Sony has issued a service notice to owners of the Sony NEX-5N compact system camera. The company says it has received reports of a “clicking” sound in videos recorded by the NEX-5N, and claims this phenomenon “occurs if the camera undergoes sudden motion while recording”. Sony says it has developed a fix for this problem, and will offer a performance improvement to NEX-5N end users during the period of its limited warranty accompanying the product.

Having already posted a number of hands-on photos of the Nikon 1 V1 and Nikon 1 J1 cameras and their accessories, it’s now time to share with you our first impressions of the system, based on our limited but intensive use of both cameras and a couple of lenses at the launch event.

Nikon were showcasing prototypes of future lenses and accessories for their brand new Nikon 1 compact camera system.

In addition to the V1, J1, four lenses and various accessories, there were seven more lenses on display, including macro, super telephoto, portrait, high-power travel zoom and standard prime lenses.

Also being shown were no less than 16 different colour variants of the J1 camera, a macro light, a system light, a movie unit including an external LCD finder, microphone and battery pack, and a range of silicon camera covers.

Want to see what the new Nikon 1 V1 looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on images showing off the new Nikon 1 V1 compact system camera from every angle.

We’ve also included a side-by-side comparison with the Olympus PEN Mini and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 to give you an idea of how big the Nikon V1 actually is.

Want to see what the new Nikon 1 J1 looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on images showing off the new Nikon 1 J1 compact system camera from every angle.

We’ve also included a side-by-side comparison with the Olympus PEN Mini and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 to give you an idea of how big the Nikon J1 actually is.

Want to see what the new Nikon 1 lenses and accessories look like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on images showing off the four new Nikon 1 lenses and various accessories from every angle.

Want to see what the new Nikon 1 J1 and Nikon 1 V1 look like in the flesh? Here’s a gallery of hands-on images showing off the new Nikon 1 V1 and J1 compact system cameras - as well as some of the new Nikon lenses - from every angle.

The Nikon 1 V1 is a new compact system camera with a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor and a high-resolution integrated electronic viewfinder. Featuring a 13,2x8,8mm imager with a “crop factor” of approximately 2.7, the Nikon 1 V1 weighs in at 383 grams including battery and memory card. The new Nikon 1 V1 also boasts an ultra-fast AF system as well as pre- and post-capture modes that help you avoid missed moments. The Nikon 1 V1 will be available in a kit with the new 10-30mm zoom for $899.95 / £829.99 / €962.00, starting mid-October.

The Nikon 1 J1 is an even smaller camera with a built-in flash, but no electronic viewfinder or Multi-Accessory Port. Both the Nikon 1 J1 and its lenses come in a variety of matching stylish colors, including white, pink, red, silver and black. The Nikon J1 offers the same core features as the more expensive V1 at a more affordable $649.95 / £549.99 / €638.00 with the 10-30mm zoom lens.

Along with the new cameras comes a new range of lenses and accessories, designed specifically for the Nikon 1 system. The lenses include a 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, 30-110mm f/3.8 -5.6, 10mm f/2.8 and 10-100mm f4.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM, with future 1 NIKKOR lenses already in development. The Nikon 1 range of optional system accessories includes a SB-N5 Speedlight flash, GP-N100 GPS unit, and FT-1 mount adapter for attaching any NIKKOR DSLR lens (all AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR lenses are compatible with the Nikon 1 autofocus system).

The Pentax Q will be stocked exclusively in the UK at Jessops until 1st November 2011. Jessops will offer a single lens package of the Pentax Q plus 8.5mm lens for £599.99. A twin lens package of the Pentax Q plus 8.5mm lens and 5-15mm zoom lens will retail for £729.99.

In Japan, Canon’s and Nikon’s combined share of the interchangeable-lens camera market has shrunk by an estimated 35% due to the onslaught of compact system cameras (CSCs). Citing “estimates at research firm BCN Inc.,” news agency Bloomberg claims that the biggest winner of this market restructuring is Sony, whose share has allegedly doubled. The situation is quite different in places like Europe and North America, where consumers are much less eager to embrace new technologies, allowing traditional SLR camera makers to continue enjoying healthy profits. Nevertheless, Bloomberg quotes a Nikon spokeswoman as saying, “Nikon has completed development of a next-generation camera” - although for the time being, it remains a secret if that “next-generation camera” is a CSC or not.

Source: Bloomberg via 1001NoisyCameras

Want to see what the new Pentax Q compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the Pentax Q, the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera, together with the 47mm prime lens.

Want to see what the new Samsung NX200 looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the Samsung NX200 compact system camera, together with the 16mm pancake, 18-55mm, 18-200mm, 60mm, and 85mm lenses.

The Samsung NX200 is a new compact system camera that delivers professional standard photography. The NX200 features a 20.3 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, high speed capture (including 100ms Advanced Auto Focus), wide range ISO (100-12800), HD movie recording, and Samsung’s unique i-Function lens. Samsung have also unveiled four new lenses, which are the 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 ED OIS superzoom, 16mm F2.4 pancake, 60mm F2.8 Macro ED OIS SSA, and 85mm F1.4 ED SSA portrait lens.

The Samsung NX200 will cost £699 in a kit with the 18-55mm lens or the 20-50mm lens (there’s no body only option), and will be available in September. The 16mm pancake will cost £299, available imminently, and the 18-200mm retails for £699 and is available now. The 85mm and 60mm lenses will be released in October, pricing to be announced.

Panasonic has announced a new firmware update programme for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 / G3 / GF3 / GF2, giving these cameras enhanced functionality when used in combination with the two new power zoom lenses. While the new lenses can be used on any Micro Four Thirds camera - including the above models with current firmware -, these new updates add some extra functions that will only be available on these four cameras (and, presumably, future Panasonic models). The extra functions include the electronic display of the focal length while zooming, an optional step-zoom feature, the ability for the camera to remember and restore the last-used zoom position after being powered off and on again, and the ability to manually select the desired zoom speed. The new firmware updates will be available worldwide from the beginning of October.

Ricoh has announced the imminent release of the 4th function-enhancing firmware upgrade for its GXR system. Available tomorrow, 31 August 2011, this major update has been “developed in response to opinions and requests received from a large number of customers via surveys submitted at customer registration time and other channels”, the company says. The 4th function-enhancing firmware update brings greater focusing precision, new aspect ratio choices for the “auto resize zoom” function, custom white balance setting for flash photography, new intermediate ISO speeds, enhanced customisability for the ISO AUTO-HI setting, the ability to display the electronic level gauge when shooting with the self-timer and new vignetting options for the cross-process and the toy camera filters. The GR LENS A12 28mm and GR LENS A12 50mm camera units additionally benefit from two new shutter speed options (bulb and time) in manual exposure mode.

Pentax has posted a few official sample images taken with the new Pentax Q compact system camera. Captured at ISO 125 and ISO 200 using the (50mm equivalent) 8.5mm f/1.9 lens at f/2.8, these four Pentax Q samples were shot raw and developed in-camera. To see them at full resolution, follow the link below and click on the images.

Website: Pentax Japan

Via RiceHigh’s Pentax Blog

Want to see what the exciting new Sony NEX-7 camera looks like in the flesh?

We braved the media scrum to bring you a gallery of hands-on photos of the World’s only working sample of the Sony NEX-7, which was on display for the first time at Sony’s European press event in Athens, Greece.

Want to see what the new Sony NEX-5N camera looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the Sony NEX-5N, including the new Sony 55-210mm and Carl Zeiss 24mm lenses, and various accessories.

Olympus has announced the recommended retail prices of the Olympus E-PM1 (a.k.a. PEN Mini) compact system camera in the UK and the US. The smallest digital PEN, which boasts features like an ultra-fast 35-point auto-focus system, wireless flash control via a bundled clip-on unit, Multi Exposure, 1080i Full HD movie recording with stereo sound and compatibility with 20 Micro Four Thirds, 27 Four Thirds and more than 500 other lenses (via adapters), will be available in early autumn for £449.99/$499.95 including a kit zoom and a tiltable external flash.

The Sony NEX-7 is a 24.3-megapixel compact system camera with an eye-level electronic viewfinder, responsive autofocus and world’s shortest shutter lag. Using the same Exmor APS HD sensor as the Sony A77 and A65 “SLT” cameras, the Sony NEX-7 offers a combination of ultra-high resolution and a sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000. The NEX-7 also features quick, easy control over creative settings via an intuitive new TRINAVI control. Two control dials on the top of the camera are complemented by a control wheel. Pushing the navigation button cycles quickly through various shooting modes, allowing enthusiasts to make adjustments swiftly and easily. The NEX-7 is also the world’s first compact camera that features an XGA OLED electronic viewfinder with approximately 100% frame coverage. In speed priority mode, the NEX-7 captures fast-moving action at up to 10fps (though AF performance remains to be seen). The NEX-7 introduces an Auto-lock Accessory Shoe that supports accessories including HVL-F58AM, F43AM and F20AM Flash, the HVL-MT24AM Macro Twin Flash Kit and CLM-V55 Clip-on LCD Monitor. Also capable of shooting full HD video at either 50fps or 25fps, the Sony NEX-7 will be available from November for about £1000/$1200. A kit comprising the NEX-7 camera and Sony E 18-55mm zoom lens will also be offered, for £1100/$1350.