Ricoh has announced the imminent release of the second function-enhancing firmware update for the Ricoh GXR system. The update contains no less tha 11 function enhancements, including the addition of 3 handy magnification ratios for the focus check function, spot AF and macro AF area selection, EXIF 2.3 support, auto noise reduction, a focus limiter for the GR Lens A12 50mm f/2.5 MACRO module, and faster autofocus, among other improvements. The firmware update will be posted tomorrow.

Website: Ricoh GXR Firmware (available from 27 October 2010)

The new firmware update for the Sony NEX-3 and Sony NEX-5 compact system cameras, which was announced in September, is now available for download.  Autofocus is now supported when using the NEX-5 and NEX-3 with 14 A-mount SAM and SSM lenses by Sony and Carl Zeiss (so by far not all A-mount optics). Aperture settings can be maintained during HD movie recording, and system menu operation has been streamlined alongside other usability improvements. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Sony Europe Support

Peartree has announced that it will be the first camera dealer in the world to demonstrate the 80-megapixel Leaf Aptus-II 12 digital back. You can join them on 19th October at their London showroom for a test drive. The PC-Tilt Shift Apo-Digitar 5.6/120 HM Aspheric Schneider Kreuznach lens, which we checked out at Photokina, will also be with Peartree. The showroom is located at Cremer Business Centre, 37 Cremer Street, London, E2 8HD.

Samsung has released a firmware update for its NX5 and NX10 compact system cameras, adding support for the new i-Function lens.Version 1.20 also provides support for an external GPS module that enables the geotagging of photos captured with these cameras. Additional improvements include better AF speed and accuracy and the addition of firmware-based lens distortion reduction. To download the firmware update, follow the link below.

Website: Samsung UK

Panasonic has teamed up with Adobe and Going Digital to offer a photography gift pack worth £150, available with any purchase of a Panasonic GF1, G10 or G2 compact system camera. Included in the pack is Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 as well as Adobe Premiere Elements 9 software plus Going Digital, who offer a range of one-day photography workshops for beginners to more experienced photographers. The free training voucher can be used on any of their training workshops. The Photography Gift Pack will be available from 8th October – 31st January.

DxOMark raw sensor data are are now available for the new Canon EOS 60D, Samsung NX10 and NX100 digital cameras. Unsurprisingly, the Canon 60D produced almost exactly the same results as the 7D and the 550D, with only the Low-Light ISO score differing slightly from both of these models (which received different scores on this metric themselves). The two Samsung produced lower scores on Low-Light ISO (and also in terms of dynamic range), but got higher scores on colour depth. Overall the two Samsung models finished just slightly behind the Canon EOS 60D.

Website: DxOMark

Phase One have announced an unprecedented new-product investment protection plan. Customers who wish to upgrade to a new product within 6 months of its official launch will receive 90 percent of their original purchase price against any new Phase One digital back launched at a higher price within 18 months of the original purchase date, 50 percent against any new Phase One camera body launched at a higher price within 24 months, and 50 percent against any new Phase One or Schneider Kreuznach lens for the Phase One 645 camera platform launched at a higher price within 24 months.

A new firmware update for the Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras will be available from mid-October. A new custom function allows assignment to buttons of frequently-used functions, which should address some of our main criticisms of the NEX interface, plus there’s a new function to record movies with a specific aperture. Autofocus operation will be supported when using A-mount SAM and SSM lenses with the optional LA-EA1 Mount Adaptor. In addition Sony are planning 7 new E-mount lenses and a flashgun for 2011 and 2012.

Panasonic are releasing new firmware for the G2 and 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 lens. Available in October, the G2 update will provide compatibility with the new 3D lens, while the 14-140mm update improves AF performance and reduces start-up time.

The Hasselblad CFV-50 (shown above with Hasselblad 202FA camera body) is a new 50-megapixel digital back for Hasselblad V-system cameras. Joining the ranks of the company’s CFV-16 and CFV-39 offerings, the Hasselblad CFV-50 is the third digital solution for V-system users. Compatible with virtually all existing V-cameras, including the 202FA/203FE/205FCC models, the CFV-50 (€11,990) offers cable-free operation and optimised integration between back, body and lens, Hasselblad says.

What does it feel like to hold a £20,000, limited edition camera? We found out as Leica showed off their new M9 Titanium camera, lovingly created by the chief designer of the Volkswagen Group, Walter de’Silva. The hand-crafted box itself is a thing of beauty, with an accompanying book detailing the design process of the M9 Titanium in intricate detail, including 5 early designs. With virtually every part milled from solid titanium, a scratch proof glass LCD screen and a special fingerprint-proof finish applied in Switzerland, the Leica M9 Titanium should look as good in 100 years as it does now.

Panasonic announced the new Lumix DMC-GH2 yesterday, and we got a chance to try out a working product at their booth. Our first impression was, “wow, this thing is really fast to focus!” Panasonic claims AF speeds as fast as 0.1 second with the 14-140mm lens set to its widest setting - and indeed, we found that focus acquisition was basically instantaneous at that focal length, even in the relatively dim lighting of the stand. What was possibly even more impressive though was that it focussed almost as quickly with the lens zoomed all the way in to 140mm - it was almost scary to see a completely blurred subject standing at the other end of the room snap into focus in a fraction of a second. Of course further testing needs to be done to see if this blazing speed doesn’t compromise accuracy, but our first impressions were extremely favourable.

The Leica M9 Titanium is an exclusive special edition made in collaboration with the chief designer of the Volkswagen Group, Walter de’Silva. This special edition is strictly limited to just 500 cameras worldwide, and is offered as a set together with a LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens, whose exterior metal components are also manufactured from solid titanium. The LEICA M9 Titanium set will be available in the UK from the end of November 2010 for £19,800.

Want to see exactly what the new Fujifilm X100 rangefinder-like digital camera looks like?

Then check out our exclusive hands-on photo gallery of the prototype X100 ahead of its debut at tomorrow’s Photokina opening day.

Update: We’ve added some more photos of the X100 from the Fujifilm stand - plus the X100 price has been announced - £900, $999, 999 Euros…

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is a new 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds camera with extremely fast contrast-detect autofocus and a multi-aspect LiveMOS sensor.. Featuring an intuitive touch control for setting the active focus point, the new Panasonic GH2 boasts focusing times as low as 0.1 second at the wide end of the 14-140mm lens. To match the multi-aspect sensor in the GH2, Panasonic has also developed a multi-aspect EVF with a resolution of 1.53 million dots, a magnification of 1.42x, and 100% frame coverage. In addition to capturing 16-megapixel stills, the GH2 also offers Full HD video recording at variable frame rates including cine standard 24fps with a bit rate of up to 24Mbps. Along with the Lumix GH2, Panasonic also unveiled three new lenses, including a wide 14mm f2.5 pancake, a 100-300mm super-telezoom and a 12.5mm 3D lens. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 will cost £899.99 with the 14-42mm lens and £1299.99 with the 14-140mm lens.

The interchangeable lens, medium-format Pentax 645D digital SLR camera will be launched in the UK in December 2010. The 645D produces extra-sharp, super-high-resolution images with approximately 40 effective megapixels, and is also surprisingly easy to use despite its large size, as we experienced yesterday. The Pentax 645D will be available from early December 2010 for £8999.99 (body only) or £9999.99 for the kit (inc. 55mm SDM 645 lens).

The Leaf Aptus-II 12 is the world’s highest resolution, one-shot medium format digital camera back. The Leaf Aptus-II 12 (and Leaf Aptus-II 12R with internal rotating sensor) features a full-frame 53.7 x 40.3mm 80 MP CCD sensor, Users can choose to shoot images either at full resolution or they can “dial down” to select an aspect ratio, such as the 1:1 with 60MP resolution. The Leaf Aptus-II 12 and Leaf Aptus-II 12R digital backs are priced at €23,995 / $31,995 and can be ordered now.

The Fujifilm X100 is a surprise range-finder style camera slated for release in early 2011. Based around a 12.3 megapixel APS-C sensor and 23mm F2 Fujinon lens, the Fuji X100 is just a development announcement at the moment, but one that isn’t too far away from reality. Other key features of the X100 include a Hybrid Viewfinder which toggles between optical and electronic viewfinders, 2.8-inch rear LCD, 5fps continuous shooting and a beautiful retro design and attention to detail. No word yet on availability in the UK, US or indeed anywhere - we’ll hopefully have some hands-on, or maybe behind-glass, shots of the Fujifilm X100 when it makes its public debut at Photokina.

Canon promises to showcase an exciting range of innovative imaging products at this year’s Photokina. To ensure all visitors at this year’s Photokina, which runs from 21st to 26th September, can try Canon’s new products with ease, a 3,155-square-metre showcase has been built and can be found in Halle 3.2. Some of the highlights include the Canon EOS 60D digital SLR camera, the Canon XF105 professional camcorder, the Canon IXUS 1000 HS compact ultrazoom camera, the EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM zoom lens (pictured) as well as Canon’s Pixma and imagePROGRAF printers.

This year’s Hasselblad booth at Photokina will be a hotspot for attendees to learn about and experience the world of Hasselblad. Renowned fashion photographer Tom Hagemeyer will re-create the excitement of the Paris cabaret by staging a burlesque show at the booth. Visitors will have the opportunity to photograph this event using the Hasselblad H4D. Interested readers are encouraged to pre-register online at the Hasselblad website for the Catwalk Experience. The show will run several times a day throughout the length of the fair. Hasselblad is also setting up a special stage with one of the world’s most extraordinary sports cars. Professional automobile photographers Guenther Raupp (Tuesday-Thursday) and Roberto Bigano (Friday-Sunday) will offer 30-minute Master Classes five times a day for attendees to get a first-hand look at their set-up and shooting techniques.