As part of a technical collaboration begun in 2013, Hasselblad has integrated the software development kit for EIZO's ColorEdge monitors into Phocus 2.8, the latest version of Hasselblad's imaging software. Phocus 2.8 activates the built-in calibration sensor housed inside select ColorEdge monitors. This allows photographers using Hasselblad cameras and ColorEdge monitors to view and edit photos as well as calibrate their monitors with one piece of software and no external calibration device. This new feature is currently being demonstrated at the Hasselblad (G-11) and EIZO booths (G-10) at the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show at Pacifico Yokohama, Japan.

Lastolite has just launched its innovative magnetic background support in the UK market. The unique Magnetic Background Support is designed to provide photographers with a convenient and portable solution. Reliable magnetic connectors provide an instant connection; they grip the background in two positions thereby eliminating yaw and increasing stability.Compatible with any traditional lighting stand with a 5/8 spigot connector, the Magnetic Background Support is available individually (£60) or as part of a kit which includes a lighting stand and carry case (£108).

Billed as the world's fastest SD card, the SanDisk Extreme PRO SDHC / SDXC UHS-II memory card offers up to 250MB/s (1667X) write speeds for continuous burst mode shooting and read speeds of up to 280MB/s (1867X) for fast file transfers. “The new SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II card shatters the existing barrier of UHS-I limitations, delivering speeds up to three times faster than current cards,” said Susan Park, director, product marketing, SanDisk. “As leaders in the flash storage industry, our goal is to deliver the fastest memory cards on the market, enabling next generation cameras to take advantage of new levels of performance. This is another example of our legacy of innovation and technology leadership in the digital imaging and video industries.” SanDisk Extreme PRO SDHC/SDXC UHS-II cards are available for preorder from the website below, in 16GB to 64GB capacities carrying MSRPs of £59.99/$119.99 to £192.99/$299.99.

Images by the very best established and emerging contemporary photographers from across the world go on show this May as part of the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition. Held at Somerset House, London, the exhibition showcases photography from across all disciplines, from fine art to photojournalism to lifestyle. The winning and shortlisted images featured were selected by a panel of industry experts from submissions by photographers from 166 countries. The final exhibition prints will be provided by Metro Imaging, the official print sponsor of the event.The exhibition opens on 1st May and runs until 18th May.

Canon Japan has published four high-resolution sample images captured with the new PowerShot G1 X Mark II large-sensor compact camera. Taken at ISO 100/21°, these photos demonstrate the camera's capabilities as a portrait and close-up photography tool.

Website: Official Canon PowerShot G1 X Mk II Sample Images

Sigma has announced the release of the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM lens in Pentax and Sony mounts. With an optical formula comprising nine elements in eight groups and an iris diaphragm with nine rounded blades (and no “EX” designation in the name), this lens features a completely different design to the older Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM, which was introducedback in 2005. It also has a shorter close-focusing distance of 30cm and a higher maximum reproduction ratio of 1:6.8. The filter attachment size is unchanged at 62mm, as is the 30mm focal length that translates into 45mm on Pentax and Sony cameras with APS-C size image sensors. As part of the manufacturer’s ‘Art’ line, the new 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM is compatible with Sigma’s separately sold USB dock accessory and Sigma Optimisation Pro software.

Olympus has announced it is developing a 7-14mm (14-28mm eq.) f/2.8 and a 300mm (600mm eq.) f/4 lens for Micro Four Thirds. The M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm 1:2.8 PRO will compete directly with Panasonic's 7-14mm f/4 lens, while offering a full stop faster maximum aperture; and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm 1:4 PRO will be the first dedicated AF prime in the Micro Four Thirds sytem to offer 600mm equivalent telephoto reach. Both lenses will have a splash- and dustproof construction for use in adverse weather conditions and dusty locales. Mock-ups of the lenses will be shown at the Camera & Photo Imaging Show CP+ starting this Thursday.

Canon has posted half a dozen high-resolution sample photos and a movie shot with the new Canon EOS 1200D digital SLR camera. Captured using a variety of lenses including the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II, EF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6 IS II, EF 135mm f/2L USM, EF 17-40mm f/4L USM and EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM; these Canon EOS 1200D samples can be downloaded as full-resolution JPEG images. Unlike the stills, the sample movie has been resized for the Web. 

Website: Official Canon EOS 1200D Sample Photos

The Canon EOS 1200D (Rebel T5) is a a new entry-level digital SLR camera with an 18-megapixel APS-C sensor, a 9-point auto focus module, a stainless steel chassis and all-aluminium exterior. The camera comes with a built-in Feature Guide and an easy-to-use Scene Intelligent Auto mode, and is capable of recording 1080p Full HD movies with full user control over exposure, focus and sound levels. The 1200D's Video Snapshot mode allows you to record a series of short video clips and automatically joins them together in-camera. Coinciding with the launch, Canon has also released a new EOS Companion smartphone app, which offers helpful tips and tutorials to help you get the most out of your new camera and other cameras in the EOS range. The Canon EOS 1200D will be available from March 2014 with an SRP of £349.99 / €419.99 (body only). In the U.S.A., the Canon EOS Rebel T5 will be offered in a kit with a 18-55mm lens, priced at $549.99.

Canon has expanded its EOS system with a new special-purpose flash, the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II. Compatible with Canon’s complete range of EOS digital SLR cameras, the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II offers photographers fully automatic E-TTL II flash metering to deliver accurate and consistent exposures. Improved focusing lamps utilise new high-brightness white LEDs, which offer enhanced illumination than the predecessor product – making it easier to focus in low-light conditions. The unit's two separate flash tubes can be controlled independently. In addition, an improved body design includes a new one-touch lock lever, making it quick and simple to attach the flash to your camera. The Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II, which can also be used as a wireless optical master unit to operate and trigger EX-series Speedlites remotely, has a guide number of 14 (at ISO 100/21°) and a maxiumum recycle time of 5.5 seconds. The unit will be available from April 2014 with an SRP of £599.99/€699.99.

Canon today unveiled the PowerShot G1 X Mark II Enhanced Grip Edition. Successor to the PowerShot G1 X, the Canon Powershot G1 X Mark II promises "DSLR-like image quality and handling within the compact form and function of the highly successful PowerShot G-series." Featuring a completely re-mastered design, with a stainless steel chassis and all aluminium metal exterior, the camera has a sizeable ergonomic grip and a large CMOS imager. The new sensor configuration means that it can adapt and use the full width of the lens image circle, whether capturing images in its default 3:2 aspect ratio at 12.8MP or 4:3 ratio at 13.1MP. The camera comes equipped with a 12.5-62.5mm (24-120mm eq.) f/2.0-3.9 lens and features a focus peaking function, perfect for manual focus enthusiasts. The improved AiAF System now includes thirty-one AF points compared to the PowerShot G1X’s nine. The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II Enhanced Grip Edition will be available from May 2014 with an SRP of £799.00/€949.00/$799.99.

Billed as Canon’s slimmest ever 30x optical zoom camera, the new PowerShot SX700 HS features a 16-megapixel CMOS imager, 25-750mm equivalent superzoom lens, Full HD 60p movies with stereo sound, and integrated Wi-Fi with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. Offering Manual, Av and Tv shooting modes, the Canon Powershot SX700 HS also boasts a five-axis Enhanced Dynamic IS mode that stabilises movies and stills alike. The new Wi-Fi connectivity includes remote shooting from smartphones and allows you to keep your images backed up with Image Sync, which lets you wirelessly transfer shots to cloud storage destinations including Canon Image Gateway, Flickr and Google Drive. The Canon PowerShot SX700 HS will be available from March 2014 with an SRP of £329.00/€399.00/$349.99.

Canon today added a trio of new high-zoom cameras to its IXUS series. The 20-megapixel Canon IXUS 155 (called the ELPH 150 IS in North America, £129/€149/$150) offers 10x optical zoom in a stylish ultra compact body with metal exterior (pictured). The Canon IXUS 150 (ELPH 140 IS, £109/€129/$130) and IXUS 145 (ELPH 135, £99/€119/120) come equipped with 16-megapixel sensors and 8x optical zoom. The IXUS 155 and IXUS 150 feature Canon’s advanced optical Image Stabiliser with Intelligent IS technology. When it comes to video recording, all three models are limited to 720p resolution for reasons inherent in the properties of their CCD sensors. The Canon IXUS 145, IXUS 150 and IXUS 155 will be available later this month.

Canon today announced its newest rugged camera, the PowerShot D30. Waterproof to depths of up to 25m, shockproof for drops of up to 2.0m and freezeproof down to -10 °C, the CanonPowerShot D30 utilises a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor and a 28-140mm equivalent lens, as well as an on-board GPS module. Its special underwater shooting mode and the easily accessible Custom White Balance function allow you to quickly adjust settings for natural colours when submerged. In addition to capturing twelve-megapixel stills, the Canon PowerShot D30 can also record Full HD videos at the touch of a dedicated movie record button. A bright 3", 460k-dot LCD screen with Sunlight LCD mode rounds off the features list. The Canon PowerShot D30 will be available from April 2014 at a suggested retail price of £299.00/€349.00/$329.99.

See exactly what the new Sony A6000 compact system camera looks like in the flesh.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of 58 photos of the Sony A6000 compact system camera, including both the silver and black versions.

See exactly what the new Sony Cyber-shot HX400V compact camera looks like in the flesh.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of 34 photos of the Sony Cyber-shot HX400V compact camera.

See exactly what the new Sony Cyber-shot H400 compact camera looks like in the flesh.

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of 24 photos of the Sony Cyber-shot H400 compact camera.