The Sony A3000 is a budget-friendly 20.1-megapixel compact system camera with a 201,600-dot electronic viewfinder, an ergonomic hand-grip  and an APS-C sized Exmor CMOS sensor. Compatible with the manufacturer's E mount lenses, the Sony A3000 weighs in at 411 grams including a battery, and features a Multi Interface Shoe that allows you to attach various accessories such as a powerful system flash, a video IR light or an external microphone. In addition to capturing 20-megapixel stills, the Sony A3000 is also capable of recording Full HD videos, with a choice of 50i or 25p shooting modes. The Sony A3000 is available to pre-order from the website below, with shipments expected to commence in September. The camera is priced at £370/$400.

Samsung today announced two new promotions for its NX range of compact system cameras. From today until the 31st October 2013, customers are eligible to receive a free 50-200mm lens worth £249, when they purchase a Samsung NX2000 or Samsung NX300 from participating retailers. Do note that the promotional offers are available to UK and Ireland residents only. To learn more, visit the website below.

The Samsung Galaxy NX is now available to buy in the UK. The Galaxy NX is the world’s first 4G interchangeable lens Connected Compact System Camera (CSC) and is on sale at Jessops for £1299, with selected online and high street retailers to follow.

The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) has recognised the Samsung NX300 and Galaxy NX compact system cameras with two prestigious awards. The 20.3-megapixel NX300 has been named the 'European Compact System Camera of the Year 2013-2014,' while the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy NX (pictured) has been awarded the 'European Photo Innovation 2013-2014' title.

Panasonic has received EISA awards for its Lumix DMC-GH3 compact system camera and the new version of its Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 Asph. / Power O.I.S.lens. Established in 1982, the European Imaging Sound Association (EISA) is a multimedia association that tests consumer electronic products. The Lumix GH3 won the ‘European Photo-Video Camera 2013-2014’ award for its versatility as a high class still and video camera, while the updated Lumix G Vario 14-140mm lens was named the ‘European Compact System Zoom Lens 2013-2014.'

The European Imaging & Sound Association (EISA) has honoured two Olympus cameras with leading awards. The Olympus PEN E-P5 has won the European Advanced Compact System Camera 2013-2014, and the Tough TG-2 (pictured) took the accolades in the European Travel Camera category. The EISA is an organisation representing 50 leading camera, imaging and audio magazines in 20 European countries. Each year it selects outstanding products and technologies from a wide spectrum of audio-visual product categories.

Panasonic has announced a collaboration with Ian Berry and Thomas Dworzak,  two members of Magnum Photos, to put the new Panasonic GX7 compact system camera to the test. "“The prospect of walking around with a camera like this and just a pocketful of lenses is just extraordinary," said Ian Berry, who used the new GX7 to capture images in Rome. "It has an incredible dynamic range. It holds up the highlights brilliantly when I assume they would have been lost but also holds up the shadows, so you can work with this extreme contrast." Another project saw Thomas Dworzak sent to Tbilisi, Georgia, where he was assigned to visually record its rich culture of people, movement and colour from new angles and found the GX7’s silent shutter function perfect for street photography. Ian and Thomas will be at Berlin’s IFA International show (6th-11th September) to officially reveal their images and give presentations about their experiences.

The Olympus PEN Art Edition is a luxury kit including two Olympus PEN E-P5 camera bodies (one custom painted), half a dozen Micro Four Thirds lenses, an FL-600R flash, a leather body jacket, neck strap, large PEN street case and... a hand-painted Vespa LX-50 scooter with matching hand-painted helmet! "By twinning a stunning high-end camera with an effortlessly cool custom painted white Vespa, this project sumptuously succeeds in being a true ‘one off’," Olympus says. "It’s a uniquely collectable first collaboration between urban artist Susie ‘Suzko’ Lowe and fashion photographer Jay McLaughlin."  Jay has documented the whole customisation process of the first Art Edition Kit for a limited edition perfect bound catalogue available on request in store. The luxury kit is available for £16,000 exclusively at Harrods Technology.

Olympus has released a firmware update for the Olympus E-P5 compact system camera. Version 1.2 incorporates certain modifications to the transfer mode settings for Eye-Fi cards. The firmware can be updated by connecting your camera to a computer with a working Internet connection and using the free Digital Camera Updater utility.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix GX7 compact system camera camera looks like in the flesh?

We have compiled an extensive gallery of 70 hands-on photos of the exciting new Panasonic GX7, including the silver and back versions, a selection of different lenses, and a side-by-side comparison with the original GF1 camera.

Pentax Ricoh UK has announced the pricing of the Pentax Q7 compact system camera. The Pentax Q7 body will be available for £369.99, and the camera will also be sold in two kits. The single-lens kit - consisting of the Q7 body and Pentax-02 Standard Zoom Lens - will cost £399.99, while the double-zoom kit will retail for £539.99.

Samsung has unveiled the suggested retail price of the Samsung Galaxy NX 3G/4G LTE capable, Android powered compact system camera. Available to pre-order from Warehouse Express, the 20-megapixel Samsung Galaxy NX can be yours for £1299 complete with a 18-55mm lens.

Fuji has posted a firmware update for the Fujifilm X-Pro1 compact system camera. Version 3.01 improves AF speed with most existing Fujinon XF lenses (provided that the lens firmware is also updated to the latest version), adds focus peaking, improves focus accuracy, and adds a new method to toggle between 3x and 10x magnification during manual focusing. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm Global

On 23rd July, Fuji will release major firmware updates for its Fujifilm X-Pro1 and X-E1 compact system cameras. Version 2.00 for the X-E1 and Version 3.00 for the X-Pro1 shall deliver improved AF speed on most existing XF lenses, an improvement of focus precision in various scenes, a new focus peaking function, an improvement to the method to change magnification during manual focus, and enahnced optical image stabilisation when recording video with the Fujinon XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens.

Panasonic has released a firmware update for its Lumix DMC-G5 compact system camera. Version 1.1 - which is intended for cameras sold and used in PAL broadcast regions - corrects the wording "60p/60i/30p" of AVCHD frame rate on [Rec Quality] menu to "50p/50i/25p." If you use the camera outside these regions - or if the wording of the menu item in question is already correct on your unit - you do not need to download this update.

Website: Panasonic Japan Support

Panasonic has posted a firmware for its flagship Micro Four Thirds camera the Panasonic GH3. According to the company, version 1.2 incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

1. "Low Light AF" is added that makes it possible to set focus on the subject in low-lit situations (-3EV).
2. "Silent Mode" is added which suppresses electronic shutter, shutter sound, operation sound and flash emission with a single setting.
3. "Exposure Comp. Reset" is added which resets the setting of exposure compensation to ±0 whenever the camera is turned off or the shooting mode is changed.
4. Performance of AF is enhanced in use with H-PS14042 and H-PS45175.
5. Connection problem with Apple Mac computers via Wi-Fi is fixed.

Website: Panasonic Japan Support

Pentax Japan has unveiled a blue-and-white edition of the Pentax K-01 compact system camera. Bundled with an smc Pentax-DA 40mmF2.8XS lens, the special blue-and-white edition of the Pentax K-01 will be available in Japan starting 25th July. Pricing and international availability have yet to be communicated.

Source: Pentax Japan

Pentax has issued a firmware update for the Pentax Q small-sensor compact system camera. Version 1.13 adds support for the Pentax-07 "mount shield lens" and improves overall stability. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Pentax Japan Support

Singapore-based photographer Aram Pan has created what must be the world's first spherical panoramic image shot on a Hasselblad Lunar. Having produced commercial VRs in Singapore, China, Greece, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Malaysia and Thailand; professional virtual-tour photographer Aram Pan used a Zeiss Touit Distagon T* 12mm f/2.8 lens on his newly purchased, US$6995 Hasselblad Lunar camera to shoot the source frames needed for the 360° panoramic image of Singapore Botanic Gardens, which can be viewed at the website below.

Websitw: 360 Cities

Pentax has posted a firmware update for the Pentax Q10 small-sensor compact system camera. Version 1.02 adds support for the Pentax-07 "mount shield lens" and improves overall stability. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Pentax Japan Support