DIWA member and Norwegian website Digit.no have published their review of the new Fujifilm FinePix E900 Zoom, a 9 megapixel digital camera with a 4x optical zoom lens equivalent to 32-128mm and an ISO range of ISO 80 to ISO 800.

Website: Digit.no - Fujifilm FinePix E900 Zoom Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

PMA 2006: The Olympus E-330 with live preview is announced today. 7.5 megapixels, 2.5 inch LCD, Supersonic Wave Filter, £900 in the UK, available in March.

Olympus UK Press Release

World’s first digital SLR with continuous live view*

London, 26 January 2006 – With its new E-330, Olympus introduces the fourth SLR body in the award winning Olympus E-System and expands the horizons of photography by including live view on the LCD screen of a digital SLR for the first time*. This ground-breaking innovation enables framing of shots without the need to look through the viewfinder, allowing users of the Olympus E-330 to remain aware of what’s going on around them while they shoot – a significant advantage for reportage or sports photographers. As the image is relayed live on a large bright LCD screen measuring 2.5”/ 6.4cm framing the subject is made much easier in situations when using a conventional viewfinder is too awkward, such as when photographing underwater. And as the large LCD on the Olympus E-330 can be tilted or swivelled to virtually any angle, the versatility of the Olympus E-330 is extended even further.

PMA 2006: The Olympus SP-320 is introduced. 7.1 megapixels, 3x zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, full range of shooting modes, RAW format, £230 in the UK, available in April.

Olympus UK Press Release

Explore your creative potential - the Olympus SP-320 giving control back to the photographer

London, 26 January 2006 – With the new Olympus SP320 ambitious photographers can let their imaginations run wild. In addition to an impressive 25 special scene modes, the camera has Programme, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and full Manual exposure control, plus manual and automatic focussing, leaving the photographer free to choose the settings they need, to achieve their desired effects. Boasting a 7.1 million pixel CCD the SP-320 has enough resolving power to record scenes in stunning detail. The precision 3x optical zoom of the SP320 gives even more flexibility and a histogram function enables exposure information to be displayed on the large 6.4cm LCD screen whilst the shot is being taken, to give expert photographers the opportunity to fine-tune their exposure for the perfect result. The SP-320 is a highly specified camera and for extra versatility a range of optional accessories is available, including lens converters and an underwater casing. Featuring a slim wedge-shaped design with ergonomic grip the SP320 is surprisingly robust for a camera with so many features that retails for just £230. Expect to see the Olympus SP-320 in all good camera shops April 2006.

PMA 2006: The Olympus mju 810 is announced. 8 megapixels, 3x zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, stainless steel, weatherproof body, BrightCapture Technology, £330 in the UK.

Olympus UK Press Release

Looks great – and so do the photos - the Olympus mju 810 – small in size, big in features

London, 26 January 2006 – With BrightCapture Technology and the ability to compensate for camera shake the Olympus mju 810 is ideal for photography in near dark situations, which presents something of a dilemma to photographers – as the camera looks so good that they’ll want to keep it in the light where other photographers can admire it! Olympus BrightCapture Technology is a must for those who want to capture the ambiance of a night time scene, without spoiling the mood by using flash. It increases the camera’s sensitivity to light allowing perfectly exposed shots to be recorded using natural light, even when the sun has gone down, and at the same time brightens the camera’s LCD screen to make it easier to frame photos. The slim-line stainless steel body of the Olympus mju 810 is weatherproof*, protecting its hi-tech interior from water, dust and snow, which might just come in handy as first deliveries are expected in March – in good time for April showers! The 8 million pixel, 3 x zoom Olympus mju 810 will be priced at around £330, available from all good camera dealers.

PMA 2006: The Olympus mju 720 SW is here. 7.1 megapixels, 3x zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, weatherproof and shockproof body, BrightCapture Technology, £300 in the UK.

Olympus UK Press Release

The Olympus mju 720 SW – a tough act to follow - when the going gets tough, the tough buy the mju 720 SW

London, 26 January 2006 – Designed to take the knocks, bumps and other trials of daily life with ease, the exceedingly tough Olympus mju 720 SW heralds a brand new era in digital photography. Waterproof to 3m* and resistant to falls from up to 1.5m*, this attractive yet incredibly robust camera can take pretty much anything life throws at it – whether that’s being showered with champers or dropped into a mountain stream. And as the Olympus mju 720 SW has been blessed with a 7.1 million pixel CCD and 3 x optical zoom and Olympus’s BrightCapture Technology it can endure virtually any photographic demands asked of it as well. BrightCapture Technology uses all of the information from the CCD to make the 6.4cm LCD screen significantly brighter, and boosts the camera’s light sensitivity to reduce the need to use flash.

PMA 2006: Introducing the Olympus mju 700. 7.1 megapixels, 3x zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, weatherproof body, BrightCapture Technology, available for £230 in the UK.

Olympus UK Press Release

Low light need never be a problem again - the Olympus mju 700 with BrightCapture Technology

London, 26 January 2006 – It’s a problem we’re all familiar with, the atmospheric lighting in bars, candlelit restaurants and at concerts looks great but flash photography leaves everyone looking like they’ve been caught in a headlights of an oncoming juggernaut. Luckily the Olympus mju 700 has the perfect solution built in. Olympus’s innovative BrightCapture Technology allows the 7.1 million pixel mju 700 to take perfectly exposed shots in low light without having to use flash, so all of the romance, drama and excitement of the occasion are perfectly preserved. And as BrightCapture also boosts the power of the camera’s large 6.4cm LCD screen, there’s no more groping around in the dark to frame photos either. A weatherproof* metal body slim enough to slip into a pocket means that the µ (mju) 700 can be taken anywhere and, as a choice of four exciting colours are available there’s something for everyone. The great looking µ (mju) 700 will available in shops from March priced at around £230.

PMA 2006: The Olympus FE-160 is announced. 6 megapixels, 2.8x zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, available at Dixons, Currys and PC World stores in the UK.

Olympus UK Press Release

6 million pixel photography for beginners and hobbyists

London, 26 January 2006 – Anyone opting for the new Olympus FE-160 will find themselves snapping away like a pro within minutes of opening the box. The new 2.8x zoom, 6 million pixel camera has been designed very much with trouble-free photography in mind, but not at the expense of picture quality. The camera’s lightweight, slim metal body exudes style and is compact enough to be slipped into a bag or pocket ready for use at a moments notice. At 6.4cm, the large LCD makes taking photos and viewing the results dead easy. Most of all, beginners will really appreciate the camera controls that are virtually self explanatory. The attractively-priced FE-160 is the perfect solution for all beginners and hobby photographers alike and will be available exclusively at Dixons, Currys and PC world stores from April.

PMA 2006: The Olympus FE-150 is unveiled. 5 megapixels, 3x zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, £160 in the UK.

Olympus UK Press Release

5 million pixel photography for beginners and hobbyists - The Olympus FE-150, an easy way to take great photos

London, 26 January 2006 – Anyone opting for the new Olympus FE-150 will find themselves snapping away like a pro within minutes of opening the box. The new 3x zoom, 5 million pixel camera has been designed very much with trouble-free photography in mind, but not at the expense of picture quality. The camera’s lightweight, slim metal body exudes style and is compact enough to be slipped into a bag or pocket ready for use at a moments notice. At 6.4cm, the large LCD makes taking photos and viewing the results dead easy. Most of all, beginners will really appreciate the camera controls that are virtually self explanatory. The attractively-priced FE-150 is the perfect solution for all beginners and hobby photographers alike and, from April, will be available from all good camera shops for around £160.

PMA 2006: The Olympus FE-140 and Olympus FE-130 are introduced. 6 and 5.1 megapixels, 3x zoom, 2.5 and 2.0 inch LCDs, £170 and £140 in the UK respectively.

Olympus UK Press Release

Great value fun and quality - No nonsense photography with the Olympus FE-130 and FE-140

London, 26 January 2006 – Ideally suited for budget-conscious hobby photographers who want to start shooting right away, the FE-130 and FE-140 match good quality with easy operation and a great appearance. Based on a no nonsense “one button, one function” design principle, these two cameras offer exceptionally easy operation that in no way compromises the quality of the photos they produce. Featuring 5.1 and 6.0 million pixel resolution respectively, photos taken with the FE-130 and FE-140 have enough detail to withstand printing even at larger sizes. The versatility of 3x optical zoom lenses makes it easy to frame subjects without having to continually move the camera backwards and forwards, as does the cameras’ respective 5.1cm and 6.4cm LCD screens, which also prove very handy when showing off pictures already taken to friends and family.

PMA 2006: The Olympus FE-115 is announced today. 5 megapixels, 2.8x zoom, 1.5 inch LCD, £120 in the UK.

Olympus UK Press Release

Digital photography as easy as one, two, three - the Olympus FE-115, an easy introduction to digital photography

London, 26 January 2006 – The Olympus FE-115 is not only easy to use, it delivers great quality 5 million pixel photos at a very affordable price. With a 2.8x optical zoom lens and a 1.5 inch LCD screen even photo novices will have a great time using the FE-115. They’ll be able to find their way around the camera’s various functions in no time, as the controls are conveniently positioned and most buttons have just a single dedicated function. In addition, the ergonomically-designed, lightweight silver body coupled with 28MB of internal memory and xD-Picture Card compatibility make the FE-115 great for long-lasting photo fun. It will be available from February 2006 priced at around £120.

PMA 2006: A new range of Olympus underwater and outdoor cases are announced today.

Olympus UK Press Release

Swim and shoot - see what’s beneath the waves with Olympus underwater and outdoor cases

London, 26 January 2006 – Outdoor pursuits such as swimming, snorkelling and diving are some of the most fun and memorable activities of any summer holiday. So why is it that these moments are rarely seen in holiday snaps? Now there can be no more excuses for letting memories of coral reefs and marine life fade, they can live be captured forever using Olympus digital cameras safely housed in one of a range of waterproof cases. Olympus underwater and outdoor cases are constructed from durable yet lightweight polycarbonate and retain all camera functions providing photographers with full shooting control. And with models available that are waterproof to 3m, 40m or 60m*, there’s sure to be a solution for everyone’s underwater shooting needs – whether professional or holiday maker.

Wolverine Data Press Release

Wolverine Data Announces Distribution Deal with Costco.Com; Online Retailer Now Offers MVP 9060 60GB Portable Media Player

IRVINE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 25, 2006—Wolverine Data Inc. today announced it has signed a distribution deal with Costco (NASDAQ:COST) to sell one of its most popular products, the MVP 9060 60GB Portable Multimedia Storage and Player, on www.costco.com and Costco Business Centers. “This is a vital step in expanding distribution of our products,” stated Matt Mardini, president of Wolverine Data. “With Costco reaching sales of $6.37 billion in the last five weeks of 2005 alone, it is obviously a major force in retailing, and we’re proud to be associated with them.” The Wolverine(R) MVP 9060 is a 60GB portable media player and storage device that stores, writes and plays back up to 20,000 songs, 20,000 photos or 60 full-length movies downloaded from computers or through the unique built-in 7-in-1 memory card readers. Features include a razor-sharp 2.5-inch color LCD display with resolution of up to 720x480 pixels. Its Costco.com price is $349.99 (item #975634).

DigitalCameraReview have reviewed the new dual lens Kodak V570 camera.

“The top billing on this camera is the dual lens system, which Kodak has branded as RETINA. Now, just to clear any misconceptions up, the two Schneider-Kreuznach C-Variogon lenses are not used at the same time. One is used for ultra-wide angle shots (23mm equivalent), and the other lens provides the typical 3x optical zoom (39-117mm equivalent). When you operate the zoom rocker switch, an illustration on the LCD shows where you are in the range, and which lens is in use. To handle the two lenses, the camera also has two 5 megapixel sensors. Please note, if digital zoom is turned on, the camera will provide digital zoom for the zoom range between the ultra-wide lens and the wide end of the regular lens. Once digital zoom is turned off, there will be a “jump” between the two lenses. Also, you cannot use the ultra-wide lens in Macro or Landscape modes. Also, there are several scene modes where the ultra-wide lens is disabled. When you choose a mode, it provides some explanation text where this is denoted.”

Website: DigitalCameraReview - Kodak V570 Review

Website: Read my Kodak Easyshare V570 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the Casio EX-Z120, a 7 megapixel camera Anti Shake DSP technology which reduces blurring caused either by shaking hands or moving subjects.

“The 3x optical zoom lens produced sharp results throughout its range, although with noticeable softness in the corners at full telephoto. Its 38 - 114mm (in 35mm equivalence) focal length range is typical for a camera in this class. At 38mm, there’s enough field of view for group portraits and landscapes, while its 114mm telephoto extreme will bring distant subjects a bit closer. The lens exhibits a very slight amount of chromatic aberration (purple fringing in high-contrast areas) and noticeable barrel distortion at wide angle, but the telephoto end of the zoom range is essentially distortion-free.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Casio EX-Z120 Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

DigitalCameraInfo have published their review of the new Fujifilm FinePix E900 Zoom, a 9 megapixel digital camera with a 4x optical zoom lens equivalent to 32-128mm and an ISO range of ISO 80 to ISO 800.

“The Fujifilm FinePix E900 is an ambitious camera – at 9 megapixels, its sensor has a higher resolution than Fuji’s DSLRs. The camera is equipped with a 4x optical zoom lens that equates to a variable focal length of 32mm to 128mm (35mm equivalent), providing users with a true wide-angle to moderate telephoto perspective. The 1/1.6-inch SuperCCD imaging chip supports a top ISO rating of 800, and the camera’s manual controls are both complete and convenient to use. With a list price of $499 and online prices closer to $400, the FinePix E900 has the features to be a worthwhile step-up from entry-level compacts. “

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Fujifilm FinePix E900 Zoom Review

Latest Prices / User Reviews

ePhotoZine have reviewed Alien Skin Exposure, an all-new plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and other compatible programs which claims to bring look and feel of film to digital photography.

“You could do most of the things you can here with the controls available to you in programs such as Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop, but not with the ease or clarity that Exposure allows. The program is so simple to use, and what makes it even more foolproof in mimicking your favourite film is that a series of presets have already been worked out for you. These include black & white films such as Kodak T-Max, Konica 750 Infrared and Fuji Neopan or colour films such as Kodachrome 25, Fuji Velvia 100 and Agfa RSX II.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Alien Skin Exposure Review

Here are the sample photos from my upcoming review of the 6 megapixel Fujifilm Finepix F11, a couple of days before the full review is online. The Fujifilm F11 is one of the few compact digital cameras (if not the only one) to offer a useable ISO range of 80-1600 - check out the handheld night photos to see the results that are possible at ISO 1600. I’ve also included the sample movie. Enjoy…

Website: Fujifilm Finepix F11 Photos

Samsung UK Press Release

Get Cash Back on the Award Winning Samsung Pro 815

… £50 cash back offer on Pro 815
… Valid for purchases between 1 Feb - 30 April 2006

Samsung Cameras is announcing a great cash back promotion throughout Spring offering purchasers of the multi-award winning Pro 815 digital camera the chance to claim back £50.*

The promotion will apply to Samsung Pro815’s purchased at all leading photographic retail outlets between 1 February and 30 April 2006.  Purchasers simply need to complete a form on the www.samsungcamera.co.uk website and send it to the featured address together with the camera serial number and proof of purchase (these items will be returned to the purchaser). A cheque to the value of £50 will then be sent to the new Samsung Pro815 owner.

Kodak UK Press Release

Kodak and Ingenico sign global deal to provide chip and PIN payment when getting prints from award-winning KODAK Picture Kiosks.

LONDON, January 24 2006 - Getting prints from your digital pictures has never been easier and is now more secure than ever with the collaboration announcement between Kodak and Ingenico, the world’s leader in secure payment transaction solutions. Initially available in the UK, with plans to roll out across Europe this year, the global agreement will see Ingenico supply a chip and PIN solution for Kodak picture kiosks at retail locations worldwide.

KODAK Picture Kiosk customers will now enjoy a faster more convenient experience using the Ingenico 5100 payment terminal that will allow them to by-pass shop queues and securely pay for their pictures while awaiting prints.

FilmLoop Press Release

FilmLoop Teams With Photobucket to Provide Photocasting Capabilities to the Web’s Largest Image Hosting Community; Partnership With Fastest Growing Web Site to Further Boost FilmLoop’s Tremendous Growth

PALO ALTO, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 23, 2006—FilmLoop, Inc., a provider of free software that enables people and businesses to share, broadcast and find photos, today announced that its photocasting technology is now available to all members of Photobucket, the Web’s largest online image hosting site. Each of the more than 30 million albums hosted on the Photobucket site now have a “Loop It!” button; by simply clicking on the “Loop It!” icon, Photobucket’s more than 10 million registered users can now instantly create a FilmLoop “Loop” of their Photobucket album. The Loop can be shared directly with family, friends, and colleagues, or linked on Blogs and personal Web pages.