General Imaging 2009 lineup of GE digital cameras includes 3 more models apart from already mentioned. These are the GE E1250TW, E1255W and E1276W.

Most of the popular features of the new cameras include blink, smile and face detection, auto-adjust brightness LCD, and in-camera red-eye removal. The three cameras feature 12-megapixel resolution helping preserve all life’s memories with greater clarity. All of them house 28mm equivalent wide-angle lenses.

The E1276W employs optical image stabilization to overcome camera shake. The new E1250TW, in its turn, stands out of the crowd with its Touch Panel LCD that allows you to control certain features by touching icons displayed on the three-inch LCD screen.

GE E1250TW

• 12 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 4000 x 3000
• 5X Optical Zoom
• Focal length Equivalent: 28mm - 140mm
• Aperture Range: F3.3 (W) - F5.1 (T)
• Macro: 5 cm
• 3.0″ LCD display (Touch screen)
• No Viewfinder
• Sensitivity: ISO80-1600
• Movie mode: 1280 x 720
• 116MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card
• GB-40 Battery
• Comes in black, red, silver, and pink

GE E1255W

• 12 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 4000 x 3000
• 5X optical Zoom
• Focal Length Equivalent: 28mm - 140mm
• Aperture range: F3.3 (W) - F5.2 (T)
• Macro: 5 cm
• 3.0″LCD display with 234,000 pixels
• No Viewfinder
• Sensitivity:ISO 80-1600
• Movie mode: 640 x 480
• 24MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card
• DS5370 Battery
• Comes in black, red, silver, and pink
• MSRP: $179

GE E1276W

• 12 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 4000 x 3000
• 7X Optical Zoom
• Focal length Equivalent: 28mm - 196mm
• Aperture range: F2.9 (W) - F5.3 (T)
• Optical image stabilization
• Macro: 5 cm
• 3.0″LCD display with 234,000 pixels
• No Viewfinder
• Sensitivity: ISO 80-1600
• Movie mode: 1280 x 720
• 116MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC card
• DS5370 Battery
• Comes in black, red, silver, and pink
• MSRP: $199

According to http://www.general-imaging.com.

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A number of firmware updates has been recently released by various manufacturers. They improve some of the cameras’ functions and enhance operability, some however include minor changes.

As to Olympus FE series firmware update 1.1 (FE-45, FE-25, FE-35), the changes are not dramatic at all. In the FE-45 and FE-35 the compatibility of NiMH batteries was improved and in the FE-25 low battery indicator has been adjusted.

Olympus also updates their new Stylus Tough 6000:

• The volume during playback increased
• The coloring of images shot with UNDERWATER WIDE 1, UNDERWATER WIDE 2, and UNDERWATER MACRO was improved

Olympus firmware download information page.

Canon DSLR cameras (EOS 50D, XSi/450D and XS/1000D) obtain more substantial update:

Canon EOS 50D Firmware Update Version 1.0.6

• Supports the AF assist beam feature of the new flash, Speedlite 270 EX, which is scheduled to be released in April 2009
• Changes the error indications that are displayed on the camera
• Addresses the vertical banding noise phenomenon

Canon EOS REBEL XSi / 450D Firmware Update Version 1.1.0 - supports the AF assist beam features of the new flash, Speedlite 270 EX, which is scheduled to be released in April 2009

Canon EOS REBEL XS / 1000D Firmware Update Version 1.0.5 - supports the AF assist beam feature of the new flash, Speedlite 270 EX, which is scheduled to be released in April 2009

Casio has released the V1.02 update for the Z100 and Z200 digital cameras. It fixes a problem that causes the wrong month to appear initially when the calendar screen is displayed. In case you missed or did not apply the previous Casio Z100 or Z200 firmware update, you will get V1.00 firmware update version, which corrects on-screen text in certain geographic regions. (Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional)

Casio Z200 Firmware Update Page
Casio Z100 Firmware Update Page

Ricoh updates their CX1, a compact camera with HDR shooting. Version 1.16 has corrected a part of the information on a file in the MPO / JPEG format to comply with the Multi-Picture Format and fixed the following bugs:

• If you take pictures with M-Cont. Plus, an MP file may be recorded with missing a partial frame(s).
• In Focus Bracketing, a self-timer feature may not work properly.

Ricoh CX1 Firmware Update Page

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The Olympus Stylus Tough 8000, the newest member of Olympus’ range of shockproof and waterproof digital cameras, was reviewed at photographyblog.com. It features 12 megapixels, sensor-shift image stabilisation and a “tap control” system. It costs the same as many budget DSLR cameras, so, as Photographyblog says, it is better to find one “if you are a real stickler for image quality and / or manual controls.” If not, it’s a pretty nice “normal” point-and-shoot too.

The Nikon D3x is the highest resolution digital SLR camera currently available, offering a massive 24.6 megapixels courtesy of its full-frame FX format CMOS sensor. It features also 920,000-dot 3-inch LCD screen, and Live View. In a review by Photographyblog it is called “ a pretty much a re-badged D3 with twice the pixel count but a slower continuous shooting speed.” They also state that “for such a high end camera the D3x is surprisingly intuitive to use.”

9.1-megapixel Sony DSC-HX1 has been recently reviewed by Dpreview. They highlight its wide zoom range and the ultra-fast continuous shooting speeds. The camera can also shoot 1440 x 1080-pixel (30fps) movies and features a 3.0 inch TFT LCD monitor. Manual controls are available alongside with Intelligent Auto mode. They supply their review by a nice Sample Photos Gallery.

Ultra compact Panasonic DMC-FX40 with its 12 megapixel sensor, a 25mm wide angle lens with a 5x optical zoom, a 2.5″ screen that works in the sun, 720p HD, optical image stabilisation and a pocketable metal body was reviewed at digicamreview.com. They state its good value for money and give a mark of “Highly Recommended.”

The Fuji Finepix F200 EXR that brings the first EXR sensor to the market get another review, this time at neocamera.com. It features 12 Megapixels SuperCCD EXR sensor, high-dynamic-range and low-noise modes and 28 mm wide-angle 5X optical zoom lens. Neocamera state the F200 EXR’s “exceptionally low image noise, excellent dynamic-range, accurate colors and good image sharpness,” but at the same time you’ll have to learn the camera’s settings, which are rather complex. But I think – it deserves it!

And some new photo galleries. Sample shots of Canon A2100 IS were posted at letsgodigital.org, as well as samples of the  Canon SX200 IS – also see them at letsgodigital.org.

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