The Samsung ES10 is a new 8.1 megapixel digital camera aimed at beginners. The ES10 has an 8.1 megapixel 1/2.5” CCD sensor, 2.5 inch LCD screen, 3x zoom lens (38~114mm), and features Self Portrait, Face Detection and Beauty Shot modes. Available in silver, black, white and pink, the Samsung ES10 has only been announced in Japan so far.

The second edition of Scanning Negatives and Slides teaches you how to achieve the best possible digital image from a negative or slide. The most common software tools for scanning (SilverFast, VueScan, NikonScan) are covered extensively in the book, and are also provided on a DVD. Scanning Negatives and Slides costs $44.95 / £31.99.

The Spudz HD Ultra is a new micro fibre cleaning cloth. Measuring 12” x 12”, the Spudz cloth stays attached to the inside of its storage pouch. It will also stay conveniently attached to the back of your TV or monitor with an adhesive hook! (hence the HD moniker). The Spudz HD Ultra is available in a wide range of colour designs and retails at £12.99.

Win £5,000 in the 2009 British Wildlife Photography Awards. Open for entries on 2nd April 2009, the British Wildlife Photography Awards has seven main categories and two special awards to encourage participation by young people, schools and youth community groups. The closing date is 31st July 2009. A nationwide exhibition will launch at Hoopers Gallery, Clerkenwell from 16th September 09 and then tour the country.

Panasonic is to cut 15,000 jobs worldwide after announcing an annual loss of $4.2 billion. “Sales fell in all our business segments in the third quarter. We expect sharper sales declines in this quarter, and profits are likely to shrink in every segment,” commented Panasonic director Makoto Uenoyama. The strong Yen and slowing sales are to blame for the decision to close 27 manufacturing sites in the next year and cut around 15,000 jobs, half in Japan and half overseas. Panasonic has a worldwide workforce of around 300,000 employees.

Website: Reuters

Pentax USA have reduced the prices of the K-series digital SLR cameras. From February 1st-22nd, the Pentax K20D body only and all body and lens kits will have an in-store instant $100.00 Consumer Rebate. Pentax have also reduced the price of the D-BG3 Battery Grip to $19.95 ($129.00 value) when combined with the K200D body and any lens by March 31st.

Nikon will be showcasing the new flagship professional camera, the D3X (pictured), at this year’s Focus on Imaging photography show. Held at the NEC, Birmingham, UK from 22-25th February, the recently unveiled Coolpix lineup will also make its UK debut. Visitors to the Nikon stand will have the chance to win a Nikon D90 camera kit, and an exciting seminar schedule has been lined up.

The Samsung Memoir is a new 8 megapixel touch-screen camera phone. The Memoir, available exclusively from T-Mobile in the USA, is designed to look and feel like a point-and-shoot digital camera, with a built-in 8 megapixel camera with Xenon flash, 16x digital zoom and five shooting modes. “This is the camera phone that will make people want to leave their digital camera at home,” said Bill Ogle, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Mobile. “When you combine the Memoir’s imaging capabilities, customizable menus and music player, not only is it a great phone, but the entertainment possibilities are unlimited.”

Canon have released a new firmware update for the PowerShot SD880 IS. Version 1.0.1.0 corrects a phenomenon that when the following settings are used in combination, if the shutter button is pressed halfway to focus during shooting (AND the AF frame magnifies), but the shutter button is released without taking the picture, the camera will lose power.

Setting details
  1. The shooting mode switch is set to Special Scene Mode (SCN), Kids&Pets.
  2. AF Point-Zoom on the menu is set to On.
    (When the AF frame is in Face Detect or Center, and the Servo AF is OFF, the AF Point-Zoom can be set to On.)

Please note that, if the shutter button is pressed halfway, and the picture is then taken, this phenomenon will not occur. If loss of power does occur, pressing the power switch will restore the camera to its normal operation.

Website: Canon PowerShot SD880 IS Firmware Update 1.0.1.0

The SIM2 Solar Series is a new range of high-dynamic-range (HDR)-enabled LCD flat-screen displays. The Solar Series display is able to handle 16-bit processing for HDR signals, producing 65,536 shades per color, smashing the number of colors (1,024) shown by the most advanced current displays. “SIM2 was able to design Solar Series displays that deliver images so realistic that the display becomes a window into the world,” said Domenico Toffoli, Director, Professional Systems Business Unit, SIM2. SIM2’s Solar Series will be available in the second quarter of 2009.

The Photoshop Action Station offers rapid browsing and powerful search functions to users of Photoshop actions. “Our Action Station is designed to offer an alternative solution to managing not just our actions but those of other vendors as well. From a single dialog users will be able to browse and run their actions without having to locate them in the palette.” says 1click’s David Gill. The Action Station is compatible with Photoshop CS2, CS3 and CS4 on both Mac and Windows platforms, and is available immediately for $47.95,

Canon USA has issued a service advisory notice for the Canon EOS 5D digital camera stating that “in rare instances, the main mirror of some EOS 5D Digital SLR cameras may detach due to deterioration in the strength of the adhesive”. If your camera has been affected, Canon USA will repair and reinforce the mirror portion of the affected products free of charge.

Digital Anarchy has released two software products, Knoll Light Factory and ToonIt! Photo, for Apple’s Aperture. Knoll Light Factory generates lighting effects that enhance the natural or man-made lighting in photographs. ToonIt! Photo creates cartoon-like images from photographs. Aperture gives photographers the ability to manage large groups of images and work with RAW files. By using ToonIt and Knoll Light Factory directly in this environment, it is easy to design with multiple images and compare the results side by side. Knoll Light Factory 3.0 for Aperture is priced at $129 USD. ToonIt! 2.0 for Aperture is priced at $129 USD. Both products will be on sale for $99 each from until February 28, 2009.

The Canon PIXMA MX860 and PIXMA MX330 are two new office printers with photo capabilities. The Canon MX860 and MX330 are both equipped with the ChromaLife100+ ink system, which provides more vibrant and longer-lasting photos. “These two new Office AIO printers provide the consumer with the comfort of knowing all of their business and personal printing needs can be done from their home.” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. The PIXMA MX860 and PIXMA MX330 will cost $199.99 and $109.99 respectively

The Nikon Creative Lighting System is a new book that explains flash photography for Nikon owners. The book employs a simple, step-by-step method for setting up and using the newest Nikon iTTL flash units, specifically the SB-600, SB-800, and SB-900 strobes. The Nikon Creative Lighting System is available now for $34.95 / £21.50.

The new LumiQuest Quik Bounce is a flash diffusion accessory designed for use with or without a ceiling to soften the light. The unique design has doors that can open to allow for 80% ceiling bounce while allowing 20% of the light to bounce off the remaining surface area to provide fill light and more even illumination. “From speaking with wedding photographers and watching them work I recognized the need to design a product that would allow them to take advantage of ceiling bounce when available, while at the same time transition seamlessly from horizontal to vertical shots,” stated Quest Couch, CEO and the designer of LumiQuest products.

Colour Confidence have launched an interactive training video for the X-Rite ColorMunki Photo. The flash-based tool will educate users in the basics of colour management and all aspects of the ColorMunki Photo. “The release of this series of videos is another excellent tool from X-Rite, which will help users achieve accurate colour and make managing their colour an easier task.” commented Geoffrey Clements, Managing Director, Colour Confidence.

Framed Horizons are running a photographic training tour of Thailand, with £50 off available exclusively to PhotographyBLOG readers. Training sessions are led by Steve Studd, a travel photographer with a portfolio including works for National Geographic and Rough Guide. The Framed Horizons tour allows you to experience true Thailand from bustling Bangkok, to the mountains of the north and paradise beaches of the south. Pricing starts from £1,699 excluding flights.

The Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR features a revolutionary new sensor developed in the rigorous pursuit of high image quality. Featuring Super CCD EXR technology, the Fujifilm F200EXR offers 3 selectable modes in one sensor - Fine Capture Mode (High Resolution), which deploys all 12 megapixels, Pixel Fusion Mode (High Sensitivity and Low Noise), which caps two adjacent pixels together to improve low-light quality, and Dual Capture (Wide Dynamic Range), which captures different exposures with two sets of six million pixels. The Fujifilm F200EXR’s “EXR AUTO” mode recognizes the subject and scene, and automatically decides the optimum EXR shooting mode.

“Consumers have realized there’s more to a good picture than just the number of MegaPixels, and with our Super CCD EXR sensor we prove that true image quality is about a combination of many factors like tone, hue, color fidelity, dynamic range, sharpness, and resolution – all brought to life vividly in the FinePix F200EXR.” said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, Fujifilm USA. The Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR will be available in February 2009 at a retail price of $399.95. UK pricing will be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The Fujifilm FinePix A150 is a new entry-level 10 megapixel digital camera. Stand-out features offered by the Fujifilm A150 include Face Detection technology, a 3.0x optical zoom lens and large 3.0 inch LCD. “The new A150 combines this in a highly portable form factor making it easier than ever to ensure that you never miss a shot and the convenience of AA battery power.” said David Troy, marketing manager, Consumer Digital Cameras, Electronic Imaging Division, Fujifilm USA. The Fujifilm FinePix A150 will debut in February 2009 for $129.95. UK pricing to be announced nearer to the date of the launch.