Hahnemuhle FineArt Inkjet Photo Cards are new inkjet photo cards for producing high-end quality prints in a mini format. They are 4x6 inch in size and available in Photo Rag 308gsm and FineArt Pearl 285gsm paper types.

xcavator.net is a visual search portal targeting the stock photography industry. Visual search allows a user to look for similar images within databases containing millions of images based on color and key features. “The visual search capabilities, combined with keyword filtering, create an unbeatable intuitive experience for the user browsing Photovault’s inventory”, said Vern Krutein, President of Photovault.

DCResource have reviewed the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W80, which offers 8 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens, metal body, 2.5-inch LCD screen and an eye-level viewfinder.

“Overall, the DSC-W80’s image quality was good but not great. On the positive side, photos were well-exposed, with pleasing colors, and minimal purple fringing. The bad news is that overzealous noise reduction tends to blur fine details such as grass, leaves, hair, and roof tiles, and you can see this is nearly all of my sample photos.”

Website: DCResource - Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W80 Review

DCViews have reviewed the 10 megapixel Samsung GX-10 DSLR camera.

“Image colours are spot on with nicely subdued natural colours. If you prefer more punchy results, the Vivid Image Tone option in the menu boosts saturation and contrast considerably. For consumer-like holiday prints the latter would be ideal although a (semi)pro photographer may prefer the natural setting, which will allow him to adjust image tones and contrast to what the image will be used for later. Characteristic for most DSLRs, the Samsung’s JPEG images have a nice smooth appearance about them with plenty of detail.”

Website: DCViews - Samsung GX-10 Review

CNET have reviewed the Sony W200, the first 12 megapixel camera on the market, which offers a 3x optical zoom lens, metal body, 2.5-inch LCD screen and an eye-level viewfinder.

“However, when it comes to image-related performance and image quality, the W200 tanks, mostly because of that unnecessary 12-megapixel sensor. Though it’s physically larger than the 8-megapixel sensor in the W90, the pixels still must be insanely small. That’s the only reason I can think of for the W200 to be such a light vampire, simply incapable of exposing shots at ISO 100 that most snapshot cameras can handle without problem.”

Website: CNET - Sony W200 Review

CNET have reviewed the Samsung S850, which offers an 8 megapixel image sensor, 5x optical zoom, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes, continuous shooting and AEB.

“The S850 is an 8-megapixel, sub-$250 shooter with full manual exposure controls, giving frugal photographers plenty of settings to tinker with. Manual mode even has a convenient onscreen meter that tells you if your photo will be over- or underexposed, an extremely useful tool when tweaking all the settings by hand. Strangely, the camera doesn’t have a manual focus setting, forcing you to choose between center and multipoint autofocus. Manual focus would have been nice, but its absence is hardly a surprise; few, if any, low-end cameras offer manual focus.”

Website: CNET - Samsung S850 Review

DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the new Fujifilm FinePix F40fd camera, which offers 8.3 megapixels, 3x zoom lens, 300 shot battery life, Face Detection technology and support for both xD-Picture Card and SD card formats.

“The 8.3-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F40fd has more resolution than its F-series siblings and proved through performance tests that its new 1/1.6-inch image sensor is worthy of the hype; it kept noise to a minimum and resolution to a maximum. Pictures were sharply focused and properly exposed with the help of the face detection auto focus system and the vast ISO range. Great-looking pictures are priceless, but the vehicle to get those pictures only retails for $299. The F40fd doesn’t have manual control or even a decent burst mode but will suffice for consumers who want an automatic point-and-shoot to snap great pictures.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Fujifilm FinePix F40fd Review

This month there is some fantastic photography software and books up for grabs, from Ulead Systems, who are offering 3 copies of Ulead PhotoImpact 12, and Peachpit, who are offering 1 copy of The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book.

On Friday 1st June 2007, four names will be randomly selected from the list of PhotographyBLOG Newsletter subscribers.

First, Second, Third Prizes - Ulead PhotoImpact 12
The latest version of Ulead PhotoImpact.

Fourth Prize - The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book
The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book by Martin Evening.

Entering the competition is simple - just subscribe to the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter before Friday 1st June 2007.

The Epson D92 is a four-colour inkjet printer which uses DURABrite Ultra pigment ink and individual ink cartridges. The D92 offers lab quality photo prints up to A4 size borderless and laser like text, resistant to water, smudging and fading and ideal for printing on all types of media. The Epson D92 costs £39.99, available June 2007, with ink cartridges for £6.99 and a value multipack containing all 4 cartridges also available.

The Delkin SensorScope, a device that allows you to quickly check your DSLR sensor for dust and debris, is now available separately for $89.99. “Many DSLR users already have a system to clean their sensor, but they all need the SensorScope as it is the only device on the market that enables them to check their sensor with a push of a button.” commented Marketing Manager Eric Richter.

HP inkjet cartridges consistently outperformed 13 different brands of refilled cartridges in all areas, in tests conducted by QualityLogic. HP inkjet cartridges printed 57.5% more pages, on average, and were far more reliable. “This study simply reinforces what we have long known to be true – that Original HP inkjet cartridges are more reliable and a better value for our customers,” said Tuan Tran, VP of Sales and Marketing, Supplies, Imaging and Printing Group, HP.

Samsung has developed a 4Gb MCP (multi-chip package) for mobile phones that removes the need for an external memory card slot. “We’ve now perfected a memory chip that allows handset manufacturers to significantly reduce development time while deploying an extremely robust design that will result in higher performance for smaller phones, with higher storage capacities,” said Jim Elliott, director, flash marketing director, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. The new moviMCP combines a 4GB embedded memory card, which consists of two 16Gb (gigabit) NAND flash chips and a controller, together with a 1Gb mobile DRAM chip to support the processor and a 2Gb NAND flash chip for general handset operations.

Another day, another Ricoh GX100 firmware update! Ricoh have released firmware update v1.14 for the Ricoh GX100 digital camera.

1. Improved accuracy of the AF algorithm.
2. Modified the following display phenomena.
• If you switch between AF and MF with the Fn (Function) button, a part of the grid guide may disappear.
• If you turn a camera power with set to the [LANDSCAPE] in the SCENE mode, the message, ‘Settings have been changed’ will appear.
• If you use AAA type batteries in the Multi AF mode, even if you focus on the subject, a focus frame size will not change.
3. After you register the Spot AF in the MySettings, if you turn the Mode dial to change a setting, a focusing mode may change from the Spot AF to the Multi AF.
4. Found some errors in the shooting information in a DNG file, such as a value of the exposure compensation. Modified to record a DNG file correctly.
5. Modified the phenomenon that the skew correction feature may not work properly.
6. Revise a level of the image compensation in a long exposure.

Website: Ricoh GX100 1.14 Firmware Update

CameraLabs have reviewed the new Olympus E-410 DSLR camera.

“It may be small, light and styled like an SLR of the 80s, but Olympus has packed the E-410 with the latest technology. The Live View facility may be clunky at times and not as smooth as a consumer compact, but we found it invaluable on several occasions, whether delivering 100% coverage, overlaid guidelines or a depth-of-field preview.”

Website: CameraLabs - Olympus E-410 Review

Website: Read our Olympus E-410 Review

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have just reviewed the new Panasonic DMC-FZ8 camera.

“Despite our positive results, there is still some room for improvement. Although Panasonic has once more renewed the Venus Engine and is now at version 3, this processor is not able to iron out all the creases. Noise is still too dominant and although Panasonic has brought on the heavy artillery to deal with it, this has been at the expense of detail. There is no problem up to and including 400 ISO, but the higher ISOs do not contribute anything of much use.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Panasonic DMC-FZ8 Review

Shutterbug have reviewed the Tamron 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens.

“Tamron set out to design a compact power zoom that would not skimp on quality or range and for the most part have succeeded in delivering both. There’s no question that a 13.9x tele is a remarkable feat, albeit at the price of an f/6.3 maximum aperture at the tele end. Were this a lens for a film camera this max aperture might eliminate it from consideration, but with digital it can be compensated for by simply raising ISO to a reasonably high speed.”

Website: Shutterbug - Tamron 18-250mm Lens Review

DigiCamReview have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FX30, the world’s slimmest digital camera with a 28mm wide-angle lens.

“Images have good saturation and contrast, with fairly low noise at the lower ISO settings. The higher ISO settings of ISO400 and above are probably best avoided as detail is lacking from images. Indoors photos were good, although noise was noticeable in some shots and red-eye occurred occassionally.”

Website: DigiCamReview - Panasonic DMC-FX30 Review

CNET have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FX10 digital camera which offers a 3x optical zoom (35-105mm) Leica DC lens with f/2.8, 2.5 inch LCD screen, optical image stabiliser and Intelligent ISO Control, plus ISO 1250 at full resolution.

“Image quality is pleasing, especially at lower ISOs. Colors look accurate, though perhaps a bit oversaturated, and the automatic white balance does a good job of neutralizing colors in most lighting conditions, including incandescent settings. Exposures are generally accurate, though occasionally underexposed, which is generally better than the opposite, since shadow detail tends to be more salvageable in image editing software than highlight detail.”

Website: CNET - Panasonic DMC-FX10 Review

LightZone 3.0 is a new version of the image analysis and editing software from Light Crafts. “LightZone 3.0, with its intelligent styles, gives photographers instant access to the most powerful photo editing capabilities available, at a price one third of its closest competitor.” said Georges van Hoegaerden, CEO of Light Crafts. LightZone 3 is available now for $249.95.

BenQ has sold its digital camera business to Ability Enterprise, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of digital cameras. All of BenQ’s digital camera-related R&D and manufacturing facilities are included in the deal, including around 70 employees. “Ability will remain as one of our most important strategic suppliers for future BenQ branded digital cameras” said Sheaffer Lee, President of BenQ Corporation.