Digital Photography

Just Posted: Our Canon Powershot G10 review. The Canon ‘G’ series has been the most consistently photographer-focused family of compact cameras on the market. This, the 8th iteration of that dynasty includes a 14.7MP sensor and a 28-140mm zoom, offering serious flexibility. The family faces stiffer than ever competition though - from the budget DSLRs that now undercut it on price and from some compelling RAW-shooting compact peers that fancy a tilt at its ‘king of compacts’ crown. Is the ruggedly built G10 tough enough to weather such a grueling environment? Find out in our full review.

Adobe has released an update to its Camera Raw Plug-in for Photoshop CS4. Camera Raw 5.2, which replaces v5.1, extends support to seven more cameras, including Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Panasonic DMC-G1. The update includes enhanced color profiles, output sharpening and a new Targeted Adjustment tool. In addition, users can save all image adjustments and settings as a single snapshot for future reference.  

Canon has asked US customers planning take advantage of its rebate program not to cash the checks they have received, following the company handling the rebates filing for bankruptcy protection. The problems relate to rebate checks for video and printer products dated prior to November 14th. Any customer yet to send-in rebate materials should also delay until further notice.

Kodak is challenging Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and related companies over alleged patent infringement. Kodak is claiming technologies used in LG and Samsung camera phones are covered by its patents. Documents filed with the International Trade Commission highlight technologies in the Samsung Blackjack II and LG Dare handsets.

Sony has announced the development of the finest-yet pixel-pitch 1/2.5" sensor. The 12.2MP CMOS sensor has been developed for mobile phone cameras, but is of a size commonly used in compact and super zoom cameras. The IMX060PQ sensor, which Sony brands ‘Exmor’ in common with its DSLR CMOS sensors, will also be available incorporated into an F2.8 28mm-equiv lens unit with piezoelectric driven autofocus - relatively advanced for a camera phone module.

Just posted! Our new lens review featuring the Pentax smc P-FA 50mm 1:1.4. This is the latest in our on-going series scrutinising the optical credentials of the camera manufacturers’ various "fast fifties", and looks at a lens which has been around since the days of 35mm film. Designed as a fast ’standard’ prime, it’s now being pressed into service as a short portrait telephoto on the APS-C sensor. So how well has it adapted to this new role?

Camera and lens maker Sigma has bought Foveon, the sensor technology company that develops the sensors it uses. Foveon’s technology uses three photosensitive layers to detect red, green and blue light at each pixel. Sigma says owning the company will allow the development of new types of sensors and improved integration between the sensors and its lenses.

Samsung Techwin, the Korean manufacturer, plans to separate out its camera division into an individual entity (under the same ownership), according to news agency Reuters. Samsung Techwin is part of the Samsung Group’s machinery and heavy industry division and makes mobile artillery and gas turbines, as well as digital cameras. Tentatively named Samsung Digital Imaging, the new company will have a separate listing from Feb. 1, 2009, allowing its management to concentrate on the fast-moving consumer market into which its products are sold, without also having to also consider sales of aircraft engines.

Sigma has announced a firmware update for its DP-1 compact digital camera. Version 2.00 will make it possible to allocate different functions to each of the Digital Zoom buttons. In addition, the image magnification ratio will now appear during playback.

Phase One has released an update to its RAW workflow software, Capture One. Version 4.5.1 supports RAW files from the Canon 50D and offers preliminary support for EOS 5D Mark II files. The update also improves general performance of the software.