Capture One 6.1 adds several new features and support for 16 more cameras. Local contrast and brightness adjustments, pen pressure and eraser support, and support for Getty Images metadata and import have been added. Capture One 6.1 now supports the new Phase One IQ189, IQ160 and IQ140 digital backs, plus recent cameras from Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Panasonic.

Pentax Japan have issued an apology to all owners of the K-5 which suffered from a “stained image sensor”. The problem affected the first shipment of the K-5, producing images with spots looking like water drops that were impossible to clean. All users of these defective products will receive free repair at a Pentax service center.

Ever wondered what the inside of your DSLR camera looked like? Want to know exactly who makes the sensor for the Nikon D7000? Then wonder no more, as the website Chipworks has dismantled a D7000 and laid bare its innards for the whole world to see. And yes, as everyone suspected, the D7000 does use the impressive 16.2 megapixel Sony APS-C sensor, presumably the same one that Sony’s own A55 and A580 cameras use, and possibly also the Pentax K-5. Also present inside the D7000 is a whopping 4Gb of SDRAM and a micro-controller courtesy of Toshiba. Just don’t try this at home, kids…

Website: Chipworks

The Ricoh CX5 is a new 10 megapixel compact camera with a 10.7x, 28-30mm zoom lens. The Ricoh CX5 offers higher autofocus speed due to the use of Ricoh’s new hybrid AF system, with focusing times decreased to as low as 0.2 sec. The CX5 also allows recording of images with improved resolution using the “Super-resolution” setting, and telephoto shooting at up to 600mm equivalent using the Super-resolution Zoom. The Ricoh CX5 will be available in black, silver, and pink for £259.99 from the end of February in the UK, and $399 from February 10th in the US.

The Rollei Sportsline 60 is a new inexpensive waterproof digital camera. The 5 megapixel Sportsline 60 is waterproof to three metres, has an unusual 64mm fixed lens, 2.5 inch LCD screen and can record HD video. The Rollei Sportsline 60 will be available for a recommended retail price of EUR 79.95.

Adobe has launched Photoshop Express 1.5 for iOS devices. The free program debuts a fast new camera workflow that enables continuous, rapid photo-taking directly in the app, adds multi-tasking and full Retina display support, and offers a better photo uploading experience. Photoshop Express 1.5 for iOS is available immediately on the App store. Note that the new version requires iOS 4.2.

Colour Confidence has premièred a new range of graphics tablets by Hanvon. “The Hanvon range offers a definitive selection of graphics tablets which combine the latest wireless-pen technologies, with smooth ergonomic tablet design and offer numerous features equal to the market leading alternatives but at a far more affordable price.”, comments Geoffrey Clements, Managing Director of Color Confidence. Launching in the United Kingdom on 31st January, the Hanvon range comprises six products, many of which are available in multiple sizes. Pricing ranges from £62.49 to £666.66 + VAT.

The Panasonic DMC-TZ20 and DMC-TZ18 are two new travel-zoom compact cameras. The TZ20 and TZ18 (also known as the Panasonic ZS10 and ZS8) both offer a 16x optical zoom lens, 14.1 megapixel MOS sensor, 3 inch LCD screen, HD movies, and manual controls. The TZ20 additionally offers a higher-resolution 460,000-dot touchscreen, full 1080i HD movies, a 3D Photo mode, and an improved GPS system. Pricing and availability of the DMC-TZ20 and DMC-TZ18 are still to be announced.

The Panasonic DMC-FX77 is a new stylish and compact hybrid digital camera. The FX77 (also known as the Panasonic FX78) features Smart Touch operation on a 3.5-inch LCD screen, 24mm ultra wide angle 5x optical zoom lens with F2.5 brightness, 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor, 1920 x 1080 full-HD movie recording, 3D Photo Mode and 3.7 fps burst shooting. The price and availability of the Panasonic DMC-FX77 are still to be announced.

The Panasonic DMC-FT3 is a new rugged digital compact camera. The 12.1 megapixel FT3 (also known as the Panasonic TS3) is waterproof to 12m, shockproof to 2m, freezeproof to -10 degrees C and dustproof. The FT3 also has a 4.6, 28mm wide-angle zoom lens, 1920 x 1080 full-HD movie recording, 3D photo Mode, GPS functionality, a compass, altimeter and even a barometer. The price and availability of the Panasonic DMC-FT3 are still to be announced.

Precorder is an iPhone app that perpetually buffers video so that whenever you start recording a clip, you’ll have a few seconds of footage captured before you hit Record. This means you’ll never miss an interesting moment, be it a fleeting smile on a baby’s face or something cute your pet does (at least as long as the iPhone camera is pointed in the right direction when it happens, of course). The idea itself is not new - we have seen it implemented in some compact cameras as well as camera phones - but apparently Precorder is the first app that offers this functionality for the Apple iPhone. The app is available now for $1.99.

Nikon has issued a firmware update for the Nikon D3100. Version 1.01 fixes various bugs related to autofocus, image playback, an error message and a magenta tint seen in the bottom of photos captured at high sensitivity settings after the camera had been in Live View mode for an extended period of time. The update can be downloaded from the websites below.

Website: Nikon D3100 Firmware Version 1.01 - Mac
Website: Nikon D3100 Firmware Version 1.01 - Windows

BuyMyTronics, a company “created to offer a quick, simple and friendly solution” for people looking to unload used gadgets, now accepts and pays for digital cameras and lenses.To submit an item to BuyMyTronics.com, all a customer needs to do is search for his or her item, and select the condition and accompanying accessories. An immediate price quote will be given, and if the price is agreeable, one simply sends the gadget to BuyMyTronics and gets paid in return.

Create Great iPhone Photos is a new title from No Starch Press. Written by technology guru Allan Hoffman, this 224-page book covers a number of photography apps, and explores topics like producing panoramas, HDR imaging, and general post-processing on the iPhone itself. The book can be pre-ordered from O’Reilly at a price of $29.95.

Phase One has announced its new IQ series digital camera backs, including the 80-megapixel Phase One IQ180. The imager inside the IQ180 measures 53.7x40.4mm, which is so close to the dimensions of the classic 645 format film frame that Phase One terms it a “full-frame” sensor. The IQ180 is also the first product of its kind to feature a USB3 connection, facilitating faster image transfers in the future. For untethered shooting, the IQ180 digital back’s new memory card interface is so fast that it eliminates buffering delays, supporting continuous shooting - at 0.7fps - until a card is full. The IQ180 digital back features a newly designed 3.2-inch retina type, multi-touch screen with 1.15 million pixels, described as “the highest-resolution and largest display of any SLR type camera available today.” Phase One also introduced the IQ160 and IQ140 digital backs, which offer resolutions of 60.5 and 40 megapixes respectively.

Parallax is a photography magazine designed exclusively for the iPad. Published by Bedouin Ventures, Parallax Magazine was founded “to provide a new, fresh viewpoint on photography that takes advantage of the dynamic nature of the iPad platform”. Taking the form of an Apple iPad app priced at $2.99, Parallax is an ad-free interactive magazine offering slide-shows, movies and hyperlinks. Topics covered in the first issue include building an inexpensive DIY studio, new perspectives on wedding photography, the best places to shoot in Big Sur, and more.

Samsung has launched 100 SD cards into space, loaded with personal messages from people around the world. This campaign will see the world’s highest paper planes released at 125,000 feet. Each paper plane carries a memory card containing photos, songs, videos and text messages compiled by members of the public. Anyone finding a plane with a memory card attached is encouraged to visit the website below.

Website: Project “Space Planes”

Kubota Image Tools have introduced two new Photoshop ‘Action Paks’, Viva la Vintage & Pow Wow!. The first of these contains 24 time-warping effects to recall the most popular looks of recent decades including cross-process, old paper, and many more. Pow Wow! also contains 24 image enhancements including “BW Museum”, “Pearly Shells” etc. Viva La Vintage and Pow Wow! are available through the Kubota Image Tools website at a price of $109 each or $179 as a discounted bundle.

Website: Kubota Image Tools