The new Samsung NV40, NV30 and NV4 cameras all feature dual image stabilization and improved noise reduction. All three new models in the NV Series include Samsung’s award-winning Smart Touch User Interface which has now been further enhanced. “With new, improved image quality and enhanced features the NV4, NV30 and NV40 take the range to the next level. We are confident photographers of all levels will appreciate the addition of these three stylish models.” said Robert King, Commercial Director, Samsung Cameras UK. The Samsung NV4 is priced at £149, Samsung NV30 at £179 and Samsung NV40 at £199, all available from February 2008.

The new entry-level Kodak C813 digital camera has quietly made its way onto Kodak’s website. The C813 is an 8 megapixel model with 3x optical lens (36-108mm), 2.4 inch LCD screen, digital image stabilization and a high ISO of 1250. You can also iew your pictures in high definition on an HDTV or other HD device, capture VGA video (640 × 480 at 15 fps) and use on-camera features such as cropping, blurry picture alert, and undo-delete. Nothing too exciting then, although the price-tag of $119.95 may be some compensation for the unexciting feature-list that the Kodak C813 offers.

Website: Kodak C813

Neocamera have reviewed the Fujifilm F480 camera, which offers an 8.2 megapixel sensor and 4x, 28mm-112mm zoom lens.

“Image quality with the F480 is relatively good for an ultra-compact, although nowhere near the quality of Fuji’s 2-digit F-series cameras. Noise and details are well balanced across the ISO range, with each ISO stop introducing a little more noise along with a little more softness. Only ISO 100 can pull of a great looking medium-large print (12"x16”), but until ISO 400 prints up to 9"x12” are satisfactory. ISO 800 is both too noisy and too soft for such print sizes, but a slightly cropped 5"x7” can be acceptable.”

Website: Neocamera - Fujifilm F480 Review

DCResource have reviewed the Casio EX-V8, which offers a a 7x optical zoom and 8.1 megapixels plus a YouTube video mode.

“Going into this review, I didn’t have terribly high hopes for the Casio Exilim EX-V8. How could Casio possibly stuff a 7X lens into a compact body without major compromises in return? After spending literally months with the camera, I came away with a favorable impression of the V8. Sure, it has its compromises (some of which are rather annoying), but Casio has done a very good job of putting a big lens into a small package. If you don’t mind the anemic flash, mediocre high ISO performance, and reliance on its dock, then the Exilim EX-V8 is worth a look.”

Website: DCResource - Casio EX-V8 Review

The Sony Cyber-shot S730 is a new entry-level digital camera with a 3x zoom lens, 7.2 megapixels and 2.4-inch LCD screen. A new multi-point autofocus mode ensures pin-sharp images, and selecting ‘High Sensitivity’ mode boosts sensitivity to ISO 1250. If you’re new to photography, the Sony S730 guides you with a handy display of functions, plus there’s on-screen advice to help you select the right settings. The Sony Cyber-shot S730 will be available throughout Europe from mid January 2008, price to be announced.

Ricoh have released the first firmware update, v1.12, for the GR Digital II, a new 10 megapixel compact digital camera with a 28mm, f/2.4 fixed focal length lens. Version 1.12 adds the following improvements:

- Improved an image quality in a small size (VGA etc.)
- Modified the following phenomena.
If you operate the ADJ lever in the macro mode, display switching speed may change.
If you operate the ADJ lever while compensating exposure, any keys will not work.
- When you exit a macro mode, the lens unit operating will become initialized in order to improve a focus accuracy.

Ricoh GR Digital II Firmware Update v1.12

Ricoh have released a new firmware update for the Ricoh 500g Wide, water, dust and shock resistant digital camera with a 28mm wide-angle 3x zoom lens. The rather cryptic improvement in Version 1.10 is “Modified the following phenomenon that it may be out of order in playback on rare occasions.”

Website: Ricoh Caplio 500G Wide Firmware Update 1.10 (Windows)
Website: Ricoh Caplio 500G Wide Firmware Update 1.10 (MAC)

Fujifilm have released a firmware update for the Fujifilm Finepix S8000fd digital compact camera. Version 1.01 incorporates the following improvements:

1. Countermeasure for PC connection between the 4GB memory card inserted camera and PC on Windows Vista.
  Data transfer from PC to the camera has been enabled under usage of FinePixViewer.

2. Fix the issues in high speed continuous Shooting function when ISO sensitivity is set to “AUTO”.
  • Exposure level shooting in low brightness condition has been corrected.
  (In some shooting condition, dark or black images are captured even in gloomy scenes.)
  • Miss description of ISO sensitivity on Exif tag has been corrected, when shooting at ISO640.
  (ISO sensitivity was recorded as “ISO64”. mistakenly.)

Website: Fujifilm Finepix S8000fd Firmware Update 1.01

CameraLabs have reviewed the Olympus Stylus 790 SW, a new shockproof, waterproof digital camera.

“The Olympus 790 SW lets you confidently take photos in situations where you’d worry about other cameras, or simply be unable to take them at all. Raining? No problem. Splashes from a canoe or kayak? Fine. Dropped in the snow while skiing or boarding? No sweat. Complete submersion underwater? Why not? This makes it the ultimate type of camera for anyone who works or plays in adventurous environments, but it’s equally ideal for kids – or indeed anyone – who might knock a camera around.”

Website: CameraLabs - Olympus Stylus 790 SW Review

CNET have reviewed the Samsung L830, a new 8 megapixel entry-level digital camera with 3x optical zoom, 2.5” LCD display, Face Recognition and compact aluminium body.

“The L830’s pictures generally look good enough for e-mailing and Web sites, but you should be careful when making prints; pictures shot at ISO 200 or below might look okay at sizes up to 8x10 inches, though ISO 400 or higher shots shouldn’t be blown up beyond 4x6 inches. Besides noise and softened details, the L830 suffers from significant barrel distortion when shooting at the wide end of the lens.”

Website: CNET - Samsung L830 Review

DIWA member Photoxels have reviewed the Olympus Stylus 830, a weatherproof digital camera offers a 5x optical zoom lens (36-180mm) and 8 megapixel resolution.

“What differentiates the Stylus 830 from other 8MP P&S digital cameras is that it is weatherproof, which means it can keep taking pictures even when it starts to rain or in conditions the camera can get wet or dusty. It can therefore be used at the beach, boating on the lake or ocean, hiking, skiing, or just traveling—without worrying about rain, sand or dust! Though splashproof, it is, however, not waterproof and cannot be soaked under water, like the Stylus 790 SW can.”

Website: Photoxels - Olympus Stylus 830 Review

TrustedReviews have reviewed the Pentax K10D, which offers 10.2 megapixels, shake-reduction, dust removal system, 22-bit colour, three new shooting modes, 2.5 inch LCD screen and 11 point auto-focusing.

“Despite being over a year old, the Pentax K10D still compares well with other current mid-range enthusiast’s DSLRs. It is one of the few digital SLRs on the market with a weatherproof body, and combines this with outstanding build quality and design, superb performance and excellent image quality. Add moving-sensor image stabilisation and an effective anti-dust mechanism and you have what is unquestionably one of the best mid-range DSLRs on the market.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Pentax K10D Review

Website: Read our Pentax K10D Review

DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the Olympus Stylus 830, a weatherproof digital camera offers a 5x optical zoom lens (36-180mm) and 8 megapixel resolution.

“The Stylus 830 has a longer lens than most slim-bodied point-and-shoots, we’ll give it that. And it comes in a bunch of colors, if that’s your bag. But in this price range are compact cameras with longer zoom lenses and similarly built slim models with standard 3x zoom lenses that have superior image quality. For us, image quality reigns superior to the 5x zoom and weatherproof body.  There are better options available for the same price or for less than $100 more.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Olympus Stylus 830 Review

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the Kodak Z1275 camera, which offers 12 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom.

“Image quality was very good, producing sharp images through out the zoom range, with only slight edge softness. We also saw noticeable barrel distortion on the wide end of the 35mm - 175mm equivalent zoom lens. The colors are very vibrant and the exposure system did well. There is slight noise that is noticeable in some of the blue skies when viewing the images at 100%, but I don’t think it would be noticeable in prints unless you were to get bigger than an 8x10.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Kodak Z1275 Review

A brand new 40 second TV spot in the UK highlights just how hard-wearing the Olympus Mju 790SW camera is. Mark Thackara , General Manager Consumer Marketing, comments “What is the point in having a camera if you are afraid to take it out in many classic photo situations in case it gets damaged? The Tough is a product that looks great, can take excellent photographs but can also take life’s knocks.” London agency, The Red Brick Road, spent two freezing autumn days in glamorous Epping Forest shooting the ad, which you can watch at http://tinyurl.com/35q4gv

DPReview have reviewed the Fujifilm F50fd compact digicam, which has a 12 megapixel sensor, Dual Image Stabilization, and Face Detection 2.0 technology with a a new Automatic Red-Eye Removal feature.

“In spite of the minor flaws and the slightly pedestrian feature set, despite the fact that Fujifilm has actively narrowed the gap between its Super CCD sensor and conventional CCD compacts by squeezing too many pixels in - and despite the fact that there is little if any real benefit to the resolution hike, the F50fd is still one of the better pocket cameras on the market. At ISO 400 it’s basically in a class of its own (something you’re more likely to see in larger prints, admittedly), but once you get over ISO 800 the Super CCD advantage brings diminishing returns on this sensor.”

Website: DPReview - Fujifilm F50fd Review

Website: Read our Fujifilm Finepix F50fd Review

The Samsung S860 and Samsung S760 are new additions to Samsung’s entry-level S series digital cameras. The 7 megapixel S760 and 8 megapixel S860 both offer a 3x optical zoom, 2.4” LCD display, 11 scene modes and digital image stabilisation technology. Samsung’s Intelligent Face Recognition Technology focuses on and exposes for the subject’s face. The Samsung S760 and Samsung S860 will be available in black, silver, pink or blue from January 2008. The S760 will cost £79.99, price to be confirmed for the S860.

Olympus have released a firmware update, v3.1, for the the Olympus SP-560 UZ camera. The changes are:

Functions have been added for use with the optional FL-50R/FL-36R Electronic Flashes.

Website: Olympus SP-560 UZ v3.1 Firmware Update

PhotoReview have reviewed the Panasonic Lumix FX100, a 12.2 megapixel digital camera with a new 1/1.72-inch large CCD and 28mm wide-angle lens.

“The FX100 is a great little slimline camera for point-and-shoot photographers but serious enthusiasts will find it somewhat limited. Panasonic has extracted excellent performance from the 12-megapixel imager and image processing system. Image quality is as good as we’ve seen from any compact 12-megapixel digicam and noise is very well controlled up to (and including) ISO 400.”

Website: PhotoReview - Panasonic FX100 Review

Sigma have released an official statement about the much-anticipated but long-delayed DP1 compact camera, explaining that having to “change the entire image processing pipeline” is the reason for the release date slipping. First announced at the Photokina 2006 show way back in September 2006, the Sigma DP1 is the first ever compact camera to feature an APS-C size sensor, therefore promising better image quality than normal compacts with smaller sensors. Further details were then released at the PMA show in March 2007, but since then news of the DP1 has been scarce. Sigma also say that the DP1 specification will be different to what has previously been published, although no details have been provided. Alpha testing of the final design was begun at the start of November, but Sigma aren’t promising a final release date just yet. Fortunately for Sigma, the DP1 is still the only compact on the horizon to promise a larger image sensor, so it could turn out to be the photographer’s compact of choice for 2008 (rather than 2007…).