Four Thirds User have tested the Olympus E-510 DSLR camera’s built-in image stabiliser to find out if it really works as advertised.

“We’ve been testing the new Olympus E-510 in the test lab to find out just how effectively its new Supersonic Wave driven moving sensor image stabilisation system (IS) performs. 100s of test exposures later, we have our verdict. We’ve also done a cursory comparison of the effectiveness of Panasonic’s in-lens Mega OIS (optical image stabilisation) system featured in its high-end standard zoom, the Leica Vario Elmarit 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5, when fitted to an E-510.”

Website: Four Thirds User - Olympus E-510 Image Stabilisation examined

CameraLabs compares the fors and againsts of compacts and DSLRs to find out which kind of camera you should buy.

“Ultimately you can take pictures of people, landscapes, or close-ups with any camera, but some models are better-suited to specific types of photography than others – not to mention being better-suited for certain types of photographers. So what follows is a list of key questions you should be asking yourself when deciding what type of camera to buy – they’ll help you make the important decision of whether to go for a DSLR, a compact or a super-zoom digital camera.”

Website: CameraLabs - Should you buy a DSLR or a Compact?

The Fujifilm S8000fd digital compact camera offers an 18x zoom lens equivalent to 27mm-486mm. Other standout features on the S8000fd include an 8 megapixel sensor, SLR styling, Face Detection, Dual Image Stabilization and ISO 6400 (at 50% resolution). “With the FinePix S8000 fd, Fujifilm is bringing its heritage in photography and industry leading technology to its customers by offering them incredible optical zoom and ISO levels in a camera priced at a level they can afford,” said David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. The Fujifilm S8000fd will be available in September 2007 for $399.95.

The Fujifilm S5800 is an 8 megapixel digital camera with a 10x, 38mm to 380mm zoom lens. Other features of the S5800 include ISO 1600 sensitivity, Picture Stabilization and 2.5 inch LCD screen with a Wide View filter. The Fujifilm S5800 will be available from October 2007.

The Fujifilm F50fd compact digicam has a 12 megapixel sensor, Dual Image Stabilization, and Face Detection 2.0 technology with a a new Automatic Red-Eye Removal feature. Other standout features on the F50fd include a 2.7 inch LCD screen and ISO settings of up to ISO 6400 (at 3MP resolution). “With the introduction of Dual Image Stabilization, Face Detection 2.0, Automatic Red-Eye Removal, and even higher ISO levels, the FinePix F50fd provides users with a powerful compact digital camera that makes it easier than ever for any level photographer to get professional looking photographs.“said David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. The Fujifilm F50fd will be available in September 2007 for $299.95.

The Fujifilm Z10fd is a 7.2 megapixel digital camera with a a Fujinon 3x optical Zoom lens and 2.5” LCD screen. Available in 5 different colours - Wave Blue, Wasabi Green, Hot Pink, Sunset Orange, and Midnight Black - the Fujifilm Z10fd also offers Face Detection, IrSimple and a special Blog Mode! “Fujifilm recognized that today’s younger generation wants to be connected with their friends at all times and that there wasn’t a digital camera manufacturer that really addressed this.” said David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. The Fujifilm Z10fd will debut in late September for $199.95.

The Fujifilm Z100fd digital camera has a unique ‘diagonal slide’ lens cover, illuminated ‘Z’ logo, and totally redesigned metal body. The Z100fd features a 5x optical zoom lens, Face Detection system, intelligent red-eye removal and CCD-shift image stabilisation. “The FinePix Z100fd is the perfect ‘social’ camera for the user looking for a combination of classic styling and cutting edge features. We believe that consumers wanting a super-slim camera shouldn’t have to make compromises on image quality or features, and with the Z100fd they don’t.” commented Adrian Clarke, Fujifilm’s Director of Photo Products. The FinePix Z100fd will be available from UK retailers from mid October, pricing to be announced. The Fujifilm Z100fd will be available in the USA in January 2008 for $249.95.

The Fujifilm F480 replaces the F470 and now offers an 8.2 megapixel sensor and 4x, 28mm-112mm zoom lens. The F480 also features Picture Stabilization mode, 2.7 inch LCD display and a handy Mode Dial. “We wanted to provide consumers with an easy to use, compact camera, that can be dropped into a pocket, making it easier to never miss a great photo opportunity,” said David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. The Fujifilm F480 will be available in September 2007 for $179.95.

The new Fujifilm A920 is a 9 megapixel entry-level digital camera aimed at the first-time buyer. The A920 features Super CCD sensor technology, a 4.0x optical zoom lens, Picture Stabilization mode and a large 2.7 inch LCD screen. The Fujifilm A920 will be available in September 2007 for $199.95.

Sigma 17-70mm HSM and Sigma 18-50mm HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) lenses provide quiet and high-speed auto-focusing for all Nikon DSLR cameras. The Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM has a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9”) throughout the entire zoom range. The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO HSM has a large aperture of F2.8 and a minimum focusing distance of 20cm. The Sigma 17-70mm HSM lens costs £289.99, and the Sigma 18-50mm HSM lens £389.99.

Nikon, a world leader in cameras, imaging and optics, was founded on July 25th, 1917. Nikon is introducing a special 90th Anniversary logo as part of the birthday celebration. “Nikon has maintained an unwavering commitment to the study of light with the corporate philosophy, ‘Trustworthiness and Creativity’,” said Michio Kariya, President of Nikon Corporation.

The Olympus E-410 is a 10 megapixel DSLR camera based on the Four Thirds standard. Marketed as the ultimate ‘travel’ DSLR, the E-410 weighs just 375 g (body only) and a measures 129.5 x 91 x 53 mm. The Olympus E410 features Live Preview, which allows you to frame the shot through the camera’s 2.5 inch LCD screen, in addition to using the more traditional optical viewfinder. The Olympus E-410 also offers a new image processing engine, 32 shooting modes and Supersonic Wave Filter. Is this the best Olympus DSLR camera yet? Gavin Stoker finds out.

Website: Olympus E-410 Review

Tripods are not exactly the most exciting photography product that springs to mind. Dependable, yes. Very useful, certainly. Exciting? You’d probably think not, but a behind-the-scenes tour of Manfrotto’s tripod factory in Feltre, Northern Italy proved to be a real eye-opener. As Manfrotto can’t possibly allow every photographer into their factory, I’ll do my best to show you around in our exclusive article.

Website: Manfrotto Factory Tour

Carl Zeiss lenses are now available for Pentax and Samsung SLR and DSLR cameras. The Carl Zeiss ZK is a series of manual focus lenses that will fit the K bayonet currently used on Pentax and Samsung cameras. Shutter priority, aperture priority and programmed auto exposure modes will be available on all camera models with these features. The Planar T* 1,4/50 ZK lens will be available in August, with 5 other models following later in the year.

ACDSee Pro has been reduced to $49.99 USD until August 10th, a saving of 60%. ACDSee Pro gives users full RAW support, RAW processing and lightning speed in every facet of digital photography management - from initial photo capture to final print. This software is quick, easy to learn and gives users the power to view, organize, edit, process, publish and archive image files.

Frank Gohlke’s black and white landscape photographs will be on show at PDNB Gallery in Dallas, Texas. Running from September 8 - October 13, 2007, photographs from Texas will be featured, including Gohlke’s famous Grain Elevator series.

Four Thirds User is a new website aimed at anyone interested in the Four Thirds digital SLR camera system. Launched by the team behind DPNow, Four Thirds User features news, in-depth reviews, tutorials, a wiki-style interactive knowledge base and an integrated discussion forum and user photo gallery. There’s also the chance to win an Olympus E-510 to help celebrate the launch of Four Thirds User.

AKVIS Frame Suite 2 applies artistic frames and edge effects to your photos. Frame Suite 2 now works on both PPC- and Intel-Macs, offers two more edge effects (Frost and Artistic Crop) and has improved color profile handling. AKVIS Frame Suite costs $49 USD, and there’s a free 10 day trial version.

Olympus have released a new firmware update, version 1.1, for the E-510 DSLR camera. This update improves the reliability of writing to high-speed Compact Flash cards.

Website: Olympus E-510 v1.1 Firmware Update

Olympus have released a new firmware update, version 1.2, for the E-410 DSLR camera. This update improves the reliability of writing to high-speed Compact Flash cards. It also improves the preview of the white balance settings when in Live-View mode, and addresses the issue of file names being reset after images are deleted.

Website: Olympus E-410 v1.2 Firmware Update