Product Description

1-megapixel CCD * digital photo mode * digital photo resolution options: 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 * compatible with Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO® Duo (available separately) * 2-11/16" widescreen color touch-panel LCD * ... Read more

Features

• Professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens
• 2.7-inchs wide touch panel SwivelScreen LCD display
• Capture and transfer high quality MiniDV video quickly and easily with Sony's DCR-HC42 Handycam camcorder.
• 1/5.5-inch advanced HAD CCD imager with 1 megapixel still image capabilities
• 12X optical zoom lens with 480X digital zoom

Reviews (6)

Good point and shoot, but not for professional video
This camera offers descent point and shoot type video.If you're interested in making independent films, I would stay away from this camera.For one, there is ONLY ONE CCD.The camera CAN'T shoot in 24p progressive video mode, you're stuck with lame 29.97fps.That means you'll never get that "film-like" feel that film-movie cameras have.There isn't a manual focus ring, you have to focus using MENU controls!The camera also has a CCD the 1/5.5" in size.This pales incomparison to other cameras with bigger CCDs (like the sony fx1 with 1/3" CCDs).A bigger CCD means better low light capability.Also the max verticle lines of resolution is 520 lines.This camera can't compete with 1080i type cameras that have over TWICE the verticle lines.But it's a good camera for those who can't (or don't want to) spend $40K on a professional digital camera.So don't buy this camera if you're interested in making professional feature films.

Small & High Quality
The camera is nice and compact, smaller than it's competitors including Canon, easy to hold and carry around.Very high image quality - looks like broadcast quality when viewing on a television set.Very professional features - it may take some hunting and pecking through the manual to learn all the options.Light aperture can be adjusted manually or automatically or with general (pre-programmed)settings such as "high speed action" or the "beach," etc.. Runs quite long on the battery that comes with it.Built in lens cover makes it simpler.Overall a great camera.I also have a $3500 professional mini-DV and this one is virtually just as good.

Not worth the extra money...
Well I just got this model to test.I am returning it tomorrow as i find it no different than my refurbed discontinued HC20 I got for ultra cheap at the Sony Outlet.Picture quality in my opinion is exactly the same.Handling is the same with the HC42 having more options.So what about the 12x optical - its only 2x more than the HC20.Everything about this camcorder reeked overpriced.

I admit I bought this one mainly for the Analog to Digital passthru but after thinking it over it is not worth the extra cost at all.Half the options (still pic, memory stick, etc...) are things I will not use.

I honestly feel that this is an overpriced camcorder.I tested a Panasonic and it wascheaper and well if you need all these options it was a better buy to get a Panasonic GS35 (30x optical!)

As for the analog to digital passthru - i am going to stick with my old Sony D8 cam for that work.This is just not worth it.I'd look into the HC21/32 if you really want a Sony.

Sony is the best, again
After much searching for the perfectly priced, and well performing mini DV camcorder, I came back to Sony's HC42 model. I've owned a LOT of sony products over the year, and have yet to be disappointed. This is a solid camera, packing a touch screen, an upgraded lens, 12x optical zoom, and a docking station which connects your camera to the computer (via a firewire cord that YOU MUST PURCHASE separetly, it only comes with a USB cable for tranferring pictures) and is also a charging stand. It comes with some video editing software, but I would suggest Pinnacle 9 Plus, or a 3rd party if you are really into video editing. The picture quality is awesome, ease of use is great (it even has an 'EASY' mode, where high tech options disappear from the screen!). You cant go wrong at this price point. I wouldnt go for lower models, and the higher runs over 1000 bucks..this is the sweet spot. Enjoy

Be Careful!
The DCR-HC42 specification says that the unit has "external microphone" capability.In the past, both the Sony DV an D8 units accommodated external microphones, like lapel mics and powered portable mics.This unit's idea of an external mic is one that attaches to the shoe, which is attached to the camera (and is only sold by Sony $70-$150). If all you need is a point-and-shoot microphone, then the unit may be adequate for your needs, but it's not what past Sony units have been capable of. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Kodak's EasyShare CX7430 offers high-resolution image capture with fully automatic point-and-shoot simplicity. You'll be able to print vibrant 20 x 30-inch enlargements thanks to the CX7430's resolution. The CX7430 also integrates Kodak's new camera Favorites feature for storing multiple pictures in an on-camera digital photo album. Other features include a 3x optical zoom, Kodak's new Color Science image processing, TV-quality (VGA) video capture and playback capability, an on-camera speaker, 16 MB internal memory, and compatibility with SD and MCC memory cards.

Scene modes--represented above by pictograms--automatically control camera settings to give you what's right for your particular shot.

Optics and Resolution
This camera has a maximum resolution of 4 megapixels (2304 x 1728 pixels), and it offers a 3.5 MP mode (optimized ratio for 4 x 6-inch prints), 2.1 MP, and 1.1 MP (good for emailing. The CX7430 has a Kokak Retinar aspheric all-glass lens with a 3x optical zoom (34-102mm, 35mm equivalent). It features through-the-lens (TTL) autofocus with multi-zone and center-spot selectable modes.

Movie Mode
The CX7430 can capture both full-motion video with audio (20 frames per second at 320 x 240 pixels) and TV-resolution video (VGA; 640 x 480 pixels at 13 fps) with capacity dependent on available memory (16 MB internal memory included; additional memory may be added via the SD/MMC expansion slot). The included A/V cable enables you to show your masterpiece on TV quickly and easily.

More Features

• 1.6-inch indoor/outdoor LCD with 2x or 4x magnification
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye, fill, and off modes
• White balance controls: auto, daylight, tungsten, and fluorescent
• Scene modes: auot, portrait, landscape, night, close-up, sport, and movie
• Color modes: Color, black and white, sepia
• Click to capture time: 0.6 seconds
• 10-second self timer

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored within the CX7430's 16 MB internal memory, or on optional Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards. It connects to Macs and Windows-based PCs via USB 1.1 connectivity.

Clear, easy-to-use menus explain the camera's many features.

Sharing
With a touch of the red-jeweled Share button, you can store up to 100 pictures in an on-camera digital album. These pictures can then be shared anytime on the camera's large, 1.6-inch indoor/outdoor LCD screen. The Share button also allows selection of photos for printing and even e-mailing, with up to 32 e-mail addresses stored in the camera's memory.

Kodak Color Science Image Processing Chip
Kodak's Color Science Image Processing Chip offers a new high-speed digital image processor, advanced algorithms, and hardware acceleration features that enable the CX7430 make simultaneous, split-second decisions to produce rich, vibrant, true-to-life colors in almost any lighting situation. Each time you click the shutter, the Kodak Color Science Chip performs an instantaneous and advanced analysis of collected scene data to identify and correct multiple factors that influence picture quality. Scene light source is detected and adjustments are made to capture bright whites and true, vivid colors under difficult lighting conditions--fluorescent, tungsten or daylight. Scene content is analyzed for luminance, focal distance, subject matter orientation and color to determine the correct exposure and capture the natural details, accurate flesh tones, and rich colors you see in your composition.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 2 AA batteries (alkaline included; NiMH rechargeables recommended). It measures 4.0 x 2.6 1.5 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.2 ounces without batteries.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Kodak CX7430 digital camera, 2 AA batteries, USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, and custom camera insert for optional Kodak EasyShare 6000 series camera and printer docks.

Like all EasyShare cameras, the CX7430 includes Kodak EasyShare software for Windows and Macintosh systems, providing effortless digital picture transfer, organization, basic editing, sharing and printing. The software's exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature--which takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak--helps Windows OS users get vibrant, true-to-life prints from home inkjet printers, while significantly reducing the trial, error and waste usually associated with home photo printing. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 11-by-14-inch enlargements
• Kodak Retinar 3x aspheric optical zoom lens; 4x digital zoom
• 9 scene modes; compatible with the optional Kodak EasyShare printer dock 6000
• Store images 16 MB of internal memory or optional Secure Digital memory cards (memory card not included)
• Powered by AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable Ni-MH recommended)

Reviews (10)

The, "customer from Glendale" needs basic camera lessons.
You cannot give a camera a bad rating, because the flash fails to illuminate a subject over 10-20 feet away. Camera flashes aren't powerful enough to do that. Get a clue.

As for this camera itself, I have tried it out at Best Buy, as we are getting ready to buy a new camera, and it is down to this one, and the Kodak LS743 4MP. Basically they are both the same camera, but the LS743 has a slicker design, and is more compact. But other than that, they are both great cameras.

If you are going to review technology, *please* have some idea about it before you write anything. Otherwise, you will just end up making yourself look foolish.

Great camera, poor customer service
I love my kodak easy share camera. It is a good camera for the price. However, just a warning, if you have a problem with your camera, kodak has very poor customer service and is unwilling to help you fix your problem. You will have to take care of it on your own at a local dealership.

A good deal
Pros - Light weight, small, handy, good pic quality and lot of flexibility while shooting. User friendly software.
Cons - Rechargable battery and charger should come with the package.

Best "bang for the buck" Camera!
I am absolutely delighted with the Kodak CX7430 and wholeheartedly recommend it. Kodak has cornered the market in offering tremendous features for extremely reasonable prices. I upgraded to the CX7430 from the CX7000 because I was so happy with the Kodak line. The CX7430 offers great features, such as both optical and digital zoom, and video capacity with sound, along with an outstanding 4 MPs. The operating system is the simplest and easiest to learn and use of any brand of digital camera. The entire Kodak Easy Share system makes downloading, editing, printing, and e-mailing pictures a breeze. This is THE 4 MP camera to buy!

Kodak CX7430
Although it lacks a German lens, this unit provided crisp clear close-ups. Very easy to use for the most part. Display is bright and menu commands are logically arranged. ... Read more

Product Description

The compact DiMAGE Z5 is an all-round digital camera that offers a built-in 12x optical Mega Zoom lens, Konica Minolta's proprietary Anti-Shake System, 5.0-megapixel CCD, fast overall response including Rapid autofocusing (AF), and a large 2.0-inch LCD screen for easy viewing. All of these features combined, these features ensure that photographers won't miss a photo opportunity and that the subjects of their photos are big, beautiful, and shake-free. An ideal companion for travel photography as well as everyday picture taking, photographers will appreciate the versatility of this digital camera. With the camera's built-in 12x optical zoom lens and Konica Minolta's innovative Anti-Shake technology, even novice photographers can easily capture clear, sharp detailed views of the world around them. To ensure that photographers don't miss their shot, the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 has a Rapid AF that's the one of the fastest autofocus for digital cameras with predictive focus control. Focusing in a mere 0.2 second (approximately) at wide angle and only 0.3 second (approximately) at telephoto, it's ideal for capturing any subject, moving or still. DiMAGE Z5 Highlights 12x optical Mega Zoom and 4x digital zoom for 48x total zoom; complemented with CCD-shift Anti-Shake System Fastest-in-class Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control (As Nov 2004 - based on Konica-Minolta Tests) High-quality pictures with 5.0-megapixel CCD, Konica Minolta GT APO lens ... Read more

Features

• Large 2.0-inch LCD; macro mode for shooting subjects as close as 1 centimeter
• Stores images on SD cards; powered by 4 AA batteries (alkaline or Ni-MH)
• 5 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• Amazing 12x optical Mega Zoom with Anti-Shake technology allows you to shoot at speed 4 to 8 times longer with clear results
• Rapid AF focuses in approximately 0.2 second in wide angle and 0.3 second in telephoto

Reviews (3)

Disappointed
I have an old Olympus 2.1 megapixel C-2100. It had a built in stabilization just like this Minolta Z5. Unfortunately, the built-in stabilizer option is about the only plus I can find for this Minolta.

My pictures that I take using my 2.1 megapixel Olympus are night and day more vibrant in color than the ones taken with the Minolta.

We are returning this camera to get our money back. We were excited about the stabilization feature, as it is a hard feature to find in a camera, but if it sacrifices picture quality, then it is not worth it.

Very nice mid-range camera
To start off, let me say that I'm a neophyte digital camera user, so my review will be based on someone with little experience.

That being said, the Z5 has been a pleasure to use.The ergonnomics are excellent, even for my big hands.The buttons are oriented very well for the left hand, so that you can virtually use this camera one-handed.Outdoor photos with good ambient light are very nice, and the 12x zoom makes it icing on the cake.The autofocus works very fast even on very distant objects.I didn't notice any excessive graininess or noise in outdoor photos, and the colors of the photos didn't look off to my eyes.However, if you shoot a moving subject, I found that it's wise to turn off the anti-shake, otherwise the picture will come out blurry, even if you manage to focus lock the subject (I tried this with flying birds).

The EVF viewer is okay, but not great.It's very grainy and there's a significant amount of lag.Because of this and the fact that the EVF momentarily blacks out while taking a pic, don't use it for moving subjects.In contrast, I found the 2" LCD screen to be very nice, with good contrast, brightness, refresh and resolution.

The main reason I knocked the camera down to 4 stars was its relatively poor indoor or low-light performance, with what seemed to me to be a weak flash.Even with longer exposure times and a tripod mount, I noticed a fair bit of noise in the pictures.And the flash, though rated out to 7' didn't seem to be enough to do the job, even on the slow flash.There was however no problem with redeye that I noticed.

What makes this camera truly awesome though (and a big reason I purchased it) is for its movie mode.Oddly, the movie mode seems to do better in low light situations than still photos.It does have some trouble focusing if you pan around too much or too fast, but otherwise, capturing video at 640x480@30fps with sound for as long as you have memory is great.And being able to zoom in this mode is a very nice feature, not to mention that the anti-shake feature works in this mode as well.The end result is SVHS quality video without too many shakes that looks really nice.

The battery life seems good to me, though I have little comparisons to make.It's also nice that the camera uses standard AA batteries so in a pinch, you can throw in some alkaline or lithium batteries.

This is more like it
I've gone with every version of the Sony Mavica for my digital pics over the years but with my son turning one I needed a camera that would get clear shots when he was moving fast.

The hardest thing to find was something that had a powerful optical zoom (Sony spoiled me with 16x), and tho I have two fine camcorders it is nice to have video recording that does zooms and stabilization during vid recording (again, Sony has always done zoom/stabilization in it's video capture but most cameras don't).

After much research and coming very close to buying the Panasonic Lumix (very nice camera but terrible viewscreen) and the Kodak (no stabilization and required to use that silly dock) I noticed the Z5 had a bigger viewscreen than the older Z3.

Looking closer and seeing the 12x optical and the video recording that not only does zoom and stabilization but also 640x480 at 30fps (Mavica does only 15 second 320x240) and the deal was done.I bought a 1GB SanDisk Ultra2 (60x) sd card which allows up to 350 highest res pictures (and/or up to 28 minutes of wonderful stutter-free video) and now I am taking shots of my little moving target with no more blurring results.

My wife isn't into tweaking any camera and the controls are great, a little more complicated than the Mavica but not by much.Really it's point & shoot ease with only having to know four other buttons (one to switch between playback and "record", the toggle to go back and forth between stored images, a dedicated delete button to get rid of ones you don't like and the shutter button.If you are into doing more then there's a lot more on the camera from macros to in-camera video editing and on and on.

I know that most people don't buy a still camera for video and so I have to stress that the stills are blowing me away ... but also mention that if you do care about the video option then consider that the reason I only gave the unit a 4 is that the videos are Quicktimes.If you're a Windows person then you'll have to pay Apple (the real monopolist of PCs) $30 for a copy of QuickTime Pro to convert them to AVI and then use Microsoft's free Media Encoder or the consumer-grade freebie "Windows Movie Maker" to convert the AVIs to WMV format for best viewing in Media Player or use the AVIs in Pinnacle Studio 9 to make DVDs (why the heck don't cameras just record to WMV?This Quicktime default is so old fashioned).The quality of the videos IS good enough for your DVDs.

Aside from the video conversion pain, as a still camera This is the one.
... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

PowerShot Pro 1 gives you the creative performance of a high-end SLR camera with the digital capability and ease of use inherent to the PowerShot line. The camera's 8 Megapixel CCD captures life to the extent that even prints of 8" x 10" or larger are highly detailed and gorgeously colored.

L Lens

	Lens construction: aspherical lens in blue, UD lens and fluorite in purple

The PowerShot Pro1 incorporates Canon's top-of-the-line lens, the L Lens, legendary among professional photographers. Driven by an Ultrasonic Motor, the super-fast 28-200mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.4-3.5 lens uses fluorite and UD (Ultra-low dispersion) glass for clear, sharp image delineation with an absolute minimum in chromatic aberration. Also incorporated is an Aspherical lens, precision-manufactured to within 0.1 microns, which corrects spherical aberrations and curvilinear distortion while keeping the zoom lens compact.

Shooting modes for all occasions
PowerShot Pro1 offers shooting modes (see below) for every situation and level of photographic experience. Photo Effects in Vivid Color, Neutral Color, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black & White and Custom are also available, boosting the artistry of your shots instantly.

Three light-metering modes deliver precise exposure: evaluative metering, center-weighted average metering and spot metering, which lets you measure exposure at the chosen AF point or the center of the frame for an exceptional level of control. And the camera's innovative FlexiZone AF/AE system lets you move the AF point around the frame to focus on off-center subjects without reframing the shot, and connects the AF point to the exposure system when the camera is in spot metering mode.

Modes

• Custom: Control and store 2 sets of parameters to your exact preferences
• Auto: Concentrate on your composition while the camera manages all the technical work.
• Portrait: A larger aperture ensures a well-focused subject and beautiful background blur.
• Landscape: A smaller aperture is perfect for capturing sweeping vistas
• Night Scene: Background exposure and slow-sync flash light tricky night shots perfectly.
• Shutter Speed Priority: Select from a wide range of shutter speeds while the camera sets an appropriate aperture.
• Stitch Assist: Easily create precisely aligned panoramas. Stitch Assist even lets you confirm the next image to shoot on the LCD monitor or electronic viewfinder while you’re shooting the current image.
• Movie: Create movie clips with audio and enjoy a broad range of resolution choices: high-resolution VGA (up to 30 sec.) or long-play QVGA and QQVGA (up to 3 minutes). Unwanted scenes can be deleted during playback.
• Program: Set almost all parameters yourself, while the camera selects aperture and shutter speed.

Advanced Digital Imaging Technology

Canon's exclusive DIGIC Imaging Processor revolutionizes how you shoot digital by allowing the camera to process images faster and improving the accuracy of the autofocus. DIGIC also reduces the effects on noise in your images. iSAPS Technology is an entirely new scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC Imaging Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.

The components of photographic space that are precision captured by DIGIC

Incredible Up-close shots
Super Macro Mode: The PowerShot Pro1 features a standard macro function that allows you to shoot clearly at just 4" from your subject. It also incorporates a new Super Macro Mode that takes you in even closer. Position your subject as little as 1/2" from the tip of the lens and capture a full 8 megapixels of astonishingly close detail.

Bigger, Sharper, Vari-angle LCD monitor

With a comfortable, ergonomic grip and natural inline layout of key elements, PowerShot Pro1 is designed with the photographer in mind. The camera features a swiveling 2.0-inch Vari-angle LCD monitor that offers the highest resolution in its class at 235,000 pixels. The electronic viewfinder offers the same sharp resolution, and both keep pace with the high-speed zoom for seamless, responsive shooting. Information in the large display panel is always clear and visible and the panel can be illuminated at the push of a button. The mode dial is located for easy viewing during operation, and a main switch takes you quickly from shooting to playback mode.

Capture extremely fast-moving subjects
Speeding objects are fair game with a high-precision shutter drive that reaches a maximum speed of 1/4000 sec. (or you can shoot for up to 15 seconds in low light). Two continuous shooting modes capture high-impact images at any pace: standard (1 image per second) or high-speed (2.5 images per second).

Shoot high-quality movies with sound
High-quality movie clips with audio capture all the action. The PowerShot Pro1 offers several resolution choices: high-resolution VGA (up to 30 sec.), or long-play QVGA and QQVGA (up to 3 minutes). Delete unwanted scenes during playback.

Bracketing
Bracketing lets you capture 3 exposures with one shot, setting a range between ±2 stops at 1/3-stop increments. A major advantage to digital is the ability to switch ISO ratings without worrying about switching film rolls. PowerShot Pro1 offers instant access to ISO equivalents of 50, 100, 200 and 400.

Easy Connectivity

• To printers: The camera connects directly to a wide range of Canon Card Photo Printers and Canon Direct Photo Printers for a world of printing options: credit card-size, 4" x 6", 5" x 7", letter-size (8.5" x 11"), 11" x 13", labels, and much more, all without your computer. While Canon printers will deliver the highest quality prints from your PowerShot Pro1, the camera is equipped with PictBridge compatibility to ensure smooth connections to other manufacturers’ printers as well.
• To PCs and Macs: PowerShot Pro 1 comes complete with Canon’s own Digital Camera Solution Disk and proven third-party software:
  • ZoomBrowser EX (Win)/ImageBrowser (Mac): A user-friendly program that lets you quickly and easily connect, manage files and view images.
  • PhotoRecord (Win): Create exciting photo layouts for personal or business use, putting text anywhere on the page. Includes Exif support for enhanced color accuracy and detail.
  • PhotoStitch (Win/Mac): Join sequential shots to create seamless, perfectly aligned vertical, horizontal, 2x2 panoramas or 360° panorama movies.
  • TWAIN Driver/WIA Driver (Win): Allows your computer to recognize your camera and integrate well with third-party software.
  • ArcSoft Camera Suite (Win/Mac): Crop, enlarge and retouch photos and video clips like a pro.
  • Apple QuickTime (Win): Makes playing back your video clips fun and easy.

What's in the Box
This package contains the PowerShot Pro1 digital camera, 64 MB CompactFlash card, lens hood (LH-DC10), battery pack (BP-511A), battery charger (CB-5L), wireless controller (WL-DC100), USB and A/V cables, lens cap, and neck strap. The supplied software on the CD-ROM includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoStudio and VideoImpression.

... Read more

Features

• 8-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 16-by-22-inch enlargements
• Canon 7x optical L-series zoom lens
• 2-inch LCD screen; movie mode; 1.2-inch macro mode; PictBridge compatible
• Store images on Compact Flash Type I or II cards (64 MB card included)
• Powered by Rechargeable lithium ion battery (BP-511A) (included with charger)

Reviews (22)

This camera is a Gem
This is my 5th digital and the best of the lot. I have been getting consistently sharp pictures with a huge amount of detail and correct color saturation from day 1.

I love the swivel LCD and found the camera to be easy to operate.
If all you are going to do is point and shoot this is the camera for you. If you like control of aperture, shutter speed, white light etc....., this is also the camera for you.

I like to keep the camera at super fine resolution and find the amount of detail this camera picks up astounding. Even if I crop out a tiny section of the image the resolution is excellent.

The battery life is very good. Most people will need a 512 MG or larger card though. Maybe an extra battery too.

What could make the camera better? Perhaps a lower price tag, and an inexpensive camera case. My poor camera sat around unprotected for 2 weeks! I know, not all camera come with a bag or case in their package, but it would have been nice.

Bottom line is the picture quality is one of the best of the 8 MGP digicams out there right now. The small size is a definate plus for me, and it starts up quickly and handles very well.

Not the best in lowlight situations, but for me the other advantages outnumber this one feature.

technology at its finest
I looked at the Nikon 8700 and the Canon Pro 1. I had them both in hand, shot pictures, compared the EVF, comfort, weight and read all the reviews prior to see the actual cameras. After a long evaluation I decided on the Canon. It just had a better feel. The camera offers a lot of features. I wanted to get back into a camera that would do something other that point and shoot, which this does very well. I also wanted to be able to adjust the apature and film speed. Creative and fun things.
The first pictures I took were very impressive. Low light visibility is good. It has a SLR feel and sound to it. Color was beautiful and th 7X optical is just perfect to be hand held.
One important thing to consider is how the camera will operate in low light. It has an AF assist, which should be on all cameral or it will not be able to focus on a particular subject and the picture will be blurred. Without getting technical, this camera can be used by a novice or a professional. It's versality is unbelievable. Also, a very important feature of this camera is its battery. It has an extremely long life and its charger is small, easily carried in a case and charges to full charge in one hour.

Very good for most people
As a botanist/ecologist/photographer I do a great deal of plant photography. I have used Canon products for years and swear by them and rarely at them. The Pro1, though, leaves a lot to be desired for my purposes. The EOS 10D does far better even with lower resolution. The Pro1, for the purposes I need, is not very suitable. (See my review of the PowerShot S1 IS).
But as a photgrapher who has been published around the world, mostly medium and large format photographs, I think for most people the Pro1 would be a very good choice. It has excellent construction and the image quality is superb with very true color, much better than most. If you don't want to mess with RAW image processing, you can photograph using the Super high resolution Large (gives you a JPG image) and get excellent results that compare very favorably with RAW processing and none of the fiddling with RAW. The availability of a 28mm equivalent wide angle is also very nice and not all that common.
The sharpest aperature to use is f5.6 or f6.3. The images are just a hair softer at larger or smaller apertures. Even the digital zoom will produce a pretty decent image at 14x, but gets worse at maximum digital zoom. Usually digital zoom is pretty worthless, but when you start with 8 megapixels you can still end up with a suitable pixel count after all the digital footwork that goes on in the camera. But generally you are still further ahead shooting at maximum optical zoom (no digital) and cropping, if you don't mind some additional digital manipulation antics to improve things.
So, all in all, I highly recommend this camera to anyone who needs high resolution and compact size. It is a good buy. But for really good macro photography I recommend a digital SLR and a top notch macro lens. If you only do a little macro work and are not real fussy about having razor sharp images then this camera will do fine. Sometimes it would almost match the 10D, but not quite. For all other uses, the camera is great.

Excellent, with a couple of minor flaws
This is my 3rd Canon Digital camera - Powershot G2 and G3 were the previous ones. Took 20,000 pics with them.

Things I love about the Powershot Pro1:
-takes excellent macro (close-up) photos. The clarity is incredible, especially when using the "Super Macro" mode.
-Color is exccellent.
-Moveable LCD panel on back. I take mostly nature shots - closeups. This allows me to take photos from positions I could never get into without the moveable panel. Shoot from under flowers, raise the camera up to shoot down onto flowers that are above my head, etc.
-battery life is superb - about 400-600 or more photos per charge.
-the 7x zoom is awesome. From 30 feet I can take a photo of a 2" diameter flower and see the details of the flower in the resulting pic.
-Many advanced features. READ THE MANUAL! You won't discover this camera's full potential until you do.

Drawbacks:
-The first Pro1 I got had dust and fibers INSIDE the lens. I was able to trade it for another one 2 weeks later after I discovered the flaw - the dust and fibers were only visible when examining the lens in sunlight. One of the replacement camera they were going to give me also had dust inside the lens.
-This second unit I had became defective after 2 weeks. The zoom lens started moving in and out with jerks - sticking. So now I am on my 3rd Pro1 unit. Hopefully the problems with the prior ones are not typical!!
-Slow focussing and composition, as mentioned in other reviews. Not as much of a problem for me, as I do mostly plant photos. But it has caused me to miss butterfly shots.
-The lens cap is a pain to put on and remove. A simple push-on one would've been MUCH better. And I am wondering if the necessary action of squeezing the two little tabs all the time caused the failure of my 2nd unit (lens movement sticking - this action may be always pushing the lens from side to side, and cause the mechanism to wear prematurely?
-Have to watch exposures. I find my photos are often overexposed. I have learned the conditions under which this happens, and have learned to compensate for it (which is easy to do). But this was an issue with the G2 & G3 also.
-Regular macro mode is poor at auto-focussing. However, the "Super-Macro" mode is VERY good at auto-focussing.

So far, I HIGHLY recommend this camera. I have taken 4000 pics with it in the 40 days I have had a Pro1, and I like it a lot.
It has very advanced features, and even has more features than the Rebel. For example, you can select center-spot metering - can't do that on the Rebel except in Manual mode (if I recall correctly). It is "pseudo-SLR" in that the vewfinder displays the same info as the LCD panel. The zoom is excellent, although some people don't like the "zoom-by-wire" aspect of it.

Superb, but beware if you're looking for Point and Shoot.
Having never owned a high-end camera I was a little intimidated by the various offerings on the market. I wanted a camera that I could use as a point and shoot and would also allow me to become a bit more "creative" with my photography. I started my research from scratch and had no preference regarding manufacturers, mega pixels, lenses, etc. I read every professional review and consumer review that I could find. I finally narrowed my selection down to two models. The Konica Minolta Dimage A2 and the Canon PowerShot Pro 1.

I made a point of visiting my local camera shop so I could get a hands on look at the various options, feel and performance of each camera. The salesman was a Minolta aficionado and tried steering me towards the A2 by quoting a multitude of statistics (many of which were erroneous or existed on both cameras). After holding the PowerShot and playing with it a while, I selected the Canon as my future camera and set about purchasing one.

I must say that I'm ecstatic with my decision. The camera weight and size is perfect as is the performance. During my research I came across two items which I have verified as areas of concern: 1) The camera has difficulty focusing in low light. This often includes indoor environments with 60w - 100w lighting nearby. I have overcome this by reading up on photographic techniques and how to manipulate a camera to obtain the shot I'm looking for. Took me a while to conquer something more than the Auto setting, but I'm doing it now and the low-light focus is no longer a problem. 2) Shutter lag seems long. In Auto mode, this is a definite problem if you're shooting any kind of action. Once again, photographic techniques have all but eliminated the shutter lag. Using the custom settings I have reduced the shutter lag to a point that it's no longer an issue. I simply make the camera do what I want rather that giving it complete control.

Over all, the PowerShot Pro 1 is superb. It's size, weight and performance are excellent and the options available are surprising. If you're looking for a camera that will do it all for you, beware of this one due to the low-light focus issue and shutter lag. If you're willing to take control of the camera, I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Features

• Ultra fast up to 9 Mb/sec data transfer rate
• Small size
• Holds up to 100 high resolution images
• Works with any CompactFlash enabled device
• High-density flash memory and optimized controller technology lets you save large image files faster

Reviews (14)

Great card!
Bought one of these cards and I love it. I have a Canon 300d/Digital Rebel.

I originally used a Canon 32MB card which performed horribly. It would take on average 10 seconds to write one JPG at the highest resolution.

With the 512MB Ultra II card it takes from 1-2 seconds to write the same image. It also allows you to shoot continuous shots longer.

With 6+ Megapixels--I think the 512MB card is the perfect size for a full day of shooting. I can get about 165-170 shots on a card. I am glad I did not get the 256MB card.

Lastly, it also allows quicker image previewing from the camera, flipping between images is so so much faster. I think the extra money for this card is well worth it.

Canon Digital Rebel
This is the card you want if your getting a Digital Rebel! The 512 will get you about 142 pictures.It downloads fast ,and gives you great pictures,what more do you want.If you are spending at least 1000 dollars on a camera don't go cheap on the compact flash cards! Get a good one! This card I got online for about 150 dollars.Make sure you are getting the Ultra 2 not just the Ultra there is a difference the Ultra is good but not as fast as the Ultra 2 ,you will be thankful you spent a few a

extra bucks and got the best card for the Canon Digital Rebel

Got mine from Amazon. 60X write, 66X read.
I pre-ordered this item from Amazon. Apparently, there was an initial delay with Amazon's supply, but I just got mine. With a price like this and free shipping (which, despite being "Super Saver," was speedy as usual), I have no complaints.

Works fine so far, and the capacity boost over my old 64MB card has me almost giddy: The "pictures remaining" counter on my 3MP camera jumped from about 40 to over 300.

Helpful info: The manufacturer's "X" speed rating equivalent, which isn't easy to find online, is 60X write and 66X read.

Amazon can't deliver
I ordered this before tax day in April and I am now told that I won't see it until August. Amazon has blown past expected delivery dates several time so far, so I have no reason think that they will meet the August date. Order this product only if you never want to receive it.

Works fine - but not from Amazon
I have two of these, one in a Canon Powershot S500 and the other in a Powershot S1 IS and both work fine. No problems at all.

The ordering issue was something else, eventually I gave up on Amazon's extended and extending delivery times and bought them on Ebay for $10 more. I buy a lot of gear from Amazon and I was disappointed this time, but that's one in a hundred where they have totally failed my expectations, not bad overall.

It's a fast memory card, it works, it's available on Ebay. What else is there to say? ... Read more

Product Description

records high-quality DVD-Video * records to mini DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, and DVD+RWs * recording capacity of one disc: 20 minutes at HQ setting; 30 minutes at SP setting; 60 minutes at LP setting * digital photo mode * 2-11/16" widescreen color touch-panel LCD * ... Read more

Features

• DVD + RW / -RW media
• External microphone
• 12x optical, 480x digital zoom
• 1.07 megapixel advanced HAD CCD
• 2.7 inch wide hybrid SwivelScreen touch panel LCD screen

Features

• 1GB maximum storage capacity
• Designed to support read and write speeds of 80 Mbps on high speed enabled devices
• Operating temperature range of -13? F to 185? F allows greater durability
• Backwards compatible with devices that use Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo media
• Included adaptor allows compatibility with Memory Stick(R) PRO media enabled devices

Features

• 8-megapixel 4-color Super HAD CCD captures enough detail to make 22x16-inch prints
• 7x optical zoom with a Carl Zeiss T* lens system(28 - 200mm, 35mm equivalent); 14x precision digital zoom
• Captures images in both raw and TIFF modes; MPEG movie; advanced accessory shoe
• Stores images on either Sony Memory Stick media or Microdrive
• Powered by InfoLithium M battery (included with AC adapter/in-camera charger)

Reviews (62)

If it sounds too good to be true...........It probably is!
Being a dedicated fan of Sony Digital cameras for the past 6 years, I was dying to get my hands on the new DSC-F828. From all of the specs. I read prior to it's release I was pummped to go online and buy this camera. In fact as soon as they hit the site I bought one!!!! I could'nt wait for it to be delivered the next day and start reading about it and using it over the Christmas holiday vacation week. Much to my surprise I was very disapointed with some classic action shots I took during my ski trip. The white background of the snowy mountains with the sun reflecting off the snow generated the most hideous looking purple flares accross the photo. When I went to read the reviews at all of the well respected Digital Photo websites I quickly found out I was not alone in my observations. Plus I learned that the defects were running deeper than I thought possible.

To be fair the camera is extremely well built and very user friendly. I does take very good pictures. But just don't expect to use it in backlit or bright areas. I wanted so badly to keep this camera and over look the problems. But I did'nt want to be part of a cruel joke that Sony was trying to pull on it's loyal customer base.

Bottom line, I sent it back and received a refund. Sony definitely rushed this bad boy to market way to quickly. Be very carful and do your home work before [buying] this camera. There are several better alternatives available for the same or less $$$.

Not one of the best, THE best digital camera to date
I have owned the DSC-505, DSC-505V, F707 and F717. I also have the Contax TVS digital, a Sony DSC-V1 and a Nikon D100. I don't know what the reviewers who mention the purple fringing and high noise are talking about. I have done very in depth comparisons with the Contax, the D100 and the old F717 and see nothing but brilliant performance! I spent the holidays at the Grand Canyon and shot several GB's worth on the F828 and the results are nothing short of AMAZING. I have even printed some 42" x 60" posters on our HP DJ800ps plotter which look so good that friends are constantly asking for copies for themselves. The manual 7x zoom is a HUGE improvement over the 5x electronic zoom of the f717. Of course the quality of the Zeiss T lens is nothing short of extraordinary. The fact that the camera can use CF cards as well as the MS is also quite a step forward for Sony. The build quality is first rate. One cannot possibly go wrong with this camera. Take my advice and consider the negative reviews as nothing more than sour grapes (probably from folks who can't afford the upgrade and don't want to see others who can have such a fantastic tool)! This camera is so impressive I bought a second one for the family!
But don't take my word for it check out images taken with the f828 (Steve's Digicam site has quite a few) and see for yourself what nonsense some of these reviewers are spewing.

I love it =)
I was apprehensive about this camera due to the talk of purple and other 'problems'. I've been using this camera now (july) since May and I've not had any weirdness or problems.
I was close to buying the Rebel-- but I went with the sony---
1. I now use this camera for video & stills-- No juggling two camera-- which is impossible anyway being a mom with 2 kids! result is that I'm taking way more video and more pictures than previously
2. great quality. i do blow up pictures and I needed the 8mp-- I do use the 5mp setting mostly
3. the macro is just awesome. i've taken some great close up pictures with this camera
4. I love the way I can combine media and flip between compact flash and sony stick.

soo-- no problems here =)

HIGH TECH. AT REASONABLE PRICE!!!
I have owened this camera for approx.one month and have taken at least 250 shots +. The only bad photos out of the bunch were due non- auto program and my own incompetance. There is some noise factor @ 800 ISO but is easily corrected with "Neat Image ".
Purple fringing DOES NOT exist on this camera. I have blown up 8 1/2 X 11 pictures and zoomed to the max and saw nothing. I believe Sony corrected the problem with firmware early on, but, the myth goes on.

THIS IS A GREAT CAMERA
I BOUGHT THE SONY DSCF707 AND WAS VERY PLEASED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE. I BOUGHT THE DSCF828 TO UPGRADE TO A 8 MEGA PIXEL CAMERA. THE 828 IS A GREAT CAMERA. IT HAS NOT FAILED ME ONCE. IT HAS MANY GOOD FEATURES AND ONE OF THOSE IS THE 28-200 LENS. I REALLY LIKE HAVING A WIDER ANGLE LENS FOR TAKING PICTURES IN CRAMPED SPACES. THE OTHER IS THE CAPABILITY TO TAKE PHOTOS AT ISO 64. I LEAVE THE CAMERA AT THIS SETTING AND ADJUST THE EV TO GET THE LIGHT I NEED TO TAKE A GOOD PHOTO. I HAVE TAKEN NATURE, PORTRAIT, AND FAMILY PICTURES WITH THIS CAMERA AND THE PHOTOS SHOW DEEP RICH COLORS WITH FINE GRAIN. THE ONLY REASON I DID NOT GIVE IT 5 STARS IS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE AUTO ZOOM. I HAVE HAD NO PURPLE FRINGING. AS LONG AS YOU DON'T SHOOT INTO THE SUN YOU WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PURPLE FRINGING EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU BUY IT, YOU WON'T BE SORRY, YOU'LL BE PLEASED. ... Read more

Product Description

With a sleek, compact design, 5.0 megapixel resolution and a 3X optical zoom lens, the waterproof OptioWP blends digital elegance into outdoor lifestyles. Amphibious, elegant digital you'll take everywhere - Snorkel, ski, or attend a stunning wedding, and you'll never stop snapping with the OptioWP. This latest digital delivers both on land and in the sea with a faster .6 second start up, a quick .05 second shutter release, movie mode and a generous 2.0 inch monitor. A beautiful, petite JIS Class 8 waterproof-rated exterior promises you'll capture images proudly just under the water's surface or in the most formal settings. Finally, your wait is over for petite, durable, go everywhere digital. Slim, Stylish Design - The slim OptioWP body is less than one inch in depth, so it slips easily into a pocket or bag while the stylish aluminum alloy design offers a comfortable grip. Waterproof Performance - Go ahead and swim with the OptioWP! The camera features a rust-resistant metal exterior, rubber sealants, and lens protection that opens up a new world of photographic potential. Users may shoot in rain, in snow, in the pool, or on the beach to capture outdoor scenes and adventure. The JIS Class 8 waterproof rating confirms the OptioWP will remain watertight even when the camera is used in water. (*The OptioWP may be submerged and operated up to three feet underwaterfor up to 30 minutes. (1 meter = 3.28 feet)) ... Read more

Features

• Powered by a long-life rechargeable Lithium-ion battery; stores images on SD memory cards and has approximately 10.5MB of built-in memory
• 5 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• Waterproof body enables approximately 30 minutes of continuous underwater shooting at a depth of up to 1.5 meters
• 3x optical zoom; recovery function makes it possible to reclaim images and audio files erased accidentally
• Large, 2.0-inch LCD monitor with low-reflection technology and a backlighting system

Reviews (2)

Excellent all-round camera
I am very impressed with this small, easy-to-use, fun camera.First of all, it is very stylish.Its body is small and shiny and its screen is quite large.I was actually surprised by how small it is because the pictures make it seem about average size.In terms of performance, the five megapixels, built-in memory, and 3x optical zoom set it out from digital cameras of similar price.Plus, its water proof and durable.In all, you really can't go wrong with this camera.

Best waterproof digicam
When shoppping for a waterproof digital camera to use while river floating, I was drawn to this one. Small, sleek & stylish, it's better looking and has better resolution than any of the other offerings. I've only used mine on one trip, but I already like it. Although I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of an optical viewfinder, the large LCD is bright enough to use in sunshine with sunglasses on. A few of my photos came out blurry even though the beep indicated the autofocus had locked. These were photos of other boats coming toward me rapidly while I was sitting in my boat, so my movement may have contributed. I need to experiment with the continuous AF and high-speed shooting modes to perfect these shots. It's great that the camera offers you so many options of AF and shooting modes. It also offers a large array of options for tweaking your images in the camera, from adding a frame to eliminating red-eye. This makes me think it might be feasible to print good hard copies without using a computer, something I never considered with other cameras.

All in all, I'd say this is a very good do-it-all, take-it-anywhere camera, with the bonus of it being waterproof. Highly Recommended! ... Read more

Features

• 4,000 dpi optical resolution, 4.8 density
• 16-bit A/D conversion, 8 or 16-bit output
• Preview scans in 11 seconds, full scans as fast as 20 seconds
• Digital ICE4 Advanced suite of image correction technologies
• USB interface, PC and Mac compatible

Reviews (4)

Works beautifully, although slower than you might expect
I am using this product almost exclusively for slide scanning, so my comments only apply to that aspect of this product.

If you are like me and wondering whether you should suffer through using a consumer level slide scanner or fork out the dough for this one, then the quality this produces when scanning dark slides should be enough to convince you alone. And that's just the beginning. I've used consumer level scanners before and no amount of tweaking or photoshop'ing can match the quality the Coolscan 5000 produces. For professionals, this is of course a no brainer, but for semi-professional folks like me, this is a major investment, and I needed some convincing that it would be worth it. I am now convinced.

Don't put too much stock into the scan times (and feed times for the sf-210 auto feeder). These times are without any Digital ICE, auto exposure, auto focus, etc. However, I have found if you do not use these features, you are wasting your time. After much tweaking to get all the settings such that the final result looked just like the original slide, I am looking at about 1 minute and 30 seconds per slide using the sf-210 (AMD 2.2 Ghz 1GB Ram, scanning at 2000 dpi)

I have found that without tweaking, you get a bluish hue (although a little less so for Kodachrome slides). I have turned red up +20 and blue down +20 (green at 0) and to me, this seems to give the best results (ymmv).

Use the digital ice features!!! They are simply amazing. The dust and scratch removal is phenomenal. The grain removal is also wonderful - and it keeps the picture sharp much more so than using a software filter like those found in Photoshop. Personally, I set the Digital ROC (color restoration and correction) to 0 because it is too unpredictable.

Lastly, use a bright, high quality LCD monitor! You would be amazed at the difference this can make when doing color matching, especially on dark pictures. I was astonished to see the difference.

When you take the above into consideration, this scanner is superb. Plan on spending a few hours getting your settings just right, but after that, sit back and enjoy. I've done 8x10 prints of my slides (scanned at 2000 dpi) that are just beautiful. It is near impossible to match the luminance and beauty of a projected slide, but the Coolscan 5000 does a darn good job.

An outstanding, if imperfect, scanner.
First of all, let me say I am a neophyte when it comes to scanning. My mother passed away recently and I wanted to go through my father's 20,000 slides and scan the best ones before they, as many before them, disappeared into the hands of one of my 7 other siblings never to be found again.

After culling my father's slides I ended up with about 750 I wanted to scan. After culling my own slides I ended up with another 200 slides. And after that I decided to go through my color negative collection and scan the best of those as well. A daunting project! But honestly well worth the effort.

Most of my father's slides are Kodachrome. Much has been written about the inability of this scanner to scan Kodachrome slides and said about ICE4 not working with Kodachrome. Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The ICE4 does work, however, inconstantly with Kodachrome slides producing unacceptable artifacts in about 5 - 10 percent of the slides. It is a hit or miss proposition. I scanned with ICE (not ICE4) always on and then rescanned if I encountered unacceptable artifacts. I did notice that the scanner ICE feature was stumped by old Kodachrome slides where subjects were wearing shirts with stripes. Those stripes were really butchered by the ICE feature.

The GEM ROC and DEE (the other stalwarts of the ICE4 other than ICE itself) work on Kodachrome slides as well, but I found that the results were unpredictable and that I could achieve better results myself in Photoshop far more quickly. The GEM ROC and DEE features simply took too long and slowed down the scanning unacceptably. The results, for me, were not worth the additional scanning time.

The good news: The scanner is fast and does produce wonderful wonderful detailed scans, easily demonstrating the grain in the transparancies at 3000 and 4000 dpi. The Kodachrome slides were a challenge to the Dynamic Range of the scanner, but I believe that most of the detail in the shadows that is there was extracted. Unfortunately, Kodachrome, with all of its many attributes, does have substantial downsides including a very narrow exposure latitude and shadow detail is simply lacking. I think the scanner accurately reproduced the information including the colors on the Kodachrome slides, with perhaps a slight bluish cast noticed in some cases.

It wasn't until I was finished scanning all of the culled slides that I undertook to scan my select color negatives. And this scanner really came into its own scanning color negatives. Don't even TRY to scan color negatives without ICE because the results are unbelievably bad. Even pristine negatives have scratches and pit marks that magically are erased by the ICE feature. What a godsend. I only wish it had worked so flawlessly on the Kodachrome slides. The scanned color negatives were just beautiful with very accurate color rendition. But immediately I noticed much more grain in the color negatives (Royal Gold and Fuji Superia Gold) than in the scanned slides.

One note unrelated to the scanner itself. Until you've used a digital scanner to scan your color negatives you can't begin to realize how far superior Kodachrome, Provia, and Ektachrome slides are to color negatives insofar as capturing detail. Even the best color negatives have much more grain that Kodachrome. And the difference in color negatives is substantial too.

The included Nikon software worked fantastic for me. I downloaded a copy of VueScan which according to many reviews is superior to the Nikon software and found that for me the Nikon software was easier to work with and produced superior results.

The software did cause my computer to crash occasionally which was an aggravation, but a minor one when considered against its many attributes.

I can recommend this scanner without reservation. It is a phenomenal piece of equipment.

Best 35mm film scanner under $50,000
The previous generation (CS IV and CS 4000) were hard to top, but Nikon did it yet again. Scans are smooth and gorgeous, color accuracy (provided your monitor is calibrated) is unrivaled and the updated ICE4 including DEE are a blessing. In fact the scans are so good that I have started to prefer CS5000 scans from well exposed Fuji Provia 100F or Astia 100F slides than images from a 6MP DSLR. Hard to believe but thats true.

Did I mention scanning speed ? I timed a 4000 DPI scan with digital ICE turned off, on a P4 2.6Ghz with 1 GB ram and USB2. It took 17 seconds from begining to end (excluding autofocus and auto exposure). Thats right. Actually three seconds faster than Nikon's claim of 20 sec. Beat that Minolta.

IMO the next step up can only be a $50K HowTek drum scanner ;)

Fantastic, great for Slides!
I am glad I waited to purchase this scanner; it's an updated version with Digital Ice 4, and for A LOT less than the previous model.

I also purchased the automated Slide feeder with this, and it is nothing short of a miracle! The Digital ROC and Digital ICE is unbelievable with old slides, particularly Kodachromes. There are plenty of customizable enhancement settings to keep me busy for a long time.

I use this for business; this scanner will pay for itself with one bulk slide scanning order.

Love it, love it! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Compact yet powerful, the Epson Stylus Pro 4000 desktop inkjet printer features the latest (2004) inkjet, print-head, and printer-engine technologies in order to meet the needs of the most demanding graphics professionals. With Epson's UltraChrome Ink technology, the Stylus Pro 4000 will produce archival-quality prints with high color fidelity while providing consistently stable colors designed to significantly outperform standard-dye inks.

To maximize the use of its ink technology, Epson developed a unique print head capable of handling eight separate ink cartridges simultaneously. This lets the Epson Stylus Pro 4000 handle both photo-black and matte-black inks at the same time so it can maximize the black density on virtually any media type. Even better, the printer's high-performance, one-inch-wide print head produces an astonishing resolution of 2,880 x 1,440 dpi, setting a new Epson standard for quality and speed.

Handling virtually any media type in roll or cut sheets up to 17 inches wide, the Stylus Pro 4000's built-in high-capacity paper tray holds up to 250 sheets of plain letter-sized paper or up to 50 sheets of 17-by-22-inch photographic media. Choose from four different ways to load media, including a front-loading straight-through path for media up to 1.5 mm posterboard. A built-in automatic media cutter greatly simplifies roll printing.

What about print speed? For graphics and prepress proofing, the printer can produce everyday production-quality 13-by-19-inch prints in 2 minutes, 23 seconds and contract-quality proofs in just 7 minutes, 49 seconds. For professional photography, the Stylus Pro 4000 produces photo-lab quality 8-by-10-inch prints in 3 minutes, 48 seconds and 16-by-20-inch prints in 10 minutes, 25 seconds. And, for CAD and GIS, you'll get draft-quality 17-by-22-inch prints in 90 seconds and photo-quality 17-by-22-inch prints in 5 minutes, 58 seconds.

Enjoy the benefits of two user-exchangeable ink modes (photographic or dual CMYK). The photographic ink mode is ideal for any photographic or graphic design project where image quality is important. It uses cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, yellow, photo black, light black, and matte black. The dual CMYK ink mode takes advantage of Epson's Matte Black ink technology to produce outstanding photographic prints on plain paper. It uses two of each primary color to deliver speeds up to 98 percent faster than the photographic ink mode. Plus, exclusive "light black" ink significantly improves the printer's gray balance while eliminating color casts and improving the midtones and highlights for smooth transitions.

What's in the Box
Printer, eight 110 ml UltraChrome ink cartridges (Photo Black ink cartridge T543100, Cyan ink cartridge T543200, Magenta ink cartridge T543300, Yellow ink cartridge T543400, Light Cyan ink cartridge T543500, Light Magenta ink cartridge T543600, Light Black ink cartridge T543700, Matte Black ink cartridge T543800), user's manual, registration information; printer cable not included ... Read more

Features

• 2,880 x 1,440 dpi maximum resolution, 3.5-picoliter droplet size
• Handles wide-format media up to 17 inches
• 7-color Epson UltraChrome Ink with 8-channel print-head technology
• Prints on both sides without damaging the previously printed side
• USB and FireWire interfaces, optional networking

Product Description

5.1-megapixel effective recording * 3X optical Zoom-Nikkor lens (4X digital/12X total zoom) * 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 35-105mm * 14 MB of built-in memory (holds about 5 images at highest quality setting) * 1-13/16" color LCD * ... Read more

Features

• Powered by AA-size batteries; stores images on SD memory cards
• 5.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom through a quality Zoom-Nikkor lens (zoom is equivalent to 34-102mm in a 35mm camera)
• 1.8-inch LCD display; exclusive Nikon In-Camera Red-Eye Fix
• Macro shooting as close as 1.6 inches

Reviews (7)

Best in Class
Replaced my Konica/Minolta X50 with this camera.Pictures are WAY BETTER quality.No contest.Other advantages: 1) uses normal AA batteries (which are easier to replace when traveling abroad), 2) lense sticks out (which prevents guest users from putting their fingers on the lense), 3) easier to hold than the flat Konica/Minolta X50, especially in one hand.Worth every penny!

Highly Satisfied
Its sleek design enables you to carry it anywhere in pretty much any bag.I am a teenager, therfore, I dont carry many bags with me...I just stick it in my pocket! Its that small.I LOVE IT!! The images come out crystal clear.Highly recommended if your shoping for a high-quality digital camera for a low price...c'mon, 5 MPIX's for $250? That's pretty good.

Value for money
I bought this camera a week ago.
This is my first digital camera that i have bought, but i have used lots others in the past.
This camera is outstanding. Extremely easy to use, great-great-great picture quality. It can fulfil the expectations of many starter amateur photographers and can nearly satisfy a professional one. Vivid colours....great.
The recharging of the flash is a lit bit slow.I think that this is this only negative element.
With a 512MB SD memory card you have up to 365 photos of 5mp....what else can an amateur ask?

Its the absolute "value for money" digit cam....maybe the best in its category!

very very slow
This camera is great for picture quality but there are some big negatives.The biggest problem is the slow flash recharge--6 seconds!By then, if you're taking pictures of kids, they're long gone.Also, you have to wait for the LCD to be ready to take the next picture.You can turn the LCD off to save battery, but you have to go through 3 or 4 menu steps to do it, so it's not practical to switch off between using the LCD and not using it.Finally, on some the fixed focus modes (landscape), which cuts down on shutter lag since the camera is not hunting for the autofocus, you can't use a flash.Bottom line is that this is NOT a good camera if you take indoor pictures of anyone in motion.

The small wonder
I am a camera buff and have used many cameras. I would say that this is by far the best camera its size. It is probably a matter of personal tastes, but I think this camera takes much better pictures than the Canon A95.

White balance is wonderful, as with most Nikons.

here are the things that rock:

1. Compact and cute, fits in my jeans pocket
2. Uses just two AA batteries and is light weight( weighs less than the A95)
3. Has a lot of programming modes to handle almost all your day to day shooting needs
4. Crisp and clear images
5. Warns you that the image is going to be blurred before you shoot and also tells you if an image did turn out blurred so you dont have to waste memory saving it
6. EXCELLENT Macro mode, look at the sample image I have posted
7. Silent focusing
8. Super fast USB file transfers
9. Excellent value for money

What could improve:

1. The command dial feels flimsy
2. The battery compartment door feels very flimsy and if you are not careful, you will break it in no time

But in all, the very best value for your money. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With its small size and quick reaction time, the Sony DSCP93 digital camera will be your constant photographic companion. You'll pick up amazing detail with its 5.1-megapixel CCD--and produce poster-sized prints. The affordable, 5-megapixel DSCP93 offers point-and-shoot simplicity with a variety of features normally found in higher-end models. It features a 3x optical zoom, 9-shot burst mode, high-resolution 1.5-inch LCD screen for reviewing shots, A/V connection to view images on your TV, and a high-resolution movie mode that's limited only by your Memory Stick's capacity. For a step up in price, check out the Sony DSCP100 brings a high-quality Carl Zeiss lens, compatibility with Sony's Cybershot Station, and even more compact size to the table.

Optics and Resolution
The 1/1.8-inch Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise, and provides a 5.1-megapixel effective resolution (2592 x 1944).The Real Imaging Processor offers greater clarity and picture quality as well as improved response time and battery life and decreased shutter lag. The DSCP93 has a 3x optical zoom lens that's combined with a smooth 2x digital zoom for a 6x total.

Movie Mode
Capture video with audio at 30 frames per second (fps) at VGA size 640 x 480;the included 32 MB memory card will store 87 seconds of vide at this setting. Movie length is only limited by the amount of storage you have on hand. The Video Mail mode captures a smaller movie (160 x 112 pixels) that's more suitable to sending to friends and family via e-mail.

More Features
In addition to optics, the DSCP93 offers the following additional features to the DSCP73:

• The 1.5-inch LCD monitor has a 123K-pixel resolution--double that of the DSCP73--enabling you to review fine details in your captured images.
• 9 Shot Burst Mode: Capture up to 9 shots (fine) or 15 shots (standard) at 1.2 frames/sec. even at 5 MP resolution. Perfect for high speed subjects or fast moving action such as sports. (The DSCP73 has only a 4-shot burst mode.)

Other features include:

• Resolution modes: 2592 x 1944 (5.1MP), 2592 x 1728 (3:2 aspect ratio), 2048 x 1536 (3MP), 1280 x 960 (1MP), and 640 x 480 (VGA)
• Live Histogram Display: Available in capture and playback the Live Histogram displays the concentration of pixels at each luminosity value making it easy to evaluate correct exposure.
• Real Imaging Processor: The innovative Real Imaging Processor in the DSC-P93 not only improves picture quality and clarity but also improves camera response time, decreases shutter lag and improves battery stamina.
• Selectable Focus Mode: Monitoring AF (Auto Focus) helps you anticipate the action by focusing even before you press the shutter release.
• Conversion Lens Compatible: Increase your shooting options by adding either telephoto lenses to increase your optical zoom, or wide-angle lenses to increase the width of your field of view. You can even add filters for special effects.
• 5 Area Multi-Point Auto Focus: By evaluating 5 separate focus areas of the frame, SonyÕs Multi-Point AF system can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid mistakenly focusing on the background.
• AF (Auto Focus) Illuminator: Briefly illuminating the subject, in low--or no--light conditions, the AF Illuminator helps establish a positive focus lock.
• Multi-Pattern Measuring: Independently light-metering 49 points of the frame, Multi-Pattern Measuring establishes the optimum exposure, even when highlight and shadow isnÕt centered in the frame.
• Multi-Burst Mode: Captures 16 320 x 240 frames as part of a single 1280 x 960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera (selectable 1/7.5, 1/15, 1/30 second).
• Manual Exposure Mode: Manual Exposure Mode provides extended control with 46-step adjustable Shutter speed (30 Ð 1/1000 sec.), and 2-step Aperture control.
• Scene Selection Mode: With 6 Scene Modes, parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Choose from one of the following: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Soft Snap, Candle, or Beach.
• Slow Shutter Noise Reduction: During long exposures, Slow Shutter NR captures the scene, and then the CCD noise pattern with a dark frame exposure. By subtracting the two, even long exposures can be clear.
• Pre-Flash Metering: With a momentary pre-flash, the camera illuminates the subject and sets exposure through the lens for accurate flash metering. Adjustable flash level and red-eye reduction ensure great flash shots.
• 9 Shot Burst Mode: Capture up to 9 shots (fine) or 15 shots (standard) at 1.2 frames/sec. even at 5 MP resolution. Perfect for high speed subjects or fast moving action such as sports. (The DSCP73 has only a 4-shot burst mode.)

Direct Printing
The Cybershot DSCP93 offers PictBridge functionality, which enables you to transfer pictures from your digital camera to a compatible printer--such as the Sony PictureStation DPP-EX50--without a PC or image-editing software. Images can be viewed and selected for printing right on the camera's LCD, with menus for print quantity, date, and index print.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, and the Cybershot DSCP93 is compatible with Memory Stick Pro media--for storage up to 1 gigabyte. The included 32 MB Memory Stick will store 12 Fine and 23 Standard 5.1-megapixel images. The DSCP93 transfers images to PCs and Macs via a speedy USB 2.0 connection (which is backward compatible with USB 1.1 ports).

Power and Size
The camera is powered by two rechargeable NiMH AA-sized batteries (2100 mAh). The included adapter/charger provides power while you transfer images from the camera to your PC. It measures 4.63 x 2.13 x 1.38 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 7 ounces without Memory Stick or batteries.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony DSCP93 digital camera, 32 MB Memory Stick, two AA-size NiMH rechargeable batteries (NH-AA-DA), battery charger (BC-CS2), A/V and USB cables, wrist strap, and CD-ROM with photo editing software.

Sony Photo Vault
The optional Sony Photo Vault mini CD burner eliminates worry about running out of space on your Memory Stick when travelling. It burns images to mini CD-R's without a PC interface--just connect your camera using a USB cable. The Photo Vault also has a Memory Stick slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro and Duo) and features a built-in photo album capability to display photos on a television screen using a television's standard AV input. ... Read more

Features

• 5-megapixel sensor (2592 x 1944 pixels) for enlargements up to 20 x 30 inches
• 3x optical zoom plus 2x digital zoom for 6x total
• High-resolution movie mode with sound; A/V output to TV; 9-shot burst; histogram display
• Compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro media; includes 32 MB card
• Powered by 2 AA batteries (NiMH rechargeables included); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 2.0

Reviews (5)

Excellent
Well, despite the price (it's 499 dollars in my country) this is an excellent camera. If you are a newbie like me with digital cameras, you're starting with a monster.
This baby can take beautiful pictures, and offers options never before seen in P series. Manual control is superb.
Cons: It needs Memory Stick Pro to save video... agh!

AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR A PERFECT CAMERA!!!
It's my first Digital camera, and I must say, "It's perfect & worth every penny!"

With its 5.1 MP Sony lens, the photo quality is amazing! Crisp, Sharp, Colorful and very detailed.

I have to say, it works better than some CANON models! I took a photo of a same stationary subject with both cameras. I found out that the SONY's output was better than the CANON's. So I went for Sony.

The camera has various features to enjoy including Video recording and OPTICAL/DIGITAL Zoom.

Well done SONY! :)

Best camera I ever bought!
I just bought this camera and I have had the best time using it. It takes wonderful crisp pictures and is easy and fun to use. It works great in all conditions. This camera was a great buy at 5 megapixels at a great price...better than other cameras that were more expensive at 4 megapixels with features that an everyday user would not need.

Fabulous!
This was the first digital camera I purchased, and I must say that I got quite lucky.
The resolution is brilliant at 5.1 MP. You can stretch and crop all you want without distortion, and it doesn't have that blurry look quintessential of digial cameras.
The price is an excellent bargain, especially since here it is offered for $350 (probably subject to change) as opposed to the list $450.
It is very user friendly, and has many functions to produce the optimum photo for your situation/context. The amount of flash is automatically decided by the camera, making one's life easier, although you do have the power to override flashes.
I recommend that you pruchase the two-sided, 128 MB each memory stick by sony to go along.
My only negative comment would be that the batteries are not the super-power ones found in most other cameras. I don't know much about their chemical composition or any of that, but I do maintain that the batteries have a tendency to run out rather fast. However, they are rechargeable and the camera comes with an included recharger you can plug in to an electrical outlet.
I really suggest you buy this camera. I am certainly glad I did.

Great price-point for a 5mp with excellent quality
As a user of both Canon and Sony Digital cameras in the past, I wanted something that used rechargeable AA's (flexible for travel) with excellent picture quality (barely noticeable picture quality from the Carl Zeiss lenses) and portability (slightly larger than the P100). Also wanted something that good samaritan photographers could use easily and hold adeptly. (this was a problem with my tiny Sony U30) I have had numerous friends take pictures for me with this picture and the pics have been rock solid with this camera.

The price point is great. Uses Memory sticks which are coming down in price. Also, the power up time is fast, and the shutter lag is very small. Flash works great in dark situations.

Drawbacks of the camera is that since it's using NIMH AA's there is less battery life than a Li Ion batt. The big bonus is that NiMH batteries are so prevalent. Also works well with alkaline batteries in a pinch (I tried it out.) There is also the styling - a tad dated compared with the snazzy new T1's, SD10's, and U40's of the world.

In combination with my current U30, the P93 synergistically works as a high-photo quality camera when I don't absolutely have to have the micro camera on me. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Printing professional quality photos from home has become a reality, thanks to easy-to-use photo printers like the Canon PIXMA ip5000. By combining five-color printing and a 1,856-nozzle print head that's capable of delivering superfine 1-picoliter ink droplets (up to 22 million droplets per inch), the ip5000 delivers stunningly accurate prints that should leave professional photo labs a little worried.

Color resolution is as high as 9,600 x 2,400 dpi, with black-and-white resolution of up to 600 x 600 dpi. Print speeds are as high as 25 ppm in black, 17 ppm in color, while a borderless 4-by-6-inch photo can take as little as 36 seconds. The same drive system responsible for the ip5000's improved print speeds also results in a low 34 dB(A) noise level.

Along with a wide variety of plain and photo papers, the ip5000 also accepts envelopes and transparencies. The dual paper path allows you to print two-sided documents or simply store photo papers in one tray and plain paper in the other.

With its easy-to-use USB port, hooking up the printer to your computer is a snap, while a direct print port allows you to print directly from a PictBridge-compatible digital camera or DV camcorder, with or without your computer. The software bundle includes Easy-PhotoPrint and PhotoStitch. Compatible with both PC and Mac operating systems, the ip5000 comes backed with a one-year limited warranty on both parts and labor.

What's in the Box
PIXMA iP5000 photo printer, print head and ink tanks (BCI-3eBK black, BCI-6BK black, BCI-6C cyan, BCI-6M magenta, BCI-6Y yellow), power cord, easy setup instructions, documentation kit (Quick Start Guide, Registration Card), Setup Software and User's Guide on CD-ROM, Canon Photo Paper Pro for Borderless Printing (4-by-6 sample pack); USB cable not included ... Read more

Features

• Up to 600 x 600 dpi black resolution, 9,600 x 2400 dpi color
• Up to 25 ppm black, 17 ppm color speed; borderless 4-by-6-inch photos in just 36 seconds
• Directly supports PictBridge-compatible digital cameras and DV camcorders
• ContrastPLUS ink system for realistic tones and economical replacement
• USB interface, Direct Print Port; PC and Mac compatible

Features

• 4,000 dpi optical resolution, 4.2 density
• 14-bit A/D conversion, 8 or 16-bit output
• Scan speeds as fast as 38 seconds
• Digital ICE4 Advanced suite of image correction technologies
• USB interface, PC and Mac compatible

Reviews (3)

Great alternative to more expensive Coolscan 5000
First of all, let me say I am relatively new at scanning and that I LOVE the Coolscan V as a cheaper alternative to the Coolscan 5000 which I have also used. I recently decided to go through my father's 20,000 slides and scan the best ones before they, as many before them, disappeared into the hands of one of my 7 other siblings never to be found again.

After culling my father's slides I ended up with about 750 I wanted to scan. After culling my own slides I ended up with another 200 slides. And after that I decided to go through my color negative collection and scan the best of those as well. Just recently, my father in law enlisted me to go through his slide collection of about 1500 slides since he was blown away by the results I achieved on my father's slides with the Coolscan 5000.

Most of my father's slides, and all of my father-in-law's slides are Kodachrome. Much has been written about the inability of this scanner to scan Kodachrome slides and said about ICE4 not working with Kodachrome. Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The ICE4 does work, however, inconstantly with Kodachrome slides producing unacceptable artifacts in about 5 - 10 percent of the slides. It is a hit or miss proposition. I scanned with ICE (not ICE4) always on and then rescanned if I encountered unacceptable artifacts. I did notice that the scanner ICE feature was stumped by old Kodachrome slides where subjects were wearing shirts with stripes. Those stripes were really butchered by the ICE feature. The difference in scanning quality between the Coolscan 5000 and the V was negligible to this relative newcomer to scanning.

The GEM ROC and DEE (the other stalwarts of the ICE4 other than ICE itself) work on Kodachrome slides as well, but I found that the results were unpredictable and that I could achieve better results myself in Photoshop far more quickly. The GEM ROC and DEE features simply took too long and slowed down the scanning unacceptably. The results, for me, were not worth the additional scanning time. The V took even longer than the 5000, but in neither case, IMHO, did the results justify the time expended.

The good news: The scanner is does produce wonderful wonderful detailed scans, easily demonstrating the grain in the transparancies at 3000 and 4000 dpi. The Kodachrome slides were a challenge to the Dynamic Range of the scanner, but I believe that most of the detail in the shadows that is there was extracted. Unfortunately, Kodachrome, with all of its many attributes, does have substantial downsides including a very narrow exposure latitude and shadow detail is simply lacking. I think the scanner accurately reproduced the information including the colors on the Kodachrome slides, with perhaps a slight bluish cast noticed in some cases. I was unable to appreciate a significant difference between the two scanners in shadow detail even though the 5000 had a THEORETICAL greater dynamic range.

The V was slower than the 5000, but honestly the difference for the non-professional scanner, to me, was not worth the additional investment. The V represents a superb value giving you nearly all of the advantages of the 5000 other than speed for a substantially cheaper price.

It wasn't until I was finished scanning all of the culled slides that I undertook to scan my select color negatives. And this scanner really came into its own scanning color negatives. Don't even TRY to scan color negatives without ICE because the results are unbelievably bad. Even pristine negatives have scratches and dustthat magically are erased by the ICE feature. What a godsend. I only wish it had worked so flawlessly on the Kodachrome slides. The scanned color negatives were just beautiful with very accurate color rendition. But immediately I noticed much more grain in the color negatives (Royal Gold and Fuji Superia Gold) than in the scanned slides.

One note unrelated to the scanner itself. Until you've used a digital scanner to scan your color negatives you can't begin to realize how far superior Kodachrome, Provia, and Ektachrome slides are to color negatives insofar as capturing detail. Even the best color negatives have much more grain that Kodachrome. And the difference in color negatives is substantial too.

The included Nikon software worked fantastic for me. I downloaded a copy of VueScan which according to many reviews is superior to the Nikon software and found that for me the Nikon software was easier to work with and produced superior results.

The software did cause my computer to crash occasionally which was an aggravation, but a minor one when considered against its many attributes.

I can recommend this scanner without reservation. It is a phenomenal piece of equipment. If speed is not a paramount consideration and you are not a professional scanner needing the options (the auto feeder) offered by the 5000 then, in my opinion, the V represents an absolutely tremendous value.

Scanner does not disappoint.
Decade's collection of fading film this COOLSCAN can handle. You can obtain detailed images that are truly vivid, sharp, and better than the original then technology.

Batch scanning can be done with one click on the Scan button in Nikon Scan 4's firmware. The maintenance free red, green, blue, and infrared LED light source is gentle to film. The 4000 ppi optical resolution is an ideal start for outputting A3+ prints on the new crop of large format bubblejet and inkjet printers.

Reading the Nikon Scan Reference Manual in the Nikon Scan Reference Manual/Easy Scanning Guide CD would be your best learning tool to get the most out of your scanner. For the most accurate results, the first thing to do before scanning is to set your preferences by clicking on the Prefs button in the Control Area of the Scan Window.

When enabled, the Digital ICE quad Advanced software works well with most film. The Manual will explain that ICE, ROC, GEM, and DEE will not operate with the optional FH-G1 Medical Holder.

ICE will not work on monochrome film unless the film has been developed in colour. ICE will not work properly on Kodachrome, but will work on other brands of slides. Noise may appear if ICE is used on overexposed or very vivid images. ICE will reduce the overall sharpness of the image. ICE is not not designed nor does ICE advertise itself to remove all dust and scratches from film. ICE will reduce most of the dust and scatches, however. You will have to use a third party application like Adobe Photoshop to remove the remaining dust and scratches. ICE alone will double the scanning time of 38 seconds.

ROC may add colour to monochrome or grayscale images. ROC alone will almost double the scanning time.

GEM alone will almost triple the scanning time.

DEE works best when the image is cropped to exclude other unexposed areas of the film. DEE alone will almost quadruple the scanning time.

When enabled, Scan Image Enhancer (SIE) will automatically adjust hue. It does not work with darker images. In fact, the scan produces darker images. You are better off using DEE to pull out hidden detail in the shaded areas.

ICE, ROC, GEM, DEE, and SIE together will almost quintuple the scanning time.

Unsharp Mask can be created to all colours, or individually to red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, or yellow colours in the image. Deselect blue if you do not want to emphasize the grain in an image with blue sky.

The SA-21 strip-film adaptor only works for 2 - 6 frames. To save money by not having to buy the optional 1 - 6 frame FH-3 film holder, place a 1 frame negative into an empty cardboard slide holder and insert into the MA-21 slide holder. Remember to select Neg (color), and Calibrated RGB in the Control Area before scanning.

Along with a short USB 2.0 cable, included in the package is a Nikon View 6 CD, which is an application, used to organize saved pictures in TIFF and JPEG file formats only. According to the Manual, large files created in Nikon Scan may not show on Nikon View slide shows.

Before clicking on the Scan button, press Ctrl (MS Windows) and the Autofocus button. Then left click on a focal point in the preview image to ensure accurate focusing at that point. You can always change the focus point using the same method, or by using the Focus Tool in the Layout Tools palette. The palette can also be customized to suit.

If you have to use the Analog Gain palette to correct or adjust the colour values for each of the elements in the scanner's light source, your LED's may require repair. The probability of repair to the LED's is not specifically discussed in the Manual.

If desktop or cubbyhole space is an issue, the scanner can be placed with either the top or side vents facing up. Remember to provide the minimum clearances to the scanner for ventilation. The dual wrap around band of rubber feet will ensure a cushioned slip resistant footing.

After using the transparency unit on an Epson Perfection 1670 Photo flatbed scanner for 2 months, this COOLSCAN is the only economical equipment to use to obtain satisfying scans. It is amazing how much the original analogue images have improved.

If you have at minimum several hundred frames to archive, and the time to spend in front of your monitor performing adjustments and scans to each frame, then you will not regret overspending on this scanner.

First personal transparency scanner
Having worked with professional drum scanners (Hell Graphic Systems), I know a little about scanning. This Nikon Coolscan V ED is the first personal scanner I have worked with and am pleasantly surprised. I have inhereted the old familly slide collection and several of the slides are grossly underexposed, or darkened with age. The V ED has the sensitivity to pull out more image than I had hoped for, with very little noise. The provided software is no replacement for Photoshop, but can go a long ways to giving acceptable results without other image retouching software. I am eager to see SilverFast for the V ED however!

The only problems I've encountered is unexpected termination of the program, and mis-judging frame boundaries of negative strips. Negative scanning is a snap, an unexpected pleasure as thinking color in reverse is painful (on German drum scanners).

For the price, this is a very highly capable scanner worthy of your consideration. If your scan rate needs are high, consider the faster version, and a FAST G5 Macintosh. A 1.25 GHz G4 gets a workout on the tougher scans. ... Read more

Features

• 20x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 100x) and image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD with 270-degree rotation
• Save to MiniDV tape or MMC/SD card (8 MB SD card included)
• Record for up to 65 minutes on one battery charge

Reviews (16)

Canon Gl2 Blues
An ok camera, just not what I expected. I own a Sony VX2000 and PD-150 we use in video production of homes for sale. We bought the GL2 because of the fact it was about a half pound lighter and a little smaller than the Sony cameras.

The first problem is when you attache the small 3 watt Canon light, the drain on the battery is too great and shuts down the camer before the battery is one half way drained. Even with the biggest battery that Canon makes the battery life is short with their fill light.

The second problem was when the telephoto zoom button failed after 70 minutes of use, making the auto zoom function useless. Now I must send the camera back to Canon only after 20 days of use. The mail order place would only take it back within 15 days.

The third problem is the low light noise is a little worse on the camera when compared to the Sony VX2000 or Sony PD-150. It is not a big difference, but it is noticeable.

I never had a reason to mail in a Sony camera for repairs, even after years of use. It's a dissapointment to have a new camera fail in so many ways.

Canon GL2 / XM2 bad camera - WARNING!!
Great camera when I first got it, I felt like I had got something really good - so I should have, it cost me a whole load of cash.

Just after the warranty had expired, I find out the hard way that the whole line of Canon camcorders have a serious problem with the tape transport system causing the warning message "REMOVE THE CASSETTE" appearing in big red letters on the LCD. Camera will not function until expensive repairs have been carried out.(...)

Great Camera
This is a great camera with a lot of good settings available to you. I have owned a GL2 for about 6 months and just bought by second one. I have had no mechanical problems with it at all. The features that I especially like on it are: three settings of white balance (preset indoor, preset outdoor, and one you can set) this is a must if you want to shoot indoors and still have your color look right, stereo mic settings (an adjustment for both the right and left side), and you can use it as manually as you want (you can have it in total automatic mode or be able to set your shutter speed, iris, gain, focus, etc.). I use Premiere Pro and have had no problems capturing video to my PC. I did buy a bigger battery for my camera. I got the 945 on eBay for about $90. Also, make sure you get a UV haze filter for your lens. It will protect your lens from scratches and from harmful UV rays. I looked at getting an XL1s for my second camera but the main thing better in the XL1 is the ability to change your lens. Since I don't own any others right now it wasn't worth the extra money. The only thing I haven't been able to shoot is a blacklight picture. I don't think the white balance could adjust far enough. But most people won't ever run into this problem.

Best camera ever, but not for beginners
Not for the faint of heart... if you want to shoot a little league game, bbq, or basically don't have much experience with cameras this isnt the one for you. However if you have outgrown other DV cameras then by all means go ahead because it really is the greatest camera ever. I am a film student and have been using the GL2 for the past 2 years. The incredible image quality has saved many an ill fated piece. Its versatility makes it a must have for anyone who wants to shoot in a variety of situations. Bottom line, if your experienced and know exactly what you need, you can't go wrong with this camera, but if you're new too this and are unsure of the features you need, go with something cheaper.

THE BEST CAMERA FOR ANYTHING ANYWHERE REVIEW!!!!!
I have never seen a camera better than this. It is 100% perfect. The image quality will knock you out!!! The controolability is great. There are only more good things to say! I wont waist you'r time.
*YOU MUST BUY THIS CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Features

• Up to 4,800 x 1,200 dpi color, droplets as small as 2 picoliters
• Built-in 2.5-inch LCD to view, edit, and print, even from digital cameras
• Direct printing from memory cards and PictBridge-compatible cameras
• Automatic 2-sided printing; 6 individual ink tanks
• USB interface, Direct Print Port, IrDA port; PC/Mac compatible

Product Description

The EX-Z750's 7.2 megapixel CCD imaging element delivers superior picture quality with remarkably high definition, while the optical 3X zoom lens and large 2.5-inch liquid crystal display assure enjoyable operation. In addition to manual operation, an extremely versatile array of shooting functions enables a variety of photo effects. Using MPEG-4 format, high quality movies can also be taken in VGA size (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 frames per second. Of course, longer battery life enables the shooting of approximately 325 shots (CIPA standards)* on a battery charge. When set in its cradle, A/V signal output allows the user to view the photos or movies taken on an external video monitor such as television. The EX-Z750 is ideal for consumers who are looking to create superior images in challenging lighting conditions. Photographers can select aperture priority, shutter priority, or simply select from several unique Best Shot modes to enhance the images. The 0.9-second continuous shooting mode and low light assist, help capture sharp images such as fast action or low light scenes. The pre-record or Past Movie mode continuously captures 5 seconds of video automatically into buffer memory to ensure that the user records the critical video prior to pushing the shutter. Consumers can also select from several different Movie Best Shot modes and do simple video editing within the camera. ... Read more

Features

• Super-life battery enables up to 325 shots on a single charge
• Powered by Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included, with charger); stores images on SD cards (camera features 8.3MB of internal memory)
• 7-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; large 2.5-inch LCD display
• High-speed start-up enables shooting approximately 0.9 seconds after the power is turned on

Reviews (3)

A pocket camera for people who appreciate photography
I have been giving less and less credibility to the so-called digital camera reviewing websites lately as cameras get past the gee-whiz-gadget stage and become true instruments of photography.The sites are ok when they talk about their interpretations of published specs but they leave me cold when it comes to how good a digital camera is at making a memorable photograph.Things like start-up time, internal memory capacity, and battery life are good to know because if a camera scores really badly on certain specs it can become a chore to use.I have preached the mantra that "more megapixels doesn't mean a better picture" for years and I still believe it, but I also believe that some of the newer high megapixel cameras are also giving us better lenses and processors, which are the two main things that makes one digital camera better than another.And I've resisted getting suckered into the thing about some manufacturers putting exotic-sounding names on their lenses.All that means is that they paid to license the lens name, it doesn't mean each lens is hand made in the Black Forest by old bearded craftsmen.Those same review sites mentioned above seem to kiss the feet of anything with the name Canon on it to the point of putting their independent review status in severe jeopardy.Yes, Canon makes some good cameras but they really don't have any more real experience in the business than most other DIGITAL brands and in my estimation they consistently fall just short of the mark.Yeah, most people buy them, but then again most people eat at McDonalds.So what do I think is the very best all around digital camera on the market?To me it's the Nikon D70S - priced right, near perfect design, and slightly more accurate at capturing images than the Canon counterpart.But I don't want to lug a huge camera and a bag of lenses around with me all the time, that's why I was so excited when digital cameras were invented, so I could leave my old Nikon SLR on the shelf and be prepared to make good photographs wherever I happened to go.Since I semi-retired the old film camera, I have had digital cameras from Panasonic, Canon, Olympus and HP and they were all adequate but suffered from that "chore" syndrome mentioned above with their horrendous shutter lag, dismal startup time and wretched battery life.This time I wanted a camera I could truly carry in my pants pocket, yet has a good (no make that great) lens, excellent battery life, as many manual features as I could get in a tiny package, and something that didn't feel like a plastic toy.I considered Panasonic Lumix, Canon, Nikon and Sony.The other brands had some good stuff but didn't seem to fill my desire for a true photographer's quality instrument.Sony got the boot fairly fast.They are such a fine company, why can't they make a camera that actually takes a great picture?I am intrigued by Lumix, the quality of the pictures seems first-class, I love the image stabilizer, and they are very feature-rich, but most of the pocket-size models feel just a little cheesy.Canon makes pocket cameras that take good pictures, but I feel Canon is resting on their reputation instead of trying to build a product that's worth the asking price.And Nikon would have come in a strong second, just missing first place in the area of weak ergonomics.I never seriously considered Casio, ok maybe for a watch or calculator, but I asked myself what they would know about photography.Turns out they know a lot.They've actually been making digital cameras longer than almost anyone, and when it comes to the right buttons in the right place they are geniuses.I'll go further than that, the whole concept of the Exilim EX-Z750 is genius.It you total up all it offers I would have to give it the honor of being the only perfect pocket-size digital camera on the market.As soon as I touched on I was impressed by its quality.It feels like it's machined out of block of solid aluminum (its not).The controls give you nearly everything you will every want using buttons that make sense and don't require you to go many levels deep in the menu.I love the HUGE 2.5" LCD screen but no LCD screen is fully useful in direct sunlight no matter what anyone says, so Casio thoughtfully brought back the optical viewfinder.It seems 9 out of 10 reviewers who mention the optical viewfinder say they hate it because it's so tiny.Who cares?It's there when you need it, and it's sharp and clear.If it makes the difference between getting a priceless picture or missing it, I'll take a tiny viewfinder anytime.The EX-Z750 starts up and is ready to shoot by the time I get my finger from the off/on switch to the shutter release.Can't be any faster than that.I have still not found any instance where shutter lag has caused me to miss what I wanted to capture, in other words there really isn't any shutter lag in real life.Rather than go into every detail of the camera, I'll mention a few of the biggest high points that sets this camera apart from every other one in the category.

1. The EX-Z750 remembers the zoom position when you turn it off and back on again.I have dreamt of a feature like this!There are so many times I have had the camera all set up and had to turn it off to wait for something to be ready, only to have to turn a camera back on and make several readjustments.With the EX-Z750 I can turn it back on and EVERYTHING is set exactly the way I left it.
2. Some cameras have some limited function to remember favorite settings, the EX-Z750 seems to have the ability to remember nearly everything without having to commit it to a special "favorites" position on a switch or dial.So if I like -1 saturation (and this camera is slightly oversaturated in its default position) I can leave it at -1 forever.
3. You can turn the camera on and off with the on/off switch, or you can turn it on and off using the "record" "play" buttons to go directly to that mode.How cool is that?
4. The EX button makes it possible to very quickly adjust four of the most important shooting parameters without ever going into the menu mode.
5. The movie mode is incredible, and offers several unique features.After seeing the quality I wonder who in their right mind would lug along a camcorder no matter how small it is on those trips to Disneyland when the EX-Z750 can take outstanding still pictures AND decent video in a camera you can hide in the palm of your hand.
6. Live RGB histogram?On a camera the size of a deck of cards (smaller actually)?WOW!
7. Battery life is one of the best in the industry.
8. 30 scene modes!Yeah I know I said I wanted something to take professional quality photographs and I wanted manual overrides, but sometimes you don't want to spend 10 minutes setting the camera like when the sun is setting in 30 seconds.I can't believe how versatile the scene modes are.

Last but not least, the picture quality is shocking.I compared two pictures taken at the same time of the same scene with the EX-Z750 and the Nikon D70S.I showed them side-by-side to several people who should have been able to tell the difference.Nobody could.

The negatives?Slight oversaturation as it comes out of the box.For snapshots it may help most people make a blah picture look a little more exciting.For someone more critical, just set the new default to -1 and you've got yourself a D70S.To the reviewers who can't figure that out, get over it and go get a job at McDonalds.

The other small negative is that I love panorama assist.I take a lot of panorama pictures and I can't figure out how Casio missed putting in this one obvious feature.Must be some fear they have of absolute total perfection ;-) I rate the Casio EX-Z750 a 10 out of 10

Great Technological Marvel!
Pros: Movie mode, easy to use, compact, great battery life!

Cons: Included software is not great. Can't convert to Casio's M4S2 video format (MPEG-4 codec)

Question: What great name brands do you think of when you hear "digital cameras"?Certainly Kodak, Sony, Canon, Olympus... but Casio?I didn't even know Casio made digital cameras until I bought this camera!

In early May 2005, I was looking into purchasing my first digital mini camcorder from Panasonic. In fact, I had already ordered it when I came across this gem. I immediately returned the camcorder and ordered this camera.

The video quality is awesome at HQ mode 640 x 480 30 fps. Yes, it may not be as good as DV quality but who really wants to work with DV or mini-DV tapes (the whole concept seems so primitive). Anyway, working with SD cards is so much faster and easier. A 1GB SD card can store over 30 minutes of video at its highest setting, and twice that amount at its standard setting. So, I went ahead and purchased a 2GB to give me over an hour of high quality video recording.

Along with its digital video features, I also got a 7.2 megapixels digital camera which has now officially replaced my Sony P52. This camera is easier, faster, slimmer than my Sony and I love the quality of the pictures. I also love that I can actually put it in my shirt pocket and take it anywhere.

In addition, I like the dock station since I have it plugged next to my TV and watch the videos and pictures on my TV. And yes, you can transfer pictures and videos via a card reader which most people already have (so you don't need the dock to transfer videos and pictures if you have a card reader for your PC).

At eBay I purchased an extra battery charger and battery for about $25 and those generic brands work just as well (just type "NP-40 battery").Amazon also sells the generic NP-40 battery for less than $14.00 vs $39-$49 for the Casio brand.

The only drawback has been the M4S2 video MPEG-4 codec that Casio used. Some video editors can't read the format without a video conversion.Ulead VideoStudio 9 and Adobe Premiere Elements reads M4S2 codec without any trouble.

Likewise, it would have been great if Casio had included a video converter (like Panasonic's MediaStage and MovieStage software) so that you can transfer your PC videos or edited videos back to the camera for easy viewing on its whopping 2.5" screen or TV. In fact, if this was possible, the Casio EX-Z750 could even become a portable video player as well (a la Archos or Creative Zen Player).I understand that AVS Media and VideoCharge will be working and updating their software to convert to M4S2 format. I can't wait!

Overall, this is a great digital camera and mini video recorder for a great price! Casio is going to make a lot of money on this camera and will become well respected for its digital cameras.... and rightly so!

Features abound without compromising the ease of use
People might go to Cannon for camera expertise, but Casio once again proves to be a leading authority that I prefer over other top companies for digital cameras.I bought a 4 megapixel Exilim 2 years ago and it's still impressing me even past its initial excitement and facilitation of a segway for me into the world of photography. This Exilim improves upon this line of camera's already easy interface with countless new features.Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this camera will quench your photography cravings on the spot and capture any type of scene the way you remember it.

On first glance you'll notice its miniscule size.Its display is a huge 2.5" and crystal clear.The new bestshot picture mode has over 30 presets and there is also a new bestshot video mode with several cool effects for video.On the video bestshot mode there is a setting so your movies will look like old Silent Films.A monochrome filter is set and the speed is slightly faster so it looks like an old time movie.Other new presets to this camera are Soft Running Water, Sports, Anti-Shake in addition to the others that cover any picture opportunity right when it happens.

The response time in all aspects of the interface is blazing fast.The selector wheel is a good new touch for the Exilim and it's large enough to manuever well while not compromising the camera's tiny size.There are many ways to access the menu from buttons on the side and back.The speed, aperture, etc are all able to be manually selected so this camera is perfect for a first timer as well as an avid photographer.The only downside is the price, but for 7.2 megapixels?I'll take it.

Some might say there is no use in getting a 7.2 megapixel pocket sized camera, but I mean to tell you that the pictures this Exilim takes are absolutely stunning.Not only are almost double the size my 4mp takes but the clarity and definition creates a world that's worth a million words.You can't lose with this camera if you've got the cash.And if you don't have the cash, pick the Exilim within your budget and you'll still be thrilled. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

High speed, sharp resolution, and economical ink refills: Could you ask for more in a home printer? The Canon PIXMA ip3000 is designed with 1,600 nozzles that produce tiny 2-picoliter droplets, resulting in finely detailed images that are worthy of saving in your family photo albums. Pigment-based inks insure colors will stay true, and the prints are resistant to water, fading, and smudges.

With resolution up to 600 x 600 dpi black and 4,800 x 1,200 dpi color, your office documents or school reports will look as good as your photos. Built-in two-sided printing reduces your paper costs and allows you truly professional design options. Top speeds of 22 ppm black and 15 ppm color (draft mode) will have your pages in hand in just a few seconds; a borderless 4-by-6-inch photo can take as little as 36 seconds--as fast as those old instant cameras, but with much better quality. Thanks to the PictBridge-compatible direct print port, you can connect your digital camera and churn out photos while bypassing your computer system.

The ip3000 is compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems, and requires only a USB cable to get it up and running (cable not included). Canon provides a one-year warranty covering parts and service.

What's in the Box
PIXMA iP3000 photo printer, PIXMA iP3000 print head, BCI-3eBk black ink tank, BCI-6C cyan ink tank, BCI-6M magenta ink tank, BCI-6Y yellow ink tank, Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy 4x6 sample pack, power cord, documentation kit, setup software and user's guide on CD-ROM; printer cable not included ... Read more

Features

• Up to 4,800 x 1,200 dpi color resolution
• Up to 22 ppm black, 15 ppm color; 4-by-6-inch photo in about 36 seconds
• Built-in 2-sided printing; 4 individual ink tanks
• Direct print port, PictBridge compatible
• USB interface; PC and Mac compatible