The new Sony firmware updates promised for today are now available for download. The ?33 and ?55 firmware upgrades add support for the ‘Picture Effect’ function featured on the new ?35 model. The firmware upgrades also bring revised menus and a new mode that lets users switch shooting parameters overlaid on-screen for clear, uncluttered composition. The Sony A33 and A55 cameras’ Digital Level Gauge can also be displayed when shooting via the optional CLM-V55 external LCD monitor. Frequently used features can now be custom-assigned to the D-RANGE button. The A55 firmware update also enables high-speed synchronisation for compatible flash units during wireless operation. The firmware updates for the Sony NEX-3 (pictured) and NEX-5 cameras adds the new ‘Picture Effect’ function as introduced on the new NEX?C3 and also introduce a ‘Peaking’ function in MF mode.

Websites: Sony A33 | A55 | NEX-3 | NEX-5 Firmware Upgrades

A hands-on preview of the new Panasonic GF3 compact system camera, accompanied by a gallery of images.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 is the smallest and lightest Lumix G Micro System camera to date. Featuring a FourThirds sized 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor, a Micro Four Thirds lens mount, a pop-up flash and a 3” touch-sensitive rear screen with a resolution of 460,000 dots; the new Panasonic GF3 is capable of capturing full-resolution photos at up to 4 frames per second. Its speedy operation is further enhanced by an extremely fast contrast-detect auto-focus system that can lock on a subject in approximately 0.1-0.18 second depending on the lens attached. Users can choose from a wide range of AF modes – including Pinpoint AF which allows very precise, near–pixel?level focus point specification at the touch of a finger. In addition to capturing stills, the Panasonic Lumix GF3 can also be used to shoot 1080i HD movies with Dolby sound, full-time AF and AF tracking. A dedicated button on the top lets you instantly start recording movies a whenever you see something worthy of being filmed..The Panasonic GF3 will be available in a kit with the 14mm f/2.5 pancake lens for £549.99 / $699.95.

Billed as the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable-lens camera with an APS-C sized sensor, the new Sony NEX-C3 is a tiny compact system camera offering a resolution of 16.2 megapixels. Weighing in at 225 grams, the Sony NEX-C3 is approximately 6% lighter than last year’s NEX-3. In addition to capturing high-resolution photographs, the NEX-C3 can also record 720p HD video. A new in-camera ‘Picture Effect’ setting lets users add extra impact to stills or HD video during shooting. Options include Partial Colour, Retro Photo, Pop Colour, High Contrast Monochrome, Posterisation, High-key and Toy Camera. There’s also a ‘Soft Skin’ effect that removes wrinkles and blemishes from portrait subjects. Improved energy efficiency boosts battery stamina to 400 still shots per charge – over 20% more than the NEX-5/NEX-3. The new NEX-C3 will be available this August in silver, black and pink with an 18-55mm kit zoom and will cost about $650.  It will also be offered in black only with a 16mm lens for about $600.

Available from June 20th, a firmware upgrade for the Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras adds the new ‘Picture Effect’ function as introduced on the new NEX?C3. It also adds a Peaking function to assist with more precise manual focusing. Available free to registered users, the latest Version 04 firmware update will be available from these websites:

NEX-3 Windows | NEX-3 MAC OS
NEX-5 Windows | NEX-5 MAC OS

DxO Labs have unveiled their findings and DxOMark Sensor Scores for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Micro Four Thirds camera. The overall score is 56, which is lower than that of the GH2 and significantly lower than that of the GH1, but higher than the score achieved by the G1 and G2. In their analysis, DxO Labs note that the low-light ISO score is 1/3 stop better than that of the G1/G2, while dynamic range is up to 2 stops better at high sensitivity settings (particularly ISO 6400).

Website: DxOMark

A hands-on preview of the new Panasonic G3 compact system camera, with a gallery of 28 photos.

A photo gallery comparing the Panasonic G3 alongside several other compact system cameras.

Take a peek inside as we unbox the brand new Panasonic G3 compact system camera.

The Panasonic LUMIX G3 is the world’s smallest Compact System Camera with a build-in Electronic View Finder. The Panasonic G3 features a 15.8-megapixel sensor, fast auto-focus speed of up to 0.1 second, 3-inch free-angle touch-screen LCD, 4fps continuous shooting and full HD 1920 x 1080 50i movies. The Panasonic LUMIX G3 will be available in June for £629/$699 including a kit zoom.

Sony Czech Republic have published the full manual for the new Sony NEX-C3 compact system camera (thanks to SonyAlphaRumours for spotting this). The widely rumoured Sony NEX C3 features a 16 megapixel sensor, tilting LCD screen, built-in pop-up flash, stereo sound, a new range of Picture Effects and will be smaller than the year-old NEX-3 model that it replaces. Interestingly, the manual also makes reference to a NEX-5C model, not sure if this is just a typo…

The login details for the public download site are:
Username: czmanuals
Password: pooyaiD7

Download the Sony NEX-C3 Manual (Czech)

Samsung has posted firmware upgrades for the Samsung NX10 (pictured) and NX100 compact system cameras. The firmware upgrades improve AF performance, and add a new Panorama Shot scene mode plus compatibility with the Optical Image Stabiliser of the 50-200mm f/4-5.6 II lens to both cameras. The upgrades are available now for all NX100 and NX10 customers to download at the websites below.

Ricoh has released a firmware update for the Ricoh GXR system. Version 1.36 resolves an issue that concerns the accurate display of colours while changing exposure settings in the Cross Process scene mode. This applies to all GXR modules. Additionally, the update contains fixes for a couple of bugs that affect the Ricoh GR Lens A12 28mm f/2.5 (pictured) and the Ricoh GR Lens A12 50mm f/2.5 MACRO sensor-lens modules only.

Website: Ricoh GXR Firmware

Panasonic scooped up three TIPA awards this year. The Lumix DMC-FT3 / DMC-TS3 has won the accolade of “Best Rugged Compact Camera”, the Lumix DMC-GH2 (pictured) has received the “Best Expert Compact System Camera” award, while the Panasonic Gold Pro SDHC UHS-I memory cards have been named 2011’s “Best Imaging Storage Media”.

Olympus UK has reduced the price of the Olympus PEN E-PL1 compact system camera to £299.99. Announced slightly over a year ago, the Olympus E-PL1 hit the shelves at a price of £549.99 - thus, the new price is £250 less than what early adopters had to pay for it at launch. You can also buy the camera in a twin-lens kit for £449.99. This bundle includes the camera body plus the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm L f/3.5-5.6 standard zoom and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lenses, the latter of which we recently reviewed.

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Olympus PEN E-PL1 camera
Review: Read our in-depth review of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4-5.6 lens

Panasonic have teamed up with Adobe and Going Digital to offer a photography gift pack worth £150 with purchases of a selected Lumix G model. Included in the pack are Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 & Adobe Premier Elements 9 software and a £35 gift voucher with Going Digital who offer a wide range of one-day photography workshops.

HireACamera has announced the launch of a new hire range consisting of Micro Four thirds and Sony E mount cameras, camcorders, lenses and accessories. Compact system cameras for hire include the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 and GH2, and the Sony NEX-5. Additionally, a range of lenses from Leica, Olympus, Panasonic and Voigtländer are available for hire for the Micro Four Thirds mount. The range of Sony E-mount lenses is restricted at present, but further lenses will be added as and when they are launched, the company says. For more information, visit the website below.

Ricoh has posted a major firmware update for the Ricoh GXR body and four GXR lens modules, enabling the auto focus system to continuously follow the subject so that it’s in focus at precisely the moment you want to shoot. Version 1.33 also adds five new scene modes, including soft focus, cross process, toy camera, miniature and high-contrast black-and-white. Furthermore, exposure compensation] and white balance can be assigned to the zoom button. First announced on Thursday, this function-enhancing firmware upgrade is now available for download from the website below.

Website: Ricoh GXR Firmware 1.33

JTec have launched a cold shoe adapter for mounting an optical viewfinder, a camera plate, and an L-bracket for the Sony NEX-5 camera. The JTec cold shoe adapter allows you to use the NEX-5 with your favorite prime lens (with appropriate adapter) and an optical viewfinder. The camera plate and L-bracket allow the NEX-5 to be mounted to any Arca Swiss style tripod head, and makes convenient landscape panoramas possible. The cold show adapter costs $59.95, the camera plate $44.95 and the L-bracket $119.95.