World Wide Licenses Ltd Introduces

Polaroid x530 with Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor Technology

 

World Wide Licenses Ltd is proud to announce the Polaroid x530 4.5 megapixel – the world’s first point-and-shoot digital camera to incorporate the revolutionary high fidelity Foveon X3 direct image sensor. This new image sensor technology allows the Polaroid X530 to produce sharp 8 x 10-inch prints with the rich color fidelity of 35mm film and without the color artifacts found in many digital cameras today. The Polaroid x530 is targeted to consumers who seek a full-featured point-and-shoot digital camera that delivers outstanding 8 x 10-inch photographs.

The full featured Polaroid x530 comes equipped with a 4.5 megapixel high resolution Foveon X3 direct image sensor, 3X optical zoom and a large 2” color TFT LCD display for image preview, on camera editing and play back. In addition to capturing still images, the Polaroid x530 captures high resolution VGA video clips at 30 frames per second at a TV quality 640 x 480 resolution. Designed with enthusiasts in mind, the x530 allows images to be converted to standard JPG file format or maintained and edited in the proprietary X3F RA

W format. The camera ships with the highly acclaimed X3 Imaging software application that enables users to fine tune the light balance in images after they have been captured!. Included with the camera is camera case, camera dock and rechargeable battery. Suggested retail price of the Polaroid x530 is $399.

The camera is being demonstrated at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show in
Las Vegas, Nevada starting on February 10th, 2004 and will be available in June 2004.

About Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensors
Foveon X3 image sensors are the world's only direct image sensors, which capture red, green, and blue light at every pixel location, and are the first image sensors that leverage silicon's inherent color separation property. When silicon is exposed to light, blue light is absorbed near the surface, green light is absorbed in the middle, and red light is absorbed deep within the silicon. Pixel sensors are stacked at the corresponding depths within the silicon so that red, green, and blue light is captured for each pixel location. Other image sensors on the market such as CCD and CMOS image sensors have only one layer of pixels and use colored filters to capture a single color per location, resulting in color artifacts and image blurring.

About World Wide Licenses Ltd
World Wide License Ltd is the Hong Kong-based wholly owned subsidiary of The Character Group PLC. Founded in 1991, the Character Group PLC is fully listed in the London stock Exchange, Media and Photography sector. World Wide Licenses Ltd designs and develops digital interactive products for global distribution and is the exclusive licensee of Polaroid branded Digital Cameras. WWL is Polaroid’s exclusive licensee for digital cameras. For more information, please visit our website at www.polaroid-digital.com

About Polaroid Corporation
Polaroid Corporation is the world leader in instant photography. The company supplies instant photographic cameras and films ; digital imaging hardware, software and media;secure identification systems; and sunglasses to markets worldwide. “Polaroid” is a registered trademark of Polaroid Corporation, Waltham, MA. 02451 For more information, please visit www.polaroid.com

About Foveon
Since its establishment in 1997, Foveon has focused on the development of image capture technologies and products for digital cameras. Foveon is a privately held company. Investors include: National Semiconductor Inc., Synaptics Inc., New Enterprise Associates, and Franklin Templeton Investments. For more information, please visit www.foveon.com.

Editors Note: I am very anxious on reviewing the Polaroid x530 when it comes out because of its unique Foveon sensor that I have been following.  Well basically, one of the things you should know about the sensor is that it records 3 colors (Red, Green, Blue) into each single pixel it takes.  This opposed to modern day CCD sensors which only record 1 out of 3 colors in every pixel.  This in theory will create more vibrant photos, colorful, crisp and very detailed.  One of the things that I like about Polaroid is that their bundle's are very generous and this camera is no exception.  Expect bang for the buck.  My first papered impressions on this camera is that it has lots of potential.  If you are wanting to buy a digital camera, then I would say wait and see.  Wait until I review the Polaroid x530 until you make your decision because this could be the camera that the doctor prescribed.  Expect a full review of the Polaroid x530 if I get one to review.