Olympus have released a new firmware upgrade for the Olympus E-3 DSLR camera. Version 1.3 includes the following changes::

- select the AF target by pressing the arrow keys
- improves AF accuracy when using fast lenses with f2.0 aperture
- improves C-AF performance
- improves battery life when using the HLD-4 battery holder

The firmware can be updated through the Olympus Master software.

Nikon have released a new firmware update, version 2.01, for the D3 DSLR camera. The most notable changes are geodata support for ViewNX and Capture NX, improved Continuous-servo AF performance, and the ability to use the AF-ON button and multi selector to choose a focus point.

Nikon have released a new firmware update, version 1.01, for the D700 DSLR camera. The following improvements have been made in version 1.01

- When Custom Setting a4 Focus tracking with lock-on was set to Off in Continuous-servo AF, the lens drive moved gradually without achieving focus.  This issue has been resolved.
- When the Speedlight SB-800 was mounted on the camera with flash mode set to Distance-priority manual (GN) mode, and then the exposure meters were reactivated or the camera was turned on, the distance information displayed on the SB-800 changed.  This issue has been resolved.
- When the Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 was mounted on the camera and an EN-EL3e battery inserted in the camera but no batteries inserted in the MB-D10, and SB-900 flash mode set to TTL auto flash mode, the flash mode changed to A mode when the exposure meters turned off or were reactivated, or the camera was turned off or on.  This issue has been resolved.  (This issue has also been resolved with SB-900 firmware Ver. 5.02.

Canon have released a new firmware update, version 1.1.1, for the Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera. This firmware update incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

  1.  Fixes a malfunction that in rare occurrence causes a low battery indication to be displayed when using the EF 85mm F1.2L II USM lens. Depending on the battery check timing of the camera, the battery level displayed on the camera’s LCD data panel may shows Battery will be exhausted soon or Battery must be recharged, even though the battery capacity is sufficient.
  2. Fixes a malfunction that in rare occurrence causes an Err 06 Self Cleaning Sensor malfunction to appear on the camera’s LCD monitor and LCD data panel, even when the Self Cleaning Sensor Unit is operating normally. This message may appear depending on the timing of when the camera is switch to the ON position.
  3. Fixes a malfunction that prevents correct colors from being printed when direct printing. RAW images captured using the camera’s custom Picture Styles (Emerald, etc.), which have been downloaded from Canon’s Web site and registered under User Def. 2 or User Def. 3.
  4. Modifies the level of subject brightness that causes the AF-assist beam to fire when using an external Speedlite.
  5. Enables an external flash connected to the camera’s synchro terminal to fire even when the camera’s built-in flash is popped up.

Website: Canon EOS 40D Firmware Update 1.1.1

Barack Obama is the first American President to have his official portrait taken with a digital camera. Which lucky camera manufacturer will benefit from all the global attention? Canon, as official White House photographer Pete Souza uses a Canon 5D Mark II.

Website: Barack Obama Official Portrait

The new Nikon D3x DSLR is the best DSLR camera currently available, according to DxO Labs. With a DxOMark Sensor score of 88 points, the Nikon D3x takes the lead among the 54 cameras currently evaluated on the site. According to DxO, “the Nikon D3x is the first camera which actually achieves more than 12-bit depth of effective image information”. Maybe that justifies the £5999 / $7999 price-tag…

Olympus Europe is offering all purchasers of the award winning E-3 DSLR camera one of five free products, worth up to €888. You can choose from the following products:

- ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm 1:4.0-5.6 lens (worth €599)
- ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50mm 1:2.0 (100mm) Macro lens (worth €599)
- ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake-type lens, FL-36R wireless flash and Swing Bag (worth €537.90)
- FL-50R Flash (worth €529)
- SRF-11 Ring Flash Set (worth €888)

To qualify for the Olympus E-3 “Rev up your system” promotion, purchase a new E-3 (body only or any kit) between 1 January and 31 March 2009, register it and claim online by 30 April 2009.

Olympus UK is giving away a free power grip, wireless flash or a Swing Bag with the new E-30 DSLR. To be eligible for the free HLD-4 power grip or an FL-36R wireless flash, current owners of an E-System camera need to purchase a new E-30 (body only or any kit), register online, and stake their claim by 31st March 2009. For the free E-System Swing Bag, anyone can sign up online by 28th February, then purchase a new E-30 (body only or any kit) and register it by 31st March 2009.

Canon have released a new firmware update for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR camera. Version 1.0.7 improves and mitigates the following two types of image quality phenomena that occur under certain shooting conditions.

  1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
    When shooting night scenes, the right side of point light sources (such as lights from building windows) may become black. The phenomenon may become visible if the images are enlarged to 100% or greater on a monitor or if extremely large prints of the images are made. This firmware improves and mitigates this phenomenon.
  2. Vertical banding noise
    If the recording format is set to sRAW1, vertical banding noise may become visible depending on the camera settings, subject, and background. The firmware improves and mitigates this phenomenon.

Website: Canon EOS 5D MarkII Firmware Update

Pentax have launched a white version of the entry-level K-m digital SLR camera. In these unique, limited-edition kits, both the Pentax Km camera body and the zoom lenses have a brilliant white finish. 100 Km Whites will be available in the UK, priced at £449.99 for the single 18-55mm lens kit, and £549.99 for the twin lens kit (also includes the 50-200mm lens).

Today is the 50th anniversary of the Canon SLR camera. Since the Canon Flex was launched in May 1959, over 50 million Canon SLRs have been sold worldwide. The EOS series was born in 1987 with the EOS 650 and the EF-series (Electro focus) lens system. The new EOS 5D Mark II is the first camera to record Full HD movies.

DxO Labs have just added the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Pentax K200D DSLRs to their www.dxomark.com RAW measurement website. “Our goal at DxO Labs is to cover the widest possible range of digital cameras, from RAW-compatible digital still cameras (DSC) to top-of-the-line DSLR,” said Nicolas Touchard, Vice President of Marketing, DxO Labs Image Quality Evaluation. “We are committed to consistently providing the highest level of RAW image data possible in order to build the most comprehensive database of RAW image information available.” There is also a new Frequently Asked Questions & Answers section.

Fujifilm have released a new firmware update for the FinePix S5 Pro DSLR camera. Version 1.12 incorporates the following issue.

An issue that, in some rare case, the camera may be frozen when PC controlling software (included in “Hyper Utility?HS-V3”) is used, has been resolved.

Website: Fujifilm S5 Pro Firmware Updates

The Pentax K200D entry-level digital DSLR camera has been officially discontinued. In what could be the shortest ever life-span for a DSLR camera, the K200D has been included on the list of Pentax DSLRs discontinued in the Japanese market. The 10 megapixel, weather-sealed K200D was first announced in January 2008. RiceHigh’s Pentax Blog has some interesting observations on the fate of the K200D.

Website: Pentax - Digital SLR Camera Lineup (Models discontinued in the Japanese market)

Website: RiceHigh’s Pentax Blog - K200D Discontinued

Nikon is now the number one manufacturer for DSLR cameras. Speaking at today’s UK launch of the new 24.5 megapixel D3x DSLR, Chris Hoare, Professional Business Manager at Nikon UK, revealed that Nikon was ranked number one in the UK for October 2008, and that the company had also reached the top position in Europe, USA and Japan during 2008. Nikon’s strong showing at the recent Olympic Games in Beijing, where 50% of pros were using Nikon gear, was also cited. In the UK, Nikon’s DSLR sales have grown by 333% since 2004/05.

Meanwhile, James Banfield, Nikon UK Professional Support And Training, explained why the D3x doesn’t feature a video mode. “We have one goal for the D3x - to achieve the best image quality at the highest resolution”. Chris Hoare added “We didn’t have the right type of video technology for the D3x, but our R&D team is focusing on getting this right for the future.” When questioned about the lack of built-in dust-removal, Banfield replied that Nikon didn’t want to have to reduce the viewfinder coverage by 5% in order to incorporate the technology. He also revealed that the 24.5 megapixel sensor inside the Nikon D3x is a “Nikon exclusive design”.

The new D3x will make it’s first UK public appearance at the Nikon Solutions Expo, held on 9th and 10th of December at Olympia in London.

The Nikon D3X is a new 24.5 megapixel, full-frame professional DSLR camera. Coming as no surprise after last week’s leaks, the D3X doubles the resolution of the D3 while retaining many of its key features - 51-point AF system, EXPEED engine with 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image processing, 920,000-dot 3-inch LCD screen, and Live View. The main differences are the 50-6400 ISO range, 5fps continuous shooting speed, and the price tag of £5499.99 / €7728.00 / $7999.95. The Nikon D3X will be available in the UK in late December 2008.

We’ll publish some pictures of the new D3X from the UK press launch which takes place later today.

The new Nikon D3x DSLR has appeared in the latest issue of Nikon’s own Pro magazine. Gadget website Engadget has published scanned pages with details of the successor to the D3 (pictured). The Nikon D3x is a full-frame, 24.5 megapixel DSLR camera that offers 5fps continuous shooting (or 7fps at 10 megapixels), a 3 inch LCD screen with 922k dots, ISO range of 50-6400, 16-bi EXPEED image processor, new Extra High D-lighting setting, Live View shooting mode and a 51 point autofocus system. There’s no mention of the Nikon D3x’s price, launch date or if it features a HD video mode to match its natural rival, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Website: Engadget - Nikon outs D3x in own Pro magazine

In 2007 the DSLR market grew by 40% compared to the point-and-shoot market, according to new research from InfoTrends. The market will grow 16% in 2008 and will not peak until 2012. InfoTrends’ research indicates that first time buyers will be drawn to ease of use, mainstream retailers (rather than specialty stores), small models, colors, and low prices. Repeat buyers will find features such as increased light sensitivity and reduced image noise, automated geo-tagging, and wireless technology appealing.

Nikon is offering up to £50 / €65 off the D60, their 10 megapixel entry-level DSLR camera. The cash back offer is available on all lens combinations purchased between 17th November and 31st March 2009. You can save £30 / €40 on the D60 single lens kit and £50 / €65 on the double lens kit. All claims must be made by 30th April 2008 in order to qualify. More information about the cashback offer and details about how to submit a claim can be found at www.nikon.co.uk/cashback

Pentax have launched a Christmas cashback promotional offer, with up to £100 discount available. There’s £30 cashback available on the brand new Pentax K-m (pictured), £50 on the K200D, and £100 on the K20D, with £25-50 off lenses. The cashback can be claimed on all purchases made between 1 November 2008 and 31 January 2009 from an official Pentax dealer.