News / Other News

Panasonic is set to extend its Lumix digital camera brand to include mobile phones. A teaser campaign on the company's Japanese site indicates that the first Lumix-branded phone will be announced at CEATC electronics trade show in Tokyo on October 5. Its processor has been branded as Mobile VenusEngine and it will offer microSD/SDHC slots.

Phase One has announced a guaranteed trade-in scheme for customers wishing to upgrade to newer products. Within 6 months of a new product being launched, existing customers can receive up to 90% of their original purchase price against digital backs and up to 50% against camera bodies and lenses.

Photokina 2010: Sensor developer Aptina has launched a 16Mp APS-C CMOS sensor capable of full 1080p HD video at 30fps. The MT9H004 sensor uses the company's latest DR-Pix technology increasing signal-to-noise ratio under low-light conditions, delivering better image quality in high ISO photographs. The sensor can produce full resolution images at 10fps and is intended for use in DSLRs. The company has also announced a 14Mp CMOS sensor with full 1080p HD video recording capabilities for compact and hybrid cameras. Both sensors are scheduled to enter mass production in the first quarter of 2011.

Sony has issued a press release about the new product developments it's showcasing at Photokina 2010. Highlights include a firmware update for the NEX series (covered in a separate news story), a prototype of a new camera that will incorporate the latest Translucent Mirror technology, accessories for A-mount cameras including a flash and vertical grip, and upcoming lenses for both A and E mounts.

Sony has launched an application to organize and view 3D images on the company's 3D Bravia televisions and PlayStation 3. The app supports images taken with Sony's recently released 3D Sweep Panorama enabled compacts and interchangeable lens cameras. It will be available as a free download from the PlayStation store from the end of of this month.

Sigma Japan has announced its DP1x compact camera, announced in February, will be available from the end of this month. It features a faster True II processor and enhanced AF algorithms than the company's DP1 compact. There is currently no information regarding its availability in other markets. Sigma has also announced that that its 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM lens, that was previously available in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts is now available for Pentax and Sigma mounts at retail prices of $980/£649.99.

Nikon is celebrating the production of its 55 millionth Nikkor lens for its SLR cameras. The total includes 20 million Silent Wave Motor (SWM) lenses, the company says. The lens series was introduced in 1959 with the launch of the Nikkor S Auto 5cm f/2, while SWM was first incorporated in the Ai AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED in 1996.

Photogaphy technique site diglloyd.com has published an online guide entitled 'Making Sharp Images'. Billed by author Lloyd Chambers as the 'missing guide' to understanding and combating the many possible sources of blur, it covers a wide range of topics while aiming to be both accessible to beginners and technical enough for experts. It's available by subscription only at http://makingsharpimages.com, priced at $44.95 for one year.

Canon has announced it has developed the world's largest CMOS sensor measuring 202 x 205mm. Approximately 40 times the size of Canon's largest commercial CMOS sensor, it captures images with 1/100th the amount of light required by an SLR camera. Its advanced circuitry allows video recording at 60 frames per second with 0.3 lux illumination that according to the company is roughly one-half the brightness of a moonlit night. There is currently no information about the sensor's resolution. This follows last week's development announcement of Canon's 120 megapixel 29.2 x 20.2mm APS-H CMOS sensor.

Canon has announced it has developed a 120 megapixel 29.2 x 20.2mm APS-H CMOS sensor - the same size used in its EOS-1D series of professional DSLRs. The sensor, for which Canon has announced no production plans, has a pixel count nearly 7.5 times larger than the company's highest pixel count commercially available sensor. It offers full HD recording (using 1/60th of its surface area) and can deliver 9.5fps continuous shooting. This follows a 50 million pixel sensor of similar format the company developed in 2007.

Sinar has announced the 'p-slr' system that allows DSLR owners use their camera bodies as digital backs with the company's view camera system via an adapter. Currently compatible with Canon and Nikon cameras, the system gives access to a range of medium format and view camera lenses and accessories such as bellows, filters etc. An included 'Quick Clamping' adapter also allows users to easily change the orientation of the camera body from landscape to portrait and vice versa. The p-slr system comes in various combinations of mounting brackets, bellows and the Quick Clamping adapter, and a number of optional accessories. It will be available from next month at a retail price of 1980 Swiss Francs (~ €1440).

Lexar has announced a Facebook based sweepstake with a chance to win either a Canon 7D or Nikon D300S DSLR kit with Lexar memory cards and reader. To enter the 'Take the Next Shot' sweepstake participants need to submit a 'favourite' photograph along with a 15 word caption and click on the 'Like' button in the company's Facebook page. Entries need to be submitted before July 31, 2010.