News Archive for April 2010

Adobe has released the final versions of its Creative Suite 5 software bundles that include Photoshop CS5. The five bundles contain various tools selected for use at different levels of print, web and video design and editing. Many of these tools, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premier and After Effects are also available separately. Trial downloads of all the suites are available from the Adobe website. Refer back to our interview for more details of the changes made for photographers in Photoshop CS5. (09:18 GMT)

Pentax has announced the Optio M90, a 5x zoom compact camera. The lens on the 12 megapixel camera offers a zoom range equivalent to 28mm to 140mm. Pentax says it includes improved face recognition, along with smile capture, blink detection and twenty scene modes. The M90 features a 'soft-feel' rubber finish over an aluminium body. The M90 will only be available in Europe. (09:18 GMT)

Nikon has announced the AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 ED VR II, a revised version of its super telephoto zoom lens. The VR II version gains an improved image stabilization mechanism, nano crystal coating and the A/M focus mode that has appeared in recent Nikon lenses. The VR II supersedes the original VR lens, launched in 2003. It is expected to go on sale in May 2010, for a estimated price of $6,999.95/ €7400.00. (09:18 GMT)

Apple has released a Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update for Aperture 3 and iPhoto '09. Update 3.2 extends RAW support to nine additional cameras and addresses processing issues of files from the Canon EOS 30D, Pentax K-x and K-7 digital SLRs. The update is available for immediate download from Apple's website. (09:18 GMT)

Just Posted: Our quick review of the Olympus E-P2. The second-generation PEN was launched just five months after Olympus unveiled the E-P1. The biggest difference is the addition of an accessory port, allowing the attachment of an electronic viewfinder and making it the perfect candidate for our quick review format that looks at the differences between this and its sister model. We've been testing the firmware announced today to ensure the review highlights all the changes made since our E-P1 review. (09:18 GMT)

ACD Systems has released its ACDSee Photo Manager 12 image editing and management software for beginners and hobbyists. The latest version focuses on sharing images online with features to directly upload images to social networking sites, an FTP uploader and an Online mode, which connects users to a free 2 GB account on ACDSeeOnline.com. The software is available for US $69.99 for first time buyers and $35 as an upgrade to existing users. (09:18 GMT)

As announced, firmware updates for the Olympus PEN series are now available for download. The updates can be downloaded via the Olympus Digital Camera Update software application. We've been testing the final version of firmware v1.1 for the E-PL1 and here include the autofocus tests from our forthcoming review of the camera. (09:18 GMT)

Pentax has announced firmware updates for four of its DSLRs. Updates for the K-m/K2000, K20D, K200D and K10D improves stability while recording images in some SDHC cards. The latest firmware versions are available for immediate download from Pentax's website. (09:18 GMT)

Leica has released a function-enhancing firmware update for its S2 medium format DSLR. Version 1.0.0.16 adds a white balance preset for working with HMI (Hydrargyrum Medium-arc Iodide) lamps, provides additional viewfinder information and offers selectable OLED screen standby time. It also brings in a host of improvements including more options for customization of buttons. Registered users can download the latest firmware via the Owner's Area on Leica's website. (09:18 GMT)

Adobe has released Photoshop Lightroom 2.7, Camera Raw 5.7 and DNG Converter 5.7. These are final versions of updates that were originally posted as 'release candidates' on the Adobe Labs site, and are now available for immediate download. The latest versions provide final RAW support for nine recent cameras, including the Canon EOS 550D, Panasonic G2 and Olympus E-PL1. (09:18 GMT)

Panasonic has announced firmware updates for its DMC-G1, GH1 and GF1 Micro Four Thirds cameras. To be released on May 10, the latest updates for all the cameras promises improved autofocus performance with third-party lenses and recognition of the new 14-42mm kit zoom. Amongst other improvements the updates promise improved flash performance for the GH1 and G1. (09:18 GMT)

Leica has unveiled its first compact superzoom, the V-Lux 20 which also features built-in GPS tagging. A near-identical twin of the Panasonic ZS7/ TZ10, but with a more expensive price tag of US $699/£495 GBP, the camera includes almost all of the features including a 12.1MP sensor, 460k dot 3" LCD and 12x optical zoom (25-300mm equiv.). Like the ZS7 it also features 720p HD video recording, however it can only shoot it in a less sophisticated Motion JPEG format than the Panasonic's AVCHD Lite format. (09:18 GMT)

Panasonic has announced the price and availability of its latest Lumix G series Micro Four Thirds cameras. The DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 with 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega O.I.S. kit lenses will be available from the next month at suggested retail prices of $799.95 and $599.95 respectively. The G2 will come in red, blue and black, while the G10 will be available only in black. In the UK the G2 will cost £629.99 with kit lens while the G10 kit will sell for around £499.99. Body-only and two lens kits will also be available for the G2. (09:18 GMT)

Samsung has announced production of the first flash memory cards to use its 20-nanometer (nm) process technology. It will incorporate the new 32 gigabit MLC NAND chips into memory cards ranging from 4GB through 64GB capacities. According to the company, the 20nm-class MLC NAND chips deliver 50% higher productivity level and 30% faster write speeds than the previous generation 30nm chips. Samsung has started shipping 20nm-class 32Gb NAND based SD card samples to customers and plans to expand production later this year. (09:18 GMT)

Sigma has announced its lenses will be compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS5's upgraded Lens Correction feature. The latest version of the image-editing software will automatically fix distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting for all current Sigma lenses. (09:18 GMT)

Olympus Japan has announced its latest M Zuiko Digital 9-18mm F4-5.6 wide-angle zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras will be available soon. Priced at ¥71,000 (~US $700), the lens will start shipping from April 23. The company has also announced that the 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 will start shipping from the end of next month. (09:18 GMT)

Just posted! Our world-first review of the Olympus M Zuiko Digital 9-18mm F4-5.6 wideangle zoom for Micro Four Thirds. We've had an early production sample of this tiny collapsible lens for the last week or so, and been been putting it through its paces both in the studio and out in the big wide world. Click through to find out how it fared, and how it compares to the alternative options available to Micro Four Thirds users. (09:18 GMT)

Just Posted: Our review of the Sony DSLR-A850. This camera was launched in August last year as a slightly down-specced companion to Sony's full-frame flagship DSLR, the A900. The A850 is in terms of specification very close to its bigger brother and Sony says both cameras share the same imaging pipeline. Click through to our review and see all the differences between the two models. (09:18 GMT)

Olympus has announced the Viewer 2 image and video editing software for its E-system and PEN cameras. Successor to Master 2 and Studio 2, it offers movie selection and editing as well as improved compatibility with the latest operating systems. These come in addition to features such as RAW processing and control over Art Filter effects offered by the existing packages. It will be available as a free download from Olympus's website from May 2010. (09:18 GMT)

Sigma UK has announced its latest 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC ultra wide angle lens will be available soon in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts. Announced at PMA 2010, the lens is designed for APS-C cameras and offers a wide angle of view of 121 degrees. It will be available in all three mounts from the end of this month for a retail price of £799.99. (09:18 GMT)

Olympus has announced a firmware update for all three of its PEN Series cameras (The E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1). To be released on April 22, the latest updates promise faster auto focusing speeds and improvements when using the recently announced 9-18mm lens. There are also improvements and bug fixes for individual cameras. The company has also announced a stand-alone Digital Camera Update software application exclusively for camera and lens firmware updates. (09:18 GMT)

Canon has posted a firmware update for its EOS 7D digital SLR. Firmware v1.2.1 brings in both improvements and fixes bugs such as the magenta banding that can appear in still images shot under specific conditions in movie mode. The firmware is available for immediate download from Canon's website. (09:18 GMT)

A Canon 5D Mark II has become the first video-capable DSLR to film a whole episode of a US primetime series. Greg Yaitanes, director of FOX broadcasting company's medical drama series 'House', used the camera, a selection of Canon's prime lenses and, the 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses to shoot its season finale. Speaking via Twitter, he said that this was to achieve a shallow depth of field and a 'richer look'. He also said he 'feels it’s the future'. (09:18 GMT)

Olympus has introduced the GetOlympus app for Apple's iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The app gives access to company news, user photo gallery, photography tips and information on special offers. The free app is available for download from the Apple App Store. (09:18 GMT)

Carl Zeiss has introduced a set of cine prime and zoom lenses that offer interchangeable mounts for use with video enabled DSLRs. With a choice of Canon EF, Nikon F and Arri PL mount for professional cine cameras, the CP.2 compact primes offer a choice of 18mm to 85mm focal lengths with maximum apertures ranging from T2.1 to T3.6 and can be used on full frame cameras such as Canon 5D Mark II. The LWZ.2 lightweight zoom lenses cover the 'ANSI Super 35' image area (24.9 x 18.7mm) that is a fraction larger than APS-C sensors (24 x 16mm). The lenses will be available from June 2010. (09:18 GMT)

Panasonic has announced the first professional camcorder with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. Capable of recording full 1080p HD videos at various frame rates, the AG-AF100 is compatible with the company's line up of Lumix G lenses, filters, and adapters. Building on the success of the DMC-GH1 camera with videographers, the company says this higher-end model is 'targeted at the video and film production communities.' (09:18 GMT)

On the eve of the release of Photoshop CS5 - the twelfth version of Photoshop, we got a chance to speak to its product manager Bryan O’Neil Hughes. He told us what's in store for photographers and how will they benefit from the new features. 'We have incorporated many exciting features and improvements in this new version,' he said: 'It is our most innovative release to date.' (09:18 GMT)

As rumored, Adobe has launched Photoshop CS5 and CS5 Extended - the latest versions of its image manipulation software. They will be available separately or as components of the Creative Suite 5 family of design and production software bundles. Both include revised interfaces and a host of new tools and refinements (discussed in the accompanying story). Photoshop CS5 and CS5 Extended are expected to begin shipping next month for around US $699 and $999. Licensed users of the previous versions can upgrade for $199 and $349 respectively. (09:18 GMT)

Just Posted: Our review of the Canon PowerShot S90 compact digital camera. Canon's answer to the popular Panasonic LX3 offers a sophisticated set of photographic controls in a very compact body and promises to be the perfect pocket camera for the enthusiast shooter. We've been using it fairly heavily for several months now and have finally got round to finishing our full review (yes, yes, we know - apologies for the delay in getting this one out). So is the S90 the perfect compact for the serious photographer or just another point and shoot with pretensions? Find out what we thought after the link... (09:18 GMT)

Color technology specialist X-rite has announced two free online color workflow demonstrations for Adobe Camera Raw using its ColorChecker Passport color calibrator. The one hour demos will cover a number of topics including creation of camera profiles and color editing in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. They will take place on April 15 at 13:00 EDT (17:00 UTC) and 15:00 EDT (19:00 UTC). (09:18 GMT)

Ricoh has released a firmware update for its CX3 digital compact. Version 1.08 for the back-lit CMOS based camera fixes an occasional playback error of 720p HD movies. The firmware is available for immediate download from Ricoh's website. (09:18 GMT)

Just Posted: Our review of the Samsung NX10. It's been just over a year since Samsung announced its NX mirrorless interchangeable lens camera system, the first to feature an APS-C sized sensor as used in the most popular DSLRs. It packs a 14.7MP sensor and 'VGA resolution' LED screen into a small, DSLR-like body that exactly resembles the mockup shown by the company back in March 2009. We've been thoroughly testing it to see whether its combination of high resolution sensor and small body is enough to win over people who would otherwise buy a DSLR or Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera. (09:18 GMT)

Canon Europe has relaunched its after-sales support system for professional photographers and videographers. The Canon Professional Services (CPS) program is open to owners of multiple Canon bodies and high-end lenses, and offers benefits including direct support and a priority repair service. The revised program includes multiple levels of membership and better support. Existing CPS community members are required to update their details to the new system before June 2010. (09:18 GMT)

Adobe has released 'Release Candidates' of Photoshop Lightroom 2.7, Camera Raw 5.7 and DNG Converter 5.7 for immediate download from Adobe Labs. Both provide additional RAW support for 9 more cameras, including the Canon EOS 550D, Panasonic G2 and Olympus E-PL1. According to the company, the term 'Release Candidate' means the downloads are well tested but not yet final versions. (09:18 GMT)

Just Posted: Our in-depth review of the Canon Rebel T2i/EOS 550D. The EOS 550D combines high-end features adopted from the 7D, with the low-cost, user-friendly ergonomics of previous entry-level models like the EOS 500D. On paper its the most compelling Rebel-series DSLR to date, so can it span the bridge between first-time DSLR buyers and more experienced users? Read our full test to find out. (09:18 GMT)