DPReview have just reviewed the 15x zoom Sony H9 digital camera.

“I have to say that the H9 was a camera I really expected to like, and I started this review expecting to be able to rave about how a great camera had got even better. In reality my experiences with the new flagship Cyber-shot zoom were decidedly mixed, and at times downright disappointing.”

DPReview - Sony H9 Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the entry-level Canon PowerShot A460 camera, which offers a 2 inch LCD screen and 4x zoom lens.

“You get a lot of camera for just over $100 with the Canon PowerShot A460. It’s a great camera for the kids, and not a bad choice as a snapshooter for just about anyone on your list.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon PowerShot A460 Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Casio EX-V7, the world’s slimmest digital camera with a 7X optical zoom lens (equivalent to 38-266mm on a 35mm film camera).

“The EX-V7 is very compact, and considered an “ultra-compact”, but its ergonomics are good. The right hand side of the body is raised slightly to bring the shutter release and power button up, making it much easier to access with your index finger. The space between the 4-way controller and zoom controls allow you to place your thumb without interfering with any buttons. The onscreen menus are easy to navigate and use, allowing you to concentrate on your picture taking without worrying about settings. The durable all-metal body will protect it from everyday bumps and bruises.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Casio EX-V7 Review

Website: Read our Casio EX-V7 Review

Adobe have released Camera Raw 4.1 for both Windows and Mac platforms. Support for the following cameras has been added in this update:

Canon EOS-1D Mark III, Fuji FinePix S5 Pro, Nikon D40x, Olympus E-410, Olympus SP-550 UZ, Sigma SD14, Phase One H 20, Phase One H 25, Phase One P 20, Phase One P 21, Phase One P 25, Phase One P 30, Phase One P 45

Website: Adobe Camera Raw 4.1 (Windows)

Website: Adobe Camera Raw 4.1 (MAC)

HP have unveiled Print 2.0, the company’s strategy for making printing more relevant. HP plans to make it easier to print from websites, extend its digital content creation and publishing platforms, and target high-volume commercial markets. “In today’s world of ‘mashed media’ – words, pictures, video, songs – the question becomes ‘How will people publish this content?’ Print 2.0 is the answer. This vision centers on empowering our customers to create and consume their content, their way.” commented Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president of HP’s Imaging and Printing Group.

A daguerreotype camera dating from 1839 has sold at auction for 588,613 euros, becoming the world’s most expensive camera. An anonymous buyer paid the vast amount for the daguerreotype camera in an auction on Sunday organised by the Galerie Westlicht in Vienna, Austria. The camera lay undiscovered in a loft in Munich, Germany since 1940 and was accidentally discovered by its owner.

Website: Yahoo News - World’s oldest camera auctioned for 800,000 dollars

Microsoft Surface offers interaction with information using touch, natural gestures and physical objects. Surface is a 30-inch display in a table-like form factor that small groups can use at the same time. “With Surface, we are creating more intuitive ways for people to interact with technology,” Ballmer said. “We see this as a multibillion dollar category, and we envision a time when surface computing technologies will be pervasive, from tabletops and counters to the hallway mirror. Surface is the first step in realizing that vision.”

The 6th Ricoh Caplio and GR Digital Photo Contest is open to all owners of a Ricoh compact digital camera. The theme is “Delightful moments and scenes”, and the contest runs from May 30, 2007 to August 19, 2007. A total of 34 photos will be chosen as winners from among photos submitted, including a grand prize winner. The main prize is a Ricoh GR DIGITAL camera and accessories.

Hahnemuhle FineArt Inkjet Photo Cards are new inkjet photo cards for producing high-end quality prints in a mini format. They are 4x6 inch in size and available in Photo Rag 308gsm and FineArt Pearl 285gsm paper types.

xcavator.net is a visual search portal targeting the stock photography industry. Visual search allows a user to look for similar images within databases containing millions of images based on color and key features. “The visual search capabilities, combined with keyword filtering, create an unbeatable intuitive experience for the user browsing Photovault’s inventory”, said Vern Krutein, President of Photovault.

DCResource have reviewed the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W80, which offers 8 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens, metal body, 2.5-inch LCD screen and an eye-level viewfinder.

“Overall, the DSC-W80’s image quality was good but not great. On the positive side, photos were well-exposed, with pleasing colors, and minimal purple fringing. The bad news is that overzealous noise reduction tends to blur fine details such as grass, leaves, hair, and roof tiles, and you can see this is nearly all of my sample photos.”

Website: DCResource - Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W80 Review

DCViews have reviewed the 10 megapixel Samsung GX-10 DSLR camera.

“Image colours are spot on with nicely subdued natural colours. If you prefer more punchy results, the Vivid Image Tone option in the menu boosts saturation and contrast considerably. For consumer-like holiday prints the latter would be ideal although a (semi)pro photographer may prefer the natural setting, which will allow him to adjust image tones and contrast to what the image will be used for later. Characteristic for most DSLRs, the Samsung’s JPEG images have a nice smooth appearance about them with plenty of detail.”

Website: DCViews - Samsung GX-10 Review

CNET have reviewed the Sony W200, the first 12 megapixel camera on the market, which offers a 3x optical zoom lens, metal body, 2.5-inch LCD screen and an eye-level viewfinder.

“However, when it comes to image-related performance and image quality, the W200 tanks, mostly because of that unnecessary 12-megapixel sensor. Though it’s physically larger than the 8-megapixel sensor in the W90, the pixels still must be insanely small. That’s the only reason I can think of for the W200 to be such a light vampire, simply incapable of exposing shots at ISO 100 that most snapshot cameras can handle without problem.”

Website: CNET - Sony W200 Review

CNET have reviewed the Samsung S850, which offers an 8 megapixel image sensor, 5x optical zoom, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes, continuous shooting and AEB.

“The S850 is an 8-megapixel, sub-$250 shooter with full manual exposure controls, giving frugal photographers plenty of settings to tinker with. Manual mode even has a convenient onscreen meter that tells you if your photo will be over- or underexposed, an extremely useful tool when tweaking all the settings by hand. Strangely, the camera doesn’t have a manual focus setting, forcing you to choose between center and multipoint autofocus. Manual focus would have been nice, but its absence is hardly a surprise; few, if any, low-end cameras offer manual focus.”

Website: CNET - Samsung S850 Review

DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the new Fujifilm FinePix F40fd camera, which offers 8.3 megapixels, 3x zoom lens, 300 shot battery life, Face Detection technology and support for both xD-Picture Card and SD card formats.

“The 8.3-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F40fd has more resolution than its F-series siblings and proved through performance tests that its new 1/1.6-inch image sensor is worthy of the hype; it kept noise to a minimum and resolution to a maximum. Pictures were sharply focused and properly exposed with the help of the face detection auto focus system and the vast ISO range. Great-looking pictures are priceless, but the vehicle to get those pictures only retails for $299. The F40fd doesn’t have manual control or even a decent burst mode but will suffice for consumers who want an automatic point-and-shoot to snap great pictures.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Fujifilm FinePix F40fd Review

This month there is some fantastic photography software and books up for grabs, from Ulead Systems, who are offering 3 copies of Ulead PhotoImpact 12, and Peachpit, who are offering 1 copy of The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book.

On Friday 1st June 2007, four names will be randomly selected from the list of PhotographyBLOG Newsletter subscribers.

First, Second, Third Prizes - Ulead PhotoImpact 12
The latest version of Ulead PhotoImpact.

Fourth Prize - The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book
The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book by Martin Evening.

Entering the competition is simple - just subscribe to the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter before Friday 1st June 2007.

The Epson D92 is a four-colour inkjet printer which uses DURABrite Ultra pigment ink and individual ink cartridges. The D92 offers lab quality photo prints up to A4 size borderless and laser like text, resistant to water, smudging and fading and ideal for printing on all types of media. The Epson D92 costs £39.99, available June 2007, with ink cartridges for £6.99 and a value multipack containing all 4 cartridges also available.

The Delkin SensorScope, a device that allows you to quickly check your DSLR sensor for dust and debris, is now available separately for $89.99. “Many DSLR users already have a system to clean their sensor, but they all need the SensorScope as it is the only device on the market that enables them to check their sensor with a push of a button.” commented Marketing Manager Eric Richter.

HP inkjet cartridges consistently outperformed 13 different brands of refilled cartridges in all areas, in tests conducted by QualityLogic. HP inkjet cartridges printed 57.5% more pages, on average, and were far more reliable. “This study simply reinforces what we have long known to be true – that Original HP inkjet cartridges are more reliable and a better value for our customers,” said Tuan Tran, VP of Sales and Marketing, Supplies, Imaging and Printing Group, HP.

Samsung has developed a 4Gb MCP (multi-chip package) for mobile phones that removes the need for an external memory card slot. “We’ve now perfected a memory chip that allows handset manufacturers to significantly reduce development time while deploying an extremely robust design that will result in higher performance for smaller phones, with higher storage capacities,” said Jim Elliott, director, flash marketing director, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. The new moviMCP combines a 4GB embedded memory card, which consists of two 16Gb (gigabit) NAND flash chips and a controller, together with a 1Gb mobile DRAM chip to support the processor and a 2Gb NAND flash chip for general handset operations.