Successor to the Leica S2, the new Leica S features the same 37.5-megapixel resolution but comes with a new image and sensor board that promises improved noise characteristics and an extended sensitivity range. In addition, the Leica S offers a range of new features - some of them unique -, predictive autofocus, integrated GPS, higher speed and enhanced handling. The Leica S is scheduled to be available in the UK at a suggested retail price of £16,000 including VAT from December 2012.

Phase One today announced the Phase One 645DF+ camera platform, with support for more than 50 different digital medium format digital backs and 80 different lenses from leading brands, and featuring a new high-powered rechargeable Li-ion battery enabling up to 10,000 captures on a single charge. Billed as “the world’s most versatile camera platform for high-end photography,” the Phase One 645DF benefits from an enhanced auto focus system with an all-new custom adjustment feature, and offers support for both focal-plane and leaf-shutter lenses. Its range extends from exposures of up to 60 minutes to as fast as 1/4000s. It facilitates flash synchronization speeds of up to 1/1600s with leaf shutter lenses from Schneider Kreuznach. The Phase One 645DF+ camera body is priced at €4290 / $5990 without a digital back.

Also today, Phase One announced the Schneider Kreuznach 28mm LS f/4.5 Aspherical lens. With edge-to-edge sharpness, an angle of view of 102°, a minimum focusing distance of only 35 cm / 1.15 feet, it is ideal for interior, land- and cityscape as well as architectural photography. The Schneider Kreuznach 28 LS lens is priced at €4290 / $5990. Both the camera and lens are available for ordering now; volume shipping begins in October 2012.

Within the past few days, both Nikon and Canon have announced new “full-frame” - or “FX format” in Nikon speak - digital SLR cameras (namely, the Nikon D600 and the Canon EOS 6D) that are more affordable than any other comparable and currently manufactured model in the two manufacturers’ line-ups. In order to help you get a clearer picture of how they compare to each other specifications-wise, we’ve compiled a handy little table summarising the key differences between the two models, based on information available to us at the time of writing.

Want to see what the brand new Canon EOS 6D 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera looks like in the flesh? We have put together a hands-on photo gallery for your perusal.

Billed as the manufacturer’s “smallest and lightest full-frame digital SLR camera for serious photographers,” the Canon EOS 6D features a newly designed 20.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, a built-in wireless transmitter and an integrated GPS module. The camera also includes an 11-point AF array and 63-zone dual-layer iFCL metering sensor together with 1080p Full HD video capabilities. Other highlights include 14-bit analogue-to-digital conversion and a maximum continuous shooting speed of 4.5 frames per second. The Canon EOS 6D will be sold in a body-only configuration for $2,099/£1,799 and it will additionally be offered in a kit version with Canon’s EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $2,899.00/£2,519.99. Both configurations are expected to be available in December 2012. The separately sold BG-E13 battery grip retails for £249.99.

We have spent some quality time with the brand new Nikon D600 full-frame digital SLR camera to deliver you a hands-on preview. You can read our initial impressions below.

Update: Since publishing this hands-on report, we have completed our full review of the Nikon D600.

Nikon has released a spectacular sample movie shot on the new Nikon D600 full-frame digital SLR camera, accompanied by a “behind-the-scenes” video that was also recorded with the D600. Shot on location in various places across the globe, the sample movie demonstrates the capabilities of the camera very well; though you must remember that the average user - equipped with nothing but the camera itself, an assortment of lenses and a tripod, with no access to all the accessories (cranes, specialised mounting rigs etc.) and vehicles used by the creators of the sample movie - will hardly be able to shoot such professional videos on their vacations. Nevertheless, “Chasing the Light” is a truly enjoyable movie, available to watch at reduced resolution on the Nikon Imaging website.

Website: Nikon Imaging

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon D600 full-frame digital SLR camera looks like in the flesh? We have put together a gallery of hands-on photos for your perusal.

Nikon has posted 10 full-resolution sample photos taken with the Nikon D600, a new 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera sporting a 24.3-megapixel sensor. Captured at sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 100/21° to ISO 3200/36°, with a variety of lenses including the AF-S Nikkor .24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR, 85mm f/1.8G, 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II (with teleconverter), 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, Fisheye-Nikkor 16mm f/2.8D and PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED; the Nikon D600 samples are all presented in JPEG format (though some of them were shot as 14-bit NEFs). To view and download the sample photographs, visit the website below.

Website:, Nikon D600 Samples

The Nikon D600 is a new full-frame digital SLR camera featuring a 24.3-megapixel FX format sensor, newly developed Multi-CAM4800 39-point AF system, 14-bit analogue-to-digital conversion.and a glass prism optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage. Compatible with lenses up to f/8 combined open aperture and sensitive down to -1 EV, the new AF system enables users to take well-focussed shots even in challenging light conditions. Weighing in at 760 grams without a battery, the Nikon D600 also boasts the title of the smallest FX format DSLR camera Nikon has ever crafted. Other highlights include a shutter unit designed for 150,000 actuations, an ISO range of 100–6400, extendable up to 25,600 and down to 50; dual SD card slots with SDXC and UHS-I support; a dual-axis virtual horizon; in camera HDR exposure blending; and a Multi-area D-Movie mode offering Full HD video capture at a variety of frame rates and the ability to output an uncompressed live video stream at 1080p to external recorders.

The Nikon D600 body will be available from 18 September 2012 for £1955.99 /  €2385.99 / $2,099.95. It will also be sold in a kit with the 24-85mm lens for £2443.99 / €2981.99 / $2,699.95.

The optional WU-1b Mobile Adapter is a wireless mobile adapter that allows images to be transferred directly to any smartphone or tablet, and enables the camera to be controlled remotely via the smart device. This will be available on September 18 for £64.99 / €79.00 / $59.95.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A99 full-frame DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony A99 SLT camera, including a break-down of the camera’s components and with the new 300mm F2.8 G SSM II lens (which costs a cool £6700).

The Sony Alpha SLT-A99 is a 35mm full-frame camera with a Dual AF system and pro-style video features. The Sony A99 has a newly developed 24.3 megapixel full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor, Dual AF System with 19 sensors (including 11 cross sensors) and 102 AF point system (focal plane), ISO 50-25600, Full HD 50p progressive movie shooting with non-stop Continuous AF and pro audio, and an XGA OLED Tru-Finder with 100% frame coverage. The Sony SLT-A99 is available from early November 2012 priced at around £2500.

The new 300mm F2.8 G SSM II (SAL300F28G2) lens is designed for demanding sports and wildlife applications. A new wide-aperture Carl Zeiss A-mount prime lens is now under development. Optimised for superb results with the camera’s 35mm full frame image sensor, the Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM will be available in Spring 2013.

Sony have launched no less than 10 new digital imaging products today, including three 35mm full-frame cameras. They are the:

- NEX-6, A99, DSC-RX1 cameras
- NEX-VG900, NEX-VG30 camcorders
- 10-18mm, 16-50mm Power Zoom, 35mm f1.8 (all E-mount), 300mm f2.8, Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM full-frame lenses

Canon has issued a firmware upgrade for its EOS 7D digital SLR camera. According to the company, version 2.0.3 incorporates the following and fixes:

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera stops working when the auto power off setting takes effect.

2. Fixes a phenomenon in which the maximum number of images that can be captured in a burst may be less than the actual number displayed in the viewfinder.

3. Corrects some errors in the message displayed on the LCD screen when saving RAW images developed in the camera (these errors do not appear in the Japanese and Korean language displays).

The fixes listed above are corrections for the phenomena experienced with firmware version 2.0.0. These phenomena will not occur in firmware version 1.2.5 or before.

Website: Canon UK

Hasselblad’s ‘next generation’ H System camera series, the Hasselblad H5D, will be showcased at the company’s press conference at Photokina, Cologne, Germany. Featuring a modernised design and a complete new electronic engine, the Hasselblad H5D Series will be available in 40-, 50- and 60-megapixel editions as well as 50- and 200-megapixel Multi-Shot versions, and will start shipping in December 2012. The cameras offer the largest and brightest optical viewfinder in the market, simultaneous raw+JPEG shooting, True Focus II technology providing accurate focus and immediate focus confirmation, larger and more ergonomic buttons, new sealing for improved weatherproofing and an optional battery adapter for standalone operation. In addition to the Hasselblad H5D Series cameras, the company also announced the HCD 24mm f/4.8 H System lens. which is equivalent to a 17mm lens in a 35mm system.

The Pentax K-5 II is a sixteen-megapixel digital SLR camera with an APS-C sized sensor and a completely new Safox X AF module that remains operational down to -3EV. Coupled with an upgraded AF algorithm, the camera is claimed to deliver exceptional AF performance, including such features as a select-area expansion function, which automatically tracks the subject even when it moves away from a pre-assigned select point. Launched in conjunction with the Pentax K-5 II is the Pentax K-5 II s that comes without an anti-aliasing filter for superior resolution. The Pentax K-5 II is available from early October for £799.99/$1,199.95, while the Pentax K-5 IIs carries a body-only price of £949.99/$1,299.95. The K-5 II is also available in a kit with the 18-55mm WR lens (for £869.99/$1349.95) and in a bundle with the 18-135mm WR zoom (for £1,119.99/$1,549.95).

German software developer Jürgen Habenstein has unveiled his AppCam OS-II, a new graphical user interface for DSLR cameras. Aimed at making cameras more intuitive and easy to use without the need to delve into complicated and long-winded menu systems, the AppCam OS-II doesn’t require camera manufacturers to add any extra buttons or setting wheels to established control layouts, and works without a touchscreen. Whether the major camera companies are ready to adopt the new OS remains to be seen but we believe Jürgen definitely deserves kudos for his creative efforts. For more information on the AppCam OS-II, visit the website below.

Website: AppCam OS-II

At Photokina 2012, Olympus will be challenging visitors to directly compare their own digital SLRs against the Olympus OM-D E-M5 in a low-light shoot-off. At the Olympus booth - Stand A11-B10 in Hall 2.2 - visitors will have a chance to put their camera’s picture quality to the test by pitting their own dSLR against an OM-D in the hands of a professional photographer. A model will pose for pictures taken by the public and the resident professional. A0-sized prints will show how well the OM-D E-M5 measures up. Other booth highlights include professional video making in the Audio Lounge and a Hello Terminal where you can have your picture taken against a backdrop.

If you can’t wait until Photokina, check out our own Olympus OM-D vs. Nikon D7000 head-to-head review!

Canon has posted a firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR camera. According to the company, Version 1.0.6 incorporates the following fixes:

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the AF Microadjustment cannot be correctly carried out.
2. Fixes a phenomenon such that when using the camera with combinations of certain lens*1) and extender*2), the images captured become back-focused.

*1) EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM or EF200mm f/2L IS USM

When used with
*2) Extender EF 1.4x III or Extender EF 2x III

Website: Canon EOS-1D X Firmware Update 1.0.6 for Windows
Website: Canon EOS-1D X Firmware Update 1.0.6 for Mac

Olympus have issued a vague press release that hints at a successor for the E-5 pro DSLR camera. The head of Olympus’ SLR planning team has said that the company is working on a new body for use with its best “Top Pro” lenses, like the 90-250mm f2.8 zoom. Akira Watanabe “emphasise(s) that Olympus is actively developing a solution and will announce more details in due course” - on the back of that statement, we’d expect to see at least an early mockup of the Olympus E-5 successor at the bi-annual Photokina show next month…