Digital Camera News: Kodak Photo Contest, Canon Firmware Updates, Canon Fuel Cells, Digital Foci Frame

Kodak "Go for the Gold" Photo Contest

Submit a picture of a personal victory for a chance to win one of 4 grand prizes to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino Italy.  Winners get a six day trip to Italy and a Kodak camera.

The contest is currently running and you can submit your entries (up to 3 images) until November 27.

For more details and rules, see: http://kodak.eprize.net/olympics/index.tbapp

Firmware Update for Canon 20D, 20Da, Digital Rebel XT

Canon has updated the firmware for the Canon EOS 20D, the Canon EOS 20Da and the Canon Digital Rebel XT.

For the 20D and 20Da:

"This firmware update (version 2.0.3) incorporates the following corrections and improvements:

1. Fixes a problem in color temperature information transmission that occurred when using Speedlite 430EX.
2. Improves communication reliability when using some CF cards. "

For the Digital Rebel XT:

"The following improvements are incorporated into this EOS Digital Rebel XT firmware update:

1. Fixes the phenomenon of shots being unable to be taken when using the remote controller RC-1.
2. Fixes the phenomenon of auto play not stopping during playback.
3. Improves communication reliability when using some CF cards."

Canon Hydrogen Fuel Cell Prototype

MobileMag is reporting that Canon was showing off some hydrogen fuel cell prototypes for various mobile devices, including digital cameras.  The fuel cells currently have the same energy density as a lithium ion secondary battery and hope to increase capacity three to five times in the near future.

Digital Foci Announces the "Image Moments" Photo Frame

As the holiday season approaches, we've started to see more and more digital photo frames hit the market.  Digital Foci has announced the "Image Moments" frame.  With an 8" LCD screen, remote control, and multiple format card reader, the frame is avaialable from Digital Foci at their online store (www.digitalfoci.com) for $299.

Press Release:

Los Angeles, California, October 18, 2005 -- Digital Foci, Inc. (www.digitalfoci.com) introduced today the powerful Image Moments digital photo album frame, which lets you display and share photos directly from digital camera memory cards at home or at the office on beautiful maple or walnut picture frames.  Just insert any digital camera card into Image Moments and memories will instantly come to life in sharp, vibrant color on its big 8-inch high-resolution LCD screen.  

Photo Slideshows with Music

Instead of seeing the same picture day in and day out as you do with traditional print photo frames, Image Moments lets you easily change photos at your whim.  Remember cherished memories -- your wedding, the birth of your baby, or your family vacations with Image Moment's "Photo Slideshow Mode," which lets you automatically scroll through collections of photos.  Since Image Moments supports MP3 and video formats, you can even add music to your slideshows and play movies.    

Remote Control and On-Screen Display Make Navigation Simple

The full-featured remote control and On-Screen Display let you easily navigate, select, and view your digital photos and videos.  Slideshows can be started and stopped and intervals and transitions can be changed with a touch of the remote control.  In addition, you can manipulate and see photo detail--- zoom-in for a close-up, rotate or pan, and adjust brightness and RGB color for optimal viewing.  Search your memory card contents easily in the "File Library" and browse through photos in "Photo Thumbnail View."  Files can also be sorted by Photo, Music, or Video formats for easy access.  

Built-in Memory Card Slots for Multiple Media Formats

With its built-in memory card slots, Image Moments can display photos directly from digital camera memory cards with no subscription or computer needed.  Image Moments reads from virtually all cards, including CompactFlash I/II, MD, SmartMedia, MMC, SD Card, Memory Stick, MS PRO, xD-Picture Card, miniSD, and MS Duo.  Adapters are required for the xD-Picture Card, miniSD, and MS Duo formats.

Image Moments Features:

• 8" high-resolution LCD screen for digital photo display
• Automatic photo slideshow with music
• Reads directly from memory cards
• Supports memory cards:  CF I/II, MD, SM, MMC, SD Card, Memory Stick, MS PRO
  (plus mini-SD, MS Duo, MS PRO Duo, and xD-Picture Card with adapter)
• Full-featured remote-control for file navigation and display settings
• Classic wooden frame design
• JPEG image support
• MP3 music support
• MPEG1, MPEG2, and MJPEG video support

Image Moments comes in 2 frame colors: maple and walnut.  The classic wooden frame design matches perfectly with living room or office decor.  Image Moments comes with an AC power adapter, remote control, detachable leg, video/audio cable, User's Guide, and Quick Start Guide.  It is available immediately at Digital Foci's online store at www.digitalfoci.com for $299.