Fujifilm have launched the instax mini film Monochrome, which will be released worldwide in October 2016. The film works in all instax mini cameras and offers stunning instant prints that can fit into a wallet, purse or mini photo frame. Like the standard colour instax mini film, the new monochrome version ensures sharp and clear images. Instax mini film Monochrome will be available in the UK from October 2016 and has a suggested retail price of £9.99.

Canon has now produced 120 million EF lenses. On August 26, 2016, Canon's 120-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras was an EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM telephoto zoom lens.

ZEISS have announced three new Milvus lenses for high-end DSLR cameras - the 2.8/15, 2.8/18 and 2/135. The three new lenses ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15, Milvus 2.8/18 and Milvus 2/135 expand the Milvus family that was introduced last September, bringing the total number of focal lengths to nine. The delivery worldwide of the three new lenses will begin at the end of October 2016. Sales prices are EUR 2,699 (including 19% VAT) or USD 2,699 (excl. VAT) for the ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15; EUR 2,299 (including 19% VAT) or USD 2,299 (excl. VAT) for the ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18; and EUR 2,199 Euro (including 19% VAT) or USD 2,199 (excl. VAT) for the ZEISS Milvus 2/135.

The new Apple iPhone 7 features "new advanced camera systems that take pictures like never before". The 12-megapixel camera includes optical image stabilization, and a f/1.8 aperture and 6-element lens enable brighter, more detailed photos and videos. The iPhone 7 Plus features the same 12-megapixel wide angle camera as the iPhone 7 and adds a 12-megapixel telephoto camera that together offer optical zoom at two times and up to 10 times digital zoom for photos.

Coming later this year, the dual 12-megapixel cameras will also enable a new depth-of-field effect, using both cameras on the iPhone 7 Plus to capture images, while sophisticated technology including Machine Learning separates the background from the foreground to achieve amazing portraits once possible only with DSLR cameras.

SIGMA is entering into the cinema lens market by releasing a new line of SIGMA CINE LENSES, designed specifically for cinematography. For the first phase, SIGMA will release two zoom lenses in Japan and the USA for Canon EF and Sony E mount camera systems. Another zoom lens and five prime lenses will be released to the market in sequence from 2017 onward.

Portrait of Britain is a UK-wide exhibition that put the nation's citizens centre stage. It will take over screens in shopping malls, train stations and high streets throughout the month of September underlining the enduring power of the portrait. Selected from nearly 4000 entries, the winning 100 portraits capture young and old reflecting not just the multiformity of British people, but also the myriad of styles and approaches to contemporary photographic portraiture.

The CompactFlash Association (CFA) announces the CFexpress Family of high-performance removable storage based on PCIE and NVM Express. CFexpress is the next evolution in an open standard format for a broader set of applications, such as professional imaging, personal computing, servers, IoT and industrial. The PCIE Gen 3 Interface Provides a max theoretical interface speed of 1.0GB/sec per lane of PCIE. This speed enhancement enables a new generation of higher performance cards to meet requirements for professional video recording.

Pinout is a smart, versatile gadget which allows you to control your Nikon DSLR via a smartphone. It supports GPS, timer control, multi-camera control, time-lapse, HDR, bulb ramping, sensor-based functions and more. Three different kits are available ranging in price from $34.99 to $128.99.

The LAOWA 12mm f:2.8 Zero D is a new ultra wide angle lens for full frame cameras. The Laowa 12mm F/2.8 ZERO-D lens will be available in Canon EF, Nikon AI, Sony A, Pentax K and Sony E mounts from  the end of November 2016 and will cost £899.99 in the UK. 

Phase One Industrial has introduced the iXU-RS aerial camera series, featuring a breakthrough central lens shutter design. The new shutter technology is based on an innovative direct drive concept with electronic charging that enhances exposure speed to as fast as 1/2500s, while guaranteeing half a million exposures, an unprecedented shutter life span. The Phase One iXU-RS aerial camera series is available now.

The Blackstone and the Firefly versions of the Irix 15mm f/2.4 lens are now available to buy. The Irix 15mm f/2.4 lens is an ultra-wide-angle lens for full frame DSLR cameras. Blackstone is the premium version, with a durable body made with aluminium-magnesium alloy that ensures foolproof protection of the lens, even in extreme situations. Both versions are available for Canon EF and Nikon F cameras now. By the end of September there will be also a Pentax K mount available.

Recommended retail prices are:

695 EUR for Irix Blackstone

475 EUR for Irix Firefly

Canon has today unveiled a newly designed PIXMA inkjet line-up. Canon offers something for everyone with its entry-level PIXMA TS5050 series, mid-range PIXMA TS6050 series, PIXMA TS8050 series and its top-of-the-range PIXMA TS9050 series - all of which are up to 40% more compact than previous models.

Akvis Software has released Noise Buster 10 for Windows and Mac OS. Akvis Noise Buster reduces both luminance and colour noise in digital images without blurring the edges of objects. Some of the improvements in the latest version of the program include a redesigned interface with support for UHD displays, a new Remove Moiré check-box, new Crop and Smudge tools, a range of presets, an innovative noise reduction algorithm that provides advanced capabilities for better processing, and more. The software is available as a standalone application and as a plug-in to Adobe Photoshop and other image editors.

Sony has launched a new 4K action camera with a 1/2.5"-type 8.2-megapixel CMOS imager, new Zeiss Tessar lens and Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation. The Sony FDR-X3000R comes supplied with Sony’s latest Live-View Remote, which is approximately 30% smaller than its predecessor and can be attached to mount accessories such as the optional Handlebar Mount (VCT-HM2) using the supplied mount adaptor. This may also be worn like a wristband or attached to various optional accessories such as Shooting Grip (VCT-STG1) or the new Finger Grip (AKA-FGP1) with the key advantage being control of shooting settings including power on/off and start/stop recording, without having to touch the camera itself. Users can capture high-bitrate recordings in 4K at 100Mbps, Full HD at 50Mbps in the XAVC S format. The new FDR-X3000R will start shipping in November 2016 priced at approximately £500 / €660.

Panasonic has announced the HC-X1, a lightweight and compact professional camcorder that supports 4K 24p, UHD 60p/50p, FHD 60p/50p multi-format recording and HD super slow-motion. Key features include 2-channel XLR Audio, Wired/Wireless remote control, triple manual rings, timecode, ND Filters and twin SD card slots. Additionally the X1 offers Live HDMI output along with a 24-480mm equivalent lens, 5-Axis O.I.S., dual-codec recording and IR shooting. It is also equipped with a 1.0-type sensor (9.46 megapixels at 4K24p/8.79 megapixels at UHD, FHD) and a 4-Drive Lens System that individually drives each of the four lens groups to minimise the drive range of each lens group. The lens barrel features Triple Manual Rings for zoom, focus and iris operations. There are a total of 13 user buttons, nine on the body and four on the LCD touch panel. These user buttons can be customised as needed. The Panasonic HC-X1 will be available in December at $3199.99.

Leica has re-announced the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL 60mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens, which offers a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:1. Like the existing Summilux-TL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH., the APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL 60mm f/2.8 ASPH. is fully compatible with the bayonet mount of the Leica T, as well as the L-mount of the Leica SL-System. The Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL 60 mm f/2.8 ASPH. is scheduled to be available from mid-September at a suggested retail price of £1,800 including VAT ,in a choice of black or silver anodised finish. An optional lens hood will be available for £80.00.

Sony today launched two new photography-focused smartphones. The Xperia XZ is a metal-backed 5.2" phablet with a Full HD screen, a 23-megapixel primary camera with a 1/2.3"-type Exmor RS imaging chip, a separate Laser AF sensor and an RGBC-IR (red-green-blue-clear-infrared) external white balance sensor, which accurately adjusts the white balance based on the light source in the environment. Additionally, the Xperia XZ provides a 13-megapixel front camera with a 22mm equivalent UWA lens and a top sensitivity setting of ISO 6,400. The Xperia X Compact is a more reasonably sized handset with a 4.6" 720p display, the same 23-megapixel main camera and "triple image sensing tecnology" as the Xperia XZ, and a 5-megapixel secondary camera for the selfie brigade. On both phones, the main camera module offers a start-up time of 0.6 seconds and Predictive Hybrid AF technology to intelligently predict and track subjects in motion. The Xperia XZ will launch globally in October 2016, whilst the Xperia X Compact will be available from September 2016.