The Sony NEX-5N is a new compact system camera with a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, responsive auto focus, world’s shortest shutter lag and 1080p/50fps video recording capability. Doubled signal readout speeds and more efficient processing have resulted in an AF that is significantly faster than the current NEX-5 model, Sony claims. Maximum sensitivity is also boosted to ISO 25600, the highest among mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. Stereo audio quality is improved, with revised circuitry that lowers wind noise levels, especially when shooting quiet scenes. Like the also-new Sony NEX-7, the NEX-5N offers a speed priority mode in which the camera can capture full-resolution photographs at up to 10fps. Unlike that camera, the Sony NEX-5N has no eye-level EVF and comes with a Photo Creativity Touch interface rather than the wheel-and-dial-based UI of the higher specified model. Priced at $600, the NEX-5N will be available from September. The camera will also be offered in a kit with the existing Sony E 18-55mm zoom lens, for about $700.

In the UK, the Sony NEX-5N will be available in a bundle with either the Sony E 18-55mm or the Sony E 16mm f/2.8 lens from September, priced at £600 and £700 respectively. A double-zoom kit, comprising the Sony NEX-5N camera body and the 18-55mm as well as the new 55-210mm lens, will be offered from November for £800. Sony UK is not planning to sell the NEX-5N as a body-only option.

Olympus has released firmware updates for six digital cameras. The Olympus XZ-1, E-P2, E-PL1 and E_PL2 gain support for the new VF-3 electronic viewfinder, while the updates for the VR-310 and VR-320 compacts improve the image quality of the rear LCD screen. You can learn how to update your camera’s firmware by clicking through to the website below.

Website: Olympus Firmware & Language Update Instructions

The Ricoh GXR A12 is a new GXR system lens mount unit that accepts Leica M lenses. Featuring an an APS-C size CMOS sensor, the GXR A12 is compatible with both the Leica M mount and many more types of mounts if a conversion adapter is used. The A12 also offers a newly developed focal plane shutter as well as an electronic shutter, a number of lens correction functions to accommodate the different lenses, and a focus-assist function to improve the accuracy of manual focusing. The Ricoh GXR A12 will be available from September 9th, priced at $649, with the Soft Case B SC-75B at $65 and the Soft Case T SC-75T at $35.

Ricoh has posted a firmware upgrade for its GXR system. Version 1.37, which affects the Ricoh GXR camera body, GR LENS A12 28mm F2.5, GR LENS A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO, RICOH LENS S10 24-72 mm F2.5-4.4 VC and RICOH LENS P10 28-300 mm F3.5-5.6 VC, addresses the following issue: “The focus setting may not be reflected properly if the shooting mode is manually set to [S] mode (Shutter priority mode) in the [Edit My Settings] menu.” S10 owners get an additional bug fix related to the One-Press M Mode function. The firmware updates can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Ricoh GXR Firmware

Olympus America has also announced availability and pricing for the Olympus E-PL3. Also called the Olympus PEN Lite, the 12-megapixel E-PL3 is the latest Micro Four Thirds model, offering speedy auto-focus, a tiltable rear screen, flash hot-shoe, accessory port, in-body image stabilisation and a selection of Art Filters. The camera will be available from September in two different configurations; a zoom kit including the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm lens and a prime kit including the 17mm f/2.8 pancake lens (read review). The estimated street price for each kit is $699.99. The news comes after similar pricing announcements by Olympus UK and Olympus Europe.

The twelve-megapixel Olympus E-PL3 Micro Four Thirds camera, which boasts a tilting LCD panel and ultra-fast auto-focus, has now been priced for the Euro zone. Following a similar announcement by Olympus UK, the Japanese manufacturer’s European branch has announced that the Olympus E-PL3 PEN Lite will be available in August for €599 including a 14-42mm zoom lens.

Olympus UK has announced the suggested retail price and availability of the Olympus PEN E-PL3 compact system camera. The Olympus E-PL3 boasts ultra-fast auto-focus, a new 12-megapixel FourThirds format sensor, tiltable rear screen, flash hot-shoe, accessory port, in-body image stabilisation and compatibility with the full line of Micro Four Thirds lenses. Also called the PEN Lite, the Olympus E-PL3 will be in the shops from late summer in black, white, silver or red; priced at £549.99 with the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R zoom lens.

Photos: Check out our hands-on photos of the Olympus PEN E-PL3 compact system camera

DxO Labs have released their detailed findings on the Olympus E-P3’s new 12-megapixel sensor. The overall DxO Mark Sensor score is 51, which is surprisingly low, given that even the older and cheaper Olympus E-PL2 achieved a somewhat higher rating. The site puts raw dynamic range at 10.1 stops (at base sensitivity), which sounds like a lot but is actually among the lowest values they’ve ever published for a digital camera. The E-P3’s low-light ISO score of 536 is also quite low for a recent interchangeable-lens camera, although higher than that of the Panasonic GF2’s rating of 506. (Remember that these numbers measure raw sensor performance only, and tell you nothing about things like the cameras’ handling, focusing and operational speed, image processing, mechanical quality or overall ease of use.)

Website: DxOMark

To popularise the new Lumix G3 compact system camera, Panasonic has launched a campaign entitled ‘Small Camera, Epic Shots’ which enlists the talents of two UK professional photographers. David Eustace heads to Yosemite National Park, while urban photographer Will Cooper-Mitchell explores the bustling New York City to find out for themselves how the camera performs in two very different and visually stimulating environments. Devised by creative agency Brave, the campaign will feature on television, in print, online and in store and breaks on the 15th July.

Update: Click through / scroll down to view the New York City TV spot.

A hands-on preview of the new Olympus PEN E-P3 compact system camera, accompanied by a gallery of images.

A gallery of 15 hands-on photos of the new Olympus E-PM1 PEN Mini compact system camera.

A gallery of 12 hands-on photographs of the new Olympus E-PL3 compact system camera and Olympus FL-300R wireless flash.

Panasonic has unveiled a range of special and limited edition collectables to celebrate London 2012. Custom designed versions of the Lumix G3 compact system camera and DMC-S3 compact camera are amongst the products on offer. Panasonic has manufactured just 2,012 of each model, and each comes with a commemorative one-year-to-go £5 coin from the Royal Mint and new London 2012 packaging.

The Olympus PEN E-P3 is the new flagship of the digital PEN fleet, offering ultra-fast AF, a pop-up flash, a comprehensive set of manual controls and a 610,000-dot touch-sensitive OLED screen. Olympus says it has implemented the world’s fastest auto-focus system in the PEN E-P3, making it “a genuine alternative to bulkier and more expensive SLRs”. Other highlights include a metal body, a 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor with a top sensitivity setting of ISO 12800, 3fps continuous shooting, 1080i/60fps high-definition video recording with stereo sound, a flash hot-shoe, an accessory port, an electronic level gauge and no less than 3 customisable buttons for easy operation. The new OLED touchscreen offers fingertip scrolling and enlarging of photos as well as control of the shutter release, AF points and the pop-up Live Guide. The Olympus E-P3 will be available from August for £799. This price includes the camera body and a 14-42mm kit zoom.

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 (also known as the PEN Mini) is a small and lightweight 12-megapixel compact system camera featuring what its manufacturer claims to be the world’s fastest auto-focus system, with 35 AF points and an AF assist light. Other notable features include in-body image stabilisation, a top shutter speed of 1/4000th second, a 5fps continuous shooting mode, a top sensitivity setting of ISO 12800, a hot-shoe, an accessory port and the ability to record 1080i high-definition videos with stero sound, with the capability to apply one of 6 Art Filters to videos as they are being captured. The Olympus PEN E-PM1 is available from early autumn 2011 with pricing to be confirmed.

The new Olympus PEN Lite (also called the Olympus PEN E-PL3) is a 12-megapixel compact system camera with a tilting LCD screen and extremely fast auto focus. Like the other two Olympus Micro Four Thirds system cameras announced today, the Olympus E-PL3 boasts what its manufacturer calls the world’s fastest AF system; with 35 AF points, low-light AF Illuminator and out-of-picture AF Tracking. Unique to the E-PL3 is a 3” tiltable LCD screen that makes it easy to take ground-level or above-the-head shots. Other features include sensor-shift image stabilisation, 5fps sequential shooting, 1080i HD video recording, a maximum sensitivity of ISO12800, a hot shoe and an accessory port. The Olympus PEN E-PL3 is available from autumn 2011 with pricing to be confirmed.

The Pentax Q is a new compact system camera that offers the world’s lightest and smallest body. Based around a back illuminated 12.4 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS image sensor, the Pentax Q uses the brand new super-compact Q-mount lens system, which has an outer diameter six millimetres shorter than that of Pentax’s conventional K mount. The Pentax Q also features Full HD movie recording, sensor-shift Shake Reduction mechanism, built-in flash, 5fps continuous shooting, 3.0-inch colour LCD monitor, and an extensive range of Smart Effect modes. An external viewfinder and camera case will also be launched alongside the Pentax Q. The Pentax Q will be available in white or black in mid-September 2011, pricing to be announced in the UK. Anticipated shipping time to the United States is early Fall 2011 at around $800 for the standard lens kit. The shoe-mounted viewfinder will be available at the same time for $249.95.

Pentax have unveiled five interchangeable lenses designed for exclusive use with the new Pentax Q compact system camera. The High-performance series emphasizes image rendition, while the Unique series offers outstanding cost performance and ease of lens changeability. The five lenses are the “PENTAX-01 STANDARD PRIME” unifocal standard lens (47mm) and the “PENTAX-02 STANDARD ZOOM” standard zoom lens (27.5-83mm) in the High-performance series, and the “PENTAX-03 FISH EYE” unifocal ultra-wide-angle lens (160 degree view), the “PENTAX-04 TOY LENS WIDE” unifocal wide-angle lens and the “PENTAX-05 TOY LENS TELEPHOTO” unifocal telephoto lens in the Unique series. In the UK the price and availability of the Q mount interchangeable lenses is still to be announced. In the US, the PENTAX 02 Standard Zoom will cost $299.95, the PENTAX 03 Fish-Eye $129.95, The PENTAX 04 Toy Lens Wide $79.95 USD and the PENTAX 05 Toy Lens Telephoto $79.95.

Leica is looking into producing compact system cameras (CSCs) to compete with the mirrorless systems of Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony. In an interview given to Amateur Photographer (AP), Leica CEO Alfred Schopf and chairman Dr Andreas Kaufmann revealed that the company is planning to announce a compact system camera featuring “an imaging sensor at least as large as an APS-size” at Photokina 2012. The news comes as a surprise, especially given that a number of Leica-designed (and -branded) Panasonic lenses are already available for the Micro Four Thirds system, including the Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 ASPH. Mega O.I.S: (read review) and the brand new Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH. From the interview, you can also learn - among other things - whether Leica is still considering the introduction of a digital R system and whether they are outsourcing the production of Leica lenses to China.

Source: Amateur Photographer