Sony is expanding its FS Series Super 35mm professional family with the addition of the new FS7 II camcorder. Featuring Electronic Variable ND technology, a lever lock type E-mount, and a new mechanical design for faster and easier set-up, the Sony PXV-FS7 II camcorder uses a Super 35 type sensor and takes Sony E-mount lenses (as well as A-mount lenses via an adapter). Variable ND mode (clear + 2~7 stop range, in seamless transition steps up to 1/128) allows the user to vary the density of the ND filter during shooting and to transition seamlessly between steps. This also ensures an optimum motion delivery by maintaining desired shutter speed. The FS7 II's lever lock type E-mount gives users the ability to change lenses by rotating the locking collar rather than the lens itself, which means that in most cases lens support rigs don't need to be removed, saving time during a production. a production. The camcorder supports the XQD memory card format, designed for capturing and transferring high-bandwidth, high resolution files. The Sony FS7 II is planned to be available in January 2017. Pricing to be confirmed.

A new grey edition of the Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR camera has cropped up in Canon's online store. The camera features a brown faux-leather finish on its hand-grip, and comes complete with a black EF-S 18-55mm lens and a grey 'EOS DIGITAL' neckstrap. The kit is available for $549.99.

CMOSIS - the company that supplied Leica with sensors for their Leica M (Typ 240) digital rangefinder camera - have launched the CMV50000, an industry-first global-shutter full-frame (36.43 x 27.62 mm) CMOS imager offering a resolution of 48 megapixels and 8K movie recording at 30 frames per second. Featuring 4.6-µm sized pixels using a patented 8-transistor pixel architecture to offer low noise and excellent electronic shutter efficiency, the CMV50000 operates at 30fps with a 12-bit pixel depth at full resolution or a binned 4K mode, and at up to 60 frames/s with pixel subsampling to 4K resolution. Its pixels offer 64dB optical dynamic range at full resolution and up to 68dB in binned 4K mode, and the imager benefits from the implementation of sophisticated new, on-chip noise-reduction circuitry such as black level clamping to enable it to capture high quality images under low-light conditions. A High-Dynamic Range mode is supported by an odd/even row dual-exposure operation. Priced at €3,450, this sensor is unlikely to crop up in consumer-grade digital cameras - it's mostly aimed at high-speed machine-vision systems, as well as TV broadcasting and high-end security cameras - but it's possible that the technology will eventually trickle down to the professional DSLR/CSC segment.

An unusual view of the Mediterranean Biome has won Devon-based photographer Flick Cowley a Costa Rican getaway for two as part of the Eden Project’s Twitter and Instagram photo competition. His image “Bench of Biomimicry” was awarded top prize among more than 13,000 entries. The competition ran from May 2016 to September 2016 and entrants were asked to either Instagram or tweet as many photos as they liked and the only rule: it must feature Eden. It could be a picture with family or a simple plant, as long as it was capturing an Eden moment. “I feel proud and overjoyed that my photo was selected among so many other fantastic images," Flick said. “I love photography and everybody knows me for always having a camera in my hand. I’m inspired by what I see and I wanted to put an image together which represents what the Eden Project means to all those who visit.”

OmniVision have announced new PureCel Plus and PureCel Plus-S pixel technologies promising better light sensitivity, increased signal-to-noise ratio and a wider dynamic range. More specifically, the company’s second-generation PureCelPlus technology delivers a 20% increase in full-well capacity, a 10-lux improvement in SNR10, and increased pixel quantum efficiency thanks to a newly introduced composite metal grid structure. OmniVision’s second-generation PureCel Plus-S technology will empower new families of compact 20-megapixel and 16-megapixel sensors for camera phones and other camera-equipped mobile devices. The new 20-megapixel OV20880 and OV20880-4C and the 16-megapixel OV16885 and OV16885-4C are currently available for sampling and are expected to enter volume production in the first quarter of 2017.

Canon has announced firmware upgrades for both the Canon EOS C300 and EOS C300 Mark II digital cinema cameras. These updates add support for the Canon EVF-V70 OLED Electronic Viewfinder, WFT-E8 Wireless File Transmitter, Shutter Angle Priority, and a variety of lenses. The upgrades are scheduled to be available on December 13, 2016.

DxO today released a major update to its DxO ONE miniaturised camera. Less than three months after the release of a 2.0 update that brought Wi-Fi as a new feature, DxO is now introducing what it calls the World's first seamless raw workflow, direct from the DxO ONE to your iPhone or iPad. Version 2.1 takes full advantage of raw support in iOS 10, enabling a one-touch transfer of DxO ONE raw files to the iOS Photos library where they can be processed on-the-go. Available to all DxO ONE users free of charge, the update also enables direct Wi-Fi remote control, and adds other performance boosting enhancements.

Windows users can now download a free beta version of Serif's professional image editing application, Affinity Photo. The software offers raw image processing, PSD import and export, 16-bit-per-channel editing, colour management,camera lens and exposure corrections, accurate adjustments, live filter layers, high-end controls for channels and masks, advanced layer handling, and built-in frequency separation editing. Other features include andvanced HDR exposure blending, a novel way to edit 360 degree images, tone mapping, batch processing, focus stacking and macros. Interested readers are encouraged to pay a visit to Serif's website to download the free beta version of the program.

The Nikon D5600 is a new entry-level DSLR camera with a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and a vari-angle touchscreen. Other notable features include built-in Wi-Fi, SnapBridge compatibility (which utilises Bluetooth low energy technology to let the D5600 maintain a constant, low-power link with a smartphone or tablet), a viewfinder with ~95% frame coverage and ~0.82x magnification, and a sensitivity range of ISO 100-25600. During viewfinder shooting, the refined touch Fn function offers an intuitive alternative to using the command dial or multi-selector: now photographers can operate the Auto Sensitivity control, as well as selecting the focus point or adjusting other important settings, via the touchscreen. And a frame advance bar, inherited from Nikon’s professional D5 and D500 cameras, makes it possible to quickly scroll through images in playback mode. For movie shooters, the Time-Lapse Movie function makes it simple to transform slow-moving scenes into high-speed sequences. The camera will go on sale on 24th November, priced at £799.99 / €949 in a kit with the AF-P 18-55mm VR standard zoom, or £989.99 / €1,179 with the AF-S 18-140mm VR lens.

GoPro today announced the recall of the approximately 2500 Karma drones purchased by consumers since 23rd October. The recall was announced after GoPro discovered that in a very small number of cases, Karma units lost power during operation. Owners of Karma can return their units to GoPro, or their place of purchase, for a full refund. GoPro plans to resume shipment of Karma as soon as the issue is resolved.

Fuji have issued firmware updates for the Fujifilm X-T1 and X-Pro2 compact system cameras. Firmware version 5.00 for the Fujifilm X-T1 and X-T1 Graphite Silver models (pictured) adds support for the new EF-X500 electronic flash and a few new Function and Quick Menu items. Firmware update 2.01 for the X-Pro2 brings a number of bug fixes related to the XF18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens, the Nissin i40 flash and the PC Auto Save setting.

Fantasea has announced the full compatibility of its FRX100 IV underwater housing with the new Sony RX100 V camera (read review). Billed as the most compact, sturdy and ergonomic waterproof housing available for this model; the Fantasea FRX100 IV is also fully compatible with the Sony RX100 III and RX100 IV cameras. Providing full access to all essential camera controls and functions, the Fantasea FRX100 IV housing is depth rated to 60 metres, and features a shock-resistant construction, ergonomic design and double O-ring protection. Free extras include a hand-strap, moisture detector and port cover. Current suggested retail price of the FRX100 is $400.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera can shoot at up to 18fps with continuous autofocusing and metering.

To test this out, I hand-held the E-M1 Mark II and the 12-100mm f/4 lens, and then recorded an eagle that was flying towards me. Nothing else was used to support the camera, and the weather was frankly terrible (raining and overcast), yet the E-M1 II managed to nail the focus on the majority of frames.

The Leica TL is a new compact system camera with a 16-megapixel APS-C sensor and an upgraded AF system. Key highlights include a 3.7" LCD screen with a resolution of 1,230k dots, a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12500, a maximum continuous shooting speed of 5fps, 32GB of internal storage, and Full HD movie recording capabilities. The camera will be available later this month in black, silver and titanium anodised finish, priced at £1,450/$1,695.

StarTech.com has announced the release of two new Dual Slot SD Card Readers which enable users to read and write to any two SD cards simultaneously. The new SD card readers will benefit photographers and videographers who import photos and videos from their digital camera, video camera, or action cam to their laptop or desktop PC. By accessing two SD cards at once, users can overcome the challenges of dealing with multiple memory cards and save time and effort by transferring content from multiple cards instead of importing content from each card individually. “These dual-slot SD card readers provide creative professionals with ultra-fast access to SD cards and the ability to quickly import photos and videos from their devices,” said Scott Burton, Product Manager, StarTech.com. “With their small, portable form factors and integrated cables, these products are extremely compact, making them versatile enough to use in the studio or out in the field.”

G-Technology have announced the expansion of its G-DRIVE portfolio, with its first solid state portable drive, the G-DRIVE slim SSD USB-C. The new drive brings faster interface speeds with USB-C connectivity and expanded external storage for next-generation computers. Available in 1TB and 500GB capacities, the G-DRIVE slim SSD USB-C delivers solid state drive performance of up to 540MB/s and features the 10Gb/s USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface. The included Type-C to Type-C cable and Type-C to Type-A cable allow this drive to operate with any computer featuring Thunderbolt 3, USB-C or USB 3.0 ports. Requiring no external power source, the G-DRIVE slim SSD USB-C is available from £199.95.

Envision Peripherals have announced the new Philips Crystalclear Quad HD 2560 x 1440 32-inch display (BDM3270QP2), which features a 10-bit Philips AMVA LED panel with an ultra-high static contrast ratio. The new display also offers a decent range of connectivity options including DisplayPort, HDMI, Dual link DVI and USB 3.0. The CrystalClear Quad HD 2560 x 1440 32-inch display also features MultiView technology, which enables you to work with multiple devices like a PC and notebook side-by-side simultaneously. The 10-bit display boasts 1.074 billion colours, 178-degree viewing angles and a 12-bit internal look-up table. Finally, an integrated MHL port allows users to connect compatible phones and tablets directly to the monitor to mirror content to the widescreen display while charging the mobile device at the same time.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera can shoot 4K video whilst taking advantage of its in-body 5-Axis image stabilization, which compensates for all types of camera shake.

To test this out, I hand-held the E-M1 Mark II whilst sat in a moving car, and then recorded a pair of horses that were running alongside at roughly the same speed. Nothing else was used to support the camera, and this was the first and only take that I was able to record. Here's the resulting footage...

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of WestLicht, Leica will hold its 30th WestLicht camera auction, opening at 11 a.m. on 19 November 2016. Among the highlights of the anniversary auction are two versions of the RIFLE sets, manufactured by E. Leitz New York, which were first publicly presented in July 1938. The RITOO set, with a 20 cm Telyt lens and the original case, is expected to value $165,000 and $200,000. Bids for the second version, a RITEL with a 40 cm Telyt lens and also in its original case, are expected to be in the range of $190,000 to $225,000. Magnum photographer Herbert List’s black paint Leica M3 (No. 915252, pictured) from 1958 is also up for auction (estimated hammer price: $45,000 to $55,000). This early black paint version of the camera from an unofficial series is one of the rarest Leica items. Around 90 units were built, and very few of them have survived. In addition to Leica products, visitors to the anniversary auction will also have an opportunity to bid for numerous collectors’ pieces and rarities from other camera manufacturers.