Sony today introduced the newest addition to their compact zoom camera lineup, the DSC-HX80. Featuring an 18.2-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, 30x optical zoom and a retractable OLED EVF, the Wi-Fi / NFC compatible Sony HX80 also boasts a tilting 921k dot LCD screen and Full HD movie recording capabilities. The new camera will be available next month, priced at $350.

Akvis have released version 3.5 of their MakeUp application for MacOS and Windows. This update adds support for 4K and 5K resolution screens, new print options, a modernised graphical user interface, support for more raw files and native 64-bit support on Macs. Registered users can upgrade to version 4.0 for free.

The LG 360 Cam is a compact 360° camera module equipped with two 13-megapixel 200-degree wide angle cameras, 1,200mAh battery and 4GB internal memory, which can be supplemented by a microSD card. The device can be easily connected to the LG G5 allowing users to create 360° content. The LG 360 Cam provides 2K video and 5.1 surround channel recording on three microphones. Thanks to the partnership with Google, images taken with the 360 Cam can be uploaded to Google Street View and YouTube360, adding the option of sharing creative contents with others. “This announcement of the LG 360 CAM means a lot to over 500 million Street View users and all who love to create and share 360-degree content,” said Charles Armstrong, Product Manager of Google Street View. “With its capability to create 16MP images, the LG 360 CAM will be the most preferable choice for anyone to join in the fun of 360-degree content.” The images will also be available to view on the LG 360 VR or other smartphones or devices that are capable of 360-degree content.

The Polaroid Brightsaber is a new LED lighting wand with an integrated rotating tungsten filter. The highly portable lighting solution can be comfortably handheld or mounted to a tripod for studio setups, and comes with 298 efficient, low-heat 5600K LED bulbs rated at >50,000 Hours. Helping photographers stay focused on set, the Polaroid brightsaber comes with an innovative multi-function IR remote. This handy device gives users full control over the lighting, while doubling as a remote shutter release for virtually any Canon, Nikon or Pentax camera. The Polaroid Brightsaber is available now for $162.29.

Sigma has announced its presence at the 2016 Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Conference (WPPI) in Las Vegas, NV from 7-9 March 2016. Sigma will showcase its brand new products including the 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens (pictured), the MC-11 mount converter and the 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens; as well as feature a lineup of Sigma Pro speakers in its theatre at booth 521. Attendees who visit the Sigma booth will have multiple chances to win Sigma lenses each day by simply scanning their badge or participating in the new Sigma Social Studio.

DJI has launched the Phantom 4 quadcopter, billed as the first consumer drone to use "highly advanced computer vision and sensing technology to make professional aerial imaging easier for everyone." The Phantom 4’s camera has undergone an upgrade that includes improved optics for better corner sharpness and reduced chromatic aberration. The quadcopter also has DJI’s signature Lightbridge video transmission system onboard, allowing users to see what their camera sees in HD and in real-time on their smart devices at a distance up to five kilometres. Additionally, the Phantom 4’s Obstacle Sensing System features two forward-facing optical sensors that scan for obstacles and automatically direct the aircraft around the impediment when possible, reducing risk of collision, while ensuring flight direction remains constant. The DJI Phantom 4 is now available for preorder, priced at £1229. Customers will begin receiving their units on 15th March.

Issue 50 of David Noton’s Chasing the Light Online Magazine is now available. In this month's Behind the Lens article and accompanying video blog, David Noton continues his travelogue about his recent trip to Western Australia. Meanwhile, in the Low Down, the next instalment of David’s mini series on new inspirations considers the opportunities to be found in shooting textures, a subject he now feels may have far more potential than he had previously thought. For this month’s edition of The Pipe Line, Ben Piper embarks upon a weekend of shooting the diverse architecture of Berlin. Do note that the full contents of Chasing the Light Online Magazine is available to full f11 subscribers only. However non-members can purchase individual issues of the magazine at a price of £4.20.

UK Optics (Laowa UK) has announced the Laowa 105mm f/2 STF lens. This unique manual-focus lens has an integrated apodisation filter that promises to deliver "superior bokeh rendering and crystal sharp images." The full-frame Laowa 105mm f/2 STF lens features 11 elements in 8 groups with a 14-bladed diaphragm and a minimum focus distance of 0.9m. The STF abbreviation stands for Smooth Trans Focus, a reference to its special optical system, which is intended to deliver smooth transitions between crisp in‐focus areas and a defocused background or foreground. Weighing in at 745 grams, the Laowa 105mm F2 STF will be available later this month, priced at £649.99.

DxO have released an update to the DxO ONE iPhone app. Version 1.3 introduces several new features that further extend the use of the DxO ONE camera, including the ability to use the OLED display as a novel framing assistant to help quickly compose while operating the camera with one hand. The update also introduces a host of other features including motion blur alert, and a new way to dial in white balance, metering and focus modes, which can also be viewed as overlays in the viewfinder along with your iPhone battery level. Additionally, DxO have unbundled their desktop software from the package (DxO FilmPack and DxO OpticsPro now sold separately), enabling even more photographers to get their hands on the DxO ONE camera at a new low price of £399.

Now open for entries, the Environmental Photographer of the Year competition is an international showcase for the very best in environmental photography. Free to enter, the competition provides an opportunity for amateur and professional photographers of all ages to share images of environmental and social issues with international audiences, and to enhance our understanding of the causes, consequences and solutions to climate change and social inequality. The main prize is the prestigious Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year title, along with a cash prize of £3,000. In recognition of the contemporary focus of this year’s competition, photographs must have been taken (and films made) since 1 January 2015. The submission deadline is 18 April 2016.

Nest today announced the first in a new range of modular photo backpacks, the Diverse 20. Designed for convenience, the ultra lightweight Nest Diverse 20 backpack features two removable inserts (shoulder bags complete with straps and internal splitters and integrated pockets). Other features include a spacious hydration reservoir area, a dedicated pocket to store your tablet (up to 10"), a tripod mounting system and additional pockets for photographic accessories. Available in early March, the Diverse 20 has a suggested retail price of £149.99.

Olympus has announced the launch of the OM-D E-M10 Mark II Limited Edition camera. Limited to 3,500 units worldwide, the new Fox Brown version comes with a premium leather strap and a matching silver-coloured lens cap, as well as an M.Zuiko DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1-3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake lens. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Limited Edition kit is priced at £699.99/€899.99/$899.95. An optional OM-D messenger bag made of brown leather and grey canvas - available in standard and Mini versions - has also been unveiled.

Colour Confidence today revealed their guest line up for The Photography Show. Confirmed speakers include Sanjay Jogia, Mark Wood, Mark Lawrence and John Clements. Visitors to stand C81 can also enter an exclusive prize draw for the chance to win over £1,600 worth of photographic equipment. During the four-day show, the stand will feature live model photo-shoots, product launches, presentations and technical demonstrations. There will also be a Color Confidence Shop where visitors can purchase products from industry leading brands at special show prices. People interested in attending The Photography Show can use Color Confidence discount code COLTPS16 to save 20% off the price of an adult ticket.

StreetFoto San Francisco is an annual international street photography festival that will host its inaugural event in several venues around San Francisco from 8-12 June 2016. The festival features a group exhbition by members of Burn My Eye, an influential international street photography collective; lectures by In-Public member Richard Bram, APF co-founder Vineet Vohra, Burn My Eye member Jack Simon and other prominent photographers; a panel discussion featuring a group of internationally known street photographers visiting the festival; private one-on-one portfolio reviews; photo walks through San Francisco’s most photogenic neighborhoods; organised pub crawls, and more. Additionally, the StreetFoto San Francisco International Street Photography Awards are now accepting submissions to three separate contests including Best Street Photograph, Best Street Photography Series and Best Mobile Street Photograph. Contest finalists will be exhibited in San Francisco during the festival and will be have their work included in the StreetFoto 2016 book. Winners and runners-up will be eligible to win over $2000 in cash prizes and subscriptions to APF magazine.

Nikon has released a new version of its photo sharing service, Nikon Image Space. The company has added three new modes that allow users to enjoy photos from a variety of angles. The "View" mode supports intuitive browsing of photos, and the new "Report" mode enables analysis of aspects such as photographic tendencies from shooting information for uploaded photos and feedback on shared photos. The "Organise" mode (computer version only) has been improved to enable easier photo organisation with a left-and-right pane layout.

Macphun Software has launched a three-month payment plan for Aurora HDR Pro. Rather than pay one upfront fee or committing to a monthly subscription, customers will be able to split the cost of Aurora HDR into three monthly instalments of £24. As soon as the first payment is made, customers will have access to the software and a license that allows them to use Aurora HDR Pro on up to 5 Macs.

Huawei and Leica have entered into a strategic partnership. Richard Yu, CEO of the Huawei Consumer BG said: "The technology partnership with Huawei offers Leica Camera an excellent opportunity to introduce its proven optical expertise into a new product segment and to unlock exciting business areas in the field of mobile devices," Oliver Kaltner, CEO of Leica Camera AG said. "Smartphones make a very important contribution to the world of photography and open an important door for Leica to new target groups and fields of application." The two companies' partnership will span research and development, design, co-engineering, user experience, marketing and retail distribution.