Canon today announced the UK launch of a World Press Photo virtual reality experience. In a bid to inspire a wider photography audience, users can explore the 45 best images of 2017 – and their incredible stories – at any time. The World Press Photo VR app is available for free download in the Oculus Store. Created by the makers of Canon’s photography management platform, irista, those who engage with the VR experience will see the winning photos displayed in a virtual gallery that evolves based on each users’ individual interaction with the photos. The unique VR experience, which provides a deeper insight into the stories behind the images, is narrated by Stuart Franklin, chair of the 2017 World Press Photo Content general jury.

Amsterdam-based Exposar is the first content production agency to acquire and install StyleShoots Live, a new robotic photo and video machine that records footage without needing a camera crew. With only one user needed to operate the studio using the included iPad Pro interface, the system automatically cuts and edits videos ready for social media and e-commerce within minutes. “We’ve partnered with StyleShoots to make sure we have the most advanced photo and video creation technology in the industry. Our clients demand both creativity and speed without the loss of quality. This will always be our priority - and StyleShoots is the only solution we found that can actually help us achieve this,” says Norbert Brenninkmeijer, founder and CEO of Exposar. StyleShoots Live has evolved from the original StyleShoots concept, which was an iPad controlled all-in-one photo studio that shot, cut out and exported product images in just thirty seconds.

Alison, one of the world’s largest free online education platforms, has just launched a new ‘Introduction to Digital Photography’ course. This free online course is an updated and more detailed replacement of the old Harvard University Digital Photography course from the Alison platform and is easily accessible to anyone keen to learn photography. It contains 11 modules that gives you an opportunity to gain extensive knowledge and understanding of digital photography, including the basic features of digital cameras, working with a digital camera, processing and formatting and the different photography styles and genres. Following the introductory course, Alison has further, more advanced digital photography courses in production as follow-up courses based on the different levels of the learner’s journey. There will be 3 courses for each level - Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced which will be released in the coming months.

Leica have unveiled a limited-edition Leica M Monochrom set in homage to Jim Marshall, the first and only photographer to be honoured with Grammy’s Trustee Award. There will be only 50 “Jim Marshall Sets” worldwide, which include the new brass plated Leica M Monochrom with a special “Laiton” finish - which provides a unique matte quality and a one-of-a-kind appearance for each set - and an inscription of Jim Marshall’s autograph, as well as a Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens, a Jim Marshall Limited Edition Estate print of “Thelonious Monk at the Monterey Jazz Festival 1964” and a special, numbered edition and estate embossed copy of the book Jim Marshall: Jazz Festival. To celebrate the launch of the “Jim Marshall Set”, the Leica Gallery Los Angeles will exhibit a selection of prints from Jim Marshall’s Jazz Festival series, chronicling the jazz festivals at Newport and Monterey during the 1960s. The exhibit will run from June 15th through July 31st.

The 100-megapixel Hasselblad A6D-100c is the latest evolution of Hasselblad aerial cameras. The A6D Aerial camera includes a feature that allows up to eight cameras to be synchronised within 20 μs. A simple bus-type cable connection is required between all cameras in the set-up. This feature completely eliminates any issues in post-production caused by un-synchronised exposures. The A6D camera is available with or without Infra-Red filter for infra-red captures from 750nm to 1000nm to serve the needs of aerial analysis, such as environment surveying and crop management. NDVI, CIR and NIR imaging is possible with third-party software. Product Manager Bjarne Hjörlund commented, “Available in 100 megapixel resolutions, the A6D camera combines the world’s best optics and sensors with a modern, compact design, resulting in a system that will ensure you attain the highest possible image quality. Hasselblad aerial cameras provide a range of important features that help deliver your imaging requirements”.

Phase One today announced a new capture solution for Cultural Heritage digitisation projects: the iXG Camera System. The robust, fully integrated camera - available in 50MP and 100MP configurations with exchangeable repro-lenses (72mm and 120mm macro) guaranteeing one million actuations - makes the iXG Camera System a powerful tool for processing high volumes of Cultural Heritage subject matter including documents, books, transparent film, glass plates and more. Operating on a new version of the Capture One CH software, the iXG Camera System provides precision focus control through motor driven focusing, with position recording of the lens to ensure accuracy. Contrast-based autofocus sets distance and resolution parameters accurately. The iXG Camera System is available for order now through Phase One Cultural Heritage Partners. Shipping commences in June 2017. Prices start at €33,990.

The Phase One IQ3 100MP Achromatic is the World's first 101-megapixel achromatic digital back. Featuring a new CMOS sensor design and state-of-the-art focus on classic black and white photography, the Phase One IQ3 100MP Achromatic has a top ISO of 51,200; making it the most light sensitive medium format digital back available today. The IQ3 100MP Achromatic’s 101-megapixel sensor is produced without a Bayer colour filter, allowing all available light to be captured unaltered and unobstructed. With no colour information to be interpreted, the sensor is free to focus solely on capturing the highest level of detail, nuance and luminance. The IQ3 100MP Achromatic Digital Back also provides an electronic shutter, long exposure of up to 60 minutes, HDMI output, WiFi capabilities, full IQ3 XF Camera System integration, and compatibility with other camera bodies, as is standard with all IQ3 Digital Backs. "The IQ3 100MP Achromatic enables photographers to capture a timeless expression,” said Stefan Sándor, Vice President Marketing and Product Management. “The detail, tonality and image quality must be experienced first-hand, as seeing is not only believing, but truly inspirational.” The MSRP for the IQ3 100MP Achromatic digital back is $49,990. Shipping will begin in early August.

Canon is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the launch of its Electro Optical System (EOS), which includes EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras and a diverse range of system accessories. The system debuted in March 1987 with the launch of the EOS 650 SLR camera and EF lenses, making EOS cameras the World’s first to incorporate an electronic mount system, representing a new generation of auto focus SLR cameras. Currently, the EOS system, including the Cinema EOS system, comprises 24 models with a selection of 97 EF lenses. To mark this milestone, Canon is displaying a range of cameras and lenses from the EOS archive on its stand at The Photography Show, including the EOS 650 and the EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM, the world’s longest focal length and largest aperture lens. Visit Canon on stand D141/E131 at The Photography Show from 18th – 21st March at the NEC in Birmingham.

Leica Camera has released a firmware update for the Leica M10 digital rangefinder camera. This updateadds numerous improvements to the camera’s handling. These include optimised colour-coding of the status bar for SD memory cards and battery level, which now change from green to yellow to red as the battery charge level reduces or the card becomes full. The ‘Favourites Menu’ has also been revised: up to 15 menu entries can now be created and a second Favourites page opens after adding more than seven entries. Furthermore, the main menu can now be opened by pressing the Menu button in the Favourites Menu. The same button can also be used for page-by-page scrolling. An additional new feature enables the selection of the target display for automatic review on the monitor screen. The menu entry now offers the alternatives ‘Auto’, ‘EVF’ or ‘Display’ as target options, while ‘Edit Favourites’ allows the activation of direct access to ‘M-ISO’ as a Favourites Menu item. The firmware update also brings a further significant reduction in the lag (dark screen) between exposure and display when taking pictures in Live View mode.

Website: Leica

Leica are now offering a new range of configurable camera and lens sets featuring the Leica M (Typ 240), M-P (Typ 240) and M Monochrom (Typ 246) models. Each of these cameras can be combined with nearly any Leica M-Lens from the current portfolio – a total of 19 M-Lenses – to create a customised set. An overview of the available configurations can be viewed at the website below.

The M10 is the latest digital rangefinder from German manufacturer, Leica.

It features a 24MP full-frame sensor, an updated MAESTRO II processor, and an improved viewfinder. It uses the rangefinder technique of focusing - and is therefore manual focus only.

Following on from the M (Typ 240), the camera is already available to buy, and costs £5,600 (body only).

Want to see exactly what the new Leica M10 digital M-system rangefinder camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica M10 digital M-system rangefinder camera.

The new Leica M10 is the slimmest digital M-system rangefinder camera to date. With a top plate depth of only 33.75 millimeters, a whole four millimeters less than that of its close relative, the Leica M (Typ 240), the Leica M10 is comparable in size to the classic M4 film camera. The new model offers an improved viewfinder with a magnification factor of 0.73 and a 50% higher eye-point; a bespoke 24-megapixel full-frame sensor with a unique pixel and microlens architecture and an expanded sensitivity range of ISO 100-50,000; a top-mounted ISO setting dial; a sequential shooting speed of 5fps; integrated WLAN connectivity and a freely-configurable Favourites Menu. Available tomorrow, the Leica M10 will be priced at £5,600/€6,500/$6,595.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2016 in the UK promise to be the biggest shopping days of the year, with deals, bundles, offers, freebies, giveaways and low prices from all leading retailers.

Whether you’re in the market for the perfect Christmas gift for the photographer in your life, or you’ve been saving up for that big new DSLR camera purchase, there’s going to be an offer for you.

Park Cameras will have a record number of free giveaways, Black Friday offers, deals and lower-than-ever prices for you this year – and the best part is that they’ll all be available both in store and online! 

Leica has launched a new special edition M-mount camera – the Leica M-P (Typ 240) “Grip” Set by Rolf Sachs. This exclusive kit, consisting of a Leica M-P (Typ 240) camera, an SF 40 flash, a special carrying strap and a Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens, is strictly limited to 79 sets and will be available exclusively at select Leica Stores and Boutiques starting in November. 

Today Ricoh announced the launch of the Ricoh Theta SC. Developed as the standard-class model of the popular Ricoh Theta series, the Theta SC camera provides effortless usability for first-time 360-degree camera users and a range of basic features. While retaining the same level of image quality provided by the high-end Ricoh Theta S, this mid-class model allows users to easily transfer captured 360-degree images to smartphones and tablet computers, and also lets them to upload their images to the theta360.com dedicated website and for easy sharing over a variety of social media networks. The Ricoh Theta SC is available in four colours (blue, beige, pink and white), priced at £249.99/$299.95. The camera is expected to hit the shelves in early November 2016. In the US, the Ricoh Theta SC is already available to pre-order.

Phase One have released a major XF Camera System update. Available now and free to all XF Camera System owners,Feature Update #3 greatly advances the features of the world’s first full frame medium format CMOS sensor. The IQ3 100MP system now includes complete Electronic Shutter integration -- the world’s first in medium format photography. The update also adds significant improvements for studio and flash photography applications such as advanced flash controls with the in-camera Profoto Air Remote enabling Profoto TTL metering. Furthermore, a post-capture Flash Analysis Tool has been added to ensure unparalleled control. In addition to the feature update, Phase One also introduced the new XF V-Grip ($1490, pictured), providing advanced ergonomic capabilities and control options.

Successor to the well-regarded SLT-A99, the Sony A99 II is a 42.4 megapixel full-frame interchangeable-lens camera that can shoot full-resolution stills at 12 frames per second. Aimed at professional sports, action and wildlife photographers, the Sony A99 II also offers 5-axis image stabilisation and 4K video recording.

Having attended the launch event in Cologne, Germany, we now bring you our first hands-on preview of this exciting new product.

Unveiled at Photokina 2016, the Fujifilm GFX 50S is the first digital medium-format camera body in Fuji's brand new GFX system. Having attended the launch event in Cologne, we now bring you our first hands-on preview of this exciting new product. Do note that all of our remarks are based on a prototype/pre-production sample.

Phew, what a day! Press Day at Photokina 2016 turned out to be much bigger than we expected, with flagship products seemingly being announced on the hour, every hour. So here's a handy roundup of all the highlights if you haven't been able to keep up. We'll be adding more products as they're announced.

Day 2 Update: We've taken a closer look at the Fujifilm GFX 50S, Sony A99 II and Canon EOS M5 cameras and Sigma's new lenses, as well as having an in-depth discussion with Olympus about the new flagship E-M1 Mark II camera. There have also been further announcements from the likes of SanDisk, Lexar, Phase One, Metz, Bowens, Broncolor and Kodak, all of which are listed below.

Day 3 Update: We've been busy bringing you hands-on photos of all the important new cameras, lenses and accessories that have been launched at Photokina, plus taking time to chat with Canon, Nikon and Sigma.

Day 4 Update: More hands-on looks at more interesting new products, including a variety of lenses, plus an interview with Kodak about their new 4K360VR camera.

Day 5 Update: An interview with Hasselblad, plus hands-on photos of 3 Nikon Coolpix cameras, an array of Zeiss, Meyer-Optik and Voigtländer lenses and a number of interesting accessories.