At the recent PMA 2007 show, Texas Instruments were telling attendees that they’ve developed technology that will allow digital camera manufacturers to bring the type of burst capture performance, among other higher end features, normally found in DSLR cameras to low-cost, point-and-shoot digital cameras.

Cameras as cheap as $99 ill be able to shoot in high definition utilising their technology. Whilst the quality isn’t likely to be that of a high-end camcorder, that’s pretty exciting for bringing HD to the masses. The latest version of TI’s DaVinci processor, though optimised for the digital camera market, may well be useful for other products such as camcorders and digital video recorders. TI worked in collaboration with Micron Technology, who we recently reported have developed 5 and 8 megapixel CMOS image sensors. Cameras using this technology can shoot 720p footage at 30fps.

First announced at Photokina 2006 in Germany, the digital single-lens-reflex (dSLR) cam will go on sale next February and carry a price tag of $1,999. What do you get with this pricey camera? The S5 Pro has 12.3 megapixels and uses Nikon interchangeable lenses (compatible with all Nikkor AF-D/G and AF-S optics).

Fujifilm says the camera has “an expanded dynamic range from the double-pixel technology of the camera’s Super CCD SR Pro sensor that is approximately 400 percent wider than than of a charge-coupled device (CCD) working on a single-pixel design.” And, it has a “new Super CCD SR Pro sensor with Fujifilm’s new RP Processor Pro for smoother tonality from brightest light to the darkest shadows.” The sensor also allows the camera to have an ISO sensitivity of 3,200, and the S5 Pro can shoot in RAW and JPEG simultaneously. What does this all mean? It means that unless you are a professional photographer, you can move along to the next camera.

A unique feature is the Face Detection Technology. It can “detect up to ten faces in a scene at the push of a button. Using the camera’s LCD monitor, users can zoom in to the faces of subjects, confirming focus, exposure, and whether eyes are open or closed.”

Website : Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro DSLR Pricing & Release Date

Website : Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro Detail Specification

Website : Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro Brochure (in PDF)

Hasselblad launched the world’s first full frame 48mm DSLR, the H3D at a Photokina press conference. Praised as the world’s first 48mm full frame DSLR by Hasselblad, the new H3D is available in the 22 megapixel count H3D-22 and the high 39-megapixel H3D-39.  The Hasselblad H3D was designed to provide medium format quality in a more compact digital back. The camera has a large 22 or 39 megapixel, 36.7 x 49mm sensor and 2.2-inch OLED display.  With a new engine, the camera promises to provide the company’s new “Ultra-Focus” auto focus standard.

Under the new motto of the Hasselblad Star Standard, the H3D has a combined package of clarity, color, sharpness, detail, and resolution, according to Hasselblad CEO Christian Poulsen at the conference. “What Victor Hasselblad managed to develop with the classic V camera system, the H3D now extends into the digital age,” said Poulsen.

The camera possesses a Digital APO Correction (DAC) to reduce chromatic aberration. The camera has a sensitivity range of 50-400 ISO and a shutter speed from 32 seconds to 1/800 of a second. Allowing for only single shot shooting mode, the camera captures images in the DNG file format. The H3D also Includes FlexColor software.

Website : Hasselblad launched 39-megapixel H3D-39 48mm DSLR

NavPix lets you take picture of places you’ve been through an integrated camera on the unit. When you snap the picture, it records the geographical coordinates, so that the next time you want to visit the particular location, you simply tap on the picture. It’s a very intelligent way to get around.

PocketNow review the Navman’s top-of-the-line unit, the brand-spankin’-new iCN 750. Though a very simple concept, picture-navigation has never made its way into any units on the market. Navman plans to extend NavPix to being a guided tourer when you’re in a new town. Imagine logging online, downloading an intinerary for Washington D.C., and having an array of landmark pictures to choose from in your NavPix gallary on the device. To navigate to any place, simply tap on the picture and click “Go”.

NavPix lets you use images to select the destination, which combines a digital image with highly accurate geographical information to create an exact, unmistakeable way to choose a destination when calculating a route with your Navman. What’s more, you can create your own geo-referenced NavPix, so you could use a logo, portrait or even a random picture to symbolise an actual destination.

Website : Navman iCN 750 In-Car Navigation System

Website : Navman iCN 750 Review from pocketnow

Canon is doing well last week with the newly announced Canon 30D. It quickly became the top selling DSLR camera in Japan, replacing Nikon D200 number one position in last month ranking.

2006/03/13 ～ 2006/03/19 Japan Most Popular Digital Camera Ranking

Digital SLR Camera

Nikon confirms that in some rare cases, the camera is unable to acquire accurate focus on near subjects when shooting at wide-angle positions and autofocusing at infinity. This issue is caused by incompatibilities in AF control at short distances between the new Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED and Digital SLR cameras manufactured by Fujifilm.

Resolution
To resolve this issue, the firmware on Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro/S2 Pro digital-SLR cameras must be updated. This issue cannot be resolved with adjustment of the AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens. See the Fujifilm Worldwide web site for instructions on updating camera firmware.

Website : Nikon confirms AF issues with Nikkor 18-200mm lens and Fujifilm DSLR

According to The NPD Group, Port Washington, N.Y., USA, and its partner, The GfK Group, Nuremberg, Germany, the world of digital imaging is taking shape, moving towards higher resolution and new image capturing capabilities. New findings from The NPD Group found in 2005, 5 megapixel cameras captured a 37 percent unit share in the United States, up from 20 percent in 2004, while unit share for 3-megapixel cameras dropped from almost 37.5 percent in 2004 to 13 percent in 2005.

That is true in other parts of the world, with some of the biggest shifts seen in Europe, Asia and Japan. According to The GfK Group, in Japan, which tends to be a more mature market, more than 90 percent of digital still camera (DSC) unit sell-through was 5 megapixels or greater in the fourth quarter of 2005, with 6- and 7-megapixel models on the rise.

Digital SLRs: Another shift around the world seems to be the type of digital camera that people purchased. In Japan, digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLR) now hold nearly 7 percent of the country’s DSC unit share. In 2005, DSLRs in the United States and Europe had 5.2 and 4.2 percent unit share, respectively. That same year in the United States, DSLRs reached sub $900 and sub $800 price points for the first time, motivating the advanced amateur to purchase an upgrade.

Japan dc.watch interview with Sigma executive at PMA 2006. Here’re the related questions and answers related to DSLR:

Question: Does Sigma have plans to change the Sigma SA mount connector to the Four Thirds connector?

Answer: “There is no such plan at the present. We participates in Four Thirds in 2003, it was the preceeding year that we released the SD9 DSLR. Because the presence of the SD series customer, the priority of development therefore is the completeness of the SD system”, “If the demand for Four Thirds mount is high, then we must think about it. However, there’s currently a plan to make multiple SD product series line-up, we cannot consider this until such development is completed. To Sigma, we will prioritize on our customers first.”

Question: Are you saying that you’re currently developing the next generation SD product lineup?

Answer: “It is impossible for us not to advance. We will announce formally later, please wait. We will do so before the SD series is forgotten by the users.” “In regards to the SD series, it is not only due to our own enthusiasm, but most important is the big support we got from the users. In the foreign country, some SD users published a collection of photograph work for a SD series. We have to continue support of the SD series in order to answer the support from these users.”

Question: What’s the class level of the next generation SD, what is the product positioning?

Answer: “First, the Foveon sensor is used. In regards to the product segmentation, when you divide at price, it will come off from the original intention. We do not segment the product based on the price, but to apply good use of the Foveon sensor in order to satisfy existing SD series users and to meet the expectations of those who are interested in this new product. At the same time, we will need to satisfy our needs in the DSLR camera features and functionality.”

Question: Will there be surprises with the new SD series?

Answer: “Yes. Please wait for the surprise.”