Sigma Japan has announced its APO 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens will be available soon in Sony and Pentax mounts. Currently available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts, the Sony version will start shipping from March 27, 2010 followed by the Pentax version from April 23, 2010. As previously announced, the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens has started shipping in Sony and Pentax mounts at a retail price of ¥56,200 (~US $620).

Sigma has announced a firmware update for its DP2 digital compact. Version 1.04 adds faster auto focusing speed to the camera. The firmware will be available for download from March 26, 2010.

Canon has released firmware v2.0.4 for its 5D Mark II DSLR that corrects the bug found in the previous version. With v2.0.3, sound recording would not work if a manual record volume was used in the C1/C2/C3 custom settings modes. The revised firmware update addresses the issue and is now available for download from Canon's website. (Updated)

Ricoh has posted the first firmware update for its GXR system, covering the A12 50mm equiv. macro and S10 24-72mm equiv. zoom lens units. Version 1.07 fixes minor bugs and brings in a few improvements, including additional AF modes for the A12 module that offer faster autofocus. The single firmware file will make appropriate changes for each unit and is available for immediate download from Ricoh's website.

Just posted! Our in-depth review of the Ricoh GXR with the S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC lens module. After we reviewed Ricoh's A12 50mm APS-C module a couple of weeks ago it's now the more compact S10's turn. It's got a smaller 1/1.7 sensor and comes with a 3x zoom wide angle lens. Find out how the A12's sidekick performed in our comprehensive review after the link...