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Canon has announced the EOS 60D DSLR, pitching the latest addition to it popular range as an ideal purchase for the photographer who wants to take their skill up to the next level.

The mid-range DSLR offers an 18MP APS-C sensor, Digic 4 technology and high speed shooting of 53fps in burts of 58 full resolution jpegs.

A standard ISO range of 100-6400 is extendable to 12800 for low light conditions and the camera has a 9-point, all cross-type autofocus system.

Metering system

"The EOS 60D features Canon's iFCL metering system, first introduced with the acclaimed EOS 7D, with a 63-zone Dual-Layer sensor," adds Canon.

"Information on subject location is gathered from the Auto Focus system, and is combined with colour and luminance readings for consistent accurate exposures whatever the situation.

"The Integrated Speedlite transmitter also provides in-camera control of multiple EX flash units for more creative lighting."

Add in a 7.7cm vari-angle LCD monitor, a Basic + function for those still learning the ropes, and the capacity to film full HD video in 30, 25 or 24 fps - and you have a seriously fine looking piece of mid-range kit.

"The EOS 60D features a completely redesigned body, combining an ergonomically enhanced, curved shape with a new button layout to make it quick and comfortable for photographers to change settings," adds Canon.

"Frequently used camera controls are grouped together for easy access, while the Quick Control Dial, Multi-controller and SET button have all been merged into one Multi Control Dial, enabling photographers to operate menus and enter settings quickly using their thumb.

"The mode dial also features a lock button, preventing unintentional changes to settings mid-shoot."

The camera also supports the new SDXC memory cards.

The Canon EOS 60D has a UK release date of October with a price for the body only of £1,099.99, with price with lens starting at £1,199.99 (for 18-55mm, f/3.5-5.6 IS) right up- to £1,999,99 with a 17-55, f/2.8 IS USM lens.

Sony's latest Alpha camera range is yet another attempt to bring the size of the DSLR down to a more manageable size for photographers.

Sony hasn't gone the whole hog as it did with its NEX range. Both the a55 and a33 aren't of a compact size but they sure are light and small enough to shoot one handed if you really want to.

The reason for the shrinkage is that Sony has gone back to the drawing board with the optics within the a55 and a33 and have decided to do away with an optical viewfinder all together, preferring to add an electric one.

To go alongside this quite significant change is a new imaging system called Translucent Mirror Technology. Unlike the NEX range, which did away with a mirror altogether, the a55 and a33 has a see-through mirror, which doesn't budge when you shoot an image.

Because of this, the cameras are speedier than normal DSLRs on the market, with the a55 bringing 10fps shooting and the a33 7fps.

The lack of a moveable mirror does mean that these cameras can't strictly called DSLRs (they have no 'reflex') so Sony has branded them DSLT – which stands for digital single lens translucent. For all intent and purposes, though, these cameras act and feel like DSLRs.

The first thing you notice about the a55 is its grip. The camera suits your hands well and controls on the chassis are laid out with precision.

Flip the camera over and the 3-inch LCD dominates the back of the a55. This screen is definitely a malleable one. It can be flipped out for those hard to reach shots and has an impressive 270-degree range.

The screen is brilliantly bright, too. Sony is quoting 1.15 million dots conversion and note that you get 100 per cent coverage. In our tests (which were done in bright sunshine) the LCD did great, though it did seem to smudge easily when you moved it around. As it isn't touchscreen, this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Finding your way round the myriad features on the a55 shouldn't be a problem for even those new to interchangeable camera systems. Turn the camera on and you can quickly dive into the menus options on offer.

When it comes to scene modes, there are seven scene modes available. These range from portrait to sports. A nice touch is that you can see 'live' what these scenes will do to your pictures.

This makes sense and means you can choose your camera options that little bit faster.

One of the most talked about features on the a55 is its burst mode. It's the quickest around at 10fps. And it works like a charm – in fact it is scarily fast.

We managed to catch an owl in mid swoop thanks to the mode and it feels like something which can be used for things like analysing your golf swing or your running technique.

There is good reason why Sony is pushing the burst mode features and that's because it works extremely well.

For extra polish, the burst mode uses Advance Priority AE Mode, which means that even when you are shooting objects that are extremely fast moving, your shots stay in focus.

Sony is quoting that you can capture speeds up to 50km per hour. We didn't have a subject that fast, but we did manage to shoot a off-road buggy twisting and turning around a track to great effect.

When it comes to fast shooting, using the electronic viewfinder is a tad tricky, so you will probably want to track objects with the LCD.

Another feature on board is 3D sweep panoramic mode. While the feature works well, there were some convoluted steps you had to do to perform it.

This is something which we found with a number of the functions: there was a lot of drilling through menus.

Shooting with the a55 is great fun. The reduced weight is a boon as you can use the camera much like a compact. And it feels like a camera you could use everyday and not just for special occasions.

And we especially like the 'Afterburner' style level guide when you look through the viewfinder. It goes green when your shots and the right level, something which makes shooting that little easier.

Sony is trying to push the a55 and a33 at the everyday consumers and the company also wants the camera to be a one-stop shop for imaging.

The addition of HD video on the cameras proves this. While Sony isn't first to market with a DSLR that shoots video, it is a welcomed feature on the Alpha range and works well with the camera's reasonably sized chassis. You can shoot in either AVCHD and MP3. While Sony is quoting the video as Full HD, this isn't the 1080p variety but 1080i.

Sensor-wise, there's no complaints about Sony packing a 16.2MP CMOS into the a55 and a 14.2MP in the a33.

Other than these specs and the lower burst mode on the a33, the two cameras seem to be identical is size and stature.

Sony has stumbled on to something big with its new Alpha range. The translucent tech inside does seem to be genuinely ground breaking but it seems Sony is still playing things safe. It also announced the a580 and a560, which are DSLRs with the traditional mirrors in place.

Couple this with the NEX range and Sony now have three different technologies powering its interchangeable lens camera range.

From what we've seen in the a55 and a33, though, it does feel like this new system is the one that will be used for the long haul.

UK release date for the Sony a55 and a33 is September, with pricing as follows: an a33 with standard kit will cost between £600 and £700. Expect to pay £100 more for the a55.

The new Sony a55 and a33 is the latest DSLR setup from Sony, which offers something completely new to the camera world – a translucent mirror.

Sony is calling this a game changer and it is easy to see why. The use of Translucent Mirror technology means you can do 10fps of continuous shooting for under a grand - a first for a DSLR.

The new mirror technology found in the camera readies the autofocus so that fast-moving shots are easily snapped up.This is because there is no synching of shutter and sensor in the camera, as the see-through tech does away with this.

Considering this is how SLRs have worked since 1985, it's brave of Sony to go in this new direction. But it does mean that it is the smallest camera of its class, with Sony managing to get reduce the size of the Alpha by 26 per cent. It also means that the a33 and a55 use an electronic viewfinder.

Sony has also introduced HD video to its Alpha range, in the form of 1080i. The camera shoots both to AVCHD and MP4, so there shouldn't be any compatibility issues when it comes to editing the footage.

Autofocus on the video is as good as on still images. You should be able to shoot objects that are moving as fast as 50km an hour and keep the shot in focus. Sony is calling this technology Phase Detection.

TechRadar managed to catch a glimpse of the a55 at an event in London this week and the system looks great.

Below are some pictures of the camera and some more information about the specs.

The variable angle tilt LCD is adjustable to 270 degrees. The viewfinder packs 1.15 million dots and is superbright, so should be good for low light shots.

Sweep Panorama mode is also on board and it is 3D compatible - so connect up your a55 to a 3D Ready TV and you will be able to play back your stills in the third dimension.

Inside the camera is a brand-new sensor. Called the Exmor APS HD CMOS (16.2MP for the a55 and 14.2MP for the a33) the sensor uses BIONZ high-speed image processing engine and brings a stupidly high ISO range of 100-12,800.

UK release date for the Sony a55 and a33 is September, with pricing as follows: an a33 with standard kit will cost between £600 and £700. Expect to pay £100 more for the a55.

TechRadar will get a hands-on with the cameras later today so stay tuned.

Sony has announced the arrival of two new video-enabled DSLRs, the a580 and a560.

The range comes equipped with HD video shooting facilities, joining the recently revealed a33 and a55 cameras.

Video comes in the form of 1080i HD and is stored in either AVCHD or MP4 format. And for those who like to get arty with their movies, you will be pleased to know that you can do background defocus while shooting video with both the a580 and a560.

Speed demon

Both snappers come with Sony's latest sensor – a Exmor APS HD CMOS – and offer a number of new functions, including Speed Priority Continuous Advance mode.

This is where users can fire of seven frames in a second to capture fast-moving action.

The a580 and a560 have also been given the Quick AF Live View system, so the whole process from start-up to shot is speeded up.

The a580 is the more powerful imaging wise, with a 16.2MP sensor, but the a560 isn't far behind, bringing 14.2MP to the table.

Other than this, specs are very similar, including 15-point phase-detection autofocus, 3-inch LCD, 3D Sweep Panorama and multi-frame noise reduction.

UK release date for the Sony a580 and a560 is October, with pricing to be announced.

Sony unveiled the latest additions to its Alpha camera range this week - the super-speedy a55 and a33 DSLRs - at an exclusive event with TechRadar in attendance.

The cameras are being billed as the 'fastest DSLRs in the mid-range market' and bring a new piece of optical technology to the sector.

Called Translucent Mirror Technology, the new optical system bring fast autofocusing and it also means that the cameras can now boast of having the fastest high-speed shooting mode around – 10fps on the a55 and 7fps on the a33 when in Continuous Priority AE mode.

Sony is seeing the camera range (and this new-fangled tech) as a real development in the DSLR world with Paul Genge, Technical Marketing Manager, at Sony, saying: "The picture quality from these cameras are better than anything which is on the market, regardless of price."

Video star

When it comes to specs, both cameras use an Exmor CMOS – the a55 boasts 16.2MP, the a33 14.2MP – and they have an IOS range of 100-12,800, which can be extended all the way up 256,000 with the Multi Frame NR mode.

The a55 and a33 also come equipped with a 3-inch 'Tru-finder' viewfinder, which allows 100 per cent coverage of what you are shooting. It also tilts to 270 degrees, so you can do pretty much any crazy shot you want.

And for the first time on the Alpha range, there is hi-def video on board. This comes in the form of 1920x1080i HD when recorded in AVCHD.

The reason Sony hasn't brought video to the Alpha range before is because the company "doesn't do its R&D in public". This essentially means that Sony has been honing the quality to make sure it is top notch before it comes to market.

Sony is claiming that the video you can shoot looks cinematic – but unless you are George Lucas trying the camera, we're pretty sure that we won't see any of your home videos on the big screen.

There is also an MP4 option but this brings the video quality down to 1440x1080.

As with most of Sony's latest cameras, features include Sweep Panorama mode (which can be done in 3D) and seven scene modes.

Both cameras are fairly compact for DSLRs, with the a55 weighing in a 441g and the a33 just eight grammes lighter.

The a33 and a55 cameras will come as a relief to those who thought Sony was doing away with full-size DSLRs after the launch of its NEX range.

Sony has assured TechRadar that it is in it for the long run with the DSLR and that it is still committed to the format, noting: "We have continued to invest significant R&D resourses. We are innovating and delivering the best possible cameras to two different user groups."

UK release date for the a55 and a33 is September, with pricing still to be announced.

Sony unveiled the latest additions to its Alpha camera range this week - the super-speedy a55 and a33 DSLRs - at an exclusive event with TechRadar in attendance.

The cameras are being billed as the 'fastest DSLRs in the mid-range market' and bring a new piece of optical technology to the sector.

Called Translucent Mirror Technology, the new optical system bring fast autofocusing and it also means that the cameras can now boast of having the fastest high-speed shooting mode around – 10fps on the a55 and 7fps on the a33 when in Continuous Priority AE mode.

Sony is seeing the camera range (and this new-fangled tech) as a real development in the DSLR world with Paul Genge, Technical Marketing Manager, at Sony, saying: "The picture quality from these cameras are better than anything which is on the market, regardless of price."

Video star

When it comes to specs, both cameras use an Exmor CMOS – the a55 boasts 16.2MP, the a33 14.2MP – and they have an IOS range of 100-12,800, which can be extended all the way up 256,000 with the Multi Frame NR mode.

The a55 and a33 also come equipped with a 3-inch 'Tru-finder' viewfinder, which allows 100 per cent coverage of what you are shooting. It also tilts to 270 degrees, so you can do pretty much any crazy shot you want.

And for the first time on the Alpha range, there is hi-def video on board. This comes in the form of 1920x1080i HD when recorded in AVCHD.

The reason Sony hasn't brought video to the Alpha range before is because the company "doesn't do its R&D in public". This essentially means that Sony has been honing the quality to make sure it is top notch before it comes to market.

Sony is claiming that the video you can shoot looks cinematic – but unless you are George Lucas trying the camera, we're pretty sure that we won't see any of your home videos on the big screen.

There is also an MP4 option but this brings the video quality down to 1440x1080.

As with most of Sony's latest cameras, features include Sweep Panorama mode (which can be done in 3D) and seven scene modes.

Both cameras are fairly compact for DSLRs, with the a55 weighing in a 441g and the a33 just eight grammes lighter.

The a33 and a55 cameras will come as a relief to those who thought Sony was doing away with full-size DSLRs after the launch of its NEX range.

Sony has assured TechRadar that it is in it for the long run with the DSLR and that it is still committed to the format, noting: "We have continued to invest significant R&D resourses. We are innovating and delivering the best possible cameras to two different user groups."

UK release date for the a55 and a33 is September, with pricing still to be announced.

The camera market may be one of the most burgeoning areas of technology, but it is also one of the safest.

Rarely does a significant innovation come along, with the big manufacturers tweaking rather changing things entirely.

Nikon is as much as guilty of this as the rest but at least it has gone out on a limb and created something entirely unique in the camera market, and that is the projector cam.

Utilising pico projector technology, Nikon originally brought the first projector camera to shops back a year ago. The Coolpix S1000pj was something of an oddity and didn't really know who its marketplace was – business or consumer?

Thankfully, though, Nikon has decided to stick with the innovative camera-projector mash-up and has come up with the S1100pj.

Boasting a more consumer-friendly design than its predecessor – it now comes in lime green as well as the pictured black! - the S1100pj is also a whole lot brighter, projecting images containing 40 lumens of brightness all the way up to 40 inches in size.

To continue the '40s theme, this is a whopping 40 per cent increase of brightnes.

The results are impressive. Even in the not-so-dark room where we tried the camera, the images shown were crisper than expected.

The chassis of the S1100pj is slimmer than you may think for a device which has a projector built in, and Nikon assures us that it has sacrificed none of the quality of the snaps the camera takes.

In fact the sensor is a beefy 14.1MP and there is also a 5x optical zoom on board. The projector aspect of the camera should be seen as a value added extra than anything else.

Projecting images does seem to drain the S1100pj's battery, but you still get a good hour out of the camera before it has to go for a lie down.

Nikon has also decided to make the projection feature one-touch, which simplifies the camera somewhat.

Alongside the sharper design comes tweaks to the camera's features. These include the addition of in-camera editing.

It's never going to be a camera which will be embraced by the mainstream, but Nikon has to be applauded for getting into the pico projector business early.

In the next few years we are going to see a proliferation of devices with projector functionality – including mobile phones – and by this time Nikon would have had two years to refine what is already shaping up to be a very smart and user friendly camera.

UK release date for the Nikon Coolpix S1100pj is 16 September, with prices starting at £350.

The lines between consumer and prosumer is becoming increasingly blurred in the camera world, with entry level DSLRs equipping themselves with the type of features you would normally see on a camera hitting the £1,000 plus mark.

The Nikon D3100 is the latest feature-rich entry level marker from Nikon and is a replacement to last year's D3000.

The camera has a refined sensor - now offering 14.2MP CMOS - Full HD movie shooting and some nifty new AF modes. And while it has a number of new features, it still retains the simplicity that the D3000 oozed.

This makes the camera range a perfect one for those who have never tried a DSLR but want to give one a go.

To make things as easy as possible, Nikon has installed a number of user guides into the camera. This Guide Mode is a throwback to the D3000 but we are glad that the feature is still included.

Essentially, if you have no idea what all the buttons on the camera do, then you load up the video tutorials and they will guide you to photographic stardom.

This 'hand holding' approach continues when you drill into the menu options and choose, say, to toggle with the aperture, an animated image will change, showing you what will happen when you use the feature in your photography.

The chassis of the D3100 is almost identical to the D3000. This is no bad thing. It's actually pretty trim for a DSLR which means you can easily grip it, with your fingers and thumbs finding the right spots.

But it is the weight of the thing which is the most surprising aspect of the D3100 – it's super light, with Nikon boasting that it is its lightest DSLR yet.

The 3.0-inch LCD on the back has been improved from the D3000, with the most significant difference being the inclusion of Live View.

This was sorely missing on the D3000, so we welcome it with open arms of the D3100. Included on the Live View is an AF-F mode and Scene Auto Selector, which means that the camera will best match the shooting conditions to a pre-determined mode if you want it to.

Another new feature is movie shooting. You have the option to shoot Full HD video with the camera, which for the price is a massive incentive towards buying this entry level DSLR and the fact it is also shot at 24fps is also a boon.

As is the extraordinarily high ISO. At 12800 it almost negates the need for a flash and the 11-point autofocus system means that even if you have eyesight like Mr Magoo, you should be able to shoot sharp images.

There is a lot to like about the D3100. It is a definite rival to the Canon 550D but it is also significantly cheaper.

Couple this with features like 1080p video and a decent ISO setup, and what you have is a powerhouse of a camera which is safe for even the most camera shy to pick up and use.

The Nikon D3100 has a UK release date of the end of September and costs £500 (body only).

With 3D being the biggest technology bandwagon companies are currently jumping on, it, it's no surprise that Fujifilm has decided now is the time to refresh its 3D camera range.

The Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1 may not have got the adulation it should have deserved, given that it was the world's first 3D camera on the market, bringing 10MP shots that literally jump out of a screen.

But there were a number of problems, including the fact that you had to send off your images to Japan to get them processed on lenticular paper and there wasn't that many 3D TVs out in the market, when it was released back in February.

Skip to August and a 3D infrastructure is starting to slowly appear in the UK, what with all major TV manufacturers selling 3D TVs.

This is why the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 will achieve what its predecessor couldn't – bringing 3D photos to the mass market.

Looks-wise, the W3 looks very similar to the W1. The twin lens system is still there, although the lenses have been brought closer together to add a bit more clarity to the 3D image.

The LCD on the back of the W3 has also been improved, with the 3.5-inch screen looking noticeably clearer, while still offering the chance to view images in 3D without glasses.

The W3 is certainly thicker than most cameras at the moment and it is a whole lot heavier but given that there are two separate lens systems inside, the W3 is surprisingly compact.

It also offers all the functionality of a normal 2D camera, though you may get funny looks if you use it as an everyday point and shoot.

Taking shots with the W3 is now a lot simpler, thanks to the 3D Auto mode. While our first few images weren't the best when played back on Sony's HX803 – the camera has a mini HDMI 1.4 slot on board – but that was because we hadn't taken into account the 1.5 metres leeway you need to give foreground images that 3D punch.

Once we mastered this little rule of thumb, vans, bikes and even a passing police van looked good and lifelike when viewed through active shutter 3D specs.

One of the bonuses of the W3, compared to the W1, is that you can also film 3D HD footage of the camera. This means that you can now create 3D video with instant playback.

You don't have to worry about filming the same stuff in 3D and 2D either, as the camera will do this automatically for you if you so wish.

And the added bonus is that you will also be able to get your lenticular photos printed out in the UK.

UK release date for the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 is September and the camera will be priced at £399.

As compacts go, the Canon S90 was one of the best we tested at the back end of 2009. The one thing lacking though, which would have put it top of our camera Christmas lists, was video functionality.

Thankfully its successor, the Canon S95 remedies this with the inclusion of 720p HD shooting.

Those who have tried out the S90 will know that it is a compact that badly wants to be a DSLR. The S95 is no different.

Things like the lens control ring (which has been enhanced) offer you full manual control over your shots. flick this around and you can tweak with ISO, the speed of the shutter, what aperture you are on and focus compensation.

It's fair to say that if you are a pro looking for a smaller second camera, the S95 would more than suit your needs.

Manual control also seeps into the back of the camera. The multi-control dial (which has been made stiffer after consumer feedback) allows more manual flourishes, including semi automatic shutter and aperture priority.

For the less-than savvy photographer the S95 is still a joy to use. There are enough pre-determined modes to find the right one for your shooting needs.

And there is also enough 'intelligence' within the camera to pass the Turing test: including Smart detection technology and an optical image stabiliser which counteracts camera shake.

Although we tested the camera in a very bright room, Canon assures us that it the S95 comes to the fore when shooting in low light.

This is because Canon has managed to squeeze in an f2.0 aperture in the chassis. Couple this with the 10MP CCD sensor and Digic 4 processor and it sounds as if the S95 brings plenty of light to the Dark Side.

When it comes to how the S95 feels in the hands, there is certainly more grip on the camera compared to the S90. A matte finish makes sure that the camera won't slip out of your hand – this is a good thing as Canon has decided not to add contours to the chassis for your fingers to grip.

The mode dial on the back is certainly a lot stiffer, though we must admit that the original one on the S90 never actually caused us many problems.

The LCD on the nack of the S95 is similar to what can be found on the Ixus 1000 HS – it's 3-inches in size and seems bright enough for everyday use.

While the 3.8x optical zoom could do with upping, the fact that the S95 shoots raw shows that this is a camera for imaging enthusiasts who don't necessarily care for 'super zooms'.

The final flourishes for the S95 include the addition of Hybrid IS technology on the camera – the first for a compact.

Pop the S95 onto a tripod and this technology will take three images (one normal, one under and one over exposed) and mash them together to create a 'perfect image'.

Impressive. Most impressive.

The Canon PowerShot S95 has a UK release date of August 2010 and is priced at £399.

A decade; It's a long time in any industry but it in the camera one it is a lifetime.

In the year 2000, 1.3MP was the norm for digital cameras, optical zoom scraped in a 2x and the chassis of a camera was positively brick-like.

The Canon Ixus 1000 HS is a celebration of the past 10 years of the digital Ixus range and, from first impressions, a decent marker for how far camera technology has come.

The Ixus 1000 HS is currently the slimmest camera on the market with a 10x optical zoom.

Looking at the casing, it is slim for the functionality it offers – the width of the camera is an impressive 22mm.

In the body you get some rather impressive functionality, including an ISO range up to 3200, a 10MP CMOS sensor and the ability to shoot 1080p Full HD video.

And when we say Fuill HD, it is at 24fps so it will look crisp when connected up to a Full HD TV.

This can be done via a mini HDMI, as there is a port for this on the camera.

The Ixus 1000 HS in the hand feels light, much lighter than you would expect from a cam packing a 10x optical zoom – considering the amount of glass that's needed to achieve this.

Flip the camera over and there's a nice and bright 3-inch screen on the back. Yes it is only LCD but the PureColor II G (TFT) technology seems to perk the colours up.

To scroll through the myriad menu options, there is a click wheel on the back. Situated on the right side, it's in just the right position to use with your thumb. Above this is the video record button.

The menu is as you would expect from an Ixus – functional but not flashy.

Options include around 20 scene modes, including the rather popular fish-eye effect and a miniature mode.

The demo we saw of the miniature mode was impressive, making real-life subjects look like they are on the set of Thomas The Tank Engine.

This is also an option which can be used in movie mode to impressive effect.

Add to this the Super Slow Motion movies at 240fps. This is one of the cooler features we have seen on a camera of this calibre – think Planet Earth style slow motion imagery and you are halfway there.

The video playback on this is smooth and the effect is fantastic. Originally designed with golfers in mind (so they can check out their swing in slow-mo) the effect looks just as good if you are, say, juggling. And we should know as a Canon exec tried it out.

The final feature which caught our eye was the camera's compatibility with Eye-Fi SD cards. Although this isn't a popular thing in the UK yet, the cards give your camera Wi-Fi capabilities, so you can upload photos on the go. Yes, it's a third part thing but Canon has introduced some extra functionality by allowing you to control the cards through the Ixus 1000's menu screen.

The Canon Ixus 1000 HS has a UK release date of September 2010, and is priced at £349.

The Nikon D3100 has been announced, with the latest DSLR bringing a £500 price-point for the body, and a UK release date of the end of September.

The D3100 is the successor to the popular D3000, and boasts a 14.1MP camera, Full HD movie shooting and Guide Mode.

The D3100 is designed for newcomers to DSLR photography, according to Nikon, who are pitching the camera at the family audience.

Improved ergonomics

Jordi Brinkman, Product Manager for Nikon Europe, said: "The D3100 is the successor to Europe's best-selling DSLR, the D3000, offering 14.2 megapixels, full HD movie, Live View with new AF modes and improved ergonomics.

"It also has the popular Guide Mode as seen on the D3000, which now shows you sample images of what you can achieve with certain settings, for example if you change the shutter speed or aperture.

"This is the ideal camera for families who want to capture all the important moments in perfect quality, without worrying about settings."

The D3100 boasts an 11-point autofocus system which ensures 'razor-sharp images to capture even the most fleeting of expressions or movements'.

EXPEED 2

"The 14.2 megapixel CMOS image sensor, new powerful EXPEED 2 processing engine and a wide range of NIKKOR lenses deliver excellent pictures with amazing detail, wherever you are and whatever you are doing," adds Nikon's release.

"It has ISO 100-3200 sensitivity, with the versatility of effectively boosting ISO up to 12800.

"This significantly reduces the risk of blurred images when taking pictures of the most energetic children, or an evening barbeque with all the family."

Canon has launched the latest additions to its PowerShot range, with the PowerShot S95 and PowerShot SX 130 IS both unveiled by the camera giants.

The Canon Powershot S95 is the successor to the popular S90, and is pitched at photographers looking for 'outstanding low light performance and manual control in a pocket-sized body'.

The lens control ring has been improved, and the camera features an f2.0 lens and Canon's HS System.

"The PowerShot S95 is also the first-ever Canon compact to feature Hybrid IS technology, providing improved image stabilization for macro photography," adds Canon.

The PowerShot S95 is slimmer than its predecessor at 29.5 mm thick and has the same coating as the EOS 7D to improve slip-resistance and grip.

You camera supports RAW and features a 10MP CCD sensor and DIGIC 4 processing.

Get closer

"The PowerShot S95's 28mm wide-angle lens features 3.8x optical zoom, allowing users to get closer to distant subjects during shooting," adds Canon.

"The camera benefits from Canon's extensive heritage in lens design, having been developed using the same processes and high-quality standards employed to manufacture Canon's EF lenses, ensuring sharp, high resolution images with every shot.

The Canon PowerShot S95 has a UK release date of August 2010 and is priced at £399.

Canon PowerShot SX130 IS

Also released is the cheaper Canon PowerShot SX130 IS, with a price of £199 and a UK release date in August.

It features a 12x zoom lens, 12.1MP CCD, 3 inch LCD, can shoot video in 720p HD, and supports the new SDXC memory cards.

"Featuring a 12.1 Megapixel sensor for large, detailed prints, and DIGIC 4 image processing, the PowerShot SX130 IS allows all the family to record special moments in outstanding quality," says Canon.

"The 12x optical zoom ranges from wide angle (28mm) to telephoto (336mm), making the camera equally ideal for wide-angle group shots and taking on sightseeing trips.

"Canon's integrated optical Image Stabiliser offers a three-stop advantage, making it easier to take great shots in low light with long exposures, and reducing the blur associated with camera-shake when shooting distant subjects at the telephoto end of the zoom."

The Canon Ixus 1000 HS has been launched to mark 10 years of the Ixus brand, with the camera giants insisting that the digital camera is one of the 'most advanced models to date'.

Canon's Ixus 1000HS comes in silver, pink or brown and features a 10x optical zoom, 10MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 processing.

Canon has also thrown in 1080p full HD video recording, a 3-inch LCD screen, image stabilising and all the benefits of its HS system.

"The integrated HS System ensures excellent performance in low light, taking advantage of the 10MP high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 processor to provide premium image quality and up to 60 per cent lower noise levels at all ISO speeds," states Canon's release.

Capture the 'natural ambience'

"The camera also supports a maximum ISO speed of 3200 at full resolution, while an extended maximum speed of ISO 6400 is available at 2.5MP resolution, allowing the camera to capture the natural ambience of dimly-lit environments without the flash.

"The HS System also enables high-speed, non-stop action to be recorded until either the shutter button is released or the memory card becomes full.

"Up to 3.7 shots per second continuous shooting at full 10MP resolution, captures fast-moving subjects in maximum detail, and up to 8.8 shots per second at 2.5MP resolution in High-speed Burst mode means users will never miss a moment's action."

The Canon Ixus 1000 HS has a UK release date of September 2010, and is priced at £349.

Nikon has announced the arrival of the Coolpix S1100pj – it's second stab at a camera with an integrated projector.

Taking over from the S1000pj, the S1100pj offers a 40 per cent brighter projector then its predecessor (at 14 lumens), a 14.1MP sensor and a wide-angle 5x optical zoom lens.

The camera also has a 3-inch LCD screen on the back, so you can see the shots you shoot.

But the real USP is the projector, which comes with in-camera editing software. This will liven up your slideshow with some animations and even background music, if that's your sort of thing.

Low--cost shooter

Alongside the Coolpix S1100pj, Nikon has also announced the launch of the Coolpix S5100.

Interestingly, the S5100 was the name of a Fujifilm Coolpix camera back in 2004, but we're guessing enough time has passed for consumer confusion to disappear.

This is a 12.2MP shooter, which is said to work well in low light conditions. There's also motion detection on-board, vibration reduction and you will also be able to shoot 720p HD quality video.

Alongside this, there is a 5x 28mm Nikkor lens on-board and the camera's chassis is a lean 21.6mm.

UK release date for the Nikon Coolpix S1100pj is 16 September, with prices starting at £350.

Price and launch date details for the Coolpix S5100 are still to be confirmed.

Fujifilm is no stranger to 3D. In fact it was the company which debuted the world's first 3D camera for consumers, the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1.

That was back in September of last year though, and now the W1's update has arrived and it comes in the form of the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3.

One looks at the camera's specs and it seems a definite improvement on the original, adding some extra features.

These include adding 3D video recording to the device and an Auto 3D mode, which means that you can start shooting 3D content straight away - regardless of your (lack of) photography skills.

Below is some more information on the camera which wants to bring 3D shooting to the photography masses.

The FinePix W3 combines two lenses, two sensors and advanced synchronised controls.

Inside is a proprietary 3D Processor which analyses shooting data from the two lenses and sensors and combines these two images into one HD 3D image or movie.

To mimic the effect of 'binocular parallax' - the thing that tricks our brain into thinking what we are seeing is 3D - the FinePix W3 has two Fujinon lenses that shoot images like a set of human eyes would see them.

The Ienses of the camera are roughly 20 per cent further apart than a pair of eyes (usually around 64mm) but this is so that the impression of depth is maximised.

The FujiFilm W3 uses two 10MP CCD sensors. To make the 3D effect work, the controls are synchronised, coinciding with the camera's left and right shutters so that all shooting info is captured at the same time.

This is then merged by the Fujifilm 3D RP (Real Photo) HD Processor. All this can then be displayed on your 3D TV or on the parallex LCD on the back of the camera - which measures 3.5 inches and is said to be 1.5x brighter than the original FinePix W1.

The FinePix Real 3D W3 camera UK release date is September 2010 and will cost £399.

Go to http://fujifilm.co.uk for more details.

Fujifilm has announced the arrival of the FinePix Real 3D W3 camera, an update to the company's W1 range.

The FinePix W1 was the world's first 3D camera when it was released back in September 2009, offering consumers the chance to shoot 3D images which could be played back through a 3D TV or sent off to Fujifilm to get printed on special lenticular paper.

The FinePix W3 is the next-generation of 3D cameras, one which still has the twin 10MP CCD sensors but has the addition of a new processing engine, called the Real Photo HD processor.

It also has the addition of a 3D AUTO shooting mode, which is pitched at novices looking to take decent three-dimensional shots.

3D viewing

Flip the camera over and there's a 3.5-inch LCD. This is made so that you can easily view your 3D images without the need of 3D glasses.

If you want to hook it up to a 3D TV, though, there is a HDMI 1.4 slot on board.

Other features include a 3x zoom, macro features and you can also use the camera as a conventional 2D snapper.

And there is an added bonus for those who want to send their images off to get printed on lenticular paper – Fujifilm is now offering this in the UK so waiting time will be a lot shorter.

UK release date for the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 is September and the camera will be priced at £399.

Taking a photo and then posting it online for everyone to see just wouldn't be possible without someone coming up with these inventions first.

1. Silver halides

In this instant digital age, it's easy to forget that taking a photo used to be a long-winded process - photo pioneer Joseph Nicéphore Niépce once spent eight hours taking the first permanent picture.

The key to taking a photo and then keeping it lie in the unique properties of silver, and its sensitivity to light. Modern photographic films rely on silver halides, a combination of silver with halogens (bromine, chlorine and iodine) that are suspended in a gelatin-based emulsion. This magic formula offers fast exposure times, high light sensitivity and stability.

2. Flash

Given that a key requisite of photography is exposure to light, the invention of flash guns was pretty much a necessity, especially if you wanted to shoot indoors. The first indoor photos were captured using limelight and electric arc lights, but photographers quickly switched to alternatives. These included magnesium, which let out the characteristic flash, along with a lot of smoke and ash. The first modern flash using a bulb appeared in 1927.

3. SLRs

First invented in 1884, the Single Lens Reflex camera uses a system of mirrors between the viewfinder and the lens to give you a true picture of what your photo will look like. Popularised in the 1930s with the first 35mm models, SLRs have given rise to a whole host of photography innovations, from auto focus to through-the-lens metering (TTL).

4. Auto focus

First developed by Leitz in the late 1970s, auto focus uses a series of sensors inside the camera lens to analyse a scene and determine which areas should be sharp - saving you the bother of using the lens ring to focus manually.

Modern Auto Focus systems are surprisingly sophisticated, using complex algorithms to focus on many objects within a frame, even if they are moving. Face detection and smile detection are just two innovations that are a result of the development of auto focus tech.

5. The Polaroid instant camera

If photography is all about the now - getting instant access to your photos and then sharing them, maybe it's Polaroid we have to thank. From 1947 onwards it gave us exactly that, enabling generations of party goers and bedroom lotharios the freedom to see their snaps without the embarrassment or hassle of sending them off to a photolab. Ironically the arrival of digital cameras pretty much killed off Polaroid, although its now going through a bit of a renaissance.

6. The digital camera

The biggest game-changing innovations take technical advances - like those outlined above - and them wrap them up into a convenient, user-friendly package. Which is what the digital camera does. Best of all, it's freed us from one of the biggest bugbears of photography: buying, using and then developing film only to see big chunks of your money and time go to waste if you got it wrong. Today, you can rattle off hundreds of shots and instantly review each one - making it easier to learn from your mistakes, while also leaving you free to experiment.

7. Adobe Photoshop

Propagandists, politicians and publishers have been manipulating photographs since Abraham Lincoln's head appeared on John Calhoun's body in 1860, but now anyone can do it, thanks in large part to Adobe Photoshop. Originally developed for the Apple Macintosh II, Photoshop is just as much a part of a photographer's toolkit as the camera, flash and tripod. The latest version for Mac and Windows includes tons of tools for tweaking your snaps, although it can be all too easy to take things too far.

8. Image sensors

Film camera enthusiasts are commonly greeted with a mixture of pity and derision, chiefly because digital photography is so ubiquitous - from pro-level DSLRs down to the crappy versions found in most mobile phones.

It's all due to the development of the image sensor, a piece of circuitry that processes light and converts it into an image without the need for film, silver halides or nasty chemical processes – a technology that was first used as far back as 1951. Today many cameras use CMOS image sensors rather than CCDs because they're cheaper and easier to make, as well as being a lot less power-hungry.

9. Lithium-ion batteries

Thanks to technologies like auto focus and motorised film winders, cameras have always needed a little oomph to make picture-taking a breeze. But the arrival of consumer digital camera in the mid-1990s put power needs through the roof. Sony came to the rescue with its first lithium-ion batteries in 1991 – cells which pack a lot of power into a very compact size.

10. Solid-state storage

When the first consumer consumer digital snappers appeared in the '90s, makers came up with all kinds of ways to store the resulting image files - from floppy disks to microdrives. Even then flash memory cards emerged the clear winners, even though they offered limited storage and cost a bomb to buy. Nearly two decades on and things have certainly changed - you can pick up most cards around £20 or less, although the price of SanDisk's Extreme Pro 64GB may still make your eyes water.

11. The internet

From Facebook to Flickr, it seems we now have an insatiable desire to document every minutes of our lives and then stick the results up online - often for complete strangers to see. None of this would be possible, of course, it it wasn't for the internet, the World Wide Web, computers, integrated circuits, silicon...

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Samsung has come up with a new concept for its latest compact range – instant connectivity with a USB plug built straight into the camera.

Compact camera innovation has been on the wane of late, so it is refreshing to see something a bit different to come out.

The Samsung PL90 is a 12.2MP camera that takes a leaf out of film shooters like the Flip Mino and gives you USB functionality, so no matter where you are you can plug it into a computer and upload your footage.

USB the key

Also on board is a 2.7-inch LCD, 4x optical zoom and movie functionality.

Okay, so the rest of the features don't exactly blow you away. But that's not the point: the PL90 offers something that's unique in the compact camera market at the moment and it seems to be doing it at a low price too.

The Samsung PL90 UK release date is September and it is expected to retail for £129.99.

Panasonic has announced the arrival of its first-ever 3D lens for its Lumix G Micro System.

The lens which brings 3D shooting to the company's high-end G-series camera range is part of a massive push into the 3D space for Panasonic, which includes 3D-capable Viera televisions and 3D Blu-ray players.

Although Panasonic is being a little cagey about what 3D magic has gone into making the lens work, it has revealed that it "features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses, to be processed with a 3D image processing system."

Micro managing

And, as it is for its Micro Four Thirds cameras, like the Lumix G2, the lenses are still pretty compact in comparison to normal DSLR lenses.

To view the 3D images, you will have to own a 3D ready Viera TV and don the active specs.

UK pricing and availability of the lens is still to be confirmed but we're hoping to get more details from the company at IFA in September.