The Panasonic Lumix SZ8 is a new pocket-sized camera with a 24-288mm equivalent lens and Wi-Fi connectivity. Ideal for beginners, the LUMIX SZ8 boasts assistive modes such intelligent Auto, and allows users to wirelessly transfer photos to their smartphone or tablet. If you require greater flexibility in how you shoot, the Wi-Fi connectivity option also allows you to use your smart device as a remote control for your camera. Recording videos is also simple, with a newly added motion picture button, allowing you capture 720p HD videos easily.

The Canon PowerShot N100 is a new concept camera featuring a new body style. With the innovative and new Dual Capture mode, users can simultaneously capture special moments using the Main Camera, while the Story Camera, a rear facing sub-camera, will embed a picture of them onto the main image. The Story Highlights mode intuitively creates a highlight reel of images and video to create a customized movie. The Canon PowerShot N100 digital camera is expected to be available in May 2014 in white or black for an estimated retail price of $349.99.

Canon has today announced the addition of two new cameras to its PowerShot line-up. The Canon PowerShot SX600 HS camera packs an impressive 18x optical zoom and 16-Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor into a beautifully sleek, compact and portable body. The Canon PowerShot ELPH 340 HS camera offers outstanding optical performance and versatility with a 12x optical zoom lens and16-Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor. Both new models are equipped with Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication capabilities.

The Canon PowerShot SX600 HS digital camera is expected to be available at the end of February 2014 in red, white or black for an estimated retail price of $249.99. The Canon PowerShot ELPH 340 HS is expected to be available in March 2014 in purple, silver or black for an estimated retail price of $199.99.

In the UK / Europe the Canon PowerShot SX600 HS will be available from February 2014 for £199, while the Canon IXUS 265 HS will be available from March 2014 for £179.

The Fujifilm X100S is now available in all-black, as well as last year's silver version. The new X100S Black is particularly suited to street photography, being very discreet and blending in with its surroundings. The following X100S accessories are now also available in black to coordinate - wide conversion lens, lens hood, adapter ring for the filter, and a leather case. The Fujifilm X100S Black costs £999.99 in the UK and will be available from January 2014.

The Fujifilm FinePix S1 is the world’s first weather-resistant bridge camera. The Fujifilm S1 offers everything you could want from a bridge camera, including a powerful 50x image-stabilised optical zoom lens, wireless communication, Full HD movie function - all wrapped in a robust dust and water-resistant body. The Fujifilm FinePix S1 will be on sale from January 2014 for £399.99.

The Fujifilm FinePix S9400W and S9200 bridge cameras both feature a powerful 50x optical zoom lens. Further stand-out features on the two cameras include a new image stabilisation system for movie recording, Full HD video capture and a selection of creative filter effects. The S9400W also offers Wi-Fi connectivity. The Fujifilm FinePix S9400W and S9200 will be on sale from January 2014 for £269.99 and £249.99 respectively.

The Fujifilm FinePix S8600 is a small and powerful superzoom camera. The Fujifilm S8600 bridge camera featues a powerful 36x Fujinon zoom lens, a high-quality 1/2.3in 16MP CCD sensor, and a host of creative features, all wrapped up in a pocket-friendly body. The Fujifilm FinePix S8600 will be on sale from February 2014 for £149.99.

The Fujifilm FinePix XP70 is a new all-weather digital compact camera. The 16.4 megapixel waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and dustproof Fujifilm XP70 features wireless connectivity for simple sharing with a smartphone or tablet along with a host of powerful picture taking features. The Fujifilm FinePix XP70 will be on sale from February 2014 for £169.99.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 is a new version of last year's Galaxy Camera hybrid camera / smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2's upgrades include a faster 1.6GHz Quad Core processor, 2.0 GB of RAM, enhanced battery life, Android 4.3 and NFC connectivity. The price and availability of the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 are still to be announced.

Announced in November, the new firmware updates for the Fujifilm X100S, X-E1 (pictured) and X-E2 are now available for download. The updates add new functionality allowing you to edit image filenames and improvements to in-camera raw file conversion, In addition, the X-E1 and X100S will benefit from a number of enhancements already incorporated into the X-E2, such as the ability to see the exposure setting in Live View, the cpability to change the aperture and shutter speed while maintaining exposure (EV value) with the AE lock button, and more consistent file numbering for photos taken in continuous shooting mode. In the X-E1, the maximum sensitivity and minimum shutter speed can now be set when ISO AUTO is selected. Finally, the X100S also benefits from improved accuracy and coverage of the bright frame in the optical viewfinder. You can download the firmware upgrades from the websites below.

Website: Fujifilm X-E1 Firmware Version 2.10

Website: Fujifilm X-E2 Firmware Version 1.10

Website: Fujifilm X100S Firmware Version 1.10

The Fantasea FG16 underwater housing is now available in a bundle with the Canon PowerShot G16 digital compact camera. The Fantasea FG16 maintains full access to all camera controls and functions while providing waterproofing down to depths of 60 metres / 200 feet. The Fantasea FG16 is available now for $575 / €530. The camera+housing bundle retails for $999.95.

With Black Friday upon us and Cyber Monday just around the corner, we've rounded-up all 7 Holiday Gift Guides that we've published in the last week. If you're looking to buy a camera, make sure to check out our expert guides first!

DSLR Cameras

Compact System Cameras

Premium Compact Cameras

Superzoom Compact Cameras

Compact Cameras

Smartphones

Accessories and Software

Fujifilm will be releasing firmware upgrades for its premium X-E1, X100S and X-E2 models to enhance operability and functionality. The updates will bring new functionality allowing you to edit image filenames and improvements to in-camera raw file conversion, In addition, the X-E1 and X100S will benefit from a number of enhancements already incorporated into the X-E2, such as the ability to see the exposure setting in Live View, the cpability to change the aperture and shutter speed while maintaining exposure (EV value) with the AE lock button, and more consistent file numbering for photos taken in continuous shooting mode. In the X-E1, the maximum sensitivity and minimum shutter speed can now be set when ISO AUTO is selected. Finally, the X100S also benefits from improved accuracy and coverage of the bright frame in the optical viewfinder. The updates will go live on 19th December.

Olympus has announced firmware updates for the OM-D E-M1 compact system camera (read review), the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens (read review) and the Stylus XZ-2 premium compact camera (read review). Firmware version 1.1 for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 improves Live Bulb image quality while noise reduction is on, enhances AF operation including C-AF, improves image stabilisation in the Sports and Children scene modes, and corrects chromatic aberration caused by the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Firmware update 1.3 for the Olympus Stylus XZ-2 improves AF performance when you use a single target in a low-light situation. Finally, the firmware upgrade for the 12-50mm lens improves stability when using electronic zoom in combination with Panasonic cameras. As usual those updating their firmware should use the company's free Digital Camera Updater utility.

Lytro has raised a $40 million round of financing to fund the expansion of Light Field photography with new products. “We are excited to partner with Lytro in building the next wave of interactive image capture and sharing,” said Jonathan Heiliger, general partner at Lytro's new investor North Bridge Venture Partners. “The fun you experience when using a Lytro camera comes from the ability to engage with your photos in ways you never could before. But powering that interactivity is some great software and hardware technology that can be used for everything with a lens and sensor.”

Leica has announced its collaboration with Gagosian Gallery on the new-limited edition Leica X2 Gagosian Edition. Established in 1980 by Larry Gagosian in Los Angeles, Gagosian Gallery’s international exhibition and publishing programs parallel Leica’s own global legacy and values of artistic integrity and expressive freedom, the company says. Handmade at Leica’s headquarters in Germany, the compact camera features an APS-C-format professional CMOS image sensor with over 16.5 megapixels, and an Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH lens. “The Leica X2 Gagosian Edition continues Leica’s rich heritage in all technical aspects and function, married with an artistic flair reflective of Gagosian’s presence in the world of art,” said Roland Wolff, Vice President of Marketing for Leica Camera USA. “Leica’s heritage of artistic collaborations, partnerships and projects allows us to move beyond the photographic image, and turn the tool itself into a piece of art.” The Leica X2 Gagosian Edition camera, produced in a limited run of one hundred units, is available for purchase exclusively at the Gagosian Shop and on the Shop’s website.

Leica Camera, in partnership with Miami Street Photography Festival, is launching a series of photographic events and partnerships at Art Basel Miami this December. During the six days of programming, in addition to a celebratory event and Leica Akademie, the final round of the multi-city Leica X Vario City Challenge will crown a Miami winner who will advance to the national and final round of the competition. Workshops, lectures, portfolio reviews, studio shoots and more will be offered, with world-renowned Magnum photographers Alex Webb, Bruce Gilden, and Constantine Manos, along with poet and photographer Rebecca Norris Webb, National Geographic’s Maggie Steber and celebrity portrait and sport photographer Mark Mann. Click through / read on for the details.