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).

Arca-Swiss has announced the Rm2d, a precision medium-format camera, which is smaller and lighter than the critically acclaimed Rm3d. Marketed as the camera for high-resolution hand-held photography, the Arca-Swiss Rm2d can take film magazines as well as digital backs, and is compatible with Arca-Swiss R-mount lenses ranging from 23mm to 250mm. The precision of the focusing device allows for repeatable settings with 15 micron accuracy (when mounted on a tripod, of course), and the camera also boasts a shift functionality that makes it well suited to architectural photography. Weighing in at a mera 700 grams without a lens or a film magazine / digital back, the Arca-Swiss Rm2d is available at a price of €3,090 + VAT.

The New-York Historical Society is soliciting digital photographs of contemporary Times Square from West 42nd to 47th Streets at Broadway or Seventh Avenue. Anyone from tourists to “serious amateurs” can send in their pictures that may include exterior architecture, outdoor portraits, group snapshots, billboards and advertisements and interior images of notable area buildings. Images should be at least 1,200 X 1,500 pixels, submitted in either GIF, JPG, or PNG format. Minor colour correction and/or cropping is acceptable as long as the original subject matter of the photograph remains intact. You have until 31 March 2011 to enter.

Try a Pentax camera before you buy around the UK this December. Five demo days are taking place throughout this month in Dursley, Barnstable, Carmarthen, Norwich and Exeter, giving you the opportunity to try out the new K-series DSLRs, lenses, accessories and RS1000 or RZ10 compacts.

X-Rite has introduced its new portfolio of i1 Professional Color Management Solutions. The portfolio is comprised of i1Basic Pro, i1Photo Pro, i1 Publish and i1Publish Pro.  All four feature groundbreaking new technology and applications: i1Profiler, X-Rite’s entirely new next generation color profiling software; new PANTONE Color Manager color swatch bridging software; and ColorChecker Proof, a new color checker chart for direct viewing analysis against a printed target. The new i1 Professional Color Management Solutions will be available in October 2010.

Transcend has started shipping CFast cards, the latest specification for Compact Flash cards. The new CFast cards integrate the rapid, more robust SATA interface into the existing CF card form factor, delivering transfer rates of up to 108MB/s. Transcend’s CFast cards are now available in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities.

From 28 October, Sony UK will offer customers ‘VAT Back’ across its product range including Cyber-shot compacts, Alpha DSLRs, NEX system cameras, as well as larger purchases ahead of the forthcoming UK VAT rise in January. The campaign will run until Christmas Eve and feature a wide range of high street retailers such as John Lewis, Tesco Extra, M&S Home, Jessops, PC World, Amazon, Comet, Currys and Argos, as well as independent outlets and Sony Centres. For consumers to benefit from the offer the full price of the item is payable in-store then shoppers have until 31 January 2011 to claim the VAT cash back from Sony on purchases made between 28 October and 24 December.

Ricoh has announced the imminent release of the second function-enhancing firmware update for the Ricoh GXR system. The update contains no less tha 11 function enhancements, including the addition of 3 handy magnification ratios for the focus check function, spot AF and macro AF area selection, EXIF 2.3 support, auto noise reduction, a focus limiter for the GR Lens A12 50mm f/2.5 MACRO module, and faster autofocus, among other improvements. The firmware update will be posted tomorrow.

Website: Ricoh GXR Firmware (available from 27 October 2010)

The new firmware update for the Sony NEX-3 and Sony NEX-5 compact system cameras, which was announced in September, is now available for download.  Autofocus is now supported when using the NEX-5 and NEX-3 with 14 A-mount SAM and SSM lenses by Sony and Carl Zeiss (so by far not all A-mount optics). Aperture settings can be maintained during HD movie recording, and system menu operation has been streamlined alongside other usability improvements. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Sony Europe Support

Peartree has announced that it will be the first camera dealer in the world to demonstrate the 80-megapixel Leaf Aptus-II 12 digital back. You can join them on 19th October at their London showroom for a test drive. The PC-Tilt Shift Apo-Digitar 5.6/120 HM Aspheric Schneider Kreuznach lens, which we checked out at Photokina, will also be with Peartree. The showroom is located at Cremer Business Centre, 37 Cremer Street, London, E2 8HD.

Samsung has released a firmware update for its NX5 and NX10 compact system cameras, adding support for the new i-Function lens.Version 1.20 also provides support for an external GPS module that enables the geotagging of photos captured with these cameras. Additional improvements include better AF speed and accuracy and the addition of firmware-based lens distortion reduction. To download the firmware update, follow the link below.

Website: Samsung UK