Fujiflm Japan has unveiled a new ultra-compact digital camera, the Fujifilm FinePix Z300. This is a ten-megapixel model with CCD-shift image stabilisation, a sliding faceplate, 5x optical zoom and a 3” touch-sensitive rear screen. The Japanese press release is heavily touting the function that allows you to focus on the subject and take a photo simply by touching the screen, i.e. without having to press the shutter release button. The FinePix Z300 is manufactured in pink, violet, black and white colours, and will be released on 20th June in Japan. There are currently no plans to release the Z300 outside of Japan. Click through / read on for the key specs.

Website: Fujifilm FinePix Z300 Press Release (in Japanese)

Reallusion, creators of 3D and facial animation software CrazyTalk, have announced the release of CrazyTalk 6. Highlights of the new version include a newly enhanced facial fitting technology which enables more natural head rotation animation and smooth facial performance for animals, comics, robots, anime, machines, humans etc; multi-actor animation; digital actors for moviemaking, an interactive camera and direct upload to YouTube and publishing to social networks, blogs and websites. CrazyTalk 6 Standard costs £34.99, while the pro version will set you back £109.99 including VAT.

Kata has relased a new range of protective photo reporter bags, including the PR-420 (pictured), PR-440 and PR-460 models. These models differ in size, but all of them offer customisable internal compartments with modular dividers, while an internal removable insert lets you define the rigidity of the bag, allowing you to either leave in for a more protective bag or to take out to make the bag more compact. The new photo reporter bags are available now from £129.95.

‘99 Ways To Make Money From Your Photos’ is a new book released by Photopreneur. Packed with insider tips, practical strategies, and case studies, “99 Ways To Make Money From Your Photos” shares 99 creative ways to make images that generate cash. Each chapter reveals what to shoot, how to break in, and where to go to generate sales. Readers will learn how to sell stock, approach galleries, host their own exhibitions, earn money with Flickr, shoot for social networking sites, create and market photo products, form joint ventures, upsell their event photography etc. The 340-page softcover book has a list price of $34.95 and is available on Amazon and by visiting the Photopreneur website.

Website: Photopreneur

Nikon has announced an upcoming firmware update for the Nikon Coolpix L100 superzoom model, which will make it possible to use rechargeable Ni-MH batteries to power the camera. The release of the firmware update will coincide with that of a new battery charger called the MH-73 and a set of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries (EN-MH2-B4).

Review: Read our recent in-depth review of the Nikon Coolpix L100

Casio today announced the 12.1-megapixel Casio EXILIM Hi-Zoom EX-H10, billing it as “the world’s thinnest and lightest camera” among digital cameras with a 10X or greater optical zoom lens. Casio also quotes a battery life of 1,000 shots according to the CIPA standard. Other highlights include a 24-240mm equivalent zoom, a 3” rear screen and CCD-shift image stabilisation, all in a body that is just 24.3mm thin. Apart from capturing twelve-megapixel still photographs, the Casio EXILIM EX-H10 can also record HD movies at 1280x720 pixels. In the UK the Casio EX-H10 will retail at £299, availability to be announced. In the USA the Casio H10 will be available in mid July in black for $299.99.

Aaduki Multimedia, an insurance company that offers a specialist service to photographers, has announced that it will be attending the DPI Show in London at the Islington Business Design Centre on June 18 and 19. Aaduki Multimedia has grown in the last 2 years to become one of the leading insurance providers of insurance for photographers, journalists and video makers, the company says. Aaduki will be offering special prices at the DPI Show.

The ninth Ricoh Photo Contest is now open for entries. The theme for the contest is “Laughter.” Since June 2004, Ricoh has been holding this contest for users who enjoy photography with Ricoh compact digital cameras. The application period lasts until 21st August, and the entries can be submitted via the contest website. A total of 50 photos will be chosen as winners from among the photos submitted, including a grand prize winner. Both professional and amateur works are accepted, as long as they have been taken with a Ricoh digital camera.

Website: Ricoh Contest Website

Idruna has announced version 6 of Pocket Phojo, its Windows Mobile software for real time digital photography transmission. Currently in use by newspapers, news agencies, military, and police forces around the world, Pocket Phojo can have a photo transmitted from anywhere in the world to where it is needed within moments of it being taken. Versioon 6 adds support for the newly announced Eye-Fi Pro card and comes loaded with new features. Pocket Phojo is available now from http://www.idruna.com/pocketphojo.html

Eye-Fi Inc. today unveiled the Eye-Fi Pro, a new wireless SDHC memory card for digital cameras that allows professionals and photo enthusiasts to automatically upload images straight from their camera to their computer and the Web. The Eye-Fi Pro also allows users to create an ad hoc connection through their computer or other mobile device to wirelessly upload media files while away from a wireless router. Like the Eye-Fi Explore Video, the new Eye-Fi Pro will automatically upload images and videos direct to more than 25 online photo and video sharing sites. It also lets users upload away from home at more than 10,000 Wayport and open hotspots, and will automatically geotag photos with information about where the images were taken. The Eye-Fi Pro is now available at Amazon.com and www.eye.fi for an MSRP of $149.

DxO Labs have released their new DxO Optics Pro version 5.3.4, which adds support to the Canon EOS 500D, Fujifilm S100FS, Nikon D5000, Pentax K200 and K-m, Sony A200 and A300 cameras. With these seven new models DxO Optics Pro 5.3.4 adds 155 new DxO Optics Correction Modules and now supports more than 1,400 camera body/lens combinations. The release of DxO Optics Pro 5.3.4 is accompanied by the publication of RAW sensor data and DxOMark Sensor rankings for the Canon EOS 500D and the Nikon D5000 on the dxomark.com website, along with reviews for both.

Website: DxOMark

Fantasea Line has released a new housing specifically designed for the Nikon Coolpix L19 and L20 digital cameras. The FL-19/20 Housing, depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, is fully functional providing photographers with access to all camera functions. Like the simultaneously announced FA-480, the FL-19/20 has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a 46mm threaded lens port. The FL-19/20 protects the Nikon Coolpix camera from water, sand, dust, and other damaging elements. It can be yours for $279.95.

Fantasea Line has released a new underwater housing specifically designed for the Canon PowerShot A480 digital camera. The FA-480, depth rated to 60 meters/200 feet, is fully functional providing photographers with access to all camera functions. It has a double O-ring seal on all controls, anti-glare hood over LCD screen, removable flash diffuser and a 46mm threaded lens port. The FA-480 protects the Canon Powershot A480 camera from water, sand, dust, and other damaging elements. It is available now for $279.95.

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Canon PowerShot A480

Photo Iconic has teamed up with Jacobs Digital Photo & Video to run a series of photo courses in the Pro Lounge at Jacobs’ New Oxford Street store, London. The first one is entitled “Shoot, Edit, Print”, and takes place on 10-11 July. This intensive hands-on two-day course guides you through the whole digital imaging process, from preparing to shoot to outputting images, for a fee of £325. Other courses include “The Perfect Travel Kit” (Saturday 18th July, 11am-1.30pm, £40) and “Shooting Travel Images That Sell” (Saturday 19th September, 11am-1.30pm, £40). To book your place on any of these courses, visit www.photoiconic.com.

At the time of the SELPHY CP790 announcement, Canon also revealed of the SELPHY CP780 ultra-compact printer. Available in pink, blue, silver or white, the SELPHY CP780 also offers fully portable printing with an optional battery pack. For enhanced ease-of-use, the SELPHY CP780 incorporates a user-friendly interface, plus large buttons with a straightforward layout. The SELPHY CP780 has three memory card slots and a 2.5” TFT LCD. The printer includes updated, easy-to-use software – SELPHY Photo Print – which now includes audio guidance, so when users are printing from a computer a voice provides spoken instructions. The SELPHY CP780 is available from mid June 2009 priced at £129.00 / €149.00 RRP inc. VAT.

Canon has just introduced the SELPHY CP790 compact photo printer that allegedly makes it easier than ever to produce “lab-quality” postcard-sized prints. A large 3.0” LCD display and Canon’s Easy-Scroll Wheel makes it simple, quick and easy to set up and navigate. With an integrated carrying handle, storage basket and optional battery pack, the SELPHY CP790 also enables users to print wherever they are – no PC required. A built-in PictBridge port and memory card slots make it easy to print directly from a wide range of digital cameras and memory cards. Users can even produce prints directly from their mobile phones via Infra-red or an optional Bluetooth adapter. The SELPHY CP790 also includes a range of Automatic Image Correction functions, such as Red-Eye Correction, Skin Tone optimisation and Noise Reduction that automatically enhances the quality of the photos. The My Colors option also enables users to quickly add special effects such as Sepia, Vivid, Positive Film and Black & White to their prints. The SELPHY CP790 is available from July 2009 priced at £169.00 / €189.00 RRP inc. VAT.

Fotopedia is a new online photo encyclopaedia that lets photographers, curators, and visitors contribute, collaborate and enrich images to be useful to the whole community. The new site can be used to organise photos from personal storage, Flickr, Picasa, and other services based on subject or any user-defined index, alongside a mashup of contextual information. Unlike other photo networks, Fotopedia does not force users to store their files on its site. Rather, it creates a complete “ecosystem” around the pictures, regardless of where they are stored or hosted. Photographers build albums featuring their best photos, select Wikipedia articles that add context to the photos and are then nominated in Fotopedia. Anyone can start participating at Fotopedia today and help build the world’s first photo encyclopaedia.

Website: Fotopedia