The winners of Mencap’s sixth annual Snap! photography awards have been announced at Proud Gallery in London. The Snap! competition showcases the talents of people with a learning disability through photographs. Alex Proud, founder of Proud Galleries, commented: “The quality and depth of work is stunning and trying to pick the winners was near impossible. In my whole life of working in photography, I don’t think any set of photos has ever made me laugh, cry, gasp or admire quite so much.”

Nikon is sponsoring Wild Wonders of Europe, a European photographic initiative to highlight the continent’s natural heritage. Wild Wonders of Europe involves more than 50 of Europe’s top photographers on some 100 assignments in over 40 countries. “Nikon has been committed to nature photographers for many years now, and many of them trust our equipment in their challenging working conditions. The work they deliver is the best evidence for the great performance of our latest generation of cameras and lenses.” commented Martina Beckmann, Manager Communications and Marketing Services at Nikon Europe.

The Kodak Theatre HD Player displays pictures, video, podcasts, music and web-based content on a HDTV. You can edit and upload images and videos to popular online content sharing sites on their HDTV from the comfort of your living room. “With the KODAK Theatre HD Player, consumers will relive the most cherished moments of their lives on their HDTV – the largest and highest quality display device in their home. Consumers will have the ability to do more than ever with their pictures, music and videos with easier and more interactive access to their personal content, as well as content from family and friends around the globe.” commented Matthew Yarrow from Kodak. Pricing and availability for the Kodak Theatre HD Player are to be confirmed. The device will roll out in stages, with a market trial commencing in September 2008.

The Kodak Zi6 is a new, pocketable 720p HD video camera. 720p high-definition video can be captured at 60 fps in the 16:9 aspect ratio, and can be quickly uploaded to YouTube using the built-in USB and software. The Kodak Zi6 is designed to operate at the touch of a button - there is no lens cap, dials to turn or settings to adjust. “Today’s connected consumers increasingly turn to video to express themselves and connect with others. The KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera satisfies their thirst for an HD video camera that is simple to use and can go anywhere life takes them,” said Matthew Yarrow of Kodak. The price and availability of the Kodak Zi6 are to be confirmed.

The Kodak W1020 / W820 wireless photo frames offer a 10-inch and 8-inch, high-resolution widescreen display. Kodak has collaborated with photo-sharing sites, Kodak Gallery and Flickr, to enable additional photo-sharing options. The Quick Touch Border allows for simple operation with a touch or slide of your finger, leaving the screen fingerprint and smudge-free. With 512MB of internal memory, the W1020 / W820 frames can store up to 4000 pictures, with tow additional memory card slots also available. Price and availability of the Kodak W1020 / W820 Wireless Digital Frames are to be confirmed.

CameraLabs have reviewed the Pentax K200D, a new 10 megapixel entry-level, compact digital SLR camera.

“So while the K200D may be missing out in some respects, it does boast by far the best build quality of any entry-level DSLR. Couple that with the upper screen and unique RAW options, along with plenty of control over processing and customisation, and you have a DSLR which really stands out from the crowd and one we can Highly Recommend. Ultimately if you want a tough DSLR with weather-proofing, but can’t stretch to a semi-pro model, then the K200D really is your only choice.”

Website: CameraLabs - Pentax K200D Review

Website: Read our Pentax K200D Review

The-Digital-Picture have reviewed the Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM, a high ratio zoom lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras.

“My experience with this lens’ autofocus accuracy has not been the best. I am getting the best results from the widest angles with hit rates deteriorating as the focal length increases. Even the relatively wide DOF (Depth of Field) delivered at this lens’ max aperture are not enough to hide the inconsistencies. Shooting at f/8 or f/11 gives me better results - better hiding any AF errors with deeper DOF. “

Website: The-Digital-Picture - Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Review

TrustedReviews have reviewed the GE G2, a budget digital camera offering 8 megapixels and a 4x optical zoom lens.

“Colours are bold and punchy and the camera does a good job of keeping sharp edges. There’s a little bit of aggressive processing and JPEG compression, which can lead to some increase in artefacts at times, but nothing too sinister and a common problem with compacts. Fringing is evident in areas of high contrast but again this is often to be expected, especially at this price point and the G2 generally maintains good control of this.”

Website: TrustedReviews - GE G2 Review

The new Kodak Easyshare Z1015 IS digital camera features a 15x, f/2.8 28mm wide-angle lens. Kodak’s Smart Capture feature identifies the scene and adjusts the camera settings accordingly, and a full range of creative exposure modes (PASM) are offered. “The versatile lens, combined with our exclusive Smart Capture feature, lets consumers capture great pictures with the Kodak Z1015 IS as they move from daytime to night and from close-ups to landscapes – the camera does all the thinking for them.” said Matthew Yarrow, Country Business Manager, Kodak UK. The Kodak Easyshare Z1015 IS will be available from October 2008 at £199.99 in the UK and $349.95 in the US.

The Kodak Easyshare M1093 IS is the newest member of Kodak’s line of affordable digital cameras. The Smart Capture feature identifies the scene and adjusts camera settings accordingly, whilst image stabilization reduces blur caused by camera shake, subject movement or fast-action situations. The Kodak M1093 IS will retail for £129.99 in the UK and $199.95 in the US from September 2008.

Silver Efex Pro from Nik Software is a new software plug-in for Photoshop and Aperture for creating powerful black-and-white images. It incorporates U Point Technology for precise selective tonal and contrast control. “Silver Efex Pro is truly a comprehensive and easy to use software product that is specifically designed to address the challenges that photographers face when converting images to black-and-white.” said Michael J. Slater president and CEO of Nik Software. The suggested retail price of Silver Efex Pro is $199.95.

Capture NX 2 is the latest version of Nikon’s popular image-editing software. Capture NX2 now offers Selection Control Point, allowing you to apply enhancements such as Unsharp Mask and D-Lighting to a specific area. A new Auto Retouch Brush, which clears away specks caused by dust on the sensor. Highlight and Shadow Protection is similar to the Fill Light and Recovery adjustments in Adobe Lightroom and Camera Raw. Nikon Capture NX 2 is compatible with both Windows Vista and XP and Macintosh OS X and costs £129.99 / $179 / €199. Jon Canfield discovers if Capture NX 2 is worthwhile for both Nikon and non-Nikon users alike.

Website: Nikon Capture NX 2 Review

Olympus are offering both a lucky customer and salesperson the chance to win a VIP trip for two to a European Grand Prix during the 2009 season. Just ask a salesperson in the UK to demonstrate any of the E-System cameras in-store, and you could be in with a chance to win this fantastic prize as part of the Olympus Test Drive promotion. The package will include overnight accommodation, a close-up view of the team in action and the best view of the race from the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes VIP Club suite. The Olympus Test Drive promotion will run throughout the summer with the cut off date for entries being 12th September 2008.

The second generation Drobo data storage product features two FireWire 800 ports, improved USB 2.0 performance and an upgraded core processor. Our customers have been asking for a high-performance FireWire connection since we launched Drobo last year, and this new release is the next logical step in providing users with what they need – and have come to expect – in the Drobo product,” said Geoff Barrall, CEO and founder of Data Robotics. This release addresses the needs of any user seeking a reliable method of managing vast amounts of data without sacrificing performance; from video editors, to heavy down-loaders, to photographers who shoot raw images. The second generation Drobo is priced at $499 MSRP and also comes in a 2TB version for $899, and a 4TB version for $1,299.

The sixth edition of the free PhotographyBB Online Magazine is now available. This month’s issue features a look at landscape and panoramic photography, black & white photography, a photographic trip to Australia, and a handful of useful tutorials. There’s also a continuing series on High Dynamic Range (HDR) photographic techniques. PhotographyBB Online Magazine is available for free download at: http://www.photographyBB.com/magazine

Getty Images are inviting Flickr members to participate in a Flickr branded stock image collection. The Flickr collection will feature photography selected by Getty Images editors based on their expertise in licensing digital content and insights into customers’ needs “We are excited and proud to be partnering with Flickr to offer our customers even more choice for their projects. Our customers will be able to select and use the best imagery from a fresh collection of high-quality images chosen by us from Flickr’s diverse and prolific community,” said Jonathan Klein, co-founder and CEO of Getty Images. Getty Images will be the exclusive commercial rights manager of the photos selected to become part of the collection.

Canon USA have announced the Canon EOS Rebel XS, which was first unveiled in other markets last month as the EOS 1000D. “We are proud to introduce the new EOS Rebel XS camera at a very exciting time in digital imaging. As consumers have fully embraced digital photography, with many consumers purchasing their second or third digital camera models, we see the Rebel XS as the bridge to help photographers cross over from the world of point-and-shoot cameras to digital SLR technology,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. Expected to ship in August 2008, the black or silver Canon Rebel XS camera is only available in a zoom lens kit version, which includes the EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens. The Canon Rebel XS’s estimated retail price is $699.99.

Kodak has introduced the world’s first 50 million pixel CCD image sensor for professional photography. With an 8176 x 6132 pixel array, the KAF-50100 sensor provides the highest resolution available in the popular 48 mm x 36 mm optical format used in medium format photography. The new Kodak KAF-50100 sensor is the first to utilise the new KODAK TRUESENSE 6.0 micron Full Frame CCD Technology Platform, which increases both the resolution and camera performance available to photographers. In an aerial photo of a field 1-½ miles across, you could detect an object about the size of a small notebook computer (1 foot by 1 foot). The KAF-50100 is first being used in the new Hasselblad H3DII-50 camera.

Colour Confidence has updated its free Guidance to Digital Photography. This 60-page PDF document has been downloaded by over 15,000 users since its introduction. New areas covered include Colour management in a camera RAW workflow, Adobe RGB vs. sRGB, LCD monitors and Viewing conditions. The Guidance to Digital Photography addendum and the original download are both available free of charge from www.colourconfidence.com

Hasselblad are now offering the H3DII-31 kit, featuring the HC80mm lens, at the new price of $17,995. “Hasselblad’s commitment to Medium Format DSLR cameras, and to our H system platform, has now enabled us to lower the price barrier that may have kept some photographers from acquiring a true high-end DSLR camera,” explains Christian Poulsen, Chief Executive Officer of Hasselblad. Based on the same technical foundation as the other H-system cameras and using the same superior HC/HCD lens program, the H3DII-31 provides a serious but affordable Medium Format alternative to high-end 35mm users.