Digital Camera News: First 2 Megapixel Camera Phone in the US, Panasonic Lumix FX8, Konica Minolta E500, TIPA Awards

First Two Megapixel Camera Phone in the US

Sprint and Samsung have announced the availability of the first 2 megapixel camera phone in the US.  The Sprint PCS Vision Multimedia Phone MM-A800 by Samsung can take two megapixel images, VGA quality video at 15 frames per second, playback music files and text message with dictation and voice commands.

The camera phone has a 2.5x digital zoom, auto focus, flash, color adjustments, fun frames and multishot.  Users can also connect the camera phone to any PictBridge compatible printer without the need for a PC.  Images are stored on a TransFlash memory card (32MB card included).

The phone weighs 4.26 ounces and features a 1.22" x 1.59" inch screen with 240x320 resolution.

The MM-A800 by Samsung is available for a suggested retail price of $499.99 or $349.99 after rebate at third-party retailers and online at http://www.sprintpcs.com

New Panasonic Lumix FX8 Announced, but not for US and Canada

Panasonic announced the introduction of the Lumix FX8.  However, this camera will not be available in the US or Canada.  The camera is a 5 megapixel, 3x optical zoom with MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer).  The camera somes in silver, black, pink, and blue and sports a 2.5 inch LCD.

For more information, visit the product page on Panasonic's site.

Konica Minolta DiMAGE E500 on US web site

Another quiet introduction, eclipsed by the introduction of the X60, the Konica Minolta DiMAGE E500 appeared on Konica Minolta's web site.  Details about availability and price are unknown at the time.  However, Konica Minolta is calling it "affordable and very uncomplicated".  The camera is a 5 megapixel with 2 inch LCD, 3x optical zoom and 12MB of internal memory expandable with SD media.

Full details at Konica Minolta's web site

Canon's Digital SLRs Recognized in TIPA Awards

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) has awarded Canon two spots for digital SLRs in their awards line up:

• Best D-SLR Entry Level: Canon Digital Rebel XT (EOS 350D)
• Best D-SLR Mid Range: Fujifilm Finepix S3 Pro
• Best D-SLR Professional: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
• Best Digital Ultra-compact: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7
• Best Digital Compact: Nikon Coolpix 7900
• Best Digital Superzoom: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20