Smartparts introduced a world’s first at PMA 2008 with the launch of the 8 inch SP8PRT – the first and only digital picture frame to feature an integrated photo printer. The SP8PRT features some basic image editing options and produces a 6x4, dye-sub inch print in around 55 seconds. The print quality was fine, but whether or not you want to pay the $279 asking price is up to you…

Website: SmartParts PMA 2008 Booth Tour

The highlight of Wacom’s booth was the dimunitive Wacom Cintiq 12wx interactive, touch-sensitive pen display (which we’ve already reviewed). The Cintiq 12wx allows you to work in Photoshop or similar graphics applications by drawing directly on the 12.1 inch high-resolution LCD monitor.

Website: Wacom PMA 2008 Booth Tour

Dye-sub printer specialists HiTi had a number of new models on display, although most of them were commercial rather than for home use. We spotted the interesting P110S, which seems to be a direct competitor to the Epson Picturemate series, and the admittedly specialist S420 passport photo printer.

Website: HiTi PMA 2008 Booth Tour

Epson don’t have too much new going on at their small upstairs booth - the highlight was the new-ish Epson R1900 A3+ printer. Their latest range of large-format printers and a customised version of Express Digital Darkroom are also being featured.

Website: Epson PMA 2008 Booth Tour

The long-awaited and long-delayed Sigma DP1 is back at another trade show! First unveiled at Photokina in September 2006, the DP1 is now slated for a March release, priced at $1000 rrp or $800 street. The sample that I tried was still a little rough around the edges, but it looks as if the Sigma DP1 will finally see the light of day. Also being displayed was a new 200-500mm zoom lens, costing a whopping £16,000!!!

Update: We’ve added pictures of the DP1 with optional external flash, optical viewfinder and filter hood attached, plus more shots of Sigma’s new lenses.

Website: Sigma PMA 2008 Booth Tour

Sony have unveiled an advanced prototype version of their 24 megapixel full-frame professional DSLR camera at the opening PMA press conference this morning. Due for release by the end of 2008. the as yet un-named camera will feature the new 24.8 CMOS sensor that was announced yesterday. Also on show on the Sony booth are the new entry-level A350 and A300 DSLRs. Other highlights include the Cyber-shot T300, a multitude of W-series compacts, digital photo frames and Handycams with 10 megapixel stills capabilities…

Update: We’ve added pictures of all the new Sony H-, W- and S- series compact cameras.

Website: Sony PMA 2008 Booth Tour

The new Delkin ImageRouter is a four-slot, USB 2.0 CompactFlash card reader with a built-in powered hub. It can simultaneously transfer data from four CF cards to a PC when combined with Delkin’s BackupandBurn file management software. “A single slot reader keeps you tied to your desk cycling cards in and out until each card has been transferred. By letting you transfer data from 4 cards at once, ImageRouter frees you from your desk.” explains Kathleen Finlayson, Delkin’s New Product Specialist. ImageRouter’s built-in powered hub allows “daisy-chaining” of multiple units. We have photos of the Delkin ImageRouter in our Delkin Devices Booth Tour gallery, taken at last week’s PMA show.

The Delkin Dual Universal Battery Charger offers the unique ability to charge two batteries simultaneously. It’s a single, two sided charger that uses individual charging plates specific to each camera battery, so it can charge almost any digital camera battery model. Delkin’s Dual Universal Battery Charger costs $54.99, and two-packs of charging plates can be purchased for $4.99 each. We have photos of the Delkin Dual Universal Battery Charger in our Delkin Devices Booth Tour gallery, taken at last week’s PMA show.

Delkin have unveiled a range of new products at PMA, including the improved SensorScope, Snug-it Pro camera skins, and 16Gb SDHC Pro card. The SensorScope sensor cleaning system has undergone several improvements and will be shipping in early March, 2008. Snug-it Pro camera skins provide complete protection for digital SLR cameras, will begin shipping in late March, and will be available for the Canon Digital Rebel Xti, Canon 40D, and Nikon D40. The Delkin SDHC Pro 16GB Class 6 cards offer maximum storage and speed.

With HP recently deciding to out-source their digital cameras, it was left to the printers and home devices to hold the fort at PMA. The newest product, which PhotographyBLOG has already reviewed, is the B8850 A3+ inkjet printer. Also on show are the large format Z-series printers, home media servers, film scanners and yet more digital picture frames…

Website: HP PMA 2008 Booth Tour

Leica haven’t unveiled any new products at PMA, so we haven’t got a booth report for you. We are hearing exciting reports however that a full-frame Leica digital rangefinder camera will possibly be launched in 2008! According to a report by UK magazine Amateur Photographer, Leica’s chief executive officer, Steven Lee, hinted that a new Leica rangefinder based on a full-frame CCD sensor could appear at Photokina in September 2008. Click the link below to read all the details about the full-frame Leica digital rangefinder.

Website: Full-frame Leica Digital Rangefinder

German manufacturer JOBO are featuring the new Energy PREMIO Battery range at PMA, developed specifically for use with digital SLRs. Also new are a range of 3 digital photo frames (the ubiquitous product of PMA 2008), plus the return of the photoGPS device, which first surfaced at PMA last year.

Website: JOBO PMA 2008 Booth Tour

As usual, the Crumpler booth is by the most imaginative of the show - it’s worth a visit all on it’s own! Crumpler have a couple of new products at PMA. The stylish and practical Cork & Fork is a padded photo backpack designed to slot inside Crumpler’s brand new carry-on roller luggage piece, The Period Charmer. Very neat. The Industry Disgrace is a camera neck strap designed for professional photographers carrying heavy camera equipment.

Website: Crumpler PMA 2008 Booth Tour

LowePro have a couple of cool new products on their PMA stand. The Flipside bags allow you to remove your camera without having to take the bag off, with no accessible zips when it’s on your back for added secutiry. The FastPack series lets you access your kit from the side while the bag is on your back. Thanks to product manager Tracy Daly for the demo and modelling!

Website: LowePro PMA 2008 Booth Tour

A number of memory card companies have announced new products here at PMA, with SanDisk and PNY both introducing 32Gb SDHC cards. I’ve rounded-up the standout products in one gallery.

Website: Memory Cards PMA 2008 Booth Tour

Delkin Devices have some of the more imaginative products on display at PMA. First up is the Dual Universal Battery Charger, which charges any two batteries at the same time, even different sized ones. The new ImageRouter, a four-slot, USB 2.0 CompactFlash UDMA card reader with a built-in powered hub. Also on display are the improved Sensorscope, Snug-It LCD shades, and LumiPrint backlit photo frames. A very refreshing change from all the compact cameras…

Website: Delkin Devices PMA 2008 Booth Tour

GE are showcasing their 2nd generation of impressively-specced compact cameras at PMA. With no less than 8 new models to choose from, the flagship is the E1050, with 3 inch touchscreen LCD, HDMI connectivity and built-in GPS.

Website: GE PMA 2008 Booth Tour

Fujifilm might not have any new DSLRs at the show, but they are showcasing their most advanced DSLR-styled camera to date, the impressive Fujifilm FinePix S100FS. Also on show are the S8100fd and S1000fd superzooms, the F100fd, plus a range of sparkly compacts.

Update: I’ve now added some pictures of the mysterious medium format camera that Fujifilm are displaying in prototype form behind glass.

Website: Fujifilm PMA 2008 Booth Tour

The Sigma APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG is the world’s first Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens that offers a fast aperture of F2.8 at 500mm focal length. It covers widely used focal lengths from 200mm to 500mm and has a large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. The 200-500mm lens is so big that it has its own dedicated Li-ion battery BP-21 to power the zooming and AF operation! The Sigma APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG will be available in April 2008 for a whopping £16,000.

The Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM is a new ultra telephoto zoom lens covering a telephoto range up to 500mm. Sigma’s original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed approximately 4 stops faster. The 150-500mm lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focusing capability. The Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens will be available in April 2008.