Microsoft PhotoSynth is a new, free service that transforms regular digital photos into a three-dimensional, 360-degree experience. With Photosynth, you can look up or down, pan from left to right, zoom in, or pull back to reveal the full sense of where you were. PhotoSynth was first unveiled by Microsoft 2 years ago, and has now been officially launched.

LightZone 3.6 adds RAW support for 13 more cameras. New models include the Canon 1000D, Nikon D700, Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-520. The Full version of LightZone is priced at $199.95, and the Basic version $129.95. Light Crafts have also joined the QuarkAlliance Partner Program.

Fine Art Printing: From Digital Camera to Print is a new DVD series from Luminous Landscape’s Michael Reichmann and Jeff Schewe. The Calumet DVD provides a detailed, conversational review of every step, from importing images onto your computer to a framed print. “We’re pleased to be a part of the Calumet Imagemaker DVD Series,” said Michael Reichmann, publisher and primary author of the Luminous Landscape website. “Calumet Photographic and Luminous Landscape are all about empowering the world of image makers.”

A recent InfoTrends study has revealed that moms tend to take, print, and share more photos than the general population. Mothers with children under age 12 reported taking 35% more digital camera photos. The survey also revealed that moms are less likely than other consumers to print at home, and significantly more likely to use retail methods including online net-to-retail and net-to-mail options. “Moms represent a very active consumer segment in the digital imaging space. There are significant differences in their digital imaging habits when compared to other consumers” commented Mette Eriksen, Director of InfoTrends’ Digital Photography Service.

DCResource have reviewed the new Kodak Z1085 IS Zoom Digital Camera, a high performance, 10-megapixel, 5x optical zoom camera with optical image stabilization.

“The Kodak EasyShare Z1085 is an inexpensive camera that offers a 5X zoom, optical image stabilization, and an easy-to-use interface, all in a fairly compact body. It also offers a high definition movie mode, which is impressive given the price of the camera. Unfortunately, the Z1085 has a host of flaws, including heavy noise reduction and redeye in photos, poor low light focusing, and below average battery life.”

Website: DCResource - Kodak Z1085 IS Review

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 is the latest top-of-the-range addition to Sony’s extensive line-up of W-series digital cameras. The W300 boasts a headline grabbing 13.6 megapixel resolution, scratch-resistant titanium coating and Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with stabilized, 3x optical zoom. On the back there’s a large 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen with 230,000 dots, and the DSC-W300 has a range of automatic modes to make life easier, including Smile Shutter, improved Face Detection, D-Range Optimiser and Intelligent Scene Recognition. Finally, there’s a HD Output connection that’s compatible with a PhotoTV HD BRAVIA television, great for showing off your winning shots. The Sony W300 is currently available for around £250 / $350.

Website: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 Review

The Olympus FE-370 is a new 8 megapixel digital camera with a 5x optical zoom. The FE370 also offers a metal body, 2.7” LCD display, Advanced Face Detection and Dual Image Stabilisation. Intelligent Auto Mode can automatically detect a range of common shooting scenes and then adjust settings accordingly. Photos can be stored to xD-Picture Card or – thanks to a bundled attachment – on microSD Card. The Olympus FE-370 will be available in September for £179.99 / $199.99.

The Olympus FE-360 is a new 8 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom. The FE360 also offers a metal body, 2.5” LCD display, Face Detection and Digital Image Stabilisation. Photos can be stored to xD-Picture Card or – thanks to a bundled attachment – on microSD Card. The Olympus FE-360 will be available in September for £129.99 / $149.99.

The Casio EX-Z300 is a new 10.1 megapixel digital camera complete with make-up mode. The Casio Z300 boasts 10.1 megapixels and offers new functions to the EXILIM camera range. The make-up mode airbrushes your photographs, removing even the smallest of blemishes giving you that look to make you the envy of all your friends. The Z300 also has a Movie Button, which lets users record H.264 movies at the touch of a button. The EXZ300 offers significant enhancements in function and performance whilst continuing to focus on style and design. A new body shape keeps height to a minimum and exudes a sense of premium design quality. The Casio EX-Z300 is available in three sleek colours; black, silver and gold, and costs £229.99 in the UK and $299.99 in the US.

The new Casio EX-Z250 is a fun 9.1 megapixel digital camera packed full of features. With a new night view function, the Casio Z250 automatically adjusts in the dark. The Z250 also has a highly visible Super Clear LCD as well as Casio’s Auto Best Shot scene recognition function that automatically chooses an appropriate shooting mode. The Casio Z250 also has a Movie Button, which lets users record H.264 movies at the touch of a button. The EXZ250 offers significant enhancements in function and performance whilst continuing to focus on style and design. A new body shape keeps height to a minimum and exudes a sense of premium design quality. The Casio EX-Z250 is available in six vibrant colours; silver, black, gold, pink, red and blue, and costs £199.99 in the UK and $249.99 in the US.

The Casio EX-Z85 is a new, small 9.1 megapixel digital camera with a smart design. The EX-Z85’s ultra-compact design offers the functionality needed to easily take great photos and shoot movies. The Z85 offers significant enhancements in function and performance whilst continuing to focus on style and design. A new body shape keeps height to a minimum and exudes a sense of premium design quality. The EXZ85 features the Auto Shutter function, which enables users to take their picture just at the moment of a lovely smile or when hand shake ceases as the camera automatically detects the right moment to take a photo. The Casio Z85 also has a Movie Button, which lets users record H.264 movies at the touch of a button. The Casio EX-Z85 is available in six colors; pale pink, vivid pink, green, blue, black, orange, brown and silver, and costs £149.99 in the UK and $179.99 in the US.

The Casio EX-Z19 is a new user-friendly 9.3 megapixel digital camera. The Z19 offers significant enhancements in function and performance whilst continuing to focus on style and design. A new body shape keeps height to a minimum and exudes a sense of premium design quality. The EXZ19 makes it simple to take your favourite shots and movies, so you never miss that perfect moment. It features the Auto Shutter function, which enables users to take their picture just at the moment of a lovely smile or when hand shake ceases as the camera automatically detects the right moment to take a photo. The Casio Z19 also has a Movie Button, which lets users record H.264 movies at the touch of a button. The Casio EX-Z19 comes in five striking colours, very pink, light pink, green, silver and black, and costs £129.99 in the UK.

The Olympus mju 1060 is a new 10 megapixel camera with a 7x optical zoom lens (37-260mm). The Olympus 1060 also offers a 3 inch LCD screen, Dual Image Stabilisation to eliminate blur, metal body, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment and new Intelligent Auto mode, and is compatible with both xD-Picture and microSD cards. The Olympus mju 1060 will be available in September 2008 in Starry Silver, Midnight Black or Cyan Green for £259.99.

Canon has just shipped its 100 millionth digital compact camera. Beginning with the PowerShot 600 in 1996, Canon has delivered a total of 106 models Compact digital camera models. “We are delighted to reach such a landmark number in camera production,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging, Europe. “Canon pledges to continue searching for new technologies, and new designs, that let everyone capture their most precious moments.” To mark this milestone, a special colour variation model will be launched in the near future.

Datacolor is extending its £40-off trade-in campaign for old calibrators until 28th September. The offer applies to any older device in return for a £40 discount on a Spyder3. Visitors to Photokina will also be able to upgrade to a new, discounted Spyder3 simply by handing over their old device on the Datacolor stand.

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Canon EOS Rebel XS, a new entry-level, 10 megapixel DSLR camera with Live View mode.

“The Rebel XS has the ability to produce beautiful photos, right out of the box. The vast majority of our outdoor photos showed excellent exposure, nice image sharpness (using standard Picture Style), and pleasing color saturation. The included Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom is a great starter lens, offering about 3x magnification. While using this combo, I saw very little edge softness and only very moderate barrel distortion. I also found that there were no traces of purple fringing (aka Chromatic Aberrations) in any of our samples.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon EOS Rebel XS Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS Rebel XS Review

Adobe have been aggressively developing Lightroom, their digital photography workflow software, since it was first announced back in January 2006. Version 2 features a host of notable improvements - dual-monitor support, non-destructive localised image correction, streamlined search capabilities, support for 64-bit operating systems, and a number of other additions. Lightroom 2 is priced at £175 / $299 for new users, with an upgrade price of £69 / $99. Jon Canfield takes a look to see if Lightroom 2 is the best one-stop photography solution yet…

Website: Lightroom 2 Review

The Epson Stylus SX600FW is a new high-speed printer, scanner, copier with fax and Wi-Fi functionality. The SX600 FW also features an automatic document feeder, 6.3cm LCD screen and individual DURABrite ink cartridges that are water, smudge and fade resistant. The Epson Stylus SX600FW will be available 1st September 2008 for £149.99.

The new Epson Stylus SX100 Series is a cost-efficient all-in-one with individual inks. The SX 100 uses Epson DURABrite Ultra Ink which provides high-quality documents and lab-quality photos, with individual ink cartridges costing from £5.99 each. It can automatically adjust colour and contrast and remove red-eye from photos. The Epson Stylus SX100 Series will be available on 1st September 2008 for £59.99.

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot H50, a new 15x ultra-zoom digital camera.

“The image quality from our outdoor images are good. The exposures and colors are excellent. The images were crisp with hardly any edge softness, but the one thing that stands out is the chromatic aberrations in almost all of our outdoor shots. The 15x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) has a 35mm equivalent of 31-465mm. This gives you versatility that is almost impossible to find on any other camera. The wide end of the zoom is great for shooting landscape and portrait photography, while the telephoto end is excellent for bringing distant objects extremely close.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony Cyber-shot H50 Review

Website:  Read our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 Review