Olympus have released a new firmware update for the E-5 DSLR camera. Version 1.1 resolves the issue of the LCD monitor color compensation being reset.

Website: Olympus E-5 Firmware Update

The Pentax Optio S1 is a fashionable and elegant digital compact camera. Aiming to take on the Canon IXUS range, the Pentax S1 has a 14 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom lens (28-140mm), 2.7 inch LCD, and 720p HD video capture. Available later this month, the Pentax S1 costs $199.95 / £119.99.

Want to see exactly what the stylish new Pentax Optio S1 compact camera looks like?

We’ve got an exclusive hands-on photo gallery of the Pentax Optio S1 - click “Read the story” to see it…Please note that this is pre-production model is slightly different to the release version, which will have a black rather than red lens barrel.

Apple has unveiled the iPad 2. Incorporating a dual-core Apple A5 processor that’s up to two times faster than the one in the original iPad, the new iPad 2 is 33% thinner and up to 15% lighter than its predecessor, and features both a front- and a back-facing camera.for capturing video and stills. Like the previous version, the Apple iPad 2 sports a 9.7” LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with a resolution of 1024x768 pixels, and will be available from 11th March in the US, starting at $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi variant. Coinciding with the US launch, Apple is releasing a new iPad version of its iMovie video editing software, priced at $4.99. The tablet will go on sale in 26 other countries, including the UK, on 25th March.

The Eizo ColorEdge CG275W is a 27-inch self-calibrating monitor for professionals in prepress, digital photography, graphic design, video editing and post-production. Featuring a built-in calibration sensor, the Eizo ColorEdge CG275W can be scheduled to self-calibrate outside of work hours when the computer is turned off. The monitor has a native resolution is 2560x1440 pixels, maximum brightness of 270 cd/m2, contrast ratio of 850:1, 6 ms gray-to-gray response time, and 178° viewing angles. The ColorEdge CG275W will begin shipping in late March.

DxO Labs have released DxO Optics Pro 6.5.5 for MacOS and Windows. The new version of the software adds support for the Sony A33 and Nikon Coolpix P7000 digital cameras in both its Standard and Elite editions. Furthermore, this release includes 50 new DxO Optics Modules, supporting lenses from Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, and Sony for numerous Canon, Nikon, and Sony camera bodies.

Website: DxO Labs

X-Rite has announced its March webinar schedule. There will be a two-part “Getting Started in Lightroom 3” webinar, with the first part airing on the 3th and the second on the 10th; plus a lecture on using X-Rite’s ColorChecker Passport (pictured), and a “Beyond Monitor Calibration” seminar for those who would like to get prints that match their display. These webinars are offered free of charge, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions during the presentations. For the detailed schedule see the announcement below.

The finalists of the fourth International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) competition have been announced. All of the photographs have been reviewed over a 10 week period by some of the leading garden photographers in the world, as well as representatives of Kew Gardens, the National Trust and the Royal Photographic Society. The winners will be announced on 3 May 2011. The finalists can be viewed at the website below.

The Olympus SZ-30MR and SZ-20 are two new super-zoom compact cameras. The SZ-30MR has a 24x zoom and is the first camera ever to offer simultaneous recording of 1080p Full HD movies and 16 megapixel still photos. The SZ-20 is a slimmer camera with a 12.5x zoom. Both models offer a 16 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, 1080p Full HD movies, 3” colour LCD screen and 3D photo shooting mode. The SZ-30MR is available for £299.99, the SZ-20 to be confirmed, both from late April 2011.

The Olympus Tough TG-810 is the world’s first 100kg crushproof camera. Billed as the ultimate indestructible camera, the Olympus TG810 is also waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and scratch resistant. With its built-in manometer, unique three-sensor GPS & Electronic Compass and high-resolution, glare-resistant LCD, this stylish camera is the ideal companion for an active lifestyle. The Olympus Tough TG-810 will be available in silver and black for £269.99 from late March 2011.

The winners of the February 2011 Photography Blog Competition have been announced. The theme for February was “Anger” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
Little Miss Sunshine by nrshapiro

Prize: X-Rite ColourChecker Passport
Kindly donated by X-Rite
http://www.xritephoto.com/

DayMen are offering free inspirational talks hosted by some of the nation’s top landscape photographers. Paul Gallagher, Colin Prior and David Noton will all be giving talks. To sign up simply visit www.daymen.co.uk, follow the links and fill in your details to register. DayMen will also be running a free prize draw from their stand (B10).

Color Confidence will be exhibiting at this year’s Focus on Imaging Show in Birmingham, England. This year, Color Confidence will be focusing very clearly on delivering education, inspiration, innovation and great savings. “Each year our stand at the must-attend Focus On Imaging event gets bigger and better, and this year we have truly raised the bar in terms what visitors to our stand can expect.” Commented Geoffrey Clements, Managing Director of Color Confidence.

theprintspace is now offering photographers the ability to print their images up to 50 inches. theprintspace’s colour scientist David Moy said, “The newest digital C-type printing technology combined with traditional darkroom chemistry produces the highest quality prints at a size which are visually stunning, whether it be at home or in an exhibition.” To celebrate, 10 lucky photographers have the chance to win their own 50” print and an exhibition.

Bulldog Backup have announced that they will continue to offer unlimited online backup for the foreseeable future. Bulldog Backup also have a special offer, with up to 60% off their storage plans. Simply visit this URL - http://www.bulldogbackup.com/special-offers-2/ - and enter this code - bulldogspecials558.

Nikon are offering £40/€50 cashback when purchasing the Nikon D3100 digital SLR. Valid from 1st March - 4th May 2011, this promotion is available to customers in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Claims must be received by 5th June 2011.

The new Sweet 35 optic from Lensbaby is a 35mm selective-focus lens featuring a built-in 12-blade iris diaphragm. Compatible with the Lensbaby Composer, Muse, Scout and Control Freak - but not the Composer with Tilt Transformer -, the Sweet 35 is part of Lensbaby’s Optic Swap System. The new diaphragm makes it very easy to control depth of field and the size of the lens’ sweet spot of focus. Featuring close-focus capabilities, the Lensbaby Sweet 35 is available for $180, including free shipping within the continental US.

Landscape Photography is a new online magazine for landscape photographers. The founders of the magazine say they would like to “always keep an open mind” and include “anything that has to do with landscape photography”, but stress that they “will never include images or articles about portrait, sports and such genre photography as then we will become just one more photo mag and this will never happen”. Interested readers are encouraged to visit the website and give feedback to the magazine editors on how the new online magazine could be improved.