DC Views

Amazon launches its new Kindle model that is packed in a 21 percent smaller and 15 percent lighter body while preserving the same 6-inch reading area. Furthermore, it offers 50 percent better contrast and delivers 20 percent faster page turns, up to one month of battery life, double the storage, and much more for only $189 (£149). On top of that it still comes - in black or white - with free 3G wireless. Amazon also introduces a new Kindle family member: the Kindle Wi-Fi-only version for $139 (£109)...

Panasonic launches the HM-TA1 HD mobile pocket camera that offers both full-HD video recording and 8 megapixel photo shooting. The camera comes with software allowing you to link directly to YouTube or Facebook, and with Apple's iFrame video format you can even load and edit videos and pictures with Mac's iMovie software. The TA1 can also be used with the Skype phone service; simply connect the camera to a PC and it becomes a webcam. You can give the TA1 a personalized skin and choose a skin from over 40 cool designs...

Samsung unveils the newST80, a 14.2 mega-pixel point and-shoot camera that a 3x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch wide touch screen, and Samsung's new Smart Crop feature. Furthermore, the camera features wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and Samsung's AllShare to sync the ST80 images to DLNA-compliant electronics such as HDTVs and digital photo frames. The ST80 also offers HD video recording at 30 frames-per-second in 720p utilizing the H.264 format. The Samsung ST80 will carry a price tag of $249.99...

Panasonic announces the development of the world's first twin-lens digital interchangeable 3D lens for its LUMIX G Micro System. Until now, 3D-capable interchangeable lens system cameras have used panorama systems or a combination of two lenses and two CCDs, but these systems have drawbacks including the need for a dedicated 3D camera and the difficulties capturing moving objects. The new 3D lens features two optical systems installed within a single lens, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses...

Sinar introduces the new "p-slr" system that can be used with all Canon and Nikon SLR cameras to exploit the advantages and quality characteristics of the Sinar view cameras. Thanks to the quick locking adapter supplied with the Sinar p-slr, the format can be changed from vertical to horizontal with only a few motions and within seconds. When the single lens reflex camera is controlled by a computer, the integrated support for the cable ensures the safety and the protection of the USB / Fire Wire socket on the camera...

Pentax releases firmware version 1.10 for the K-7 dSLR. This new update add these improvements: • Added Movie editing function on playback mode. You can divide a movie into multiple segments and erase unwanted segments • Added Electronic Level indication on the Monitor • When Mode dial is set M or X and Electronic Level to display, exposure meter is in LCD panel and Viewfinder • Added [Reversal Film] mode on Custom Image mode • When using Live View, auto focus activate by pressing shutter release button halfway...

Apple unveils a new 27-inch LED Cinema Display with 2560x1440 resolution, an iSight video camera with microphone and a powered USB 2.0 hub. But there's more, the new display gives you great audio too. The built-in 49-watt speaker system includes an integrated subwoofer that delivers immersive, full-range sound for music, movies, and games. The display requires a Mac - of course - with Mini DisplayPort but HDCP seems still lacking. The new LED Cinema Display will be available in September for a suggested retail price of $999...

Sony introduces 3 new A-mount lenses. The Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM features the Carl Zeiss Distagon design and is intended for experienced photographers looking for a large-aperture wide-angle lens. The DT 35mm F1.8 SAM adds a 35mm focal length to the 'Easy Choice' series. The 85mm F2.8 SAM is another 'Easy Choice' lens, this time offering the 85mm focal length considered the standard for portraiture because of the natural perspective it provides. It is extremely compact and light, weighing just 175g...

Samsung announces the PL200, a stylish 14.2 mega pixel point-and-shoot digital camera. The PL200, which measures just 3.9" x 2.3" x 0.83", sports a slim and stylish design that includes a large 3.0-inch LCD, allowing you to frame and review their images and video with ease. The PL200 incorporates a powerful 7x optical zoom lens (equiv. 31-217mm) and offers Dual Image Stabilization technology, which combines the benefits of both Optical and Digital Image Stabilization. The PL200 can record 720p HD video at 30 fps...

Samsung announces the latest additions to its 2View camera portfolio, the 14.2 Mp ST600 and ST100. The new flagship models of the Samsung 2View family each receive an upgrade to their front LCD screens, activated by a simple tap, which now measure 1.8" compared to the 1.5" front LCD monitors found on their predecessors. The Samsung 2View ST600 and ST100 are available in four stylish, mood-inspired colors, including hot pink, gold, black and purple, and are encased in a slim and sleek compact frame with a metallic finish...

Panasonic introduces the new Lumix DMC-FT10 featuring a flat and slim profile that could be accomplished by adopting folded optics for its 4x optical zoom lens unit. The model FT10 is equipped with a 14.1 megapixel CCD and offers you rugged toughness to be waterproof to 3m, shockproof to 1.5m, freezeproof to -10 degrees C and dustproof. On the back you'll find a 2.7-inch Intelligent LCD with Anti Reflective coating assures high visibility of your photos and movies, which can be recorded in 720p Motion JPEG...

Canon releases firmware update version 1.2.2 for the EOS 7D digital SLR camera, offering the following improvements: • Fixes a phenomenon in which the set aperture moves when shooting movies in manual exposure mode using some Canon lenses (e.g. macro) • Fixes the AF point-selection of the C.Fn III-7 (Manual AF pt. selec. pattern) custom function when set to [1] • Fixes the AF point display for the viewfinder electronic level when shooting in the vertical position • Corrects misspellings in Spanish/Thai menus...

Panasonic announces the DMC-LX5, FX700, FZ100 and FZ45 digital cameras. The LX5 comes with a new high sensitivity 10.1 megapixel CCD, an F2.0 Leica lens and a 3" inch LCD. The 14.1 megapixel FX700 is a hybrid camera that records 1920 x 1080 HD movie in AVCHD and features a 5x zoom Leica lens. The 14.1 Mp FZ100 packs full-HD recording and a 24x Leica zoom lens. The new high speed sensor realizes 60 fps in 3.5 Mp mode. The FZ45 features a 24x zoom lens too but records in AVCHD Lite only...

Fujifilm three new compacts and an 18x super zoom. The twelve megapixel FinePix F300EXR is equipped with a15x Fujinon wide-angle lens and a 3.0" LCD. The Z800EXR, with next generation EXR sensor and Hybrid High Speed Auto Focus combines beautiful styling with a generous 3.5" wide LCD. The budget JX280 employs a 14 megapixel CCD, 2.7" LCD and 5x wide angle zoom lens. Finally, the 14 megapixel FinePix S2800HD offers a powerful Fujinon 18x wide-angle optical zoom lens and a 3.0" LCD and electronic viewfinder...

Fujitsu introduces a multi-input resistive touch panel. The new touch panel is able to detect simultaneous actions; finger and stylus action can be performed at the same time. The panel can process single-tap and multi-touch input from nearly any object using varying pressure, a heavy gloved finger, credit card edge, standard pens, a light finger touch, etc. This capability results in accurate, stylus-handwriting input and enables two-finger manipulation, including pinch, push, rotate and scroll functionality...

Sharp is to introduce the world's first triple-layer Blu-ray Disc that conforms to the BDXL format specification, the new multi-layer recordable Blu-ray Disc format. The new format enables recording approx. 12 hours of terrestrial digital TV broadcasts or approx. 8.6 hours of BS digital TV broadcasts. It expands the range of applications for Blu-ray Discs to include recording long-duration or multiple episode HDTV programs onto a single disc with the same high-definition image quality as the original. The discs will be available in Japan by July 30...

Ricoh releases new firmware for the GXR digital camera system. Update version 1.18 includes firmware for the GXR body, A12, S10 and P10 lens units. This firmware offers the following improvements: under certain conditions the camera powers off, Macro AF Distance Limit gets disabled, the aperture value remains fixed and noise may be recorded when the EVF is attached. Furthermore the ISO sensitivity range conditions and the upper limit of the ISO sensitivity range are revised; the display of focus distance is corrected...

Pentax announces the addition of a retro-taste, black-and-silver version of the SLR-shaped, multi-feature Optio I-10 camera. The first Optio I-10 models have been introduced in February this year in Classic Black and Pearl White. The combination of a black-colored front panel with a high-quality, textured-leather-like finish and silver-colored top and bottom panels results in an elegant, retro-taste look closely resembling that of a classic SLR camera. It is a unique design that will make a personal photographic tool for many photo enthusiasts...

Mamiya announces new remote viewing software for the DM-series and RZ33 digital cameras and backs, that features enhanced resolution for the Apple iPad as well as other features for both the Apple iPhone and iPad. The Leaf Capture Remote system consists of the client App for the remote viewing device, and a host server App for the Mac. Mamiya has re-designed its international website but it still lacks content in several sections. The website also shows a new, more contemporary logo. Update: Added the Mamiya goes global notice...

Sony introduces the world's first consumer interchangeable lens HD camcorder. The Handycam NEX-VG10E captures cinematic Full HD movie and stereo sound with great depth with its 14.2 effective megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, significantly larger than conventional camcorder. The VG10 accepts E-mount lenses plus A-mount α lenses via an optional adaptor and delivers high quality audio with Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone and external mic input. The NEX-VG10 will be available in September for about $2,000...