The BenQ DC C1060 is a new 10 megapixel camera. The C1060 features a leather hand-grip, 3x optical zoom lens, 2.7 inch LCD screen, anti-shake mode with high ISO of 3200, Smile Catch mode, P/Av/Tv/M modes and video recording with optical zoom. Price and availability of the BenQ DC C1060 to be announced.

AKVIS Sketch 8 converts photos to realistic pencil and watercolor drawings. Version 8 offers includes a Quick Preview window that saves you time when fine-tuning the settings, and adds Exif and IPTC data support. AKVIS Sketch 8 is available as a stand-alone application, as well as a plugin to a photo editor. AKVIS Sketch 8 Home License costs $72 USD / 55 Euros.

Casio have released a new firmware update, version 1.01, for the EX-FH20 camera, which has a continuous shooting rate of up to 40fps and records movies at 1000fps. Firmware 1.01 offers improved performance for memory card storage when shooting movies (Class 6 equivalent transfer speed memory card recommended.)

Website: Casio EX-FH20 Firmware Update 1.01

We’ve just published sample photos and videos taken with the brand new Nikon D90 DSLR camera. The Nikon D90 is the world’s first DSLR camera that can also shoot High Definition video. There are 30 full-sized JPEGs, 6 RAWs and 2 videos for you to download. Our full Nikon D90 review is also now available.

Website: Nikon D90 Photos

XDepth Raw is a new file format that functions as both a JPEG and a RAW image. XDepth Raw images are recognized as JPEGs by any software application, but when they’re opened with XDepth-enabled software, the same files are opened as RAW images instead. XDepth Raw claims a 7:1 compression ratio compared to the uncompressed Raw file, which translates into 200Kb for each megapixel of resolution. This new file format can also store up to 72bits/pixel at full high dynamic range. XDepth Raw will make its official debut at the PDN PhotoPlus expo at the end of October.

Olympus are offering up to £100 off a selection of Four Thirds digital SLR lenses. Ten lenses and a teleconverter are included in this cash back offer, which runs from 1 October 2008 until 31 January 2009. You have to register and send a copy of the purchase receipt and original box barcode to Olympus by 28 February 2009 to receive the cash back via bank transfer.

Calumet has unveiled a new range of new line of supersized digital photo frames. Available in three sizes, 8.4 inches, 10.4 inches and 15 inches, the Calumet digital photo frames are easy to set up, offer remote control operation, and can be placed on a flat surface or hung on a wall. The Calumet Digital Photo Frames retail for $109.99, $179.99 and $279.99. The line of optional interchangeable frames retails from $9.99 to $16.99.

Bob Dylan by Jerry Schatzberg is a new photo exhibition opening at the Proud Central gallery in November. Schatzberg says of Dylan, The collection will be premiering exclusively at Proud Central in London and will be the only opportunity to view this selection of images. “As a photographic subject, Dylan was the best. You just point the camera at him and things happen.” The Bob Dylan by Jerry Schatzberg exhibition runs from 21st November 2008 to 25th January 2009 and entry is free.

The Canon PowerShot SX110 IS is a new ultra-zoom camera with a 10x, 36-360mm, image stabilised lens. Replacing the previous SX100 model, the Canon SX110 IS increases the megapixel count from 8 to 9, LCD size from 2.5 to 3 inches, incorporates a more compact and lightweight body, and adds an Easy shooting mode aimed at complete beginners. The Canon PowerShot SX110 IS also has a more attractive price tag, costing substantially less than its predecessor at £239 / $299.99 / 309.99 Euros. Read our latest in-depth review to find out if the Canon SX110 IS is the right camera for you.

Website: Canon PowerShot SX110 IS Review

The Urban Disguise 35 is a new shoulder bag from Think Tank Photo. Intentionally designed not to look like a camera bag, it can hold up to a 13.3” laptop with a standard-size DSLR or a 10” laptop with a Pro-size DSLR with lens attached. “Whether you are a professional who wishes to maintain a lower profile in potentially dangerous situations or a serious amateur who wishes to lessen the risk of having your gear ripped off, the Urban Disguise’s low profile design allows you to carry the right gear with less fear.” said Think Tank Photo founder and lead designer Doug Murdoch. Think Tank Photo is also dedicating a percentage of U.S. sales of Urban Disguise shoulder bags to Reporters Without Borders USA.

Samsung are giving away a year of 2 for 1 cinema tickets to customers who buy an NV compact camera. The free annual cinema pass provides access up to 165 cinemas across the UK, and is transferable so the whole family can take advantage of the card. This offer is valid in the UK on purchases made between 13th October and 31st December 2008.

The carbon 055CX series is the latest addition to Manfrotto’s ‘X’ range of tripods. The 055CX carbon tripod range includes three models, the CXPRO3, CXPRO4 and CX3. The PRO versions offer a choice of 3 or 4 section models, both with a tri-faceted carbon fibre central column. The standard version of the 055CX3 is available in 3 sections. The 055CX3 costs £249.95, the 055CXPRO3 £289.95, and the 055CXPRO4 £299.95.

Epson has joined forces with X-Rite to bring together two the R2880 printer and i1Display 2 calibrator in one convenient package. The i1Display 2 offers essential colour control tools, such as ambient check and match, workgroup match, and push-button calibration and validation. Once the image is ready to be printed, the Stylus Photo R2880 matches the colours with impressive accuracy. The Epson R2880 and X-Rite i1Display 2 are available now for £669.99.

The new Olympus E-520 Evolution Kit includes four lenses that cover a 33x zoom focal length range of 9-300mm. The limited edition Evolution Kit also includes the new Olympus FL-50R remote control wireless flash unit,memory cards, a swing bag and other handy accessories. The Olympus E-520 Evolution Kit will become available in limited quantities from October 2008 for £1,499.99.

The new Olympus E-420 Komachi Kit brings together the E-420 body with the ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake lens. Also included in the Komachi Kit are a hand-made leather case and strap featuring a fashionable retro design. The Olympus E420 Komachi kit is available in limited quantities and also includes a 1GB CompactFlash memory card, LCD lens protector and a lens cloth, available in October 2008 for £539.99 / $749.99.

Announced just one year after the 40D, the new EOS 50D is Canon’s latest semi-pro DSLR camera. With a price-tag just over £1200 / $1399 body only, the Canon 50D is firmly aimed at the prosumer, who will use it as their main camera, and the pro photographer looking for a reliable and relatively inexpensive backup body. The main headline-grabbing feature is the 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, which makes the 50D the market-leading APS-C camera in terms of megapixel count. Canon have also massively expanded the ISO range, with a top speed of 12800 matching the more expensive Nikon D700 / D3 cameras, while the new Digic 4 processor promises to maintain the usual high image quality that we’ve come to expect from a Canon DSLR. A high-resolution VGA LCD screen, new Live View mode with Face Detection, HDMI connectivity and a number of user interface refinements complete the list of major improvements. Is the Canon EOS 50D a worthy upgrade to the 40D and a real competitor to its closest rival, the Nikon D300? Mark Goldstein found out…

Website: Canon EOS 50D Review

Version 1.9 of BreezeBrowser Pro adds RAW support for the Nikon D700, Nikon D60 and Canon EOS 1000D/Rebel XS camera, and extends GPS data support. BreezeBrowser Pro 1.9 allows you to geo-tag batches of raw or JPEG images with latitude, longitude and altitude data from a GPS receiver. It can also pinpoint geo-tagged images using online map services. Downloader Pro v2.2 includes the ability to geo-tag images and lookup place names as photographs are downloaded from the camera. BreezeBrowser Pro is available for US $69.95 or US $89.90 when purchased as a bundle with Downloader Pro.

The WPPI 2009 photography show takes place in Las Vegas from February 14th-19th. Aimed at wedding and portrait photographers, WPPI 2009 will be held in 600,000 sq ft of classroom and exhibition space at the MGM Grand Hotel & Conference Center. Centered around the theme “A World of Photo,” the WPPI `09 program features 350 leading manufacturers and exhibitors as well as photography training. “WPPI offers innovative ways to expand your business with the skills you need to compete in today’s challenging market along with skills to enhance your productivity. With almost 350 tradeshow exhibitors, and over 130 educational classes you can’t afford to miss WPPI ‘09,” states Rangefinder Publishing President, Skip Cohen.

Bogen Imaging is holding a free webinar about taking successful product shots. Lastolite product managers will share tips on how to use the Cubelite, a quick portable lighting system, in order to get the most out of a product photo shoot. You will learn the importance of positioning and lighting and how to effortlessly produce high-quality, professional-looking product images. The course will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m EDT, on Friday, October 3rd.

Abbyy FotoReader turns photographed text into a computer file to store or edit on the PC. FotoReader converts the image of the text in the photo into Microsoft Word, Excel, PDF and other file formats. “ABBYY FotoReader takes the evolution of the camera and the photo one step further.  Cameras and photos become devices for capturing not just images but also important texts and documents, and in doing so, become a productivity tool.” explained Jupp Stoepetie, CEO of ABBYY Europe. Abbyy FotoReader is available now for £39.99.