Phase One’s Capture One RAW conversion software has reached version 4, and arrives sporting a new underlying architecture and interface - so a major upgrade by all accounts. The new interface places the point of focus on the the image - or indeed images as one may now open up to 12 simultaneously at full resolution. Multiple versions of a RAW file may also be created with ‘virtually no disk and performance overhead’. The shortcut system has been upgraded too, making accessing frequently-used functions a breeze. Capture One 4 is available now as a free upgrade for existing users or $129 / €99 for first-time purchasers, more after the click.

Just Posted! Our review of the Canon Powershot SX100 IS, the first model in Canon’s brand new line of ‘budget’ superzoom digital cameras. The SX100 IS comes with a 8MP sensor, 10x zoom and a number of manual controls, occupying the gap between Canon’s tried and tested A-series and the more upmarket Powershot S5. In its press material Canon claims the SX series offers exceptional performance in the hands of any member of the family; to find out how it performed in our capable hands check out the review after the link …

Another firmware release, this time from Fujifilm for its FinePix S8000fd superzoom. Version 1.01 firstly fixes issues relating to 4GB memory cards - namely the inability to transfer data from FinePixViewer to the camera when connected. The release also corrects bugs present in high speed continuous shooting mode when using Auto ISO. Previously the camera would occasionally record low light scenes as the proverbial ‘black cat in a coal mine’ and rather confusingly reported ISO 640 as 64. Click through for the links.

Canon has released firmware v1.0.6 for the 1Ds Mark III. This update improves communication between the camera and certain CF cards as well as preventing color casts and vertical lines from appearing on images. The update is available now via Canon, link after the jump.

Just posted! Our detailed, in-depth (33 page) review of the Sony DSLR-A700. The A700 is aimed at the serious amateur / semi-professional market with its sensor-shift stabilized twelve megapixel CMOS chip, high resolution three inch LCD monitor, five frames per second shooting and Konica Minolta heritage such as Eye-start auto-focus. The A700 needs to compete with the Canon EOS 40D, Nikon D300 and Olympus E-3, and those are the exact cameras we have used for our comparison (hence the delay in this review, they arrived during the review process).

Canon users interested in the recently announced AT-X M35 PRO DX will have to wait a little longer to sample this unusual lens. Tokina has put back the release of the EOS-mount variant from December 21st to ‘late January’ due to development difficulties relating to the focus system. Copies with Nikon mount are unaffected and will be released on schedule.

Ricoh’s 500G Wide ruggedized compact has received a firmware upgrade to 1.10. This is to rectify an issue with image playback whereby images are occasionally shown out of sequence. Hardly the end of the world then but as ever Ricoh is right there with a fix, good on them we say. Download link after the click.

Sigma has announced that it is to make its unstabilized 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens compatible with Nikon’s D40 and D40x SLRs which lack an in-body focus motor. Previously ’screwdriver’ driven, the new lens will sport an integral motor to shift the glass around and will sit aside the 18-200 OS in Sigma’s 2008 range. Making up for the lack of stabilization is the reduction in size and weight - over 24 mm (0.9 in) of length and a handy 215g (7.6 oz) of weight have been lost compared to its big brother which wasn’t exactly obese to begin with. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.

Bibble labs today announced the latest update to its RAW workflow software, with many recent cameras now supported. Also added was the ability to tether Nikon DSLRs to the latest Intel-based Macs - a feature hitherto reserved for those running Windows or an earlier PowerPC machine. The update is free to licensees of Bibble 4.x but anyone purchasing for the first time ($129.95 for Pro, $69.95 for Lite) will receive version 5 free of charge when it is released - a 14 day trial is also up for grabs from the Bibble site.

Hot on the heels of our review, Panasonic has released version 1.1 firmware for its DMC-L10 DSLR. This update is said to improve AF, exposure and white balance as well as allowing shorter time between frames in single shot mode. The interface has also been tweaked with the front and rear command dials now able to fine tune the white balance and the position of the magnified area in live view. Click through for the download link.