Ricoh has released a firmware update for the Ricoh CX3 digital compact camera. Version 1.08 fixes a bug with the playback of HD videos. You can download the new firmware update from the website below.

Website: Ricoh CX3 Firmware

Nikon has released a firmware update for the new Nikon Coolpix S4000 digital compact camera. Version 1.1 changes the frame rate for HD 720p in the movie option menu from 24fps to 30fps. You can download the firmware update using one of the links below.

Website: Nikon Coolpix S4000 Firmware 1.1 for Windows Users
Website: Nikon Coolpix S4000 Firmware 1.1 for Mac Users

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon Coolpix S640 digital compact camera. Version 1.2 resolves an issue that, in some very rare cases, prevented accurate recording of photos taken with digital zoom enabled. You can download the firmware update using the links below.

Website: Nikon Coolpix S640 Firmware 1.2 for Windows Users
Website: Nikon Coolpix S640 Firmware 1.2 for Mac Users

Sigma has announced that a new firmware upgrade will become available for the Sigma DP2 on 26 March. According to the company, version 1.04 will bring about an improvement in AF speed. We will keep you updated and provide a link when the firmware upgrade is posted.

Ricoh has issued a firmware update for the Ricoh GXR body as well as the two interchangeable units that were announced along with it. Version 1.07 introduces two new AF modes for the A12 50mm unit, QK-AF and FR-AF, improves exposure accuracy, white balance and focus accuracy in certain circumstances, and fixes a couple of bugs.

Website: Ricoh GXR Firmware

We got all hands-on today with the new Leica X1 compact camera at Leica’s main retail store in central Mayfair, London. The Leica X1 boasts a 12.2 megapixel sensor and 24mm f/2.8 lens. Click through for an extensive gallery of photos of the Leica X1, including side-by-side comparisons with the Olympus E-PL1 and Samsung NX10 cameras.

General Imaging has announced that the countdown is on to win one of only four exclusive autographed ‘Create by Jason Wu,’ digital cameras. Create is an exclusive line of digital cameras resulting from the unique collaboration between General Imaging, the company behind GE branded digital cameras, and Jason Wu, the 27-year-old designer who has claimed the international fashion spotlight, dressing celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Diane Kruger and Natalie Portman. Visit the website below and sign-up to be one of the first to get a glimpse of this new collection of unique GE digital cameras styled by Jason Wu.

Website: General Imaging

Fujifilm has posted firmware updates to a number of their new digital cameras. Version 1.02 improves colour reproduction in the live view feed and in movies captured, the aspect ratio of HD movies has been optimised for displaying on both the cameras’ LCD screens and HDTVs, and for the S2500HD / S2600HD, the aspect ratio of HD movies through the cameras’ HDMI terminal has also been optimised for displaying on HDTV.

Website: Fujifilm Firmware Update

The BenQ C1250 is a 12-megapixel digital compact camera with a backlit LCD screen. Powered by two AA type batteries, the BenQ C1250 is equipped with a run-of-the-mill 3x zoom lens, and comes with a feature set comprising scene detection, face tracking, smile shutter, blink detection and skin beautification. The BenQ C1250 digital camera will be available in Europe in April.

RCP-Technik has announced the 12-megapixel Rollei Compactline 350 digital compact camera with 28-140mm equivalent 5x optical zoom, HD video and YouTube Ready functionality. Featuring a Rollei Apogon lens and a 2.7” rear screen, the Rollei Compactline 350 is powered by a lithium-ion battery, and records images and videos on SD(HC) memory cards. Boasting no less than 30 scene modes, the Rollei Compactline 350 is available from April for €99.95 (RRP).

Website: Rollei Compactline 350 Press Release (German)

ArcSoft has announced a partnership with Pentax to provide ArcSoft MediaImpression for Pentax’s compact cameras. MediaImpression provides users with intelligent ways to organise, view, and edit their photo, music and video. It also provides easy access to share the media to popular online sharing sites such as YouTube, Flickr and Facebook. Pentax has recently launched a range of digital compact cameras including the Pentax Optio E90, H90, I-10 and W90 models, and the Pentax X90 superzoom with a 26x optical zoom lens (pictured).

We got all hands-on with the new Panasonic G2 Micro Four Thirds camera at last month’s Panasonic Convention 2010 in Munich, Germany. Click through for an extensive gallery of photos of the Panasonic G2.

We got all hands-on with the new Panasonic G10 Micro Four Thirds camera at last month’s Panasonic Convention 2010 in Munich, Germany. Click through for a gallery of photos of the Panasonic G10.

Interested in how the new Panasonic G2 and G10 compare side-by-side with the current G1 model? Wonder no more as we bring you a hands-on side-by-side comparison of all three cameras - click through to see the gallery of Panasonic G2, G10 and G1 photos.

We first saw the Panasonic G2 and G10 cameras a month ago in Munich, with an exclusive Behind the Curtains presentation and the opportunity to briefly try out the new models. Here are the presentation slides which provide a lot of extra detail about the G2 and G10.

AgfaPhoto has unveiled two slimiline, 12-megapixel digital cameras with wide zoom and HDR image capture. The AgfaPhoto Optima 104 has a 3” touchscreen and features smart scene mode technology as well as face and smile detection. The AgfaPhoto Optima 103 boasts a High Dynamic Range mode, in which the Optima 103 takes multiple shots with different exposures and blends them into a single photo. Both feature a 29-116mm equivalent zoom lens and come with a proprietary Lithium-ion battery and charger. The AgfaPhoto Optima 104 is available for €189, while the AgfaPhoto 103 can be had for €10 less.

The German subsidiary of Sigma has unveiled the prices of the Sigma DP2s large-sensor compact and the Sigma SD15 digital SLR camera. The cameras, which share the same almost-APS-sized Foveon sensor, were on display at PMA in Anaheim but at that time, the prices were not revealed. According to the official German website of the company, the Sigma DP2 carries an RRP of €799, while the Sigma SD15 is expected to retail for €899.

Source: Sigma-Foto via 1001 Noisy Cameras

Nikon has announced that the Nikon Coolpix S220 was Europe’s best-selling digital camera in 2009. According to research by German market research agency GfK, European consumers purchased more than 740,000 Nikon Coolpix S220 digital cameras in 2009. Commenting on the results, Mark Pekelharing, Product Manager for Consumer Products at Nikon, said: “When we launched the Coolpix S220, we wanted to offer simple yet functional digital camera that was small enough to take anywhere and suitable for everyone. These figures show we have achieved that exact goal. Overall, the good price point of this camera combined with great colours, design and performance has truly appealed to our audience and we look forward to introducing them to our new range of Coolpix cameras, including its successor model, the Coolpix S3000.”

Sanyo Europe has announced three new digicams, the Sanyo X1420, X1220 and S122. The star of the trio is the Sanyo X1420 with its 14-megapixel sensor, 3” monitor, SDXC card support, HD movie capture and 28-112mm equivalent 4x optical zoom. The Sanyo 1220 and the Sanyo S122 are simpler cameras, with 12-megapixel imagers, 3x zoom lenses and VGA video. The main difference between the two is that the cheaper Sanyo S122 (pictured) is powered by AA batteries. The X1420 is priced at €149, the X1220 at €129, and the S122 at €99. Availability is slated for Spring 2010.