Kodak and Lexar Join Forces In Drive For Removable Digital Memory Market Leadership

May 17, 2004 Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK) and Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR) today announced they have formed a long-term agreement to gain a larger share of the market for removable digital memory products, driven by surging demand from the mass-market adoption of digital cameras, mobile phone cameras, portable music players and other consumer electronics devices.

As part of the exclusive multi-year agreement, Lexar Media will manufacture and distribute a full range of KODAK branded memory cards and will work with Kodak to provide consumers with a wide variety of reliable, high quality, mass-market memory cards worldwide. Kodak will contribute to the partnership its brand power and global distribution network, while Lexar Media will contribute removable memory products known for their quality, reliability and speed, and its demonstrated retail category management. Both companies will market the products worldwide.

Funai to supply digital cameras to Kodak

OSAKA - In its latest entry into new business areas, Funai Electric Co has started producing digital cameras for Eastman Kodak Co of the US under an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement, the Japanese firm said on Wednesday.

Funai plans to supply the US company with around 10 billion yen (US$88 million) worth of products in the first year.

Tekom Selects Kopin's CyberDisplay 180K for Newest Digital Still Camera; Kopin's Color Filter Displays Continue to Gain Traction in Digital Camera Market

Tekom Technologies, Inc. has selected the full-color Kopin CyberDisplay(TM) 180K for its new digital still camera, the AX480. Source: Tekom Technologies, Inc.

May 13, 2004--Kopin Corp. (NASDAQ: KOPN) today announced that Tekom Technologies, Inc., a leading digital still camera maker in Taiwan, has selected the full-color CyberDisplay(TM) 180K for its new digital still camera, the AX480. The AX480 is already selling in Europe and Asia.

The AX480 contains an electronic viewfinder system produced by Asia Optical Co. Inc. of Taiwan. The system includes Kopin's ultra small CyberDisplay 180K, a 0.24-inch diagonal color filter active matrix liquid crystal display with an active resolution of 800 x 225, or 180,000 sub-pixels, and an Asia Optical lens. The system allows Tekom to offer advanced features in the AX480 while keeping it compact, lightweight and power efficient for convenience and portability. The AX480 is a 4.23-megapixel camera that features audio video capabilities, an 8X optical zoom, a 4X digital zoom and SD/MMC memory card compatibility. The AX480's CyberDisplay-equipped viewfinder also includes a focusable diopter lens.

"Kopin's line of displays offer the digital still camera manufacturer a wider range of options," said Robert Tsai, president and CEO of Tekom. "Our customers will be delighted with the performance of the CyberDisplay 180K. We look forward to using CyberDisplay products in other Tekom digital still cameras and in those of our OEM customers."

The Kopin's CyberDisplay family of microdisplays are the world's smallest highest-resolution AMLCDs. Ranging in size from 0.97-inch diagonal to 0.16-inch diagonal, CyberDisplay AMLCDs provide a virtual image size as large and clear as much bigger displays, but they consume far less battery power than competing offerings.

"This design win represents continued success on two important fronts in our strategy to grow our display product line," said Kopin CEO Dr. John C. C. Fan. "First, Tekom is a leading Taiwanese manufacturer of digital still cameras, and becoming established with leading Taiwan OEMs is an important step in our strategy. Second, we continue to transition from our monochrome product to our recently introduced color filter displays, which include our CyberDisplay 113K, 180K and 922K. We hope to continue executing on our strategy and expanding our placement of the CyberDisplay product line across additional camera brands as the market grows."

PENTAX to Ship Two Cameras in One: OptioMX Delivers Digital Still Images and High Resolution Movies at an Affordable Price

May 12, 2004 PENTAX Imaging Company announced it will ship the first PENTAX combined high resolution digital camera and video movie camera, the OptioMX, in June 2004.

The innovative, palm-sized OptioMX features 3.2 effective megapixels and 10X optical zoom to capture still images and high resolution (VGA) full-motion movies on MPEG-4 format with zoom capability. The camera will be available for $399.95.

The PENTAX OptioMX offers a new concept in digital imaging by delivering high-quality digital still images and movies. With advanced design and compact dimensions, the OptioMX features a large 1.8 inch LCD monitor that swivels 180 degrees horizontally and 210 degrees vertically to capture images and movies from new and exciting angles. The versatile and ergonomic handle grip of the OptioMX rotates 180 degrees to accommodate a broad range of shooting positions. The OptioMX is compatible with an SD memory card.

digital camera survey results

That Instant Gratification Factor Tops List of What Consumers Love Most about Digital Photography the Survey also uncovered other key findings regarding consumer digital camera use, photo habits and changing attitudes about digital cameras including:

• Close to onethird, 31%, of younger respondents (1849), say they take pictures several times a week; however, more than 80% of all respondents say they take pictures at least once a month.

• Among those respondents with multiple cameras, digital film cameras are used most often than other types of cameras. Seventyone percent of respondents said they use their digital film camera regularly or occasionally.

Brian King separating from Concord Camera

May 11, 2004 Concord Camera Corp. today announced that effective July 1, 2004 Brian King will be separating from the Company. Mr. King currently serves as Concord's Senior Executive Vice President.

" It has been our privilege, both personally and professionally, to have worked with Brian," said Ira B. Lampert, Concord's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Brian is highly respected for his intelligence, his integrity and the passion for his work. Brian is separating from the Company to pursue other personal and business interests. We will miss him and we wish him all the best. Concord has benefited from his business experience and perspective. We thank Brian for his contributions in growing and enhancing Concord."

Concord Camera Corp. Acquires Jenimage Europe GmbH, Expanding Its Operations in Germany and Europe

Concord Camera Corp. today announced that on May 10, 2004, Concord Camera GmbH a wholly-owned subsidiary of Concord, acquired in an all cash transaction 100% of the outstanding stock of Jenimage Europe GmbH from 4MBO International Electronic AG. 4MBO, a consumer electronics distributor, filed for insolvency protection on February 27, 2004 in Germany. Jenimage, based in Jena, Germany, is a distributor of JENOPTIK branded photographic and imaging products including digital cameras, Advance Photo System (APS) and 35mm cameras, binoculars and accessories. The acquisition is expected to substantially expand Concord's retail sales and distribution business in Germany and other parts of Europe. The total purchase price was 11.25 million Euros (approximately US $13.5 million).

Canon's New PowerShot S60 Digital Camera Provides Consumers with a Wide Angle Flexibility and Robust Features in a New Slim Design

Canon's new PowerShot S60 digital camera provides enthusiasts with greater creative control with its new 28-100mm UA wide angle 3.6x zoom lens and wide range of underwater capabilities, including an optional underwater housing. The PowerShot S60 will be available in June for an estimated selling price of $499.

May 10, 2004--Canon's new PowerShot S60 digital camera combines five-megapixel resolution, a newly developed 28-100mm UA wide-angle 3.6x zoom lens for creative control and a slender shape for added portability that provides consumers and photo enthusiasts alike with a full-featured tool for greater creative latitude.

"The unique combination of high-quality Canon optics, DIGIC processing and streamlined design presents a significant advantage to the prosumer," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. "The PowerShot S60 digital camera provides photo enthusiasts with optimal image quality, the versatility of a built in wide angle to telephoto lens in a compact package - making it easy to take great photos from virtually anywhere."

New Wide Angle Lens

The PowerShot S60 camera is equipped with a redesigned 3.6x zoom lens that goes from a wide-angle focal length of 28mm to a telephoto of 100mm (35mm film equivalent). This new lens features an Ultra high refractive index, which makes it thin and compact. The Ultra high refractive index Aspherical (UA) lens allows for a 28mm wide angle zoom while increasing image quality and slimming the body of the camera for a sleek design.

"For most consumers smaller camera corresponds to less image quality, however, now with UA Lens technology along with Canon's DIGIC Image Processor, Canon is able to increase the image quality, expand the zoom ratio, and deliver a slim, and compact camera," added Hashimoto.

New Slim Design

To allow for a more refined look and easier use, the PowerShot S60 digital camera fashions a new, slimmer body with a redesigned smooth sliding lens cover, transforming the camera's appearance when it is opened and closed. Canon achieved this slimmer design by using the new UA wide-angle lens. A traditional 28mm lens would produce a thicker camera, however, due to the new UA lens the PowerShot S60 digital camera is slimmer than its predecessor. The silver two-tone body provides a larger zoom lever now found on the rear of the camera so users can easily maneuver with their thumb. Additionally, the large, round control pad is located in the rear center of the camera with the "SET" button in the middle, allowing for effortless navigation and control.

Fujifilm Finds More Consumers Printing Their Digital Photos at Retail Locations

April 14, 2004 Rise in digital camera ownership, coupled with trend in growing awareness of retail printing, positive sign for retail photofinishing market  Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., a pioneer in digital imaging products and services, today announced the results of its Year Three Digital Camera Retail Printing Study. The study reveals that the percentage of consumers now aware that they can print digital images at retail locations has doubled since the Year Two study. In addition, the survey, conducted by InfoTrends Research Group for Fujifilm in January 2004, shows a significant increase in the number of consumers now choosing to print at retail. The study surveyed the preferences of digital camera owners and prospective buyers in the areas of digital camera use, printing and storing of digital images.

Today, more than 30 percent of U.S. households own at least one digital camera(1). That number is expected to reach 40 percent by the end of 2004. As digital images proliferate, consumers must store and manage their pictures. Currently, a quarter of digital camera users employ printing as a method of storing images. This number is expected to rise in proportion to increasing image management needs in the future.

New One Gigabyte CompactFlash Elite Pro Card High-Capacity Media Storage for Advanced Amateur and Professional Photographers

April 12, 2004 Kingston^® Technology Company, Inc. the world’s leading independent memory manufacturer, today announced the immediate availability of a 1 GB CompactFlash. Elite Pro. card featuring the latest in high-density flash components. Kingston.’s newest 1 GB CompactFlash Elite Pro provides a low, price per megabyte solution of reliable, high-speed media.

Kodak's Tech Brief - The Genetics of Pro SLR Digital Cameras

April 1, 2004 In the world of digital single-lens reflex cameras those favored by professional photographers balance can mean everything. Using a large lens with a small image-capturing sensor means compromising the wide-angle shots those lenses are designed to produce until now.

Kodak's Tech Brief for March looks at the "genetics" of professional digital cameras the science and sensors that deliver full-frame, high-resolution images in new digital SLR cameras used by portrait, commercial and wedding photographers.

Canon's New Compact Photo Printers CP-220 and CP-330

March 31, 2004 New Print Size, Enhanced Features and Sleek Design Bolster User-Friendly Compact Printers

Whether announcing a "new arrival" or capturing family fun at a weekend barbecue, Canon's new Compact Photo Printers CP-220 and CP-330 allow consumers to print pictures quickly, easily and directly from a digital camera, virtually anywhere. Canon's small and stylish CP photo printers now print high-quality color prints in three different paper sizes from a computer via USB or by direct camera-to-printer connection. These sizes include 4" x 8" for personalized greeting cards or invitations; 4" x 6" postcard size or credit-card size pictures.

Canon's new Compact Photo Printers CP-220 (pictured) and CP-330 allow users to print crisp, vibrant greeting cards, postcards, or credit-card size prints quickly, easily, and directly from a digital camera, virtually anywhere, in approximately 85 seconds. The CP-220 and CP-330 models will be available in May and April, respectively, with estimated street prices of $179 and $279, respectively.

"We launched our next generation of compact card photo printers so that people can print their photos whenever and wherever they want," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc, a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). "The new and enhanced features in our Compact Photo Printer series make photo printing a more simple and enjoyable experience for everyone, and will likely encourage consumers to print more often."

The 85 Second Photo Lab*

The Canon Compact Photo Printers CP-220 and CP-330 dye-sub printers allow users to create crisp, vibrant postcard-sized color prints in approximately 85 seconds.* The CP-220 and CP-330 printers create water and fade resistant prints that last as long as traditional film prints.