The Fujifilm FinePix S2550HD and S1800 cameras offer 18x zoom lenses and HD movie recording. Both the Fujifilm S2550HD (also known as the S2500HD) and S1800 offer a 12 megapixel 1/2.3” CCD, 28-504mm lens, 3 inch LCD and electronic viewfinder. The S2550HD also has a mini HDMI Port for quick and easy connection to a home theater system. The FinePix S1800 is available in late January 2010 at a retail price of $229.95, and the FinePix S2550HD will be available in February 2010 at a retail price of $249.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix S1600 is a 12 megapixel camera with a 15x zoom lens. The Fujifilm S1600 offers a 12 megapixel 1/2.3” CCD, 28-420mm lens, 3 inch LCD and electronic viewfinder. The Fujifilm FinePix S1600 is available in black, price and launch date to be confirmed.

The Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR is a new compact camera offering a 10x zoom lens in a compact body. Replacing the F70EXR model, the Fujifilm F80EXR features a 27-270mm 10x zoom, 12 megapixel Super CCD EXR sensor, 3.0 inch LCD screen, Pet Detection and HD movie capture at 720p. The Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR will be available in March 2010 at a retail price of $299.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z700EXR combines beautiful styling, Fujifilm’s award-winning EXR sensor technology and a 3.5 inch touch-screen LCD. Available in a choice of black, red or silver, the Fujifilm Z700EXR features a 12 megapixel Super CCD EXR sensor, 5x Periscopic optical zoom lens (36-180mm equivalent) and ISO levels of up to 1600 at full resolution in a body measuring just 16.9 mm thick. The Fujifilm FinePix Z700EXR will be available in March 2010 at a retail price of $279.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z70 is the latest addition to the fun and fashionable range of Z-series compact cameras. The Fujifilm Z70’s features include one-touch movie capture HD, LED illuminated operation keys, tagging with automatic upload functions to YouTube and Facebook, a 12 megapixel CCD sensor, 2.7 inch LCD and a 5x periscopic optical zoom lens (36mm-180mm equivalent). The Fujifilm FinePix Z70 will be available in February 2010 at a retail price of $149.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix XP10 is Fujifilm’s first waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and dustproof camera. The Fujifilm XP10 has a 12 megapixel CCD sensor, a 2.7 inch LCD screen, a 5x periscopic optical zoom lens with a reinforced protective lens barrier, and is only 21.7 mm thin. Available in a choice of three different colors - silver, black and green - the Fujifilm FinePix XP10 will be available in late February 2010 at a price of $199.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix JX200 and JV150 are two new ultra-compact digital cameras. The Fujifilm JX200 is a 12 megapixel model with a 5x, 28mm wide-angle zoom lens. The Fujifilm JV150 offers 14 megapixels and a 3x zoom. Available in Black, Silver and Pink, pricing and availability of the Fujifilm FinePix JX200 and JV150 is still to be announced.

The Fujifilm FinePix JZ500, JZ300, JX250 and JV100 are four new ultra-compact digital cameras. The Fujifilm JV100 has a 12 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch LCD and a 3x optical zoom lens. The Fujifilm JX250 has a 14 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch LCD and a 5x wide angle (28mm-140mm) optical zoom lens. The Fujifilm JZ300 has a 12 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch LCD and a 10x optical zoom lens (28mm-280mm equivalent). Finally the Fujifilm JZ500 rounds out the series with a 14 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch LCD and a 10x optical zoom Lens (28mm-280mm equivalent). The Fujifilm FinePix JV100 and JZ300 will be available in February 2010 and the JX250 and JZ500 will all be available in March 2010 at a retail price of $129.95, $159.95, $199.95 and $249.95 respectively.

The Fujifilm FinePix AX280 is a new 14 megapixel entry-level camera. A step-up model from the AX200, the Fujifilm AX280 shares the same core specifications of 720p HD movie recording, 5x, 28-140mm lens, 2.7 inch LCD screen, ISO 3200 and powered by AA batteries. The Fujifilm FinePix AX280 will be available in the UK in Black, Silver and Bright Pink, price to be announced.

The Fujifilm FinePix AX200 and AV100 are new entry-level cameras that offer 720p HD movie recording. The Fujifilm AX200 is a 12 megapixel camera with a 5x, 28-140mm lens, 2.7 inch LCD screen, ISO 3200 and powered by AA batteries. The cheaper Fujifilm AV100 offers the same core specification with a 3x zoom lens. Both the AX200 and AV100 offer HD Movie Capture, Automatic Scene Recognition, and Face Detection. The FinePix AV100 will be available in February at a price of $99.95 and the FinePix AX200 will also be available in February at a price of $109.95.

Canon today announced that Casey Berner, 19, of Illinois and Justin Tijerina, 15, of Texas have been named the winners of the Adult and Teen Divisions of the Canon U.S.A. and Pro Football Hall of Fame “Why Do You Love Football?” photo challenge. The judging panel for this year’s contest included former NFL quarterback Archie Manning along with some of the world’s top sports photographers and editors including Peter Read Miller from Sports Illustrated, freelance photographer Dave Drapkin,Pulitzer Prize-winning photo editor Stella Kramer, New York Times sports photo editor Brad Smith andTony Tomsic, a freelance sports photographer who has shot every Super Bowl to-date. Each of the two category winners has won a trip for four to attend Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida. Additionally, both have won a trip for four to the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival in August where their winning photos will be on display in the Hall of Fame.

Getty Images today launchesd Thinkstock, a new image subscription product developed for value-conscious creative professionals. “Thinkstock is the new industry-standard in the image subscription business,” said Jonathan Klein, co-founder and CEO of Getty Images. “By delivering an affordable and simple offering with excellent legal protection, Thinkstock provides one of the most complete subscriptions available anywhere, with premium, professional and user-generated imagery all in one place.” The monthly or yearly subscription options, priced at $249 and $2499 respectively, grant customers access to the entire library of Thinkstock images with downloads of 25 images per day, up to 750 images per month. Additionally, Thinkstock will soon offer multiple-shot image packs, with prices ranging from $59 - $999, ideal for customers with smaller budgets or who require imagery for a specific project.

Website: Thinkstock

Tokina has announced the availability of its AT-X 116 Pro DX 11-16mm f/2.8 DX zoom for Sony, which is the manufacturer’s first DX lens for the Sony Alpha mount. Years ago, Tokina used to manufacture lenses for the Minolta A mount, but this is their first-ever offering for cropped-sensor Sony DSLR cameras. Constructed of 13 elements in 11 groups, the Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX offers an angle-of-view range of 104°-82°, similar to that of a 16.5-24mm lens mounted on a 35mm camera. Weighing in at 560 grams, the lens goes on sale on 24 February in Japan, priced at 94,500 yen. There is no word on international pricing or availability.

Website: Google Translation of Tokina Press Release

Hasselblad has announced the launch of the new, 40-megapixel Hasselblad H4D-40, which will allegedly bring “ultimate image quality to an entirely new generation of photographers”. The Hasselblad H4D-40 features a 40-megapixel medium-format sensor and True Focus AF, and comes bundled with the company’s Phocus 2.0 software. Hassleblad will be launching the new H4D-40 at special “hands-on” events in over 50 cities throughout the world starting 10 February 2010. A kit consisting of the Hasselblad H4D-40 body, viewfinder and 80mm lens will set you back €13,995 / $19,995 / £12,995, and is available now.

Website: Hasselblad H4D-40 Launch Events Around the World

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

1st Place
Electric Avenue by nrshapiro

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

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) of the U.S.A. is now accepting entries to their 40th annual contest. Contestants have until 6 July 2010 to submit their photos. There are 7 categories, and each entrant may submit up to 25 images. Winners will be published on the NWF website and a selection will appear in their December 2010 issue. There are two $5,000 grand prizes to be won, and the total amount of cash prizes offered exceeds $30,000.

Website: NWF Photo Contest

PentaxForums today launched a new photography competition entitled ‘Panoramic View’. Each registered PentaxForums user can submit one image to the official “PF 2010 panoramic view image contest” gallery, from today until 15 March, 11:59pm GMT -7. The theme of the contest can be interpreted in any way the photographer sees it, even with non-panoramic images. However, each image submission must be captured with Pentax equipment, and be created by and the sole copyright property of the PentaxForums user who submitted it. The file size is limited to 1.5 megabytes. Prizes to be won include a a Nodal Ninja 3 MKII Full Spherical Multirow Panoramic QTVR Tripod Head, a copy of the upcoming photobook “Ghost Towns of the Southwest: Your Guide to the Historic Mining Camps and Ghost Towns of Arizona and New Mexico” by Kerrick James and Jim Hinckley and a copy of Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited 2009 panoramic stitching software.

Website: PentaxForums

TangeloImages allows users to create interactive experiences through digital images. It’s not a photo-sharing site - it’s billed as “a system for creating interactive images that provide information and cause action”. TangeloImages is claimed to be ideal for enthusiasts of all kinds who want to share their knowledge, business owners who want to promote their products, and just “regular folks” who like to share information as well.

Website: TangeloImages.com

A a new website dedicated to exploring the growing world of video-enabled DSLR cameras, accessories and related software has just launched. Contributors to HDSLRreview.com include Peter iNova and Uwe Steinmueller. Reviews are graded on features for movie shooting, image quality, ease of integration into current editing software programs such as Final Cut Pro and the ergonomics of the camera in cine modes.Accessory reviews are graded in terms of usefulness, ergonomics and production values obtained with them contrasted with their costs. Tips and techniques for videographers abound, and the site has tidbits for all users at every level of proficiency, the developers claim.

Website: HDSLRreview

Nik Software today announced the Nik Summit, its first-ever multi-day educational event designed specifically to educate and empower photographers and users of the company’s award-winning software tools. Taking place from 13-16 May in San Diego, California, the Nik Summit promises to be an opportunity for attendees to learn how to improve their photographic skills by working alongside some of the world’s leading professional photographers.“The Nik Summit will be more than a photographic experience and is designed to bring our customers and photo enthusiasts together with some of the best working photographers, photo magazine editors, and top Nik Software experts,” said Michael Slater, President and CEO of Nik Software. “The Nik Summit is all about learning and sharing ideas in photography and we are bringing our product specialists and educators, top engineers, as well as Nik Software’s founder and CTO specifically to do just that.” The cost is $599, but early birds registering befor 15 March will be given a $120 discount.

Website: 2010 Nik Summit