SmartParts has introduced the SP8PRT, the world’s first digital picture frame with a built-in photo printer. The new SmartParts SP8PRT can print any digital picture stored on the frame with the touch of a button. “...consumers can instantly create a 4x6-inch color print to share with friends or family all without having to boot up their PC, locate the photo, and use a large, cumbersome printer.” said Stefan Guelpen, president and co-founder of Smartparts. Incorporated into the body of the frame, the printer is concealed behind the SP8PRT’s LCD screen. The eight inch Smartparts SP8PRT will retail for $279.

Tessera Technologies, a provider of miniaturization technologies for the electronics industry, is paying $29 million to purchase FotoNation, a provider of embedded imaging solutions for digital still cameras. Tessera will pay $29 million in net cash with up to $10 million of additional consideration, contingent upon certain milestones over one year. The transaction is expected to close in February 2008. “There is significant, untapped potential for sophisticated imaging solutions in the growing camera phone market, and Tessera’s close ties to this market will enable us to accelerate the commercialization of FotoNation’s rich portfolio of technology and products,” said Eran Steinberg, chief executive officer, FotoNation. FotoNation’s technology is embedded in more than two out of three digital still cameras sold today.

Hasselblad are giving away a special bundle of extras and up to £1930 plus VAT off the price of the H3DII camera. Buy the H3DII before March 31st, 2008 and you get for a free case, choice of a Hasselblad HCD 28mm or HC 120mm lens, a 100 Gig ImageBank, and a one year’s subscription to Victor magazine. You need to register online to qualify for this special Hasselblad H3DII bundle and £1930 + VAT saving.

The Sony World Photography Awards is now offering the the winner of the amateur competition a substantial $5,000 cash prize. Submissions closed on 31st January with a total of 25,934 amateur photograph entries and 44,641 professional photograph entries across the categories. Saatchi Online, one of the biggest names in the arts and photography world, has signed up to partner the World Photography Awards and support the amateur community. The winners will be announced on 15th February 2008.

The new PicApp platform provides millions of copyrighted images from Getty Images to bloggers and other online publishers, completely free of charge. Based on proprietary, patent-pending technology, PicApp allows online publishers to select copyrighted imagery from PicApp content partners and post them in seconds to their web site or blog to illustrate their comments. Images streamed from PicApp’s partners carry non-intrusive advertisements related to the content. “By offering the breadth of content that Getty Images provides, we are making a huge amount of new material accessible to online publishers,” said Eyal Gura, CEO, PicScout. Interested bloggers can contact PicApp (www.picapp.com) about participating in the closed beta trial.

The Kodak KAC-05020 is the world’s first 1.4 micron, 5 megapixel CMOS image sensor designed for mobile phones. The KAC-05020 provides the highest resolution available in the popular ¼” optical format, and enables imagery up to ISO 3200 and support for full 720p video at 30 fps. Kodak are promising that the Kodak KAC-05020 sensor will produce image quality that surpasses current devices using larger, 1.75 micron pixel CMOS designs. “By completely rethinking the design of the CMOS pixel and leveraging our work with high sensitivity color filter patterns and algorithms, Kodak was able to develop this remarkable new sensor that will enable a level of imaging performance previously unavailable from CMOS devices.” said Chris McNiffe, General Manager of Kodak’s Image Sensor Solutions business.

A new DVD honours the life of digital imaging pioneer Bruce Fraser. The “Industry Celebration and Tribute to Bruce Fraser” DVD is a faithful record of last year’s Macworld 2007 tribute. “If you were fortunate to attend the Tribute itself, you will find the DVD to be a treasured keepsake; if not, you will experience a program that will touch your heart, make you laugh and most of all demonstrate how one thoughtful individual can hold a unique place in an industry and in the lives of all whom he touched,” says Tribute committee member, Larry Baca.

The new Mitsubishi CP-3800DW digital color printer combines an ultra-compact form factor with support for a wide range of print sizes. The CP-3800DW can produce prints in 4x8” postcard size, 6x8” scrapbook size and 8x10” for studio applications. Featuring an improved, self-cleaning thermal head, the new Mitsubishi CP-3800DW has a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi. “The new CP-3800DW provides professional photographers with a stylish printing solution that will enhance their workflow and provide them with greater versatility in the pursuit of great pictures,” commented Darla Achey, product marketing specialist, Mitsubishi.

DUST-CLOTH, DUST-WAND and 3inONE DSLR Cleaner are new DSLR camera sensor filter cleaning products from DUST-AID. DUST-CLOTH brings in a new world of wet sensor filter cleaning wipes with the introduction of micro fiber cloths. The DUST-WAND Kit delivers everything needed to safely clean every DSLR camera sensor filter aspect ratio. The 3inONE DLSR Cleaner allows for safe cleaning of DSLR camera reflex mirrors, focus screens and sensor filters.

Wildlife photographer Andy Rouse will be at the Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show at the NEC, Birmingham, UK in March. Andy will be available for personal critiques on the Páramo stand at the Show, OU 414. Photographers can sign up in advance with Páramo to have 10 minutes of Andy’s time at the show. For £15 (with profits going to the Aspira Fund), photographers can proffer up to three photographs to be critiqued by Andy.

The Eye-Fi Smart Boost Upgrade makes wireless photo uploads with the Eye-Fi Card more efficient. The upgrade enables the Eye-Fi Card to intelligently determine the most efficient way to send users’ photos where they want them. The Smart Boost upgrade will be available by February 12th. In addition Eye-Fi users will now be able to upload photos automatically to RitzPix Online Imaging Service, Ritz’s online photo printing service. The Eye-Fi Card was recently named “Best in Show” at Macworld.

The winners of the January 2008 PhotographyBLOG Competition have been selected by a panel of judges. The theme for January was “New Beginning” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
As Life Unfolds Again by sfaerber at carlson.com

Prize: CanvasRus 40 x 30” Canvas Print
Kindly donated by CanvasRus
http://www.canvasrus.co.uk

PMA 2008 has just finished, and I’m now back in the UK, battling jetlag. I’ve finalised our mammoth PMA 2008 Report, which contains the following highlights from the show:

Nikon D60 Photos - 20 sample images taken with Nikon’s new entry-level DSLR.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 Photos - 36 sample images, including high ISOs, from Panasonic’s new 10x zoom compact.
Pentax K20D Photos - 40 sample images from Dubai, U.A.E. taken with the 14 megapixel K20d DSLR camera.
Booth Tours - Hundreds of product photos from PMA 2008, organised into 23 different galleries.
Hot Products - Our choice of PMA’s hottest products from the hundreds that were introduced at the show.
New Products - A complete listing of all the major products from PMA 2008.

Website: PMA 2008 Report

For a product that has generated so much interest at PMA and during the last few months, Eye-Fi had a relatively tiny booth at PMA tucked away in the far corner of the show. The Eye-Fi Card is the world’s first wireless SD memory card for digital cameras. Only available in the USA at the moment, the current 2Gb version costs $99.

Website: Eye-Fi PMA 2008 Booth Tour

Smartparts introduced a world’s first at PMA 2008 with the launch of the 8 inch SP8PRT – the first and only digital picture frame to feature an integrated photo printer. The SP8PRT features some basic image editing options and produces a 6x4, dye-sub inch print in around 55 seconds. The print quality was fine, but whether or not you want to pay the $279 asking price is up to you…

Website: SmartParts PMA 2008 Booth Tour

The highlight of Wacom’s booth was the dimunitive Wacom Cintiq 12wx interactive, touch-sensitive pen display (which we’ve already reviewed). The Cintiq 12wx allows you to work in Photoshop or similar graphics applications by drawing directly on the 12.1 inch high-resolution LCD monitor.

Website: Wacom PMA 2008 Booth Tour

Dye-sub printer specialists HiTi had a number of new models on display, although most of them were commercial rather than for home use. We spotted the interesting P110S, which seems to be a direct competitor to the Epson Picturemate series, and the admittedly specialist S420 passport photo printer.

Website: HiTi PMA 2008 Booth Tour

Epson don’t have too much new going on at their small upstairs booth - the highlight was the new-ish Epson R1900 A3+ printer. Their latest range of large-format printers and a customised version of Express Digital Darkroom are also being featured.

Website: Epson PMA 2008 Booth Tour

The long-awaited and long-delayed Sigma DP1 is back at another trade show! First unveiled at Photokina in September 2006, the DP1 is now slated for a March release, priced at $1000 rrp or $800 street. The sample that I tried was still a little rough around the edges, but it looks as if the Sigma DP1 will finally see the light of day. Also being displayed was a new 200-500mm zoom lens, costing a whopping £16,000!!!

Update: We’ve added pictures of the DP1 with optional external flash, optical viewfinder and filter hood attached, plus more shots of Sigma’s new lenses.

Website: Sigma PMA 2008 Booth Tour

Sony have unveiled an advanced prototype version of their 24 megapixel full-frame professional DSLR camera at the opening PMA press conference this morning. Due for release by the end of 2008. the as yet un-named camera will feature the new 24.8 CMOS sensor that was announced yesterday. Also on show on the Sony booth are the new entry-level A350 and A300 DSLRs. Other highlights include the Cyber-shot T300, a multitude of W-series compacts, digital photo frames and Handycams with 10 megapixel stills capabilities…

Update: We’ve added pictures of all the new Sony H-, W- and S- series compact cameras.

Website: Sony PMA 2008 Booth Tour