Digital Photography Review

Silicon Power has announced the world’s first 128GB 400x Compact Flash card. Offering the largest storage capacity we've yet seen with write speeds of 90MB/s, it allows the recording of HD video without compromising continuous shooting performance. The card will also be available in 64GB, 32GB, 16GB and 8GB capacities.

Samsung has unveiled the HZ35W and HZ30W compact superzooms. The new image-stabilized cameras increase their zoom ranges to 15x, starting at a very useful 24mm equivalent. (A worlds first in a camera so slim) The HZ35W (WB650 in Europe) includes built-in GPS and a 3.0" AMOLED display while the HZ30W (WB600) has neither, instead featuring a 3.0" LCD. Both cameras feature 12.2MP sensors and 720p HD video recording using H.264 compression. They succeed the TL320 (WB) and HZ15W (WB).

Samsung has released the TL110 and TL105 ultra compact cameras. The 14.2 megapixel TL110 (ST70 in Europe) and 12 megapixel TL105 (ST60) offer 2.7 inch LCDs, wide angle zoom lenses starting at 27mm equivalent and offer 720p HD video recording using H.264 compression. Both include scene modes such as Fisheye, Lomo and a DeFog Clear/Fog Lifting mode that claims to cut through haze to take clearer images.

Samsung has unveiled the SL630 budget compact camera. The camera, called PL80 in Europe, is designed with a 12.2 megapixel sensor, 5x (28-140mm equiv.) zoom lens and 2.7 inch LCD. It includes image stabilization, focus tracking and 'Perfect Portrait' system. Priced at £129.99, the camera will be available from March 2010.

Canon US has announced an HD video competition with a chance to win either an EOS 7D or 5D Mark II. The 'Story Beyond The Still' contest asks budding US videographers to create a video that continues where Vincent Laforet's "The Cabbie" ends. Each winning entry becomes the start point of the next 'chapter.' The overall winner, chosen by the users of video site Vimeo, will help Laforet film the work's conclusion.

Kodak is challenging Apple and Research In Motion Limited (RIM) companies over alleged infringement of a camera technology patent. Kodak is claiming image preview technologies used in Apple's iPhone and RIM's camera-enabled BlackBerry mobile phones are covered by one of its patents. This follows a similar dispute with Samsung that was settled earlier this week.

Nikon has updated its Camera Control Pro remote control software to recognize the firmware changes in its D3 and D700 DSLRs. Version 2.7.1 modifies the behaviors of Auto ISO and Focus tracking to reflect the revisions made in the recent firmware updates.

Toshiba has exhibited its first SDXC (Extended Capacity) memory card at the CES 2010 show in Las Vegas. The 64GB cards with read and write speeds of up to 60MB/s and 35MB/s respectively, were first announced in August 2009 as the world first 64GB SDXC cards. CES 2010 has been a success for the SD formats, with the launch of SDXC compatible digital cameras from Panasonic and Canon, while Sony and Olympus introduced cameras using SDHC cards, rather than being restricted to their own proprietary memory formats.

Olympus has released a firmware update for its E-P1 Micro Four Thirds camera. Version 1.2 changes the duration of the enlarged MF Assist view, 'to improve operability'. It also changes the camera's behavior when the screen backlight is turned off. Firmware updates can be downloaded via the Olympus Master/Studio software.

Kodak and Samsung Electronics have agreed a licensing pact that will allow access to each other’s patent portfolio, settling a dispute between them. The agreement also saw Samsung pay towards what Kodak describes as 'its royalty obligation.' In November 2009 Kodak had challenged Samsung over alleged patent infringement of technology used in their Blackjack II camera phone.

CES 2010: Casio has unveiled a prototype compact camera with what the company is calling 'Hybrid GPS'. The EX-10HG appears to be essentially a modified Exilim EX-H10 that aims to allow the use of GPS when indoors or away from the GPS satellite signals. According to a report from Japanese site DC Watch, the camera uses three-axis accelerometers and its orientation sensor to calculate how far it has traveled since it was last able to receive a signal. (Image courtesy of DC Watch)

UK shoppers spent nearly one fifth more on cameras this Christmas than they did at the same time last year. Market research company GfK's figures show that although camera sales volumes only rose a little, the amount of money spent between December 20 and 26th climbed by 19%. Fixed-lens (compact) cameras led the way, with unit sales up 2%, while interchangeable lens cameras sales volumes fell 4%. However, because the average selling price of interchangeable lens cameras has increased since late 2008, their sales were up 20% by value.

CES 2010 only opened today and we've already seen the announcement of 45 new compact cameras. To a great extent these launches have been about manufacturers refreshing their product ranges, but there have been a few interesting additions along the way. As try to dry ourselves off after the latest compact camera deluge, it's worth taking stock of where these latest models leave the market. What sort of specification should you be able to expect from the class of 2010?

Panasonic has announced its first SDXC (Extended Capacity) memory cards. The 64GB and 48GB cards offer Class 10 speed with maximum data transfer speed of up to 22MB/s. Their launch complements the company's SDXC-compatible cameras announced today. Both cards will start shipping in February 2010 with suggested retail prices of $599.95 and $449.95, respectively.

Pre-CES 2010:The first part of substantial compact camera range refresh by Olympus begins with the µ (mju) Tough 3000 (Europe / Asia name). As with previous Tough cameras the 3000 is shockproof to 1.5m, scratchproof, waterproof to 3m, and able to withstand temperatures as low as -10°C (or "freezeproof" if you like). Behind its monocle-like lens-cover sits a 3.6x wide angle zoom (28-102mm) and a pretty tiny 12 megapixel CCD sensor. Must-haves are sensor stabilization, HD movie, HDMI connectivity and "Magic Filters" (known as Art Filters elsewhere). Credit though for 1GB of internal memory and USB charging.

Pre-CES 2010: The next installment from Olympus comes with no less than four new pocketable super-zoom models. They are the first Olympus compacts to use the common SD memory card format (to allow for HD movie capture, the company says). The name sort-of indicates the amount of zoom available; 10x for the µ-9010, 7x for the µ-7040 & µ-7030 and 5x for the µ-5010. All four cameras pack a fourteen megapixel CCDs, sensor stabilization, either 1 or 2 GB of internal storage and HD movie recording. Best of all these models will be available in a range of vivid colors.

Pre-CES 2010: Saving the best cheapest most cost-effective for last, Olympus has launched four FE series cameras to line the shelves. With either four or five times optical zooms these cameras will no doubt rely heavily on noise reduction to keep their fourteen megapixel CCDs in check. Credit for USB charging, sensor stabilization, use of SD memory cards, and a rather attractive design for the 5030. Available in March.

Pre-CES 2010: Sony has unleashed twelve Cyber-shot compacts. First come the feature-rich HX5 and TX7 with 10MP Exmor R back illuminated CMOS sensors, 25mm wide angle lenses and offer AVCHD 1080i Full HD movie recording, image stabilization and Intelligent Sweep Panorama. The HX5 also comes with built-in GPS and compass, while the TX7 includes a 3.5 inch touchscreen LCD. Next come eight new compacts in the W-series, with 14MP CCDs and wide-angle lenses, including features such as Sweep Panorama and HD movie recording. Lastly, we have the S2100, S2000 with 12 megapixel sensors, 10x optical zoom lenses and 3.0 inch LCDs. The latest line-up of Cyber-shots support SD/SDHC memory cards and will be available from the end of January 2010.

Pre-CES 2010: Panasonic has released a slew of compacts, starting with the Lumix DMC-FS33 and DMC-FS30. Both cameras feature 8X image-stabilized zoom lenses starting at a 28mm-equivalent wideangle, 14MP 1/2.33"-type sensors with image processing by Panasonic's Venus Engine IV, and HD video recording in the MJPEG format at 720p. They are distinguished by their screens - the FS33 has a 3" touch-screen with an anti-reflective coating, that allows users to select the focusing and metering areas simply by tapping the desired point on the preview image. Meanwhile the FS30 makes do with a conventional 2.7" LCD. As usual both cameras will be available in a range of colors.

Pre-CES 2010: Next up from Panasonic are three slimline Lumix compacts, in the shape of the 12MP FP1, and the 14MP FP2 and FP3. All three models feature a 4X non-extending image-stabilized zoom lens (35-140mm equivalent range) and the Venus Engine IV processor; the FP1 and FP2 use 2.7" LCDs, whereas the FP3 uses a 3" touch-screen with Touch AF and metering area selection. The cameras all come in a generous range of pretty colors - 8 for the FP1 and FP2, and no fewer than 12 for the FP3.