JK Imaging has announced the upcoming launch of the Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360 VR camera, a compact device targeting the rapidly growing 360° VR video consumer market. The 4KVR360 adopts a minimalist approach to an all-in-one 360° VR camera, with two 4K fixed focus lenses housed on either side of the futuristic camera body. The lenses are designed to work in tandem, to capture full 360° 4K Video and easily upload 360° content to Facebook and YouTube via the camera’s Smart Device App. “The decision to continue expanding our award winning 360° VR camera line up with the new Kodak Pixpro 4KVR360 was a natural progression,” said Mariame Cisse, Marketing Director for JK Imaging Ltd., Europe. “We are committed to the interactive 360° video format and want to give yet another option to consumers when it comes to choosing a quality 360° VR camera based on their specific needs.” The 4KVR360 will feature a 20-megapixel CMOS sensor and use a Micro SD card (up to 128GB) to record 360° content. The 4KVR360 camera will incorporate Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity compatibility for Smart device APPs to control and view the camera remotely. JK Imaging anticipates availability of the new 4KVR360 in early 2017. No MSRP has been released to date.

Olympus Japan has released 7 high-resolution sample photos taken with the new M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens. Shot on a variety of Micro Four Thirds camera bodies including the PEN E-PL7, the OM-D E-M1 and the  OM-D E-M10 Mark II; these M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro samples show off the superior macro capabilities of this brand new M.Zuiko Premium lens. You can download the sample images from the website below.

Website: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro Sample Images

Profoto has unveiled the Pro-10, the world's fastest studio flash/generator. Offering t0.5 flash durations as short as 1/80,000th of a second, the Profoto Pro-10 is a powerful 2,400Ws unit with a recycle time of just 0.02-0.7s. Other highlights include built in AirTTL supporting wireless sync, control and TTL exposure metering; 3 large rubberised dials; a high-resolution display; a power range of 11 stops (adjutable in full-stop or 1/10th-stop increments) and compatiblity with 11 different flash heads and over 120 light shaping tools.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon EOS M5 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon EOS M5 compact system camera and the new EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens.

Phase One has announced two new Schneider Kreuznach Blue Ring lenses. Providing edge-to-edge sharpness in a nearly distortion-free wide-angle design, the Schneider Kreuznach 45mm LS f/3.5 ($5990) is an ideal option for landscape photography as well as interior and architecture applications. The Schneider Kreuznach 150mm LS f/2.8 IF ($6990) is the fastest Blue Ring telephoto lens with an extremely shallow depth of field, which is perfect for portraiture. These new Schneider Kreuznach Blue Ring lenses are available now through a ntework of Phase One Partners.

Phase One today announced a new 101-megapixel digital back for its XF and H series cameras (from Hasselblad). Accommodating a range of technical systems, the Phase One IQ1 100MP Digital Back shoots 16-bit-per-channel images with a native resolution of 11608 x 8708 pixels and a dynamic range of 15 stops, and provides a sensitivity range of ISO 50-12,800. The IQ1 100MP Digital Back is shipping this month, priced at $32,990.

Western Digital today unveiled its SanDisk 1TB SDXC memory card prototype at Photokina 2016. “Showcasing the most advanced imaging technologies is truly exciting for us,” said Dinesh Bahal, vice president, product management, Content Solutions Business Unit, Western Digital. “Sixteen years ago we introduced the first SanDisk 64MB SD card and today we are enabling capacities of 1TB. Over the years our goal has remained the same; continue to innovate and set the pace for the imaging industry. The SanDisk 1TB SD card prototype represents another significant achievement as growth of high-resolution content and capacity-intensive applications such as virtual reality, video surveillance and 360 video, are progressing at astounding rates.”

The Phottix Indra500LC is the first studio light compatible with Canon’s radio flash system. The 500Ws Phottix Indra500LC TTL has the power and control of the Canon RT and Phottix Laso triggering systems built-in. Users can switch between TTL and Manual modes, adjust EV and manual power levels and use high-speed sync, all from the Canon ST-E3, compatible Canon RT Speedlites and the Phottix Laso Transmitter - no extra hardware is needed. In Manual mode the Indra500LC offers 8 stops of power adjustments - from full power to 1/128 in 1/3rd stop increments. With Stroboscopic Mode, the Phottix Indra can be used for special effect and creative shooting with flash frequencies of 1-100HZ and flash counts of 1-100 times. The Indra500LC comes with a Li-Ion battery, cables, charger, carrying bag and a new, smaller 5” reflector, with a suggested retail price of $1,299. Availability is slated for October.

Want to see exactly what the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II compact system camera and the new 25mm and 12-100mm Pro lenses.

Olympus has announced the development of the OM-D E-M1 Mark II compact system camera, which promises to "set new benchmarks in speed and mobility." The new flagship comes equipped with a 20.4-megapixel sensor and reaches sequential speeds of 18fps with continuous auto focus enabled, and 60fps in S-AF mode. A completely new on-chip, phase-detection AF system offers 121 all cross-type AF points and a high-speed algorithm powered by the new TruePic VIII AF processor. With an EVF that offers a response rate of barely 6ms and a smooth frame rate of 120 fps, it’s easy to keep up with fast-moving subjects. Additionally, the innovative Pro Capture shooting mode on the OM-D E-M1 Mark II exploits the virtual elimination of shutter lag by recording up to 14 sequential frames before the shutter release is fully pressed. The redesigned 5-axis image stabiliser now offers a frankly incredible 6.5-stop advantage when paired with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm1:4.0 IS PRO lens. In addition to capturing 20-megapixel stills, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II can record 4K movies at 24fps and 30fps and a bit rate of 102Mbps/237Mbps. The new battery lasts nearly 40% longer than that of the original OM-D E-M1, whilst the charging time of 2 hours is roughly twice as quick as on the previous model.

The new Olympus PEN E-PL8 is a WiFi-enabled compact system camera aimed at fashion-conscious women. Described as a product that "blends distinctly feminine curves with the seamless social skills of bloggers, fashionistas and other switched on millenials," the E-PL8 boasts a new shape and leather look finish, and comes with a flip-down LCD that's ideal for selfies. Like the existing PEN E-PL7, the new E-PL8 comes equipped with a 16-megapixel FourThirds sensor, a Micro FourThirds lens mount and a sensor-shift image stabilisation system. The E-PL8 will be available in pure white, black with silver details, and in vintage brown. The body weighs just 326 grams and costs £399.99/€449.00; or £499.99/€599.00 with an M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1-3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake lens.

Olympus has announced a new professional-grade flash for the Micro FourThirds system. The new Olympus FL-900 R features protection against dust, splashes and sub-zero temperatures, and can be used both on- and off-camera thanks to its wireless TTL metering/triggering capabilities. The flash has a zoomable tilt-swivel head that covers the angle of view for a focal length of 12mm-100mm lenses and 7mm-10mm lenses when using the built-in wide panel. The guide number is 58 (in metres at ISO 100/21°, in the 100mm position). The Olympus FL-900 R flash will become available in December 2016 at a recommended retail price of £549.99/€599.00.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm 1:1.2 PRO is a new ultra-bright auto-focus standard prime for the Micro Four Thirds system. "Throughout the design process, special attention was given to ensuring this 1:1.2 aperture M.ZUIKO Pro series lens renders the most stunning bokeh to greatly enhance the aesthetic quality of backgrounds – or for using the bokeh effect as the subject itself," Olympus said in a statement. "The beautiful shapes this lens delivers right up to the edges of the image and the natural defocusing effect result from the combination of the unique optical design of the lens system and its 9-bladed aperture." Additionally, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm 1:1.2 PRO lens boasts a "very fast" AF and Olympus' advanced Z Coating Nano, which effectively reduces flaring and ghosts for even sharper, clearer images. The robust, metal-build lens features a maximum magnification of 0.11x (35mm equivalent: 0.22x) and weighs in at 410g. The lens will become available in October, priced at £1099.99/€1,299.00.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm 1:4.0 IS PRO is a 24-200mm equivalent Micro FourThirds lens with a constant maximum aperture. Dust-, splash- and freezeproof, this professional-grade travel zoom features a built-in image stabiliser that can work synergistically with Olympus' camera-based sensor-shift stabilisation systems to achieve an incredible 6.5-stop advantage over non-stabilised camera-lens combinations. Weighing in at 561 grams, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm 1:4.0 IS PRO offers outstanding close-up photography capabilities thanks to its minimum working distance of 1.5cm. The lens will become available in November 2016 and will retail at a recommended price of £1099.99/€1,299.00.

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm 1:3.5 Macro is a new macro lens with a maximum reproduction ratio of 1.25:1 and a close-focus point of 9.5cm. Another crucial feature for would-be nature specialists is the lens’ near-silent focus mechanism and lightweight design, which in tests improved AF response by 20-30% compared to conventional macro lenses. Available immediately, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm 1:3.5 Macro is priced at £249.99/€299.00.

Sigma have unveiled its new 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art, 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art and 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport lenses. The Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art lens is engineered to support the highest resolution sensors on the market with an exceptional degree of sharpness. The Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art lens will be available in late October and retails for a recommended street price of $1199.00 USD / £1199.99.

The Sigma 12-24mm F4 features the largest aspherical glass mold in the industry, offering photographers an ultra-wide angle zoom with virtually no distortion, flare or ghosting. The Sigma 12-24mm F4 Art lens will be available in late October and retails for a recommended street price of $1599.00 USD / £1649.99.

The flagship Sigma super telephoto 500mm F4 Sport lens incorporates the very latest in Sigma optical technology and innovation. The Sigma 500mm F4 Sport lens, in Canon and Sigma mounts, will be available in late October. The Nikon mount will be available in late November. The 500mm F4 will retail for a recommended street price of $5999.00 USD / £5999.99.

GoPro has announced the Karma, a foldable quadcopter with a removable 3-axis gimbal stabiliser and a touchscreen-based remote control unit. Easily fitting in a small backpack, the GoPro Karma will become available on 23 October 2016, priced at $799 ($999 with a GoPro HERO5 Session camera, $1099 with a HERO5 Black).

GoPro have announced two new 4K action cameras. The GoPro HERO5 Black ($399.99) has a 12-megapixel imager, simplified controls, a 2-inch touchscreen, raw and WDR photo modes, voice control with support for seven languages, and a GPS module. The HERO5 Session ($299.99) features a 10-megapixel sensor, a single control button and voice control. Both new GoPro cameras can shoot movies at 4K/30fps, both are waterproof to 33ft/10m and both can upload photos and videos to the cloud while charging.

The Fujifilm GFX 50S is a 51.4 megapixel medium-format mirrorless camera. The new G format sensor measures 43.8x32.9mm, 1.7x larger than 35mm.  The GFX 50S is world's first medium-format compact system camera with a focal plane shutter. It has an external viewfinder supplied in the box that can be rotated to a number of different angles. The new GF lens can deal with sensor sizes greater than 100 megapixels, making it futureproof. Priced at "way under $10000" with the GF63mm F2.8 R WR lens.

6 lenses have also been announced:

GF63mm F2.8 R WR, early 2017

32-64mm F4 R LM WR, early 2017

120mm F4 Macro, early 2017

23mm F4 R LM WR, mid 2017

110mm F2 R LM WR, mid 2017

45mm F2.8 R WR, late 2017

Fujifilm has announced the development of a new medium-format digital camera system. The company is planning to release a mirrorless MF camera body called the Fujifilm GFX 50S featuring a 43.8×32.9mm sensor with 51.4 megapixels, along with six new G-mount lenses. Compared to conventional medium-format digital SLR cameras, the Fujifilm GFX 50S is lighter and far more compact. With regards to functionality, the camera follows in the footsteps of the X Series by featuring numerous physical buttons and dials, and is designed with an ergonomic grip plus a detachable electronic viewfinder. The camera also supports tethered shooting, which has become an essential part of the professional photographers’ workflow, and will be compatible with various raw image file converters. The new G-mount lenses include the Fujinon GF63mmF2.8 R WR standard prime, the GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR wide zoom, the GF120mmF4 Macro R LM OIS WR macro lens, the GF110mmF2 R LM WR portrait lens, the GF23mmF4 R LM WR ultra-wide prime and the GF45mmF2.8 R WR moderate wide-angle lens. The lenses feature an aperture ring, and have a new C (Command) Position on the ring to enable aperture adjustments with the Command Dial on the camera body. All the lenses feature a dust- and weather-resistant construction that withstands operation at temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius.