Digital Camera Information

OmniVision has introduced the world’s smallest NTSC camera with a sensor size of only 1/18 inch. The new sensor is called the OV6920 and will be use in disposable cameras for medical applications such as intubation and diagnostic systems. Measuring 2.1 mm by 2.3 mm, the CSP packaged chip will enable a 3.2 mm diameter microscopic camera module making many medical procedures even less invasive for the patient. It addition, it allows certain medical devices such as intubation systems and endoscopes to be made even smaller to allow for use on infants and small children.

Hasan Gadjali, OmniVision’s Vice President for Advanced Products says “We consider it a major accomplishment by our excellent engineering team to enable such a significant reduction in size over our previous smallest 1/7-inch camera chip. The closest thing in the market today is a 1/12-inch CCD,”.

“We are encouraged by the initial response to the OV6920. Several customers are already evaluating samples and are very excited about the possibilities this small camera can offer.”

The OV6920 is also an ideal solution for low-cost applications requiring both excellent color video performance and a very small footprint.

The ultra small OV6920 is a single-chip OmniPixel2 CameraChip system, which only needs clock and power to get the NTSC composite signal out for direct interface with a VCR/TV/monitor. The OV6920 is designed for very low power consumption,
requiring only a single 3.3-volt DC supply.

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The Olympus E-1 is due for a replacement this year and it could not come any later as the competition is really moving ahead.

So far the only information found is from the forum section within www.dpreview.com. According to one of its member, rovingtim he says this is the exchange he had with an Olympus representative:

“The E-1 replacement will be a Professional level camera in both functionality and image quality, and as you mentioned, in a smaller package with super bright aperture lenses. These features along with digitally designed lenses that provide sharpness from edge to edge, even in extreme wide angle situations, will provide photographers with a tool that is superior in many aspects when compared to any full frame solution currently available”

Although we expect the E-1 replacement to include some of the latest technology in a DSLR rumors has it that the E-1 replacement, the Olympus E-3 will have a 10.2 megapixel sensor with image quality comparable to a full frame sensor (low noise). The expected announcement date is sometime during September 2006.

Did you know that DSLR camera have an expected shutter-life on their camera? This is the number of times the shutter is activated (actuations) before the mechanism fails. Although it is not an absolute figure, it does exit.

You see, on a good days shooting, a normal film SLR camera could use up 10 rolls of film (200 - 300 shots) compared to thousands on a DSLR camera where multiple shots are standard. With this type of increased usage there is a limit before failure sets in and in reality it’s probably a good time to sell your camera. A good indication is when the shutter gets stuck.

So what is the expected shutter-life. Well from what I’ve been reading it ranges from 50,000 actuations for an amateur DSLR to 225,000 for the high models.

Here is a comment by Chuck Westfall, Director of Media and Customer Relationship Camera Division - Canon U.S.A., Inc:

“EOS-1N Service Life: Canon Factory Service has established a repair policy for the EOS-1N, EOS-3 and EOS-1V 35mm SLRs that basically considers these cameras Beyond Economical Repair when the number of shutter actuations exceeds a certain limit. In the case of the EOS-1N, that limit is 140,000 actuations. For the EOS-3 and EOS-1V, it’s 225,000 actuations. Incidentally, the advertised shutter life expectancy for the EOS-1N was 100,000 actuations, not 150,000. The advertised shutter life expectancy for EOS-3 and EOS-1V is 150,000 actuations. “

Considering the high number of shots taken by a DSLR camera these days, the rated shutter-life is not that long.

So for sellers, the best time to sell your DSLR camera is between 50,000 - 150,000 actuations with the higher range applying to the higher spec cameras. On the other hand when you consider the advances in new technology with new models appearing every 18 months it may not be an issue if you decide to update your camera regularly.

For buyers best to buy a second hand DSLR with under 50,000 actuations.

Panasonic (otherwise known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co) says it would launch its first DSLR camera in July 2006. This will really spark competition as Sony will also be releasing their first DSLR called the Alpha around the same time. Both are aiming to chip away market share from the two dominant players, Nikon at 28.3% and Canon at 53.3%.

The camera will have a suggested retail price of $1,999 which is considerably higher than the Sony Alpha; however Panasonic claims it will be their flagship model.

The camera will be equipped with a LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT lens with the industry’s first optical image stabilization system - MEGA O.I.S - designed specifically for the Leica lens.

Director of the Imaging Group for Panasonic, Rich Campbell has this to say “With the DMC-L1, we confirm Panasonic’s position as a leader in the imaging category. In this camera, we have incorporated today’s most advanced digital technologies while maintaining the attractive look and operating feel of the traditional film camera. The DMC-L1 is the flagship model in our digital camera line. It delivers clear, detailed, beautiful imaging, free of unwanted digital characteristics, and allows advanced photographers and hobbyists alike satisfying, intuitive shooting from a digital SLR.””

Overall, the Panasonic DMC-L1 will feature a magnesium-alloy body which will closely resemble the body design of a rangefinder camera. It will be constructed from an aluminum- alloy lens section that offers both high rigidity and a high-grade appearance.

When combined with the shutter speed dial on the camera top and the aperture ring on the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 lens, the user will receive an easy, intuitive control of the exposure, rendering superior images. The DMC-L1 ensures picture quality through incorporation of a Live MOS image sensor (Same as the Olympus E-330) and a lens mount system that conforms to the Four Thirds (TM) Standard. A full-time Live View function uses a signal output directly from the Live MOS sensor, allowing users to view the same image on the LCD screen as seen by the sensor and to compose shots with greater ease and accuracy. This is the second DSLR camera in the world to have this feature.

The camera also offers a dust reduction system that eliminates digital SLR cameras’ long-standing problem of dust adhering to the sensor. Panasonic has solved this problem by equipping the DMC-L1 with a Supersonic Wave Filter system that uses supersonic vibration to shake off any dust clinging to the sensor. This simplifies camera maintenance and eliminates worries about dust entering the camera body when lenses are being changed. By incorporating advanced imaging and power management with its Venus Engine LSI, optical image stabilization, and Leica lenses, Panasonic has created a premium line of digital cameras, now led by the DMC-L1.

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Features of the Panasonic DMC-L1

A pleasure to hold and use
The DMC-L1 design reflects Panasonic’s diligent pursuit of more than just high functionality. A shutter speed dial on the camera top enhances the user’s sense of control. An aperture ring, along with a focus ring and zoom ring, is provided on the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8 ASPH lens. These rings and the shutter dial combine to give the user quick, intuitive camera control for comfortable shooting in a range of situations. With the DMC-L1, users experience the responsive, satisfying performance that one would expect in a finely crafted camera.

The DMC-L1 also offers a high-grade appearance and high reliability and durability thanks to the use of a lightweight, high-rigidity magnesium alloy for the camera body. The body periphery and grip are covered with textured, simulated leather that helps ensure a secure, slip-free hold.

Superb image rendering
The LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT lens, the first interchangeable lens designed specifically for digital cameras to bear the Leica name, is a standard zoom lens developed jointly by and combining the optical technologies of Leica Camera AG and Panasonic. A new set of quality standards were created specifically for this lens, to ensure that it would bring out the best performance of the camera it is coupled with.

With a focal length range equivalent to 28mm (wide) to 100mm (medium telescopic) on a 35mm film camera, the Leica D lens provides exceptional results with everything from portraits to landscapes. This bright F2.8-3.5 lens allows maximum use of the out-of-focus techniques possible only with an SLR camera.

The lens also provides outstanding macro shooting, thanks to a 29 cm minimum shooting distance (0.32x maximum magnification, 35mm equivalent) across the entire zoom range. From landscapes to portraits to macro close-ups, the Leica D zoom lens excels in a wide variety of shooting situations.

The lens system comprises 16 elements in 12 groups and features two large-diameter glass-molded aspherical lenses. Meeting the Leica D lens lofty quality standards, this lens unit provides a superior optical performance and matches perfectly with the digital SLR camera body. The result is exquisite rendering, with images that offer clarity, depth, and rich expression from corner to corner, even at a fully open aperture.

The optical image stabilization system – MEGA O.I.S – provided in the lens unit helps minimize blurring to ensure that photos are sharp even in situations when hand-movement is typically a problem, such as when taking macro close-ups, indoor shots, or night portrait shots. Thanks to the gyrosensors and Venus Engine Plus LSI built into the lens, the system detects camera movement at a rate of 4,000 times per second, so hand-movement compensation is extremely precise.

There are two image stabilization modes. In Mode 1 the hand-movement compensation function remains active at all times, so the image in the LCD and viewfinder is clear, which makes shots easier to compose. In Mode 2 the system activates only when the shutter button is pressed; this provides a more precise compensation performance. Users can select whichever mode they prefer in a specific situation.

*The image stabilization system may not prevent blurring in all situations, such as when the shutter speed is extremely slow or there is excessive hand-movement or camera vibration.

Full-time Live View
Panasonic has developed a full-time Live View function that lets users accurately compose photos while viewing the high-resolution 2.5″ LCD screen. In previous digital SLR cameras, a “live” image could be seen only through the viewfinder. The new full-time Live View function thus represents a dramatic change in digital SLR photography, giving users new ways to shoot.

Full-time Live View provides a 100 percent view field coverage (that is, the same image seen by the image sensor) on the DMC-L1’s large, 2.5″ LCD monitor. Users can compose a shot easily and accurately while viewing the screen. The screen also displays critical information such as a live histogram and white balance, which users can easily check prior to snapping the shot. When a tripod is used, full-time Live View lets users compose the image without bending to peer through the viewfinder. In these ways, users will find that full-time Live View gives them both more shooting flexibility and greater convenience.

The Live MOS image sensor must remain ON when full-time Live View is in use. The Live MOS sensor has a full-time image output function that sends a signal directly to the LCD, allowing high-quality display on the LCD screen of the same image seen in the sensor. Note that when the full-time Live View function is active, the internal mirror is in the raised position, which means that there will be no image visible in the optical viewfinder.

Users can take advantage of the revolutionary full-time Live View function in both Auto Focus and Manual Focus modes. When using Manual Focus, users can select a particular area within the frame and enlarge it up to 10x. Then, viewing the DMC-L1’s 2.5″ 207,000-pixel LCD screen, it is easy to check the focus. It is also possible, by pressing the aperture preview button, to check the depth of field. When the aperture is being adjusted, the DMC-L1 automatically adjusts the brightness of the full-time Live View image on the LCD screen to prevent it from becoming too dark to see. This makes it easier to check the depth of field.

4/3-type 7.5-megapixel, high-resolution, energy-saving Live MOS sensor
The Live MOS sensor used in the DMC-L1 provides beautiful images with delicate gradation and wide dynamic range that only a CCD image sensor can provide. To this it adds the low energy consumption only a CMOS sensor can offer. The use of dedicated processing technology enables operation at a low voltage of 5 V, minimizing noise in darker parts of an image. Also, photodiodes embedded deeply in the silicon layer create a structure that suppresses noise generated on the substrate surface. As a result, the white-spot pixel defects and textural roughness that often characterize images captured in dim lighting are minimized, so photos are crisp and clear.

Dust reduction system
One of the most critical issues with digital SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses is the possibility of dust entering the camera body during lens changes. This dust can adhere to the image sensor and show up as spots on photos taken. Panasonic has solved this problem by equipping the DMC-L1 with a Supersonic Wave Filter system that uses supersonic vibration to shake off any dust clinging to the sensor. This simplifies camera maintenance and eliminates worries about dust entering the camera body when lenses are being changed outdoors, so users can enjoy themselves and just concentrate on shooting.

Venus Engine III image processing LSI
The Venus Engine III is an image processing LSI developed by Panasonic to maximize the performance of the Leica D lens and Live MOS sensor. This advanced LSI not only helps reproduce images with outstanding resolution, superior color and detailed gradation, it also distinguishes chromatic noise from luminance noise and selectively reduces the chromatic noise, one of the chief sources of image quality problems. This helps the DMC-L1 deliver the superb image rendering one expects from a quality SLR camera. The Venus Engine III also works swiftly, helping give the DMC-L1 a quick startup time of 0.8 seconds, shorter shutter interval, and improved consecutive shooting performance.

Further, the Venus Engine III consumes 20% less power than its predecessor, the Venus Engine II. This combines with the Live MOS sensor’s low energy consumption to give the DMC-L1 longer battery life. Users can take around 450 shots (CIPA standard) on a single battery charge.

Film mode
In film cameras, the brand of film used affects the color characteristics, gradation and color saturation of the photos taken. This gives photographers the option of choosing a particular brand of film to attain a particular desired effect. The DMC-L1 provides a similar option by giving the user a total of seven “film” modes to choose from, including four color settings (Standard, Dynamic, Natural and Smooth) and three monochrome settings (Standard, Dynamic and Smooth). Just as photographers can switch film brands to change the imaging characteristics, DMC-L1 users can switch modes to achieve a similar effect.

Two-axis white balance adjustment
In addition to the conventional white balance setting, the DMC-L1 features a two-axis setting system that allows even finer white balance adjustment. Making adjustments along a horizontal amber-blue axis and a vertical green-magenta axis, users can set the camera for detailed color cast compensation over virtually the entire color space.

Extra Optical Zoom*
When the camera is set to record at less than the maximum number of pixels, users can take advantage of an Extra Optical Zoom function*. This function alters the 7.5-megapixel Live MOS sensor’s operating area, to vary the angle of view and increase the maximum zoom ratio.

Unlike a digital zoom, the Extra Optical Zoom function extends the focal length 1.5 times** (when shooting at 3-megapixel or a lower-resolution mode) without degrading the image. Users enjoy extra zoom power without loss of picture quality.
*Only applicable in using full-time Live View function.
**When the DMC-L1 is used with the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/F2.8-3.5 ASPH lens provided.

Other features and functions
* Supports SDHC format
* Compatible with external TTL flash units (models DMW-FL500, DMW-FL360)
* Auto bracket function - shoots three or five photos at exposures changing in steps of +1/3 to 1 EV
* Equipped with a shutter-speed Bulb setting (8 minutes max.)

Variety of accessories
Leather Bag DMW-BAL1
Shoulder Strap DMW-SSTL1
Battery Pack CGR-S603
Remote Shutter DMW-RSL1
MC Protector DMW-LMCH72
PL Filter DMW-LPL72
External Flash (GN50) DMW-FL500
External Flash (GN36) DMW-FL360

DALSA Semiconductor has announced today that it has successfully fabricated and delivered the world’s highest resolution image sensor chip to its customer, Semiconductor Technology Associates (“STA”) of San Juan Capistrano, California.

The sensor is a CCD type and has over 111 megapixels measuring 10,560 pixels x 10,560 pixels at 9µm. It is over 4 inches wide, so forget about seeing this is a DSLR. It was developed for the Astrometry Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory (“USNO”), funded by the Navy’s Small Business Innovation Research Program. The device will assist USNO in the determination of the positions and motions of stars, solar system objects and the establishment of celestial reference frames.

DALSA Semiconductor manufactured the device for STA at its wafer fabrication facility in Bromont, Quebec.

“As with past custom image sensor projects, I’m very satisfied with the versatility and capability of DALSA Semiconductor’s foundry to collaborate on new process enhancements and to manufacture challenging custom CCD image sensor products such as this,” commented STA President, Richard Bredthauer.

“I’m very pleased that we were able to deliver, ahead of schedule, this custom CCD image sensor to our long time DALSA foundry customer, STA,” added Ralf Brooks, President of DALSA Semiconductor. “Completing this challenging, yet successful, project once again illustrates our strong process technology portfolio and our ability to work closely with our customers to create truly unique products.”

Source: DALSA

Although the Sony Alpha has not has not been released, it has been reviewed by www.trustedreview.com. I assume its a pre-production model.

They conclude with:
“An extremely impressive debut from a new player in the digital SLR market, the Sony Alpha α100 is pitched at the consumer end of the market, but is actually a better camera than most of its mid-range rivals too. It bristles with clever technology, but is very easy to use and produces consistently excellent results. It would be a good camera for a newcomer to SLRs, but more experienced users will also find it very satisfying to use “

Interestingly, the noise level at ISO 1600 is high and writes “At 1600 ISO the image is quite noisy despite the very fast shutter speed. It’s no worse than most of its rivals though”. That is, in terms of noise it’s on par with the Nikon D200.

Source: Trusted Review

According to Samuel Andreo, the director of photographic products for Sony Spain, Sony plans to become the number 3 in the DSLR market within 18 to 24 months and has ambitious plans to take Nikons number 2 spot within 3 to 4 years.

This is an english translation of what Samuel Andreo has to say to a representative from www.QUESABESDE.COM

Many users have the general perception that Sony have arrived late in the digital reflex market.

“Yes, the present market has matured. It was back in 2005 when the digital reflex market experienced a large increase, which in Spain, was as much as 60% in units. What is happening now is we are expecting an increase of 40%, although it’s true that the ideal moment was last year”.

In this case, maybe the strategy would have been different if we had entered the top of the range market. But as the market is already vast and massive in terms of units, the ideal situation was to enter the mid-range sector. That’s to say, tackle the section where there is rotation right now”.

Sony isn’t the only new brand that has just landed in the SLR market. Is so much competition viable?

“The ideal situation for all the companies and for the market is that the entrance by such companies as Sony, Panasonic or Samsung will increase the amount of digital reflex cameras, attracting people that until now wouldn’t have thought about buying these products.

We are all for it. It’s true that the market has similar numbers to the maximum achieved by the film reflexes. If this happens, the same cake will be shared amongst many, and there won’t be a revolution. What we are aiming for is to bring the world of photography closer to more people.”

And if in the end it turns out that there isn’t enough for everybody, will there be more brands that fall, or form new alliances?

“Yes, I think that in the end these type of agreements will happen, such as Samsung and Pentax, Panasonic and Olympus or Konica Minolta with ourselves. We believe however, that at the moment, there is room for everybody

The digital reflex market is a sector in which there is still a long way to go and I don’t believe that anyone will have to withdraw. It remains to be seen if changing the actual SLR podium can be acheived in the the next two or three years. At the moment the market is all Canon, Nikon and Olympus, we will see if another brand, be it Sony or Panasonic, can take third place, at least.”.

Canon, Nikon and Olympus. Sony are going for third place, but… is Nikon’s second place or even a face off with Canon one of Sony’s long term objectives ?

“Catching up with Canon is a possibility, but very remote, in the distant future. At the moment we are concentrating on third place for the next 18 or 24 months, and in 3 or 4 years, which is when we will aspire to second place, we will tackle Nikon. But we see Canon as far off in the distance and we are in no way competing against them, because there is a strong fidelity”.

Along those lines, it is deduced that Olympus are going to be the most affected by the arrival of Sony.

“Maybe Nikon more. With Olympus there are more features and various similar points, such as the sensor cleaner. The quota we gain at the the beginning won’t be taken away by Olympus whose share is small, nor will the same happen as when Olympus entered the market and took some of Nikon’s share.

Now it will be Sony that will also take the market from Nikon, and in the end we will have Olympus and Sony with similar participation, being able to begin to compete against Nikon within two years. Second place will be four years time.”

While the rumours about this reflex were unravelling, Sony was talking about CMOS sensors that could shoot 60 frames per second, about high resolution shots from video sequences… Perhaps the Alpha DSLR-A100 could turn out to be disappointing to those who had high hopes.

” At the moment, at least for a year, this will be the only model. But it’s clear that in the forseeable future what we do with the market in 1 year to 18 months time, we have to begin to think about the professional user who, at the moment, will remain a little distanced from this model which is aimed at the larger market and in no way at the professional, not even for features or speed.

The reason we have tackled this segment is as we have said: it’s better to create a new platform of users, of an advanced level, and from there tackle the top. Meaning, the opposite to Olympus who began with the E-1 and started from the top. It was already too late for us to do it. ”

Does this mean that at Photokina there won’t be a second digital reflex from Sony?

“No, there will be nothing new as for reflex cameras”.

Nevertheless, some of the lenses presented, including Carl Zeiss, appear to be aimed at a more professional camera.

“These lenses were made thinking of the future. Because of this there are lenses that now appear to be a little disproportionate, with prices around 3.000 euros or more in the case of the G series. It’s certain that for this area it’s too much, comparitively, but we are thinking about future areas”.

Are we talking about the PMA fair coming next year?

“We still don’t know when it will be, but for sure in 2007″.

Source: Quesabesde

There are numerous point and shoot digital cameras on the market with huge differences in price and features. If I had a choice between a DSLR camera and a high end point and shoot, the DSLR wins hands down. However, point and shoot digital cameras do have their advantages and it is their compactness, portability and the ability to take limited video images which gets me interested.

After reviewing all the point and shoot digital cameras currently on the market, my recommendation would be the new Fujifilm FinePix F30. As with the previous Fujifilm models, the revolutionary Fujifilm F10 and F11 which has a high ISO range of up to 1600, the Fujifilm F30 continues further with a range of up to 3200 and also includes a new anti-shake and flash systems. The high ISO results in higher light sensitivities and allow the FinePix F30 to shoot with faster shutter speeds. This is a tried and true photographic technique that reduces blurring not only due to camera shake, but subject movement as well.

In addition, the Fujifilm Finepix F30 has a new high resolution 2.5 inch LCD screen with 230,000 pixels. This is almost twice the resolution of its competitors. (The Fujifilm Finepix F10 has 115,000 pixels and the F11 has 153,000 pixels on their screen and both lack the anti-shake function).

The Fujifilm Finepix F30 has also won two international awards:



1. The Best Compact Digital Camera in Europe 2006 – FinePix F30 (2006 European TIPA awards)

The Fujifilm FinePix F30 is the world’s first digital compact camera to deliver ISO 3200 sensitivity at full resolution. This means that it can give sharp images, even at nighttime, or with fast-moving subjects. Users are able to produce sharp images with minimal noise, no subject
blurring and atmospheric lighting in dark conditions. In addition, the FinePix F30 has 15 new scene modes from underwater, beach and snow, to sunset, party and fireworks. These make it easier than ever for users to experiment with photography in a range of different lighting
conditions.

2. The 2006 DIMA award

The Fujifilm F30 won due their unique use of technology or applications that result in a significant user benefit. DIMA’s selection of both capture and output products from Fujifilm demonstrates the company’s wide-ranging expertise in digital imaging while reinforcing Fujifilm’s status as one of the most innovative companies in photography. here’s what they say:

“The 6.3 MegaPixel FinePix F30 is the world’s first compact, point-and-shoot digital camera for consumers with full-resolution ISO equivalency speeds as high as 3200 - a setting previously reserved for professional and advanced amateur digital camera models. It can do so thanks to the second generation of Fujifilm’s Real Photo Technology, which minimizes the graininess or “noise” often associated with digital photos, resulting in sharper pictures”.

Now that the Sony Alpha has finally been announced, can Sony really make a dent into the DSLR market currently dominated by Canon, Nikon and other established brands? The Alpha does have great specifications such as the 10 megapixel sensor and the anti-shake feature, however the brand Sony name is not strong in DSLR. Or for that matter at all.

Here is an interesting article by businessweek on how the Sony Alpha stands with the competition. Although there are great features in the Alpha I’m just not ready to fork out money on this camera. There’s still the Fujifilm S4 Pro and possibly the Nikon D80 to come.

The announcement marks Sony’s first foray into the lucrative high-end segment since the company spent $180 million for Konica Minolta’s 100-year-old camera business in January. “We think the camera will be popular with entry-level users,” JP Morgan’s Hiroshi Takada wrote in a June 7 report.

But Canon still has the manufacturing edge and a more widely recognized brand. A recent Nomura Securities report estimated that Canon could adjust its factories to eke out a profit even if SLR camera prices fell more than 40%. Sony’s best hope of success may be to stress the SLR’s easy connectivity with other Sony gizmos. But it’s too early to say whether Sony can market itself as a serious camera maker. The company will probably have to sell the brand as much as the product.

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The new SONY Alpha 100 DSLR will be announced next week, however according to sources, the key features and specifications are as follows:

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