Nikon UK is offering £60/€80 on the new Nikon D60 DSLR twin lens kit until June 30th. The Nikon D60 cashback promotion will run from the 20th March 2008 until the 30th June 2008. All claims must arrive by 31st July 2008 in order to qualify.

Canon have released a new firmware version, 1.1.1, for their 12.8 megapixel Canon EOS 5D digital SLR.

The following fixes and improvements have been incorporated:

  1. It now supports high-capacity CF cards.
  Previously, when using an 8GB CF card or greater (e.g.,12GB, 16GB), even after initializing the card in the camera, the CF card capacity could not correctly be detected. This phenomenon has been fixed so that the camera will correctly recognize high-capacity CF cards.

Canon have released a new firmware version, 1.0.6, for the 8 megapixel EOS 30D digital SLR.

The following fixes and improvements have been incorporated.

  1. It allows the latest lens names to be recorded in the Exif information of images taken.
  The lens IDs of lenses released after the EOS30D are not in the camera; so these lens names could not be recorded in the Exif information of images. The Lens IDs for the following new lenses are now included, so that the correct lens names will be recorded in the Exif information of images.

Bob Atkins has reviewed the Olympus E-510 DSLR camera, which features a built-in image stabiliser in the camera body. The E510 also has a new image processing engine that offers excellent noise performance and 3fps with a seven image RAW buffer in burst mode.

“I’d say the E-510 with the 14-42 and 40-150 lenses would make an excellent starter camera for someone moving up from a digital P&S, especially if cost and size are issues. For around $650 you get the camera along with the two lenses (and both become stabilized via the body). A similar Canon system might be a Rebel XTi plus the EF-S 18-55IS and the EF-S 55-250IS, which would cost around $880. I think the Canon system is probably better and more expandable (there are more lenses available in the Canon system), but if you just want a small camera and a couple of inexpensive lenses, the Olympus is hard to beat in terms of price and features.”

Website: Bob Atkins - Olympus E-510 Review

Website: Read our Olympus E-510 Review

After the much-publicized problems with the Canon EOS-1D Mark III DSLR’s auto-focus system, Canon USA are now claiming that the camera has “performed better in our tests than all previous EOS camera models.”

“After the AF mirror Adjustment, including the updated firmware version 1.1.3, the EOS-1D Mark III AF function performed better in our tests than all previous EOS camera models. Canon strives at all times to continuously improve our products in order to provide our customers with the best performance and value. We are aware that some customers have raised questions about the performance of the EOS-1D Mark III AF system under certain conditions.  We will continue to investigate, and look for opportunities to improve, the performance of the AF system to ensure the satisfaction of all of our customers.”

Website: Canon USA - Updated Service Notice: EOS-1D Mark III: AF Mirror Adjustment Problem

The Olympus E-420 is a compact new entry-level 10 megapixel DSLR camera. One of the world’s smallest and lightest D-SLRs, the E420 offers Live View, 2.7 inch LCD screen, 3.5fps continuous shooting, Supersonic Wave Filter to prvent dust, and no less than 28 shooting modes. A retro-styled camera case that attaches to the base of the camera is also being introduced. Made entirely of leather, it will be available in a choice of white, brown or black. The Olympus E-420 will be available from late April 2008 at £339.99 / $499 body only or £379.99 / $599 for the standard 14-42mm lens kit.

Nikon are offering up to £75 / €100 off any new D40 or D80 camera kit. You can save £30/€40 on a single D40 lens kit and £45/€60 on a twin lens kit, and for the D80 £50/€70 cashback on single lens kits and £75/€100 cashback on twin lens kits. The promotion will run from the 25th February until the 30th June 2008.

Panasonic are giving away a free 16Gb Pro High Speed SD card with the new DMC-L10 DSLR camera. Allowing over 6000 still images to be captured, the Panasonic 16GB card provides fast data transfer speed of up to 20MB/S. This offer is valid until the end of April 2008 and is offered via participating retailers only.

Nikon have released a firmware update, v1.02, for the D300 DSLR camera.

Modifications Enabled with “A” firmware ver. 1.02

- An issue that, in rare cases, caused vertical bands (lines) to appear in images captured at shutter speeds slower than 8s has been resolved.

Website: Nikon D300 v1.02 Firmware Update (Windows)
Website: Nikon D300 v1.02 Firmware Update (Mac)

Sigma have released a new firmware update, v1.06, for the Sigma SD14 DSLR camera. Improvements include:

  1. Accuracy of the custom white balance has been improved.
  2. One-day advance date counter that occurs with X3F images during an intercalary year was corrected.
  3. Review image quality on the camera’s LCD is improved.
  4. Users now have the option to disable the shutter release if there is no CF card in the camera. This option is found in the ‘Preview Style’ menu.

Website: Sigma SD14 v1.06 Firmware Update

Steves Digicams have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-L10, a new 10.1 megapixel DSLR camera with a unique 2.5 inch free angle LCD screen complete with full time live view.

“As an addition to the dSLR market as an “entry level” camera, it is full of features, controls and performance that can be found on some higher level cameras. It provides a full auto mode, program, shutter and aperture priority, full manual, 3 custom program settings and a set of several pre-programmed scene modes to assist you in certain situations. Program mode gives novice users control over many of the other features such as metering, focus, ISO speed and AF settings. Several of the Advanced Scene Modes help you to take creative photos by finding out certain attributes that you want in photograph and setting the camera based on your choices.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Panasonic DMC-L10 Review

Website: Read our Panasonic DMC-L10 Review

We have a selection of 20 photos taken with a pre-production version of the new Nikon D60 DSLR camera on a recent press trip to Las Vegas, USA. Please note that the Nikon D60 that I used was a pre-production version, therefore these images do not represent the quality of the final production camera.

Website: Nikon D60 Photos

After weeks of rumours and leaks, it should come as no surprise that the Sony A350 and A300 DSLR cameras have been announced. The two cameras are identical except for the megapixel count - the A350 has a 14.2 megapixel sensor, and the A300 10.2 megapixels. Both the A350 and A300 offer a variable angle 2.7 inch LCD screen, new Quick AF Live View mode for fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, high ISO of 3200 and Sony’s D-Range Optimizer. The DSLR-A300 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens will ship in April for about $800. The DSLR-A350 camera body will be available in March for about $800, and the DSLR-A350 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens will be available for about $900 at the same time.

The Nikon D60 is a new 10 megapixel entry-level DSLR camera. Successor to the popular D40/D40x models, the new D60 is a modest upgrade which features Nikon’s EXPEED image-processor, 3-point auto-focus system, 3fps continuous shooting and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. The D60 includes an integrated dust reduction system with a new Airflow Control System that channels dust out of the image path. The D60 body only is £449.99 / €672.00.  The Nikon D60 Kit with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR will cost £529.99/ €791.00. The D60 kit with AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II will cost £499.99/ €747.00. In the USA the Nikon D60 will be available beginning in February 2008, pricing still to be confirmed.

Nikon have just released a firmware update for the 10 megapixel Nikon D80 DSLR camera. The following improvements have been made with firmware version 1.10.

- The D80 is “Certified for Windows Vista”
- Support for the new USB Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) has beenadded. The PTP option in the setup menu’s USB item will be modified to MTP/PTP.  The icon will also be modified.
- The effects of noise reduction processing performed at shutter speeds of 1 - 8 s with shutter speed set to “bulb”, when On is selected for Long exp. NR in the shooting menu, have been improved.

Website: Nikon D80 Firmware Update 1.10 (Windows)
Website: Nikon D80 Firmware Update 1.10 (Mac)

We have a selection of 40 photos taken with a pre-production version of the new Pentax K20D DSLR canera and new smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II zoom lens on a recent press trip to Dubai, UAE. Please note that as the K20D that I used was a pre-production version, therefore these images do not represent the quality of the final production camera.

Website: Pentax K20D Photos

The Samsung GX-20 is a new 14.6 megapixel digital SLR camera. The GX-20 builds on the previous GX-10 model, offering more megapixels, a larger 2.7 inch LCD monitor, Live View mode, ISO 100-6400, Dust Alert System and an X-sync socket for studio flash systems. Other standout features offered by the Samsung GX-20 include a built-in Shake Reduction system, 11-point AF, and Enhanced Digital Filter which allows a greater dynamic range of exposures. The 14.6 megapixel sensor inside the GX-20 has been developed in a joint-venture with Pentax, with Samsung responsible for the fabrication. The new Samsung GX-20 will be available from March 2008, for £699 / $1399.95 with the 18-55mm kit lens. Samsung are also launching a 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 super-zoom lens, which will cost around £449 and be available in March 2008.

The Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi is a new 12 megapixel compact DSLR camera. looking very similar to the previous 400D from the outside, the EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi features a larger 3 inch LCD screen, new 9-point AF system, 14-bit processing, Live View mode with contrast detection AF mode (like the Panasonic L10) and 3.5fps continuous mode. The Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi will be available body only for $799 / £599.99 / €899.99 and with the 18-55mm IS kit lens for £679.99 / €999.99, available from March 2008.

The new Pentax K20D DSLR camera offers 14.6 megapixels, making it the leading semi-professional model in terms of image resolution. The K20D builds on the success of the acclaimed K10D, offering more megapixels, a larger 2.7 inch LCD monitor, Live View mode, ISO 100-6400, Dust Alert System and an X-sync socket for studio flash systems. Other standout features offered by the Pentax K20D include built-in Shake Reduction system, 11-point AF, and support for a large number of older, pre-digital lenses. The 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor inside the K20D has been developed in a joint-venture with Samsung, who are responsible for the fabrication. The Pentax K20D will be available in March 2008 for £899 / $1299 body only or £999 with the new 18-55mm II kit lens.

The Pentax K200D is a new 10 megapixel entry-level, compact digital SLR camera. The K200D is the successor to the K100D and K100D Super and features new 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor, 2.7 inch LCD screen, dust and water protection with 60 seals, and improved battery-life consumption. Other standout features of the Pentax K200D include built-in Shake Reduction system, 11-point AF, dust removal and compatibility with a large number of older, pre-digital Pentax lenses. The new Pentax K200D costs £579.99 / $799.95 with the new 18-55 mm II kit lens and will be available in March 2008.