Nikon announces AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens for Nikon DX format digital SLRs

The AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED features Nikon ED glass, aspherical lens elements and SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for enhanced performance. With a focal length range of 18-135mm, the lens is suitable for a wide variety of shooting situations; from sports, action and portraits to wide-angle landscapes. The picture angle is equivalent to a 27-202.5mm lens in the 35mm format. Read the full press release here

Nikon is pleased to announce the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, a high-performance telephoto zoom lens incorporating Nikon’s most advanced features.

The lens features Nikon’s Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass, Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and enhanced Vibration Reduction (VRII) to ensure the best images. Optics have also been perfected for use with both Nikon DX format digital and 35mm film SLR cameras.

The Zoom-Nikkor lens offers 70-300mm (4.3x) zoom performance, and is suitable for various telephoto shooting opportunities, particularly in sports, nature and wildlife photography. When used with a Nikon DX format digital SLR, the picture angle is equivalent to what would be experienced with a 105-450mm lens on a 35mm. Read the full press release here

Nikon announces the D80 Digital SLR camera

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the D80, a high performance digital SLR camera incorporating Nikon’s latest digital and photographic technologies.
This outstanding interchangeable-lens digital SLR boasts automated operation and advanced features, designed to satisfy photographers with the passion to create beautiful photographs. The D80 features a 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, providing a new level of high resolution and sharp detail. With this, however, also comes the freedom to crop creatively and print impressive enlargements. Nikon’s DX Format sensor and F bayonet lens mount design assures compatibility across the comprehensive range of AF and DX Nikkor lenses. Read the full press release here

Pentax releases firmware update for the new DSLR K100D

Pentax released a new firmware for the K100D camera. The following functions are added to the V 1.01 firmware : * Support for SDHC Memory cards. * The focal length which is input on the [Shake Reduction] menu can be displayed with Pentax Photo Browser3. You can download the formware update here

Kodak Announces the World’s Smallest Ultra-Wide-Angle Zoom Digital Camera and Additions to the C-Series Line of Digital Cameras

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, August 08 -- In the latest addition to its award-winning EASYSHARE consumer digital photography system, Eastman Kodak Company today announced four new innovative and user-friendly products to the C and V lines of EASYSHARE Digital Cameras. The KODAK EASYSHARE V705 Dual Lens Digital Camera – the world’s smallest ultra-wide-angle optical zoom digital camera, and the KODAK EASYSHARE C875 Zoom Digital Camera, with 8.0 MP, 5X all glass SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH optical zoom lens, are two impressively designed and unbelievably equipped offerings from Kodak.
“As a leader in the digital camera marketplace, Kodak once again surpasses the competition by designing innovative and powerful ultra-compact cameras,” said Mary Hadley, General Manager, Digital Still Cameras, Kodak’s Consumer Digital Imaging Group. “Kodak continues to raise the bar by providing picture takers with the tools to create high-quality photos, enhancing the overall digital photography experience.” Read the full article here

Kodak Introduces New Portable Solution to Print and Play on the Go with the KODAK EASYSHARE G600 Printer Dock

Rochester, New York, August 08 -- Building on its highly successful line of EASYSHARE printers, Eastman Kodak Company today announced the KODAK EASYSHARE G600 Printer Dock. The clever new design with a built-in handle, smart paper tray storage, and battery make portability easy, allowing for convenient, on-the-go printing and sharing.

“The convenience, print speed, ease-of-use and phenomenal picture quality from the line of EASYSHARE printer docks have resulted in overwhelming demand from picture-takers worldwide,” said Lisa Vandemark, Worldwide Marketing Director, Home Printing Business at Kodak. “Based on customer demand, we are excited to introduce an innovative new printing solution that truly fits an active lifestyle, and unleashes the power of pictures.” Read the full press release here

Take more pictures with the NEW 2 GB xD picture card from Fujifilm

Valhalla, NY, August 8, 2006 - Digital photographers of all levels—amateur and professional alike—will be pleased to learn of the availability of a new 2GB xD-Picture Card from Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. Digital photographers are taking more photos and they are doing so with cameras of higher resolutions. Fujifilm has responded to this influx of high-resolution pictures by providing a media card that doubles the memory capacity of the current 1GB product. The new 2GB xD-Picture Card provides the storage space necessary to keep these photos until they are printed and shared. Read the full press release here

Casio Introduces EXILIM Card EX-S770, Ultra-Slim Digital Camera with Wide-Screen LCD

DOVER, NJ, August 8, 2006 — Casio, Inc. and its parent company, Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced today the release of the EXILIM Card EX-S770 . This latest addition to the stylish EXILIM digital camera series is a powerful digital camera packed with advanced functions.
The attractive EX-S770 shoots 7.2-megapixel still images and records high-quality movies in MPEG-4 format. In addition, it features Casio’s Super Bright 2.8-inch wide-screen LCD but still retains the ultra-slim card size of its predecessors. Its impressive wide-screen display employs a 230,000-pixel LCD that clearly displays images and information down to the smallest detail, and boasts a maximum brightness of around 1100cd/m 2 —more than bright enough to see outdoors on a sunny day. Casio has also added new functions to make the most of the EX-S770’s new wide screen. Read more here

FREMONT, Calif., August 7, 2006 - Lexar Media, Inc., a leader in advanced digital media and accessories, today announced that it has signed on as a sponsor for the Imagine Cup 2006, one of the world's premier student technology competitions. Hosted and administered by Microsoft Corporation, the Imagine Cup is an opportunity for top young minds from around the globe to use technology to solve some of the planet's toughest problems. In the process, students use a variety of technologies, concepts and tools to unlock their creativity and provide solutions with real-world applicability. The theme for Imagine Cup 2006 is "Imagine a world where technology enables us to live healthier lives." This year, more than 65,000 registrations have been received from over 100 countries for a chance to compete in one of 6 invitationals to win cash prizes of $125,000 (U.S.) at the worldwide finals in Agra and New Delhi, India August 6-11. As part of its sponsorship of the Imagine Cup, Lexar will provide teams of participating students from all over the world with JumpDrive™ USB flash drives. Read the full press release here

Pentax delivers Optio W20 Waterproof Digital Camera

GOLDEN, CO. (August 7, 2006) PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the new PENTAX Optio W20, a compact digital camera featuring excellent waterproof performance with a slim, flat body design.
The Optio W20 is the latest model in the PENTAX Optio W series of cameras that are capable of underwater photography without requiring a waterproof case or other accessories. The waterproof design of the Optio W20 meets the JIS Class 8 waterproof standard, enabling it to withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous operation at an underwater depth of up to five feet.
In addition, this model features a new Blur Reduction High ISO mode that selects ISO up to 1600, and an upgrade to 7.0 effective megapixels to offer improved image quality in a fun, easy-to-handle package. The PENTAX Optio W20 will ship in September 2006 for under $300US. Read the full press release & see more pictures here

X-Loupe gives your Canon IXUS microscopic powers

"Just like in 5th grade, some things are still pretty dang interesting when looked at up close. X-Loupe can help you in your quest of dang interesting stuff, by snapping onto a Canon IXUS camera (Digital ELPH in the States) and providing microscope-style 150x 5 megapixel photography. The unit has its own battery and LED lens ring, which should provide around 4 hours of magnification fun, and doesn't impede any of the usual IXUS features like preview, video recording or TV connectivity. X-Loupe can be obtained from the company of the same name for around $1450, and comes with a trio of lenses (60x, 100x and 150x) along with a Canon IXUS 65 camera to round out the package." the photo comes from here & you can see more about X-Loupe here

Nikon WT-3 Wireless Transmitter for Cameras Gets FCC Approval

Nikon's much-awaited accessory for its range of digital cameras, the WT-3 Wireless Transmitter, just got approval from FCC. The WT-3 allows you to connect the camera to wireless and Ethernet networks. This allows you to remotely control the camera from a computer; you can also transfer photos from it to an FTP server or printer.
The following modes are supported by the WT-3 wireless transmitter: Read the full article here

MINOX DC 8122

For the new MINOX digital camera DC 8122 our slogan is: “Take a look – its worth it”! For any macro, zoom or portrait snapshot – the innovative optical system allows close focussing to just 20 millimetres with a 6x optical zoom, giving outstanding versatility. The small and handy DC 8122 offers a wide range of applications for both for the casual and creative photographer with 8 mega pixels. A new standard feature is protection against blurred images, especially when using the long zoom range, by the built-in image stabilizer. Read more here

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

"Early samples of this lens had flare problems when shooting wide open, but Canon stood behind their product admirably, and provided free fixes to all owners affected by the problem, and current production models have good flare characteristics. While still a nuisance to have to send your lens in for repair, it's nonetheless great to see a manufacturer take such a proactive stance towards making things right for their customers.

In our testing on a sub-frame camera, the 24-105 ranged from astonishingly good at 24mm to merely excellent at 105mm. At wide angle, this lens is exceptionally sharp from corner to corner, even wide open. From f/4 to f/8, sharpness is superlative, diminishing only slightly at f/11 as diffraction limiting comes into play. As you move toward the telephoto end, the lens gets slightly softer up to about 70mm, and then maintains that level of sharpness more or less unchanged until 105mm. At 105mm, it's slightly soft wide open, improving when you stop down to f/5.6, but then softens slightly again as you continue to f/8 and beyond. Still though, even in ranges where it's "soft," it's noticeably better than most zooms you'll find." Read the full review of this lense here

Sigma APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM for Four Thirds Mount Lens - Press Release

Two DC lenses (18-50mm F2.8 EX DC and 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM) and three DG lenses (MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG, APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM and APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM) are designed to maximize the potential of the digital imaging, and housed in a compact and lightweight construction. Our lens line-up for Four-Thirds mount is increased to total eight models with the introduction of these new lenses. Read the lens specifications here

MINOX DC 6011 slim, sleek and very trendy

With dimensions of just 87x54x18mm, the new MINOX digital DC 6011 slim boasts an ultra sleek and very slender design, making it barely larger than the world famous Minox spy camera of years gone by. Contrary to what its outward appearance may suggest, the performance of the DC 6011 slim is not at all small! With an image resolution of up to six million pixels this new MINOX ranks in the top league of ultra-flat and highly compact digital cameras. A 3x optical zoom, large 2.5� TFT color monitor set in a smooth and elegantly designed stainless steel body, providing a stylish, attractive and modern camera that fits almost any purse or pocket. Read full article at photosnews.com