Casio have released a new firmware update, version 1.02, for the Casio EX-F1 camera. The two improvements offered by this update are shorter start-up time and high-speed zoom support during FHD movie recording.

Website: Casio EX-F1 Firmware Update 1.02

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Spyder3 from Datacolor, a new monitor calibration device aimed at photographers needing the most accurate colour for digital editing.

“I’ve always trusted a Spyder to calibrate my main monitors. And at first I was resistant to employing yet another Spyder. Things were fine, why screw them up? But the Spyder3 is a significant improvement over its predecessors. There are the technical improvements like its increased light sensitivity, not to mention the unique seven detector color engine it shares only with the Spyder2. But the improvements I most appreciate are the user ones like the more flexible USB cord, the smaller colorimeter (which is easier to place on an LCD) and the faster and more efficient software.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Spyder3 Review

The Kodak ESP 5 is a small and sleek all-in-one printer featuring a large 3 inch colour LCD display. The ESP 5 has memory card and USB slots to allow users to view, edit and print with or without a computer. It uses Kodak’s pigmented inks that come in a simple two-cartridge setup – a full black cartridge (£6.99) and a five-ink colour cartridge (£9.99). “We are focusing on delivering easy-to-use products that provide superb-quality and save up to 50 percent on everything you print compared to similar consumer inkjet printers.” said Enrico Bradamante, Kodak’s Director of Inkjet Systems, Europe. The Kodak ESP 5 AiO Printer costs £129.99.

Canon USA has announced a call for entries for the third annual Canon Photography In The Parks Photo Contest. You can enter the competition from April 22nd to September 30th 2008 by submitting images from any park or monument in America. The theme for this year’s contest is “Inspirational Nature Images”. The winner of the Photography In The Parks contest will receive a trip to a park of their choice, and a full suite of Canon photographic equipment.

Production of Canon’s EF lenses has just passed the 40 million mark. EF lenses for Canon EOS-series AF (autofocus) single-lens reflex cameras were first made in 1987 at the company’s Utsunomiya Plant. Canon’s proprietary EF lens, born in March 1987 along with the EOS SLR camera system, marked a new direction in the future of AF systems. Canon’s current EF lens lineup comprises more than 60 models, with two new high-performance L-series telephoto lenses being added this Spring.

The LG Secret is a new 5 megapixel camera-phone that can also shoot DivX video at 120fps. At just 11.8mm thick, the LG Secret is the slimmest 5 megapixel camera phone on the market. Photo and video editing features include facial editing and SmartLight, a feature that automatically adjusts the picture’s light settings. After its European launch, the LG Secret will be launched in Asia and South America, followed by the rest of the world.

Total Image Nation is a new website which aims to bring photographers together. Total Image Nation features jobs, competitions, work experience, exhibition opportunities, member’s exhibitions, events, online portfolios and more. There are two different types of membership to Total Image Nation, Basic (free) and Full (£18 per year).

Three Getty Images Grants for Editorial Photography will be given away to photojournalists in September this year. Getty Images awards five grants each year to fund, inspire and support the best global talent in photojournalism. Each grant consists of $20,000 plus project execution support from Getty Images editors. Applications should include a short written proposal to explain the photographer’s chosen project, and a supporting portfolio from the applicant’s previous work. The closing date is May 15th 2008.

The New Classic Nude Art Competition aims to identify and expose today’s version of the classic nude. Sponsored by the Christiania Art Foundation, the winner of the New Classic Nude contest will have their work featured on a prominent billboard in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District and other major cities later in the year. The competition will be overseen and critiqued by a panel of art-world luminaries and collectors, including Lydia Fenet, auctioneer at Christie’s Auction House. The deadline for entry is 15th May 2008.

Realphotoprint.com is a new website that focuses on the conversion of digital images into photographic prints. Topics will include Internet broadband, digital file conversions, color management, pixels versus DPI, retouching, and resizing. Owners myPhotopipe.com has also launched the first in a series of video tutorials on YouTube.

ImagingResource have reviewed the 8 megapixel Pentax Z10 camera, which has a 7x optical zoom, Face Recognition for improved portraits and ISO 3200 mode.

“Though it has no manual control and is a little thicker than some, the Pentax PZ10 is quite simple to use and does a good job at all but the highest ISO setting. Its interface is straightforward, and its zoom is smooth and accurate, without a lot of fiddling to get the right framing. Pincushion distortion at telephoto is a bit off-putting, bending straight lines unnaturally. That’s not surprising considering the long zoom, but it’s also unappealing. So while we were impressed with the print quality, the zoom mechanism, and like the idea of a 7x zoom in such a small package, the pincushion distortion prevents a strong recommendation.”

Website: ImagingResource - Pentax Z10 Review

Website: Read our Pentax Optio Z10 Review

Fluid Mask 3 from Vertus Software is billed as the number one application for cutting out images from tricky backgrounds. Available either as a standalone program or plugin, Fluid Mask claims to offer more powerful and easy-to-use masking tools than either Adobe Photoshop or the other third-party competition. Fluid Mask 3 is available for both Windows and Mac platforms for £159 / $239 / €209. Jon Canfield found out just how clean he could make his edges with Fluid Mask 3.

Website: Fluid Mask 3 Review

The BenQ C850 and C750 are new 8 and 7 megapixel compact cameras with 3x zoom lenses and Super Shake Free system. Both the C850 and C750 also feature an elegant front to back leather handle, Smile Catch mode and video recording with optical zoom. The C850 has a larger 2.7” LCD display than the C750’s 2.5 inch screen. The BenQ C750 and C850 will be available in select countries in Asia Pacific and Europe in April.

The BenQ E800 is a new 8 megapixel entry-level digital camera with a 2.7 inch LCD display, 3x optical zoom and ISO 1600. Advanced features include Smile Catch mode, Shake-Free mode, Auto Face Tracking and 13 different scene settings. A high ISO of 1600 lets users take pictures in dim lighting without having to use an artificial flash. The BenQ E800 will be available worldwide from the end of May.

LaCie have introduced a 500Gb version of the portable Rugged Hard Disk, which features a scratch-resistant aluminum shell and shock-resistant rubber bumper. Using an Hitachi Travelstar 5K500, 2.5-inch internal hard disk, the 500GB Rugged Hard Disk is bus-powered by either USB or FireWire and available in either USB 2.0 or a USB 2.0, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 version. The LaCie Rugged 500GB version is available now for $299.99 in the USA. UK prices are £189 for the USB 2.0 version and £229 for the triple-interface version.

You can win 2 grandstand tickets for the Great Britain round of the 2008 MotoGP motorcycling championship in PicStop’s latest competition. These highly sought after MotoGP tickets will entitle the winner to 3 Days of MotoGP action from the home of British Motorcycle racing. This will also include spectacular Redgate GrandStand Seats to watch all the action from. The competition closes on 13th June 2008.

Albelli is a new photo book creation tool for Photobucket’s 40 million users. Seamless integration with Photobucket allows its users to drag and drop their high-resolution images from both their Photobucket account and desktop computer to create their own personalized photo book. After choosing from the varied backgrounds, effects and text options that Albelli offers, the user completes the order and receives a printed, bound photo book in about 7 days.

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 camera, an 8.1 megapixel entry-level addition to the brand new FS range.

“The image quality of our outdoor shots are pleasing for a camera in this class. Exposure and color were both good even on an overcast day and around water. The Leica 3x optical zoom lens, with a 35mm equivalent of 33-100mm, is great for shooting landscapes and group portraits. The telephoto is not enough to single out distant objects, but it is very helpful when framing shots and shooting individual portraits. At the wide end of the zoom there is some barrel distortion as well as slight edge softness throughout the focal range. The camera did an excellent job of controlling chromatic aberrations (purple fringing), with only slight instances in high contrast areas.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 Review

The Ricoh G600 is a new compact, lightweight, water and dust-resistant, wide-angle, 5x zoom digital camera featuring enhanced shock resistance for outdoor use. Successor to the Caplio 500G Wide model (which will still be available), the Ricoh G600 is smaller and lighter yet still passes the shock resistance test for a 1.5m fall. The Ricoh G600 will be available in May 2008 for £349.99 inc vat.

The natural history website Loveearth.com has launched a natural history photo contest. Each week 20 images will be selected and published on the site, with the winner drawn at random. The first prize is a digital camera worth £299, and the weekly winners will receive a Planet Earth box set (RRP £20) and £50 worth of Lonely Planet travel guides. Open to all residents of the UK and USA, the Love Earth contest will run until May 31st 2008.