It’s A Pixel Parade At PMA

Orlando, Fla.— The Orange County Convention Center was plowed under in pixels as vendors pulled back the curtain on 2005 models. The emphasis was squarely on hitting aggressive price points and adding enough features to coax back repeat buyers.

Concord introduced the 5-megapixel ES510z featuring Concord’s new “ImageEnhance” button for in-camera image correction in addition to a metal housing, 3x optical/4x digital zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, MPEG-4 video recording at 30 fps and 16MB of internal memory. The camera will ship in gun-metal gray with silver accents and aqua blue with silver accents with an estimated street price of $229.99.

The 5-megapixel ES500z, for an estimated $179.99, features a 3x optical/4x digital zoom, 6 preset scene modes and a 2-inch LCD.

Concord’s 5-megapixel 5040 uses a CMOS sensor and will be bundled with two AAA rechargeable batteries and a charger. The fixed focal length model will have an estimated street price of $129.99, and offer a 4x digital zoom, 1.8-inch LCD, MPEG-4 video recording at 15 fps and a voice recorder.

The company also announced the 4-megapixel 4100s ($164.95, suggested), a fixed focal length with a 4x digital zoom. The camera also features a 1.5 inch LCD, 14MB of internal memory, movie clip recording at 24 fps at 320 by 240 resolution, and Web-cam functionality.

Finally, the 3-megapixel 3047 offers a metal housing, fixed focal length lens with a 4x digital zoom, AVI movie capture at 15 fps, 16MB of internal memory, and PC-camera capability for an estimated street price of $79.99.

HPunveiled the 4-megapixel M22, which is housed in a weather-resistant, all-metal case. The fixed focal length model offers a 6x digital zoom and HP’s “Real Life” technologies including adaptive lighting technology, in-camera red-eye removal, in-camera panorama assist and preview, and image advice. It also employs HP’s Instant Share technology.

The camera features multizone auto focus (AF) and the ability to capture video clips with sound. It works with the optional Photosmart M-series dock. It ships in the spring for an estimated $149.

Microtekadded a combination digital still/MPEG-4 recorder to its line. The Take-It MV320 can record VGA resolution MPEG-4 video at 20 fps to the length of the memory (16MB internal with an SD card slot). It also records audio files for notes or memos.

The MV320 features a 3.21-megapixel CMOS sensor, 4x digital zoom, 16MB internal memory with an SD slot, built-in flash with red-eye removal, and a 2-inch LCD panel with 270-degree rotation. It offers a quick-review button for previewing the last image taken with the option of deleting, protecting or adding a 10-second voice memo. It is available this month for a suggested $199.99.

Olympusbuilt off its style-conscious Stylus line with the addition of the 5-megapixel Stylus Verve S. It offers an all-weather body, a 2x optical zoom, 1.8-inch LCD, 16 shooting modes accessible through the camera’s menu, a start-up time of less than one second, and several new in-camera organizing features such as a calendar view and album creation.

The camera design features a new finger grip on the front of the camera and a new high-gloss finish. It offers programmable sound effects for the start up and a choice of three shutter sounds, in addition to support for USB 2.0 and PictBridge. The Verve S will ship in April for an estimated $349.99.

Panasonic’s 4-megapixel DMC-LS1 offers a 3x optical zoom lens with the company’s MEGA O.I.S. image stabilizing technology. Additional features include a 2-inch LCD, eight scene modes, and 14MB of internal memory, and it ships with Oxyride batteries. According to CIPA standards the camera can snap 215 images on two Oxyrides.

The camera will ship in April for a suggested retail price of $229.95.

Rolleiintroduced the 5-megapixel dr5100, for a suggested $449. It sports a 3x optical zoom, manual exposure controls, and voice and video recording. The company also entered a model into the ultra-zoom market with the 4-megapixel dk4010, featuring a 10x optical/6x digital zoom. This model offers an unlimited continuous shooting mode and will retail for a suggested $549.

Finally, the company introduced the compact Prego dp5200, which features 5.2-megapixel resolution, a 3x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD for a suggested $449.

Sakar announced the sub-megapixel KidzCam for a suggested $29.99. The model will be bundled with Snap Kids Photo Project software for creating slide shows, playing games and editing. The camera stores 152 photos on internal memory and offers a USB cable. It is shipping this month.

Samsungwill slap a $289.99 suggested retail on its 5-megapixel U-CA 5. It will ship in three colors: neo gray, wine or blue. It features a 1.8-inch LCD, a 5x digital zoom, nine scene modes, automatic and manual controls, MPEG-4 video capture and will be bundled with a USB cradle.

The camera also offers three special effect modes: highlight, composite and photo frames. Highlight emphasizes a subject by putting its surroundings into soft focus. Composite divides a scene into two to four segments and saves it as a single file. Photo frame allows users to add a frame to an image in the camera.

Samsung also introduce the 4-megapixel A402, for an estimated $139.99. The camera will be available in neo silver, parvin black or red. The fixed focal length models offers a 5x digital zoom, a 1.8-inch LCD, 16MB of internal memory, AVI movie clip capture and voice memo recording, and it supports eight power sources,.

Sonyargued that consumers are looking for improved “stamina” from their digital models, when it introduced its new S-series. All three new models in the line will offer 4-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom lenses, 32MB of internal memory, five-point multipoint AF, auto macro, an AF illuminator and support for PictBridge and USB 2.0 high speed.

The S40 will feature a 1.5-inch LCD screen and six preset scene modes. It will ship in March for an estimated $199.95.

The S60 will sport a 2-inch LCD, automatic and manual exposure modes accessible via a mode dial, and seven preset scene modes. The camera can work with an optional Cyber-shot Station USB dock and conversion lenses. It will be bundled with two AA batteries and ships in March for an estimated $249.95.

Finally, the S90 will build off the S60 with a 2.5-inch LCD and MPEG VX movie capture. It will bundle NiMH AA rechargeable batteries and a charger for a suggested $299.95. The S90 ships in March.

The company also updated the 7-megapixel model in its P-series. The P-200 will replace the P150 and offer a 3x Carl Zeiss zoom lens, a 2-inch LCD screen, VGA MPEG movie mode at 30 fps and five area multi-point AF with an AF illuminator and automatic macro focusing. The camera is compatible with conversion lenses and features nine preset scene modes, USB 2.0 high-speed connectivity, PictBridge support, and automatic/manual controls via a mode dial.

The camera will ship this month with a 32MB Memory Stick and an InfoLithium battery and charger for an estimated $399.95.