Mitsubishi breaks the glass ceiling with its new deblurring technology, "flutter shutter". Taking image developing to greater heights, this technology deals head on with motion blur problems. The "flutter shutter" is actually an attachment on the actual camera, which uses a coded exposure sequence to cut a normal exposure into short burst. The processing software is then able to sharpen any fast moving objects in the picture. Ramesh Raskar, Senior research scientist, described the method as something akin to a UV filter or a polarizing filter.

Though the prototype is based on an 8 megapixel Canon PowerShot Pro1, the method can be applied to any camera, and could even be developed to work as a built-in feature on a consumer camera later on.  For now, the "flutter shutter" technology is most apt for security cameras, as it can help decipher blurry license plates.

Nikon Europe has announced the arrival of its latest addition to its COOLPIX S Series, the COOLPIX S9. Branded as the most affordable of the S-Series digital cameras at a suggested price of $250, this camera does not, in any way, compromise the quality that is the trademark of Nikon products.

At 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.8", this pocket-friendly compact camera features a prism-folded Nikkor ED-branded 3x optical zoom lens with a six megapixel image sensor, a 2.5" LCD display with 153,000 pixels, and 15 beginner-friendly modes. An added innovation is the "right-angled" design of the lens that allows it to operate throughout its entire focal range without ever protruding from the camera's slim body.

For that best possible portrait image, the S9 has packaged a One-Touch Portrait button, which combines "D-Lighting" exposure connection technology from Apical Ltd., face-priority autofocus from Identix, and an in-camera red-eye fix function. Its Stop-motion movie function also makes it easier for users to create their very own stop-motion animated films by taking a shot of the models they wish to animate, move the models, then shoot again. The Best Shot Selector Mode, which automatically chooses the sharpest from a series of images is also in this cool package, as well as an AE-Best Shot Selector mode that chooses the best-exposed image from a series.

Images are stored on Secure Digital cards, or in 24MB of internal memory. It also comes with a USB and video output technology. Completing the line-up is Nikon's unique PictureProject software, which offers a broad range of powerful features for image editing, organising and sharing and compatibility with a range of plug-ins.

Weighing 115g without its rechargeable Li-ion battery (EN-EL8), the COOLPIX S9 comes in silver, blue, and magenta, this September.

A few days ago, we featured the Digital Rebel XTi. While there is yet to be any official word from Nikon US, Canon China's site has given us a peak at the said camera (known in China as Canon EOS 400D digital SLR camera, and in Japan as EOS Kiss Digital). This camera is said to feature a 10.0 MP sensor (APS-C 1.6x crop), anti-dust design for sensor cleaning, 9 point autofocus system and a buffer for 10 RAW images or 27 JPEGs.

The camera also sports a 2.5" LCD with 230K pixels, 1/200 sec flash sync, and boasts of shooting 3 frames per second. While its being a 35mm digital camera is but a speculation at this point, it is also reported to have a 1600 ISO setting, DIGIC II processor, and the Canon EF lens mount, which apparently is for the two new lenses (the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, and the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM). For this camera, CompactFlash format is retained by Canon for memory storage.

Pentax Corporation has announced the launch of the new Pentax Optio A20 digital camera earlier today. It features a 10.0 effective megapixels and a high-fine quality image.

Being the latest addition to Pentax' high-grade Optio A series, this model puts in extra features such as three types of anti-shake function like SR (Shake Reduction), which, as the name suggests, reduces camera shake.

This stylish, compact and lightweight model also is equipped with a high-quality smc Pentax zoom lens, which maintains that superior clarity and high-contrast image performance trait that is the mark of Pentax lenses. Its program also has incorporated the Auto Picture mode, which automatically determines the best settings for shooting conditions. Also found is the Programmed Exposure mode, where the camera automatically determines the shutter speed and aperture.  

The Optio A20 supports two removable storage media: the conventional SD memory cards and the new SDHC memory cards.

Other features include: a Calendar Display function that allows image to be retrieved based on the capture date; digital zooming that provides up to 4x magnification; approximately 22MB of built-in memory; and pan-focus functions for effortless snapshots. The A20 supports PictBridge, DPOF functions, Exif Print, and PRINT Image Matching III.

Great things come in small packages. HP obviously understands this concept well, that's why they were able to come up with the compact HP Photosmart R967. Measuring only 3.7inch-wide, the Photosmart R967 is a 10-megapixel shooter with a 3-inch LCD and 3x optical zoom.

It also features HP's Steady Photo anti-shake mode, a rather unusual 24 frame-per-second VGA video shoot format, as well as the Photosmart Express. That last item lets you enter up to 34 destinations such as email addresses, printers, or online photo services, and then after you take a photo, you select its destination right there on the back of the camera.

Available next month, you can have your own Photosmart R967 for $449.

Almost forty years since it started to create new, innovative ways to improve the quality of photography, Sigma now proudly launches the APO F2.8 EX DC HSM 50-150mm lens.

Sporting a lightweight and compact construction, it provides optimum lens performance via the very latest optical technology. Four SLD glass elements are used for precise correction of chromatic aberrations. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. It is also equipped with HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) with full-time manual focus override, and is compatible with Sigma 1.4x EX DG and 2x EX DG APO Tele-Converters.

Weighing at 770g / 27.2oz, this large aperture F2.8 lens is specifically designed for digital SLR cameras with an APS-C size image sensor.

Backed by decades of credible and reputable products under its belt, Sigma's APO is a great addition to photographers' equipment line to nourish that creative streak in them.