Digital Camera News: Sony and Canon Firmware Updates, Kodak Slips to Third in Sales, Micron to Produce 8 Megapixel CMOS Sensor

Firmware Update for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2

Sony recently confirmed that some of their H2 models produce error messages when a Sandisk branded Memory Stick Pro Duo media card is used.   You may experience messages that prompt you to re-insert the media, or get an error code of C:13:01.  This problem only affects cameras with serial numbers in the range of 3500001 through 3534250.  To get the update and instructions on installation, see the Sony DSC-H2 Firmware Update page at Sony's web site.

Firmware Update for Canon Powershot SD430

Canon has release a firmware update for its wireless enabled Powershot SD430.  This version of the firmware adds a wireless camera to camera connection method and a Mac wireless connectio method.

More info: Canon Powershot SD430 Firmware Update

Price Drop on Fujifilm Finepix E900

Fujifilm has announced that they are dropping the suggested retail price of the Finepix E900 to $399.  When it was announced, the MSRP was $499.  Start looking for street prices in the mid $300 range now.  For more information on the camera, see our Fujifilm Finepix E900 review.

Kodak Sales Drop to Third in the U.S.

Shortly after Eastman Kodak posted its sixth consecutive quarterly loss, IDC reported that U.S. sales of Kodak digital cameras dropped to third place, behind Canon and Sony.  After having the highest sales numbers over the last 5 quarters, their share dropped from 19.7% to 14.5%, year over year.  Canon sales jumped from 18.6% to 19.3%, while Sony's numbers dropped slightly from 17.5% to 17.1%.

Micron Technology to Produce 8 Megapixel CMOS Image Sensor

Micron Technology has unveiled a prototype of an 8 megapixel CMOS image sensor.  They plan to produce it in the popular 1/2.5 inch format.  Currently, CCD sensors are used in most digital cameras since they've produced better quality images over CMOS sensors.  However, as the CMOS technology improves, it has the capabilty of eclipsing CCD sensors.  CMOS chips are cheaper to produce and can capture images at a faster rate.  In burst mode, the sensor is capable of capturing full resolution 8 megapixel images at 10 frames per second.

General customer sampling will begin this fall, with mass production starting in the spring of 2007.

More info: Full press release