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Photo Trade News of Japan

December 2007
November 2007
US dollar values were calculated at Y120 per $1 rate. (Present rate is found on the index page)
November 2
Fujifilm FinePix Z10fd, the first Z-series flat body camera in 4 color versions

  • CCD: 1/2.5-inch, 7.24 megapixels, ISO: 64~1600
  • Lens: 3x 38~114mm, f/3.7~4.2. Macro for 8~80cm, and 0.6~3m.
  • Exposure: programmed auto. 12-scene modes. 2-shots by one release provided
  • Face-beautiful mode: provided.
  • Monitor: 2.5-inch, 150,000 dots
  • Memory card: 54MB built-in, and slot for xD Picture, SD/SDHC
  • Movie: 640 and 320-dot modes, 30fps.
  • Battery: 200 shots per charge.
  • Dimensions: 91.2mm (w) x 18.8mm (d) x 56.6mm (h), 110g.
  • Sales in Japan: middle of November, 2007. Shop price: around $250 (equivalent)
    • Fujifilm FinePix F480 with wide angle 4x zoom and 2.7-inch monitor

  • Specifications:
  • CCD: 1/2.5-inch, 8.15 megapixels
  • ISO: 100~800
  • Lens: 4x 28~112mm f/2.7~5.4
  • Exposure: programmed auto
  • Scene mode: 14
  • Monitor: 2.7-inch, 230,000 dots
  • Memory card: 12MB built-in, and slot for xD Picture, SD/SDHC.Movie: 320-dot mode, 30fps.
  • Battery: 150 shots per charge.
  • Dimensions: 95.6mm (w) x 23mm (d) x 55.4mm (h),140g.
  • Sales in Japan: middle of November, 2007
  • Shop price: around $200 (equivalent) in Japan.
    • October 2007
    October 31
    Ricoh GR Digital II compact 10-megapixel camera for professionals

    Square-format, electronic level in viewfinder, adjustable shutter release torque (optional), etc. are featured.
  • CCD: 1/1.75-inch, 10.01 megapixels
  • ISO: 80 ~ 1600
  • Lens: 28mm (equivalent in 35mm format), f/2.4
  • Exposure: auto and manual
  • Monitor: 2.7-icnh, 230,000 dots
  • Recording mode: still, movie & letter modes.
  • Movie: AVI, 640 & 320-dots mode, 30/15fps.
  • Battery: 370 shots per charge. 2 Type AAA-size batteries usable.
  • Dimensions: 107mm (w) x 25mm (d) x 58m (h), 168g.
  • Sales in Japan: November 22, 2007 at an open price.
  • Shop price: around $660 (equivalent)
    • October 24
    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T2 digital camera has 4GB memory for filing 40,000 pictures (at 640-dot mode)

  • 8.1-megapixel CCD
  • Original "Smile shutter"
  • Portable photo album wih 4GB memory
  • 40,000 pictures (filing via computer at 640-dot mode)
  • Opical vibration reduction
  • ISO 3200 sensitivity
  • 96.8mm (w) x 20.2mm (d) x 56.8mm (h), 129g.
  • Sales in Japan: November 22, 2007 at an open price.
  • Shop price: around $320 (equivalent)

    • October 18
    Top grade digital camera with over 8 megapixels becomes the top seller in Japan.
  • Share of over 8-megapixel camera in Japan in August 2007 was 59.3% of the total shipment. For reference in export, the share was still small, 34.6% in the month. (CIPA data)
  • Share of medium-grade cameras with 6~8 megapixels dropped to 40.6%.
  • Share of less than 6-megapixel cameras virtually none: 0.1% in Japan.
    • What happed in Japan is usually followed in Europe and North America in six months or so.
    October 18
    Olympus E-3 digital SLR,the top model of the E-series

    Olympus E-3 with new Zuiko Digital ED 12~60mm zoom
    The sensor is 3/4-format (17.3 x 13mm) Live CMOS having 10.1 megapixels.

    Features are free-angle 2.5-inch monitor, ultrasonic dust-off from CMOS surface, CMOS-shift vibration reduction, 11-point twin-cross sensor for AF, 5fps. continuous mode, splash-proof housing, etc.
  • Specifications:
  • Image sensor: 3/4-format, 10.1 megapixels
  • Finder: Pentaprism, covering 100% of image area having a big 1.15x image.
  • Shutter: 60~1/8,000sec.
  • Dimensions: 142.5mm (w) x 74.5mm (d) x 116.5mm, 810g.
  • Production: 15,000 units monthly
  • Sales in Japan: November 23, 2007
  • Shop price: around $1,660 (equivalent) in Japan (expected by Olympus).
    • October 11
    Fujifilm QS-70 printer for Post card size weighs 1kg only

  • Specifications:
  • Resolution: 300 x 300dpi.
  • Print size: L-size, post card
  • Printing time: 65sec.
  • Compatible memory card: xD Picture, SD/SDHC, MMC, CompactFlash, MemoryStick,
  • Monitor: 2.4 inches
  • Wireless infrared interface: provided
  • Dimensions: 182.3 (w) x 147.3（(d) x 74.7(h)mm, 1kg.
  • Shop price expected: around $140 (equivalent) in Japan.
    • October 4:
    Pentax Optio A40 12-megapixel camera, the top of the series

  • Specifications:
  • CCD: 1/1.7-inch, 12 megapixels
  • ISO: max. 3200
  • Lens: 3x 37~110mm, f/2.(~5.4
  • Vibration reduction: CCD-shift
  • Monitor: 2.5-inch, 232,000 dots
  • Movie: 640 & 320-dot modes, 30fps.
  • Battery: 240 shots per charge
  • Dimensions: 91mm (w) x 23.5mm (d) x 56.5mm (h), 130g.
  • Shop price: around $300 (equivalent) in Japan.

    • Pentax Optio V10 standard class 8-megapixel with a 3-inch monitor

  • Specifications:
  • CCD: 1/2.35-inch, 8.0 megapixels
  • ISO: max. 3200
  • Lens: 3x 36~108mm, f/3.1~5.9
  • Monitor: 2.5-inch,
  • Movie: 640 & 320-dot modes, 30fps.
  • Battery: 200 shots per charge
  • Dimensions: 95.5mm (w) x 19mm (d) x 58mm (h), 120g.
  • Shop price: around $230 (equivalent) in Japan.
    • SMC Pentax-DA 18~250mm F3.5~6.3ED AL[IF]

  • 14x tele-photo zoom
  • Focal length, equivalent to 27.5~383mm (in 35mm format).
  • 85.5mm long body with 455g weight.
  • Sho price: around $500 (equivalent in Japan).
    • October 2:
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 digital SLR has a free-angle live-view monitor
    Feature is the 2.5-inch live-view monitor, capable of changing viewing angle such as for low and high angle position. Ultrasound "Non dust" system for the sensor is
    provided

    .
    Specifications:
    Sensor: Live CMOS, 4/3-format, 10.1 megapixels
    ISO: max. 1600
    Lens: 4/3 mount
    Monitor: 2.5-inch, 207,000 dots.
    Multi-exposure: for 3 shots.
    Continuous mode: 3 or 2 fps.
    Battery: 450 shots per charge.
    Dimensions: 134.5 mm (w) x 77.5mm (d) x 95.5mm (h), 480g.
    Production: 7,000 units monthly
    Sales: November 22 in Japan
    Shop price: around $900 (equivalent) in Japan.
    September 2007
    September 14:
    Pentax Optio Z10 with 7x 38~266mm zoom

  • CCD: 1/2.5-inch, 8.0 megapixels
  • ISO: max. 3200
  • Lens: 38~266mm f/3.5~5.4
  • Vibration reduction: Digital SR (Shake Reduction) by using up to ISO 3200 for still. Digital type for movie
  • Exposure: multi-mode auto
  • Monitor: 2.5-inch, 230,000 dots
  • Battery: for 180 shots.
  • Dimensions: 94mm (w) x 25.5mm (d) x 58mm (h), 125g.
  • Sales: October at an open price
  • Shop price: around $280 (expected)
    • September 11:
    Olympus Camedia SP-560UZ has a 18x zoom for still and movie

  • CCD: 1/2.35-inch, 8.0 megapixels
  • ISO: max.3200 (6400 at 3.1 megapix.)
  • Lens: 18x, 27~486mm f/2.8~4.5
  • Monitor: 2.5-inch, 230,000 dots.
  • Battery: 4pcs. of AA size
  • Dimensions: 116mm (w) x 78mm (d) x 78.5mm (h), 365g.
  • Production: 30,000 units monthly
  • Shop price: around $430 (equivalent) expected in Japan.
    • September 7:
    Olympus U-1200 12-megapixel camera in a flat 125g body

  • CCD: 1/1.72-inch, 12 megapixels
  • ISO: 64~1600 (6400 at 3 megapixels)
  • Lens: 3x 35~105mm f/2.8~4.7
  • Vibration reduction: electronic type
  • Monitor: 2.7-inch, 230,000 dots
  • Battery: 150 shots per charge
  • Dimensions: 98.1mm (w) x 23mm (d) x 56.2mm (h), 125g.
  • Sales: October 12, 2007 (in Japan)
  • Shop price: around $370 (expected)
    • September 6:
    Sony DSLR A(Alpha) -700 SLR uses a 12.2-megapixel CMOS

    With Grip VG-C70AM
  • Sensor: APSC-size, 12.24 megapixels
  • ISO: 100~3200 (6400 possible)
  • Vibration reduction: CCD-shift type
  • Finder: eye-level type, covering 95% of image area
  • Dimensions:141.7mm (w) x 79.7mm (d) x 104.8mm (h), 690g.
  • Sales: November 16 in Japan.
  • Shop price: around $1,500 (expected by Sony)

    • For reference, the first SLR camera, Sony DSLR A-100 is sold at around $500 (equivalent) in Japan
    Olympus mju:830 8-megapixel camera with 5x zoom

  • CCD: 1/2.35-inch, 8.0 megapixels
  • ISO: 64~800 (2500 at high mode)
  • Lens: 5x, 36~180mm f/3.3~5.0
  • Vibration reduction: CCD-shift type
  • Monitor: 2.5-inch, 230,000 dots
  • Battery: 200 shots per charge.
  • Dimensions: 99.6mm (w) x 24mm (d) x 55.1mm (h), 125g.
  • Sales: September 2007 (in Japan)
    • Olympus mju:795SW under-water camera

    The camera withstands falls from1.5m height, and usable in 7 meters water and at -10-degree C temperature.

  • Specifications:
  • CCD: 1/2.33-inch, 7.1 megapixels
  • ISO: 80 ~ 800 (2500 at high mode)
  • Lens: 3x,38~114mm f/3.5~5.0
  • Monitor: 2.5-inch, 230,000 dots.
  • Battery: 220 shots per charge.
  • Dimensions: 91.8mm (w) x 20.6mm (d) x 59.2mm (h), 155g.
  • Production: 50,000units monthly
  • Sales: September 2007 (in Japan)
    • September 5:
    Sony DSC-T200 captures SMILE automatically

    3.5-inch touch-sensor monitor
  • CCD: 1/2.5-inch, 8.3 megapixels
    ISO: 80 ~ 3200
  • Lens: 5x, 35~175mm f/3.5~4.4
  • Vibration reduction: optical type
  • Exposure: programmed auto
  • Monitor: big touch sensor 3.5-inch, 230,000 dots
  • Dimensions: 93.mm (w) x 20.4mm (d) x 59.3mm (h), 160g.
    Shop price: around $370 (equivalent) in Japan.
    • Sony DSC-T70, sister version with a 3x zoom

    The T70 has the same specifications as the T200, but comes with 3x zoom and 3-inch monitor in a smaller body.

  • Lens: 3x 38~114mm f/3.5~4.3
  • Monitor: touch sensor 3.0-inch, 230,000 dots
  • Dimensions: 90mm (w) x 20.7mm (d) x 56.4mm (h), 128g.
  • Shop price: around $320 (equivalent) in Japan.
    • Sony's new H-series neo SLR, DSC-H with 10x 380mm zoom

    Affordable new H-series10x zoom neo SLR in a compact 264g body

  • CCD: 1/2.5-inch, 8.3 megapixels
    ISO: 100 ~ 3200
  • Lens: 10x 38~380mm f/3.5~4.4.
  • Vibration reduction: optical type
  • Exposure: auto and manual
  • Movie: MPEG-VF, 640-dots mode, 30/16.6fps.
  • Monitor: 2.5-inch, 115,000 dots.
  • Dimensions: 106mm (w) x 47.5mm (d) x 68.5mm (h), 264g.
  • Shop price: around $320 (equivalent) in Japan.
    • September 5:
    Sanyo Xacti Full-HD camcorder, HD1000

    Records movie and still pictures on SDHCmemory card

    Full-HD movies at 1920 x 1080-dot resolution at 60fps. on SD/HC memory card.

    Still picture recording at 8 megapixels.

    Image sensor: CMOS, 1/2.5-inche, 4 megapixels
    ISO: max. 3200 (for still)
    Media: SD/SDHC
    Lens: 10x, 38~380mm with vibration reduction.
    Monitor: 2.7-inch, 230,000 dots
    Dimensions: 90mm (w) x 54.5mm (d) x 112.6mm (h), 268g.
    Shop price: around $850 (equivalent in Japan)
    September 1:
    Casio unveils neo SLR takes picture at 60fps at 6-megapixel resolution (prototype)

    This takes pictures at 60fps. speed and, high-speed VGA movie (640x480 dots) at 300fps.
  • CCD: 1/1.8-inch, 6.0 megapixels
  • Finder: electronic type
  • Lens: 12x 35~420mm
  • CMOS-shift vibration reduction
  • Monitor: 2.8-inch, 230,000 dots
  • Dimensions: 127.5mm (w) x 130mm (d) x 79.5mm (h), 650g.
  • Sales: within a year (expected)
  • Unveiled at a German show which opened on August 31.
    • Go to: previous months