Sony has posted a firmware update that enables the Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras to use their Sweep Panorama technology to capture 3D panoramic images. Other enhancements include improved 2D Sweep Panoramas, reduced power drain when the camera is switched off and quicker start-up in low-light conditions. Registered Sony NEX-3/NEX-5 owners will be advised of the update via email.

Website: Sony Europe Support

Olympus UK has announced a cashback offer on the Olympus E-PL1 mirrorless interchangeable-lens system camera. Starting tomorrow, 1st July, Olympus UK is offering £75 cashback on purchases of E-PL1 bodies and kits from authorised stockists. The offer will run in the UK and Ireland and is valid on purchases made up to 31st August 2010.

Panasonic’s new TV ad was shot using the camera it advertises. Set in Valencia and centred on two world-class parkour practicioners, the spectacular TV spot highlights the versatlity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 as a video camera. The filming technique employed enabled one of the parkour traceurs to flip off a wall over the other, holding not only the G2 to film his action but also a bespoke camera rig attached to the G2. In addition to the advert itself, Panasonic has released a behind-the-scenes video revealing how the ad was shot.

The official UK launch of the Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 took place at The Vinyl Factory in London, where collections from up-and-coming designers Bodyamr and Edward Finney were unveiled giving celebrity guests the chance to try out the latest kit. Pop starlet Keisha Buchanan took to the runway in a figure hugging creation from Bodyamr (see picture above), and onlookers were able to capture the moment with the new Sony NEX cameras. Rachel Banin, Category Head – Digital Imaging, at Sony UK said: “The exciting new NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras from Sony are the first to offer interchangeable lenses, outstanding D-SLR quality images and HD movie recording in a body the size of a compact camera. It was great to be able to launch these cameras with the help of some fantastic up and coming fashion talent and unique circus performers – creating the perfect setting to really put these cameras to the test.”

Jessops is offering its customers the first chance to snap up the Sony NEX-5 in the UK. Currently the smallest mirrorless interchangeable-lens digital camera in the world, the Sony NEX-5 features a 14.2-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, 25-point contrast-detect autofocus system, 49-segment exposure meter and a 3-inch tilting LCD panel with 921,000-dot resolution. Offering a capture rate of 7 frames per second for stills, the Sony NEX-5 can also shoot Full HD (1920 x1080i) video in AVCHD format. Encased in a magnesium alloy body, the Sony NEX-5 (shown above with 18-200mm lens) can be had for £589 including a 18-55mm lens with Optical Steady Shot image stabilisation.

The Sinar p3 view camera and the Sinar arTec architectural camera can now take third-party camera backs. Sinar has developed a new rear coupling frame for the Sinar p3 and matching adapters for Hasselblad V, H1/H2 and Mamiya 645 AFD, designed especially for users of digital backs made by other manufacturers. A similar expansion of versatility has taken place with the Sinar arTec camera which, with adapters for Hasselblad V, H1/H2 and Mamiya 645, is also available to users of third-party backs.

Samsung has issued a firmware update for the Samsung NX10 mirrorless interchangeable-lens system camera. Available today, version 1.15 improves stability, offers faster SD card read / write speeds and adds features like user selectable manual focus assist and an EVF selection function in the AMOLED display menu. The firmware is currently available on the Samsung UK website for users to download.

Website:  Samsung UK

In keeping with its promise made last month, Panasonic has announced firmware updates for the first three of its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras, including the G1, GH1 and GF1 models. With thess firmware updates, all three cameras are given a new menu option for image stabilisation when the new Lumix G Vario 14-42mm lens is attached, and all three models benefit from improved auto-focus performance with other manufacturers’ MFT lenses. Additionally, the G1 and the GH1 gain improved flash exposure accuracy, whilst the GH1 also benefits from improved auto-focus performance in movie mode with the Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. lens. Plus, firmware version 1.3 for the GH1 enables auto-focusing in Full HD mode with regular Four Thirds lenses that are compatible with contrast-detect AF.

Website: Joint update service for Four Thirds

Sony has launched its first mirrorless interchangeable-lens system cameras, the Sony NEX-5 and the Sony NEX-3. Both cameras feature 14.2-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensors, 25-point contrast-detect autofocus systems, 49-segment exposure meters and 3-inch tilting LCD panels with 921,000-dot resolution. Both the NEX-3 and the NEX-5 can capture fast-moving action with a high-speed burst of full-resolution images at up to 7fps. The new Sony NEX cameras feature the new E mount, but can also take regular Sony ? lenses via the optional LA-EA1 adapter. The NEX-5 has a magnesium alloy body and shoots Full HD (1920 x1080i) video as high-quality AVCHD files. The NEX-3 captures 720p HD video as compact MPEG4 files that are claimed to be “ideal” for PC storage and web sharing. Although the cameras have no built-in flash, they both come supplied with a super-compact clip-on flash that attaches via an accessory terminal (there’s no hot shoe though). The NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras from Sony will be available in the UK from June 2010.

Olympus Europe is releasing a silver version of the E-P2, which has until now only been available in black. This variant looks almost exactly like the E-P1, except that it has an accessory port for optional extras such as a detachable electronic viewfinder and microphones, just like the black version. Available from mid-May, the silver Olympus E-P2 comes bundled with a 14-42mm kit zoom.

Samsung will apparently launch a limited-edition white variant of the Samsung NX10 on 7 May. According to SamsungImaging.net, the white NX10 will be sold in a kit with the 30mm f/2 prime lens in what seems like a slightly odd selection of markets including China, Korea, the Netherlands and the USA. Apart from the colour, the white edition will be the same as the more widely available black version, though it will come bundled with a leather case, SamsungImaging.net says.

Source: SamsungImaging.net via 1001NoisyCameras

As promised a week ago, Olympus today released firmware updates for all of its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras to boost their AF speed. Apart from speeding up the auto-focus of the E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1 cameras, the update also allows photographers using the Olympus E-P2 and E-PL1 with the VF-2 electronic viewfinder fitted to view the menu and recorded images on the LCD. Finally, for the E-P1 and E-P2, the update also makes continuous auto-focus tracking in movie mode as fast and accurate as on the new E-PL1. In order to update your camera’s firmware, you will need to download the Olympus Camera Updater from the website below.

Website: Olympus - Firmware and Language Update Instructions

Panasonic is going to release firmware updates for the first three of its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras, including the G1, GH1 and GF1 models. All three cameras will be given a new menu option for image stabilisation when the new Lumix G Vario 14-42mm lens is attached, and all three models will benefit from improved auto-focus performance with other manufacturers’ MFT lenses. Additionally, the G1 and the GH1 will see improved flash exposure accuracy, whilst the GH1 will also benefit from improved auto-focus performance in movie mode with the Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. lens. Plus, firmware version 1.3 for the GH1 enables auto-focusing in Full HD mode with regular Four Thirds lenses that are compatible with contrast-detect AF. The new firmware updates will be available worldwide at GMT 8:00 on 10 May 2010 at the website below.

Website: Lumix Customer Support

Panasonic has announced the suggested retail prices of the Panasonic LUMIX G2 and LUMIX G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2, the world’s first mirrorless interchangeable-lens system camera featuring a touch-sensitive screen, will be available priced at $799.95. The Lumix DMC-G10, billed as the lightest interchangeable-lens camera with an EVF, can be had for £499/ $599.95. Both cameras come outfitted with the new Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens.

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Panasonic G10

In a week’s time, Olympus is going to release a major firmware update for all of its Micro Four Thirds cameras, which promises an improvement in focusing speed. The new firmware update, affecting the Olympus E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1 models, will become available at 3am CET on 22 April. Apart from speeding up the auto-focus of these cameras, the update also allows photographers using the Olympus E-P2 and E-PL1 with the VF-2 electronic viewfinder fitted to view the menu and recorded images on the LCD. Finally, for the E-P1 and E-P2, the update also makes continuous auto-focus tracking in movie mode as fast and accurate as on the new E-PL1.

Website: Olympus - Firmware Update Instructions

Leaf Imaging today announced the availability of the Leaf Aptus-II 10R digital camera back, with internal rotating sensor. The Leaf Aptus-II 10R is available for a variety of medium and large format cameras, and is best suited for architecture, landscape, portrait and product advertising, the company says. The Leaf Aptus-II 10R 56 megapixel sensor is 56x36 mm in dimensions, and can capture the full width of medium format capture area for either landscape or portrait setups. Whether shooting handheld or with the camera mounted on a tripod, there is now no need to remove the back to change the camera orientation. The Leaf Aptus-II 10R camera back is priced at €24,995 and is now available for orders.

DxO Labs have just published their raw-based sensor data for the Leica M9 interchangeable-lens digital rangefinder camera. “In comparison with the sensors used by other full-frame main manufacturers, the pixel quality of the Leica M9 sensor remains low,” they say. “The Leica M9 provides good image quality for low ISO, but its results for high ISO are weak, with dynamic range decreasing very fast.” The Leica M9 achieved a DxOMark Sensor score of 68.6, which is almost 10 points higher than that of the cropped-sensor Leica M8, but lower than that of any full-frame digital camera tested so far. However, DxO Labs point out that they only evaluate raw sensor performance which, they admit, “is not the only factor that should be taken into consideration when choosing a digital camera”.

Website: DxOMark Raw Sensor Data for the Leica M9

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 has just received a Red Dot award from a jury of internationally renowned designers. With more than 12,000 submissions from more than 60 countries, the international Red Dot design award is the largest and most renowned design competition in the world. The Olympus E-PL1 is a new affordable Micro Four Thirds camera with a built-in flash, sensor-shift image stabilisation and one-touch HD video recording.

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Olympus E-PL1

Leica has released a firmware update for the Leica M9 interchangeable-lens digital rangefinder camera. Version 1.116 removes a magenta cast seen in the left half of the frame when certain wide-angle lenses - including the 18mm f/3.8 ASPH; the 21mm f/2.8 ASPH; the 24mm f/3.8 ASPH; the 28mm f/2 ASPH and the 28mm f/2.8 ASPH - are used, introduces an ISO-dependent vignetting correction feature, improves image quality in thumbnail display, speeds up the SD card formatting process, and fixes bugs.

Website: Leica M9 downloads for registered owners

We have half a dozen images of the LCD and menu screens of Sony’s upcoming EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder, Interchngeable Lens) camera for you.

This is the camera whose concept models were showcased at PMA 2010. Not much larger than many of the compact Cyber-shot models, the new camera will feature a new lens mount system, all designed as a compact and light weight alternative to a traditional DSLR, or the newer compact models from Olympus. Panasonic and Samsung. Boasting a newly-developed Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, it will also support HD video recording using the efficient AVCHD format. Click through for the image gallery of the various menu screens.