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Photography news highlights from 2008.
January:
6/1/2008: Casio announces Exilim EX-F1, a 6-megapixel digicam with a 12x zoom lens and the ability to record shots at 60 frames/second.
7/1/2008: CES 2008, the world’s biggest gadget show, opens in Las Vegas. It runs until 10 January.
7/1/2008: Sony unveils DSLR-A200, an entry-level model with a 10-megapixel CCD sensor and Super SteadyShot body-integrated stabilisation. Replacing the A100 model, it offers higher sensitivity, faster autofocusing and a larger LCD screen. Initial plans were not to release this model in Australia.
11/1/2008: Panasonic announces plans to expand its semiconductor factory in Tonami, Japan, with the aim of boosting image sensor production. Parent company, Matsushita, also announces it will adopt the Panasonic brand for all products.
15/1/2008: Epson and HP unveil new A3+ printers. The Epson Stylus Photo R1900 is a seven-ink printer with gloss optimiser, while the HP Photosmart Pro B8850 is an eight-ink printer that includes the many of the features of the HP Photosmart Pro B9180 but at a lower price.
15/1/2008: Apple announces Time Capsule, a combination of Airport Extreme wireless router and either a 500GB or 1TB hard drive, and MacBook Air, a slim 1.36 kilogram laptop with a 13.3-inch LED backlit display and 64GB flash memory drive as a storage option.
22/1/2008: Olympus unveils SP-570 UZ, its first 20x zoom digicam, plus new models in the mju and ‘Tough’ SW ranges.
23/1/2008: Sony announces eight Cyber-shot digicams, including the DSC-H10, an 8-megapixel update to the H3 with a 20x optical zoom lens, four new W-series models with ‘smile shutter’ mode, the touch-screen controlled T300 and two entry-level S-series models (the S750 and S780).
23/1/2008: Pentax reveals details of its K20D and K200D DSLR cameras. The K20D is a 14.6-megapixel model with live view capabilities. The K200D is a 10.2-megapixel model that replaces the K100D. Five new lenses are unveiled at the same time, along with three Optio digicams.
23/1/2008: Canon unveils 12-megapixel EOS 450D DSLR, along with the Ixus 80 IS and three PowerShot models (the A590 IS, A580 and A470).
24/1/2008: Fujifilm announces seven new digicams, including a new flagship model, the S100FS, which features an 8.8 x 6.6 mm, 11 megapixel Super CCD sensor and optically-stabilised 14.3x zoom lens (28-400mm in 35mm format). Another noteworthy model is the S1000fd, claimed as the world’s smallest 12x zoom camera.
24/1/2008: Samsung unveils GX-20 DSLR camera, a 14.6-megapixel model that is almost identical to the Pentax K10D.
29/1/2008: Nikon unveils D60 DSLR, a 10.2-megapixel consumer-level model with a self-cleaning sensor that combines vibration with an airflow that channels dust away from the sensor. The new model comes with an EXPEED image processor and includes Active D-Lighting. Three new Nikkor lenses – the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, the AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 and tilt-shift PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED are showcased simultaneously, along with seven Coolpix digicams.
29/1/2008: Panasonic announces eight new Lumix digicams: the DMC-FX35, DMC-TZ5, DMC-TZ4, DMC-LZ10, DMC-LZ8, DMC-FS20, DMC-FS5 and DMC-FS3.
29/1/2008: Pentax displays three new lenses, two carrying the DA* designation that denotes top-of-range products. They include the smc PENTAX-DA*55mm F1.4 SDM, smc PENTAX-DA*60-250mm F4ED [IF]SDM and smc PENTAX-DA17-70mm F4 AL[IF] SDM.
30/1/2008: Sony announces DSLR-A300 and DSLR-A350 cameras, both offering Sony’s new “Quick AF Live View” technology. The A300 is a 10.2-megapixel model while the A350 features a 14.2-megapixel sensor. Sony also announces the development of a new 24 x 36mm 24.81-megapixel CMOS sensor that will be used in a future DSLR camera.
31/1/2008: PMA Trade Show, the largest and photography tradeshow in North America, opens in Las Vegas. It runs until 2 February.
31/1/2008: Sigma unveils 10 new lenses: the 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro with built-in motors for use with Nikon’s D40 and D60 DSLRs, the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX HSM and 50-150mm f/2.8 APO EX HSM with mounts for Pentax and Sony DSLRs, the 10-20mm f/4-5.6 and 70-200 f/2.8 lenses with mounts for Four Thirds System cameras, the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens and the 150-500mm f/5-6.3 zoom both of which come with optical stabilisation and the APO 200-500 f/2.8, which is supplied with a 2x tele converter.
February:
7/2/2008: Tamron unveils SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro lens with mounts for Canon and Nikon DSLRs.
12/2/2008: Apple launches V2 of its Aperture raw conversion and image management software.
19/2/2008: Ricoh announces Caplio R8, a 10-megapixel digicam with a 7.1x optical zoom lens (28-200mm in 35mm format) and 2.7-inch, 460,000-pixel LCD.
25/2/2008: Sony unveils the 9-megapixel DSC-H50, a replacement for the DSC-H9, which features an improved lens, upgraded Dynamic Range Optimiser and user control over noise reduction. Details of the new 13.6-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-W300 were released at the same time.
March:
5/3.2008: Olympus introduces the E-420, an upgrade to the E-410 with an improved 10-megapixel imager and Live View capabilities. A new 25mm f/2.8 ‘pancake’ lens is introduced along with the camera.
13/3/2008: Canon unveils three new Ixus digicams, the Ixus 970 IS, Ixus 90 and Ixus 85.
18/3/2008: Panasonic announces Lumix DMC-FX500 digicam, which features a 5x optical zoom lens with 25mm (equivalent) wide-angle coverage plus a touch screen interface.
18/3/2008: Mamiya and Phase One unveil jointly-developed medium format systems, which will see the Mamiya 645AFDIII and the Phase One 645 cameras sold by each company under their respective brand name.
April:
10/4/2008: Nikon introduces three new Coolpix models: the P80 super-zoom, which features an 18x optical zoom lens and 10-megapixel sensor plus the ultra-compact S52 and S52c models, the latter with WiFi support.
22/4/2008: Ricoh announces dust- and water-resistant G600 digicam.
24/4/2008: The European Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) announces its annual awards for photographic and imaging products. Details of the awards and judges’ comments on each product can be found at www.tipa.com/awa_2008.lasso.
May:
1/3/2008: Microsoft releases Expression Media 2 for Mac and Windows, an update of the program formerly known as iView MediaPro. It also releases Pro Photo Tools, a metadata editing and geo-tagging application for Windows.
13/5/2008: Olympus releases details of the E-520, which replaces the E-510 and offers improved image stabilisation. Concurrent with the E-520 announcement, the company also unveiled a new super-wide-angle lens, the Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6.
27/5/2008: Epson unveils the Stylus Photo R2880 A3+ printer, a replacement for the popular R2400 model. The new model features Epson UltraChrome K3 Ink with Vivid Magenta in an eight individual ink cartridge system. Two new large-format printers, the Epson Stylus Pro 7900 (24-inch) and Stylus Pro 9900 (44-inch) are also announced at the same time.
29/5/2008: Nikon extends its my Picturetown photo storage and sharing service to customers in Australia.
June:
9/6/2008: Canon announces the EOS 1000D, which is designed for entry-level users and replaces the popular EOS 400D model. A new EOS 430 EX II Speedlite is unveiled at the same time.
17/6/2008: Tamron unveils two new lenses – the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro (Model A20N II) lens and the Tamron SP AF28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens.
27/6/2008: Sony announces the development of a new CMOS sensor that collects light through its silicon substrate and provides higher sensitivity and lower noise than previous sensors. No details were provided about when the new sensors will be released in cameras.
27/6/2008: Tasco Sales (Australia) releases details of the 12-megapixel Ricoh GX200 compact digicam, which replaces the GX100. The new model features a 24 to 72mm (35mm film equivalent focal length) high-performance wide-angle optical zoom lens in a pocket-sized body.
July:
1/7/2008: Nikon unveils D700 DSLR camera, which features a FX-format 12.1-megapixel image sensor plus vibration-based dust removal and sits between the D300 and D3 models. It also releases details of the new SB-900 Speedlight plus two perspective control lenses, the PC-E Micro Nikkor 45mm f2.8D ED and PC-E Micro Nikkor 85mm f2.8D ED..
3/7/2008: Sony announces the local release of the DSLR- A300 camera, which was first announced at the PMA International Trade Show in January.
9/7/2008: Eastman Kodak unveils the world’s first 50-megapixel CCD image sensor for professional medium format photography. Featuring a new type of photosite design, the Kodak KAF-50100 Image Sensor has 6.0 micron photosites and offers lower power consumption, shorter ‘click-to-capture’ times and improved colour fidelity.
14/7/2008: Phase One releases details of its new P65+ digital back and P65+ camera, which will feature a 53.9mm x 40.4mm sensor. Manufactured by Dalsa it can produce 60.48-megapixel images at full resolution.
25/7/2008: Panasonic announces the Lumix DMC-LX3, an enthusiast-level 10.1-megapixel digicam with a Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens with a focal length range equivalent to 24-60mm in 35mm format plus a 3.0-inch 460,000-pixel LCD screen.
29/7/2008: Adobe Systems releases Lightroom 2, a significant upgrade to the original Lightroom toolbox for managing, adjusting and presenting large volumes of digital photographs.
August:
5/8/2008: Olympus Imaging and Panasonic jointly announce the development of the Micro Four Thirds System, a new standard that uses the existing Four Thirds System sensors. Eliminating the SLR mirror box from camera design allows camera manufacturers to achieve dramatic reductions in the size and weight of cameras and lenses for the new system. (Full details are available at www.four-thirds.org.)
6/8/2008: Nikon unveils six new Coolpix digicams: the enthusiast-level Coolpix P6000, Coolpix S710, Coolpix S610 and S610c (with WiFi support), the Coolpix S560 and the entry-level Coolpix S60.
13/8/2008: Sony releases the HDR-CX12, the company’s first HD camcorder to include both Smile Shutter and Face Detection technology. It also announces two new T-series Cyber-shot digicams, the Album T (DSC-T700) and T Slim (DSC-T77).
14/8/2008: The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) announces its annual ‘best product’ awards for the year 2008/09. Details of the awards can be found at www.eisa.eu/eisa/awards/2008-2009.
21/8/2008: Tasco Sales (Aust) releases details of the new Ricoh R10, a 10-megapixel digicam with a 7.1x optical zoom lens, which replaces the R8 model.
25/8/2008: Fujifilm releases the FinePix S2000HD, a compact, lightweight 10-megapixel camera with a 15x optical zoom lens that includes HD movie recording at 1280 x 720 pixels and HD output.
25/8/2008: Olympus announces five new digicams: the 10-megapixel SP-565UZ, the Mju 1060, the Mju 1040, the Mju 1010 and the Tough Smart 1050SW. The new models all include a TruePic III image processor and the latest Face Detect & Shadow Adjust technologies.
26/8/2008: Canon adds EOS 50D to its DSLR line-up. Positioned between the EOS 40D and 5D, the new model has an APS-C-sized 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and DiG!C 4 Image Processor and features a magnesium-alloy body plus 3.0-inch VGA-resolution LCD monitor. Canon also revamps its digicam range via four new models: the A1000 IS, A2000 IS, E1 and SX110 IS. All models combine Optical Image Stabiliser, Face Detect and Motion Detect technologies. Two new models are also added to the Selphy printer line-up.
26/8/2008: Nikon unveils the first DSLR camera with a movie shooting function, the Nikon D90. Featuring a 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 12.3 megapixels, the D90 has a similar body to the D80 and comes with Nikon’s EXPEED image processor.
26/8/2008: SanDisk announces new Extreme III SDHC cards with a speed rating of 30MB/second. Available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities, the new line has been developed with Nikon to match the write speeds in the D90.
27/8/2008: Adobe Systems announces major upgrades to its enthusiast-level digital photo and video software: Photoshop Elements 7 and Premiere Elements 7 for Windows.
28/2/2008: Microsoft and Nikon sign cross-licensing agreement to share unspecified technologies in future products. (Nikon will pay Microsoft for the privilege.)
September:
5/9/2008: Google releases a beta update for its popular Picasa image editor and file manager.
9/9/2008: Sony announces its long-awaited the DSLR-A900. Offering a resolution of 24.6 effective megapixels, the A900 comes with the first “SteadyShot Inside” body-integrated anti-shake system for a full-frame size DSLR plus a dual BIONZ image processor.
13/9/2008: Panasonic unveils the first Micro Four Thirds DSLR camera and lenses. The new DMC-G1 Lumix sports a 17.3 x 13.0 mm Live MOS sensor with 13.1 million photosites. It offers a resolution of 12.1 megapixels with a 4:3 aspect ratio and comes with the Olympus-developed supersonic wave filter (SSWF) dust removal system.
17/9/2008: Canon releases details of the long-awaited EOS 5D Mark II DSLR, which features a 36 x 24mm Canon-developed CMOS sensor with 21.1 megapixels plus a new DiG!C 4 image processor. The new model replaces the EOS 5D and offers ISO speeds from ISO 50 to ISO 25,600 plus the ability to record Full HD video clips with sound at 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.
17/9/2008: Canon also releases details of three new compact digicams. The PowerShot G10 is the new flagship model. Featuring a 7.6 x 5.7 mm, 14.7-megapixel CCD sensor and optically-stabilised 5x optical zoom lens, the G10 is designed for professional photographers or photo enthusiasts looking to support their DSLR gear with a more portable option. Replacing the PowerShot S5 IS are two new models, the PowerShot SX10 IS and the SX1 IS, both featuring a 20x stabilised optical zoom lens and DiG!C 4 Image Processor. The SX1 IS is the first digicam equipped with a CMOS sensor that supports Full HD movie recording.
23/9/2008: Photokina, Europe’s largest imaging showcase, opens in Cologne, Germany. It runs until 28 September.
23/9/2008: Pentax displays its 10.2-megapixel K-m entry-level DSLR at Photokina. (Local distributor is C.R. Kennedy & Company, www.crkennedy.com.au.)
23/9/2008: Adobe unveils Creative Suite 4, which will be offered in four editions: Design Premium, Web Premium, Production Premium and Master Collection.
23/9/2008: Leica releases details of a new SLR-style camera system, the Leica S2, featuring a 30 x 45 mm sensor and 37.5-megapixel resolution. Nine lenses for use with the system are also unveiled.
23/9/2008: Lexar, Pretec and SanDisk announce new CompactFlash cards at Photokina. Lexar is replacing its 133x-rated CompactFlash cards with 233x-rated models; Pretec unveils two new 233x cards, in 64GB and 100GB capacities, as well as 32GB and 50GB cards rated at 333x, while SanDisk updates Extreme IV CompactFlash line with the addition of 16GB capacity and an overall read/write speed increase to 45MB/second.
24/9/2008: Lensbaby launches a new system of selective focus lenses, comprising The Composer, The Muse and The Control Freak. (Local distributor is Maxwell International, www.maxwell.com.au.)
26/9/2008: Hasselblad unveils the 60-megapixel H3DII-60 medium format digital system and introduces a new pricing strategy.
October:
15/10/2008: SanDisk releases a 16GB Extreme IV CompactFlash card and boosts speeds of all other cards in the series by 12.5%. MemoryStick and SD cards and also given speed boosts.
24/10/2008: The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) announces its annual ‘best product’ awards for the year 2008/09. Details can be found at www.eisa.eu/eisa/awards/2008-2009.
November:
5/11/2008: Olympus unveils its E-30 DSLR camera, which is targeted at photo enthusiasts and sits between the E-3 and E-520 models in the company’s line-up. It features a new LiveMOS sensor with 12.3 megapixels effective resolution and a new TruePic III+ image processor that supports burst speeds of up to five frames/second. It is due for release early in 2009.
5/11/2008: HP expands its professional printer line-up with the release of the new HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer. Designed for professional photographers, the new printer’s 12-ink system uses durable Vivera pigment inks and includes a new HP 73 Chromatic Red ink, which enables up to 95% Pantone colour coverage.
11/11/2008: Sigma Corporation acquires Foveon Inc., the company that developed the original three-layer image sensor, which is used in Sigma’s DSLR cameras and the new DP compact line-up.
18/12/2008: DxO Labs launches a new website (www.dxomark.com) that provides objective metrics for key aspects of sensor performance covering most popular DLSR and enthusiast cameras, measured directly on raw image files.
December:
1/12/2008: Nikon unveils its D3X DSLR camera, which features a 24.5-megapixel (effective) 35.9 x 24.0 mm Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor and a new image processor. Local price for the body has been announced at $13,999 and the first units will be available early in the New Year.
10/12/2008: Production of Polaroid instant film will cease at the end of this month and the last specialty film products will be out of stock by May 2009.
19/12/2008: Polaroid Corporation files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the USA but will continue marketing and shipping product and parts during a planned re-organisation process.
20/12/2008: Panasonic formally announces its takeover of Sanyo, a move that will create one of the world’s largest electronics companies but may affect the compact digicam lines of Olympus and Nikon, for whom Sanyo has been an OEM manufacturer for many years.
23/12/2008: Canon postpones construction of new digital camera factory in Japan because of declining demand for digital cameras due to the global economic crisis.
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