New models battle for shelf space

Special Feature: Camera Revolution

Lighter, slimmer or faster – take your pick.

AGFA PHOTO

At this year’s PMA show in Sydney, Tasco Sales Australia showcased a new range of Agfa-branded cameras that are “stylishly designed, high quality with innovative technology,” according to the company’s director of sales and marketing Kevin Johnson.The AgfaPhoto DC Compact, Optima and Video series products range in prices from $139 to $399 RRP.

CANON

Canon Australia announced a new addition to its EOS DSLR camera range, which it said was “created in response to consumer demand for advanced creative control and functionality.”

The EOS 7D is a new entrant in the DSLR product range sitting above the EOS 50D. The EOS 7D features an 18.0 megapixel Canon-developed CMOS sensor. Canon also introduced two new digital video cameras to its LEGRIA DV range with double the internal memory of previous models. With 64BG built-in memory and an additional SD card slot, the new LEGRIA HFS11 and LEGRIA HF21 are “ideal for shooting for extended periods of time,” said Canon Australia brand manager – LEGRIA, Judd Marcello. Canon also added two new cameras to its IXUS digital compact range – the IXUS 200 IS and IXUS 120 IS. In addition, Canon announced two new additions to its PowerShot SX Series – the PowerShot SX20 IS and PowerShot SX120 IS, further expanding the company’s focus on ‘super zoom,’ according to Canon Australia assistant brand manager – PowerShot, Anna Kalinowksa. Snorkelers and surfers alike were targeted with Canon’s new WP-V1 waterproof camcorder housing for use with the LEGRIA HF20 and HF200 camcorders.

FUJIFILM

FUJIFILM attracted interest at PMA Sydney with a prototype 3D digital real image system featuring a 3D digital camera, 3D digital photo frame and 3D print. 3D camera features a newly developed ‘RP (Real Photo) Processor 3D’ chip that synchronises the data passed to it by CCD sensors and instantaneously blends the information into a single high quality image for both stills and movies. One major benefit of the FinePix Real 3D System is that for digital camera LCD playback, display and print, the consumer can see the image as it was originally seen with the naked eye.

FUJIFILM claims to have introduced the world’s smallest 10x zoom digital camera with the launch of the the FinePix F70EXR, which is just 22.7mm thick.

INTOVA

Tasco Sales, distributors of the Intova & Snap Sights product line, introduced the Intova SS1000 Snap Sights Sport Utility Digital Camera. The SS1000 is a waterproof pocket camera for “all sorts of adventure seekers”.

KODAK

Kodak introduced the novel Kodak Zx1 pocket video camera. The robust camera comes in a variety of colours and records up to 10 hours of HD video with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB.

LEICA

Having flagged its release in April, Adeal announced the availability of the special edition LEICA M8 ‘White’.   The M8 ‘White’ set includes a LEICA M8 white finished camera body and silver anodised LEICA ELMARIT-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH lens with a metal lens shade in classical design and a silver UV/IR filter.

“This special paint finish lends the camera a very unique appearance and underlines the camera’s status as an asset to all Leica collectors,” according to Adeal assistant product manager Ryan Williams. 

NIKON

Nikon Australia released four new COOLPIX models – COOLPIX S640 (“ultra fast compact camera”), COOLPIX S570 (“smart flat compact design, equipped with advanced functions”), COOLPIX S1000pj (“the world’s first compact camera with a built-in projector”) and COOLPIX S70 (“compact with vibrant OLED touch screen with a dual texture design”).

Nikon also released two new DSLR’s – the D300S, the company’s latest flagship DX-format DSLR and the D3000, a competitive entry-level DSLR with in-built tutorials.

OLYMPUS

Olympus claimed to have created a new camera category with the launch of the PEN E-P1, an interchangeable lens system digital camera compliant with the micro four thirds system standard. With a slim-line body, metal construction and a “modern yet classically elegant design”, the PEN E-P1 is not a compact camera, nor is it a digital SLR, according to Olympus.

Olympus also released the Mju 7020 digital compact camera featuring a 7x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle shooting capability and 3.0-inch LCD screen. The Mju 7020 incorporates Olympus’ Art Filter technology developed specifically for the advanced E-30 and E-620 digital SLR cameras and the new PEN camera.

PANASONIC

Panasonic launched the new 12.1 megapixel LUMIX DMC-FZ35 digital still camera with massive 18x optical super-zoom, enhanced POWER O.I.S (Optical Image Stabiliser) and  AVCHD Lite high-definition (HD) video recording. “The LUMIX FZ35 is an exceptional product that gives the photographer creative scope in both still and video shooting, yet it is still easy to use with features such as Panasonic’s popular Intelligent Auto (iA) mode,” said Tanya Mudge, Panasonic Australia product manager – LUMIX Digital Still Cameras.

At PMA, Panasonic demonstrated the much-anticipated LUMIX DMC-GH1 CREATIVE HD HYBRID – the latest member of the LUMIX G Micro System of new generation interchangeable lens cameras.

PENTAX

Claimed to be the smallest DSLR in its class, the new Pentax K-7 features a range of new and improved features in a compact and lightweight body. The K-7 offers significant improvements on its predecessor – the K20D; notably increased shutter speed (max 1/8000th), movie recording capabilities, 3.0” VGA LCD monitor, improved viewfinder, reduced noise reduction, weather-proofed casing and HDMI output.

RICOH

Tasco Australia, distributors of Ricoh Cameras, launched an update of its flagship camera, the GR Digital III, featuring a new F1.9 lens, high sensitivity CCD sensor and a new image processing engine. Ricoh also launched the CX2, featuring a new high magnification 10.7x optical wide-angle zoom lens, new scene modes and a range of enhanced features. The CX2’s 10.7x (28-300mm equivalent) optical wide-angle zoom lens offers the longest range of any Ricoh camera to date.

SONY

Sony released what it claims to be is the world’s full HD camcorder, the TG5, featuring GPS tagging and touch screen control. Sony also released new a230, a330 and a380 DSLR models with key buttons on the right-hand side for easy single-handed operation.

SAMSUNG

Samsung attracted attention with its release of two compacts – the  ST550 and ST500 – featuring the inclusion of dual LCD screens on front and back; allowing consumers to “put themselves in the picture.” Samsung also promoted “greater shareability” to photographers with the launch of the Samsung WB550 digital camera.

A step up from the Samsung WB500 model launched in March, this fully featured compact brings all the perks of its predecessor, with the added convenience of built-in HDMI connectivity.