Some of the best pieces of electronics combine two or more functions in one ... witness the MP3 players and cameras included in cell phones. However, the combined unit typically doesn't have a feature set as powerful as the standalone unit.

With that in mind, it's difficult to know just how successful the new Sony DPP-F700 digital photo frame with built-in photo printer will be. It sounds like a great combination, but will it have enough features?

The DPP-F700 offers a 7-inch LCD screen (measured diagonally) at a 16:10 ratio. The LCD resolution measures 800x480 pixels (WVGA resolution). You can make 300x300 dpi prints at 4x6-inch sizes. The photo frame has 1 GB of internal storage, which is a great amount. The DPP-F700 can read photo data from memory cards and USB storage devices.

Look for the DPP-F700 right around the end of December for a price of about $200.

Photo courtesy Sony

Pentax hopes that it has successfully found a new niche with its entry-level K-x DSLR camera.

The K-x offers 12.4 megapixels of resolution, a 2.7-inch LCD, and HD video capabilities. For a DSLR, the fact that the K-x runs from four AA batteries is unique, as is having the DSLR camera body available in multiple colors (black, white, navy blue, and red). The multiple colors are interesting, but I'm not sure the AA battery power in a DSLR is a great idea; AA batteries are bulkier than rechargeable batteries and drain faster. The K-x offers 10 scene modes, too, which should make it easier for beginner and intermediate photographers to use.

Pentax hopes the K-x will provide a bridge for photographers looking to advance from a point and shoot camera to a DSLR. With an MSRP of about $650 for the camera body and one starter lens, the price certainly should appeal to photographers looking for their first DSLR model. (Compare Prices) Other camera kit configurations are available, too, with the K-x.

Photo courtesy Pentax

Can you feel the desperation in the air? The holiday is only a few days away, but some of us -- myself included -- haven't finished our holiday gift shopping yet.

Desperation leads to last minute gifts, which leads to mistakes in gift giving. Maybe you'll spend too much, maybe your first gift choice is sold out, maybe you'll grab the last thing standing on the store shelf at that all-night convenience store, shoving the person standing next to you, who might be thinking about buying it before you have the chance ...

Deep breath, everyone. Last minute gifts don't have to be disastrous. I've complied a list of great options for last minute photography gifts that will fit any budget.

You don't even need to know what brand and model of camera your gift recipient owns with these last minute photography gifts. If you have a hard-to-shop-for photographer on your holiday gift list, these gift ideas will help you avoid giving a dud this holiday season ... no shoving required.

Look for two new DSLR interchangeable lenses from Olympus in the first half of 2010, both of which will work with Micro Four Thirds DSLR cameras.

• Zuiko Digital Ed 9-18 mm: Olympus calls this new lens a "super wide-angle zoom" lens, and it carries an 18-36mm equivalent capability.

• Zuiko Digital Ed 14-150 mm: This lens is a more versatile lens, offering both wide angle and telephoto options in a 28-300 mm equivalent capability.

Prices and an exact release date have not yet been released.