Olympus America have announced the US price and availability of the Stylus 1s digital compact camera. The Sylus 1s features a new step-zoom function, a smaller auto focus target, plus focus peaking and interval shooting functionality. It is powered by a BLS-50 battery that provides enough power to take 450 shots according to CIPA standards. Most of the other technical specifications - including the 1/1.7-type 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, the 28-300mm (eq.) f/2.8 lens, the 7fps continuous shooting mode, the ISO 100-12800 sensitivity range and the 1.04-million-dot, 3" touchscreen - are unchanged versus the Stylus 1. The Olympus Stylus 1s will go on sale later this month, priced at $699.99.

Magnum Photos have announced a workshop with Antoine D’Agata in Hamburg. From June 16th to 20th, Antoine D’Agata will lead an intimate group through a daily programme of shooting, reviews, group critiques, mentoring and editing sessions. Intended for photographers or photography students with a good understanding of photographic practice, the five-day workshop will give attendees an opportunity to build a photographic story in Hamburg or the surrounding area. Candidates will spend the five days alongside their selected photographer developing visual language, photographic identity, practical, technical and conceptual skills and the expertise required to compete in a changing marketplace. Each workshop is limited to 12 participants. The tuition for the Magnum Workshop is 950€. This does not include photo developing, post-production, travel, accommodations or meals. The deadline for applications is 10th May.

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) member magazines recently convened for their General Assembly to vote for the best photo and imaging products launched by the industry in the last 12 months. Among the winners are the Canon EOS 7D Mark II (Best Digital SLR Expert), the Fujifilm X100T (Best Premium Camera), the Fujifilm X30 (Best Expert Compact Camera), the Leica T (Best Design), the Lytro Illum (Best Imaging Innovation), the Nikon Coolpix P610 (Best Superzoom Camera), the Nikon D5500 (Best Digital SLR Entry Level), the Nikon D810 (Best Digital SLR Professional), the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark ll (Best CSC Expert), the Panasonic LX100 (Best Photo/Video Camera Expert), the Panasonic FT6 (Best Rugged Camera), the Panasonic GM5 (Best CSC Advanced), the Pentax 645Z (Best Medium Format Camera), the Pentax K-2 (Best Digital SLR Advanced), the Ricoh WG-M1 (Best ActionCam, pictured), the Samsung NX1 (Best CSC Professional), the Sony A5100 (Best CSC Entry Level) and the Sony A7S (Best Photo/Video Camera Professional).

Canon is developing a free firmware update for its DP-V3010 30-inch professional UHD reference display (pictured). Through the firmware upgrade, users will be able to take advantage of such new functions as an HDR display mode, which enables the display of HDR video with minimal underexposed and overexposed areas, and a function for displaying content captured in the ITU-R BT.2020 next-generation broadcast standard colour gamut, which was adopted for 4K UHD-TV broadcasting tests. Plus, the new firmware will enable the DP-V3010 to support the latest ACESproxy transfer standard. When used in combination with input devices supporting the ACESproxy standard, the DP-V3010 display can deliver consistent colour reproduction both on-set and during the editing process, the company says. The new firmware upgrade is expected to be available in November.

Canon have unveiled a 24-inch reference display featuring a 10-bit Ultra HD IPS panel, eight look-up tables and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. Weighing approximately 26lbs. the Canon DP-V2410 monitor has a resolution of 4096x2160 pixels and an aspect ratio of 17:9.  A special anti-glare coating helps ensure faithful image reproduction within challenging environments often encountered when shooting on location. A Canon-designed RGB LED backlight system and specially developed high-bit depth image processing engine helps ensure highly uniform brightness and accurate DCI-P3 colour reproduction.  The display panel and associated digital video processing offer two modes of HDR portrayal. In addition, the internal debayering facilitates direct live viewing of the uncompressed, raw 4K/2K outputs of the Canon EOS C500 and EOS C300 Mark II cameras. The Canon DP-V2410 4K Reference Display is scheduled to be available November for a list price of $18,000.

Nikon are developing new firmware for the Nikon D4S, D750 and D810 (pictured) digital SLR cameras. The updates will improve workflow for professional video applications by enhancing capability with third-party external recording devices. Specifically, the updates will make it possible to synchronise the start / stop commands of the Atomos Shogun and Ninja-2 external recorders with recording start/stop commands of the camera. Demonstrations of the firmware (which is currently under development) will be available at both the Nikon (#C8818) and Atomos (#C8825) booths at the NAB Show. Nikon have also announced that they are now offering a Filmmaker’s Kit for the D750 and the D810, containing the camera body, the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G ED lens, the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G lens and the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lenses, two additional EN-EL15 batteries, an ME-1 Stereo Microphone, one Atomos Ninja-2 External Recorder, and Tiffen 67mm and 58mm Variable Neutral Density Filters. In addition, the Nikon Filmmaker’s Kits feature custom foam inserts, which are ideally sized for use in a hard case for transporting equipment to the next video production.

With sales of consumer orientated camera drones on the up, and the technology getting ever more affordable, Chinese manufacturer DJI has announced what it is terming the possible “future of aerial imaging and video”. It has launched not one but two updates to its Phantom series. These are the Phantom 3 ‘Professional’ – a 4K shooting unmanned aerial vehicle with gold detailing and a suggested retail price of £1,159 – plus a second model in the Phantom 3 Advanced. The latter records 1080P video, costs a more affordable £899 SRP, and is outwardly distinguishable via its silver detailing. Gavin Stoker attended the London launch and was able to get hands-on with the devices.

DJI have announced the Phantom 3 Professional and Phantom 3 Advanced drones. Using DJI’s innovative Visual Positioning System), these Phantom 3 platforms can hold their positioning indoors without GPS and can easily take off and land with the push of a button. Controllers for the Phantom 3 come paired with DJI’s Lightbridge technology, which allows pilots to see what the Phantom 3 camera is seeing in HD (720p) at a distance up to 1 mile. The Phantom 3 Professional (£1,159 / $1,259) is capable of shooting 4K video at up to 30fps, while the Phantom 3 Advanced (£899 / $999) records at resolutions up to 1080p at 60fps. These cameras are stabilised using 3-axis gimbals to keep the video smooth regardless of flight or wind conditions. Both models shoot 12 megapixel photos using a 94⁰ UWA lens and a 1/2.3"-type sensor. ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation, can be set using both the DJI Pilot app and the physical controls on the remote controllers.

Armenians in Romania: The Stories of the People Close to Us is a new book by independent photojournalist Andrea Tănase. The 392-page hardcover is a foray into the tradition and history of the Armenian community in Romania. Borne out of a desire "to talk to people of unspoken things and to tell the stories of the people... we look at and pass by every day," the book is the end product of a 3-year photography project that saw Tănase travel to 16 cities in Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria and Armenia in order to get to know his subjects and gather the necessary material. Armenians in Romania can be purchased through the website below for €45/$55.

PhotoVoice and theprintspace have launched the spring edition of their quarterly photography competition, inviting submissions which interpret some of the core values that underpin PhotoVoice’s work with marginalised and disadvantaged communities around the world. The theme of the second competition is ‘Stories of Perspective.' Entry to the competition is free for PhotoVoice members, and non-members can enter each quarter’s competition for £20. Submissions will close Monday 20th April.

A unique exhibition of photographs taken by ordinary Londoners opens 17th April in East London, providing a colourful and personal insight into the lives of 15 families. All 80 photographs on display are from the PhotoSpeak Project. The project started in 2013 when Community Education Specialist Trina Geasley, photographer Jacqueline Mccullough and artist Liz Clough embarked on a 10-week project aiming to combat issues affecting local women by applying a community education method to the running of a photography project. "Me, You, Us is an honest celebration of the people of East London," the organisers say. "The exhibition is a result of groups working collectively to produce photographs. Each portrait has been constructed personally and differently and all are displayed as taken, without Photoshop or any alterations in post-production." Me, You, Us takes place from April 17th - 24th 2015 at The Arts Pavilion, Clinton Road, London, E3 4QY. Admission is free.

The Wapping Project Bankside (Top Floor, Ely House, 37 Dover Street, London) has announced Estonian photographer, Alexander Gronsky’s first exhibition with the gallery. Gronsky’s Pastoral series of large format photographs of Moscow’s suburban areas are reminiscent of the arcadian images created by 19th century landscape painters and he reconstructs them in a way that jars with the romantic representations of a bygone era. Also included in the exhibition are three works from Gronsky’s Reconstruction series that documents reenactments of historic Russian battles whilst simultaneously rendering them anachronistic with the inclusion of onlookers into the frame. The exhibition will be on show from 14 April - 29 May 2015.

LaCie's Rugged Thunderbolt SSD will soon be available in a 1TB capacity. With double the storage, the new LaCie is just as tough and portable with no size or weight increase compared to the 500 GB offering. The new external drive delivers speeds of up to 387 MB/s, enabling users to transfer 100 GB in less than five minutes. The LaCie Rugged even provides enough bandwidth to review and edit photos or video in the field, the company says. The new 1 TB SSD version of the LaCie Rugged drive will be available later this month for $949.99.

Canon are developing a new proprietary video format for the efficient recording of high-image-quality 4K, 2K and HD video footage. Mainly targeting professional-use 4K video camcorders, Canon's new XF-AVC format promises greater workflow efficiency and convenience during the production process. Canon will employ XF-AVC primarily in the company's 4K-compatible professional-use video camcorders, such as the XC10 (to go on sale in mid June 2015) and EOS C300 Mark II (to go on sale in early September 2015).

Venus Optics has announced the Kuangren Macro Twin Flash KX-800, billed as the world’s most powerful macro twin flash with flexible arms. Featuring a combined guide number of 190 (in feet) with 8 levels of power adjustment, the Kuangren Macro Twin Flash KX-800 has a recycle time of 2-5 seconds. Powered by 4 AA batteries, the kit weighs in at 1 pound and comes complete with two 48cm long dual flexible arms and a LED focusing light. The recommended retail price is $299.

Datacolor has released Spyder5, the next generation of its popular monitor calibration solutions. The Spyder5 colorimeter is compact, portable and protected for use on all laptop and desktop monitors. Datacolor has redesigned Spyder’s 7-detector optical engine to deliver up to a 55% improvement in tonal response, resulting in more accurate shadow detail and smoother gradients. Spyder5EXPRESS (£102 / $129) is a cost-effective tool for serious photographers seeking an easy-to-use colour accuracy solution through a simple, interactive four-step process guide. Using its before and after feature, users can evaluate calibration results using a professional Datacolor composite image. Spyder5PRO (£153 / $189) is ideal for photographers and creative professionals looking to take their skill and artistic vision to the next level by achieving precise colour accuracy. Spyder5ELITE (£222 / $279) offers a built-in tripod mount to easily calibrate front projector displays. Expert features include an unlimited range of calibration settings, comprehensive display analysis, advanced before and after evaluation of imported images, monitor matching and tuning, and optimized grey balance routines.

Video Pro X7 is the latest version of Magix's video editing program, offering numerous new features. The user interface has been completely redesigned in response to customer feedback, and the software now supports both hardware-accelerated encoding and H.264 video decoding. Video Pro X7 also offers 20 new effect transitions and individually configurable transition templates. Other enhancements include improved object tracking, XAVC and XAVC S support andloudness normalisation in accordance with the EBU R128 international guideline. Video ProX7 is available for £349.

The Canon XC10 is a new 4K digital camcorder that can also shoot high-resolution stills courtesy of a 1"-type 12 megapixel CMOS sensor. The camcorder comes with a fixed-mount 10x wide-angle zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent focal range of 27.3-273mm for movies and 24.1-241mm for still photos. The sensor has a claimed dynamic range of 12 stops - very impressive for a 1"-type imager. Offering slow- and fast-motion recording, multiple picture settings with a variety of looks, and interval shooting for time-lapse still photography, the Canon XC10 4K Digital Camcorder records cinematic H.264 4:2:2/8-bit MXF 4K (UHD) 3840 x 2160 movies to an internal CFast card or Full HD 1920 x 1080 video to an SD card at multiple frame rates up to a maximum of 305Mbps/29.97P in 4K and 50Mbps/59.94P in Full HD. Other features include Wi-Fi connectivity, a vari-angle LCD screen, dedicated microphone and headphone jacks, and a rotating handgrip. The Canon XC10 is scheduled to be available in June 2015 for an estimated retail price of $2,499.00 with SanDisk 64GB CFast memory card and card reader.