Olympus Improves AF on Pen Series

Olympus announced a firmware update that will quicken the auto focus speed of its Digital Pen series of interchangeable lens cameras. The new update also ensures that the E-P1, E-P2, and E-PL1 are compatible with newer Micro Four Thirds lenses.

Adobe Releases CS5

Adobe released its latest version of Photoshop today with a host of new, innovative tools. New additions to Photoshop CS5 include the much-buzzed-about Content Aware Fill tool that was introduced two weeks ago as a “sneak peek” on YouTube. CS5 will retail for $699 or as an upgrade for current owners for $149. CS5 Extended, which includes 3-D tools for video, web, medical, manufacturing, and engineering industries, will retail for $999 or as an upgrade for $349.

Leaf Intros 56MP Digital Back

Leaf introduced a new digital back today with the announcement of the Leaf Aptus-II 10R. The new back has a 56-megapixel image sensor with the same specs as the Aptus-II 10; the only difference between the two versions is that the newer model has an internal mechanism that rotates the sensor’s orientation so as to keep the camera’s position fixed.

Eye-Fi Expands X2 Lineup

Eye-Fi announced two new SDHC-sized memory cards with faster read/write speeds and an “endless memory mode,” and the same 802.11n wireless networking available on previous Eye-Fi cards. The Eye-Fi Connect X2 has 4GB and will sell for $49. The Explore X2 comes with 8GB and a lifetime geo-tagging feature for $99.

Panasonic Adds Two Interchangeable Lens System Cameras

Panasonic announced two new G-series interchangeable lens system cameras, the G2 and G10. Both have the same 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor that was included on the original G1. The G2 adds touch-screen capability to its 3-inch free-angle LCD, making it the first system camera to include the trendy feature. The G10 claims its fame as the “world’s lightest” system camera with a viewfinder.

Sigma Updates to DP2s and DP1x

Sigma updated two of its large-sensor compact digital cameras with the announcement of the DP2s and DP1x. The new cameras make several improvements upon their predecessors, including faster autofocus. They will be available this spring.

HP Resurrects its Camera Business

HP made major cutbacks on their digital camera business two years ago and went through a long dry spell without any new releases. The company is making a comeback with the announcement of five new 12.2-megapixel digital cameras on Feb. 19. They are giving camera production a second chance, but will consumers give HP a second chance?

Casio Shows Budget-Friendly Z35, S7

Good news for consumers who are following a tight budget: Casio introduced two new ultra-compact digital cameras priced at $140 and under. The S7 and Z35 have 12.1 megapixels and 3x optical zoom lenses packaged in colorful 0.8-inch thin bodies.

Sony Drops Skinniest Waterproof Cam To Date

Sony announced a petite digital camera that can take a beating and still function. The Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 is “the world’s thinnest and smallest certified waterproof,” according to the company’s press release, and is also shock, freeze, and dustproof. It will go on sale for $350 in April. Sony also announced a long-zoom compact, the H55, with its 10x lens and 14.1 megapixels for $250.

Olympus Tough Cameras Get Tougher

Olympus announced a new flagship to its Tough series of waterproof digital cameras. The Olympus Stylus Tough-8010 is waterproof down to 33 feet, shockproof from 6.6 feet, freezeproof to 14 degrees, and crushproof to 220 pounds. The company also announced the Tough-6020, which isn’t as tough as the flagship but can still endure a beating.