The Nikon Coolpix S02 is a tiny, lightweight and affordable compact camera with a 13-megapixel CMOS sensor, 3x optical zoom, Full HD movie capture, 7.3 Gigabytes of internal memory and a metallic body cover. In addition, the camera features a Xenon flash and a 2,7-inch touch-sensitive rear display. "The Coolpix S02 might be the smallest member of the Coolpix family, but its small stylish design and clever features make it an essential must have," said James Loader, Senior Product Manager for Consumer Products at Nikon UK. "The tiny compact camera combines refined design features like anti-reflection touch screen technology, internal memory and built-in Xenon flash, with 13 megapixel CMOS sensor and easy auto modes to ensure you never miss a moment, or a party invitation.” The Nikon Coolpix will go on sale on 19 September 2013 at the recommended retail price of £119.99 / €149.00 / $179.95.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon Coolpix S6600 compact camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Nikon Coolpix S6600 compact camera, which has a vari-angle LCD screen for easier "selfies"

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon Coolpix L620 compact camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Nikon Coolpix L620 compact camera, which offers a 14x zoom lens in a relatively small body.

NYC-based AC Gears have recently released the 3-megapixel Bonzart Lit Digital Camera for $39.99, with plans to introduce a waterproof case before the holiday season. Targeted at beginners, children and toy camera collectors, the funky  Bonzart Lit has been a huge hit in Japan, selling out within the first few weeks of its debut. AC Gears are now bringing it to the US market. “The Bonzart Lit is a great gift idea for artsy kids or to add to your personal collection," said Kohn Liu, founder of AC Gears. "At $40, it’s really a break-through price point for the digital camera category."

The Ricoh HZ15 is a 16-megapixel digital compact camera with 15x optical zoom and a sophisticated SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism. The camera also features a 3.0-inch LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots. In addition to capturing 16-megapixel stills, the Ricoh HZ15 can also record 720p HD videos and save them on Eye-Fi memory cards. Availability is slated for September, with pricing to be announced.

Nikon has issued firmware updates for a number of its Coolpix digital compact cameras. Firmware version 1.1 for the Nikon Coolpix L28, S3400, S3500, S4400 and S6400, version 1.2 for the Nikon Coolpix S4300 and version 1.3 for the Coolpix S9300 all fix a bug that, in some rare cases, prevented the camera from turning on, or prevented operation. Firmware version 1.1 for the Coolpix S5200 and S6500 (pictured) additionally improve the functionality of the Wireless Camera Utility.

Website: Nikon Support & Downloads

Canon today announced two new  premium compact cameras. The Canon PowerShot G16 (£529.99/€649.99/$549.99, pictured) is an updated, Wi-Fi enabled version of the company's existing G15 model, while the PowerShot S120 (£449.99/€529.99/$449.99) improves on its predecessor - the PowerShot  S110 - by incorporating a slightly faster (f/1.8-5.7) lens and enhanced wireless connectivity options.

Canon today added two new models to its collection of superzoom cameras. The PowerShot SX510 HS (£289.99/€349.99/$249.99)boasts a 30x optical zoom lens and a 12.1-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor, and offers onboard Wi-Fi connectivity. In addition to capturing high-resolution stills, the camera is also capable of recording Full HD movies with stereo sound, and features a Super Slow Motion Movie mode. The PowerShot SX170 IS (£169.99/€199.99/$179.99, pictured) combines an optically stabilised 28-450mm equivalent lens with a 16-megapixel sensor, and offers 720p HD video recording capabilities. The PowerShot SX510HS and PowerShot SX170 IS are available in the UK & Ireland from 23rd August.

Canon U.S.A: has announced a new version of its uniquely designed PowerShot N digital camera. A Canon Direct exclusive, the new PowerShot N Facebook ready digital camera features a dedicated Facebook Connect button that supports instant sharing of images and videos to users’ Facebook accounts. After an initial one-time set-up, pressing the new Facebook Connect Button links the camera to the users’ Facebook account for quick and easy sharing over Wi-Fi. Users can also control the destination of their Facebook uploads by choosing to share content with everyone, or to select Facebook groups. The PowerShot N Facebook ready digital camera will be available in white in September 2013 on the Canon Direct online store for $299.99.

The Garmin VIRB and VIRB Elite are two new HD 1080p action cameras. VIRB features a rugged and waterproof (IPX-7) housing, 1.4-inch Chroma color display, can record up to three hours of true HD (1080p) video on one charge, digital image stabilization and lens distortion correction, ANT+ connectivity and can capture 16 megapixel still photos while the video camera is recording. The Elite version additionally offers high-sensitivity GPS, accelerometer, altimeter and WiFi. The VIRB will retail for $299.99 and the VIRB Elite for $399.99.

This year, Sony has won two photography-related EISA awards. The company's flagship camera, the Alpha SLT-A99, has been recognised with the 'European Advanced Camera of the year 2013-2014' title, while the Cyber-shot DSC-HX50 superzoom (pictured) has scooped up the 'European Compact Camera of the year 2013-2014' award. Beyond photography, the company has also received accolades in the television, HT receiver and tablet categories.

The European Imaging & Sound Association (EISA) has honoured two Olympus cameras with leading awards. The Olympus PEN E-P5 has won the European Advanced Compact System Camera 2013-2014, and the Tough TG-2 (pictured) took the accolades in the European Travel Camera category. The EISA is an organisation representing 50 leading camera, imaging and audio magazines in 20 European countries. Each year it selects outstanding products and technologies from a wide spectrum of audio-visual product categories.

Ricoh has posted a firmware update for the Ricoh GR Digital IV professional compact camera. Version 2.30 introduces a number of new fluorescent white balance presets, adds a Multi AF/Spot AF toggle to the list of Fn button pair options, enables target selection to be activated by pressing and holding the macro button, and adds a "very weak" vignetting option to each of the Hi-Cntrast B&W, Cross Process, Positive Film, and Bleach Bypass menus. Additionally, the firmware update addresses a couple of bugs related to the flash and AE bracketing. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Ricoh Global

The Casio EX-ZR800 is a new, raw-capable 16-megapixel compact camera with 18x optical zoom and a five-axis image stabilisation system. Like its predecessor the EX-ZR700, the new Exilim EX-ZR800 boasts a 25-450mm equivalent lens fitted elegantly into a compact body. The new camera also features other enhanced shooting functions. This is the first Exilim model to have a Time Lapse function and a “sparkling shot” filter effect. In addition, Casio has accelerated the frame rate in the auto focus mode and optimised the camera’s lens drive control, image sensor control and AF algorithm for parallel processing of AF operations and high-speed continuous shooting. The Casio Exilim EX-ZR800 will be available from the end of September, priced at €399.

Nearly four years after producing the first prototype, Professor Shree Nayar's BigShot DIY digital camera is now available to the general public. The main parts of the camera include a gearbox, a lens wheel, a printed circuit board with a 3-megapixel sensor and a 1.4-inch LCD panel, a LED flash, a rechargeable battery, a dynamo and a hand crank providing an option to use the camera when the battery is fully depleted. The final product is an improvement over the prototype, which made do with a 2-megapixel imager and no LCD screen at all. The lens wheel has three optical modules that allow you to take three types of photos -  a "regular" lens with a horizontal angle of view of 40°, a wide-angle lens and a stereo lens for 3D photography. The BigShot camera is primarily intended to be an educational aid targeted at schoolchildren, with the kit being available for $89+shipping.

Website: BigShot

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the its Coolpix P7100 premium compact camera. Version 1.1 fixes a few bugs related to image playback, auto rotation, and self-timer shooting. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Nikon Europe Customer Support & Downloads

The Nikon Coolpix L620 is a new, AA battery powered camera with a 18.1-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and 14x optical zoom. The lens covers a 35mm equivalent focal range of 25-350mm and comes with Vibration Reduction (VR) on board. In addition, the lens is able to focus on subjects as close as approximately 1 cm for macro photography. Other features include Target Finding AF, 6 Special Effects, 8 Filter Effects, 1920x1080/60i videos with stereo sound and an HS Movie function that can be applied to record movies that play back in slow motion at 1/2 normal speed for more dramatic movies, or high speed at twice the speed of normal playback. Movies recorded with the camera can also be played back on a TV by connecting the camera to the TV's HDMI port. The Nikon Coolpix L620 will be available next month for approximately $250/£200.

The Nikon Coolpix S6600 is a 16-megapixel compact camera with 12x optical zoom, built-in Wi-Fi and a side-hinged vari-angle monitor. In addition, Gesture Control recognizes the palm of the hand when the monitor is rotated to face the user, making it possible for users to perform a number of operations, including releasing the shutter and zooming in and out by simply moving their hand toward the appropriate icon displayed in the monitor. This function can also be used with movie recording. The 25-300mm equivalent lens offers a built-in lens-shift vibration reduction (VR) function and supports macro photography with shooting as close as 2cm to the lens. The Nikon Coolpix S6600 will be available next month, priced at £199.99/€239.00.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ72 compact camera looks like in the flesh?

We have compiled a gallery of 22 hands-on photos of the new Panasonic DMC-FZ72 (also known as the FZ70), which boasts a staggering 60x optical zoom lens with a focal range of 20-1200mm.

Panasonic has issued a firmware update for its Lumix LF1 premium compact camera. Version 1.1 improves the connectivity with Macintosh computers. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Panasonic Japan Support