Digital Camera News: Casio Exilim EX-Z70 Announced, Olympus Firmware Updates, Cameras from a Vending Machine

Casio Exilim EX-Z70 Digital Camera Announced

Yesterday, Casio announced the Exilim EX-Z70 digital camera.  While it appears that they do have  plans to release it in the US, there is no timeline yet.  The Z70 is a minor update to the Z60 which was announced in February at the PMA 2006 show in Orlando.  The Z70 adds another megapixel (up to 7.2), but doesn't stray far from its 6 megapixel predecessor as far as the rest of its feature set.

A 2.5 inch LCD and Easy Mode (as well as Casio's other Best Shot modes) provide an easy to use, compact, and attractive camera.  It will be available in black and silver.

We'll keep you updated when (or if) the camera will be released in the US.

Olympus Firmware Updates for E-300 and E-330

Olympus has rolled out firmware updates for both the Evolt E-300 and Evolt E-330 digital SLRs.  For the E-330, firmware version 1.2 improves exposure precision when using spot metering and allows autofocus in Live View B mode.  Since the E-300 doesn't have Live View capability, its firmware version 1.4 provides the improved exposure when using spot metering.

Olympus Firmware Updates

Sony Vending Machines

Reported by CNET News.com, Sony has rolled out vending machines in three malls across the US that will provide up to 50 Sony products, from batteries and digital cameras to Playstation games.  This way, you can skip the "salespeople" in the Sony Style stores.

You can find the Sony vending machine in Santa Rosa Mall, Santa Rosa, CA, in Atlanta's Mall of Georgia, and Flatirons Mall in Boulder, CO.  They also have plans for these machines to show up in airports, high-end groceries and "other non-traditional high traffic areas". 

One downside so far: if you need to return something, you'll have to snail mail it back to Zoom Systems, the company that maintains the vending machines.

More info...