Zoner Photo Studio 16 is the first Windows photo editor and manager in the world to fully support touch operation. “There are many photo programs out there, but Zoner Photo Studio rises above the pack by providing absolutely everything you need all in one place. Users can turn to one application — Zoner Photo Studio — to download their photos, sort them, edit them, and share them. Millions out there are still using three or even more different programs, and getting less done. We’re here to save them from that,” explains Jaroslav Kucek, Vice President, Zoner. Zoner Photo Studio has a free edition, which covers basic image editing and management needs and offers quick one-click work; and a Pro Edition ($89), which contains a raw data conversion module and advanced tools for creative outputs.

FXhome has announced the release date of its HitFilm 2 Ultimate video editing and visual effects software. HitFilm 2 Ultimate offers video editing, visual effects and compositing in one package for creative filmmakers. Thanks to a highly successful Kickstarter campaign earlier this year (raising £58,126 – more than double the £25,000 goal), the independent UK-based developer has been able to complete the Mac version of the software for release in 2013. Previously only available for Windows PCs, the new release will come with two installers, Mac and PC, for up to three machines per licence. New customers who purchase HitFilm 2 Ultimate can choose whether to download the Mac or PC installer, or both. All existing HitFilm users will automatically get access to the Mac version at no extra cost and the PC version will also get an update with new features. HitFilm 2 Ultimate will be available from 4 November 2013 for $399 / £299..

The Society of Nature and Wildlife Photographers has announced the winners of the Essence of Nature Photographic Competition. David Morton from Wellington, Somerset was chosen as the winner from over 200 images entered in to the competition, with the image entitled ‘Red-Footed Falcons Mating’ (above). The photograph was taken on a Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF 500mm f/4 lens, ISO 1250, aperture of f/7.1, shutter speed of 1/500s in the Hortobágy National Park in Hungary. The runners-up are Peter Preece from Studley, Warwickshire and Armindo Pereira Torres from Portugal.

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.

Anna Fox – Resort 1 is a new title from Schilt Publishing. For two years British photographer Anna Fox documented holiday culture at the iconic Butlin’s resort in the seaside town of Bognor Regis, West-Sussex. Butlin’s is a British institution and an established cultural phenomenon, with a very particular character, history and identity. Shot using large-format, Fox's deeply saturated colour photographs provide a fascinating update to a holiday icon most often associated with the golden era of British seaside culture, in contrast to the popular themed adult weekends now on offer and which will be the subject of Resort 2, the second book by Anna Fox planned to be published in 2014. The 104-page volume is available for £45 | $60 | €50.

Profoto has launched a new line of collapsible reflectors. Designed with high-quality fabrics, these new Profoto products feature a metal frame that is far tougher and durable than the average reflector. Four types of two-sided reflectors are available: Silver/White, Sunsilver/White, Gold/White & Matte Black/White. There is also a translucent screen designed to be used as a diffuser. Each of these is available in two sizes: Medium (80 cm /32’’) and Large (120 cm /47”).

BenQ has added a number of Eye-Care monitors in its product range. The new monitors offer added eye comfort, a Senseye Reading Mode that recreates the comfortable experience of reading actual books by simulating the look of paper, an Automatic Eye-Protect Sensor that detects ambient light levels and adjusts the monitor brightness automatically throughout the day for optimised clarity and eye comfort and matte-finished Anti-Glare Displays that avoid straining your eyes when the monitor faces a light source..BenQ’s new Flicker-free monitors adopt a unique De-flickering Backlight Circuit Controller for a zero-flickering viewing experience and in turn help reduce the eye health concerns raised by a fast-flickering display and/or prolonged usage of PCs. The first BenQ Eye-Care Flicker-free monitor, the GW2760HS, is already available in Europe.

Tenba has expanded its popular Messenger collection with two new Messenger DNA photo bags. These ags were inspired by life in New York City and other big cities, where a photographer or filmmaker needs to potentially carry the same bag to a meeting with clients, then to a professional photo or video shoot, and finally to hanging out with friends in the evening. The new Messenger DNA bags include a security strap to anchor the bag behind the user while riding a bicycle or scooter, and the photo insert is removable to quickly convert it from a camera bag to a general-purpose carryall. The Messenger DNA 11 accommodates either a mirrorless camera with 3-5 lenses, or an SLR camera with 2-3 lenses, plus accessories, and the rear-padded sleeve will hold a tablet or an 11-inch laptop. The DNA 15 fits a professional SLR with 2-3 lenses (up to an attached 70-200mm f/2.8), flash and audio gear, and has two padded interior sleeves: one for a laptop up to 15 inches, and another for a tablet. Messenger DNA bags will begin shipping at the end of October at a suggested retail price of $129.95 for the DNA 11, and $159.95 for the DNA 15.

The Leica-Elmarit-S 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. is a new wide-angle lens for the Leica S-System. Available with or without a central (leaf) shutter, the Leica-Elmarit-S 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. has an optical formula comprising 12 elements in 9 groups, a focusing range of 60cm to infinity, and a diagonal angle of view of 62 degrees. Three lens elements made from glass with anomalous partial dispersion minimise chromatic aberrations, and two further elements are manufactured from glass with particularly low dispersion. An additional lens element with an aspherical surface minimises monochromatic aberrations. Thanks to its extremely elaborate optical design and construction, the lens also offers excellent control of flare to ensure high-contrast images, even when shooting a backlit subject. The suggested retail price for the Leica Elmarit-S 45 mm f/2.8 ASPH. without an integrated leaf shutter is £4,650; the SRP for the central shutter (CS) versionof the lens is £5,500.

MAC Group today announced a fall rebate of $25 for US customers who buy one or more PocketWizard MiniTT1 and/or FlexTT5 radios for Canon or Nikon. Purchasers of PocketWizard PlusX and/or Plus III radios are eligible for a $15 mail-in rebate for each radio they buy. The mail-in rebate is available only for new inventory purchased from authorized PocketWizard Dealers in the US between 1st October through 30th November.

Fantasea Line has announced a new underwater housing for the Canon Powershot G16 premium compact camera. The Fantasea FG16 maintains full access to all camera controls and functions while providing waterproofing down to depths of 60 metres / 200 feet. A complete system of dedicated accessories, including conversion optics, flash and video lighting sets, will be available for the Fanatesa FG16. The new underwater housing will be available starting December 2013. Pricing has yet to be communicated.

Vietnam: The Real War - A Photographic History by the Associated Press is a new title from Abrams Books. Collected in this book are images that tell the story of the war that left a deep and lasting impression on American life. From Malcolm Browne's photograph of the burning monk to Nick Ut's picture of a nine-year-old running from a napalm attack to Eddie Adams's photograph of the execution of a Viet Cong prisoner, this book contains the pictures that both recorded and made history, taken by unbelievably courageous photojournalists. The book publishes tomorrow 1st October in recognition of the 50th anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative, and is accompanied by an exhibition at Steven Kasher Gallery.

InfoTrends’ latest survey results show that 92% of cellphone owners use these devices to take photographs, and the embedded camera is the second most important feature in the purchase decision when choosing a phone. Photo editing apps also enjoy increasing popularity. Carrie Sylvester, Consultant for InfoTrends’ Consumer Services, recommends that digital camera and mobile phone vendors offer users their own branded app, or support the more popular apps that allow digital photos to be edited and shared. InfoTrends’ 2013 U.S. Mobile Imaging End-User Survey is available for purchase through the website below.

Autodesk has announced the Snap, Style and Share design competition that encourages students across the world to show off their photography skills using Autodesk’s Pixlr Express app. To participate, students (ages 13-24) must take a picture of something they think demonstrates exceptional design, edit the picture with at least three Pixlr Express editing tools and share the before/after images by 25th October. A panel of judges will select the winning photo to be showcased at the Autodesk Gallery in San Francisco. An assortment of prizes such as new tablets are also up for grabs. As always we suggest that you read the rules before entering your work.

Website: Snap, Style & Share

The winners of the Epson International Pano Awards 2013 competition have been announced. The overall winner of the Open Competition was Timo Lieber from the UK with a compelling black-and-white photograph of Dumont Dunes in the Mojave Desert, USA (above). The winner of the Amateur competition was Gary Schlatter of Australia, with a monochromatic image of a famous cluster of Cypress trees near San Quirico d'Orcia, Tuscany. The VR/360° competition winner was Dmitry Moiseenko with a spectacular aerial image of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.