To compliment the new full frame Nikon D3 - Nikon has announced two new full frame lenses. The super-wide AF-S 14-24 mm and the new slimmer and lighter 24-70 mm F2.8G ED.

As far as I know 14mm will be the widest proprietary zoom lens released so far.

The 24-70mm f/2.8 is considerably slimmer, the old one was called ‘The Beast’ for a reason.

I can’t wait to see the results of the new 14-24mm f/2.8 coupled with the D3!

Fully compatible with existing DX-format Nikon DSLRs as well, they share fast f/2.8 apertures across the zoom range. The ultra wide-angle AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED and the slimline AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, are designed for the exacting optical demands of professional use.

“These new zoom NIKKORS offer photographers immense creative potential when combined with the new FX-format D3, but are equally useful for those using Nikon’s DX-format cameras too”, said Robert Cristina, Brand Manager, Nikon Professional Products Europe.

“They are the first wide-angle lenses to incorporate Nikon’s unique Nano Crystal coat, that suppresses the ghost and flare that sometimes occurs with the reflective surfaces of digital sensors.”

Clearly a rival of the recently released Olympus SP-550 UZ “Ultra Zoom” camera, which also features an 18x optical zoom.

Introducing the Panasonic Lumix FZ-18.

The Olympus got reasonable reviews, it’s not very fast, not very sharp and the pictures are ok - but it has 18x zoom! The ultimate travelling partner perhaps.

Now Panasonic counters with this, a massive 18x zoom to match and wider at the wide angle end with 28mm rather than the normal 35/36mm and of course the quality of the Leica lens helps. Plus the great Panasonic stabiliser. They just really need to sort out the image quality and noise problems with the Venus processor.

Looks to be a well specced camera.

• 8.1 effective Megapixel CCD
• F2.8-4.2, 18X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 504 mm
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.5″ LCD display with 207,000 pixels + electronic viewfinder with 188,000 pixels
• Full manual controls
• Intelligent Auto mode features auto scene selection, face detection (for up to 15 faces), and continuous AF
• High sensitivity mode can boost ISO to 6400 (oh, good)
• RAW image format support
• Records widescreen movies at 848 x 480, with sound
• 27MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC/MMC card slot
• Support for conversion lenses and filters
• Uses proprietary li-ion battery; 400 shots per charge
• Comes in silver and black
• Ships this September for $400

But please - ISO6400? On a Panasonic, they must be kidding!

And why can’t people make f/2.0 lenses like the old Canon G2!

You can read more here:

First look: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 preview