Canon has posted a service advisory for its EOS 1D C and 1D X cameras. The company says that in some units, there is a possibility that focus hunting and inability to lock focus may may occur due to wear caused by insufficient lubrication within the camera’s driving mechanism. Furthermore, the viewfinder image may also become blurry or unsteady. Potentially affected products include Canon EOS 1D C units whose serial number's sixth digit is "1" and Canon EOS 1D X cameras whose serial number's sixth digit is either “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6” or “7”. Potentially affected cameras will be inspected and repaired free of charge.

Canon has posted a firmware update for its EOS 650D digital SLR camera. Version 1.0.4 incorporates the following fixes:

1. Fixes the following phenomena which may occur when the camera is used in combination with certain lens models equipped with a stepping motor.
2. Affected lenses: EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM / EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
3. The camera may freeze in rare instances if you try to shoot with a lens cap attached or meter a subject in  low contrast in Live View (or Movie) shooting.
4. Fine focus adjustment may not be possible in Remote Live View on the EOS Utility software.
5. Fixes a phenomenon in which some SD card products are not recognized by the camera.
6. Corrects some misspellings displayed on the menu screen.

Website: Canon EOS 650D Firmware Version 1.0.4

Want to see exactly what the new Pentax K50 / K500 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Pentax K50 / K500 DSLR camera.

The Pentax K50 is an entry-level, weather-proof DSLR with an ISO range of 100-51,200, viewfinder with 100% field of view, 6fps burst shooting, 1/6000th second shutter speed and AA battery compatibility. The Pentax K500 is exactly the same, but without the weather-sealing. The K50 is positioned above the existing K30 model, which will continue production, and the K500 slots below it in the expanded range of 5 Pentax DSLRs.

The Pentax K-50 is a weather-sealed digital SLR camera available in 120 colour combinations. Key features include an APS-C sized 16.28-megapixel CMOS sensor, dust- and freezeproof camera body, a pentaprism viewfinder with 100% frame coverage and 0.92x magnification (with a 50mm lens focussed at infinity) Pentax-developed Shake Reduction, SAFOX IXi+ auto focus module, 6fps continuous shooting and Full HD video recording at 30, 25 or 24fps. The Pentax K-50 camera can be powered by a proprietary lithium-ion battery or four AA-size cells. A colour-to-order service allows for the selection from 120 camera colour combinations, including three standard models. The Pentax K-50 is available for a body-only price of £529.99 / $699.95, or £599.99 / $779.95 with the 18-55mm DAL WR lens. In the US there's also a dual lens kit including the DA-L 18-55mm WR and DA-L 50-200mm WR lenses for $879.95.

The Pentax K-500 is a 16.28-megapixel digital SLR camera that offers "sound specifications and outstanding value for money." Priced at £449.99 / $599.95 including a 18-55mm DAL lens, the Pentax K-500 has an APS-C sized CMOS sensor, body-integral Shake Reduction, 6fps continuous shooting, a pentaprism finder with 100% frame coverage and 0.92x magnification with a 50mm lens focussed at infinity, SAFOX IXi+ AF module and Full HD movie recording capability. The Pentax K-500 camera can be powered by a proprietary lithium-ion battery or four AA-size batteries. In the US the K500 will also be available in a dual lens kit including the DA-L 18-55mm and DA-L 50-200mm lenses for $699.95.

Apple has issued a new Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update to MacOS X. Version 4.06 adds support for nine new cameras including the Canon EOS-1D C (pictured), EOS 100D and EOS 700D, the Hasselblad Lunar, the Nikon COOLPIX A, Nikon D7100, Nikon 1 J3 and Nikon 1 S1, and the Sony Alpha NEX-3N. Note that Aperture version 3.4 or later, or iPhoto version 9.4 or later, is required to install this update.

Nikon UK has just launched its summer DSLR promotion offering up to £150 cashback. Products included include the Nikon D5200 (£50/€60 cashback) and Nikon D600 (£150/€180 cashback), in body-only configurations as well as kits including one or more F-mount Nikkor lenses. The offer is valid through 31st July. Claims must be received by 31st August 2013. Note that you must be a UK or ROI resident in order to participate.

Canon has released a firmware update for its EOS-1D Mark IV digital SLR camera. Version 1.1.3 incorporates the following improvement and fix:

1. Enables the central AF point to autofocus when the camera is used with the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lens and a teleconverter whose combined maximum aperture is f/8.
    
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which abnormal images may result when continuous shooting mode is enabled and the image size is set to "RAW" or "RAW+JPEG".

Website: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Support

Canon has posted a firmware update for its EOS-1Ds Mark III full-frame digital SLR camera. Version 1.2.2 enables focusing with the central AF sensor when the camera is used with the EF 200-400mm F4L USM Extender 1.4X lens and teleconverter whose combined maximum aperture is f/8. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Support

Canon has issued a firmware update for its EOS-1D Mark III digital SLR camera. Version 1.3.1 enables focusing with the central AF sensor when the camera is used with the EF 200-400mm F4L USM Extender 1.4X lens and an Extender whose combined maximum aperture is f/8. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Canon EOS-1D Mark III Support

Four Nikon products have won accolades in this year's TIPA awards. The Technical Image Press Association has given the prize for ‘Best Advanced DSLR’ to the Nikon D7100 (pictured), ‘Best Easy Compact Camera’ to the Nikon Coolpix S01, ‘Best Superzoom Camera’ to the Nikon Coolpix P520 and the ‘Best CSC Entry Level Lens’ to the Nikon 1 Nikkor 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF. Marina Gurevich, Product Manager at Nikon Europe says: “We are very proud that the Nikon D7100 has followed the success of its predecessor, which took the same prize in 2011."

Canon has released a new in-camera Picture Style, called Video Camera X-Series Look, for its range of digital SLR cameras. Similar to that available in Canon’s range of X-series camcorders, the new Picture Style works by lowering colour saturation levels and contrast during filming. This makes it ideal for videographers during post production grading processes, especially if complementing with pre-existing footage shot with Canon’s X-series models. The new Picture Style can be downloaded now from the website below.

Canon has been awarded five honours by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). These include te Best Entry-Level DSLR (Canon EOS 100D), Best Expert DSLR (Canon EOS 6D), Best Video DSLR (Canon EOS 1D C, pictured) ,Best Professional DSLR Lens (Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM) and Best Expert Photo Printer (Canon Pixma Pro-10). “This is yet another strong showing from Canon in the TIPA Awards,” said Kieran Magee, Marketing Director, Professional Imaging, Canon Europe. “Such recognition from TIPA clearly demonstrates the level of quality and innovation that is present throughout our product range, from our consumer and amateur models to our professional line.”

Pentax Ricoh UK has just launched a cashback promotion across its range of digital SLRs, mirrorless and compact cameras. The cashback campaign will run from 4 May – 27 July 2013. Click through / scroll down for the list of eligible products and the amount of cashback you can claim on your purchases.

Canon has just launched its summer cashback offer in the UK. Eligible customers may claim up to £55 cashback on a range of selected products across digital SLR cameras and lenses, compact cameras, inkjet printers and camcorders. Plus, if you purchase two promotional products within the same transaction, you're eligible to claim one additional £30 bonus payment. Click through for the full list of participating products.

To celebrate National Photo Month, Pentax Ricoh Americas have announced significant savings on numerous products. The promotional offers include several price drops and consumer instant rebates on a variety of compact and interchangeable-lens cameras as well as lenses. Click through / read on for the details.

Canon has released a new firmware update for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera. Version 1.2.1 - which was first announced in October 2012 - incorporates no less than 15 improvements and fixes including uncompressed HDMI output, auto-focus capability with lens-teleconverter combinations whose combined maximum aperture is f/8, improved focus acquisition when using a Canon Speedlite’s AF-assist light, lens compensation data for the EF24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens, improved communication with the WFT-E7 wireless file transmitter, and much more. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Sigma UK is offering a special cashback programme for all SIGMA SD/DP camera users. Anyone who owns a Sigma SD9, SD10, SD14, SD15 or SD1 digital SLR or any Sigma SD series digital compact camera can receive up to £300 cashback when they purchase a new Sigma Merrill model. The promotion is valid on new Sigma camera purchases imported via Sigma UK, and applies to all purchases made up to 16 June 2013 from a UK retailer. The offer is only available to residents of the  United Kingdom, aged 18 years or over.

Canon today announced that the company’s interchangeable-lens digital cameras (including DSLRs and CSCs) have consistently maintained the No. 1 share worldwide in terms of volume within the interchangeable-lens digital camera market for the past 10 years. In 2003, Canon introduced its breakthrough EOS 300D Digital Rebel, which set the stage for growth in the digital SLR camera market. Since that time, the company has launched a number of models targeting advanced-amateur users - including the EOS 5D series, which paved the way for serious digital SLR video recording, starting with the 5D Mark II. In 2012, Canon celebrated the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the EOS camera system and marked its 10th consecutive year as the market’s world leader. During the year, Canon launched the compact-system EOS M, aimed at expanding the company’s entry-level user base, along with the EOS 6D, the world’s smallest and lightest digital SLR camera equipped with a 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor. This year, Canon introduced the EOS 100D / Rebel SL1 (pictured), which is billed as the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR camera equipped with an APS-C-size sensor.

Pentax Ricoh have issued a firmware update for the Pentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs digital SLR cameras. According to the company, Version 1.04 corrects the following bug: "Switch operation may not rarely work during displaying Status screen in firmware version 1.03." You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Pentax K-5 II Downloads : Firmware Update