ePhotoZine 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.

“Detail, thanks to that 10Mp resolution, tends to be quite good, though the kit lens with the D40x, the Nikkor 18-55mm is a little plastic feeling and lacks real sharpness. Certainly the results from the D40x will please anyone, from beginner to more experienced user as they are lively with plenty of impact.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Nikon D40x Review

Website: Read our Nikon D40x Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Pentax W30, a waterproof digital camera offering 7.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and two new Shake Reduction modes.

“When one sees the Optio W30 (or any of the “W” series models for that matter) one of the first questions asked is “how can it take pictures underwater?” With a quick flip of the battery/memory card door, you can see how this is accomplished. There’s a rubber gasket inside the door that blocks out any precipitation. Just remember, even though this camera is capable of capturing images underwater, the JIS Class 8 waterproof rating has a limitation of 3 meters (about 10 feet) for no more than 2 hours at a time.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Pentax W30 Review

Website: Read our Pentax Optio W30 Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Pentax M30 camera, which offers 7.1 megapixels, Digital Shake Reduction and Face Recognition AF and AE in an ultra-slim body.

“With the M30, you can choose from ISO 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, or even 3200. As you can see from our photos on the samples page, ISO 200 and below show average amounts of noise. However, 400 and above start to show a lot of noise. In fact, 1600 and 3200 are pretty much useless, as these images could not even produce a nice 3x5-inch photo. Your best bet is to leave the ISO set to Auto, as it does well at keeping the sensitivity as low as possible.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Pentax M30 Review

The new Sony Handycam SR8E, SR7E and SR5E are the smallest, lightest AVCHD hard disk camcorders from Sony, and also offer 6.1 megapixel still images. The flagship Sony SR8E has 100GB hard disk capacity and can record 38 hours of HD footage in in LP mode. The SR7E and SR5E models offer 60Gb and 40Gb hard drives respectively. All 3 models feature a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 10x optical zoom and a ClearVid CMOS sensor.

The new Sony Handycam CX6EK is the world’s smallest, lightest HD camcorder, and also offers 6.1 megapixel still images. The Sony CX6EK features a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 10x optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilisation for shake-free pictures. HD 1080i video files, AVCHD compression technology and support for the Memory Stick format round out the specification.

The Giottos MT tripod series is a range of 6 tripods made from seamless aluminium tubing. All models feature a universal 3 way headless mounting system, and the Giottos MT 92 models have a centre column that allows for 180? vertical movement and 360? horizontal rotation. Prices range from £89.99 up to £159.99, with all models available now.

The new Sony Memory Stick PRO-HG is an extended version of the Memory Stick PRO format, offering up to 30MB/s Read/Write speeds. Memory Stick PRO-HG is fully backwards compatible with Memory Stick PRO devices and will be available in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities. Sony are also launching a Memory Stick Duo ExpressCard adaptor (MSAC-EX1).

Pentax have released a firmware update, v1.20, for the Pentax K10D DSLR camera.

The following functions has been added in version 1.20:
  1. Correspond to PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3

Website: Pentax K10D v1.20 Firmware Update

To help celebrate the 20th Anniversary of EOS, Canon Europe are offering up to €1995 / £1308 cashback on their range of EOS Photo and lens kits. There are a wide range of money-off vouchers covering camera bodies, lenses, and various kits. The Canon cashback offer is only available between 01.04.07 and 30.06.07, with all European countries included.

The Swiss company SINAR AG is now a 100 percent subsidiary of Jenoptik. After failing to sell its shares to Leica in 2006, the Jenoptik Group has now purchased the remaining 49% of shares in SINAR AG. SINAR will continue to market professional cameras and camera modules, and volume delivery of the new SINAR Hy6 medium format camera will start in June.

Self-titled the European ‘Oscar’ of the Photo and Imaging Industry, TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) has announced 36 new product awards for 2007. Notable winners include the Pentax K10D for Best Expert DSLR, Nikon Coolpix P5000 for Best Compact Digital Camera, Kodak PORTRA Colour for Best Film and Ricoh Caplio GX100 for Best Prestige Camera (although this model hasn’t actually been released yet).

Website: TIPA Awards 2007

HP has announced that it is changing the way it delivers inkjet cartridges to customers. Beginning this year, most new HP consumer printers worldwide will be introduced with multiple inkjet cartridge offerings. In addition, HP is introducing new color-coded packaging, including new “Specialty” cartridges (red packaging), which offer additional performance features compared to HP’s standard ink formulations, ideal for professional-quality photographs.

RIDATA is introducing a double-sided 8x DVD+R disc to its comprehensive DVD product line. Offering 9.4GB of storage capacity and 8x speed, the new RIDATA disc is compatible with legacy DVD drives and can be closed as a DVD-ROM by many newer drives. The RIDATA 8x DVD+R DS disc will cost $70.

The Lastolite Lumen8 Flash Lighting Kit has been made to fulfil the needs of the most demanding working photographers. The two head flash kit is supplied in a hard wearing wheel case, and contains Lastolite’s black/white PVC umbrella, Ezybox 60 and two air dampened light stands. The range is further enhanced with an extensive range of accessories and features the popular S type bayonet fitting.

FujiFilm have released a new firmware update, v1.06, for the S5 Pro DSLR.

The firmware update v1.06 incorporates the following issues.
1. Upgrade of Barcode-reading function
•[BCD (Barcode) MULTI READ] function is added in [IMAGE COMMENT] menu.
If this function is selected, the characters (in the EXIF tag) will not be overwritten but added continuously at each barcode reading. In this case, the user comment already typed in will be erased.

2. Upgrade of [FUNCTION LOCK] function
The following four functions are added in [SELECTED FUNCTION] menu for [FUNCTION LOCK].
•NOISE REDUCTION
•MAINTENANCE
•DATE/TIME
•FILE TAG OPTIONS

Website: FujiFilm S5 Pro v1.06 Firmware Update

PCMag have reviewed the Kodak 5300 printer, which promises to save customers up to 50% on everything they print.

“When Kodak announced its new EasyShare line of all-in-ones (AIOs), it garnered a lot of attention. Not only was Kodak venturing into new territory with AIOs aimed for the home and home office, it claimed its ink prices were low enough to cut printing costs by up to half compared with the competition. I tested the first EasyShare AIO—the Kodak EasyShare 5300 All-In-One printer ($200 street)—and the news is largely good. The 5300 may not be a home run, but it’s at least arguably a triple, and that’s not bad for a first time at bat.”

Website: PCMag - Kodak 5300 Printer Review

PCMag have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-TZ3 camera, which fits a 10x optical zoom, 7.2 megapixels and 3 inch LCD screen into a compact, stylish body.

“One thing our previous superzoom PC Mag Editors’ Choice camera lacked was a true wide-angle view. Thankfully, this 7.2 megapixel digicam sports a nice wide viewing angle in addition to its 10X optical zoom and big, bright 3-inch LCD screen (among a host of other user-friendly features). Did we mention the price is pretty reasonable, as well?  Learn why the DMC-TZ3’s pics are so special by reading the whole review.”

Website: PCMag - Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Review

Website: Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Review

TrustedReviews have reviewed the Canon Powershot IXUS 70 camera (called the Powershot SD1000 in the USA), which is Canon’s slimmest optical zoom camera.

“Canon’s noise control system is usually very good, and the IXUS 70 is no exception. There is no visible noise from 80-200 ISO, only a slight amount at 400, and even at 800 and 1600 the noise reduction system greatly reduces visible colour distortion, although there is considerable loss of detail especially at the highest setting.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Canon Digital IXUS 70 Review

Website: Read our Canon Digital IXUS 70 Review

ePhotoZine have reviewed the Olympus mju 770 SW digital camera, which can survive falls from up to 1.5m, is waterproof to 10m depths, as well as being freezeproof to -10 degrees Celsius.

“When placed in burst mode, the 770-SW was able to take 3 shots very quickly, with less than 1 second between each burst, but then could take no more within the 10 second test as the buffer had become full. The macro mode, which according to the product specifications focuses at 20cm wide-angle actually appears to focus at a much shorter distance when put to the test - more like 10cm.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Olympus mju 770 SW Review

The Sanyo Xacti S70 is an updated version of the S7 digital camera. Offering a 7 megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD and face recognition, the S70 also features a friendly help function for beginners. Price and availability of the Sanyo S70 to be announced.