Panasonic UK is now offering a ‘Try Before You Buy’ service for the Panasonic Lumix GH3 with 12-35mm lens, allowing prospective customers to borrow the GH3 kit for 48 hours (excluding delivery and collection time) from a number of retailers with no obligation to purchase. Barney Sykes, Lumix G Camera Product & Marketing Manager says “The GH3 is by far the most advanced system camera we have ever launched and we recognise customers may want to road test this product before committing to such as high value purchase, therefore we are delighted to be able to offer this scheme to our key retail partners to help increase their sales opportunities.” Click through / read on for a list of participating retailers.

Nikon has posted a firmware update for the Nikon 1 V1 compact system camera. Version 1.21 addresses the following issue: Immediately after the camera was turned on after attaching a lens, shooting display in the camera monitor or electronic viewfinder (view through the lens) sometimes appeared to move. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Nikon 1 V1 Firmware Update 1.21

Sony has posted firmware updates for the Sony NEX-F3, NEX-5R, NEX-5N, NEX-6 and NEX-7 (pictured) compact system cameras and a couple of E-mount lenses. Fast Hybrid AF lens support for Sony’s NEX-5R/6 cameras has expanded to include six new lenses. The NEX-5N firmware upgrade also expands its Exposure Bracketing range and updates its raw format version. The upgrades for the NEX-F3/5N/7 cameras add auto compensation for use with the 16-50mm power zoom lens. New E-mount lens firmware for the E 30mm f/3.5 Macro and the E 50mm f/1.8 OSS lenses enable Fast Hybrid AF with the Sony NEX-5R and Sony NEX-6 cameras. You can download these firmware updates - along with those released for the Sony A37, A57, A65 and A99 - through the website below.

Website: Official Sony Blog

Pentax has issued firmware updates for a number of cameras including the Pentax K-r, K-01, K-5, K-5 II, K-5 IIs and K-30. The updates improve CDAF speed with the 560mm f/5.6 ED AW lens and improves overall stability. You can download the firmware updates from the website below.

Website: Pentax Software Downloads

Fuji has released a firmware update for the Fujifilm X-E1 compact system camera. Version 1.04 adds full compatibility with the Fujinon XF14mm f/2.8R, improves AF performance in various shooting conditions, and enables the use of the shutter release when an external microphone or a remote release is connected via the camera’s USB port or MIC/REMOTE terminal. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm X-E1 Firmware Update Ver.1.04

Fuji has posted a firmware update for the Fujifilm X-Pro1 compact system camera. Version 2.03 adds full compatibility with the Fujinon XF14mm f/2.8R lens and improves the auto focus performance of the camera in various shooting conditions. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm X-Pro Firmware Update Ver.2.03

Olympus Japan has announced that no less than five new companies have joined Micro Four Thirds. The newcomers include Kodak licensee JK Imaging, innovative digital cinema camera manufacturer Blackmagic Design - which has already launched a Micro Four Thirds model, the Blackmagic Cinema Camera MFT (pictured) -, high-speed digital imaging expert Photron, as well as Germany’s SVS-VISTEK and Japan’s ViewPLUS. “With the addition of exciting new products from these companies, the Micro Four Thirds lineup will become much more diverse, further increasing the potential of this advanced digital imaging system,” Olympus said in a statement.

JK Imaging, the worldwide licensee of the Kodak brand name for digital cameras, has unveiled a new Micro Four Thirds camera called the Kodak Pixpro S1. The company’s representatives showed a mock-up of the new camera at a press conference in China. In addition to being compatible with Micro Four Thirds lenses - and possibly other MFT accessories -, the Kodak Pixpro S1 will also offer smartphone connectivity over Wi-Fi. Other details are vague but it appears that the new Kodak-branded CSC will be equipped with a Sony sensor, just like Olympus’ newer MFT offerings.

Kodak has been a member of the Four Thirds consortium since the latter’s inception in 2002. JK Imaging’s adoption of Micro Four Thirds standard was announced today.

Via PR Photo Credit: PConline

Nikon UK has extended its cashback promotion on the Nikon 1 J1 and J2 camera kits until 31st January 2013. UK and ROI residents purchasing the Nikon 1 J1 or Nikon 1 J2 single- or double-lens camera bundles will now be able to claim £50 /€60 cashback until the end of January. For more information on the promotion, and how to submit your claim, visit the website below.

Our eight and final award is for Camera of the Year 2012, which goes to the Olympus OM-D E-M5.

“Image quality is where Micro Four Thirds cameras have traditionally lagged behind their APS-C sensor rivals, but the OM-D E-M5 is the first MFT model to equal the results from leading cameras like the Sony NEX-7. Noise doesn’t rear its ugly head until ISO 3200 for JPEGs and even the faster settings prove eminently usable, although the E-M5 does apply some pretty aggressive noise reduction to keep the files clean as shown by the much noisier raw images. We never longed for a camera with a bigger sensor, and you’d have to step up to a full-frame DSLR to see an appreciable leap in image quality.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Olympus and the OM-D E-M5!

Olympus has scooped up tow iF product design awards - one for the Olympus Stylus XZ-2 premium compact (pictured) and one for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 compact system camera. Established in 1953, and sponsored throughout by the International Forum Design GmbH of Hanover Germany, the iF product design award is recognised all over the world as a symbol of outstanding design and innovation. This year, the jury picked the winners from 3011 products in 16 categories.

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Olympus Stylus XZ-2
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Olympus OM-D E-M5

Our sixth award is for Compact System Camera of the Year 2012, which goes to the Olympus OM-D E-M5.

“The OM-D E-M5 is the best Olympus compact system camera to date, and also a strong contender for best compact system camera full stop. It delivers a compelling mix of classic looks, excellent image quality, an extensive feature set and immediate responsiveness, with the camera so well designed that it rarely gets in the way of the creative process. The E-M5 may hark back to a bygone era, but it’s definitely bang-up-to-date in all the places that count.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Olympus and the OM-D E-M5!

In addition to the Android-powered iM1836, Polaroid has announced two more CSCs, a bridge camera and a camcorder. The Polaroid iM1030 ($299) and Polaroid iM1232 ($349, pictured) are similar to the iM1836 in being interchangeable-lens models (which Polaroid confusingly refers to as “Micro Four Thirds bodies,” even though their sensors are apparently smaller than a regular Four Thirds imager, and the cameras require an adapter to mount MFT lenses), but lack the Android OS that makes the iM1836 truly special. Nonetheless, the Polaroid iM1232 offers built-in Wi-Fi allowing users to instantly upload and share photos on their favourite social networks. Apart from these differences, the three models appear to be quite similar, featuring 18.1-megapixel sensors, 10-30mm kit lenses and 3.5” rear displays.

The company is also launching a bridge camera called Polaroid iS2433 ($199), featuring a 25-600mm equivalent superzoom lens and back-illuminated 16.1-megapixel Sony CMOS sensor; and a camcorder (Polaroid iD975, $249) with 10x optical zoom, capable of shooting Full HD video and 16-megapixel stills.

Polaroid has officially announced the upcoming launch of its Android-powered, interchangeable-lens compact system camera, the 18-megapixel Polaroid iM1836. Produced by Sakar, an authorised Polaroid licensee, the Polaroid iM1836 features the latest Android 4.1 “Jelly Bean” operating system and comes standard with a 10-30mm zoom lens. Highlights include a pop-up flash, 3.5” capacitive touchscreen interface and 1080p Full HD capture. ” With built-in peer-to-peer Wi-Fi and easy-to-use Polaroid photo sharing apps on board, the Polaroid iM1836 lets users instantly upload and share stunning, professional-quality image creations with friends via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Vimeo and more, all at the touch of a button,” the company says. Slated for a 2013 Q1 release, the Polaroid iM1836 carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $399.

Nikon has announced two new compact system cameras, the14.2-megapixel Nikon 1 J3 and the 10.1-megapixel Nikon 1 S1. Billed as the world’s smallest body among digital cameras with interchangeable lenses employing an image sensor larger than CX format, the Nikon 1 J3 (pictured) also boasts the world’s shortest release time lag and fastest continuous shooting speed of 15fps with auto focus and up to 60 fps with fixed-point AF. The Nikon 1 S1 launches the new S-series of fast and stylish camera bodies designed for speed and simplicity. Claimed to be “as convenient and easy to use as a compact camera, but much faster and significantly more powerful, with better image quality,” the Nikon 1 S1 has a clean, minimalist design with simplified controls. Both models can record Full HD movies at 60 and 30 fps and 60i, 60p, and 30p frame rates, and even capture full-resolution photos while filming.

The Samsung NX300 is a new compact system camera featuring a 20-megapixel imager with on-sensor phase detection AF sensors, an articulated OLED touchscreen and Wi-Fi connectivity. Other highlights include a sensitivity range of ISO100/21°—ISO25,600/45°, a maximum shutter speed of 1/6000 sec,  8.6fps continuous shooting, a 5-way manual key interface and i-Depth, an easy and simple way to adjust the depth-of-field of an image using the NX Series’ unique i-Function system. Available in either black or white with a contrast silver band, the Samsung NX300 is expected to hit the shelves priced at around $750. Also announced today is the new Samsung 45mm 2D/3D lens, which supports both 2D and 3D movie capture with the NX300, and boasts a maximum aperture of f/1.8. This new 2D/3D version of the Samsung 45mm f/1.8 lens will cost around $500.

Polaroid has confirmed plans to release an Android-powered mirrorless system camera. Rumours of the upcoming launch started circulating on the Internet four days ago when the picture reprinted above popped up on a Russian social network site. Since then Scott Hardy, President and CEO of Polaroid has confirmed that the product was real and that “additional information and specs will be released” at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Interestingly, the new model exhibits a surprising degree of similarity with the Nikon 1 J1 and J2 cameras and one of their lenses - although the lens release button is in a different location.

Via PR | Imaging-Resource

Panasonic has announced a delay in the launch of its new Lumix DMC-GH3 Micro Four Thirds camera (body-only version). Originally scheduled for a December 13th release, the Panasonic GH3 camera body’s launch has been pushed back to December 29th. Do note that this decision only affects the body-only configuration; two kits - one with the 12-35mm f/2.8 lens and one with the 14-140mm superzoom - are going on sale today in Japan, according to schedule.

Source: Panasonic Japan
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 compact system camera

We've selected our top camera picks for 2012's Holiday season, all the way from the cheapest digital compact up to the most expensive DSLR and everything in between.

And we should know what to recommend - we've reviewed no less than 86 new cameras of all shapes and sizes so far in 2012.

So no matter what your budget, make sure that you consult the Photography Blog Holiday Gift Guide for 2012 before splashing out your hard-earned cash on a new camera, whether that's either for yourself or a loved one!

Sony has announced the creation of the world’s first real time digital photography exhibition, allowing visitors to appreciate the work of three photographers - Lee Strickland, William Daniels and Paul Sullivan - from the moment the shots are taken. Sony has partnered with three photographers, based in Berlin, London and Paris across Europe, who have been set the creative task of ‘capturing the light’ of their home cities.  They have each been armed with a Sony NEX-5R compact system camera, complete with built in Wi-Fi allowing them to send photos directly to the Sony ‘Real Time Gallery’ located in central London (91 Brick Lane). Open for one night only (15th November), the innovative exhibition promises to transport visitors to the three iconic European cities, where they can experience the atmospheres that make each city unique.