Canon Rumors received an email, claiming that the Canon EOS 500D / Rebel Xri -replacement to EOS 450D/ Xsi- will be announced June 23, 2009. The writer of the e-mail also claims that an EF-S 30mm f/2 lens will be released alongside it. Here you can read the original post on Canon Rumors.

Canon 450D /Xsi and 1000D/ Xs are already selling very well and I am not sure that Canon will likely want to introduce a new body until a better and more competitive body from other manufacturers come in to market. On the other hand, video recording seems likely to become a game changer soon, so Canon would like to give an answer to Nikon D90 on the entry level and attract more Point and Shooters who are looking for an upgrade. Lets wait and see!

I just received an e-mail form B&H Photo, informing the availability of Canon 5D Mark II with a special Price: $ 2,699.95 + Free Shipping = $ 2,699.95

Samsung has announced two new compact cameras: TL320 and HZ15W (WB100 and WB550 in Europe). The TL320 has a 3.0” hVGA active matrix organic LED screen and offers a 24-120mm lens with full manual controls. The OLED display is designed in order to better performance under extreme lighting compared to conventional LCDs . The HZ15W is the world’s first 10x zoom compact to start at 24mm equivalent (24-240mm). Both cameras sport image stabilization and record HD videos. The TL320 also has two analog gauges that keep track of available space on the card and battery life, first time we see this kind of gauge in a compact digicam as far as I know.

Samsung TL320 Main Specifications:

• 12mp 1/2.3" sensor
• 5X optical zoom (stabilized) 24-120mm equivalent
• 3" OLED hVGA
• Analog gauges on top for battery life and storage space
• Full Manual Controls :PASM (manual exposure)
• 720p HD video
• available in silver or black

Samsung TL320 is available for pre-order at Amazon for $380

Samsung HZ15w Main Specifications:

• 12mp 1/2.3" sensor
• 10X optical zoom Schneider-branded lens 24-240mm equivalent
• Manual Exposure Control
• 720p HD video
• 3" LCD

Samsung HZ15w is available for pre-order at Amazon for $330

For those of you who want to get in-line for the Olympus E-620, body only and body-kit combos are currently available for pre-ordering at Amazon (the only online retailer that offers pre-order option for E-620 so far).

• Olympus E-620 body only for $699
• Olympus E-620 with 14-42 lens for $800
• Olympus E-620 with 14-42 and 40-150mm lenses for $900

• Olympus HLD-5 battery grip for $166

   Click here for the list of Olympus E-620 Reviews

Leica has launched the Super-Elmar-M 18 mm f/ 3.8 ASPH compact wide angle lens. The new Leica lens can be used on both the digital M series as well as analog cameras. It is constructed with eight elements in seven groups, including one aspherical element. In addition, Leica has also extended its rangefinder system accessories with the new Bright Line Finder M 18mm which can be used with the new lens for effective framing. The LEICA Super-Elmar-M 18 mm f/ 3.8 ASPH also features a patented, screw-on rectangular lens hood that contributes to its compact size. The lens will be available at authorized Leica dealers in March 2009.

Press Release:

Leica unveiled SF 58, its new powerful flashgun for the M, R and S systems. The SF58 has a guide number of 58 and features a main reflector that is responsible for the indirect flash, and a secondary reflector that can be used to lighten up the dark areas. The Leica SF58 also has an integrated USB port for firmware updating.

Leica SF 58 Specifications and Press Release:

Olympus has introduced the E-620, a 12 megapixel DSLR with sensor based stabilization, custom 7-point Twin autofocus system, 2.7 inch free-angle LCD screen, Live View, 4fps continuous shooting and Supersonic Wave Filter dust protection. The E-620 also offers the same Art Filters, Multi Exposure mode and five different aspect ratios as the more expensive E-30 model. A range of optional accessories will also be available, including a vertical grip and an underwater housing.The Olympus E-620 will be available at the end of April 2009 for $699.99 body-only and $799.99 body and ED 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 Zuiko Lens kit.

Olympus E-620 Press Release:

Nikon has announced the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens, designed for use exclusively with the Nikon DX-format (1.5x crop factor). Equivalent to 52mm on a 35mm frame, the new 35mm becomes a normal lens on APS-C Nikon cameras. Thanks to its built-in focus motor, D40/D40x and D60 users can autofocus with this lens. This introduction is also important for the future of the Nikon DX line of DSLR, being an indication of dedication to this format. The AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 lens should be available in March 2009 for $199.95, a cheaper alternative to Nikon 50mm f1.4, Sigma 50mm f1.4 and Sigma 35mm f1.4.

Sigma has announced the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM with optical stabilization. The new lens will be available for Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Sony and Pentax mounts. Combination of a 13.9x zoom with Optical Stabilization and Hypersonic Motor will surely attract lot of users. Well Tamron 18-270mm VC is still the Zoom king of the DSLR superzooms but Sigma is getting closer with this attempt.

One thing I wonder is that if the Optical Stabilization will be offered with the Sony and Pentax mount versions, because as you know these bodies already have their own in-body stabilization system and the 3rd party lens manufacturers did remove this feature on the previous models in the past due to this reason. The next question would be what happens if in-lens stabilization and in-body stabilization can work together? Lets wait and see...

Sigma 18-250mm DC OS HSM Specifications and Press Release:

The new Olympus SP-590UZ ultra-mega-super-hyper zoom digital camera offers a whopping 26x wide-angle optical zoom lens that covers an 26-676mm focal length (35mm equivalent). AdWith the use optical system reach up to a focal length of 1149mm. The SP-590UZ also offers a 12 MP image sensor, 2.7 inch LCD screen, Dual Image Stabilisation, P/A/S/M exposure modes, built-in flash and wireless flash control. The Olympus SP-590UZ will be available in early March 2009 for $449.99 / £360.

Olympus SP-590UZ Press Release: