Sanyo C5 Digital Media Camera, Nextel Photoshare from Fujifilm, Ricoh Caplio R2S Announced in Japan

Sanyo VPC-C5 Digital Media Camera Availability Announced

Sanyo has announced that their VPC-C5 Digital "Media" camera is now available in the US.  The C5 can take "DVD quality" (MPEG-4) videos and capture still images with a 5.1 megapixel sensor.  The camera also features a 2 inch LCD, 5x optical zoom, 12x digital zoom, image interpolation up to 10 megapixels, and image stabilization.  You can take up to 1 hour of MPEG-4 video on a 1GB SD card (at 640x480 - 30 frames per second).

For a full list of specifications and features, see the product page at Sanyo's site.

Fujifilm Announces Nextel Photoshare Service

Press release:

VALHALLA, NY, June 28, 2005 -- Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. and Summus, Inc. announced today that Nextel Communications is adding easy, convenient and fun-to-use photo management that allows customers to store, share and print photos from their multimedia-messaging-enabled Nextel phones and other digital cameras. The capabilities are based on Fujifilm's Get the Picture Mobile Service.

In addition to enhancing the Nextel PhotoShare site (http://www.nextel.com/photoshare) with greater image management tools, Fujifilm is providing an easy-to-use, interactive phone application developed by Summus, Inc. (OTCBB: SMMU), a leading provider of mobile media applications. This application enables Nextel users with multimedia-messaging-enabled phones to access the more than 3,100 participating digital processing retail stores nationwide -- including Ritz Camera, SAM'S CLUB and Wolf Camera -- and obtain prints directly from their phone in as little as an hour. *

The Fujifilm Get The Picture service is available to the Nextel customers directly via the phone or via the Nextel Web site, complementing the many applications that are already available to Nextel users. The new Web site allows users to upload both camera phone and digital camera images to online albums, share with friends and family, create slideshows and print images through retail locations. Users can also access the same album, share and order prints process directly from the eligible phones.

Summus, Inc. is the Raleigh, North Carolina-based provider of mobile applications, including well-known interactive games like Texas Hold `Em by Phil Helmuth and applications such as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2005 wallpapers and The Wall Street Journal Mobile. By creating a user-friendly interface that connects Nextel users to Fujifilm's vast network of retailers, Nextel PhotoShare subscribers have the ability to generate quality digital prints quickly and easily at a convenient retail location or have them mailed directly to their home.

"The `always with you' nature of the mobile phone makes it a perfect platform for the casual photographer," said John Prendergast, Vice President, Strategic Business Development, Imaging Group, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. "By taking existing, tested processes developed through the digital imaging evolution and integrating them with new, fun, easy-to-use technology, we enable mobile phone users to enjoy and share their pictures."

Nextel customers can download the PhotoShare application directly to their multimedia-messaging-enabled phones and try it for 30 days at no cost. After the trial, a $2.99 per month fee will be billed directly to their Nextel account, in addition to their current service plan, unless cancelled by the customer. The cost of printing images varies by participating retailer.

Ricoh Caplio R2S Announced for the Japanese Market

Ricoh Japan has announced the Caplio R2S - a 5 megapixel camera with a 4.8x optical zoom and 2.5 inch LCD.  In addition, the camera can handle 3 different power sources - rechargeable lithium-ion, AA batteries, and AC power.  There is also a nice feature which allows you to save camera settings for your next photo session.  The cameras lens is about as wide-angle as you can get in a digital camera with a wide angle of 28 mm (35mm equivalent) and has a five step zoom up to 135 mm. 

Unfortuately (according to LetsGoDigital) the camera is not slated to leave the Japan marketplace.

Ricoh Japan press release (Japanese)

Coverage at LetsGoDigital (English)

Microsoft Digital Photography Resource Websites

Found over at thedigitalphotographyweblog, Microsoft has added some decent resources (marketing material) for both hobby and professional digital photographers.  Specifically, how to use Windows XP to store, backup, retouch, and organize your images.

From thedigitalphotographyweblog: " The professional site has some good tidbits about workflow, color, and output. The hobbyist or first time digital photographer can definitely get a good primer on digital photography. These aren't the most exaustive and technical websites but they are worth a gander if you are using Windows XP. "

Site for hobby photographers

Site for professional photographers