The new Sony HDR-CX12 camcorder can record both full 1920x1080 HD video and 10 megapixel photos. The CX12 (called the HDR-CX11E in Europe) is also the first high-definition camcorder with both Smile Shutter and face detection technologies, and also features a Carl Zeiss 12x optical zoom lens and Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization. The Sony HDR-CX12 camcorder will be in stores early August for about $900.

The new WD My Book Mirror Edition hard drive automatically stores valuable personal content twice to maximize data safety. Available in 1 TB and 2 TB capacities, the My Book Mirror Edition automatically uses RAID 1 mirroring for extra protection, making it an ideal storage solution for photographers. The full capacity of the drive can be utilized by converting the drive to RAID 0 (Striped). WD’s My Book Mirror Edition dual-drive storage systems are available now, priced at $289.99 for the 1TB version and $549.99 USD for the 2TB version.

Fujifilm have launched a new 310x speed CompactFlash card, currently the fastest in the World. Using a specially designed controller and the latest SLC flash memory chips, the Fujifilm 310x card achieves sustained write speeds of 46.5MB/sec. The Fujifilm 310x CompactFlash card will be available in the UK from the end of July 2008, priced at £49.99 (4GB), £119.99 (8GB) and £209.99 (16GB).

The C905 Cyber-shot from Sony Ericsson is a new 8 megapixel camera-phone. The complete with face detection auto-focus, smart contrast and image stabilizer includes a Xenon flash, face detection auto-focus, smart contrast and image stabilizer, and is also GPS-enabled for geo-tagging of photos. “The C905 Cyber-shot has been developed to make us all better photographers! That means making it easier to take great shots and never missing that magic moment…the 8.1megapixel C905 is a viable alternative to a digital camera.” said Sven Totté, Head of Imaging Marketing at Sony Ericsson. The C905 Cyber-shot will be available in three colours (Night Black, Ice Silver and Copper Gold) in selected markets from Q4 2008.

Sony Ericsson’s World View 2008 mobile camera phone competition is one of the biggest in the world. Now in its third year, more than 70,000 entries from around the world were entered in 2007. The People’s Choice prize will be awarded to the person who receives the most votes from the public around the world, with a trip of a lifetime worth £5,000/€6,250 up for grabs. The Experts’ Choice winner, chosen by Sony Ericsson’s panel of elite photography judges, will receive a trip worth £10,000/€12,500.

Album of the Damned: Snapshots from the Third Reich is one of the most unusual photographic/textual records ever published about the German people during Hitler’s twelve-year reign. This stunning record includes 400 photographs taken almost exclusively by amateur German photographers—soldiers and civilians—during WWII and covers a wide spectrum of life on both the home front and battle front. Paul Garson, a photographer, writer and teacher in Los Angeles, has viewed more than 100,000 images from more than a dozen countries to create this photographic record of the Third Reich. Album of the Damned: Snapshots from the Third Reich will be published later this year by Academy Chicago Publishers.

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2008 is a prestigious UK photographic competition for under 19s. Anybody aged under 19 on 1 September 2008 can enter their photographs of any animal, large or small. The competition is divided into four categories: under 12 years, 12 to 18 years, pet personalities and the Olympus portfolio. The RSPCA competition is offering the winners some superb prizes including the opportunity to join the RSPCA on an exclusive photoshoot and top Olympus cameras. The deadline for entries is Monday 1 September 2008.

Leica and Jenoptik have concluded an agreement for digital imaging components comprising optoelectronics and software. Leica intends to further integrate digital technology and optoelectronics into its existing and future cameras and in this way further expand its position as a leader in the premium segment. Jenoptik’s Digital Imaging business unit specializes in the development and manufacture of high-performance imaging systems.

Shoot! The Day is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to replenish the global stock photo supply in areas of the greatest buyer demand. Photographers worldwide are invited to shoot stock images in five key categories – active seniors, youth culture, family and kids lifestyle, business settings and still life. PhotoShelter have also launched The School of Stock. a definitive new online guide to understanding what stock photo buyers’ want and how they want it.

Square Group is hosting a free event dedicated to Apple’s Professional Creative Applications in London, UK. The Square event will focus on the latest offerings from Apple in pro photo, video and audio technology, including Aperture 2. It takes place at The Design Council in London’s Covent Garden on Thursday 3rd July.

The TrekPod, a lightweight, height-adjustable walking/hiking staff with a fully integrated tripod, is now available in the UK. JP Distribution have been chosen as the exclusive UK distributor for parent company Trek-Tech. Prices range from £5.99 for accessories up to £114.95 for the TrekPod Go with the MagMount AR/I quick-release, mount-demount system.

The 1TB Little Big Disk Quadra is the largest capacity, most powerful mobile storage solution currently available. “The Little Big Disk is suitable for multiple in-the-field applications. A professional photographer will take thousands of RAW photos in one photo shoot, while a videographer needs tremendous capacity and transfer rates to edit their footage,” said Arnaud Prezelin, LaCie Product Manager for Creative Pro solutions. The 1TB LaCie Little Big Disk Quadra is available now at the suggested retail price of $659.99/ £399.99.

7 in 10 women have stopped their photo being taken because they didn’t have time to pose properly - with three in ten men doing likewise. The survey of UK adults by Samsung also revealed that Kylie Minogue was thought to look consistently good in photos even when caught off-guard, whilst Londoners are the most image-conscious, with 42% striking a pose for the camera.

The CamGrip is a rubberised grip that provides an easy way to add additional stability and control when handholding your camera. The CamGrip is also available with a CamCase which has inside pockets to hold memory cards, lens cloth and extra batteries etc. JP Distribution have been chosen as the exclusive UK distributor for CamGrip, which retails at £6.99, and with the CamCase, £13.99.

CameraLabs have reviewed the Sigma DP1 compact camera, which packs the full specification of a DSLR into the body of a compact camera.

“This alone should be cause for celebration and Sigma commended for boldly going where no manufacturer has gone before, but there’s trouble in paradise. Sigma describes the DP1 as ‘a compact camera with all the power of a DSLR’, but this statement should come with a long list of caveats.”

Website: CameraLabs - Sigma DP1 Review

Website: Read our Sigma DP1 Review

PCMag have reviewed the HP Photosmart Pro B8850, a new photo printer aimed at advanced amateur photographers.

“File the HP Photosmart Pro B8850 Photo Printer ($549.99 direct) under pleasant surprises. In theory, it’s the next-generation replacement for the Photosmart 8750 Professional Photo Printer, a model that printed good, but not great, photos and suffered from several limitations. In reality, it has much more in common with the pricier HP Photosmart Pro B9180 Photo Printer, our Editors’ Choice for high-end photo printers. In particular, the B8850 matches the B9180’s superb output quality, which is enough by itself to make the B8850 worth a look. But the resemblance runs deeper.”

Website: PCMag - HP Photosmart Pro B8850 Review

Pentax have released a new firmware update for the 14.6 megapixel Pentax K20D DSLR camera. The following issue has been improved in version 1.01:

- Minimize the noise when taking picture with 2 seconds self-timer mode.

Website: Pentax K20D Firmware Update 1.01

The MINOX DCC Rolleiflex AF 5.0 is a miniature version of the classic 6x6 camera complete with modern features. Weighing just 100 grams, the MINOX DCC Rolleiflex AF 5.0 includes an autofocus lens, a 1.1“ inch monitor, and an image resolution of up to 5 megapixels (square format). The camera is mechanically prepared for the exposure of the next shot by turning the mechanical metal hand crank. Many individual features have been reproduced in explicit detail and to scale, making the miniaturized MINOX DCC Rolleiflex AF 5.0 a sought after item for collectors and users.

“Time Line: Sheila Metzner” is a retrospective exhibition of the work of acclaimed photographer Sheila Metzner. The exhibition will include approximately 100 images, drawn from Metzner’s personal collection, and will feature highlights from her work in several genres - fashion, still life, landscape and portraiture. “Time Line: Sheila Metzner”  will be on view at the Visual Arts Museum, 209 East 23 Street, New York City, from September 3 – October 4, 2008.

You can now print images taken using your digital camera in a traditional way in your darkroom using a new service from UK mail-order photographic specialist Firstcall. They use a PCR8 CCG Film Recorder to write JPEG or TIFF files to 35mm film using a precision (3 pass) laser, which then creates negatives equal to the original resolution of the film. Send a CD to Firstcall containing up to 36 images, and an unprocessed black and white Ilford film is returned for developing and printing. The compete service, including postage, costs £15 and the CD with “burnt” film is returned by next day post.