GoPro today announced a pilot programme for GoPro Fusion, its 5.2K spherical camera. Billed as "the ultimate spherical capture solution for innovative, envelope-pushing content creators," GoPro Fusion enables a new OverCapture creative solution that gives users the flexibility to produce conventional non-VR video and photos in HD-quality "punched out" from the spherically captured angles. Starting today, professional content creators can apply to participate in the pilot programme, which is expected to roll out during the summer of 2017.

Insta360 kicked off preorders today for the Insta360 Pro, a six-lens camera capable of recording 8K VR experiences and broadcast to the world live in immersive 360°. It captures 60-megapixel 360° 3D stills and supports both HDR and raw image file formats to bring out levels of detail and low-light performance unprecedented in a 360-degree camera of this size. When recording 4K video, the camera supports up to 100fps. In addition, the VR time-lapse mode adds a new dimension to videos and the live preview function allows users to get the best angle before shooting. As a standalone camera, it can be used with both the dedicated Insta360 Pro iOS and Android apps and connects via WiFi, Ethernet or 4G, ready to livestream any event or share instantly on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. The camera is now available to pre-order for $3,499.

Ricoh today announced it will be showcasing a prototype of its newest Theta 360-degree camera, capable of capturing high-resolution 4K video in a single shot, at the upcoming 2017 NAB Show. In addition to capturing 4K video at 30 frames per second, the new camera will enable 4K 360-degree livestreaming, and a built-in 4-channel microphone will record spatial “surround-sound” audio. The product will be featured at the Ricoh booth, C11139, located in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Belgian photographer Frederik Buyckx has been named the Sony World Photography Awards’ 2017 Photographer of the Year for his series, "Whiteout," which captures the transformation of nature when winter arrives. The Awards’ judges were challenged to find the best photographic series and were taken by the beauty, scale and effort involved in Buyckx’s winning work. Born in Antwerp in 1984, Frederik Buyckx is a freelance photographer for the Belgian newspaper De Standaard. The 2017 Awards received over 227,000 entries from 183 countries and is the world’s largest photography competition. An exhibition of all the winning and shortlisted work, along with rare black-and-white images by British photographer Martin Parr, recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Photography prize, will run at Somerset House, London from 21 April – 7 May. The exhibition is accompanied by a book of the winning and selected shortlisted works, available to buy from the website below.

Samyang today unveiled a new addition to their VDSLR lens line-up. Designed specifically for video shooting with DSLR cameras, the Samyang VDSLR 16mm T2.6 is an affordable wide-angle lens offering a traditional distance scale with depth-of-field marks and built in follow focus gearing on both the focus and aperture rings. The new lens will be available from June, priced at £529..

The Sony A9 is a new 35mm full-frame mirrorless camera aimed at professional sports and action photographers. It boasts a 24.2 megapixel stacked CMOS sensor, expandable ISO range of 50-204800, 693 focal plane phase detection AF points, 20fps burst shooting, 5-axis in-body image stabilisation and 4K UHD video recording. We've spent some time getting to know the Sony A9, so check out our Hands-on Review of Sony's latest full-frame mirrorless camera...

Canon U.S.A. today announced their new Compact-Servo 70-200mm Telephoto Zoom Lens (also known as the CN-E 70-200mm T4.4 L IS KAS S), a compact and lightweight 4K lens designed for professional videographers. The second in a new class of Canon lenses, the Compact-Servo 70-200mm Telephoto Zoom Lens is a cinema-style lens that includes a servo drive unit as a standard feature. Additionally, the lens incorporates image stabilisation, auto focus and Auto Iris functionality The lens also provides high image quality that supports 4K image productions and was designed to be utilised in a variety of shooting styles including, hand-held, shoulder mounted, and tripod mounted. Compatible with EF-mount Super 35mm large-format cameras, the lens maintains brightness across the entire focal range at T4.4 (equal to f/4.0). The lens is also compatible with both the Canon EF 1.4x III (expanded focal range of 98-280mm) and EF 2x III (expanded focal range of 140mm-400mm) external extenders, expanding the focal range of the lens for additional versatility when the shooting situation calls for it. The Canon COMPACT-SERVO 70-200mm Zoom Lens is scheduled to be available later in 2017.

At the 2017 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Canon will showcase its line of professional 4K and high-definition imaging equipment for motion pictures, television production, video content creation, and still photography at booth C4325. The stand will feature presentations and panel discussions throughout the show with industry experts, ASC members, and up-and-coming voices in imaging culture. New to the Canon booth this year, The Virtual Reality Experience showcases Canon’s innovation in current, emerging, and future imaging technology by providing a simulated journey through a panoramic landscape powered by Canon digital imaging solutions. Additionally, visitors to the Canon booth will have hands-on opportunities with the full range of Canon Cinema cameras, 4K reference displays, HD Video and DSLR cameras and lenses.

Canon today announced the availability of a feature upgrade for the EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR camera that will add the ability to record with Canon Log. With this upgrade, the EOS 5D Mark IV can achieve a cinematic look similar to what can be achieved using Cinema EOS cameras. Current EOS 5D Mark IV camera owners can have the Canon Log feature upgrade installed for $99 at any of the Canon service centres starting in July. The camera will also be available for sale (body only) with the feature upgrade pre-installed starting in July, with an estimated retail price of $3,599.00.

Sigma today announced the development of a new full-frame CINE lens, the 135mm T2 FF High Speed Prime. Based on the existing Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art telephoto lens, the new Sigma CINE 135mm T2 FF High Speed Prime offers an angle of view of 15.2° when mounted to a full-frame camera (10.4° on Super35 and 10.0° on APS-C). Available in June-July 2017 in Canon EF, Sony E and PL mounts, the Sigma CINE 135mm T2 FF lens has an 82mm filter thread and a close-focus point of 0.875m / 2'11". Like all of Sigma's FF High Speed Primes, the 135mm T2 FF lens has an iris diaphragm with 9 rounded blades. The new lens will be available for test shooting at the 2017 NAB Show held in Las Vegas from 24-27 April 2017.

The Sigma CINE 14mm T2 FF High Speed Prime is a new full-frame UWA lens aimed at cinematographers. Currently under development, the Sigma CINE 14mm T2 FF High Speed Prime will be available in Canon EF, Sony E and cine-standard PL mounts. Offering an angle of view of 104.3° when mounted to a full-frame camera, the new lens has a 9-bladed iris diaphragm and a close-focus point of 0.27m / 11" (measured from the sensor plane). Based on the SIGMA 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art lens, the Sigma CINE 14mm T2 FF High Speed Prime will be available for test shooting at the 2017 NAB Show held in Las Vegas from April 24th and 27th.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A9 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony A9 compact system camera, the FE 100-400mm lens, and some of the new accessories.

The Sony A9 is a new full-frame mirrorless camera that can shoot 24 megapixel images at 20fps. The Sony A9 interchangeable lens camera will start shipping from June 2017 priced at approximately £4,500 / $4,500.

The Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5–5.6 GM OSS is the furthest reaching E-mount lens in the range. The Sony FE 100-400mm GM lens will start to ship from July 2017, priced at approximately £2,500.

PolarPro has announced it will launch two new accessories for the action-bound cinematographer later this year. The PolarPro FiftyFifty HERO5 Dome ($49.99) is an accessory lens designed for the latest GoPro HERO5 action camera to enable split-level over/under images at the waterline, while the PolarPro Katana Mavic Tray ($49.99, pictured) allows owners of the popular DJI Mavic Pro to use the compact drone as a stabilised, hand-held shooting platform. PolarPro will first demonstrate the new accessories at the upcoming 2017 NAB Expo (April 24-27 in Las Vegas, NV).

Manfrotto have launched the new Nitrotech Video Head - a revolutionary head that combines the most successful features of Manfrotto’s video heads with the company's unique-to-the-market Nitrogen piston mechanism that guarantees continuous counterbalance. The Nitrotech N8 (£449.95) - the first model in the Nitrotech range - securely supports a load up to 8 kg. The new head features a precise, continuous counterbalance system that effortlessly and safely holds and operates a wide array of video camera models in a variety of sizes. It also features a 3/8” Easy Link equipped with an anti-rotation function that enables an external monitor or other accessories to be fitted.

The waterproof Sennheiser MKE-2 elements microphone has been designed specifically for the GoPro HERO4 Black and Silver action cameras. The MKE 2 elements is based on a professional Sennheiser microphone, with innovative features making it nearly immune to snow, wind, and water. It is even capable of recording under water. Its special windshield continues to reduce wind noise for clear sound when it gets wet, while an elastic suspension suppresses any structure-borne noise. Available from 24th April, the Sennheiser MKE 2 elements action microphone comes complete with a special windshield and a back cover for the GoPro HERO4 protective case, keeping the camera hermetically sealed.