The Canon IXUS 230 HS is a premium compact camera with an 8x optical zoom lens. At just 22.1mm thick, the 12.1 megapixel Canon 230 HS (also known as the PowerShot ELPH 310 HS) also offers Canon’s new Intelligent IS system, Full HD (1080p) movies, and a 3 inch LCD screen. The Canon IXUS 230 HS will be available from October, priced at £229 / €269. In the US the Canon ELPH 310 HS is scheduled to be available at the beginning of October for $259.99.

The Canon PowerShot SX150 IS is a new superzoom for all the family. Boasting a 14.1 megapixel sensor and 12x optical zoom, the Canon SX150 also offers a 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer with brand new Intelligent IS technology. The Canon PowerShot SX150 IS will be available from September 2011, priced at £199 / €229. In the US it will be available at the beginning of September for $249.99.

The Casio EX-ZS100 is a new 14 megapixel camera with a special silent mode. Billed as the “first silent camera”, the ZS100 Silent Mode automatically configures the camera settings to avoid disturbing others around you. Also sporting a 12.5x optical zoom lens, the Casio ZS100 will be available from 18th August 2011, priced at £149.99.

Fujifilm has just announced the Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR digital travelzoom camera, which features a 16-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor, 15x optical zoom, GPS Landmark Navigator, raw image capture and both automatic and manual exposure modes. The FinePix F600 EXR uses key aspects of the specification first seen on the F550 EXR, but adds extra functionality. The camera now features a new EXR Auto mode with a Motion Detection capability, making it better at deciding whether it needs to raise the ISO sensitivity to capture a blur-free shot in a low-light situation. The GPS Landmark Navigator helps you pin-point interesting landmarks around you and shows you where they are in relation to your current location. Additionally, the Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR offers an enhanced Motion Panorama mode for 360° panoramic images and a continuous shooting mode with frame rates up to 8fps at full resolution. For users preferring to capture video footage, the FinePix F600EXR offers full HD 1080p movie capture with stereo sound and a high speed movie option for freezing fast moving action at up to 320 fps. The Fujfilm FinePix F600 EXR will go on sale at the end of October with an RRP of £269.

The Fujifilm FinePix JX370 is an affordable, entry-level 14-megapixel digital compact camera with 5x optical zoom, HD video capture and easy-to-use photo sharing options. Simply scroll through the images on the rear LCD, mark the ones you want to publish and, once connected to your computer, the images will instantly upload via Fujifilm’s MyFinePix Studio software. Additionally, the Fujifilm FinePix JX370 features Photobook Assist where you can create the book in camera and preview it by ‘turning’ the pages on the LCD screen. Other highlights include a panorama shooting mode; face, smile and blink detection technologies; automatic scene recognition and an I-Flash function for natural subject illumination in flash shots. The Fujifilm FinePix JX370 will go on sale in October with an RRP of £89.

Olympus has released firmware updates for six digital cameras. The Olympus XZ-1, E-P2, E-PL1 and E_PL2 gain support for the new VF-3 electronic viewfinder, while the updates for the VR-310 and VR-320 compacts improve the image quality of the rear LCD screen. You can learn how to update your camera’s firmware by clicking through to the website below.

Website: Olympus Firmware & Language Update Instructions

Panasonic has released firmware updates for the Lumix DMC-FT3/TS3, TZ20/ZS20 and TZ22 compact camera models. Version 1.2 (for all models) improves the accuracy of the built-in GPS unit, while the DMC-TZ20/ZS20 and the DMC-TZ22 also benefit from “enhanced picture detail”. The firmware upgrades can be downloaded from the websites below.

Website: Panasonic DMC-TZ20/ZS10 Firmware update service
Website: Panasonic DMC-TZ22 Firmware update service
Website: Panasonic DMC-FT3/TS3 Firmware update service

In addition to the SP-810UZ, Olympus announced two more compacts, the pocketable SZ-11 with 20x optical zoom, and the entry-level VG-145. These models will only be available via select distributors in a few markets. The Olympus SZ-11 has a similar feature set to the existing SZ-10 but comes with a 20x, rather than 18x, zoom lens. The shape of the handgrip and the layout of the controls are more reminiscent of the SZ-30MR, though, albeit without the latter’s mode dial. The VG-145 is a simple compact camera with a 26-130mm equivalent zoom lens and HD movie recording capability. Both new cameras come with 14-megapixel imagers inside.

Source: Olympus Japan

The Olympus SP-810UZ is a new 14-megapixel camera with 36x optical zoom. Successor to last year’s SP-800UZ (read review), the Olympus SP-810UZ inherits its predecessor’s three-inch, 16:9 rear screen and 720p HD movie capture but adds a new 24-864mm equivalent lens, 3D shooting mode and “pet detection” mode. Also on board are 10 “magic filters”, intelligent Auto and beauty modes and features like AF Tracking and in-camera panorama stitching. Compatible with SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards including Eye-Fi media, the Olympus SP-810UZ will be available in black or silver from the start of September for £229.99. In the U.S. it will only be available in black, also from September, for $329.99.

Want to see what the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48 looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the Panasonic FZ48 super-zoom compact camera.

The Sony Cyber-shot TX55 is the world’s thinnest compact camera. Measuring just 12.2mm thick, the Sony TX55 also offers a 16 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, Full HD AVCHD movies, 5x optical zoom and a 3.3”  OLED touch screen. New ‘By Pixel Super Resolution’ technology boosts the zoom range to 10x without any loss of quality, and the TX55 can also capture 12 megapixel-level still photos during Full HD video shooting. The Sony Cyber-shot TX55 will be available in black, pricing and release date to be announced.

The Sony Cyber-shot WX30 is a new super compact, curvaceous camera. The Sony WX30 offers a 16 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, Full HD AVCHD movies, 5x optical zoom and a 3 inch touch screen LCD. New ‘By Pixel Super Resolution’ technology boosts the zoom range to 10x without any loss of quality, and the WX30 can also capture 12 megapixel-level still photos during Full HD video shooting. The Sony Cyber-shot WX30 will be available in five different colours in September, pricing to be announced.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48 is a new super-zoom compact camera with a 24x optical zoom lens. Other standout features of the FZ48 include a 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor, Sonic Speed AF, manual operation, 1920 x 1080 full-HD video recording, 3D Photo mode and new Creative Controls with Miniature Effect mode. Pricing and availability of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ48 are still to be announced.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 is a new entry-level 14 megapixel compact camera. The LS5 features a 5x optical zoom with a 26mm wide-angle setting, fast F2.8 brightness and Optical Image Stabilizer. The Panasonic LS5 runs on AA batteries and can record HD movies in 1280 x 720p at 30 fps. Pricing and availability of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 are still to be announced.

The Casio Exilim EX-ZS15 is a new 14-megapixel digital compact camera with a 3” touchscreen and touch shutter functionality. The new model also features a 26-130mm equivalent 5x zoom lens, 720p HD movie recording and face detection. The Casio EX-ZS15 is available in three colours: silver, red and black. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is €159 in the euro zone.

Nikon U.S.A. has issued a service notice to owners of the Nikon Coolpix L23 digital compact camera (read review). The company says that “in some rare cases, when the batteries are inserted, or the AC Adapter EH-65A is connected, even with the camera turned off, excessive heat is generated in the top portion of the camera, which sometimes causes the top cover to become deformed”. To determine if your camera is affected, you need to contact Nikon Customer Relations on 1-800-645-6687, 8am to 2am (Eastern) and provide the camera’s serial number.

Source: Nikon

Olympus Japan has announced the Olympus TG-615 digital compact camera. Based on the existing Olympus TG-610 water-, shock- and freezeproof camera model, the new TG-615 adds a new filter / shooting mode, and comes with a modified (probably improved) image stabiliser on board. That aside, the main specs appear unchanged, including the 14-megapixel CCD, 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens and of course the tough water-, shock- and freezeproof body. We have received confirmation from Olympus that the TG-615 is a Japan-only model.

Olympus has issued a firmware update for the Olympus SZ-20 digital compact camera. Version 1.1 improves the “reliability of zoom positioning when power is turned off”, as Olympus puts it. You can download the firmware upgrade from within the Olympus Digital Camera Updater software, with the camera connected to your PC via USB.

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Olympus SZ-20 digital compact camera

Panasonic has unveiled a range of special and limited edition collectables to celebrate London 2012. Custom designed versions of the Lumix G3 compact system camera and DMC-S3 compact camera are amongst the products on offer. Panasonic has manufactured just 2,012 of each model, and each comes with a commemorative one-year-to-go £5 coin from the Royal Mint and new London 2012 packaging.

The Rollei Bullet HD is a new all-action camera weighing less than 100 grams and offering 720p video. Protected by a robust aluminium body, the camcorder is guaranteed dust-proof, impact-resistant and unsusceptible to vibrations. The Rollei Bullet HD will be available from late July 2011 for € 249.95.