Pentax Imaging has launched a third digital SLR camera, the *ist DL. Continuing with the line's compact style, the new model's body weighs 16.6 ounces and has a 2.5-inch LCD monitor.

The *ist DL incorporates a 23.5 by 15.7mm CCD image sensor for 6.1 effective megapixels. A 16-segment metering system assures precision light measurement, even under complicated conditions. It also offers center-weighted metering and spot metering for...

Hasselblad has developed new digital cameras and camera backs based on a new digital platform, for both general and specialist professional photographers. Building on its H1 range of products, Hasselblad has launched the H2 cross-platform camera and the H2D fully integrated digital camera.

Both of the cameras include a series of brand new features, and are fully compatible with Hasselblad's existing H system lenses. Additionally, the Ixpress digital back line has...

Olympus has released its ultra-zoom digital camera, the SP-500 UZ, with a 10x optical zoom. With a 2.5-inch LCD, manual and automatic settings, and optional add-on accessory lenses, the SP-500 UZ is designed to be versatile enough for advanced users.

The 6- megapixel CCD image sensor provides images that are sharp and vivid, even in large-format prints.

The SP-500 UZ has 21 program-med scene modes. With QuickTime movie mode, it can...

Canon USA has released its EOS 20Da digital SLR, designed to address the specific requirements of astrophotography. Its features include a preview LCD and a low-pass filter positioned in front of an 8.2-megapixel CMOS sensor that has been modified to yield sharper and higher-contrast images of various astronomical phenomena, such as diffuse reddish nebulae. The modification increases the transmission of light at the specific wavelength of 656 nanometers, known as the Hydrogen Alpha line...

Mamiya has recently launched the new 645AFD II, which seamlessly supports both film and digital capture all in one camera system and incorporates the latest auto focusing technology. In addition to a faster, more sensitive focus response, the camera offers a selective spot or wide focus area within its "I + I" CCD focus pattern sensor array. Single, continuous and manual focus overrides are available as shooting situations change.

Its latest MSC (Mamiya Serial Communication) data transfer technology is built in to...

The new compact Canon EOS 5D digital SLR incorporates a full-frame CMOS sensor with 12.8 megapixels of resolution in a magnesium-alloy body weighing 28.6 ounces. A finer CMOS production process and optimized photodiode construction increase the light-sensitive area of each pixel and improve dynamic range.

The model allows users to shoot up to three frames per second, and record up to 60 full-resolution JPEGs and...

Canon's new 8.2-megapixel EOS-1D Mark II N digital SLR preserves the speed, responsiveness, image quality and reliability of the EOS-1D Mark II while incorporating new features that make the camera easier and more precise to use.

While the 1D Mark II fired at 8.5 frames per second with a 40-JPEG burst, the new model is capable of 48 full-resolution JPEG images in a burst. The camera also can shoot 19 frames of RAW+JPEG...

Canon's new PowerShot S2 IS digital camera provides the ability to capture still images and movie clips. The 5-megapixel camera is designed to provide high-quality resolution and color along with low noise.

The camera's f/2.7-3.5, 6.72mm 12x zoom lens (36-432mm equivalent) improves telephoto shooting. When the optical zoom is augmented with the camera's...

At the Spring Tokyo Trade Show, Pentax presented its first 645 digital medium-format camera. The professional-quality camera has a Pentax 645 autofocus mount, and is compatible with existing smc Pentax 645 interchangeable lenses. The camera also features a Kodak extra-large CCD image sensor with 18.6 total megapixels.

Pricing has yet to be announced.

Nikon has launched a D2Hs professional digital SLR camera that incorporates several new enhancements. Designed for photojournalists and sports/action photographers, the camera includes changes based on research and feedback from professional photographers.

A redesigned image-processing engine produces images with higher quality, finer gradations and lower noise. A newly refined exposure metering system improves on Nikon's 3D Color Matrix technology. The auto white...