Digital Camera News, 12/27/07

Sony Cyber-shot S730 unveiled for European market

Sony is adding a new entry level compact to its line-up. The Cyber-shot S730, which features a 7.2 megapixel sensor and a 3x zoom, is expected to start showing up in European stores next month.

Retaining the familiar thin, rectangular shape of previous compact Cyber-shots, the S730's features set is par for the course: ISO sensitivity up to 1250, a 2.5-inch display, multi-point AF, and a macro mode. As with related models in the Sony stable, expect the S730 to be primarily a full-auto camera.

Whether the AA-powered S730, which slides into the European market as a slightly more frugal alternative to Sony's popular W80 and W55, is anticipated for US release in the coming months isn't clear.

Partnership with Picnik adds photo editing tools to Flickr

Users of Flickr, the popular photo sharing site, will now be able to edit pics and add effects through the online service as well.

A recently announced partnership with Picnik, a browser-based online photo editing tool, will provide integrated access to Picnik's range of functions directly within Flickr. Editing tools include crop, resize, exposure correction, red-eye removal, and a number of special effects, including frames, black and white, and sepia.

The Flickr integration also retains Picnik's "Perfect Memory" feature, allowing users to undo effects and edits all the way back to the original image.

New Olympus RAW codec for Windows Vista now available

Olympus has released an updated codec for importing and displaying their proprietary .orf RAW image files in Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system.

The software seems to support every RAW shooter in the Olympus line – including the popular EVOLT SLRs – though it appears that full functionality of the software does not extend to Olympus's new E-3.

More information and a download link for the codec are available on the Olympus website.

Version 3 firmware for the Sony A700 released

Updated firmware for Sony's Alpha A700 Digital SLR has been released.

In addition to fixes for continuous shooting and power-down issues, Sony claims the latest version provides for sharper low-contrast images, reduces noise levels at ISO 3200, and improves short-distance flash control.

Download the new version directly from Sony here.