The Fujifilm FinePix JX200 and JV150 are two new ultra-compact digital cameras. The Fujifilm JX200 is a 12 megapixel model with a 5x, 28mm wide-angle zoom lens. The Fujifilm JV150 offers 14 megapixels and a 3x zoom. Available in Black, Silver and Pink, pricing and availability of the Fujifilm FinePix JX200 and JV150 is still to be announced.

The Fujifilm FinePix JZ500, JZ300, JX250 and JV100 are four new ultra-compact digital cameras. The Fujifilm JV100 has a 12 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch LCD and a 3x optical zoom lens. The Fujifilm JX250 has a 14 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch LCD and a 5x wide angle (28mm-140mm) optical zoom lens. The Fujifilm JZ300 has a 12 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch LCD and a 10x optical zoom lens (28mm-280mm equivalent). Finally the Fujifilm JZ500 rounds out the series with a 14 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch LCD and a 10x optical zoom Lens (28mm-280mm equivalent). The Fujifilm FinePix JV100 and JZ300 will be available in February 2010 and the JX250 and JZ500 will all be available in March 2010 at a retail price of $129.95, $159.95, $199.95 and $249.95 respectively.

The Fujifilm FinePix AX280 is a new 14 megapixel entry-level camera. A step-up model from the AX200, the Fujifilm AX280 shares the same core specifications of 720p HD movie recording, 5x, 28-140mm lens, 2.7 inch LCD screen, ISO 3200 and powered by AA batteries. The Fujifilm FinePix AX280 will be available in the UK in Black, Silver and Bright Pink, price to be announced.

The Fujifilm FinePix AX200 and AV100 are new entry-level cameras that offer 720p HD movie recording. The Fujifilm AX200 is a 12 megapixel camera with a 5x, 28-140mm lens, 2.7 inch LCD screen, ISO 3200 and powered by AA batteries. The cheaper Fujifilm AV100 offers the same core specification with a 3x zoom lens. Both the AX200 and AV100 offer HD Movie Capture, Automatic Scene Recognition, and Face Detection. The FinePix AV100 will be available in February at a price of $99.95 and the FinePix AX200 will also be available in February at a price of $109.95.

As you may recall, Panasonic announced a number of cameras at CES, but has not disclosed any prices - until now. The LUMIX FH1 will be available for a suggested retail price of $159.95, the LUMIX FH3 for $179.95 and the LUMIX FH20 (pictured) for $199.95. These are slim, pocketable models that pack a 28mm wide-angle lens with up to 8x optical zoom (FH20) and image stabilisation, along with HD movie recording. The ultra-slim FP1 will be available for $149.95, while the similar FP3 that boasts a 3” touch-screen will retail for $229.95. Finally, the entry-level DMC-F3 will cost $129.95.

Announcement: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1, FH3 & FH20
Announcement: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 & FP3
Announcement: Panasonic Lumix DMC-F3

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 (ZS7 in the USA) is a compact ultra-zoom camera featuring an optically stabilised 25-300mm equivalent Leica lens, manual exposure control and built-in GPS. The TZ10 and its brother the TZ8 - also announced today - are the first cameras in the Panasonic TZ series to offer full manual exposure control. The TZ10 is also the first Panasonic ultra-zoom to feature a built-in GPS unit. The location data where the photo was taken is automatically embedded with its latitude and longitude in the EXIF data. These geo-tagged images can be pinpointed on the maps of social media internet maps to be shared with the world. Plus, the TZ10 also shows the name of the town, area and landmarks using an internal database to give users real-time information of the place when taking photos. The Panasonic TZ10 has a 14.5-megapixel CCD and shoots at up to 12.1-megapixel resolution. This enables multi-aspect shooting in any of three aspect ratios - 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 - while maintaining the diagonal angle of view. In addition to taking stills, the camera can also record 720p HD movies in Motion JPEG or AVCHD Lite format, and you can fully utilise the powerful 12x optical zoom in while filming. The TZ10 also features Dolby Digital Stereo Creator to record high-quality audio. SDXC card support and a 3”, 460000-dot Intelligent LCD with anti-reflex coating round off the features list. The Panasonic TZ10 will be available from mid March in a choice of silver, black, red or blue.

Panasonic’s new DMC-TZ8 (also known as the ZS5) with an optically stabilised 25-300mm lens in a compact body offers 12.1 megapixels of resolution and manual exposure control. Comprising 10 elements in 8 groups, including 2 ED lenses and 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, and utilising new lens material in its design, the DMC-TZ8’s advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly slim and compact body while passing Leica’s stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance, the company claims. The DMC-TZ8 has a 14.5-megapixel CCD and shoots with up to 12.1-megapixel resolution. This is because the CCD on the TZ8 is multi-aspect and can reproduce images shot with the lens set from 25mm to 300mm in any of three aspect ratios - 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 - while maintaining the same diagonal angle of view. And finally, the TZ8 features A, S and M exposure modes for creative photographers. 720p HD movie recording and SDXC support round off the features list. Availability is slated for mid March.

Successor to the highly regarded DMC-ZX1, Panasonic’s new, 14.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-ZX3 (called ZR3 in North America) offers style and compactness whilst also boasting a powerful 8x optical zoom starting at 25mm (eq.), and newly added AVCHD Lite movie recording function. The 25-200mm lens comprises 9 elements in 7 groups, including 4 super thin aspherical lenses with 6 spherical surfaces. Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the new Intelligent Zoom is available with the ZX3 which extends the zoom ratio by approx.1.3x maintaining the picture quality even when using a digital zoom. This means the 8x optical can virtually extend to 10x equivalent. With the Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas – outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas – are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clarity while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look more finely detailed. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and movie recording. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.005 seconds and the camera’s quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed AF that lets you lock on the subject minimum in approx. 0.26 (wide-end) / 0.31 (tele-end) second when using single-area AF.

Panasonic has just announced the Lumix DMC-FT2 (called TS2 in North America), a successor to the Lumix FT1 shock-, freeze- and waterproof camera we recently reviewed. Featuring High Definition video recording capability, in the AVCHD Lite format, the new 14.1-megapixel Lumix FT2 further strengthens its toughness when compared to its predecessor and is waterproof to 33 feet (10m), shockproof from a height of up to 10 feet (2m), freezeproof to 14° F (-10 °C) and dustproof in accordance with the IEC60529 standard. Furthermore, the FT2’s cover panel for the LCD is thickened by 1.3x compared to its forebear. The Panasonic Lumix FT2 features Sonic Speed AF, which enables a super-fast response time, and a shutter release time lag as short as approximately 0.005 second and lets users lock on the subject in approximately 0.24 second at the wide end and 0.28 second at the telephoto end when using 1-area AF. The Panasonic FT2 will be available from March 2010. Pricing will be announced 30 days prior to shipping date.

The Pentax Optio I-10 is an eye-catching SLR-shaped digital compact camera. The flash unit and speaker are positioned in the upper middle section of the I10 body, the centre section of the camera’s front panel is textured, and the near-centred lens and Pentax logo just above it have all been carefully designed to enhance the SLR image. The Pentax I-10 also offers a 5x zoom lens (28-140mm), 12 megapixels, triple anti-shake protection, HD movie recording and wireless remote shooting. The Pentax Optio I-10 will be available in mid-February for £199.99.

The Pentax Optio H90 is a stylishly under-stated new compact digital camera. Developed under Pentax’s new “functional beauty” concept, the Optio H90 offers a functional, no-frills design. The Pentax H90 also features a 5X optical zoom lens (28-140mm), 12.1 megapixels, 2.7 inch LCD and HD movie recording.  The Pentax Optio H90 will be available in mid-February for £129.99.

The Pentax Optio E90 is a new entry-level digital compact camera. The Pentax E90 is a 10 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom and 2.7inch LCD screen. The E90 also offers Automatic face detection with Smile Capture function, Auto Picture mode, double anti-shake protection and a range of digital filters. The Pentax Optio E90 will be available at the end of February for £79.99.

In addition to the NX10, Samsung have also unveiled a veritable deluge of new compact cameras for 2010. Top of the tree is the exciting WB650 / HZ35W, which packs in a veritable smorgasbord of features into its small frame, including a 15x ultra-wide-angle lens, 3” AMOLED screen and even built-in GPS. The WB650 / HZ35W really should give Panasonic’s popular TZ-series a run for its money. We also grabbed a few moments with 4 other Samsung compacts of interest which feature some clever new design touches, so click-through to see the photo gallery.

The Samsung SL630 is a 12.2 megapixel point-and-shoot camera with a 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens and optical image stabilisation. The new Samsung SL630 comes fully equipped with an array of automatic controls, including Samsung’s scene recognition technology known as Smart Auto. The SL630 also features useful auto focusing options such as object tracking. In addition, the new Samsung offers the manufacturer’s Perfect Portrait System – a series of automatic technologies which take the guesswork out of shooting beautiful portraits. Key features of the Perfect Portrait System include Face Detection, Smile Shot and Blink Detection technologies, Red Eye Fix mode, and Beauty Shot. There is no HD video recording on offer - the Samsung SL630 shoots standard-definition VGA movie clips instead. The SL630 is called PL80 in Europe, and will be available in March priced at £129.99.

Samsung have announced two new additions to their TL line of ultra-thin digital compact cameras. At just 0.65 inches thin, the 14.2 megapixel Samsung TL110 and 12.2 megapixel Samsung TL105 are each equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD and feature a 5x optical zoom and a 4x optical zoom respectively. Also, Samsung’s new models feature an improved 27mm wide-angle lens (TL110) and 27.5mm wide-angle lens (TL105) when compared to their predecessor, the TL100. The Samsung TL110 also boasts optical image stabilisation. New image effects available with the Samsung TL110 and TL105, such as Fisheye and Lomo, let photographers easily add a touch of creativity to their photos. Both new cameras offer 720p HD video recording capabilities. Unlike the more advanced HZ30W and HZ35W models - also announced today -, the TL105 and TL110 do not feature a full manual exposure mode. The TL105 and TL110 are called ST60 and ST70 in Europe, and will be available from February priced at £149.99 and £179.99 respectively.

Samsung have just unveiled the world’s slimmest cameras with 15x zoom and 24mm equivalent wide angle - one of the two even features built-in GPS and a 3” AMOLED screen. The new compacts are called the Samsung HZ30W and HZ35W, with the latter being the GPS/AMOLED model. The HZ30W has no GPS unit and makes do with a more traditional 3” LCD screen. The two cameras are otherwise identical: both sport 12-megapixel sensors, 24-360mm equivalent Schneider-Kreuznach lenses and 720p HD video recording capabilities. Both the Samsung HZ30W and the Samsung HZ35W offer semi-automatic and full manual exposure control, optical image stabilisation and HDMI ports. The HZ30W and HZ35W are called WB600 and WB650 in Europe and will be available from March 2010, priced at £249.99 and £299.99 respectively.

BenQ has introduced a new digital camera, the pocket-thin (18.4mm) BenQ W1220 with automatic, semi-automatic and full manual exposure modes, a 12-megapixel CCD and 5X optical zoom starting at 28mm (equivalent). The highlights of the new BenQ W1220 are the P/Av/Tv/M exposure modes that are quite unusual at the low price point the camera is offered at. Apart from these, the W1220 sports most all the features expected from a 2010 compact, including Smart Scene, Smart Focus, Face Tracking, Smile Catch, Blink Detector and the bombastically named Love-Portrait Auto Capture mode, which is actually a shooting mode for self-portraits. Available now, the BenQ W1220 sells for €125 according to DCViews.

Website: BenQ DC W1220

Casio has demoed a camera prototype with integrated GPS that knows your position even when it’s lost the signal. According to Japanese website DC Watch, the new Casio has a “hybrid GPS” in that it can geotag images taken indoors with no satellite reception. This is made possible by way of an orientation sensor and a three-way accelerometer that can sense the relative movement of the user, and using this information plus the last GPS coordinate received before reception was cut off, can determine where the photo was taken. This is similar to what regular GPS units do when the car goes into a tunnel, but has been allegedly more difficult to implement as people within a building move in a more complex way than cars in a tunnel. Casio says it needs more market research and testing to determine the commercial viability of the product. DC Watch claims the working prototype they have seen was based on a Casio EXILIM Hi-ZOOM EX-H10.

Via DC Watch (Google Translation)

Over the past week we posted over 50 CES-related articles, mostly product announcements, so don’t blame yourself if you are feeling a little overwhelmed and wondering if there have been any major pieces of news among these. We’ve just put together a list of what we thought were the most interesting photography-related products announced before or at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. But before we delve into these, let’s summarise in a few words the main tendencies that emerge from this avalanche. Firstly, the sheer number of digital compact cameras announced was way beyond expectations. In some cases, the companies didn’t even bother to highlight the differences between the models in any detail, or indeed differentiate the cameras in any meaningful way. Secondly, it’s evident that certain features that used to come at a premium are now must-haves in entry-level models too. These include HD video, at least 4x zoom and image stabilisation. While there still are 3x zoom models with VGA video recording and no optical or mechanical image stabilisation, these are becoming the exception rather than the rule. Thirdly, 2010 has brought the almost total victory of the SD card, with both Olympus and Sony giving in to the trend. While Sony is still making Memory Sticks, it has announced its own branded SD/SDHC cards, and made all of its new compacts capable of reading them. Olympus apparently said goodbye to its xD cards and also made its newest cameras compatible with SD. Meanwhile, CES 2010 also saw the appearance of the first SDXC cards and SDXC host devices.

After these general tendencies, let us now see the products that have grabbed our attention the most.

Panasonic Europe has announced the Lumix DMC-FS30 and FS33 models with 8x optical zoom. Apparently, these are the same cameras as the DMC-FH20 and FH22 announced a few days ago by Panasonic USA. They are equipped with a 28-224mm equivalent zoom lens with optical image stabilisation in a sleek and compact body. Comprising 9 elements in 7 groups, including 3 aspherical lens elements, this is one remarkable lens. The two camera models differ by the LCD screen only – the FS33 features a 3” touch-sensitive screen, while the FS30 includes a 2.7” wide LCD - just like the FH22 and FH20, respectively. The newly adopted, 3” touch-screen LCD on the FS33 provides intuitive control thanks to a hybrid operation combined with the four major operation buttons. Both models feature Intelligent LCD, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, to offer a display with the most appropriate clarity in any situation. A High-angle mode makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as when shooting over a crowd. Both cameras are capable of shooting 720p HD video with Class 6 or faster SD cards. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS30 and FS33 are also compatible with SDXC cards. They will be available from mid February in a choice of silver, black, blue or violet for the FS30, and silver, black or red for the FS33. Prices are to be confirmed.