JVC has announced two rugged, all-weather Full HD camcorders. Waterproof to a depth of 5m/16.4ft, able to withstand a drop from 1.5m, as well as dust-proof and freeze-proof down to –10˚C/14˚F; the JVC Everio GZ-R70 and GZ-R10 feature  40x optical zoom, 2.5 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, audio that zooms with the picture, and compatibility with third-party editing software, including iMovie and Final Cut Pro X. The JVC Everio GZ-R70 additionally offers a built-in LED light and 32GB of internal storage. The GZ-R10 will hit the shelves in March at an SRP of $399.95. The GZ-R70 will be available in April for $499.95.

Billed as the world's smallest and lightest 4K camcorder capable of recording in XAVC S, the Sony 4K Handycam AX100E allows users to record video clips in stunning Ultra HD resolution with a body that allows easy one-handed operation. Equipped with a back-illuminated 1.0-type CMOS sensor, the Sony 4K Handycam AX100E camcorder features a new BIONZ X processor, 29-348mm equivalent lens with Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation, and a pro-style control layout with manual ring, dial and built-in ND filters. Dual Video Recording lets you simultaneously record high quality movie clips in AVCHD or XAVC S formats and ready-to-share MP4 files. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC lets you wirelessly transfer movie clips and photos from the Handycam AX100E to your smartphone or tablet with a single touch. The new FDR-AX100E 4K camcorder by Sony will be available in Europe from May 2014.

Sony's latest Full HD Handycam comes with a back-illuminated 1.0-type CMOS imager, high-bit-rate XAVC S recording and manual functions. The Sony Handycam CX900E boasts improved SteadyShot image stabilisation, high frame rate recording at 120fps, and a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens that features a 7-bladed aperture. There’s a bright, high-contrast OLED electronic viewfinder for framing shots with a wide angle of view. A comfortably-placed Lens Ring and Manual Dial allow fingertip control of focus, zoom, exposure, gain/ISO and shutter speed. The camcorder can record high-bit rate Full HD footage at 50 Mbps using the XAVC S format, simultaneously with web-friendly MP4 for easy smartphone transfers and web uploads with its built-in NFC/Wi-Fi function.

The splash-proof Sony Action Cam HDR-AS100VR wearable digital video camera is capable of capturing Full HD footage in XAVC S format at 50 Mbps. For the first time, up to five Action Cam HDR-AS100VR units can now be controlled wirelessly with the wearable wristwatch-style RM-LVR1. Footage is crisper and clearer thanks to the camera’s uprated Zeiss Tessar 170-degree wide-angle lens, 13.5 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor and powerful new BIONZ X image processor, the company says. As an added extra, the new Action Cam can shoot high-quality video at high-speed 120 fps or 240 fps with sound. NFC (Near Field Communication) allows fuss-free hook-ups with compatible smartphones and tablets at a single touch, while the new Interval Still Recording mode allows the camera to automatically capture a sequence of still photos at selectable intervals between 1 and 60 seconds. The new Action Cam HDR-AS100VR wearable video camera goes on sale in the UK from April 2014.

Panasonic has unveiled five new HD camcorders. The Panasonic HC-W850 (pictured) features a new Twin Camera function which enables users to capture two scenes at once. Made possible by the rotatable sub camera on the side of the LCD screen, users can shoot using this sub camera while also shooting with the main camera at the same time. The W850 and HC-V750 feature an all-new 20x zoom lens, 6.03-megapixel sensor and processing engine capable of processing at about 1.5 times faster than before. The camcorders incorporate a 4-drive lens system, and are capable of recording Full HD video at up to 120fps for slow-motion playback. The Panasonic HC-V550CT and HC-V250 boast 50x optical and 90x intelligent zoom to effortlessly bring faraway subjects up close. The W850, V750, V550CT, and V250 additionally feature Wi-Fi with NFC. Finally, the entry-level HC-V130 HD camcorder offers 38x optical zoom and a host of Creative Control effects.

The Canon VIXIA mini X compact personal camcorder gives shooters the freedom to film and record their hobbies, specials interests and memorable moments hands-free, now with "professional-like" features and outstanding audio quality. The Canon VIXIA mini X compact personal camcorder is scheduled to be available in March for an estimated retail price of $399.99 / £349 / €449.

Canon has revamped the VIXIA HF R-Series lineup of camcorders with the announcement of three new models, the VIXIA HF R52, VIXIA HF R50 and VIXIA HF R500. The new VIXIA HF R-Series camcorders all feature a 57x Advanced Zoom, an upgrade from previous VIXIA R-Series HF camcorders, along with SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, a Canon 3.28 Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor, and three-inch capacitive touch panel LCD. The VIXIA HF R52 and VIXIA HF R50 camcorder models feature advanced Wi-Fi capabilities.

The VIXIA HF R52, VIXIA HF R50 and VIXIA HF R500 camcorders are scheduled to be available in March for an estimated retail price of $449.99, $399.99, and $299.99, respectively.

In the UK and Europe, only two models are being released, the LEGRIA HF R56 which retails for £329 / €429, and the LEGRIA HF R506 which retails for £239 / €299.

Kenro has announced the UK availability of a waterproof digital camcorder, the Braun Vidi Proof. In addition to recording Full HD videos, the Braun Vidi Proof camcorder can also capture 5-megapixel stills. Other features include a self-timer and a 2.0 inch LCD screen. The camera is powered by two AA-sized batteries, and records photos and videos on microSD memory cards. The suggested retail price is £103.80.

Canon has announced that an ultra-high-sensitivity 4K camera was used to successfully capture video of the comet ISON from the International Space Station. The footage of the comet ISON was shot from the vantage point of outer space, which is not subject to atmospheric fluctuation, enabling the capture of clear footage that would not have been possible if shot from Earth. The Canon video production equipment taken on the mission comprised the EOS C500 PL professional cinema camera (launched in October 2012) and two EF Cinema Lenses: the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L SP and the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L SP. The actual EOS C500 PL used on board the International Space Station underwent special modifications to further boost sensitivity and to enable the camera to withstand the rigors of shooting in space.

MeCam HD is a diminutive wearable video camera that shoots 1080p high-definition video. The miniature camera weighs 2.5 ounces and measures 2x2 inches. A proprietary app connects the device via Wi-Fi to any smartphone/tablet. This allows the user to view in real-time what they are recording, playback, and share content without having to connect to a computer. To change the way users share their content, MeCam has also partnered with HighlightCam to provide a proprietary video editing solution. MeCam is working to incorporate this technology into the MeCam app so their users can easily submit their footage and receive back an edited video, all through their phone. The MeCam HD is now live at crowd funding website Dragon Innovation. Those contributing at least $170.00 to the project will receive a MeCam HD ahead of its official launch. The MSRP of the device will be $259.99.

Canon U.S.A.  will offer an optional feature upgrade for the Canon EOS C100 digital video camera which will support the company's Dual Pixel CMOS AF autofocus technology. This optional upgrade, which enables continuous AF with all compatible Canon EF lenses. is expected to be available in February 2014 for a cost of $500.00 and will require the EOS C100 camera body to be shipped to a Canon service center.

Pyle Audio has launched its new Hi-Speed HD Camera (PSCHD60). Features include a 12-megapixel sensor, up to 1080p video recording capabilities, a 2.4" touchscreen and a WiFi remote to wirelessly snap pictures. The device comes complete with a USB cable, car charger, splash-proof case and mounting clips. The Hi-Speed Camera from Pyle Audio is available for $99.99 via the website below.

iON has unveiled its third-generation iON Air Pro wearable, high-definition video camera with Wi-Fi connectivity. Featuring a 12-megapixel image sensor, the rugged iON Air Pro 3 Wi-Fi - which boasts improved underwater capabilities up to 49 feet - shoots up to 60 frames per second at 1080p, with dual streaming to enable users to simultaneously “shoot and share” their recordings. The iON Air Pro 3 Wi-Fi can be pre-ordered now for $349.99 with shipments expected to start on 15th November. In the UK, the iON Air Pro 3 will be available online in early November for £349.99 at actioncameras.co.uk, Crooked Imaging and Snow & Rock.

GoPro today announced the availability of its new HERO3+ line of cameras, featuring a 20% smaller and lighter design and 30% better battery life than previous models. These upgrades, combined with an improved lens and convenient new video capture modes, produce the most advanced and easy-to-use GoPro yet, the company says. The HERO3+ Black Edition camera has a suggested retail price of $399.99. A Silver Edition is available for $299.99.

A team of hardware and software architects and designers led by two MIT-educated engineers has developed a special camera which can shoot high-resolution 1280x1024-pixel movies at 494fps, 720p at 701fps, VGA at 1,849fps and tiny 192x96-pixel videos at an incredible 17,791fps. These ultra-high frame rates enable super-slow-motion playback at 30fps, allowing users to record and observe high-speed movements such as the smashing of a light bulb, the popping of a water-filled balloon or a hummingbird's wings in motion. The camera has been named "Edgertronic" in honour of MIT professor Harold Eugene Edgerton, a pioneer of ultra-high-speed photography. Equipped with a standard Nikon F mount and bundled with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens, the Edgertronic will be available for around $5,000. Those who back the Kickstarter campaign launched in order to help raise funds for the project can get a special "Kickstarter edition" complete with accessories by contributing $4,895 or more. Availability is slated for December. Scroll down / click through for a selection of sample videos shot with a working prototype.

The new Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V is set to capture some of the action at this year’s Freeze Festival, coming on-board as the Official Action Camera Partner for the brand new rail jam competition. The new main event for Freeze 2013 - Hail the Rail - will be the biggest and most exciting ski and snowboarding competition held at the snow festival to date. “Extreme action is what the Sony Action Cam is all about and this year’s Freeze Festival is set to take it to a new level with the new ‘Hail the Rail’ competition," said Frederik Lange, Category Head - Digital Imaging, Sony UK. “Expect to be in awe of the unbelievable moves from the top skiers and snowboarders in the world, with the Sony Action Cam capturing the best tricks, spills and skills – and providing amazing playback so you can watch them time and time again." Freeze Festival 2013 will run from27th November – 1st December 2013. For more information, visit the website below.

Toshiba UK today announced the new Full HD Camileo X-Sports action cam with an ultra-wide angle lens and integrated 2" LCD monitor. The Camileo X-Sports is available with a waterproof casing that’s effective up to 60 metres, so whether the user is biking, swimming, skiing or snowboarding, they can operate the camera without worrying about water damage. Without the waterproof casing, the Camileo X-Sports is shockproof from a drop of up to 1.5 metres. Additionally, with a remote control designed to be worn on the wrist, users can control the action without being hindered by the need to hold the camera or take their eyes off the piste, wave or cliff face. The Camileo X-Sports action camcorder will be available in Europe during Q4 2013, with pricing to be confirmed.

Sony has revealed its first-ever 4K capable Handycam camcorder. The Sony Handycam FDR-AX1E records 4K and HD movies in the XAVC S format, using MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Long GOP for video and Linear PCM for audio compression, while saving files in an MP4 wrapper. The XAVC-S format allows longer recording times, storing almost two hours of 4K video on a 64GB XQD memory card. Switching to Full HD recording enables you to store almost 3 hours of 1920x1080 50p footage on a single card. The Sony Handycam FDR-AX1E camcorder features a 1/2.3-type Exmor R CMOS sensor with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels and a 31.5-630mm equivalent Sony G zoom lens with Optical SteadyShot. Other highlights include three ND filters, five paint functions, two external pro-style XLR connectors, two strategically placed start/stop buttons and dual XQD memory card slots. Dedicated controls are also provided for auto/manual focus, and seven custom buttons can be reassigned to user’s preferred function. Assigned functions for on-the-fly adjustments include Marker, Zebra, Peaking, Focus Magnifier, Auto Exposure Level, SteadyShot, Colour Bars and Rec Lamp.

The Action Cam HDR-AS30V is a new, wearable Full HD camcorder from Sony. The newest Action Cam features an 11.9-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, a Carl Zeiss Tessar lens with a diagonal angle of view of 170 degrees, Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC (Near Field Communications) and GPS. The in-built Wi-Fi enables the Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V to connect the optional RM-LVR1 Live-View Remote. This waterproof wristwatch-style controller communicates wirelessly to Action Cam, allowing ‘hands-off’ operation when the camera is mounted in hard-to-reach places like your helmet, kayak or surfboard. The new Action Cam HDR-AS30V from Sony is available in UK from the end of September, priced at £260.

Cinematographer and director Mark Toia has released a short film captured with a RED cinema camera equipped with a 6K "Epic Dragon" sensor. The five-and-a-half-minute sample movie, which was posted on the RED User forum along with a lengthy user report, demonstrates an excellent dynamic range and a very film-like, gentle highlight roll-off that's not at all similar to the harsh highlight clipping produced by most other digital cameras. "RED Dragon now has the best highlight fall off I have ever seen from any digital camera," Toia says. "Beating film! Big call I know, but after shooting film and pushing it around in telecine chains for more than a decade, I can categorically say that this new sensor has a better range than film ever had... The images out of the Dragon are so smooth now… so so smooth, like low ASA large-format film."