The new Pocket Album OLED photo viewers from Digital Foci feature cutting edge OLED technology which provides excellent display of images from almost any viewing angle. The Pocket Album Deluxe OLED 2.8 has a 2.8-inch screen and can store more than 3,000 photos. The Pocket Album OLED 1.5 is a digital keychain with a 1.5-inch screen holding 120 photos. The Pocket Album OLED 1.5 is priced at $49.95 and Pocket Album Deluxe OLED 2.8 at $99.95, available in April 2008.

The new DXG-566V HD Camcorder 5 Megapixel digital camcorder with a large 3” TFT LCD screen priced at just $149. The DXG 566V offers HD video resolution of up to 1280 x 720 at 30fps and D1 resolution of 720 x 480 at 30fps. It also features a high-resolution 5 megapixel CMOS sensor, 2x digital zoom, 3” camcorder-style flip-out LCD screen, and support for high-capacity SD cards. The DXG-566V HD is available immediately priced at $149.99.

The Samsung NV24HD digital compact is Samsung’s first High Definition (HD) camera. The 10 megapixel NV24HD records 720p resolution video at 30 frames per second and can connect to a HDTV via HDMI. The NV24HD also features an innovative 2.5” OLED screen to provide a faster response time, a wider viewing angle and higher image quality. “We are thrilled to take the range even further with the launch of the NV24 and its innovative HD capabilities. Photographers of all levels will now be able to create high-quality video recordings at the touch of a button.” said Robert King, Commercial Director, Samsung Cameras UK. The Samsung NV24HD is priced at £249 and will be available from March 2008.

The new Samsung NV40, NV30 and NV4 cameras all feature dual image stabilization and improved noise reduction. All three new models in the NV Series include Samsung’s award-winning Smart Touch User Interface which has now been further enhanced. “With new, improved image quality and enhanced features the NV4, NV30 and NV40 take the range to the next level. We are confident photographers of all levels will appreciate the addition of these three stylish models.” said Robert King, Commercial Director, Samsung Cameras UK. The Samsung NV4 is priced at £149, Samsung NV30 at £179 and Samsung NV40 at £199, all available from February 2008.

Corsair is expanding its Flash Voyager and Flash Survivor USB drives with new 32GB capacity offerings. The all-rubber Flash Voyager or the aluminum-encased water-proof Flash Survivor can both be used as portable back-up devices for critical or sensitive information. “Our newest USB additions will allow a whole new set of users – multimedia, technical and data conscious – to take advantage of rugged, high-performance solid-state storage,” said Jack Peterson, VP of Marketing at Corsair. The CorsairFlash Voyager 32GB costs $229.99, and the Corsair Flash Survivor 32GB $249.99.

Lexar is set to expand its lineup of Kodak-branded flash memory products, including new Kodak USB Flash drives and higher-capacity SD cards. In addition new mobile microSD and microSDHC memory cards will be introduced. All Kodak-branded Lexar products are designed to provide customers with the best of both worlds—Kodak’s renowned brand quality teamed with advanced, innovative Lexar technology. “Now, with a closer alliance between our two companies, we’re in a better position than ever to combine Kodak’s brand strength and product breadth with Lexar’s technology and manufacturing expertise to create a new class of affordable, high-quality Kodak memory products that address today’s growing technology markets.” commented Mark Adams, Vice President of Lexar Media.

The latest version of the award-winning Backup Now 5 backup and recovery software is now shipping. Available in four different versions - Standard, Shadow, Image and Advanced - individual, mobile and networked users can buy the features they need now and move up to the next tier as their needs change. NTI’s trademarked Easy Steps interface makes backups recovery and migration a simple three-step process. “Consumers who have been looking for a solution that takes the confusion and complexity out of data protection will find that the fifth generation of Backup Now is truly effortless,” said Yao.  “And with four editions to choose from, they don’t have to buy more features than they need.  Their investment is future-proofed because they can add features when they’re ready.” Pricing is US$49.99 for the Standard Edition, US$69.99 for the Shadow and Image Editions and US$99.99 for the Advanced Edition.

Pro photographer Lawrence Ripsher has reviewed the new Canon EOS-1D Mark III DSLR camera.

“The Canon 1D Mark III has become my new workhorse. It has all but completely replaced the Canon 5D I was previously shooting with, proving to me every time it is worth the extra weight and drop of 2 megapixels. Even though the 5D still produces superb high quality images, the 1D matches it in good light and is able to go that extra mile at high ISO settings. Likely along with the Nikon D3, it represents the best in low light shooting image quality.”

Website: Lawrence Ripsher - Canon EOS-1D Mark III Review

The winners of the December 2007 PhotographyBLOG Competition have been selected by a panel of judges. The theme for December was “Family” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 5 winners:

1st Place
Family by vjbm

Prize: 1 copy of Powerretouche Full Pro Pack
Kindly donated by Powerretouche.
http://powerretouche.com

The new entry-level Kodak C813 digital camera has quietly made its way onto Kodak’s website. The C813 is an 8 megapixel model with 3x optical lens (36-108mm), 2.4 inch LCD screen, digital image stabilization and a high ISO of 1250. You can also iew your pictures in high definition on an HDTV or other HD device, capture VGA video (640 × 480 at 15 fps) and use on-camera features such as cropping, blurry picture alert, and undo-delete. Nothing too exciting then, although the price-tag of $119.95 may be some compensation for the unexciting feature-list that the Kodak C813 offers.

Website: Kodak C813

Passengers will no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage on flights in the USA, effective from January 1st 2008. The new regulation is designed to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires and applies to all flights from, to and within the USA. Lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials because they can overheat and ignite in certain conditions. Lithium batteries in checked baggage are allowed if they are installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if stored in plastic bags (maximum of two extended-life batteries).

The new RIDATA Smart Compact Flash Card features Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology so users can easily monitor the card’s status. “We are pleased to introduce the RIDATA SMART CompactFlash Card, which is the first of its kind in the industry,” stated Harvey Liu, Advanced Media president. “The flash memory market is growing quickly due to the number of new applications that use flash media for storage. As capacity continues to increase, RIDATA saw the need for an internal data monitoring system to ensure the safety of your data.”  The RIDATA Smart Compact Flash Cards are available in either “Supreme 150X (up to 8GB capacity-SLC format)” and “Lightning (up to 16GB MLC format)”.

Verbatim SmartDisk 2.5” Portable Hard Drives are now available in 120, 160, 250, or 320GB capacities. Each drive is offered with a choice of either a USB interface or a Combo USB/FireWire interface. “SmartDisk’s advanced technologies are ideal complements to the inherent reliability, optimized performance and competitive pricing that resellers and consumers have come to expect from Verbatim brand products.” said Charles Klinker, Verbatim Director of Marketing for SmartDisk products. The palm-sized SmartDisk external drives will be available for both Windows and Mac users later this month, starting at US $99.00.

The world’s largest digital picture frame, the 32 inch Smartparts SP3200, has been unveiled at the CES show in Las Vegas. The SP3200 is a 16:9 widescreen LCD panel with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels. Also announced is the SP8PRT, the world’s first and only digital picture frame with a built-in photo printer. “The impressive SP3200 and highly-versatile SP8PRT are indicative of our dedication to provide consumers with innovative and cutting-edge digital frames,” said Stefan Guelpen, president and co-founder of Smartparts.

The Tamron Educational Purchase Rebate allows US instructors and students to save up to $100 on Tamron lenses. “The new program allows students to visit any Tamron dealer and take their newly purchased lens home with them,” stated Stacie Errera, Chief Marketing Officer for Tamron USA, Inc. “Previously, students had to visit the store to pay for their lens and then go back to the store after their specially-registered lens was available.” Tamron believes the new rebate-driven program is more convenient for both the purchasing student or instructor and the dealer. The Tamron Educational Purchase Rebate can be combined with any regular Tamron rebate in effect at the time of purchase.

DigiCamReview have reviewed the Nikon D40x DSLR, which features a 10.2 megapixel sensor, producing 3,872 x 2,592-pixel images, 3D Colour Matrix Metering II system and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“Image quality is very good to excellent, the images have excellent colour, with high levels of saturation, contrast and detail, with very low noise. Noise from the Nikon D40x is very low, lower than the Olympus E-510, and even slightly lower than the Canon EOS 400D, the Nikon also provides a full ISO range from ISO100 to ISO3200 - with the highest setting usable in some situations.”

Website: DigiCamReview - Nikon D40x Review

Website: Read our Nikon D40x Review

Henrik Paul has published an in-depth review of the LensPen, a carbon-based optical lens cleaning technology.

“Even though the main point of this article wasn’t to make this a competition, mainly because I only had one rival contender, my final verdict stays with LensPen. The ease of use is just not comparable to that of the hassle associated with Eclipse. I wouldn’t even imagine trying to do all that in the field. I would, however, have no trouble imagining myself in the middle of the woods taking a LensPen for a rub should the front lens get dirty.”

Website: Henrik Paul - LensPen Review

Neocamera have reviewed the Fujifilm F480 camera, which offers an 8.2 megapixel sensor and 4x, 28mm-112mm zoom lens.

“Image quality with the F480 is relatively good for an ultra-compact, although nowhere near the quality of Fuji’s 2-digit F-series cameras. Noise and details are well balanced across the ISO range, with each ISO stop introducing a little more noise along with a little more softness. Only ISO 100 can pull of a great looking medium-large print (12"x16”), but until ISO 400 prints up to 9"x12” are satisfactory. ISO 800 is both too noisy and too soft for such print sizes, but a slightly cropped 5"x7” can be acceptable.”

Website: Neocamera - Fujifilm F480 Review

DCResource have reviewed the Casio EX-V8, which offers a a 7x optical zoom and 8.1 megapixels plus a YouTube video mode.

“Going into this review, I didn’t have terribly high hopes for the Casio Exilim EX-V8. How could Casio possibly stuff a 7X lens into a compact body without major compromises in return? After spending literally months with the camera, I came away with a favorable impression of the V8. Sure, it has its compromises (some of which are rather annoying), but Casio has done a very good job of putting a big lens into a small package. If you don’t mind the anemic flash, mediocre high ISO performance, and reliance on its dock, then the Exilim EX-V8 is worth a look.”

Website: DCResource - Casio EX-V8 Review

Photoshop CS3 RAW is a new book from Mikkel Aaland which demonstrates how RAW data gives you greater flexibility and control during the editing process. Aaland’s up-to-the-minute edition focuses on the important features of Adobe Photoshop CS3, including Camera Raw’s new retouching tools, expanded controls, and ramped up sharpening features. Easy-to-follow instructions and illustrative graphics teach you which tools to use for each phase of your workflow, from managing shoots to perfecting photos. Photoshop CS3 RAW costs $34.99 USD, £20.95 GBP.