The HP Designjet Z3200 expands HP’s professional printing portfolio for photographers. The Z3200 features new HP 73 Chromatic Red ink, which enables up to 95 percent Pantone coverage. Using the HP Quad-Black Ink set. the HP Z3200 produces high-quality prints with smooth transitions and true neutral grays. New to the Z series family, the HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer offers an enhanced HP Color Center tool that enables users to easily perform calibration and profiling tasks. Users can easily generate custom ICC profiles in-house under specific environmental conditions and create paper presets for easy sharing and importing to other HP Designjet Z3200 Photo printers. The HP Designjet Z3200 24-inch model will cost $3,395 and $5,595 for the 44-inch model. Both models are expected to be available in October 2008.

The HP Photosmart B8550 is a complete home printing solution producing large-format prints while still maintaining the versatility of an everyday home printer. The 5-ink B8550 can print in a wide range of sizes from 4 x 6-inches to 13 x 19-inches, producing laser-quality pigment ink black text and lab-quality photos. The HP Photosmart B8550 Photo Printer’s long-lasting, dual-drop-volume print head is comprised of 55 percent recycled plastic. The HP Photosmart B8550 costs $299.99 and is available now.

The HP Scanjet G3110 is a new photo scanner for creating high quality scans of photos, slides, negatives, documents and 3-D objects. The G3110 boasts 4800 x 9600 dpi and 48-bit color resolution scanning for optimum image quality. HP’s scanning technology allows users to enhance images by restoring faded colors, correcting flaws caused by dust particles and scratches, and removing red-eye from scanned images. The HP Scanjet G3110 costs $99 and is available now.

SanDisk have unveiled a 16GB Extreme IV high-performance memory card at Photokina, and also have boosted the speed of the entire Extreme IV range up to 45 megabytes per second. SanDisk Extreme IV CF cards have undergone internal testing with many leading manufacturers’ cameras and DSLRs, such as Canon’s EOS series, Nikon’s D300 and D3 cameras, the Sony Alpha A700, and the Olympus E500 and E3 cameras. Depending on the camera used, the increased performance of the SanDisk Extreme IV memory card line may help reduce the delay between shots, enabling photographers to take more photos overall. The 16GB SanDisk Extreme IV CompactFlash memory card is available now for $399.99 in the United States and €281 in Europe.

Geotate and SiGe Semiconductor are working on a GPS solution to bring photo geotagging to low-cost, mass-market digital cameras. The collaboration initially combines Geotate’s unique Yuma and Kato geotagging software with SiGe’s award winning front end SE4120 GPS radio chip. “This partnership provides an opportunity for the 150 million consumer cameras sold each year to automatically geotag images,” commented Geotate vice president sales and marketing Mark Terry.  “While there is a growing body of evidence that geotagging solution will help differentiate mainstream digital camera devices and accelerate sales, the cost of this solution raises the possibility that geotagging can become more than this.” The combined Geotate/SiGe GPS solution will be available in Q4 2008.

The Sigma SD15 is a new 14 megapixel DSLR camera. Using the same 14 megapixel Foveon X3, APS-C sized sensor as the SD14, DP1 and new DP2, the Sigma SD15 incorporates the “TRUE II” new image processing engine, a large 3.0 inch LCD monitor and improved processing and operational speed. The SD15 is still very early in development, being shown at Photokina as a non-working prototype under glass. Sigma are giving very little away about the SD15, but Sigma UK’s Paul Reynolds confirmed that it will use SD Cards instead of Compact Flash (as on the previous SD14 model), and that it would be launched in Spring 2009.

Update: We have a gallery of photos of the Sigma SD15 - click the continue link below…

Pretec has unveiled 64GB and 100GB, 233X Compact Flash cards, the highest capacity CF cards in the world. Not satisfied with having the largest cards, Pretec have also announced the fastest - super high speed 333X 32GB and 50GB CF cards capable of running up to 50 MB per second of Read/Write speed. Pretec 64GB CF cards can be configured or reused to make a 256GB SATA, the highest capacity 2.5” SSD, by using Pretec Q-SATA, a patent-pending technology of flexible, scalable and modular SATA/PATA design based on up to 4 CF cards.

Fujifilm have unveiled Super CCD EXR, a new ‘three-in-one’ sensor for high resolution, high sensitivity and wide dynamic range. Fujfilm’s ultimate aim is to “produce a sensor that works as close to that of the human eye as possible.” The Super CCD EXR sensor attempts to achieve this by using a new arrangement of the mosaic colour filter, with two side-by-side, same-coloured pixels taken together as a single pixel (so-called Pixel Fusion Technology). The Super CCD EXR sensor capture two images of the same scene, one taken at high sensitivity and the other at low sensitivity, and then merges the two images to generate a photo that has excellent depth and range (Dual Capture Technology). Finally, the structure of the new Super CCD EXR exploits all the pixels in the layer beneath the new colour filter matrix and takes advantage of the optimised signal processing of the new RP processor to create an image with the highest possible resolution quality (Fine Capture Technology). The first camera with the new sensor is likely to be a “premium compact” model and be available early next year.

The Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is a new large aperture prime lens for the Four Thirds system. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focus override. It effectively becomes a 100mm medium telephoto lens on Four Thirds cameras. Price and availability of the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM for Four Thirds to be confirmed.

The Sigma 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC HSM, 180 degree circular fisheye lens is now available for Sony and Pentax APS-C DSLR cameras. When used in conjunction with digital SLRs with APS-C size image sensors, it produces a circular image within the frame.HSM ensures fast and quiet autofocusing and includes full-time manual focus. The minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm and maximum magnification of 1:6 also makes it particularly useful for close-up photography. Pricing and availability to be announced.

The Sigma 10mm F2.8 EX DC HSM diagonal fisheye lens is now available for Sony and Pentax APS-C DSLR cameras. It produces a diagonal angle of view of 180 degrees. The minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm, and maximum magnification 1:3.3 allows subjects to be as close as 1.8cm from the lens’ front element. The Sigma 10mm F2.8 EX DC HSM lens is supplied with a gelatin filter holder at the rear, allowing the use of gelatin filters. Pricing and availability to be announced.

Adobe Photoshop CS4 has just been announced, and we’ve got an in-depth review of all the key new features. Jon Canfield has been testing CS4 out for the past few weeks, putting the latest version of Adobe’s imaging powerhouse through its paces. Find out exactly what Photoshop CS4 has to offer and whether you should upgrade by reading our review.

Website: Adobe Photoshop CS4 Review

Adobe Photoshop CS4, the professional industry standard for digital imaging, has been announced this morning. Photoshop CS4 leverages the power of the latest hardware to extend imaging possibilities and offer faster, more flexible ways to accomplish core tasks like image adjustments and masks. Content?Aware Scaling adds a revolutionary technology that enables users to intelligently size and scale images with a simple drag of the mouse. New Auto?Align and Auto?Blend modes generate composites based on extended depth of field and 360 degree panoramas now with seamless tones and colors. Adobe Bridge CS4 features faster start?up performance and speedier transfer of images to Photoshop CS4. Photoshop CS4 Extended includes all the new features of Photoshop CS4 plus the ability to paint directly on 3D models and surfaces, merge 2D files onto 3D images and animate 3D objects. Estimated street price for Adobe Photoshop CS4 is £485 and £755 for Photoshop CS4 Extended.

We have an in-depth review of all the key features new to Adobe Photoshop CS4.

The Samsung HZ1 compact superzoom camera is announced today. Boasting a 10x zoom lens and compact dimensions, the Samsung HZ1 is the world’s first superzoom to offer 24mm equivalent wide angle. The lens’ physical focal length range is 4.2-42mm, which translates into 24-240mm in 35mm terms. The Samsung HZ1 offers dual image stabilisation, face detection, a traditional mode dial for quick adjustment of settings and is also capable of recording HD video at 720p. The full specifications of the HZ1 are yet to be confirmed.

We have a gallery of photographs of a non-working prototype of the new HZ1, taken today in the Samsung booth at Photokina - click the continue link to see the gallery.

The Pentax K-m is a new entry-level DSLR camera offering simplified, user-friendly operation, and an easy-to-manoeuvre compact, lightweight body. The 10 megapixel Pentax K-m (also known as the K2000) includes a built-in anti-shake system, dust-removal, Auto Picture mode and 3.5 frames per second continuous shooting speed. The Pentax K-m / K2000 will retail at £399.99 with the new smc DA-L 18-55 lens or £499.99 with the smc DA-L 18-55 and 50-200mm lenses.

Update: Click the continue link to see a gallery of pictures of the new Pentax K-m DSLR, live from the Photokina show floor.

The Pentax smc DA-L 18-55mm / smc DA-L 50-200mm are the first two lenses in Pentax’s new and ultra-lightweight smc DA-L zoom lens series. The smc Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL lens is a compact, standard zoom lens with a focal length of 27.5-84.5mm, weighing only 700 grams. The smc PENTAX-DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6ED lens is a super-compact, ultra-lightweight telephoto zoom lens with a focal length of 76.5-8307mm. In order to keep weight and price as attractive as possible, Pentax has adjusted the construction of these zoom lenses. Unlike other Pentax lens series these two lenses are equipped with synthetic bayonets and do not the Pentax Quick-Shift focal system. Initially, both new lenses will be offered only as a kit with the Pentax K-m which will be available in November 2008. The Pentax K-m / K2000 will retail at £399.99 with the new smc DA-L 18-55 lens or £499.99 with the smc DA-L 18-55 and 50-200mm lenses.

Pentax have added two high-performance interchangeable lenses to the premium DA Star series. The smc Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4ED[IF] SDM is a versatile telephoto zoom lens offering a high zoom ratio (92-383mm), while the smc Pentax-DA*55mm F1.4 SDM is a compact medium-telephoto lens offering a large maximum aperture and a focal length of 80mm. The smc PENTAX-DA* 60-250mm F4ED[IF] SDM will retail at around £899.99. Price to be confirmed on the smc PENTAX-DA*55mm F1.4 SDM Lens.

Olympus has announced that it has begun development of a Micro Four Thirds System camera. Olympus are giving away few details about their new camera, other than the dimensions, which at 4.7 x 2.5 x 1.2” (119 x 64 x 31mm) makes it much smaller than the Panasonic G1. It will also use the same Four Thirds sensor as their E-System models. Product name, launch date and retail price are to be confirmed.

Today at Photokina Olympus showed us a completely new type of camera built around the recently announced Micro FourThirds standard. The concept is that of a compact camera with electronic viewfinder and small interchangeable lenses (the Micro FourThirds mount is some 6mm smaller in diameter than the ‘regular’ FourThirds mount, making it possible for the lenses to be even smaller). This second ‘design model’ looks quite different to Panasonic’s recently announced G1 and Lumix HD offerings, both of which have the same Micro FourThirds mount, being considerably smaller at 119x62x31mm and more Point&Shoot-like in its design. Olympus say they are planning to release this model in the course of 2009, but declined to comment on what lenses are being developed to go with it. It also seems likely that the new camera could be outfitted with interchangeable external viewfinders, possibly both optical and electronic, although this is again something that remains to be confirmed.

We have a gallery of product shots of the new camera - hit the continue link below to see them…

Olympus have announced the development of a new Four Thirds E-System DSLR camera, tentatively called the Olympus E-A1. Positioned between the E-520 and E-3 as a mid-level advanced amateur model, introduction of the new E-A1 camera is expected in the first quarter of the year 2009.  It will inherit some features from the E-3 such as the high-speed AF system using 11-points-full twin cross sensor and the built-in image stabilization mechanism. Other features include a new and updated feature to replace the current splash- and dust-proof function. The developed E-A1 camera will be exhibited at Photokina.

Today at 12midday CET, Olympus unveiled a non-working prototype of a new mid-range FourThirds DSLR that will slot in between the existing E-520 and E-3 models. We have some close-up shots of the mock-up – complete with a 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 lens mounted - for you to scrutinise. The new camera will inherit some of the features of the E-3, including the fast 11-point AF system, LiveView delivered on a hinged monitor, body-integral image stabilisation and a very similar user interface. Other than hinting at changes to the weatherproofing, Olympus have not provided much information on exactly what will differentiate this product from the E-3. The planned release date is Spring 2008.

We have a gallery of product shots of the new camera - hit the continue link below to see them…

We’ve published 30 sample photos taken with the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, the World’s first Micro Four Thirds camera. Taken yesterday at Panasonic’s pre-Photokina press event, I spent the afternoon shooting with the diminutive G1 in a variety of setups, including outdoors at a park, inside the Toyota Formula One factory, and a studio setup complete with racing girls and the Toyota drivers (including Jarno Trulli). These pictures were taken with a pre-production camera (firmware version 0.4). Note that we’ve resized the sample images to VGA resolution at Panasonic’s request. Hit the continue link below to see just what the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 is capable of…

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Photos