The new, ten-megapixel Canon PowerShot S90 marks the return of the Canon PowerShot S-series of truly compact digital cameras featuring full manual control. One of the highlights of the new Canon S90 is the lens - it is a 6-22.5mm f/2.0-4.9 zoom with optical image stabilisation. The PowerShot S90 also features an intuitive lens Control Ring, which enables users to adjust the settings of various functions by twisting the selector at the base of the lens barrel to the left or right. The Control Ring can be used as a quasi-manual zoom offering a closer view of subjects in 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 105mm steps.  Additional settings can be assigned, such as ISO, shutter, aperture, focus and exposure compensation. Also on board is Canon’s Dual Anti-Noise System for enhanced low-light performance and the improved Intelligent Contrast Correction technology that attempts to make the most out of the dynamic range of the sensor. The Canon PowerShot S90 also features a 3.0 inch LCD display with a resolution of 461,000 dots. The PowerShot S90 will be available from early October 2009 priced at £449.00 / €519.00 RRP inc. VAT. The US price is $429.99.

The Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS (also known as the PowerShot SD940 IS Digital ELPH) is the slimmest wide-angle IXUS / ELPH to date. Small and perfectly formed - ideal for slipping into handbags and pockets – it can be taken anywhere to take capture important moments with its 28mm equivalent wide angle lens, 4x zoom and 12.1-megapixel image sensor. Technologies like scene and blink detection are on board to help novice users. The Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS / PowerShot SD940 IS Digital ELPH also includes a ‘Hints & Tips’ system so camera settings are clearly explained within the menu. Finally, the new Canon can capture 720p HD videos and output them via its HDMI port..The Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS / PowerShot SD940 IS will be available from early September 2009 priced at £299.00 / €349.00 / $299.99.

The 12.1-megapixel Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS (also known as the PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH) is the first-ever touchscreen IXUS / ELPH and, quite unusually for a compact camera, it features 24-120mm equivalent 5x zoom lens. The touchscreen system is allegedly easy to use: simply tap the 3.0 inch screen to ‘point’ at the face you want to focus on, and the Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS / PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH will do the rest - automatically tracking your subject and keeping them in perfect focus. When reviewing your images a simple movement of your finger on-screen allows you to erase, protect, rotate or tag your favourite photos so you can easily review your favourite shots. 720p HD video recording rounds off the feature set of the new IXUS / ELPH. Scheduled to be available in September (Europe) and October (USA), the Digital IXUS 800 IS / PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH camera is projected to retail for £329.00 / €379.00 / $329.99.

In the UK, the blue version of the recently announced Fujifilm Finepix A170 will be sold exclusively by Jessops. Priced at £79, the Fuji Finepix A170 in blue is a 10.2 megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom and 2.7”LCD screen. Encased in a stylish bright blue body and powered by two standard AA batteries, the A170 comes fully equipped with automatic scene recognition, face detection, picture stabilisation and panorama mode which allows up to three consecutive images to be seamlessly stitched together to create a single photo.The Fuji Finepix A170 in blue is available now at your local Jessops store or online at www.jessops.com .

Casio have revealed the twelve-megapixel Casio EX-Z90 and Casio EX-Z450 digital compact cameras with Intelligent AF and improved Dynamic Photo functionality. In addition to usual face detection, just by pointing the camera at a desired shot, Intelligent AF automatically detects non-human photo subjects in the whole composition and determines the focus and exposure area. So when taking a picture of a pet or even scenery, Intelligent AF can help minimise the number of photos that have an out-of-focus subject, thanks to the high-speed image processing technology and image analysis technology of the EXILIM Engine 4.0, the company claims. Compact enough to fit into the palm of a hand, the Casio Exilim EX-Z90 (see picture above) has a 3x zoom lens; while the Casio Exilim EX-Z450 boasts a 28-112mm zoom lens plus a 3” rear screen, and throws CCD-shift image stabilisation into the mix. The EX-Z450 will have an MSRP of $199.99 and will be offered in champagne. The EX-Z90 will have an MSRP of $149.99 and will be available in pink and black.

Casio Europe have just announced the twelve-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z280 digital compact camera with a 26-104 mm equivalent zoom lens and CCD-shift image stabilisation. The Casio EX-Z280 also offers face detection, complemented by a “make-up” function, an AF tracking function that can remember faces and resume tracking them even if the subject leaves the frame and then reappears, and HD movie recording at 1280x720 pixels. The EX-Z280, available this September 2009, will have an MSRP of $179.99 and will be offered in a silver body color.

Samsung has unveiled the 12.2-megapixel Samsung ST1000 camera with built-in geo-tagging, Bluetooth 2.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity. Offering consumers an ‘always on’ experience, users can now send and post pictures almost as quickly as they take them, whilst the GPS capabilities will keep track of exactly where each picture was shot. Using Bluetooth 2.0 technology, users can wirelessly beam their favourite images to other compatible mobile phone devices. With the Wi-Fi technology, users can email photos direct from their camera and upload their photos or videos to selected popular social networking websites including Facebook, Picasa, YouTube, without needing to connect to a PC. Smart Touch AF is on board to let you quickly change the position of the active AF point. Equipped with a 5x zoom lens and available in silver/red, black/black, red/black, black/gold and blue/grey colours, the Samsung ST1000 allows users to capture twelve-megapixel stills and 720p high-definition video clips. UK availability is slated for late August. The US version of the ST1000 is called the Samsung CL65, and can be yours for $399.99 from September onwards.

Samsung Digital Imaging today announced the arrival of the ultra slim, 12.2-megapixel ST550 and ST500 compact cameras, which boast a ‘world first’: front and back LCD display technology for easy self-portraits. The hidden 1.5” LCD located on the front of the camera allows consumers to take accurate portraits using the front image as a guide – whether it’s a group shot with friends or a snap of yourself on holiday. There is no need to even press the shutter button – a big smile is enough to trigger the cameras to take the picture. On the reverse, the Samsung ST550 features the world’s highest resolution 3.5” wide touch screen LCD. A Smart Gesture User Interface with built-in orientation sensor, means a simple tap or hand gesture allows users to access key features quickly. Furthermore, the ST550 and ST500’s One Touch Auto Focus feature allows you to focus on a user-defined part of the frame by simply touching the desired area. Both the ST500 and the ST550 come with a 27-124mm equivalent zoom lens. 720p video recording at 30 frames per second rounds off the feature set of the new cameras, the difference being that only the ST550 also features HDMI connectivity via an optional adapter. The ST500 will be available in silver, red and blue colours, and the ST550 will come in black, gold, orange and purple from late August. The US versions of these cameras are called the Samsung TL220 and the Samsung TL225, and will hit the shelves in September priced at $299.99 and $349.99, respectively.

Ricoh has released a function-enhancing firmware update for the Ricoh GR Digital II professional digital compact camera. Version 2.40 gives the GR Digital II a number of functional enhancements, including the following:

(1) When you playback a still image, you can enlarge it with a single push by pressing the ADJ. lever.
(2) You can set the zoom ratio for the on-push zoom with the ADJ. lever.
(3) You can choose a setting option of the ADJ. lever and the Up-down dial in playback mode.
(4) You can change the functions between the ADJ. lever and the Up-down dial in M mode.
(5) When you switch from a shooting mode to the playback mode, the camera shows the last picture you played back last time.

This firmware upgrade also includes a fix to the following problem: when using long time exposure, the orientation information (horizontal or vertical) of the image may not be recorded correctly.

Website: Ricoh GR Digital II Firmware Update
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Ricoh GR Digital II

RCP-Technik GmbH & Co. KG has announced three new digital compact cameras, the Rollei Flexline 140, the Rollei Flexline 200 and the Rollei Flexline 250, the last of which features sensor-shift image stabilisation.  The stabilised, twelve-megapixel Rollei Flexline 250 is made from high-quality, rugged aluminium, has a 34-170mm equivalent 5x Apogon zoom lens and is available in either a black or silver finish for €199 RRP. In contrast to its bigger brother, the Rollei Flexline 200 (€165.95) has digital stabilisation - read: ISO boost - only, and makes do with a 4x zoom, but also boasts a twelve-megapixel sensor. Finally, the entry-level Rollei Flexline 140 (€129, pictured) is an ultra-slim ten-megapixel model with a 4x zoom and digital stabilisation.

The twelve-megapixel Pentax Optio P80 is the latest model of the popular Optio P series of digital compact cameras, and features HD video capture in a slim, lightweight body with a 27.5-110mm equivalent 4x zoom lens. Other highlights include shake reduction (though not of the mechanical kind), extra-quick face detection, smile capture and an Auto Picture mode that automatically selects the scene mode it thinks is best for any given shot.Pentax have allegedly improved the Face Detection AF & AE function on the P80 to now capture subject faces from an angle; and a more responsive version of the Auto-Tracking AF function helps keep an active subject in constant focus. The Optio P80 will be available in Black, Pearl and Mint in September 2009 at $199.95 USD.

The 10-megapixel Pentax Optio E80 is an entry-level digital camera with HD video capture, user-friendly features and large control buttons. Highlights inlcude a 2.7”, 230.000-dot LCD, a 32-96mm equivalent 3x zoom lens, face detection, and 720p video recording at 15 frames per second with shake reduction and sound. The Pentax Optio E80 features an upgraded version of Pentax’s Auto Picture mode, which automatically and instantly selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene. The camera is powered by a pair of AA-sized batteries, which can be bought almost anywhere. Available in Silver or Black, the Pentax Optio E80 can be purchased from September 2009 at $129.95 USD.

The 10-megapixel Pentax Optio WS80 is a new rugged, dust- and waterproof camera with a 5x zoom lens and the ability to record high-definition video. The Pentax Optio WS80 can withstand depths up to five feet (1.5 metres) for up to two hours, and sports features like extra-quick face detection, smile capture, shake reduction and an Auto Picture mode similar to the iAuto mode of other manufacturers’ digital cameras. Available in two eye-catching color options, black with orange accents or white with purple accents, the PENTAX Optio WS80 will ship in September 2009 for $249.95 USD.

Sony today announced two new Cyber-shot cameras (the Sony DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1 models) which, owing to their “Exmor R” back illuminated CMOS sensor technology, allegedly provide approximately twice the sensitivity of cameras with traditional image sensors. This should theoretically improve low-light performance and result in cleaner images with less noise. “Conventional image sensor architecture has required wires and other circuit elements to be positioned above the light sensitive photo-diodes, limiting the imager’s light gathering capability.  Positioning these elements behind the photo-diodes, Sony’s ‘Exmor R’ image sensors can gather more light, resulting in approximately twice the sensitivity compared to conventional sensors,” Sony claims. Moreover, the Sony WX1 and TX1 can also capture six separate images in less than a second and combine the shots into a single image of “extraordinary detail” and “low noise”. The Sweep Panorama technology, first seen in the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 is also on board, and the new TX1 and WX1 models also feature a burst rate of 10 frames per second. The Sony TX1 is an ultra-compact 10-megapixel camera with a 4x zoom lens and a touch panel, while the Sony WX1 (pictured above) is also a 10-megapixel model, but it comes with an intriguing 24-120mm equivalent f/2.4-5.9 Sony G lens.

In the run-up to IFA 2009, AgfaPhoto has announced three new slim-design compacts, the AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 1, the AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 100 and the AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 102. The AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 1 is a 12-megapixel, 5x zoom model with a 28-140mm equivalent lens and a 2.7” rear screen with 230,000 dots. The AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 100 has a 10-megapixel sensor, a 3x zoom lens and a similar 2.7” LCD. The AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 102 (pictured) boasts 12 megapixels, a 3” display, “YouTube video format” and 3x optical zoom. All OPTIMA cameras offer a beauty shot mode, a voice memo function and, apparently a live histogram. The cameras range from 129 to 179 euros (MSRP, including German VAT) and will be available in September.

Samsung has launched a teaser campaign called ‘Tap and Take’, to draw attention to its new range of ‘Smart Cameras’, scheduled for launch on 13 August 2009. The Korean company has created a promotional website, called TapAndTake.com, which teases visitors with a host of short, intriguing videos (with more to come). The ‘Tap and Take’ campaign also has a presence on Twitter and Facebook.

Website: Tap and Take

Nikon has revealed the twelve-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S70 digital compact camera that features a newly developed 3.5” touch-sensitive OLED screen and 720p HD video capture. Along with the new screen comes a new generation of touch-screen controls that offer an enhanced shooting and playback experience. For example, using the Touch Shutter feature, users can have a completely “button-free” experience and focus on and photograph a subject by simply touching it on the camera’s display. The touch-screen also makes viewing and retouching images more efficient, Nikon claims. Additional new touch-screen controls include on-screen sliders for adjusting brightness and Scene Effect Adjustment, which offers controls specific to the scene mode in use. Other features include a 5x zoom lens with optical vibration reduction, Subject Tracking, Scene Auto Selector Mode and Nikon’s Smart Portrait System. The Nikon Coolpix S70 will be available in September 2009 for $399.95 MSRP in a choice of colours and textures including Red & Red, Champagne & Beige (pictured), Black & Black, or Champagne & Light Brown.

In addition to the innovative Nikon S1000pj and the ultra-fast Nikon S640, Nikon has also introduced the “elegantly simple” Nikon Coolpix S570, intended for the fashion-conscious photographer. With the Nikon S570, the keyword is ease-of-use. Intelligent scene mode selection, face detection, smile recognition, a “blink-proof technology” and a Skin Softening function are all on board to help “even those with no photography experience” capture pleasing photos. Like the other two Coolpix models announced today, this camera also boasts a 12-megpixel imager, a 2.7-inch rear screen and a 5x zoom lens (though apparently without lens-based vibration reduction). The Nikon S570 will be availablein September 2009, for $199.95 MSRP.

Nikon has unveiled the Nikon Coolpix S640, allegedly the “world’s fastest Coolpix”, which is claimed to deliver autofocus speeds comparable to the Nikon D40 dSLR. Other highlights include a 28-140mm equivalent Nikkor zoom lens featuring optical vibration reduction, a 12-megapixel sensor and a 2.7” LCD screen. The all-metal Nikon Coolpix S640 will be available in September 2009 for $249.95 MSRP.

Nikon UK has announced the Nikon Coolpix S1000pj, billed as “the world’s first camera with an integrated projector”. The built-in projector projects an image size from approximately 5 inches up to 40 inches. A supplied remote control allows you to wirelessly operate both the projector and usual camera functions, and a simple projection stand is supplied for optimal viewing. The more conventional features include a twelve-megapixel sensor, a 5x zoom and a 2.7” wide viewing-angle TFT LCD monitor. With the purchase of a Nikon Coolpix S1000pj digital camera, you also get 2GB of space on ‘my Picturetown’, Nikon’s online digital photo storage and sharing service. The RRP is £399.99 / €485.00, and availability is slated for September 2009.