World Exclusive! The Panasonic Lumix G HD camera has been unveiled ahead of Photokina. Shown as an advanced prototype under glass, we were among the first journalists to see the Panasonic G HD, identical to the G1 except for added video capability. A small Record Video button has been added to the rear grip of the Lumix G HD, and a large mic/speaker on top of the camera. No specific details were given about the particular High Definition mode that will be employed. The Panasonic Lumix G HD will be launched in Spring 2009. Click the continue link to see a gallery of pictures of the hot-off-the-press Panasonic Lumix G HD.

Update: We’ve now added in-hand photos of the three prototype lenses planned for release sometime in 2009 - the 20mm pancake, 7-14mm wide-angle, and 14-140mm telephoto. Seeing these tiny lenses in the flesh, especially the 20mm pancake, really shows what the Micro Four Thirds system is capable of.

The AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G is a new Nikon standard prime lens. Helping to celebrate 75 years and 45 million lenses, the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 includes an ultra-compact Silent Wave Motor to ensure fast, whisper-quiet operation, ultra-fast f/1.4 maximum aperture and the ability to focus as close as 1.5 feet. The Silent Wave Motor also enables autofocus in cameras without a built-in motor such as the Nikon D40 and Nikon D60. The AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G lens will be available at the beginning of December 2008 for $439.95 / £279.99 / €383.00.

iLovePhotos has announced the official release of its public beta. iLovePhotos is free desktop software for Macs that uses facial detection, visual tagging, automated sharing, and intelligent slide show technology to manage your digital photos. Alongside the launch of its public beta, iLovePhotos has also introduced a new Flash-based version of its Mac application. Users can access the online software from any Mac or PC without downloading any software.

Leica have released a new firmware update, v2.000, for the M8 camera. It adds support for SDHC cards up to 32GB capacity, and a new “AUTO-ISO” function with setting options for maximum ISO values and the slowest shutter speed.

Website: Leica M8 Firmware Update v2.000

Delkin have expanded the versatility of their sensor cleaning product line by offering new SensorSafe Wands in three sizes. In addition, the Delkin SensorVac is improved with an ergonomic design and more powerful suction. “Photographers have a financial investment in their digital SLRs, and an emotional investment in the images they produce,” said Martin Wood, Delkin’s CEO.  “The SensorScope System enables photographers to maintain the quality of both those investments.” The SensorScope System is the only complete sensor cleaning kit on the market to clean all types of dry and wet sensor contaminants for digital SLR camera sensors.

Adobe have just released Photoshop Lightroom 2.1. This release candidate version for Mac and PC adds support for 4 digital cameras, including the Nikon D700 and Nikon D90, and fixes quite a lot of bugs.

Website: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.1

The GE A1030 is a new addition to General Imaging’s A-series camera range. The A1030 features face detection, blink and smile detection, image stabilisation, in-camera panoramic stitching, MPEG4 movie with sound and red-eye removal, as well as 14 different scene modes. The slim-styled 10 megapixel A1030 has a 2.5 inch LCD screen, 3 x optical zoom and is powered by AA batteries. The GE A1030 will be available in silver, black and red, price and release date to be confirmed.

The new GE E1055W camera offers 10 megapixels, wide-angle 5x zoom lens and a 3-inch LCD screen. Advanced features include face, blink and smile detection, in-camera panoramic stitching, image stabilisation, red-eye removal and a movie recording capability. The 22.5mm slim, lightweight aluminium body and sleek, stylish and intuitive design ensure the camera is attractive, practical and easy to carry. The GE E1055W will be available in silver, black and red, price and release date to be confirmed.

The Minox DC 1033 is a new 10 megapixel digital camera with 5x zoom lens. Small on the outside at 94 x 55 x 24mm, the DC1033 also offers a 2.7-inch LCD screen and 1/2.3“ CCD image sensor in its silver-anodized aluminum body. The new MINOX DC 1033 will be available in the UK for £199.00.

The Minox DCC Leica M3 retro digital camera is soon to be available in gold. The new gold edition of the 5 megapixel Minox Leica M3 has a striking design of black and gold, with the camera packed and presented in a quality dark, satin-lined wooden box with brass hinges. Just like the silver edition, the gold version looks just like the original full size Leica M 3. The Minox DCC Leica M3 will cost £319 in the UK.

The BenQ E1050 is the world’s slimmest camera with a 3-inch LCD screen. With a thickness of only 16.8mm, the 10 megapixel E1050 boasts a large 3-inch LCD screen, 3x optical zoom lens, and ISO 3200. Additionally, BenQ E1050 comes with in-camera “Red-Eye Remover” function and 32 shooting modes which range from standard auto and video to more customized settings such as “Museum,” “Party,” “Beach” and “Fireworks”. Price and availability of the BenQ E1050 to be announced.

Lexar have released the 2Gb Shoot-n-Sync Wi-Fi memory card, a rebranded version of Eye-Fi’s Share card. As an Eye-Fi Connected product, the Lexar Shoot-n-Sync Wi-Fi memory card features Eye-Fi technology and connects to Eye-Fi’s web service to wirelessly and automatically upload photos from a digital camera to the web and to a computer. Compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, the 2GB Lexar Shoot-n-Sync Wi-Fi memory card will ship in October, price to be announced.

DSLR photography, printing and imaging is the focus of an eight-day workshop cruise in the Southern Caribbean. Taking place from March 29 -April 6, 2009, this eight-day workshop cruise is limited to 20 attendees who will participate in lectures, hands-on demonstrations and critiquing sessions by four photo professionals. Each enrollee will also receive up to $1,000 in hardware and software. All-inclusive costs begin at $2,332, with non-attendee companions paying less than half.

Wacom has unleashed a range of software tools designed to enhance the Bamboo consumer pen tablet. Bamboo Scribe is a handwriting recognition application that converts handwritten notes into digital text. Bamboo Link is a new type of search tool, and Bamboo Space is for collecting and sharing ideas.Bamboo Dock acts as a gateway to the new applications as well as an increasing set of Bamboo Minis, small applications offering a variety of solutions. Bamboo Minis, Bamboo Dock and Bamboo Space are available to download now. From 16th September 2008, Bamboo Link and Bamboo Scribe will be included in all products of the Bamboo range.

SanDisk has rejected an unsolicited takeover attempt by Samsung. Bidding to acquire SanDisk for $26 per share in cash, Samsung’s approach values the company at $5.8bn. Eli Harari, Chairman of the Board of SanDisk and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We believe Samsung’s proposal does not provide appropriate value to our stockholders and is opportunistically timed at the trough of an industry-wide downturn. In our view, this proposal fails to recognize the value of our patent portfolio, in particular to Samsung, our significant investments in our strategic partnerships, and our technology leadership in 3 and 4 bits per cell flash memory, advanced controllers and three dimensional (3D) semiconductor memory.

Hoya, owner of Pentax, is to move production of its digital cameras from Japan to Vietnam and the Philippines. According to the Bloomberg report, output will be moved by March 31st 2009, with 250 workers in Japan being offered early retirement. The relocation will cost Hoya several million Yen. No distinction has been made between compacts and DSLRs, so we’re unsure if this affects both categories.

Website: Bloomberg - Hoya Will Move Digital-Camera Output to Philippines, Vietnam

PhotoReview have reviewed the Nikon D90, the world’s first DSLR camera that shoots High Definition video.

“However, the D90’s video system is not perfect. Since video can only be recorded in Live View mode, you’re stuck with the restrictions that implies (see below). The sound is recorded monaurally and the video format is AVI which, although it’s compatible with most editing applications, consumes a huge amount of memory (roughly 400MB per minute). In our tests, a 24-second clip recorded in 1280 x 720 HD mode at 176 kbps was 42.7MB in size.”

Website: PhotoReview - Nikon D90 Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500, a new 10 megapixel camera with 5x, 25mm wide-angle lens.

“A fun camera with a few overkill features, the Panasonic FX500 captures very good color and detail marred only by a tendency to over-optimize flat color, and a tendency for noise even at the lowest ISO setting. You’ll use the touch screen only when you have to, I think, but you’ll appreciate the build quality and 5x zoom whenever you use the Panasonic FX500.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 Review

Website: Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 Review

Printerville have reviewed the Epson Stylus Photo R2880, a new professional A3+ photo printer.

“The Stylus Photo R2880 is a bit of a conundrum. The steps forward Epson has made in print quality and reducing clogs are hamstrung by the continued necessity to swap black inks. If Epson had eliminated the cartridge-swapping issue with this printer, it would be a nearly perfect product; as it is, it’s a remarkable printer with one significant drawback.”

Website: Printerville - Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Review

Website: Read our Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Review

PhotoReview have reviewed the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 compact camera.

“Shots taken with the test camera contained plenty of detail and appeared sharp to the corners of the frame. The dynamic range recorded in outdoor shots was substantially wider than average for a small-sensor digicam. Colours appeared natural and saturation was well-controlled in JPEG images. Metering and autofocusing were fast and accurate across a wide range of shooting conditions and subject types, although a few focusing problems were encountered with close subjects in dim indoor lighting.”

Website: PhotoReview - Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review

Website: Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review