The Nikon D4 FX-format digital SLR camera; the Nikon 1 V2, J3, and S1 compact system cameras and the Nikon Coolpix S01 digital compact camera have been awarded the “red dot award: product design 2013”, sponsored by Germany’s Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen. This year, 4,662 products from 1,865 companies in 54 countries were entered in the competition. Winners will be on display from July 2, 2013 to July 28, 2013 in the “Design on stage – winners red dot award: product design 2013” exhibition at the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen Germany.

Canon has issued a firmware update for its EOS 6D digital SLR camera. Version 1.1.3 fixes “a phenomenon in which the Date/Time/Zone settings screen appears on the LCD display, after the user has already configured these settings,” Canon says. The company suggests that you install this firmware update even if you have not encountered this problem yet.

Website: Canon EOS 6D Drivers and Software

Nikon has released a firmware update for the Nikon D800 DSLR camera. According to the company, Version A1.01 / B1.02 incorporates a number of improvements and fixes, some of which appear to be quite significant. Click through / read on for the details.

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon D600 full-frame DSLR camera. Version C1.01 incorporates an array of enhancements and fixes, the most significant ones being an improvement in AF-C performance and the ability to output a live view feed with 100% frame coverage in movie mode via HDMI. Click through / read on for the details.

Nikon has posted a firmware update for the its Nikon D4 professional DSLR camera. Version A1.05 / B1.03 adds support for the new AF-S Nikkor 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens, improves auto white balance performance, and fixes bugs. In the release notes (see below) Nikon also claims, somewhat mysteriously, that “images are sharper and appear more three dimensional.”

Nikon has released a firmware update for the Nikon D3200 entry-level DSLR camera. Version C1.01 changes a couple of aspects of the camera’s behaviour when using the Wireless Mobile Utility, and fixes bugs. Click through / read on for the detailed list of changes.

Nikon has posted firmware updates for the DX-format Nikon D7000 as well as the FX-format Nikon D3, D3S (pictured) and D3X DSLR cameras. Unlike the more comprehensive firmware updates issued for the Nikon D3200, D600, D800 and D4, this upgrade simply adds support for the new AF-S Nikkor 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens.

Website: Nikon D7000 Firmware Update A1.03 / B1.04
Website: Nikon D3 Firmware Update A2.03 / B2.03
Website: Nikon D3S Firmware Update A1.02 / B1.02
Website: Nikon D3X Firmware Update A1.01 / B1.02

Canon has released eight full-resolution sample photos and four sample videos shot with the brand new Canon EOS 100D, also known as the EOS Rebel SL1. Taken at a variety of sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 100/21° to ISO 1600/33°, these EOS 100D samples were shot using an array of lenses including the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, EF 17-40mm f/4L USM and the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM. While the sample photos are available at the original 18-megapixel resolution, the sample movies have been downsampled to 960x540 pixels. Each sample video is accompanied by a behind-the-scenes movie showing how it was shot.

Website: Canon EOS 100D Sample Images and Movies

Canon has released eight full-resolution sample photos and twor sample videos shot with the brand new Canon EOS 700D, also known as the EOS Rebel T5i. Taken at a variety of sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 100/21° to ISO 1600/33°, these EOS 100D samples were shot using an array of lenses including the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, EF 17-40mm f/4L USM and the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM.  While the sample photos are available at the original 18-megapixel resolution, the sample movies have been downsampled to 960x540 pixels. Each sample video is accompanied by a behind-the-scenes movie showing how it was shot.

Website: Canon EOS 700D Sample Images & Sample Movies

Canon has unveiled the Canon EOS 100D (sold as the Canon EOS Rebel SL1 in North America), which is billed as “the smallest and lightest APS-C DSLR ever made.” Measuring just 116.8 x 90.7 x 69.4mm and weighing only 407g, the EOS 100D features a 3” ClearView II capacitive touchscreen, an 18-megapixel Hybrid CMOS AF II sensor and DIGIC 5 processor. The new sensor uses phase detection pixels spread across 80% of the sensor’s imaging surface to provide increased AF speed and tracking performance when the camera is in live view or when capturing Full-HD movies. The Canon EOS 100D is available from late April, with an SRP of £579.99 / €739.99 / $649.99.

The Canon EOS 700D (marketed as the Canon EOS Rebel T5i in North America) is a new digital SLR camera with an APS-C sized 18-megapixel Hybrid CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 processor and a 5fps continuous shooting mode. The EOS 700D’s advanced AF module consists of 9 cross-type sensors spread across the frame, and a new, simplified 360° rotating mode dial to provide easy and swift access to the camera’s various shooting modes. A 3” vari-angle Clear View LCD II touchscreen makes it easy for users to frame, shoot and review from a variety of angles. When shooting in Live View mode, the Hybrid CMOS AF system enables speedy and accurate autofocus for photos and video, the company claims. The Canon EOS 700D is available from late April, with an SRP of £629.99 / €799.99 / $749.99.

Nikon UK has announced that Sutton Images, the world’s largest independent motorsport picture agency, is using Nikon D4s for the Australian Grand Prix taking place this weekend in Melbourne. Mr Tanaka, President of Nikon UK, says: “We are committed to maintaining Nikon’s position as number one imaging brand and this involves working with the very best in sporting photography. We look forward to working with Sutton Images, whose historic association with F1 spans over 30 years”.

Pentax Ricoh has issued a firmware update for the Pentax K-5 II and Pentax K-5 IIs digital SLR cameras. Version 1.03 improves overall stability and exposure accuracy when using AA batteries.

Website: Pentax Japan

Pentax Ricoh Imaging Americas has announced consumer mail-in rebates on its 645D medium-format system as well as select Limited series lenses when bundled with the K-5 IIs dSLR. The rebates, valid through 31 March 2013, range from $250 to $500. Photographers who buy a 645D camera body will receive a free D-FA 55mm lens and a $500 Pentax VISA prepaid card on the purchase of the D-FA 25mm and HD 90mm lens when bought at the same time as the body. Those purchasing the K-5IIs camera body will receive a $250 Pentax VISA prepaid card on the purchase of FA 31mm, 43mm and 77mm Limited series lenses when biught at the same time as the body. To print a mail-in rebate form, visit the website below.

Starting today photographers living in the UK and Ireland can claim cashback on a range of Canon products including DSLRs, lenses and accessories, compacts, camcorders and printers. The amount of cashback ranges from £20/€25 on the PowerShot S110 camera (pictured) to £235/€300 on the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM and EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lenses. To take part in the offer and check the terms and conditions, visit the website below.

Pentax Ricoh have released firmware updates for the Pentax K-01 system camera and the Pentax K-30 dSLR (pictured). Version 1.03 fixes a bug related to contrast-detect auto focus, which was introduced by firmware version 1.02. You can download the updates from the websites below.

Website: Pentax K-01 Firmware Update 1.03
Website Pentax K-30 Firmware Update 1.03

In some markets, Nikon is touting the recently announced Nikon D7100 as its new flagship DX camera. Therefore - having compared the D7100’s specifications to those of its most obvious forebear the D7000 - we were curious to find out how it stacked up against Nikon’s last truly pro-oriented DX model, the venerable Nikon D300S (read review). The two cameras share a number of components - such as a 0.94x pentaprism viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, a shutter unit capable of a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000s and rated for 150,000 actuations, a weather sealed construction and an auto focus module with 51 focus points - and a legion of features; but there are some rather significant differences too. The Nikon D7100 comes with a 24-megapixel sensor that does away with the low-pass filter, a new LCD screen, a newly developed OLED display inside the viewfinder, an updated AF system whose centre point can be used with lens-teleconverter combinations as slow as f/8, a so-called “1.3x crop mode,” a 2016-pixel RGB metering sensor, and Full HD video with a number of frame rate options. At the same time the D7100 makes do with a much smaller raw buffer, slower continuous shooting speed and less robustly built body, and lacks the dedicated AF-ON button and PC sync terminal of the D300S. In addition, it uses a different battery and charger and is incompatible with the D300S’s optional MB-10 portrait grip. Upgrading from a Nikon D300S to a D7100 thus involves a number of compromises in addition to the obvious benefits.

Nikon has issued a product advisory in which the company acknowledges that a number of Nikon D600 cameras may have been shipped to customers with dirt on their low-pass filters. Reminding users that “the structure and concept of digital SLR cameras makes the complete elimination of… dust spots very difficult,” Nikon suggests that they clean the camera’s sensor - or, more precisely, the surface of the low-pass filter - using a blower. If this does not help, they should “consult [their] nearest Nikon service centre.” The product advisory does not say explicitly that the affected cameras will be cleaned free of charge, only that they will be “thoroughly” examined and serviced “as needed.”

Review: Read our in-depth review of the Nikon D600 digital SLR camera

Earlier today, Nikon announced the Nikon D7100 digital SLR camera, a successor to the hugely popular Nikon D7000. The new model inherits the D7000’s viewfinder, shutter assebly, 2016-pixel RGB metering sensor, dual SD memory card slots, weatherproof body, EN-EL15 battery and core functionality; and adds a new 24-megapixel sensor with no low-pass filter, an Advanced Multi-CAM 3500DX auto focus module with 51 focus points, a new LCD screen and a number of new features including a “1.3x crop mode.” Note that as the Nikon D7100 is a DX camera with a “crop factor” of 1.5, the “1.3x” mode is in fact a 2x crop mode relative to 35mm full frame, essentially turning the Nikon D7100 into a 15-megapixel FourThirds camera while retaining the 3:2 aspect ratio and allowing for a slightly faster continuous shooting speed.

Nikon has posted half a dozen full-resolution sample photos taken with the new Nikon D7100 dSLR camera. Shot with the AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR and AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR lenses in 12-bit and 14-bit raw formats, all of the Nikon D7100 samples can be downloaded as JPEGs. Note that these sample images were all shot at low sensitivity settings (ISO 100/21°and ISO 200/24°).

Website: Official Nikon D7100 Sample Photos