ThinkCamera have just reviewed Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2.

“Each version of Paint Shop Pro has moved it closer to being a challenger to Photoshop instead of Elements big competition. And Paint Shop Pro X2 shows no sign of slackening off the pace. It’s keenly priced and more than delivers the goods. It lives up to the ‘Pro’ side of its name. The game just got raised in photo software on the PC.”

Website: ThinkCamera - Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2

We’ve published a selection of 25 sample photos from a pre-production version of the new Panasonic L10 digital SLR camera, taken at last week’s European press event in Berlin, Germany. Note that these images are resized and are not indicative of the final quality of the Panasonic L10.

Update 20th September: We’ve now published another set of 25 photos (again resized) which were all taken at a Panasonic event held at the Tower of London, UK, on a bright sunny day.

Panasonic L10 Photos

USB 3.0 promises to deliver over 10 times the speed of today’s USB connection. USB (Universal Serial Bus) 3.0 will be a backward-compatible standard and be optimized for low power. “The digital era requires high-speed performance and reliable connectivity to move the enormous amounts of digital content now present in everyday life. USB 3.0 will meet this challenge while maintaining the ease-of-use experience that users have come to love and expect from any USB technology.” said Jeff Ravencraft, technology strategist with Intel. A completed USB 3.0 specification is expected by the first half of 2008.

The Hasselblad H3D-II DSLR camera offers a choice of 22, 31 or 39 megapixel sensors up to 48x36 mm in size. The H3D-II offers a new 3 inch LCD screen, an intuitive thumbwheel control on the handle and a separate button for direct control of ISO settings and white balance. The H3D-II also features Hasselblad’s Global Image Locator (GIL), an integrated GPS product that automatically records the camera’s exact geographic co-ordinates.  “With the introduction of the Hasselblad H3D-II, we believe that the world’s best high-end DSLR camera has just got better.  By further raising the level of integration by improving the controls, functionality and sensor cooling, and adding a new and more intuitive user interface, and a bright, 3” display, we continue to address the needs of professional photographers” said Christian Poulsen, CEO of Hasselblad. The new Hasselblad H3D-II costs $33,995 for the H3D-39II, $26,995 for the H3D-31II, and $24,995 for the H3D-22II.

The Epson Storage Viewer Travel Pack is a must-have companion to its popular line of multimedia storage viewers. It includes a carrying case, dual battery charger, portable viewing stand, microfiber cleaning cloth, protective screen film and a car charger. “The Epson Storage Viewer Travel Pack greatly enhances the portability of Epson Multimedia Storage Viewers,” said Paul Warren, product manager, Multimedia Storage Viewers, Epson America. “It has everything the on-the-go photographer needs while traveling or on location. By making it easier to carry multimedia storage viewers and other accessories, as well as to recharge batteries while on the road, this Travel Pack makes Epson’s viewers even more of an essential tool for the digital photographer.” The Epson Storage Viewer Travel Pack costs $79.99 / £49.99, but is free with the purchase of an Epson P-5000 for a limited time (US Only).

Two of the UK’s finest outdoor photographers, Andy Rouse and Joe Cornish, will appear together on stage to discuss each other’s photography. “Inner Visions” - an event organised by Páramo Directional Clothing Systems - will see Rouse and Cornish reveal to the audience insights on their work and each other’s work. This event is being held on Saturday December 1st in Uplands Hall in Wadhurst, East Sussex. Tickets are on sale for £12 in advance (£15 on the door), or £10 for groups of 10+.

PhotoReview have reviewed the new 12 megapixel Sony A700 DSLR camera.

“Image noise was remarkably low at high ISO settings, even without the in-camera noise-reduction processing activated. We found slight colour noise at ISO settings between 2500 and 6400 but, at ISO 1600 it was no more obvious than the ISO levels we have found at ISO 400 with some DSLRs we’ve reviewed. Even at ISO 6400, both pattern and colour noise, though noticeable, were very well controlled and shots taken with this setting would be usable as long as they were not enlarged too much. “

Website: PhotoReview - Sony A700 Review

Megapixel.net 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.

“The Olympus E-510 is an excellent amateur dSLR. It fits nicely just above the E-410 and its slightly higher price is easily justified by its additional features. The kit lens — the one used in this review — is of good quality, but the auto focus of the E-510 would likely perform even better with a slightly brighter lens such as some of the high quality lenses manufactured by Olympus. Currently, competition in entry-level digital SLR cameras is intense. And while it may not have the most attractive price, the E-510 offers a number of features that should make it very attractive.”

Website: Megapixel.net - Olympus E-510 Review

Website: Read our Olympus E-510 Review

DCResource have reviewed the Panasonic Lumix FX100, a 12.2 megapixel digital camera with a new 1/1.72-inch large CCD and 28mm wide-angle lens.

“Simply put, the 12 Megapixel CCD on the FX100 is overkill for the point-and-shoot crowd. If you’re willing to give up a few million pixels, you can get the DMC-FX33 or DMC-FX55, which offer the same features, faster performance (due to smaller file sizes), and better image quality. Do I recommend the FX100? Absolutely. But unless you’re making absolutely gigantic prints (and will be keep the ISO really, really low), check out the FX33 or FX55 instead.”

Website: DCResource - Panasonic Lumix FX100 Review

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

“The Canon PowerShot A650 IS proves that you don’t need to invest in an SLR to get manual controls and large, detailed pictures. As the new high-end member of Canon’s PowerShot A-series line of cameras, the 12-megapixel camera comes packed with manual exposure controls and other photographer-friendly features. Its bulky form won’t win any beauty pageants, but the camera’s substance more than makes up for its relative lack of style, and its sub-$500 price tag makes it look that much sweeter.”

Website: CNET - Canon A650 IS Review

Steves Digicams 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.

“When shooting outdoors, the M40 captures nice images showing pleasing exposure and rich colors. I did notice a slight amount of softness along the left hand side of the frame in many of our samples. Luckily, this model features in-camera sharpness adjustment, which will allow you to “dial in” the preferred amount. Image noise is an issue we touch on with almost every camera, especially when the model features such high sensitivity settings (like up to 3200 on the M40). With this camera, noise levels were average throughout the sensitivity range, becoming more noticeable from ISO 800 and above.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Pentax M40 Review

CameraLabs have reviewed the new wide-angle Sony DT 11-18mm lens.

“In its favour the DT 11-18mm suffers from little geometric distortion or light fall-off considering its ultra wide range, and it’s always good to find a lens hood included as standard – if only Canon would do the same. On the downside though, there’s noticeable softening in the extreme corners, a manual focusing ring which turns during AF, and a relatively slow focal ratio of f4.5 when it’s zoomed-out to 11mm.”

Website: CameraLabs - Sony DT 11-18mm Lens Review

The Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/28 is a new high-speed, wide-angle lens for SLR cameras. With an aperture of f/2.0 and 28mm focal length, the Distagon T* 2/28 lens is ideally suited for taking pictures in unfavorable lighting conditions. The new lens is available as the Distagon T* 2/28 ZF for cameras with the F bayonet and Distagon T* 2/28 ZK for cameras with a K mount. The Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/28 will be available by the end of 2007 for 1,049.00 €.

Fujifilm’s digital camera production operation will be fully transferred to their Chinese factory in Suzhou, as the company seeks to optimize its manufacturing and R&D businesses. In addition Fujifilm are subcontracting the pre-process production (wafer process) of their CCD sensors to Toshiba Corporation. Fujifilm have committed to “further acceleration in the development of digital cameras with distinctive features” based on their Super CCD, image processing and lens technologies.

Adobe has achieved record revenues of $851.7 million for its third quarter of 2007, 41% year-over-year growth. “Our record results were driven by outstanding Creative Suite 3 adoption and continued Acrobat momentum,” said Bruce Chizen, chief executive officer of Adobe. “As we near the end of fiscal 2007, we remain well positioned for continued double digit revenue growth.” For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, Adobe announced it is targeting revenue of $860 million to $890 million.

Lacie Little Disk is a new range of portable hard drives designed exclusively for LaCie by award-winning designer Sam Hecht. With storage potential from 30 to 250 gigabytes, the LaCie Little Disk is driver-free and pre-formatted for simple, one-step installation across all platforms. The new drives are available in either 1.8- or 2.5-inch formats and with USB or Firewire connectivity. “Designed for simplicity, the 1.8- and 2.5-inch drives are extremely portable and are bus powered, eliminating the need for A/C power. So whether you are on a bus, taking the train, or relaxing at the park, your data is always accessible.” said Nolwenn Rozen, LaCie product manager. Suggested retail prices start at $99.99 for the 1.8-inch, $89.99 for the 2.5- inch USB 2.0 and $119.99 for the 2.5-inch Combo.

The new Lacie Portable DVD±RW Drive with LightScribe has been designed exclusively for LaCie by award-winning designer Sam Hecht. The FireWire or USB 2.0 bus-powered LaCie Portable DVD±RW Drive is less than one inch tall, and one pound in weight. “Burning professional-looking CD/DVDs in any work environment is made easy through Sam Hecht’s simple and elegant design coupled with buspower, LightScribe labeling and a complete software suite.” said Anne Bordet, LaCie Product Manager. The Lacie Portable DVD±RW Drive costs $99.99 for USB 2.0 and $149.99 for FireWire.

UK at Home invites you to document through digital photography the incredible range of places you call home. From 24-30th September 2007, you can submit a a digital photograph relating to a single announced theme. Throughout the week participants are also invited to take general shots of what makes their home special. Fifty of the world’s leading photographers will also be taking part. “We want to capture the emotions of being home,” says John Easterby, the photography director of UK at Home.  “The word ‘home’ itself means something very special to us Brits; yet at the same time, it also evokes different things for each of us.  Our goal is to capture those commonalities – and those differences.” The best pictures, as chosen by a team of leading picture editors, will be published in a book in February 2008

16 winning photos from CITY Magazine’s “One City, Many Destinations” travel photography competition have been announced. Konstantino Hatzisarros’s stunning image of two young monks in a Burmese temple was selected as the grand-prize winner. Along with the coveted cover shot for CITY’s Fall Travel issue, Hatzisarros won a Leica M8 professional camera, a trip for two to any W Hotel in North America and a gift certificate to Calumet Photographic.

The Transcend Multi-Card Reader M3 supports almost every memory card currently on the market. Each type of slot is clearly labeled on the top of the reader AND in your computer browser next to the drive letter. The Transcend M3 has a USB 2.0 interface and support for newer high-speed memory cards (up to 480Mb/s). Available in black, white and pink, the Transcend Multi-Card Reader M3 costs 8.55€.