DesignTechnica have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9, which offers a 3x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar optical zoom lens, 6 megapixels, an optical image stabilizer, highest ISO speed of 640 and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“The black- or silver-cased Sony CyberShot DSC-T9 is very compact, measuring 3.6 x 2.2 x .8 (WHD, in inches). That point-eight figure is a bit misleading since that’s the thickest part; the lower portion of the camera is .625 inches. This is a long way of saying this camera is very thin. And at 6 ounces with battery and card, it can be popped into a pocket or purse without breaking a sweat or requiring a trip to the chiropractor. I really like this aspect of the camera since it’s so small you really can take it anywhere and grab spur-of-the-moment photos. To me this is what photography is all about.”

Website: DesignTechnica - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 Review

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CNET have just reviewed the 4 megapixel HP PhotoSmart R607 camera.

“The HP Photosmart R607 is a competent enough entry in the 4-megapixel compact camera arena, with acceptable image quality, a speedy burst mode, and a 3X Pentax zoom lens. It’s seasoned with enough quirky features to please the most gizmo-crazy budding photographer. Some of the options in this camera’s cornucopia are only marginally useful in practice—the Aperture-Priority mode lets you select from just two apertures, for example. But others, such as Adaptive Lighting, which brightens dark shadows, and the Image Advice feature that diagnoses your pictures and offers fixes for common problems, are especially valuable for neophytes.”

Website: CNET - HP PhotoSmart R607 Review

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Imaging Resource have published a review of the Nikon Coolpix P2 Wi-Fi digital camera.

“The 5.1-Megapixel Nikon Coolpix P2 and its higher-resolution sibling, the 8-megapixel P1, are the latest in a long line of Coolpix digital cameras whose popularity began with the original Coolpix 900, Nikon’s first “breakthrough” digicam. The new Nikons add wireless image transfers to this line of user-friendly models while enhancing a wide range of Scene modes and zapping red-eye with face recognition software to help novices capture good photos in tricky situations.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon Coolpix P2 Review

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The Pentax *ist DL with kit lens is now available for just $599, making it the cheapest DSLR on the market.

Pentax USA Press Release

GOLDEN, CO (February 1, 2006)...PENTAX Imaging Company has announced a significant price adjustment on the *ist DL digital SLR camera with 18-55 DA lens kit. The price reduction from $799.95 US to $599.95 US takes effect February 1, 2006.

“Digital single lens reflex cameras with interchangeable lenses are gaining in popularity as products have become easier-to-use and prices have fallen,” said Ed Lee, Director, Consumer Services and Digital Photography Trends Service InfoTrends, Inc. “Consumers wavering between a higher-end compact digital and a digital SLR will take note of this new PENTAX pricing as will consumers who have been considering an upgrade to a digital SLR,” added Lee.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon launches the DC40 – 4.29 Megapixel perpetual curve camcorder

Canon is pleased to announce the launch of its High Resolution flagship DVD camcorder: the 4.29 Megapixel CCD Canon DC40. Recording true widescreen video straight to DVD (-R/-RW), with advanced digital photography functions, the Canon DC40 effortlessly combines high power shooting with beautiful styling: the camcorder’s perpetual curve design has been ergonomically engineered for precision handheld shooting.

Epson UK Press Release

Epson introduces the Stylus Photo RX640 – an advanced all-in-one solution for photo enthusiasts

The Epson RX640 is a sophisticated all-in-one photo centre featuring printing, copying and scanning functionality to meet the needs of photo enthusiasts who desire premium photo quality from both digital and analogue image sources.

1st February 2006: The latest addition to Epson’s all-in-one photo printer range is the Stylus Photo RX640.  With an array of features including CD-R print, a high definition 2.5 inch Photo Fine colour LCD preview monitor and a 3200dpi scanner with built-in transparency unit, the RX640 is the ideal solution for photo enthusiasts who need an advanced photo centre for their digital imaging needs. Printing at home is even more affordable with the Epson Stylus Photo RX640.  With six individual ink cartridges, you only need to replace the cartridge you have used.  Epson’s superior print technology ensures your prints are of a consistently high-quality every time. A minimum droplet size of 1.5pl with Variable-Sized Droplet Technology (VSDT) results in smooth, detailed photos.  If time is of the essence, borderless photos are created in less than a minute.

HP UK Press Release

HP Delivers the HP Deskjet 6980 and HP Deskjet 6940, High Performance Printers for the Home and Office - Increase productivity with a wired or wireless printer that offers breakthrough speeds and lasting professional-quality colour

London, UK, February 1, 2006 – HP today unveiled the HP Deskjet 6980 and HP Deskjet 6940 Colour Inkjet Printers, two performance printers that offer exceptional speed and professional-quality colour prints at an affordable price. With wired Ethernet for sharing with up to five computers, these versatile printers allow users to work more productively at home or in the office.  In addition to wired networking, the HP Deskjet 6980 Printer also offers wireless printing and built-in Wi-Fi 802.11g/b, for fast and easy networking. It also includes SecureEasySetup which allows users to connect easily with a wireless network in less than ten minutes.

Nokia Press Release

Last Chance to Enter the Nokia Nseries See New Competition - Win the chance to work alongside one of the world’s best photographers

Espoo, Finland - The entry deadline is looming for the Nokia Nseries See New competition, an ambitious global initiative spearheaded by five top international photographers. World renowned photographer, Juergen Teller; leading American photographer, Philip-Lorca DiCorcia; award winning London-based photographer, Nick Waplington; Raghu Rai, one of India’s most respected documentary photographers and Jiancheng Dong, a prominent landscape and documentary photographer from China, all launched the competition back in October.

Are you using Apple Aperture, but feel that some aspects of the RAW conversion process are not quite right? Well, now you have have the opportunity to help make Aperture a better product by submitting problematic images to Apple, courtesy of PDNOnline.

“Apple approached PDN and asked us to provide the development team with sample images for comparison, so the Aperture programmers could improve raw performance. We asked Apple to include not just the in-house reviewers, but the PDN readership at large…Apple is inviting PDN readers to submit images to their development team for help tweaking the raw image conversion process.”

Website: PDNOnline - Apple Asks PDN Readers To Help Improve Aperture

Interested in the new range of Carl Zeiss ZF / ZS lenses for the Nikon F mount? Then head over to Rob Galbraith, where they asked 20 questions about the new lens line-up.

“How would you compare the optical quality of ZF/ZS lenses to the same or similar lenses from Nikon and Canon?

The same superiority applies in comparison with similar Nikon lenses. Contax users have been raving about the 3-dimensional look of their pictures taken with ZEISS lenses, when compared with Nikon or Canon photos. So ZF should make this difference even more apparent.”

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-7890-8183

OnAsia Digital Services Press Release

BANGKOK, Thailand – Feb. 1, 2006 – OnAsia Digital Services has revealed that its proprietary keywording system now includes over 20,000 terms including synonyms, alternate forms and misspellings. The Bangkok-based company has spent four years developing its keywording systems which include a database of terms that has been conceived and structured for the classification of imagery. A structured thesaurus of terms, also known as a controlled vocabulary, is seen as essential to effective keywording.

Sony Europe Press Release

Sony announces the launch of its 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo PSP (TM)

Paris / Weybridge, 1st February, 2006 - Sony Europe’s Recording Media & Energy (RME) division today announced the launch of its new 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo being included in special promotional packs for the PSP™(PlayStation®Portable).

Pentax UK Press Release

01 February 2006 - Pentax UK is delighted to announce the appointment of two new Key Account Managers (KAMs) to its Imaging Systems Division. Tim Stevenson and Michael Tate will provide dedicated support to a range of retail partners across a number of diverse channel sectors. As part of Pentax’s newly developed channel strategy, both KAMs will focus their support across the photographic, consumer electronic, IT and mass merchandiser market sectors.

Pure Networks Press Release

Network Magic Delivers Photocasting to Windows Users - Pure Networks teams with Shutterfly to deliver photo printing and services.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) February 1, 2006—Pure Networks, Inc., creator of Network Magic (www.networkmagic.com) and leading provider of home networking software and services, today announced Network Magic PhotoCast, a new feature for PC home network users that simplifies photo sharing with “networked” friends and family. Easy to install, PhotoCast automatically “casts” photos from user’s shared folders on their Network Magic personal website and delivers a unique slideshow of photos that can be viewed by friends and family on their PC desktops. Pure Networks has teamed with Shutterfly, the leading independent online photo service to make it easy for users to print and create photo products using Shutterfly’s extensive product offerings via a direct link from PhotoCast. Network Magic users can download PhotoCast free at www.networkmagic.com.

Hama Press Release

Passing the time on a train trip with a vacation home movie, making the journey more pleasant for the kids in the back seat on a long auto journey, showing photos from the last party on an outing at the lake. The Mobile MediaSafe VSV 2 – to be introduced this year at the CeBIT trade fair – makes all that possible. With its 30 GB hard drive, the silver and black Walkman-sized box can take along lots of pictures, music and videos and present them again on the 5.5 x 7 cm large display in all possible colours. The data are received by the VSV 2 either in its function as a digital video recorder from a TV, or via USB from a computer, or – via the integrated FM aerial from a radio programme, or from CF, SD, MM MemoryCards, MemorySticks or MicroDrives.

Hama Press Release

As far as electronic connectivity in the office is concerned, today almost anything is possible. PCs with scanners, cameras with notebooks, and even mobile phones with printers. At this year’s CeBIT trade fair Hama will present a three-way USB 2.0 hub with an integrated 1.2 Bluetooth dongle. Up to three USB and several Bluetooth-capable devices can be quickly and simply connected with a computer.

Hama Press Release

On business trips in particular, a notebook is essential as a mobile office. Thanks to the new U3 technology, you can now shrink your portable desk to the size of USB memory sticks as presented by Hama at CeBIT. When this U3 stick is plugged in, you can run your own programs on any PC, whether to download your mail or listen to music, without leaving traces on the host computer!

Gordon McKinney has published a very helpful “cheat sheet” that provides a number of useful tables for any photographer who’s interested in planning ahead for prevailing light, enabling the selection of lenses, flashguns, reflectors and associated shutter speeds.

FEATURES
Exposure Value (EV) reference table.
Sun Altitude and Shadow Factor.
Canon Flash Guides, 580EX, 550EX, 430EX.
Nikon Flash Guides, SB-800, SB-600, SB-80DX.
Contrast ratio tables (delta EV and Aperture)
“New Rule” handheld shutter speeds, Canon & Nikon.

Update: Version v0.7 now has a Contrast Ratio Table, Support for Nikon D200 and Canon 430EX.
Update: Version v0.6 now covers the new Canon EOS 5D and Canon EOS 1D MkII N cameras.

Website: Gordon McKinney - Photographic Cheat Sheet

DCResource have reviewed the Olympus SP-500UZ digital camera, which has a 10x optical zoom lens equivalent to 38-380mm, 6 megapixels, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an electronic viewfinder.

“Camera performance was a mixed bag. Startup and focusing speeds were average, and shutter lag was only noticeable at slower (read: tripod required) shutter speeds. Shot-to-shot speeds were good if you’re shooting in JPEG mode, but lengthy (7 seconds) in RAW mode. The camera was exceptionally slow while playing back photos, as well. Photo quality was also hit-or-miss. While I liked the colors and sharpness in the photos I took with the camera, things were a bit noisier than I would’ve liked, and the camera tended to lose detail easily in overexposed areas of a photo.”

Website: DCResource - Olympus SP-500UZ Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

Canon have announced their 6th straight year of record earnings, posting a profit 384.1 billion yen ($3.3 billion; euro2.7 billion) for 2005 on the back of strong digital camera sales and cost-cutting. ABCNews also reports that Canon is set to expand its business into flat-panel TVs, in partnership with Toshiba, using a new technology called SEDs, or surface-conduction electron-emitter displays.

Website: ABCNews - Digital Camera Sales Lifts Canon’s Profit