Digital Camera News: Snapfish Aids Hurricane Victims, Fujifilm Finepix Z2, Mattel Children's Camera

HP's Snapfish Offers Free Images to Hurricane Victims

For those people in hurricane-affected areas who had previously uploaded images to a Snapfish account will receive a free 4x6 print for each image in their account.  This is HP's way of restoring memories that may have been destroyed in the Hurricane Katrina.

The affected areas are based on zipcode and the credit will remain in the victim's accounts indefinitely so images can be printed when they are resettled.

Additional information available at http://www.snapfish.com

Fujifilm Announces the Finepix Z2 Outside the US

Fujifilm has announced the Finepix Z2, a successor to the Z1.  Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this one will be available in the US.  It does offer just a bit more than the Z1 - with a boost in the maximum ISO sensitivity from 800 to 1600 and a higher pixel count on the LCD (from  115,000 to 232,000 pixels).  Also, the Z2 includes  an Infra-Red transmission function for Fujifilm Digital Mobile Printer 'MP-100' and 'MP-70'.  Other than that, the specs are pretty much identical to the Z1.  The Z2 does come in silver, black, white and red colors.

Children's Digital Video Camera from Mattel

From the press release:

VIDSTER(TM) Digital Video Camera: The Vidster(TM) Digital Video Camera is a virtual "movie studio in a box" that enables kids to produce their own music videos and movies. Combining a versatile video camera with three-step photo and video-editing software, the Vidster(TM) Digital Video Camera gives kids and `tweens ages 8 and older everything they need to shoot, edit and distribute short films in one purchase. 

With 32 MB of on-board memory, kids can use the camera right out of the box and capture up to 10 minutes of footage and dozens of digital photos. Vidster(TM) and its bundled photo and video software enables kids to add digital music files, and edit and customize their footage and still photos into complete short films or music videos in three simple steps. Films can be easily e-mailed to family and friends, uploaded onto Web sites or burned onto DVDs.

Vidster(TM) features a 2.0 digital zoom lens, built-in microphone, color LCD viewfinder, tripod mount and removable hand grip attachment. An expansion slot accepts up to a 512 MB SD card for hours of footage and photos that can be captured and stored. Includes USB cord. Requires four "AA" batteries, not included. MSRP: $79.99 Age: 8+