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.

The MagBag and Cammock from Trek-Tech are new portable stabilisation devices for cameras. The MagBag can be used indoors or outdoors as a stabilisation tool for a camera on flat or uneven surfaces. The MagBag 2 costs £34.99, and the lighter MagBag 1 is £22.99. The Cammock is a universal tripod shelf designed to work with any tripod. It can be filled with heavy items to provide stabilisation and can also be used as a camera rain cover or ground sheet. The Cammock costs £19.99.

Memorex LifeShow is a new range of digital photo frames with an advanced user interface design and added functionality. The specially designed user interface utilizes a combination of proprietary software and a custom “scrolling” selector button that allows the user to command all of the frames’ functions right on screen, from a single control. Memorex LifeShow digital photo frames are offered in two models to complement both traditional and modern home décors, both available in March 2009 for $129.99.

The Samsung HZ10W is a new 10 megapixel digital camera with a 10x, 24mm wide-angle zoom lens. Offering both Optical and Digital Image Stabilization, the HZ10W (also known as the WB500) has manual controls and can also capture 720p high-definition video. The Samsung HZ10W / WB500 will be available in black or silver in January 2009 for $299.99 / £229.

The Samsung TL100 is a new slim and stylish 12.2 megapixel digital camera. Measuring just 16.6mm thick (excluding the lens), the TL100 (also known as the ST50) features a 2.7 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens. Smart Auto automatically selects one of the TL100’s 11 scene modes, while Smart Album automatically organizes your images. The Samsung TL100 also offers Face Detection, Smile Shot, Blink Detection, and Beauty Shot technology. The Samsung TL100 / ST50 will be available in Spring 2009, priced at £179.

The Samsung SL420 and SL102 are two new entry-level digital cameras. Both the SL420 (also known as the PL60) and SL102 (also known as the ES55) feature a resolution of 10.2 megapixels, offer Face Detection and are powered by rechargeable Li-Ion batteries. The Samsung SL102 / ES55 has a 3x optical zoom, Digital Image Stabilization technology, and a 2.5 inch LCD screen, and will be available from February 2009 priced at £79. The Samsung SL420 / PL60 features a larger 2.7 inch LCD display, 5x optical zoom and Dual Image Stabilization, and will be available from March 2009 at £129.

The winners of the December 2008 PhotographyBLOG Competition have been selected by a panel of judges. The theme for December was “Christmas” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
An Age Old Tradition by steve cherry

Prize: ShutterPoint.com one-year subscription with 100Mb of storage space
Kindly donated by ShutterPoint.
http://www.shutterpoint.com

SDXC is a next-generation memory card format, with up to 2 terabytes storage capacity and read/write speeds of 300 megabytes per second. SDXC (eXtended Capacity) will provide maximum speeds even when it achieves its maximum 2TB storage capacity. “SDXC is a large-capacity card that can store more than 4,000 RAW images, which is the uncompressed mode professionals use, and 17,000 of the fine-mode most consumers use.” said Shigeto Kanda, general manager at Canon. Developed by the SD Association, specifications for the new SDXC standard will be released in the first quarter of 2009.

Eye-Fi is is developing a way for users to wirelessly upload full-resolution HD videos from their digital camera to YouTube. “We’re aiming to do for video what we’ve already done for photos: provide the easiest, simplest way to save and share your digital memories,” said Jef Holove, CEO for Eye-Fi.  “Our wireless technology makes it effortless to upload videos to YouTube using the digital camera you already have, without the fuss of special software.” Eye-Fi will preview the technology at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

The new LensAlign Focus Calibration System makes it easy to test cameras for front or back-focus problems. Lens Align will be available in two different configurations, LensAlign Pro and the portable and less expensive LensAlign Lite. Both LensAlign models are comprised of a focus target and a companion depth-of-field ruler, together with a sighting system that ensures accurate parallelism between the LensAlign focus target and camera sensor/film plane. Lens Align ships with a companion DVD tutorial series and is available now for $139.95 (Pro) and $79.95 (Lite).

Two new books, “Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual” and “Photoshop CS4 Channels & Masks One-on-One”, are making their debut at Macworld 2009. Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual by Lesa Snider King ($49.99) covers the newest version of Photoshop and teaches you everything from editing photos to creating beautiful documents. Photoshop CS4 Channels & Masks One-on-One by Deke McClelland ($49.99) contains a unique combination of step-by-step text lessons, DVD-video demonstration, and real-world projects.

The new TrekPod XL is a monopod, tripod and hiking staff all in one. Weighing just over 600g, the height-adjustable TrekPod XL is made of carbon fibre with a quick-release MagMount Pro system. The TrekPod XL with MagMount Pro and travel case costs £279.99. The new MagMount Pro is Trek-Tech’s largest MagMount ball head and has a load capacity of 6 kilos, priced at £74.99.

SanDisk’s new Ultra Backup USB Flash Drives allow you to backup critical files with the simple touch of a button. Critical work files are protected with a dual layer of both password protection and AES hardware encryption. The SanDisk Ultra Backup drive will be available in capacities of 8GB-64GB with prices between $39.99 and $199.99. Also the SanDisk Cruzer range has been redesigned with a more contemporary look, available in capacities of 4GB-32GB with prices ranging between $24.99 and $99.99.

Pandigital’s new PanTouch Clear line of digital photo frames creates the perception of “floating” digital images. The range of PanTouch Clear frames feature a 800x600 high-resolution display that appears to be floating in the surrounding glass. Users can select and view their photos and control the frame’s functions with icons that can be touched directly across the entire glass surface of the frame. The Pandigital PanTouch Clear frames come in two sizes - 8-inch and 7-inch - priced at $139.99 and $119.99 respectively.

The Transcend PF810 is an 8 inch digital photo frame featuring a touch-sensitive menu interface. The PF810 is equipped with 2GB of built-in flash memory, video, radio, MP3 player, clock and electrical calendar, and also allows users to plug-in a USB flash drive.

Fujifilm FP-3000B is a new fine grain, high speed, black and white, peel apart instant film. This 3000 ISO film has a very short development time of just 15-30 seconds, and fits into a Fujifilm PA-45 back or a Polaroid 550 pack back. FP3000B is available to buy now in packs of 10.

The Pentax Optio P70 is a new 12 megapixel camera with a 4x, 27.5-110mm zoom lens. Also featuring a 2.7 inch LCD screen, 720p video mode and triple anti-shake protection, the Pentax P70 is as thin as 16.5mm in some sections. Available in five colours, the Pentax P70 will cost £179 in the UK and $199.95 in the US, shipping in February 2009.

The Pentax Optio E70 is a new entry-level 10 megapixel camera with triple anti-shake protection. Powered by AA-size batteries, the Pentax E70 has large buttons, icons and Green and Auto Picture modes for beginners. The E70’s face-detection mode can detect up to 32 faces in a single image in approximately 0.03 seconds. The Pentax Optio E70 will be available in champagne gold, deep blue and red for $139.95, shipping in February 2009.