Online backup experts MiMedia have teamed up with Digital Memories to offer customers a combined digitisation-backup service. Customers who enlist Digital Memories to scan photos will have the option to automatically pre-populate a MiMedia account. MiMedia offers 7GB of free storage space to any and all consumers, and Digital Memories customers with media collections larger than 7GB will still receive three months of MiMedia for free, with a discount on conversion.

Lytro says it will soon be launching “light field” cameras that can capture all of the light rays in a scene to offer photographic capabilities never before possible, such as focusing a picture after it’s taken. Unlike conventional cameras, which can only record a scene in two dimensions, light field cameras can capture all of the light travelling in every direction through a scene “in four dimensions”. A light field picture taken with a Lytro camera can be manipulated after the fact in ways not possible with editing software. The company says the new light field cameras will be available later this year. An interactive demo gallery is available at the website below.

Leica has released a firmware update for the Leica M9 full-frame digital rangefinder camera. Enhancements in version 1.162 include an “improvement of the sensor homogeneity for wide-angle lenses”. There is an additional colour calibration for all wide-angle lenses, which minimises chromatic deviations between image centre and image corner, especially in critical shooting situations. Additionally, internal software processes have been optimised in order to improve overall system stability. You can download the update from the website below.

Website: Leica M9 Firmware Version 1.162

Leica has issued a firmware update for the Leica M8 digital rangefinder camera. Version 2.014 adds support for the new Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f/3.4 lens and optimises internal processes for better overall stability. The Leica M8 firmware upgrade can be obtained from the website below.

Website: Leica M8 Downloads

The Leica M9-P is a new, re-styled variant of the Leica M9 full-frame digital rangefinder camera. Billed as the “new ultra-discreet version of the Leica M9”, the Leica M9-P loses the famous Leica ‘red dot’ logo and M9 lettering that decorate the M9’s front plate but the top plate is now engraved with the Leica name in classic script form. In addition, the Leica M9-P includes a scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal covering on the LCD screen. As a result, the sapphire glass LCD cover is extremely resistant to wear and almost unbreakable. The external covering of the body of the Leica M9-P, finished in vulcanite leatherette, features a more coarsely-textured finish that ensures a steady grip when shooting. Otherwise the new model is identical to the M9. The Leica M9-P, which will sit alongside the Leica M9 in the company’s rangefinder camera portfolio, is scheduled to be available in the UK from June 2011 from authorised Leica dealers at £5,395 including VAT.

GigaPan Time Machine is a system that enables viewers to explore gigapixel-scale, high-resolution time-lapse videos. Created by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute, GigaPan Time Machine allows you to pan or zoom in and out of high-resolution panoramas while simultaneously “moving back and forth through time”. Viewers, for instance, can use the system to focus in on the details of a booth within a panorama of a carnival midway, but also reverse time to see how the booth was constructed. Or they can watch a group of plants sprout, grow and flower, shifting perspective to watch some plants move wildly as they grow while others get eaten by caterpillars. And so forth. You can view a few examples created with this system at the website below. Do note that you need Google Chrome or Apple Safari to take advantage of this technology.

Demand for digital cameras is shifting from the developed markets of Western Europe, the USA and Japan to emerging economies such as Brazil, China, India and Russia, according to a report by Futuresource Consulting. In developed markets - with nearly 80% household penetration - vendors are focusing on existing owners in an effort to shorten the upgrade/replacement cycle, as well as differentiating digital cameras from smartphones, which continue to pose a growing threat, the analysts say. “As we move forward, the primary opportunity for digital cameras is as a ‘one in every household’ device as opposed to one in every pocket,” James Wells, Research Consultant at Futuresource. “Despite lacking the imaging capabilities of most digital cameras, the smartphone will satisfy the personal role and will help complement the overall photo experience.”

Online backup experts MiMedia have teamed up with DiJiFi to offer customers a combined digitisation-backup service. Those who enlist DiJiFi to scan photos and transfer videos will have the option to automatically pre-populate a MiMedia account. Following a 60 day free trial, they will receive a 30 percent discount. An annual subscription for 100GB of data will be $70, versus the $120 retail value.

We've compared the Fujifilm X100's noise performance against three of its main rivals. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is representing Micro Four Thirds, the brand new Canon EOS 600D is in the DSLR corner, and the Leica X1 is the most obvious rival to the X100.

Fujifilm Japan have announced a delay in shipping the X100 camera and accessories to customers. Blaming higher than expected demand for the shortage of the X100, the LC-X100 case and the LH-X100 lens hood, Fujifilm have promised to urgently increase production to satisfy orders. The X100 officially starting shipping in Japan last week, and reports are filtering through that small numbers of pre-orders have been met in the UK from this week.

Website: Fujifilm Japan

Futuresource Consulting recently carried out consumer research into photo-sharing habits in the UK, Germany and France. According to the results, the vast majority - around 90% - of camera / cameraphone owners across the three countries share at least some of their images with friends and family. Respondents use a wide variety of methods to share their images, with females more likely to be sharing than males. The main method of sharing for French and German respondents was via laptop or desktop PC, while UK respondents mainly shared using websites and e-mail.

JPM (Jumper Photo Magazine) is a new iPad digital magazine for professional photographers. Edited by a small team in Italy, JPM is a bilingual publication containing articles in English and Italian. The written content is complemented by animations and videos. The first issue features an exclusive interview with Michael Ryan, an essay about the evolution of microstock agencies, and much more. Jumper Photo Magazine is available on iTunes for $2.99/€2.39.

Phase One has announced its new IQ series digital camera backs, including the 80-megapixel Phase One IQ180. The imager inside the IQ180 measures 53.7x40.4mm, which is so close to the dimensions of the classic 645 format film frame that Phase One terms it a “full-frame” sensor. The IQ180 is also the first product of its kind to feature a USB3 connection, facilitating faster image transfers in the future. For untethered shooting, the IQ180 digital back’s new memory card interface is so fast that it eliminates buffering delays, supporting continuous shooting - at 0.7fps - until a card is full. The IQ180 digital back features a newly designed 3.2-inch retina type, multi-touch screen with 1.15 million pixels, described as “the highest-resolution and largest display of any SLR type camera available today.” Phase One also introduced the IQ160 and IQ140 digital backs, which offer resolutions of 60.5 and 40 megapixes respectively.

Polaroid have unveiled the Polaroid GL30 Instant Digital Camera and GL10 Instant Mobile Printer at CES 2011. The GL30 Instant Digital Camera is an all-in-one digital camera, instant photo printer and digital display that uses next generation ZINK Zero Ink Technology. The GL30 Instant Digital Camera will be available later this year, at a price to be announced. The GL10 Instant Mobile Printer uses ZINK’s second-generation thermal technology, delivering image quality that rivals a photo-lab. The GL10 Instant Mobile Printer will be available in May 2011 for $149.99.

Leica has released a new firmware update for the Leica S-System. Version 1.0.0.24 enables a multitude of enhanced camera functions, including lossless DNG compression, maximum exposure time of 125 seconds, shutter speed section in bulb mode, and a setting option for highlight and shadow level warnings.

The Ambarella iOne processor brings advanced HD camera and multimedia capabilities to the Android platform. The iOne will enable a new class of smart camera device capable of no compromise still photography, advanced HD video recording, Internet-connectivity, and running powerful applications.

Fujfilm have released more details about the lens of the upcoming X100 camera. The new article goes into great detail about the F/2.0 optic that the X100 uses and is well worth reading. Interesting new revelations include the use of a 9-blade aperture diaphragm and 4-blade shutter which achieves a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000s, and the built-in ND filter which provides the equivalent of an f-stop reduction of 3 stops. You can also check out our X100 Hands-On Photos.

Website: Fujifilm X100 Lens

The 80 megapixel Leaf Aptus-II 12 digtal camera back has now begun shipping. The Leaf Aptus-II 12 is the most versatile digital camera back ever made, allowing you to take your photography further - capturing the highest resolution, highest quality, single-shot images possible. The Leaf Aptus-II 12 and Leaf Aptus-II 12R support a wide range of camera models including Phase One and Mamiya 645DF cameras, Hasselblad H1/2, Hasselblad V, Contax, HY6/AFI, and a large selection of technical view cameras via adapters.

Fujfilm have released more details about the exciting new X100 camera. Further info has been released about the X100’s focusing capabilities, RAW mode, fixed lens design, and sensor. You can also check out our X100 Hands-On Photos.

New research from Samsung reveals over a third of Brits are under-using their cameras, more so than other technologies such as mobiles or laptops. A quarter admit to feeling worried when they press a button which produces a display they don’t recognise and just over one in ten say they are so confused by their cameras that they hand it to someone else to take the shots. In addition, many Brits are unaware of key functions on their cameras: 27% aren’t aware of the built-in flash function; 35% claim to be unaware of the delete function and 48% aren’t aware of the Red Eye reduction options available on many cameras. Note that this research has been carried out by Samsung to mark the launch of their iFunction lens and the Samsung NX100 camera (and presumably to promote them at the same time).