DP Review

Just Posted: Our review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 mirrorless system camera. The successor to the G1 (the first Micro Four Thirds camera) adds movies, a touch screen and a smattering of feature enhancements, but retains the familiar 'SLR-lite' styling and the G1's venerable 12MP CMOS sensor. We liked the G1 a lot when we reviewed it back in January 2009 (and the new model answers several of our most pressing concerns), but 18 months is a long time in this market. So can the G2 still compete against the latest generation of entry-level DSLRs and the increasingly active mirrorless system camera sector? Check out our review and sample gallery to find out...

Just Posted: Our review of the Samsung TL500 (EX1 in Europe). The future of the enthusiast compact camera is under threat from the small mirrorless cameras that are starting to encroach on their territory. However, the Samsung TL500's smaller sensor (compared to the mirrorless models) means the company has been able to include a lens that not only offers a useful 24-72mm equivalent range but also a phenomenally bright F1.8-2.4 maximum aperture range. This lens flexibility is combined with a tilt/swivel OLED screen in a package smaller than any mirrorless camera with zoom lens. So does the camera live up to the promise of its specifications?

Leica has posted a firmware update for its M8 and M8.2 digital rangefinders. Version 2.005 for the both cameras fixes the 'Shutter Fault' error that can occur when shooting multiple images. The firmware is available for immediate download from the company's website.

Sigma has set the suggested retail price of its latest 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens at £1500. Announced in PMA 2010, the lens will be available from July 23 in Canon EF mount. The lens features a new optical design that uses two elements made of the company's recently developed 'FLD' glass plus three SLD glass elements to reduce aberrations, a 9-blade circular aperture, and features full-time manual focus override. The lens is designed for full frame cameras but comes with a lens hood adapter to provide better shading for APS-C cameras.

Lexar has announced a Facebook based sweepstake with a chance to win either a Canon 7D or Nikon D300S DSLR kit with Lexar memory cards and reader. To enter the 'Take the Next Shot' sweepstake participants need to submit a 'favourite' photograph along with a 15 word caption and click on the 'Like' button in the company's Facebook page. Entries need to be submitted before July 31, 2010.

Sony has unveiled the Cyber-shot DSC-WX5, DSC-TX9 and DSC-T99 digital compacts. The WX5 and TX9 incorporate the company's latest 12.2MP, 1/2.3" Exmor R back illuminated CMOS sensor. Both feature a 'Superior Auto' mode that shoots bursts of between 2 and 6 shots then combines them either to reduced noise or boost dynamic range, depending on the scene you're shooting. The WX5 includes a wide angle 5x optical zoom lens starting at 24mm equivalent and a 2.8" LCD, while the TX9 comes with a 3.5" touchscreen LCD and a 25-100mm equivalent lens. Other features include a Background Defocus mode, 3D Sweep Panorama mode and 1080i Full AVCHD video recording. The DSC-T99 features the same lens and body design as the TX9, a smaller LCD and a 14MP CCD sensor that cannot achieve the fast multi-shot shooting required for Superior Auto mode. All three cameras offer a Soft Skin mode that tries to smooth out wrinkles and other blemishes from the subject's skin.

Canon has released firmware updates for its EOS-1D Mark IV and EOS Rebel T2i/550D digital SLRs. Firmware v1.0.8 for both cameras fixes a bug in the movie mode. The update for the EOS 1D Mark IV also corrects misspellings in the French and Spanish language menus. The latest versions are available for immediate download from Canon's website.

A few days before the release of Unified Color Technology's HDR Expose software, we got a chance to speak to the company's marketing director John Omvik. He told us how different it is from the previous HDR PhotoStudio software, what's in store for high dynamic range users and how will they can benefit from the new features.

HDR software maker, Unified Color Technologies has unveiled the HDR Expose 32-bit HDR merge and editing software. It replaces the company's flagship HDR PhotoStudio software, but inherits its core features and technology. Headline features include the addition of de-ghosting algorithms and a Brightness Histogram to help maintain highlight and shadow details at lower bit-depths. It also includes new plug-ins allowing direct export from third party Raw conversion software. The software will be available from July 12, 2010 as a free upgrade to existing users of HDR PhotoStudio or for an introductory price of $99.00 for new users.

Just Posted: Our group test of the latest 'super zoom' cameras. Despite entry-level DSLRs getting cheaper and cheaper the super zoom models are as popular as ever. This latest generation comes with up to 30x zoom lenses, HD video recording and, in some cases, high speed stills and video capture. We've taken 9 super zoom cameras from the leading manufacturers and put them through the usual dpreview test procedures. Read our group test to find out which one is the best superzoom to take to the soccer pitch or on safari this summer.

Tokina has announced that its 16-28mm F2.8 ultra wide angle zoom lens will be available in Nikon and Canon full-frame mounts. Announced at PMA 2010, the AT-X 16-28 F2.8 PRO FX lens features the company's newly developed AF system that features a quieter Silent Drive-Module (SD-M) autofocus motor and promises more precise focusing. The weather-sealed lens comes with a fixed lens hood and does not incorporate a filter thread. Priced at ¥123, 900 (~ US $1400) the Nikon mount will start shipping From August 6, 2010 while the Canon version will ship from mid-September.

Just posted! A quick sample gallery of 49 shots taken with the latest lens / sensor module for the Ricoh GXR system, the P10 28-300 mm F3.5-5.6 VC. Sporting a 10.7x wide-to-tele zoom and a ten megapixel 1/2.3" back-illuminated CMOS sensor, the P10 unit offers an interesting alternative to the 'travel zoom' compacts reviewed in our recent group test. We took the new unit on a flying visit to South Africa to put it through its paces.

Print-on-demand book publisher Blurb's third annual international Photography Book Now competition is now in the final phase for submissions - the deadline being July 15, 2010. The competition has had 880 book submissions to date. As the company's founder and CEO Eileen Gittins was on visit to sunny London, we took the opportunity to talk to her about Blurb - how it works, who uses it and what they get out of it.

Sony has released the promised firmware update for its NEX cameras adding 3D Sweep Panorama mode. This mode separates the left and right edges of the individual image used for creating panoramic shots. It then uses these slices' differing perspectives to create a 3D still image that can be played back if you buy one of the company's Bravia TVs. Firmware version 02 also includes bug fixes and promises to improve camera performance including quicker start-up in low light conditions. The updates are available for immediate download from the company's website.

Nikon has announced its 33rd annual international digital photo competition will be open for entries from September 1, 2010. Participants can submit up to two images to either of the two categories - one with the theme 'Energy' and the other an un-themed, open category. The overall winner will be awarded the company's D3S digital SLR with two lenses, with category winners receiving a D300S with flashgun and lenses. The contest runs until November 30th 2010.

DxO Labs has updated its DxO Optics Pro raw converter software with more than 60 lens and cameras combinations for Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Sony users. These new lens correction modules join the existing list of over 2000 combinations. The modules are available for immediate download from the company's website.

Samyang Optics has announced it will be making its 8mm f/3.5 fisheye, 14mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/1.4 manual focus lenses in the Samsung NX mount. Currently available in Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Olympus four-thirds mount, the NX mount version of the lenses will start shipping from September 2010.

Panasonic has released firmware updates for its Lumix DMC-TZ10, DMC-TZ9, DMC-TZ8 and DMC-FT2 digital compacts. Version 1.1 for all the cameras improves improves flash exposure with the Inon S-2000, D-2000, Z-240 third-party underwater strobes. The TZ10's latest firmware also improves the overall stabilty of the camera. The firmware updates are available for download from Panasonic's website.

Sigma has released an updated version of its Photo Pro image-editing software for immediate dowload. Version 4.1 extends RAW support to the SD15 digital SLR and adds compatibilty with 64-bit Windows OS. The latest versions available for download - 4.1.1.0 (3591) for Windows and 4.1 (1044) for Mac - also add bug fixes compared to previous versions shipped with the SD15 DSLR.

Hitachi has announced a competition for photographers, musicians & filmmakers in the UK, France or Germany, with a chance to win €5,000 cash prize. As a promotion for G-Technology storage device brand, participants can submit one of their creative projects from 2009 or 2010 in any of the three categories with a chance to win either the cash prize or the company's 4TB G-Raid dual-drive dependable storage system. In addition, all winning entries will be exhibited at the Brick Lane Gallery in London. The competition runs until September 30 2010.