Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon D7000 DSLR camera. Version 1.02 resolves a number of issues and changes the way long-exposure noise reduction is performed. Specifically, dark frame subtraction is now applied to all photos taken using shutter speeds slower than 1s. Previously, long-exposure NR was applied to photos captured with exposure times longer than 8s only. You can download the update from the website below.

Website: Nikon D7000 Firmware

Canon U.S.A. has announced a series of workshops entitled, “Deconstructing the Story”, as part of its Live Learning events. These three-day, hands-on sessions provide intensive learning opportunities designed to demonstrate improved techniques for shooting successful video projects with video-enabled Canon EOS digital SLR cameras, such as the Canon EOS 1D Mark IV pictured above. The workshops will be held in five cities across the United States, including Orlando, Cincinnati, New York, Austin and Seattle. Click through / read on for dates and more information.

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) has honoured the Olympus E-5 with its “Best Expert DSLR” award, while the Olympus XZ-1 has been deemed the best expert compact. The Olympus E-5 (pictured) is a weather sealed digital SLR camera featuring a robust magnesium alloy body, large and bright viewfinder, ultra-fast 11-point auto focus system, self-cleaning 12-megapixel sensor, high-resolution articulated LCD monitor, in-body image stabilisation and HD video capture. The Olympus XZ-1 is a 10-megapixel premium compact camera boasting an ultra-bright 28-112mm equivalent f/1.8-2.5 zoom lens, a high-resolution 3-inch OLED screen and a 1/1.63 inch CCD imager with sensor-shift image stabilisation.

Sony has won two awards from the Technical Image Press Association. The company scooped up the TIPA award for best imaging innovation for its SLT technology, whilst its Handycam NEX-VG10E interchangeable-lens video camera has won the accolade of “Best Expert Camcorder”. Sony’s SLT technology is used in the Sony A55 and A33 cameras, and it will also be at the heart of the upcoming Sony A77. The Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 (pictured) is a Full HD camcorder that has an APS HD CMOS sensor and takes Sony E-mount lenses (as well as A-mount lenses with the LA-EA1 mount adapter).

Canon has won four awards from the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). The Association has found the Canon EOS 600D (read review) to be the best entry-level digital SLR camera released in the past 12 months, awarded the Best Superzoom Camera title to the Powershot SX230 HS (pictured), honoured the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II USM lens with the “Best Professional Lens” award, and hailed the Pixma MG8150 as the best multifunction photo printer.

Nikon won two TIPA awards this year, one for the Nikon D7000 digital SLR camera, and one for the Nikon Coolpix P300 prosumer compact. The Nikon D7000 (read review) has been named the best advanced DSLR in 2011, while the P300 (read review) has won the accolade of Best General Compact Camera. “The Nikon D7000 impressed us as the definition of a state-of-the-art DX-format DSLR,” the jury said. On the P300, they commented: “[T]his camera gives excellent image quality even in dim lighting conditions.”

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) has named the Pentax 645D the best professional DSLR camera in 2011. Pentax’s medium-format digital SLR was singled out because of the camera’s exceptional image quality, excellent reliability and outstanding operability. The 645D offers approximately 40 megapixels of resolution, 77-segment metering, in-camera raw development, a digital level indicator, an autofocus system with 11 sensor points, a robust body, dual memory-card slots and a large, bright viewfinder. The Pentax 645D body is available for £8999.00 in the UK and $9995.95 in the US.

Canon is exhibiting a wide range of products at the 2011 NAB Show, booth # C-4325. Included in the booth’s exhibit will be Canon’s new PL-mount lenses, a new portable 20x HD zoom with a built-in extender (pictured), the company’s robotic pan-tilt HD cameras, the new Canon XA10 professional camcorder, XF300-series and XF100-series professional camcorders, EOS DSLR cameras, the REALiS WUX4000 Installation LCOS projector, and large-format imagePROGRAF printers.  Also on display during the show will be the new Technicolor CineStyle for the Canon 5D Mark II, a custom picture style which provides cinematographers with the image latitude for digital intermediate colour-grading and delivery.

Technicolor has announced it has formed a strategic alliance with Canon USA. Aimed at facilitating “greater usability and integration of Canon EOS DSLR cameras into the motion picture and television production pipeline”, the cooperation was prompted by key professional cinematographers “eager to incorporate Canon EOS DSLR cameras into their creative palettes”, the two companies said in a statement. The first fruit of this cooperation is the new Technicolor CineStyle, a profile that gives post-production professionals image files with much greater latitude and versatility when colour grading EOS footage.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon D5100 DSLR camera looks like?

Then check out our hands-on photo gallery of the Nikon D5100, a new mid-range DSLR camera that offers 16 megapixels, a 3 inch tilting LCD screen, 1080p movies and a range of special effects. We have 34 photos of the Nikon D5100 and the ME-1 stereo microphone.

At yesterday’s UK press launch, Nikon gave an insight into their ranking within the UK market and the thinking behind the new D5100 DSLR. Nikon were the number 1 DSLR brand for March in the UK, with five D3100s sold every hour. Here are the slides from the press presentation, which provide some detailed information on the features and positioning of the D5100.

The Nikon D5100 is a new 16 megapixel DSLR camera. Featuring improved vari-angle screen, special effects mode and full 1080p HD movies, the Nikon D5100 has the same DX-format 16.2 megapixel CMOS sensor as the D7000, with an ISO range of 100-25600. Other key features of the D5100 include an 11-point AF system, High dynamic range mode, Active D-Lighting, 4fps burst shooting, and seven different special effects for stills and movies. The D5100 will be available from 21st April for £669.99 / $799.95 / €777 body only or £779.99 / $899.95 / €904 with the 18-55mm VR kit lens.

According to Sony’s Japanese website, the Sony SLT-A33 digital camera has been discontinued. Given that the A33 was announced in August 2010, it’s had a rather short lifespan of only seven months. The eagle-eyed Arturo Fukuda of FotoActualidad, who spotted the notice, speculates that a replacement might be imminent.

Source: Sony Japan via FotoActualidad

Special thanks to Mr Arturo Fukuda for calling our attention to this piece of news.

Canon have released a new firmware update for the EOS 60D DSLR camera. Version 1.0.9 incorporates the following fixes and changes:

1. Changes the name of the feature called “Art Filters” to “Creative Filters” (which is used in markets other than Japan) in the Japanese version to make the terms consistent. (This change only applies to the Japanese version and does not apply to other language versions.)
2. Fixes a phenomenon where the camera may operate abnormally when it is set to Quick Mode AF during Live View shooting immediately after capturing an image with the C.Fn II-1 Long exposure noise reduction setting set to [2: On] and a shutter speed setting of 5 seconds or more.
3. Fixes a phenomenon where the camera may operate abnormally when after Live View shooting, the remote switch on the EOS Utility screen is pressed to immediately start movie-shooting. This phenomenon only occurs when the camera is connected to a compatible personal computer and the Remote Live View function of EOS Utility software is being used.

Website: Canon EOS 60D Firmware Update 1.0.9

Pentax has issued a firmware update for the Pentax K-5 digital SLR camera. Version 1.03 improves auto-focus accuracy in low light, and enhances overall stabiity. The firmware update can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Pentax K-5 Firmware Update Downloads

Pentax has posted a firmware update for the Pentax 645D medium-format DSLR camera. Version 1.02 brings minor improvements, including the following:

• When processing Noise Reduction after long exposure, remaining time is displayed on LCD panel
• When mode dial is set to “X”, Flash X-Sync Speed can be set by custom function menu.
• When connecting to a computer via the USB cable, recognized Disk name is changed from [Removable Disk] to [645D]. If format SD memory card, volume label will be [645D].
• After mirror lock-up, extended standby time (until mirror automatically return to original position) from approximate 1 minute to 5 minutes If Auto Power Off setting is shorter than 5 minutes, Auto Power Off setting has priority.

Website: Pentax 645D Firmware Update Downloads

Hasselblad has announced the US pricing of the limited-edition stainless steel version of the Hasselblad H4D-40 medium-format DSLR camera. Featuring Hasselblad’s True Focus and Absolute Position Lock technologies, the stainless steel Hasselblad H4D-40 - manufactured in a special limited production run of only 100 units - is available for $18,995 (body only), or $20,995 (with HC 2.8/80mm lens).

Sony are showing off a transparent prototype of their upcoming replacement for the A700 DSLR, widely rumoured to be called the A77, at the Focus on Imaging show. Bigger than the more dimunitive A55 and A33 models, the A700 replacement will use the same SLT translucent mirror technology. We have some hands-on photos of the transparent A77 camera in our gallery, including a side-by-side comparison with the earlier model that was shown last year at Photokina.

Olympus have released a new firmware update for the E-5 DSLR camera. Version 1.1 resolves the issue of the LCD monitor color compensation being reset.

Website: Olympus E-5 Firmware Update

Nikon are offering £40/€50 cashback when purchasing the Nikon D3100 digital SLR. Valid from 1st March - 4th May 2011, this promotion is available to customers in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Claims must be received by 5th June 2011.