The Fujifilm FinePix XP30 is the world’s first water, shock, dust and freeze proof camera to feature built-in GPS. In addition to GPS and its rugged build quality, the XP30 also features a 5x wide-angle zoom lens, 14 megapixel resolution and a healthy range of picture taking functions. The Fujifilm FinePix XP20 is exactly the same camera, except for the omission of GPS. The FinePix XP20 will be available late March 2011 at $199.95 (US only), and the FinePix XP30 will be available in mid-February 2011 at $239.95 / £199.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z90 is a new fashion-conscious digital camera. Successor to the Z70 model, the Z90 features a 3-inch wide LCD touch screen, a 14 megapixel sensor, a 5x Fujinon optical zoom, 720p HD movie and 1080p image capture, and a YouTube/Facebook easy web upload facility. The Fujifilm FinePix Z90 will be available in mid-January for $169.95 / £149.

The Fujifilm FinePix S4000 / S3200 / S2950 are three new super-zoom digital cameras. The 14 megapixel S4000 / S3200 / S2950 offer 30x, 24x and 18x zoom lenses, respectively, as well as dual image stabilization. These cameras also have large 3 inch LCDs, with the S2950 and S3200 at 230K and the S4000 at 460K, an Electronic Viewfinder, 720p video, Motion Panorama shooting mode, Smile and Blink Detection, Face Recognition (FinePix S3200 and S4000 only) and Image Searching. The Fujifilm FinePix S2950 will be available in January priced at $229.95, the S3200 in February at $249.95, and the S4000 in March at $279.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix T300 and T200 are a new range of ultra-compact digital cameras. The T300 and T200 have 14-MegaPixel CCD sensors, FUJINON 10x long-zoom lenses, 720p HD video, and are 18.5mm* thin. The T300 has a 3.0inch LCD, while the T200 has a 2.7 inch LCD. The Fujifilm FinePix T200 will be available in March at $179.95 and the Fujifilm FinePix T300 in April at $199.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix JX350 and JX300 are new slim and stylish digital cameras. The fashionable and highly-portable JX350 and JX300 offer a slim, trend-setting design with powerful features, high resolution sensors, powerful FUJINON 5x zoom lenses and 720p HD movie capture capabilities. The Fujifilm FinePix JX300 will be available in mid-February at $129.95, and the JX350 in April at $159.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix AX300, AV200 and JV200 are three new entry-level compact digital cameras. These easy-to-use cameras contain robust features that include high resolution sensors, powerful zoom and HD movie 720p capabilities, all at an affordable price. All three cameras will be available in February 2011. The AX300 will be available in silver for $99.95, the AV200 in black at $89.95 and the JV200 in black for $109.95.

The Samsung SH100 is a new Wi-Fi enabled digital camera. The SH100 built in Wi-Fi wirelessly connects to other devices, automatically back up your shots to your PC, or wirelessly connect to your HDTV. The Wi-Fi capability on the SH100 also allows you to use your smartphone as a remote control and viewing device for your camera. The Samsung SH100 will be available in March for $199.99.

The winners of the December 2010 Photography Blog Competition have been announced. The theme for December was “Frozen” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
Frozen Patterns by mortong

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

Lexar today announced the innovative Echo MX and ZX backup drives, designed to automatically protect essential files for on-the-go netbook and notebook users. The Lexar Echo MX back-up drive provides 128-bit AES encryption with built-in Lexar Echo backup software, along with an easy-to-read, always-on capacity meter that displays available backup space, even when disconnected from a computer. Available in capacities of 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB, the Echo MX offers speeds up to 28MB/s read and 10MB/s write on lower capacities and speeds up to 30MB/s read and 17MB/s write for the 128GB capacity. The Lexar Echo ZX is an always-ready, low-profile drive can easily plug into a notebook or netbook and remain there for ongoing, automatic backup of essential files when both stationary and on the go. The Echo ZX drive comes in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities. RRPs for the products range from £24.99 to £299.99 for the Echo MX and £24.99 to £84.99 for the Echo ZX.

The BenQ M31 is a Full HD video camera sporting a 10x zoom lens and a 10-megapixel sensor. The camcorder Touch AF Lock, Face Exposure Tracking and an Electronic Image Stabiliser, as well as time-lapse recording. A 3-second pre-recording feature saves the video three seconds before the user actually presses the record button. To facilitate sharing, the M31 features a Dual Stream recording function that simultaneously creates two different video files as videos are being filmed.The Dual Stream offers the flexibility for a quick upload on Youtube, Facebook or a Full HD viewing experience on a widescreen TV in your living room. The BenQ M31 comes in Slick Grey with a shade of blue and Exotic Red (pictured), and will be available in China in January 2011, and Asia Pacific and Latin America in February 2011. There is no word yet on EU/US pricing and availability.

Lexar has unveiled a range of Class 10 SDXC memory cards, including the world’s first 128GB model. Speed rated at 133x, providing a minimum guaranteed transfer speed of 20MB per second, the newSDXC memory cards are compatible with all SDXC-enabled devices and include the latest version of Lexar’s Image Rescue software to help recover lost or deleted photo and video files. The 128GB version retails for $699.99, while the 64GB model is $399.99. Both memory cards will become available in the first quarter of 2011.

The Samsung HMX-Q10 is a Full HD camcorder featuring a back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a so-called Switch Grip. The latter ensures that the LCD screen adapts to how the camcorder body is being held. The Samsung HMX-Q10 camcorder includes a brand new Easy Operation and Smart Access User Interface that makes using the camcorder easier to use. Featuring a 10x zoom lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and an Optical Image Stabiliser Duo system, the Samsung HMX-Q10 can also capture 4.9-megapixel stills. The camcorder has an MSRP of $299

Kodak has announced three new digital compact cameras. The Kodak Easyshare Touch model ($149.95) features a 3” capacitive touch screen and a dedicated video record button that makes it simple to take 720p HD video that users can edit and share right on the camera. With 14 megapixels and a 5X wide-angle zoom lens, the camera comes with an HDMI connector for HDTV connectivity. The 10-megapixel Kodak Easyshare Mini ($99.95) is Kodak’s smallest camera to date, and comes with 3x optical zoom, a front mirror and a 2.5” rear screen. The third model, the 12-megapixel Kodak Easyshare Sport ($79.95, pictured) is Kodak’s first waterproof still camera.

The Kodak Playfull is a new Full HD digital video camera that fits in your pocket, and features an ultra slim and chic design. Sporting a dedicated Share button, the Kodak Playfull allows users to send videos by e-mail, or upload them to sites like YouTube, Kodak Gallery or Facebook. Apart from shooting Full HD movies, the Kodak Playfull can also capture stills at a resolution of 5 megapixels. In addition, in-camera editing lets you trim and extract still pictures from video, while a built-in USB arm allows automatic sharing, in-camera charging and easy transfer of photos and videos to a PC. The Kodak Playfull will be available in silver, blue-silver, purple-silver and blue-black for $149.95 in spring 2011. Kodak also announced an updated version of its Playsport video camera, which now features a shock- and dustproof construction in addition to being waterproof down to a depth of 10 feet. The next generation Playsport model will be available for $179.95.

Kodak has updated the popular 7” and 10” Kodak Pulse digital photo frames to include a new social networking feature. Users can now comment on the pictures they receive from friends and family the moment they receive them. A Quick Comment button on the touchscreen lets them communicate back to the picture sender directly from the frame. The frame also has a new built-in activity sensor that turns on the frame when you are nearby, and conserves power when you are not. In addition, you can now create playlists to choose the pictures you want to see the most. The updated KodakPulse digital frames will be available in 7-inch for $129.95 and 10-inch for $199.95 in spring 2011

The Kodak ESP C310 all-in-one printer provides wireless printing and easy-to-use features at an affordable price. Featuring simplified Wi-Fi set up that allows effortless connectivity to wireless networks in the home or even to iPhone, iPod touch or iPad mobile devices; the Kodak ESP C310 works with a new No. 30 line of Kodak’s proprietary pigmented inks and has a 1.5” LCD screen with simplified control panel for easy copying, scanning and printing. Selected as an honoree in the Eco-Design and Sustainability Category for the CES 2011 Innovation Awards, the ESP C310 uses up to 71 percent less energy while in standby mode than previous Kodak all-in-one printers. Available by April 2011, the device retails for $99.99.

Pre-order the Panasonic DMC-GF2 camera and get a free photography gift pack worth £150. Included in the gift pack is Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 & Adobe Premier Elements 9 software and a £35 gift voucher with Going Digital, who offer a range of one-day photography workshops for beginners to more experienced photographers.

Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Review

PercepTool 2 is a Photoshop add-on that performs High Dynamic Range (HDR), Tone Mapping and Perceptual Effect. The upgrade cost for original PercepTool owners is $75. The full version is $95.

FreeHDR is a free Photoshop add-on that performs High Dynamic Range (HDR) alignment and blending. FreeHDR finds an optimal alignment for images to be blended (with multiple quality settings) that does not suffer from the flaws in Photoshop’s alignment.

Sigma have released a new firmware update for the SD15 DSLR. Version 1.01 includes the following:

  * Adds the selected function of Quick Set
  * Improves the display quality of the Color LCD monitor
  * Addition to the Key Sound cancellation function

Download the Sigma SD15 Firmware Update 1.01

Read our Sigma SD15 Review