Tamron are releasing a new version of their popular 70-300mm telephoto lens that’s compatible with the Nikon D40/D40x DSLRs. The revamped AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 lens will have a built-in motor AF system. The price of the new Tamron 70-300mm for Nikon in the US is $189.00 and it will ship this week. It will be launched in Japan on February 1st 2008.

The new Olympus SP-570 UZ features a 20x zoom equivalent to 26-520mm, the world’s longest zoom lens on a compact digital camera. Dual Image Stabilisation helps eliminate blur associated with camera shake to deliver sharper images, and there’s a larger 2.7 inch LCD screen and increased 10 megapixel resolution. Other highlights of the SP-570 include High ISO Settings, Face Detection Technology, Shadow Adjustment Technology, and TruePic III. The Olympus SP-570 UZ will be available to buy in March for £389.99.

The new Olympus mju 1020 digital camera will be released in Europe and the USA (but not in the UK). The mju 1020 offers a 7x optical zoom (equiv. to 37-260mm), 10.1 megapixels and a 2.7 inch LCD screen. It features a slim, metallic body in a choice of Starry Silver and Midnight Black. The main difference between the 1020 and the 1010 models is the new HyperCrystal II LCD screen, which is 4 times brighter than ordinary LCDs.  Price and availability of the Olympus mju 1020 to be announced.

The new Olympus mju 1010 and mju 840 digital cameras offer a 7x and 5x optical zoom lens respectively. Both models offer Dual Image Stabilisation, which helps protect against blur caused by camera shake, and feature a large 2.7 inch LCD screen. As the names suggest, the Olympus mju 1010 is a 10 megapixel camera, and the mju 840 an 8 megapixel camera. The Olympus mju 1010 and mju 840 will be available from February 2008 at recommended prices of £229.99 and £199.99 respectively.

The Olympus mju 1030 SW and mju 850 SW digital cameras are new additions to the successful Olympus shock and waterproof camera range. Both models offer protection against falls, water immersion and the freezing cold. The Olympus mju 1030 SW is waterproof to a depth of 10m, shockproof against falls to 2m, freezeproof to temperatures as low as -10°C and crushproof to weights of up to 100kg. The mju 1030 SW has a 3.6x wide zoom lens (28-102mm), 10.1 megapixel sensor and 2.7 inch screen. The cheaper 8 megapixel mju 850 SW is waterproof to 3m, shockproof to 1.5m, and freezeproof to -10°C. They will be available from February 2008 at recommended prices of £319.99 for the Olympus mju 1030 SW and £229.99 for the Olympus mju 850 SW.

The Olympus FE-350, FE-340 and FE-310 are new entry-level digital compact cameras. All three models offer 8 megapixel resolution, with the FE-310 and FE-350 having 5x optical zoom lenses (36-180mm) and the FE-340 a shorter but wider-angle 4x lens (28-112mm). The new Olympus FE models arrive in stores in February at the following prices: FE-310: £120, FE-340: £159.99 and FE-350: £199.99.

GE have launched seven new digital cameras in the UK and Europe. The new models are - GE E1050, GE E1235, GE A840s, GE G2, GE E1035, GE A835, GE A735. The flagship E1050 model features a 3 inch touch-screen, HDMI connectivity 5x optical wide angle zoom and 10 megapixel sensor. Speaking at the launch, European Director Gary Banks said: “Our digital cameras represent an extension of GE’s 128-year heritage of leadership in technology and innovation. Our research and development team in Tokyo have done a magnificent job to ensure the consumer will get intuitive, easy to use cameras which all offer advanced features as standard.” The initial GE UK range includes seven different cameras, the first four due to be on shelves by March, with additional models anticipated for Summer/Autumn 2008.

Sigma are offering a free upgrade to owners of all Sigma lenses that don’t support the new Nikon D3 digital SLR camera’s “Auto DX crop” function. Sigma lenses with the problem include the 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM and APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM (certain serial numbers are affected for each lens). Upgrade will be required for the following problems:

1. When the Nikon D3 is in Auto DX crop function and the 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM or 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens is attached, the image area format will not change to DX format automatically.
2. When the Nikon D3 is in Auto DX crop function and the APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM or APO 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM lens is attached, the image area format will be changed to DX format, even if the image area format is set to FX format or 5:4.

PNY Technologies, most well-known for its Flash Memory Cards, has unveiled a new logo. The new revitalised PNY logo symbolises the company’s positioning and commitment to innovation, quality, reliability and customer care. “We needed a new look and feel for the PNY logo to compliment the new product ranges and key partnerships we will implement this year. Rebranding will take place in Q1 and early Q2 and you will see an immediate change to our website and on our end user packaging.”  explained Samy Benarfa, Marketing Director for PNY Europe. PNY will implement its new logo in the US, in Taiwan, and in all European countries.

TrustedReviews have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T70, the first digital camera to automatically react to a person’s smile.

“Overall picture quality is also not without its problems. The lens bears the brand name of the venerated Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar, but I’m afraid it does nothing to earn that accolade. At the wide-angle end it produces a large and uneven degree of barrel distortion, more towards the right of the image. Although the centre of the frame is reasonably sharp and well detailed, it is very soft in the corners, especially the top left corner.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T70 Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS80 is a new entry-level 8 megapixel digital camera. The LS80 offers a 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 33-100mm), 2.5 inch LCD screen, Optical Image Stabilizer, easy-to-use advanced functions and AA-battery operation. The DMC-LS80 is available in silver and pink, priced at £129.99, release date to be announced.

ChromaFix from FotoNation is a new one-step chromatic aberration correction technology. Aimed at camera manufacturers rather than consumers, ChromaFix brings advanced image processing technology normally found in much higher-priced cameras to low-cost low-power devices. “We see tremendous potential in using digital technologies to correct optical aberrations that are currently present in consumer-level digital capture devices.  FotoNation’s ChromaFix technology has been designed to leverage our expertise in bringing advanced image processing to low-power consumer devices,” said Eran Steinberg, CEO of FotoNation.

The 8Gb PNY Optima Compact Flash is a new high capacity card for digital SLR cameras. The PNY Optima card offers a minimum writing speed of 9MB/sec and is compatible with SLR cameras only. The PNY Optima Compact Flash 8GB costs £89.88 in the UK and is available in PNY retail and retail channels, including Argos.

Hasselblad has announced the ten winners of its Hasselblad Master Award for 2008. More than 1,700 entries to the contest, which covers ten separate categories of photography. The ten winners each receive a framed diploma and the free use of a Hasselblad H3DII DSLR camera system for four months. Details of the Hasselblad Master Awards 2009 will be announced on the Hasselblad website in February 2008.

Olympus UK has announced that they are dropping the price of both their E-410 and E-510 DSLR cameras. The E410 body is now reduced to £319.99, a drop of £20. The E410 Single Lens kit, Double Zoom and Travel Kits all experience a £50 price reduction, now at £349.99, £449.99 and £399.99 respectively. The E510 DSLR’s have also experienced fantastic price reductions, up to as much as £150 on the range. Prices are £339.99 for the E510 body, £449.99 for the Single lens Kit, £549.99 for the Double Zoom kit and £499.99 for the Travel Kit.

Website: Read our Olympus E-510 Review
Website: Read our Olympus E-410 Review

ExpressDigital Darkroom 8.9 photography workflow software adds fast digital output, enhanced wireless support, advanced greenscreen and more. “By working closely with professional photographers, conducting extensive photographer surveys and watching industry trends, we gauged the needs of the professional photographer and built a new version of Darkroom to fulfill those needs,” explained Graham McFarland, Founder and CEO of ExpressDigital. ExpressDigital Darkroom v8.9 is available now. The retail prices are as follows: Darkroom Core Edition - $495, Darkroom Professional Edition - $1395, Darkroom Assembly Edition (Plus 6 hours phone training) - $2995, Darkroom Assembly Edition (Plus 2 days on-site training) - $4395. Upgrade pricing is also available.

PCMag have reviewed the Canon PowerShot SD950 IS digital camera, which features a 12.1 megapixel sensor and 3.7x image stabilised lens.

“Canon’s $399.95 PowerShot SD950 IS is a high-performance point-and-shooter that’s perfect for photographers who want brilliant, crisp images but don’t want to mess with manual controls. While this very capable 12-megapixel camera might strain your pocket (and your pocketbook), it’s a top-notch snapper loaded with high-end features for serious amateurs.”

Website: PCMag - Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Review

Website: Read our Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Review

CameraLabs have reviewed the Joby Gorillapod SLR Zoom, a portable tripod which attaches to SLR cameras with lenses and can support up to 6.6 lbs / 3 kg.

“We’ve been using the Gorillapod SLR Zoom for over four months now and found it to be an invaluable accessory. Like earlier Gorillapods though, it can take new owners a short while to stop treating it like a normal tripod. Sure you can bend the legs out and stand it on the floor, but with a working height of just 20cm or so, you’ll be shooting pets-eye views unless there’s a ledge or table nearby.”

Website: CameraLabs - Joby Gorillapod SLR Zoom Review

CameraLabs have reviewed the Canon WFT-E3A Wireless File Transmitter, which provides wireless transfer and back-up for the EOS 40D DSLR.

“It’s already fun to see the live view from the 40D and focus its lens from your computer with the standard USB connection, but to do the same with the camera on a tripod at, say, the bottom of your garden without a cable in sight is undeniably cool stuff. Obviously this has fairly specialist applications. Time-lapse or HDR work spring to mind, as does studio-based macro-photography, or perhaps astro-photography without getting cold.”

Website: CameraLabs - Canon WFT-E3A Review

The new Manfrotto ModoPocket is an ultra-compact support for small point-and-shoot digital cameras. Folding completely flat, ModoPocket can fit anywhere and is compatible with all small digital cameras featuring a standard ¼” tripod thread. The Manfrotto ModoPocket costs $30.00 and is is available in the US through Bogen Imaging dealers.