Digital Photography Review

Adobe has delayed an update that will add support for Flickr users to its Photoshop Express online image editing and storage service. The service, currently at the Beta stage, allows images to be stored or pulled from the users' other websites and edited without over-writing the original. The latest update, which also adds a 'Save As...' feature and the ability to embed slideshows in other websites, has been postponed to allow bugs found late in the development process to be fixed.

FujiFilm has released a firmware update for its F100fd compact camera. The update is a response the 'pink banding' issue that has been the subject of heated discussion on the FujiFilm Talk forum. FujiFilm says the modification will "reduce" the pinkish colored banding reported by some users.

Just posted! Our new lens review of Nikon's top-end fast telezoom, the AF-S VR-Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8G ED-IF. This is the first in a series of reviews in which we'll be comparing it with similar lenses from Canon, Sigma and Tamron, using both APS-C and 35mm full frame cameras. The 70-200mm F2.8 VR has long been a favourite of Nikon DX format shooters, but how well does it stand up on the new full-frame D3? Read on to find out.

Canon has released firmware updates for its range-topping EOS 1D Mark III and 1Ds Mark III cameras. The updates, to versions 1.2.3 and 1.1.2 respectively, provide new custom functions to provide direct access to autofocus points and additional ways to apply exposure compensation. They also promise to: "improve the stability of AF accuracy in AI servo AF mode when shooting extremely low-contrast subjects."

Just posted: Our review of the FujiFilm S100FS. The S100FS offers DSLR-like handling and control with the convenience of a single, built-in lens offering an outstanding range. It is also built around a comparatively large 2/3" sensor and utilizes FujiFilm's Super CCD technology. So do these features, along with film simulation modes that match the results to subject matter, offer a satisfying alternative to the money-pit that DSLR ownership can be?

As a prelude to our full Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi review we have just posted our hands-on preview of the 450D. This is the latest in line of the popular 'Digital Rebel series' of compact digital SLRs and features a twelve megapixel CMOS sensor with Live View and dust reduction. Other headline changes include a 3.0" LCD monitor, SD/SDHC storage, High ISO noise reduction and a range of other features handed down from the EOS 40D. Our 'hands-on preview' articles are essentially the first half of a review which will at least give you a taste for the design and operation of the camera, full review to follow within the next two weeks.

Nikon has released a revised version of its recently withdrawn firmware update. The company has updated the 'B' firmware to V1.11, and has reissued the previously withdrawn V1.10 'A' firmware. Link to Nikon UK download page and a PDF detailing the new features now included.

Just posted! Our concise review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5. The successor of the popular TZ3 is the latest addition to Panasonic's family of compact long zoom cameras. It comes with the same versatile 28-280mm equiv. 10x zoom lens as its predecessor but now offers a slightly higher resolution, an improved LCD and High Definition video capture. Nice new features indeed but has Panasonic also managed to sort out some of the image quality issues that we found on previous TZ generations? Find out after the link...

Ricoh, living up to its reputation for interesting niche digital cameras, has launched the G600 water and dust resistant model. The G600 is smaller than the 500G Wide it replaces but still offers a versatile 28-140mm equivalent lens with 1cm closest focusing distance. Its rugged casing conforms to all manner of US defense and Japanese standards (including the ability to survive being immersed in water for half an hour), meaning you should never have to worry about carrying it with you.

Just posted! Our in-depth review of the Nikon D3. Nikon's first full frame D-SLR features a 12.1MP CMOS sensor, high speed continuous shooting (up to 11 fps in DX crop mode), the same 3-inch high resolution LCD (with live view) as the D300, a headline-grabbing ISO 100-25,600 expanded sensitivity range, beefed-up 51-point autofocus and a raft of upgrades andenhancements. Find out how it did in our extended testing after the link... Updated: Canon EOS-1D Mark III comparisons added.

Olympus has updated firmware for three of its Zuiko Digital lenses. The changes made are to improve the accuracy of contrast-detection autofocus when used on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10. Updated: firmware changes to Olympus or Panasonic lenses can only be conducted using the lens manufacturer's cameras.

Panasonic has launched a Wi-Fi compatible digital camera, the TZ50, that comes with a year's free use of T-Mobile's Hotspot service in the US. The TZ50 is, essentially a TZ5 with Wi-Fi but the new tie-up allows users to upload to their Picasa Web Albums while out and about. There is no word yet on a similar tie-up or camera for European customers.

Nikon has released updated firmware for its flagship D3 DSLR. The firmware adds vignetting control for most G and D type lenses, and the ability to specify faster minimum shutter speeds to trigger Auto ISO. As well as these headline changes are a number of obscure feature tweaks and corrections. The new firmware is available immediately from Nikon's website. Update: Update: this firmware update has been pulled temporarily (details after the link).

Adobe has released Camera Raw 4.4.1 and Lightroom 1.4.1, having corrected the faults with the previously withdrawn updates. The revised updates, as well as fixing a selection of bugs, bring support for the latest DSLRs from Canon, Sony, Pentax and Nikon, along with the FujiFilm S100fs and Olympus SP-570 UZ.

Nikon has today announced a new model in its 'P' (Performance) series of digital cameras. The Coolpix P80 comes with a 10.1 MP sensor and a whopping 18x zoom (27-486mm equiv) which should hardly ever let you run out of focal length. There are also a 2.7" LCD screen and a CCD-shift image stabilization system. Click through for the press release and images...

Nikon has announced two ultra-compact digital cameras: the Coolpix S52 and S52c. The compact design uses a periscope-style lens to offer a 3x zoom with lens-shift image stabilization. The S52 will be made available through a single retailer in some territories, while the WiFi-enabled 'c' version will be more widely distributed.

Just posted! Our concise review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10. The successor of the Cyber-shot H3 was announced at PMA 2008 and should be on the shelves this month. Like its predecessor it comes with a whopping 38-380mm stabilized lens and an 8MP sensor. Images can now pre- and reviewed on a new 3.0" display. Is the H10 a contender in the compact superzoom bracket? Find out after the link...

Canon and Nikon have both announced updated firmware, so we thought we'd bring you an update of updates that have been issued in 2008, just in case you missed them. Canon has issued new firmware for the 40D, following an earlier release for the 30D. Nikon's D40 also gets a tweak, following updates for the D300 and D80 earlier in the year.

Sigma has announced a series of firmware and software updates for its Foveon-based cameras. The update to its Photo Pro software (for both Mac and Windows), corrects the green tint that could appear at the corner of some DP1 images, it also improves the color reproduction of RAW images from the SD14 DSLR. New firmware for the DP1 adds composition grids for most shooting modes, too.

Just posted! Our new lens review of Olympus's ED 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 SWD, designed as the standard zoom for the high-end E-3 DSLR. With its extremely useful focal length range, relatively fast maximum aperture and new 'Supersonic Wave Drive' autofocus dubbed 'the world's fastest' by Olympus, does this lens live up to its considerable promise?