Rolei has recently introduced its latest rugged digital camera Rollei X-8 Sport at IFA show in Berlin. The model shown has Chuck Norris photo nicely fitted on its frontal exterior, which probably tried to suggest the toughness of the camera - literally. True enough, the Rollei X-8 Sports is a lightweight sturdy camera at only 158g, featuring resistance to moisture, dirt and cold, waterproof to 10m, and able to withstand 1m drop. Other specs include up to 1600 of ISO, 8 megapixels, and 3x optical zoom. The Rollei’s “Chuck Norris” X-8 Sport will be available sometimes in October for an undisclosed price. We believe the “clean-cut” version will also be available. We’ll keep you posted. [Rollei VIA Techdigest]

[Source : The Digital Camera Blog]

Wouter Photoblog have reviewed the new 12 megapixel Ricoh GX200 - it features a wide angle 24mm 3x optical zoom lens, vibration correction, 1cm macro, ISO1600, and a 2.7″ screen. The GX200 with electronic view?nder included, is available for £347, the GX200 Standard will be available for £349.

“So the GX200 does have a lot of differences, and improvements. At least on paper it does, but after over 1,200 photographs I have some serious concerns with the GX200. The noise is more obvious, and limits the usage of the RAW files in regard to my B&W conversion technique in Lightroom.”

Read more Ricoh GX200 Reviews: Think Camera, Photography BLOG, Trusted Reviews, Ricoh GX200 Sample Photos: Photography BLOG

[Source : DigiCamReview]

ThinkCamera has tested the 10 megapixel Leica M8 Digital Rangefinder in Iraq. The M8 is available in Black or Black and Silver, the Leica M8 is Leica’s first digital rangefinder. It features a 2.5″ screen, and has a number of lenses and accessories available for it. The M8 is available from Amazon:

“Any relationship with the Leica M8 is bound to be a complicated one. There are many things about the Leica M8 that are easy to like, but it’s not a ‘fast’ camera, and it’s not always easy to use. Taking pictures with a Leica M8 is a massive culture shock after using a modern DSLR with a zoom lens. But there’s no question about image quality; for naturalness and real-looking pictures, the Leica M8 has few equals.”

Read more Leica M8 Digital Rangefinder Reviews: Michael Kamber, Luminous Landscape, DPReview, The Online Photographer, Shutterbug, Luminous Landscape, The Online Photographer, Luminous Landscape

[Source : DigiCamReview]

I’ve been looking through the web statistics for DigiCamReview, and found August 2008’s Top 5 most popular digital cameras reviewed on this site, based on our readers page views over the month of August. Here’s the most recent list, with the new Panasonic Lumix FZ18 at number 1. If you’re looking for a great digital camera, then why not have a look at these popular cameras:

1 - Panasonic Lumix FZ18 - 8mp, 18x optical zoom, 2.5″, IS, £209.

2 - Fujifilm FinePix S9600 S9100 - 10.7x optical zoom, 9mp, £199.

3 - Olympus Mju 1030SW - 10mp, Wide 3.6x optical zoom, 2.7″, £221.

4 - Panasonic Lumix FX35 - 10mp, wide 4x zoom, 2.5″, £165.

5 - Sony Cybershot W130 - 8mp, 4x opt, 2.5″, IS, only £107.

Previously: Top 5 for July 08, Top 5 for June 08, Top 5 for May 08, Top 10 Digital Cameras for 2008 (so far), Top 10 Digital Cameras for 2007

[Source : DigiCamReview]

Amatuer Photographer have details that Samsung are planning a new interchangeable lens camera system, much like the Olympus Panasonic micro four thirds system, and will use a 14 million-pixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor and a new lens mount.

“Like Micro Four Thirds, Samsung’s hybrid system will use electronic viewfinders (EVF) and a compact camera style live rear LCD screen for framing. The focusing system will use a video type automatic process, and lenses will be smaller than the company’s current GX series optics. ‘We have extensive experience in lens manufacturing from other areas of Samsung’s business, as well as from our compact camera ranges, and we have been manufacturing camera bodies since the 1970’s, so these will not be new areas for us to deal with.’”

[Source : DigiCamReview]