Olympus has released a firmware upgrade for the Olympus FE-4000 digital compact camera. Version 1.1 is supposed to improve the quality of the live-view display when shooting in low light. Remember you have to install either the Olympus Master or the Olympus Studio program on your PC, and update the firmware from within the software, with the Olympus FE-4000 hooked up to the computer via USB.

Website: Firmware Update Instructions

Minox has announced an addition to its Classic Camera Collection - the Minox DCC 5.0 White Edition. This is a miniaturised version of an 1950s rangefinder camera, which offers a resolution of 5 megapixels. The DCC has been designed in white for this new special edition and comes in a black, satin-lined wooden box with brass trim. There is an optical viewfinder on board, though there is no mention of an actual rangefinder being coupled to it. You can also use the 1.5” rear screen for composition and checking focus. The Minox DCC 5.0 White Edition has 128MB of internal memory but can also record images on SD or SDHC cards of up to 16GB in capacity. The lens is a 42mm-equivalent f/2 Minoctar. The camera is compatible with the Minox Classic Camera Flash. The MINOX Digital Classic Camera 5.0 White Edition is available from specialist dealers from October 2009.

The Pentax Optio M85 is a new simple and stylish digital compact camera. Offering a 12 megapixel resolution CCD sensor, 32-96mm 3 x optical zoom lens and 3 inch LCD screen, the Pentax M85 is only 19mm thick and weighs 128g. The Pentax M85 will be available in October 2009.

In the UK, the blue version of the recently announced Fujifilm Finepix J30 will be sold exclusively by Jessops. Priced at £129, the Fuji Finepix J30 is a 12 megapixel digital compact camera with a 3x optical zoom and a 2.7” LCD screen. Onboard features include Auto Scene Recognition, Face Detection and a brand new Panoramic Shooting Mode that allows the user to seamlessly stitch together three consecutive shots for a final panoramic image. The Fujifilm Finepix J30 is the second Finepix model this year whose blue variant is exclusive to Jessops - previously, the retailer announced that the Fujifilm Finepix A170 in blue would also be available from Jessops only.

We attended the UK launch of the new Leica X1 digital camera in Mayfair, London. Leica were only showing a non-working sample of the X1 behind glass, hence our brief look at what could well turn out to be a relatively mass-market camera for the German manufacturer. Click through to see 6 up close and personal photos of the Leica X1.

The Leica X1 is a 12.2-megapixel compact camera with an unusually big, APS-C sized sensor and a fast wide-angle lens. It has a fixed-mount, fixed-focal-length Leica Elmarit 24mm (36mm equivalent) f/2.8 lens with high-speed autofocus, and a 23.6x15.8mm CMOS sensor with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The Leica X1 has all the manual control an advanced photographer can desire, from manual exposure to manual focus, but it also comes equipped with a number of automatic options. Touted as an ideal choice for available-light photography, the Leica X1 has a sensitivity range of ISO 100 to ISO 3200. With a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second and a continuous shootig rate of up to 3 frames per second, the Leica X1 is equally well suited to capturing fleeting, split-second moments. The availability of the Leica X1 is slated for December 2009. The recommended retail price is €1550 in the euro zone. Pricing for the UK, where the Leica X1 shall become available in January 2010 only, has not yet been revealed.

The Fujifilm Real 3D camera was the centre of attention on the Fujifilm IFA booth. Looking very much like the finished product, the Fujifilm Real 3D is certainly a large device, being just about small enough to be held one-handed. The model name of Fujifilm’s first 3D camera may well be the Fujifilm Finepix W1, as the product box shown behind glass was prominently bearing that moniker.

The Samsung ST45 is a new ultra-slim camera measuring just 16mm thick. The 12 megapixel ST45 features an aluminium body, 2.7 inch LCD screen, ISO 3200 and digital image stabilisation. Samsung’s new “Smart Scene Recognition” technology offers 11 optimized picture pre-settings such as Portrait, Night portrait and Macro, and you can also use these settings when sorting through your photos. Face Detection, blink detection, smile mode and beauty shot are all present and correct, while the new Self Portrait & Frame Guide helps to capture better portraits. The ST45 is available in Red, Black, Blue and Grey from late September 2009.

Samsung haven’t announced any more new cameras at IFA, but we were able to briefly try out the WB5000. As a reminder, the Samsung WB5000 is a new bridge camera with a 26mm wide angle lens and 24x optical zoom. The WB5000 (also known as the HZ25W) offers RAW shooting, aperture priority, shutter priority and two User defined Modes as well as full manual shooting modes. Click through to see a gallery of shots of Samsung’s first entry into the mega-zoom market.

The Samsung WB5000 is a new compact camera with a 26mm wide angle lens and 24x optical zoom. The WB5000 (also known as the HZ25W) offers RAW shooting, aperture priority, shutter priority and two User defined Modes as well as full manual shooting modes. The 12.5 mega pixel WB5000 records HD video in 1280x720p resolution at 30 frames per second using the latest H.264 format. The Samsung WB5000 will be available in the UK from September 2009, pricing to be announced. In the US the Samsung HZ25W will be available in October for $399.99.

Casio has launched a limited-edition Hello Kitty version of their Casio Exilim EX-Z2 digital compact camera. Pink with Swarovski diamond dotted outer lens and body decorations, the Casio EX-Z2 Hello Kitty camera is available for pre-order from dreamkitty.com for $499.99.

Via DCVIEWS

Sony has recently discovered that, with a limited number of its Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 digital compact cameras, the possibility exists that small particles of metal plating may peel off from the casing part surrounding the lens. Sony will offer a free of charge replacement of the casing containing the applicable part surrounding the lens. Click through / read on for the applicable serial numbers.

Ricoh today announced the release of the Ricoh CX2, a new digital camera featuring a 10.7x (28-300 mm equivalent) superzoom lens in a compact body only 29.4 mm thick. The new Ricoh CX2 inherits many popular features from its predecessor, the CX1 - introduced less than half a year ago -, such as the unique expanded dynamic range; but also adds new features like full-resolution continuous shooting at 5 frames per second, Pre-AF and Continuous AF. The lens is also new, and its 10.7x zoom ratio is quite an achievement given the compact dimensions of the CX2. New scene modes such as “high-contrast B&W mode” and “miniaturize mode” have been added to stimulate shooting creativity, and various CX1 model functions have received enhancements, such as the addition of face recognition to easy shooting mode and the addition of an AUTO option for automatically defining the range expansion effect in dynamic range double shot mode. The CX2 will be available at an SRP of £299.99.

The Casio EX-Z33 is a new entry-level 10.1 megapixel camera. The stylish Casio Z33 features a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch widescreen LCD,  Automatic face recognition and Best Shot function. The Auto Shutter mode shoots automatically when the subject smiles or when there is no blur. The EX-Z33 will also be available in September with an MSRP of $119.99.  The EX-Z33 will boast stylish new colors, including black, light pink, vivid pink, silver and blue. 

Canon today announced 6 new compact cameras as part of their Autumn 2009 Collection, and we attended the UK launch in sunny London.

Here are 24 photos of all the new cameras, including the PowerShot G11, S90, SX20, SX120, IXUS 200 and IXUS 120.

We’ll also have a review of the new SX20 IS very soon…

Canon today announced the launch of the PowerShot G11 digital compact camera, successor to the Canon PowerShot G10, with a host of new features, including a Dual Anti-Noise System. Canon’s new Dual Anti-Noise System combines a high sensitivity 10.0 Megapixel image sensor with Canon’s enhanced DIGIC 4 image processing technology to greatly reduce noise and increase quality equal to 2-stops. The Dual Anti-Noise System allows photographers to capture full resolution images - using up to ISO 3200 - in difficult low-light conditions. The other highlight of the Canon G11 is a high-resolution (461,000-dot) vari-angle LCD screen. The Canon G11 also features a 28-140mm optically stabilised lens, enhanced i-Contrast technology, white balance fine control and raw image capture. The PowerShot G11 can also be used with a wide range of Canon accessories, including the Speedlite 270EX, 430EX II and 580EX II; Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX and Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX flashes for enhanced shooting options; the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, Speedlite Bracket and Remote Switch RS-60E3. Underwater photographers can even team the PowerShot G11 with the specially designed Waterproof Case WP-DC34 - an underwater housing allowing full control of the camera at depths of up to 40m. The PowerShot G11 will be available from early October 2009 priced at £569.00 / €659.00 RRP inc. VAT. The US price is $499.99.

The Canon PowerShot SX20 IS is a new, 12.1-megapixel digital compact camera with a 20x wide-angle super zoom lens. The versatile camera, a successor to the SX10 IS, now features HD video (720p) to ensure you capture video in the sharpest detail. The Canon PowerShot SX20 IS also has a 20x optical zoom, which zooms from 28mm to 560mm equivalent. The lens features both an Ultrasonic Motor (USM) and a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) for fast, silent focus and zooming – making the camera unobtrusive and easy to use, whether shooting stills or video footage. To help users make the most of these creative possibilities, the Canon SX20 IS includes a vari-angle 2.5 inch PureColor VA LCD display. Experienced photographers will appreciate the full range of manual controls, while beginners will be pleased to learn about the onboard Hints & Tips. Furthermore, the PowerShot SX20 IS can record HD video at 720p resolution and includes a dedicated movie button for instant access to movies in still mode and instant stills shooting during movie recording. The Canon PowerShot SX20 IS will be available from late August 2009 priced at £399.00 / €459.00 RRP inc. VAT. The US price is $399.99.

The Canon PowerShot SX120 IS is a high quality, easy-to-use digital compact camera with a 10x optically stabilised zoom lens.  To capture every detail, the PowerShot SX120 IS includes a 10 Megapixel sensor with Canon’s powerful and intelligent DIGIC 4 processor – ensuring superb response times and natural colour reproduction. DIGIC 4 also takes care of difficult lighting conditions with i-Contrast – a technology which prevents highlight blowout, whilst retaining shadow detail. For trouble free shooting the Canon PowerShot SX120 IS includes Smart Auto and Easy modes with Scene Detection Technology. More experienced users can choose their settings with additional shooting modes such as Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority. A full manual control mode is also provided – perfect for users who wish to experiment with their shots. The camera can also shoot VGA movies with sound. The Canon SX120 IS is available from early August 2009 priced at £229.00 / €269.00 RRP inc. VAT. The US Price is $249.99.