DP Review

Just posted! Our quick review of the Ricoh GXR P10 28-300mm F3.5-5.6 VC zoom lens module. With its 1/2.3" back-illuminated CMOS sensor and 28-300mm equivalent zoom range the third module in the system practically converts the GXR body into a 'Travel Zoom' compact camera. It also comes with features such as RAW capture and 5 fps continuous shooting. Find out how it performed in the dpreview tests after the link...

Leica has released a firmware update for its M9 digital rangefinder. Version 1.138 improves auto white balance performance in certain lighting conditions and improves compatibility with SDHC memory cards. The latest firmware also fixes a few minor bugs. The firmware is available for immediate download from Leica's website.

Just posted! Our preview samples gallery from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100. We have just received a production sample of the FZ100 and put together a gallery of sample shots to give you an impression of the image quality from this new superzoom. The gallery includes a mix of shots using various ISOs and apertures, shot under a variety of lighting conditions. We have also shot our standard studio comparison scene and added them to our comparison tool so it can be easily compared to its competitors.

With the announcement of the Fujifilm F300 EXR and Z800 EXR coming on a day that also saw four other cameras being launched, it would be easy to overlook their most radical feature. Because, with the latest version of its EXR sensor, Fujifilm has achieved something that's been hoped for but not previously brought to market - through-the-lens phase detection autofocus on a compact camera. The company is claiming the system enables focus times as fast as 0.158 sec. We got some more details of the system from Hitoshi Yamashita, manager of the company's Technical Support Group.

Ricoh has released firmware updates for its CX1, CX2 and CX3 digital compact cameras. Version 1.25 for CX1 and version 1.15 for CX2 fix bugs relating to distortion correction in certain situations and printing. CX3's firmware v1.11 also corrects minor bugs and improves flash accuracy when capturing images in the 16:9 aspect ratio. The updates are available for immediate download from the company's website.

Samsung has released the PL90 digital compact with a built-in USB connector. Plugging in the connector to any computer charges the camera and can automatically install the Intelli-studio software for accessing and sharing camera data. The 12.2 MP image stabilized camera comes with a 2.7 inch LCD, 4x zoom lens (29-116mm equiv.) and includes features such as AF Tracking, Smart Auto and VGA video recording. Priced at $149.99 in the US and £129.99 in the UK, it will be available from September 2010.

Topaz Labs has released the latest version of its DeNoise noise reduction plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. DeNoise 5 promises faster processing speeds and increases the maximum image size it can handle. It gains additional noise processing tools including horizontal and vertical debanding options. The plug-in is available as a free upgrade for existing users or $79.99 for first-time buyers.

Apple has released a digital camera RAW compatibility update for Aperture 3 and iPhoto '09. Update 3.3 extends RAW support to eight additional cameras including the Sony Alpha NEX-5/3, Samsung NX10 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2.The update is available for immediate download from Apple's website.

HDR software maker Unified Color Technologies has released what it says is the first 32-bit HDR plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. The 32 Float plug-in is based around the company's 'Beyond RGB' color space that attempts to separate brightness and color components of the image data to allow tonal adjustments without color shifts. The plug-in supports the CS5, CS4 and CS3 versions of Photoshop and will be available at an introductory price of $79 from September 2010.

Casio has released the Exilim EX-S200 and EX-Z800 digital compacts. The 14MP image-stabilized cameras feature the company's latest Exilim Engine 5.0 processor with 'super-resolution' context-sensitive image processing technology. Both offer 4x zoom lenses starting a 27mm equivalent focal length and use the super resolution technology to improve the effect of the 1.5x digital zoom. They also share 2.7" LCDs and can record standard 720p HD videos. The identical specced cameras differ physically with the EX-S200 maintaining the S series' slim body while the EX-Z800 features a slightly larger Zoom series design.

Just Posted: Our review of the Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS /IXUS 300 HS compact digital camera. Canon's latest style compact comes with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a new HS system that is promises both low-light performance and high-speed photography. Mixing point-and-shoot simplicity with a broad feature set and high degree of user control for those who want it isn't an easy balance to strike. So did the matte black version we tested shine or fade into the background? Read our review to find out.

DxO Labs has updated its DxO Optics Pro raw converter software with 100 lens and cameras combinations for Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Sony users. These new lens correction modules join the existing list of combinations. The modules are available for immediate download from the company's website.

Panasonic has released firmware updates for its DMC-LX3 premium compact, and the DMC-TZ7/ZS3 and DMC-TZ6/ZS1 compact superzooms. The company has not provided any information about the updates' actions beyond the slightly obscure 'Optimization of software processing. Change in software version has no effect on camera performance.' Firmware v2.2 for the LX3 and v1.3 for the TZ7 and TZ6 are available for immediate download from Panasonic's website.

Sinar has announced the 'p-slr' system that allows DSLR owners use their camera bodies as digital backs with the company's view camera system via an adapter. Currently compatible with Canon and Nikon cameras, the system gives access to a range of medium format and view camera lenses and accessories such as bellows, filters etc. An included 'Quick Clamping' adapter also allows users to easily change the orientation of the camera body from landscape to portrait and vice versa. The p-slr system comes in various combinations of mounting brackets, bellows and the Quick Clamping adapter, and a number of optional accessories. It will be available from next month at a retail price of 1980 Swiss Francs (~ €1440).

Just Posted: Our review of the Sony Alpha 390. Sony's latest DSLR is a minor upgrade to the A380, but Sony has made some important ergonomic changes that should make the new model easier to get to grips with (literally). At the core of the A390 is the same 14Mp CCD sensor as the A380 and A350, from which the A390 also inherits its innovative Fast AF Live View mode. Is a new handgrip enough to make the A390 stand out from the crowd? Check out our review and sample gallery to find out...

Samsung has introduced the ST80 Wi-Fi enabled digital camera allowing users connect to wireless networks for uploading or emailing images and videos. A simpler version of the company's CL80 and CL65 Wi-Fi cameras, it has a smaller 3.0" touch-screen LCD and more limited un-stabilized 3x zoom lens with no real wide-angle capability (35-114mm equiv.) rather than the existing models' 7x and 5x stabilized zooms. Beyond this, it continues to offer 720p HD video recording with H.264 compression. The ST80 will be available from September 2010 at a suggested retail price of $249.99 in charcoal black, white, fuchsia pink and mint blue.

Pentax has posted a firmware update for its K-7 mid-level DSLR. Version 1.10 adds in-camera movie editing options via its playback mode, an electronic level and a Reversal Film mode to the K-7. Additionally, autofocusing in live view can now be activated by half pressing the shutter. The latest firmware is available for immediate download from Pentax's website.

Panasonic has announced it is developing a digital 3D interchangeable lens for the Micro Four Thirds system, to be launched by the end of the year. The lens will include two optical paths, projecting left and right image pairs onto the camera sensor. These twin images can later be combined to provide a single 3D image using the company's 3D image processing system and displayed using one of its Viera televisions. The company says it will be the first such lens for a digital system.

Just posted: The star of the show amongst Sony's trio of newly announced lenses is undoubtedly the Carl Zeiss-branded Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM. We've had a pre-production sample on loan from Sony for the past couple of days, and have put together a detailed preview. We've also shot a small samples gallery, using both full frame and APS-C cameras, to give you an initial flavor of its capabilities.

Sony has released three prime lenses for its Alpha SLR system. First up is the eagerly-awaited Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM, which we saw in prototype form at PMA. Designed as a fast wideangle for full frame, it also offers a classic 35mm-equivalent field of view on APS-C. Second we have the DT 35mm F1.8 SAM, a fast normal lens for APS-C. Finally this is joined in Sony's newly-christened 'Easy Choice' range of inexpensive primes by the 85mm F2.8 SAM, a compact 'portrait' telephoto that works on both APS-C and full frame cameras. All of these lenses can also be used on the NEX mirrorless cameras via the LA-EA1 adapter, although in manual focus mode only. The 24mm and 85mm lenses will start shipping from late September at retail prices of €1,250 and €250 respectively, followed by the 35mm which will be available from mid-October at a retail price of €200. With regards to the US price and availability of the three lenses, the company says, “Announcement for US market is not being made at this time, but will be made closer to the products’ market introduction.”