Kodak has introduced the twelve-megapixel Kodak EasyShare M381 digital compact camera with a 35-175mm equivalent zoom lens and HD video capture. The Kodak M381 also features a 3” LCD screen, face detection, “blur reduction technology” - which appears not to mean optical image stabilisation -, and easy upload to Facebook, YouTube and the Kodak Gallery. The Kodak EasyShare M391 will become available from September for £129.99.

Kodak has unveiled the 12-megapixel Kodak EasyShare Z950 digital compact camera with a stabilised 10x zoom lens made by Schneider-Kreuznach. The Z950 also incorporates Kodak’s innovative Smart Capture feature, which automatically adjusts focus, flash, and exposure, much like the iAuto mode of other manufacturers’ recent cameras. Kodak also claims a full-autofocus shutter lag - “click-to-capture speed” - of less than 0.3 seconds. Available as of September 2009, the Kodak EasyShare Z950 will cost £199.99.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 is a new super-zoom camera featuring an 18x zoom lens with a focal length of 27-486mm. The 12.1 megapixel FZ38 (also known as the DMC-FZ35) offers an upgraded Optical Image Stabilizer, 2.7-inch LCD, ultra high-speed auto-focus and 470 picture battery life. Support for high definition video in the AVCHD Lite format is included, plus a Creative Movie mode which lets the user set the shutter speed and aperture manually. The Panasonic FZ38’s new High Dynamic scene mode helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure even if it contains both bright and dark areas. Available in early September in black and silver, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 is priced at £329.99.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZX1 is a new 12.1 megapixel camera with an 8x optical zoom lens in a slim and compact body. The 25-200mm ultra wide angle lens is ideal for both broad landscapes and tight indoor shots, and the Panasonic ZX1 (also known as the DMC-ZR1) also offers an improved Optical Image Stabilizer and ultra high-speed auto-focus. High definition 1280x720, 30 fps motion jpeg movies can be recorded by the ZX1, and the new High Dynamic scene mode helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure even if it contains both bright and dark areas. Available in early September, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZX1 is priced at £269.99 / $279.95.

The new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 camera features a futuristic flat body and retracting lens with folding optics. Built of high-quality aluminum, the 12.1 megapixel Panasonic FP8 uses blue LED cursor buttons that light up when pressed. A total of 27 scene modes are available with the DMC-FP8, including the new High Dynamic mode which helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure even if it contains both bright and dark areas. The FP8 can also record high definition 1280 x 720, 30 fps motion jpeg movies. Available in early September, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 is priced at £249.99 / $299.95.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX60 is a new 12.1 megapixel camera with a 5x optical zoom lens. Featuring a 25-125mm wide-angle lens, the FX60 (also known as the DMC-FX65) now includes an upgraded Optical Image Stabilizer, ultra high-speed auto-focus, 2.7-inch LCD screen and improved battery life of 360 pictures. The Panasonic FX60 can also record 1280x720, 30 fps motion jpeg movies. Available in early September, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX60 is priced at £249.99.

Ricoh have just announced the Ricoh GR Digital III, a ten-megapixel “serious compact” with a 28mm equivalent f/1.9 lens. This lens makes it possible to shoot at a faster shutter speed than could be used on previous models, or to shoot at the same shutter speed but at a lower setting for ISO sensitivity. In addition, the new image processing engine promises better noise reduction. These improvements make for better low-light performance, and the autofocus system has also been tweaked to work faster in low light. There is a new “full-press snap” function to shoot at a preset distance for a one-push full-press of the shutter button, and the Dynamic Range Double Shot function first seen in the Ricoh CX1 has also found its way to the GRD III. Other improvements include a multi-pattern white balance system for shooting in mixed light, a shutter speed priority AE mode, a 3”, 920.000-dot rear LCD screen, expanded My Settings and enhanced expandability via the addition of a 21mm ultrawide conversion lens. The new GR Digital III will be available at £529.99 inc from the middle of August.

Fujifilm have unveiled further details about the FinePix Real 3D System, the World’s first three dimensional (3D) digital imaging system. The Fujifilm Real 3D system incorporates a 3D digital camera “FinePix Real 3D W1”, a 3D picture viewer “FinePix Real 3D V1”, and 3D prints. The Fujifilm Real 3D W1 camera can capture both 3D stills and movies. The 8.0-inch 3D Picture Viewer “FinePix Real 3D V1” features Fujifilm’s newly developed 3D/2D display LCD panel. The Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1 and FinePix Real 3D V1 will be available from September 2009 with pricing to be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR is a new super-zoom digital camera with a 14.3x, 30.5mm-436mm zoom lens. Successor to the FinePix S100FS, the 12 megapixel Fujifilm S200EXR is aimed at top-end camera enthusiasts looking for excellent picture quality without the hassle, bulk and expense of a D-SLR system. Fujifilm’s EXR technology, introduced earlier this year on the FinePix F200EXR, offers three shooting modes - HR (High Resolution) mode, SN (High Sensitivity and Low Noise) mode and DR (Wide Dynamic Range) mode, plus EXR Auto which automatically switches the sensor to HR, SN or DR mode depending on the lighting conditions. The FinePix F70EXR also offers the new Pro Focus Mode which combines two or three burst shots together to create a crisp shot of the subject against a defocused background and foreground. Pro Low-light Mode the S200 EXR will take bursts of four high sensitivity images using Pixel Fusion Technology to create one image with extremely low noise. New to the FinePix S200EXR is the ability to shoot both a RAW and JPEG shot simultaneously. The Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR will debut in August 2009 at a retail price of $599.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR is a new compact digital camera with a 10x wide-angle zoom lens. Measuring only 22.7mm thick, the Fujifilm F70EXR offers several enhancements over its predecessor, the FinePix F60. The F70 EXR has a 10x optical zoom lens that covers a focal length of 27-270mm, Picture Stabilization and CCD Image Stabilization to counteract handshake, and an improved high contrast 230K-pixel 2.7” LCD screen. Fujifilm’s EXR technology, introduced earlier this year on the FinePix F200EXR, offers three shooting modes - HR (High Resolution) mode, SN (High Sensitivity and Low Noise) mode and DR (Wide Dynamic Range) mode, plus EXR Auto which automatically switches the sensor to HR, SN or DR mode depending on the lighting conditions. The FinePix F70EXR also offers the new Pro Focus Mode which combines two or three burst shots together to create a crisp shot of the subject against a defocused background and foreground. In Pro Low-light Mode the F70 EXR will take bursts of four high sensitivity images using Pixel Fusion Technology to create one image with extremely low noise. The Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR will be available in August 2009 at a retail price of $279.95. In the UK the F70EXR will be available end of August 2009 with pricing to be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z37 digital camera is targeted at the tech-savvy, fashionista consumer. The Fujifilm Z37 combines a 10 megapixel CCD sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.7” LCD screen in its thin 19.1mm metal body. Available in a choice of blue, green or violet, the Fujifilm FinePix Z37 will debut in August 2009 at a retail price of $149.95.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z35 digital camera offers cutting edge design and trend-setting style. The Fujifilm Z35 combines a 10 megapixel CCD sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5” LCD screen in its 23.9mm metal body. Available in White/Pink, Black/Silver, Apple Green, True Blue and Deep Purple, the Fujifilm FinePix Z35 will be available in the UK from September 2009 with pricing to be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The new Fujifilm FinePix J38 digital camera offers quality and style for a lower price. At only 20 mm thick, the Fujifilm J38’s black metal body houses a 12 megapixel CCD, a 3x Fujinon optical zoom lens and a 2.7” high resolution LCD. The J38 also has new SR Auto, Face Detection with Auto Red Eye Correction and Panoramic Shooting Modes. The Fujifilm FinePix J38 will debut in late August 2009 with a retail price of $129.95.

The new Fujifilm FinePix J30 is a new digital camera that’s affordable, easy-to-use, and produces great images. The 12 megapixel Fujifilm J30 boasts a 2.7” LCD screen, 3x optical zoom, Scene Recognition Auto, Face Detection technology and a brand new Panoramic Shooting Mode. Available in Pink, Silver and Black, the Fujifilm FinePix J30 will be available from August 2009 with pricing to be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The Fujifilm A220 and A170 are two new entry-level digital cameras. Features include SR Auto Mode (Automatic Scene Recognition), Panoramic Shooting Mode, Face Detection technology and a slim 21.9 mm body. The 10 megapixel A170 and 12 megapixel A220 both feature a 3x optical zoom lens and large, 2.7”, 230k-pixel resolution LCD screen. The A170 will debut in late July 2009 with a retail price of $89.95, and the A220 will be available in mid-August 2009 at the retail price of $99.95. In the UK, the A220 is not being released. The A170 will be available from August 2009 with pricing to be announced nearer to the date of the launch.

The Olympus mju 7010 is a new 12 megapixel camera with a 7x zoom lens. The ultra-slim Olympus 7010 also boasts a 2.7 inch LCD screen, Dual Image Stabilisation, AF tracking and i-Auto mode. The new Magic Filters include Pop Art, Pin Hole, Sketch, and Fish-Eye. The Olympus mju 7010 is in three colours, Starry Silver, Titanium Grey and Candy Pink, and will be available from August 2009 for £249.

The Olympus FE-5020, FE-4000, FE-46 and FE-26 are four new budget cameras. The FE-5020 features a 5x super wide optical zoom (24-120mm), 2.7” LCD, AF tracking, i-Auto mode, and Advanced Face Detection Technology and Magic Filters. The FE-5020 will be available in Pure White, Dark Grey, Mocca Brown and Ocean Blue. The extra slim 12 megapixel FE-4000 has a 4x wide optical zoom (26-105mm), four Magic Filters, 2.7” LCD and will be available in Pure White, Dark Grey, Metal Magenta, Arctic Blue, and Tangerine Orange. The FE-46 combines a 5x optical zoom (36-180mm) with a 12 megapixel CCD, available in Cosmic Black, Pure White or Flamingo Pink. Finally, the FE-26 has a 12 megapixel CCD and a 3x optical zoom (36-108mm) and comes in Flamingo Pink, Cornflower Blue, and Cosmic Black. The FE-5020, FE-4000 and FE-26 will be available from August for £169, £139 and £99 respectively.

Fujifilm has announced a firmware update for the FinePix F200EXR digital compact camera. Version 1.10 improves the performance of the Super Intelligent Flash and adds Finnish, Norwegian, Danish and Slovak as selectable languages for On Screen Display.

Website: Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR Firmware Update
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR

Olympus has announced the Olympus mju TOUGH-6010, a twelve-megapixel shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof digital compact camera. The µ TOUGH-6010 has a 3.6x wide zoom whose angle-of-view range is equivalent to that of a 28-102mm lens in 35mm format. The camera is freezeproof to -10 degrees Celsius, waterproof to 3m and provides shockproof protection against drops of up to 1.5m. As a new addition, the µ TOUGH-6010 now features a number of “Magic Filters”. Some of these - including ‘Pinhole’ and ‘Pop Art’ are apparently the same “Art Filters” we have seen in some of the manufacturer’s newer DSLRs as well as the Olympus E-P1 (review), but others seem new. The latest µ TOUGH will be available from July 2009 for a retail price of £299.99

Ricoh has issued a firmware update for its GX200 digital compact camera. Version 1.25 addresses minor issues related to the display of images in playback mode and the recording of orientation information when using long exposure times.

Website: Ricoh GX200 Firmware Update Service
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Ricoh GX200