This week BenQ announces an upgraded version of their C740i camera with the C840. The new model features a 2.5 inch LTPS screen with an 8MP resolution and 3X optical zoom. The camera allows for full control over the outcome of the image with its P/Av/Tv/M feature.

The C840 is equipped with a Pentax lens facilitating 99.8% light penetration making it the most light sensitive camera in its class. An emphasis on widescreen shooting and an optional 16:9 resolution ratio for HDTV display shows that BenQ is forward thinking with this camera. MJPEG videos are shot at a near DVD quality 720×400 resolution at 30 frames per second and are optionally stored in its 4GB internal storage or SDHC card, support for which is an upgrade from the C740i counterpart.

That Playstation Eye camera from Sony designed for use with the PS3 has finally gotten some release information and pricing. According to the Playstation Blog, the PS3 Eye camera will be available for purchase on October 23rd.

In what seems almost like an accidental side note in an announcement regarding the release of The Eye of Judgment game from Hasbro, the the Playstation Eye looks like it is going come bundled with the trading card game and together will retail for just $69.99 in the US.

This design concept from Franziska Faoro is called the Triops and consists of 3 fish-eye digital camera lenses facing in 3 separate directions allowing it to take 360 degree panoramic shots. What’s really cool about the device is that it can take them on its own at unexpected moments.

The Triops will take pictures in reaction to movements or sound and can be thrown and take the photos in mid-air. It can also be set to take shots manually and then send them wirelessly to a separate viewing/storage/docking station. This design is still a concept at this point but is definitely something we think would be fun to own.

Norcent isn’t exactly a name which rolls off of the tongue when you think of well known consumer electronics companies. It’s no wonder that a new digital camera it recently released, the DCC-725, has quietly begun hitting retail outlets for about $110.

The Norcent DCC-725 isn’t particularly exciting as far as compact digital cameras go. It’s a seven-megapixel model with 3x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom and a 2.5-inch LCD display. It has 15 picture taking modes, including a movie recording mode which will capture video at several different resolutions. The DCC-725 has 16MB of internal memory, offering a SD card slot for expansion.

Sony unveiled its latest prosumer Alpha digital camera today. The new DSLR-A700 is priced at a base $1,400 for the body only and should be available starting in October. Several kits with lenses will be available as well.

The Sony DSLR-A700 sports a 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and offers special image stabilization technology for more steady shots. It incorporates a new auto-focus system with 11 wide-area sensors including a center dual cross sensor for better AF, a maximum shutter speed of 1/8,000th of a second and shooting at up to five frames per second in JPEG fine or standard mode.

Casio Computer made an announcement yesterday in Berlin at the IFA, a consumer electronics trade show, that pushes the envelope outward as to how fast digital camera speeds can be. The company showed off its latest invention, a camera that can take a burst of 60 frames per second at its most maximum resolution or take VGA quality video at 300 frames per second (that’s faster than the human eye can see) thanks to a high-speed LSI image processing chip inside of it. There is also a feature called Pre-shot Burst Mode which will also record a sequence of images just before your finger presses the button, just in case something happens in the moment before you thought it was going to happen.

Nikon has announced two new Style series cameras that bundle a range of software features that make it easier to take perfect snapshots every time. The 12.1 megapixel S700 ($379.95) and 8.1 megapixel S510 ($299.95, pictured) digital cameras will include Optical Vibration Reduction image stabilization which allows the shooter to take sharp photos even if they are being attacked by a swarm of bees or bouncing on a trampoline.

With VR stabilization your photos can be snapped at shutter speeds up to three times slower than would normally be possible. You can also take better photos in reduced light situations with the cameras higher ISO capabilities, have red-eye correction, compensate for excessive back-lighting or the times your flash isn’t bright enough and with the cameras’ Face-Priority auto focusing feature you can take a photo that will have up to 12 different faces clearly defined in your image.

Today Nikon announced its intention to release a couple of new additions to its LIFE line of digital cameras. Both models are targeting consumers looking for a simple point and shoot model that will take good pictures, despite their photography skills. The COOLPIX L14 and COOLPIX L15 are packed with a nice feature set and differ only slightly in their features.

The L14 has a 2.4-inch LCD and takes 7 megapixel shots while the L15 increases the LCD size by 0.4 inches and the megapixels by 1. Also, the L14 model only boasts the ability to take an unprecedented 1,000 pictures on a single pair of AA batteries since the L15 must be using up more of its power on the bigger LCD and some full-time image stabilization.

One of Nikon’s newest CoolPix digital cameras sports the added convenience of letting one wirelessly transmit digital images for viewing by others. The Nikon CoolPix S51c is priced at around $330 and should be available in September.

The Nikon S51c offers up 8.1-megapixels of resolution, a standard 3x zoom and a three-inch LCD monitor, among other features. What is very interesting though is the wireless sharing, which allows you to connect through an Internet “hot spot” to email to someone a picture you’ve taken. This is done through Nikon’s online Picturetown service. Photos can also be published online for others to view and also sent to the email addresses of a Blackberry device for viewing.

Kodak has unveiled a small army of new digital imaging products for the consumer market, including three digital cameras, a HD television dock and a digital picture frame. One of the more interesting items from this lime up is the EasyShare Z812 IS zoom digital camera.

The Kodak EasyShare Z812 IS, priced at around $300 and available now, offers up eight-megapixels of resolution and a SCHNEIDER-KREUZNACH 12x optical zoom lens. It is capable of capturing still images (16:9 aspect ratio) and video (720p at 30fps). You’ll also find this camera sports features like optical image stabilization and ISO settings up to 3200.

This unique looking mobile phone-like device is actually not any type of phone at all but is a small DV cam that lets you take photos and record video that you can edit right on the spot.

The mi VDO FX DV Cam sets itself apart from other similar devices through its ability to edit recorded video and add in 3 special FX style modes and up to 18 different visual effects to the footage. You can also add music to your video right on the device. It will even let you record music through a line-in from your MP3 player while recording the video, giving you an instant YouTube worthy clip without using your computer.

The camera retails for around $99 and features a 1.5″ color display, a …

One of Canon’s most anticipated announcements among its new products unveiled is the 10.1-megapixel EOS 40D Digital SLR. This successor to the 20D and 30D mid-range prosumer digital cameras is expected to be available this September for body-only at around $1,299 or a kit version with a EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens for $1,499.

The Canon EOS 40D offers up 6.5 frames per second of shooting speed, a new auto focus sensor and an enhanced CMOS imaging sensor. Built into the EOS 40D’s body is a three-inch LCD screen with a raised brightness level and a 140-degree viewing angle. The body of this camera is made of a magnesium alloy which makes it more durable.

Canon today has officially launched the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III digital camera featuring a 21.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with the Dual “DIGIC III” image processor, a 3 inch LCD display with Live View and multiple brightness settings and a shutter speed of 5 fps giving bursts of as many as 45 full resolution JPEGs or 12 RAWs at a time.

The camera uses a recording mediums of CF Cards, SD/SDHC (1 slot each), and can also use an external USB hard drive through an optional transmitter. It’s powered by a dedicated lithium-ion battery pack but Canon has yet to say how many shots are available from it.

The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III weighs in at a nice 42.5 oz and measures 6.1 x 6.3 x 3.1 inches. Canon is expecting to start shipping the Mark III this November with an estimated …

Sony Ericsson announced today the K770 Cyber-shot pulling triple-duty as a mobile phone, digital camera and mobile photo album all in one 14.5 mm thick package. The K770 is a GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 and UMTS 2100 mobile phone with a multitude of additional features packed in.

Sony has announced that it is recalling around 350,000 of its DSC-T5 Cyber-shot digital cameras due to peeling and warping of the coating on the bottom of the camera. The peeling metal coating could potentially scratch or cut the user and Sony has offered to replace the bottom portion of the camera at no charge. Sony says that all the injuries reported as a result of the defective coating so far have been minor.

According to the Associated Press, most of the DSC-T5 cameras were sold in the US, Europe and China with 66,000 of them sold in Japan. If you’re wondering if your Cyber-shot is one of the one being recalled, you can identify it by the serial number on the sticker on the bottom (if it hasn’t peeled or …