Orlando, Fla. — The Orange County Convention Center is plowed under in pixels as vendors pull back the curtain on 2005 models.
Here’s a look at some introductions:
Concord: The 5-megapixel ES510z features 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 30fps, 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 15fps 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 24fps 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 15fps, 16MB of internal memory, and PC-camera capability for an estimated street price of $79.99.
HP: The 4-megapixel M22 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 multi-zone auto focus (AF), 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.
Olympus: Building off its style-conscious Stylus line, the company will add 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 startup time of less than one second and several new in-camera organizing features such as a calendar view and albuming.
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: The 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, 14MB of internal memory, and 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.
Samsung: For a suggested $289.99, the company will introduce the 5-megapixel U-CA 5. It will ship in two 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 for uploading images and recharging the camera’s batteries.
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 2-4 segments and saves it as a single file. Photo frame allows users to add a frame to an image in the camera.
The U-CA 5 also offers an RGB color effect mode, which lets users adjust the levels of red, green and blue in all of the images stored on 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, supports eight power sources , a 1.8-inch LCD, 16MB of internal memory, AVI movie clip capture and voice memo recording.
Sony: Arguing that consumers are looking for improved “stamina” from their digital models, Sony introduced a 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 multi-point 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, 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 30fps 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 hi-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.
