The Fujifilm FinePix Z1000EXR is a slim, ultra-compact 16-megapixel camera with sensor-shift image stabilisation, 5x optical zoom and a Wireless Image Transfer function. The EXR-CMOS sensor has been redesigned to prioritise light sensitivity with a 30% reduction in noise levels, while the Z1000’s wide 3.5-inch LCD offers touchscreen control with multi-touch capabilities for smartphone-style navigation. The Wireless Image Transfer function allows users to connect their Android smartphone/tablet or iPhone/iPad with the camera and upload their images to social networking sites. Other highlights include Full HD movie capture with stereo sound, Face Tracking auto focus and a mini HDMI port. The FinePix Z1000EXR will be available a range of different colours.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z110 is a sleek all-metal camera with a 14-megapixel sensor and a 5x Fujinon zoom lens (though no mechanical or optical image stabilisation). The sliding front panel powers on the camera, while the rear-mounted buttons are illuminated with a blue LED light for easy operation in the dark. In addition to capturing 14-megapixel stills, the FinePix Z110 can also record 720p HD movies at a touch of the dedicated movie record button. The Fuji Finepix Z110 will be available in six colours: pink, purple, jade, blue, white and black.

The 16-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix JZ200 and the 14-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix JZ100 offer 8x optical zoom in a compact and affordable package. The 25-200mm equivalent lens has a close-focus point of 5cm and comes equipped with an Optical Image Stabiliser. In addition to capturing stills, the cameras can also record high-definition videos at a resolution of 1280x720 pixels at a touch of the dedicated movie record button. Both the JZ200 and JZ100 (pictured) are available in five colours: Black, Silver, Pink, Red and Blue.

The Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR is a 16-megapixel superzoom/bridge camera with 30x optical zoom, Full HD movie recording, raw image capture and a flash hot-shoe. Compared to the HS20EXR it replaces, the Finepix HS30EXR has a greatly improved, 920,000-dot electronic viewfinder and a tilting, 460,000-dot LCD screen, while a switch in power supply to a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery promises up to 600 pictures per charge. Additionally, the HS30EXR features an improved EXR-CMOS sensor delivering cleaner images at higher ISO settings. Start-up time is now just around a half compared with that of the HS20EXR. The writing period after continuous shooting has also been dramatically cut to approximately 2 seconds (compared to 20 seconds on the earlier model). Finally, the handling of the FinePix HS30EXR has also been improved through the addition of a customisable Function button.

The Fujifilm FinePix S4500 (pictured) and S4200 are two new, AA-powered 14-megapixel superzoom cameras with 30x and 24x Optical Power Zoom lenses, respectively. Inside these FinePix S-series cameras is a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with CCD-shift anti-shake functionality. Manual shooting mode, accessed via the mode dial, gives photographers full control over exposure. Photographs can be compased using a 200,000-dot electronic viewfinder or the 230,000-dot rear screen. Other highlights include a 2cm supermacro mode and 720p HD movie capture.

The Fujifilm FinePix SL300 and FinePix SL240 are two new superzoom cameras with 30x and 24x zoom lenses respectively. Each camera houses a 1/2.3-inch 14 mega-pixel CCD sensor with sensor-shift image stabilisation. Both the SL300 (pictured) and SL240 have been optimised to provide a faster start-up, improved speed of Auto Focus and an upgraded response time. For times when users want to go beyond the still image, the new SL-series cameras are capable of capturing 720p HD movie at 30 fps. A mini HDMI output port enables both cameras to be quickly connected to an HD ready TV.

According to Fujifilm, the new, 14-megapixel Fuji Finepix XP150 is “the toughest FinePix yet”. Dust-, sand and shockproof, the Fujifilm FinePix XP150 is water resistant down to a depth of 10m and will keep functioning all the way down to -10 °C. The 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens comes with a water repellent coating to prevent water droplets spoiling your shots and even the battery/memory slot cover comes with a new double lock design for ultimate protection from the elements. Thanks to the FinePix XP150’s new high sensitivity GPS antenna it’s now quicker and easier to pinpoint your location. And if you’re moving around and taking pictures, the FinePix XP150 will even track your movements and show the route on the LCD. Alternatively, you can create a pictorial map of the locations you’ve visited using the bundled My FinePix Studio software and your PC. The FinePix XP150 will be available in five colours: black, silver, orange, green and blue.

The 14-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix XP50 is the latest model in the XP series of all-weather compact cameras. Waterproof to a depth of 5m, shock resistant and freezeproof down to -10 degrees Celsius, the FinePix XP50 has a 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens and a 14.4-megapixel CMOS sensor optimised for rapid response times. Available in black, blue, green, orange and silver, the FinePix XP50’s exterior has also been updated for both a more stylish appearance and an improved, easy-to-hold surface. Other highlights incluse sensor-shift image stabilisation, a Motion Panorama mode, a “super-bright” 2.7-inch rear screen, Full HD video recording and a mini HDMI cable connection port.

The Fujifilm FinePix T400 is a entry-level, 16-megapixel camera with 10x optical zoom and CCD-shift image stabilisation. The camera offers a 28-280mm equivalent zoom range, a Motion Panorama mode, Smile & Shoot and Blink Detection modes as well as Face Recognition. A dedicated movie recording button makes it easy to record videos in 720p HD quality. The FinePix T400 also has in-camera movie editing features to allow users to edit their movie footage without having to upload to a computer or use complicated movie editing software. Additionally, Fujifilm claims that AF speeds have been “dramatically improved”, shutter lag has been reduced and the start-up time shortened. Further improvements have been made to the 3.0-inch LCD screen, which is now brighter and easier to see. The Fujifilm Finepix T400 will be available in five colours, including Pink, Purple, Blue, Silver and Black.

The Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR is a compact, 16-megapixel travelzoom camera with 20x optical zoom. The 25-500mm equivalent focal range is capable of tackling a vast range of subjects from wide-angle landscapes through to tightly cropped wildlife pictures. In addition to this wide-reaching zoom range, the FinePix F770EXR boasts an improved 16-megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor, faster start-up and shot-to-shot times, enhanced GPS functionality and stylish design touches. The AF speed has also been improved, with Fujifilm claiming focus acquisition times as short as 0.16 seconds. Other highlights include a full range of manual controls, raw file capture and Full HD movie recording capabilities.

The Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR is a new, 16-megapixel travelzoom camera. Building on the success of the FinePix F600EXR, the new camera boasts an improved, high-contrast, 460,000-dot LCD screen and innovative face tracking to ensure users never miss their intended target. The 16-megapixel Fujifilm EXR-CMOS sensor has also been redesigned to deliver a 30% reduction in digital noise and smoother tones in both highlight and shadow areas at higher ISO settings. In addition to the new features and enhancements, the F660EXR also retains the 24-360mm equivalent superzoom lens, manual controls, raw file capture, film simulation modes and Full HD movie recording capability of its predecessor.

Olympus UK has extended its cashback offer on the Olympus XZ-1 premium compact camera. The cashback offer is running in the UK (£40) and Ireland (€40) until 29th February 2012 and is valid on purchases of the XZ-1 from authorised UK and Ireland stockists. For more information, visit the website below.

The Samsung DV300F is a new compact camera with Dual LCD technology and Wi-fi connectivity. The DV300F features a a 1.5-inch front LCD screen display, 16 megapixels, 5x optical zoom and a bright f2.5 lens with a 25mm wide-angle setting. The Samsung DV300F will cost £179.99.

Ricoh has issued a firmware update for the Ricoh GR Digital IV digital compact camera. According to the company, Version 1.17 incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

1 Improved flash firing for backlight conditions when the flash is set to [Auto].
2 Changed the focus bar display of the external AF. When the shutter release button is pressed half-way (focus lock), the focus bar for the external AF will stop at the position where the focus is locked.
3 Changed the image stabilizer control. Using [P] / [A] / [S] mode, the camera will take a picture without the image stabilizer function when the shutter speed is less than 1 second, even if [Camera Shake Correction] is set to [On].
4 Corrected the phenomenon below. A black line may appear at the top of the image taken with [Hi-Cntrast B&W] for [Image Settings].

Website: Ricoh GR Digital IV Firmware

Want to see exactly what the new Fujifilm X-S1 bridge camera looks like in the flesh?

Then check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Fujifilm’s premium super zoom camera.

Leica has issued a firmware update for the Leica D-Lux 5 digital compact camera. Version 2.0 promises improved AF speed in the wide-angle range, simpler operation of fine adjustments in manual focusing mode, improved AWB precision in low light conditions, high-ISO noise reduction at ISO 1600/33° and ISO 3200/36°, a new Miniature effect in “My Colour Mode”, improved AE/AF Lock with the shutter release half depressed, the addition of a new “Active Mode” that reduces blur in movie recording when in motion, and the ability to manually adjust the LCD and external viewfinder settings via the menu. Additionally, you can now use long exposures of up to 250 seconds in manual mode. The firmware update can be downloaded, with an installation guide, from the Downloads area of the Leica D-Lux 5 page on the Leica Camera website.

Our fourth award this week is for the Compact Camera of the Year 2011.

Not many products earn our coveted Essential award, but the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V is one of the the lucky few. Taking on and beating the market-leading Panasonic TZ-series is no mean feat, but that’s exactly what Sony have done with the HX9V. It’s cameras like this that help keep the compact market alive.

“The Sony CyberShot DSC-HX9V is the best travel-zoom camera that we’ve reviewed to date. The HX9V offers a compelling mix of advanced features, excellent still image quality, and a class-leading video mode, all at a price that is competitive with its main rivals.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Sony and the Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V!

Rollei has added three new models to its Powerflex digital camera family. The ultra-slim Rollei Powerflex 400 (€79.90) is a 14-megapixel compact with a 25-125mm equivalent zoom lens, 720p HD movie recording and 32 scene modes. The 16-megapixel Rollei Powerflex 500 (€99.90) features a 28-140mm equivalent lens, 35 scene modes, HD video recording and a 3-second pre-recording function. Finally, the 14-megapixel Rollei Powerflex 600 (€129.90) has a three-inch display and a 25-200mm equivalent 8x zoom lens with optical image stabilisation. Like the Powerflex 400 it comes with 35 scene modes, a 3-second pre-record function and 720p HD video recording capability.

The BenQ AC100 is a new AA battery powered14-megapixel compact camera featuring 10 special effects. The digital filters on board include Negative Film, Colur Accent, Astral, Toy, Lomo, Mosaic, and more. Other highlights include in-camera panorama stitching, a 720p HD video mode, advanced smart scene detection, HDR imaging, a 5cm super macro mode and a 27-108mm (eq.) f/2.9-6.5 lens. Availability is slated for January, with pricing to be announced.

The BenQ GH700 is a 16-megapixel camera with a 21x zoom lens and a 1/2.3-type Sony BSI CMOS sensor. Capable of shooting 16-megapixel stills as well as 1080p/60fps Full HD videos, the BenQ GH700 comes equipped with a 25-525mm equivalent zoom lens featuring aspherical and low-dispersion lens elements and nano-scale anti-reflection coating. The camera also offers a selection of Program, Manual and Scene modes, a pop-up flash, 1cm super-macro mode, optical image stabilisation and a 3-inch, 460,000-dot rear screen. The BenQ GH700 carries a recommended retail price of €200.