The Samsung PL70 is a new 12 megapixel compact camera with a 5x, 28mm wide-angle optical zoom lens. The PL70 (also known as the Samsung SL720) features HD movie capture with ‘Pause and Re-record’ functionality, 3 inch LCD screen, optical image stabilisation and Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System. The Samsung PL70 is available in a range of colours including red, pink and silver and has a recommended retail price of £199 from August 2009. The SL720 will cost $229.99.

The Samsung PL55 is a new 12 megapixel family-friendly compact camera. The PL55 (also known as the Samsung SL502) features Samsung’s Smart Auto (Scene Recognition) technology, Perfect Portrait System, and Digital Image Stabilisation. Available from August 2009, the PL55 has a recommended retail price of £149 and comes in a variety of colours. The SL502 will cost $149.99.

The Samsung ES17 is a new 12 megapixel compact camera with 3x zoom lens. The ES17 also features Face Detection technology, Beauty Shot mode, and a Digital Image Stabilization system. Available in Pink, Silver, White and Black, the Samsung ES17 has a recommended retail price of £89 and will be available from August 2009.

Leica Camera has announced the autumn launch of a special, olive green edition of the Leica D-Lux 4 digital compact camera. The metal body of the Leica D-Lux 4 SAFARI is protected by an anodised finish, which is particularly resistant to wear, Leica says. The camera also comes with a water-proof system case with plenty of space for additional D-Lux 4 accessories – such as an optical viewfinder, handgrip or flash unit.  It also comes complete with a rain cape designed for photography out in the elements. Leica D-Lux 4 SAFARI has an RRP of £765 and is available in the UK from September 2009.

Ricoh has issued a firmware upgrade for the Ricoh CX1 digital compact camera. Version 1.24 fixes issues related to recording the correct orientation information when using slow shutter speeds and printing via certain PictBridge compliant printers.

Website: Ricoh CX1 Firmware Upgrades
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Ricoh CX1

Plawa-feinwerktechnik GmbH & Co. KG has just announced the AgfaPhoto DC-600uw, a compact digital camera that is waterproof down to a depth of 10 metres. The manufacturer has apparently resisted the urge to put a ten- or twelve-megapixel sensor into the DC-600uw, equipping it with a more reasonable-sounding 6-megapixel CCD instead. The other highlights of the new camera include a moderately wide, 36.5mm equivalent prime lens, a 2.4” TFT LCD screen, a sensitivity range of ISO 100-1600, ten scene modes, a custom white balance option,  32MB of internal storage plus compatibility with SD/SDHC memory cards. In addition to taking still photographs, the AgfaPhoto DC-600uw underwater camera can also capture 640x480-pixel videos at 30 frames per second. Weighing in at 131 grams, the camera runs on two AA-sized batteries and is available now for €149 including German VAT in Europe. The MSRP in the U.S.A. is $199.

The Pentax Optio W80 is Pentax’s most water-, shock-, dust- and cold-proof digital camera ever. The Pentax W80 can withstand depths of up to 16 feet (5 meters) for up to 2 hours, drops of up to 3.3 feet (1 meter), and sub-freezing temperatures of 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius). The 12.1 megapixel W80 also features a 5x zoom lens, HD movies, a 2.5-inch LCD screen and triple anti-shake protection. Available in Cardinal Red, Azure Blue and Gunmetal Gray, the Pentax Optio W80 will be available in July 2009 for $299.95. Accessories include a custom designed clear protective skin ($16.95) and a comfortable floating wrist strap ($19.95).

General Imaging has begun shipping the GE E1250TW touch-screen digital compact camera. The latest release in the 2009 lineup of GE-branded cameras, the E1250TW boasts a 28-140mm equivalent lens, a 12.2-megapixel sensor and a 3” touch-sensitive screen featuring “next-generation” touch-panel controls allowing for swiping, rotation and zoom among the many new touch-controlled functions. The GE E1250TW also has a panorama assist function called Pan-Capture Panorama and comes loaded with now-standard features like Face, Blink, Smile and Auto Scene Detection. The camera lists for $199 and is available through Amazon.com and other retailers.

Canon has announced a cashback offer on the Canon Powershot SX200 IS digital compact camera. The £40 / €45 offer will be launched on Thursday, 25 June and runs through Monday. 31 August. The Canon Powershot SX200 IS is a 12-megapixel camera with a 12x zoom lens and HD movie recording, available in black, blue and red colours at a recommended retail price of £359.00 / €429.

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Canon Powershot SX200 IS

Sigma has issued a firmware update to the Sigma DP2 digital compact camera, which uses a large Foveon X3 sensor. Version 1.02 of the camera firmware brings about the following improvements:

  *  The accuracy of the Auto Focus has been improved.
  * The magnification display function can be selected by just pressing the OK button when in Manual Focus mode.

With respect to the latter enhancement, Sigma has also issued a Notice of Function Change

Website:.Sigma DP2 Firmware Download Page

Casio has released EX-F1 Controller 1.000, a new Windows program that allows Casio EX-F1 owners to control their camera from a Windows PC via USB. This software provides the following capabilities:

- Control of your EX-F1 camera from a computer connected to the computer with the USB cable that comes with the camera.
- Computer-control of High Speed Continuous Shutter, High Speed Movie, Interval Recording, and more.

In order to enable computer-control an EX-F1 camera, you must first update the camera with special firmware (Version 2.00) included in the download file. Note that updating the firmware of your camera to Version 2.00 will cause your camera to lose its ability to display messages in Russian.

Website: EX-F1 Controller 1.000 Software Download

The Olympus E-P1 is the first Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus, featuring a 12.3 megapixel DSLR sensor in a compact and retro-styled body with interchangeable lenses. Inspired by the Pen series of cameras which were launched in 1959, the ultra-compact hybrid Olympus EP1 has been unveiled here at the European press launch in Berlin, Germany. The EP 1 offers the same 6 Art Filter effects familiar from the E-620 DSLR camera, and can record HD 720p quality movies with continuous auto-focus and control over depth of field. The Olympus EP1 is compatible with all Micro Four Thirds lenses and, via an adapter, the full range of existing Four Thirds lenses. Adapters are also available for OM lenses and those made by other manufacturers. Available in silver and white, the Olympus E-P1 will be available in July. Two new lenses, the 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake (34mm*) and 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 (28-84mm*), have also been announced, with a total of 6 different camera kits available on launch.

In the UK the Olympus E-P1 standard kit is priced at £699.99 with the 14-42 lens. In the US the E P1 is $749 body only, $799 with the 14-42mm lens, and $899 with the 17mm lens and VF-1 external viewfinder.

We’ll bring you a selection of full-size sample images and videos from a production Olympus E-P1 camera later today, rainy German weather permitting…

Fujiflm Japan has unveiled a new ultra-compact digital camera, the Fujifilm FinePix Z300. This is a ten-megapixel model with CCD-shift image stabilisation, a sliding faceplate, 5x optical zoom and a 3” touch-sensitive rear screen. The Japanese press release is heavily touting the function that allows you to focus on the subject and take a photo simply by touching the screen, i.e. without having to press the shutter release button. The FinePix Z300 is manufactured in pink, violet, black and white colours, and will be released on 20th June in Japan. There are currently no plans to release the Z300 outside of Japan. Click through / read on for the key specs.

Website: Fujifilm FinePix Z300 Press Release (in Japanese)

Nikon has announced an upcoming firmware update for the Nikon Coolpix L100 superzoom model, which will make it possible to use rechargeable Ni-MH batteries to power the camera. The release of the firmware update will coincide with that of a new battery charger called the MH-73 and a set of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries (EN-MH2-B4).

Review: Read our recent in-depth review of the Nikon Coolpix L100

Casio today announced the 12.1-megapixel Casio EXILIM Hi-Zoom EX-H10, billing it as “the world’s thinnest and lightest camera” among digital cameras with a 10X or greater optical zoom lens. Casio also quotes a battery life of 1,000 shots according to the CIPA standard. Other highlights include a 24-240mm equivalent zoom, a 3” rear screen and CCD-shift image stabilisation, all in a body that is just 24.3mm thin. Apart from capturing twelve-megapixel still photographs, the Casio EXILIM EX-H10 can also record HD movies at 1280x720 pixels. In the UK the Casio EX-H10 will retail at £299, availability to be announced. In the USA the Casio H10 will be available in mid July in black for $299.99.

The range of Rollei digital cameras is being extended with 7 new models in the UK. The new Rollei Compactline 50 costs just £49.99, the Compactline 90 is only £79.99, and the Compactline 150, which has a host of features including a 5x optical zoom, panorama function and 19 different shooting modes, is just £129.99. The RCP8330, Flexline 140 and the Swarovski at £79.99, £169.99 and £199.99 each are also stacked with functions and features that belie their prices. The new range of Rollei products put German excellence in technology, design and build quality in your hands, for a very Japanese price.

Panasonic has just released a firmware update for its highly successful premium compact, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. Version 1.3 brings you the following:

  1. Improved auto white balance performance.
  2. Improved auto white balance performance in sunset mode.
  3. Improved recovery operation from unremoved lens cap.
  4. Improved operation of MF ASSIST/AF area selection.
  5. Improved display of Manual Exposure Assistance.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Firmware Update Service
Review: Read our in-depth review of the Panasonic LX3

Sigma have released a firmware update for the Sigma DP2 digital compact camera. Version 1.01 promises improved AF accuracy and addresses the issue of intermittent camera freeze under certain conditions. The Sigma DP2 is a compact camera with a fixed 41mm equivalent f/2.8 lens and a nearly APS-C sized Foveon sensor, boasting a resolution of 3 x 4.7 million pixels.

Website: Firmware Download | Sigma DP2