DCResource have reviewed the Sony W55 camera, which offers 7.2 megapixels, Real Imaging Processor, ISO 1000 and a 3x optical zoom lens.

“While not a giant leap over its predecessor, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55 is still a capable, ultra-compact camera that I can recommend to just about everyone. It offers a stylish design, great performance, good photo quality, and a low price. If you shoot in mixed or unusual lighting, or take a lot of long exposures I wouldn’t recommend it, but for everyone else it’s worth a look.”

Website: DCResource - Sony W55 Review

DCViews have published their review of the new Nikon D40 entry level DSLR camera.

“Image detail and colour rendition are very good with blues and reds especially strong as this is obviously what most consumers would prefer nowadays. Should you find them a bit over the top however, they are easily adjusted to your personal preferences in the camera menu, just like sharpness, contrast and hue.”

Website: DCViews - Nikon D40 Review

Website: Read our Nikon D40 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

PMA 2007: The Canon EOS-1D Mark III DSLR camera is the latest addition to the EOS-1D series, offering 10.1 megapixels and 10fps shooting for up to 110 JPEG or 30 RAW images. The Canon 1D Mark III has not one but two DIGIC III processors, 14-bit image processing, 3.0 inch LCD with Live View mode (eat your heart out Olympus!), ISO 6400, 19 point auto-focusing and the EOS Integrated Cleaning System. The new Canon EOS-1D Mark III will cost £3049.99 in the UK, and I hear that it will cost $3999 in the US and be available in April.

Canon Japan has some Canon EOS-1D Mark III sample photos available to download.

PMA 2007: Canon have announced several new accessories that have been optimised for the new EOS-1D Mark III DSLR. These are the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, Canon Speedlite 580EX II flashgun, Canon WFT-E2 Wireless File Transmitter and Canon OSK-E3 Original Data Security Kit. The optics on the EF 16 35mm f/2.8L II USM have been redesigned to deliver higher contrast levels and improved resolving power. Availability TBC on all products listed below.

- EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens is priced at £1319.99 RRP inc.VAT
- Speedlite 580EX II flashgun is £399.99 RRP inc.VAT
- Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2 is £649.99 RRP inc.VAT
- Original Data Security Kit OSK-E3 is £599.99 RRP inc.VAT.

PMA 2007: The Canon IXUS 75 and Canon IXUS 70 are two new additions to the Digital IXUS range of compact digicams (they are called the SD750 and SD1000 respectively in the USA). The Canon IXUS 75 has a metallic finish and 3 inch LCD screen, whilst the Canon IXUS 70 is Canon’ slimmest optical zoom camera. Both new models have 3x optical zooms (35-105mm), Red-Eye Correction in playback and Face Detection AF/AE/FE and Noise Reduction Technology. The Canon Digital IXUS 75 will be available from mid March 2007 priced at £269.00 / €399.00, whilst the Canon Digital IXUS 70 will cost £249.00 / €369.00 RRP.

PMA 2007: The Canon A570 IS and Canon A560 compact digital cameras both offer a 7.1 megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom lens, Face Detection Technology and Red-Eye Correction. The Canon A570 IS model adds an Optical Image Stabilizer to combat camera shake and full manual control. The Canon A570 IS will be available from mid March 2007 for £249.00 / €369.00, whilst the Canon A560 will cost £209.00 / €309.00 and be available in early March.

PMA 2007: The Canon TX1 digital camera features a 10x optical zoom lens (39mm-390mm) with Optical Image Stabilization, 115,000-pixel Vari-Angle LCD screen and 7.1 megapixel sensor. A 30 fps High Definition (HD) 720p widescreen (16:9) movie mode and recording CD quality Stereo Sound in 44 KHz are also offered. The Canon TX1 will cost $499.99 and will only be available in the USA.

Canon is celebrating 20 years of the EOS system. Standing for Electro Optical System, EOS began with the EOS 650 back in 1987 (what a decade!). To help celebrate, Canon UK has launched 21 new promotional DSLR kits (13 new photo kits and eight new lens kits). Examples of the photo kits include the EOS 400D IS Double Zoom Kit, which contains the EF-S 17-85mm IS U lens and the EF 70-300mm IS U lens; the EOS 30D Macro + Ring Flash Kit, which contains the EF 100mm Macro lens and the MR-14EX Ring Flash; and the EOS 5D Photo + Speedlite Kit, containing the EF 50mm 1.4 lens and the 220EX Speedlite.

PMA 2007: The Canon iP90v portable printer is available in two configurations – with or without a battery kit included in the box - and replaces the iP90. The Canon iP90v features FINE print head technology and the ChromaLife100 system and will be available from March 2007 for £199.00 / €299.00.

PMA 2007: The Canon iP1800 and Canon iP2500 printers have a distinctive cube design finished in deep gleam black with a reflective mirror finish. The iP1800 delivers a 10x15cm (4”x6”) borderless photograph in 70 seconds, and the iP2500 in 55 seconds. The Canon iP1800 will be available from March 2007 for £39.00 / €59.00 and the Canon iP2500 from March 2007 for £49.00 / €75.00.

PMA 2007: The Fujifilm S700 digital camera features 7 megapixels, a 10x optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD plus electronic viewfinder, ISO 1600 and Picture Stabilization mode. The Fujifilm S700 also features a versatile xD/SD memory card slot. The Fujifilm S700 will be available in March 2007 for $249.95 US. In the UK, the Fujifilm S5700 (note the name change) will be available from April 2007 priced at £199.00.

PMA 2007: The Fujifilm A900 and Fujifilm A820 are new additions to Fujifilm’s entry-level camera range, offering 9 and 8 megapixels respectively. Both models incorporate Fujifilm’s Super CCD sensor technology, a 4x optical zoom lens and ISO 800. The Fujifilm A900 and Fujifilm A820 also feature a dual xD/SD memory card slot. The Fujifilm A900 and Fujifilm A820 will debut in May 2007 costing $179.95 and $199.95 US, respectively. In the UK, the Fujifilm A820 will be available from June 2007, priced at £149.

PMA 2007: The Pentax A30 is a 10 megapixel compact digital camera with a 1/1.8 inch CCD, anti-shake technology, 3x optical zoom and 2.5 inch LCD monitor. There’s also Face Recognition AF & AE for photographing people, Intelligent zoom function and 640x480, 30fps DivX movies. The Pentax A30 will be on sale from March for £199.99.

PMA 2007: The Pentax W30 is the latest addition to Pentax’s range of waterproof digital cameras. Offering 7.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and two new Shake Reduction modes, the Pentax W30 is waterproof to depths of three metres. Other standout features include a 2.5 inch LCD monitor, 1cm macro mode, and dust and sand-proofness. The Pentax W30 will be on sale from March for £189.99.

PMA 2007: The PENTAX-DA Star 16-50mm and smc PENTAX-DA Star 50-135mm are the first models in Pentax’s new, high performance lens range. Both lenses feature a supersonic motor to deliver smoother, quieter auto focusing operation, plus tightly sealed, weather and dust-resistant construction. These lenses were first shown at the Photokina show in September 2006, and are only compatible with Pentax’s digital SLR cameras. They will be available in May 2007, price to be confirmed.

PMA 2007: The smc PENTAX-DA Star lenses, smc PENTAX-DA 35mm macro lens, a dedicated auto flash and Pentax’s medium format 645 Digital with interchangable lens will be on show at this years PMA in Las Vegas, USA. There are four prototype lenses - smc PENTAX-DA Star 200mm, smc PENTAX-DA Star 300mm and smc PENTAX-DA Star 60-250mm and the PENTAX-DA 35mm macro. The Pentax 645 Digital was actually first shown at PMA last year, but has been bumped from 18 to 31 megapixels (tbc). All of these products are planned for release later in 2007.

The Transcend JetFlash V90 USB 2.0 Flash Drive features a stylish metal body with genuine pearl shell and 2Gb capacity. It includes eight functions: AutoLogin, PC-Lock, Favorites, Secret-Zip, E-mail, DataBackup, My JetFlash, and Online update. The Transcend JetFlash V90 costs 34€.

Monochrome enthusiasts will welcome the news of the reintroduction of ILFORD SFX 200 infrared film. Available from March 2007, ILFORD SFX 200 is a special red-filtered film perfect for landscapes, mountainscapes and similar subjects. “The revival of ILFORD SFX 200 film will enable those specialists who concentrate on outdoor photography to achieve a remarkable degree of control over their images,” commented ILFORD PHOTO marketing director Howard Hopwood. ILFORD SFX 200 is available in special value promotional packs which contain three rolls of 36x135 film plus an ILFORD COKIN P red filter.

Update: Ilford have also launched a competition called White Light, White Heat, which invites all amateur photographers to demonstrate their creative usage of ILFORD SFX 200 film.

Steves Digicams have reviewed the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550, which has a 2 inch LCD screen, and 4x zoom lens.

“The A550 is quite the performer, as long as you’re not using the flash. From power up to first image was captured measured just 1.5 seconds, and waking the camera from sleep mode to image capture took less than a second. Shutter lag, the delay between depressing the shutter button and capturing an image, was less than 1/10 of a second when pre-focused, and only 2/10 of a second including autofocus. “

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon PowerShot A550 Review

Photo-i have started an interactive review of the Epson Stylus Photo 1400 A3+ six-colour photo printer.

“After my recent batch of review printers, it is nice to take delivery of a box that doesn’t require two people to lift it. This box can easily fit it in the boot of most cars, which is handy for next time you pop into your computer superstore. As with most printers, there isn’t a USB cable included - so make sure you pick one up at the same time. Nor have Epson included a starter pack of media. This is such a shortsighted, penny saving mistake. Surely once people see how much better a photo looks on Epson’s own brand media, they won’t settle for anything less.”

Website: Photo-i - Epson Stylus Photo 1400 Review