The Sony Cyber-shot DSC T100 is an 8 megapixel digital camera with a strong emphasis on style. With an internal, 5x zoom lens, 3 inch LCD screen and High Definition connectivity, all housed in a slim body less than 1/2 inch thick, the Sony T100 is positioned as the camera to be seen with this summer. But is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC T100 a great all-round package, or simply a matter of style over substance? Read our latest review to find out.

Website: Sony Cyber-shot DSC T100 Review

Samsung have released a new firmware update, version 1.20, for the GX-10 digital SLR camera. Eight new functions have been added, including a built-in flash function for use in wireless mode and two new ways to change the ISO speed.

Nikon has released several new software updates on its European Support Centre website. An update is available for the wireless connection utility for the WT-2, adding support for Windows Vista and improves support on Intel Macs. Version 1.3.1 of Camera Control Pro is now available for Macintosh Computers only, improving the transferring of images into PictureProject which have been captured using this software. An update for the WT-3 setup utility is also available adding support for Windows Vista and improves support on Intel Macs.

To download the software updates please log in to the European Support Centre: http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com

The latest version of the SilverFast scanning software can now calibrate a scanner in just 2 clicks. This is the only completely automatic IT8 calibration available. The IT8-Calibration function is available in all 6.5.0r6 (or later) SilverFast Studio versions. SilverFast Ai, HDR and DCPro can be optionally upgraded.

photoDUDS is a commercially-licensed series of DVDs containing products designed to “dress up” your portrait photos from photographer Beth Forester. These graphic elements include backgrounds, brushes, templates, overlays, and embellishments. PhotoDUDS DVDs cost from $125.

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

“The Carl Zeiss lens, albeit a prestigious name, appears to be not well-suited to the H9’s CCD. The widest angle of the zoom yields images that easily go out of focus on the edges of the frame, and which show purple fringing — a chromatic aberration that is not uncommon with digital cameras — on the edges of contrasting areas. Past the widest angle, the image sharpness improves in the corners, but purple fringing remains a possibility when there are contrasting image elements.”

Megapixel.net - Sony H9 Review

PCMag have reviewed the new Sony T100 camera, which has a 5x optical zoom lens and 3-inch LCD screen, with red, black and silver colours available.

“Sony’s various point-and-shoot cameras generally have three things in common: They have exquisite product design, take pictures of excellent quality, and are overpriced. The 8.1-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100 is no exception. That it possesses the first two qualities I mentioned nearly made it an Editors’ Choice winner, but the steep price ($399.99 direct) knocks it out of contention.”

Website: PCMag - Sony DSC-T100 Review

Website: Read our Sony Cyber-shot DSC T100 Review

The XS-Drive Centre 6900 is a new portable storage device, offering a 3.5 inch LCD screen with support for up to 16.7 million colours and 60GB to 160GB of hard drive capacity. The price for the basic XS-Drive Centre 6900 (60GB model) is €349 incl. VAT ($380 net ), and for the 6900R version with recording function €389 incl.VAT ($430 net).

The Shozam Web gallery generator automatically creates full-featured Web galleries, allowing photographers to display and sell their work online. “I’ve created Shozam galleries with hundreds of images in under 10 minutes, start to finish. And the results are top notch. We recommend Shozam to our customers, and include it as part of our complete photographic and digital service offering.” said Brooks Clayton, President of Mid South Color, Jackson, TN. The Shozam Business Edition, available now, retails for $299.95, with a special introductory promotion of 35 percent off if purchased by June 8, 2007. The Shozam Lite Edition is free. A free trial version is also available.

The zany folks at bag manufacturer Crumpler are offering big discounts (over 30%) on a number of products in exchange for beer. From June 9th - June 17th at Crumpler’s two New York, USA locations, the company will accept beer as tender instead of more traditional methods such as cash, credit or cheques. “It’s in our own interests to support others by spreading the beer love, otherwise Crumpler staff will end up with enormous beer bellies” quipped Crumpler spokesman John Thursday.

REALVIZ Stitcher Unlimited 5.6 introduces Mac Universal compatibility to the photo stitching software, as well as HDR capabilities. Stitcher Unlimited 5.6 will be available as part of the REALVIZ HDR Imaging Studio (1,950 €/ $ 2,580 US), which combines Stitcher, VTour 1.2 HDR and Photomatix Pro. REALVIZ Stitcher Unlimited 5.6 costs 499 €/ $ 580 US.

DIWA member LetsGoDigital 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.

“With 10 million pixels resolution, the Nikon D40x is right at the top of the amateur segment. And with that, the only much heard criticism about the D40 has disappeared. It’s remarkable that Nikon managed to combine the increase in pixels with an increase in quality. The level of noise is at least just as good, but probably better even than with the D40. This is quite an accomplishment.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Nikon D40x Review

Website: Read our Nikon D40x Review

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

“Heading the worryingly long list of downsides though is image quality. Set the H9 at 80 or 100 ISO and you can take some great-looking photos, but at 200 ISO and above, smearing from noise reduction really begins to take its toll. We’ve seen watercolour effects on all Super-zooms, and the H9 is sadly no exception.”

CameraLabs - Sony H9 Review

PCMag have reviewed the new Olympus SP-550 UZ. This is the first digital camera to offer an 18x optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28-504mm.

“The excellent 7.1-megapixel Olympus SP-550 UZ features the largest optical zoom available on a point-and-shoot camera. Even so, because of a few shortcomings, this fantastic feat of engineering isn’t enough to crown it the superzoom king.”

Website: PCMag - Olympus SP-550 UZ Review

Website: Read our Olympus SP-550 UZ Review

Sony have released some official photos of their new DSLR prototypes that were first revealed back at PMA in March. The images reveal a little more detail than the rudimentary models that were being displayed under glass at the show. One of these new Sony DSLR models (as yet unconfirmed) is due to be launched this year.

Sears and Kmart will be the first retailers to sell GE cameras in their U.S. stores around Memorial Day.  “We believe the GE name carries tremendous weight with consumers, and we expect these cameras will be a big hit with our customers.” said Jonathan Magasanik, Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for Sears Holdings. Both retailers will offer the A730, GE’s entry-level camera, in black. Under exclusive agreements, Sears will offer the GE A830 in white and the ultra-compact GE G1 in navy, while Kmart will offer the GE A830 in blue.

The Panasonic FX100 is a 12.2 megapixel digital camera with a new 1/1.72-inch large CCD and 28mm wide-angle lens. The FX100 features the usual Panasonic Optical Image Stabiliser system and the Venus Engine III image-processing engine. Finished in a choice of either sleek silver metallic or cool black metallic, the sleekly styled Panasonic FX100 will be available from July.

The Casio Z1200 is a 12.1 megapixel compact camera, featuring a a 1/1.7 inch CCD sensor with shift anti-shake mechanism and a 2.8 inch LCD screen. The Z1200 offers an auto-tracking AF system that maintains both sharp focus and correct exposure for a human face using both face detection and motion analysis technologies. The Casio Z1200 will be available in the UK and Eire from late May 2007 in silver and black, with a retail price guide of £279.99.

DxO Optics Pro v4.2 now supports the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, S3 Pro and Pentax K10D DSLR cameras. “With their addition to our library of correction modules, DxO Optics Pro remains an undisputed leader in automatic image enhancement for digital photographers,” says Luc Marin, vice president of the DxO Labs Photography Business unit. DxO Optics Pro software improves the image quality of DSLR cameras and advanced digicams.

This week’s Gary’s Parries topics are:

1. Next Big Camera Feature – Automatic Mic Removal
2. Sigma DP1 v. Ricoh GX100 – Too Many Bells & Whistles
3. Human Rights For Chimps (Yes, You Read Correctly)

Introducing this week’s Gary’s Parries column. Everything you always wanted to know about digital cameras, but were afraid to ask. No question too difficult, or too easy. As a Senior Principal Software Engineer, and a former Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems, as well as a recording studio owner/operator, inventor, and now, a digital camera enthusiast, GARY has more digital camera knowledge in his entire brain than most people have in their little finger. In the unlikely event that GARY would not know the answer to your question, he will answer it anyway, true to the spirit of the word “Parries”, a fencing term which, in this context, implies “cleverly evasive answers”. So let your imagination run wild. Email all your nagging digital camera questions to: [email protected] , and then, En Garde!

You may also attach to your email an ORIGINAL PHOTO of your choosing. A preview of the photo will be displayed with your question, and a full-sized version will be just a click away. No personal information will be published with your question unless you specifically include it in the text or attached photo of your email, which may be further edited for grammar, content, or other reasons.