Billed as an “automatic cameraman tripod system,” the new Soloshot lets athletes, parents and filmmakers get video footage of the action without needing someone to hold the camera. Consisting of a tripod base and a small waterproof sensor that is attached to an armband, Soloshot allows users to mount a camera to a tripod and have it track their movements automatically. After an easy pairing sequence, the base rotates as needed to continually keep the camera pointed at the subject wearing the armband. Through 30th August, customers can visit Kickstarter and pre-order Soloshot at a discounted price.

The CompactFlash Association (CFA) has announced the development of the XQD 2.0 specification with support for transfer speeds up to 1,000MB/sec. XQD 2.0 will leverage the same connector interface as XQD 1.0 interface for higher performance and backward compatibility. The new format will have VPG (Video Performance Guarantee) capability with profiles capable of supporting digital intermediate formats such as ProResTM, DPXTM, and DNXhdTM.

Samsung today announced that it is now shipping the Wi-Fi enabled NX1000 compact system camera to retailers across the USA.  The entry-level Samsung NX1000 is a highly portable 20-megapixel camera weighing in at just over 350g with a lens, battery and memory card fitted. In the US, the camera is available in black, white and pink, priced at $699.99 including a 20-50mm lens and external flash.

Read our in-depth review of the Samsung NX1000 compact system camera

Lomography has just unveiled the Fisheye Baby 110 Bauhaus Edition. Like the regular Fisheye Baby 110, the Bauhaus Edition takes circular fisheye shots on 110 format film. “Red, yellow and blue – three simple colors which fit the Bauhaus Color Theory, decorate the very first tiny Fisheye Baby 110 color clone,” the company says. “These colors will boost any mood in seconds and will attract attention no matter where it is.” The Lomography Fisheye Baby 110 Bauhaus Edition is available now through the Lomography Online Shop for €45.

Flock is a new iPhone app that addresses the common problem we all face when taking pictures with our phones: remembering to share the photos with the people who were actually with you when the photos were taken. Whenever Flock finds photos you’ve taken while with your Facebook friends, it will ask you if you want to share those images with them – and when your friends choose to share their photos from the same event or hangout, they’ll be added to the same group album. Note: this requires that all of your friends and family have the app too. Flock is available as a free download from the iTunes App Store. Click through / scroll down for a promotional video illustrating the app.

Cancer Research UK has launched a photo competition as part of its ‘Made in the Shade’ campaign. Addressing the issue of rising skin cancer rates amongst young Britons, the campaign is looking to highlight the worrying relationship between sunburn and skin cancer. The competition invites UK residents aged 16 and older to submit their best photographs taken in the shade for a chance to win a studio recording session, the chance to attend a film or photography course, have their work published in Glamour online, or get tickets to a Premier League game or comedy gigs. As always, we suggest that you read the terms and conditions before entering your work.

Website: Made in the Shade

G?Technology today announced that it is expanding its G-TEAM ambassador programme in Europe. The G-Technology G-TEAM is a group of acclaimed creative professionals who “continue to give unprecedented insight into their creative journeys, sharing some of their techniques and approaches that have made them the best in their field.” New ambassadors include accomplished filmmakers Sébastien Montaz-Rosset, Philip Bloom and Nino Leitner.

Apple today announced that OS X Mountain Lion is now available as a download from the Mac App Store. New system-wide Sharing allows you to share photos and videos quickly via a Share button, without having to switch to another app, and you just need to sign in once to use third-party services like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Vimeo. With built-in support for Facebook - available in an upcoming software update to Mountain Lion -, you will be able to post photos with locations right from your apps. Additionally, the new AirPlay Mirroring lets you wirelessly send an up-to-1080p secure stream of what’s on your Mac to an HDTV using Apple TV. OS X Mountain Lion is available from the Mac App Store for £13.99. Note that Mountain Lion requires Lion or Snow Leopard (OS X v10.6.8 or later), 2GB of memory and 8GB of available space.

Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom 4: A Photographer’s Handbook by Adobe Certified Instructor Stephen Laskevitch is a new title from Rocky Nook. In addition to describing the essential features of the two programs, Laskevitch covers new features specific to the 2012 releases, including geocoding in Lightroom, Photoshop’s Blur Gallery, new development controls in Lightroom and Camera Raw, and more. The 344-page volume can be pre-ordered for $44.95, with an electronic version also available for $19.95.

Beneath our Feet is a new book by York-based photojournalist Dominic Evans. “This book was shot on the London Underground and documents the existence of people who rely on the system every day,” Evans says. “It looks at the variety of people, their differences and similarities.” Available in both hardback and soft-cover editions, Beneath our Feet is a rich showcase of first-class black-and-white photographs shot almost entirely on Kodak Tri-X film. The book is available now through the Blurb Bookstore.

Website: Blurb Bookstore

PhotoShelter has announced a new webinar entitled, “How To Break Into Travel Photography.” In this live online seminar, Andrew Rowat will talk with PhotoShelter Chairman Allen Murabayashi about the challenges that travel photographers face in an increasingly competitive industry. The event is taking place today from 4pm EDT. Interested readers can register through the website below,

Website: How To Break Into Travel Photography with Andrew Rowat

Sony Japan has announced a new 18-megapixel ultra-compact camera with 10x optical zoom, Steady Shot technology and a high-resolution touchscreen. Weighing in at a mere 119g, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX170 comes equipped with a 25-250mm (equivalent) f/3.3-5.9 lens bearing the prestigious “G” designation, and a touch-sensitive 3-inch rear screen with a resolution of 921,000 dots. The back-illuminated “EXMOR-R” CMOS sensor and BIONZ image processor enable the camera to shoot at sensitivity settings up to ISO 12,800. Focus acquisition is claimed to be extremely quick for a digital compact camera (0.13 second in bright light and 0.2 second in low light). The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX170 will be available in various Asian markets starting 3 August 2012. Currently, there’s no word on EU/US availability or pricing.

Source: Sony Japan

Sony today introduced a new telephoto zoom lens for its A-mount DSLRs and SLTs with APS-C sized sensors. With a 35mm equivalent focal range of 83-450mm, the Sony DT55-300mm f4.5-5.6 SAM features a Smooth Auto-focus Motor (hence the SAM abbreviation in the product name), which enables fast, quiet and smooth focusing even during video capture. The optical formula comprises 12 elements in 9 groups, including one ED (extra-low-dispersion) lens element, and an iris diaphragm with seven rounded aperture blades. Weighing in at 460 grams, the Sony DT55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM lens has a close-focus point of 1.4 metres, 0.27x maximum magnification and a 62mm filter thread. Shipping with a bayonet-type hood, the Sony DT55-300mm f4.5-5.6 SAM will be available from September 2012 priced at $300.

The Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR is a new 16-megapixel compact camera with a 25-500mm equivalent zoom lens and Wi-Fi connectivity. Other highlights include a start-up time of 1.5 seconds, shot-to-shot lag of 0.8s and AF lag of just 0.16s. Wireless Image Transfer facilitates sending photos from the FinePix F800EXR to smartphones and tablets quickly and simply with the help of the free Fujifilm Photo Receiver app. Full HD video recording, raw image capture, manual exposure control, Motion Panorama, Film Simulation and Multiple Exposure round off the features list. The Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR is now available for pre-order, priced at $349.95. The camera is expected to hit the shops in August. In the UK, the Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR will go on sale towards the end of September for an estimated £279..

Kipon today announced two mount adapters, which enable users to mount Canon EF lenses on Micro Four Thirds (MFT) and Sony NEX bodies. Developed in cooperation with “Japanese engineers,” both adapters allow for electronic diaphragm control, though auto-focus and image stabilisation are probably not maintained. Pricing and availability have yet to be communicated (and as you can see from the picture above, both products look a little rough around the edges, leaving us wonder about how much time it’ll require for the adapters to actually hit the shelves).

Website: Kipon

Manchester-based Return on Digital has launched an Olympics-themed photography competition. “Through our Olympictures Twitter and Facebook accounts users can share what the games mean to them by either tweeting/sharing photos with the accounts or by using #olympictures,” explains Alex Duthie, SEO Executive at Return On Digital. “There will be a daily prize for our favourite photo and an overall prize of a digital camera.” You can read more about the competition at the website below.

Website: Return on Digital

The JVC GC-XA1 Adixion is a new pocket-sized, wearable Full HD camcorder that’s dust- and freeze-proof, waterproof to a depth of five metres, and shockproof to withstand a fall from two metres. Also capable of shooting 5-megapixel stills, the JVC GC-XA1 Adixion includes built-in Wi-Fi, a 1.5-inch LCD monitor, and an ultra-wideangle lens. The GC-XA1 comes with a goggle mount, flexible mount, two lens protection covers, a USB cable and battery. A wide variety of optional accessories is available, including roll bar and handle bar mounts. The JVC GC-XA1 Adixxion action camera will be available in late summer for $349.95.

Sigma UK has teamed up with Sigma User to launch a photo competition. To celebrate the Olympics, the ‘Spirit of the Games’ contest “is all about capturing some great shots which show what the Games means to you – the people, the atmosphere and the celebrations,” the company says. You can submit up to five entries. The overall winner of the judges’ vote will win a Sigma SD1 Merrill kit worth £2149, including the 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM lens, whilst 20 runners up will be entered into a Facebook competition to win the new Sigma DP2 Merrill, worth £799. Free to enter, the competition runs 28th July to 31st August.

Website: Sigma User

Getty Images is partnering with Fujitsu to produce a 20-gigapixel image of the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics. “We are truly excited to be partnering with Fujitsu on this project. The Opening Ceremony Gigapixel image is the result of just one of the new technologies we are embracing, to ensure London 2012 is captured like no other Games.  The Games are always synonymous with world records being broken and iconic moments being captured; with over 70,000 people expected at the Opening Ceremony, this image will capture this momentous occasion in innovative, high-resolution detail,” said Adrian Murrell, Senior Vice President, Global Editorial, Getty Images. The image will be available to view on gettyimages.co.uk overnight.