July 2011

Kodak continues to struggle
Kodak posted a wider Q2/2011 loss and a decline in revenue as the erstwhile leader in photography continues to struggle to gain momentum in its digital camera and printing businesses. Revenue fell 4.5% to $1.49 billion from $1.56 billion, and Kodak expects a 2011 loss of $200 to $400 million. -- Posted Tuesday, July 26, 2011 by chb

Pana expands FZ-Series with 24x optical, full HD FZ47
Panasonic also introduced the LUMIX DMC-FZ47 as the newest addition to the company's super-zoom FZ-Series. The 12.1mp FZ47 has a 24x optical zoom in a 25mm ultra-wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, full-HD 1080i video, and new creative controls while shooting both still and video images. The Leica lens has Panasonic's Nano Surface Coating technology to minimize light reflection that causes ghosting and flare. There is also a wind-cut function for better audio, 3D photo shooting, and faster start-up time compared to the LUMIX FZ40. List price is US$399. -- Posted Monday, July 25, 2011 by chb

Panasonic announces easy-to-use camera with 26mm wide-angle F2.8 lens, ideal for low-light shooting
Panasonic announced the new 14.1-megapixel LUMIX DMC-LS5 with a F2.8, 26mm wide-angle, 5x optical zoom lens, and optical image stabilization. The camera also has 720p HD video capabilities and runs on AA batteries, perfect for the user who is looking for added convenience. No pricing was announced yet as the camera won't be available before November. -- Posted Monday, July 25, 2011 by chb

Ricoh buys Pentax
In a somewhat surprising move, Ricoh is acquiring Pentax (technically HOYA Corporation's PENTAX Imaging Systems Business) and will begin to use the PENTAX brand name for some of its digital camera products. Tradition-rich Pentax has been hanging in there over the past few years, offering interesting and innovative digital compacts and dSLRs, but probably found it hard to compete with the likes of Canon, SOny and Nikon. It will be interesting to see how Ricoh, which has largely concentrated on special purpose cameras, will handle the Pentax acquisition. [See Ricoh/Pentax press release and explanation] -- Posted Friday, July 1, 2011 by chb