Panasonic Introduces World's First Digital Camera Featuring SD Technology
New Panasonic 3.3 Mega Pixel ipalm(TM) Digital Camera Uses Postage Stamp-Size Recording Media
--From AOL. -- Cooters
SECAUCUS, N.J., Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- First in the line of many products to use the new SD technology, the world's first SD Memory Card-compatible digital camera -- the new Panasonic ipalm digital camera PV-DC3000 -- is scheduled to hit the market next month. This revolutionary new product uses the highly innovative SD recording medium -- about the size of a postage stamp -- and will drastically change the way that consumers capture and share digital images.
(Photo: newscom.com )
The SD Memory Card was developed by Matsushita Electric in collaboration with Sunnyvale, California-based SanDisk Corporation and Toshiba Corporation. This portable postage stamp-sized flash memory card features built-in copy protection, a capability that will be indispensable in the coming digital networking era. This medium, which also will be supported by a number of the major consumer electronics manufacturers, allows for the easy and quick exchange of images, music and data among SD Memory Card compatible appliances. And, in addition to interfacing with the new PV-DC3000 digital camera, SD Memory Cards will have future applications and will also work with other anticipated SD Memory Card-driven products including a variety of audio devices, camcorders, memo recorders and even home appliances.
"In addition to being SD Memory Card-compatible, the new PV-DC3000 ipalm digital camera also takes print-quality photos that can easily be e-mailed with audio accompaniments, all at the touch of a button," says Mary Miceli, product manager of the Consumer Video Division for Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC). "And, as attractive as it is useful, the new ipalm digital camera also has a striking, vertically-oriented, easy to hold design that fits more naturally into the palm of the user's hand."
The new ipalm digital camera uses a 0.55-inch charged coupled device (CCD) that contains over 3.3 million pixels to capture sharp, crisp images in high resolution. A built-in, 1.5-inch color LCD allows the photographer to see the image before and after the picture is taken.
The digital camera is equipped with a 2x optical zoom for close up shots, equivalent to a 32-64mm lens on a standard 35mm camera, while an added 3x digital zoom can be used for picking up additional details of far away images. Unlike many other digital cameras, the ipalm digital camera makes it so easy to network to your PC. Simply hook up your camera via the included USB cable to your PC, touch a few buttons on the camera and your precious memories will be transferred for editing, storage or e-mailing*. Other features include a self-timer and automatic white balance. The aperture can automatically be adjusted from F2.9 to F8, and shutter speed is automatically adjusted from 1/30th to 1/1,000th of a second (1/4th to 1/1,000th of a second in slow shutter mode).
The new Panasonic ipalm digital camera features an SD card slot that is compatible with either SD Memory Cards or MultiMediaCard Cards. Image resolution and the number of images in the different modes are:
Included 16MB Resolution
MultiMediaCard
JPEG, Super Fine
(Low Compression)+ 15 images 2048 x 1536
JPEG, Fine (High Compression) 30 images 2048 x 1536
JPEG, Normal, 2x Zoom and
Burst Modes 80 images
100 images (burst) 1024 x 768
JPEG, Motion Image Recording
with Audio (12 seconds) 10 sets 320 x 240
TIFF (uncompressed) 1 image 2048 x 1536
But the new ipalm digital camera does much more than capture impressive still images. Some higher-end features include:
-- Easy Networking to a PC -- Using One Button Image Transfer, you can
easily connect your ipalm digital camera to your PC+ via the included
USB cable, push one button on the camera, and images will transfer to
the PC. In the case of Easy Mail(TM), simply hit the "MAIL" and the
shutter buttons and your images will automatically be attached to a new
e-mail message that's ready for sending to friends and family. It's
that easy!
-- Motion Image Recording with Audio -- record a twelve-second mini movie
with audio to playback or post on the Internet. (Then, playback the
movie using the included QuickTime(TM) software.) 120 consecutive
images can be taken every 0.1 seconds in 320 x 240 resolution when you
press the shutter button.
-- Still Image Recording with Audio -- enhance your still images by
recording a brief narration (five seconds) or natural sound effects
using the built-in microphone.
-- Burst Recording -- an ideal way to record quick moving objects. When
activated, this feature can record up to three images when you press
the shutter button.
-- Time Lapse Recording -- automatically capture an image from once every
minute to once every 24 hours*.
Preferred images can be saved indefinitely, while rejects can easily be deleted, freeing up space for new ones. Once the memory card is full, its images can be downloaded and the memory card erased, or a new one can be used.
When downloaded to a computer, the images can be stored, saved and organized for printing, e-mailing or inclusion on a Web site. With the included Adobe(R) PhotoDeluxe(R) Home Edition 4.0 for Windows(R) and PhotoDeluxe(R) 2.0 for Macintosh(R),** users can enhance and modify their photos in a variety of ways, from simply improving color and contrast, to removing unwanted items and adding special effects.
The new ipalm digital camera is also USB-compatible enabling the camera to be connected, via the included cable, to the USB port on a PC or MAC for a much faster data transfer rate than the usual serial port connection***.
The camera uses four AA Alkaline batteries (included) and features a built-in flash for low-light situations and an automatic multiple flash function to reduce the occurrence of "red eyes" in your subjects. Also included is a 16MB MultiMediaCard, USB cable, driver software, video cable for viewing pictures on a standard television set, camera strap, Adobe PhotoDeluxe, and QuickTime software.
The new PV-DC3000 ipalm digital camera will be available in October, 2000 with a suggested retail price of $899.95. SD Memory Cards will be available for purchase separately.
Panasonic digital cameras are marketed in the United States by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a division of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America (MECA). MECA is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (NYSE: MC; PCX) of Japan, one of the world's largest producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use. All prices are in U.S. dollars. (Consumers seeking more information on the company's products can call Panasonic's Customer Call Center at 800-211-PANA or access Panasonic's home page at panasonic.com. Media interested in Panasonic press releases can gain information via the Panasonic Web site at Internet Keyword: Panasonic Press Room or through New Directions Public Relations' toll-free fax-back system at 888-734-7490.)
Included Driver Software must be installed to PC before transferring
image. Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 98 or Windows(R) 2000 preinstalled PC
with USB port, iMac(R), iBook(R), Power Macintosh(R) G3 with USB port
or Power Mac (TM) G4 and Mac OS version 8.6, 9.0 or 9.0.4. Included
USB cable also required. Driver software for Macintosh is currently
not available, but is expected to be available in the future on the
company's website at panasonic.com. MAPI (Mail
Application Programming Interface) for Windows(R) and Eudora for
Macintosh(R).
* Capture rates of approximately one minute, five minute, 10 minute,
30 minute, one hour, six hour, twelve hour, or 24 hour intervals can
be set.
** Adobe PhotoDeluxe 4.0 is included for Windows users. Adobe
PhotoDeluxe 2.0 is included for MAC users.
*** Requires Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 98 or Windows(R) 2000 preinstalled PC
with USB port, iMac(R), iBook(R) Power Macintosh(R) G3 with USB port
or Power Mac(TM) G4 and Mac OS version 8.6, 9.0 or 9.0.4. Included
USB cable also required. Driver software for Macintosh is currently
not available, but is expected to be available in the future on the
company's website at panasonic.com.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. SD Logo is a trademark.
QuickTime and the QuickTime logo are trademarks used under license. QuickTime is registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Adobe and Adobe PhotoDeluxe are trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
SOURCE Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
CO: Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company; Matsushita Electric Corporation of America; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
ST: New Jersey, Japan
IN: CPR MLM
SU: PDT
09/19/2000 09:00 EDT prnewswire.com |
