking years of their age! With sleek metal bodies in a range of colours, the Olympus µ-5000 will be available at the end of January, while the µ-9000 and µ-7000 in stores mid February 2009.

µ-9000
Hidden inside its super-slim metal body the µ-9000 has a wide 10x optical zoom (28-280mm*) that’s powerful enough to capture wide, open landscapes and then zoom in to closely scrutinise details on the horizon. Of course the µ-9000 is great for photographing people too.  Face Detection Technology identifies up to three human faces in a photo, then focuses and sets the exposure so that they look their best, and the wide viewing angles of the bright 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal III LCD make framing photos easy even in bright sunlight and at awkward angles. The µ-9000 will be available in Midnight Black and Royal Blue versions.

As with the other two new additions to the “classic” µ series, the µ-9000 includes Dual Image Stabilisation. This reduces blur caused by camera shake by minutely adjusting the position of their 12 Megapixel CCDs to compensate for inadvertent camera movement, and uses higher ISO values to ensure faster shutter speeds.

µ-7000
The µ-7000 is the happy choice for photographers who like taking photos of their family and friends. Its versatile 7x optical zoom (37-260mm*) is great for group shots and portraits and with Advanced Face Detection, up to 16 faces can be automatically identified in single photo. For the happiest results of all though, select Smile Shot and the µ-7000 will even detect when subjects are smiling and take the photo at just the right moment. A huge 7.6cm/3.0” HyperCrystal II LCD makes framing photos a doddle and allows everyone to see their picture at the same time. The µ-7000 comes in three colours: Starry Silver, Midnight Black and Ocean Blue.

µ-5000
With its 5x optical zoom (36-180mm*), the µ-5000 is the perfect choice for flexible, high-performance photography. In common with the µ-9000 and µ-7000, this stylish camera has Perfect Shot Preview which allows changes to various settings to be viewed next to one another in a multi-frame window on the 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD, so a comparison can be made and the best option selected before the photo is taken. The µ-5000 also has Perfect Fix; this handy function corrects red-eyes and dark shadowy areas in photos that have already been taken. The ultra-slim µ-5000 is available in a choice of Metal Magenta, Atlantic Blue or Midnight Black.

People will love having their photos taken by these sleek and sexy cameras, as µ-9000, µ-7000 and µ-5000 all feature a new Beauty Mode that smoothes out imperfections in the subject’s skin as the photo is taken, for a flawless-looking complexion that knocks years off their age.

The new models have a number of other common features too, including Intelligent Auto Mode, which automatically identifies which of five often-encountered types of scenes the photo being taken matches. In-Camera Panorama Mode is also included so that sequential photos can be combined in-camera to create dramatic wide panorama photographs.

Handling and navigation on the new cameras is easy thanks to illuminated buttons and all models are compatible with xD-Picture Cards and microSD Cards**. The Olympus µ-5000 will be on sale from the end of January, while the µ-9000 and µ-7000 will become available in mid February 2009.

The Olympus µ-9000 – main features:

• Extra slim 10x wide optical zoom (28-280mm*) in a compact metal body to capture landscapes through to exciting close-ups
• Avoids blur thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation (combines mechanical and digital image stabiliser)
• The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
• 12 Megapixels to make prints up to poster-size
• 6.9cm/2.7" HyperCrystal III LCD for best ever preview even in brilliant sunlight and at extreme angles (230,000 dots)
• Face Detection for perfectly focused and exposed faces. In combination with Shadow Adjustment Technology other main parts of the picture are also correctly exposed.
• TruePic III image processor for faster image handling and higher image quality
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps) xD-Picture Card and microSD Card** compatible

 
The Olympus µ-7000 – main features:

• Exceptional 7x optical zoom (37-260mm*) in a compact metal body to capture landscapes through to exciting close-ups
• Avoids blur thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation (combines mechanical and digital image stabiliser)
• High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI™) technology incorporated for viewing images in high definition on HDMI TVs
• 7.6cm/3.0” HyperCrystal II LCD for excellent preview even in bright sunlight and at extreme angles (230,000 dots)
• 12 Megapixels to make prints up to poster-size
• The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
• Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces. In combination with Shadow Adjustment Technology other main parts of the picture are also correctly exposed.
• TruePic III image processor for faster image handling and higher image quality
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps)
• xD-Picture Card and microSD Card**compatible

The Olympus µ-5000 – main features:

• Excellent 5x optical zoom (36-180mm*) in a smart metallic body to capture landscapes through to exciting close-ups
• Avoids blur thanks to Dual Image Stabilisation (combines mechanical and digital image stabiliser)
• The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto Mode detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
• 12 Megapixels to make prints up to poster-size
• Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces. In combination with Shadow Adjustment Technology other main parts of the picture are also correctly exposed.
• 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD with a bright display even in bright sunlight and at extreme angles (230,000 dots)
• TruePic III image processor for faster image handling and higher image quality
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30fps)
• xD-Picture Card and microSD Card** compatible

*35mm camera equivalent
**microSD is a trademark of SD Card Association

Additional images

Source: www.dpreview.com

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To be a serious digital photographer you need to learn some serious techniques and Real World Camera Raw is one of those books that help you get there. Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), the Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom plug-in, will give you the greatest possible control over your image. You gain precise control over qualities like white balance, tones, color space, contrast, and saturation.

Real World Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS4 is the latest version of the book that was started by Photoshop expert Bruce Frasier and is now carried on by his close friend and business partner Jeff Schewe. It is contained in 448 pages (more than 80 additional pages over the prior version) and it is divided into nine chapters.

Chapter 1, "Digital Camera Raw," focuses on the raw capture. You will examine the fundamental nature of the raw file as well as its advantages, and limitations. You will begin by learning what Raw Capture, why you should use it, and just what is a digital negative. Chapter 2, "How Camera Raw Works," examines what "lies under the hood" of the Camera Raw plug-in. To use Camera Raw effectively, you must first understand what makes raw files different from other file types, what it offers, where its limitations are, as well as how you can overcome them.

Chapter 3, "Raw System Overview," provides the 30,000 foot view of the whole digital raw system. Here the individual components are discussed in much more detail; not as much as in future chapters, but for now this provides an overview of the workflow in general. The components are Adobe Bridge, Camera Raw, Adobe Photoshop CS4, and Digital Negatives. Chapter 4, "Camera Raw Controls," examines the Camera Raw controls in very fine detail; even more than the prior version as this chapter adds 36 more pages than before. As with its film counterpart, the negative, a raw file is the starting point for your work, and while the number of options may seem overwhelming, when taken in a logical order, these skills can be mastered.

Chapter 5, "Hands-on Camera Raw," shows that knowing what each control does is only half the battle, the other half is knowing how the tools interact, and when, and in which order to use them. Here you will learn about Camera Raw by getting in and working with it. Chapter 6, "Adobe Bridge" explores briefly the history of file browser and its development into Bridge and how Bridge under CS4 has become rather complex. Here Bridge is talked about in relation to the features that apply to digital photography and the raw workflow. Topics include working with Bridge, Metadata, Keywords, as well as working with other tools such as Batch Rename, Cache, Collections, and Slideshow.

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Olympus has released a limited edition model, the Stylus 1040 Crystal, embedded with 98 Swarovski crystals on the sliding lens barrier. The 10 MP super slim camera with a 2.7”LCD and 3x (38-114mm equiv) zoom lens includes features such as Advanced Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment and Intelligent Auto Mode. This Crystal edition is now available for an approximate price of £175.

Press Release:

Limited edition Olympus Crystal camera

London, October 2008 – Bring more glamour into your life with the Olympus µ [mju:] 1040 Crystal. Based on the recently-introduced µ [mju:] 1040, this special limited edition model includes distinctive CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements that can easily be put on the camera’s sliding lens barrier. The ultra-slim µ [mju:] 1040 Crystal represents a perfect fusion of cutting-edge technology and sophisticated design – and will turn heads wherever it is taken.
This limited edition camera is available now for an approximate price of £175.

With the µ [mju:] 1040 Crystal, Olympus sets a new benchmark for elegance among digital cameras. A glittering arrangement of 98 CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements is included to adorn the protective sliding lens barrier. The camera’s Midnight Black colour provides a dramatic backdrop that makes the dazzling adhesive elements even more eye-catching.

But the µ [mju:] 1040 Crystal is not only a treat to look at. The 3x zoom camera delivers both style and substance. It’s just as much at home capturing the glamour at a fashion show as it is taking pictures of friends and family while on a weekend getaway.

Stunning 10 Megapixel results are a cinch to attain. In addition to various scene modes, the innovative Intelligent Auto mode automatically distinguishes five of the most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings accordingly. Meanwhile, Face Detection Technology enables up to 16 people to be recognized by the camera to ensure human subjects are always perfectly depicted.

The ensuing shots can then be viewed on high-contrast 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal LCD. And providing flexibility for image storage, the µ [mju:] 1040 Crystal is compatible with xD-Picture Card as well as – thanks to a bundled attachment – microSD Card.

The special edition µ [mju:] 1040 Crystal will be available from the end of October 2009 in limited quantities.

The Olympus µ [mju:] 1040 Crystal – main features:

• Miniature 3x optical zoom (38-114mm*) in super slim metal body (just 16.5mm at its thin end) to capture everything from great scenes to exciting close-ups
• 10 Megapixels to make poster-size prints
• The easy way to perfect images – Intelligent Auto mode detects the five most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
• Advanced Face Detection of up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed faces, plus correct exposure of other image areas
• 6.9cm/2.7" HyperCrystal LCD for excellent previews even in brilliant sunlight
• Digital Image Stabilization for less blur even in low light
• TruePic III image processor for faster image handling and higher image quality
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA resolution at 30 fps)
• xD-Picture Card and microSD Card compatible

Additional image

Source: www.dpreview.com

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