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Friday, June 1, 2007

This weekend Sony are showcasing the winning photography from their Sony Cyber-shot Exposure competition, a European wide competition held in conjunction with MSN. With over 40,000 entries from across 16 countries, the Sony Cyber-shot competition ran for one month and received breathtaking pictures from all over Europe. The winning photographs will be showcased at The Soho Gallery, Charing Cross Road, on Saturday 2nd June. Open to the public, also attending will be the winner from each country who was lucky enough to win a trip to London to see their photographs showcased as well as a Sony T100 camera. The overall winner also received a DSC-H9 camera with a set of lens accessories.

This weekend Sony are showcasing the winning photography from their Sony Cyber-shot Exposure competition, a European wide competition held in conjunction with MSN. With over 40,000 entries from across 16 countries, the Sony Cyber-shot competition ran for one month and received breathtaking pictures from all over Europe. The winning photographs…

Canon A570 ISImaging Resource have reviewed the Canon A570 IS compact digital camera, which offers a 7.1 megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom lens, Face Detection Technology and Red-Eye Correction, plus an Optical Image Stabilizer to combat camera shake and full manual control.

“In its class, the Canon A570 IS scores above average marks on the things that really matter: startup, shutdown, autofocus shutter lag, prefocus lag, shot-to-shot cycle time, download speed, LCD size and weight. Its 4x optical zoom and 10 second flash recycle time are average, but a long flash recycle time usually indicates a powerful flash and a 4x zoom certainly beats the 3x zooms common in this category.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon A570 IS Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Canon A570 IS compact digital camera, which offers a 7.1 megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom lens, Face Detection Technology and Red-Eye Correction, plus an Optical Image Stabilizer to combat camera shake and full manual control. “In its class, the Canon A570 IS scores above average…

Nikon D40xDPReview have reviewed the new Nikon D40x DSLR, which features a 10.2 megapixel sensor, producing 3,872 x 2,592-pixel images, 3D Colour Matrix Metering II system and 2.5 inch LCD screen, all in the most compact Nikon DSLR ever.

“That it only took four months for the D40 to leap from six to ten megapixels begs the simple question: why Nikon didn’t just release the D40X in the first instance? Was the ten megapixel sensor not ready in time? Did they have stock of the ‘old’ six megapixel sensor laying around? We will probably never know.”

Website: DPReview - Nikon D40x Review

Website: Read our Nikon D40x Review

DPReview have reviewed the new Nikon D40x DSLR, which features a 10.2 megapixel sensor, producing 3,872 x 2,592-pixel images, 3D Colour Matrix Metering II system and 2.5 inch LCD screen, all in the most compact Nikon DSLR ever. “That it only took four months for the D40 to leap from…

Sony H9DPReview 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

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…

Canon PowerShot A460Imaging 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

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…

Casio EX-V7Steves 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

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…

Thursday, May 31, 2007

AdobeAdobe 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)

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…

HP Print 2.0HP 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.

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…

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

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…

Microsoft SurfaceMicrosoft 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.”

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…

Ricoh GR DigitalThe 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.

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…

Hahnemuhle FineArt Inkjet Photo CardsHahnemuhle 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.

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.

CogniSignxcavator.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.

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…

Sony W80DCResource 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

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…

Samsung GX-10DCViews 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

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…

Sony W200CNET 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 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…

Samsung S850CNET 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

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…

Fujifilm FinePix F40fdDigitalCameraInfo 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

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…

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Ulead PhotoImpact 12This 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.

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…

Epson D92The 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 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…