Wow, the DSLR camera sales in Japan is really picking up. There are now 9 DSLRs cameras got into the top 20 list of most popular digital camera ranking for Japan. Nikon D200 is really doing well occupying the top spot, replacing Sony A100. The new Nikon D80 is also doing well at number 5 for its first week of sales, should be interesting to see how it perform next couple of weeks. Both Canon 5D and 350D dropped in ranking, Canon really should come up with something more exciting in the DSLR space to catch up.

2006/08/07 ～ 2006/08/13 Japan Most Popular Digital Camera Ranking

Dan Richards and Michael J. McNamara from Popular Photography reviewed five low budget DSLR cameras in the market. The five cameras are Canon Digital Rebel XT, Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D, Nikon D50, Olympus Evolt E-500, and Pentax *ist DS2. They are reviewed based on four factors - Image Quality, Ease of Use, Control, and System Flexibility. Here’s the summary:

“We have a clear winner in the Rebel XT, with top honors in image quality and system flexibility, and ranking no lower than second in the other categories. But its image quality won by a margin evident only in blowups—you have to print big and look close to see a “pixel gap.” Such tight competition makes for high performance, but also for compromises. We’re fans of the Rebel XT, but we’d like a bigger LCD and more readable menus. Indeed, each model we tested needed a little more of something: larger screen, faster AF, two input dials instead of one…”

Website : Hotshot Shoot-Out at Popular Photography

Amazon.com: Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens ($769.99 - $100 rebate)

Amazon.com: Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D 6.1MP with Anti Shake & 18-70mm Lens ($649)

Amazon.com: Nikon D50 6.1MP with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom Lens ($619.95)

Amazon.com: Olympus EVOLT E500 8MP with Zuiko 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens ($748.94 - $75 rebate)

Amazon.com: Pentax *istDL 6.1MP with DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL Lens ($562.60)

This firmware update incorporates the following improvements:

• Fixes the phenomenon of shots being unable to be taken when using the remote controller RC-1.
• Fixes the phenomenon wherein the camera continues to scroll through images being played back.
• Improves reliability in communication when using some CF cards.

This firmware update applies to cameras with firmware versions up to 1.0.2 installed. By installing this update, the phenomena will be fixed, and the affected cameras can be used without these problems. If your camera’s firmware is already version 1.0.3, it is not necessary to perform this update.

Download : Download Canon EOS 350 Firmware Update Ver. 1.0.3