Starting in April, Spinning Hat will be offering a large SD card shaped photo album that holds sixty 4x6” (10x15cm) prints. The cool album not only mimics the shape of the popular memory card, it even imitates the contacts on the rear side (see image gallery at the end of this post)! Spinning Hat is already taking pre-orders for the album, which can be yours for £9.99.

Pentax has issued a firmware update for the Pentax K-7 digital SLR camera. Version 1.03 improves the stability of movie recording with certain SDHC cards, and adds a distortion / chromatic aberration removal function for the smc PENTAX-FA 31mmF1.8AL, smc PENTAX-FA 43mmF1.9 and smc PENTAX-FA 77mmF1.8 Limited lenses.

Website: Latest Pentax K-7 Firmware Updates

PictoColor has released iCorrect EditLab Pro PowerSuite, comprising iCorrect EditLab Pro 5.5 Plug-in for Photoshop and iCorrect EditLab ProApp 6.0 standalone application, which integrates seamlessly into the Lightroom workflow or operates as a standalone batch processing colour correction program for JPEGs and TIFFs. With its highly acclaimed technology, smartly arranged tools, and workflow enhancing features, iCorrect EditLab technology will allegedly save photographers hours and minimise the frustration of making colour, noise, and sharpening adjustments, the company says. iCorrect EditLab Pro PowerSuite may be purchased at PictoColor’s on-line store at for an introductory price of $149.95 as a software download. After the introductory period the price will be $174.95.

Adobe Photoshop turns 20 tomorrow. In 1987, Thomas Knoll developed a pixel imaging application called Display - a simple program to showcase grayscale images on a black-and-white monitor. However, after collaborating with his brother John Knoll, the two began adding features that made it possible to process digital image files. The program eventually caught the attention of industry influencers, and in 1988, Adobe made the decision to license the software, naming it Photoshop, and shipping the first version in 1990. Over its 20-year history, Photoshop has evolved significantly from a simple original display program to a wildly popular application that has over 10 million users worldwide. “Twenty years ago, Adobe predicted that it would sell 500 copies of Photoshop per month,” said Thomas Knoll, co-creator of Photoshop at Adobe. “I guess you could say, we beat those projections!”

The International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) competition is back with a new format. This year there will be four seasonal competitions, based on specific themes, which allows photographers to win cash prizes throughout the year. The first of these seasonal competitions is on the theme of ‘Winter Beauty’ with a closing date of 28 February. In addtion to the new format, International Garden Photographer of the Year has also introduced a new category, ‘Wildflowers’. They will use this category in our exhibitions to highlight issues around the alarming disappearance of wild places.

Website: IGPOTY

The 14.1-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 boasts an ultrawide 25-250mm equivalent superzoom lens and a 3” LCD screen. Other highlights of the Sony H55 include Optical Steady Shot image stabilisation with Active Mode, 720p HD video recording, a Self portrait timer that automatically takes the shot two seconds after one or two faces are detected, Smile Shutter technology to automatically capture smiles and Sony’s trademark Sweep Panorama feature that lets you capture panoramic photographs effortlessly. The Sony H55 camera will be available in black and silver this April for about $250. Pre-sales begin in February.

The 10.2-megapixel Sony TX5 is the world’s thinnest and smallest certified waterproof digital still camera with Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation and touch operation. It’s also freezeproof, dustproof and shockproof up to about a five-foot drop. The Sony Cyber-shot TX5 features an “Exmor R” sensor and offers 10fps continuous burst shooting for capturing action shots plus Sony’sunique Sweep Panorama mode for taking panoramic images without having to bother with stitching individual frames. An ultra-wide 25-100mm equivalent 4x zoom lens and 720p HD movie recording round off the features list. Compatible with both SD(HC) and Memory Stick PRO Duo memory cards, the Sony TX5 camera will be available in silver, black, pink, green, and red this April for about $350.

The Shootout Ultralight backpack from Tenba weighs less than 48 ounces, yet has the capacity to accommodate a full-size pro digital camera system. Constructed of a rugged combination of nylons, chosen for their durability and water-resistance yet minimal weight, the Shootout Ultralight features a padded camera insert – Switchback Module – that can be used facing either the front or back of the pack. When reversed inside the bag, the camera gear can only be accessed through a discreet rear door on the harness side. The backpack is available in black/olive, silver/black and black/black color combinations, priced at $154.95.

The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, the Nikon D3S (review), the Olympus PEN E-P2 (review) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 (review) have just been tested over at DxOMark. The Nikon D3S (pictured), a camera that has recently been awarded our highest Essential rating, received a DxOMark sensor score of 82.4, which is the fourth-best score ever. The Nikon D3S sensor is bettered only by the Phase One P65+ and P40+ medium-format digital backs and the Nikon D3x. The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV landed on 16th place with a DxO Mark Sensor rating of 73.6. Out of the two Micro Four Thirds cameras, the Olympus E-P2 received a slightly higher score than the Panasonic GF1, though both achieved much lower results than the Lumix GH1 tested earlier on.

Website: DxOMark

Shutterstock has just announced the addition of its 10 millionth image. Founded in 2003, Shutterstock claims to be the largest subscription-based stock photo agency in the world. Its 10 millionth image is by Matthew Jacques of Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada. Jacques submitted a dramatic image of two male Dall Sheep locking horns against a snowy background, photographed at a wildlife park in Nova Scotia. A Shutterstock submitter since 2006, Jacques started taking pictures as a hobby, but he recently used his Shutterstock earnings to invest in a professional-quality DSLR camera and has branched out to shoot motor sports, weddings and portraits. “My hobby’s paying for itself,” said Jacques. “That’s what Shutterstock and online stock sales have done for me.”

Website: Matthew Jacques Photography

Panasonic Canada has unveiled the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1R, billed as an official product of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. As seen from the product shot above, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1R bears the Olympic logo on its front plate - otherwise it is the same thing as the regular Lumix DMC-ZR1 (a 2009 model known as the ZX1 outside North America).

Swiss company Seitz Phototechnik AG has launched a new automated panorama head that allegedly sets a new standard in high-speed, consistent 360° photography. The new Roundshot VR Drive “s” works in a simple, two step process. Firstly, it rotates, completing a revolution in eight seconds, while capturing up to 5 images per second. Secondly, the resulting images are assembled with high-powered stitching software. The panoramas can be rendered either as cylindrical or spherical images. The VR Drive is compatible with many SLR cameras and with all lenses, from fisheye to telephoto. Weighing in at 1.65 kg, the VR Drive “s” is priced at CHF 2,800 (€1,870).

Samsung has issued a firmware update for its NX series lenses, which are compatible with the Samsung NX10 interchangeable-lens system camera. Version 1.1 improves AF accuracy when using the Samsung NX 30mm f/2, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS (pictured) and 55-200mm f/4-5.6 ED OIS lenses.

Website: Samsung Support

Boinx Software has released a free update to FotoMagico 3, its storytelling software for digital photographers. Version 3.1 provides refinements to the user interface and offers new features to fine-tune the visual aspects of the slideshow. The new Chapters support makes it easier to structure the presentation. The dedicated FotoMagico Remote for iPhone & iPod touch has been updated with support for Chapters, swipe navigation and master volume control. FotoMagico 3.1 is available immediately for download from boinx.com/download. The update to FotoMagico 3.1 is free of charge to current FotoMagico 3.x license owners at their current license levels. A built-in assistant will guide users through the process of acquiring the proper license. FotoMagico 3.1 Home is available for $29 and FotoMagico 3.1 Pro (including PhotoPresenter 4) is available for $149. Requires Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and QuickTime 7.1 or newer, a Mac with G5 or Intel processor, with 1GB RAM or more. A free update to FotoMagico Remote for iPhone & iPod touch is available in the iTunes App Store.

Boinx Software has released PhotoPresenter 4, a major update to its quick presentation tool for digital photographers. Rewritten from scratch, PhotoPresenter 4 sports a revamped user interface, and integrates with all of the iApps on the Mac as iTunes, iDVD, iWeb or iPhoto but also with Photo Booth and Aperture – including the new Aperture 3. Flickr Users now can access their photos from their photo stream as well as the images of their friends. Available immediately for download priced at $29, Photo Presenter 4 requires Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or later and a supported Core Image graphics card.

Website: Boinx Software Kagi Store

The Cosina Voigtländer APO-LANTHAR 90mm F3.5 SL II is a manual-focus lens for Canon, Nikon and Pentax SLR cameras. It comes with a lens hood and an add-on close-up lens, which allows the photographer to focus down to 32cm, and achieve a magnification of 1:1.8. (Without the close-up adapter, the lens can focus down to 50cm only.) Constructed of 6 lens elements arranged in 5 groups, the Cosina APO-LANTHAR 90mm F3.5 SL II has 9 diaphragm blades, and comes in Canon EF, Nikon F Ai-S and Pentax KA versions. The lens has only been released for Japan; there is no word on international pricing or availability at the moment.

Via 1001 Noisy Cameras

Digimarc has announced three new editions of its popular Digimarc for Images product, all of which feature advanced “Chroma” technology that provides an easy, reliable means for image professionals and small businesses to communicate their ownership and usage rights wherever their valuable photos and other image assets are found across the internet. Imperceptible digital watermarks are easily embedded and read using Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, and a free browser plug-in is also available for Windows XP, Windows 7, and Vista users, which automatically detects watermarked images while surfing the web. Additionally, Digimarc introduced three new product editions: Basic, Professional and Small Business.  Previously online image search was only available at a $499 price point, but due to sizeable customer demand, Digimarc is now making its Search Service more broadly available to the Professional Edition customers for $99.

David Noton is reminding interested photographers that his Chasing the Light Road Show is taking place on 25 February in Sheffield. The show will explore the making of David’s most iconic and inspirational photographs, including landscape, travel portrait and wildlife images. The Sheffield show will also showcase David’s brand new images and video clips taken on recent trips to Bolivia, Umbria and Canada. The photo above, for example, was taken this month in Umbria, Italy. Tickets for the Sheffield event are priced at just £16.50 and can be purchased online at www.davidnoton.com.

Panasonic has provided some more clues about its 2010 plans for the Lumix G camera system. In a presentation at the Panasonic Convention 2010 in snowy Munich, Germany, Pansonic’s main aims for Lumix G, which currently incorporates the Four Thirds (L10) and Micro Four Thirds (GF1, G1, GH1) models, were briefly outlined as follows:

- Expand Lineup
- Pursue Easy Operation
- Expand Lens Lineup