LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Of the hundreds of digital products on display at PMA Sneak Peek 2007, the official press event of PMA 07 in Las Vegas, Nev., 18 have been selected by a panel of digital imaging editors to receive the prestigious DIMA Innovative Digital Product Award. The annual award is one of several events sponsored by the Digital Imaging Marketing Association (DIMA), a PMA member association,Jackson, Mich.

DIMA Innovative Digital Product Awards recognize products or services utilizing new technologies and/or applications that make the product either distinct or the first of its kind.

PMA 07 Exhibitors were asked to submit entries and digital photos for their products/services by January 19, 2007, to allow a panel of industry press to evaluate the products and services for the DIMA Innovative Digital Product Awards. All entries were evaluated based on the following questions:

1. Why is this product/service considered innovative?

2. What sets this product/service apart from its competitors?

3. How does this product/service benefit its user?

Companies honored for their innovative digital products, in alphabetical order by company, are:

Zigview S2

Argraph Corporation
Zigview is the world's first real-time digital angle viewfinder for digital SLR cameras. The Zigview S2 revolutionizes SLR photography with its remote detachable 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder that can be used both on and off the camera, video output, motion sensor, intervalometer, and more.

The Zigview S2 attaches to a DSLR viewfinder and displays a live video feed from the viewfinder to its large 2.5-inch high-resolution LCD screen. You can tilt and rotate the LCD for viewing at any angle, including from the front of the camera. This makes low-angle, high-angle, and self-portraits easier than ever.

The Zigview S2 utilizes high-resolution optics, and has a highly sensitive CCD sensor with 270,000 pixels and a rapid refresh rate. Its very bright LCD finder can be viewed easily in daylight.

The Zigview S2 has NTSC/PAL video output so that the image can also be viewed on an external large TV screen or monitor. In addition, the Zigview S2's built-in LCD monitor can be separated from the camera using an accessory video transceiver cable. This enables the photographer to view the image in the viewfinder and fire the shutter from a remote location up to 40 feet from the camera.

The Zigview S2 offers a motion detection shutter release, a sophisticated intervalometer, and a bulb exposure controller, making it the ideal accessory for wildlife, nature, and macro photography, or in any situation where a covert or accurately timed approach is required.

The motion sensor fires the shutter when movement is detected based on changes in brightness levels in nine sections of the viewfinder image. This innovative design allows the sensor area to cover any distance and any area of view including the most extreme telephoto and wide-angle lenses. The sensitivity of each zone is variable to allow movement in parts of the field of view while triggering the shutter in other parts. For example, a wildlife photographer, rather than sitting and waiting for action, can leave a camera on a tripod in a blind, setting the Zigview to fire only when it senses movement in a relevant area, and ignoring irrelevant movement such as branches being blown by wind in another area.

Zigview S2 also features a sophisticated intervalometer. It can be set to fire the shutter up to 999,999 times, over a period of up to 999 days with exposure intervals of between 1/2 second to 99 days, allowing a vast range of creative possibilities. This can be combined, if required, with its timed "BULB" feature that can be accurately set over a wide range enabling photographers to repeatedly control long exposures.

Both the motion detector and intervalometer can be started with the push of a button, on a countdown timer, or at a specific time and date, with almost limitless shutter applications.

SensorScope System

Delkin Devices, Inc.
The SensorScope(TM) System from Delkin Devices, Inc. is the first and only complete sensor cleaning system kit on the market for digital single lens reflex cameras. The system includes unique components to safely inspect and effectively clean a DSLR's camera sensor of all types of contaminants, wet or dry.

There is a SensorScope that enables you to quickly inspect the camera sensor to see if it needs cleaning in the first place. The SensorVac is a miniature vacuum specifically designed to remove loose particles from the sensor chamber, including those that may be "stuck" due to an electrostatic charge. It is designed with a brush tip to safeguard against damage to the sensor. More stubborn pieces or wet contaminants, such as the camera's internal lubricant, are removed with the use of the SensorWand and SensorSolution. The SensorWands are double sided, designed for quick, one wand cleaning and drying of the sensor. The SensorSolution is the first cleaning product offered to the photographic industry that is safe to transport by air.

Each of these products is unique, and combined provide a cleaning solution for digital single lens reflex cameras anyone can use. A refill kit is sold separately to replenish the supply of wands and solutions.

Nexlab With DS Tower

DNP Photo Imaging America
The Nexlab with DS Tower is a high-speed, dry digital minilab solution. The new Print Tower allows multiple high-speed dye sublimation printers to work together to produce more than 1,600 unique prints per hour. A single tower can produce print sizes from 4x6 to 8x12. The Print Tower includes a back printer and order sorter.

Epson Stylus Photo 1400

Epson America, Inc.
The new Epson Stylus(R) Photo 1400 is the perfect companion to your digital SLR camera, delivering brilliant images up to 13"x19" with the ultimate in image quality, functionality and value. The latest in the Epson lineup of Ultra Hi-Definition inkjet printers, the Stylus Photo 1400 shares the same technology as the Epson Stylus Photo R260 and R380, including Claria(TM) ink and DX5 MicroPiezo(R) print heads, for awe-inspiring photographic prints that enable photo enthusiasts and advanced amateurs to realize the full potential of today's newer DSLRs. With an estimated street price of $399.99, this new photo printer is designed to deliver the ultimate combination of image quality, high-speed performance and value in the 13"x19" category.

FacePro

FotoNation
FotoNation FacePro for Mobile Phones is an advanced face tracking product designed to be embedded in mobile cameraphones. FacePro finds and tracks human faces in the phone's camera module during the capture preview and thus enables the camera to continually optimize the acquisition parameters of focus and exposure, dramatically increasing the quality of the captured image.

FacePro for Mobile Phones also uses the captured face information for associating a face with the address book on the phone. FacePro significantly enhances the image quality of captured images and provides a functionality-synergy between the handset and the camera module device.

Fujifilm IS-1

Fujifilm USA, Inc.
The Fujifilm IS-1 is a nine megapixel point-and-shoot camera capable of capturing both visible and infrared light. Designed for the specific needs of professionals in law enforcement, medical/dental and science fields the IS-1 is the latest in Fujifilm imaging advances for capturing images in the infrared light spectrum. The IS-1 digital camera features a Fujifilm Super CCD sensor and ISO 80-1600 capabilities. The camera's high-sensitivity range, made possible by Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology, enables IS-1 users to capture images using visible and infrared light (approximately 400-900nm). Users can apply lens filtration to isolate specific wavelengths to achieve a desired effect. In addition, Fujifilm's Picture Stabilization technology uses the heightened sensitivity of the IS-1 and high-speed shutter settings to reduce blur caused by camera shake and subject movement.

HP Designjet Z Photo Printer Series

Hewlett-Packard Company
The HP Designjet Z Photo Printer Series is designed to deliver intuitive, dependable, repeatable color accuracy for museum-quality prints up to 24 and 44 inches wide. The HP Designjet Z2100 and Z3100 photo printers feature a built-in spectrophotometer with Eye-One Color Technology from GretagMacbeth/X-Rite for accurate, repeatable color matching. Designed around a thermal inkjet print system, the HP Designjet Z series uses HP Vivera pigment ink technology to deliver a wider color gamut, vivid color and exquisite black-and-white prints. The 8-ink HP Designjet Z2100 and 12-ink HP Designjet Z3100 produce prints lasting more than 200 years on a wide variety of HP media*.

*Display permanence rating by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. and/or HP Image Permanence Lab using original HP 70 inks with Vivera. For details: www.hp.com/go/supplies/printpermanence.

Hitachi Hybrid Camcorder, Model - DZHS300A

Hitachi
Now you have something you've never had in a camcorder before. Choice. With the Hitachi Hybrid, you have the flexibility to choose between formats when capturing your memories, because the Hitachi Hybrid is the first and only camcorder that offers the convenience of DVD plus the capacity of HDD. How you use it is your choice. So you can choose to record an entire event to HDD, but only save the magic moments to DVD. With just the push of a button, you can edit and make DVD copies right on your Hitachi Hybrid - without ever touching a PC. The Hitachi Hybrid: it's the best of two formats, remixed into a one-of-a-kind camcorder.

Gorillapod Family

Joby, Inc.
The Joby Gorillapod is a bendable, flexible camera tripod that secures a digital camera to virtually any surface. Its legs bend and rotate 360 degrees, allowing users to wrap it around a tree branch, hang it from a railing, or perch it on a rock while camping. The Gorillapod is extremely lightweight and compact. It features a quick release plate, which allows users to attach the camera to the Gorillapod in one simple motion. With rubberized grip feet and a ring that locks the camera to the Gorillapod, users know that their camera equipment is secure. Gorillapod is the ideal accessory for active, mobile photographers who demand greater flexibility with their equipment in an unpredictable environment.


The original Gorillapod was first launched at PMA 2006. Now, the Gorillapod is available in three sizes: Gorillapod, Gorillapod SLR, and Gorillapod SLR-Zoom. Each size is intended to capture a unique market segment. The original Gorillapod is ideal for the ubiquitous compact digital camera. Gorillapod SLR is intended to support slightly larger prosumer cameras; light, single lens reflex cameras (without zoom lenses); and compact video camcorders. Gorillapod SLR-Zoom is strong, sturdy, and designed with the serious photographer in mind; it utilizes a standard screw to mount a tripod head of the user's choosing, along with a standard digital SLR.

Photobook Pro

KIS Photo-Me Group
The Photobook Pro makes high-quality photo albums, photo books and double-sided photo products utilizing currently available silver halide photographic paper as well as many inkjet and non-photo-paper materials.

It is an automated on-site photo bookbinding and assembly system, yielding the lowest cost per book in the industry, resulting in the highest possible margin for similar products.

Simply feed the photographic prints into the Photobook Pro and the system does the rest. The system applies adhesive, scores the paper, folds the pages and delivers a bound photo book in less than three minutes. The Photobook Pro can be used in a production environment, for high-volume photo operations or in-store for retail photo applications.

A Sampling of Consumer Product Offerings Available With the Photobook Pro:

A premium product offer - the Photobook Pro can assemble as many as 20 books an hour, which can help your store differentiate from competitors when offering premium picture services.
The Photobook Pro offers a variety of sizes (automatically assembled books range in size from 3.5"x5" up to 12"x8"*) that will meet the needs of a wide array of different occasions.
Hardcover** album up to 12"x18" in size can also be created from the dual-sided photo pages, when combined by the Photobook Pro.
Dual-sided photo greeting cards, calendars, postcards, mailings, and a multitude of other double-sided photo products.
Photobook Pro includes "My Creative Album" drag and drop software that can be run on a home PC and/or an e-Station retail kiosk; a DKS minilab version is also available.

The Photobook Pro albuming software is available and compatible with the KIS/Digital Portal DKS minilabs and KIS e-Station kiosks, but can also be ordered for use with non-KIS branded minilabs with a generic formatting option.

The Photobook Pro can assemble photo books and dual-sided photo products from prints made on virtually any traditional minilab or photographic printing system***.

* Book and product sizes will be limited to the printer and the size print capable of being printed; printer not included with the Photobook Pro unit.
** Photobook Pro does not assemble hardcover books automatically.
*** As there are virtually limitless versions of paper and photo printing systems, not every type of paper and printing device has been tested for compatibility.

Lensbaby 3G

Lensbabies, LLC
Lensbabies, LLC showcases today at DigitalExperience its third generation selective focus single lens reflex (SLR) lens, Lensbaby 3G, introducing new features that dramatically expand the Lensbaby product family's capabilities.

The Lensbaby 3G SLR lens allows photographers to lock the Lensbaby in a desired bent position simply by pressing a button. Then, using a traditional barrel focus mechanism, photographers can do fine focusing and precisely place the sweet spot of sharp focus before pressing the shutter release. The original Lensbaby lens and the Lensbaby 2.0 lens require the photographer to manually hold the Lensbaby in a bent position while pressing the shutter release.

Lensbaby selective focus SLR camera lenses take photos with one area in sharp focus, with that "sweet spot" surrounded by graduated blur. Photographers can move the sweet spot of sharp focus anywhere in the photo by bending the flexible lens tubing.

Lensbaby 3G features the same low dispersion, high-refractive index, multi-coated optical glass doublet and the same flexible tubing as Lensbaby 2.0, but adds three focusing rails that emerge from the camera mount and pass through the focusing collar. A trigger button on the focusing collar releases three pins that engage the focusing rails and lock Lensbaby 3G in a bent position.

Once Lensbaby 3G is locked into place, additional fine focus can be achieved by turning the barrel focusing ring, which moves the optic in and out like a normal manual focus lens. Also, in the locked position, a photographer can make small adjustments to the placement of the sweet spot of focus by turning any combination of the three focusing rails.

Lensbaby 3G is available in mounts for Canon EF, Nikon F, Olympus 4/3rds/Panasonic, Pentax K/Samsung GX, Sony Alpha/Minolta Maxxum and Leica R SLR camera bodies. Optional accessories include the Lensbaby Macro KitT. Photographers can also mount a variety of 37mm threaded accessories, such as wide-angle and telephoto conversion lenses, onto the front of their Lensbaby.

Freedom Universal With Product Finder

MTI
Freedom Universal with the Intuition product finder feature is the ultimate "shop, gather, select and compare" tool - a powered merchandising and security system integrated with a digital signage screen that delivers SKU-specific information instantly when consumers touch the screen. An attract loop invites shoppers to interact with a touch screen to input their purchasing criteria. Consumers can narrow product selection and compare the features and benefits of multiple products. Visual indicator lights built into the display, at each position, will then guide shoppers to the live product(s) that best meets their needs, where they can pick it up and experience its features and capabilities.

Freedom Universal With Snooze Feature

MTI
Freedom Universal with the new snooze feature is the ultimate "shop and compare" tool - a powered merchandising and security system integrated with a digital merchandising screen that delivers SKU-specific information instantly when a product is lifted. The "snooze" feature allows retailers to disarm a single position on the display, providing for a more thorough, untethered, 1-to-1 product demonstration.

EVOLT E-510

Olympus
The EVOLT E-510 delivers brilliant professional-quality images right out of the box. This latest addition to the E-System family of 100 percent digital SLR cameras and accessories represents the best value in its class and is loaded with innovations, including:

Live-View LCD that enables photographers to compose shots from angles other consumer digital SLR cameras just can't match, letting your unique artistry shine through;
Digital and Mechanical Image Stabilization that gives users sharper and more enjoyable pictures effortlessly;
Extremely portable and ergonomic lightweight body, featuring a sizeable hand grip and complemented by two new digital specific compact lenses, encouraging long photo sessions with gear that won't weigh you down;
Dust Protection System for spot-free photos, so everyone in the family will spend more time enjoying shooting instead of editing photos at the computer;
Ten-megapixel Image Sensor for breathtaking detailed images that can be blown up to poster size or cropped to focus on elements within a scene without sacrificing image quality, and;
TruePic IIIT Image Processor for fast response time, accurate color, less image noise, and increased detail of subjects in shadows.

Full Time Live-View 2.5-Inch HyperCrystal LCD
With a traditional digital SLR that relies on an optical viewfinder alone, it's impossible to compose a shot using just the LCD. But the E-510 features a Live-View LCD that enables users to compose their shots using either the LCD or the optical viewfinder - opening up a world of possibilities. Whether shooting upward from a low angle for dramatic composition, or in close for detailed macro photos of a flower's details, with the Olympus Live-View LCD photographers can easily compose and capture images that simply can't be taken by other SLR cameras that require you to hold the camera body right up to your eye.

The E-510 ships with lenses that complement its small size: a 14-42mm (28-84mm 35mm equivalent) kit lens that is only 2.4-inches long and a 40-150mm (80-300mm 35mm equivalent) telephoto lens which, for all its extensive focal range, measures in at a mere 2.8 inches.

Other Key Features:
EVOLT E-510
Small, lightweight body design
2.5-inch Live View HyperCrystalT LCD
Dual Image Stabilization
TruePic III image processor, with Shadow Adjustment Technology
32 pre-set scene modes
Compatible with full line of Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses
Dual card slot for Compact Flash and xD Picture Cards
.99 for body with 14-42mm lens; $999.99 for body with 14-42mm lens and 40-150mm lens
www.olympusamerica.com for retailer information

SP-550 UZ

Olympus
The new Olympus SP-550 UZ Ultra Zoom is the world's most powerful ultra zoom compact camera. It offers the ultimate in power and versatility with a compact, best-in-class 18x optical zoom lens (28-504mm equivalent in 35mm photography), which gives users the ability to shoot telephoto, wide-angle and macro (as close as 1cm) with one lens. Crisp, clear images can be captured far and wide with Dual Image Stabilization and the broadest focal range available on any digital point-and-shoot. The camera's full manual exposure control provides professionals and photo enthusiasts with unlimited creativity, while its automatic settings and built-in help guides will put novice users at ease.

This revolutionary ultra zoom is equipped with several unique features to deliver near-DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) performance in a compact size, including:
Dual Image Stabilization that combines the benefits of mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization to ensure beautiful, blur-free images in any situation;
World's Fastest High-Speed Sequential Shooting in its class that records multiple images in rapid succession (up to 15 frames per second) - perfect for shooting action and capturing the exact moment you want; and
Pre-Capture that compensates for slow reaction times by capturing images (five frames) even before the shutter button is fully pressed to ensure you catch the perfect shot.

Other Key Features:
SP-550 UZ
7.1 Megapixel CCD
2.5-inch color LCD and Electronic Viewfinder
Bright Capture Technology
Perfect Shot Preview
TruePic TURBOTM Image Processor
Full manual and automatic settings for optimal creative control
Thirty-oneshooting modes, including TV-quality video with sound
In-camera editing including Red-Eye Fix and Lighting Fix

Stylus 770 SW

Olympus
The Stylus 770 SW is a 7.1-megapixel ultra-compact camera that is designed to take great photos in nearly any environment, including in water down to depths of 33 feet (10 meters) and in winter weather as frigid as 18 degrees below freezing (14 degrees Fahrenheit; -10 degrees Celsius). It can also survive falls up to five feet and heavy loads up to 220 pounds of pressure. Within the camera's rugged exterior is an array of innovative technologies to ensure clear, sharp images in the roughest of shooting situations.

The Stylus 770 SW boasts several signature features:
Shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof and crushproof, the Stylus 770 SW's rugged body design is strong enough to sustain life's adventures;
A large, bright 2.5-inch HyperCrystalT LCD improves shooting and sharing pictures in bright-light and low-light situations; and
Digital Image Stabilization boosts ISO sensitivity and shutter speed to capture crisp, clear pictures when you or your subject is moving.

Other Key Features:
Bright Capture Technology
LED Illuminator for low light
Water-repellent lens coating
3x optical zoom, 5x digital zoom
TruePic TURBOTM Image Processor
27 shooting modes
In-camera editing
Easy USB Auto-Connect
OLYMPUS MasterTM Software with easy editing tools

rotation360

Think Tank Photo
The rotation360 backpack incorporates an innovative beltpack that can be slid to the front for easy access to lenses, flashes, filters, memory cards and other accessories, then slid back around and secured into place at the base of the backpack, all without removing the pack from your back. This patent-pending functionality solves one of the biggest problems photographers have in the field: in order to switch lenses or bodies they first need to take off their backpack. With the rotation360 all they need to do is tug on the belt locking system and swivel the lower half of the backpack - a fully functioning beltpack - to the front. When they're done, they can just as easily swivel the beltpack back under the backpack, locking it back into place. While the main attraction of the rotation360 is the revolving beltpack, the camera strap and the speed with which its O-rings can be clasped to the shoulder harness let you carry a digital SLR around your neck all day, allowing the shoulder harness to bear the weight of the camera, making it seem noticeably lighter.

Xerox iGen3 Digital Production Press

Xerox Corporation
Even flawed original photos can look good in print especially when they are made on Xerox Corporation's flagship Xerox iGen3 Digital Production Press, thanks to image-improving software invented by Xerox. Xerox has developed image quality software providing ultimate color reproduction by improving color consistency in prints, making it easier to know when to reset the press for optimum color performance, and more effectively rendering photos - all designed to help commercial printers, online photo companies and design shops boost productivity and profits of image-intensive documents.


About PMA - The Worldwide Community of Imaging Associations
As a professional trade association, PMA® helps the worldwide photo imaging community achieve business success and adapt to new technologies. Its commitment to 20,000 members in 100-plus countries is part of an 82-year legacy that connects business owners to a network of knowledge and support. PMA furthers this purpose through the development of educational programs and business services, marketing research, publications, and trade shows. As a nonprofit organization, any success enjoyed by PMA in its endeavors directly benefits the industry, allowing PMA to provide continual services and activities for members.