Want to see exactly what the new Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens.

Want to see exactly what the new Pentax K-1 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Pentax K-1 DSLR camera.

Want to see exactly what the new HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm F2.8ED SDM WR lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm F2.8ED SDM WR lens.

Want to see exactly what the new Pentax D-BG6 Battery Grip looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Pentax D-BG6 Battery Grip.

The HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm F2.8ED SDM WR is a large-aperture, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for PENTAX K-mount digital SLR cameras. When mounted on the PENTAX K-1 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera body, this zoom lens provides an ultra-wide-angle focal-length coverage from 15mm to 30mm.

The HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm F2.8ED SDM WR lens will retail for £1449.99 and will be available from the end of April 2016.

In the US the HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm f/2.8ED SDM WR lens will be available in April 2016 at www.ricohimaging.com and retail outlets nationwide for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,499.99.

The HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR is a compact, lightweight standard zoom lens for PENTAX K-mount digital SLR cameras. This new compact, lightweight standard zoom lens provides a focal-length range from wide angle to medium telephoto.

The HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR lens will retail for £499.99 and will be available from the end of April 2016.

In the US the HD PENTAX-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6ED DC WR lenswill be available in April 2016 at www.ricohimaging.com and retail outlets nationwide for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $499.99.

Nikon Japan have announced that the launch of the Nikon D500 DX-format digital SLR camera has been postponed. Originally scheduled to be available in March, the camera and an assortment of accessories - including the WT-7 wireless transmitter, the MB-D17 Multi-Power Battery Pack, the CF-DC8 semi soft case and more - are now expected to hit the shelves in "late April."

Canon have posted nine full-resolution sample images and a reduced-size sample video recorded with the new Canon EOS-1D X Mark II digital SLR camera. Taken with a variety of lenses including the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM, EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM; the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II sample photos were captured at sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 100 - ISO 25,600.

Website: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II Sample Images & Movies

The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II is a new flagship DSLR camera that's capable of shooting 14 frames per second with full AF/AE tracking and 16 fps in Live View mode. With the new CFast 2.0 card capability, the camera can deliver a burst of unlimited JPEGs or 170 RAW images in continuous high speed shooting. The EOS 1D X Mark II features a new 20.2 MP full frame CMOS sensor and new Al Servo AF III+, improved 61-point AF system with 41 cross-type AF points, new 360k RGB+IR metering sensor, Dual “DIGIC 6+” processors, 4K video capture up to 60p and an ISO range of 100 to 51200 (expandable from 50 up to 409600).

The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II will be available in the UK in May for £5199.99 body-only.

In the USA, the estimated retail price for the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II is $5999 (MSRP) for the body or $6299 for the Premium Kit which includes a 64 GB CFast memory card and card reader. The new camera is scheduled to begin shipping to authorized Canon USA dealers in April 2016

Nikon Europe have released a 4K sample video recorded with the new Nikon D5 digital SLR camera. Entitled 'My Nebraska,' this 5-minute short film was directed by Nikon Ambassador Bill Frakes. Click through / scroll down to watch the movie.

Nikon Europe has released a 4K sample video recorded with the new Nikon D500 DX-format digital SLR camera. Showing dramatic scenes from a mountaineering / rock-climbing / cave trekking / rope-walking adventure, this spectacular short movie titled 'Exposure' was filmed exclusively on the Nikon D500 by National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Keith Ladzinski. Click through / scroll down to watch the video.

Nikon will be exhibiting the Nikon D500 for the first time in the UK at The Societies’ Convention Trade Show from 22-24 January 2016. The company has invested in an interactive stand that will host the complete camera line-up and range of lenses and will also host a range of talks from wedding and lifestyle photographers Kate Hopewell-Smith, Mark Seymour and Jerry Ghionis. The show will take place at the Hilton London Metropole hotel.

We're revealing our favourite products from last year in our annual awards, looking back at the essential photography kit that helped to define 2015.

The DSLR Camera of the Year 2015 award goes to the Pentax K-3 II.

“the K-3 II is another keenly-priced DSLR camera from Pentax/Ricoh that once again delivers a feature-set, handling and image quality that far out-performs its price-tag...”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Pentax and the K-3 II!

Nikon today officially unveiled its latest flagship digital SLR camera. The Nikon D5 - whose development was announced back in November - has a 20.8-megapixel FX sensor, a 153-point AF module with 99 cross-hatched focus sensors, a maximum shooting speed of 14fps at full resolution (12fps with AF), as well as 4K movie recording capabilities. The extended buffer lets users shoot for up to 200 frames of 14-bit lossless RAW/NEF files + JPG fine when using approved XQD cards. Of the 153 focus points, 55 AF are directly selectable by the photographer. This all-new AF module is coupled with a new 180K pixel RGB metering sensor and Advanced Scene Recognition System, helping users achieve optimally balanced exposures and accurate white balance in even the most challenging light. The camera has a "native" sensitivity range of ISO 100-102,400 (expandable to an unprecedented ISO 3,280,000),a built-in 1000 Base-T 400MBps Ethernet connection port and a 3.2”, 2359K-dot touch-sensitive rear screen. The Nikon D5 DSLR will be available in March for a suggested retail price of £5,199.99/€6,989.00/$6,499.95 in two different versions, with either dual XQD card slots or dual CF card slots.

The 20.9-megapixel Nikon D500 is a new DX-format semi-professional DSLR camera with a 153-point AF module (including 99 cross-type sensors), 10fps continuous shooting for up to 200 raw images, and "always on" Bluetooth LE technology for seamless smartphone connectivity. Successor to the D300S, the new model uses the latest version of the SnapBridge app, and features a tiltable 3.2" touchscreen with a resolution of 2,359K dots. The sensor offers a native sensitivtity range of ISO 100-51,200; expandable to 1,640,000. Images can be saved on either a fast XQD card or an additional SD card for maximum workflow efficiency. Like the also-new Nikon D5, the Nikon D500 is capable of recording 4K video at a variety of frame rates including 24, 25 and 30fps. The camera is compatible with the separately sold MB-D17 Multi-Power Battery Pack, which can be used with various types of battery. The Nikon D500 APS-C digital SLR camera will be available in March 2016 for $1999.95 (body only) and $3069.95 (in a kit with the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR lens).

Phase One and Sony have designed a new 100-megapixel CMOS sensor for the Phase One XF 100MP Camera System. This new medium-format imager delivers true 16-bit colour, 15 f-stops of dynamic range, live view capturing with HDMI output, sensitivity settings from 50 to 12800 and exposure times of up to 60 minutes. The price of the Phase One XF 100MP Camera System (with Schneider Kreuznach 80mm LS lens) is $48,990.

Ricoh have released the highly anticipated Pentax Tethered Capture Plug-In for use with Adobe Lightroom. Enhancing the tethered capture capabilities of thePentax 645Z medium-format dSLR camera (pictured), the new plug-in enables files to easily be uploaded into Adobe Lightroom during a studio session, where they can readily be viewed, shared and edited. “Since Lightroom is already the de-facto standard for many photographers to edit and develop their images, this new plug-in is especially welcome,” said Chris Knight, a New York-based portrait photographer. “Using Lightroom, I am able to quickly share photos with my clients, who are even able to view and comment from remote locations.”

Celebrating 25 years since the introduction of Canon’s first EOS Rebel SLR camera, Canon U.S.A. has introduced its new “Rebel With A Cause” campaign. For the first video from the campaign (see below), Nik Wallenda - the first and only person to walk a tightrope across Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon - encourages a group of senior citizens to check items off of their personal bucket lists. After visiting a senior centre in Florida, he sent one senior citizen into the sky and one to the racetrack to inspire them to finally make their dreams come true. The campaign, shot entirely on Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR cameras, is about showcasing modern-day rebels entirely through the eyes of a Canon EOS Rebel camera, encouraging people to take their creativity to the next level. Every rebel has their own unique story, and the campaign will encourage everyone to find the rebels within themselves.

Ricoh have reconfirmed the launch date of their first Pentax branded DSLR. According to the company, the much-awaited camera is "coming up in spring 2016." Ricoh have updated their teaser website, and released a new product image (reprinted above) as well as a press release enumerating the most important milestones in the history of Pentax SLRs but providing no information on the specifications of the new model.

Leica has released a new firmware update for the Leica S (Typ 007) medium-format dSLR camera. Registered camera users can now login to the Leica owner’s area of the Leica Website and download the firmware update, version 2.0.0.1, or take their camera to a Leica Store for a free update. The new firmware upgrade improves auto focus, speed and precision, particularly in low ambient light, ensuring consistently reliable and precise focusing – even in unfavourable lighting conditions. In addition to this, firmware version 2.0.0.1 offers optimised white balance with manually entered colour temperature values.