PMA 2007: The new MyBook Photo Book Kit is an easy photo album creation kit, allowing you to produce traditional 8 ½” x 11” hard-cover bound books from your photos. MyBook Photo Book Kit includes 1 book with a window cut, 2 end sheets, and photo book layout software for under $20.00 and will be available in Q2 2007.

Nikon have just released a firmware update for the new Nikon D40 entry level DSLR camera. The following improvements have been made with firmware version 1.10.

- The camera will be Certified for Windows Vista adding support for the new USB Media Transfer Protocol (MTP). The PTP option in the setup menu’s USB item will be displayed as MTP/PTP.
- The range of years that can be selected in the Date option in the setup menu’s World time has been expanded to 2000 – 2099.

Nikon have just released a firmware update for the new 10 megapixel Nikon D80 DSLR camera. The following improvements have been made with firmware version 1.01.

- The viewfinder electronic analog exposure display will indicate if the brightness of the subject exceeds camera’s exposure control. This will occur in Program auto (P) exposure mode, this will also occur in Shutter-priority auto (S) or Aperture-priority auto (A) exposure modes if the built-in flash is raised.
- Effects of processing performed when the Long exp. NR item in the shooting menu is enabled have been improved.

PNY Optima is a new high speed range of memory cards, offering a minimum write speed of 9MB/sec, minimum read speed above 10MB/sec and up to 4GB storage capacity. The PNY Optima Secure Digital is available now in 1GB and 2GB capacities. The PNY Optima SDHC 4GB Optima version (class 6) will be available by the end of Q1 2007. The PNY Optima CompactFlash is available now in 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB capacities.

Hama have unveiled two new digital photo frames, to be shown at the CeBIT show on 15 March 2007. The 7 inch version has 640 x 480 pixels, measures 23 x 15.5 x 4 cm and costs 89 euros. The larger 8 inch frame offers 800 x 400 pixels, a non-reflecting TFT screen and a USB port, allowing it to function as an external card reader. Price to be announced.

At the upcoming CeBit exhibition in March, Hama will present two high-speed readers as part of the Tech-Line series. Both card readers can read CompactFlash cards and Micro Drives and have a shockproof casing. The USB-2.0 version can manage up to 30 MB/s and the FireWire-800 version up to 40 MB/s.

The new Kingston DataTraveler ReadyFlash USB 2.0 flash drive has been developed to support Microsoft Windows ReadyBoost technology, part of Windows Vista. Windows ReadyBoost allows your system to utilise an additional memory source, alongside DRAM, for processing data and applications. Therefore the DataTraveler ReadyFlash can be used as a flexible storage medium for Windows ReadyBoost cache. The 1Gb version costs £14, with the 2Gb version retailing at £25 (VAT not included).

We have a selection of sample photos from a pre-production version of the new Panasonic DMC-FZ8 digital camera, taken at the European press event in Paris, France. Note that these images are not indicative of the final quality of the FZ8.

View the Panasonic DMC-FZ8 Photos

We have a selection of sample photos from a pre-production version of the new Panasonic DMC-TZ3 digital camera, taken at the European press event in Paris, France. Note that these images are not indicative of the final quality of the TZ3.

View the Panasonic DMC-TZ3 Photos

PMA 2007: The Panasonic DMC-FZ8 features a 12x optical zoom Leica lens equivalent to 36mm to 432mm, with an Optical Image Stabiliser, 7.2 megapixel CCD, RAW mode and joystick control for manual adjustment of focusing and exposure setting. Replacing the DMC-FZ7 model, the DSLR-like Panasonic DMC-FZ8 will be available from March 2007, price to be confirmed.

PMA 2007: The Panasonic DMC-TZ3 and Panasonic DMC-TZ2 both fit a 10x optical zoom in a compact, stylish body, equivalent to 28-280mm focal range. The TZ3 offers 7.2 megapixels and 3 inch LCD screen, whilst the TZ2 has a 6 megapixel sensor and 2.5 inch LCD. The Panasonic DMC-TZ3 and Panasonic DMC-TZ2 replace the original TZ1 model and will be available in May 2007, pricing to be confirmed.

PMA 2007: The Panasonic DMC-FX30 is the world’s slimmest digital camera with a 28mm wide-angle lens. There’s also an Optical Image Stabiliser, ISO 1250 and Intelligent ISO Control for shake-free photos. The Panasonic DMC-FX30 will be available in March, price to be announced.

PMA 2007: The new Panasonic DMC-FX12 and Panasonic DMC-FX10 digital cameras both offer 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. The 7.2 megapixel DMC-FX12 and 6.0 megapixel DMC-FX10 will be available from March 2007, prices to be confirmed.

PMA 2007: The Panasonic DMC-LZ7 and Panasonic DMC-LZ6 cameras both offer a 6x zoom lens (37mm to 222mm), Easy Zoom feature which shifts the lens instantly to full zoom, 7.2 megapixels, Optical Image Stabilizer and Intelligent ISO Control. The DMC-LZ7 has a large, bright 2.5 inch LCD, whilst the LZ6 has a 2 inch model. The DMC-LZ7 and DMC-LZ6 are available from March 2007, prices to be confirmed.

PMA 2007: The entry-level Panasonic DMC-LS75 and Panasonic DMC-LS60 cameras offer 7.2 megapixels and 6.0 megapixels respectively. Replacing the DMC-LS2, both models have a 3x optical zoom lens, new Easy Zoom feature which shifts the lens instantly to full 3x zoom, optical image stabilizer, Intelligent ISO Control and run on widely available AA batteries. The DMC-LS75 has a 2.5 inch screen, whilst the DMC-LS60 has a 2 inch LCD. The DMC-LS75 and DMC-LS60 will be available from March, prices to be announced.

PMA 2007: The Panasonic KX-PX20 and Panasonic KX-PX2 are easy-to-use, dye-sub home photo printers with print life of up to 100 years. The KX-PX20 features a 3.6 inch colour LCD screen, the biggest in its class. Both printers can read extra information that is unique to Lumix digital cameras from the recorded EXIF data, and both can print 16:9 wide aspect images.

The Epson P-5000 Multimedia Storage Viewer is a new portable storage device that allows you to view, store and manage digital photos, music and movies. The P-5000 has a 4 inch Photo Fine Ultra colour LCD, which features the world’s first 4-colour filter system. Both JPEG and RAW files can be stored on the 80GB hard drive, and there are built-in card slots for Compact Flash and SD / SDHC memory cards. Epson have revamped the overall design and user interface, resulting in a more rugged unit. So is the Epson P-5000 a worthy successor to the older P-4000, and is it still a good investment for the keen photographer? Read our review to find out.

Website: Epson P-5000 Review

This month there is some fantastic photography software up for grabs, courtesy of ACDSee Systems, who are offering 4 copies of ACDSee Pro, and Ulead Systems, who are offering 2 copies of Ulead PhotoImpact 12.

On Friday 2nd February 2007, six names will be randomly selected from the list of PhotographyBLOG Newsletter subscribers.

First, Second, Third and Fourth Prizes - ACDSee Pro
ACDSee Pro allows you to view, process, edit, organize, catalog, publish, and archive your photo collections.

Fifth and Sixth Prizes - Ulead PhotoImpact 12
The latest version of Ulead PhotoImpact adds innovative features that allow beginners to immediately enjoy success in editing their digital photos.

Entering the competition is simple - just subscribe to the PhotographyBLOG Newsletter before Friday 2nd February 2007.

PMA 2007: The Samsung NV11 is an updated version of the NV10 featuring a Schneider lens, Smart Touch user interface, 2.7 inch high definition LCD, 10 megapixels and 5x optical zoom lens. The NV11 is also equipped with Samsung’s Face Recognition technology, 1600 ISO high-sensitivity capability and ASR image stabilisation system. The Samsung NV11 will retail at £299.99 and is available from leading high street and online retailers from mid-March 2007.

PMA 2007: The Samsung L74 Wide digital camera features a 3.0 inch touch screen LCD, 7 megapixels, 3.6x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens. There’s also Face Recognition AF & AE, ASR image stabilisation system and MPEG-4 SVGA quality movies. The Samsung L74 Wide will retail at £229.99 and will be available from leading high street and online retailers from mid-March 2007.