Nikon UK has just announced a new cashback promotion that entitles UK and Irish customers to claim £30 / €35 on the Nikon Coolpix S8000 compact digital camera, starting today. Billed as the world’s slimmest wide-angle 10x zoom camera at its launch, the S8000 also boasts a “DSLR class” autofocus system and a 14.2-megapixel sensor. Kevin Egan, Consumer Product Manager at Nikon UK, comments: “As we approach the holiday season and more people consider purchasing a digital camera, I’m delighted that the cashback offer now makes the premium Coolpix S8000 camera an even more attractive option.”

Website: Nikon Coolpix S8000 Cashback Offer

Canon is launching a new advertising campaign for the EOS 550D and Powershot SX210 IS cameras. Created to run throughout Europe, both adverts were shot at the Venice Carnival in Italy earlier this year, and follow three photography enthusiasts as they capture their unique story at the event. Both spots have been shot on an EOS DSLR camera, the 5D Mark II, mixed with stills and films taken on the EOS 550D and PowerShot SX210 IS themselves. The adverts will be broadcast across Germany, UK, France and Pan-European markets until the end of 2010.

Olympus have released a stop-motion promotional video for the E-PL1 Micro Four Thirds camera. 355 photos were taken with the E-PL1, then printed at billboard size and then photographed again to create the individual frames of the video. No tricks or computer animation were used at all, just good old-fashioned manual labour. Click through to watch this 1 minute 48 second homage to the E-PL1.

Casio Europe has just announced a new compact camera, the 12.1-megapixel Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z350. Featuring a 27-112mm equivalent zoom lens and a 2.7in, 230,400-pixel rear screen, the Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z350 comes with 23 scene modes anda YouTube Capture Mode for videos. The EX-Z350 is available now throughout Europe, priced at €149.

Tomorrow Ricoh will release function-enhancing firmware updates for the Ricoh GR Digital III digital compact camera and the Ricoh GXR system. The Ricoh GR Digital III firmware update will allegdly improve the effectiveness of the in-camera noise reduction, change the settings for auto exposure bracketing, introduce an in-camera trimming function, add a second Incandescent white balance setting, and introduce an optional shutter speed shift function, which overrides the user-selected shutter speed in Shutter Priority mode in cases when over- or underexposure cannot otherwise be avoided. These enhancements will also be implemented in the Ricoh GXR via its respective firmware update, which will bring about a range of additional improvements too. The firware updates will be downloadable from the Ricoh website from 19 May.

The Samsung Blu EX1, a new digital compact camera with a 24-72mm equivalent f/1.8-2.4 lens (also known as the Samsung TL500) has officially been launched in South Korea. Featuring a 10-megapixel 1/1.7” CCD imager, the Samsung Blu EX1 also boasts an articulated, 3” AMOLED screen that lets you properly compose your self-portraits. A front control wheel and a control ring around the lens allow users to change settings quickly and efficiently. An anti-shake system, a pop-up flash, a flash hot shoe and raw support round off the features list. The Samsung Blu EX1 is available in Korea in black and silver, priced at 599,000 won. The US price was set at $449.99 when the camera was first announced back in February.

Website: Press Release (in Korean)

In the UK, the white version of the recently announced Canon IXUS 300 HS is now available exclusively from Jessops. A premium compact featuring a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 28-106mm equivalent f/2.0-5.3 lens with image stabilisation, semi-manual exposure modes and 720p HD movie recording; the new Canon IXUS 300 HS is capable of taking full-resolution stills at up to 3.7 frames per second (fps), and 2.5-megapixel photos at up to 8.4fps. The Canon IXUS 300HS White is available exclusively from Jessops for £379.

Ricoh has issued a firmwre update for the Ricoh CX3 digital compact camera. Version 1.09 addresses the following issue: “After rewinding a movie file in the camera once, there could be a case that the move playback is suspended”. Follow the link below in order to download the firmware upgrade.

Website:.Ricoh CX3 Firmware

Samsung Germany has announced the 13.8-megapixel Samsung WB5500 digital camera with a 26x zoom lens. Spanning a 35mm equivalent focal range of 26-676mm, the Samsung WB5500’s lens bears the prestigious Schneider-Kreuznach name on its barrel. The camera offers manual and semi-manual exposure modes and can store the captured photos as raw image data. Videographers will appreciate the HD movie recording capability and the fact that they can use the 26x optical zoom while filming. Movies are compressed using the H-264 codec and stored in MPEG-4 format. Endowed with an HDMI port, the Samsung WB5500 is available priced at €429.

Website: Samsung press release (in German)

The Canon IXUS 300 HS (called the SD4000 IS Digital ELPH in North America) is a premium compact featuring a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 28-106mm equivalent f/2.0-5.3 lens with image stabilisation, semi-manual exposure modes and 720p HD movie recording. The new Canon IXUS 300 HS is capable of taking full-resolution stills at up to 3.7 frames per second (fps), and 2.5-megapixel photos at up to 8.4fps. The number of pictures that can be taken in a burst is limited by the memory card’s capacity only. The Canon IXUS 300 HS features a 3in PureColor II G LCD screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio, which incorporates a strong tempered glass outer layer, providing high contrast and wide-angle viewing. For moments that lend themselves to video, the Canon IXUS 300 HS offers 720p high-definition movie recording with stereo sound. The lens’ quiet drive system allows users to zoom during recording with minimum audio interference, while the optical image stabiliser can also be engaged to reduce the effects of camera shake in video footage. Extreme, fast-paced action can also be recorded using Super Slow Motion Movie mode, which captures at 240fps and plays back at a much slower 30fps, although at a meagre 320x240 pixels only. The Canon IXUS 300 HSwill be available across the UK and Ireland from the end of May 2010, priced at £379 / €419. In the USA, the camera is marketed under the name Canon Powershot SD4000 IS Digital ELPH, and retails for an estimated price of $349.99.

The Ricoh P10 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VC is a new lens-sensor module for the Ricoh GXR system. This unit has a 1/2.3-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor and features raw image capture at 5fps. The VC designation indicates that this module has Ricoh’s Vibration Correction function on board to help combat image blur resulting from shaky hands. Also included are a 1280×720-pixel HD movie function, Ricoh’s dynamic range double shot mode feature and a macro shooting at a close-focus point of 1cm. The Ricoh P10 will be available at SRP £249.99. This price does not include the Ricoh GXR body, which may be purchased separately or in a kit with the P10 unit.

The Rollei Sportsline 50 is a highly affordable waterproof digital compact camera. Robust and waterproof down to a depth of 3 metres, the Rollei Sportsline 50 is otherwise a pretty basic snapper featuring a 5-megapixel sensor, a fixed-focal-length lens and a standard-definition VGA movie mode. Powered by a pair of AA batteries and compatible with SD memory cards, the Rollei Sportsline 50 can be yours for €49.95. Availability is slated for the end of May.

BenQ has announced the expansion of its digital camera lineup with the 12-megapixel BenQ E1260 “HDR camera”. Equipped with a 28-112mm equivalent zoom lens and a 2.7-inch rear screen, the BenQ E1260 comes with an assortment of scene modes including Landscape; Portrait; Backlight; Backlight Portrait; Night Scene; Night Portrait; Macro; Sunset; Text; Foliage; Snow and Still Mode. Other features which are included in the E1260 include: Auto Face Tracking; Blink Detector; Self/Love Portrait; Beauty Enhancer; Smile Catch; Smart Focus; File Management; Auto Rotation and 3 Second Prerecording. As to the much-touted HDR capabilities, the company says precious little about how they work - we supect it’s some kind of a shadow enhancement feature like Nikon’s D-lighting, Canon’s i-Contrast or Olympus’ Shadow Adjustment Technology. Besides taking 12-megapixel photos, the BenQ E1260 is also capable of capturing 720p high-definition video. Availability is slated for May 2010.

Website: BenQ E1260

Fujifilm has issued a firmware update for the Fujifilm Finepix HS10 ultrazoom camera. Version 1.01 corrects distortions that may occur when shooting with AR bracketing enabled, produces sharper JPEGs in RAW+JPEG mode, addresses image softness experienced when using certain D-range settings, and fixes a problem with “unclear details” appearing in images. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm FinePix HS10 Firmware Upgrade

The Pentax Optio M90 is a 12.1-megapixel digital compact camera with 5x optical zoom and a 2.7” Anti-Reflection rear screen. The lens has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 28-140mm, while the body features a sophisticated metal rubber coated soft-touch exterior. Improved face detection, smile capture and blink detection and 20 scene modes including an auto panorama mode round off the features list. Powered by a Lithium-ion battery, the Pentax Optio M90 will be available from mid-June for a recommended retail price of £119.99.

Canon UK has announced a cashback offer on the Canon Powershot G11 and S90 digital compact cameras. Customers purchasing either camera before 22 June can claim £30 / €35 back by 26 July 2010. This promotion starts today. The offer is available to legal residents of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland only.

Website: Terms & Conditions / Claim Form

Canon UK has announced a new cashback offer on the Canon Powershot SX1 IS, SX20 IS, SX 120 IS and SX 210 IS models. Those purchasing one of these cameras before 22 June are entitled to a cashback of £20-£50 / €25-€55 depending on model. The promotion, which is available to residents of the UK and Ireland only, starts today. Claims must be received by 26 July 2010.

Website: Terms & Conditions / Claim Form

Leica has just launched the Leica V-LUX 20, a 12.1-megapixel digital compact camera with a 12x zoom and on-board geotagging. Featuring a Leica DC Vario-Elmar 4.1-49.2mm f/3.3-4.9 ASPH. zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent focal range of 25-300mm, the V-LUX 20 allows the user to take both high-resolution still photos and HD videos. The geotagging function - a first on a Leica - lets photographers to record the exact geographical co-ordinates of their location automatically, and makes archiving and organising photos quick and easy. Styled in a matt black finish, the V-Lux 20 provides a complete range of manual shutter speed and aperture settings. The suggested retail price of the LEICA V-LUX 20 is £495. The optional brown leather case has an SRP of £70.

Website: Leica V-LUX 20 Specifications

Jessops has just announced the arrival of the Fujfilm FinePix HS10. Available now priced at £399, the Fujifilm FinePix HS10 offers a 10-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, a 24-720mm equivalent 30x optical zoom, a 3-inch tilting LCD panel, Full HD movie capture with stereo sound and 10fps continuous shooting at full resolution.

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Fujifilm has issued a firmware update for the Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W1 digital compact camera. Version 2.00 adds a new size, S 16:9, to the Image Size options in the F-Mode menu. Images taken with this setting fill the screen completely, with no black bar on either side. To download the firmware update, visit the website below.

Website: Fujifilm Finepix REAL 3D W1 Firmware 2.00