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.

The 37th issue of the free PhotographyBB Online Magazine is now available for download. This edition, which marks the 3rd anniversary for the magazine, takes readers to the factory of the Jaguar XJ supercar to show them how to take great photographs with limited lighting gear. Also, their portraiture column continues with their series on shooting weddings. Other topics explored in this issue include creating depth in your photos, post-processing to create beautiful black and white images using Lightroom, and a look at social networking options for photographers. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available now from the website below.

Website: PhotographyBB Online Magazine

special event at the UK’s National Media Museum will give visitors the chance to meet the leading Swedish photographers behind one of the Museum’s current exhibitions – From Back Home. “In Conversation with Anders Petersen and JH Engström” takes place in the Museum’s Cubby Broccoli Cinema between 1pm and 3pm on Tuesday 22 March. Tickets are available for £5. Tutors are eligible for a free ticket when accompanying a group of students.

Lowepro has recently unveiled the CompuDay Photo series, consisting of the CompuDay Photo 250 backpack and CompuDay Photo 150 messenger bag.Dedicated space in both the backpack and messenger bag provide protective storage for a compact DSLR with attached kit lens, up to a 15.6? laptop, plus accessories. The CompuDay Photo 250 backpack features a SlipLock loop on each shoulder strap to expand carrying capacity with any Lowepro SlipLock compatible case or pouch; and a rain-flap lid to provide extra protection from moisture. The CompuDay Photo 150 messenger bag offers distinctive features such as its under-the-flap rain gussets to help protect the main compartment from moisture when fully closed and quick-release buckles for fast access. Both bags are available in black starting 15 March 2011.

The LomoLab is a new film processing lab housed in the basement at the Lomography Gallery Store East London. Offering on-site processing of colour and black-and-white 35mm and 120 format film, including cross processing, push and pull processing, the LomoLab will also provide a scanning service with an option to send scans directly to your LomoHome or email address. Launching on 11th March and open Monday through Friday, the LomoLab is located at 117 Commercial Street, London.

Camtrol is a new stabilising platform for cameras and camcorders, allowing almost endless ways to position your rig. Its patented ergonomic grip, known as the Action Control Grip, has an accessory attachment post which accepts a variety of accessories, while the cushioned platform takes shock away from the camera and reduces vibration. Camtrol comes in a variety of kits and configurations priced from $399.99 to $489.95. Various additional accessories are available for $19.95-$99.00.

On 8th March, Peachpit Photo Club will host a lecture by renowned wildlife photographer Moose Peterson. Taking the form of a free webcast, the lecture will air at 8pm EST (advance registration is required). During the one-hour lesson, Moose Peterson will share some of his wildlife photography secrets and tell the stories behind his iconic images.

The Sony Microvault Style is a new ultra-compact USB flash drive. Available from March in capacities of 4GB, 8GB and 16GB, the Sony Microvault Style comes in a choice of white, pink and lime green. The smart new ‘capless’ design slides straight into your PC’s USB port and ensures a perfect fit for reliable storage and data transfer, the company says. Registered Microvault Style owners are entitled to free software downloads including File Rescue - a program that recovers accidentally damaged or deleted files - and x-Pict Story, an application for creating slideshows.

Sony has announced a new 1/2.3 type imaging chip that can capture 12-megapixel still images at up to 42 frames per second. The Sony IMX078CQK imager is a 12.40-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor developed for consumer digital still cameras. “The IMX078CQK achieves still imaging with both high sensitivity and high resolution as well as full HD video imaging,” Sony says. Furthermore, it will expand the possibilities for expressive imaging provided by digital still cameras.” Given the small, 1.55 ?m pixel pitch we are a bit doubtful about the sensor’s performance in the noise department, but we’ll reserve judgment until the chip appears in an actual product.

Source: Sony.NET via 1001NoisyCameras