We've just posted our hands-on preview of Pentax's K-01 K-mount mirrorless camera. The K-01 combines the 16MP CMOS sensor from the K-5 DSLR with a full Pentax K lens mount, to create a mirrorless camera with an enviable range of lenses already available. Of course using a full-depth K-mount also means the K-01 is also fairly bulky which, in conjunction with its unusual Marc Newson design, is likely to make it something of a love/hate camera. Read more to determine which side of that line you fall on.

Fujifilm has added more user-interface refinements to its X100 large sensor camera with firmware v1.20. The latest firmware allows the Raw button to be user-customized. It also makes it easier to set up the camera's Auto ISO behavior and built-in ND filter. The update also claims to improve AE and AF performance when shooting movies. A PDF addendum to the user manual has also been released.

Olympus has issued firmware v1.2 for its E-5 DSLR, along with the PEN E-P3, E-PL3, E-PL2 and E-PM1. The updates provide all five cameras with improved stability when using SDXC cards larger than 48Gb. Meanwhile, the E-PL3 and E-PM1 are also tweaked for improved operation when using external flashes in RC mode. The latest versions can be downloaded via the Olympus Camera Updater software.

Just Posted: studio test samples from the Nikon D800. We're running the 36MP D800 through our standard set of studio tests and have completed the shots of our test scene. These have been appended to the D800 preview and include all the Raw files for download. You can also access the shots from other reviews or the standalone comparison tool. Click here to see how it performs.

Western Digital has refreshed its 'My Passport' range of portable hard drives, including a 2TB version. The redesigned drives come in a choice of five sizes and five colors and come bundled with WD's own automatic backup and security software, to allow secure data use on-the-move. All the models, which start at a cost of $129.99, feature USB 3.0/2.0 connection for fast data transfer.

Images of a Panasonic GF5 have begun to appear on various websites. First an Instagram image of a camera, looking a lot like a GF3 refresh, appeared on the site of an Hong Kong actress/model Angelababy, who just happens to have promoted Panasonic products in the past. Plausible manufacturer product shots (consistent with the Instagram image), have also appeared. We won't speculate about specifications, but it seems reasonable to assume there's another GF on its way. (via 43 Rumors)

Phase One has knocked around 25% off the price of its Capture One 6 Raw processing software. It has also increased, to 60 days, the free trial period for both Capture One Express and the more fully-featured Capture One Pro. The company's updated website shows Capture One Pro costing $299/€229 and Capture One Express reduced to $99/€69.

Just published: studio test samples from the Olympus OM-D E-M5. We've just received a production-standard E-M5 so have rushed it into the studio to shoot our standard test scene. These shots have been added to our preview, but can also be accessed from other camera reviews or from the standalone comparison tool. Have a look to see how it stacks up against its rivals, or download the Raw files to subject them to your favored workflow.

Carl Zeiss has announced the Distagon T* 2,8/15, a super-wide-angle lens for Canon EF and Nikon F mounts. The lens can focus from just 25cm (10") and offers a 110 deg; field of view when mounted on a full-frame camera. It uses aspherical elements and abnormal partial dispersion glass in order to control distortion and chromatic aberration. It features an integrated lens hood and accepts 95mm threaded filters. It will be available from May for an MSRP of: €2,148 or US$2,948.

'Once the cloud computing era truly dawns, a non-connected device will be meaningless,' says Samsung Imaging's Sales & Marketing VP, Sunhong Lim. Speaking to dpreview, he suggested a combination of customer expectations and wireless carriers' desire for greater data usage will encourage compact cameras to become ever-more-connected devices. Indeed Lim believes that desire might even see telecomms networks help pay for your next camera. Click here to read his ideas about connected cameras.

Apple has added Raw support for eight additional cameras, including Nikon's D4, Canon's G1 X, Sony's NEX-7 and the Samsung NX200. Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update v3.10 also brings Panasonic GX1 and FZ35/38 support to Aperture and iPhoto, taking the number of cameras covered to 260. The update requires Mac OS X 10.6.8 or Lion 10.7.1 or later.

Samsung has refused to confirm reports that it is working on an Android-based camera, only to say it is looking at the idea. The non-denial, which says 'it is something we are monitoring,' comes in response to reports from tech website Engadget that it is considering an 'open' camera operating system. However, while the site goes on to speculate that Android makes sense, based on its parent company's use of the OS on its smartphones, we think there are other reasons for Samsung to use Android.

Leica has announced it will bundle Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 with many of its cameras. The latest version of Adobe's raw processing and management software offers extensive support for Leica cameras and lenses. It will be included with future purchases of the S2, S2-P, M9, M9-P, X1 and D-Lux 5 cameras.

Software maker DSLR Guru is oftering a 50% discount on its ProFX pack of presets and film emulation plugins for Adobe's Lightroom 3 and 4. The ProFX pack includes the company's ToolkitPro series of develop and adjustment presests, along with the XProcessPro cross-process effects and FlimFXPro film simulation profiles. The pack would usually cost £19.99 but will be available for £9.99 until the end of March 2012.

Just posted: Our in-depth review of the Canon Pixma Pro-1. Canon's latest 13-inch pigment-ink printer is aimed at enthusiasts and professionals, with a 12 channel inkset, 4800 x 2400 dpi print head resolution and direct support for third party fine art papers. The printer is optimized for b/w printing with a total of five monochrome inks and is compatible with Canon's free ICC profiling software. Does the Pro-1 have what it takes to compete against rival and fine art market leader Epson? Read our in-depth review to find out.

Toshiba has announced the Exceria range of UHS-I compliant high-speed SDHC and SDXC cards, available in a range of speeds and sizes. The fastest, Type 1, cards will equal the fastest cards currently available - offering 95MB/s read and 90MB/s write speeds - and will be offered in capacities up to 32Gb. There will also be 95/60MB/s and 90/30MB/s versions. All the cards will exceed SD Class 10 performance and UHS-I Class 1 performance in the latest, UHS-I compatible cameras. No details are yet available for prices or availability outside Japan.

We've been able to borrow a pre-production Sony A57 and have prepared a preview that includes both real-world and studio sample images. Many of the camera's features - 16MP sensor, 1.44m dot LCD viewfinder are familiar but they all come wrapped in a larger, more comfortable body, powered by a larger battery. We've shot samples in a series of the A57's modes, including its Auto Portrait Selection Framing mode - in which the camera crops an image with a face in, in-accordance with the rule-of-thirds.

Sony has announced the SLT-A57, a replacement for the original A55 fixed-mirror, electronic viewfinder DSLR. The A57 still features a 16MP sensor and LCD viewfinder but incorporates them into essentially the same body as the more expensive A65. Use of the latest Bionz processor means the A57 offers a wider-than-ever selection of photographic features and image processing modes. Updated with more information about the optional HVL-LE1 video-lighting LED panel.

Nikon USA has defended its decision to stop supplying spare parts to companies outside its authorized service network. Its intention is to deliver 'the best service experience to the customer,' says David Dentry, General Manager of Customer Relations at Nikon Inc, explaining that the complexity of modern cameras and the need for specialist analysis and calibration tools meant that repair attempts by ill-equipped retail or unauthorized repair shops could end up causing delays, increase the cost and risk voiding the camera's warranty. However, an independent service center we spoke to said its statements misrepresented the situation and is likely to mean small repairs take longer.

Fujifilm has released a statement explaining the causes of the 'white disc' blooming issue that affects certain images shot with the X10 high-end compact. The statement says the company is developing a modified sensor in response to the problem, that can also affect the X-S1 premium superzoom. It encourages X10 and X-S1 owners experiencing 'the white disc phenomenon' to contact their local Fujifilm service center.

First released for Android, Adobe recently unveiled an iPad-targeted version of Photoshop Touch for Apple's iOS. Boasting support for layers and featuring familiar Photoshop effects and filters, Photoshop Touch is one of the best-specified image manipulation apps available, but does it live up to its promise on the world's most popular tablet? Joanne Carter of theappwhisperer.com puts it through its paces. 

We've just received an Olympus OM-D E-M5 that we can use to publish sample images and have shot an ISO sequence. We aim to bring you a real-world samples gallery in a few days time, but to whet your appetite we've prepared a quick series of studio-based shots showing how the camera behaves under the challenge of low-level tungsten lighting at all ISOs. Olympus describes our sample as 'initial production' and it's running firmware version 1.0, so these should give a pretty good idea of what you'll be able to expect from the camera when it hits the shops. 

Sigma has announced details of the promised support scheme for customers who bought the company's SD1 DSLR prior to the price cut. Buyers of the SD1 at the original price of $6,899 can claim 40 'points' that can be redeemed against other Sigma products. The points are worth up to around ¥400,000 (roughly $4800) when used against Sigma products at their MSRP on the day the SD1 price cut was announced. Customers have until May 31st to register for the offer.

The BBC has an interesting short interview with Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt, in which he talks about looking for sequences of shots, rather than one-off photos. The video coincides with the launch of his book 'Sequentially Yours' and looks at how a series of photos can sometimes tell more of a story than a single shot in isolation.

One of the challenges in macro photography is balancing technical details with sound compostion. Nature photographer Erez Marom continues his photo technique series with a discussion of compositional principles for macro photography. Learn to incorporate these fundamental concepts into your own work for more professional results.