Buy-n-Shoot have reviewed the 10 megapixel Olympus E-3 DSLR camera.

“A personal favourite feature is the 270-degree swivel screen. All DSLRs should have them in my opinion. It expands the user’s shooting possibilities by providing the option to shoot above your head, at your hip or by your feet - which you can do with any camera - but with the E-3 swivel screen you can correctly compose; there’s no guesswork involved. It also gives you the option to turn the screen toward your subject so they can see the shots as they are taken and is a great feature too to help protect your screen from scratches as it can be ‘closed’ to face in towards the camera body and out of harm’s way.”

Website: Buy-n-Shoot - Olympus E-3 Review

Website: Read our Olympus E-3 Review

The new Nikon D700 is the second full-frame, FX-series DSLR camera from Nikon. Using the same 36x24mm, full frame, 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor as the more expensive D3 model, the D700 also offers exactly the same extensive ISO range of 100 - 25,600. “The D700 excels in the extreme low-light and high-contrast conditions under which today’s cameras are judged and affirms Nikon’s ongoing commitment to meeting tomorrow’s imaging needs.” commented Robert Cristina, Manager Professional Products and NPS at Nikon Europe. The high-speed, 12-channel readout enables the D700 to achieve a fast continuous shooting speed of 5fps, or 8 fps with the Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 fitted. The Nikon D700 has a more compact design than the D3, and also features the same integrated dust reduction system as the D300 model. The Nikon D700 will cost £1999.99 / €2599.00 / $2999.95 and be available from July 2008. Nikon have released a 24-page D700 brochure and 10 D700 photos.

We’ve got some real-life shots and comparison pictures of the D700 and the Canon EOS 5D - just click the link below to see them.

The first ever Leica M8 digital camera has been sold to a Russian collector for 24,000 Euro at the 13th Westlicht Photographica Auction. Produced in 2006, the camera bears the striking serial number 3100000. Leica is donating proceeds from the auction to the press freedom organization “Reporters sans frontières – RSF“(Reporters without Borders). The 24,000 Euro bid for the first Leica M8 is the highest ever made for a digital camera.

Canon have launched a brand new Cashback promotion on the EOS 450D DSLR. Consumers who purchase the EOS 450D in any configuration from 26th June to 4th August 2008 can redeem £50 (€65 ROI) cashback via a promotional claim form. Duplicate claim forms and full terms and conditions of the Cashback promotion can be found at www.canon.co.uk/eos450dcashback . The EOS 450D and Cashback promotion is available from all participating photographic retailers in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Sony A350, a 14.2 megapixel DSLR camera with a variable angle LCD screen.

“When reviewing our sample images, I found the A350’s image quality results to be very pleasing for an entry-level dSLR. We primarily shot using the 14M Large Fine JPEG setting and Program mode with the ISO set to 100. Doing so, the majority of our samples showed good overall exposure. When using the Standard creative style mode, color saturation was very natural looking. I was impressed with the low noise levels found when shooting available light shots of our M&M man. Noise was very low at ISO speeds of 800 and below.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony A350 Review

Website: Read our Sony A350 Review

The price of DSLR cameras is steadily falling, according to a recent report by Futuresource Consulting. The average selling price of DSLRs in Europe has dropped by 1.6% (20 Euros) in the past ten weeks, to just over 1,250 Euros. The largest decreases have been in the in the 6-7 megapixel segment, with the Nikon D40 (pictured) now 7% cheaper than 10 weeks ago. Interestingly the recently launched Olympus E-420 is already 4.5% cheaper. “...large like for like price declines did have a significant impact on the market in 2007, with overall digital camera shipments growing 25% globally. In terms of 2008 growth the DSLR market outlook looks particularly strong, with Futuresource projections showing growth of 19% to 8.9m units, equating to €5.4Bn worldwide, this despite the credit crunch.” commented James Wells, Futuresource Consulting.

You can purchase a Hasselblad H3DII-31 Kit at a special price of $17,995 when you register for the free online publication of Victor by Hasselblad. The Hasselblad H3DII-31 is a Medium Format DSLR camera system including a 31 megapixel sensor, and the kit is comprised of the H3DII-31 camera body, viewfinder, and 80mm lens. The offer runs from June 1st - August 31st 2008, while stocks last.

Pentax have released a new firmware update for the 14.6 megapixel Pentax K20D DSLR camera. The following issue has been improved in version 1.01:

- Minimize the noise when taking picture with 2 seconds self-timer mode.

Website: Pentax K20D Firmware Update 1.01

DIWA member Digit.no have reviewed the Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera, which offers a 10.1 megapixel sensor, 6.5 fps continuous shooting and 3 inch LCD screen.

Website: Digit.no - Canon EOS 40D Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS 40D Review

Olympus have released a new firmware upgrade, version 1.2, for the 10 megapixel Olympus E-3 DSLR camera, which improves the consistency of the auto white balance setting.

Website: Olympus E-3 Firmware Upgrade 1.2

In 2007 the DSLR camera market grew by 40% in North America, compared to the point-and-shoot market, which grew by 24%, according to a new InfoTrends report. “Consumers who are upgrading to DSLRs are no longer just hobbyists, but also include families with young children who are looking for cameras with no shutter lag. A profitable DSLR market is able to support research and development (R&D), and we expect innovation in DSLRs that may cause consumers to regularly upgrade their camera body,” commented Mette Eriksen, Director of InfoTrends’ Digital Photography Trends Service. InfoTrends predicts that entry-level DSLRs will become fancy point-and-shoot cameras with interchangeable lenses during 2008.

Pentax UK are offering £100 off the new 14.6 megapixel Pentax K20D DSLR camera and lens kit. There’s also £50 cashback available on any Pentax K200D Digital SLR camera and lens kit. The cashback can be claimed on purchases of any Pentax K20D or K200D camera and lens kit (excludes body only purchases) by residents in the U.K. and Ireland between 11th June and 31st August 2008.

Website: Pentax UK Cashback Promotion

Just as we predicted, the Canon EOS 1000D is a new entry-level, 10 megapixel DSLR camera with Live View mode. With the lightest body of any digital EOS camera, the Canon 1000D offers a 7-point wide area AF system and up to 3fps continuous JPEG shooting. “The EOS 1000D is a small camera with a big idea: the supreme adaptability and image quality of the EOS system, in an accessible, affordable package,” said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. “For anyone ready to take the next step in creative photography, the Canon 1000D offers the perfect entry point to the world of D-SLR.” The Canon EOS 1000D is available from the end of July priced at £499.99 / €649.99 body only and £579.99 / €749.99 with the 18-55mm IS lens. Canon USA are launching this camera as the Canon Rebel XS in July, with pricing said to be around $200 below the Rebel XSi.

Fujifilm have reduced the price of the FinePix S5 Pro DSLR camera to just £499. First launched at Focus on Imaging in 2007 for £999.99, Fujifilm are now running a special summer promotion on the S5 Pro. Awarded the EISA European Advanced Camera of the Year 2007-2008, the FinePix S5 Pro is a benchmark DSLR camera, offering a wealth of features. Visit your local dealer to find out more about the Fujifilm S5 Pro promotion.

Nikon UK has extended its spring cashback offer on the Nikon D60, with up to £90 / €120 off until June 30th 2008. Current cashback offers on the D80 kits and D40 kits still apply and are also valid until 30th June 2008. All claims must arrive by 31st July 2008 to be eligible.

Olympus UK are offering a free FL-50R wireless flash worth £450 with any purchase of an E-3 DSLR camera. All you need to do is buy an E-3 between 1 June and 31 August 2008 and register it online by 11 October 2008. The Olympus E-3 is now available from around £1100 body only.

The Pentax Gear Up Rebate offers big savings on individual products or a K20D or K200D system. For example, you can save $375.00 on a system including a K20D body, an smc PENTAX DA*16-50mm lens, an smc PENTAX DA*50-135mm lens, a BG 2 Grip and an AF-540 FGZ Flash. This offer runs from May 22 through July 26, 2008. Accessories included in this rebate must be purchased at the same time as a K20D or K200D on the same receipt to receive full rebate.

Nikon UK has increased its spring cashback offer on the Nikon D60 by 50%, with up to £90 / €120 off. For purchases made between 22nd – 28th May 2008, there’s a £60 (€75) saving on the D60 single lens kit, and £90 (€120) on the D60 twin lens kit. Look out for the promotional voucher which will be available in selected national newspapers over the bank holiday, as well as selected stores across the country and on the Nikon website.

Hasselblad are offering up to $5000 off the price of a new H3DII when you trade in your old 35mm DSLR. The offer is valid between now and June 30, 2008, and you can receive up to $5000 off, dependant upo how many megapixels your 35mm DSLR camera has:

Up to 6.9mp (1000 USD/EUR Trade-in) (£700 Trade-in)
7mp-9.9mp (3000 USD/EUR Trade-in) (£2100 Trade-in)
10mp-15.9mp (4000 USD/EUR Trade-in) (£2900 Trade-in)
16mp-21.1mp (5000 USD/EUR Trade-in) (£3600 Trade-in)

Website: Hasselblad 35mm Trade-in

Luminous Landscape have reviewed the Hasselblad H3D-II DSLR camera, which offers a choice of 22, 31 or 39 megapixel sensors up to 48x36 mm in size.

“My overall impression of this camera is one of smooth ease-of-use. I took to it right away and found very few niggles with the handling apart from those mentioned above. It’s logical, the menus are easy to navigate, and the camera controls are where they should be. Optically it is as excellent as you’d imagine from Hasselblad, and whilst the supplied software is dated, the replacement, Phocus, promises great things. It’s not a perfect landscape camera, but what is? As a general purpose camera of the highest possible image quality it is a winner and I’d have no hesitation in recommending it.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Hasselblad H3D-II Review