The Voigtländer Nokton 17.5mm f0.95 is an ultra-bright moderate wide-angle lens for Micro Four Thirds. Like its highly regarded stablemate, the Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f0.95, this is a manual-focus lens with an all-metal exterior. The Voigtländer Nokton 17.5mm f0.95 has a 10-bladed iris diaphragm and features an aperture ring with stepless aperture control. The optical formula comprises 13 lens elements arranged in 9 groups, including aspherical and ultra-high-refractive-index glass elements. Available from March, the Voigtländer Nokton 17.5mm f0.95 has a close-focus point of 15cm, and carries an MSRP of ¥ 118,000 in Japan.

Source: Cosina Voigtländer

The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is a new travelzoom camera with a 16-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, a 25-600mm equivalent zoom lens, touch-sensitive screen, high-speed AF and Multi-Recording functionality. Equipped with two separate TruePic V image processors, originally developed for DSLR cameras, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is capable of simultaneously capturing Full HD movies and full-resolution stills. Its new iHS (intelligent, High-Sensitivity and High-Speed) technology is claimed to “dramatically improve” low-light performance, speed up camera response time, and enhance scene and subject recognition. “Combined with High-Speed Sequential Shooting (10fps) and high-speed autofocus, iHS reduces picture noise and enhances resolution and colour gradation,” the company says. The camera‘s touch-sensitive, 3.0-inch 920,000-dot LCD screen allows users to change the active AF point, shutter speed and zoom, or navigate the Live Guide controls by touch. Other highlights include a hand-held starlight mode and a dozen “Magic Art Filters”. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will be available in silver and black, priced at $399.99/£299.99.

The Olympus TG-820 iHS is a new water-, shock-, freeze- and dustproof compact camera with a 12-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, a 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens and a 3-inch, 1,030,000-dot HyperCrystal III LCD screen with scratch-resistant, anti-reflective coatings. Olympus’ iHS technology builds on the speed of the camera’s back-illuminated CMOS imager and TruePic VI image processor to “dramatically improve” low-light performance, speed up camera response time and auto focus, plus enhance scene and subject recognition. HDR Backlight Adjustment takes a collage of separate photos and blends them into one perfectly exposed image regardless of difficult lighting. Other highlights include Full HD video recording with Multi-Motion Movie IS, an enhanced iAuto shooting mode and an on-board HDMI connector. The Olympus Tough TG-820 iHS will be available in a variety of colours at an estimated street price of $299.99/£269.99.

The Olympus SH-25MR is a 16-megapixel touchscreen camera with a 24-300mm equivalent lens, integrated GPS module and compass, and Multi-Recording technology on board. The 3-inch rear screen boasts a resolution of 460,000 dots, and offers a range of touch-based functions like Touch AF and Touch Shutter. Other standout features include HDR Backlight Adjustment, 3D Photo Shooting, Smart Panorama, Advanced Shadow Adjustment Technology and a Handheld Starlight Mode. In addition to capturing 16-megapixel photos at up to 10 frames per second (or 3-megapixel stills at up to 60fps), the Olympus SH-25MR is also capable of recording Full HD videos with Multi-Motion Movie IS. Available in gold, black, red and white, the SH-25MR hits the shops in April, priced at €269.00/£229.99.

Sigma has renamed its flagship digital SLR camera to Sigma SD1 Merrill, in honour of Foveon’s founding father, Richard B. Merrill. The rebranding was initiated by Sigma’s new CEO, Kazuto Yamaki, who wrote “a personal letter to the company’s loyal customers” announcing the name change and a reduction of the camera’s MSRP to $3,300. Given the typically huge difference between Sigma’s suggested retail prices and the actual retail pricing of their products, this means you can realistically expect to be able to purchase the Sigma SD1 Merrill for about $2,300 - which is a massive price drop considering that the camera used to sell for about $6,900.

Sigma has updated its large-sensor compact cameras, the Sigma DP1 and the Sigma DP2, to incorporate the high-resolution sensor found in the Sigma SD1. This imaging chip features over 15.3 million sensor photosites with stacked red, green and blue filters (as opposed to a typical 16-megapixel Bayer sensor that has 8 million green-, 4 million red- and 4 million blue-sensitive pixels) for superior colour reproduction and resolution. In addition, the new versions boast totally redesigned lenses - a 19mm f/2.8 lens for the Sigma DP1 Merrill and a 30mm f/2.8 for the Sigma DP2 Merrill - with moulded-glass aspherical elements, “F” Low Dispersion and Super Multi Layer coating, and a telecentric optical design. The new generation name “Merrill” is a tribute to Foveon’s co-founder, the late Richard B. Merrill, who developed the original Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor. Pricing to be confirmed.

Pentax is displaying new interchangeable lenses and camera accessories that are currently under development at the Japanese camera show, CP+ 2012. On show will be the smc PENTAX-D FA645 90mm f/2.8 medium-format lens, smc PENTAX-DA 560mm f/5.6 and smc PENTAX-DA 50mm f/1.8 K-mount lenses, telephoto zoom lens and standard lens with “body cap” design for the Pentax Q system, super-thin interchangeable lens for the K-01 compact system camera, and a lens adapter for mounting a K-mount lens onto a Q-mount body. Names and prices of these products will be confirmed at a later date.

The Pentax Optio WG2 and WG2-GPS are two new waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant compact cameras. Both models can be used at a depth of up to 12 metres and can withstand a drop of 1.5 metres, cold to -10°C and a weight up to 100kg. The WG2 and WG2-GPS also feature a 16 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, Full HD movie recording, 5x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage, 3 inch high-resolution LCD monitor with 16:9 dimensions and 460,000 dots, and six built-in LED macro lights. The Optio WG2-GPS additionally comes equipped with an upgraded GPS module.

The Pentax WG2 and WG2-GPS will be available from March 2012 for £299.99 and £349.99 respectively.

The Pentax Image Transmitter is a new software application for transferring images taken with the Pentax 645D to a computer. It’s also possible to record the images simultaneously on an SD memory card installed in the camera and release the shutter using the computer. The Pentax Image Transmitter will be available on CD-ROM for £249.99.

Nikon and photographer Sandro have teamed-up to showcase the new D800’s video capabilities. Joy Ride is a short film shot with the D800 in a variety of lighting conditions, including a motorcycle sequence where the D800 was strapped to the bike. There’s also a behind-the-scenes video which goes into a little more depth about how the impressive Nikon D800 was used.

Pentax have released an official video interview with Marc Newson, designer of the innovative Pentax K-01 compact system camera. In addition we have an exclusive video of Marc talking about the K-01 at last week’s UK press launch. Click through to see both videos.

Nikon has posted a number of full-resolution sample photos taken with the brand new Nikon D800 and Nikon D800E digital single-lens-reflex cameras. All of the sample images were captured in raw format and converted using Capture NX 2. The downloadable JPEG files range from 17.01 to 33.06 megabytes in size, and are apparently meant to demonstrate the resolution capabilities of the 36-megapixel FX sensor, first and foremost (which also means that there are no real high-ISO samples on display, with ISO 640/29° being the highest sensitivity setting used). You can download the Nikon D800 and Nikon D800E sample images from the websites below.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon D800 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

The D800 has a high-resolution 36.3 megapixel full-frame 35mm sensor that Nikon claim makes it a rival to medium-format cameras, especially the D800E version which removes the anti-aliasing filter to achieve even more detail. Nikon UK predict that 10% of Nikon D800’s sold will be the special E version, which will be available at more specialist retailers.

The D800 still offers similar noise levels to the D700 (which carries on alongside the D800) and outperforms the D7000. ISO 50 is claimed to be better than Kodachrome, said Nikon UK’s James Banfield at yesterday’s launch event, with ISO 100 delivering the best quality of any ISO speed.

With high-speed SD and Compact Flash dual slots, the D800 offers maximum flexibility for a wide user base, although the brand new XQD format has been reserved for the flagship D4 camera.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of 34 photos of the new Nikon D800 camera.

Nikon gave a detailed presentation of the impressive new Nikon D800 DSLR camera at yesterday’s UK press event.

Click through for all the slides, which are also available in PDF format.

The Nikon D800 is a new 36.3 megapixel FX-format professional D-SLR. The D800 delivers unprecedented levels of detail and tonal range, with the sensor providing a 12-channel readout with 14-bit A/D conversion and high signal-to-noise ratio. The Nikon D800 offers an ISO range of 50-25600, EXPEED 3 image-processing engine, Full HD (1080p) movies, external stereo microphone input, 51-point auto-focusing, 4fps continuous shooting in FX-format (6fps in DX-format), 921k-dot LCD monitor, an optical viewfinder with approximately 100% frame coverage and 0.7x magnification, USB 3.0 data transfer and high-speed CF (UDMA 7) and SD (SDXC and UHS-1) dual card slots.

The new Nikon D800E DSLR incorporates an optical filter with the anti-aliasing properties removed in order to produce the sharpest images possible. Aside from the optical filter, all functions and features are the same as on the regular D800.

The Nikon D800 costs £2399.99 / €2829 / $2999.95 and will be available in late March. The D800E costs £2689.99 / €3171 / $3299.95 and will be available in mid-April. The MB-D12 battery grip provides 6 fps continuous shooting speed in DX-format and costs £379.99 / €448.

Canon has updated its EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM to Mark II, and introduced two new image stabilised wide-angle primes. The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM ($2,299.00) features an all-new optical design that’s claimed to deliver exceptional sharpness and reduced aberrations thanks to the inclusion of both ultra-low-dispersion and super ultra-low-dispersion elements. Other highlights include a dust/moisture resistant construction, fast and silent AF with manual focus override and a nine-bladed circular aperture - but no image stabilisation. The Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM ($849.99, pictured) is a medium-high-speed ultra-wideangle prime with Super Spectra coatings, ultrasonic focus motor and a circular aperture. The other new fixed-focal lens, the CanonEF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM ($799.99), has a similar feature set but a slightly tighter field of view. Unlike the zoom, both primes feature image stabilisation offering a claimed 4-stop advantage over lenses without IS.

Canon has added two new touchscreen models to its Ixus range of sylish premium compact cameras. The Canon Ixus 510 HS (ELPH 530 HS in North America, pictured) features a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, 12x optical zoom, Wi-Fi connectivity, Multi-area White Balance, face identification technology and a futuristic lens cover. The Canon Ixus 240 HS (ELPH 320 HS) has a 16.1-megapixel sensor, a 24-120mm equivalent zoom lens and integrated Wi-Fi. Both models feature large, bright and vibrant 3.2” PureColor II Touch LCD displays with sharp 460,000-dot resolution, Canon’s latest Smart Auto mode that now identifies up to 58 different scenes, Intelligent IS, and the ability to shoot Full HD movies with stereo sound and output them to any HDTV thanks to an on-board HDMI connector. In addition, Canon’s Movie Digest mode captures four seconds of movie before each still shot is taken and then merges all the clips together in HD quality. The Ixus 510 HS (PowerShot ELPH 530 HS) is available from April, priced at £349/€399/$350, while the Ixus 240 HS (PowerShot ELPH 320 HS) will hit the shops in March, carrying an RRP of £279/€319/$280.