Manfrotto has launched a new blog designed to captivate, engage and interact with photography enthusiasts. The blog focuses on four key themes including Personality, Physicality, Popularity and Practicality. Simona Colombo, Manfrotto’s Communications Director – Imaging, said: “The blog enables us to connect with our audience by inviting them to be part of the conversation. Not only do we want them to keep taking and sharing photos, but we want to provide useful links and tips to get the most out of their photography”.

Magix has released its latest version of its free Android photo app, Camera MX. Featuring 50 realtime effects, looks and frames, Camera MX 2.0 adds HDR, colour splash and a tilt-lens effect. Camera MX is available now in the Google Play Store and is compatible with all Android versions starting with 2.2 Froyo.

Phase One has announced open enrollment for four new special Phase One Digital Artist Series (PODAS) Workshops. These luxury workshops - one scheduled each month from September through December - will be held in Namibia, Scotland, Monument Valley in Arizona, and New Zealand. Throughout the workshops, participants will have access to Phase One IQ160 cameras and lenses. Click through / read on for the details.

The guide Create Your Own Photo Book by Petra Vogt, is now available in the United Kingdom. Guiding readers through the process of creating a printed and bound collection of photos, this volume covers every step of the process, from selecting a book publishing service all the way through designing and proofing their photo book. You’ll get practical advice on how to work with software provided by services such as Blurb and Picaboo, and will learn about relevant concepts of book design, colour management, and digital printing. The book is available now for £30.99.

The Sony SLT-A77: The Unofficial Quintessential Guide by Carol Roullard and Brian Matsumoto is a new title from Rocky Nook. This guide covers everything from the basics of using the camera’s automatic modes, to the more advanced aperture-priority, shutter-priority, program, and manual exposure modes. You’ll also learn how best to take advantage of features such as the built-in dynamic range optimiser, sweep panorama mode, GPS, colorization modes, facial detection and recognition, multiple shot exposures, and HD video. The 272-page volume can be pre-ordered now for $34.95.

Blurb has announced major improvements to its ebook offering today. The enhanced Adobe InDesign plug-in allows designers and photographers to optimise their ebooks for the iPad using an online editing tool. This new functionality allows users to create ebooks in ‘fixed format’, which ensures they will be recreated identically on the iPad. “We’ve been hearing from our Adobe InDesign users that they want a straightforward way to design and create beautiful books for the iPad that respect their design decisions. So, we are truly delighted to respond with such a rich set of capabilities including the new plug-in for fixed format ebook creation, free online editing tools, plus the ability to sell their ebooks for profit in the Blurb bookstore” said Eileen Gittins, CEO of Blurb.

Samsung today announced the latest addition to its range of Wi-Fi enabled SMART cameras; the MV900F. Featuring a stabilised, 25-125mm equivalent f/2.5-6.3 lens and a 16.3-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, the Samsung MV900F MultiView camera also boasts a 3.3-inch, 180-degree flip-up display, 1920x1080 Full HD video recording at 30fps, and wireless smartphone connectivity. The camera will be available next month for around $350.

A hands-on preview of the new Panasonic G5 compact system camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic LX7 digital camera looks like in the flesh?

We spent some time shooting with the new Panasonic Lumix LX7 earlier this month at an exclusive press event in Budapest.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic FZ200 super-zoom camera looks like in the flesh?
We have compiled a hands-on gallery of photos for your perusal.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic FZ62 digital camera looks like in the flesh?
We have put together a gallery of hands-on photos for your perusal.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-150mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S. telephoto zoom lens looks like in the flesh?
We have compiled a small hands-on gallery for your perusal.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic SZ5 digital camera looks like in the flesh?
We have created a gallery of hands-on photos for your perusal.

The Panasonic G5 is a new compact system camera with a Micro Four Thirds lens mount, newly developed 16-megapixel sensor, free-angle LCD screen, redesigned grip and integrated electronic viewfinder. In continuous shooting mode, the Panasonic Lumix G5 can capture full-resolution stills at up to 6 frames per second (fps), with a 20fps burst mode also available at reduced resolution settings. Another novelty is the option to shoot full-resolution photos using a completely silent electronic shutter whenever total discretion is required (users still have the option of using the traditional mechanical shutter if they so desire). The new sensor promises cleaner images at high sensitivity settings up to ISO 12,800. The camera can record videos in Full HD 1080/50p, with outputs in both AVCHD Progressive and MP4 formats. Other highlights include a new Function Lever, an eye proximity sensor and the ability to set the active focus point by touch even when using the EVF for framing your shots. The Panasonic Lumix G5 will be available from mid-August for £599 (body only).

The Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-150mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S. is a compact, stabilised, 90-300mm equivalent telephoto zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Constructed of 12 elements in 9 groups, including 2 aspherical and 1 Ultra High Refraction-index (UHR) lens element, the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-150mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S. features Nano Surface Coating to minimise reflections and incorporates an iris diaphragm with 7 rounded aperture blades for a pleasing bokeh. The lens will be available in September for £279.

The Panasonic LX7 is a premium compact camera with a newly designed, 24-90mm equivalent f/1.4-2.3 lens,, a 10.1-megapixel, 1/1.7-type MOS sensor, Venus Engine VII FHD processor and an ISO range of 80-12,800. In addition to the ultra-fast maximum aperture, the Leica DC Vario-Summilux branded lens also boasts Nano Surface Coating and minimal distortion, the company says. The LX7’s aperture ring and rear dial provide you with full control over the camera’s aperture range, while the internal neutral density filter allows you to use slow shutter speeds in combination with fast aperture settings. In addition to capturing ten-megapixel stills (in raw as well as JPEG formats), the camera is capable of shooting 1920x1080 50p Full HD movies, which can be stored in either AVCHD Progressive or MP4 format. The Panasonic Lumix LX7 camera will be available from September for £449.

The Panasonic FZ200 is a new super-zoom digital compact camera featuring an improved 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 1.31-million-dot electronic viewfinder and a 25-600mm equivalent lens with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout its zoom range. In addition to the 24x optical zoom and image quality advances, the high-speed functionality of the Lumix FZ200 enables “light-speed” auto-focus and 12fps continuous shooting at full resolution (5.5fps with AF tracking). Other notable features include optical image stabilisation, raw image capture,1920x1080 50p Full HD video recording with Dolby Digital audio, a fully articulated 3” rear screen, an enhanced Panorama Shot feature, 3D photography and advanced editing options through Panasonic’s Creative Control Mode during recording and Creative Re-touch Mode in playback. The Panasonic Lumix FZ200 camera will be available at the end of August / beginning of September for £499.

The Panasonic Lumix FZ62 is a 16-megapixel camera with 24x optical zoom and 1080i video recording capability. Spanning a 35mm equivalent focal range of 25-600mm, the optically stabilised lens benefits from Panasonic’s Black Box Nano Surface Coating technology and comprises 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 ED and 2 aspherical lens elements with 3 aspherical surfaces. Thanks to its high-speed signal readout, the FZ62 can shoot at up to 10fps in 16.1-megapixel full resolution (5fps with continuous AF). Intelligent D-range Control optimises the lighting of each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights. Additional settings include Intelligent Handheld Night Shot and Intelligent HDR. Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

The Panasonic Lumix SZ5 is a Wi-Fi enabled digital compact camera with a 14-megapixel sensor and 10x optical zoom. Featuring remote operation possibilities via your smartphone, the Lumix provides a rich set of connectivity options which make posting your images and videos online easier than ever, the company says. By accessing the Remote Live View feature on your smartphone you can control the camera’s zoom and shutter directly from your device and you can also use your smartphone to playback and edit the images from your camera. Other highlights include a 25-250mm equivalent Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens and 720p HD video recording in MP4 format. Pricing and availability to be confirmed.