Transcend releases two new 300X CompactFlash cards that can achieve 45 MB per secon. They operate in dual-channel Ultra DMA mode 5 and claims to be the fastest Compactflash cards in the market. Transcend’s 300X CF cards are built with an advanced ECC (Error Correction Code) that automatically detects and corrects errors during data transfer and and has a Lifetime Warranty.

The new cards are available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities.

Product Features:

One of the most important feature of a DSLR for me is the quality and size of its viewfinder. For those of you who has never used a SLR or a full frame DSLR before, these specs may seem insignificant but once you try one of those, I assure you will feel like a new world opens for you through the viewfinder.

A bigger and brighter viewfinder will help you during focusing and a high coverage will make sure your framing is accurate during shooting, and what you see will be what you will get. Besides these advantages, roomy and luminous view through your viewfinder will make your shooting sessions a joy (try to shoot side to side with an Olympus E-500 and a Canon 1Ds Mark III, you will understand what I mean).

No need the mention that a good viewfinder comes with a price, but it is still an important factor while comparing and deciding between DSLR cameras of the same class. Below you can find a comparison table including almost all the DSLR cameras on the market:

Canon has released a new firmware update, version 1.2.3, for the EOS-1D Mark III DSLR camera.

Download: Canon EOS-1D Mark III Version 1.2.3 Firmware Update

The following improvements will be obtained by Firmware v1.1.2:

1. Direct selection of AF points by the Multi-controller is added to C.Fn III-9.
Settings 3, 4, and 5 of C.Fn III-9 allow the user to select AF points directly with the M ulti-controller instead of the Quick Control Dial or Main Dial.
* In setting 3, you can select from all 19 points with the Multi-controller.
* In setting 4, your selection is limited to the 9 inner points with the Multi-controller.
* In setting 5, your selection is limited to the 9 outer points with the Multi-controller.

We are almost sure that there will be a new 24 MP FF flagship DSLR from Nikon which may likely to be called D3x, sharing the same body and similar features with the 12 MP D3. But where did this D10 rumors come from, which is expected to be a more affordable FF DSLR from Nikon to compete with the current Canon 5D, upcoming Canon 5D Mark II and the long-waited Full frame Sony DSLR Alpha A900?

This thread on dpreview.com is where we first have came across this rumor about Nikon D10. According to this thread poster, Nikon plant in Sendai/Japan is getting prepared to these two models, the same place where D3 and film SLR F6 is being produced for the time being.

Nikon guru Thom Hogan is also involved in this discussion with his post and he has a really interesting remark here about the vproduct code of the D300 vertical grip: MB-D10. The vertical grips by Nikon used to be named by the DSLR model that it is mounted, for example the grip for D200 was named MB-D200. According to Thom, MB-D10 vertical grip may have been intented first for a FF DSLR sharing D300's body.

Nikon D3x is expected to be on market in 2008 and D10 in 2009. Our prediction about the price range for the D10 is around $3.000

Canon has released a new firmware update for its flagship DSLR camera 1Ds Mark III.

Download: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Firmware Update 1.1.2

The following improvements will be obtained by Firmware v1.1.2:

1. Direct selection of AF points by the Multi-controller is added to C.Fn III-9.
Settings 3, 4, and 5 of C.Fn III-9 allow the user to select AF points directly with the M ulti-controller instead of the Quick Control Dial or Main Dial.
* In setting 3, you can select from all 19 points with the Multi-controller.
* In setting 4, your selection is limited to the 9 inner points with the Multi-controller.
* In setting 5, your selection is limited to the 9 outer points with the Multi-controller.

Ricoh launched the new G600, a water and dust resistant compact digital camera with a wide angle 5x zoom lens. With its shock resistance body, the G600 passes Ricoh's shock resistance test for a 1.5 m fall, a test that conforms to US Department of Defense standards. The G600 also has an impressive water resistant capacity, it can even take photos underwater at depths of up to about 1 m. The versatile 5x optical wide-angle zoom lens is equivalent to 28-140 mm in 35mm format, and has a macro mode with a min focus distance of 1cm.G600 is quite compact with a weight of only 260 g. and body size of 116.5 mm (W) × 68.0 mm (H) × 32.0 mm.

Ricoh G600 seems to be the perfect solution for photographers who works under tough physical conditions and need a compact sized reliable digital camera which they can carry easily with confidence.

Ricoh G600 Full Specifications:

The version 1.10 firmware update for the Nikon D3 DSLR has been removed from Nikon’s support site. According to the statement from Nikon Support Department, the image data may be corrupted if the camera is used in the following combination of settings:

・ Release mode:  Continuous high speed (Ch), or Continuous low speed (Cl) with Custom Setting d2 set to 9 fps
・ Image area:  FX format (36x24) or 5:4 (30x24)
・ Image quality:  NEF (RAW) or NEF (RAW) + JPEG fine/normal/basic
・ NEF (RAW) recording>NEF (RAW) bit depth:  14-bit

The Alpha A350, currently the best selling DSLR on the Sony DSLR line-up features a 14.2-megapixel Super HAD CCD, Live Preview of your subject, Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization, Scene Selection Modes, High-resolution thumbnails for PhotoTV HD viewing, Eye-Start Autofocus System, Anti-dust technology, 1200-zone evaluative meteringa tiltable, and a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus screen. No other camera offers such a high resolution sensor in its price range and the tilting LCD screen with live view.

We listed the latest and best reviews of the Sony A350 on the web to give you an idea about what this 14.2 MP monster offers and also help to make a comparison with the other popular competitors in this class like Canon 450D / Digital Rebel Xsi, Nikon D60, Olympus E420 and Pentax K200D.

Sony A350 Reviews on the Web:

The EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi , the new entry level Canon DSLR featuring a 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor Digital SLR camera features DIGIC III Image Processor, 3.5 fps continous shooting, 9-point AF system, and two types of AF during Live View Function, Auto Optimization, compatibility with SD and SDHC Memory cards, and a large 3.0-inch LCD monitor is probably the most popular DSLR currently in the market. But the competiton has never been this though before in this segment, considering the 3 new DSLR from Sony (A200, A300, A350), the new Nikon D60, Olympus E420 and K200D of course from Pentax.

Below we listed the best Canon 450D / Digital Rebel XSi reviews on the web so far:

Mamiya has introduced the ProSD adapter HX702 which allows the use of the Mamiya ZD 22 Mp Digital Back on Mamiya RB67 Pro-S and Pro-SD medium format cameras.

HX702 transforms a Mamiya RB67 film camera into a 22-megapixel digital camera, and the rugged aluminum adapter has a built-in revolving mechanism, thus retaining RB67's unique feature of switching between vertical and horizontal. The interface between the ZD Digital Back and the RB67 goes through a cable plugged into the lens flash sync terminal.

Specs And Availability: