CameraLabs have reviewed the Nikon 55-200mm VR lens, a compact telephoto zoom lens featuring Vibration Reduction at a budget price point.

“The Nikkor DX 55-200mm VR is one of the best value lenses around right now for Nikon DSLRs. It’s compact, light and perfectly complements the DX 18-55mm kit lens, extending the effective range to 300mm for useful telephoto coverage. The addition of Vibration Reduction effectively reduces camera shake and in order to support AF on its entry-level DSLRs, Nikon’s had to equip the lens with a quick and quiet SWM focusing motor which gives the DX 55-200mm VR a degree of classiness that’s absent on rival budget telephoto zooms.”

Website: CameraLabs - Nikon 55-200mm VR Lens Review

e-Fotografija have just reviewed the Zuiko Digital 90-250mm f/2.8 Four Thirds lens, which is equivalent to 180-50mm in 35mm terms.

“The Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 90-250 mm/2.8 performed well even at maximum apertures. All it needs is a good camera, and it’ll be one of the best lenses. This is even more true due to the sheer size and weight of classic 35 mm format lenses. The only thing that’s wrong about it is the price. It’s very much in line with its performance, but it’s still enormous. Because of its optical quality and usefulness, it’s going to be the subject of much admiration and desire.”

Website: e-Fotografija - Zuiko Digital 90-250mm f/2.8 Lens Review

The Nikon D3 is a full-frame, 12.1 megapixel DSLR camera that offers 9fps continuous shooting and a 51 point autofocus system. Other standout features of the Nikon D3 include a 3 inch VGA LCD screen with Live View, expandable ISO settings from 200-6400, and new EXPEED image processing system with 4-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. “The incredible speed, resolution and flexibility of the D3 will enable photographers to capture images under conditions previously thought impossible.” said Robert Cristina, Brand Manager, Nikon Professional Products, Europe. Available in November, the guide price for the Nikon D3 body only is £3399.99 / €5180 / $4,999.95. There are some product shots taken at this morning’s UK press launch after the jump.

The Nikon D300 is a 12.3 megapixel DSLR camera that offers 6fps continuous shooting and a 51 point autofocus system. Other standout features of the Nikon D300 include a 3 inch VGA LCD screen with Live View, self-cleaning sensor unit, expandable ISO settings from 200-3200, and new EXPEED image processing system with 4-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. “The D300 is a true ‘go-anywhere’ camera, delivering fast response, high performance and ease of use that will appeal to anyone serious about their photography.” said Robert Cristina, Brand Manager, Nikon Professional Products, Europe. Available in November, the Nikon D300 body only has a guide price of £1299.99 / €1980 / $1,799.95. There are some product shots taken at this morning’s UK press launch after the jump.

The Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 and Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 are two new professional zoom lenses designed for the new FX (full-frame) format D3 DSLR camera. Both lenses share Nikon’s unique Nano Crystal coat technology to minimize ghost and flare “These new zoom NIKKORS offer photographers immense creative potential when combined with the new FX-format D3, but are equally useful for those using Nikon’s DX-format cameras too”, said Robert Cristina, Brand Manager, Nikon Professional Products Europe. Available in November, the price of the Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 and Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses has yet to be announced. The estimated US selling price for the AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens will be $1,799.95, and AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED will be $1,699.95.

Nikon have unveiled three super-telephoto lenses featuring the VR II Vibration Reduction system - the Nikon AF-S 400mm f/2.8 VR, Nikon AF-S 500mm f/4 VR and Nikon AF-S 600mm f/4 VR. “Lenses like these bring the photographer right to the heart of the action, even from hundreds of metres away,” said Robert Cristina, Brand Manager, Nikon Professional Products, Europe. “Judging from feedback we have had already, this news will be very welcomed by photographers”. Available in November, the price of the Nikon AF-S 400mm f/2.8 VR, Nikon AF-S 500mm f/4 VR and Nikon AF-S 600mm f/4 VR lenses has yet to be announced. Estimated selling prices for the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR, AF-S NIKKOR 500mm and 600mm f/4G ED VR lenses are $8,799.95, $7,899.95 and $9,499.95 respectively

The Pentax Z10 and Pentax S10 digital cameras offer a 7x zoom lens and 10 megapixels respectively. The 8 megapixel Pentax Z10 has a 7x optical zoom, Face Recognition for improved portraits and ISO 3200 mode. The tiny Pentax S10 is a 10 megapixel camera with digital Shake Reduction, Face Recognition and DivX video format. Priced at US $249.95 each, the Pentax Z10 and Pentax S10 will ship in September.

The Olympus SP-560 UZ is the successor to the SP-550 UZ, featuring an 18x wide optical zoom equivalent to 27-486mm. Face Detection has been added to the SP-560 UZ, along with a new 8 megapixel sensor. The Olympus SP-560 UZ will be available from October 2007 at around £350.

The Olympus mju 1200 is a weatherproof, 12 megapixel digital camera. Other standout features of the Olympus mju 1200 include Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment which detects the shadow areas in a composition and corrects the exposure, and a large 6.9cm HyperCrystal LCD screen. The Olympus mju 1200 will be available from October 2007 at around £270.

The Olympus mju 830 weatherproof digital camera offers a 5x optical zoom lens (36-180mm) and 8 megapixel resolution. Other standout features of the Olympus mju 830 include Face Detection, Dual Image Stabilisation and 6.4cm HyperCrystal LCD screen. The Olympus mju 830 will be available from October 2007 at around £250.

The Olympus mju 820 is a weatherproof 8 megapixel camera with a 5x optical zoom lens. Available in midnight black, starry silver, ruby red or crystal blue, the Olympus mju 820 features a 6.9cm HyperCrystal LCD screen and Face Detection. The Olympus mju 820 will be available from September 2007 at around £180.

The Olympus mju 790 SW is a new shockproof, waterproof digital camera. Able to survive falls from 1.5m and waterproof to 3m, the 7.1 megapixel Olympus mju 790 SW is available in starry silver, midnight black, sunset orange or marine blue. The Olympus mju 790 SW will be available from September 2007 at around £200.

The Olympus FE-300 is a new 12 megapixel entry-level camera. Standout features of the FE-300 include a 3x optical zoom lens, large 6.4cm LCD screen and Face Detection technology. The Olympus FE-300 will be available from September 2007 at around £200.

The Olympus FE-290 is a 7.1 megapixel camera with a 4x wide optical zoom (28-112mm). Other standout features of the FE-290 include a large 7.6cm LCD screen, “One button, one function” design principle, and 15 different scene modes. The Olympus FE-290 will be available from September 2007 at around £170.

The Olympus FE-280 is an entry-level 8 megapixel digital camera. Available in silver, blue, black or red, the FE-280 has an ultra-slim, stainless metal exterior and new TruePic III image processor. The Olympus FE-280 will be available from September 2007 at around £140.

The Olympus FE-270 is a new entry-level 7 megapixel digital camera. The FE-270 offers a 7.1 megapixel sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens and a large 6.4cm LCD screen. The Olympus FE-270 will be available from September 2007 at around £100.

Bonusprint is offering customers a 25 per cent discount on all images and photo gifts until midnight on Monday, September 10, 2007. Alternatively, you can choose to get a free 12” x 18” glossy photo print, saving £4.99. To claim your 25 per cent discount go to www.bonusprint.co.uk and enter the promotional code SUMMER07.

The RPS has announced the fifth in its series of highly successful teaching symposiums. This year’s event is called “Good Picture 2007 – The Imaging Chain” and will focus on on various aspects of the digital imaging process. The RPS Teaching Symposium takes place on Tuesday 18th December and cost is £54 full rate or £30 for retired, student or unemployed.

The new Delkin Devices UDMA Compact Flash card delivers 305x speed (45MB/sec) in capacities of 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB. “Even better, Delkin offers a complete UDMA solution for professional photographers. Besides CompactFlash cards with speeds over 45MB/sec, we offer UDMA enabled CardBus adapter and FireWire reader products now shipping, with an ExpressCard version available soon.” said Eric Richter, Delkin’s Marketing Manager. The Delkin Devices UDMA Compact Flash crad costs $79.99 for 1GB, $109.99 for 2GB, $179.99 for 4GB, and $299.99 for 8GB.

The Toshiba 32GB SDHC memory card is the world’s biggest capacity SD card. Meeting the Class 4 specification in the SD Speed Class, the Toshiba 32GB SDHC card will be launched worldwide in January 2008. Also unveiled today are a 16Gb SDHC card and an 8GB microSDHC card. The expanded new card series will be featured at the IFA 2007, in Berlin, Germany from August 31 to September 5.