The new CanoScan 5600F, LiDE200 and LiDE100 scanners provide an easy-to-use and affordable way to archive photos. The new Auto Scan Mode has been included on all 3 models, which reduces the scanning process from eight steps down to two. Dual Color Gamut Processing Technology matches the color tones between the original and scanned images for a more accurate reproduction. The CanoScan 5600F can scan up to six frames of a 35mm filmstrip or four 35mm slides at a maximum optical resolution of 4800 x 9600 dots-per-inch, and costs $149.99. The CanoScan LiDE 200 has a maximum optical resolution of 4800 x 4800 dpi while the CanoScan LiDE 100 has a maximum optical resolution of 2400 x 4800 dpi. They cost $89.99 and $59.99 respectively.

Kingston is now shipping a 32GB Elite Pro SDHC Flash memory card. The 32GB Elite Pro SDHC card can store more than 6,000 still images (with a 10 megapixel camera). The 32GB SDHC card has a suggested price of $308.00. Kingston’s line of SDHC memory cards are backed by a lifetime warranty and 24/7 live technical support.

The Lenovo ThinkPad W700 is the first laptop to feature a built-in graphics tablet and color calibrator. The Lenovo W700 can display up to the 72 percent wide color gamut of the Adobe RGB colour-space and offers a 7-in-1 multicard reader and five USB ports. It can be configured with up to 8 GB of memory with an additional 2 GB of Intel Turbo Memory, which should help keep Photoshop happy. The ThinkPad W700 mobile workstation will be available beginning in September with models starting at $2,978.

ContrastMaster is a new plugin for contrast enhancement, dramatic contrast looks, photorealistic paintings and HDR-like effects. ContrastMaster offers three local and four global contrast adjustment methods as well as various masking, saturation and brightness options. It offers more options for fine-tuning and controlling image contrast than any other tool. Additionally, the Adaptive Contrast method is not available in any other software. ContrastMaster is available now for Windows, priced at $69.95. A Macintosh version is planned for the end of the year.

Shutterfly Share Sites is a new service that combines the best of photo sites, blogs, and social networking. Within minutes, customers can create a professional-looking website and add photos, share photo books, write journal entries and post comments. Shutterfly customers have created more than 55,000 individual Share Sites since the beta test was opened earlier this summer.

The BP935 and the BP1500 are two new camera backpacks from Calumet. They feature innovative materials and construction techniques that allow rapid access to and and maximum protection for your digital SLR camera system and laptop computer. The BP935 and the BP1500 are built with a durable exterior of 100-percent ballistic pattern nylon and offer a fully adjustable suspension system. The Calumet BP935 costs $169.99 and the Calumet BP1500 $199.99, both with a limited 10-year warranty.

The new LED8 Macro Ring Light from Marumi has been specifically designed for macro photography. It’s ideal for use with compact cameras, with eight LEDs that position in front of the lens using a flexible cord, providing shadow-free illumination. Paul Kench, Kenro’s Managing Director says “At such a low price point, this is a cost-effective and flexible way to light your close-up images, allowing you to take full advantage of the closest focus setting on your camera.” The LED8 Macro Ring Light is available now in the UK for £65.80.

Gitzo have launched a new series of backpacks, bags and tripod straps. The new Gitzo range includes a Gitzo Traveler Back Pack and Traveler Bag designed specifically to carry your Traveler tripod, the Gitzo Tripod Strap, and two Gitzo Holster models is dedicated to carrying your Gitzo tripod and monopods. Prices start at £19.95 for the Gitzo GC5330 monopod holster, up to £64.95 for the Gitzo GC2240T traveler back pack.

The Benro B Series Ball Head has been redesigned to incorporate real damper adjustment and greater locking force whilst improving the smoothness of operation. The B-Series ball heads also incorporate a new design of adjustment knobs that feature graduated torque with a visible reference for simple re-setting. There is also a new, improved universal quick release clamp that is now capable of taking all Arca-Swiss style plates as well as the older Benro style quick release plates. To compliment the new range of heads, Benro have also announced a series of Camera/Lens plates. The Benro B-Series Ball Heads and PU-Series quick release plates are available in the UK from The Wildlife Studio. Prices start from £13.99 for the plates, while the ball heads start at £45.

Leica owners can now submit their best photos to the London Fotografie International (LFI) gallery. Images taken with a LEICA M8, C-Lux, or D-Lux camera can be submitted, and the best submissions will be chosen by a jury and exhibited on the website. Photographers of entries that are of particular interest to the jury will be contacted personally by Leica to discuss photographic opportunities in the future. To submit entries or to view images online, visit http://www.lfi-online.de

The Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD is the first ever Fujifilm camera to feature High Definition movies and still photos. The S2000HD shoots movies at 1280 x 720 pixels and wide screen stills at 1920 x 1080 pixels. You can then connect the Fujifilm S2000HD to a HD TV using the supplied remote control and cable. Other features include 15x optical zoom lens (27.6 - 414mm), 10 megapixel sensor, 2.7 inch LCD and electronic viewfinder. The FinePix S2000HD will be available from September 2008 for $299.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix F60fd is an updated version of the 12 megapixel F50fd. Featuring the same megapixel count,Super CCD sensor and 3x zoom lens, the new Fujifilm F60fd adds a larger 3 inch LCD screen, upgraded Face Detection system which can recognise faces at more extreme angles, and a new Scene Recognition-AUTO mode. The FinePix F60fd will be available from September 2008 for $299.95.

The J150W, J120, J110W, J100 are four new additions to Fujifilm’s range of high quality J series compacts. Each of the new models has a 10 megapixel sensor and 5x optical lens, but varies the LCD size and focal range. The J100 and J110W have a 2.7” LCD screen and the FinePix J150W and J120 offer a bigger 3” LCD screen. The J110W and J150W offer a focal range of 28mm-140mm, whilst the FinePix J100 and J120 are extended to 175mm. In the UK, the Fujifilm J100, J110W, J120, J150W will be available from September, pricing to be announced. In the US, only the J150W is being released, priced at $199.95.

The Nikon Coolpix P6000 is a new 13.5 megapixel compact camera with built-in GPS and RAW support. Successor to the P5100 and Nikon’s latest attempt at a “serious” compact, the P6000 also features a 4x wide-angle zoom lens (28-112 mm), built-in Ethernet connector and a 2.7 inch LCD screen. Mark Pekelharing, Product Manager Consumer Products at Nikon Europe B.V: “This new compact camera sets new standards for the compact camera market. Nikon is known for introducing advanced features in both its D-SLR and compact cameras. With the introduction of this GPS model, Nikon once again proves to be at the forefront of technology. The high-quality materials and feature list otherwise only found in high-end cameras will appeal to the discerning user.” The Nikon Coolpix P6000 will be available in mid-September for €499 / £429.99 / $499.95.

The Nikon Coolpix S60 is a 10 megapixel compact camera with a 3.5-inch wide-screen LCD monitor with unique touch-panel control. The S60 also offers a 5x zoom lens with Vibration Reduction capability, Scene Auto Selector, enhanced Face Recognition, Smile Timer with blink detection, time-lapse movies, in-camera retouch and HDMi output. Mark Pekelharing, Product Manager Consumer Products at Nikon Europe B.V: “The COOLPIX S60 is the perfect marriage between technology and style. Nikon has introduced a host of features to make this camera easy to use and packed it with superb innovations derived from our professional D-SLR line for optimal imaging. We are confident that the numerous colour options will appeal to those looking for the combination of quality and good looks in a single package.” The Nikon Coolpix S60 will be available at the end of September 2008 for €349 / £299.99 / $349.95.

The Nikon S710, S610C, S610 and S560 are four new additions to the now extensive Coolpix range of compact camera. The S710 offers 14.5 megapixels, 12 fps shooting, 3.6x optical zoom and a sensitivity range up to ISO 12800. The S610 and S610C feature the world’s fastest start-up time in their class, 10 megapixel sensors and a 4x wide-angle zoom (the S610C also offers wireless LAN connectivity). The S560 is the world’s smallest camera in its class, with 10 megapixels, a 5x zoom lens and advanced features such as Smile Mode. The Nikon The S710 will cost €329 / £299.99 / $379.95, available mid-September. The Nikon S610C and S610 will cost €319 / £249.99 / $329.95 and €299 / £249.99 / $279.95 respectively and be available in September. The Nikon S560 will retail for €249 / £179.99 / $249.95, available at the end of August.

The Sony Cyber-shot T700 and T77 are two new digital cameras with “intelligent” shooting functions. The 10 megapixel Sony T77 camera is Sony’s thinnest model at less than 5/8 of an inch with a 3-inch, 16 x 9 touch panel LCD screen. The Sony T700 has all the features of the T77 plus 4GB of internal memory and a larger 3.5-inch, wide touch panel Xtra Fine LCD. Both models feature intelligent scene recognition technology, Smile Shutter and face detection with child and adult priority, high sensitivity shooting (up to ISO 3200), eleven scene modes, and in-camera image management. “Sony is taking the lead in developing “intelligent” cameras so that taking great pictures is an automatic function and not a complicated process,” said Phil Lubell, director of digital camera marketing at Sony Electronics. “This is part of our effort to enhance the camera experience for customers by offering new functionality.” The Sony Cyber-shot T77 camera replaces the T70 model and will be available in brown, green, pink, black and silver in late September for about $300. The new Sony Cyber-shot T700 cameras ships at the same time in red, champagne gold, pink, dark gray and silver for about $400.

NewerTech miniStack v2.5 is a powered hub storage solution that’s ideal for data intensive uses such as digital photography. miniStack v2.5 uses the latest generation Oxford 934 bridge chipset, a 7200RPM Serial ATA (SATA) drive, up to 1.0TB of storage capacity, and up to 32MB of disk cache to quickly store and retrieve up to 1 million JPEG photos. It also functions as a centralized desktop hub for connecting multiple digital devices, such as scanners, printers, memory card readers, and digital cameras. NewerTech miniStack v2.5 is available immediately in seven pre-configured models priced starting at $104.99.

Sigma have released a new firmware update, v1.08, for the Sigma SD14 DSLR camera. Improvements include:

  1. Corrects the occasional phenomenon of an image recorded in RAW format appearing to have an unnaturally large file size.
  2. Corrects the rarely occurring error of camera freeze and image recording failure when shooting continuously or if the shutter button is pressed when the CF Card Busy Light is blinking.
  3. When Bulb Mode is used Sigma Photo Pro now displays the actual shutter speed used in the exposure rather than just showing the word “Bulb”.

Website: Sigma SD14 v1.08 Firmware Update

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Olympus mju 1030 SW, a 10 megapixel shock and waterproof digital camera.

“Before I launch into the ups and downs of the Olympus 1030SW’s image quality, let’s get one thing straight: if you’re looking for the ultimate in image quality, you’re not going to find it here. However, depending in the images, you should be able to make prints up to 8x10 inches that will look fine hanging on the wall or sitting on the coffee table in a frame. Just don’t look too closely.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Olympus mju 1030 SW Review

Website: Read our Olympus Mju 1030 SW Review