The longevity of rechargeable digital camera batteries varies greatly, but camera battery life in general has improved over the past couple of years. Just about any digital camera with a dedicated battery or a decent set of AA rechargeables should get you through at least an average day of shooting. With dedicated lithium-ion batteries, you can consider it a rule of thumb that the smaller the cell, the shorter the life. If you buy a camera that takes AAs and doesn't come with rechargeables, you should purchase cells with the highest mAh rating you can find to get the longest life. To extend the shooting time of digital SLR cameras, manufacturers often sell compatible vertical grips that attach to the main body of the camera and hold an additional battery, as well as incorporating a second set of controls for vertically oriented shooting.

Point, shoot, store and organize

In a digital world, shooting, organizing and sharing high-quality photos and videos keeps getting easier and more affordable. Whatever your budget, a slew of cool bells and whistles makes the newest cameras, camcorders, multifunction photo printers, photo-editing software, and portable photo-storage devices worth getting to capture and preserve your special travel moments. While pocket-size, point-and-shoot digital cameras are popular for their handy size and competitive pricing, bulkier, more sophisticated digital SLR cameras, which have higher resolution and accept interchangeable lenses, are gaining customers, thanks to big price drops. A well-performing digital SLR can be had for less than $500, half of what it cost a few years ago. Brag-factor fanatics, take heart. Top-of-the-line models with 20-plus- megapixel resolution can go for $7,000 or more - if you must.

Samsung Digimax GX-10 Digital SLR Camera

Can changing the name on a camera save you money? Yes, when you take thePentax K10Dand call it the Samsung GX-10 Digital SLR Camera. The former, with a 27-83mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens sells for $800, more or less, while the latter--virtually identical camera body and same lens--sells for $750. Given the GX-10's features, it's a bargain.

Got a great photo of a fuzzy, furry or feathered friend?

The Oregon Humane Society is looking for great pictures of cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, horses and other pets for its 17th annual Fuzzy, Furry and Feathered Friends Photo Contest. The contest is open until May 31, 2008. Winners will see photos of their pets published in the full-color OHS Magazine and will also receive great prizes from Pro Photo Supply and Canon. Prizes will be awarded for the best photos in the following categories: Top Dog, Top Cat, Top Other Animal (rabbit, bird, etc.), Funniest photo, Child with Pet, Me & My Pet, Editor’s Choice, and Grand Prize. "Me & My Pet" is a new category for 2008, and focuses on adults posing with their favorite furry or feathered friend.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a Canon Rebel XSi Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm lens.

Canon launches digital, video cameras in Bangladesh

Canon Singapore Pte Ltd yesterday launched its image communication products in Bangladesh through its sole authorized dealer J.A. N. Associates Limited.

The products include digital camera, video camera, digital SLR camera and camcorders.

Announcing the launching of Canon cameras for Bangladesh market at a function at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday evening, Melvyn Ho, Vice President of Canon Singapore Pte Ltd, said J.A.N. Associates has been a business partner of Canon for its printers and scanners in Bangladesh for the last twelve years.

"J.A.N. Associates Limited has done very well and has succeeded to achieve their business targets every year, and that is why Canon Singapore has decided to appoint J.A.N. Associates as the business partner for its camera products.