Eastman Kodak Company has introduced a new advance development in Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor technology that significantly improves performance for applied imaging applications. Their new Interline Transfer CCD technology platform will be the basis for a full portfolio of image sensor products targeted to markets such as industrial and scientific imaging - starting with the newly announced KODAK KAI-01050 Image Sensor.

This eighth generation of Interline Transfer CCD technology developed by Kodak, this new platform reduces pixel size by almost 50%, doubles the maximum frame rate available from the image sensor, and provides a significant increase in image quality compared to the previous technology generation. With these advancements, customers working in applied markets will have access to new levels of performance, improving the capabilities and performance of their imaging systems.

“Exceptional imaging performance is vital to the success of applied imaging applications,” said Chris McNiffe, General Manager of Kodak’s Image Sensor Solution group. “This new technology platform was developed specifically to address this need by improving key sensor parameters such as pixel size, frame rate, and image quality. As camera manufacturers develop products with our new KAI-01050 image sensor, and later with other image sensors developed using this new technology, they will be able to offer a new generation of cameras that provide improved throughput, performance, and quality for their customers.”

Kodak has a rich history of supplying image sensors for use in applied imaging markets. With a broad portfolio of interline transfer CCDs ranging from VGA to 16 megapixels in resolution, Kodak is a leading supplier of image sensors used today in applied applications such as the automated inspection and assembly of electronics components, traffic monitoring, and medical and scientific imaging. As these applications have evolved, the ongoing requirement for improved throughput and imaging performance has driven the development of this new sensor technology to address these needs.

Kodak’s new Interline Transfer CCD platform was developed using a “clean sheet” approach, leveraging best practices in Kodak sensor design to optimize the imaging performance available from these new devices. To facilitate the design process for camera manufacturers, Kodak will also use a common package layout with shared electrical specifications where possible for image sensors commercialized using this new technology, allowing manufacturers to develop a single camera design that can easily support multiple sensors.

The KODAK KAI-01050 Image Sensor is the first product to be commercialized using Kodak’s new Interline Transfer CCD technology. With a 1024 x 1024 array of 5.5 micron pixels, the sensor provides a readout speed of up to 120 frame-per-second in a 1/2-inch optical format. Engineering grade devices of the KAI-01050 are currently available, with volume production planned for early 2008.

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Here’s a good review by Ephotozine on the Sony A700 which rates it quite .

It writes: “There’s no doubt about it, Sony have pulled out the stops on the A700, it’s a fast, well-built camera with plenty of photographic features for the enthusiast. The handling is good and would have been better overall than the Canon EOS 40D, if there had been a top plate LCD. Sony’s decision to omit this because everything could be placed on the rear LCD smacks of cutting corners because the other cameras at this price point have one. If you don’t mind, then it isn’t a problem, but it’s the small things that can make the difference when deciding to commit yourself to a camera brand”.

For the full review click here

Could this be the next thing for digital cameras, a fuel cell? According to FuelCellToday, they say Samsung Electro-Mechanics has already developed a micro fuel cell and hydrogen generator that runs on water. Yes, that right water, H-2-0!

According to the Chosen Ilbo, mobile phones or even Digital Cameras which run on water could hit the market as soon as 2010 as a result of this development.

The micro fuel cell can be used to power mobile devices as it can generate up to three watts of electricity, Samsung has said, according to Chosen Ilbo.

This means that the fuel cell could power a handset for up to ten hours.

Explaining the process, Oh Yong-soo, vice president of Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ research centre, told Chosen Ilbo: “When the handset is turned on, metal and water in the phone react to produce hydrogen gas.

“The gas is then supplied to the fuel cell where it reacts with oxygen in the air to generate power.”

Cartridges would have to be changed once every five days based on usage of around four hours a day on average, the vice president added.

Samsung already has a fuel cell in their laptops (Sense Q35) that could run for up to 30 days and is due at the end of 2007.

It looks like Nikon will be expanding on its Full Frame FX series with further cameras planned for the future. This time it seems Full Frame may come down in price to a point where the average Joe can afford it.

According to Steve Heiner, Senior Technical Manager of Nikon SLR marketing, he says: “These FX-sized sensors offer higher sensitivity and a broader field of view than the smaller DX sensors Nikon has used in its SLRs until now. Nikon will develop new DX-based cameras, but the company will flesh out its FX line as well”

At a meeting with other reporters he also says: “I think you’ll see other FX products. It’s a sensor size we’re committed to,”

No further details about timing or models were mentioned. As with the progression of all Nikon models, they will most likely offer a lower-end full-frame model.

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Nikon-Chulalongkorn Scholarship Program

Nikon Corporation (President: Michio Kariya) has established the “Nikon Scholarship Program” as part of the company’s social contributions to commemorate the 90th anniversary (July 25, 2007) of Nikon’s founding. In line with this initiative, Nikon and the top university of Thailand came to an agreement on this new program that supports young Thais who wish to study in Japan.

The program will give Thai students opportunities to reach advanced levels of education in Japan. It will also nurture human resources that will strengthen relations between Thailand and Japan.

Nikon Corporation and Chulalongkorn University (President: Professor Khunying Suchada Kiranandana) came to an agreement regarding applicant recommendations.

Nikon will select one of the applicants - graduates or undergraduates of Chulalongkorn University - recommended by the university, granted that the applicant is permitted by a Japanese graduate school to enroll in a doctorate or master’s degree program. The selected candidate will be provided with tuition fees and basic living expenses by the company, which will select the first scholarship winner this year and eventually support up to four scholarships per year for this program.

The Nikon-Chulalongkorn Scholarship and the preceding Nikon-Shanti Scholarship for junior/senior high school and college/university students constitute the total Nikon Scholarship Program for students in Thailand from junior high school students to students who wish to come to Japan to pursue higher education at graduate schools. It is Nikon’s hope that this support program will contribute to the future of Thailand.

University Outline:

Located in the city of Bangkok, Chulalongkorn University is Thailand’s oldest university with about 30,000 students, eighteen academic departments plus graduate schools for a wide range of fields. The university was named after King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) who had founded in the Palace what became, years later, the first university in the Kingdom.

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It’s interesting to see how Fujifilm words the transfer of its operation to China. They say:

“Fujifilm Reinforces the Foundation of its Digital Camera Business Promoting cost competitiveness and increasing the pace of product development by optimizing its manufacturing and R&D business bases”

Really - what they are saying is that it’s cheaper to produce digital cameras in China.

Here’s the full blurb:

“FUJIFILM Corporation (President and CEO Shigetaka Komori, hereafter “FUJIFILM”) has been leading the digital camera industry by supplying worldwide the FinePix series of digital cameras featuring unique advanced technologies such as “high-sensitivity and high-image quality” and the world first “Face Detection Technology.” Toward further business expansion in the future, FUJIFILM has decided to concentrate its manufacturing and R&D bases, as more detailed below. The change is to create a solid business structure optimized for the digital camera market amidst intensifying competition

There will be further acceleration in the development of digital cameras with distinctive features, combining FUJIFILM’s proprietary Super CCD technology, superior image processing technology, and the advanced lens technology of the Group company, Fujinon Corporation. This will demonstrate our commitment to contributing to further nurturing the “Culture of Photography.”

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Here is a positive review of the Canon 40D by www.e-fotografija.si with some of the pictures taken in a nightclub by Žiga Intihar as the reviewer. The low light performance was taken in a nightclub and looks like everyone was having a great time.

His writes: “To summarize – Canon made a big step forward in just about every area - image quality, usability, ergonomics and features. The only thing that’s lacking, compared to the Canon EOS 5D, is a full frame sensor. In every other respect, the 40D is as good or better than the 5D.”

For the full review click here.

Here is an interesting review by Prophotohome.com where the review is interactive based. They review different features of the camera with each entry.

The first entry is the AI Servo Autofocus performance where they write:

“From the very first time we saw the specs for this camera we were impressed by what was being offered for the money. Just a few years ago 6.5 fps would have been considered more than enough for serious sports photography. It is weather sealed to boot. Could we really have a serious sports camera for $1,299? It immediately occurred to us that we would indeed have to do the running test on this camera to see how it compares to the 1D MKIII and 1D MKII.”

For the full review, it can be found here

Finally Sony has announced their mid range Alpha model called the A700. Actually the replacement for the Konica Minolta 7D and it will be interesting if it the new A700 puts Sony up there with the big boys. How will this camera compete against competition such as the Canon 40D, Nikon D300, Pentax K10D and the yet to be release Olympus E-P1?

Well after looking at the specifications, it seems they’ve done their homework. This new model is a path for those wanting to upgrade from the A100 or hopefully for Sony, those wanting a switch brands – Canon?, Nikon?….

Sony is a great marketing company and I’m sure the new A700 will increase its market share; the big question is which one of the big names will lose it. Let’s wait and see in 6 months time.

The specifications can be view here in pdf form.

Although reviews of the Canon 40D are still in development - Roland Lim in his blog called “The World According to Roland” has already published his.

In his review, he compares the new Canon 40D to his old Canon 20D. The Canon 20D is almost identical to the 30D and does give a fair comparison.

He writes: “Personally, I think Canon has done a good job with the 40D and has upgraded and added many new useful features. Image quality wise, I don’t think there is any significant differences between the 40D and 30D/20D. There is little difference in real resolution between a 10MP and 8MP sensor. In my opinion, Canon has managed to maintain the high ISO noise level while increasing the mega pixel count. However, there was no major breakthrough in technology and the 40D is not lower in high ISO noise than the 20D or 30D. I have previously done some high ISO test comparing the 40D to 20D.

Overall, I think the 40D provide a nice feature upgrade over the 20D and 30D and at an attractive price. Whether it is worthwhile for you to upgrade to the 40D is something only you can decide for yourself. For me, I am really happy with the 40D. However, my 20D is still working fine and can still take great photos. So I will be keeping my 20D as a 2nd and spare body.”

In summary, the Canon 40D is a great camera and has maintained its silky smooth noise free high ISO images whilst increasing its resolution from 8 to 10 mega pixel.

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