The Canon Powershot SD30 Digital Elph was reviewed today in PC Magazine. They said “Small, sleek and stylish, the Canon PowerShot SD30 Digital Elph ($399.95 list) comes in four bold colors—gold, red, purple, and black. It’s easy to slip into a shirt pocket or handbag. But the slick packaging doesn’t quite make up for this ultracompact’s mediocre performance. It’s not the cheapest ultracompact on the market, and on our tests, we found it to be just an average camera in slick clothing.

The SD30 is a 5-megapixel camera with a 2.4X optical zoom—less than the 3X most ultracompacts have. Maximum apertures on its 6.3 to 14.9mm zoom (the 35mm equivalent of 38 to 90mm) go from f/3.2 to f/5.4 across the zoom range. It comes with a small, not particularly sturdy cradle, like that of the Kodak EasyShare V530 or V550. We like the cute little remote control that comes with it. The SD30 also has the My Colors feature, which we reviewed in the SD500 Digital Elph and found as much fun and easy to use as on the other Canon cameras. But we were disappointed at the small size of the 1.8-inch LCD, especially since the camera has no optical viewfinder. It’s hard to choose a camera with a small LCD when Casio, Kodak, and Sony are offering much larger displays. “

The camera is very sexy, but this review does not inspire me to run out and buy one.

The days of mass market film photography are coming to an end. Nikon has announced that their manufacturing of film cameras is coming to an end. Once their inventory of film cameras are done, they are closing up that division.

Nikon, the iconic Japanese camera maker, has put another nail in the coffin of traditional photography with plans to stop selling most of its film models in favor of hot-selling digital cameras.

Nikon said it will end production of all but two of its eight single-lens reflex (SLR) analogue models and axe all of its non-digital compacts, signalling the end of its more than 50 year history of selling film cameras.

Sales will end when stocks run out — news that could trigger a rush by camera buffs to snap up the remaining ones.

Experts believe the days of conventional film cameras are now numbered. Yahoo! News.

Fugifilms has announced for the CES show in Las Vegas the new FinePix V10 Ultra Compact camera. This camera features a 3.4X Optical Zoom lens, 5.1 Megapixel sensor, and the ability to record still photographs and videos. The V10 is expected to be released in March 2006.

Features of the FinePix V10 include:

Real Photo Technology featuring a five MegaPixel Super CCD HR sensor working in tandem with the critically acclaimed RP Processor for sharper photos and more vivid color reproduction with less noise than in comparable camera models.
A 3.4x optical zoom lens from world-renowned lens manufacturer, Fujinon, which provides broadcast-quality lenses for television and movie production. The lens on the FinePix V10 widens to F2.8, a setting that allows additional light to hit the Super CCD. This enables the FinePix V10 to shoot at faster shutter speeds, and a quicker shutter reduces camera shake due to hand movement as well as blurring caused by moving subjects.
Six scene modes ensure precise and correct camera settings for a variety of shooting environments and conditions. These settings help the user maximize picture quality even in the most difficult picture-taking situations.
A 30-frame multi-frame playback mode for viewing groups of photos.
Consumers can purchase the FinePix V10 in March 2006 at a retail cost of $349.

Fujifilm Press Center - News: Digital Cameras - FUJIFILM’S ULTRA-COMPACT FINEPIX V10 DIGITAL CAMERA FEATURES REAL PHOTO TECHNOLOGY ALONG WITH A THREE-INCH LCD.

HP introduced the Photosmart R927 Digital Camera featuring an 8.2 megapixel sensor and a bright 3 inch LCD display. The camera has a 3X optical zoom with an 8 digital zoom. A fascinating thing about this camera is that it features image advice that tells you better ways to improve your future shots. The HP Photosmart R927 Digital Camera will be released in March.

Overview
The premium styled, ultra-compact HP Photosmart R927 Digital Camera features a bright 3-inch LCD with a 170-degree viewing angle for unsurpassed indoor and outdoor viewing. Take brilliant 8.2-megapixel photos with the powerful HP Precision 24x total zoom. With the latest features such as automatic in-camera red-eye removal, HP Design Gallery and other HP Real Life technologies, users can easily take brilliant digital photos perfect for printing and sharing.
Key Features and Benefits
• 8.2-megapixels for brilliant resolution for beautiful prints and enlargements up to poster size
• HP Precision 3x optical lens, 8x digital zoom for 24x total zoom
• 3-inch image display with an extra-wide viewing angle for shooting indoors or out.
• 32 MB internal memory allows users to store photos in the camera
• 17 shooting modes, macro multi-zone auto focus and burst mode for quality shots in a variety of conditions
• On-camera button to easily order and share photos on Snapfish using HP Photosmart Express (1)
• Features an ultra-compact, durable metal body with a sleek, premium finish
Additional Features
• HP Real Life technologies help take the guesswork out of digital photography and make it easy to produce great photos that are crisp, realistic and true-to-life. HP Real Life technologies include:
o NEW: Automatic In-camera red-eye removal to remove red-eye while images are still in the camera
o NEW: HP Design Gallery adds artistic effects and borders right in the camera – includes slimming feature for your best possible photos
o Improved Image Advice now provides real-time feedback to users on how to improve a specific picture the next time it is captured—like having a professional photographer with you at all times!
o Adaptive Lighting Bracketing allows you to adjust high-contrast photos to bring faces out of shadows and details out of backgrounds while automatically capture 3 versions of the same scene – one with adaptive lighting off, one with adaptive lighting on low and the final with adaptive lighting on high
o In-camera panorama stitching allows the user to align, capture and review a panorama image on the camera and stitch up to 5 photos together to save as one image for easy printing before downloading to a computer
o High-quality VGA video with audio shoots at 24 frames per second and offers the ability to save still shots for printing
• HP Photosmart Express makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy – users simply take a photo and select its destination right on the back of the camera – up to 34 destinations, including e-mail addresses, online albums, printers and Snapfish for ordering photos
• Included dock recharges the camera and makes it easy to print and e-mail photos.
• Optional HP Photosmart 6221 Premium Camera Dock lets users easily save, view, print and share photos on a PC, Snapfish and TV, and recharge in-camera battery, plus a spare. Add Wireless capabilities by purchasing the HP Photosmart 6222 Wireless Dock Base to share your photos via a wireless home network. (2)
Technical Specifications
• 8.2-megapixel resolution
• 24x total zoom—3x optical, 8x digital
• Dimensions/Weight
o 96 mm (W) x 25.6 mm (D) x 62 mm (H)
o 170 grams without batteries
• PictBridge support
• JPEG (Exif 2.2 support)
• Support/Connectivity
o USB Connectivity
o USB-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows® XP, x64, 2000, Me, 98SE, or 98, Intel® Pentium® II, Celeron® or compatible CPU, Internet Explorer 5.01SP2 or later
o USB-compatible Macintosh computer with Mac OS v10.2.8, v10.3, v10.4
• HP offers a comprehensive support package for the HP Photosmart R927 Digital Camera that includes one-year of phone support as well as real-time chat and email support beyond the warranty as part of its HP Total Care portfolio of services.
Pricing and Availability
Estimated U.S. street price is TBD
Expected to be available for purchase March 2006 in North America, and specific countries in Latin America and Europe.

HP introduced the Photosmart R725 Digital Camera. It is an ultra-compact camera with a sleek design. Featuring a 2 inch Image display and a robust 6.2 megapixel sensor and a 3X optical zoom, the camera fills the role of a purse camera. The HP Photosmart R725 Digital Camera is due to be released in April of 2006.

Overview

Take stunning 6.2-megapixel photos with the elegant HP Photosmart R725 Digital Camera. This ultra-compact digital camera features a bright, indoor and outdoor 2-inch image display and sturdy all metal body, while being thin enough to slip in your pocket. With the latest generation of HP Real Life technologies, including new features such as automatic in-camera red-eye removal and HP Design Gallery, users can easily take brilliant digital photos perfect for printing and sharing.
Key Features and Benefits
• 6.2-megapixels for incredible resolution for beautiful prints and enlargements up to poster size
• Internal HP Precision 24x total zoom, 3x optical, 8x digital
• 2-inch LCD for framing and viewing photos and menus – indoors or out
• On-camera button to easily order and share photos on Snapfish using HP Photosmart Express (1)
• Features an elegant, thin all-metal design to fit easily in a pocket or purse
Additional Features
• HP Real Life technologies help take the guesswork out of digital photography and make it easy to produce great photos that are crisp, realistic and true-to-life. HP Real Life technologies include:
o NEW: Automatic In-camera red-eye removal to remove red-eye while images are still in the camera
o NEW: HP Design Gallery adds artistic effects and borders right in the camera-– includes slimming feature for your best possible photos—no PC or software required.
o Improved Image Advice now provides real-time feedback to users on how to improve a specific picture the next time it is captured—like having a professional photographer with you at all times!
o In-camera panorama stitching allows the user to align, capture and review a panorama image on the camera and stitch up to 5 photos together to save as one image for easy printing without downloading to a computer
o High-quality VGA video with audio shoots at 24 frames per second and offers the ability to save still shots for printing
• HP Photosmart Express makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy – users simply take a photo and select its destination right on the back
of the camera – up to 34 destinations, including e-mail addresses, online albums, and printers
• New HP Photosmart Software allows users to edit, organize, print, share and archive digital photos
• Optional 6221 HP Photosmart Premium Camera Dock lets users easily view photos on TV, transfer photos to the PC, print and recharge in-camera batteries, plus a spare set. Wireless capabilities are enabled by purchasing the HP Photosmart 6222 Wireless Dock Base (2)
Technical Specifications
• 6.2-megapixel resolution
• 3x optical zoom, 8x digital zoom
• Dimensions/Weight
o 93mm (W) x 23mm (D) x 61mm (H)
o 130 grams without battery
• PictBridge support
• JPEG (Exif 2.2)
• Support/Connectivity
o USB Connectivity
o USB-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows® XP, x64, 2000, Me, 98SE, or 98, Intel® Pentium® II, Celeron® or compatible CPU, Internet Explorer 5.01SP2 or later
o USB-compatible Macintosh computer with Mac OS v10.2.8, v10.3, v10.4
• HP offers a comprehensive support package for the HP Photosmart R725 Digital Camera that includes one-year of phone support as well as real-time chat and email support beyond the warranty as part of its HP Total Care portfolio of services.
Pricing and Availability
Estimated U.S. street price is TBD
Expected to be available for purchase April 2006 in North America and Europe.
(1) On-camera Snapfish feature available in UK and US only.
(2) Not included; please purchase separately.

HP introduced today the Photosmart M527 Digital Camera. Projected for an April 2006 release, this 6 megapixel camera is a midrange consumer solution. Featuring 3X optical zoom, HP’s new design gallery, and well placed buttons this camera is positioned to be a favorite for the casual photographer

Overview
Get impressive 6-megapixel photos with the easy-to-use HP Photosmart M527 Digital Camera. This digital camera has 21x total zoom - 3x optical, 7x digital - and features HP Real Life technologies, including HP in-camera red eye removal and HP Design Gallery. With the new HP Design Gallery, users can easily take brilliant digital photos. Intuitive button design allows for quick, one-handed shots, in addition to one-button ordering and sharing of photos with HP Photosmart Express. (1)
Key Features and Benefits
• 6-megapixels for impressive resolution for beautiful prints and enlargements up to poster-size
• 2-inch image display, intuitive button layout and overall compact stylish design allow for easy one-handed shots
• On-camera button to easily order and share photos on Snapfish using HP Photosmart Express (1)
• 16 MB internal memory allows users to store photos in the camera
• Extra storage capacity available with optional SD card (2)
• HP Photosmart Premier Software is a complete, easy-to-use software solution for editing, organizing, printing and sharing digital photos
Additional Features
• HP Real Life technologies help take the guesswork out of digital photography and make it easy to produce great photos that are crisp, realistic and true-to-life. HP Real Life technologies include:
o NEW: HP Design Gallery adds artistic effects and borders right in the camera
o In-camera red-eye removal to remove red-eye while images are still in the camera
• HP Photosmart Express makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy – users simply take a photo and select its destination right on the back of the camera – up to 34 destinations, including e-mail addresses, online albums, printers and Snapfish
o When the digital camera is later connected to a computer or the optional camera dock,(2) the selected photos are automatically printed and/or e-mailed without burdening the recipient with large file attachments
o E-mail recipients see thumbnails of the images right in the body of their e-mail message, as well as a link to the web page where they can very easily view, print and save the photos, and upload them to online albums
• Optional HP Photosmart 6221 Digital Camera Dock lets users easily save, view, print and share photos on a PC, Snapfish and TV, and recharge in-camera batteries. Add wireless capabilities by purchasing the HP Photosmart 6222 Wireless Dock Base to share your photos via a wireless home network. (2)
Technical Specifications
• 6-megapixel resolution
• 3x optical zoom, 7x digital zoom
• Dimensions/Weight
o 95mm (w) x 32mm (d) x 62mm (h)
o 153 grams without
• Support/Connectivity
o USB Connectivity
o USB-compatible PC with Microsoft Windows® XP, x64, 2000, Me, 98SE, or 98, Intel® Pentium® II, Celeron® or compatible CPU, Internet Explorer 5.01SP2 or later
o USB-compatible Macintosh computer with Mac OS v10.2.8, v10.3, v10.4
• HP offers a comprehensive support package for the HP Photosmart M527 Digital Camera that includes one-year of phone support as well as real-time chat and email support beyond the warranty as part of its HP Total Care portfolio of services.
Pricing and Availability
Estimated U.S. street price is TBD
Expected to be available for purchase April 2006 in North America.