Olympus C-2100 digicam will feature 10X stabilized zoom

Now showing on Olympus' Japanese website is the C-2100L zoom. A close look at the picture and specs reveals that the body is basically the C-2000 - C-3030 chassis, not the D-600 or C-2500. A through-the-lens viewfinder, ala 2500, has been grafted onto this. The lens is exciting - a 7-70mm all-glass optical zoom, equivalent in coverage to a 38-380 on a 35mm camera. And it features electronic image stabilization.

The control panel and LCD are like the C-2020, Image size is 1200 x 1600 pixel. It looks compact, or at least more so that the exciting new Sony Mavica MVC-CD1000.

Also new from Olympus, also likely to hit US shores in August: 2.1 megapixel versions of the D-460L. No pricing or other word yet.

Kodak Digital Projectors to start at $2,300

Kodak announces two new high performance digital projectors, the Kodak V600 Digital Projector and the Kodak V600 Zoom Digital Projector. Combining Kodak quality, reliability and ease of use at an amazingly affordable price, the new V600 Digital Projectors offer 1000 ANSI lumens and up to 4,000 hours lamp life making them perfect for use in the boardroom, conference room or classroom.

With an estimated U.S. street price of less than $2,300 and $2,600 for the zoom model, both projectors are suitable for even the most budget-conscious buyer, and will be shipping in the U.S. in early July.

The V600 projectors produce bright images in almost any room or lighting conditions. They weigh only 7.5 lbs. (3.4 kg).

The V600 Zoom model has all the features of the V600 with the added convenience of a built-in manual zoom. V600 projectors feature Kodak's exclusive Image Manager software which enables the projector settings to be adjusted so that the color, brightness and contrast of the images are perfect every time. At the touch of a button, settings can be optimized to show pictures, graphics, spreadsheets or rich true colors.

Additional features include

• Resolution 800 x 600 SVGA, with 1024 x 768 XGA compression the V600 performs like an XGA projector; producing outstanding results with an XGA laptop
• 3 panel LCD technology for crisp, vibrant pictures and easy to read text
• Weight 7.5lbs (3.4 kg) 
• V600 Dimensions (W x D x H,) 12.8 x 9.8 x 3.6 inches (325 x 250 x 92 mm), V600 Zoom Dimensions (W x D x H) 12.8 x 10.8 x 3.6 inches (325 x 275 x 92 mm) compact size means no trouble presenting in a small area
• Cool to the touch, protecting hands and desktops no need to wait for the projector to cool down before packing it away
• V600 Zoom model offers 1.3x manual zoom
• Built in audio stereo, 2 x 2 watts
• Up to 4,000 hours lamp life user changeable
• Variety of projection sources PC, Macintosh computer, DVD, VCR, digital camera

The projectors ship with Macintosh adapter, data, S-video, composite video and stereo audio cables as well as a soft carry case. The V600 Zoom also comes with a full-featured, infrared remote control. Other available accessories include a ceiling mount kit, hard shipping case, extra remote control and replacement lamp.

Kodak Care Kit, a packaged Advanced Unit Replacement service, will also be available for V600/V600 Zoom end-users. The care kits, available with 2-year and 3-year agreements, guarantee a replacement projector will be delivered the next business day should the Kodak digital projector not perform.

Paradigm Shift from Sony - 10X 2.1 Megapixel Digicam to use CD-R

Sony Electronics suddenly jumps back to the head of the list for digital camera innovation with the announcement of the Mavica MVC-CD1000, which uses recordable CD technology to capture images. Not due in stores until August, the new Mavica will use a 156MB CD-R with a 80mm diameter to record up to 160 1200 x1600 pixel images on one CD-R. That's 160 2.1 megapixels images that can be taken from the camera to the computer in one step.

Users will be able to put the CD-R directly into their computers's CD drive and read the images directly - no cables, no FlashPath adapter, no proprietary software needed. Despite the small image size and high compression of the older Sony Mavica's that use 3.5" floppies, they've continued to hold about 38-40% of the digital market. That means that convenience is more important to most customers than maximum image quality. We're in the photo industry, we know that - look how popular 110 and 126 and APS cameras have been! Now Sony leapfrogs past its own Memory Stick models to a format that could revolutionize the industry!

Mavica MVC-CD1000 will ship with 5 one-write (but multi-session) CD-R and should sell for about $1,300. Extra CD-Rs will initially sell for about $4, but expect that to come down soon.

Most CD-Rom drives have a smaller-diameter "cradle" for the 80mm disks. If yours doesn't, Sony is providing a press-in adapter - reminiscent of the inserts used in 45 rpm records to put them on smaller spindles.

The camera is no slouch optically - 10X optical zoom. It's bulky, looks like an over-grown Canon Photura. Full write-up at Steve's Digicam News.

Kodak introduces two high-end digicams

Kodak's first compact digital camera to feature true 3-megapixel resolution is the DC4800. Loaded with features, the DC4800 3.1-megapixel resolution gives you outstanding prints up to 11" x 14". Manual and automatic settings give you creative control and flexibility to get the pictures you want. Saturated, neutral, black-and-white, or sepia color balance provides even greater creative freedom. A 3X-optical zoom (28 – 84 mm equivalent) and 2X digital zoom lens let you choose wide-angle or telephoto to capture precious details. The compact design is more appealing than the 290 series

Outstanding 3.1-Megapixel Resolution
Super-crisp resolution makes your images come to life, even for 8" x 10" or 11" x 14" prints. Plus six different image modes to select the picture quality that’s right for you. From uncompressed TIFF to e-mail quality, Kodak makes it easy to get the pictures you want.

Creative Flexibility
Image color modes such as saturated, neutral, black- and-white, or sepia help expand the creativity in your pictures. What once required special processing and separate rolls of film to get the color you want can now all be done in-camera and stored on one picture card.

ISO settings of 100, 200, and 400 offer flexibility in various lighting and action situations. This feature, familiar to SLR users, is simpler and more convenient. At the touch of a button, you decide your ISO for each individual picture.

Zoom Feature
3X-optical zoom (28 – 84 mm) and 2X digital zoom lens allow you to go from wide-angle to telephoto in a snap so you can capture the picture you need in even the most challenging environments. No matter where you’re standing, you can capture your subject exactly the way you want it. Plus, a complete line of lenses and filters is available.

The DC4800 is smaller and easier to hold than the 260-265-290 series.

Weatherproof DC5000 announced

While not intended to go underwater, Kodak's new DC5000 is "weatherproof." 

Weatherproof design with special seals keeps moisture out for carefree performance in any weather. Use in light rain or mist, dusty and dirty conditions, on the beach, near the pool or while boating.

On an assignment where wearing gloves is required, the controls are large enough to take out the guesswork. Intuitive design makes it as easy to use as a point and shoot.

The 2X optical (30 – 60 mm equivalent) and 3X digital zoom and the wide-angle lens allow you to take pictures in a variety of open spaces — from wide-open fields to cramped corners, you’ll get the shot you’re looking for.

Spectacular 2-megapixel resolution delivers excellent picture quality—even on 8" x 10" prints. Specs

Headlines from April and May 2000