The Panasonic LUMIX GF5 is a new compact system camera that produces DSLR image quality and HD video from an ultra-compact body. The Panasonic GF5 has a brand new high-sensitivity 12.1 megapixel Live MOS image sensor, Venus Engine VII HD2 processor, top ISO speed of 12,800, 0.09 second Auto Focus, 1080p Full HD video and with stereo sound, and an LCD touchscreen interface. The Panasonic LUMIX GF5 will be available in black and white from June for £579 with the 14-42mm X lens and £449 with the standard 14-42mm lens.

BeProNow has released two versions of its PhotoGuide app for Android and iPhone. For each platform, there is a a free and a full (paid) version available. Photo Guide gives users expert advice with quick and easy instructions on finding the most attractive composition for landscapes, action shots and portraits, choosing the correct f-stop, working with different lighting situations, and more. For more details, visit the website below.

The Bushnell BackTrack D-TOUR is a user-friendly, personal GPS device that includes a host of new features. In addition to a self-calibrating digital compass, the device provides time, temperature, altitude, and current latitude/longitude coordinates. The D-TOUR also captures key stats including the length of the trip, average speed and elevation. This data can easily be saved for future use or uploaded and shared via email or social media. Available in red or green, the Bushnell BackTrack D-TOUR personal GPS device sells for £99.99 including a USB cable.

58 North and Bottle Rocket Apps have launched Pholium, a digital photo book design app for the Apple iPad. Pholium enables users to create digital books for free, fine-tune images and share the completed photo books with others, all on the iPad and all within the app. Book recipients who use Pholium receive instant Push Notifications the moment new books are available to them and may be downloaded directly to their iPad from Pholium’s cloud server. By tapping on any image within the book, users can view images up to 2x and also have the option of viewing the digital book in a slideshow format. The Pholium App is available for $9.99 from the iTunes App Store.

Epson has announced that its Ultimicron electronic viewfinder (EVF) technology comes equipped as standard in the Olympus OM-D Micro Four Thirds camera. “Based on a single Epson HTPS TFT colour LCD panel, Ultimicron achieves superb full colour images with supreme levels of detail and sharpness,” Epson said in a statement. “Using a colour filter, Ultimicron also helps photographers shoot fast moving images without the colour breakup experienced using other formats.” The Epson Ultimicron EVF used in the Olympus OM-D features a 0.47” panel with a resolution of 1.44 million dots. This panel was first announced back in October 2009.

Special thanks to Arturo Fukuda of FotoActualidad for drawing our attention to this piece of news.

Shiraz Software has revealed a complete overhaul of its Focus printing software for photographers. Now available as either Focus Solo for users with a single printer, or Focus Server for larger print environments, Version 4 boasts a redesigned user interface for streamlined workflow and simplified everyday tasks, powered by a faster, more efficient processing engine. The extended Gallery Wrap function now gives users the ability to split images over any number of columns and rows, for the creation of custom canvas wrap displays. Two further frame options, Sample and Stretch, offer the ability to specify mirror preferences for wraps. Shiraz Focus V4 is available from the website below.

CyberLink has released Version 6 of its multimedia software, MediaShow. Features include the ability to rapidly import, organise and playback photos and videos, automatically organise photos and videos in a calendar by the date they were taken, instantly apply a variety of basic edits to improve photos, quickly correct imperfections on both 2D and 3D media, create stylish slideshows, create polished movies by applying any of 15 different style templates to video footage, burn photos and movies to DVD, Blu-ray and AVCHD discs, and more. MediaShow is available today and can be downloaded from the CyberLink online store. A free trial download is also available from the CyberLink website.

The Samsung MV800 and the Samsung NX200 have received iF awards for “outstanding product innovation”. The judging panel praised the MV800 (read review) in particular for its slim compact design and the superior picture quality offered by the device’s unique 180 degree flip-out display. The NX200 (read review), meanwhile, was singled-out for its state of the art usability. Nick White, Head of Digital Imaging, Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to accept the iF Award for our innovation in the digital imaging space. Both the Samsung MV800 and Samsung NX200 are flagship products for us and it is great to see that they have been recognized by something as prestigious as the iF Awards”.

Hasselblad has launched a microsite dedicated to the Hasselblad H4D Ferrari Edition. “Visitors to the site can check out a beautiful selection of images of the H4D Ferrari Edition and its exclusively designed and engineered glass display box, appropriately enough produced by renowned product specialist Jonathan Beer,” the company says. Limited to just 499 copies worldwide, this special-edition camera is finished in a new Ferrari colour called rosso fuoco and sells for €21,499.

The Instagram app is now available for Android devices running Android 2.2 or higher. A huge hit with iPhone users, Instagram allows mobile photographers to take a shot, apply a filter of their choice, and then share it via an online platform. Additionally, you can share your images on a photo-by-photo basis on Facebook and Twitter. Note that there are a few features that are not included in the first version of the Android app, such as Tilt/Blur, Share from Feed, Live Preview and Share to Flickr. Instagram for Android is free and available on Google Play.

The Sony PMW-100 XDCAM HD422 is the smallest and lightest XDCAM hand-held camcorder to date. Equipped with a newly developed 1/2.9-inch “Exmor” CMOS sensor, the Sony PMW-100 XDCAM HD422 features a 5.4-54mm (40-400mm equivalent) zoom lens, and supports Full HD video at 1080i and 1080p, and 720p up to 50 Mbps MXF recording and playback based on the MPEG HD422 codec using the standard MPEG HD422 Long GOP compression technology. The Slow & Quick Motion function enables users to create artistic fast and slow-motion footage from 1fps to 60fps in 720p mode and from 1fps to 30fps in 1080p mode. The PMW-100 will start shipping in May (pricing to be confirmed).

The second, revised edition of Mike Hagen’s book, The Nikon Creative Lighting System, is now available in the UK. Updated to include information on the new Nikon SB-700 and SB-910 flash guns, this guide teaches all the steps required to achieve consistent and satisfying flash photos. Also included is a chapter showing system configuration so readers can duplicate the desired results on their own. The 312-page volume is available for £30.99.

Tenba has introduced a new Roadie II Hybrid case. The Hybrid is a protective, rolling photo/laptop case that meets strict international airline carry-on standards, and it includes a fast-deploying backpack harness to comfortably carry a loaded case over rough terrain or up stairs. This new case also features a heavy-duty, four-section locking handle that extends to a full, comfortable walking height. The Tenba Roadie II Hybrid accommodates up to two large professional DSLR camera bodies, 6-8 lenses plus other accessories, or an HD video or medium format camera system and a laptop up to 17 inches. The case is available now for $324.95.

Canon has posted a firmware update for the EOS 1D Mark IV digital SLR camera. Version 1.1.1 optimises the camera’s exposure accuracy when using the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM and EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM lenses, which are scheduled for release in June 2012. If these lenses are used with a Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera that has not been updated with the new firmware, the image may be overexposed depending on the subject and shooting scene. You can download the firmware update from the website below.

Website: Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

The new Phase One iXA is billed as a fully integrated aerial camera system with features that rival large-format cameras at a fraction of their price. “The Phase One iXA’s rugged construction incorporates 6061 aluminum alloy to enable a robust solution capable of superior performance under tough aerial conditions, while secured connectors firmly hold cables in place,” the company says. “Designed for flexibility and scalability, the iXA operates effectively either in single or in a multiple camera configuration, capturing synchronized images within 100 microseconds of each other and eliminating post production sync issues.” With a choice of 80 megapixel or 60 megapixel models, in either RGB or NIR versions, the iXA offers high dynamic range and outstanding image sharpness. The 60-megapixel version sells for €40,000 / $53,000, while the 80-megapixel model is available for €45,000 / $60,000.

Issue 14 of the redesigned Landscape Photography Magazine is out now. This edition offers articles on Antarctica, Lake Baikal in Siberia as well as tips on how to travel light and how to win camera club competitions. The magazine also features some exceptional landscape photography sent in by the readers. The magazine can be read online or downloaded as a pdf file for offline reading, with the standard price being £2.99 per issue. Note that the full contents of Landscape Photography Magazine are available to subscribers only.

Canon UK has announced that select models of the Canon Pixma All-In-One inkjet printer line-up will now support Google Cloud Print, providing driver-free printing from a PC, tablet or certain othermobile devices to any Google Cloud Print ready printer. The service will initially be supported on three recently launched models including the Pixma MG8250, Pixma MG6250 and the Pixma MX895 (pictured). For further information, visit the Canon Europe website.

Phase One Industrial has introduced the Phase One iXR, billed as the world’s first dedicated medium-format digital reproduction camera system. Formed in 2011, Phase One Industrial is a division of Phase One focused on the research, development and manufacturing of specialised industrial camera systems. “The Phase One iXR was built from the ground up to meet the exacting needs of the reproduction photographer and was designed to streamline workflow by enabling full control of the entire process,” the company says. “The iXR incorporates a rugged industrial design that has done away with both the mirror and viewfinder to reduce moving parts and subsequent vibrations.”  The iXR camera system is available in three different configurations - 80MP, 60MP and 40MP. The iXR is also available as a stand-alone camera body for existing Phase One digital back owners. Prices for a complete iXR camera system including lens begin at €22,990 / $29,990. Availability is slated for May.

Profoto has launched a new website called ProfotoAssistant. The new site hosts monthly photo contests that are open to full-time photography assistants from around the world, and features a Photo Assistants Directory where assistants can get listed and get work. In order to participate in the Profoto Assistant Photo Contest, assistants must complete the online registration form certifying they are a full-time assistant. After they are registered as a Profoto Assistant they may enter up to 20 images a month. Each submission must be accompanied by a single image of a “behind the scenes” shot of the Profoto equipment on set, showing how it was used to create the image with the subject or background visible. Visitors and assistants may vote for as many images as they wish, but are allowed only one vote per image per month. The image with the most votes in a single month wins.