Canon have just unveiled the 15.1-megapixel Canon EOS EOS 500D / Rebel T1i digital SLR. The new camera is the first Rebel to feature HD video capture - 720p at 30fps as well as Full HD 1080p at 20fps. Other highlights include a Digic 4 image processor, 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion, a three-inch, 920,000-dot rear screen, Auto Lighting Optimiser, Creative Auto Mode and Live View. Continuous shooting is available at 3.4 frames per second, for up to 170 JPEG or 9 raw images when using a class 6 or higher SD or SDHC memory card. The Canon EOS 500D / Rebel T1i provides ISO speeds from ISO 100 up to ISO 3200 in whole stop increments, along with two additional high-speed ISO settings – H1: 6400 and H2: 12800. Live View comes in three flavours, Quick, Live and Face Detection Live. To combat any dust particles that may have settled on its 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, the Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit for the Canon EOS Rebel T1i / EOS 500D has been upgraded with a fluorine coating on the low-pass filter for better dust resistance.

The Canon EOS Rebel T1i / EOS 500D digital SLR is scheduled for delivery in May, at an estimated body-only price of $799.99. Throwing in an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS kit zoom will set you back an additional $100. In Europe, the recommended retail price is £869.99 / €999.99 for the body and £969.99 / €1139.99 for the afore-mentioned kit including VAT. There’s also an additional 500D kit with the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens priced at £1399.99 / €1639.99.

Pentax have just announced the Pentax K20D Titanium Colour Premium Kit. The K20D is Pentax’s flagship DSLR, boasting 14.6 megapixels, in-body Shake Reduction, a Dust Alert System and Live View in a weather-sealed body. The limited-edition Pentax K20D Titanium Colour Premium Kit consists of a K20D body and a D-BG2 vertical grip, both finished in titanium colour. Just like the Pentax K-m Olive, also unveiled today, the Pentax K20D Titanium will only be produced in a batch of 1000 units, with availability slated for October 2009. Pricing is to be confirmed, and it is unclear whether this limited-edition kit will be sold anywhere outside Japan.

Website: Pentax Japan Press Release (in Japanese)
Review: Read our Pentax K20D review

Pentax have just announced an olive version of their entry-level DSLR, the Pentax K-m. Olive green must be the hip colour of 2009, as Leica have also released an olive version of their M8.2 digital rangefinder camera, dubbed the Leica M8.2 Safari Edition. Just like the Leica, the Pentax K-m Olive is also a limited-edition model, which comes bundled with a similarly painted smc Pentax-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL zoom lens. Only 1000 kits will be produced, with shipments commencing in October 2009 in Japan. Currently, there is no information on pricing or international availability.

Website: Pentax Japan Press Release (in Japanese)
Review: Read our Pentax K-m review

Pentax have ruled out a move to higher megapixel sensors, and revealed their plans for full frame, medium format and EVF cameras. Talking about sensor resolution in APS-C DSLRs, Gabriele Remmers, Marketing Communication Manager of the Division of Imaging Systems of Pentax Europe says the “sensible limit [...] has been reached”, and also talks about Pentax’s full frame and medium format plans as well as whether Pentax sees a potential in interchangeable-lens EVF cameras. In an interview published in the April 2009 print issue of Germany’s fotoMAGAZIN, she argues that it is becoming more important to improve on other aspects of image quality, such as lowering noise without sacrificing fine detail and texture. This echoes the words of Olympus’ Akira Watanabe, who has recently claimed Olympus would stop increasing the pixel count of their DSLRs and concentrate on reining in noise and expanding dynamic range instead. Talking openly about challenges and priorities, Ms. Remmers also answers questions regarding Pentax’s full frame and medium format plans and reveals what the company thinks about interchangeable-lens system cameras sporting electronic viewfinders.

RED have been titillating forum users this week with more details of its upcoming DSLR camera system. Founder Jim Jannard has revealed a new set of primes lenses (pictured) - 18mm T1.9, 21mm T1.9, 65mm T1.9 120mm T1.9 140mm T1.9 and 14mm beginning. Also revealed is the first shot of a possible DSLR camera configuration (click the continue link below to see it).

Olympus have publically stated that 12 megapixels is enough for a DSLR camera. In an interview with CNET, Akira Watanabe, manager of Olympus Imaging’s SLR planning department, commented that “Twelve megapixels is, I think, enough for covering most applications most customers need,”. Watanabe went on to claim that contrast-detection autofocusing in DSLRs will soon out-perform the traditional phase-detection system. Of course, both of these claims are directly in line with Olympus’s current approach to its DSLR camera development…

Website: CNET - Olympus declares 12 megapixels is enough

Canon USA have issued a service notice about the abnormal mirror operation of the EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III DSLR cameras. The mirror does not operate even if the shutter button is pressed and the following message appears frequently on the camera’s LCD monitor: ‘Err 99 Shooting is not possible. Turn the power switch to and

again or re-install the battery’. Canon USA are providing free repairs to affected products.

Canon USA have issued a service notice about the autofocusing accuracy of the EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III DSLR cameras. If an AF point other than the center AF point is used, focus may become soft. Canon USA are providing free AF accuracy checks and adjustments to affected products.

Leica have ended production of the R9 camera. In an article by L.Camera Forum, Leica have informed dealers that they have run out of stock of all R9 cameras and R Lenses. Hinting at a new Leica R10 model, a spokesman commented “they are working hard on making a generation change possible for the current R-System”.

Website: L.Camera Forum

Website: Leica R9

Leica have released a new firmware update, 2.004, for the M8 and M8.2 cameras. It adds support for new lenses and also a discrete mode / delayed shutter-cocking action to the M8 model.

Website: Leica M8 Firmware Update 2.004

Canon has released a new firmware update, v1.1.4, for the 1Ds Mark III DSLR camera. This firmware update (Version 1.1.4) incorporates the following fixes.

  1. Corrects a phenomenon in which a displayed image becomes pitch-black if it is zoomed in on during Live View shooting.
  2. Corrects a phenomenon in which “busy” may continue to appear on the camera if the USB cable is disconnected during USB communication.
  3. Changes the error indications that are displayed on the camera. The error indications are further clarified to make the causes of errors easier to identify, and so that adequate support can be provided to our customers.

Website: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Firmware Update 1.1.4

Canon has released a new firmware update, version 1.2.5, for the EOS-1D Mark III DSLR camera. This firmware update (Version 1.2.5) incorporates the following fixes.

  1. Corrects a phenomenon in which a displayed image becomes pitch-black if it is zoomed in on during Live View shooting.
  2. Corrects a phenomenon in which “busy” may continue to appear on the camera if the USB cable is disconnected during USB communication.
  3. Changes the error indications that are displayed on the camera. The error indications are further clarified to make the causes of errors easier to identify, and so that adequate support can be provided to our customers.

Website: Canon EOS-1D Mark III Version 1.2.5 Firmware Update

The Olympus E-3 DSLR will be used in Space as part of the “Olympus Space Project”. Dr. Koichi Wakata, astronaut of JAXA, (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) will use the Olympus E3 to photograph the Earth from the “Kibo”, the Japanese experimental module within the ISS (International Space Station). Pictures of Earth taken with the E-3 will be posted on Olympus’ web sites and shown at photo exhibitions.

The Olympus E-620 is the world’s smallest and lightest creative DSLR camera with built-in image stabilisation. The 12 megapixel Olympus E620 features a custom 7-point Twin autofocus system, 2.7 inch free-angle LCD screen, Live View, 4fps continuous shooting and Supersonic Wave Filter dust protection. The E-620 also offers the same Art Filters, Multi Exposure mode and five different aspect ratios as the more expensive E-30 model. The Olympus E-620 will be available at the end of April 2009 for $699.99 / £619.99 body-only.

Pentax USA have reduced the price of the Pentax K20D by $200. Effective immediately, the K20D is now available at these prices:

K20D body only - $799.95
K20D with DA 18-55mm II lens kit: $879.95
K20D with DA 16-45mm lens kit: $1199.95

Pentax are also extending the free Three Year Warranty on all K20Ds purchased by March 31st 2009.

Contrary to recent rumours, Sony will not be announcing any new DSLR cameras at this year’s PMA show (March 3rd-5th). Instead the company will “concentrate on new consumer point-and-shoot models and camera accessories at PMA, some of which will be pro-oriented”, according to an article by Photo District News. New DSLR’s will apparently follow later on this summer, which may disappoint those those hoping for a replacement model for the 12 megapixel Sony A700 (pictured).

Website: Photo District News - No DSLR Announcements Coming from Sony at PMA

Panasonic have released a firmware update for the DMC-G1 camera. Version 1.2 improves the performance in the Auto White Balance and the colour reproduction, and also improves the reliability on the flash operation in low temperate environments.  In addition, the update enables file write back from PC to the camera for models shipped for Europe.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Firmware Update 1.2

Pentax are offering £50 off the Pentax K-m, a new entry-level DSLR camera. This cashback offer is valid for the purchase of any K-m body and lens kit between 1st February to 15th April 2009. Pentax requires a completed claim form, barcodes cut from the product box(es) and a copy of the till receipt. All claims must be received by the 30th April 2009. The Pentax K-m / K2000 normally retails at £399.99 with the new smc DA-L 18-55 lens or £499.99 with the smc DA-L 18-55 and 50-200mm lenses.

Website: Pentax UK

Pentax USA have reduced the prices of the K-series digital SLR cameras. From February 1st-22nd, the Pentax K20D body only and all body and lens kits will have an in-store instant $100.00 Consumer Rebate. Pentax have also reduced the price of the D-BG3 Battery Grip to $19.95 ($129.00 value) when combined with the K200D body and any lens by March 31st.

Canon USA has issued a service advisory notice for the Canon EOS 5D digital camera stating that “in rare instances, the main mirror of some EOS 5D Digital SLR cameras may detach due to deterioration in the strength of the adhesive”. If your camera has been affected, Canon USA will repair and reinforce the mirror portion of the affected products free of charge.