This week we've been busy testing out the new Sony A7R II full-frame mirrorless camera with a variety of native lenses from Sony and Zeiss. We've published sample images from no less than 13 different lenses:

Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 16-35mm Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 24-70mm Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Zeiss Batis 25mm Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 28mm Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 55mm Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 70-200mm Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Zeiss Batis 85mm Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 90mm Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 28-70mm Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Zeiss Loxia 35mm Sample Images

Sony A7R II with the Zeiss Loxia 50mm Sample Images

Most of these lenses were supplied by our friends at Hireacamera - they're definitely worth checking out if you want to hire or rent camera kit in the UK.

The Fujifilm X-T1 IR is the first X-series camera to feature advanced infrared technology. Able to to see light from the ultraviolet (UV), visible and infrared (IR) portions of the light spectrum (approximately 380nm – 1,000nm), the Fujifilm X-T1 IR is aimed at technical experts, law enforcement, medical research and scientific communities. The Fujifilm X-T1 IR (Infrared) will be available in October 2015 for USD $1,699.95 USD \ CAD $2,099.99.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX8 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX8 compact system camera, which features a new 20.3-megapixel sensor, including a side-by-side comparison with the previous DMC-GX7 camera.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX8 compact system camera offers Panasonic’s first Dual I.S (Image Stabiliser), a 20.3-megapixel sensor, large tiltable LVF and 4K capability. The LUMIX DMC-GX8 integrates a 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor to achieve superior image quality. With the combination of a Lens Optical Image Stabiliser and a Body Image Stabiliser, even severe hand shake can be corrected to provide consistently blur-free images. The Venus Engine image processor with a quad-core CPU also enables high speed signal processing at 8 fps (AFS) / 6 fps (AFC).

UK Pricing:

DMC-GX8AEB-K  (Black kit with 12-35mm/F2.8 lens) - £1699.00
DMC-GX8AEB-S (Silver kit with 12-35mm/F2.8 lens) - £1699.00
DMC-GX8HEB-K (Black kit with 14-140mm lens) - £1399.99
DMC-GX8HEB-S (Silver kit with 14-140mm lens) - £1399.99
DMC-GX8KEB-K (Black kit with 14-42mm lens) - £1099.00
DMC-GX8KEB-S (Silver kit with 14-42mm lens) - £1099.00
DMC-GX8EB-K (Black, body only) - £999.99
DMC-GX8EB-S (Silver, body only) - £999.99

Panasonic is developing the LEICA DG 100-400mm / F4.0-6.3 telephoto zoom lens. Offering an effective focal range of 200-800mm in 35mm terms, this is the first LEICA DG zoom lens in the lineup. The LEICA DG 100-400mm / F4.0-6.3 will have a splash/dust-proof design, POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), and excels in size and weight. Details of the product specifications, the date of release and the price of the LEICA DG 100-400mm / F4.0-6.3 are yet to be advised.

Panasonic is developing a LUMIX G 25mm F1.7 single focal length lens. This lens is a 50mm (35 mm camera equivalent) single focal length lens with large diameter. Details of the product specifications, the date of release and the price of the Panasonic LUMIX G 25mm F1.7 are yet to be advised.

Canon have filed a patent that suggests the company may be working on a 35mm full-frame compact system camera. The patent, which was filed on 13 December 2013 and published a few days ago, describes an adapter which would allow Canon EF and EF-S lenses to be mounted on an as-yet-nonexistent full-frame Canon mirrorless camera. Of course, patented solutions do not always end up being implemented in a commercially available product (far from it); but still - this could mean that Canon are considering to launch an FF-CSC to compete with the likes of the Sony A7R II.

Source: Egami via CR

Samsung have posted a major firmware update for their NX500 compact system camera. Version 1.10 brings an array of auto focus improvements for still photography (including better AF performance in low-light and backlit conditions, enhanced Face Detection, a new Zone AF mode, and much more), adds a Pro video recording mode, increases the maximum video bitrate to 70Mb/s, gives users more precise frame capture from 4K movies, adds a new MF responsiveness mode, and increases the maximum movie recording time to 25 minutes. Click through / scroll down for a complete list of improvements.

At a recent event held at Pinewood studios near London, we were able to sample Sony’s upcoming Alpha 7R II. The original α7R was a compelling camera that proved you didn’t need to cart around something size of a Nikon D810 to get super high resolution images. Its successor improves on the original in several key areas. It packs an even higher resolution sensor, but is also now capable of 4K video recording. Autofocus performance has been boosted as well, with Sony claiming the new camera to be up to 40% faster to focus than the original α7R. The α7R II also incorporates an advance in-body image stabilisation system, plus an improved OLED viewfinder.

Sony have issued firmware upgrades for their A6000 (pictured), A7S, A7R and A7 compact system camera models. Available now as free download from the Sony website, firmware version 2.00 reduces the time between switching on the camera to viewing a picture on the LCD screen or OLED viewfinder by 30%, and enables high bit-rate movie recording at 50p/25p in PAL and 60p/30p/24p in NTSC in XAVC S format. You can download the updates from the website below.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A7R II, RX10 II and RX100 IV cameras look like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony A7R II, RX10 II and RX100 IV cameras.

Eyefi announced today that its Mobi Pro photography solution now integrates both GoPro and Olympus Wi-Fi cameras. With Eyefi, photos from these cameras are instantly transferred and automatically organised alongside the ones from their smartphones. “No one uses just one device for taking pictures anymore,” said Matt DiMaria, Eyefi CEO. “We understand that photographers want to choose any camera... and still have instant access to all their photos all together in a single collection without having to go home, upload them into a computer and manually merge each one. We’re giving photographers the flexibility and convenience to share images from all their cameras and the insight to discover more about their photos.” Eyefi apps and cloud service automatically organise these images and make it easier than ever to find and discover more about them. Eyefi’s Wi-Fi camera solution is available to all Eyefi Cloud members as part of their £3.49/$4.99/monthly subscription service. Non-Eyefi Cloud customers can purchase it through the Eyefi Mobi app on their phone or tablet for £3.49/$4.99. This feature is currently available for Android devices and is planned for iOS devices later this year. Eyefi’s Wi-Fi camera connectivity is available for use with GoPro Hero+ LCD, Hero 3, GoPro Hero 4 and Olympus Stylus 1, Olympus PEN E-P5, Olympus Stylus TG- 860, and Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II cameras.

The Hasselblad Lusso is a new full-frame, E-mount compact system camera based on Sony's A7R model. While the headline specifications are the same - including the 36.4-megapixel sensor, the 2,359,296-dot EVF, and the 3-inch 921,600-dot tiltable rear display, among others -, the Hasselblad version boasts an ergonomically sculpted wooden hand-grip and redesigned, "Lunar-style" controls. The Chinese edition of the Hasselblad website has an entire section dedicated to the Hasselblad Lusso, and you can also download the camera's English-language instruction manual as a PDF. The Lusso will be available in a bundle with a 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, delivered in a luxurious box. The kit is already available in Hong Kong at a price of HK$40,000 (~US$5,160).

Via PR

Sony has today introduced their new flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, the A7R II. Featuring the world’s first back-illuminated full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor with a resolution of 42.4 megapixels, the new Sony A7R II boasts high-speed AF response up to 40% faster than the original A7R thanks to 399 focal plane phase detection AF points. The 42.4 MP sensor combines gapless on-chip lens design and anti-reflective coating on the surface of the sensor’s glass seal to improve light collection efficiency, resulting in high sensitivity with low-noise performance and a wide dynamic range. This allows the camera to shoot at an ISO range of 100 to 25,600 that is expandable to ISO50-102,400. The new flagship A7R II model is equipped with an innovative 5-axis image stabilisation system that has been fine-tuned to support its high-resolution shooting capacity. Additionally, the 5-axis stabilisation works synergistically with Sony α lenses with OSS to provide maximum stabilisation and clarity. The Sony A7R II full-frame interchangeable lens camera will be available in August for about $3,200.

The winners of the Camera Grand Prix 2015, hosted by the Camera Journal Press Club of Japan (CJPC), received their awards in Tokyo on Monday, 1 June 2015. The Camera Grand Prix, held since 1984, is a prestigious award whose winners are selected by a judging committee made up of the members of the CJPC, top editorial staff of the member publications, academic experts, technical writers, professional photographers and TIPA (Technical Image Press Association). The winning products for the Camera GP 2015 include theCanon EOS 7D Mark II ("Camera of the Year" and "Readers' Award"), theCanon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM lens ("Lens of the Year"), the Lytro Illum, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II and the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-CM1 ("Editors' Award").

Sony is reporting a record growth in compact camera sales. According to The NPD Group, overall mirrorless camera revenue has grown 16.5%  over the past 12 months, with DSLR sales declining approximately 15% over the same period.  During this time, Sony has experienced a 66% boost in their company's CSC sales, strengthening their dominant position as the number one overall mirrorless brand, a position they have held for 4 consecutive years. "Growth in the mirrorless segment shows this new technology and form factor are resonating with consumers," said Ben Arnold, executive director, The NPD Group. "Going forward, mirrorless will continue to command a greater share of the interchangeable lens camera category."

Olympus have announced a free new opportunity for photographers to test their cameras and lenses. They can choose from the OM-D or PEN series including the new OM-D E-M5 Mark II (pictured), in combination with one or more M.Zuiko Digital lenses. The Olympus’ ‘Test & Wow’ programme lets photographers trial the cameras for three days, in their own time, away from the retailer with no strings attached. For more information, visit the website below.

Fuji have announced a new summer promotion. The Fujifilm X-T1 (pictured) is now available to buy with £75 cashback. Those that purchase the X-T1 in a kit with the Fujinon XF18-135mm will also receive a free vertical battery grip worth £179.99. Photographers wishing to expand their range of XF lenses can also get £75 cashback when purchasing a lens. Those who buy two XF lenses are entitled to a cashback of £225. Three lenses will give you £375 cashback and if you decide to buy 4 XF lenses you’ll get £525 back. For 5 or more lenses you’ll get an additional £150 cashback, per lens. For terms and conditions, visit the website below.

Canon have launched a cashback promotion in the UK and Ireland. The offer enables photographers to claim up to £50/€60 cashback on a variety of products including three dSLRs, the EOS M3 compact system camera, four EF-S and four EF lenses, two flash units, five compact cameras, five camcorders and four printers. The promotion runs until 19th August 2015 for eligible products purchased from UK or Republic of Ireland retailers.