Ricoh has issued a function-enhancing firmware update for the GR DIGITAL III. The third release adds a high-contrast black-and-white mode, a cross-process filter, a 4:1 magnification when using manual focus, a “My Setting delete” function and a “key custom setting initialisation” feature. The firmware update will be available on Ricoh’s website in the near future.

Fujifilm USA has launched the first in a series of Twitter sweepstakes for a free Finepix REAL 3D W3 camera. To participate, all you have to do is follow the FujifilmUS twitter handle, @ message FujifilmUS and answer the question “Which movie should be remade in 3D?” while including the #sweepstakes and #3D hash tags. One lucky US winner will be selected at random at the end of the month and will be adding Fujifilm’s 3D W3 camera to their gadget repertoire.

Fujifilm North America has announced a new pink digital camera bundle that will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading knowledge and fostering hope in the fight against breast cancer. The camera package includes a Fujifilm FinePix Z70 digital camera in Berry, a stylish multi-coloured camera pouch, a digital photo frame keychain and a coupon for a free customisable mug from SeeHere.com. The Fujifilm Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Camera bundle will be carried regionally by J&R in New York, and Electronics Expo in New Jersey. It will also be available through Amazon.com and ShopFujifilm.com. The Pink camera bundle will retail for $159.95.

Canon UK has announced a cashback promotion on the Canon Powershot SX210 IS compact superzoom camera. Consumers who buy the SX210 IS in the UK or Ireland between now and 3rd November are entitled to a cashback of £30 / €35. Claims must be received by 25th February 2011. The claim form can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Canon Powershot SX210 IS Cashback Claim Form

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon Coolpix P90 digital superzoom camera. Version 1.1 resolves an issue with image capture that occurred in single-shot mode with manual focus and distortion control enabled. The firmware fix can be downloaded from the websites below.

Website: Nikon P90 Firmware 1.1 - Windows
Website: Nikon P90 Firmware 1.1 - Macintosh

Pentax has unveiled two new compact cameras with 720p HD movie recording capability. The 14-megapixel Pentax Optio LS1000 and Optio LS1100 feature an unusually boxy design, 3-inch LCD screens, 4x zoom lenses starting at a focal length of 27.5mm (in 35mm terms), Auto Picture mode and face detection with Smile Capture. Both cameras are listed on the Pentax UK website, but so far we have only been able to spot a few minor cosmetic differences between the two models. The price is £79.99.

Canon USA is launching the Your Second Shot advertising campaign to promote the Canon HS SYSTEM. Available in the new PowerShot G12, S95, SD4500 IS and SD4000 IS Digital cameras, this system combines the DIGIC 4 Image Processor with a High-Sensitivity sensor. and helps to reduce noise at high ISO levels and expand the camera’s dynamic range. The Your Second Shot campaign’s new commercial was shot entirely with Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera and EF lenses. Beginning today, the Your Second Shot campaign can be seen on television, in print and online.

The Ricoh G700SE is a new water and dust resistant digital camera with wireless LAN and Bluetooth. The G700SE also supports optional GPS functions and laser barcode reader functions via slot-in units.

Ricoh have announced three new products this week - the A12 28mm wide-angle camera unit for the GXR system, and the robust G700 SE and G700 compacts. The latter two cameras aren’t being displayed on the stand, so our gallery of hands-on photos is your first chance to see them.

The out-of-reach M9 Titanium isn’t the only new product that Leica are showcasing at Photokina. They’re also featuring two new compacts, the D-Lux 5 and V-Lux 2, which are “heavily influenced” by the Panasonic LX5 and FZ100 cameras. Key differences between the look-alikes include a different finish, modified firmware with simpler menus, Leica’s own RWL RAW files format,tweaked JPEG output. and that all-important Leica red dot. The D-Lux 5 also includes a full copy of Lightroom 3 in the box, which may persuade you to pay the price premium over the regular LX5…

Here are 16 hands-on photos of the Leica D-Lux 5, V-Lux 2, and X1 Black digital compact cameras.

Want to see what the new Casio EX-H20G and EX-ZR10 cameras look like in the flesh?

Here are 20 hands-on photos of the Casio EX-H20G and EX-ZR10 digital compact cameras.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon Powershot G12 compact digital camera looks like?

Then check out our hands-on photo gallery of the flagship Canon Powershot G12 compact.

The Leica D-LUX 5 is a high-performance compact digital camera with full creative control. Based on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, the Leica DLux 2 features a fast 24-90mm f/2 - 3.3 lens, 1/1.63” sensor and 720p video. The Leica D-LUX 5 is supplied with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 and there’s a full range of optional accessories including the EVF1 electronic viewfinder, CF 22 flash, handgrip and optional bags and cases. The Leica D-LUX 5 will be available in the UK from October 2010 for £630, with the EVF1 costing £270.

The Leica V-LUX 2 is a new super-zoom compact for travel and nature photography. Based on the Panasonic Lumic DMC-FZ100, the 14 megapixel VLux 2 features a 24x, 25-600mm super-zoom lens, 3’’ rotating LCD display and 1080i-AVCHD Full HD video. The Leica V-LUX 2 is supplied with Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements 8 and will be available in the UK from October 2010 for £675. An outdoor case will be available for the V-LUX 2 for £135.

The Leica X1 is now available in elegant black. The X1 Black, which is made in Germany, will have a more coarsely-textured leather trim, and will offer the same high specifications and accessory range as the original model. The Leica X1 Black will be available in the UK from October 2010 for £1,395 (camera only), £1,500 including Leica Ever-Ready Case or £1,790 including Leica Ever-Ready Case, Hand Grip and Viewfinder.

The GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5 is a new camera unit for the Ricoh GXR system. Featuring a GR Lens and an APS-C size CMOS sensor, the Ricoh A12 features a 28 mm equivalent GR Lens with a 6-group, 9-element configuration and a 23.6 mm × 15.7 mm (APS-C size) CMOS sensor. The GR LENS A12 28 mm F2.5 will be available from mid to end November 2010.

The Casio EX-Z16 is a stylish new entry-level 12 megapixel digicam. The Casio EX16 offers a 3x zoom, simplified menu, dedicated movie button, 2.7-inch LCD screen and YouTube capture feature. The EX-Z16 will be on store shelves in September and retail for $99.99.

Want to see exactly what the new Olympus Zuiko compact digital camera looks like?

Then check out our exclusive hands-on photo gallery of the prototype Olympus Zuiko ahead of its debut at tomorrow’s Photokina opening day.

The Casio EX-H20G is a 14-megapixel superzoom camera that combines GPS technology with motion-sensor driven positioning, making it possible to track the camera’s position even when there is no satellite signal, such as indoors or under the ground. Casio first demoed this technology back in January when it showed a working prototype of the camera. Thanks to its “hybrid GPS” solution, the Casio EX-H20G can save location information for photos taken indoors and other places with no satellite reception. In addition to this, the camera is pre-loaded with world atlas data and information on about 10,000 landmarks around the globe. The Casio EX-H20G can display the user’s location and the photos and movies taken on a map on the screen. Other, more conventional highlights include a 24-240mm equivalent zoom lens, a 3-inch high-resolution LCD screen with good outdoors visibility and a fully automatic Premium Auto function for beginners.

The Casio EX-ZR10 is a 12-megapixel digital compact camera capable of HDR imaging through multiple exposure blending. Utilising high-speed image capture and high-speed image processing, the Casio EX-ZR10 can create high-dynamic-range images from a series of bracketed exposures taken in rapid succession. These images are not really like traditional photographs or “conventional” HDR photos - they look more like paintings or drawings. Casio calls this function “HDR Art”, and claims it “offers the fun of creating and displaying digital art”. At the core of this feature is a new Exilim Engine HS processor and a12-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Other highlights include a 28-200mm equivalent 7x zoom lens, “dramatically reduced” shot-to-shot times, a continuous shooting mode featuring up to 40 frames per second (fps), movie capture at up to 480fps, and a Slide Panorama function for creating 360° panoramic images.