Kodak Wireless Printing System
The most noteworthy camera introduction at CES was Kodak's wireless EASYSHARE-ONE digital camera. The EASYSHARE-ONE is the first digital camera to allow people to e-mail photos directly from the camera via a wireless (Wi-Fi) connection, view online photo albums at Kodak's EASYSHARE gallery (formerly Ofoto), and organize 1500 photos on its large 3.0" color LCD display. The wireless feature is an optional SD Wi-Fi card than slides into a second SD expansion slot in the camera. The camera features 4.0 megapixel resolution, a large 3.0" pivoting LCD display, and a 3x optical zoom lens.

As part of the wireless printing system, Kodak has introduced the wireless Kodak EASYSHARE Printer Dock Plus, allowing users to print directly from the camera without wires. The printer dock will also be able to transfer photos from a memory card or docked camera to networked computers throughout the home and receive pictures for printing from any Wi-Fi enabled notebook, PDA, or desktop PC.

Looking to increase market share, Kodak has introduced two digital cameras as part of the new Z-series. The Z-series cameras are designed to help everyday picture takers get closer to the action through extended zoom lenses. The Z-700 features a 5x optical zoom lens while the Z-740 offers a strong 10x optical zoom. To simplify things further, Kodak will package both models with the new EASYSHARE Printer Dock Series 3, which makes borderless 4"x6"-inch pictures with just one touch, in as little as 90 seconds per print. The Z-740 with printer will retail for only $499, the Z-700 with printer will retail for only $399.

Sony Adds Two Models to their U.S. Lineup
Sony announced two new digital cameras for the U.S. market at this year's CES show. The ultra-slim Cyber-shot DSC-T33 and the 7.1 Megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-P200. The DSC-T33, announced last month overseas, features an incredibly small and thin body, yet is packed with a 5.1 megapixel image sensor and very large 2.5" color display, which occupies about 2/3" of the entire back of the camera. Retail price is expected to be $449 when it begins to ship in March. The DSC-P200 (Photo: Right) was designed for point & shoot simplicity without sacrificing image resolution. With a suggested price of only $399 the DSC-P200 should appeal to many first time digital camera buyers.

Three new introductions from Olympus continue to improve upon an already great lineup of digital cameras.
Olympus continues to make digital cameras more affordable for first time buyers. The new D-425 features a built-in help guide that makes learning digital photography easier than ever before. The camera can be connected to any PictBridge-enabled printer for making beautiful photo quality prints at sizes up to 11"x14" - thanks to the 4.0 megapixel resolution of the camera. First time users will also appreciate the "One-Touch" operation, with individual buttons for shooting, reviewing and deleting images. These buttons are placed on the body of the camera instead of deep inside confusing menu's. Incredibly, this camera has a suggested street price of only $149.99. At this price you will not get an optical zoom lens, but for novices and price conscious buyers it looks to be a great camera to introduce you to the image quality that digital camera's offer.

The new Camedia C-5500 looks like a great camera for family sports photography thanks to its 5.0 megapixel resolution, 5x optical zoom lens (38-190mm), fast f2.8 lens, and image stabilization that will help reduce camera blur at telephoto settings. The camera also features a 2.7 fps burst mode and a macro mode that can focus on objects as close as 0.8" from then lens. Olympus has set an estimated street price of $349.99 for this camera.

The new Olympus C-7070 will thrill hobbyists, professionals, and even divers thanks to the optional PT-027 Underwater Housing and two new underwater shooting modes; Underwater Wide and Underwater Macro. The C-7070 is similar to the C-5060, however improvements are found in the higher resolution 7.0 megapixel image sensor, two new auto focus modes, the aforementioned underwater settings, an optional new B-HLD20 power battery holder, and three new conversion lenses specially designed to extend the focal range of the C-7070 wide zoom. The C-7070 also retains the fast f/2.8 lens, 4x optical wide-zoom (27-110mm), and the rather small 1.8" color LCD screen.

Pentax Announces Compact Waterproof Digital Camera
Pentax used CES 2005 as the launch pad for the new OptioWP water proof digital camera. The camera is the first 5.0 megapixel, 3x optical zoom camera with a JIS Class 8 water resistant rating, giving it the ability to capture high quality images, both on land and up to five feet underwater - without an additional underwater housing. If you have been afraid to take your current digital camera out on the kayak or the ski slope, the OptioWP was designed for you. Whether you spend the day at the beach, on the slopes, or in the water, the OptioWP will give you the ability to capture high resolution images without worrying about protecting the camera from the elements. The OptioWP sports a larger 2.0-inch LCD display, making it easier to keep an eye on your subject.

Samsung Introduced 6 new cameras with an eye on capturing a larger share of the digital camera market.
Samsung added three new models to their new A-series (A = Affordable?). The Digimax A5, A6 and A7. All three models feature a 3x Samsung High-Definition (SHD) optical zoom lens, 10 different scene modes (Portrait, Children, Landscape, Close-up, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow and Text), VGA video clips at 30fps and 15fps, Self photo mirror, internal memory, SD expansion, and PictBridge compatibility. The Digimax A5 offers 16MB of internal memory while the A6 and A7 come standard with 32MB internal memory. Both the A5 and A6 feature a 1.8-inch screen while the A7 features a larger 2.0-inch screen. Samsung designed the A5, A6 and A7 to support five different power sources, including AA Alkaline, CR-V3, Ni-MH, a dedicated Samsung Li-ion (SBP- 1303) and an AC adapter. Li-ion and Ni-MH batteries provide enough power for roughly 308 shots, while AA Alkaline enables users to capture up to 110 images.

Samsung also introduced the U-CA 505 ultra-slim digital camera which features a 5.0 megapixel image sensor and large 2.0-inch color screen -- all for a $199 suggested retail price. The camera lacks an optical zoom lens but does feature a 5x digital zoom. This camera is obviously designed to appeal to the first-time buyer with its basic feature set and lack of an optical zoom lens. The camera does offer an 8-mode white balance mode and 640x480 video with sound at 24fps, features not always found on entry level models.

Interestingly, Samsung also introduced the Digimax A400, which at $189.99 suggested retail, will probably be a better buy than the U-CA 505. While it lacks the ultra-thin design of the U-CA 505 and the image sensor is 4.0 megapixels, the A400 features a 2.8x optical zoom lens which is more valuable than the slightly higher resolution of the U-CA 505. 4.0 Megapixel offers enough resolution to make photo quality 11"x14" and even 16"x20" images, depending on the compression setting and brightness of the captured image. The A400 and U-CA 505 share many other similar features; 640x480 video at 24fps with sound, 2.0-inch LCD color screen, and 16MB internal memory.

The new Digimax V700 is proof that Samsung knows how to make more advanced models while keeping prices affordable. At only $399, the V700 sports a 7.4-megapixel image sensor integrated into a very sleek aluminum body. The V700 features a fast f/2.8 lens, 3x optical zoom lens, large 2.0-inch LCD color screen, 30fps video at 640x480, and world-class Schneider optics. The V700 also features shutter priority mode (shutter speeds up to 1/2000th), night mode, and full manual mode. Scene modes include: Portrait, Children, Landscape, Close-up, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow and Text. Samsung has designed the V700 to accept 3V Duracell CP1 high-power lithium batteries or the optional SLB-1137 rechargeable 3V Li-ion battery from Samsung. This looks to be a good low-cost, high-resolution camera, for consumers who do not want all the bells-and-whistles of higher-end models.

There was an absence of new introductions at CES because of the upcoming PMA (Photo Marketing Association) show on February 20-23, 2005. PMA is one of the largest photography shows of the year and camera manufacturers often wait until this show to launch their new product. By waiting until PMA, manufacturers get an early look at some of their competition, allowing them to fine-tune prices in their lineup, if necessary. Canon, Fuji, Konica-Minolta, and Nikon each neglected to announce new products at this years CES, however many industry insiders did get sneak peaks at some of the upcoming introductions.

2005 looks to be another exciting year in the digital camera industry. We are likely to see our first $500 digital SLR. It might take rebates to make it happen, but I expect to see it by years end. We are also seeing a trend in features that go beyond resolution. Even low-priced cameras will see improved shutter-lag speeds, start-up times, faster focusing, and higher resolutions. While semi-pro cameras will continue to become more affordable, thus within reach of a larger audience. A wireless digital camera was just announced by Kodak, and we are bound to see similar and other unique innovations from manufacturers in the months to come.

Printing is definitely on the minds of camera manufacturers as the film business continues its sales slide. Kodak's main business was film, not cameras, and in order for these companies to succeed they need to bo beyond hardware. While digital cameras give you the ability to view images on your TV and share them over the internet, there will be many unhappy consumers out there when their hard-drive crashes or CD's get scratched. Will this generation of family photographs be viewable in 50 years? You can guarantee a "yes" by making prints of your cherished memories. Canon, Epson, Kodak, Olympus, and Sony - among others, are making it easier and more affordable to make prints at home. For example, the Epson PictureMate, allows you to make photo-quality 4"x6" prints for only .29 cents each - thus matching or at least coming very close to the cost of professional photo labs.

Manufacturers are also providing easier ways to take your photos with you. Epson introduced the P-2000 a few months ago, which is getting rave reviews, and Kodak just introduced their EASYSHARE Picture Viewer. The Epson P2000 offers a large 40GB hard drive which can store thousands of photographs and a vivid 3.8" color screen. Built-in memory card slots allow you to EMPTY your memory card directly into the P2000 while on the go - allowing you to reuse the memory card over and over again without needing to transfer them to a PC while away from home. The Kodak Picture Viewer is a lower-cost option, but lacks a hard drive and sports a smaller 2.5" display. The Picture Viewer works by "downloading" up to 150 images from your PC in an optimized format for display anywhere you go. Both models allow you to connect to a TV for large screen viewing.

2005 will represent our first full year for Cameratown.com. Launched in July 2004, we have quickly become a favorite for thousands of consumers looking to find camera reviews, tutorials, news, product manuals, firmware updates, and free photography software - along with exclusive Cameratown content. We are excited about the year ahead and look forward to sharing the best digital photography content, from around the web, with you.

Ron Risman
Cameratown.com