Kenko Tokina has announced the upcoming release of the new Kenko 400mm f8 mirror lens for Micro Four Thirds and Sony’s NEX system. Being only 112mm in length, the Kenko 400mm f8 is rather compact for a super-telephoto lens. Like the majority of existing mirror lenses, this is a manual-focus lens with a fixed aperture and a machined aluminium barrel. The Kenko 400mm f/8 takes 67mm filters, and can focus down to 1.15m, at which point it offers an impressive reproduction ratio of 1:2.5. The lens will be released in Japan this Thursday, with pricing to be communicated.

The Fujifilm X-S1 superzoom is now on sale in the UK. Featuring a 2/3”, 12-megapixel CMOS sensor and a 24-624mm equivalent lens, the Fujifilm X-S1 also offers a high-resolution EVF, articulated rear screen, flash hot shoe, full manual controls, raw image capture and Full HD video. Coupled to the EXR CMOS sensor is the high speed EXR processor, which offers a minimal shutter lag of just 0.01sec and a high-speed continuous shooting capability of 7fps at full resolution or 10fps in six megapixel mode. The suggested retail price is £699.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic TZ30 and TZ25 travel-zoom compact cameras look like in the flesh?

Then check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Panasonic’s new travel zoom cameras.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic FX80, FT20, FT4 and LS6 compact cameras look like in the flesh?

Then check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of Panasonic’s new compact cameras.

The Panasonic Lumix TZ30 is a 14-megapixel compact camera with 20x optical zoom, “light-speed” auto focus and a high resolution, touch-sensitive rear display. Featuring a Leica branded 24-480mm equivalent lens with optical image stabilisation, the Panasonic TZ30 can shoot stills at up to 10 frames per second (fps) as well as stabilised Full HD videos at 50fps. Additionally the TZ30’s High Speed Video mode lets you capture super slow-motion videos where you can playback effects that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Other highlights include HDR exposure blending, a Panoramic Shot mode and a Creative Control/Creative Retouch feature that allows you to add some artistic flair to your shots. The camera’s 3D mode allows you to produce high-quality 3D still images without additional accessories. The lightweight Panasonic TZ30 is available in five different colours, including black, brown, red, white and silver. Pricing to be confirmed.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ25 (ZS15 in America) is a 12.1-megapixel compact camera with 16x optical zoom, “Light Speed AF” and Full HD movie capture.  The TZ25’s main highlight is its stabilised, 24-384mm equivalent, Leica branded zoom lens which works in tandem with the twelve-megapixel MOS sensor, enabling the camera to capture high-resolution stills at up to 10 frames per second (fps), and Full HD movies at 50fps. In addition to the manual operation, a variety of special effects have been added to the Panasonic TZ25, including a Creative Control mode, HDR, Panorama Shot, Creative Retouch and Auto Retouch. The DMC-TZ25 newly complies with USB power charging in addition to the conventional AC power supply. Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

The compact, 16.1-megapixel Panasonic Lumix FT20 is dustproof, waterproof to 5m, freezeproof to -10 °C and shockproof to 1.5m. Featuring a 25-100mm equivalent internally stacked zoom lens, the Panasonic FT20 also comes with Mega O.I.S., AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Face Recognition, Intelligent Scene Selector and a variety of shooting options on board. In addition to capturing sixteen-megapixel stills, the DMC-FT20 also shoots 720p HD videos and incorporates a dedicated video button to switch between photo and video recording quickly. The Lumix FT20 will be available from March in a choice of black, blue, red or orange. Pricing to be announced.

Panasonic’s new, 12.1-megapixel DMC-FT4 is dustproof, waterproof to 12m, shockproof to 2m and freezeproof to -10 °C. The FT4 also features a folded. 28-128mm equivalent lens comprising 10 elements and a prism unit in 8 groups, including 1 ED and 5 aspherical lens elements with 6 aspherical surfaces; a Hi-Speed CCD sensor that makes it possible for the camera to record Full HD videos; an on-board GPS module; compass; altimeter and barometer. Panasonic has also added three new shooting modes, including Time Lapse Shot, Miniature Effect and Panorama Shot. The FT4 will be available in a choice of black, blue, white or orange. Pricing to be communicated.

The Panasonic FX80 is a twelve-megapixel compact camera with a high-quality, Leica branded 24-120mm equivalent lens and Mega Optical Image Stabiliser. Comprising of 6 elements in 5 groups with 3 aspherical lens elements with 5 aspherical surfaces, the lens unit in the Lumix FX80 has a maximum aperture of f/2.5 at the wide end (but only f/6.4 at full telephoto). The 3” touchscreen offers “touch AF” and “touch shutter” functionality, while the 12.1-megapixel CCD with 2-channel signal output structure boasts high signal transfer speeds for the operations that require high performance and speed such as Full HD video recording and high-speed continuous shooting. Additional features that add more fun include the Creative Control mode that offers a selection of artistic filter effects when recording images; Expressive, Retro, High Dynamic, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Toy Effect and Soft Focus. These filters can be applied even after images were shot with the Creative Retouch function.

The 14.1-megapixel Panasonic Lumix LS6 is an AA battery powered entry-level camera featuring a 26-130mm equivalent lens, optical image stabilisation and 720p HD video recording. Other features include Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Auto, as well as a large LCD screen and a built-in slimline flash. The bundled PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 software allows users to sort and archive their photos and videos, and upload the best ones to Facebook and YouTube. The Panasonic LS6 will be available in a choice of black, silver and pink. Price to be announced.

Tomorrow sees the opening of the exhibition, “No Place Like Home - Photographs by Judah Passow” in London’s Jewish Museum. The 98 black-and-white images by the four-time World Press Photo award winning photographer - which will become part of the Jewish Museum’s permanent photographic collection - explore issues surrounding themes of community, charity, social action, humour, faith and identity. The Museum is located at 129-131 Albert Street, Camden Town, London NW1 7NB.

Photo Productions - a London-based company that produces premium photo books for all special occasions - have launched brand new Parent Books to complement their existing range of albums. Starting at £68 including professional design, printing and delivery, these half-size albums are constructed using the same high-quality methods as their bigger brethren, with bevelled acrylic covers. The entire range of premium photo books can be ordered through the website below.

The Holga 135 PAN is the first Holga to feature interchangeable lenses. The camera shoots 24x72mm size panoramic images on 35mm film, and comes with a 55mm f/8 lens as well as an f/236 pinhole “lens” with a diameter of 0.25mm. The 55mm lens offers two aperture settings, f8 (wide open) and f11 (stopped down), and features a leaf shutter with a fixed 1/100s shutter speed. The Holga 135 PAN is sells for $89.99 through the website below, with a “Deluxe Kit” also available for $115.99.

Website: HolgaDirect

Rocky Nook has re-published Adrian Schulz’s “Architectural Photography: Composition, Capture, and Digital Image Processing”, a step-gy-step guide to the photography of buildings and interiors. This second edition has been extensively revised and includes 80 new images and illustrations, as well as an expanded chapter on shooting interior spaces. Also included is an updated discussion of post-processing techniques and the latest technical developments in the world of photography. The 240-page book is available for $44.95.

Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden, Kent, are among the best places to photograph bluebells in England. The Gardens now have a new section on their website that informs visitors about which flowers are currently in bloom, including a special bluebell watch feature. In spring, the gardens will be open daily between 8 April and 31 May 2012 from 11am to 6pm followed by Wednesday and Thursday opening from June to the end of October with additional openings on Sundays in October. Admission is £6 for adults and £1 for children. For more information, visit the website below.

Grenoble-based MicroOLED has announced the world’s highest pixel density OLED microdisplay, developed for use in digital cameras, camcorders, night-vision systems and other applications. The 0.61” display features 5.4 million gapless pixels, putting all currently available electronic viewfinders to shame. The company claims the display is “most suitable for defence, medical and professional camera applications that demand sharp images with very smooth transitional tones”. MicroOLED’s new microdisplay comes in full colour SXGA or monochrome formats (2,560 by 2,048 pixels).

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V is an 18.2-megapixel dust-and waterproof ultra-compact camera with extremely fast auto focus, 5x optical zoom, optical Steady Shot functionality and Full HD movie capture. The high-speed Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ branded processor enable the camera to record 18-megapixel stills at 10 frames per second. The sensor’s fast signal throughput also enables the camera to achieve “DSLR-like focusing speeds,” the company claims. Waterproof to a depth of 16 feet (nearly 5 metres), the camera features a sleek, polished glass camera front without protruding lenses or control buttons, making it one of the thinnest cameras in its class. Other highlights include an internally stacked zoom lens, on-board GPS and compass, as well as a background defocus filter that allows the camera to simulate the shallow depth of field achievable with larger-sensor cameras and fast/long lenses. In the US the Sony TX200V will be available from March, at an MSRP of $499.99. At the time being, Sony has no plans to launch the camera in the UK.

The Sony Cyber-shot WX70 and WX50 are two new 16.2-megapixel compact cameras with 5x optical zoom, optical image stabilisation and Full HD video. The easily pocketable Sony WX50 ($200/£190, pictured) and WX70 ($230, US only) feature Extra High Sensitivity technology that expands your photo opportunities, especially in dimly-lit conditions. With these cameras, Sony claims a massive reduction in noise levels, adding that “you’ll see the difference with crisp, beautifully natural low-light shots”. Other highlights include a number of digital filter effects such as Toy Camera, Partial Colour, Pop Colour, HDR Painting, Miniature, Illustration, Watercolour, Soft High-key and Rich-tone Monochrome; plus features like 3D Sweep Panorama, 3D Still Image and an “Xtra Fine” LCD touchscreen (DSC-WX70 only - the Sony WX50 has a 2.7” rear monitor with half the resolution and no touch-based functions). Both cameras come with PlayMemories Home software pre-installed. Availability is slated for mid-March.

Sigma has announced the passing of Sigma Corporation’s founder and CEO Michihiro Yamaki. He died of liver cancer on 18th January at the age of 78. In 1961, Yamaki developed the first-ever rear attached lens converter and founded Sigma to commercialise the product. At that time, most photo enthusiasts believed that a lens converter could only be attached to the front of a camera lens and the 27-year-old optical engineer turned conventional optical theory on its head. In the next five decades, Yamaki grew the family-owned organisation into a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of lenses, cameras and flashes. The company is now known as the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 50 current lens models. Sigma Corporation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011 with Yamaki still at the company’s helm.