The 12.5-megapixel HZ25W combines the compact size of a pocket camera with the larger zooms more common to DSLRs: a 26mm wide-angled lens with 24x optical zoom, in this case. It can also shoot 720p HD video in H.264 format.

There’s no HD output, though. On the upside, the HZ25W (aka WB5000 in Europe) can handle uncompressed RAW images, in addition to standard JPEG files.

Aside from manual controls, aided modes include optical and digital image stabilization, smart face recognition, blink detection, and automatic adjustments to accommodate the color, brightness and movement of what you’re shooting.

Update: The HZ25W is scheduled to hit U.S. shops in October at $400. [Samsung]

The new Nikon D300s is getting some raw-image support from Adobe.

(Credit: Nikon USA)

Adobe Systems has released a test version of its Camera Raw 5.5 plug-in so Photoshop can handle raw images from the Olympus E-P1 high-end compact camera, Nikon’s new D3000 entry-level SLR, mid-range D300s SLR, …

Originally posted at Underexposed

What can be said about the latest Eye-Fi SD card that hasn’t been said about every other iteration? The Pro is just that, a Pro. With support for RAW files, Ad Hoc network support and Selective Transfer, the Eye-Fi Pro is perfection.

Using the Eye-Fi Manager, it took all of three minutes to get the Pro up and running on my Mac. Setting up an Ad Hoc network to my Mac was simple enough that a donkey could do it. From the wireless network dropdown list, select the “set up ad hoc network” option and create an ad hoc network. Once you’ve done that, refresh the network list, select your new ad hoc network and configure the Pro to recognize it going forward. Switch back to your wireless network and you’re done.

DSLR users can now shoot in RAW or RAW+ and have those images directly upload to their respective desktops/laptops over Wi-Fi. Eye-Fi creates two separate folders for RAW images (7-6-09) and JPEG images (July 06, 2009) with differing date formats.

Rather than uploading every single image or video that you capture, the Selective Transfer mode utilizes your camera’s protect function to identify which images to upload and which ones to leave. It’s dead simple. Protect the images you want to upload and then Eye-Fi takes care of the rest.

The Pro, as I’ve said before, is a dream come true — but at $150 it’s tough to justify such a purchase for a slow 4GB SD card. However, it also automagically uploads to your photo sharing site of choice and supports Ad Hoc networks. In a pressure-filled situation, like a live blog, the Eye-Fi Pro is a required gadget in a blogger’s bag. I’d throw down $150 clams for one, but I have the luxury of expensing it back to the big guy.

Eye-Fi Pro [Eye-Fi]

Canon's Rebel T1i

(Credit: CNET)

Apple released a software update Thursday to let its Aperture 2, iPhoto ’08, and iPhoto ’09 photo-editing software handle raw images from three newer SLRs, Canon’s Rebel T1i, Nikon’s D5000, and Olympus’ E-30.

Higher-end cameras offer raw image formats that provide more flexibility and quality than JPEG, but the raw file formats are proprietary, vary from one camera model to another, and require companies such as Apple and Adobe Systems to release a constant stream of updates. Microsoft relies on camera manufacturers to supply software for Windows that can interpret the raw data, which is taken directly from camera image sensors without in-camera processing.

Camera makers typically supply their own software for handling raw images, but many people prefer their own photo software.

Further detail on Apple’s support is available on Apple’s raw camera support page.

Originally posted at Underexposed