what's new

July was quite the month of new digital camera releases. Almost every manufacturer revamped their lineups with fresh models that sport massive amounts of resolution and better features.

Canon 
Canon announced a new flagship DSLR on August 20: the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III. This camera isn't for the faint of heart or slim of wallet: it will cost $7,999 when it is released in November. It has 21.1 megapixels and can still snap 5 pictures every second! A somewhat more affordable DSLR choice was also announced, the Canon EOS-40D. This 10.1-megapixel camera has a weatherproof body, a dust removal system, and a live view on its LCD screen. It will cost $1,299 for the body when it sells in September. With a 28-135mm lens included, the kit will cost $200 more. The 12.1-megapixel Canon PowerShot G9 was announced with the ability to shoot RAW files and improved features like face detection and the LCD monitor. The G9 will sell in September for $499. Canon introduced a whole new series of digital cameras with the announcement of the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS. This point-and-shoot has 8 megapixels and a 10x optical zoom lens supported by an optical image stabilization system that will keep blur from still pictures and bumps from videos. It will retail for $299 in October. The Canon PowerShot SD950 IS and Canon PowerShot SD870 IS also have image stabilization along with face detection in trendy, slim bodies. The SD950 IS has 12.1 megapixels and will retail for $449 while the SD870 IS will have a $399 tag with its 8 megapixels. The monstrous 12.1-megapixel resolution made it to Canon's entry-level series too: the Canon PowerShot A650 IS will have that resolution and sell for $399. It will have full manual control and a 2.5-inch LCD screen that folds out from the camera body. The Canon PowerShot A720 IS will have 8 megapixels and sell for $249.

Casio
After partnering with eBay a few years ago, Casio buddied up with YouTube recently. Now the Casio Exilim EX-S880 and Casio Exilim EX-Z77 have YouTube scene modes along with their eBay modes. These cameras make it easy to record video and then include software that makes it a two-step process to upload the video to the popular video-sharing web site. The 8.1-megapixel S880 will sell for $299 and the 7.2-megapixel Z77 for $229 in August.

Fujifilm 

Fujifilm made plenty of announcements on July 13 to show off its new digital cameras. The head of the class is the Fujifilm IS Pro, which is targeted for law enforcement and scientific audiences. The camera can detect ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light. It will cost $2,599 for the body and $4,999 for the full forensic kit. A new ultra-zoom camera was unveiled in the Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd. This camera has a large 18x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization and a 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD screen. The 8-megapixel camera will sell for $399 in September. Fujifilm also introduced a compact SLR-like Fujifilm FinePix S5800 with its 8 megapixels and 10x optical zoom lens. The Fujifilm FinePix F50fd shows off the company's improved face detection technology and dual image stabilization. The 12-megapixel F50fd can detect up to 10 faces at a time and include profiles of faces instead of those viewed only straight-on. It will sell for $299 in September. The Fujifilm FinePix F480 was also announced with its 8.2 megapixels and $179 price tag. The trendy Z-series was freshened up with the announcement of the Fujifilm FinePix Z10fd. This camera has 7.2 megapixels in a flat and slim body that comes in several trendy colors meant to attract the Generation Y crowd. It will sell in September for $199 with the slogan "Face it. Beam it. Blog it." It has a designated blog function and IrSimple wireless technology that can transfer pictures to an enabled computer without the use of a USB cable. Finally, the company announced the Fujifilm FinePix A920, which isn't nearly as good-looking as the Z10fd, but comes with 9 megapixels and sells for the same $199 price.

 
HP 
HP announced nine new digital cameras on June 12 and are slated to hit store shelves in July and August. The top-of-the-line HP Photosmart R937 was announced with its 8 megapixels and 3.6-inch touch screen. It will retail for $299. The HP Photosmart R847 has 8 megapixels, a 3-inch LCD, and a 3x optical zoom lens in addition to its 13 exposure modes. The 7-megapixel HP Photosmart R742 has a 2.5-inch LCD and costs $179. HP also started a brand new series of digital cameras that caters to consumers who want more than the standard 3x zoom, but don't want a huge camera or a huge price tag. Enter the HP Photosmart Mz67, an 8-megapixel point-and-shoot with 6x optical zoom. It will sell for $199. For those consumers who don't mind the shorter zoom range, HP announced four new M-series models all with 3x optical zoom lenses. The HP Photosmart M737 has 8 megapixels and a 2.5-inch LCD. The HP Photosmart M637, M547, and M447 all have 2.4-inch LCD screens. The M-series cameras range in price from $99-179. HP also announced an incredibly cheap and nearly featureless digital camera: the HP Photosmart E337. It has 5 megapixels and no optical zoom, only 5x digital zoom. It has a tiny 1.5-inch LCD, but sells for a very affordable $79.

Kodak
Kodak had a big announcement for a small camera. On July 24, it announced that it will manufacture a point-and-shoot digital camera with a CMOS image sensor rather than the more traditional CCD sensor. Kodak promises better color production and lower noise with the new camera, which is the Kodak EasyShare C513. The camera has 5 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens, and a 2.4-inch LCD screen. These humble specs match the small tag: $79.

Nikon 
Nikon updated most of their digital cameras at the CES show in January, but had one announcement in March. The 10.2-megapixel Nikon D40x was announced. This DSLR has a 3-point auto focus system, 2.5-inch high resolution LCD screen, and 3 fps burst mode. It also has a Help button for beginners transitioning from compact models to DSLRs, which allow users to switch the lenses out. The D40x retails for $729 for the body alone and comes with a kit lens for a few bucks more.

Olympus 
Olympus announced two DSLRs and a compact camera in March. The Olympus EVOLT E-510 and Olympus EVOLT E-410 both have 10 megapixels and dust reduction systems. They both have live views on 2.5-inch LCD screens and retail for under $800. The Olympus Stylus 780 joins the weatherproof line of cameras with a 5x optical zoom lens, optical image stabilization, a Guide button with photography tutorials, and a retail price of $349.