JPEGmini, a start-up based in Tel Aviv, Israel has developed a new recompression technology that claims to preserve the perceptual quality of JPEG image files whilst reducing the file size up to five times. The technology works in the domain of baseline JPEG, resulting in files that are fully compatible with any browser, photo software or device that support the standard JPEG format.

The new process will allow users to:

“store more photos on your hard drive and online photo service account, attach more photos to your emails, and upload your photos faster to the web. If you have an image-intensive website, your pages will load faster, and you’ll also reduce your storage and bandwidth costs.”

The conversion engine is a online tool which is available once you sign up for a free account. Unfortunately it will not do anything for those of us with thousands of RAW files!

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Devin Bloom, a PhD candidate in evolutionary biology at the University of Toronto at Scarborough (UTSC), has used a Facebook page to identify 5,000 specimens from a scientific expedition to the Cuyani River, Guyana. This was accomplished within 24 hours of images of the fish being posted on the site. This is a novel use for Facebook and introduces the idea use using it to accurately crowdsource scientific data and could change the way academics view social networking. Bloom has been quoted as saying:

“Social networking is so powerful, and scientists should be using it more to connect with the world-at-large,” he says. “I can’t take credit for the idea, though.” Bloom’s friend, an ichthyologist at Texas A&M named Nathan Lujan, has been using Facebook to identify fish for years. “And Nathan?” says Bloom.“Nathan is a real fish-head.”

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The Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) is calling for entries to its Underwater Photography competition. All entries must have been taken on southeast Florida reefs north of Biscayne National Park into Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties. The contest offers three entry categories: Reef inhabitants, coral and reefscapes and historical reef photos.

Full entry and prize details can be downloaded in a pdf document. The deadline for entries is 6 September.

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Panasonic has announced two new lenses for the LUMIX G EVIL micro system. One is a 45-75mm zoom, but the other, the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S has some potential for underwater use. It has built-in optical image stabilization (O.I.S.) and is exceptionally small and compact. It also features inner focusing driven by a stepping motor, making it suitable for inclusion into underwater housings and ports.

However, the lens has a minimum focus distance of 20cm (14-20mm) and 30cm (21-42mm).

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In addition to the A77 SLT detailed in an earlier post, Sony also launched the NEX-7 EVIL camera yesterday. In a recent editorial, reposted on the Wetpixel forum, the team at DivePhotoGuide were critical of the NEX-7’s predecessor, the NEX-5, due to its poor control layout, and shutter lag. It is interesting to note that the NEX-7 has completely redesigned controls and claims a:

“shutter release lag of just 0.02 seconds – the fastest of any interchangeable lens digital camera in the world.”

Lens choice may still present a challenge, particularly for underwater use.

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