Canon has announced a new line of Vixia camcorders. This year’s HD range includes Canon’s new flagship model the Vixia HF G10 ($1,499.99, pictured), the high-end Vixia HF S30 ($1,099.99), three compact Vixia HF M-series models ($649.99-$799.99) and three entry-level Vixia HF R-series models ($379.99-$499.99). The HF G10 and the HF M-series camcorders feature a new HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor, which incorporates larger, more sensitive pixels resulting in outstanding low-light performance and an expanded dynamic range, tjhe company says. Other new features enhancing Canon’s 2011 Vixia lineup include dual SDXC-compatible memory card slots, Cinema-Look Filters that add various cinematic effects, and new Story Creator and Touch Decoration features for adding creative flair to your videos. In addition to the new VIXIA High Definition lineup, Canon is also introducing two standard-definition models, the FS40 ($299.99) and FS400 ($279.99)

The Canon XA10 is billed as the manufacturer’s most compact and affordable professional camcorder yet. The XA10 records Full HD 1080p video using an AVCHD codec, and includes a detachable handle for low-angle shooting and portability. With the handle attached, the XA10’s functionality is further enhanced with the addition of XLR inputs and an external microphone holder.  Capable of shooting in the dark, the camcorder features infrared video capture, and provides the option of recording to a 64GB internal flash drive or two SDXC memory cards, with the ability to record simultaneously to two cards for instant backup. Featuring 10 optical zoom, a1/3-inch native 1920x1080 CMOS imager and variable autofocus speeds, the Canon XA10 also provides users with complete manual control of various functions including frame rates, zooming speed, focus, white balance and gain control. The camcorder will be available in March for $1,999.99.

The Canon PowerShot A3300 IS and A3200 IS are two new affordable compact digital cameras. Succeeding the A3000 IS and A3100 IS at the top of the PowerShot A-series, the 16 megapixel A3300 IS and 14.1 megapixel A3200 IS are slim and stylish with a solid metal chassis. They both offer a 5x, 28mm wide-angle zoom lens, optical Image Stabilizer, 3 inch and 2.7 inch LCD screens respectively, and 720p HD video. The PowerShot A3300 IS is available from February 2011, priced at £149.00 / €179.00, and the PowerShot A3200 IS is available from February 2011, priced at £129.00 / €149.00.

The Canon PowerShot A2200 and PowerShot A1200 are new entry-level digital compact cameras. The 14.1 megapixel Canon A2200, the slimmest A-series model to date, is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and is available in black, red, silver and blue. Available in either silver or black, the AA battery-powered 12.1 megapixel PowerShot A1200 offers a comfortable, wide grip and an optical viewfinder for easy framing. The Canon PowerShot A2200 is available from January 2011, and the Canon PowerShot A1200 from March 2011.

The Canon PowerShot A800 is an affordable and easy to use compact digital camera. Available in a red, silver, black or blue finish, the Canon A800’s key features include 10.0 megapixels, 3.3x optical zoom lens, 6.2 cm (2.5”) LCD, Smart Auto mode, Blur Reduction mode, and 16 shooting modes including FaceSelf-Timer. The Canon PowerShot A800 is available from February 2011, priced at £79.00/€99.00.

The Kodak Z990 is a new ultra-zoom digital camera. Also called the Kodak Easyshare Max, the Z990 has a 30x optical zoom lens (28-676 mm) with a fast f/2.8 28mm wide-angle setting and optical image stabilization, ISO range of 64-12,800, PASM shooting modes, RAW support, 3 inch LCD screen, creative modes, and film effects. The Kodak Z990 / Easyshare Max will be available in early March for $329.95.

PocektWizard is introducing its MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver for the Nikon DSLR camera system. These new i-TTL capable radio slaves make taking off-camera flash as effortless as slide-in, turn-on and shoot.  Sales of the Nikon versions in the U.S. are expected to begin January 2011. Canon-compatible versions are available now.

Tenba has expanded it range of Roadie II photo and laptop cases. Roadie rolling cases allow photographers to take their equipment off their neck, shoulders and back, and put it all on wheels. The Roadie II airline carry-on compatible cases are available in three sizes and are built to withstand serious professional use. The new Roadie II Photo/Laptop Cases are available now at suggested retail prices ranging from $279.95 to $319.95.

Cinematographer Gale Tattersall has announced his next series of master class workshops on Canon HD DSLR cameras. The workshops will specifically focus on the high-definition (HD) video capabilities of the cameras, and their use for film production. HD DSLR Workshops also plan a series of five day field trips where students will get the chance to work closely with Gale shooting a documentary film.

The new Kingston SDHC UHS-I UltimateXX memory cards offer the highest speed class available today. Shipping later this month, Kingston’s UltimateXX memory cards are ideal for the serious photographer or videographer. Kingston’s UltimateXX line meets the SD Association standards for the UHS-I speed class with speeds up to 60MB/sec. read and 35MB/sec. write. The 8GB UltimateXX cards costs $69.99, the 16GB $179.99, and the 32GB $349.99.

Eye-Fi announced its new Direct Mode at CES. “Leveraging a combination of new technology in Eye-Fi cards and new Eye-Fi mobile apps, Direct Mode enables consumers to bring together the imaging quality of a digital camera and the connectivity of a smartphone or tablet in an unprecedented way,” the company said in a statement. With Direct Mode, photos taken with your digital camera can immediately be sent to your smartphone or tablet. They can be viewed and edited with third-party aops, or uploaded and shared. Direct Mode will be available as a free upgrade to all Eye-Fi X2 cards later in 2011.

Polish software developer Starsoft has released an iPhone app called Exposure Value Meter. Working from 3EV to 17EV, the app measures ambient exposure, and performs shutter speed and aperture calcualations for any ISO sensitivity setting. Measurements are stored, and the results of previous measurements can be retrieved byt he user. The app can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store for $2.99.

Word on the Street is a new book by photographer Richard Nagler. The 128-page hardcover contains seventy photographs that pair isolated words found in Nagler’s environment with random passersby. “It is the culmination of Nagler’s decades-long project of seeking out words that appear in public spaces and waiting until just the right person walks by to capture photos that are sometimes playful, sometimes poignant, and always arresting,” the publisher says. Word on the Street is available now from Heyday, at a price of $25.

Kenro has announced the immediate availability of the Nissin Di622 Mark II flash in the UK. Introduced at Photokina, the Nissin Di622 Mark II is an upgraded version of the popular Di622. New improvements include wireless TTL, and MY TTL. The unit also boasts a useful x-sync socket. Available now, with an RRP of £224.95, the unit comes with either a Canon or Nikon fitting and the relevant versions are compatible with Canon’s E-TTL, E-TTLII system, and Nikon’s i-TTL. Powered by four AA batteries, the flash has a zooming head, and the guide number is 62 in metres at the 105mm setting.

SF Photo School has just announced a series of webinars entitled, ‘The Masters of Light’. Presented by the UK’s top photography trainers including Kevin Wilson, Martin Grahame-Dunn & Uzair Kharawala, this six-session webinar series will cover topics such as composition, lighting, posing, off-camera flash, using video and window light. The first webinar will take place on Sunday, 23rd January, while the sixth will be held on Wednesday, 9th February.The price for this webinar series is £29+VAT for all six sessions. For more details, check out the website below.

The Mead Gallery is hosting a major exhibition of works by photographer Hannah Starkey. Twenty-Nine Pictures “examines the development of a remarkable body of work, and marks the transfer of her image-making from film to digital photography”. The exhibitionm which runs from 15th January until 12th March, is curated by Diarmuid Costello of the Philosophy Department of the University of Warwick. The Mead Gallery is located at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CV4 7AL.

Hart Codeworks has announcedSmart Shooter v1.1, an update to the digital photography workflow application for tethered shooting, remote capture and advanced camera control. The update adds support for all recent Nikon DLSR cameras, making it possible to now control both Canon and Nikon DLSRs simultaneously from the same application. Smart Shooter is available for both Windows and Mac, and is priced at £32.

Transcend today announced the addition of the new JetFlash 700 USB flash drive to its USB 3.0 product portfolio. The drive enables data transfer rates of up to 70MB/s and features a sturdy structure, smooth surface, and a streamlined appearance. Users of the JetFlash drives can download the useful JetFlash Elite data management tools, which allow users to check their email from any compatible computer, use the JetFlash drive as a key to automatically log on to website accounts, and more. The JetFlash 700 is now available for a suggested price of $29 for the 8GB model, $46 for the 16GB model and $125 for the 32GB model.

The Fujifilm FinePix HS20 is a new 30x super-zoom digital camera. New features offered by the HS20 include a 16 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor, 8fps high speed continuous shooting, 0.16 second autofocusing, an improved user interface, and Full 1080p HD video. The Fujifilm FinePix HS20 will be available in late March, priced at $499.95 / £399.

The Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR and F500 EXR are two new premium compact cameras. New features include an innovative 16 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor, advanced GPS functions (F550 model), high speed shooting capabilities, a 15x wide-angle zoom lens, Full HD video functionality and an improved user interface. The FinePix F500EXR and F550EXR will be available in mid-March 2011 for $329.95 / £279 and $349.95 / £329 respectively.