The Sony Cyber-shot HX350 is a new super-zoom compact camera with a 50x optical zoom lens. Other key features of the Sony HX350 include a back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor with 20.4 effective megapixels, Full HD video including 24p mode, Optical SteadyShot, manual ring for smooth adjustment of zoom/focus, high-contrast electronic viewfinder and 7.5cm (3.0-type) LCD with 921k dot resolution. The price and availability of the Sony Cyber-shot HX350 are still to be announced.

Cokin and OmegaBrandess have announced their first tripod to adopt the look of current retro cameras. Although traditional in its approach, the new Riviera Classic nevertheless provides all the features of a modern tripod: telescopic sections, reversible central column, multi-actions head, ergonomic wooden tightening handle, lockable angles and more. Every detail has been carefully thought out, right down to the tightening dials of the Riviera Classic, inspired by the ones found on retro cameras. Made of knurled aluminium, they offer an excellent grasp in order to precisely adjust sections and central column. Weighing in at 1.54kg, the tripod offers a a maximum load capacity of 5kg, and carries a recommended retail price of $399.99.

Zhongyi Optics has released a new compact super macro lens for full-frame cameras. Boasting a maximum reproduction ratio of 4.5:1, the Zhongyi Mitakon 20mm f/2 4.5X Super Macro lens comprises 6 elements in 4 groups, and weighs in at 230 grams. The all-manual lens features a minimum working distance of 0.2m, and comes in Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, Sony Alpha, Pentax K, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, Fuji X mounts. The Zhongyi Mitakon 20mm f/2 4.5X Super Macro lens is now available to purchase, priced at $199.

Macphun has released a new update to Luminar, its first all-in-one photo editor. The Pluto update brings batch processing, a new Dehaze filter that can quickly fix hazy photos in a snap, an also-new Golden hour filter that adds a warm-toned sunlight effect to your photos (see illustration above), and the opportunity to include textures inside your presets. Additionally, the company has enhanced the colour temperature filter with quick presets and an eye-dropper tool for choosing precisely what tones to reference.

YI Technolgy has announced plans to unveil the YI 4K+ at CES 2017, the first action camera to capture 4K photos and videos at 60 frames per second. The company also plans to fly the YI Erida drone, the world’s fastest tricopter, for the first time live in the US. “2016 has been a whirlwind of product launches including several new action and home security cameras, the YI Erida drone, our first mirrorless camera the YI M1, as well as an exciting partnership with Google to develop a virtual reality camera rig,” said Sean Da, CEO of YI Technology. “CES 2017 is an important milestone for us as we look to demonstrate our full product line and reveal novelty solutions. As a challenger brand in the changing imaging technology market, we are constantly looking for ways to push the boundaries and set new standards for the global industry.”

Think Tank Photo have just enhanced their Mirrorless Mover camera bag collection by offering three new colourways: Pewter, Dark Blue, and Deep Red. The collection is available in five sizes; from the smallest case, the Mirrorless Mover 5, designed for one compact system camera, on up to the largest, the Mirrorless Mover 30i, which will accommodate a camera, lenses, accessories and an iPad. “The new colourways are about personal expression and quality,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo’s CEO and lead designer. “These bags use metal hardware instead of plastic buckles, high-quality fabrics, YKK zippers and a new, magnetic closure. The Mirrorless Movers offer photographers quality in their camera bags worthy of their investment in these sophisticated camera systems.”

White Knight Press has just released the Photographer’s Guide to the Sony DSC-RX100 V. This publication, by Alexander White, is a complete guide to the operation of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V camera. Using a tutorial-like approach, the book shows beginning and intermediate photographers how to take still images and record video with the RX100 V, and explains when and why to use the camera’s many features. Featuring nearly 500 colour photographs that illustrate the camera’s controls, display screens, and menus, the 246-page volume provides details about the camera’s automatic and advanced shooting modes as well as its menu options for shooting, playback, setup, and using Wi-Fi connections with in-camera apps. Additionally, the book provides detailed information about recording 4K video to an external video recorder using the “clean” video output from the camera’s HDMI port. The paperback version is available now for $24.95/£21.95. The book is also available in PDF format and in downloadable versions for Kindle, Nook and iPad.

Canon announced today four new Pixma TS-series Wireless Inkjet All-In-One printers. The Pixma TS5020 ($99.99, pictured) has a 3" screen, an off-screen directional pad and start/stop buttons. The TS6020 ($149.99) offers a 3" touchscreen and a set of off-screen buttons. Both are available in black, white and grey. The Pixma TS8020 ($179.99) comes with a 4.3-inch touch panel and is available in black, white, red, and brown. The TS9020 ($199.99) has a 5" touchscreen and is offered in two-tone red/black and white/black. All models support Apple's AirPrint technology. The Pixma TS9020 and TS8020 models are also able to print directly through NFC via Android devices

Olympus and the Art Bermondsey Project Space support the next generation of photographers from the University of the Arts, London. January 2017 will see the first annual Olympus Photography Award given to current UAL students. Responding to the theme Site/In Situ, students were asked to submit work in three categories: Print, Projection and Multimedia and the winner of each category will receive a camera from Olympus. The selected 30 finalists will exhibit work that places the artistic process in relation to the surroundings where students develop their skills and research and will showcase the many ways in which practitioners are using photography today. The exhibition runs 17th – 28th January, Tuesday-Saturday 11.00 – 18.00.

The winning images in the 2016 international Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards have just been revealed. Joel Santos has become the first-ever Portuguese overall winner in the awards' 14-year history, beating photographers from 123 countries to take the title of Travel Photographer of the Year 2016. His winning entry features a portfolio depicting traditional fishing in Ghana and – in another first for TPOTY – an aerial portfolio captured using a drone, giving a bird’s eye view of one of the hottest places in the world, Ethiopia's Danakil Depression. In addition to the significant international exposure that comes with winning TPOTY, Joel Santos receives £4,000, a selection of StaaG luxury leather travel goods and sterling silver accessories (worth over £1250), £500 to spend on the Páramo clothing of his choice, and a Plastic Sandwich personalized leather portfolio case. The Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2016 is 14-year old Darpan Basak from India, 18-year old Courtney Moore (USA) won Young TPOTY 15-18 and Ankit Kumar (India) won Young TPOTY 14 and Under.  Basak receives £500, Photo Iconic photography tuition and a Plastic Sandwich leather portfolio case. Each Young TPOTY age group winner receives £250 plus Photo Iconic photography tuition.

DxO has announced a major update to its DxO ONE camera app, introducing what it calls "the World’s first pro-level multi-camera solution for Facebook Live." When combined with full Wi-Fi remote control, the DxO ONE will operate as a remote broadcast camera, giving users the ability to experiment with camera compositions and placements that are impossible to achieve with the iPhone’s built-in cameras alone. The DxO ONE Facebook Live solution provides a sophisticated set of controls, including an elegant multi-camera source panel, that lets users preview all three camera views at once­ — DxO ONE, iPhone front and back — so they can recompose the shot, adjust the lighting, or prepare their subject before going live with any camera view. The audio feed can be sourced from the DxO ONE’s internal microphone, the iPhone’s microphone, or set to automatically switch between the two as users cut between cameras. “Because it’s so incredibly compact, the DxO ONE has been my go-to camera for pro-quality video whenever and wherever I need it most,” said Nathan Yamniak, Film Director. “Now with the addition of a multi-camera broadcast control panel, and deep support for Facebook Live, it has become for me and my clients the ultimate pro-quality live broadcasting solution.” Available to all DxO ONE users free of charge, the update is expected to be available in early 2017 via the iTunes App Store.

Leica announced today the release of its Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens and Firmware Version 2.2 for the Leica SL compact system camera. Available from today, the Leica Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH. is the first prime lens for the Leica SL-System and sets a new standard on the market. Its large maximum aperture makes it the ideal partner in situations with challenging light, enabling the use of shallow depth of field as a creative tool. Fast, precise and reliable autofocus helps guarantee optium sharpness, leaving photographers free to concentrate on composition and creativity.  The combination of its resolving power and soft bokeh in out-of-focus areas clearly isolates subjects from their surroundings, particularly when shooting at maximum aperture. The suggested retail price is £3,850 including VAT. Firmware version 2.2, the latest update for the innovative Leica SL mirrorless camera system, provides improved support for the Mac versions of Leica Image Shuttle 3.5 and Leica Tethered Plug-in 1.1.0. It also supports the new Microsoft Windows version of Leica Image Shuttle 3.5, improving compatibility and workflow efficiency for tethered shooting with the Leica SL. Image Shuttle 3.5 also allows users to control the camera from a computer via a USB 3.0 cable connection and manipulate shutter speed, aperture, ISO value and autofocus, displaying images directly on a large monitor screen for assessment. Registered camera owners can log into the Leica Owners’ Area and download the new software and firmware updates.

Sigma today revealed the recommended retail price and availability of the new Sigma sd Quattro H digital camera. The SIGMA sd Quattro H is the first camera to feature the newly developed APS-H size Foveon X3 Quattro direct image sensor with a resolution of 25.5 megapixels, which Sigma claims to be equivalent to a 51-megapixel Bayer imager. Building on the concept of the SD1 Merrill, the Sigma sd Quattro H features a Sigma SA lens mount, making them compatible with all of the Sigma GLOBAL VISION lenses in the Contemporary, Art and Sports lines. The camera offers a combination of contrast-detect and phase-detect auto focus, plus a focus peaking function for manual focus enthusiasts. The high-resolution 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder features near-100% viewfinder coverage and a 1.09 magnification ratio. O-rings and environmental seals around buttons and seams prevent the intrusion of dust and water, making the camera suitable for use in adverse weather conditions. The RRP of the SIGMA sd Quattro H is £1,499.99 and availability is slated for January 2017.

DJI have just launched their Christmas promotion offering price reductions, free accessories with purchases and special holiday gifts. Running until 5th January, the promotion features price reductions of up to £340 on select Phantom drone models, a free high-capacity intelligent battery with the purchase of the Osmo+ handheld stabiliser, a 12% discount on all DJI Care service plans, and a free Intelligent Battery and Osmo Base with the purchase of the Osmo Mobile. The Phantom discount and Osmo bundle promotion will be available at authorised DJI dealers and in the Shanghai, Shenzhen, Seoul and Hong Kong DJI Flagship Stores.

The line-up has just been revealed for the Behind the Lens Theatre at The Photography Show 2017. Wedding and portrait photographer Ryan Welch will share his experiences so far of building a highly profitable photography business through, ‘Shoot more. Edit less,’ while fine art and fashion photographer Bella Kotak will delight the audience with tales of her whimsically inspired portraiture in her talk, ‘Capturing the magic’. Clare Louise will explore the challenges often faced by creatives and offer her stance on why it’s best not to ‘fit’ in ‘Turn on the light – your passion is calling: A creatives guide to authenticity.’ Other sessions on the Behind the Lens Theatre line-up: ‘Close-up and macro photography’ (John Humphrey), ‘Capturing time – the art of long exposure photography’ (John Miskelly) and ‘Social media – are you selling your soul to the devil’ (Emma-Lily Pendleton). Sessions are included in the show entry ticket fee and will take place on all four days of the show (18-21 March 2017 at The NEC, Birmingham).

Zoer has released the first major update to Zoner Photo Studio X. The Editor now offers deeper work with layers and masks, and several old functions are back in an improved form. Additionally, the Develop module has a new radial filter and an advanced noise removal algorithm. All of the new ZPS X features now come in the form of a prepaid yearly subscription license for a fee of $95.88.

ExoLens has announced the availability of the ExoLens PRO with Optics by Zeiss Wide-Angle and Telephoto Kits for the Apple iPhone 6 family and the iPhone 7. All PRO Kits come with the new machined aluminium ExoLens Edge mount, which features an integrated cold shoe accessory mount (compatible with accessories such as external video light) and key ring loop. Available now, the ExoLens PRO Wide-Angle Kit ($199.95) with Optics by Zeiss includes a Zeiss Mutar 0.6x Asph T* Wide-Angle lens, which provides virtually no distortion and exceptional edge-to-edge contrast, resulting in an image quality that is unmatched by any other iPhone accessory lens. The ExoLens PRO Telephoto Kit with Optics by Zeiss, also available now, features a Zeiss Mutar 2.0x Asph T* Telephoto lens, and sells for $249.95.