ThinkCamera have reviewed the new Ricoh Caplio R7 digital camera, which offers 8.1 megapixels and a 7.1x wide zoom lens (28-200mm).

“Ricoh may not be one of the biggest names in digital cameras, but the brand has spent many years producing very solid compacts. Its cameras tend to be packed with useful features, and while they are generally far from the cheapest around, they always look good in relation to the aforementioned features. The Ricoh Caplio R7 is the latest of these cameras, and it yet again scores highly in the all-important features-to-price-ratio challenge stakes.”

Website: ThinkCamera - Rioch Caplio R7 Review

DPReview have reviewed the Canon G9, a 12.1 megapixel update of the G7 compact camera, with a 6x zoom lens, 3 inch LCD screen and the return of RAW mode.

“And thus, like the G7 before it, the G9 is a wonderfully built and designed camera, but one that simply cannot (nor could ever) really deliver on its promises; it truly is a sheep in wolves’ clothing. By all means buy one (I would - it makes 99% of other compacts look like toys, and it’s not like you can get significantly better image quality anywhere else), but do so in the full knowledge that a lot of what you’re paying is for the icing, not the cake.”

Website: DPReview - Canon G9 Review

Website: Read our Canon Powershot G9 Review

Microsoft and Phase One have announced a strategic alliance to explore ways to improve digital imaging solutions for professional photographers and enthusiasts. The two companies will work together to develop digital photography solutions for the Microsoft Windows platform. “Microsoft and Phase One are joining forces to develop solutions for the Windows platform that meet the sophisticated needs of professional and ‘prosumer’ photographers,” said Kostas Mallios, general manager of the Rich Media Group at Microsoft. “Today’s announcement is another example of Microsoft’s commitment to our customers and the digital imaging industry.” There are no details about what exactly Microsoft and Phase One are working on.

The Ricoh GR Digital calendar contest invites Ricoh GR Digital owners to help create a special calendar. Ricoh are looking for photographs that “stir the heart” - submissions do not have to be seasonal images. The winning images will be used to produce a special calendar with one image used for the cover and one for each month. The 13 winners will be announced on November 20th 2007.

The Kodak Photo Futures report looks at the changing nature of photography throughout Europe, highlighting the changes in photography since the advent of digital technology. The report identifies five distinct types of user: Eventographers, Happy Snappers, Digital Disciples, Picture Pests and Analogue Artisans. Kodak’s John O’Grady concludes that “people are becoming increasingly creative about how they choose to display, share and print their images. Pictures are becoming ever more central to communicating – representing our identities online, providing a backdrop for social engagements, even a new form of currency.”

A new range of professional LCD screen protectors from manufacturer Giottos is now available. The AEGIS Professional range of screen protectors are made from rigid optical glass from Germany and feature 12 layers of Anti-Reflective coating. The Giottos screen protectors are available for digital cameras and DSLR’s including Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm. Prices range from £17.99 to £29.99 in the UK.

Canon have released a new firmware version, v1.01, for the Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2/E2A. Updating the WFT-E2/E2A firmware (to Version 1.0.1) incorporates the following fixes.

The shutter cannot be released after the camera enters image transmission mode while network errors are occurring due to an unstable wireless or wired communication environment or connection.
With this fix, the images taken will be stored in the recording media (CF card or SD card) even if network errrors occur prior to or during image transmission.

Website: Canon WFT-E2/E2A v1.01 Firmware Update

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera, which offers a 10.1 megapixel sensor, 6.5 fps continuous shooting and 3 inch LCD screen.

” Ergonomics are quite good on the 40D and the new contoured grip was easier to manage than the 30D’s. The controls on the top of the camera are the same, but the other controls are in a layout more akin to the Mark III. The control set retains the Multi-controller, a small “joystick” that’s used to select the AF point, set White Balance correction, select the focusing point in Live View and perform other functions.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon EOS 40D Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS 40D Review

TrustedReviews have reviewed the 8 megapixel Pentax M40 camera, which offers a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD, metal body, Face Recognition and digital Shake Reduction.

“f course the whole point of upgrading the sensor is to produce better image quality, and here the M40 succeeds, although only just. There is a small but noticeable improvement in overall detail, but some of that comes from the apparently much lower file compression at the highest quality setting. While the M30 produced image files of about 2.5MB, similar shots taken on the M40 are over 3MB, a greater difference than I’d expect between a 7MP and an 8MP sensor. Dynamic range and colour reproduction are about average for this class of camera.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Pentax M40 Review

CNET have reviewed the HP M537, an entry-level 6 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“Photos from the M537 also fare poorly, with muddled color and softened details. As with many snapshot cameras, photos shot under incandescent light look very warm when using automatic white balance. Unfortunately, the M537 has only automatic white balance; it lacks the manual and incandescent white-balance modes found on most other snapshot cameras. This means that your indoor shots—assuming you have incandescent lights inside—will tend to have a funky yellow tint.”

Website: CNET - HP M537 Review

CNET have reviewed the Olympus FE-300, a new 12 megapixel entry-level camera with a 3x optical zoom lens, large 6.4cm LCD screen and Face Detection technology.

“Despite solid color reproduction, the FE-300’s pictures ultimately disappoint. At ISO 50 or ISO 100 sensitivity, pictures look reasonably sharp and crisp, though fine textures tend to look a touch smoothed down. At higher sensitivity levels, however, the camera’s flaws really start to appear. Surprisingly high levels of noise appear at ISO 200, and at ISO 400, grain consumes nearly all fine details. At ISO 800, noise destroys details to the point where the camera’s 12-megapixel pictures would look disappointing coming from an 8-megapixel camera.”

Website: CNET - Olympus FE-300 Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Sony DSC-S700, which offers 7.2 megapixels, 2.4 inch LCDa, ISO 1000 and a 3x optical zoom lens.

“Overall, while the Sony S700 is a good looking companion with good heft and decent design, I didn’t like the buttons much, and didn’t like how the low-resolution LCD fooled me into thinking I wasn’t getting good shots. And though I was surprised that they were better when I got back to the computer, they really weren’t good enough, thanks mostly to excessive noise suppression and chromatic aberration.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Sony DSC-S700 Review

PCMag have reviewed the HP R937, which features a 3.6 inch interactive touchscreen LCD, 8 megapixel resolution and 3x optical zoom lens.

“If you’re looking for a snapshot camera that stands out from the crowded pack of compact models available these days, check out the Photosmart R937. What really sets this 8-megapixel camera apart is its unusual design. Unlike more traditionally shaped competitors such as the Nikon Coolpix P5000 and the Fuji FinePix F40fd, the R937 looks more like a little personal video player than your typical point-and-shoot camera.”

Website: PCMag - HP R937 Review

Ben Osborne from Shrewsbury has been named Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007 for his image Elephant creation. When a bull elephant used his trunk to spray himself in the muddy water Ben used a slow shutter speed to capture the low morning light and texture of the mud. 11-year-old Patrick Corning from Surrey was named Shell Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007 for his picture Monkey Moment. Debbie Sage, Competition Manager said, ‘This year’s winners have gone to great lengths to capture such rare moments in nature. These images are the best in the world and give us all an insight into the beauty, drama and variety of the environment around us.’

SanDisk has filed three patent infringement actions against 25 companies that manufacture, sell and import removable flash storage products. SanDisk allege that the defendants have infringed various SanDisk system-level patents. “These actions demonstrate SanDisk’s long-term commitment to enforcing its patents, both to protect our investment in research and development by obtaining a fair return on that investment, and out of fairness to third-parties that participate in our patent licensing program,” said E. Earle Thompson, Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at SanDisk.

Broncolor have announced a new partnership in the UK with digital rental and sales specialists Peartree. Also suppliers of Leaf products, Peartree are now able to provide photographers with all essentials tools needed to conduct a high profile photo shoot. Peartree Rental’s Director Andy Quiney states, “Broncolor is a cutting edge company, far superior to anything in the market. We believe in providing our photographers with quality solutions and forming a relationship with a company known for product innovation and consistent reliability will only compliment our existing product range.”

DCResource have reviewed the Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera, which offers a 10.1 megapixel sensor, 6.5 fps continuous shooting and 3 inch LCD screen.

“With a quality lens attached to it, the EOS-40D can produce spectacular results. The camera produces very smooth-looking photos, which some may consider soft—and if so, you can play around with the Picture Styles to find a sharpness setting you like. Colors were spot-on—no complaints there. As for noise, there wasn’t much, and you had to get the ISO pretty high to see any of it. Purple fringing is going to depend a lot on your choice of lens. It did pop up here and there, but it was fairly minor in most cases. My only photo quality complaint is that the the 40D has the tendency to underexpose.”

Website: DCResource - Canon EOS 40D Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS 40D Review

DCViews have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FZ18 digital camera, which features a 18x optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm film camera.

“Image quality is excellent with virtually no distortion at any focal length. Even at wide angle, parallels were perfectly straight in all our test shots. Chromatic aberration or purple fringing is practically non-existent and there is no sign of vignetting in the extreme corners of the image. Colours are natural without being overly saturated and should you prefer more punch, this is easily set in the camera menu by dialling in more saturation, sharpness or contrast.”

Website: DCViews - Panasonic DMC-FZ18 Review

Website: Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera, which offers a 10.1 megapixel sensor, 6.5 fps continuous shooting and 3 inch LCD screen.

“As is typical of this particular line of Canon digital SLR cameras, images from the Canon 40D are excellent. High ISO images printed at 13x19 inches are usable from ISO 100 to 800, with little noticeable noise, and little evidence of noise suppression. You can see a more gradual degradation as you move up the ladder when viewing onscreen at 100 percent, but it’s hardly noticeable when printed. Impressive.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon EOS 40D Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS 40D Review

Steves Digicams have reviewed the 8.1 megapixel Casio EX-S880 camera, which features enhanced movie functionality and a YouTube Best Shot scene mode.

“I was a bit disappointed with the S880’s image quality results using 8m Fine mode. While images looked awesome on the camera’s LCD, further inspection on a PC later showed that images are well exposed and colors are richly saturated, however there’s a lot of edge softness present. This wasn’t just on a few of our samples, but ever one of about 190 pictures. Luckily the S880 does offer adjustments for sharpness, contrast and saturation, which will help with this issue. Noise levels were typical for a consumer model, becoming more noticeable as you increase the sensitivity.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Casio EX-S880 Review