The legendary Hasselblad brand has created a new era of digital image quality for professional photographers with the announcement of the marque’s new, true 39 megapixel CCD sensor and its unique Digital APO Correction (DAC) technology. Gizmag reports: "Based on the Hasselblad H2 camera with its range of high performance, digital central shutter-based lenses, and featuring extended features, such as DAC lens optimization and Instant Approval Architecture, the Hasselblad H2D-39 is the world’s first high-end, 39 megapixel, digital auto-focus camera. Compatible with the entire range of Hasselblad H System lenses, the world finest digital lenses, as well as the Hasselblad V camera lens system, the H2D-39 brings the highest level of integration and flexibility to the professional photographer." Something to marvel at without doubt.

Digital Camera Review assesses the Sony Cybershot DSC-H1 digital camera: "The H1's 5.1 megapixel resolution, 2.5 inch LCD screen, and Super Steady Shot (image stabilized) 12X optical zoom provide photographers with an incredible increase in performance, flexibility and creative potential when compared to the cameras of five years back -- and the H1 costs about a hundred bucks less than consumers shelled out for the C3000 in 2001." Specification: * Resolution: 5 Megapixels (2592 x 1944). * Viewfinders: Coupled Optical viewfinder and 2.5 inch LCD screen. * Lens: f2.8-f3.7/6-72 mm (36-432 mm 35mm equivalent) all glass (11 elements in 9 groups) optical zoom. * Exposure: Auto, program, shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual. * Flash: Built-in multi mode. * Metering: Multi-Pattern (Evaluative), Center Weighted Averaging, or Spot. * White Balance: TTL Auto and Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash, and Manual. * Auto Focus: Wide area Multi-Point (3 AF points), Center AF point, and Flexible Spot AF. * Exposure Compensation: Yes (+/-2EV in 1/3 stop increments). * Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): Yes. * Sensitivity: Auto, 64, 100, 200, and 400 ISO (35mm equivalent). * Image File Formats: JPEG. * Image Storage Media: Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick DUO, and Memory Stick Duo Pro. * Connectivity: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed out, A/V out, DC in. * Power: 2 AA NiMH rechargeables. Check out the best price here.

Samsung's first digital SLR camera has been rumored for a while. yesterday came the announcement that Samsung Techwin had entered the market with a 6-megapixel model with interchangeable lenses. The camera has been jointly developed with Pentax, a partnership that began last October. The main features of the camera are: * 6 mega-pixels CCD. * Lightweight and portable - 17.8 ounces. * Large bright 2.5 inch colour TFT LCD screen. * Pentaprism technology provides clear, bright viewfinder. * 11 point auto focus. * High sensitivity up to ISO 3200. * Pentax AF lens mount. DPreview.com comments: "Nothing we haven't seen before; the GX-1S is a rebadged Pentax *ist DS2 (there's some new Schneider lenses too, but they also appear to be straight re-badge jobs)." The GX-1S also features advanced optics from lensmaker Schneider, 16-segment multipattern metering for light measurement. It includes a consecutive-shooting mode of up to 2.8 frames per second and up to 8 frames in JPEG format per second.

The recent announcement by Nikon that it was withdrawing from the film camera business has been topped by today's announcement from Konica Minolta that it's transferring its assets to Sony and withdrawing altogether from camera production. Here's part of the press release: Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business and Photo Business (Konica Minolta News Release) Konica Minolta has long been a leading company in photo imaging business covering wide range of imaging from input to output. In addition, we have provided inspiring products and services by fusing our unique technologies. In camera business, we have expanded picture-taking opportunities by developing innovative technologies such as the world’s first autofocus cameras. In 1962, our camera, well-accepted for its high reliability, boarded on the US’s first manned spaceship “Friendship 7.” Also, ever since introduction of the world’s first body-integral autofocus SLR camera, Maxxum/Dynax series, in 1985, SLR cameras have become more popular among picture-takers, and we have succeeded in selling 16 million units of interchangeable lenses since then. However, in today’s era of digital cameras, where image sensor technologies such as CCD is indispensable, it became difficult to timely provide competitive products even with our top optical, mechanical and electronics technologies. Read the rest ...