The ProKit Flash Accessory Pack from SpeedLightProKit is aimed at professionals and enthusiasts who want to get the most out of flash lighting. The kit consists of a reflector hood that fastens to the flash light with a non slip Velcro strap, a diffuser panel and a large honeycomb panel, both of which fit into the reflector and two smaller honeycombs each with their own hood. The ProKit Flash Accessory Pack is available now, priced at £79.95 plus postage.

The Transcend P8 is a new USB memory card reader that supports the high-speed Ultra DMA transfer mode. The P8 directly accepts the most popular memory cards currently available, and is available in black and white versions. The Transcend P8 also comes with free photo recovery software that features quick and easy previews of recoverable data.

The new Polaroid PoGo is an all-in-one digital camera and printer. You can take a picture with the Polaroid PoGo, then print it in less than 60 seconds as a full-color, 2x3-inch print. “This is the digital version of our traditional instant camera, which consumers have loved since the 70s,” says Jon Pollock, vice president and general manager, Digital Imaging. “With this product, Polaroid will bring the magic of instant photography to a whole new generation.” The Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera will be available in March 2009 for $199.

The new Epson Perfection V30 is an affordable yet high-quality flatbed scanner. The Epson V30 offers a resolution of 4800 x 9600 dpi with 48-bit color scanning and 3.2 dynamic range, and the same CCD sensor technology used in higher-end Epson scanners. The V30 has no warm-up time, fast scan speeds and lower power consumption due to Epson’s energy-efficient exclusive ReadyScan LED technology. The Epson V30 is now available for $79.99 / £68.50.

The new Olympus mju 9000, mju 7000 and mju 5000 cameras offer zoom ranges from 5x up to 10x in a stylish and compact design. The Olympus 9000 (also known as the Stylus 9000) has a 10x wide optical zoom (28-280mm), 12 megapixels, 2.7 inch LCD screen, and Dual Image Stabilisation. The Olympus 7000 (also known as the Stylus 7000) has a 7x wide optical zoom (37-260mm), 12 megapixels, 3 inch LCD screen, and Smile Shot function. The Olympus 5000 (Europe only) has a 5x wide optical zoom (37-260mm), 12 megapixels, 2.7 inch LCD screen, and Perfect Shot Preview. The Olympus mju 9000 / Stylus 9000 will cost £310 / $349.99, the Olympus mju 7000 / Stylus 7000 £260 / $299.99 and the Olympus mju 5000 £220.

The Olympus mju Tough 8000 and mju Tough 6000 are new waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof cameras. Both the 12 megapixel mju Tough 8000 (also known as the Stylus Tough 8000) and the 10 megapixel mju Tough 6000 (also known as the Stylus Tough 6000) feature a 3.6x wide zoom lens (28-102mm), Dual Image Stabilisation and TAP Control which allows the cameras to be operated by taps on the casing. The Tough 8000 is shockproof to 2m, waterproof to 10m, crushproof to 100kg and freezeproof to -10°C, and the Tough 600 is shockproof to 1.5m, waterproof to 3m and freezeproof to -10°C. The Olympus mju Tough 8000 / Stylus Tough 8000 will be available mid-January for £340 / $399.99, and the Olympus mju Tough 6000 / Stylus Tough 6000 in early February for £280 / $299.99.

The new Olympus mju 550WP camera is waterproof to depths of up to 3 metres. The 10 megapixel Olympus 550WP (also known as the Stylus 550WP) offers a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen, Intelligent Auto Mode, Perfect Shot Preview and Digital Image Stabilisation. Available in blue, white or black, the Olympus mju 550WP / Stylus 550WP will be available from early February 2009 for $199.99.

The Olympus FE-5000, FE-3010 and FE-45 are new additions to the FE-series of entry-level digital cameras. The FE5000 has 10 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, 2.7 inch LCD screen, metal body and Dual Image Stabilisation . The FE3010 features 12 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, metal body and a 2.7 inch LCD screen. The FE45 has 10 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. The Olympus FE-5000 (black and gold - £150) and Olympus FE-45 (gold, black and deep blue - £100) will be available in late January, and the Olympus FE-3010 (gold, magenta or black - $149.99 / £130) in early March 2009.

The Olympus FE-5010 and FE-3000 are three new super-slim entry-level compact cameras. The FE3000 features 10 megapixels of resolution, while the FE5010 offer 12 megapixels. Both models share easy-to-use Intelligent Auto, Advanced Face Detection, In-Camera Help Guides, VGA Movie Recording with Sound, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and an LCD backlight boost. The Olympus FE-3000 costs $139.99 (light blue, black and silver) and the Olympus FE-5010 $189.99 (plum, navy blue and black).

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 is the world’s first Wi-Fi-enabled digital camera that uploads photos and videos to Web sites through any public hotspot. Like a computer, the Sony DSC-G3 has an embedded Web browser and can connect to free or fee-based hotspots, as well as to secure and unsecured access points. The 10 megapixel Sony G3 also offers a 4x zoom lens, Intelligent Scene Recognition, anti-blink and Smile Shutter, and 4GB of internal memory. The Sony Cybershot DSC-G3 camera is now available in black for about $500. Note that the Sony G3 will only be released in the US.

The new Casio EX-FC100 and EX-FS10 cameras both offer 30 fps burst mode and 1000 fps high-speed movies. Both of these 9 megapixel cameras can take up to 30 shots per second at the 6 megapixel setting. The Casio EX-FC100 features a 5x optical zoom lens with a CMOS shift anti-shake function and 2.7 inch LCD screen. The Casio EX-FS10 is a card-sized camera just .64” thin with a 3x optical inner-zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD screen. Available in March 2009, the EX-FS10 will cost $349.99 in blue, gray, red and white, and the EX-FC100 will cost $399.99 in gray and white.

The Casio EX-Z400, EX-Z270, and EX-S12 are three new digital cameras featuring the improved EXILIM Engine 4.0 image processing engine. This allows moving subjects to be cut and pasted onto still backgrounds or other images. The 12 megapixel Casio EX Z400 has a wide-angle 28 mm, 4x optical zoom lens, 3 inch LCD screen, and CCD shift anti-shake mechanism. The 10 megapixel Casio EX Z270 offers a wide-angle 28 mm, 4x optical zoom lens, 2.7 inch LCD screen, and CCD shift anti-shake mechanism. The slim, stainless steel 12 megapixel Casio EX S12 features a 3x optical zoom lens and 2.7 inch LCD screen. All available in March 2009, the Casio EX-Z400 will cost $299.99 and be available in brown, gold and pink, the Casio EX-Z270 $229.99 in black, gray, gold and pink, and the Casio EX-S12 $249.99 in silver, pink, green and black.

The Casio EX-S5 is a new compact camera designed to be both sleek and sturdy. The 10 megapixel EX S5 has a control panel, frame, and rear casing in contrasting colors, and a widescreen 2.7 inch LCD monitor. Available in March 2009, the Casio EX-S5 will cost $179.99 in blue, black gold, silver, pink and purple.

The Olympus SP-590UZ ultra-zoom digital camera has a 26x wide-angle optical zoom lens that covers an amazing 26-676mm focal length. Add the optional TCON-17N Teleconverter and CLA-11 Adapter Ring, and the SP590UZ can reach up to 1149mm. The 12 megapixel SP-590UZ also offers a 2.7 inch LCD screen, Dual Image Stabilisation, P/A/S/M exposure modes, and built-in flash and wireless flash control. The Olympus SP-590UZ will be available in early March 2009 for $449.99 / £360.

Canon have released a new firmware update for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR camera. Version 1.0.7 improves and mitigates the following two types of image quality phenomena that occur under certain shooting conditions.

  1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
    When shooting night scenes, the right side of point light sources (such as lights from building windows) may become black. The phenomenon may become visible if the images are enlarged to 100% or greater on a monitor or if extremely large prints of the images are made. This firmware improves and mitigates this phenomenon.
  2. Vertical banding noise
    If the recording format is set to sRAW1, vertical banding noise may become visible depending on the camera settings, subject, and background. The firmware improves and mitigates this phenomenon.

Website: Canon EOS 5D MarkII Firmware Update

The Sony W220, W210 and S950 are three new additions to the Cyber-shot range of compact digital cameras. Both the Sony W220 and Sony W210 offer 12.1 megapixels, 4x zoom lens, 2.7 inch LCD LCD screen, maximum ISO 3200, Smile Shutter, Face Detection and Intelligent Scene Recognition. The W220 features an Optical SteadyShot stabilisation system and 430 shot battery life, and the W210 has an Electronic SteadyShot system and 370 shot battery life. The entry-level Sony S950 has 10.1 megapixels, 4x zoom lens, 2.7 inch screen, Easy Shooting mode and 330 shot battery life. Sony have also unveiled a new GPS unit kit (GPS-CS3KA) features higher sensitivity, built-in memory card and SD slots and an LCD display. The Sony Cyber-shot W220, W210 and S950 will be available from February 2009 for £176, £157 and £118 respectively.

The Sony Memory Stick format for Extended High Capacity is the tentative name for a brand new memory card format. Offering a a maximum storage capacity of 2-terabytes, Memory Stick format for Extended High Capacity expands the existing Memory Stick PRO format. In addition, SanDisk and Sony have announced the joint development of “Memory Stick HG Micro”, a format expanded from “Memory Stick Micro” (M2). Format licensing corresponding to the “Memory Stick format for Extended High Capacity” and the “Memory Stick HG Micro” is scheduled to start in 2009.

The new range of Sony S-Frame digital photo frames boast HD picture quality plus a wide range of fun, easy-to-use viewing features. Available in three different series (X, V and D), Sony S-Frames’ offer a choice of screen sizes from 7 to 10 inches, BIONZ imaging processor , auto-orientation sensor and Auto Touch-Up feature. The range-topping X-Series models feature a Super Photo LCD panel for deeper, richer colours and opulent shadow tones. The Sony S-Frame digital photo frames will be available from April 2009.

The Samsung ST10 is the world’s first digital camera to feature face recognition. The ST10 can recognize the people you’re taking photos of, prioritizing friends, family and those you photograph most, and classify photos according to the most recognized faces. The 9 megapixel ST10 also features a 3 inch hVGA Touch Screen LCD, in-built PMP (Personal Multimedia Player) with integrated MP3 player, Digital Image Stabilization, Smart Scene Recognition and Angle/Composition Guide. The Samsung ST10 will be available from February 2009 in various colours, priced at £179.

Compact Camera Armor is a new range of protective silicone skins for point and shoot digital cameras. The protective silicone skins are custom fit for each model, provide complete shock absorbing protection, and allow full access to all buttons and controls. The Compact Camera skins, retailing for $14.96, are available now for the Canon SD1100 and Sony DCS-W120 cameras. Camera Armor are also introducing the Extreme, a weatherproof DSLR camera and lens polycarbonate case, which will be available in Spring 2009, and newly redesigned ToughStrap and SafeGrip system.