Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon EOS 7D digital SLR camera. Version 1.0.9 incormporates the following fixes:

  1.  Improves AF accuracy during Live View shooting.
  2. Corrects a phenomenon where in rare instances, movie images shot by the camera may exhibit abnormal colours.
  3. Corrects a phenomenon that at certain timings, the shutter cannot be released when the camera’s built-in flash or an external Speedlite is used for shooting.

Website: Canon EOs 7D Firmware Update Page

Pentax Japan has announced a limited-edition, multicoloured version of the new Pentax K-x digital SLR camera. If you can’t choose from the black, white, red and blue colour schemes offered, you can now have all of them combined, with yellow and grey thrown in as a bonus. You do have to live in Japan though, and be quick to place an order, as the multicoloured version announced today comes in a very limited quantity - only 100 such K-x kits will be produced. Pentax took the inspiration from the hand-made, wooden “Korejanai” toy robot that has been quite popular in Japan for years. The top of the built-in flash even features the face of the robot! If you thought the camera itself was a toy too, you would be mistaken: the camera body and lens specifications are the same as that of the regular K-x.

Website: Pentax K-x “Korejanai” Press Release in Japanese

Nikon has posted a number of sample photos taken with the new Nikon D3s DSLR at sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 200/24° to ISO 12,800/42°. Six full-resolution sample shots are available for download. All of them are JPEGs, though one was originally shot in NEF format. The lenses used for capturing the sample images include the 400mm f/2.8G ED VR, the 600mm f/4G ED VR, the new 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II and the 14-24mm f/2.8G ED. The majority of the photographs were taken at high ISOs, though none was captured using a boosted setting (Hi1, Hi2 or Hi3).

Website: Nikon D3s Sample Images

The Nikon D3S is a new professional DSLR camera offering incredible low-light shooting capabilities and high-definition video recording. The D3S features a completely re-designed 12.1 megapixel sensor with a seven stop ISO range of 200-12,800, which is expandable to an amazing 10 stop range of 100-102,400. The large pixel pitch, with a completely modified inner structure, means that the D3S can capture images under light conditions which were previously believed to be impossible. HD movies are captured at 720p/24fps in motion JPEG with stereo sound using the input jack. The D3S also offers a new image sensor cleaning function that generates vibrations at four different frequencies, 100% viewfinder coverage, improved 51-point Multi-CAM3500 AF system, three alternative crop modes, new Quiet shutter release mode, in-camera RAW processing options, and five options for Active D-Lighting. The Nikon D3S will be available in December for £4199.99 / €5100.00 / $5199.95.

We have an extensive gallery of Nikon D3S product photos taken at yesterday’s UK press event - just click the link below…

Canon have released a firmware upgrade to the Canon EOS 1000D / REBEL XS digital SLR camera. Version 1.0.6 incorporates the following changes:

• Some cameras may exhibit a phenomenon in which the LCD monitor does not display, the shutter does not release, and the busy indication remains lit in the viewfinder.
• The message, “Err 99 Shooting is not possible. Turn the power switch to and again or re-install the battery”, appears on the camera’s LCD monitor, and after the above operation is carried out, the LCD monitor displays in a language that is different from the actual language setting.

Website: Canon EOS REBEL XS / 1000D Firmware Update

Pentax has announced a $100 instant rebate programme effective until 31 October 2009 on the K-7 body and three lens kit configurations. The promotion runs in the U.S.A., and affects the following bundles: Pentax K-7 with 18-55mm WR lens, Pentax K-7 double-lens kit including body, 18-55mm WR and 50-200mm WR lenses, and Pentax K-7 with 16-45mm lens. The offer is also valid on body-only purchases. The rebate amounts to USD 100 in all cases.

Mamiya have announced four medium-format DSLR cameras, all of which are apparently based on the body developed in collaboration with Phase One. While details are still a bit sketchy, it appears that they are the same camera outfitted with different backs, with the numbers in the product names referring to the megapixel count in each case. The 33-megapixel Mamiya DM33 and the 56-megapixel Mamiya DM56 can take advantage of the 1/1600-second top shutter speed of the three new leaf-shutter lenses developed in close collaboration with Schneider Kreuznach - and thus offer high-speed flash synchronisation -, but can of course also accept the existing 645AF series lenses. The comparatively lower-resolution Mamiya DM22 and Mamiya DM28 models are allegedly going to be priced at “extremely attractive points”, while offering “many of the features found on their higher-end siblings”. At the time of writing, it is unknown if and when the new Mamiya DSLRs will be available in the UK.

Via Imaging Insider | British Journal of Photography

Olympus have launched three promotions on select Four Thirds bodies and lenses. Those purchasing an Olympu E-30 digital SLR can choose to receive either a free HLD-4 power battery holder or FL-36R wireless external flash. If you opt to purchase an Olympus E-620 DSLR instead, you can claim a spare BLS-1 battery to go with it. And if you buy a Zuiko Digital lens, you can expect a cashback of €30 - €120, depending on lens. Participating lenses include the 7-14mm f4,  14-35mm f2 SWD (read review), 35-100mm f2, 150mm f2, 8mm f3.5 fisheye, 50-200mm f2.8-3.5, 9-18mm f4-5.6, 70-300mm f4-5.6, 18-180mm f3.5-6.3, EC-20 teleconverter and 35mm f3.5 macro. All three offers are valid from today until 31 January 2010. To learn more about these promotions and see if you are eligible, visit the website below.

Website Olympus Promotional Offers

Hireacamera.com, one of the leading rental companies in the photographic market,  has announced the arrival of the brand new Canon 7D into stock. Incorporating a new, 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS imager, the Canon 7D features dual DIGIC 4 processors, an ISO range expandable to 12,800, and 19 cross-type AF sensors. There’s also continuous shooting at 8 frames per second, 3 inch LCD screen with 920k dots, viewfinder with 100% magnification, and Focus Colour Luminance metering system, which measures focus, colour and luminance across 63 zones The 7D is available to hire by contacting the hireacamera.com sales team on 01892 603440.

Canon are offering photographic students at UK institutions the chance to receive cashback on the purchase of a new Canon EOS 450D or 500D DSLR. The promotion runs until 31 October 2009. Apart from photographic students, lecturers and technicians working on photographic courses are also eligible to take part. The cashback on EOS 450D configurations amounts to £50, whereas those purchasing an EOS 500D can claim £65. Cameras can be purchased from any authorised Canon retailer. Once purchased, send the claim form, proof of purchase and UK academic accreditation to the to the freepost address as it appears on the form. Claim forms can be downloaded pre or post purchase. Customers will receive their cheque within 28 days of the forms reaching Canon

Futuresource, a specialist research and knowledge-based consulting company, says that while sales of digital compact cameras will definitely decrease in 2009, DSLRs will enjoy a healthy growth of 13% in Western Europe. These findings are part of a broader study of the portable consumer electronics market in Europe, which also covers pocket video cameras, smartphones, netbooks and mobile Internet devices. Allegedly, the market is growing fuelled by an expanding number of users, growing as it expands to include younger and older consumers, more females, and less affluent households. Meanwhile, consumers are also replacing their devices more quickly than they used to - as an example, average camera replacement has reduced from 6-8 years to 3-5 years.

We caught up with Pentax last week to have a look at their new K-x DSLR camera.

Seamlessly slotting in between the entry-level K-m and prosumer K-7 models, the Pentax K-x is largely based on the design of the former camera, but inherits many of the features of the latter. Pentax are aiming the K-x at users who want something more advanced than an entry-level DSLR such as the K-m, with its small size, light weight and ease-of-use making it ideal for the enthusiast looking for a compact yet sophisticated camera.

Click through to read the full Pentax K-x preview…

Hireacamera.com, one of the leading rental companies in the photographic market, has announced today that the Nikon D300s is now in stock and the company has a pre-order on the Canon 7D. The Nikon D300s has a range of features including 720p HD video recording, a 7fps continuous shooting mode and Dual Compact Flash and SD card slots.  A new quiet release mode allows the user to discreetly photograph subjects by allowing them to manage the mirror return manually. The D300s also features the same multi-selector as used on the D3 and D700. Hireacamera.com is based in Crowborough, East Sussex and dispatches rental equipment all over the United Kingdom.

The Nikon D5000 digital SLR camera has won a DIWA Gold Award. The Nikon D5000 managed to convince the DIWA jury simply by its superior image quality, innovative functionality and user-friendliness. DIWA Awards are based on test results carried out in the DIWA Labs, and evaluations on more than 200 different criteria carried out by DIWA members.

Electrophysics, a Sofradir Group company, has introduced a high-performance night vision module for use with Nikon’s full-frame (FX) digital SLR cameras. These digital cameras deliver bright high resolution green images of night-time scenes having a full image format and edge-to-edge sharpness when used with the new AstroScope 9350NIK. Because the night vision module fits between the camera body and SLR lens, all the lens electrical connections are maintained and important lens features such as vibration reduction (VR) remain fully functional even in night vision mode. The introduction of the AstroScope 9350NIK follows hot on the heels of the announcement of the AstroScope 9350EOS-FF for Canon EOS digital SLR cameras.

Nikon have reduced the price of the D5000 DSLR camera by up to £110 in the UK. Antonio Guillen, Nikon’s Consumer Digital SLR Product Manager, comments: “The introduction of the new D3000 and D300S cameras has allowed us to reposition the D5000 to offer an even stronger consumer line up - there’s something for everyone, whether you are looking to get into DSLR photography for the first time or want to develop your passion or hobby.” The D5000 body only now costs £619.99 / €750.00, and the 18-55mm VR lens kit is £689.99 / €830.00.

The Canon EOS 7D is a new 18 megapixel digital SLR camera. Incorporating a new APS-C CMOS sensor, the Canon 7D features dual DIGIC 4 processors, an ISO range expandable to 12,800, and a 19-point cross-type AF sensor. There’s also continuous shooting at 8 frames per second, 3 inch LCD screen with 920k dots, viewfinder with 100% magnification, and Focus Colour Luminance metering system (iFCL) which measures focus, colour and luminance across 63 zones. The Canon EOS 7D will be available from early October 2009 priced at £1699.99 / €1999.99 inc. VAT. The Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers at the end of September, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $1,699.00. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon’s EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1,899.00.

The Olympus E-600 is a new entry-level DSLR camera. The 12.3 megapixel E600 is heavily based upon the E-620 model, dropping the backlit buttons, 3 art filters (Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, and Grainy Film), multi exposure mode and aspect mask control of the $100 more expensive E-620. “With the E-600, Olympus has answered the call for a more affordable and creative camera that has everything you could need to get great results,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. The Olympus E600 DSLR will be available in early November 2009 for $599.99 with the 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko lens.

Sony has officially announced the 24.6-megapixel Sony A850 full-frame DSLR, and offers it at an attractive price. Ruggedly built for unflinching pro-style handling and performance, the Sony A850 shares the same 24.6 megapixel sensor and virtually all features of the flagship DSLR-A900, introduced last year. The main differences are in the continuous shooting speed, viewfinder coverage and price. The Sony A850 has a maximum burst rate of 3 frames per second (fps) versus the A900’s 5fps, and its viewfinder coverage is 98% against the older model’s 100%. The cost reductions associated with these modifications have made it possible for Sony to offer the Sony A850 at a price that is unprecedented among full-frame DSLRs. The body-only SRP is €1999, and the camera will also be offered in a kit with the new 28-75mm f/2.8 lens for €2688. Availability is slated for September (Sony A850 body) and November (lens / kit).

Update: We’ve just added 10 product shots taken at today’s UK press launch.

Sony have just revealed the 12.3-megapixel Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 and 14.2-megapixel A550 digital single-lens reflex cameras with enhanced Live View, Auto HDR functionality and high-speed continuous shooting capabilities. At the heart of both cameras is a new, unique to Sony, Exmor CMOS sensor that ensures crisp low-noise images, according to the manufacturer. Sustained shooting speeds of up to 4 frames per second (fps) can be achieved in Live View Mode, rising to 5 fps with the optical viewfinder. The new Speed Priority mode on the Sony A550 model raises the bar further still, shooting at 7 fps (with AF and AE setting maintained from the first frame ). Creative options are broadened by the new Auto HDR mode that captures a huge range of shadow and highlight detail in landscapes, interiors and other scenes. The Sony A500 and A550 use powerful algorithms to combine and optimise two successive frames in only 2 seconds, correcting any misalignment between frames when shooting handheld, which is Sony’s unique technology. The result is a single HDR image emulating the huge natural tonal range of human vision – with no PC or tripod needed. The Quick AF Live View of the A3x0 series has been carried over, and is joined by a new Manual Focus Check Live View mode, which assists with fine-tuning your composition and focus. The live image offers 100% field coverage, assisted by framing grid lines for precise composition. There’s also a selectable 7x/14x zoom function for a close-up confirmation of focus. The Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 and DSLR-A550 will be available from the end of October 2009 for €699/$750 and €849/$950, respectively (RRP, body only).

Update: We’ve just added 29 product shots taken at today’s UK press launch.