Sigma has released firmware updates for the Sigma DP1 Merrill,DP2 Merrill and DP3 Merrill large-sensor digital compact cameras. In addition to fixing bugs, these updates incorporate a number of enhancements and improvements. Click through / scroll down for the complete list.

Leica Netherlands have published 21 full-resolution JPEG samples and three DNG files from the new Leica X Vario large-sensor digital compact camera. Taken by a Leica brand manager called Eric Hendrix in Venice, Italy, these  Leica X Vario "Mini M" samples provide a first glimpse at what the camera is capable of. The JPEG images are hosted on Flickr, while the three raw files can be downloaded from Box.com.

Via 1001 Noisy Cameras

The Leica X Vario is a new large-sensor compact camera with a 16-megapixel imager and a 28-70mm (eq.) f/3.5-6.4 lens. Billed as "the world's first compact camera to combine a large, APS-C format, CMOS image sensor with a zoom lens," the Leica X Vario is capable of shooting high-resolution stills as well as 1080p Full HD videos. The optical formula of the lens comprises 8 elements in 6 groups, including an aspherical glass element. The suggested retail price of the camera is £2,150. The Leica X Vario is also available as a set with the X Vario camera protector and carrying strap in tan leather, for a kit price of £2,250. As expected based on the teaser campaign that preceded the launch, the Leica X Vario "Mini M" does not have an integrated eye-level finder - but you can buy an optional EVF for £380.

Canon has posted a firmware update for its PowerShot SX280 HS digital compact camera. Version 1.0.2.0 incorporates the following fixes and improvements:

1. Increases the duration of movie shooting by 20% in cases where the optical zoom is used compared to cameras running Firmware Version 1.0.0.0 or Firmware Version 1.0.1.0 through a reduction in the power consumption of the optical zoom.

2. Fixes a phenomenon with cameras running firmware version 1.0.0.0, in which the low-battery-level warning is prematurely displayed while shooting in movie mode.

Website: Canon U.S.A. Support

Futuresource Consulting forecasts that the so-called 'smart camera' market will reach 4.7 million units globally by 2016. "Smart cameras are still a niche market, with few players in this segment," says Arun Gill, Market Analyst with Futuresource Consulting. "However, looking forward, sales of smart cameras are expected to grow; with our forecasts indicating that shipments will reach one million units in 2013, and grow a further 68% CAGR by 2016 to reach 4.7 million units worldwide." The average smart camera's trade price is forecast to be $202 by 2017, versus $87 for fixed-lens cameras without Wi-Fi and $107 with Wi-Fi. (Futuresource defines smart cameras as "a hybrid of Smartphones and Digital cameras, capable of capturing good quality photos in low light conditions and with good optical zooms, combined with the usability, connectivity and apps consumers associate with their Smartphone camera.") You can buy the report, Prospects for the Smart Camera Market, through the website below.

Pentax UK has revealed the recommended retail price of the 14-megapixel Pentax Efina digital compact camera. Announced in January, the Pentax Efina comes equipped with a 26-130mm equivalent zoom lens sporting 6 elements in 5 groups including 3 aspherical elements; a 1/2.3-type CCD sensor and a “self-portrait mirror." The name harks back to the days of film photography when Pentax had two APS cameras with a similar designation (the Pentax Efina and the Pentax Efina T). The digital Pentax Efina carries a suggested retail price of £79.99 in the UK.

Nikon UK's latest promotion gives customers the chance to win one of over 1200 prizes with purchases of selected Coolpix models. Eligible products include the Nikon Coolpix L320 (pictured), L610, S6400, S6400, S6500, S9400, S9500, P520 and S9050 digital compact cameras. To be in with a chance of winning, customers simply have to register their purchase online and answer a question online, at the website below.

Fuji has released a new firmware update for the Fujifilm X100S large-sensor compact camera. Version 1.03 fixes a rare bug that sometimes caused, as the company puts it, "a grainy image like TV fuzz" to appear on the rear screen while the live view feed was displayed. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm X100S X100S Firmware Update Ver.1.03

Lifeloggers is a new documentary released by Memoto, the startup behind the stamp-sized lifelogging camera. The Swedish firm sent out two film students into the world to explore and document how "lifelogging" is going to change how we remember our lives, track and monitor our health and find out any possible risks of documenting our lives. The two students, Amanda Alm and Ville Boom, traveled around the world for six weeks interviewing pioneers in the field, entrepreneurs, and lifeloggers. The documentary can now be viewed at the website below.

Nikon has released a firmware update for its Coolpix P7700 digital compact camera. According to the company, Version 1.02 fixes the following bugs:

"When shooting with shooting mode set to M (manual), ISO sensitivity set to Auto, ISO 80-200, ISO 80-400, or ISO 80-800 and the flash used, ISO sensitivity was sometimes not locked at ISO 80 and a different ISO sensitivity was sometimes applied."

Website: Nikon COOLPIX P7700 Firmware Update 1.2

Fujifilm has received three awards from the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). The Best Expert Compact System Camera award went to the Fujifilm X-E1, the Fujinon XF14mm f/2.8 R was named "Best Compact System Camera Prime Lens," while the Fujifilm X20 (pictured) received TIPA's Best Expert Compact Camera award.

Fuji has issued a firmware update for the Fujifilm Finepix HS50EXR super-zoom camera. According to the company, Version 1.01 incorporates the following enhancements:

1. "Operability with Eye-Fi card is improved."
2. "Disconnection of objects shown in Motion Panorama images by vertical direction shooting is improved."

Website: Fujifilm Finepix HS50EXR Firmware Update

Fuji has released a firmware update for the Fujifilm FinePix F900EXR digital compact camera. According to the company, version 1.01 incorporates the following fixes:

1. "The phenomenon is fixed that the brightness of objects in live view could change momentarily during repeating zoom-in and zoom-out."
2. "Disconnection of objects shown in Motion Panorama images taken in the vertical direction is improved."

Website: Fujifilm FinePix F900EXR Firmware Update Ver.1.01

Pentax Ricoh UK has just launched a cashback promotion across its range of digital SLRs, mirrorless and compact cameras. The cashback campaign will run from 4 May – 27 July 2013. Click through / scroll down for the list of eligible products and the amount of cashback you can claim on your purchases.

Canon has just launched its summer cashback offer in the UK. Eligible customers may claim up to £55 cashback on a range of selected products across digital SLR cameras and lenses, compact cameras, inkjet printers and camcorders. Plus, if you purchase two promotional products within the same transaction, you're eligible to claim one additional £30 bonus payment. Click through for the full list of participating products.

To celebrate National Photo Month, Pentax Ricoh Americas have announced significant savings on numerous products. The promotional offers include several price drops and consumer instant rebates on a variety of compact and interchangeable-lens cameras as well as lenses. Click through / read on for the details.

The Fujifilm Finepix JZ700 is a new 14-megapixel compact camera with a stabilised 24-192mm equivalent lens,  8fps continuous shooting (for a maximum of 8 frames) and Full HD movie capture. The body is only 18.6mm deep at the thinnest point, making the Fuji JZ700 an eminently pocketable shooter. Other highlights include a 360°Motion Panorama mode, 200fps video recording for slow-motion playback, high-speed multi-frame processing for high-dynamic-range imaging and a number of advanced filter effects. Pricing and availability have yet to be communicated.

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon Coolpix P7700 digital compact camera. Version 1.1 incorporates the following modifications and fixes:

Display accuracy for the virtual horizon has been increased according to the direction in which the camera is pointed.

The interval between shots with uninterrupted shooting when Auto bracketing is set to Exposure bracketing has been reduced.

An issue that prevented shutter speeds slower than one second for the second and subsequent shots when shooting with Auto bracketing set to Exposure bracketing has been resolved.

Website: Nikon P7700 Firmware Update 1.1

Fujifilm has posted a firmware update for the Fujifilm X100S large-sensor compact camera. Version 1.02 fixes a bug related to the brightness of the shooting frame within the optical viewfinder. In Fuji's words, "the phenomenon is fixed that the brightness of the OVF bright frame doesn’t change according to a surrounding brightness in case of ISO 1600 and higher." You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Fuji X100S Firmware Update Ver.1.02

Want to see exactly what the new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50 travel-zoom compact camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50 compact camera, including a side-by-side comparison with the HX300 and WX300 models, and with the optional electronic viewfinder fitted.