Four 8ft prints by professional photographer David Osborn of Britishpanoramics.com, taken with the 160 megapixel Seitz 6x17, are about to be shown for the first time. ‘There isn’t another camera anywhere in the world that takes larger digital pictures than the 160 mega pixel Seitz, and the files produce incredible results,’ says Osborn. You can judge Osborn’s prints for yourselves on the Innova Art stand at Focus on Imaging at the NEC from 22-25 February.

Epson’s Traditional Photo Paper, a professional quality inkjet media with a nostalgic smooth and glossy finish, is now available in roll format. It is available in 15m roll lengths with widths of 17”, 24”, 44” and 64”. Prices start at £78.51 (Ex. VAT). Epson is also offering 50% off its traditional photo paper sheet media range until the end of March, including A2 Premium Lustre Photo Paper, Premium Glossy Photo Paper and Premium Semigloss Photo Paper.

The Billingham PhotoVest is designed to securely carry a serious amount of equipment. An updated version of the 10 year old original PhotoVest, the new Billingham Photo Vest is comfortable, lightweight, fully lined, using advances in materials technology and feedback from photographers. Available in 5 different sizes, the Billingham PhotoVest retails at £185.

The Sanyo Xacti HD2000 is the first camera in the world to shoot progressive, Full HD 1920x1080 video at 60fps. This dual stills / video model also features a flip-out 2.7-inch LCD screen, 8 megapixel CMOS sensor, 10x optical zoom, 12fps burst mode, and Face Chaser technology, all in a pocketable up-right body. The Sanyo HD2000 is the most advanced offering in the new Xacti range, and has a launch price of £549. Gavin Stoker braved the deep snow and arctic conditions of the wintery UK to bring you our 315th review.

Website: Sanyo Xacti HD2000 Review

Canon USA are offering $200 off the purchase of an EOS DSLR, EF lens and a Speedlite flash. Purchases must be made between February 11, 2009 - March 1, 2009. Qualifying Products:

Cameras - EOS-1Ds Mark III, EOS-1D Mark III, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 50D, EOS 40D

Lenses - EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

Flash - Speedlite 580EX II

Website: Canon $200 Mail-In Rebate

Olympus have released new firmware updates for the mju 1060 (pictured) and FE-370 compact cameras. Version 1.2 improves the sound quality of movies edited on the camera.

Website: Olympus Download Files

Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited 2009 is a photo stitching software program that quickly creates wide-angle images and panoramas. Formerly known as RealViz Stitcher, Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited‘s intuitive user interface, five-step workflow, and powerful image stitching technology enables you to merge your images in just a few clicks. It also offers support for industry-standard image, web, and video file formats, including high dynamic range images (HDRI). Jon Canfield found out if Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited 2009 is worth the $350 / £300 asking price.

Website: Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited 2009 Review

Canon have unveiled five new printing and scanning products, including the Pro9500 and Pro9000 Mark II professional A3+ printers. The Canon Pro9500 Mark II is a 10-colour A3+ photo printer with 3 monochrome inks, built-in Ambient Light Adjustment and DVD/CD direct print. The Canon Pro9000 Mark II offers sinilar features but uses an 8-colour ink system with additional red and green inks for enhanced color reproduction. The Canon MP868 and MX328 are new all-in-one photo printers, and the LiDE 700F Film Scanner offers 9,600 x 9,600dpi optical resolution for high quality film scanning. All five products were originally announced by Canon Hong Kong.

In the US, the Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II will be available in May for $499.99, the Canon PIXMA Pro9500 Mark II for $849.99, and the LiDE700F scanner in April for $129.99. In the UK and Europe, the Pro9000 Mark II will be available from June 2009 priced at £499.00 / €559.00 RRP inc. VAT., and the Pro9500 Mark II is available from June 2009 priced at £729.00 / €819.00 RRP inc. VAT.

Contrary to recent rumours, Sony will not be announcing any new DSLR cameras at this year’s PMA show (March 3rd-5th). Instead the company will “concentrate on new consumer point-and-shoot models and camera accessories at PMA, some of which will be pro-oriented”, according to an article by Photo District News. New DSLR’s will apparently follow later on this summer, which may disappoint those those hoping for a replacement model for the 12 megapixel Sony A700 (pictured).

Website: Photo District News - No DSLR Announcements Coming from Sony at PMA

The Dell Wasabi PZ310 is a new portable printer that creates 2x3 inch borderless color images in less than a minute. Based on ZINK Imaging’s ink-free printing technology (also used in the Polaroid Digital Instant Mobile Photo Printer), the Dell Wasabi measures just 4.8 in. x 2.8 in. x 0.9 in. and weighs 7 ounces. Available in three colours - pink, black and blue - the Dell PZ310 is launching with a promotional price of $99 for a limited time (normally $149).

The Moab and Tecco brands are now being distributed in the UK by Colour Confidence. “As a business, we are dedicated to absolute colour accuracy, which is achieved through a combination of colour management and top quality inkjet media. That is why we are delighted to introduce both the Tecco and Moab brands to the UK photographic market, consolidating our position as a one-stop-shop for achieving truly outstanding images.” concluded Geoffrey Clements. Colour Confidence now holds large stocks of the Tecco and Moab range, together with papers from Permajet and photographic inks from Epson and Canon, offering next day delivery throughout the UK.

Today we bring you the World’s first review of the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 compact digital camera. The Panasonic FS25 replaces the FS20 and now offers a 12 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom with 29mm wide-angle setting, and an improved Intelligent Auto mode. Find out if the FS25 can live up to the high standards set by its predecessor…

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 Review

The Sony GPS-CS3KA is a new GPS image tracker that’s compatible with most Sony cameras and camcorders. The GPS CS3KA has a more modern, rounded design than the model that it replaces, but essentially offers the same functionality. It allows you to record the time, date and location for each photo that you take, and then use Sony’s Picture Motion Browser software to see them on Google Maps. The Sony GPS-CS3KA offers built-in dual card slots for MS/SD memory cards and battery life of up to 15 hours. The estimated availability date is March 29th, and it will cost $149.99.

Kingston has increased the capacity of its CompactFlash Elite Pro memory cards to 32GB. “The Kingston® 32GB CF Elite Pro card is designed to keep pace with and not limit the productivity of the most advanced digital camera equipment on the market,” said Wendy Lecot, Flash business development manager, Kingston Digital. “Combining the large storage capacity along with fast read and write speeds makes this card ideal for continuous capture and download of images.” The Kingston 32GB CF Elite Pro card is available now for $154.

Nik Software are running a free online webinar focusing on Capture NX 2. Taking place on February 12th, the 45 minute webinar is billed as the perfect introduction to this advanced yet intuitive image editing tool designed by photographers. Internationally renowned professional photographer Tony Corbell will demonstrate a true non-destructive editing workflow for TIFF, JPG and Nikon RAW files. In the meantime, checkout our in-depth Nikon Capture NX 2 review.

Canon have released a new firmware update for the PowerShot G10 camera. Version 1.0.2.0 corrects the following phenomenon.

If RAW images are captured by continuous shooting under the ISO 1600 setting, abnormal data is recorded and a magenta cast appears in the second and subsequent RAW images. This phenomenon also occurs in the second and subsequent recorded RAW images captured by single shooting, but only if the LCD monitor display mode is set to the OFF position.
This phenomenon cannot be confirmed when images are played back on the camera’s LCD monitor. It can only be confirmed if image processing software (such as the Digital Photo Professional software bundled with the product) is used to develop RAW images on a PC.

* Images that have the magenta cast phenomenon cannot be fixed.
* The phenomenon only appears in RAW images, and does not appear in JPEG images or images appearing on the LCD monitor display.
* The phenomenon only occurs if the ISO Speed Dial is set to ISO 1600 manually, and does not occur if the ISO speed is set to other values (such as ISO AUTO or ISO HI).

Website: Canon PowerShot G10 Firmware Update 1.0.2.0

Panasonic have released a firmware update for the DMC-G1 camera. Version 1.2 improves the performance in the Auto White Balance and the colour reproduction, and also improves the reliability on the flash operation in low temperate environments.  In addition, the update enables file write back from PC to the camera for models shipped for Europe.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Firmware Update 1.2

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is a new prime lens for Nikon DSLRs with APS-C sized sensors. When mounted on a DX-format SLR, the picture angle is the 35mm equivalent focal length of 50mm. The AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G has a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8 and also incorporates the Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quiet and accurate focus even with cameras without built-in motors such as the Nikon D40 and D60. The new Nikon 35mm f/1.8 costs £199 / $199 / €243 and will be available from 6th March 2009.

Pentax are offering £50 off the Pentax K-m, a new entry-level DSLR camera. This cashback offer is valid for the purchase of any K-m body and lens kit between 1st February to 15th April 2009. Pentax requires a completed claim form, barcodes cut from the product box(es) and a copy of the till receipt. All claims must be received by the 30th April 2009. The Pentax K-m / K2000 normally retails at £399.99 with the new smc DA-L 18-55 lens or £499.99 with the smc DA-L 18-55 and 50-200mm lenses.

Website: Pentax UK

Hahnemühle Sugar Cane 300gsm is a new inkjet paper made largely from sugar cane fibers. Made from 75% sugar cane (bagasse) fiber, which is a by-product of sugar cane processing and 25% recycled cotton fibers, Sugar Cane 300gsm is a natural white, textured, fine art paper. It features a premium inkjet coating that ensures prints with rich contrast and detail - ideal for printing warm-tone color and monochrome photographs, as well as fine art reproductions.