DIWA member Photoxels have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S500, a 7.1 megapixel camera with a 3x zoom lens (35-105mm), Vibration Reduction to combat camera shake, ISO 2000 capability, 2.5 inch monitor and One-touch portrait button.

“I really enjoyed using the Nikon Coolpix S500. It’s compact enough to carry in my trousers pocket, always available for a quick shot. The controls are very intuitive and I personally find the Rotary multi selector to be fun to use. Though it is a point-and-shoot digital camera, I find the manual options (preset WB, Area AF, ISO, exposure compensation) enough to allow me to adjust the exposure to obtain correctly exposed pictures.”

Website: Photoxels - Nikon Coolpix S500 Review

ePhotoZine have reviewed the entry-level Pentax Optio E30 digital compact, with 7.1 megapixels, 2.4 inch LCD monitor and powered by AA-size batteries.

“This is a budget camera, so don’t expect miracles. The burst test output five images in the 10 second burst with downloading taking longer. The camera managed three images before having to download and then managed to squeeze two more in. Autofocus is slow and in the macro mode I tried to shoot a bee taking pollen from a flower, but by the time the camera had focused the bee had moved on. They’re not as vain as people say they are. The macro is also not very close at 15cm.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Pentax Optio E30 Review

DCResource have reviewed the Sanyo HD2, which combines the functionality of a 720p high-definition digital camcorder and 7.1-megapixel digital still camera into a single device.

“The Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 is the fourth “hybrid” camera/camcorder that I’ve reviewed on the DCRP, the others being the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M1/M2 and the Canon PowerShot TX1. All four of these cameras have disappointed me in terms of ergonomics, with the HD2 also throwing in sub-par image quality and a clunky menu system, which firmly puts it in into my “mediocre” category. It has its nice features, but it was never really much fun to use.”

Website: DCResource - Sanyo HD2 Review

CNET have reviewed the GE G1 digital camera, which features 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD screen and 7 megapixels.

“Stop. Do not pass Go. Do not give General Electric $200 for the G1. With so many mediocre snapshot cameras on the market, ya gotta wonder why anyone would feel compelled to offer another—unless the people behind GE’s new camera line are drinking some doctored Kool-Aid.”

Website: CNET - GE G1 Review

Ilford Studio Professional 7 is a new software RIP that allows photographers to take complete control of the digital printing process. Ilford Studio 7 features an advanced profile range with improved colour fidelity, faster ripping, and an auto-rotate function that can slot images into available spaces more efficiently and therefore save on media. ILFORD STUDIO 7 currently supports Epson StylusPro series printers, and will soon include the Canon ProGraphics range and HP Z series. Ilford Studio Professional 7 costs £399 in the UK.

Vincent Versace, Photographer, Author and Trainer joins host Scott Sheppard on Inside Digital Photo radio to discuss his insight into what it takes to be a photographer or simply an image maker. Hear Vincent’s insights and philosophies about the techniques he uses to capture the moment and angle of the image rather than just a record of an object. Vincent recently taught a class to Navy/Coast Guard Photographers on how to take be better photojournalists and document historical events. Taking pictures historically has provided records, the difference between a picture and capturing the moment lies in the eye of the photographer. Using the right equipment for the assignment, being prepared for anything, and having the confidence in your vision are all concepts that impact your ability to take outstanding images.

PMA 2007: Delkin have announced its new CardBus 32 UDMA reader which transfers images at over 40 MB/s to a computer using UDMA enabled memory cards. Eric Richter, Delkin’s Marketing Manager explained, “Digital photographers are used to working with laptops as a critical part of their workflow process. Each wave of the latest DSLRs produces ever-increasing file sizes, and that slows image transfers. UDMA CompactFlash cards are already being introduced and our goal is to provide photographers with the fastest and easiest way to transfer images from these cards to their computer.” The Delkin CardBus UDMA will sell for $59.99.

Update July 9th 2007: The Delkin CardBus 32 UDMA reader is now shipping worldwide.

PicMe Photo Sharing is the first digital photo sharing service to feature an interactive 3-D desktop experience. PicMe Photo Sharing offers a a unique 3D perspective of all the photos in your collection. The PicMe service is free to use and allows for sharing of hundreds of photos. Premium accounts are available starting at $9.95/year.

Samsung have released a new firmware update, v706221, for the Samsung L74 Wide digital camera. The update adds support for SDHC cards. This model features a 3.0 inch touch screen LCD, 7 megapixels, 3.6x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens.

Website: Samsung L74 Wide Firmware Update v706221

Samsung have released a new firmware update, v706221, for the Samsung i7 digital camera. The update adds support for SDHC cards. This model features a 3.0 inch touch screen LCD which rotates through 180 degrees, 7 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and integrated Portable Multimedia Player.

Website: Samsung i7 Wide Firmware Update v706221

DigiCamReview have reviewed the Olympus E-510 DSLR camera, which features a built-in image stabiliser in the camera body. The E510 also has a new image processing engine that offers excellent noise performance and 3fps with a seven image RAW buffer in burst mode.

“Image quality is very good to excellent, the images have excellent colour, with good saturation, contrast and detail, with low noise except for high iso images (can be altered to your tastes). Images were slightly soft straight from the camera on default settings but can be improved by setting the Noise Filter to Low. For maximum detail and colour control RAW images should be taken, although JPEG images straight from the camera were still very impressive.”

Website: DigiCamReview - Olympus E-510 Review

Website: Read our Olympus E-510 Review

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-TZ3 camera, which fits a 10x optical zoom, 7.2 megapixels and 3 inch LCD screen into a compact, stylish body.

“Despite some image quality issues, the Panasonic TZ3 has many strengths, most notably its 10x optical zoom lens and its MEGA O.I.S. Add good performance, an above average feature set, a compact body, and an affordable price, and it’s easy to see why this camera is so appealing regardless of the type of shooting you like to do.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Review

Website: Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Review

The Huey Pro colour calibration device features the world’s first built-in ambient light sensor, can calibrate multiple monitors and offers customizable Whitepoint and Gamma combinations. New color patches have been added to the Huey Pro‘s calibration process for greater accuracy than the original Huey, and an Advanced Help system provide step-by-step instructions. Jon Canfield discovers if the Huey Pro is the best monitor calibration device for the digital photographer.

Website: Huey Pro Review

The MINOX DC 7022 slim is a 7 megapixel digital camera with 4x zoom lens and 3 inch LCD screen. The DC7022 measures 94.5 x 55 x 23 mm and weighs 124 grams, and features a smooth, black anodized aluminum body. The MINOX DC 7022 slim costs 249 Euros and is available now.

The MINOX DC 6033 WP is a new digital camera that’s watertight to a depth of ten meters. The DC6033 is also resistant to to dust, water, sand and salt. A 6 megapixel sensor, 42mm fixed lens (no zoom) and a 2 inch TFT colour monitor complete the MINOX DC 6033 WP’s feature list. The DC6033 is available now, price in Germany is 229 Euros.

PopPhoto have reviewed the Ricoh GX100 digital camera, which features a 10.01 megapixel CCD, fast 24-72mm wide zoom lens and a removable electronic view?nder.

“The GX100 uses an unusual, hybrid autofocus that combines TTL focusing on the CCD with an external passive AF sensor. It focuses quickly and accurately, so much so that we never needed the AF assist lamp, even in very dim lighting. The camera also has very short shutter lag.”

Website: PopPhoto - Ricoh GX100 Review

Website: Read our Ricoh GX100 Review

DIWA member Digit.no have reviewed the Leica M8 digital rangefinder camera, which has a 10 megapixel sensor, focal factor of 1.33x and an ISO range of 160-2500.

“The Leica M8 is a unique camera in many respects, first of all because of its combination of a conservative, traditional exteriour, virtually identical to its analogue siblings, and a high-tech interiour. Its 10 MP image resolution and first class Leica lenses is a superb foundation for outstanding image quality. However, the image is a bit more complex than that. This a photographer’s tool, exclusively for those who shoot RAW, and certainly not a fancy show-off piece to match the Rolex and the Jaguar. The price tag alone will obviously discourage most amateurs from considering buying the Leica M8. That’s all right, because with JPEG you can’t tell that the pictures come from one of the finest and most expensive cameras available. There are far cheaper cameras out there that performs a lot better. Besides, who wants a modern camera without autofocus and programmed exposure? That’s right, only the dedicated Leica enthusiast who prefers to do it the old-fashioned way.”

Website: Digit.no - Leica M8 Review

Megapixel.net have reviewed the new Kodak Z712, which is positioned as an alternative to a DSLR, offering a 12x zoom lens (36-432 mm) and 7.1 megapixels.

“The Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS is good value for the money. The compression at the highest image quality is a bit stronger than we would like, and the LCD monitor not as crisp as some others. But the camera’s capacity to reproduce colours faithfully and the generally good characteristics of the lens, and the fact it includes a very effective stabilization system make it a worthwhile camera.”

Website: Megapixel.net - Kodak Z712 Review

DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the Pentax W30, a waterproof digital camera offering 7.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and two new Shake Reduction modes.

“The Pentax Optio W30 is part of a growing line of weather- and dust-resistant cameras geared for active point-and-shooters. It is the fifth in Pentax’s W-series, a line of waterproof cameras. The 7.1-megapixel camera comes in a swimmer’s body, which allows for longer underwater time at increased depths over its predecessors. Among its other touted features are facial recognition technology and low light shooting abilities at ISO 3200.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Pentax W30 Review

Website: Read our Pentax Optio W30 Review

DPReview have reviewed the FujiFilm S5 Pro digital SLR camera.

“One thing is certain: the S5 Pro is a huge improvement on its predecessor - it’s a far, far better camera and it produces better, cleaner output with fewer artefacts and slightly better detail. Everything from metering to focus to noise reduction to the interface and speed of operation has improved significantly.”

Website: DPReview - FujiFilm S5 Pro Review

Website: Read our FujiFilm S5 Pro Review