DxO Labs have posted their findings on the sensor of the new Nikon D800E camera. The overall DxOMark Sensor Score is 96 - essentially the same as the D800’s 95 points. Nevertheless, the tiny, one-point difference - which mainly comes from the slightly different Low-Light ISO scores - was enough for the D800E to snatch the first position from its twin brother, making it the best camera ever tested at DxOMark. That said, even DxO Labs believe that “the one-point spread between Nikon’s D800E and the D800 is so small that it can be considered a draw”.

Website: DxOMark

Electrical engineers from Duke University and the University of Arizona have built an imaging apparatus consisting of 98 synchronised microcameras and a large, ball-shaped central lens. “Each one of the microcameras captures information from a specific area of the field of view,” said Professor David Brady of Duke University. “A computer processor essentially stitches all this information into a single highly detailed image.” Stitched images from the prototype offer a resolution of one gigapixel, but in the long run, the researchers aim to produce a 50-gigapixel camera. Another direction for future development is miniaturisation: “within five years, as the electronic components of the cameras become miniaturised… gigapixel cameras should be available to the general public,” the scientists say.

Source: University of Arizona Photo: Duke University Imaging and Spectroscopy Program

Intel has launched a time-lapse photography contest. For “A Momentary Lapse,” Intel is giving away more than $50,000 in prizes (including Intel Core i5-based Dell XPS Ultrabook devices, Canon EOS 5D Mark III and GoPro Hero2 cameras, and CyberLinkediting software), in addition to a chance for the winning entry to be featured in an online Intel advertisement. Weekly prizes also will be given away to the best single image photography submissions. Open to residents in the U.S. and parts of Canada, the contest will run until 7 November 2012. Click through / scroll down to watch a video tutorial entitled, “How-To Make Time-Lapse Photography,” by award-winning director and photographer Vincent Laforet.

Available from camera care specialists Just Ltd, Lens Bands are a new solution to zoom creep. “Some manufacturers fit zoom locks to their products, but many don’t. Of course, some lenses are fine when new but develop a bit of creep as they age and the zoom mechanism wears a little,” said Just’s Peter Brogden. “The obvious solution is to use a Lens Band and banish lens creep forever!” Available at £5.95 each, Lens Bands come in a choice of colours, and fit all SLR zoom lenses regardless of brand.

Ilford has announced that it is adding an enthusiast-oriented Ilford Premium product category to live alongside its recently announced professional-grade Ilford Prestige range. This new range includes several legacy offerings along with the newly introduced Galerie Premium Gloss 270 gsm and Lustre 270 gsm. Both products are intended for photographers seeking superior inkjet media for home and studio printing projects.

The United Kingdom’s first Creative Week will run from 9th – 13th July. Intended to be a “celebration of the creativity in the UK,” Creative Week is hosted by Adobe. Each day will focus on a different theme and involve luminaries from the creative world, Adobe evangelists and members of the creative community, including Rufus Deuchler, Jason Levine, Paul Trani, Julieanne Kost, and more. For photographers and videographers, the 11th and 13th July will be the most interesting. Click thtough / scroll down for the lowdown of what to expect during the week:

The Lomographic Society has announced a new special edition of its La Sardina film camera.  Dressed in blue, red and white the ‘Guvnor’ Edition features a London “city map” on the outside of its body and comes complete with Fritz the Blitz, a flash gun in a matching blue colour. Otherwise its specifications are identical to that of the standard La Sardina model, including a 22mm lens with an angle of view of 88 degrees and a fixed aperfure of f8, an independent MX switch for multiple exposures,  and two shutter speed settings, 1/100 second and Bulb. Lomography’s La Sardina ‘Guvnor’ Edition is available for £99.

IT Supplies will be publishing a calendar for 2013, coordinated with the IT Supplies Photo Contest. Open to both amateur and professional photographers, the IT Supplies Photo Contest offers three categories including Faces, City Spaces and Outdoor Places, One grand prize winner will receive prizes totaling over $2000 and take cover position on the 2013 calendar, while three category winners will receive prizes valuing $250. Do note that there is an entry fee of $25 per image. As always we suggest that you read the rules before entering your work,

Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon EOS 60D and EOS 60Da digital SLR cameras. Version 1.1.1 incorporates the following fixes:

1. Fixes a phenomenon where the serial number that is displayed in the shooting information does not match the camera’s actual serial number.
2. Corrects errors in the Greek, Italian, and Portuguese menu screens.

Website: Canon EOS 60D

Canon has posted a firmware update for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III full-frame DSLR camera. According to the company, Version 1.1.3 incorporates the following improvements and fixes.:

1. Supports the single focal length EF40mm f/2.8 STM lens that is to be released at the end of June, 2012.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which an image may become underexposed when using the Auto Lighting Optimizer for continuous Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) shooting.
3. Fixes a phenomenon in which the backlight of the LCD monitor may not turn off depending on the camera settings and timing.
4. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera’s power may not turn on when a super-telephoto lens*1) is mounted to the camera with an extender*2).
*1) EF 300mm F2.8L IS II USM / EF 400mm F2.8L IS II USM
*2) Extender EF 1.4X III / Extender EF 2X III
5. Corrects mistakes in the Dutch, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, and Swedish menu screens.

Website: Canon EOS 5D Mark III

DxO Labs have released DxO Optics Pro v7.5.1. This update adds support for the Nikon D800E (Elite edition only) and D3200, the Sony SLT A35 and SLT A57, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GX1. The program’s raw conversion algorithms have been fine-tuned such that the “Remove colour moiré” tool works more effectively for the Nikon D800E camera to restore the finest details. Additionally,  DxO Optics Pro v7.5.1 has integrated more than 400 new DxO Optics Modules, of which 61 are modules for the Nikon D800E and 71 are for the Nikon D3200. The Standard and Elite editions of DxO Optics Pro for Mac and Windows are available in the DxO Labs online boutique and at photo resellers, at a special discount price good through June 30, 2012.

BosStrap has recently expanded it line of Sliding Sling Straps with the introduction of two new Light Weight versions and a unique Ultra light Hand Band. The new LT line is aimed at digital and video cameras weighing up to about 3 pounds. The BosStrap LT One Piece strap remains attached to your camera, just like the strap supplied with your camera. The Patent Pending Generation 3 style can be detached from your camera. Both new LT BosStraps use a 1” wide smooth nylon strap with a custom 1” nickel plated slider. The LT line differs from the standard BosStrap line only in a narrower width of the strap. The Ultra Light BosStrap Hand Band attaches to the right side strap lug on your camera and does not interfere with the operation BosStrap Sling Strap. BosStrap LT products and the Ultra Light Hand Band are now available via the BosStrap website. They will also be available in stores in July.

G-Technology today announced that its Driven Creativity 2012 awards competition is now open for entries. Contest categories include both amateur and professional short film, photography, music, animation, and a short video category with content captured using a GoPro wearable or gear-mountable camera. Entrants must also explain what ‘drove’ them to create the piece being submitted and how they would use the prize fund to develop their next creative project. Entry is free and open to residents in United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden and Russia. The entry period closes at midnight on 24th September 2012. Winners and runners-up will be awarded stylish G-Technology hard drives and the overall winner will receive €5,000.

ACD Systems has released ACDSee Pro 2 (Mac). According to the company, ACDSee Pro 2 (Mac) includes a combination of features unavailable through any other Mac photography software product. New features include the ability to import files from a connected device or access files from their original locations, apply rules to batches of photos as they are being imported, edit photos faster with non-destructive editing tools that operate in real time, gain complete control over shadows, mid-tones and highlights, quickly identify groups within a large number of photos for further processing using customizable Colour Labels, easily find duplicates and more. ACDSee Pro 2 (Mac) is available now at a suggested retail price of $139.99. Existing ACDSee Pro (Mac) users can upgrade for $79.99.

The Rollei Fotopro EP2 is a small tripod for camera phones without a tripod socket. Weighing in at a mere 80g, the Rollei Fotopro EP2 has a maximum load capacity of 700g and comes with a rotating head as well as a special cell phone holder which ensures that any mobile phone model can be used with the tripod. Available from July 2012 at a recommended retail price of €19.99, the Rollei Fotopro EP2 is offered in red, titanium and blue colours.

Samsung Germany has announced a new AA battery powered, 16-megapixel camera with 26x optical zoom, called the Samsung WB100. The new camera offers a 22.3-579.8mm equivalent lens, dual image stabilisation and 720p HD video recording capabilities. (The model name is slightly confusing as the company has already had a camera that, in some markets, also carried the name WB100.) Available from July, the new Samsung WB100 will be priced at €219.

Source: Samsung Germany