The BenQ GH600 is a 16-megapixel camera with 25-525mm equivalent zoom lens. Unlike its stablemate the BenQ GH700, the GH600 shoots 720p rather than 1080p video. uses a CCD rather than a BSI CMOS sensor, and features Tv and Av shooting modes in addtion to P and M. Otherwise the two models are quite similar, sharing the same 21x zoom lens, optical image stabilisation and 3” rear screen with a resolution of 460,000 dots. The BenQ GH600 is available in white and black colours.

The 12-megapixel Leica V-Lux 3 is the Leica version of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 superzoom camera (read review), which was announced earlier this year. Featuring the same 25-300mm equivalent zoom lens, high-speed CMOS sensor, 12fps continuous shooting speed, raw image capture and Full HD video mode as its Panasonic counterpart, the Leica V-Lux 3 comes bundled with Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, and is scheduled to be available from January, at a price of.£690. For maximum protection of the Leica V-Lux 3 in outdoor conditions, a strong, black camera case will be available as an optional accessory, at an SRP of £135.

Nikon has posted a firmware update for the Nikon Coolpix P7000 digital compact camera. Version 1.2 improves auto focus accuracy, enables the use of auto exposure bracketing in combination with the self-timer, and fixes a number of bugs. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Fujfilm has published a dozen full-resolution sample photos taken with its new X-S1 bridge camera. All of the sample images on the Fuji Japan website were captured at ISO 100/21° and a dynamic range setting of 100%. The first seven samples were taken using the Velvia film simulation mode, while the remaining five simulate the look of Fujichrome Provia. You can download the Fujifilm X-S1 sample photos from the website below.

The Fujifilm X-S1 is a new bridge camera with a 2/3”-type 12-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor and a 24-624mm equivalent Fujinon zoom lens. Optically, the lens comprises 17 glass elements, including four aspherical elements and two ED lenses, a nine-bladed diaphragm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 at the wide end of the zoom range. In standard mode, the lens focuses down to 30cm, but by selecting Super Macro Mode, users can focus down to 1cm. Additionally, the Fujifilm X-S1 features the same 2/3-inch 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor as the X10 (read review), Coupled to the EXR CMOS sensor is the high speed EXR processor, which offers a minimal shutter lag of just 0.01sec and a high speed continuous shooting capability of 7fps at full resolution or 10fps at six-megapixel resolution. The 0.47-inch EVF features 1.44 million pixels for clarity and has a wide viewing area of 26 degrees to reduce eye strain. The camera also features a tiltable rear monitor, manual exposure controls and raw image capture. Launched in February 2012, in the UK, the X-S1 will have an estimated selling price of £699.

Fujifilm has announced that the Fujifilm X100 large-sensor compact camera has scooped up an iF Design product design award. Established in 1953, and sponsored throughout by the International Forum Design GmbH of Hanover Germany, the iF product design award is recognized all over the world as a symbol of outstanding design and innovation. As one of the 2012 Product Design Award winners, the Fujifilm X100 will now also be automatically put forward as a nomination for the iF Design’s 100 Gold Award winners, to be announced on 10 February 2012.

Olympus UK has announced a cashback promotion on the Olympus XZ-1 premium compact camera. The cashback offer is running in the UK (£40) and Ireland (€40) until 31st December 2011 and is valid on
purchases of the XZ-1 from authorised UK and Ireland stockists. For more information, visit the website below.

Ricoh has issued a firmware update for the Ricoh PX dust-, shock- and waterproof digital compact camera. Version 1.10 improves zooming speed and enhances the quality of the images displayed on the rear screen. The firmware upgrade can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Ricoh

Olympus has announced a new, silver version of the Olympus XZ-1 premium compact camera, Apart from the new body colour, the silver XZ-1 is identical to its matt black and white lacquered siblings. The silver-coloured Olympus XZ-1 is available for £399.99 from mid-December 2011. In addition, the company has also announced a new lens cap that features a sleek design, with a front cover that opens and closes automatically. Available from January, the black LC-63A lens cap costs £24.99.

The Ricoh CX6 is a 10-megapixel compact superzoom camera with a 28-300mm equivalent lens and an improved hybrid AF system that promises focus acquisition speeds as as fast as 0.1 second. This is about twice the (nominal) speed of the Ricoh CX5, which was announced at the beginning of the year. The CX6 also adds aperture- and shutter-priority modes, and a 3fps burst mode with auto-focus (the fastest continuous shooting speed at full resolution is 5fps, as in the previous model, but the new.3fps mode allows the camera to adjust focus separately for each frame in the sequence which should, in theory, result in a higher number of in-focus shots of moving subjects). Also new for the Ricoh CX series is a separate movie record button, located on the rear panel of the camera. The Ricoh CX6 comes with a 3” LCD monitor offering a resolution of 1.23 million dots and 1.7x the brightness of the CX5’s display. Available from December in black, pink and silver, the Ricoh CX6 has an RRP of €299.00/£259.99 (US availability and pricing to be confirmed).

Polaroid has announced the Z340 Instant Digital Camera, which features a 14-megapixel image sensor and integrated ZINK printer. Designed for portability, the Polaroid Z340 “pays homage to its analogue predecessors, yet contains an advanced, easy-to-use digital feature set,” says the manufacturer. “Simply snap, check out images on the Z340 camera’s 2.7’’ LCD screen and choose photos for printing.” The Polaroid Z340 Instant Digital Camera’s integrated printer outputs 3"x4” prints - the same size as the classic Polaroid photos - using the patented ZINK Paper, an advanced composite material with cyan, yellow, and magenta dye crystals embedded inside. The full-resolution 14-megapixel photos are saved on SD memory cards, and can be printed at much larger sizes using a dedicated photo printer. The Polaroid Z340 camera is available starting today for $299.99 at Polaroid.com, B&H, Adorama and Amazon. The Polaroid ZINK 3x4’’ Paper can be bought in packs of thirty for $19.99.

The Panasonic DMC-3D1 is the World’s smallest 3D camera with a 2 lens design. Featuring twin 25mm lens units with 4x optical zoom, the Panasonic 3D1 can simultaneously record both high resolution 8-megapixel 3D photos and 1920 x 1080 3D HD video. The 3D1 also allows you to record photo or video at different angles of view simultaneously. The Panasonic DMC-3D1 will be available from December 2011.

Nikon has posted a firmware update for the Nikon Coolpix S1100pj projector camera. Version 1.1 addresses the following problem: when QuickTime Ver. 7.7 was used to play back movies captured with the camera, no audio was played back. To download the firmware upgrade, visit the website below.

Website: Nikon Europe

Fujifilm has released a firmware update for the Fujifilm X10 digital compact camera. Version 1.02 resolves an issue with aperture value indication and fixes a bug that has caused a focus hunting problem in Tracking AF mode. The firmware upgrade can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm X10 Firmware Update Ver.1.02

Delkin has launched the WingmanHD Waterproof 3-Ounce Action Camera, which is billed as the lightest action camera in the world. Equipped with a 150-degree ultra-wideangle lens, 1.5-inch LCD screen and a universal mounting system, the camera captures 8-megapixel stills and 1080p Full HD videos. Sharing and recharging is easy courtesy of built in built-in HDMI, composite A/V and USB ports. Each Delkin WingmanHD Camera includes an impact resistant waterproof case that can be submerged down to 30 meters, an 8GB microSD memory card, a rechargeable battery that provides 2.5 hours of recording time, a helmet mount, vented helmet mount and handlebar mount, a wall and auto charger, a power and data USB cable, a component cable, a wrist strap and a User Guide. The kit is available for immediate purchase through licenced Delkin retailers for $249.99.

GoPro has just released its new wearable and gear-mountable HD HERO2 camera, which is capable of capturing 11-megapixel stills and 1080p Full HD.videos. Featuring a totally redesigned wide-angle lens, an innovative mounting system and a new processor that delivers twice the processing power of its predecessor, the GoPro HD HERO2 can capture full-resolution still photographs at 10fps. Additionally, with the arrival of GoPro’s new Wi-Fi BacPac and Wi-Fi Remote products slated for release this winter, the HD HERO2 will enable video remote control via the Wi-Fi Remote, smartphones, tablets and computers as well as enabling live video broadcast from anywhere there is Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot. The GoPro HD HERO2 is available now for $299.99.

Ricoh has posted the fifth function-enhancing firmware update for the GR Digital III. In addtion to fixing bugs, version 2.50 of the camera firmware adds new options for ISO [Auto-Hi], a Contrast Bracketing feature, a new ADJ. Lever Setting option, a Vignetting filter for the High-contrast B&W scene mode, and a power button lock function for users of the optional GL-1 metal lens cap. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Ricoh GR DIGITAL III Firmware Update

Lytro has officially announced its first consumer light field camera, which captures all the rays of light in a scene, opening up new possibilities such as the ability to focus a picture after it’s taken. The Lytro camera features a light field sensor and a light field engine that allows photographers to refocus pictures in-camera. Sporting an f/2 lens with 8x optical zoom, the pocket-sized Lytro camera weighs in at less than 8 ounces. Other highlights include instant start-up and zero shutter lag. The Lytro camera comes with either 8GB or 16GB of on-board memory, storing 350 and 750 “HD quality” pictures respectively. What the company means by “HD quality” isn’t clear but we expect that the resolution will be sufficient for on-screen viewing and probably insufficient for printing. The 8GB version can be yours for $399, while the 16GB model will set you back $499. The Lytro camera can be pre-ordered now via the website below - which also has a nice picture gallery demonstrating how post-capture focusing works -, but will only start shipping “in early 2012”, according to the company.

Leica has announced a special edition of the D-Lux 5 digital compact camera: the Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium. Featuring the same technical specifications as the regular model - including a 24-90mm equivalent zoom lens and a 1/1.63” sensor with a resolution of 10.1 megapixels - the Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium boasts an anodised silver-grey finish, and comes presented in a special set with a premium grey leather case with shoulder strap. An Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 licence is also part of the package, with the software itself being supplied via Web download. The Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium special edition set is scheduled to be available in the UK at the end of October 2011 at an SRP of £855 including VAT from authorised Leica dealers.