WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.

Byline: Staff and Wire Services

Among the examples at the PMA show:

--The $500 Argus DC3850 is a 5.2-megapixel model that employs a 3x optical zoom lens, 1.8-inch LCD monitor, and is equipped with a 32 MB CompactFlash memory card.

The pocket-size Argus USB-1800, called a four-in-one model by the company, serves as a separate digital still camera and when plugged into a computer's USB port operates as a PC cam, a video-conferencing camera, and provides an internal USB port and has 16 MB of internal memory.

--Eastman Kodak Co. introduced the 3.1-megapixel Kodak EasyShare DX6340 Zoom Digital Camera, which is equipped with a professional-quality Schneider Krueznach Varigon 4x zoom lens, plus a 3.5x digital zoom function. The camera's advances include a new high-speed, precision autofocus for faster image capture in bright and low light. It is also equipped with a high-resolution 1.8-inch Indoor/Outdoor LCD monitor.

--Fuji Photo Film USA Inc. announced the first 6.2-megapixel digital camera employing the new proprietary Super CCD SR sensor technology.

The palm-size Fujifilm Finepix F700 has a unique sensor with pixels equal divided between S pixels, which have a high sensitivity to light, and R pixels, which have a low sensitivity to light.

The 3.1-megapixel sensor Fujifilm FinePix F410 is the first camera to carry the fourth-generation Super CCD HR technology, which provides 2,816-by-2,120-pixel resolution for an image file size of 6 million recorded pixels. The innovation will offer consumers increased resolution, greater sensitivity and improved color reproduction of high quality images. The palm-size camera employs the proprietary Super CCD HR chip, which is capable of producing crisp and vivid color prints up to 11x14 inches in size according to the company. The fixed-focal-length lens camera is packaged with a 16 MB xD Picture Card.

--Kyocera Optics Inc. will introduce two new digital cameras, which feature the ``world's largest LCD screens,'' according to the company. The display is its new DayFine 2.5-inch LCD, which offer dual backlight design with an exclusive wave guide filter that increases brilliance and contrast even under bright outdoor conditions. The two new cameras are the 3-megapixel Kyocera Finecam L3V and the 4-megapixel Kyocera Finecam L4V. In addition, Kyocera will unveil the Contax Tvs model that is described as a ``boutique'' point-and-shoot 5-megapixel digital camera that is equipped with ultra-high quality Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* optics. The $1,000 titanium-body camera features include an equivalent 35-105mm zoom lens, plus a 4x digital zoom; and employ a SD memory card.

--Nikon Inc. announced two new Coolpix digital models that are ``the smallest Nikon digital cameras ever,'' according to the company. The 3.2-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 3100, equipped with a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens. With lower resolution, the 2-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 2100, with 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens, has similar functions. Both cameras feature an innovative Scene Assist with 14 different Scene Modes to produce a perfect shot every time, and One-Touch Red-eye Fix software that instantly corrects most red-eye photos. With ultra-fast operation, both cameras offer a simple One-Touch Upload to transfer photos to a computer or Web site.

--OmniVision Technologies Inc. will demonstrate its CMOS CameraChip, which is designed for high-volume imaging applications. With low-light and high dynamic range capabilities, the next-generation CameraChip is available in 1.3-, 2-, and 3-megapixel versions, making them ideal for picture-taking cell phones and gaming equipment, as well as highly integrated still-photo and video camera applications. The CameraChip, with OmniVision's integrated multiple image processing and capture functions, consumes less power and has a smaller footprint than typical CMOS image sensors.

--Pentax Corp. announced a trio of new digital cameras. The 3.2-megapixel Pentax Optio33L is a sleek new model compared to its predecessor, Optio330GS. The Optio33L has a rotating LCD monitor, so that it can be swiveled toward the front of the camera, making it possible for photographers to join a group shot by using the monitor as a viewfinder. The camera features include a 3x equivalent 38-114mm optical zoom lens, and simplified operation using eight different programmed picture modes, such as landscape or portrait modes. The compact 5-megapixel Pentax Optio550 and the 4-megapixel Pentax Optio 450 are similar, except for the different resolutions. Both feature a 5x optical zoom lens, plus a 4x digital zoom function; plus a single dial for selecting 11 different operating modes, such a manual metering, or programmed, shutter-priority, and aperture-priority exposure modes. Other modes include digital filter for black-and-white, sepia, or single color-tinted images, or soft for soft-focus effects. All three cameras offer a 3D Image mode, which when making a pair of slightly spaced exposures, produces a stereopticon-like 3D images when seen through the special viewer that is provided.

--Sony Electronics Inc. announced a new line up of its three types of digital cameras. In the Sony Cyber-shot line, which employs the Sony Memory Stick storage media, new models will be available from 3-megapixels to 5-megapixels in the Cyber-shot P and Cyber-shot Compact P series. These models are pocket-sized and offer buyers a variety of functions and modes for easy digital picture taking. The Sony Mavica series, which uses a mini-CD recording technology, provides ``digital negatives'' on CD-R discs. Two new Mavica models are available in 3.2- and 5-megapixel resolution sensors. The Sony Enthusiast series offers advanced digital photographers the new 5-megapixel DSC-V1 camera, which is equipped with ultra-sharp Carl Zeiss optics. The multifaceted camera gives users complete control over the picture-taking process.

--Toshiba Imaging Systems unveiled the new 4-megapixel Toshiba PDR-4300 digital camera, which combines easy-to-use, point-and-shoot controls with a full-featured compact body. The camera features include a 2,400-by-1,800-pixel resolution CCD sensor, an equivalent Canon 35-100mm (2.8x) optical zoom lens and a 2.2x digital zoom function, and has a 1.6-inch LCD screen monitor. The camera employs SD memory media, and ships with a 16 MB card.

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Photo:

Panasonic's Bill Pritchard holds two of the company's new Lumix digital cameras. The device is the first digital still camera to feature 12x optic zoom.

Feature Photo Service