The 18-megapixel Canon EOS 60D is a replacement for the 50D featuring a vari-angle LCD screen and Full HD video capture with full manual control including a variety of user-selectable frame rates. The Canon 60D can shoot 18-megapixel stills at up to 5.3 frames per second for up to 58 frames in a row (in JPEG format). Boasting a 9-point, all cross-type autofocus AF system, the EOS 60D also features Canon’s iFCL metering system, first introduced with the EOS 7D, with a 63-zone Dual-Layer sensor. An Integrated Speedlite Transmitter provides in-camera control of multiple EX flash units for more creative lighting. The new 3-inch LCD monitor has a 3:2 aspect ratio, a 1,040k dot resolution and full articulation for overhead shots or ground-level photography. The Canon EOS 60D’s standard ISO range of 100-6400 is extendable to 12800. The EOS 60D is available from October priced at £1099.99 / €1309.99 / $1,099.00 for the body only. It will also be sold in four different kits ranging from £1199.99 to £1999.99 depending on the bundled lens.

Update: We have added a gallery of large product images provided by Canon. Click through / scroll down to view the photos.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A55 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Here are 19 hands-on product shots of the exciting Sony A55, giving you a good idea of just how small it is - click through to view the gallery.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A580 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Here are 12 hands-on product shots of the traditional Sony A580, which replaces the existing A550 in Sony’s now extensive range of mid-level DSLRs - click through to view the gallery.

The Sony A55 and A33 are two new DSLR cameras that use Translucent Mirror Technology to offer high-speed shooting and smaller size. The 16.2 megapixel A55 can shoot at up to 10fps and has built-in GPS tracking, while the 14.2 megapixel A33 offers up to 7fps burst shooting. 1080i HD Movies with smooth, continuous autofocus during video shooting are available, plus enhanced Quick AF Live View, a 7.5 cm (3”) free-angle LCD, and Tru-Finder (Electronic Viewfinder) with 100% coverage. The new A55 and A33 Single Lens Translucent mirror cameras from Sony will be available from September 2010. The A55 and A33 cameras will cost about $750 and $650 (respectively) in the US and £700-800 and £600-700 in the UK for the body only, and about $850 and $750 for the body and 18-55mm zoom lens.

The Sony A580 and A560 are two new DSLR cameras that can both shoot Full HD movies. The 16.2 megapixel A580 and 14.2 megapixel A560 also offer up to 7fps shooting, an articulating 3 inch LCD, ISO 25,600, 15-point phase-detection autofocus system, in-body sensor shift image stabilisation, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto HDR and Multi Frame Noise Reduction. The new Sony DSLR-A580 and DSLR-A560 digital SLR cameras will be available from October 2010 for £650-700 and £550-600 respectively. In the US only the A560 will be released, with the 18-55mm kit lens costing about $750, with the body only costing about $650.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon D3100 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Here are 20 hands-on product shots of the entry-level Nikon D3100, including the HD video mode in action - click through to view the gallery.

The Nikon D3100 is a new, 14.2-megapixel digital SLR camera with 11 AF sensors, Full HD video and full-time AF in Live View and D-movie modes. Using contrast based AF, the D3100 automatically focuses on subjects when Live View is activated to aid shooting when using the LCD. Live View is activated at a single flick of a dedicated switch, and HD video recording is achieved by a simple press of a button. In comparison to the Nikon D3000, the new Nikon D3100 also gains a Quiet Shutter Release mode, which substantially reduces the sound of the mirror return, and an enhanced Guide Mode that now features sample assist images that change with camera settings to inspire consumers to achieve a desired look and feel to their images. Unusually for an entry-level camera, the Nikon D3100’s shutter is rated for 100,000 actuations. The Nikon D3100 DSLR camera will be available from mid-September, at an estimated selling price of £579.99/€687.00/$699.95 including a kit zoom. The body-only prices are £499.99/€593.00.

Pentax Imaging has announced the launch of beige, chocolate, olive green and pink versions of the Pentax K-x digital SLR camera to the US market. After this move, the number of available body colours will be increased to 12, as the new options join the existing black, white, red, navy blue, bright blue, orange, green and purple offerings. The multicoloured Pentax K-x cameras are available via the Pentax Web Store priced at $649.95 including a kit zoom.

Pentax has updated its raw codec, which enables preview of raw image files captured with Pentax cameras in Windows Explorer, by adding support for PEF files produced by the Pentax 645D. The software is compatible with 32-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, but Pentax expressly states that it is not compatible with 64-bit versions of either operating system. The updated codec can be downloaded from the website below.

Website: Pentax Raw Codec

Pentax has issued a firmware update for the Pentax K-7 DSLR camera. Version 1.10 adds a movie editing function that enables users to split up video clips into multiple segments and erase unwanted segments from a movie, improves autofocus speed, enables Live View AF via a half-press of the shutter release, adds an electronic level indicator to the monitor display and a Reversal Film mode to the Custom Image options, and enables the camera to display both the electronic level indicator and the exposure indicator at the same time in M and X modes.

Website: Pentax K-7 Firmware

Canon has issued a firmware update for the Canon EOS 7D digital SLR camera. Version 1.2.2 incorporates the following fixes.

  1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the set aperture moves when shooting movies in manual exposure mode using some Canon lenses (such as macro lenses).
  2. Fixes the AF point-selection behaviour of the C.Fn III-7 (Manual AF pt. selec. pattern) custom function when set to [1].
  3. Fixes the AF point display for the viewfinder electronic level when shooting in the vertical position.
  4. Corrects misspellings in the Spanish and Thai menus for applicable products.

Website: Canon EOS 7D Firmware Downloads

New test results for the Sony A330 and Nikon D300s digital SLR cameras have been posted to the DxOMark website. The Nikon D300s has been tested with 21 different lenses, and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 with 16. For the results, visit the website below and select Sony A330 or Nikon D300s as brand/model in the corresponding camera filters.

Website: DxOMark - All Tested Lenses

Nikon has published new images from Space, some of which were captured with the Nikon D3S digital SLR camera. In 2009, NASA ordered eleven D3S cameras and seven AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses for use in recording activities aboard the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. The D3S cameras were the same products available to consumers with no special modifications, and they were delivered to the ISS via the Space Shuttle Discovery launched on April 5, 2010. To date, NASA has captured more than 700,000 images with Nikon equipment carried into space.

Firmware version 1.0.8 for the EOS Rebel T2i / 550D DSLR camera has been released, incorporating the following fixes.

- Fixes a phenomenon in which the set aperture moves unexpectedly when shooting movies in manual exposure mode using some Canon lenses (such as macro lenses).

The Version 1.0.8 firmware is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.0.7. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.0.8, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D Firmware 1.0.8

Firmware version 1.0.8 for the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV has been released, incorporating the following fixes.

- Fixes a phenomenon in which the set aperture moves unexpectedly when shooting movies in manual exposure mode using some Canon lenses (such as macro lenses).
- Corrects misspellings in the French and Spanish menus for applicable products.

The Version 1.0.8 firmware is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.0.6. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.0.8, it is not necessary to update the firmware. Note that cameras with the Version 1.0.8 firmware cannot be downgraded to a previous firmware version (such as Version 1.0.6).

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Firmware 1.0.8

The Sigma SD15 digital SLR camera is now available in the United States. The Sigma SD15 has a Foveon sensor with 4.7x3 megapixels, and incorporates a TRUE II processor, a large buffer that holds 21 raw files, a 77-segment metering sensor as well as a 3-inch rear screen with a resolution of 460,000 dots. Equipped with a shutter that is rated for 100,000 actuations, the Sigma SD15 is available for the estimated street price of $989.

Olympus’ SuperSonic Wave Filter (SSWF) anti-dust technology has won an award in Japan’s National Invention Awards 2010. This technology is found in all of Olympus’ interchangeable-lens digital cameras, including their Micro Four Thirds models and DSLRs alike. Given that the SSWF was already implemented in the Olympus E-1 of 2003 (pictured), the timing of the award is somewhat surprising. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held at Hotel Okura, Tokyo, on July 30.

Website: Olympus press release (in Japanese)

Half a year after NASA placed an order for eleven Nikon D3S cameras and seven lenses, the general contractor of the Russian Federal Space Agency also ordered top-end Nikon gear for use aboard the International Space Station. The Nikon D3S and Nikon D3X digital-SLR cameras and four long telephoto lenses will be used along with Nikon F5 film SLRs and Nikon D2X DSLRs already employed by Russian cosmonauts working in the Russian segment of the space station.

Sigma has confirmed the launch date of the Sigma SD15 digital SLR camera, which was first announced nearly two years ago. According to Photoscala, the Sigma SD15 will become available on 25 June, at the surprisingly high price of €1,199 (earlier this year, the official German website of the company quoted a recommended retail price of €899. which has now been modified). In the UK, the camera will start shipping at the beginning of July, priced at £899.99. The Sigma SD15 has a Foveon sensor with 4.7x3 megapixels, and incorporates a TRUE II processor, a 77-segment metering sensor as well as a 3-inch rear screen with a resolution of 460,000 dots. The shutter is rated for 100,000 actuations.

Update: 14/6/2010 - We’ve just added a press release issued by Sigma UK.

The Sony A290 and A390 are two new 14.2-megapixel DSLR cameras targeted at the entry-level market. The main difference versus the existing Sony A230 and A380 is a redesigned right-hand grip (one of our most important criticisms levelled against the previous generation of Sony’s entry-level DSLRs concerned the rather uncomfortable handgrip). As regards the A290, the 14-megapixel sensor is also a novelty, given that the A230 had a 10-megapixel imager. In virtually all other areas, the Sony A290 and A390 are identical to their respective predecessors, with the A390 boasting Live View with fast autofocus (though no movie mode), and the A290 trading in Live View for a bigger optical viewfinder. Available this summer, the Sony A290 and A390 are priced at €450 and €500, respectively, including a Sony DT 18-55mm SAM kit zoom in each case.