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Nikon posted its Q3 earnings report this morning, and there isn’t a whole lot to smile about. The cameramaker had to swallow a one-off loss of ¥10.9 billion last quarter (approximately $143.1 million), due to widespread flooding that devastated its Thailand manufacturing plant, in October. Today’s report comes just a day after Sony issued similarly dire figures, which it largely attributed to last year’s flooding, as well. For the third quarter ended December 31st, Nikon posted a ¥3.7 billion loss (about $48.6 million), compared with the ¥9.7 billion ($127.3 million) it saw in net profits over the same period in 2010. Operating profits also fell to ¥8.2 billion from ¥18.6 billion in 2010, while total revenue dropped from ¥253.8 billion in Q3 2010 to ¥215.4 billion, last quarter. The company remains optimistic about the future, though, forecasting net gains of ¥55 billion this year, coupled with an expected revenue of ¥925 billion. For the full report, check out the source links below.

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If you’ll recall, it was April of last year when we reported on pictures from Apple.pro, which claimed to show a seventh-generation iPod Nano chassis with room for a camera. Not long after, the site posted a second leak of the device, hinting at the omission of the Nano’s famous clip in favor of optics. Fast forward to the present, and we’re now looking another supposed shot of the unit, however, this time the clip is back and it’s made room for the shooter. Like prior Nano-camera efforts, this prototype’s loaded with a less-than-whopping 1.3-megapixels of resolution, which M.I.C Gadget claims in its non-final form, took overexposed photos. Apple’s apparently also been toying with 2-megapixel prototypes, but those too were apparently deemed unsatisfactory. M.I.C. Gadget also muses the two month old prototype is nearing release, and that it could be released before the traditional fall schedule. Seeing as the Nano’s long overdue for a hardware refresh, we’d file that under definitively maybe, but before believing, take copious amounts of salt as you hit the source link below for a bevy of pics.

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Above is a purported leak of Pentax’s upcoming K-01 — a retro-inspired mirrorless camera which is apparently set for reveal soon. Divulged in a bevy of official-looking shots on Pentax Forums, the diminutive shooter will apparently be available in several colors alongside its incredibly-thin 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens. Also shown are closeups of a dedicated HDR mode up-top, alongside dedicated red and green buttons, and a curious signature by designer Marc Newson adjacent to its battery cover. Perplexed by the sum of its parts like we are? Well, until Pentax reveals all, get a acquainted with it in the source links below.

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Announced back in November, it is the first zoom module for the system to offer APS-C image quality. If our suspicions are correct and it uses the excellent Sony 16MP sensor, this promises a lot both in terms of image quality and focus speed (the faster readout of the sensor helps contrast-detection systems to more quickly ascertain correct focus).

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Via DPReview

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Nikon has updated several of its simpler compacts with the launches of the Coolpix L810, L26 and S30. The L810 is a mid level 26x superzoom with a 920k dot LCD and 23-585mm equiv zoom. A 16MP CCD helps keep the cost down to around $279.95 but also means the L810 can only capture 720p video. Meanwhile the S60 is a shock- and water-proof 10MP camera with 3x, 29-87mm equiv lens. Finally, the L26 is a pretty standard AA-powered entry-level camera with a 16MP CCD and 26-130mm equiv stabilized lens.

At around $119.95, the S30 is extremely inexpensive for a waterproof camera but its very small 1/3″ 10MP sensor gives us cause for concern. This, combined with a 230k dot screen and lens only going as wide as 29mm equivalent, suggests that its rounded edges aren’t the only corners to have been cut.

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Nikon has refreshed its line of S series style compact cameras, which ranges from $140 6x zoom models through to bells-and-whistles-including 18x compact superzoom. The range is topped by the S9300 which offers that 18x, 25mm-450mm equiv. stabilized lens, 16MP back-lit CMOS sensor, 1080p30 with stereo sound recording and built-in GPS. The S6300 is a slim, 10x 25-250mm equiv camera built around the same sensor. The S4300 and S3300 are more modest, CCD-based affairs with 6x, 26-156mm equivalent zooms.

It’s the S6300 that looks interesting to us. The S8300 is a continuation of a likeable enough family of models but the S6300 is able to offer the same sensor with a still useful zoom range for a lot less money. The inexpensive compact superzoom has been something of a trend in the past few months, as camera makers try to offer capabilities that smartphones can’t match. At a list price of around $199.95 the S6300 loses the S8300′s high-res screen (making do with 230k dots rather than 920k) and stereo recording, as well as some zoom range. But it’s also a lot less expensive than the S8300, which will sell for around $349.95.

The S4300 and S3300 will sell for around $169.95 and $139.95 respectively, with the extra money buying you a 460k dot touch-sensitive screen. Their 16MP CCD chips limit them to 720p video.

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If you haven’t been paying attention to ski goggle technology – don’t worry, neither were we – it turns out that we’re living in the future. Thanks to the Micro Optic Display (aka MOD) created by Recon Instruments, you can check GPS information, speed and even view text messages right on your goggles.

A partnership between Contour and Recon Instruments takes it a step further. Attach MOD Live to your goggles and pair it with your Contour+ or ContourGPS digital video camera and you’ll be able to see what your camera sees.

MOD Live provides a display that appears to the eye as a 14 inch screen and lets you use your goggles as a viewfinder for your camera. No more worrying about whether or not the footage looks good after you’ve already gone down the hill – you can watch it in real time.

The app isn’t available yet, but when it launches you’ll be able to pick it up from Recon Instruments. You can pick up your MOD or MOD Live direct from Recon Instruments Online Shop.

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Japanese camera and lens maker Sigma will remain a family-owned business following the recent death of its CEO and founder Michihiro Yamaki.

The news comes as Sigma pays tribute to Yamaki (pictured), who set up the company more than 50 years ago and died on 18 January aged 78 after a battle against cancer.

His son, Kazuto Yamaki will now head up the company, the firm confirmed in a statement.

A spokesman for Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd said Yamaki senior will be sadly missed and paid tribute to his ‘energetic, capable and compassionate leadership style’.

Yamaki founded Sigma in September 1961, developing the first ever rear-attached lens converter.

‘At the time, most photo enthusiasts believed that a lens converter could only be attached to the front of a camera lens, and the 27-year-old optical engineer turned conventional optical theory on its head,’ said Sigma Corporation of America in a statement.

Sigma currently makes more than 50 lenses that are compatible with major camera brands including Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Pentax.

In 2008, Sigma bought US company Foveon, which is renowned for developing the X3 image sensor technology housed in Sigma’s line of DSLR cameras.

Earlier this month Sigma announced its first lenses for the micro four thirds compact camera system.

Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd added: ‘Mr Michihiro Yamaki guided the Sigma Corporation from its modest beginnings as the smallest of over 50 lens manufacturers in Japan, to its eminent position today as a leading and well-respected lens designer and manufacturer and an innovative, cutting-edge maker of digital cameras.

‘All who knew Mr Yamaki admired his hard work and dedication to Sigma, yet his total commitment was tempered by his consideration for his employees, associates and customers.

‘His considerable contribution to the photographic world was recognised by many accolades throughout his life, not least the PMA Hall of Fame Award, the Golden Photokina Pin and the United Nations International Photographic Council Hall of Fame Award.’

Amateur Photographer Editor Damien Demolder said: ‘What struck me about Mr Yamaki senior every time I met him was his immense wisdom. We would talk about lenses of course, and he would explain why Sigma had done whatever it was that Sigma had done that time.

‘But he would always introduce some insight about the direction of the industry, what was coming and where the camera manufacturers were headed.’

Damien added: ‘He knew what was worth doing and what should be ignored, what lens fittings would be successful and those no-one would bother to buy.

‘In the time I knew him, Sigma transformed from a secondary brand that built cheaper options, to a company whose lenses you would actually set out to buy as a first choice.

‘The introduction of the EX range brought first-rate quality and prestige to the company. Sigma is now in the safe hands of Michihiro’s son, Kazuto, but the great man himself will still be missed by all those who knew him.’

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Sony is back-illuminated pixels of 18.2 million to about effective newly developed “Exmor R (Exmore ares)” image processing engine and advanced CMOS sensor “BIONZ” (Bionzu) and shooting capacity high by mounting in, Wi-wireless features such as Fi Equipped with a digital still camera work together to achieve a variety of equipment and “Cyber” “DSC-TX300V”, and improved capacity for high-sensitivity shooting “DSC-WX70″ will launch two models in total.
“DSC-TX300V” is, Wi-cooperation not only with other devices equipped with features such as smart Fi, “TransferJet”, and powered by built-in function / non-contact charging, wireless, and data transfer Charging can be done to feed.
Sony is under way to enjoy diverse and smart after taking the diffusion of SNS, in addition to strengthening ties between devices wirelessly, a unique solution “PlayMemories” By providing a fun will expand further after the shooting.

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