The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 is a 16-megapixel camera with 35x optical zoom. The lens has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 25-875mm and features an optical formula comprising14 elements in 10 groups including three extra-low-dispersion elements and one dual-sided aspherical lens element. Manual operation is available for LZ30 users with P and M modes expanding the photographic experience and for those who enjoy more creative photography. Thanks to newly integrated creative controls the DMC-LZ30 lets users shoot with a filter effect (Expressive, Retro, Low Key, High Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process and One Point Color) that can be pre-visualised on-screen before taking a photo. Furthermore, a Creative Retouch function is available within the camera and enables applying a filter effect (Retro, Low Key, High Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, Star Filter and One Point Color) to the picture after shooting. Panorama Shot and HDR are also incorporated in the Panasonic LZ30. The thriee-inch, 460,000-dot LCD ensures high visibility in any lighting circumstances, which is excellent for both shooting and playing back images, the company claims. The Panasonic Lumix. LZ30 will be available from April.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 is a slim, pocket-sized camera with a 16.1-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, Mega optical image stabiliser and 13 Creative Control filters. Available in a range of 4 different colours including, red, purple, black and white; the Panasonic XS1 comes with a 2.7” screen and offers 720p HD video recording in addition to stills capture. The Panoramic Shot mode enables users to easily take 180-degree panoramic images just by swivelling the camera. The Lumix XS1 will be in available in the stores and online from February. Two similarly styled Lumix compact cameras are also available from Panasonic in the shape of the DMC-FS50 and DMC-F5. The FS50 provides identical performance to the XS1 (minus Creative Control filters) in an ever so slightly larger package. The new, entry-level Lumix F5 retains the design and image stabiliser of the XS1 and FS50 but comes with a 14-megapixel sensor.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ9 is a slim digital compact camera featuring a sixteen-megapixel sensor, 10x optical zoom, 10fps burst shooting and Wi-Fi connectivity. Fitted with a 25-250mm equivalent lens, the SZ9 boasts approx. 0.1-second “Light Speed AF,” integrated GPS and Full HD video recording capabilities. Equipped with 14 creative effects such as soft focus, toy effect and retro, the SZ9 also sports a three-inch LCD screen, while the GPS functionality allows you to record your location and view the map with the associated photos directly on your camera. Also announced today is the Panasonic SZ3, a similar camera that comes with a slightly smaller rear display and 720p video but retains the 16.1-megapixel sensor (CCD rather than CMOS) and 10x optical zoom of the SZ9.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ40 (sold as the ZS30 in the US) is a new travelzoom camera with an 18.1-megapixel sensor, 20x optical zoom, 50p Full HD video, 5-axis image stabiliser and Wi-Fi. Other highlights include “Light Speed AF,” which allows the camera to lock focus on a subject in as little as 0.1 second; manual exposure control, a 10fps burst mode; enhanced GPS functionality; and a 3-inch, 920000-dot touchscreen. The new High Dynamic Range feature means natural images can be captured automatically even when shooting against the light and the Panoramic Shot mode enables you to take panoramic images just by swivelling the camera. Panasonic will also be launching the DMC-TZ35 (ZS25) which has the same features as the TZ40 but includes a 16.1 megapixel sensor and comes without Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5 (marketed as TS6 in the United States) is a new ruggedised compact camera with a 16-megapixel sensor and 28-129mm equivalent zoom lens. Waterproof to a depth of 12m, shockproof from a height of 2m, freezeproof to a temperature of -10 °C and pressure resistant to 100kg, the Panasonic FT5 offers Full HD video recording capabilities and one-touch easy connection to Wi-Fi with NFC, allowing for remote picture capture and quick and easy upload. The enhanced GPS functionality allows you to automatically record your location and view the map and associated photos directly on your camera.

Also announced today is the Panasonic FT25 (TS25), another 16-megapixel tough camera sporting a 25-100mm equivalent lens. The FT25 is waterproof to a depth of 7m, shockproof from a height of 1.5m and freezeproof down to a temperature of -10 °C. In comparison to the FT5, the FT25 lacks the on-board GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities and offers only 720p video.

Lexar has unveiled its first Class 10 256GB SDXC UHS-I memory card with a 600x speed rating. Following in the footsteps of the Lexar Professional 400x SDXC UHS-I card announced just before Photokina 2012, the Lexar Professional 256GB 600x SDXC memory card offers a 90MB per second minimum guaranteed read transfer speed to give photographers and videographers the ability to capture extended lengths of Full HD and 3D video and high-quality images. “Small capacity cards are not efficient for shooting a lot of HD and 3D video. Constantly having to change cards eats away at time spent behind the camera, and also means I’ll have to spend more time transferring the content from each card to my computer,” said Lexar Elite Photographer David Honl. “Lexar cards help improve my workflow by giving me the mix of capacity and performance that allows me to shoot longer and spend less time transferring my videos and images.” The 256GB Lexar Professional 600x SDXC UHS-I card will be available later this month with an MSRP of £743.99 from leading retail and e-tail outlets worldwide.

Lexar today today introduced the Lexar Professional 1100x XQD card and XQD USB 3.0 Reader for professional photographers and videographers. Available in capacities of 32GB and 64GB, the Lexar Professional 1100x XQD carddelivers a minimum guaranteed read transfer speed of 168MB per second. By pairing the Professional 1100x XQD card with the XQD USB 3.0 Reader that leverages SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technology to provide high-speed file transfers from an XQD card to computer, professionals will experience a “dramatically accelerated workflow” that will cut down post-production time, the company says. The Lexar Professional 1100x XQD card and XQD USB 3.0 Reader will be available for purchase later this month from leading e-tail outlets worldwide. The Lexar Professional 1100x XQD card will have MSRPs of £227.99 (32GB) and £431.99 (64GB), and the XQD USB 3.0 Reader will have an MSRP of £33.99.

Canon today unveiled its latest entry-level range of Full HD Legria camcorders – the Legria HF R48 (pictured), Legria HF R46 and Legria HF R406. Each of these models is equipped with a high quality Canon HD video lens and a 7.5cm capacitive touch screen. With 32x optical zoom, each offers a great degree of flexibility and each comes with Canon’s Optical Intelligent Image Stabilisation technology on board. The Legria R48 (£429.99) is a Wi-Fi enabled model capable of recording in AVCHD and MP4 formats simultaneously. The R46 (£349.99) is a similarly specified model - the main difference is the size of the internal memory provided (R48: 32GB, R46: 8GB). The budget-friendly Legria R406 (£259.99) comes without Wi-Fi connectivity and any form of internal storage as it records videos solely on SDXC memory cards..A new Baby Mode makes it easy to capture a baby’s first steps, and words, thanks to a pre-record function that captures footage just before recording starts, so no important moment is ever missed. Baby Mode footage is also stored in a dedicated baby album, making videos easily accessible to share with friends and family. All of these camcorders will be available from March.

The Canon Legria HF G25 is the new flagship of the manufacturer’s Legria camcorder range. It offers a precision Canon-engineered wide-angle lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and 10x zoom range, extensive manual controls and an enhanced Canon HD CMOS PRO image sensor. In addition, the Canon Legria HF G25 features an internal microphone, audio equaliser and Canon’s advanced Audio Scene Select technology. A lens ring provides close control over focus during shooting, while a customisable control dial can be assigned to manually adjust critical functions including aperture, shutter speed and gain. Eight pre-loaded Cinema-Look Filters help users to add drama, convey feeling or create a stylised effect in-camera. In-camcorder down-conversion is supported, preparing the movies for upload to online video sharing sites, either via a PC with Canon’s Easy Web Upload software or direct from the camera using supported Eye-Fi wireless cards. The Legria HF G25 is available from February, with a suggested retail price of £899.99,

The Canon PowerShot N is a new type of camera with square design, innovative zoom and shoot operation lens rings and tilting touch screen. The perfect smartphone companion, the PowerShot N has been designed to simplify image sharing with intuitive Wi-Fi connectivity allowing a new generation of high-quality, artistic images and Full HD videos to be shared in near real-time. The PowerShot N is available from early April priced at £269 / $299.99, in white or black.

Canon have launched the new IXUS 140 alongside the PowerShot A3500 IS, PowerShot A2600 and PowerShot A1400. All four models have DIGIC 4 processors, 16 megapixels, and 28mm wide-angle lenses. The new PowerShot models offer a 5x optical zoom, while the IXUS 140’s 8x optical zoom gets even closer to the subject. The IXUS 140 and the PowerShot A3500 IS are part of Canon’s expanded range of Wi-Fi enabled cameras. The IXUS 140 is available from late February with a £159. The PowerShot A3500 IS is available from early March for £129. The PowerShot A2600 is available from late February for £109. The PowerShot A1400 is available from late February for £99.

The PENTAX MX-1 is a new high-performance digital compact camera. Featuring a four-times optical zoom lens with a maximum aperture of F1.8 to F2.5 and a 28mm wide-angle coverage, the Pentax MX-1 has a newly designed 12 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with a top sensitivity of ISO 12,80 and a 3.0-inch, tilt-able, high-definition LCD monitor. Combining state of the art technology with a classic design reminiscent of film cameras, the MX-1 features a textured-rubber grip, and brass top and bottom panels. In addition the camera features a pop up auto flash, along with a number of metallic parts, including a metallic lens ring, to complete the tasteful, high-class retro design finish. The PENTAX MX-1 will be available in Black and Black and Silver from February 2013 priced at £399.99.

Over the next 8 days we’ll be revealing our favourite products from last year in our annual awards, looking back at the essential photography kit that helped to define 2012.

Kicking things off is the Software of the Year 2012 award, which goes to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.

“Lightroom is a class leader in both sharpening and noise reduction, and the new Process 2012 tools are extremely well done. For things like HDR, compositing, and similar editing needs, you’ll still find Photoshop or any number of plug-ins useful, and if you’re into video editing beyond the basics you’ll want to add a standalone program to your kit, but Lightroom 4 can handle most all of your organizational and editing needs.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Adobe and Lightroom 4!

This month we’re giving away a fantastic Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens worth £629!

The lucky winner is Sheryl Mitchell. Congratulations!

With its effective focal length range of approximately 16-35mm in 35mm format, the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is a remarkable lens with outstanding image quality that will take your photography into new dimensions and areas of dramatic expression.

The EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is an ultra wide-angle zoom lens with dynamic expressive capability for all EF-S mount EOS cameras; exceptionally small and lightweight for maximum mobility.

This month we’re giving away a fantastic Steadicam Smoothee worth £169!

The lucky winner is Martin Conaghan. Congratulations!

Based on the same technology as the big $60,000 rigs used in Hollywood, the Smoothee allows you to capture incredible video without the shakes normally associated with hand-held video shot on the go, right out of the box, the very first time.

The Smoothee let’s you “fly” wherever the scene takes you—up and down steps, indoors and outside, through crowds—almost anywhere, with precise, elegant control and ease.

Manfrotto is giving away FIVE of its fantastic new ML120 Pocket LED Lights each worth £40.00!

The 5 lucky winners are Candy Johnson, George Smietana, Rona Gough, Mike Swift and Edmund Jones. Congratulations!

The ML120 Pocket LED Light is the smallest and lightest in the Manfrotto range of compact continuous LED light units, ideally suited for use with compact cameras and smartphones when additional light is needed for shooting video or stills. It can be hand held, mounted on a flash hotshoe or fitted to any number of Manfrotto supports via its standard ¼” thread.

For more information or to buy Manfrotto products online visit: www.manfrotto.co.uk

The Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2013 competition closes for entries on 31 January 2013. This year’s competition has several new categories for entrants, including the Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year, for images of wine producers and all things related to wine. Also the Food Snapping category, for images of food taken on mobile ‘phones, in support of Action Against Hunger and Food off the Press, sponsored by StockFood for previously published work in books and magazines. First prize for the overall winner is £5000. As always we suggest that you read the Terms and Conditions before entering your work.

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Canon will unveil the vision behind its 2013 lineup of connected digital cameras, camcorders and printers. Visitors to Canon’s booth (#13304) will be invited to explore “Image Incredible” with product demonstrations and on-site experiences designed to unlock creative potential and inspire users to express their individuality using the company’s imaging technology products. Upon entering the Canon booth, attendees will experience “Image Incredible” through inspiring visual displays, celebrity photographer guest speakers, staged performance showcases, interactive product demonstrations and social media activities. End-user inspired images submitted to the Project Imaginat10n programme will decorate the company’s booth as well as adorn on-site advertising and signage. Attendees can touch-and-try a range of Canon high-performance optics and cameras by entering an in-booth tower that features 15 different EF lenses and DSLR cameras.