Kodak have launched the EASYSHARE M580 digital camera range. Perfect for snappers who like to share their pictures as soon as they've been captured, its features include quick upload functions to sites like Facebook and Flickr.

In terms of hardware, the M580 features a 3 inch LCD screen, a 14 MP sensor, 8X optical zoom, 720p video recording at 30 FPS and a 28mm wide angle lens unit from Schneider-Kreuznach optics.

The camera also features shake reduction as well as the ability to recognise up to 20 peoples faces, which are then automatically tagged for easy editing later on.

There is 64MB of internal memory built, which is a bit shabby, but there's ample support for SD and SDHC memory cards.

The cameras can be pre-ordered now for $199.99 (£130.70), and are expected to hit shops by the beginning of May.

I love Skype, but my friends often complain that the quality of my mic makes some conversations sound like they are being made privy to an exorcism. Blue Microphones Eyeball 2.0 webcam and mic combo looks to sort out any demonic audio woes by offering HD quality sound and video capture.

The mic uses blue Microphones' cardoid capture technology, Blue's trademark professional level condenser capsule, to deliver more audio clarity than any webcam-mic on the market.

The portable webcam also offers HD quality video too, as well as a two megapixel still camera function. USB and driverless, the plug-and-play device is compatible with both Macs and PCs.

Available from Apple retail stores and select specialist shops, the Eyeball 2.0 costs £74.95.

Visit Blue Microphones' homepage at www.bluemic.com for more info.

Looking forward to getting your hands on Pentax's long awaited 40 megapixel 645D DSLR? Well you're in luck...providing you can get yourself on a plane to Japan, that is.

Yep, Pentax's impressively spec'd DSLR will only be on sale in the Land of The Rising Sun.

It's a real shame, as the top-range kit has some great features, such as the PENTAX Original Real Image Engine, dual SD/SDHC card slots, a silky SAFOX IX+ autofocus system with 11 sensor points, a 14 bit A/D converter, a dust-and-weatherproof design and a dust removal mechanism should it get a bit mucky nonetheless.

The camera should be hitting stores in May, but it'll come with a whopping 850,000 Yen price-tag. That's roughly £6,300, without shipping the 1.4 Kg kit, so best start saving now.

Panasonic have updated their lauded Lumix digital camera range with the brand new DMC-G2.

The DMC-G2 is the successor to the popular G1 model, and is the world's first digital interchangeable lens system camera with a hinged LCD touchscreen. It's also the lightest ultra-compact DSLR within its range of functions.

The touchscreen can be used to navigate the imaging features on the camera and your photo library, as well one-touch auto-focussing.

"Touch operation is a user interface with which many consumers are both familiar and expect, and we think the LUMIX G2's touch operation makes it easier and quicker to take photos and videos that have professional-like effects," said David Briganti, senior product manager for Panasonic Imaging.

The DMC-G2 can also shoot 720p video in AVCHD Lite format, and features a "Wind Cut" function to reduce distracting ambient noise.

Launching in June in black, red and blue colours, the camera will ship with a 14-42 mm kit lens. No news on pricing yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Name: Picsio GC-FM1 (JVC)
Type: Ultra-compact camcorder
Specs:
Camera: 8 Megapixel 1/3.2" CMOS image sensor, 4x digital zoom, digital image stabiliser
Recording media: SD/SDHC Card (not provided)
Screen: 2.0" Colour LCD
Video Recording: Mode 1080p: 1440 x 1080p / 30fps / 12Mbps, 16:9; 720p: 1280 x 720p / 60fps / 12Mbps, 16:9; VGA: 640 x 480 / 60fps / 4Mbps, 4:3; QVGA: 320 x 240p / 30fps / 0.7Mbps, 4:3
Video Format: MPEG-4 AVC / H.264: MOV, Audio: AAC
Still image quality:Mode 8M: 3264 x 2448, 4:3; 5M: 2592 x 1944, 4:3; 2M: 1600 x 1200, 4:3; 0.3M: 640 x 480, 4:3 (JPEG Format)
Connections: HDMI out (Mini), AV out, USB 2.0/1.1
Battery: Approx. 96 minutes
Price: £123.99 (Expansys)

JVC's Picsio GC-FM1 ultra compact camcorder has a problem on its hands. In the time it has taken to hit shelves, the GC-FM1 is now entering an increasingly cluttered market, with sterling pocket camcorders available from Kodak, Veho and Flip. It costs a pocket friendly £123.99, but is a lightweight price enough to see it fend off the heavy competition?

The GC-FM1 is very light (weighing around 95 grams) and nice and portable at 53.0mm x 97.0mm x 17.0mm. It's available in three pretty shades (black, blue and pink), but its chromed checker-board finish makes it look a bit like an ugly toy. Paired with the chrome edging which camouflages the exposed mini HDMI, AV out and USB connections, the GC-FM1 feels cheap in your hand, looking a little bit like those fake mobile phones you can pick up for your kids from market stalls.

The back houses all the hardware buttons and the 2-inch LCD screen for viewing video playback. The screen is clear and performs reasonably well, even in direct sunlight. However, the buttons on the back are really unresponsive. The record/select, still/video, delete, playback, and thumbnail buttons work fine, but the ring of buttons around the central trigger button hardly ever responded first time. Add to this some bizarre input command choices (pushing the "Previous" button twice in quick succession changes video quality), and you'll rarely get to whichever function you were after first time.

MPEG-4 and QuickTime MOV video files with H.264 compression can be recorded with the GC-FM1. Overall, video quality is rather good; video is sharp, the image stabiliser works well and movement noise is kept to a minimum, even at the highest resolution of 1,440 x 1,080 pixels at 30fps. The Macro Focus toggle is also pretty good, with sharp detail in the image, provided that the ambient lighting is decent. Audio records in stereo which is nice, and though the quality is a little lacklustre, it's no worse than that found in other similar ultra compact camcorders. Likewise, still 8 megapixel photos take well, though high contrast levels mean a little bit of desktop editing might be needed to get them looking just right.

Though the MPEG-4 and QuickTime MOV files can be easily tinkered with using any number of video editing suites, the bundled software leaves a lot to be desired. Just like the camera's hardware buttons, it can hardly be called intuitive, with many common functions either hidden by the poor UI or absent altogether, such as contrast and brightness adjustments. Uploading to YouTube is admittedly very easy however thanks to some very clear Wizards, and if publishing to the streaming site is your sort of thing, then the GC-FM1's software at least has you covered there.

Based purely on the quality of the video and images the JVC Picsio GC-FM1 produces, the camcorder would be able to stand proud against its rivals. However, shoddy build quality, poor software and infuriatingly fiddly hardware buttons drag this contender down significantly.

3/5

Buy the JVC GC-FM1 from Expansys

If you've been planning on picking up one of those nifty Micro Four Thirds cameras from Olympus and Panasonic, you might want to just read this first before committing your cash.

Sony have been showcasing a new concept Alpha DSLR compact camera at PMA this week, complete with switchable lenses and professional quality image taking.

As it's still in the concept stages, Sony have been a little cagey on revealing precise details on the camera for the time being.

As well as the "DSLR picture quality" and interchangeable lenses, Sony did however reveal that the camera would be capable of recording HD video and would house an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor when it is released at some point later this year.

No news yet on pricing or an exact release schedule, but it'll give you something to think about the next time you're looking at one of those PEN E-PL1's.

For more info, click here.

It's that time of year again, where we all rush off to Clinton's for a naff card, a syrupy teddy and a box of Quality Streets for our loved ones. Yep, Valentine's Day rears its sickly head once again, and, like it or lump it, it's here to stay.

But how best to show the extent of your love for that special, nerdy man-child in your life?

If your boyfriend is partial to a bit of tech or some geeky toys, you've come to the right place. Check out Tech Digest's Top Ten Geeky Valentine Presents: For Him. Wedding bells will be ringing in a matter of months with these nifty little gifts, we assure you.

Click the image below to get started

It's been quite the day for Canon announcements; first the three new IXUS models, then the EOS 550D DSLR and now this, the PowerShot SX210 IS.

The sequel to the SX200 IS, the SX210 IS boosts its features up to a 14x zoom, 14.1 megapixel sensor and HD video recording at 720p and 30fps.

The 3 inch display from the SX200 model has been given the once over too, now far easier on the eye thanks to higher contrast and better viewing angles. There's also the DIGIC4 image processing, optical image stabilization and 28mm wide-angle lens inside too, which we first saw all on the SX200.

Smart settings can be set automatically to pick a suitable shutter speed, while up to 35 faces can be tracked and focussed by the facial recognition system.

SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards will all be compatible. There's also a HDMI port on the camera, and there's 2GB of cloud storage included for web archiving.

The PowerShot SX210 IS will be available from March 2010, and will cost £360.
For more info, visit www.canon.co.uk.

It's little more than 10 months since the release of the EOS 500D, but Canon have already outed a new improved model, the EOS 550D.

This DSLR features an 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800) and continuous shooting at 3.7fps. Those looing to shoot video with their DSLR will be happy to hear that the EOS 550D also features full HD video recording at 1080p with manual, selectable frame rate options.

Here's a quick look at some of the features on board:

-18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
-DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800)
-Continuous shooting at 3.7fps
-Full HD Movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates
-7.7cm (3.0") 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
-iFCL metering System with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
-Quick Control screen to change shooting settings
-Exposure compensation +/-5 stops.
-Select maximum value for Auto ISO
-External Microphone socket
-Movie crop function

Kieran Magee, Director of Product Planning, Consumer Products, Canon Europe said that, "The EOS 550D redefines the entry level DSLR category, putting technologies and features previously the preserve of the professional into the hands of the consumer - allowing them to achieve outstanding results. With the EOS 550D, consumers are free to explore the limits of their own creative vision."

The EOS 550D will be available from the 24th February. For more info visit www.canon.co.uk.

Canon have just introduced details of three brand new IXUS range cameras.

First up, and top of the spec pile is the IXUS 210 (pictured). Available in four different colours, and featuring an 8.8cm touchscreen, the IXUS 210 aims to get the most out of its 14.1 megapixels by offering a range of hint and tips on-screen and easy-to-use smart shot modes. There's also a 5x ultra wide angle zoom lens and HDMI out, all for £349.00.

Next up is the IXUS 130. The thinnest IXUS to date (measuring in at just 17.8 mm at its thickest point) it also comes in four different colours. Very similar to the 210, it's also capable of 14.1 megapixel shots and HDMI out but has a slightly less powerful 4x zoom and smaller 6.9cm LCD screen. The 130 should set you back around £279.00.

Last of all is the IXUS 105. Sporting a respectable 12.1 megapixels, 4x zoom and 6.8cm screen, it will cost around the £189.00 mark.

All three models will be available from March.

For more details visit www.canon.co.uk .

Sanyo's range of Xacti dual still and HD video camcorders got three new additions today in the shape of the VPC-GH1, VPC-CG100 and VPC-CG20 models.

The CG100 and CG20 models are pistol grip offerings, whilst the GH1 takes a more traditional horizontal stance. Each comes with a 5x zoom, while the Xacti GH1 and CG100 models push this up to a 12x double range zoom. Each also features a 2.7 inch TFT LCD tilting screen.

All three shoot 1080i video and take high res still shots (14 MP with the GH1 and CG100, 10 MP on the CG20) and can output to a TV through Mini HDMI.

SD cards can provide expandable storage memory, while a facial recognition system keeps your video's subjects in clear focus at all times.

More news on these movie-makers as we get them.

Looking for all the important functions from a DSLR without the the bulk? Nikon's Coolpix S800, measures in at just 27.3mm, packing high performance features and HD video capture into a svelte chassis.

The 10x zoom camera is simple to use with a range of auto-settings, has four anti-blur functions, takes 14.2 megapixel shots and even has a dedicated HD video button, recording in 720p at 30fps.

Mark Pekelharing, Product Line Manager Consumer Products at Nikon Europe B.V comments: "All the features in this camera, from the wide angle 10x zoom NIKKOR ED glass lens to the four anti-blur reduction functions, have been brought together to give the best experience while taking pictures. It's for those who don't want to spend time getting to know the ins and outs of a camera but do want to get it out in all situations and take the best pictures. The portability of the slim body is essential to this, as well as its incredibly quick response time, so when you see that perfect shot on the LCD monitor, that's what you'll get as the final picture."

The Nikon Coolpix S800 costs £249.99, and will be available from the middle of this month.

Entering into the world of SLRs can be a little daunting for photography novices, but Olympus hope to make the transition from a compact easier with their E-PL1.

The E-PL1 takes SLR quality pics with all the simplicity of a compact. An integrated flash and 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor allow for pin sharp shots and HD recording while the TruePic V engine ensures great quality up to ISO 3200.

If you do want to delve a little deeper into the intricacies of semi-pro photography, the E-PL1 makes it easy thanks to its Live Guide. It offers a wealth of picture options, described in laymen's terms on screen so that anyone can begin taking impressive shots quickly.

Once you've got an album's worth of snaps there's also a HDMI-out port to let you browse your snaps on the big screen.

The E-PL1 is available from March 2010, costing £549 for the single lens kit and £699 for the twin zoom package.

If you're into extreme sports and are looking for a rugged camera to snap all your daring exploits, take a look at the new Mju TOUGH-6020 and Mju TOUGH-8010 14MP cameras from Olympus.

Both cameras are waterproof, shockproof and freeze proof, meaning you'll be able to take high-res snaps and HD films in all sorts of harsh environments. They both also feature a 5x wide zoom function, advanced face detection and dual image stabilisation to avoid blurry pics.

The Mju TOUGH-6020 costs £319.99, is waterproof to 5m, shockproof to 1.5m and freezeproof to -10°C and has 1GB of internal memory.

The Mju TOUGH-8010 (pictured) costs £399.99, is waterproof to 10m, shockproof to 2m, freezeproof to -10°C, crushproof to 1000kg and scratchproof. This model also has a slightly larger 2GB of internal memory.

Both are available now.

Sanyo have unveiled some details on their new Xacti DMX-SH11 camcorder, set to be released in Japan this April.

While you'll need to have incredibly steady hands to get the most out of its 23x optical zoom (or at least a tripod), you'll also get 16GB of onboard storage, an ample amount for capturing motion-sickness inducing shaky-cam shots.

As part of Sanyo's Dual Camera series, the camcorder will also be able to take 4 megapixel still shots. The CMOS sensor is also responsible for recording the video footage, trotting along at a smooth (though not full HD) 1080i/30fps in MPEG-4format.

While a 23x optical zoom seems a little too voyeur-friendly for us, we'll be keeping you informed on any new news on the Xacti DMX-SH11 as we get it.

Here's a novel new approach to camcorders. The Ion Twin Video features two cameras which record simultaneously in two back-to-back directions, producing a picture-in-picture recording.

It looks quite a lot like the Flip, hooking up to a PC via USB, recodrind to an SD card or SDHC and featuring a rechargeable battery pack.

I can't figure out if I like this one or not. On the one hand, being able to catch both jaw-dropping moments and your reactions to them simultaneously could have some fun outcomes; think You've Been Framed with added evil-grins. On the other hand, so far it seems that you cant dedicate the whole image to just one video feed and cut between the two lenses; you have to have a picture-in-picture set up, which could quickly become annoying and make the whole thing a bit useless really.

Might be one for narcissists only this.

Price still unknown, but expect to see the Twin Video in shops by the Summer.

As well as checking out the Samsung HMX-S16 camcorder at last night's launch event, Tech Digest also got their hands on the new NX10 series of Hybrid DSLR's. This lot have been knocking around the rumour-mill since last summer, and very impressive they are indeed.

The aim here is to fit as many features of a full digital SLR as possible into a portable-ish size. So you have a 14.6 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, a super-fast AF function and a range of lenses including two zooms (18-55 and 50-200) and a 30mm pancake.

Those worried about dust getting trapped under the interchangeable lenses will be happy to see a cleaning function built in. The Supersonic Dust Reduction tech inside vibrates the camera 60,000 times a second very gently, dislodging any particles that may hamper a pristine shot.

The 3 inch AMOLED screen was superb for previewing snaps. The rich colours and wide viewing angle will make it a handy smaller option for Paps' looking to peer over celebrity walls. There's also 720p HD quality recording onboard too for good measure.

The UI likewise was very clear and responsive, with a host of Smart features designed to let beginners get the best shots possible, as well manually changeable settings for those more experienced.

If Samsung are able to keep the price down, this will certainly be a highly sought piece of kit.

If you are looking to buy a new camcorder any time soon, it might be worth holding out until the summer. That's because June should be seeing the release of Samsung's new HMX-S16 Wi-Fi camcorder. Tech Digest got to have a quick hands-on with the gear last night, and came away suitably impressed.

The HMX-S16 is packed full of features. Recording in full HD resolution at 30fps and featuring a CMOS sensor, it packs in an 18x optical zoom with an optical image stabiliser to keep recordings blur-free. We gave recordings a good wobble in our brief test, and playback was nice and clear.

The 3.5 inch LCD touchscreen was responsive and bright, and the UI, while streamlined enough for a casual user to get stuck in straight away, had enough depth of options to keep the amateur enthusiast happy.

A HDMI-out port allows for HDTV output, while a DLNA certified Wi-Fi connection will let users upload videos and stills straight to your home network or Samsung-branded internet TV.

It may feel at times a little chunky in the hand, but when you consider everything going on inside of this camcorder, it's of a reasonable size.

We'll have more on the camcorder come its speculative summer release window.

We love a bit of geo-tagging at Tech Digest; our worldwide quest for the hottest of gadgets has lead our passports to look more like atlases. Hats off then to Samsung's WB650 camera with its geo-tagging tools, helping to keep photo albums the world over in order.

With an OLED screen for previewing snaps, the WB650 has a 24mm wide angle lens and 15x optical zoom for taking pics up to 12.2 megapixels in resolution.

There's also high def video recording onboard, and the ability to output 720p footage at 30fps over HDMI.The WB650 will set you back £299.99.

For those on a tighter budget, Samsung are also showcasing the ST70 and ST60. Dishing out 720p video recording, 14.2 and 12.2MP images for £179.99 and £149.99 respectively, they'll be available in February.

Last of all is the Samsung PL80. Featuring a 12.2MP sensor, 5x optical zoom and standard def AVI video capture, this pocket camera is yours for just £129.99 when it debuts in March.

The Consumer Electronics show, the behemoth of tech, the Valhalla of gadgetry, has come and gone for yet another year. But this time, rather than arriving with a bang, it slinked into sight with something more like a whimper.

CES 2010 had really had the wind knocked out of it before it had even got into the ring this year. All eyes were already on Apple and their rumoured Tablet in the run up to the event, despite the fact that Apple are traditionally a no-show at CES, instead planning their own top-secret unveiling at the end of January. Likewise, Google delivered a sucker-punch in the shape of the Nexus One, their flagship handset revealed at their own event on the eve of CES 2010's opening.

To make matter's worse, Microsoft's opening keynote speech (delivered by walking personality drain Steve Ballmer) was pretty darn dull. First a power cut, then a load of waffle on the 2 month old Windows 7, Ballmer hardly seemed to be trying to keep our attention. Though the Christmas release date for Project Natal was welcome news, it revealed nothing new about the device, whilst the partnership with Hewlett Packard for the new Slate device seemed merely like a case of keeping-up with the Joneses. Or should that be the Jobs-es?

But the Las Vegas event wasn't without its highlights. Far from it in fact. Maybe it's the recession, or the generally pocket-pinching mood in the air these days, but for once the most sought after tech wasn't in the realms of dreamy aspiration, but was actually fairly affordable.

Take for instance the brand new 3D TVs on show, of which the Sony BRAVIA XBR-52HX900 (video above, courtesy of Ashley) was the pick of the litter. Finally shaping up to the standards set by its cinema siblings, company reps promised that the average 3D TV will cost little more than a top-end Full HD set. Skype and video calling in many TV sets too will help turn your living room into somewhere the Jetsons could only dream of.

E-readers are also looking to be both big and affordable in 2010. As a comic book fanatic I'd have liked to have seen more attempts at a colour screened e-reader (I'm not including the MSI offering, which is really just a dual-touch screened PC, super-cool as it is). Plastic Logic's Que Pro e-reader looked great though, with a massive, durable screen, and was far lighter than the hundreds of books you'd be able to store on the tabloid-sized device.

There were, of course, tablets aplenty. The dual-booting Viliv P3 may be an underdog in the category, but seemed way more exciting than Microsoft's offering. The offer of both Windows and Android on the same device showed a respect for user choice not often seen in the back-slapping world of consumer tech.

There was still time for fun too. The Parrot AR Drone Quadricopter was fun and fresh, combining real-world toys with augmented reality controls. A little less high-tech but full of retro-chic was the Lasonic i931 iPhone dock/ghetto blaster mash-up. Odd's on its at the top of Flava Flav's Christmas list. And there was still some time for the weird and the plain old dumb, too.

Though less prevalent than other years, there were some great examples of brand new tech on show that were genuinely exciting. A real head-turner and my favourite item of the show was the Light Blue Optic Light Touch. Using a pico projection engine and a touch sensitive sensor, it'll turn any flat surface into a touchscreen. It works ridiculously well despite still being in the development stages, and has almost unlimited potential.

Some detractors say that, recession or not, CES looks to be on its last legs. It's sad, but not unlikely, when you consider the audiences that companies like Apple and Google can command for just a single product launch. However, for emerging companies like Light Blue Optics CES is still vital to gain some exposure, not to mention the fact that such a prominent date in the calendar forces the tech giants to have made some significant, competitive advances in their gear, year-on-year.

So here's hoping the old dog's got a bit of life left in it yet. Hopefully next year will kick off the recessionary cobwebs and kick the show back into high-tech gear. It wouldn't take much to tempt us back to the City of Sin once more.

Click here for full CES 2010 pre-show, day one, day two and day three round-ups.