My first impression was “Wow!”, taking into account that  this is a camera-phone. What do you guys think of the quality of the camera and how it compares to existing phones?

And here’s the press release:

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 22, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, announced today the development of Hybrid Image Stabilizer (IS), the world’s first* optical image stabilization technology that compensates for both angle camera shake and shift camera shake. The technology will be featured in interchangeable single lens reflex (SLR) camera lens planned for commercial release before the end of 2009.

Several different preventative methods and corrective procedures have been introduced to compensate for errors caused by camera shake, which occurs when a camera moves while its shutter is open and its image sensor is exposed to light.

Canon began researching methods to compensate for camera shake in the 1980s, and in 1995 launched the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, the world’s first interchangeable SLR camera lens to feature a mechanism that compensates for optical camera shake. Since then, the company has continued to produce a variety of interchangeable lenses with image stabilization capabilities, and boasts a total of 21 such lenses in its current product lineup.

Canon’s newly developed Hybrid IS technology optimally compensates for angle and shift camera shake. Sudden changes in camera angle can significantly affect images taken during standard shooting, whereas shift-based shaking, which occurs when a camera moves parallel to the imaging scene, is more pronounced in macro photography and other close-range shooting.

The new Hybrid IS technology incorporates an angular velocity sensor that detects the extent of angle-based shaking and is found in all previous Canon optical image stabilizer mechanisms, as well as a new acceleration sensor that determines the amount of shift-based camera shake. Hybrid IS also employs a newly developed algorithm that synthesizes information from the two sensors to make optimal adjustments, thereby dramatically enhancing the effects of image stabilization during shooting, including macro shooting, which had proven difficult for conventional image stabilization technologies.

Canon is actively engaged in ongoing research and development of interchangeable SLR camera lenses incorporating Hybrid IS technology, and is aiming for the early commercialization and inclusion of the lenses in a wide range of products.

Canon Digital Learning Center
Online visitors and Web surfers are encouraged to browse the Canon Digital Learning Center and take advantage of the various educational resources that Canon has to offer for novices and advanced photographers alike. The Canon Digital Learning Center provides a schedule for a wide variety of Live Learning classes across the country with renowned photographers as well as online resources and tips. The site also features online tutorials for beginners and professionals to learn their way around a digital SLR camera and inkjet printer and unlock the full creative control of digital photography. To learn more about each program and register please visit: www.usa.canon.com/canonlivelearning

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked third overall in the U.S. in 2008†, with global revenues of US $45 billion, is listed as number seven in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2008 list, and is on the 2008 BusinessWeek list of “Top 100 Brands.” At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – - “all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future” – - Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/RSS.

Just a few days back I have found that the people from Avanquest improvised their web application: SendPhotos 2. What’s this? Well is a free photo sharing solution

So what’s so special about this application? Well the most important of all, it has certified support for more than 160 telephones, including iPhone and Blackberry, followed by other features as :

• complete revision of the Web client interface
• the acceptance of the iPhone
• the creation of a plug-in for iPhoto
• management of the leading social networks including Facebook, MySpace and Picasa.

The Avanquest SendPhotos photo-sharing web site, now available in the free public Beta 2 version, lets users to shares their photos with friends and family trough the web browser either from PC or Mac, with increased security, due to fact that the photos are completely private, hidden from search engines. Also they offer 1 GB of free space, meaning you can put as close as 1000 images close to a size of 1 mb per photograph, in which you can also store safely your precious photographs.

Bottom line: although this is excellent for people to store photos from their phone, I am not very impressed  for it to be an amazing photo-storing or even sharing solution. But I have to admit that I really like the design and functionality of the web site.

Also feel free to watch the presentation video:

I would like to let you know that Canon has just announced a line of some amazing new lenses with optics that intensify the light as it passes through. This technology has been in development for many years, and because of a new revolutionary manufacturing process, the production of this high quality optics it possible at affordable prices.

Canon can’t release details of exactly how they make the lenses (for obvious reasons) but, they have said that the process of manufacturing has to take place in complete darkness until the new Starlight Spectra Coating, which is the key to the intensifying of light, has time to develop its light gathering ability.

So Canon has started the line of new lenses with this 20-400mm f/2.8 IO (Intensifying Optics) IS USM, and from what I understand they will release more lenses with this special ability.

As a side note, I have read somewhere, forgot where, a rumor that Canon stops producing the famous 70-200mm f/2.8. Now i can understand why, maybe because they are going to release a new version of 70-200mm with IO.

So the estimated price is somewhere around 4100$ (3100€) and the release date it’s sometime in autumn 2009. Also here’s a list of key features:

• Aspherical optics used on all elements except for front SSC coated element
• Pro quality optics on a par with L series lens quality
• Robust design with build quality equivalent to L series lenses
• Image intensifying optics used in front element of lens
• Lens feature full time mechanical manual focusing
• Fully flocked throughout to prevent internal reflections
• One touch design for speed of zooming
• Optical image stabiliser with 6 stop correction for handshake
• Lens supplied with removable tripod mount

Also if you want to read more about this www.experience-seminars.co.uk wrote an article in PDF format about this, and here’s the PDF file.

The biggest camera manufacturer, Canon, has reported an 81% downfall of their quarterly profits, due to the economic recession and low demand for their products. From what Canon’s Managing Director, Masahiro, said: “A substantial recovery in the economy is unlikely in 2009. Our operating environment will be even harder this year than it was last year”, the situation doesn’t look too good. And from what I read in on Reuters, Canon profit stumble predicts further slide.

Also Sony has even bigger losses in profit coming close  to a staggering 95% drop, in this fourth quarter. Sony said its net profit shriveled to 10.4 billion yen ($115.6 million) in the third quarter from 200.2 billion yen a year earlier. You can read more about this on The Associated Press.

Although everyone started to feel the economic crisis, it seams that in stead of things getting better, are getting worse.

“…Canon has a replacement for the 1D MKIII ready to launch during the second quarter of 2009. What’s holding Canon back is a decision from FIFA … to allow pro-cameras with video capability ( see 5D MKII) during sporting events. FIFA is currently looking into the legal implications with television rights and contracts with broadcasters. If FIFA give the green light then Canon will release the camera.”

But it’s not a huge dead, because Canon won’t delay the launch of the camera whatever the answer from FIFA will be. There isalso a rumor that the possible announcement date is May 19, 2009.

Well, today, with my smile on my face ( I’m a huge fan of the 5D Mark II), I can say that the “black dots” and “banding issues” on the 5D Mark II are fixed with the new firmware update ( at least that’s what Canon says).

The black dot problem is fixed due to this test made by Andrew Yip. For you 5D Mark II owners ( lucky bastards ) out there here is the link to the official Firmware 1.0.7.

2009: THE START OF A NEW ERA FOR CANON’S SINGLE-LENS REFLEX CAMERAS, COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS SINCE CANON LAUNCHED ITS FIRST IN 1959

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 6, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is honoring 50 years of SLR camera sales, beginning with the sale of Canon’s first SLR camera in 1959. 2009 is a milestone year, commemorating the passing of 50 years since Canon sold its first single-lens reflex camera. Canon’s single-lens reflex cameras have evolved with the times, incorporating advanced and groundbreaking technology. Exceeding a cumulative total of 53 million units, they have garnered extensive support from photographers around the world. Looking to the future, Canon will continue its efforts to develop its single-lens reflex cameras and lead image culture for the next fifty years.

Canon’s history with 35mm single-lens reflex cameras began in May 1959, when Canon Inc. launched the Canonflex. Thereafter, the Company continued to introduce cameras that embodied solid technology and innovation, including the F-1, its first professional model (1971); the AE-1, the world’s first single-lens reflex camera with built-in CPU (1976); and the T90, a state-of-the-art T Series model (1986).

Additionally, in March 1987, Canon adopted the world’s first electronic mount and launched the EOS650, a new-generation AF single-lens reflex camera with electronic control that was originally between the lens and the body and then encompassed the entire system. The EOS Series, which has continued to the present day, has rapidly expanded users in both the professional segment, with the top-of-the-line EOS-1 (1989), and in the entry segment, with the EOS Rebel (1993), for which size and weight reductions were accomplished.

Since the year 2000, an era of full-fledged digitalization has been dawning, beginning with the EOS D30 (2000). With speed, ease and high image quality as its key concepts, the EOS Digital Series has constantly been a leader in the evolution of single-lens reflex cameras with Canon-developed CMOS sensors, the high-performance image processor DIGIC and an EF lens group that boasts outstanding optical performance and an abundant line-up.

Last year, in 2008, Canon released four models, including the EOS Rebel XSi, which has acquired the top market share in numerous countries around the world, and the EOS 5D Mark II, which is equipped with the first full high-definition movie recording functions for a single-lens reflex camera. With the introduction of these camera models, the Company has successfully created an even more powerful line-up.

As we review this half a century of history, Canon is truly grateful to all of its photographers for their support and seeks to continue the challenge of creating single-lens reflex cameras that provide the best image quality and reliability for the next generation.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked third overall in the U.S. in 2007†, with global revenues of $39.3 billion, is listed as one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2008 BusinessWeek list of “Top 100 Brands.” To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/pressroom.

Professor David Cumming of Glasgow University who is leading the research team claims that “We’ll be using nanotechnology to manipulate particles, so as to take advantage of the properties of electrons to create a new optical effect.” He also added “Digital imaging has come a long way in recent years and this project aims to further improve the ability of digital devices to produce high-quality pictures”

The project is expected to last until the middle of 2012.

You can read more about this on BBC News.