CameraLabs 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.

“It’s certainly a little galling you can get the G9’s sensor and a flip-out screen on the cheaper PowerShot A650 IS. Finally we should also mention while the G9 takes a sensible minimal approach to noise reduction, retaining as much detail as possible, it’s still not going to perform miracles at 400 ISO and above. Like all non-DSLRs, you’d be advised to operate it at the lowest sensitivities.”

Website: CameraLabs - Canon G9 Review

Website: Read our Canon Powershot G9 Review

At a press event held this week in Barcelona, Spain, Kodak outlined its future plans, admitting that it had no current intentions to enter the digital SLR market. Instead the company will focus its efforts on the general consumer and attempt to strengthen its position as the 3rd biggest manufacturer worldwide for digital still cameras. The new CMOS sensor that was launched back in July on the entry-level C513 camera was heralded as a “huge breakthrough” for Kodak by John O’Grady, the MD of Europe, strongly hinting that future models will employ the same technology.

Kodak also backed-up its claims of 50% cheaper inkjet printing with a new independent report from QualityLogic that verifies the cost savings. The report concluded that prints made on Kodak’s 5500 and 5300 all-in-one printers were up to 3 times less expensive than the industry average, across three different categories of printing. For black prints, Kodak’s prints costs 0.023 Euros per page, against 0.060 Euros average industry cost. For colour prints, Kodak cost 0.069 Euros versus 0.130 Euros. Finally, for a 10x15cm photo, a Kodak print cost 0.096 Euros, with the industry average much higher at 0.306 Euros.

For a three month period only, Epson is offering up to 50% off selected media whilst stocks last. A wide range of paper sizes of Premium Luster Roll paper has up to 41% reduction, and a selection of A2 cut sheet papers 50%. The offers start this month.

The Hama Panorama Kit aims to make achieving amazing panoramic results possible even without professional photography equipment. The Panorama Kit includes a panorama plate that has a 360° index wheel and integrated spirit level. The panoramic plate turns the camera frame by frame while the camera shoots one shot after the other. Software from Arcsoft then accurately merges the individual pictures on your computer. The Hama Panorama Kit costs 29.99 Eruos and is available now.

From November 16 through to December 15 Think Tank Photo are giving away one of their camera bags every day. Enter the “Bag A Day” drawing and yo could win any of the bags available at www.thinktankphoto.com (Note: the only bag not eligible as a prize is the Airport Security roller). There is no purchase necessary and you only need to enter once. If your name isn’t drawn on one day, it is still eligible to be drawn on subsequent days.

Website: Think Tank Photo Prize Draw

The PhotoVu PV2265w is a 22” wireless digital picture frame, sporting a a 16:10 wide format and 1680x1050 pixel display. Whether for digital signage use in a business, displaying art and photos in a gallery, or enjoying your digital photo collection within your home, this big digital picture frame with its huge 22” LCD display is one that you won’t miss” said Robert Jordan, Partner, PhotoVu. The PhotoVu PV2265w is available now for $1299.

You can win a Tamron AF18-250mm Di II All-In-One Zoom Lens as part of Digital Scrapbooking Day, held this year on November 3rd. Triscape created Digital Scrapbooking Day to encourage scrapbookers, photographers, crafters, and genealogists to set aside some time to preserve, document, and archive their memories digitally. You can enter to win the lens at http://www.tamron.com/lenses/digital_scrapbook07.asp , until the contest closes on 12/10/07.

Website: Tamron 18-250mm Lens Prize Draw

The SyncPix digital picture frame from Smartparts includes image sorting, automatic download and resizing and an energy saving motion detector. SyncPix also plays video clips from most digital cameras without the need of specialized video modes and that can store up to 3,000 images. “At Smartparts, we want to people to share and display all their digital photos,” explained Stefan Guelpen, president and co-founder of Smartparts. “We’re proud of the new SyncPix line, by far the most elegant and easy-to-use digital picture frames available.” The 8-inch SyncPix digital picture frame retails for $179.99 and is available in an Espresso colored frame with beige matting.

AKVIS Chameleon 5 makes it easy and entertaining to create a photo collage. The new “Montage” mode allows copying an object, for example, a group of people, a monument, a flower, etc into a new background. The Macintosh version is now Universal Binary. AKVIS Chameleon is compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, Corel (Jasc) Paint Shop Pro, Ulead PhotoImpact, Corel Photo-Paint and other popular software. AKVIS Chameleon sells for $75, with a free 10 day trial version available.

Four popular photographers will share digital imaging tips and techniques with visitors to Lexar’s booth at the upcoming PhotoPlus Expo in New York. In addition work from Lynn Goldsmith, Vincent Laforet, Rick Sammon, and Onne van der Wal will be on display. “These professionals choose Lexar Professional cards and accessories because they are among the fastest and most reliable available anywhere, and they help photographers do what they do best: confidently and efficiently capture images.” said Jeff Cable, director of marketing, Lexar. The PhotoPlus trade show and conference will be held in New York City, beginning Thursday, October 18.

Photoshop Elements 6: The Missing Manual provides the best possible guidance to scrapbookers, photographers at every level, and budding graphic artists. Harp player Barbara Brundage clearly explains Photoshop Elements 6’s exciting array of new features, including the new Quick Edit function, Windows Vista compatibility, improved RAW conversion, a handy Quick Selection Tool, and more. “Elements is wonderful software, but there’s a lot going on there. I wanted to help people find their way around and to understand some of the great things they can do with the program.” commented Brundage. Photoshop Elements 6: The Missing Manual is available now and costs $39.99 USD, £24.99 GBP.

The X-Rite i1Defined is the industry’s first out-of-the-box personalized colour training scheme. X-Rite i1Defined consists of two tiers: the flash-based X-Rite i1 Experience – a user-controlled interactive training CD that comes with all X-Rite i1Solutions; and the web-based X-Rite i1 Personal Color Trainer (PCT), one-on-one remote personalized training with a color management expert with select i1 solutions. “The all-new X-Rite i1Defined reflects the ways in which we continue to approach the marketplace and deliver our technology to photographers and greater creative communities to ensure a comfort with color management right from the very start. Our goal is to improve overall user satisfaction with the out-of-the box experience, and help them realize a tangible ROI almost immediately,” commented Iris Mangelschots, X-Rite Vice-President of Imaging & Media.

The Canon Powershot G9 sees the welcome return of the RAW image format to the G-series of prosumer compact digital cameras. Controversially dropped from the previous G7 model, Canon have bowed to customer demand and restored RAW, once again making the Powershot G9 a great backup camera for a DSLR owner, or even a viable alternative. Other new features on the Canon G9 include an upgraded 12.1 megapixel sensor, larger 3 inch LCD screen, and improved Face Detection mode. From the outside the G9 looks virtually identical to the G7, so are there enough internal improvements to make the G9 a worthwhile upgrade? Mark Goldstein took the Canon Powershot G9 for a test-drive to find out…

Website: Canon Powershot G9 Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Canon A720 IS digital camera, which offers 8 megapixels and optical image stabilization.

“Canon’s A720 IS is an affordable point-n-shoot model that offers a very nice variety of features for all users. As the big brother to the A710 IS from last year, there were only a few major changes. There is now an 8-megapixel imaging sensor, higher sensitivity up to ISO 1600, metering can now adjust to the brightness of light on a face when face detection is on and it weighs just under 1/2 oz. less. The other features consist of a 2.5” LCD screen, 6x optical zoom lens, Canon’s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) system, along with a multitude of shooting modes (Auto, Manual, Tv, Av, and several scene modes). With all this crammed into one camera, it is perfect for use by any level photographer.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon A720 IS Review

DCResource 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.

“As long as you keep an eye on the ISO sensitivity, you’ll get very good results from the PowerShot G9. The camera took well-exposed images (except for some blown highlights in our torture test), with accurate and vivid color. As I mentioned in the macro section, the G9 produces very smooth looking photos, and I don’t mean soft—it’s more like a digital SLR than anything else. Considering the resolution of the G9, its low noise levels are impressive (at the lower ISO sensitivities, at least).”

Website: DCResource - Canon G9 Review

Website: Read our Canon Powershot G9 Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Canon A650 IS camera, which has a 12.1 megapixel sensor and a 6x optical zoom with optical image stabilization.

“Our outdoor images were very pleasing while being shoot in 12 megapixel Large Fine and SuperFine modes. They showed rich vivid color and excellent exposure. The images were incredibly sharp throughout (thanks to the 9-point “smart” AiAF autofocus system), and showed very little noise when shooting at ISO 200 or less. This is thanks to Canon’s new DIGIC III image processor. At ISO 400 and above, the noise starts to become noticeable, however this slight loss in quality is worth the sacrifice, enabling you to capture images when other digicams can’t.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon A650 IS Review

The World Photography Awards, sponsored by Sony, is an international showcase of the best images taken by renowned and undiscovered photographers alike. Featuring eleven different categories, both professional and amateur photographers will be invited to enter work to the World Photography Awards from 9th October 2007 until mid-January 2008. The winners will be announced at a black tie awards ceremony in Cannes at the Palais des Festivals on 24th April 2008. The aim of the World Photography Awards is to unearth the images of the future while paying tribute to the visions of the past. “Photography plays a vital role in defining and documenting the world around us”, says Shaun Dorrington, General Manager, Sony Digital Imaging, “and by sponsoring the inaugural World Photography Awards we can support talented photographers across the globe and give them the recognition they deserve.”

Enter National Geographic’s online Daily Dozen contest and you could get your photo published on the magazine’s “Your Shot” page. Images for the Daily Dozen are chosen from photographs submitted to National Geographic by photography enthusiasts from around the world. Go to http://ngm.com/yourshot for details on how to submit a photo. You can also can vote on a gallery of images from the previous week.

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the Olympus E-510 DSLR camera, which features a built-in image stabiliser in the camera body. The E510 also has a new image processing engine that offers excellent noise performance and 3fps with a seven image RAW buffer in burst mode.

“Another important improvement is the Live View. It is clear that we will see this in new cameras more and more often. It definitely has its advantages. You can easily take photographs from an awkward angle, and you can see what you are doing more easily, especially because the viewfinder of the Olympus E-510 only partially shows what is actually being photographed. Live View shows you the whole frame. It is very pleasant that the autofocus keeps working when you want to capture the moment.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Olympus E-510 Review

Website: Read our Olympus E-510 Review

PhotoReview have reviewed the Olympus SP-560 UZ, the successor to the SP-550 UZ, which adds Face Detection and a new 8 megapixel sensor.

“The SP-560 UZ is a mixed bag, containing features that are designed to help novice users take better pictures and controls to please photo enthusiasts. If you stay clear of the high sensitivity settings and fast frame rates and use a tripod and mid-range aperture at the longest zoom setting, it’s a pretty good performer – although not quite as good as the Panasonic FZ18 (although it’s $80 cheaper).”

Website: PhotoReview - Olympus SP-560 UZ Review