Apple have just released Apple Aperture 1.5.6. Recommended for all licensed Aperture customers, the Aperture 1.5.6 Update addresses issues related to performance, improves overall stability, and supports compatibility with Mac OS X Leopard v10.5.

- Resolves some minor compatibility issues with iPhoto 7.1, which organizes images by Event rather than Roll.
- Addresses issues related to metadata and sort order when sharing previews with iLife Media Browser.
- Improves reliability of queries based on Import Session.
- Addresses reliability when recovering an Aperture Library from a Vault.

Website: Apple Aperture 1.5.6

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the new 12 megapixel Sony A700 DSLR camera.

“The image quality delivered by the Sony A700 is excellent and will please the passionate photographer. Remarkable is the difference between RAW and JPEG pictures. For those who will use the Sony A700 purely simple, and leave RAW format for what it is, will not get to see the optimum possible quality of the camera. I think I made my point: shoot in RAW, go to the trouble of sharpening the pictures and converting them to JPEG and you will see the difference. There will always be differences between JPEG and RAW but on the Sony A700 they are too significant to not mention them. Personally I would only use RAW format with the Sony A700.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Sony A700 Review

CameraLabs have just reviewed the Fujifilm S8000fd digital compact camera, which offers an 18x zoom lens equivalent to 27mm-486mm.

“Viewed in isolation the Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd is a good super-zoom camera. The 18x optical zoom range is extremely flexible, the stabilisation really works and the image quality at lower sensitivities is more than acceptable. As such we can award it our Recommended rating without hesitation.”

Website: CameraLabs - Fujifilm Finepix S8000fd Review

Website: Read our Fujifilm Finepix S8000fd Review

DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FZ18 digital camera, which features a 18x optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm film camera.

“The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 is more expensive than its predecessor but the extra $50 is worth the upgrades. The older camera has a 12x lens, 7.2 megapixels, and is missing some of the newer technology like face detection and Intelligent Auto mode. The new FZ18 has 8 megapixels and an 18x optical zoom lens. Its long lens puts it at the top of the market but its price remains relatively low. There are two other 18x ultra-zoom cameras currently on the market. The Olympus SP-560UZ retails for $499 and the Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd sells for $399. The Panasonic FZ18 still has competition, but is priced to sell – not to impress.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Panasonic DMC-FZ18 Review

Website: Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Review

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

“Image quality was fantastic as ISO 80, 100, and even 200, but began to suffer at ISO 400 when viewing the image at 100% on a computer. Noise became overwhelming at ISO 800 and above, so avoid these higher ISO modes if possible. If using the manual ISO, be sure to check the ISO setting when light conditions change so you’re not shooting a midday beach scene at ISO 400! And the Image Stabilization should help keep shots sharp, even at lower ISOs in lower light.”

Website: PopPhoto - Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Review

Website: Read our Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Review

ThinkCamera have reviewed the new Ricoh Caplio R7 digital camera, which offers 8.1 megapixels and a 7.1x wide zoom lens (28-200mm).

“Ricoh may not be one of the biggest names in digital cameras, but the brand has spent many years producing very solid compacts. Its cameras tend to be packed with useful features, and while they are generally far from the cheapest around, they always look good in relation to the aforementioned features. The Ricoh Caplio R7 is the latest of these cameras, and it yet again scores highly in the all-important features-to-price-ratio challenge stakes.”

Website: ThinkCamera - Rioch Caplio R7 Review

DPReview have reviewed the Canon G9, a 12.1 megapixel update of the G7 compact camera, with a 6x zoom lens, 3 inch LCD screen and the return of RAW mode.

“And thus, like the G7 before it, the G9 is a wonderfully built and designed camera, but one that simply cannot (nor could ever) really deliver on its promises; it truly is a sheep in wolves’ clothing. By all means buy one (I would - it makes 99% of other compacts look like toys, and it’s not like you can get significantly better image quality anywhere else), but do so in the full knowledge that a lot of what you’re paying is for the icing, not the cake.”

Website: DPReview - Canon G9 Review

Website: Read our Canon Powershot G9 Review

Microsoft and Phase One have announced a strategic alliance to explore ways to improve digital imaging solutions for professional photographers and enthusiasts. The two companies will work together to develop digital photography solutions for the Microsoft Windows platform. “Microsoft and Phase One are joining forces to develop solutions for the Windows platform that meet the sophisticated needs of professional and ‘prosumer’ photographers,” said Kostas Mallios, general manager of the Rich Media Group at Microsoft. “Today’s announcement is another example of Microsoft’s commitment to our customers and the digital imaging industry.” There are no details about what exactly Microsoft and Phase One are working on.

The Ricoh GR Digital calendar contest invites Ricoh GR Digital owners to help create a special calendar. Ricoh are looking for photographs that “stir the heart” - submissions do not have to be seasonal images. The winning images will be used to produce a special calendar with one image used for the cover and one for each month. The 13 winners will be announced on November 20th 2007.

The Kodak Photo Futures report looks at the changing nature of photography throughout Europe, highlighting the changes in photography since the advent of digital technology. The report identifies five distinct types of user: Eventographers, Happy Snappers, Digital Disciples, Picture Pests and Analogue Artisans. Kodak’s John O’Grady concludes that “people are becoming increasingly creative about how they choose to display, share and print their images. Pictures are becoming ever more central to communicating – representing our identities online, providing a backdrop for social engagements, even a new form of currency.”

A new range of professional LCD screen protectors from manufacturer Giottos is now available. The AEGIS Professional range of screen protectors are made from rigid optical glass from Germany and feature 12 layers of Anti-Reflective coating. The Giottos screen protectors are available for digital cameras and DSLR’s including Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm. Prices range from £17.99 to £29.99 in the UK.

Canon have released a new firmware version, v1.01, for the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2/E2A. Updating the WFT-E2/E2A firmware (to Version 1.0.1) incorporates the following fixes.

The shutter cannot be released after the camera enters image transmission mode while network errors are occurring due to an unstable wireless or wired communication environment or connection.
With this fix, the images taken will be stored in the recording media (CF card or SD card) even if network errrors occur prior to or during image transmission.

Website: Canon WFT-E2/E2A v1.01 Firmware Update

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera, which offers a 10.1 megapixel sensor, 6.5 fps continuous shooting and 3 inch LCD screen.

” Ergonomics are quite good on the 40D and the new contoured grip was easier to manage than the 30D’s. The controls on the top of the camera are the same, but the other controls are in a layout more akin to the Mark III. The control set retains the Multi-controller, a small “joystick” that’s used to select the AF point, set White Balance correction, select the focusing point in Live View and perform other functions.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon EOS 40D Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS 40D Review

TrustedReviews have reviewed the 8 megapixel Pentax M40 camera, which offers a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD, metal body, Face Recognition and digital Shake Reduction.

“f course the whole point of upgrading the sensor is to produce better image quality, and here the M40 succeeds, although only just. There is a small but noticeable improvement in overall detail, but some of that comes from the apparently much lower file compression at the highest quality setting. While the M30 produced image files of about 2.5MB, similar shots taken on the M40 are over 3MB, a greater difference than I’d expect between a 7MP and an 8MP sensor. Dynamic range and colour reproduction are about average for this class of camera.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Pentax M40 Review

CNET have reviewed the HP M537, an entry-level 6 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“Photos from the M537 also fare poorly, with muddled color and softened details. As with many snapshot cameras, photos shot under incandescent light look very warm when using automatic white balance. Unfortunately, the M537 has only automatic white balance; it lacks the manual and incandescent white-balance modes found on most other snapshot cameras. This means that your indoor shots—assuming you have incandescent lights inside—will tend to have a funky yellow tint.”

Website: CNET - HP M537 Review

CNET have reviewed the Olympus FE-300, a new 12 megapixel entry-level camera with a 3x optical zoom lens, large 6.4cm LCD screen and Face Detection technology.

“Despite solid color reproduction, the FE-300’s pictures ultimately disappoint. At ISO 50 or ISO 100 sensitivity, pictures look reasonably sharp and crisp, though fine textures tend to look a touch smoothed down. At higher sensitivity levels, however, the camera’s flaws really start to appear. Surprisingly high levels of noise appear at ISO 200, and at ISO 400, grain consumes nearly all fine details. At ISO 800, noise destroys details to the point where the camera’s 12-megapixel pictures would look disappointing coming from an 8-megapixel camera.”

Website: CNET - Olympus FE-300 Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Sony DSC-S700, which offers 7.2 megapixels, 2.4 inch LCDa, ISO 1000 and a 3x optical zoom lens.

“Overall, while the Sony S700 is a good looking companion with good heft and decent design, I didn’t like the buttons much, and didn’t like how the low-resolution LCD fooled me into thinking I wasn’t getting good shots. And though I was surprised that they were better when I got back to the computer, they really weren’t good enough, thanks mostly to excessive noise suppression and chromatic aberration.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Sony DSC-S700 Review

PCMag have reviewed the HP R937, which features a 3.6 inch interactive touchscreen LCD, 8 megapixel resolution and 3x optical zoom lens.

“If you’re looking for a snapshot camera that stands out from the crowded pack of compact models available these days, check out the Photosmart R937. What really sets this 8-megapixel camera apart is its unusual design. Unlike more traditionally shaped competitors such as the Nikon Coolpix P5000 and the Fuji FinePix F40fd, the R937 looks more like a little personal video player than your typical point-and-shoot camera.”

Website: PCMag - HP R937 Review

Ben Osborne from Shrewsbury has been named Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007 for his image Elephant creation. When a bull elephant used his trunk to spray himself in the muddy water Ben used a slow shutter speed to capture the low morning light and texture of the mud. 11-year-old Patrick Corning from Surrey was named Shell Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007 for his picture Monkey Moment. Debbie Sage, Competition Manager said, ‘This year’s winners have gone to great lengths to capture such rare moments in nature. These images are the best in the world and give us all an insight into the beauty, drama and variety of the environment around us.’

SanDisk has filed three patent infringement actions against 25 companies that manufacture, sell and import removable flash storage products. SanDisk allege that the defendants have infringed various SanDisk system-level patents. “These actions demonstrate SanDisk’s long-term commitment to enforcing its patents, both to protect our investment in research and development by obtaining a fair return on that investment, and out of fairness to third-parties that participate in our patent licensing program,” said E. Earle Thompson, Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at SanDisk.