Olympus is offering a free HLD-4 power grip and E-System pro backpack with the purchase of a new E-3 DSLR camera. All owners who register their new Olympus E-3 before 31 December 2007 are eligible to receive the free power grip. All purchasers of the new E-3 who sign on to express their interest between now and 30 November 2007, and then register their new camera by 31 December 2007, will be eligible for the free E-System pro backpack. Sales of the new Olympus E-3 will start in late November 2007.

Olympus are launching six new E-410 and E-510 digital SLR kits customised for the needs of specific types of photography. The Olympus DSLR kits are: E-410 Underwater Pro Kit, E-510 Medical & Macro Pro Kit,  E-510 Architecture Pro Kit, E-510 Travelling Pro Kit, E-510 Reportage Pro Kit, E-510 Nature Pro Kit. Pricing ranges from £1199 to £3459.

Sony is releasing a new firmware update to for the 12 megapixel Sony A700 DSLR camera today. An extract from the Sony Electronics blog states:

“Sony is releasing updated firmware for the DSLR-?700 camera, as well as updates for the Image Data Converter and Image Data Lightbox bundled software applications. The camera firmware update improves image sharpness and reduces noise under certain circumstances. It also improves flash control at very short distances with non-ADI control lenses.  The updates for the bundled software applications correct the functioning of such features as image display and file type indication. These updates relate only to early production Firmware “Ver.1” models, which were manufactured through early October.  Firmware “Ver.2” models (press Menu & Display together to check) already include this upgrade. Although these improvements are subtle, it is recommended that customers make the update to improve the camera and application software performance.”

Website: Sony A700 Firmware Update

Website: Sony A700 Firmware Update

Website: Sony A700 Firmware Update

In a letter to UK camera retailers, Canon UK has stopped shipments of the new Canon EOS-1D Mark III DSLR and recalled all unsold units. A quality issue with the adjustment of the AF sub mirror is affecting the AI Servo focusing mode. Canon are apparently offering to repair Canon EOS-1D Mark III’s that have actually been sold to customers, but the letter states that Canon “will not be offering an exchange or return”. A technical helpline number has also been provided (08705 143 723). Canon are set to release an official statement on their website at the end of October/beginning of November.

Website: Rob Galbraith - Canon halts shipments to dealers in the UK

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the new 12 megapixel Sony A700 DSLR camera.

“The image quality delivered by the Sony A700 is excellent and will please the passionate photographer. Remarkable is the difference between RAW and JPEG pictures. For those who will use the Sony A700 purely simple, and leave RAW format for what it is, will not get to see the optimum possible quality of the camera. I think I made my point: shoot in RAW, go to the trouble of sharpening the pictures and converting them to JPEG and you will see the difference. There will always be differences between JPEG and RAW but on the Sony A700 they are too significant to not mention them. Personally I would only use RAW format with the Sony A700.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Sony A700 Review

Steves Digicams 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.

” Ergonomics are quite good on the 40D and the new contoured grip was easier to manage than the 30D’s. The controls on the top of the camera are the same, but the other controls are in a layout more akin to the Mark III. The control set retains the Multi-controller, a small “joystick” that’s used to select the AF point, set White Balance correction, select the focusing point in Live View and perform other functions.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon EOS 40D Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS 40D Review

DCResource 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.

“With a quality lens attached to it, the EOS-40D can produce spectacular results. The camera produces very smooth-looking photos, which some may consider soft—and if so, you can play around with the Picture Styles to find a sharpness setting you like. Colors were spot-on—no complaints there. As for noise, there wasn’t much, and you had to get the ISO pretty high to see any of it. Purple fringing is going to depend a lot on your choice of lens. It did pop up here and there, but it was fairly minor in most cases. My only photo quality complaint is that the the 40D has the tendency to underexpose.”

Website: DCResource - Canon EOS 40D Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS 40D Review

Imaging Resource 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.

“As is typical of this particular line of Canon digital SLR cameras, images from the Canon 40D are excellent. High ISO images printed at 13x19 inches are usable from ISO 100 to 800, with little noticeable noise, and little evidence of noise suppression. You can see a more gradual degradation as you move up the ladder when viewing onscreen at 100 percent, but it’s hardly noticeable when printed. Impressive.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Canon EOS 40D Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS 40D Review

DPReview 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.

“Seven years since the EOS D30, the sixth incarnation of that camera displays all of the advantages of a progressive evolution in both features and quality. With each step up the evolutionary ladder to the EOS 40D Canon has demonstrated improvements in image quality, performance, usability and features. They also demonstrated that as well as meeting the ‘requirements of the market’ they also listened to owners and reviewers by implementing the most commonly requested feature changes.”

Website: DPReview - Canon EOS 40D Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS 40D Review

Luminous Landscape have posted their first impressions of the new Canon 1Ds Mark III, a 21.1 megapixel full-frame digital SLR camera with 5fps continuous shooting and 45 AF points.

“My quick summary is that the 1Ds MKIII is Canon’s best camera yet for anyone that doesn’t specifically need higher frame rates for sports or similar subjects. The camera has excellent image quality, much improved features and user interface, a much superior battery system, faster frame rate, etc etc. There’s still a great deal for me to analyze, but it will be several weeks until I am back from my shoot in Madagascar and have a chance to write a full hands-on report.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Canon 1Ds Mark III First Impressions

The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro camera is now available at the reduced price of $1,699.95, along with a a free Power Grip and Pantone Huey Pro. Available only through authorized Fujifilm dealers, the “Get a Grip” promotion represents a total savings of $480. “With this new promotion, we’re happy to make it easier for those photographers who have been waiting for the opportunity to get the S5 Pro,” says Darin Pepple, consumer and professional marketing manager with Fujifilm’s Electronic Imaging Division.  “And the new Power Grip provides a useful, proven tool for the professional photographer.”   

The Hasselblad H3DII-39MS is a multi-shot version of the recently announced H3DII-39 DSLR camera. The H3DII-39MS eliminates the need to interpolate images and enables both single- and multi-shot DSLR capability. “With the H3DII-39MS, in addition to single-shot technology, we’ve included our multi-shot technology to offer professional photographers of still life and architecture a camera system that gives them image quality equal or in many cases superior to anything they’ve experienced before, as well as the functionality, flexibility and ease of use of a digital system.” commented Christian Poulsen, CEO of Hasselblad. The H3DII-39MS will be available from January 2008 for $43,995.

Hasselblad is also announcing the H2F, a simplified, film-only version of the H2 camera, which it is replacing at a substantially lower price. The H2F offers full compatibility with H System HV viewfinders, film magazines, and HC lenses. The Hasselblad H2F will be available from November 2007 for $2,799 body only or $7,678 for the H2F camera kit.

Following the release of the E-3 on Tuesday, Olympus is targeting at least 20% global market share for DSLR cameras within 5 years, according to a report by Reuters. Aiming to become one of the top 3 leaders in the sector, Olympus are taking on the likes of Canon, Nikon and most notably Sony, who recently released the A700 DSLR. Other possible contenders include Pentax, Samsung and Panasonic. Olympus’s current market share is around 8%. Much will depend upon the acceptance of the Four Thirds standard, which all Olympus DSLR cameras and lenses are based upon.

Website: Reuters

Laptop Magazine have evaluated four sub-$800 digital SLRs based on how well they executed five shooting scenarios: close-up, action, landscape, portrait, and low-light.

“If you’ve only taken pictures with a point-and-shoot before, you’re in for a pleasant surprise with these models; it’s like using an entirely different species of camera. Even the most basic DSLRs have remarkable speed with virtually no shutter lag, along with a range of features, extended battery life, and manual controls. These attributes will not only make you a better photographer, but they’ll also make taking pictures more fun.”

Website: Laptop Magazine - The Best Digital SLRs Under $800

The long wait for Olympus DSLR users is finally over, as the much-rumoured professional Olympus E-3 will finally be unveiled at 0.00am CET on October 17th. Olympus have been extremely cagey about the whole thing, with no information at all being sent out about the E-1’s successor ahead of the deadline time. Unless you live in the US, where journalists have been invited to a swanky reception at a New York museum. And unless you got hold of a copy of the much-circulated insider PDF document a couple of month’s ago. The Olympus E3 will be the last new DSLR of 2007 (unless Nikon really are hiding a new full-frame in a Christmas cracker), so you can all finally breathe a sigh of relief and make your photography wish list for this holiday season. We’ll have all the details about the E-3 just as soon as we get them…

Update: The Olympus E-3 will be available in November 2007 and cost $1,699 in the USA / £1099 in the UK - read the full details by clicking the link below.

Canon has launched a second cash back promotion to run across the Christmas selling period. You have the chance to save over £1,000/€1,500 across 24 products, including the EOS 400D (£50/€70), the EOS 40D (£50/€70) and the EOS 5D (£135/€200) DSLR cameras. The promotion also includes aselection of lenses and accessories. The cash back offer also applies across all of Canon’s Photo Kits. A full breakdown of all the various offers is available by clicking the link below.

PopPhoto 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.

“Excellent image quality in the lab translates to excellent image quality in the field if a camera’s autofocus, exposure and metering systems, and viewfinder are all top notch. And here, the 40D is hard to beat. Its AF system is among the fastest and most sensitive we’ve tested, capable of extremely high speeds in bright to moderate light, and decent performance down to EV-2.”

Website: PopPhoto - Canon EOS 40D Review

Website: Read our Canon EOS 40D Review

CNET have reviewed the new 12 megapixel Sony A700 DSLR camera.

“As for photo quality, the A700 fares quite well. Metering, exposure, contrast, and saturation look excellent under a variety of lighting conditions, and the photos exhibit a broad tonal range. Automatic white balance generally works well, though photos render a bit too warm under strong incandescent or fluorescent lights, and like many cameras, the A700’s auto white balance doesn’t deal well with mixed light sources such as shots taken under fluorescents near a window. Under daylight, balance is extremely good, however.”

Website: CNET - Sony A700 Review

DIWA member LetsGoDigital have 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.

“Another important improvement is the Live View. It is clear that we will see this in new cameras more and more often. It definitely has its advantages. You can easily take photographs from an awkward angle, and you can see what you are doing more easily, especially because the viewfinder of the Olympus E-510 only partially shows what is actually being photographed. Live View shows you the whole frame. It is very pleasant that the autofocus keeps working when you want to capture the moment.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Olympus E-510 Review

Website: Read our Olympus E-510 Review

Megapixel.net have reviewed the Nikon D40x DSLR, which features a 10.2 megapixel sensor, producing 3,872 x 2,592-pixel images, 3D Colour Matrix Metering II system and 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“In view of the few differences between the D40x and the D40, one wonders why Nikon did not release the D40x in the first place. While there is little doubt that purchasers of the D40x will appreciate the increase in resolution, when images captured with the D40 and D40x are compared, it is difficult to detect any qualitative differences. Clearly, any serious amateur photographer searching for a general-purpose camera that is both compact and economical should inspect the D40x. Barely more expensive than a number of bridge cameras, it offers greater flexibility and is only marginally bigger.”

Website: Megapixel.net - Nikon D40x Review

Website: Read our Nikon D40x Review