It’s gonna be a fairly busy week over the next five days or so, beginning Monday. First off, I’m gonna post my reviews of the Nikon D3000 and Nikon D300s. Then I’ll start off with DPInterface’s first ever review of a 2010 digital camera… and while all that happens, I’ll be attending several manufacturer events – so look out for exclusive coverage of some 2010 digital cameras =). Stay tuned!

Panasonic has just announced four new compact Lumix cameras today. First come the pair of compact super zoom cameras Lumix ZS5 and ZS7 (also known as TZ8 and TZ10 respectively in many parts of the world) which replace last year’s successful ZS3 AKA TZ7, and they now come with full manual controls among other bells and whistles. Then comes the rugged Panasonic Lumix TS2 also known as the Lumix FT2, a camera that you can literally “bring anywhere” with its compact size and waterproof, shockproof and now even freezeproof characteristics. The last camera for today is the Lumix ZR3 AKA Lumix ZX3, which is a budget compact super-zoom alternative.

Panasonic Lumix ZS5 and Lumix ZS7
also known as Lumix TZ8 and TZ10
(Compact super-zoom cameras)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 25 – 300 mm (f3.3 – f4.9) 12X optical zoom lens
• Power OIS Optical image stabilization
• ZS5: 2.7 inch LCD; ZS7: 3 inch LCD
• Full manual controls (kudos to Panasonic for finally implementing this after three generations)
• NEW: Intelligent resolution boosts overall sharpness while preserving softer tones like skin; allows use of “reduced compromise” 1.3X digital zoom
• NEW: Weirdly-named Happy mode improves contrast and saturation to make subjects ‘pop’
• ZS7/TZ10 only: Sonic Speed Autofocus claims to improve focusing speeds and camera response
• ZS7/TZ10 only: In-built GPS geotags photos with their location; auto adjusts camera clock when travelling
• ZS7/TZ10 only: New Venus Engine HD2 image processor (ZS5 uses older processor)
• ZS5/TZ8: 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with mono sound in MJPEG format
  ZS7/TZ10: 720p (1280 x 720) 60 FPS movie mode with Dolby Digital stereo sound in choice of AVCHD or MJPEG formats
  Optical zoom and optical image stabilizer usable while recording in both cameras
• Takes SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Availability and price to be announced
• ZS7/TZ10: Comes in your choice of silver, black, blue or red

Panasonic Lumix TS2
also known as Lumix FT2
(Rugged compact camera)

• 14 effective megapixels
• 28 – 128 mm (f3.3 – f5.9) 4.6X optical zoom lens
• Power OIS Optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• Rugged design: Waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof (latter is new, TS1 was not certified freezeproof)
• No manual controls: point-and-shoot functionality with scene modes
• NEW: Intelligent resolution boosts overall sharpness while preserving softer tones like skin; allows use of “reduced compromise” 1.3X digital zoom
• NEW: Weirdly-named Happy mode improves contrast and saturation to make subjects ‘pop’
• Sonic Speed Autofocus claims to improve focusing speeds and camera response
• New Venus Engine HD2 image processor
• 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with Dolby Digital stereo sound in choice of AVCHD or MJPEG formats; Optical zoom and optical image stabilizer usable while recording
• Takes SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Availability and price to be announced
• Comes in your choice of silver, blue, yellow or orange

Panasonic Lumix ZR3
also known as Lumix ZX3
(Compact super-zoom camera)

• 14 effective megapixels
• 25 – 200 mm (f3.3 – f5.9) 8X optical zoom lens
• Power OIS Optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• NEW: Intelligent resolution boosts overall sharpness while preserving softer tones like skin; allows use of “reduced compromise” 1.3X digital zoom
• NEW: Weirdly-named Happy mode improves contrast and saturation to make subjects ‘pop’
• Sonic Speed Autofocus claims to improve focusing speeds and camera response
• No manual controls: point-and-shoot functionality with scene modes
• 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with mono sound
• Takes SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Availability and price to be announced
• Comes in your choice of silver, black, red or blue

Pentax just announced a trio of new compact cameras today, including the retro looking Optio I-10 model. Other than the unique designs, it’s sad to say that on paper, these models look pretty uninteresting, in a bland sense.

Pentax Optio I-10
(Compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 28 – 140 mm (f3.5 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• No manual controls: point-and-shoot functionality with scene modes
• 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $300
• Comes in your choice of white or black

Pentax Optio H90
(Compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 28 – 140 mm (f3.5 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• NO image stabilization (Digital IS available)
• 2.7 inch LCD
• No manual controls: point-and-shoot functionality with scene modes
• 720p (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $180
• Comes in your choice of silver plus orange, while or black tones

Pentax Optio E90
(Compact camera)

• 10 effective megapixels
• 32 – 95 mm (f2.9 – f5.2) 3X optical zoom lens
• NO image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• No manual controls: point-and-shoot functionality with scene modes
• VGA 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February for $100
• Comes in your choice of black or red

Well, it wasn’t very long ago when Samsung announced half a dozen new compact cameras and an interchangeable lens camera for CES 2010… and looks like they’re not done yet. They’ve recently released another five new cameras this week.

Samsung HZ30W and HZ35W
also known as WB600 and WB650
(Compact super-zoom cameras)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 24 – 360 mm (f3.2 – f5.8) 15X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 3 inch LCD for HZ30W; 3 inch AMOLED display for HZ35W
• Full manual controls
• Samsung Perfect Portrait features: Face, smile and blink detection; skin beauty mode
• HZ35W only: Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in March; price to be announced
• Comes in your choice of black or gray

Samsung TL105 and TL110
also known as ST60 and ST70
(Compact cameras)

• TL105: 12 effective megapixels
  TL110: 14 effective megapixels
• TL105/PL100: 28 – 110 mm (f3.2 – f5.9) 4X optical zoom lens
  TL110/PL150: 27 – 135 mm (f3.5 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• TL110/PL150: optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• Face, smile and blink detection; Smart Auto with auto scene selection
• 720p HD (1280 x 720) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in February; price to be announced
• TL110: Comes in your choice of black, silver, blue or orange

Samsung SL600
(Entry-level camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 28 – 140 mm, 5X optical zoom lens
• 2.7 inch LCD
• Face, smile and blink detection; Smart Auto with auto scene selection
• VGA (640 x 480) 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in March; price to be announced

Canon has been known to put in fancy new features into their line of little, stylish cameras. A few years ago, it was the WiFi-equipped Digital ELPH Wireless. This year, it’s the new SD980 Digital ELPH AKA Digital IXUS 200, which is Canon’s first camera to ever sport a touchscreen. I’ve just posted my review of the camera and also the Canon SD980 Digital ELPH/Digital IXUS 200 IS photo gallery containing pictures taken using the camera. Hit the link for the full review of the camera.

There are also two special features in this review: there are pictures-aplenty from one of my vacations last year and two, I’ve got two videos which demonstrate the camera’s touchscreen interface.

Read the review now...

Here’s the Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH aka Digital IXUS 200 IS Photo Gallery containing full-sized pictures taken by the camera. Be sure to check out the Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Digital ELPH/Digital IXUS 200 IS review for more about the camera.

Visit the Canon SD980 ELPH/IXUS 200 gallery now

Canon is going to make available a new version of the 70-200 mm IS lens, it’s the new EF 70-200 mm f2.8L IS II USM. This new lens features a reworked design compared to the original 70-200 mm IS, containing 23 elements in 19 groups and promising higher image quality. There’s also an improved 4-stop optical image stabilization system inside this lens, 8 blade aperture and weather-sealing.

As an owner of a Canon 70-200 mm myself (which already produces images of impressive quality), I’m sure this upgrade is going to be even better; a good choice for professionals and users who can afford to ‘upgrade’ their existing 70-200 mm lenses, or for those who do not yet own a telephoto zoom lens and are shopping for one.

*In other news, I have the review of the new Canon PowerShot SD980 Digital ELPH A.K.A. Digital IXUS 200 coming soon this week.