Microsoft has today released a new 'Photo Info' tool designed specifically for digital photographers. After installation this tool provides a new option of 'Photo Info' on the Explorer context menu. The Photo Info dialog enables you to edit both EXIF and IPTC information in compatible image formats as either a single image or a collection. The Photo Info tool works on either Windows XP or Vista and is a free download.

Pentax introduces a couple of new cameras today, starting here with the T30, successor to the T20. The T30 ups resolution to 7.1 million pixels, ISO sensitivity to 3200 and is 0.5mm slimmer than its predecessor at just 19mm. Still sporting a 3.0-inch screen with touch display control and a 3x zoom but theT30 also throws Face Recognition AF and AE into the mix.

Next up is the new Optio M30, the replacement for the M20, announced last August. The M30 also ups resolution to 7.1 million pixels and sensitivity to ISO 3200 but is now packed into an ultra-slim 18mm body.

Pentax has today released a firmware update V 1.10 for its K10D DSLR. Features added and upgraded by this update include wireless flash control, refinements to the ISO and exposure control systems and improvements to long-exposure image quality.

Sharp Japan has announced a new 1/2.5" CCD, now packing a frankly shocking eight million pixels into an area measuring just 5.8 x 4.3 mm it has a pixel pitch of just 1.75 um which Sharp are proud to announce is the smallest in its class. Is this a good thing? I think probably not, as we will see manufacturers cramming this sensor into existing designs with average quality lenses and then claiming to deliver high sensitivities such as ISO 1600. Progress marches on, at least the marketing department will be happy.

Canon has today announced three new models in their affordable PowerShot A range. Slotting in at the entry-level, the PowerShot A450 and A460 replace the previous A420 and A430. Both sport 5.0 megapixel sensors and 3.2x / 4x zooms respectively. The A550 meanwhile enters the mid-range to supersede the A530, and offers a little more both in terms of features and control as well as increasing the pixel count to 7.1 million.

Sony has today revealed no less than four new seven megapixel digital cameras. First come two new W series the W35 and W55 both with three times zoom lenses but with 2.0" and 2.5" LCD screens respectively. Next the S650 and S700, again with a three times zoom lens and 2.0" and 2.4" LCD screens respectively. The four models range in price from US150 to US$200 and should be available in March.

Just Posted! We're finally sweeping up the last few Canon Photokina 2006 cameras with our Review of the SD 800 IS Digital ELPH (Digital IXUS 850 IS). The SD 800 IS builds on the successful formula established with the SD700 IS (Ixus 800) but adds an extra million pixels and a useful 28-105mm equiv. wideangle zoom. The SD700 IS was one of the better ultra compact P&S cameras of last year, find out if we liked the SD800 IS as much after the link...

Lexar has announced new SDHC cards in two speed categories; a standard line conforming to SDHC class 2* (Greater than 2MB per second) and Platinum II which is class 6* (Greater than 6MB per second). Both types will be available in 4GB capacity from February with 8GB to follow later in the year. * Minimum sustained write speed

CES 2007: Casio has unveiled 'the world's slimmest digital camera with a 7X optical zoom lens' - the Exilim EX-V7 - at CES today. The new ultra-slim (just 25.1mm thick) 7.2 megapixel camera features Casio's CCD shift system, H.264 MPEG movies and a 38-266mm equiv. optical zoom. Impressive stuff.

CES 2007: Zoran Corporation has today announced its new Coach 9 processor which will enable high quality DivX video encoding for digital cameras. 'By working with DivX, we are able to provide our OEM customers with high-quality video recording as a key product differentiator,' said Ohad Meitav, Senior Director, digital cameras at Zoran. 'In addition, consumers can enjoy the benefit of video compatibility with the tens of millions of DivX Certified DVD players and recorders powered by Zoran in the market today.'

CES 2007: Sony has today announced a doubling in capacity of its compact Memory Stick Duo storage card (they announced a 4 GB card at CES 2006). The new MSX-M8GS Memory Stick Pro Duo has a capacity of 8 GB and yet just just 20 x 31 x 1.6 mm (0.8 x 1.2 x 0.1 in).

CES 2007: Panasonic has today officially announced its range of 'Class 6 SD Speed' cards, an addition to the Pro High Speed SD card range. These new cards, available in 1, 2 and 4 GB capacities are 'Class 6' speed compliant, meaning they have a guaranteed minimum write speed of 6 MB/sec, they are capable of burst speeds of up to 20 MB/sec. In addition Panasonic has upgraded its existing card range to the next class (Class 4; 4 MB/sec minimum) and also revealed that they intend to introduce a 16 GB card this year.

CES 2007: Bringing up the rear of the S series launch are the twin S630 and S730 models featuring 6 and 7MP sensors, respectively, and 3x optical zoom lenses. Both cameras also sport 2.5-inch screens, MPEG-4 movie capture and a range of subject / scene mode. And yes, the same 'ASR' system as all the others...

CES 2007: Samsung has announced 7 new models today. Perhaps the most interesting is the S1050, which has the same styling as the NV10/NV7 launched earlier in the year, though without the innovative Smart Touch user interface. The S1050 is a 10MP model with a 5x optical zoom, lots of exposure modes (including A,S and M) and what Samsung describes as an 'Advanced Shake Reduction' system (but we know as an ISO boosting mode).

CES 2007: The second new S series camera from Samsung announced today is the S850, which - as the name implies - is an 8MP / 5x zoom model. As well as lots of exposure modes (including A, S and M) and a 2.5-inch screen the S850 sports face recognition technology and, once again, 'Advanced Shake Reduction' that features neither a moving lens element nor a shifting CCD...

CES 2007: Bringing up the rear of the S series launch are the twin S630 and S730 models featuring 6 and 7MP sensors, respectively, and 3x optical zoom lenses. Both cameras also sport 2.5-inch screens, MPEG-4 movie capture and a range of subject / scene mode. And yes, the same 'ASR' system as all the others...

CES 2007: The fifth new camera from Samsung today is the slim 7MP. 3x zoom model with a decent range of features - including face recognition technology, the Smart Touch interface, MPEG-4 movies, motion-triggered self-timer and a plethora of scene modes. The L73 will be available in black or silver.

CES 2007: Just in case you felt the range of cameras announced by Samsung today didn't offer you enough choice here's the L700, another 7MP, 3x zoom model with MPEG-4 movies, ISO 1600 and that 'no moving parts' ASR 'stabilization' system (aka high ISO mode).

CES 2007: Last but by no means least in Samsung's big launch today is the innovatively designed i70, the latest incarnation of the company's camera / media player combos. The i70 features a cute phone-like sliding cover, 7MP sensor, 3x zoom and multimedia capabilities.