The name of a brand new Canon DSLR camera, the EOS 1000D / Rebel XS, has been leaked by Canon. The EOS 1000D / Rebel XS was referenced in the help file of the latest version of Digital Photo Professional, Canon’s RAW converter software. Listed in the compatibility section, no other concrete details about the EOS 1000D / Rebel XS are available. We’d surmise that given the model number, this model will follow in the footsteps of the EOS 1000 film SLR and become the new entry-level Canon DSLR, below the current Rebel XSi / EOS 450D (pictured).

Website: Bob Atkins -  Canon EOS Rebel XS/1000D and DPP 3.4.1.1

Nikon have applied for a patent for a new double viewfinder, where a small electronic display is visible through the optical viewfinder. According to Patent Application 20080084484, the photographer can switch between the optical viewfinder and electronic display, and even zoom in and out. Nikon state that this system will be of use for things like tracking a sports game, and will possibly featured on both professional and consumer DSLR cameras.

Website: United States Patent Application 20080084484

Website: PhotographyBay - Nikon’s New Viewfinder Does Double Duty

Buy-n-Shoot have reviewed the Leica M8 digital rangefinder camera, which has a 10 megapixel sensor, focal factor of 1.33x and an ISO range of 160-2500.

“The Leica M8 is a precision photographic tool that provides professional results. SLR shooters may take a little while getting accustom to shooting with a range finder. However, the Leica M-series camera is very easy to use. Experienced photographers will have no problem getting the most from the M8. In fact the only problem you are going to have is deciding if you want the silver or black model.”

Website: Buy-n-Shoot - Leica M8 Review

The Olympus E-520 is a new DSLR camera with built-in image stabilisation for razor-sharp results. The E-520 is the successor to the E-510 and incorporates a built-in image stabiliser, full contrast AF performance in Live View, 3.5fps continuous shooting, 10 megapixels, wireless flash control, and a 2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD. The Olympus E-520 will be available from June 2008 and costs £479.99 body-only, £529.99 with the 14-42mm lens, £629.99 with the 14-42mm and 40-150mm lenses, and £759.99 with the 14-42mm and 70-300mm lenses.

Nikon has increased its spring cashback offer on the D60 DSLR camera by 50%. Valid for purchases made between 1st - 7th May 2008, you can now save up to £90 on the D60 (twin lens kit). Customers should look out for the promotional voucher which will be available in selected national newspapers over the bank holiday.

Canon has released a new firmware update, v1.1.2, for the 1Ds Mark III DSLR camera. This firmware update incorporates the following improvements:

  1. Includes the following new features that were frequently requested by customers to the new firmware.
      - Direct selection of AF points by the Multi-controller is added to C.Fn III-9.
      - Alternate access to Exposure compensation is added to C.Fn IV-3.
  2. Improves the stability of AF accuracy in AI servo AF when shooting extremely low-contrast subjects.

Website: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Firmware Update 1.1.2

Canon has released a new firmware update, version 1.2.3, for the EOS-1D Mark III DSLR camera. This firmware update incorporates the following improvements:

  1. Includes the following new features that were frequently requested by customers to the new firmware.
      - Direct selection of AF points by the Multi-controller is added to C.Fn III-9.
      - Alternate access to Exposure compensation is added to C.Fn IV-3.
      - With the camera’s External Speedlite control menu, Flash function settings can be used to set the Wireless setting and Zoom.
  2. Improves the stability of AF accuracy in AI servo AF when shooting extremely low-contrast subjects.

Website: Canon EOS-1D Mark III Version 1.2.3 Firmware Update

Nikon have released a new firmware update, version A 1.10 / B 1.11, for the D3 DSLR camera. This version replaces the firmware update released on April 15th that was temporarily withdrawn on April 18th, because it corrupted images captured with continuous shooting at 9 fps and RAW 14-bit recording option.

Samsung are offering up to £100 off the new 14 megapixel GX20 DSLR camera. Buy the GX-20 single (18-55mm) or twin (18-55mm and 50-200mm) lens kit and get £100 cash back. Buy the GX-20 body-only kit and you will be eligible for £75 cash back. This offer is valid in the UK from 1st May until 31st July 2008.

The version 1.10 firmware update for the Nikon D3 DSLR has been removed from Nikon’s support site following customer feedback. Image data may be corrupted if the D3 is upgraded to v1.10 and a certain combination of camera settings is made. Nikon are instructing anyone who has upgraded their D3 to the v1.10 firmware to shoot with different settings until a revised firmware update is released in late April.

Rob Galbraith reports that the firmware update (v1.10) that Nikon released for the D3 DSLR earlier this week is intermittently corrupting images. An offset ghost image is appearing when shooting until the memory buffer fills and then taking additional frames. Apparently the Rob Galbraith staff are “able to make the problem surface pretty much at will”. Nikon have made no comment yet about this issue.

Website: Rob Galbraith - Nikon D3 v1.10 firmware appears to cause photo corruption problem

Nikon have released a new firmware update for the D3 full-frame DSLR camera. Version 1.10 adds a Vignette control to the shooting menu, a Focus point brightness option, and a number of other changes and fixes.

Website: Nikon D3 Firmware Update 1.10 (Windows)
Website: Nikon D3 Firmware Update 1.10 (Mac)

Amateur Photographer are reporting that Samsung are currently working on a full-frame DLSR camera. Rivals Canon and Nikon already have full-frame DSLRs available, with Sony unveiling a full-frame prototype at the PMA show back in January. So it makes perfect sense for Samsung to join in if they’re serious about becoming a major player. The news that Samsung will also continue its close relationship with Pentax could mean that we’ll actually see two very similar full-frame cameras released at the same time, as with the GX-10/K10D and GX-20 (pictured) /K20D cameras.

“The news emerged during an informal discussion with a high-ranking Samsung official at an industry event in Seoul, Korea, attended by Amateur Photographer (AP) technical writer Barney Britton. Kyong-Kook Shin, assistant manager for Samsung’s digital camera marketing planning group, suggested that the firm is actively pursuing development of a full-frame CMOS sensor intended for use in a professional camera.”

Website: Amateur Photographer - Samsung hints at full-frame camera

Celebrity photographer Rankin has tested the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III in an exclusive UEFA EURO 2008 shoot for Canon. “What you’re hoping for with any new Canon camera is that it will be even better than the one before – and the EOS-1Ds Mark III has achieved that: the resolution is higher; the operation is much simpler.” Rankin commented. To watch Rankin in action with the EOS-1Ds Mark III visit http://www.canon-europe.com/rankin/

Nikon have just released a firmware update for the Nikon D40 entry level DSLR camera. The following issue has been resolved in version 1.11.

Shooting times were not always accurately recorded within the image data for images captured in bursts of continuous shooting.

Website: Nikon D40 Firmware Update 1.11 (Windows)

Website: Nikon D40 Firmware Update 1.11 (Mac)

Canon have released a new firmware update, version 1.0.8, for the Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera. This firmware update incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

  1. Fixes a phenomenon in which Image Stabilization operation emits a sound when certain buttons are pressed, with the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS lens attached to the camera.
  When pressing the shutter button halfway down or pressing the AF-ON button, the IS operation sound is normal. (This phenomenon will not affect the durability of IS unit parts)

  2. Fixes a phenomenon in which the Image Stabilization operation emits a sound from the lens when IS lenses are attached to the camera.

  3. Fixes a phenomenon in which a part of the image looks unnatural when reviewed on the LCD.
  Depending on the color of the background, the edges of some objects in the image may appear to have a jagged edge and look unnatural. (Even if the image played back on the camera’s LCD is affected by this phenomenon, the actual image data is not affected.)

  4. Corrects errors in the Spanish and Norwegian menu screens.
  Spanish: In the metering timer setting of the Live View Function setting, the units for 10 and 30 minutes are in singular form “minuto”; they have been corrected to “minutos”.
  Norwegian: Picture Style was described as “Bildetype”; it has been corrected to “Bildestil”.

Website: Canon EOS 40D Firmware Update 1.0.8

Two digital cameras from Samsung have been chosen by Russia’s Energia as their “outer space digital cameras”. The un-named DSLR and NV cameras will be taken on board the Soyuz spacecraft and used on the international space station on April 8th. The cameras will be used to record daily life in space for 10 days, and the camera’s capabilities will be tested in the outer space environment for about 7 days. To pass the complicated and rigorous test process, the cameras underwent a certification process, including an intense shock and vibration test, which started in February of 2007 and lasted a year.

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the new Canon 1Ds Mark III, a 21.1 megapixel full-frame digital SLR camera with 5fps continuous shooting and 45 AF points.

“The new division of the buttons, the large monitor, the more compact battery and the decrease in weight are all excellent improvements. What I regret is the fact that you have less control over the auto focus field that is actually used and that you have to purchase a costly module in order to be able to use GPS. I had to almost search to come up with some criticism. Other than these there is not really one thing worth arguing about.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III Review

Sigma have released a new firmware update, v1.07, for the Sigma SD14 DSLR camera. Improvements include:

  1. Exposure time of Bulb Mode is increased from 30 seconds to 2 minutes (It is only available when the camera is set to Extended Mode).
  2. Accuracy of the Evaluative Metering has been improved.

Website: Sigma SD14 v1.07 Firmware Update

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have published sample images from the Olympus E-420, a compact new entry-level 10 megapixel DSLR camera.

“We have tried out the Olympus E420 in combination with the ZUIKO Digital 25 mm Pancake lens and some other FourThirds lenses and we took some sample shots to get a first impression of this camera. The bad weather in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, forced me to go inside the well-known butterfly garden of the Artis Zoo, to stay dry whilst shooting with the new Olympus combination.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Olympus E-420 Photos