DC Views

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...

Hama announces three novel digital photo frames. The model 95216 is a battery powered portable 20 cm frame with 800 x 600 resolution. The model 95222 is battery powered too and features a DVB-T tuner to watch TV when you're on the go. The new model 95213 comes with a complementary scanner that allows you to scan your photo prints and show them on the digital photo frame. Hama also introduces the new CM-3010 AF webcam that offers 2048 x 1536 pixels resolution and 30 frames per second...

Sigma announces the APO 70-200 F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens. This large aperture zoom lens incorporates Sigma's Optical Stabilizer function, offering the use of shutter speeds approx. 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. For Sony and Pentax mount, the built-in OS function of this lens can be used even if the camera body is equipped with an image sensor shift anti-shake system. As compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder, you can easily check for accurate focus and ensure there is no subject movement...

Praktica in Germany introduces the PRAKTICA DCZ 14, the first 14 Megapixel model in its digital camera series. The new camera features a 3x optical lens, a 1/2.3 CCD, 2.7-inch TFT color monitor, 32 MB of built-in memory, smile detection, PASM mode, face tracking, digital anti-shake, blink detection and intelligent scene mode.This year we have seen quite a few 14 megapixel digital cameras on the market and the trend still seems to be 2 more megapixels every two years. Happily we're not following Moore's Law in this respect...

Hitachi introduces LifeStudio, a drive family that takes simple storage and backup to another level; you'll also be able to find, organize, and share your photos, movies, music into a virtual 3D wall so you can easily view all your content from one location. You can access and post photos to Facebook, Flickr and Picasa. You can also access your files from a computer or smartphone using an internet browser or share by sending a web link. The new LifeStudio Plus hard drives are available in capacities of 250GB, 320GB and 500GB...

Sony unveils two new cameras that offer 3D Sweep Panorama. The Cyber-shot WX5 and TX9 are powered by the 12.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS Sensor, boast Full HD (1920 x 1080) AVCHD movie clips and they're also the first Cyber-shot cameras that can capture 3D images to enjoy on any 3D-compatible TV. Also available this summer is the Cyber-shot T99 that features regular Sweep Panorama and 720p HD movies. The TX9 and T99 also features new Underwater Sweep Panorama mode for extra-wide sub-aqua scenes...