Ricoh today announced it will be showcasing a prototype of its newest Theta 360-degree camera, capable of capturing high-resolution 4K video in a single shot, at the upcoming 2017 NAB Show. In addition to capturing 4K video at 30 frames per second, the new camera will enable 4K 360-degree livestreaming, and a built-in 4-channel microphone will record spatial “surround-sound” audio. The product will be featured at the Ricoh booth, C11139, located in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Nikon have released a firmware update for their KeyMission 360 action camera. According to the company, Version 1.3 fixes a bugwhich resulted in connections between the camera and iOS 10.2-compatible versions of the SnapBridge 360/170 app becoming unstable. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Nikon Download Centre

The CAMEO360 is the World's smallest dual-lens 360°4K active camera. Currently raising funds on Kickstarter, the CAMEO360 takes 24-megapixel photos and records 4K video at 24 frames per second. “There are many high-quality cameras, but many are expensive, bulky and very inconvenient to carry around,” says creator Roland Nguyen. “There are also many social media channels available to us today that can be very time consuming when it comes to editing videos and managing multiple platforms. We embraced these two issues and created a versatile, high-quality pocket size camera with easy-to-use features – along with our own social media platform. This makes it easy for CAMEO360 users to create and share their creation in our community and other social media channels.” For more information about CAMEO360 and the accompanying Flicksee smartphone app, visit the project's Kickstarter Campaign Page.

Samsung today announced a new Samsung Gear 360, a 4K resolution 360-degree camera offering enhanced features for producing high-quality content. When paired with the Gear 360 application, users can control the camera remotely as well as stitch, edit and share content on the go. Equipped with 8.4-megapixel image sensors, the Gear 360 can also capture 15-megapixel high resolution images. Whether creating a 360-degree video or still image, users can access various viewing modes, and editing tools to use on their own content. “As consumers turn more to video to share their experiences, we want to deliver accessible and innovative products to make digital content easier to create, share and stream. The Gear 360 is no exception,” said DJ Koh, president of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “The updated Gear 360 continues to expand the horizons of what consumers can experience and share.”

YI Technology have launched the YI 4K+, the first action camera to capture 4K video at 60 frames per second. Available now for $339.98, the YI 4K+ is the first camera to use an Ambarella H2 SoC offering a maximum bitrate of 120Mbps and a low power consumption enabling the YI 4K+ to maintain a battery life of approximately 71 minutes for 4K 60fps video mode. In addition, the 4K+ includes Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) support for 4K/30fps and high-quality outdoor audio. A future firmware update will offer live streaming, RAW image format, and voice command technology for hands-free control. The YI 4K+ is backwards compatible with all the YI 4K accessories.

Both of these camcorders shoot 4K video, but which is the better buy? Find out the key differences between the Sony FS5 and the Sony FS7 by reading our handy guide.

JK Imaging have announced pricing and availability for their new Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360 camera, a compact device targeting the rapidly growing 360° VR video consumer market. The 4KVR360 adopts a minimalist approach to an all-in-one 360° VR camera, with two 4K fixed focus lenses housed on either side of the futuristic camera body. The lenses are designed to work in tandem, to capture full 360° 4K Video and easily upload 360° content to Facebook and YouTube via the camera’s Smart Device App. “The decision to continue expanding our award winning 360° VR camera line up with the new Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360 was a natural progression,” said Mariame Cisse, Marketing Director for JK Imaging Ltd., Europe. “We are committed to the interactive 360° video format and want to give yet another option to consumers when it comes to choosing a quality 360° VR camera based on their specific needs.” The 4KVR360 will feature a 20-megapixel CMOS sensor and use a Micro SD card (up to 128GB) to record 360° content. The 4KVR360 camera will incorporate Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity compatibility for Smart device APPs to control and view the camera remotely. JK Imaging anticipates availability of the new 4KVR360 in the first quarter of 2017. The 4KVR360 base model will retail for €499, and the company will continue to provide their customers with optional bundles that will include useful accessories and software designed to work in tandem with the 4KVR360 camera.

Insta360 have announced the launch of their new Insta360 Pro professional VR 3D camera. Insta360 Pro records up to 8K 360-degree videos and leverages 6 independent, high-definition lenses. It captures 60-megapixel 360° 3D stills and supports both HDR and raw image file formats to bring out levels of detail and low-light performance unprecedented in a 360-degree camera of this size. When recording 4K video, the camera supports up to 100fps. In addition, the VR time-lapse mode adds a new dimension to videos and the live preview function allows users to get the best angle before shooting. As a standalone camera, it can be used with both the dedicated Insta360 Pro iOS and Android apps and connects via WiFi, Ethernet or 4G, ready to livestream any event or share instantly on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. The Insta360 Pro's recommended retail price is set to be around $3000 and will be available later this year.

Ricoh today announced the industry's first camera capable of delivering up to 24 hours of fully spherical, 360-degree live video streams in 2K resolution at 30 frames per second. Currently on display at CES 2017, the camera and related technology will be sold as the Ricoh R Development Kit, available in spring 2017. A unique and first-of-its-kind feature of the Ricoh R technology is that the video is stitched within the camera in real time to the Equirectangular Projection Format, which is the standard format for fully spherical images. Video is then output via HDMI or USB. The Ricoh R Development Kit consists of the camera, camera stand, downloadable software development kit, plus image-control tools and source code.

YI Technolgy has announced plans to unveil the YI 4K+ at CES 2017, the first action camera to capture 4K photos and videos at 60 frames per second. The company also plans to fly the YI Erida drone, the world’s fastest tricopter, for the first time live in the US. “2016 has been a whirlwind of product launches including several new action and home security cameras, the YI Erida drone, our first mirrorless camera the YI M1, as well as an exciting partnership with Google to develop a virtual reality camera rig,” said Sean Da, CEO of YI Technology. “CES 2017 is an important milestone for us as we look to demonstrate our full product line and reveal novelty solutions. As a challenger brand in the changing imaging technology market, we are constantly looking for ways to push the boundaries and set new standards for the global industry.”

Insta360 today launched an Indiegogo campaign for the Insta360 Air, a clip-on smartphone camera that captures immersive 360-degree HD images and videos that can be livestreamed or shared instantly. Exclusively designed for Android devices. the Insta360 Air features an advanced 210-degree dual fish-eye-lens and real-time image stitching. The smartphone app also features image and video editing tools. Compared with conventional 360° cameras, the Insta360 Air is lightweight and ultra portable. Designed as an extension of the smartphone rather than a bulky add-on, the device can also be used as a 360 webcam which users connect to laptops via the multifunctional extension cable to capture 360-degree video or livestream for longer periods of time. Insta360 Air will be available on Indiegogo InDemand for $99. The Insta360 Air's RRP is $119 and will be available on Amazon and Insta360’s official online store once the campaign finishes.

Jessops will offer a number of deals this Black Friday on more than 200 products, including cashback offers and savings of up to £235 across cameras, drones, lenses, photographic courses, accessories and photo gifts. The Jessops Black Friday event will start online at 8pm on Thursday 24th November and will take place across 54 nationwide stores and online until midnight on Monday 28th November. Some of the deals include a free ‘create your own’ photobook with every camera, lens or camcorder purchased this weekend; a Canon EOS 1300D Twin lens kit for £299; DJI Phantom 3 Standard for £399; GoPro Hero Session Gift bundle for £149; a 30% discount on selected lenses; a free Nikon accessory kit worth £49.99 with selected Nikon DSLRs; and much more. Pete Duncombe, Commercial Director at Jessops says: “We are delighted to reveal some of our best Black Friday deals before they even launch to help our customers plan their purchases this weekend. We are pleased to be able to offer excellent savings coupled with our Price Match Promise, outstanding customer service, and expert impartial advice.”

DJI have announced two new drones for professional photographers and videographers. The new DJI Inspire 2 has a top speed of 67 mph and takes only 4 seconds to accelerate to 50 mph. With the new dual battery system, flight time is up to 27 minutes. A new forward-facing camera offers the pilot the best flight view for operating the master controller, while the camera operator receives a separate feed from the professional Zenmuse camera mounted on the main gimbal. The Inspire 2 supports the brand-new Zenmuse X4S and X5S cameras and will support additional cameras in the future. The UK retail price of the Inspire 2 aircraft is be £3059. The Inspire 2 Combo, which includes one Inspire 2 aircraft, one Zenmuse X5S, CinemaDNG and Apple ProRes License Key, is available for £6398. Customers who order the Inspire 2 Combo before 1 January 2017 can enjoy a special price of £6269. The DJI Phantom 4 Pro (pictured) offers a 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor with almost 12 stops of dynamic range, and a mechanical shutter that eliminates rolling shutter distortion in fast-moving scenes. Phantom 4 Pro can capture slow-motion 4K video up to 60 fps at a maximum bitrate of 100 mbps. In addition, the Phantom 4 Pro offers H.265 video compression, which substantially improves video quality at the same bitrate. Phantom 4 Pro’s UK retail price is £1,589 with a standard controller. The Phantom 4 Pro+, which includes a Phantom 4 Pro aircraft, and a high luminance display remote controller, will be available at £1819. These products will begin shipping one week after launch.

Sony is expanding its FS Series Super 35mm professional family with the addition of the new FS7 II camcorder. Featuring Electronic Variable ND technology, a lever lock type E-mount, and a new mechanical design for faster and easier set-up, the Sony PXV-FS7 II camcorder uses a Super 35 type sensor and takes Sony E-mount lenses (as well as A-mount lenses via an adapter). Variable ND mode (clear + 2~7 stop range, in seamless transition steps up to 1/128) allows the user to vary the density of the ND filter during shooting and to transition seamlessly between steps. This also ensures an optimum motion delivery by maintaining desired shutter speed. The FS7 II's lever lock type E-mount gives users the ability to change lenses by rotating the locking collar rather than the lens itself, which means that in most cases lens support rigs don't need to be removed, saving time during a production. a production. The camcorder supports the XQD memory card format, designed for capturing and transferring high-bandwidth, high resolution files. The Sony FS7 II is planned to be available in January 2017. Pricing to be confirmed.

Canon has announced firmware upgrades for both the Canon EOS C300 and EOS C300 Mark II digital cinema cameras. These updates add support for the Canon EVF-V70 OLED Electronic Viewfinder, WFT-E8 Wireless File Transmitter, Shutter Angle Priority, and a variety of lenses. The upgrades are scheduled to be available on December 13, 2016.

TomTom has announced the availability of its Bandit Action Camera Software Development Kit (SDK). The TomTom Bandit is an action camera with integrated GPS, accelerometer, gyro and pressure sensors that record video and data in an MP4 video file. This action data is used to tag interesting moments, called highlights, which allow users to quickly find their best moments from hours of recorded video. Developers can now start building upon the Camera Media Server API which includes a live viewfinder, video manipulation, file management, transcoding capabilities, and much more – all by connecting to TomTom Bandit. With accompanying libraries for both iOS and Android, developers will be able to integrate TomTom Bandit technology into their applications. Peter Frans Pauwels, Co-founder of TomTom said: “The TomTom Bandit action camera is a great example of how we translate high-end technology into an easy-to-use consumer product. With the TomTom Bandit SDK we are now making this unique technology available to developers in an easy way.”

Jessops have announced a brand new GoPro Academy Course that will teach you to get the absolute best from your GoPro. Led by experts from Jessops, these courses will cover a range of need-to-know subjects, from understanding your GoPro’s modes, menus, settings and apps, to using your camera to capture incredible high-definition footage. The interactive courses will teach you to capture experiences in unique ways and create unforgettable content. To book your place, and to find out more about the courses, visit the website below.

Want to see exactly what the new GoPro Karma, Hero5 Black and Hero5 Session look like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the GoPro Hero5 Black and Hero5 Session action cameras and the GoPro Karma quadcopter.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon KeyMission action cameras look like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Nikon KeyMission 80, KeyMission 170 and KeyMission 360 cameras.

JK Imaging has announced the upcoming launch of the Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360 VR camera, a compact device targeting the rapidly growing 360° VR video consumer market. The 4KVR360 adopts a minimalist approach to an all-in-one 360° VR camera, with two 4K fixed focus lenses housed on either side of the futuristic camera body. The lenses are designed to work in tandem, to capture full 360° 4K Video and easily upload 360° content to Facebook and YouTube via the camera’s Smart Device App. “The decision to continue expanding our award winning 360° VR camera line up with the new Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360 was a natural progression,” said Mariame Cisse, Marketing Director for JK Imaging Ltd., Europe. “We are committed to the interactive 360° video format and want to give yet another option to consumers when it comes to choosing a quality 360° VR camera based on their specific needs.” The 4KVR360 will feature a 20-megapixel CMOS sensor and use a Micro SD card (up to 128GB) to record 360° content. The 4KVR360 camera will incorporate Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity compatibility for Smart device APPs to control and view the camera remotely. JK Imaging anticipates availability of the new 4KVR360 in early 2017. No MSRP has been released to date.