Fluid Mask 3 masking software adds a more effective edge detection system and improved “Smart Blending” capability. Fluid Mask 3 also boasts faster initial image processing times, with increased speeds up to 40% faster than the previous version. “Fluid Mask 3 is the most powerful masking tool available today.  The accuracy and speed with which this software separates difficult images such as human hair from a background takes image editing to a new level.” said James Carr-Jones, president & CEO of Vertus. Fluid Mask 3 is currently available for Windows XP and Vista and Mac Intel and Power PC 10.3.9 upwards, and is priced at $239.

iCorrect EditLab Pro 5.5 color correction software is fully compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS3 and offers native support for Intel-based Macintosh computers. Free upgrades are available for registered users who purchased iCorrect EditLab Pro Plug-in on or after January 1, 2007. iCorrect EditLab Pro 5.5 can be downloaded for $99.95, and a free demo version is also available.

The Belkin Wireless USB Hub allows you to wirelessly access up to 4 USB devices from 30 feet away. USB devices are plugged into the hub, and a wireless USB adapter into your computer. Available in late August 2007 with launches in Asia, Europe, and Australia to follow, the Belkin Wireless USB Hub costs $199.99.

Purchasers of the Nikon D200 DSLR camera in the UK can now claim a free copy of Nikon’s Capture NX software, worth £119.99.. This offer is valid between 18th May and 13th July 2007, and the last day for applications is 10th August 2007.

Update July 13th - Nikon UK is pleased to announce it has extended the free Capture NX offer to 3rd August 2007. The new deadline for applications is 31st August 2007.

The We Speak Image fashion campaign challenges 17 European fashion designers to create a collection inspired by photos taken by their fellow countrymen. Members of the public can upload their most creative and iconic images, with the most popular given to a leading fashion designer. The resulting garments will be showcased at London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. Canon will make a donation to Red Cross Societies across Europe for each image uploaded.

ScanCafé is a new photo scanning and restoration service that allows customers to pay only for the digital images they wish to keep (minimum purchase of 50%). Professional color correction, cropping, scratch cleansing, and red eye removal are included as part of ScanCafé’s basic photo scanning service. “We started ScanCafé to help people preserve their most precious memories…we’ve created an easy, safe, and low-cost photo scanning service that allows people to share those photos with friends and family and preserve them for future generations.” said Sam Allen, CEO of ScanCafé.

Sigma have released a new firmware update, v1.04, for the Sigma SD14 DSLR camera. Improvements include:

  1. Corrects the phenomenon of the intermittent camera freeze with Err message in the top LCD panel under certain conditions.
  2. Corrects the problems related with video output display and functionality.
  3. Corrects the display problem for the number of remaining shots on the CF card.
  4. In the case of Mac OS 10.4.9 with Intel core processor, the SD14 was not recognized as a Removable Disk. Now the SD14 is mounted to the desktop as Removable Disk icon.

Website: Sigma SD14 v1.04 Firmware Update

Adobe have released an update for the critical vulnerabilities that were recently discovered in Photoshop CS2 and CS3. This could allow an attacker who successfully exploits these potential vulnerabilities to take control of the affected system. A malicious BMP, DIB, RLE, or PNG must be opened in Photoshop by the user for an attacker to exploit these potential vulnerabilities. Users are recommended to update their installations immediately.

Website: Adobe - Photoshop CS2 and CS3 updates to address security vulnerabilitiesw

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500, a 7.1 megapixel camera with a 3x zoom lens (35-105mm), Vibration Reduction to combat camera shake, ISO 2000 capability, 2.5 inch monitor and One-touch portrait button.

“The Nikon Coolpix S500 has pleased me in practice. The camera is extremely users friendly and gives a fine end result. In regards to comfort and user friendliness the Nikon S500 does not seem to need many improvements. Of course, there is always room for improvement in regards to quality. I would like to see improvement in the noise values and I hope that Nikon does not let themselves be tempted by only looking for the larger ISO values.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Nikon Coolpix S500 Review

CNET 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.

“Image quality is generally good, with sharp images, accurate-looking colors, a healthy amount of shadow detail, and consistently accurate white balance and exposures. However, noise remains one of Panasonic’s weakest points. Even at the camera’s lowest sensitivity setting of ISO 80, I saw noise in our test images. The noise is minimized in prints but is readily noticeable when viewing images at full size on computer monitors”

Website: CNET - Panasonic Lumix FX100 Review

The Pentax M40 and Pentax E40 are two new lightweight, affordable compact digital cameras. The 8 megapixel M40 offers a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD, metal body, Face Recognition and digital Shake Reduction. The cheaper E40 also features Face Recognition technology and Digital Shake Reduction functions, and runs on AA batteries. Priced at US $199.95, the Pentax M40 will ship in August 2007. The Pentax E40 will ship in September 2007 for US $149.95.

The Samsung L83T digital camera offers 8.2 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom and a fastest ISO speed of 1600. Other features include a 2.5 inch LCD screen, Face Recognition and a slim aluminium body. The Samsung L83T will be available from August 2007 with a two year warranty at an RRP of £179 in the UK, and mid August for $279 in the USA.

The Samsung L830 and Samsung L730 are new 8 and 7 megapixel entry-level digital cameras. Both models offer a 3x optical zoom, bright 2.5” LCD display, Face Recognition and compact aluminium body. The Samsung L730 and L830 will both be available from the end of August with an RRP of £119 for the L730 and £149 for the L830 in the UK. The L830 will be released in September for $229 in the USA (L730 not available).

Canon have released a new firmware update, v1.1.0, for the EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi in the USA) DSLR, which offers the following improvements:

  1. Adds support for the new Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) USB protocol.
  2. Corrects errors in the Simplified Chinese menu screens.

Website: Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi v1.1.0 Firmware Update

We’ve published 30 photos and a video taken with the new Sony G1 compact digital camera. The Sony G1 features a 6 megapixel sensor 2Gb internal storage, 3.5 inch LCD screen and peer-to-peer wireless connectivity. Take a look at our Sony G1 photos, with the full review to follow soon.

Website: Sony G1 Photos

We’ve published 30 photos and a video taken with the new Samsung i7 compact digital camera. The Samsung i7 features a 7 megapixel sensor, 540Mb internal storage, 3 inch touchscreen LCD, MP3 player and advanced video mode. Take a look at our Samsung i7 photos, with the full review to follow soon.

Website: Samsung i7 Photos

DPNow have reviewed the hueyPRO, a new addition to Pantone’s huey family of display calibration products.

“26 colour variations are sampled by the calibration process with the standard huey software, but only an additional three are used in the Pro version. This retains the fast calibration speed of the original huey – at about one minute – but more advanced calibration systems use many more colour variations to build a more accurate colour profile.”

Website: DPNow - hueyPRO Review

Website: Read our Huey Pro Review

TrustedReviews have reviewed the Canon Digital IXUS 75 digital camera (also known as the PowerShot SD750) which has a metallic finish, 3x zoom lens and 3 inch LCD screen.

“Unfortunately, as it was with the IXUS 65, the camera’s main downfall is its image quality. It has some good points, in particular the brilliant colour reproduction, reliably accurate metering, good dynamic range and the distortion-free quality of the lens especially at wide angle, but for some reason the final images simply lack fine detail when compared to similar shots from other 7MP compacts.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Canon Digital IXUS 75 Review

PopPhoto have reviewed the Leica C-Lux 2, an ultra-compact digital camera with a black metal body, wide-angle 28mm zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen and 7.2 megapixel CCD sensor.

“For the die-hard Leica fan, the C-LUX 2 offers a good feature set in a very attractive design, but unless you’re dead-set on your next pocket digicam bearing the famous red dot, it may be difficult to justify the steep price when there’s a Panasonic version for half the price.”

Website: PopPhoto - Leica C-Lux 2 Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the new Canon SD850 IS (also known as the IXUS 950 IS), an 8 megapixel digital camera with 4x zoom, image stabilized lens equivalent to 35-140mm.

“Unlike most consumer models that feature the typical 3x zoom, the SD850 features a nice Canon 4x optical zoom lens. It offers greater versatility in composing your shots than most in its class, with a 35mm equivalent focal range of approx. 35mm - 140mm. At the 35mm wide angle extreme, you’ll be able to capture nice landscapes and group portraits, while the telephoto capabilities will help fill the frame with your subject for close-up portraits or macro shots as well as bring your distant subjects a bit closer. Overall, I noticed moderate amount of barrel distortion at full wide angle, but relatively no pincushioning at telephoto end.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon SD850 IS Review

Website: Read our Canon Digital IXUS 950 IS Review