Sony today introduced the FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS telezoom for their E-mount camera system. The longest reaching E-mount lens to date, the new FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS features an optical design including four aspherical glass elements, two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and Sony’s Nano AR coating. The new telezoom also boasts near-macro capabilities with a minimum focusing distance of less than 3 feet and a maximum magnification of 0.31x. The lens offers Sony's built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation system and a linear actuator that allows it to achieve fast, smooth and quiet autofocus and is also dust and moisture resistant to ensure reliable operation in harsh outdoor conditions. The new FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS telezoom will be available in April for £1,150.

DJI has received a record 130 proposals for its third annual DJI Developer Challenge, and has advanced 25 developer teams to the second round of the competition. The teams will be given DJI hardware and software to begin turning their ideas into reality through further challenges, until 10 finalists are chosen to demonstrate their applications in a public competition in August. They will also receive DJI’s flagship Matrice 100 aerial platform and a Zenmuse X3 camera. The 2016 DJI Developer Challenge asks teams to develop a search-and-rescue application that launches a drone from a moving Ford F-150 pickup truck, surveys the survivors and obstacles in a disaster site, compiles and transmits the information back to the in-vehicle communications system, SYNC 3, in real time, then lands safely in the bed of the moving truck.

Squadrone System has announced the European launch of its HEXO+ autonomous drone. The HEXO+ flight system can take off, follow and frame its user while filming with predetermined camera movements, and safely land. These processes are entirely automated and simply initiated with the HEXO+ smartphone application. This allows users to capture the moment hands-free, as no bulky remote control is needed. Compatible with most GoPro camera models, the HEXO+ has a maximum speed of 45 mph and an operating altitude of up to 16,000ft. HEXO+ is currently available to purchase for €999.

Google's Nik Collection of photography plug-ins is now available for free. Compatible with a number of desktop photo editing applications including Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, the Nik Collection includes Analog Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, Viveza, HDR Efex Pro, Sharpener Pro and Dfine. Those who purchased the Nik Collection in 2016 will receive a full refund.

Tascam have released the six-channel DR-701D audio recorder for VDSLR cameras. Featuring four XLR/TRS inputs supporting phantom power (+24V/+48V), in addition to HDMI in and out and 3.5mm stereo mini input, the DR-701D allows for a wide range of setups to cater for any environment or project. Using the HDMI input and output, the video clock allows for the DR-701D’s internal clock to be synchronised with the camera, ensuring the sound and picture files will not drift out of sync. The built-in SMPTE timecode also stores time data in recorded audio files for ease of use. Tracks can be recorded up to 24-bit/192kHz quality to SD, SDHC or SDXC card, with up to 128GB cards supported. In addition to operation using 4x AA batteries, the DR-701D supports power from a mobile battery via the mini-B USB port. The DR-701D is available in the UK now, priced at £499.

Polaroid has released two new camera stabilisers for mobile videographers. Designed specifically for small action cameras, the Polaroid handheld 3-axis electronic gimbal stabiliser ($179.99, pictured) has three independent motors that follow camera motion in real time, automatically counterbalancing handheld motion to eliminate any vibrations and undesirable movements. The Polaroid power handgrip/stabiliser ($49.99) can be used with a wide range of digital and action cameras, and simultaneously charges the camera and keeps it steady when shooting on the move. Both models are available now from Amazon.

DJI today announced it will begin shipping the Inspire 1 RAW edition, featuring an aerial Micro Four-Thirds Zenmuse X5R camera, on 28th March. Shipping of standalone Zenmuse X5R camera, which records CinemaDNG files to a solid-state drive and is the world’s smallest lossless 4K camera optimised for aerial imaging, will start from 31st March.

Lexar today announced the new 200GB Lexar microSDXC UHS-I memory card. Designed for sports camcorders, tablets and smartphones, the UHS-I, U1 microSDXC card has read transfer speeds up to  95MB per second and comes with a USB 3.0 reader, which allows for high-speed file transfer of photos and videos from the card to a PC or Mac. The reader is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0 ports and comes with a one-year limited warranty. The new card is currently available for purchase with an MSRP of £109.99.

Polaroid have unveiled a new "dive rated" waterproof underwater housing. Available for a wide range of Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony cameras, the new Polaroid underwater case is waterproof to a depth of 130 feet, and provides access to all camera controls. The housing can be purchased on Amazon for $99.99-$599.99, depending on model, and ships with a hand and neck strap, an o-ring and water sealing lubricant, and a manual.

Leica today introduced a new addition to the Leica T Camera System portfolio – the Leica Summilux-TL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. telephoto lens. Delivering maximum sharpness, and superb resolution and colour reproduction, the Leica Summilux-TL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. is the first of two new prime lenses for the Leica T Camera System that is fully compatible with the bayonet mount of the Leica T, as well as the L-mount of the Leica SL-System. The Summilux-TL 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. is available now in a choice of black or silver anodised finish from authorised Leica stockists in the UK, at a suggested retail price of £1,650 including VAT. A matching lens hood is also available at an SRP of £65 including VAT. The second TL lens, the Leica APO Macro-Elmarit-TL 60mm f/2.8 ASPH., will be available from Autumn 2016.

Tamron has announced the recommended retail price of its new SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD telephoto lens. Introduced in February, the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD is the World's first image-stabilised 85mm f/1.8 lens for SLR cameras. Using LD (Low Dispersion) and XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) glass elements, the new lens is constructed with Tamron’s new SP design, incorporating a new look and feel which includes larger and more tactile switches, together with Tamron’s Moisture-Resistant Construction. VC (Vibration Compensation) is also included in the lens design to help reduce camera shake making it easy to take handheld photographs in low light. USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) focusing is also a key part in delivering sharp and precise focus every time, with full-time manual override for extra creative control. The lens will go on saleon sale on March 24th  in Canon and Nikon mounts, priced at $749. The Sony version willbe launched at a later date.

Want to see exactly what the Leica X-U (Typ 113) waterproof compact camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Leica X-U (Typ 113) waterproof compact camera.

Want to see exactly what the Tamron SP 85mm F/1.8 and SP 90mm Macro F/2.8 lenses look like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Tamron SP 85mm F/1.8 and 90mm Macro F/2.8 lenses.

Want to see exactly what the Nikon DL premium compact cameras looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Nikon DL premium compact cameras (DL 18-50mm, DL 24-85mm and DL 24-500mm), which all feature 1-inch sensors.

Apple today introduced a 9.7-inch version of the iPad Pro tablet featuring a new pro Retina display with greater brightness, wider colour gamut, lower reflectivity, Night Shift mode and True Tone display technology. “iPad Pro is a new generation of iPad that is indispensable and immersive, enabling people to be more productive and more creative. It’s incredibly fast, extremely portable, and completely natural to use with your fingers, Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. And now it comes in two sizes,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The 9.7-inch iPad Pro has a new Retina display with True Tone technology, four-speaker audio system, blazing fast A9X chip, 12-megapixel iSight camera, 5-megapixel FaceTime HD camera, faster wireless, and support for Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. It is the ultimate upgrade for existing iPad users and replacement for PC users.” The 9.7-inch iPad Pro comes in silver, space grey, gold and a new rose gold metallic finish, and starts at £499 for the 32GB with Wi-Fi model and £599 for the 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular version.

The Apple iPhone SE is a new smartphone with a 12-megapixel iSight camera with True Tone flash and a 4" Retina display. The camera features Focus Pixel technology for fast auto focus, an Apple-designed image signal processor, advanced noise reduction, third-generation local tone mapping and improved face detection. Users can record 4K video at a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels and HD movies at up to 240 frames per second for slow-motion playback. Just like the iPhone 6S, the SE model can capture extremely detailed panoramic images at a resolution of 63 megapixels. The new iPhone SE will be available in space grey, silver, gold and rose gold metallic finishes in 16GB and 64GB models starting at £359.