Ricoh has also added "High Contrast B&W" and "Miniaturize" modes. The latter blurs areas of the photo to give you that tilt-shift depth of field effect. Other key specs include a 3-inch LCD, and an ISO range from 80 to 1600.

The camera hits the UK this September for £299.99 ($500). Stay tuned for U.S. details. [Ricoh]

Tokyo, Japan, August 20, 2009-Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) today announced the development and release of the CX2, a new digital camera featuring a high magnification 10.7x (28-300 mm) optical wide-angle zoom lens in a compact body only 29.4 mm thick. The CX2 is capable of 5 frame/second high-speed continuous shooting of still images with the maximum number of pixels.

The new CX2 inherits many popular features from its predecessor, the CX1 (introduced March 13, 2009), such as the high image quality and expanded dynamic range made possible by image processing engine Smooth Imaging Engine IV and a high-speed image processing CMOS sensor. At the same time, it enhances functions that expand photo possibilities in a number of areas, including (1) a 10.7x optical zoom lens that expands shooting capabilities from wide-angle through telephoto range, (2) high-speed continuous shooting (approx. 5 frames/sec. at maximum number of pixels) functions so you won't miss the target scene, and (3) the easy-to-use AF functions Pre-AF and Continuous AF.

New scene modes such as "high-contrast B&W mode" and "miniaturize mode" have been added to stimulate shooting creativity, and various CX1 model functions have received enhancements, such as the addition of face recognition to easy shooting mode and the addition of an AUTO option for automatically defining the range expansion effect in dynamic range double shot mode.

The Z980 is a low-to-midrange bridge camera, primarily marketed (like its predecessors) for its formidable 24x zoom. The 12MP sensor is exposed through a 26mm fixed lens, and comes with a now-standard set of P&S features. What makes the Z980 interesting, though, are the few pro(ish) features thrown in. HD video recording at 720p, assuming it isn't a shaky, noisy mess, is a big plus. And the hot flash shoe and vertical shutter release and grip gives the camera some photog cred that you usually don't always see at this price ($400) and form factor.

As for Kodak's miniature video camcorder range, the Zx1 is interesting successor to the fantastic Zi6 Flip-killer. The main difference? It's weatherproof, and slightly cheaper at $150. The camera will mercifully support a full range of SDHC storage, meaning that you can carry up to 32GB or HD video around in your pocket.

These products are set to be demonstrated (and were originally intended to be unveiled) at CES, where they'll be accompanied by a range of point-and-shoot pocket cameras that were slightly too boring to write about just now. STAY TUNED. [PhotographyBay]