The Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd is the world’s smallest 12x optical zoom digital camera. The 10 megapixel Fujifilm S1000fd features a 33-396mm lens, 2.7 inch LCD screen, new Panoramic Shooting Mode, Face Detection and ISO 1600 at full resolution. The Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd will be available from UK retailers in March 2008, pricing will be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The new Fujifilm FinePix F100fd is billed as the ultimate ‘F Series’ digital camera. With a 12 megapixel, 8th Generation Super CCD sensor, 5x wide angle optical zoom lens (28-140mm), and a 2.7 inch LCD screen, the Fujifilm F100fd replaces the F50fd as the top of the range model. Other standout features include new expanded dynamic range capture functionality, Face Detection 3.0 and ISO settings of up to an unprecedented ISO 12800. The Fujifilm FinePix F100fd will be available from UK retailers in March 2008, pricing will be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd is a new 10 megapixel compact camera with MPEG-4 video technology. An update of the previous Z10fd model, the Fujifilm Z20fd features an ultra-slim design, a Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5” LCD screen. The Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd comes in 5 different colours, will be available from UK retailers in April 2008, with pricing to be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The Fujifilm FinePix J50 and J10 are two new entry-level models in the brand new J Series of digital cameras. The Fujifilm J10 and J50 provide powerful, easy to use models that fit into a pocket or handbag for instant accessibility. With a compact body just 19mm thick, the Fujifilm J10 incorporates an 8.2 Megapixel CCD sensor, 2.5” LCD and a 3x zoom lens. The Fujifilm J50 has a bigger 2.7 inch screen and 5x optical zoom. Available in either Matt Black or Brushed Silver, the Fujifilm FinePix J50 and J10 will be available from UK retailers in March 2008, with pricing to be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The Pentax Optio S12 is a new ultra-compact 12 megapixel digital camera. The Pentax S12 includes digital Shake Reduction and Face Recognition functions, 2.5 inch screen, ISO sensitivity up to 3200, 18 different Picture modes and comes in 4 different colours. The new Pentax Optio S12 will cost £199.99 / $279.95 and be available in March 2008.

The Pentax Optio M50 is a new 8 megapixel compact digital camera with 5x optical zoom (36-180mm). The Pentax M50 features a 23.5mm deep aluminium body, 2.5 inch LCD screen, digital Shake Reduction and fastest ISO speed of 6400. The new Pentax Optio M50 will cost £149.99 / $229.95 and be available in March 2008.

The Pentax Optio E50 is a new 8 megapixel entry-level digital camera with numerous automatic functions. The Pentax E50 offers a 3x zoom lens, 2.4 inch LCD screen, digital “Shake Reduction” system and AA battery power supply. The Pentax Optio E50 new costs £99.99 / $149.95 and will be available in February 2008.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10 is a new 8 megapixel compact digicam with a 10x optical zoom lens. Successor to the H3 model, the DSC-H10 adds a larger 3 inch LCD screen, dubbed the Clear Photo LCD Plus - and that’s about it. The Sony H10 offers the same 8 megapixel sensor and 10x zoom lens as its predecessor. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10 will ship in May for about $300. It will be available in Europe from the end of March 2008.

The new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 digital camera features a 3.5 inch touch-screen LCD and 5x optical zoom lens. The 10 megapixel Sony T300 features a a stylish, ultra-compact design with virtually no external controls to clutter the interface. It features Sony’s new intelligent scene recognition (iSCN), which allows the T300 to analyze shooting conditions and automatically select the best settings.The DSC-T300 camera replaces the DSC-T200 model and will be available in red, black and silver in March for about $400.

Sony has unveiled 4 new additions to its W-range of Cyber-shot compact digital cameras. The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W170, DSC-W150, DSC-W130, DSC-W120 all feature Sony’s new “Smile shutter"mode, which automatically captures an image when your subject smiles without even having to press the shutter. The 10.1-megapixel DSC-W170 and 8.1-megapixel DSC-W150 models feature 5x optical zoom lenses and 2.7 inch LCD screens. The 8.1-megapixel DSC-W130 and 7.2-megapixel DSC-W120 models both have 4x optical zoom and 2.5 inch LCD screens. The DSC-W120 camera will be available for about $200 and the DSC-W130 for about $230, both in March. The DSC-W150 will cost $250 in April, and the DSC-W170 for $300.

The new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S780 and DSC-S750 entry-level cameras, now with Lithium Ion batteries instead of AA batteries. Consequently battery life is improved (around 275 shots) and the cameras are much slimmer than previous designs. Both the DSC-S780 and DSC-S750 models feature Sony’s face detection technology which identifies up to three faces in the frame. The 8.1-megapixel Sony S780 and the 7.2-megapixel Sony S750 models both offer 3x optical zoom lenses and 2.5 inch LCD screens. The DSC-S750 model ships in March for about $150, and the DSC-S780 will be available in April for about $180.

The new Olympus SP-570 UZ features a 20x zoom equivalent to 26-520mm, the world’s longest zoom lens on a compact digital camera. Dual Image Stabilisation helps eliminate blur associated with camera shake to deliver sharper images, and there’s a larger 2.7 inch LCD screen and increased 10 megapixel resolution. Other highlights of the SP-570 include High ISO Settings, Face Detection Technology, Shadow Adjustment Technology, and TruePic III. The Olympus SP-570 UZ will be available to buy in March for £389.99.

The new Olympus mju 1020 digital camera will be released in Europe and the USA (but not in the UK). The mju 1020 offers a 7x optical zoom (equiv. to 37-260mm), 10.1 megapixels and a 2.7 inch LCD screen. It features a slim, metallic body in a choice of Starry Silver and Midnight Black. The main difference between the 1020 and the 1010 models is the new HyperCrystal II LCD screen, which is 4 times brighter than ordinary LCDs.  Price and availability of the Olympus mju 1020 to be announced.

The new Olympus mju 1010 and mju 840 digital cameras offer a 7x and 5x optical zoom lens respectively. Both models offer Dual Image Stabilisation, which helps protect against blur caused by camera shake, and feature a large 2.7 inch LCD screen. As the names suggest, the Olympus mju 1010 is a 10 megapixel camera, and the mju 840 an 8 megapixel camera. The Olympus mju 1010 and mju 840 will be available from February 2008 at recommended prices of £229.99 and £199.99 respectively.

The Olympus mju 1030 SW and mju 850 SW digital cameras are new additions to the successful Olympus shock and waterproof camera range. Both models offer protection against falls, water immersion and the freezing cold. The Olympus mju 1030 SW is waterproof to a depth of 10m, shockproof against falls to 2m, freezeproof to temperatures as low as -10°C and crushproof to weights of up to 100kg. The mju 1030 SW has a 3.6x wide zoom lens (28-102mm), 10.1 megapixel sensor and 2.7 inch screen. The cheaper 8 megapixel mju 850 SW is waterproof to 3m, shockproof to 1.5m, and freezeproof to -10°C. They will be available from February 2008 at recommended prices of £319.99 for the Olympus mju 1030 SW and £229.99 for the Olympus mju 850 SW.

The Olympus FE-350, FE-340 and FE-310 are new entry-level digital compact cameras. All three models offer 8 megapixel resolution, with the FE-310 and FE-350 having 5x optical zoom lenses (36-180mm) and the FE-340 a shorter but wider-angle 4x lens (28-112mm). The new Olympus FE models arrive in stores in February at the following prices: FE-310: £120, FE-340: £159.99 and FE-350: £199.99.

GE have launched seven new digital cameras in the UK and Europe. The new models are - GE E1050, GE E1235, GE A840s, GE G2, GE E1035, GE A835, GE A735. The flagship E1050 model features a 3 inch touch-screen, HDMI connectivity 5x optical wide angle zoom and 10 megapixel sensor. Speaking at the launch, European Director Gary Banks said: “Our digital cameras represent an extension of GE’s 128-year heritage of leadership in technology and innovation. Our research and development team in Tokyo have done a magnificent job to ensure the consumer will get intuitive, easy to use cameras which all offer advanced features as standard.” The initial GE UK range includes seven different cameras, the first four due to be on shelves by March, with additional models anticipated for Summer/Autumn 2008.

TrustedReviews have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T70, the first digital camera to automatically react to a person’s smile.

“Overall picture quality is also not without its problems. The lens bears the brand name of the venerated Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, but I’m afraid it does nothing to earn that accolade. At the wide-angle end it produces a large and uneven degree of barrel distortion, more towards the right of the image. Although the centre of the frame is reasonably sharp and well detailed, it is very soft in the corners, especially the top left corner.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T70 Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS80 is a new entry-level 8 megapixel digital camera. The LS80 offers a 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 33-100mm), 2.5 inch LCD screen, Optical Image Stabilizer, easy-to-use advanced functions and AA-battery operation. The DMC-LS80 is available in silver and pink, priced at £129.99, release date to be announced.

PCMag have reviewed the Canon PowerShot SD950 IS digital camera, which features a 12.1 megapixel sensor and 3.7x image stabilised lens.

“Canon’s $399.95 PowerShot SD950 IS is a high-performance point-and-shooter that’s perfect for photographers who want brilliant, crisp images but don’t want to mess with manual controls. While this very capable 12-megapixel camera might strain your pocket (and your pocketbook), it’s a top-notch snapper loaded with high-end features for serious amateurs.”

Website: PCMag - Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Review

Website: Read our Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Review