The 10-megapixel Pentax Optio WS80 is a new rugged, dust- and waterproof camera with a 5x zoom lens and the ability to record high-definition video. The Pentax Optio WS80 can withstand depths up to five feet (1.5 metres) for up to two hours, and sports features like extra-quick face detection, smile capture, shake reduction and an Auto Picture mode similar to the iAuto mode of other manufacturers’ digital cameras. Available in two eye-catching color options, black with orange accents or white with purple accents, the PENTAX Optio WS80 will ship in September 2009 for $249.95 USD.

DXG USA has unveiled the new DXG Luxe line of high-definition “couture camcorders” that combine high-quality video recording with fashionable design. The DXG-Riviera features a chic, quilted pattern with silver or bronze details and crystal accents in three colours. The DXG-Soho comes in a hip pink or blue argyle pattern with stylish leather accents. Both models record high-definition (720p) video, take 8-megapixel still photos (apparently interpolated from 5 megapixels) and feature a 3-inch LCD screen—all on a compact form factor only 1 1/2-inches thick. Neither camcorder has optical zoom though. The DXG Riviera and the DXG Soho models each retail for $149.99.

Sony today announced two new Cyber-shot cameras (the Sony DSC-TX1 and DSC-WX1 models) which, owing to their “Exmor R” back illuminated CMOS sensor technology, allegedly provide approximately twice the sensitivity of cameras with traditional image sensors. This should theoretically improve low-light performance and result in cleaner images with less noise. “Conventional image sensor architecture has required wires and other circuit elements to be positioned above the light sensitive photo-diodes, limiting the imager’s light gathering capability.  Positioning these elements behind the photo-diodes, Sony’s ‘Exmor R’ image sensors can gather more light, resulting in approximately twice the sensitivity compared to conventional sensors,” Sony claims. Moreover, the Sony WX1 and TX1 can also capture six separate images in less than a second and combine the shots into a single image of “extraordinary detail” and “low noise”. The Sweep Panorama technology, first seen in the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 is also on board, and the new TX1 and WX1 models also feature a burst rate of 10 frames per second. The Sony TX1 is an ultra-compact 10-megapixel camera with a 4x zoom lens and a touch panel, while the Sony WX1 (pictured above) is also a 10-megapixel model, but it comes with an intriguing 24-120mm equivalent f/2.4-5.9 Sony G lens.

Southern California photography instructor Ralph Velasco seeks the World’s Worst Photographer and is offering a Grand Prize Photography Learning Package as bait. Valued at over $1,000, the package consists of two private classes, five One on One PhotoWalkingTours, and more. Three runners up will each receive a single 2-hour, small group PhotoWalkingTour in Orange County and participation in both of Velasco’s classes with a small group, a package valued at over $135 each. Velasco encourages people to nominate any who they think has most room for improvement and would most likely benefit from his services. To find out how to nominate someone, read his full press release regarding this deliberately provocative offer after the break.

In the run-up to IFA 2009, AgfaPhoto has announced three new slim-design compacts, the AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 1, the AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 100 and the AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 102. The AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 1 is a 12-megapixel, 5x zoom model with a 28-140mm equivalent lens and a 2.7” rear screen with 230,000 dots. The AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 100 has a 10-megapixel sensor, a 3x zoom lens and a similar 2.7” LCD. The AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 102 (pictured) boasts 12 megapixels, a 3” display, “YouTube video format” and 3x optical zoom. All OPTIMA cameras offer a beauty shot mode, a voice memo function and, apparently a live histogram. The cameras range from 129 to 179 euros (MSRP, including German VAT) and will be available in September.

Camera Bits today announced that it offers a 15%-plus discount, which includes two-year upgrades, to any qualifying student, teacher, school administrator, school or district that purchases Photo Mechanic Version 4.6. Photo Mechanic is a photo browser and workflow solution that is claimed to be the most popular photo editing software used by educational institutions, the U.S. military, photojournalists and major newspapers and news organizations including The Associated Press. “We are thrilled to help students, educators and institutions of all sizes experience Photo Mechanic,” said Dennis Walker, founder and president/CEO of Camera Bits. “It has become the industry standard for photographers to sort, manage and edit multiple images, and we believe that students should have the opportunity to learn about digital photography and photojournalism with the same tools they will be using as professionals.”

Website: Camera Bits

Novoflex, a German manufacturer of high-quality accessories, has announced the availability of a new range of adapters that allow photographers to mount a multitude of older lenses on Micro FourThirds cameras, such as the Panasonic G1 / GH1 and the Olympus PEN E-P1. Adapters are available for the following lenses: Canon FD, Contax/Yashica, Leica M, Leica R, M42, Minolta MD / MC, Minolta (Sony) A, Nikon F, Olympus OM, Pentax K and T2. The adapters for Minolta (Sony) A, Nikon F and Pentax K mount lenses provide aperture control even for those lenses that do not have an aperture ring. These adapters are therefore more expensive (costing €169) than the others (priced between €89 and €149). All adapters allow infinity focus and stop-down TTL exposure metering. According to Cameratown, the new MicroFourThirds adapters are available now from HP Marketing Corp. dealers in the USA.

Website: Novoflex

Epson has issued a free firmware update for its P6000 and P7000 Photoviewers, which enables tethered shooting with the Nikon D90, D300, D700, D3, D3X and Canon EOS 40D, 50D, 5D Mark II, 1D Mark III and 1Ds Mark III cameras. The new firmware allows images to be captured directly onto the Photoviewer by remotely controlling the firing of the camera shutter up to a distance of seven metres from the camera body. Once a photograph has been taken, the image can be immediately previewed on the Photoviewer’s screen. Photographs are saved to both the camera memory card and the Hard Disk Drive of the Photoviewer, bypassing the process of transferring images whilst simultaneously backing up all photos.

Website: Epson Firmware Update

More than 40 different Schneider lenses for view cameras, ranging from 24mm to 1100mm, are eligible for instant rebates through 30 September 2009. The amount of the rebate varies between $200 and $400 depending on lens purchased. The offer is valid on 45 different Schneider lenses in the Apo-Symmar, Apo-Tele-Xenar, Fine Art, Macro-Symmar, Super-Angulon, Super-Symmar, Apo-Digitar and Macro Apo-Digitar designs.  Photographers should contact or visit any participating Schneider dealer found on the list at the website below. After getting a price quote from a dealer that meets their needs, photographers then tell or give the dealer the Instant Rebate Code Number 27686.

Website: Schneider Optics

‘How to Market Your Photos’ by Rohn Engh is a new eBook / eCourse on CD. The eCourse consists of 21 units and pulls together new strategies that successful photographers are using to take advantage of the Internet as a tool to make more sales. “Photobuyers have learned to circumvent the large stock agencies and use search engines to go directly to a photographer’s website who has the exact picture they need,” Engh says. “The secret to getting this photobuyer traffic is in knowing how to position yourself.” Engh’s e-Course, ‘How To Market your Photos,’ is priced at $89.95, and he is having an Early Bird sale up until 7 August making the eCourse available at $69.95.

Website: How to Market Your Photos

International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) has revealed the results of its Early Bird Competition, which was announced earlier this year. The theme of the 2009 contest was “In Full Bloom”, and the jury announced five talented photographers as winners: Anne Gilbert for her entry “Flowering Fruits’ (see above), Sharon Perrett for her work, ‘What a Beautiful Morning’, Sheila Sim for her image, ‘Kew Gardens’, Ariann Isaakson for the photo, ‘Summer Heat’ and iRon Tear for a photograph entitled ‘‘Bluebell Field’.

Website: IGPOTY Early Bird Competition 2009 Winners

Epson America today announced the Epson Perfection V500 Office scanner that effortlessly combines the productivity features of a document scanner and the image quality of a photo scanner into a compact package. The Epson Perfection V500 Office inherits some of the features, functions and characteristics of the existing Epson Perfection V500 Photo scanner, such as a resolution of 6300dpi, a transparency unit for film scanning and Digital ICE Technology for dust and scratch removal in film scans. What the new scanner adds is a 30-page automatic document feeder with scan speeds of up to three pages per minute, which makes for quick document scanning and thus for certain users eliminates the need for separate document and photo scanners. The Epson Perfection V500 Office will be available in September 2009 for an estimated street price of $350.

Toshiba have announced the launch date of the world’s first 64GB SDXC Memory Card capable of operating at the world’s fastest data transfer rate for reading and writing to a flash memory card. The new card is compliant with the new SD Memory Standard, Ver. 3.00, UHS104, boasting a maximum write speed of 35MB per second, and a read speed of 60MB per second. Mass production will start in the spring of 2010. Note that SDXC Memory Cards are interoperable only with an SDXC host device, which implements the exFAT file system, and do not work with existing SD and SDHC host devices.

Zacuto has announced the ZGrip iPhone Jr., a more affordable version of the ZGrip iPhone Pro handgrip for shooting stable video using the iPhone 3Gs. The iPhone 3Gs snaps into the iPhone cradle which is attached to the handgrip. The ZGrip iPhone Jr. has a ¼ 20” thread on the bottom so you can mount it to a tripod. It also has a ¼ 20” thread on the top for mounting accessories such as a light. The ZGrip iPhone Jr. will be available for $69 including a lifetime warranty, but by pre-ordering it until 15 August 2009, you can get a $10 instant rebate.

Pentax Imaging has announced that Camera Repair Instrument Service (CRIS), a provider of camera repair and imaging device maintenance, will partner with Pentax to provide factory repair service for Pentax cameras in the US. In this agreement, CRIS will act as the “factory service facility” for dealers and consumers in the United States. More information is available at www.criscam.com or visit www.pentaximaging.com for CRIS customer service contact information.

Samsung has launched a teaser campaign called ‘Tap and Take’, to draw attention to its new range of ‘Smart Cameras’, scheduled for launch on 13 August 2009. The Korean company has created a promotional website, called TapAndTake.com, which teases visitors with a host of short, intriguing videos (with more to come). The ‘Tap and Take’ campaign also has a presence on Twitter and Facebook.

Website: Tap and Take

The Times has launched the eighth Times Young Photographer of the Year competition, sponsored by Canon - this could be your chance to win a Canon EOS 5D Mark II (pictured) with two L lenses and a flash. In order to be able to enter, you need to be between 18 and 26 years of age and a legal resident of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Entrants will need to submit one photograph in each of three different categories; Lifestyle, Portraiture and Reportage. The winning photographer will win a six-month full-time contract with Times Newspapers and a year’s membership to the British Press Photographer’s Association, in addition to a Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera body, a Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 L standard zoom, a Canon EF 70-200 F/2.8 L IS telezoom and a Canon580EX II Speedlite flash. The closing date for entries is midnight Saturday 12 September 2009. As always, we suggest that you read the Terms and Conditions before entering.

Website: The Times/Canon Young Photographer of the Year
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Nikon has revealed the twelve-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S70 digital compact camera that features a newly developed 3.5” touch-sensitive OLED screen and 720p HD video capture. Along with the new screen comes a new generation of touch-screen controls that offer an enhanced shooting and playback experience. For example, using the Touch Shutter feature, users can have a completely “button-free” experience and focus on and photograph a subject by simply touching it on the camera’s display. The touch-screen also makes viewing and retouching images more efficient, Nikon claims. Additional new touch-screen controls include on-screen sliders for adjusting brightness and Scene Effect Adjustment, which offers controls specific to the scene mode in use. Other features include a 5x zoom lens with optical vibration reduction, Subject Tracking, Scene Auto Selector Mode and Nikon’s Smart Portrait System. The Nikon Coolpix S70 will be available in September 2009 for $399.95 MSRP in a choice of colours and textures including Red & Red, Champagne & Beige (pictured), Black & Black, or Champagne & Light Brown.

In addition to the innovative Nikon S1000pj and the ultra-fast Nikon S640, Nikon has also introduced the “elegantly simple” Nikon Coolpix S570, intended for the fashion-conscious photographer. With the Nikon S570, the keyword is ease-of-use. Intelligent scene mode selection, face detection, smile recognition, a “blink-proof technology” and a Skin Softening function are all on board to help “even those with no photography experience” capture pleasing photos. Like the other two Coolpix models announced today, this camera also boasts a 12-megpixel imager, a 2.7-inch rear screen and a 5x zoom lens (though apparently without lens-based vibration reduction). The Nikon S570 will be availablein September 2009, for $199.95 MSRP.

Nikon has unveiled the Nikon Coolpix S640, allegedly the “world’s fastest Coolpix”, which is claimed to deliver autofocus speeds comparable to the Nikon D40 dSLR. Other highlights include a 28-140mm equivalent Nikkor zoom lens featuring optical vibration reduction, a 12-megapixel sensor and a 2.7” LCD screen. The all-metal Nikon Coolpix S640 will be available in September 2009 for $249.95 MSRP.