Sigma has issued firmware updates for the Sigma DP1x and DP2x large-sensor compact cameras. Both firmware upgrades add a number of new menu languages and incorporate several bug fixes that should improve overall operational stability. The updates can be downloaded from the following websites.

Website: Sigma DP1x Firmware Update 1.03
Website: Sigma DP2x Firmware Update 1.02

Ricoh will release the first function-expansion firmware update for the Ricoh GR Digital IV on 27th February. The firmware update incorporates ideas taken from the many opinions and requests we received from customers who filled out a survey when they registered their cameras. These include the option to record copyright information in the EXIF data, an improvement in auto focus speed, the ability to assign the ADJ lever or the Fn button to saving the snap focus distance and the addition of “floating black level adjustment” to Interval Composite Mode shooting.

Rollei has unveiled the ten-megapixel Sportsline 62 Dual LCD camera, which offers a 1.8” front-mounted LCD panel in addition to its more conventional 2.7” rear screen. Dustproof, shock-resistant to 1.5m and waterproof down to a depth of 3m, the Rollei Sportsline 62 features a 35mm equivalent fixed-focal-length lens with a bright f/2.8 aperture, a 3-second pre-record function and 720p HD video recording. Available from March in pink, orange, blue, green and silver, the Rollei Sportsline 62 Dual LCD camera is powered by a pair of AAA batteries, and carries an RRP of €69.95.

Fuji has released a firmware update for the Fujifilm X10 digital compact camera. Version 1.03 addresses the blooming (“white disc”) issue that can sometimes be observed in EXR AUTO mode, adds compatibility with MacOS X 10.7, and provides a number of functionality upgrades and bug fixes, as outlined below.

Kodak has announced that it is ceasing production of digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames. Due to take place in the first half of 2012, Kodak will instead expand its current brand licensing program, and seek licensees for cameras. Kodak will continue to honor all related product warranties, and provide technical support and service for its cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames.

Fuji has posted a firmware update for the Fujifilm X100 large-sensor compact camera. Version 1.13 adds compatibility with MacOS X 10.7 and fixes the following bugs:

When VIEW MODE is set to EYE SENSOR activated mode, the camera may be frozen after changing OVF/EVF in certain shooting conditions.
After shooting images in A mode, if the mode dial rotated to another position and returned into A mode during data recording, the shutter of the camera may not work properly.

Website: FinePix X100 Firmware Update Ver.1.13

Ricoh has posted a firmware update for the Ricoh CX6 digital compact camera. Version 1.23 fixes a bug that has caused photos to be out of focus with Pre-AF turned on and the ADJ/OK button depressed. The firmware upgrade can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Ricoh Global

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is a new travelzoom camera with a 16-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, a 25-600mm equivalent zoom lens, touch-sensitive screen, high-speed AF and Multi-Recording functionality. Equipped with two separate TruePic V image processors, originally developed for DSLR cameras, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is capable of simultaneously capturing Full HD movies and full-resolution stills. Its new iHS (intelligent, High-Sensitivity and High-Speed) technology is claimed to “dramatically improve” low-light performance, speed up camera response time, and enhance scene and subject recognition. “Combined with High-Speed Sequential Shooting (10fps) and high-speed autofocus, iHS reduces picture noise and enhances resolution and colour gradation,” the company says. The camera‘s touch-sensitive, 3.0-inch 920,000-dot LCD screen allows users to change the active AF point, shutter speed and zoom, or navigate the Live Guide controls by touch. Other highlights include a hand-held starlight mode and a dozen “Magic Art Filters”. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will be available in silver and black, priced at $399.99/£299.99.

The Olympus TG-820 iHS is a new water-, shock-, freeze- and dustproof compact camera with a 12-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, a 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens and a 3-inch, 1,030,000-dot HyperCrystal III LCD screen with scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coatings. Olympus’ iHS technology builds on the speed of the camera’s back-illuminated CMOS imager and TruePic VI image processor to “dramatically improve” low-light performance, speed up camera response time and auto focus, plus enhance scene and subject recognition. HDR Backlight Adjustment takes a collage of separate photos and blends them into one perfectly exposed image regardless of difficult lighting. Other highlights include Full HD video recording with Multi-Motion Movie IS, an enhanced iAuto shooting mode and an on-board HDMI connector. The Olympus Tough TG-820 iHS will be available in a variety of colours at an estimated street price of $299.99/£269.99.

The Olympus SH-25MR is a 16-megapixel touchscreen camera with a 24-300mm equivalent lens, integrated GPS module and compass, and Multi-Recording technology on board. The 3-inch rear screen boasts a resolution of 460,000 dots, and offers a range of touch-based functions like Touch AF and Touch Shutter. Other standout features include HDR Backlight Adjustment, 3D Photo Shooting, Smart Panorama, Advanced Shadow Adjustment Technology and a Handheld Starlight Mode. In addition to capturing 16-megapixel photos at up to 10 frames per second (or 3-megapixel stills at up to 60fps), the Olympus SH-25MR is also capable of recording Full HD videos with Multi-Motion Movie IS. Available in gold, black, red and white, the SH-25MR hits the shops in April, priced at €269.00/£229.99.

Sigma has updated its large-sensor compact cameras, the Sigma DP1 and the Sigma DP2, to incorporate the high-resolution sensor found in the Sigma SD1. This imaging chip features over 15.3 million sensor photosites with stacked red, green and blue filters (as opposed to a typical 16-megapixel Bayer sensor that has 8 million green-, 4 million red- and 4 million blue-sensitive pixels) for superior colour reproduction and resolution. In addition, the new versions boast totally redesigned lenses - a 19mm f/2.8 lens for the Sigma DP1 Merrill and a 30mm f/2.8 for the Sigma DP2 Merrill - with moulded-glass aspherical elements, “F” Low Dispersion and Super Multi Layer coating, and a telecentric optical design. The new generation name “Merrill” is a tribute to Foveon’s co-founder, the late Richard B. Merrill, who developed the original Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor. Pricing to be confirmed.

The Pentax Optio WG2 and WG2-GPS are two new waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant compact cameras. Both models can be used at a depth of up to 12 metres and can withstand a drop of 1.5 metres, cold to -10°C and a weight up to 100kg. The WG2 and WG2-GPS also feature a 16 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, Full HD movie recording, 5x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage, 3 inch high-resolution LCD monitor with 16:9 dimensions and 460,000 dots, and six built-in LED macro lights. The Optio WG2-GPS additionally comes equipped with an upgraded GPS module.

The Pentax WG2 and WG2-GPS will be available from March 2012 for £299.99 and £349.99 respectively.

Nikon gave a detailed presentation of the impressive new Nikon D800 DSLR camera at yesterday’s UK press event.

Click through for all the slides, which are also available in PDF format.

Canon has added two new touchscreen models to its Ixus range of sylish premium compact cameras. The Canon Ixus 510 HS (ELPH 530 HS in North America, pictured) features a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, 12x optical zoom, Wi-Fi connectivity, Multi-area White Balance, face identification technology and a futuristic lens cover. The Canon Ixus 240 HS (ELPH 320 HS) has a 16.1-megapixel sensor, a 24-120mm equivalent zoom lens and integrated Wi-Fi. Both models feature large, bright and vibrant 3.2” PureColor II Touch LCD displays with sharp 460,000-dot resolution, Canon’s latest Smart Auto mode that now identifies up to 58 different scenes, Intelligent IS, and the ability to shoot Full HD movies with stereo sound and output them to any HDTV thanks to an on-board HDMI connector. In addition, Canon’s Movie Digest mode captures four seconds of movie before each still shot is taken and then merges all the clips together in HD quality. The Ixus 510 HS (PowerShot ELPH 530 HS) is available from April, priced at £349/€399/$350, while the Ixus 240 HS (PowerShot ELPH 320 HS) will hit the shops in March, carrying an RRP of £279/€319/$280.

Canon has announced two new PowerShot SX models, including the Canon PowerShot SX240 HS and SX260 HS, both of which come with 25-500mm equivalent zoom lenses and 12.1-megapixel sensors. Other features the two cameras have in common include high-speed shooting; Full HD video recording; advanced Multi-area White Balance; Manual, Tv and Av shooting modes; a Smart Auto mode that can recognise up to 58 different scenes; Intelligent IS and a 3” PureColor II G LCD screen. The Canon PowerShot SX260 HS additionally features a built-in GPS module with included Map Utility software and GPS logger function. The SX240 HS will be available from March at a price of £299.00/€349.00. The SX260 HS is also expected to start shipping in March, priced at £329.00/€379.00/$349.99.

Canon has unveiled the latest range of PowerShot A series models featuring 16-megapixel sensors. The AA battery powered Canon PowerShot A810 (£89.00/€99.00/$109.99) and A1300 (£109.00/€119.00/$119.99, pictured) feature 28-140mm equivalent lenses and 2.7” displays, with the PowerShot A1300 also boasting an optical viewfinder. The Canon PowerShot A2300 (£119.00/€139.00/$149.99) has a similar lens and a feature set comparable to that of the A810 but runs on a proprietary Li-ion battery. The PowerShot A2400 IS (£129.00/€149.00/$159.99) is almost identical to the A2300 but offers the added benefit of intelligent image stabilisation. The Canon PowerShot A3400 IS (£149.00/€169.00/$179.99) is a touchscreen model with 5x optical zoom and Intelligent IS, while the range-topping PowerShot A4000 IS (£169.00/€189.00/$199.99) offers 8x optical zoom, intelligent image stabilisation and a 3” LCD screen. All six models come with Canon’s enhanced Smart Auto mode on board, which can recognise up to 32 different scenes, and all of the new cameras in the A series are capable of recording HD videos in addition to capturing sixteen-megapixel stills.

The Canon PowerShot D20 is a water-, shock, freeze- and dustproof 12.1-megapixel compact camera with a stabilised, 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens and built-in GPS. The camera’s Intelligent Image Stabiliser automatically analyses the scene and selects the optimum settings from seven different modes (Normal IS, Panning IS, Macro IS, Dynamic IS, Powered IS, Dynamic & Macro IS, and Tripod Mode). Canon’s enhanced Smart Auto feature can detect up to 32 different scenes, while the on-board GPS module comes with a logging feature as well as an integrated map utility that allows users to share their geotagged images through Google Earth. In addition to capturing twelve-megapixel stills, the Canon Powershot D20 can also record Full HD videos and output them to any compatible HDTV using its HDMI port. The PowerShot D20 is available from May, priced at £349.00/€399.00/$349.99.

The Casio Exilim EX-ZR20 is a 16.1-megapixel compact camera with a 25-200mm equivalent lens, Rapid Shutter technology and 0.13-second high-speed auto focus. The camera’s Rapid Shutter allows for shot-to-shot times as short as 0.26 seconds, while Casio’s Exilim Engine HS image processor delivers advanced functions such as continuous shooting at a speed of 30 shots per second, and high-speed in-camera HDR exposure blending. Additionally, the Casio EX-ZR20 is capable of combining shots taken with high-speed continuous shooting when the user is moving the camera, enabling super-wide-angle photography. Users can choose wide-angle shooting modes equivalent to 15mm or 19mm. In addition to capturing sixteen-megapixel stills, the Casio Exilim EX-ZR20 can also record Full HD movies with stereo sound. In Europe, the EX-ZR20 will be available from April for €279.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon P510 and P310 compact cameras look like in the flesh?

The Nikon P510 has a massive 42x zoom lens (yes, 42x) that provides a focal range of 24-1000mm. Unfortunately the early prototype that we got our hands-on was battery-less, preventing us from seeing just how far the lens extends at full zoom.

The Nikon P310 is a small and serious compact with a 24-100mm lens and full manual controls (although still no RAW format support). Again this was an early model with no battery.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Nikon’s new P510 and P310 cameras.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon L810 and L310 super-zoom compact cameras look like in the flesh?

The 16 megapixel Nikon L810 comes with a 24x, 22.5-585mm equivalent lens, while the 14 megapixel Nikon L310 has a slightly more modest 21x optical zoom.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Nikon’s new super zoom cameras.