The Sanyo Xacti CG9 is a new MPEG-4 digital camcorder with 9.1 megapixel still image capability. It features an advanced CMOS image sensor and supports the latest, high-performance MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video codec. “The Sanyo CG9 is a high-performance digital video and still camera in one sleek, compact package,” said Tom Van Voy, Vice President and General Manager of Sanyo’s Audio Video Division. “It offers great performance and exceptional value to those buying a camcorder for the first time and everyone who wants to easily capture their special memories and share them in a whole new way.” The Sanyo Xacti CG9 will be available in the USA. starting in mid-April 2008 in Silver or Black for $279.99.

The Nikon D3 LCD Hoodcap from Hoodman is a new, optically clear protective LCD cap for the Nikon D3. It is completely clear and can be left on the screen at all times. The Nikon D3 LCD Hoodcap has a scratch-resistant coating so should stand up to the general wear and tear of everyday use both in and out of a camera bag. The Nikon D3 LCD Hoodcap (H-CAPD3) has an RRP of £22.99 including VAT in the UK.

Photography.Book.Now is a new photography book competition celebrating self-published photography books and the photographers behind them. Photographers are invited to submit their most creative, most innovative, and finest self-published photography books. Entries will be accepted in two categories, General and Themed. To enter the Photography.Book.Now contest, photographers submit their photography books by July 14, 2008.

Photofun.com is offering photo prints for just 5 cents in the USA. Europe’s fastest growing online photo sharing service has just launched in North America. Photofun.com will give all new registrants 50 free 4x6 prints. “Users can generate prints of their digital pictures for only 5-cents, thanks to our revolutionary automated engine,” said Terry Rayner, president of Photofun USA. “Our price of 5 cents shatters the industry standard price of 10 cents.” You can also store high-resolution digital pictures forever at no cost.

Canon UK is offering up to £50 cashback on selected Powershot cameras. There is £50 off the PowerShot A650 IS, £30 off the PowerShot A720 IS A590 IS, and A580, and £20 off the PowerShot A560. This special Easter promotion runs from 20th March 2008 until 31st March 2008.

The Phase One 645 Camera / Mamiya 645AFDIII is a new open medium format digital camera platform. Sold exclusively by Phase One and Mamiya, this modular system is designed to accept all quality digital camera backs, and is also open for traditional film operation. The complete Mamiya 645 lens range, the new 28mm aspherical and D series lenses, as well as Hasselblad V-lenses and Pentacon Six lenses can all be used. “Phase One and Mamiya have taken the first step in delivering a unique approach to designing camera systems,” said Henrik Håkonsson, CEO of Phase One.  “We believe that equipment interoperability and personal choice are integral values in realizing the highest quality imaging results.” The first pre-production units of the Phase One 645 Camera / Mamiya 645AFDIII will be demonstrated this week at the Photo Imaging Expo in Tokyo. Prices start from 8990 Euros.

Capture One 4.1 is being previewed at the Photo Imaging Expo in Tokyo this week. This update will include support for the 22 megapixel Mamiya ZD camera and digital back. It will also include two new technologies initially available for Phase One digital backs. “We are committed to offering professional photographers the choice that best suits them in achieving ultimate image quality,” said Jan H. Christiansen, Marketing Director.  “Capture One is engineered to support the most rigorous imaging demands for the widest range of operating conditions and equipment.” Capture One 4.1 will be available for download beginning with volume production shipments of the new Phase One 645 Camera platform, expected Q2, 2008.

Photo-i have previewed the ColorMunki from X-Rite, which delivers an easy, quick and affordable solution for matching colors from display-to-print.

Website: Photo-i - ColorMunki Photo Review

Website: Read our ColorMunki Photo Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 is a new 10 megapixel camera with 5x, 25mm wide-angle lens. The FX500 features touch-screen operation on a large 3 inch LCD screen, plus Intelligent Auto mode, HD motion picture recording and HD component output, and slideshows complete with music. Auto focus tracking is a new mode on the Panasonic FX500, tracking the subject even if it moves after the AF is set. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 will be available in silver and black for $399.95 in May 2008.

The Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is a new large aperture, standard prime lens for the latest digital cameras. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focus override. It effectively becomes an 80mm medium telephoto lens on digital cameras with APS-C size image sensors. Price and availability of the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM to be confirmed.

The Pentax V20 is a new 8 megapixel camera with a 5x zoom lens and 3 inch LCD screen. The V20 includes all of the must-have technologies for 2008 - face detection, smile capture and blink detection are all present and correct. Additional features include Auto-tracking AF for continuously focusing on a moving subject, 52MB of built-in memory, and an Auto-Macro mode that allows close-up photography as near as 4 inches (10 cm) without changing the normal focusing mode. The Pentax V20 will ship in May 2008 for US $279.95.

Canon have released a new firmware version, 1.1.1, for their 12.8 megapixel Canon EOS 5D digital SLR.

The following fixes and improvements have been incorporated:

  1. It now supports high-capacity CF cards.
  Previously, when using an 8GB CF card or greater (e.g.,12GB, 16GB), even after initializing the card in the camera, the CF card capacity could not correctly be detected. This phenomenon has been fixed so that the camera will correctly recognize high-capacity CF cards.

Canon have released a new firmware version, 1.0.6, for the 8 megapixel EOS 30D digital SLR.

The following fixes and improvements have been incorporated.

  1. It allows the latest lens names to be recorded in the Exif information of images taken.
  The lens IDs of lenses released after the EOS30D are not in the camera; so these lens names could not be recorded in the Exif information of images. The Lens IDs for the following new lenses are now included, so that the correct lens names will be recorded in the Exif information of images.

The new Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF5.0 is a 3 inch, fully functional replica of the classic twin-reflex camera. The new MiniDigi AF 5.0 has been given some significant performance upgrades, including a 5MP image file, auto focus (between 10CM and infinity), and a clear 1.1 inch TFT screen. The original replica MiniDigi was first introduced in 2006. The Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF5.0 will be available through specialty retailers for $399.

PhotoZone have reviewed the new AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, a wideangle 5.3x zoom lens with built-in vibration-reduction.

“Despite some shortcomings the Nikkor AF-S 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX is probably still the best DX standard zoom lens in Nikon mount to date. It is very sharp throughout the range although there could be a little less field curvature (curved focus field) at 16mm. The level of distortions and lateral CAs is comparatively moderate for such a lens (still a bit high in absolute terms).”

Website: PhotoZone - AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Review

TrustedReviews have reviewed the new Samsung NV15, a 10 megapixel digital camera with a refined Smart Touch User Interface, up to ISO 3200 and faster Advanced Shake Reduction system.

“Like most of the cameras in Samsung’s NV range, the NV15 has distinctive style, first class build quality, good handling, exceptional performance and an interesting range of features at a very reasonable price. The Smart Touch control system is something you’ll either love or hate, and the USB charging is a very useful addition. Unfortunately it also suffers from rather poor image quality, with significant levels of noise at all ISO settings. The 8MP NV8 is a better camera.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Samsung NV15 Review

PCMag have reviewed the Wacom Cintiq 12WX, a 12.1” interactive pen display for direct pen-on-screen drawing, painting and sketching.

“Once you have the 12WX set up at your workspace, what’s using it like? In a word: lovely. Weighing about 4 pounds, the 12WX is comparable in size to the 6-by-11-inch Intuos3. The screen is bright and easy on the eyes. The stylus is the same comfortable Grip Pen that ships with Intuos and other Cintiq models, with the standard 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity. The programmable (and indispensable) ExpressKeys and TouchStrips are here as well, greatly minimizing the need to access your computer’s keyboard.”

Website: PCMag - Wacom Cintiq 12WX Review

ColorMunki from X-Rite and Pantone is a new family of colour products for the photo and design markets. ColorMunki Photo delivers an easy, quick and affordable solution for matching colors from display-to-print. ColorMunki Photo is a completely integrated, versatile solution that calibrates displays, projectors and printers, measures ambient light and captures spot colors. ColorMunki Photo and ColorMunki Design are available in late March 2008, and ColorMunki Create will be available in June 2008.

The Lightroom 1.4 update for Mac and Windows has been temporarily removed from the Adobe.com web site. All users who installed the update are instructed to remove the update and reinstall the previous version (1.3.1). Several RAW file handling bugs have been found. In addition it’s also recommended to replace the Camera Raw 4.4 plug-in with the 4.3.1 plug-in.

The BenQ V2400W is the world’s slimmest 24 inch LCD monitor. The V2400W offers a 4000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, new RHCM injection process and full 1080p HD support. “The V2400W is inspired by the B2 stealth bomber, evoking a sense of mystery, awe and the elite” said Manfred Wang, Director of the BenQ Lifestyle Design Center. The V2400W iwill be available at the end of March in China and Asia, and April in Europe and N. America.