Fujifilm has issued a firmware update for the Fujifilm X100. Version 1.11 improves AF performance in the macro range, and fixes two bugs: I) When “SHADW TONE” is set to “MEDIUM SOFT” or “SOFT”, solarisation may occur on the LCD just after pressing the shutter halfway. II) With the self-timer activated, focus and exposure are set just after pressing the shutter release and these settings remain locked until the shutter is released. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm

Fujifilm has unveiled the MSRP and availability of the Fujifilm X10 digital compact camera. Not to be confused with the popular, large-sensor Fujifilm X100, the new Fujifilm X10 is a 12-megapixel compact with manual controls, a 2/3” type EXR CMOS sensor, a 28-112mm (eq.) f/2.0-2.8 lens and a newly developed Optical Image Stabilisation mechanism. The new sensor also offers all the usual EXR shooting modes that allow the user to give priority to signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range or resolution depending on the individual requirements of each shot. The Fujifilm X10 will be available from early November at a price of $599.95.

Nikon has released Capture NX 2.2.8 for MacOS and Windows. This update adds support for raw image files produced by the new Nikon 1 J1, V1 and Coolpix P7100 cameras. Additionally information for lenses used with the Auto Distortion correction function under Camera & Lens Corrections in the Develop section of the Edit List has been updated. To download Capture NX 2.2.8, visit the website below.

Website: Nikon

Olympus has released a firmware update for the Olympus Tough TG-310 camera. Version 1.1 improves on the exposure compensation algorithm. To update your camera’s firmware, install the Olympus Digital Camera Updater program on a computer with Internet connectivity, connect the camera, and start the program.

The Canon PowerShot S100 is an advanced compact camera that features an f/2.0 lens and an enhanced HS System. Based around a high-sensitivity 12.1 megapixel 1/1.7-type CMOS sensor, the Canon S100 also offers a 24mm ultra-wide angle, 5.0x optical zoom lens, new DIGIC 5 processor, maximum ISO of 6400 at full resolution, and 9.6fps burst shooting. The Canon PowerShot S100 will be available from November 2011, priced at £439.00 / €509.00 / $429.99.

The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a new super-zoom camera with a 35x lens, full manual control and full 1080p HD movie capture. Based around a back-illuminated 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, the SX40 is one of the first Canon compacts to feature Canon’s new DIGIC 5 image processor. The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS will be available from October 2011, priced at £459 / €529 / $429.99.

The Ricoh GR DIGITAL IV is a new high-end compact camera with a fixed focal length lens. Successor to the two-year-old GR DIGITAL III, the GR IV offers enhanced Quick Shooting capability, quicker autofocusing thanks to the Hybrid AF System, sensor-shift image stabilization, a new image engine and a refined optical filter. Available in mid October in black and limited edition white, the Ricoh GR DIGITAL IV costs £499.99 / $599 and $649 respectively.

Ricoh will release the fifth and final function-enhancing firmware update for its GR DIGITAL III camera in mid-October. Changes include the addition of contrast bracketing, expansion of the ADJ. control settings, and a new ISO [AUTO-HI] setting function.

The Kodak EasyShare Z5010 is a new super-zoom camera, sporting a 21x, 25mm wide-angle lens. The 14 megapixel Z5010 also features a 3 inch LCD screen, 720p HD video recording, and the usual Kodak sharing options. The Kodak EasyShare Z5010 will be available in early October in black, priced at $229.95.

The Kodak Easyshare Touch M5370 is a new compact camera featuring a 16 megapixel sensor and a touchscreen interface. The Kodak M5370 also offers a 5X wide angle SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH lens, an enhanced Share Button App, Face Tagging, 720p HD video, and over 20 different scene modes. The Kodak Touch camera comes in silver, blue, pink and red for £129.99.

The major firmware update for the Panasonic LX5 which was announced on 26th August is now available for download. Version 2.0 speeds up the auto-focus to achieve best-in-class performance at the wide end of the zoom range, adds a High ISO NR function and improves AWB performance in low light situations. Additionally, the new firmware upgrade adds an Active mode to the image stabiliser during movie capture, expands the available My Colour modes with a Miniature Effect, and extends the maximum exposure time to 250 seconds (i.e. more than 4 minutes) for shooting fireworks, night scenes and starry skies. Shutter release operation is improved so that the camera can perform continuous auto-focus while the shutter release is depressed halfway, as with a system camera. The combined use of AF/MF is now easier even in situations where maximum focusing accuracy is demanded. The camera can now remember the size and position of the active AF point, which is convenient for shooting with the camera mounted on a tripod. The brightness, contrast and colour balance of the LCD screen and the optional external EVF can now be adjusted manually. The firmware update is available through the website below.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Firmware Update Service

Pentax has announced a 16-megapixel travelzoom camera called the Pentax Optio RZ18. Featuring 18x optical zoom, a slim, lightweight body and a three-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 460000 dots, the Pentax Optio RZ18 also offers sensor-shift image stabilisation, Auto Picture mode and 720p HD movie recording. Available from mid-October, the Pentax Optio RZ18 carries a recommended retail price of £199.99 / $299.95.

Want to see what the new Samsung MV800 looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the innovative Samsung MV800 multi-view compact camera.

Want to see what the new Samsung WB750 looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the Samsung WB750 travel-zoom compact camera.

The Samsung MultiView MV800 is a unique digital camera with a flip-out touchscreen display. The MV800’s 3 inch Wide Flip-out MultiView Touch Display captures the perfect self-portrait or extreme low and high angled shots. The MV800 also offers 16.1 megapixels, a 5x optical zoom lens with 26mm wide-angle setting, 720p movies, and the innovative Storyboard Maker. The Samsung MV800 will be available in mid-September for £249.

The Samsung WB750 is a new travel-zoom digital camera. Boasting the company’s latest BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor, the 12.5 megapixel WB750 features an 18x optical zoom, 24x smart-zoom and 24mm ultra wide angle lens, 10fps burst shooting, and 1080p video recording. The Samsung WB750 will be available in September for £249.

The Fujifilm X10 is a 12-megapixel compact with manual controls, a larger-than-average, 2/3” type EXR CMOS sensor, a 28-112mm (eq.) f/2.0-2.8 lens and a newly developed Optical Image Stabilisation mechanism. Resurrecting the 2/3” sensor size that was commonly found in bridge cameras until the middle of the past decade, the Fujfilm X10 features a sensitivity range of ISO 100 to ISO 5000, expandable to ISO 12800 at reduced resolution. The new sensor also offers all the usual EXR shooting modes that allow the user to give priority to signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range or resolution depending on the individual requirements of each shot. The newly developed 4x manual zoom lens comprises 11 elements (including 3 aspherical and 2 extra-low-dispersion elements) in 9 groups and benefits from a Super Electron Beam Coating that is claimed to reduce flare and ghosts. The maximum aperture is f/2 at the wide end of the zoom range and f/2.8 at full telephoto, while the available minimum aperture is f11 throughout. Raw image capture, a full range of manual controls, 4 different auto bracketing functions, 8 film simulation modes, a 360° Motion Panorama mode, electronic level gauge and 1080p Full HD video recording round off the features list. The Fuji X10 also boasts a hot-shoe, an integrated manual pop-up flash, an optical viewfinder and a 2.8” rear monitor with a resolution of 460,000 dots.

The Fujifilm X10 will be available in early November 2011, with pricing to be confirmed.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z950 EXR is a 16-megapixel digital compact camera with a 3.5” touch-sensitive rear screen and 5x optical zoom. Equipped with an EXR CMOS sensor, a 28-140mm equivalent, folded zoom lens, Super Resolution and enhanced EXR Auto technologies, the Fuji FinePix Z950EXR sports a slim line design measuring just 15.2mm at its thinnest point. The camera also features the new Advanced Anti Blur mode, which corrects blurring by sequentially shooting 4 images at high sensitivity and overlapping them with advanced image processing technology. Full HD movie recording, a 360° Motion Panorama mode, dog and cat detection and a 12fps burst mode round off the features list. Available from October, the Fujifilm Finepix Z950EXR carries a recommended retail price of €249.

Panasonic has announced the development of a LUMIX twin-lens 3D digital camera. Due to be released in winter this year, the Panasonic 3D camera features two newly developed 4x zoom lenses with thin, folded optics.

Nikon build on the success of the Coolpix P7000 with the release of the P7100, featuring a 10.1 megapixel 1/1.7 inch CCD sensor, EXPEED C2 processor, 7.1x (28-200mm) optical zoom through a NIKKOR ED lens, 3 inch tilting screen, Raw shooting, twin control dials and more buttons than you can shake a stick at. The Nikon Coolpix P7100 has an RRP of £499.99 (580 Euros) and will be available in late September 2011.

The Nikon Coolpix P7100 is designed to span the gap between a compact camera and a DSLR. It provides the features and functionality of a DSLR without the bulk. In profile, it looks a simple camera with the lens and optical viewfinder on the front but with the addition of a control wheel which will operate the aperture in manual mode. Another wheel on the back will operate the shutter speed.

The improvements come from Nikon listening to feedback from users of the P7000 and adding all the bits that they asked for.