Fuji have posted 12 high-resolution sample photographs taken with the Fujifilm XQ2 digital compact camera announced today. Shot at various sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 100 to ISO 800, the sample images were made by photographers Issaque Foujita, Tomasz Lazar, Yukio Uchida and Paco Navarro. You can download these Fujifilm XQ2 samples from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm XQ2 Samples

The Fujifilm XQ2 is a premium pocket-sized digital camera with a bright 4x zoom lens, an advanced 12-megapixel 2/3” X-Trans CMOS II sensor with phase detection, and the EXR Processor II that delivers the fastest auto focus speed in its category. Key highlights include a 25-100mm (eq.) f/1.8-4.9 lens, built-in WiFi, Full HD movies with stereo sound, a sensitivity range of ISO 100 - ISO 12,800, and a 3" rear screen with 920,000 dots. The Fujifilm XQ2 will be available in black, white and black-and-silver in February (March in the UK), for an MSRP of £329.99 / $399.95.

Fuji has announced a duo of superzoom cameras; the Fujifilm FinePix S9900W with wireless connectivity and the Fujifilm FinePix S9800, a near-identical model sans Wi-Fi. These camreras feature a 16.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor with a maximum ISO sensitivity of 12,800, and deliver rapid focusing speeds for beautiful high resolution images. Both cameras also give users an f/2.9-6.5 lens that offers a 35mm equivalent focal range of 24-1200mm while going all the way down to 1cm in Super Macro mode. The cameras each have a startup time of just 1 second, autofocus in as little as 0.15 seconds, and are ready to take another shot in just 0.6 seconds. Those wanting to capture a burst of full resolution images in quick succession can do so using the continuous shooting speed of 10fps for a maximum of 10 frames. The Fujifilm Finepix S9900W / S9800 will be available in March 2015 for £299.99 / $349.95 and £259.99 / $329.95.

Waterproof to 15m, shockproof from 1.75m and freezeproof to -10 °C; the Fujifilm FinePix XP80 is Fuji’s toughest camera to date. Key features include a 16.4-megapixel 1/2.3” CMOS sensor, a 28-140mm equivalent lens with optical image stabilisation, Full HD movie capture at up to 60 frames per second, and wireless connectivity for instant image and movie sharing. Other highlights include a high-speed 480fps movie mode for slo-mo playback, an LCD screen with anti-reflection coating, and a dedicated HDR mode for shooting in contrasty light. Available in Blue, Yellow, and Graphite with green accents, the Fujifilm FinePix XP80 will retail for £199.99 / $229.95, starting March 2015.

Nikon has unveiled three new digital compact cameras. The 16-megapixel Nikon Coolpix L31 (£79.99) is an easy-to-use and affordable shooter with 5x optical zoom, and one-touch HD movie recording, in-camera special effects and AA batteries. Fitting easily in a pocket, the 20-megapixel Coolpix S2900 comes in a range of colours, and also features a 5x zoom lens, HD movie recording capabilities and a handy Panorama Assist feature. The range-topping Coolpix S3700 (£99.99) also has a 20-megapixel CCD imager, but comes with 8x optical zoom plus Wi-Fi and NFC technology on board.

This week we’re revealing our favourite products from last year in our annual awards, looking back at the essential photography kit that helped to define 2014.

The Compact Camera of the Year 2014 award goes to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100.

“The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 is the most capable compact camera that we've ever reviewed, offering a mouth-watering combination of cutting edge technology, excellent image quality, and intuitive handling.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Panasonic and the Lumix DMC-LX100!

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ57 camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ57 camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ70 camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ70 camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT30 camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT30 camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 camera.

Panasonic have announced two new travelzoom cameras. The Lumix TZ57 (£229.99) has a 16-megapixel sensor, a 24-480mm equivalent lens and a tilting 3" rear display with a resolution of 1,040k dots. The camera is also capable of recording Full HD movies, and includes POWER O.I.S for shake-free shots. The flagship Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ70 (£349.99, pictured) has a 12.1-megapixel imager, a 24-720mm equivalent lens, raw image capture, geotagging, Wi-Fi and NFC, as well as a small eye-level EVF with an eye proximity sensor and a resolution of 1,166k dots. Panasonic has also incorporated a 240fps auto focus sensor drive into the LUMIX TZ70, resulting in 'Light Speed' AF that lets you catch even the most split-second opportunities. The Lumix TZ70 also boasts the manufacturer's 5-axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilizer Plus system for blur-free photos and steady Full HD footage.

The Panasonic SZ10 is a new digital compact camera with a 24-288mm equivalent lens, a tiltable 2.7 inch 460K-dot LCD screen and an integrated Wi-Fi module. The camera also offers a number of beauty effect functions, including ‘Soft Skin’, ‘Defocusing’ and ‘Slimming’ modes. Soft Skin mode lets you adjust the skin tones; Defocusing mode applies a soft focus effect to the background to clearly emphasise the face in the image; and Slimming mode processes the portrait’s face to look slightly slimmer. The camera can also record HD video in 1280x720-pixel resolution, which can be started with a single press of a dedicated ‘motion picture’ button. The Panasonic Lumix SZ10 will be available from March, for a recommended retail price of £139.99.

The Panasonic Lumix FT30 is a new, ruggedly built 16.1-megapixel camera with a 25-100mm equivalent lens. Dustproof, waterproof to 8 metres, shockproof to 1.5m and freezeproof to -10 ℃; the new FT30 sports a 2.7" LCD screen and a new Torch Light function for illuminating the subject in dark underwater conditions. With the Creative Panorama function you can shoot a horizontal or vertical panoramic image, while Creative Control and Creative Retouch modes featuring a total of 12 filter effects give you the tools you need to enhance any scene you’re looking to take a picture of. The Panasonic Lumix will be available from March, at an RRP of £139.99.

Polaroid is now shipping the Polaroid Socialmatic instant digital camera, which will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show starting tomorrow. Designed by Socialmatic and manufactured by Polaroid licensee C&A Licensing, the Polaroid Socialmatic utilises the Android operating system, providing a familiar, easy to use interface and access to numerous creative capabilities and apps. Consumers can use either the 14-megapixel front or 2-megapixel rear camera to capture photos, which can then be viewed on the 4.5” touchscreen LCD. ZERO Ink printing technology by ZINK Imaging allows users to print their favourite pictures on ZINK Paper, an advanced composite material embedded with cyan, yellow and magenta dye crystals and with a protective polymer overcoat. The 2X3 inch sticker-backed photo prints in just under a minute so consumers can instantly share physical photos with their friends and family. The Polaroid Socialmatic instant digital camera is available for $299.99 at Amazon and Photojojo.

Canon has unveiled seven new additions to its PowerShot and IXUS camera ranges. Designed to provide the perfect solution whatever you’re shooting, whether it’s close up or from a distance with the three new superzoom PowerShots, on a night out with one of three new compact IXUS cameras, or being creative with the new PowerShot N2.

The Casio Exilim EX-MR1 is a new 14-megapixel compact camera featuring a 21mm equivalent lens hidden behind a large mirror whose unique coating allows light to pass through to the lens. When looking into this mirror, the user can easily take a self–portrait with just a press of the shutter button. Of course, you can also use the Casio EX-MR1 in a more conventional way, by composing your photos on the 2.7" rear screen. Other highlights include face detection, Full HD movie recording and Wi-Fi. The camera is compatible with the EXILIM Link smartphone app, which enables users to view and share their images on their favourite social networks. The Casio Exilim EX-MR1 will be available in green, pink and white. Pricing to be confirmed.

The Leica X Edition Moncler is a new special-edition model limited to only 1,500 copies worldwide. Finished with a premium leather trim in a triple-colour scheme of blue, white and red, as an homage to the French origins of clothing company Moncler, this silver version of the Leica X comes complete with a matching camera strap in genuine leather bearing the inscription Leica & Moncler to highlight the collaboration between the two brands. The technical specifications of the Leica X ‘Edition Moncler’ are identical to those of the standard production model of the new Leica X camera. The Leica X ‘Edition Moncler’ is now available from Leica authorised dealers at an RRP of £1,952 - a reference to the year Moncler was founded.

The Hasselblad Stellar II is a new camera based on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II. Priced at €1,650 (plus tax), the Hasselblad Stellar II comes with an option of four different grip finishes: olive wood; walnut; padouk and carbon fibre. "Fuelled by our ongoing collaboration with Sony and Zeiss, the pocket-sized Stellar models are proving extremely popular,". says Ian Rawcliffe, Hasselblad's CEO. "Photographers are delighted to have the option of owning the latest technology married with Hasselblad's design vision and heritage." For more information, visit the website below.

As part of the ongoing Panasonic cashback promotion, if you purchase a Lumix camera or camcorder from a participating retailer between 28th November and 1st December, you will be eligible to claim cashback up to £200 (€240). To claim the cashback on qualifying Lumix, Lumix G camera and camcorder models (Panasonic Lumix HC-X920, HC-W850, HC-V750, HC-V550, HC-V250, DMC-GH4, DMC-GH3, DMC-G6, DMC-GX7, DMC-GM1, DMC-LX7, DMC-LF1, DMC-FZ200, DMC-FZ72, DMC-TZ60), participants must complete the online registration form at the website below.

The Panasonic DMC-CM1 smartphone will be available in the UK. The Panasonic CM1 was planned to initially launch in France and Germany only, but due to high interest a number of cameras will be available in the UK from 1st December. The CM1 will be available online through Panasonic Direct as well as selected retailers.