Olympus is introducing a new range of Mju Tough compact cameras in January 2009. Likely to be unveiled at CES 2009, Olympus’ new range of freezeproof, waterproof and shockproof cameras will be renamed from Mju SW to Mju Tough (and from Stylus SW to Stylus Tough in the US). “Since some of our cameras even go beyond shockproof and waterproof – certain models are freezeproof and crushproof as well – we needed a name that was more reflective of the true nature of the SW series. The Mju TOUGH brand lets our customers know what these cameras truly have to offer: strength that’s always ready to go, even in the most extreme conditions”. explained Miquel Angel Garcia, Managing Director Marketing at Olympus Imaging Europa GmbH.

Ricoh have released a new firmware update for the GX200 compact digital camera. Version 1.20 includes the following bug fix:

When you playback a 1:1 image in the playback mode, the small window may not move to the right edge in the position display window that is shown in the right corner in the LCD.

Website: Ricoh GX200 Firmware Update 1.20

Ridata have unveiled a new 300x speed CompactFlash flash memory card for professional photographers. The Ridata 16GB 300x CompactFlash card’s reading capability equates to approximately 45MB/per sec, while the high-speed writing capability is about 31MB/per second. The Ridata 16GB/300x Supreme Series CompactFlash card is apparently “competitively street priced” and carries a two-year warranty.

ProShow Producer 4 is a new version of Photodex’s photo and video slide show software for professionals. “Producer 4.0 has simple-to-use, one-click features, that allow users to achieve professional results in less time and with less work. Combined with an all-new interface the path to professional slide shows is much simpler and more powerful.” said Paul Schmidt, President and Founder of Photodex Corporation. ProShow Producer 4 features the new Slide Styles feature, pre-made effects that can be easily applied to any slide in a show, plus the ability to add Adjustment Layers. ProShow Producer 4 is available now for $249.95.

ContrastMaster, a plugin for effective contrast enhancement, is now available for MacOS X. ContrastMaster can also create dramatic contrast looks, photorealistic paintings and HDR-like effects and works with 8bit and 16bit RGB images. ContrastMaster sells at $69.95 (Regular License) or $39.95 (Academic/Educational License). A demo version can also be downloaded.

Create your own unique personalised digital photo album with createyourframe.com. This new website allows you to create original slide shows online for free, then send a personalised photo frame featuring your photos. Sean Fergusson managing director of createyourframe.com explains more: “The complete packaged service option is also particularly ideal as a gift for an elderly relative because everything is done for them, all they have to do, is plug-it in”. There are 7’’, 8’’, 10.4’’ and 15.1’’ frames available and the service includes free delivery and a free 2GB SD card. Prices start from £79.

AKVIS Sketch 8.5 converts photos to pencil drawings and watercolor paintings. Version 8.5 offers a new tab Text, which allows adding a signature or a greeting to your drawing. AKVIS Sketch 8.5 is available as a stand-alone application, as well as a plugin to a photo editor. AKVIS Sketch 8.5 Home License costs $129 USD / 99 Euros.

The Fujifilm FinePix F60fd is the latest addition to Fujifilm’s affordable range of compact digital cameras that offer something to both beginners and more serious photographers alike. Building on the success of the previous F50fd model, the new Fujifilm F60fd features a new 3 inch LCD screen, Face Detection 3 system and Scene Recognition-AUTO mode, whilst retaining its 12 megapixel sensor, 3x zoom lens, semi-manual shooting modes and stylish good looks. Priced at £199 / $299, read our 298th product review to find out if the Fujifilm FinePix F60fd is the right pocket camera for you.

Website: Fujifilm FinePix F60fd Review

Nikon have released a new version, 2.1.1, of Capture NX. Version 2.1.1 includes support for RAW images taken with the new D3X DSLR, and Mac OSX 10.5.5.

Website: Nikon Capture NX 2.1.1 (Windows)

Website: Nikon Capture NX 2.1.1 (Mac)

Nikon have released a new version, 2.4.0, of Camera Control Pro. This software allows photographers to control a camera remotely from a computer using either a wired or a wireless connection. Changes in this version:

- Support for the D3X has been added.
- Windows 2000 is no longer supported.
- In some rare cases, when images with file sizes of 14 MB or larger were transferred, the transferred images were corrupted.  This issue has been resolved.

Website: Nikon Camera Control Pro 2.4.0 (Windows)

Website: Nikon Camera Control Pro 2.4.0 (Mac)

The Royal Photographic Society has unveiled its workshop programme for 2009. New for this year are the ‘Fashion Photography’, ‘Product Photography’ and two business focused workshops. All workshops are open to members and non-members of The Society, and are held at the RPS headquarters in Bath.

ToonIt! from Digital Anarchy is a Photoshop plug-in that creates cartoon-like images from photographs. ToonIt! analyzes photographs and then creates flat regions of color and outlines that produce a cel-shaded cartoon look. Jim Tierney, CEO of Digital Anarchy, said, “ToonIt! has been incredibly popular for video applications. The photographers and print designers who’ve seen it have asked us repeatedly when it will be available for Photoshop. We’re excited to finally release the product for still images because there’s no better way of creating cartoon images.” Regularly priced at $159, ToonIt! Photo 2.0 will be available for $129 until December 31st 2008.

Fluid Mask 3 image extraction software has been reduced in price by almost 40% to $149.  “One of the most complicated techniques for photographers, whether professionals or hobbyists, is extracting images from their backgrounds. We are excited to be in a position to be able to offer this new pricing for Fluid Mask 3, which will make the software more accessible than ever to photographers of all experience levels.” said James Carr-Jones, president and CEO of Vertus. A fully functional free trial of Fluid Mask 3 is also available.

Photoforms is a new software program that creates true stereoscopic 3D images from a 2D picture. Photoforms works in conjunction with free stereoscopic 3D driver software that supports windowed 3D viewing. “Photoforms lets you transform any 2D picture into a true, stereoscopic image.  The process requires the artful eye of the user. Using simple built-in tools, you manipulate the image in a real-time 3D environment with the help of 2D image depth cues and easy mouse control.  The end result is a stereoscopic image that is as breathtaking as you want it to be” explained Hill Thompson, Photoforms’ author.

The Fantasea Line FS-710 is a new underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix S710 compact camera. The FS710 has a depth rating to 60 meters/200 feet, double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, and built-in diffuser. It also features a 46mm port ring thread for easy attachment of accessory lenses and filters. As with all other Fantasea Camera Housings, in the event of accidental water leakage, the Coolpix camera inside is insured and will be replaced. The Fantasea Line FS-710 will cost $198.95.

Better Photography - Portraits in Natural Light is a new DVD from former Sunday Times photographer Philip Dunn. This 60 minute DVD is aimed at photographers of all levels wanting to improve their portraits using natural light. Dunn explains “I demonstrate that with a little understanding of light, lenses and poses, you can create really powerful and interesting portraits without the expense and trouble of using photography studio lights.” The Better Photography - Portraits in Natural Light DVD costs £14.95 including postage in the UK.

The new StreetWalker series of backpacks from Think Tank Photo is designed specifically for urban and other crowded environments. The StreetWalker backpacks’ slim vertical profile allows you to get the shot in spaces that allow little room for navigating, with shoulder straps that fit a wider range of sizes for both males and females. There are three models - StreetWalker, StreetWalker Pro and StreetWalker HardDrive (pictured). In addition Think Tank Photo founder Doug Murdoch has published a new free white paper called “Active Shooting vs. Transportation/Storage”, which looks at what type of camera bags the pros for different shooting challenges.

Photoshop author Derrick Story is giving a webcast focusing on the important features in Photoshop CS4 for photographers. Taking place on Tuesday, December 16 at 10:30 a.m. PST, Story will demonstrate how to use Adobe Photoshop effectively for post production and also host an online Q&A forum. Those who attend the Webcast will receive 45 days complimentary access to The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers on Safari Books Online and the first 10 registrants to attend will receive an autographed copy of the printed book.

Leica have released a new firmware update, 2.002, for the M8 and M8.2 cameras. It adds detection of 6-bit coding for new M lenses and fixes a number of bugs.

Website: Leica M8 Firmware Update 2.002

The latest version of SilverFast adds improved support for Canon scanners. Version 6.6.0r4 offers a significant quality boost while delivering much faster scans. SilverFast Multi-Exposure increases dynamic range of Canon scanners significantly, and this new release dramatically reduces the effective time for scans with dust and scratch removal function.