SONY INTRODUCED A NEW DIGI-CAM YESTERDAY that will no doubt be one of the hot sellers this upcoming Christmas season.  The Cyber-shot DSC-T2 is a true “pocket” camera that is only 3.4 in. by 2.2 in. and less than 1 in. thick weighing 4.6 oz (without battery).

But it’s not just the size that makes this a “must have” to take with you everytime you go out of the house.  It’s the unbelievable amount of picture-taking power that’s built into it.

The main reason I’ve never considered any Sony digital camera is because of their proprietary image card, the Memory Stick.  I just don’t like having to use something that isn’t compatible with other devices and has no price competition.  But this little camera has an 8-megapixel sensor - which is plenty, believe me - and a 4-gigabyte internal memory.  If you only use the highest resolution setting of 8Mp, then you have the capacity to store 1,000 photos on the internal memory.  If most of your picture-taking is of the e-mail quality size, then you can take 40,000 pix before you have to download them and start over.

Another nice thing about that is you can download directly to your computer without having to buy and hook up one of those cumbersome card readers.  Another unique feature is the touch-panel LCD screen on the back that eliminates all those tiny buttons needed for menu selections, etc.

What I don’t like about this model is the special-size battery pack.  You can’t use the standard AA rechargables that most cameras are engineered for these days.

But it has so much going for it:

• An ISO speed of up to 3200
• Full range of white balance settings
• Full choice of modes including shutter, aperture and manual priorities
• Shutter speeds from 1 sec. to 1/1000 sec.  (Sorry, NO bulb setting)
• 38 - 114 mm. lens
• AND….Through-the-lens focusing.

It’s supposed to hit the streets by Dec. 1 at a price near $350.

Read all about it HERE and HERE and HERE.

THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS is running a photo contest for fire and ems related shots.  Entries close on July 1.  See here for rules and info.

LOGITECH, THE SWISS DIGITAL peripherals and wireless device manufacturer, has a new Photoshop accessory that should become a “must-have” for serious graphics workers.

The NuLOOQ Navigator™ supplements the mouse, rather than replacing it, and is used for rapid panning, zoom in and out, changing brush sizes and other adjustments that usually require you to stop and use the keyboard.  By keeping your right hand on the mouse and your left hand on the Navigator you can ease and speed up on your editing work flow.

A visual description of the NuLOOQ is here, and then click on the “product tour” link to see an animated rendition.