ePhotoZine have reviewed the new Olympus E-410 DSLR camera.

“Well, it’s been an almost indecently short time between updates to the E-410 and the main difference is the Live View is now in colour and the image quality is a little better. Handling is exactly the same, with just one button changing function. Being small it is harder to hold more comfortably and securely than a Nikon D40x or a Canon EOS 400D, but the build quality is a lot better than either of those two.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Olympus E-410 Review

Website: Read our Olympus E-410 Review

The Fujifilm IS Pro is a new infrared DSLR camera based on the S5 Pro model. The IS Pro records light from the ultraviolet (UV), visible and infrared (IR) portion of the spectrum (approx. 380nm - 1000nm). There are several system packages available for the Fujifilm IS Pro digital SLR, ranging in price from $2599.95 body only to $4999 for a kit including a Zeiss 50mm Macro lens. The Fujifilm IS Pro is currently only available in the USA.

Purchasers of the Nikon D200 DSLR camera in the UK can now claim a free copy of Nikon’s Capture NX software, worth £119.99.. This offer is valid between 18th May and 13th July 2007, and the last day for applications is 10th August 2007.

Update July 13th - Nikon UK is pleased to announce it has extended the free Capture NX offer to 3rd August 2007. The new deadline for applications is 31st August 2007.

Sigma have released a new firmware update, v1.04, for the Sigma SD14 DSLR camera. Improvements include:

  1. Corrects the phenomenon of the intermittent camera freeze with Err message in the top LCD panel under certain conditions.
  2. Corrects the problems related with video output display and functionality.
  3. Corrects the display problem for the number of remaining shots on the CF card.
  4. In the case of Mac OS 10.4.9 with Intel core processor, the SD14 was not recognized as a Removable Disk. Now the SD14 is mounted to the desktop as Removable Disk icon.

Website: Sigma SD14 v1.04 Firmware Update

Canon have released a new firmware update, v1.1.0, for the EOS 400D (Digital Rebel XTi in the USA) DSLR, which offers the following improvements:

  1. Adds support for the new Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) USB protocol.
  2. Corrects errors in the Simplified Chinese menu screens.

Website: Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi v1.1.0 Firmware Update

DigiCamReview 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.

“Image quality is very good to excellent, the images have excellent colour, with good saturation, contrast and detail, with low noise except for high iso images (can be altered to your tastes). Images were slightly soft straight from the camera on default settings but can be improved by setting the Noise Filter to Low. For maximum detail and colour control RAW images should be taken, although JPEG images straight from the camera were still very impressive.”

Website: DigiCamReview - Olympus E-510 Review

Website: Read our Olympus E-510 Review

DPReview have reviewed the FujiFilm S5 Pro digital SLR camera.

“One thing is certain: the S5 Pro is a huge improvement on its predecessor - it’s a far, far better camera and it produces better, cleaner output with fewer artefacts and slightly better detail. Everything from metering to focus to noise reduction to the interface and speed of operation has improved significantly.”

Website: DPReview - FujiFilm S5 Pro Review

Website: Read our FujiFilm S5 Pro Review

ePhotoZine have reviewed the 10 megapixel Samsung GX-10 DSLR camera.

“The GX10, being the same as Pentax’s K10D, proves that the SLR market is no longer safely ruled by Canon and Nikon. As you see from the specifications above, the Samsung GX10 offers a product that will not only satisfy enthusiasts, but also many pros. It sits in a price point that includes Canon’s EOS30D and Nikon’s D80, yet it has features, such as waterproof seals, that bring it closer to the pro-spec Canon EOS5D or Nikon D200.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Samsung GX-10 Review

Pentax have released a firmware update, v1.30, for the Pentax K10D DSLR camera.

The following functions has been added in version 1.30:
    1. Correspond to PENTAX DA lens which built-in supersonic motor (SDM System)

Website: Pentax K10D v1.30 Firmware Update

Leica have released four new Nature sets, comprised of the LEICA DIGILUX 3 DSLR camera, telephoto lens and a free set of Leica binoculars. The number of Leica Nature Sets is limited worldwide, with registration required to be eligible for a purchase option certificate.

FujiFilm have released a new firmware update, v1.08, for the S5 Pro DSLR.

The firmware (Ver.1.06 to Ver.1.08) update incorporates the following issues.
When MB-D200 Multi-Power Battery Pack (introduced by Nikon) is used with S5Pro, sometimes the camera may be stopped suddenly (e.g. freeze) due to the contact failure between FinePix S5 Pro and MB-D200.
Cf. Contact failure is not occurred regularly. Even with contact failure in a short period FinePix S5 Pro will be frozen in some case.
For removing the trouble, new FinePix S5 Pro firmware has been established.

Website: FujiFilm S5 Pro v1.08 Firmware Update

Imaging Resource 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.

“The Nikon D40x is a gem. Consumers should want one, intermediate photographers should want one, and pros would do well to carry one too. The Nikon D40x is one of the finest family cameras on the market made even better than its predecessor, which is a tall order.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon D40x Review

Website: Read our Nikon D40x Review

DCResource have reviewed the new Olympus E-410 DSLR camera.

“The Olympus EVOLT E-410 is the smallest digital SLR on the market. Designed as a “step up” for point-and-shoot camera users, the E-410 features a live view LCD, plenty of scene modes, and a relatively easy-to-use interface. The camera has some hits and some misses, and it’s at its best when you tweak the settings a bit. Once you’ve done that you’ll find a camera that holds up well against the entry-level competition. If you get along with the compact size (I don’t), then the E-410 is well worth a look.”

Website: DCResource - Olympus E-410 Review

Website: Read our Olympus E-410 Review

CNET have reviewed the new Sigma SD14 DSLR camera.

“Under the right circumstances, the Sigma SD14 can create very nice images, but once you move up to higher ISOs, the image quality degrades significantly. At ISO 100 or ISO 200, colors look quite accurate and the camera’s white balance is generally neutral. If anything, colors looked slightly oversaturated in our test images, especially reds and oranges. As you increase the ISO, however, not only do you see a increase in noise, but the entire color profile of the camera shifts.”

Website: CNET - Sigma SD14 Review

The Pentax K100D Super is an updated version of the K100D entry-level DSLR which first shipped in July 2006. The new K100D Super incorporates Pentax’s Dust Removal (DR) system which helps keep the CCD sensor free from dust. The Pentax K100D Super also offers full compatibility with PENTAX SDM lenses. Priced at US $599.95, the PENTAX K100D Super with 18-55mm lens will ship in August 2007.  The price of the camera body only is $519.95. Pentax are also announcing the compact, easy-to-use AF200FG Auto Flash, which will ship in August 2007 for US $149.95.

Rob Galbraith has highlighted a serious problem with the auto-focusing system used in the new Canon EOS-1D Mark III DSLR camera. Apparently both pre- and production cameras “can’t hold focus on static subjects very well and it can’t track moving subjects very well.” Worth reading before splashing out $5,000.

“Q. Is the autofocus better in the production EOS-1D Mark III than it was in the preproduction unit?
No. The autofocus problems of the preproduction unit are mirrored in production EOS-1D Mark IIIs.”

Website: Rob Galbraith - An analysis of EOS-1D Mark III autofocus performance

ProPhoto Home have reviewed the new Canon EOS-1D Mark III DSLR camera.

“Having read the reports of a few people indicating problems with the autofocus system the first thing I did was conduct some of my own tests. My tests did not indicate any significant issues in this area. I did think I noted a few instances of a delay in locking focus on a still subject. But, upon reviewing the actual image files I saw nothing consistent worth reporting. It all seemed well within the norms of the standard digital autofocus systems we all use.”

Website: ProPhoto Home - Canon EOS-1D Mark III Review

DIWA member Digit.no have just reviewed the new Sigma SD14 DSLR camera.

“Both in terms of features, performance and user friendliness, the SD14 falls way down on my ranking list. Foveon have without question made an interesting concept with their X3 sensor solution and the SD14 defines 4,6 MP with excellence, particularly in RAW. Therefore, it’s a shame to see the SD14 being promoted as a 14 MP camera, as the interpolation ruins much of the qualities delivered by the image sensor. If Sigma were honest, they would have said that the SD14 is a 4.6 MP camera that delivering excellent images. Because that’s the truth.”

Website: Digit.no - Sigma SD14 Review

CNET have reviewed the new Canon EOS-1D Mark III DSLR camera.

“Images shot with the Canon EOS 1D Mark III can be absolutely stunning. Colors look extremely accurate, and the automatic white balance does an excellent job of neutralizing colors under a variety of lighting situations. The only times it became confused was in situations in which there was mixed lighting, and even then it produced pleasing, if not absolutely spot-on results. If paired with a sharp lens, the 1D Mark III can produce images with a vast amount of fine detail.”

Website: CNET - Canon EOS-1D Mark III Review

Leica have released a firmware update, v2.0, for the Digilux 3 DSLR. Improvements include:

  * An additional function for multiple exposures.
  * A third OIS mode (MODE 3) enabling the user to employ the „panning” technique.
  * A mode that considerably improves the visibility of the monitor image when the camera is held below eye level.
  * The aperture value can now be set more easily in the case of lenses (of other makes) that do not have aperture setting rings.
  * White balance (WB), color temperature, ISO-speed, and the flash mode can now be set with the cursor buttons as well as with the main setting dial. Confirming the settings is no longer limited in time.
  * Auto Review now also includes a mode without a time limit.
  * It is now possible to scroll to the other images even when the one being displayed is enlarged (with the zoom function).
  * The firmware version can now be displayed using the setup menu.

Website: Leica Digilux 3 v2.0 Firmware Update