Nikon today released firmware version 2.01 for their D3 DSLR camera. The new firmware update fixes Geo info display for the GP-1, improved autofocus-response, enhanced AF button function, modified photo info displayed in full-frame playback, issue with black dots in images has been resolved, problem with Speedlight SB-800 has been resolved, and an under exposure issue with images captured with some lenses.You can download the new firmware update here.

Sanyo has announced its new Xacti camcorders in the form of the Xacti DMX-F11 and HD2000 camcorders. Both video cameras have a 8.1 megapixel sensor. The HD2000 has a 10x zoom with opening F1.8-2.5 and a 2.7-inch LCD screen, meanwhile the FH11 has a 10x optical zoom lens F2.0-2.9 and a larger 3-inch LCD screen. These camcorders also offer up to 16x Zoom Advance, up to ISO 3200, digital image stabilizer for photos and video and HDMI output. Both Full HD Xacti camcorders support SD / SDHC up to 32GB cards.

Here is the new SD compact camcorder from Panasonic. Weighing at only 300grams, this video recorder adopts a 60GB HDD, and a SDHC port so you can easily record video on both the HDD or SD Card and record up to from 14 to 54 hours of video on its 60GB HDD (XP to LP mode) or 1 hour 40 minutes in XP Mode on a 8GB SD Card.
 The Panasonic SDR-H80 also boasts Panasonic’s O.I.S (Image Stabilizer) with 70x optical zoom, a face recognition software, and YouTube Video mode.

Panasonic rolled out a HDC range of digicams for its home market. Its flagship model the HDC-HS300 packs in a 120GB hard drive which can be further expanded by 32GB via a SDHC card. It has a 3 x 3.15 megapixels MOS sensors which are great for low light conditions, 2.7 inch touchscreen, 12X Optical zoom Leica lens, 5.1 channel surround sound microphone and USB port. An interesting new feature is an autofocus systems for video recording of moving objects. Like if you are video filming your 7 year old running around the camera will lock in on his face and automatically adjust brightness and contrast on his movements. There are four models HDC-HS300/HS200/TM300/SD200 in all, the first two have 120 and 80GB harddrives, the TM300 has 32GB HDD and the SD200 comes with a 8GB SD card. They are scheduled to hit Japan by 5th Feb with the HS300 retailing for 160,000 Yen ($ 1400).

Pentax will introduce their latest digital cameras at CES 2009. One of them is the Optio P70 12MP digicam with a 4x optical zoom (equivalent 28-112 mm), ISO sensitivity up to 6400, 2.7 inch TFT LCD screen and has a 720P video mode at 15 fps. The cool factor for the Optio P70 is the Face Recognition that can track up to 32 faces in 0.03 second. The Pentax Optio P70 will be available in February 2009 for $199.95. Measuring 3.8 inch x 2.1 inch x 0.8 inch and weighing 4.4 oz, the camera supports SD, SDHC with 33.7MB internal memory and uses Li-ion battery D-LI88