The Ricoh WG-M2 is a new action camera featuring a fully waterproof, shock-resistant body, a 204 degree ultra-wide angle lens and 4K movie recording. Depth rated to 20 metres, the Ricoh WG-M2 is shock-resistant from a height of two metres and cold-resistant to -10 °C. In addition to recording 4K videos at 30fps, Full HD footage at 60fps and 720p HD movies at 120fps, the Ricoh WG-M2 can also capture 8-megapixel stills. A 1.5" LCD screen makes it possible to view the action during recording and to play back images and video on the go. With the wireless connection you can even share images and videos of your latest sporting, underwater or outdoor activities straight to your social network or website. The Ricoh WG-M2 will become available at the end of March, at a recommended retail price of £269.99/$299.95.

The Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary is a new lens for Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount cameras. Featuring a 35mm equivalent focal length of 60mm/45mm, the Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary lens has an optical construction comprising 9 elements in 7 groups and an iris diaphragm with 9 rounded aperture blades. By incorporating a stepping motor, the lens offers a quiet and fast auto focus operation and full compatibility with Sony's Fast Hybrid AF technology. The lens will be available for £239.99.

The Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM is Sigma's second APS-C format zoom lens offering a constant f/1.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range. Equivaletn to a 75-150mm lens in 35mm terms, the Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM features an internal zoom mechanism and an aperture diaphragm with nine rounded blades. Weighing in at 1,490 grams, the Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM has an optical construction comprising 21 lens elements in 15 groups and a minimum focus distance of 95cm. The lens will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma fit for £779.99.

The Sigma MC-11 mount converter enables Sony NEX camera users to attach Sigma's SA- and EF-mount lenses to their camera bodies. The adapter incorporates the digital data necessary to provide fast and smooth AF for compatible lenses as well as image stabilisation and functions of the camera that help control peripheral brightness and correct transverse chromatic aberration, distortion, and more. In addition, since Sony E-mount camera bodies do not require mechanical integration with lenses for aperture control, the Sigma MC-11 makes the lenses fully compatible with the automatic exposure control of Sony E-mount camera bodies. The Sigma Mount Converter MC-11 has an anticipated street price of £179.99. Availability has yet to be confirmed.

Sigma has announced a duo of compact system cameras featuring large Foveon X3 direct image sensors. Building on the concept of the SD1 Merrill,both cameras feature a Sigma SA lens mount, making them compatible with all of the Sigma GLOBAL VISION lenses in the Contemporary, Art and Sports lines. The Sigma sd Quattro has a 19.6-megapixel APS-C size sensor, whilte the Sigma sd Quattro H has an even larger (APS-H sized) 25.5-megapixel imager measuring 26.6 x 17.9mm. The cameras offer a combination of contrast-detect and phase-detect auto focus, plus a focus peaking function for manual focus enthusiasts. The high-resolution 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder features near-100% viewfinder coverage and a 1.09 magnification ratio. O-rings and environmental seals around buttons and seams prevent the intrusion of dust and water, making the cameras suitable for use in adverse weather conditions.

The Sigma EF-630 is a multifunctional clip-on type flash designed to work with current digital SLR cameras from Canon, Nikon and Sigma. Featuring a zoomable tilt-swivel head with a zoom coverage of 24-200mm, the Sigma EF-630 offers wireless TTL exposure control as well as high-speed sync, rear-curtain sync and modelling flash functions. Photographers can update the unit's firmware via the newly developed optional Flash USB Dock FD-11.

The Nikon DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6 is a new superzoom camera with a 20.8-megapixel CX sensor and a 24-500mm equivalent lens. Available in black, the Nikon DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6 features Nikon's Sports VR image stabilisation, a built-in 2359k-dot OLED electronic viewfinder, and a high-resolution OLED vari-angle touchscreen. Images can be captured in either JPEG or NEF format, and the camera can record movies in 4K resolution at 30p/25p. Other key highlights include a fast Advanced Hybrid AF system, a continuous shooting speed of 60fps with fixed focus and 20fps with AF, plus an ISO 518 hot shoe, which accepts various accessories including Nikon DSLR Speedlights. Available in early Summer, the Nikon DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6 will retail for $999.95.

The Nikon DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8 is a new premium compact camera with Nikon's fastest-ever ultra-wide zoom lens and a 20.8-megapixel CX-format sensor. The lens features Nikon’s acclaimed Nano Crystal Coat for greater image clarity. Capable of shooting photos in raw (NEF) format, and 4K/UHD movies at 30p/25p, the Nikon DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8 employs Nikon’s porprietary Advanced Hybrid AF system for fast subject acquisition, plus a 1037k-dot OLED tilt touchscreen. Other features include burst shooting at 60fps (with fixed focus) or 20fps (with auto focus), Dual Detect Optical VR image stabilisation, an ISO 518 hot shoe and in-camera Perspective Control. Available in early summer, the Nikon DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8 carries an MSRP of $799.95.

The Nikon DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8 is a new premium compact camera with a 1"-type 20.8-megapixel sensor and a fast zoom lens. Capable of capturing images in Nikon's raw NEF format, the Nikon DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8 employs Nikon’s acclaimed Advanced Hybrid AF system for fast subject acquisition. An EXPEED 6A processor with no less than four CPUs enables continuous shooting speeds of 60 fps with focus fixed at the first frame, or up to 20 fps with continuous AF. Nikon’s Dual Detect Optical VR system delivers enhanced shake detection and correction. Available in black and silver, the camera also features an ISO 518 hot-shoe, a Super Macro Mode, a 1037k-dot OLED tilt touchscreen, pop-up flash, plus customisable zoom and control rings around the lens barrel. Available in early summer, the Nikon DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8 carries an MSRP of $649.95.

Nikon have announced three new Coolpix compact cameras. The Nikon Coolpix A900 (£329.99/€429.95/$399.95) is a slim long zoom compact camera that packs a 35x zoom lens, a tilting 3" display and a 20-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor. Users can also capture 4K UHD video at 30fps and share their images and movies via Nikon SnapBridge. The Coolpix B500 (£219.99/€289.95/$299.95) is an ergonomically designed zoom camera powered by AA batteries. A 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor alongside an impressive 40x optical zoom lets users capture high quality images from near or far. The camera also offers hybrid VR to combat camera shake when shooting on-the-go. To complement still images captured, the B500 can record full 1080p HD video, while framing every shot is made easy using the high resolution tilting 920k-dot 3-inch LCD screen. Last but not least the Nikon B700 (£359.99/€469.95/$499.95) features a 60x zoom lens, a 20.3-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS imager, 5fps stills shooting, raw image capture and 4K video. The cameras will be available from April 2016.

Bowens has announced it is pulling out of The Photography Show, held from 19-22 March 2016 at the Birmingham NEC. “The decision to book 2016 show space was taken many months ago - after fulfilling our commitment at TPS 2015 to create the biggest ever presence by Bowens at any show or convention in almost seventy years,” says Alan Walmsley, Bowens sales and marketing director (left). “But this 2016 show judgement has been predicated on our full expectation to use the NEC event as the platform for introducing our new flash system products. Despite our all-out attempts to fulfil this ambition on schedule it is clear that the first models of our new ‘Generation X’ programme will not meet the required delivery deadline. This is a major disappointment for all parties and we apologise unreservedly to everyone who was looking forward to seeing us and our new products in Birmingham.”

The Nissin i60A is a new radio-controlled flashgun compatible with the Nissin Air System (NAS). Available in Canon, Fuji, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon and Sony versions; the Nissin i60A builds on the existing i40 unit offering a similar (albeit not identical) form factor and a higher guide number (60 in metres at ISO 100/21°) and a wider zoom range (24-200mm). The built-in radio receiver is compatible with the Nissin Commander Air1, a hotshoe-mounted 2.4GHz radio transceiver that links up to 21 Nissin Air System flash units (including the i60A and the Di700A models) in up to 3 groups. Other highlights of the Nissin i60A include TTL and HSS functionality, first- and second-curtain synchronisation, a recycle time of 0.1-5.5 seconds, a built-in LED light, a rear-mounted colour LCD panel and a tilt-swivel head. Available from May, pricing to be confirmed.

LG has unveiled the LG G5 smartphone, a slide-out battery and a modular type design. Featuring two rear-facing cameras - one with a 135-degree UWA lens and another with a 78° lens -, the phone features a collection of powerful photo effects including Pop-out Picture, Film Effect and Auto Shot. Pop-out Picture combines images taken by the standard and wide angle lens to create a picture-in-a-frame effect. Film Effect can apply nine different film emulators to an image while Auto Shot is an enhanced camera UX which automatically captures the perfect selfie shot when a face is recognised. The separate LG CAM Plus camera module can be attached through the battery slot to deliver a comfortable grip, an additional battery capacity of 1,200mAh and convenient control of a standalone camera. The LG CAM Plus provides physical buttons for power, shutter, record, zoom, LED indicator and comfortable grip. It also offers separate AF and AE Lock functionality.

SanDisk today introduced the World's fastest microSD memory card. Available in 64GB and 128GB capacities, the SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-II card delivers transfer speeds of up to 275MB/s and also includes a USB 3.0 card reader to conveniently offload files to a PC. The 64GB and 128GB SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-II cards will be available in Q2 at MSRPs of $179.99 and $299.99, respectively.

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. Avaiability is slated for 24 March 2016. Pricing to be confirmed.

Tamron have introduced a new version of their 90mm macro lens. The new Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 VC USD MACRO 1:1 VC inherits many of the features of its predecessor, but boasts an enhanced VC image stabilisation system with XY-Shift compensation and improved near-silent USD focusing system. The construction of the lens now includes a newly designed all-metallic barrel, with larger switches reconfigured for smoother function. Tamron have incorporated a new standard of Moisture-Proof & Dust-Resistant construction, plus Tamron’s Fluorine coating which is applied to the front element to help repel water and oil. This new 90mm VC USD lens will also be the first Tamron lens incorporating the facility for users to update firmware, customise autofocus positions and adjust the mechanical setup and preferences of the lens by simply attaching it to the optional TAMRON TAP-in Console and connecting it via USB to a PC. Launching on Thursday, the new lens carries an SRP of £580 / $649. (This TAP-in console will be released in March.)

Aurora Aperture today introduced the PowerXND 2000 variable ND filter family. The PowerXND 2000 offers eleven stops of light reduction capacity which previously has been only available in fixed neutral density filters. “ND filters are popular among landscape photographers and videographers for reducing amount of light,” said Jinfu Chen, founder and CEO of Aurora Aperture Inc. “Variable ND filters are useful as they can replace multiple fixed ND filters. However, the variable ND filters in the market today typically have 6+ usable stops, whereas users often demand more stopping power: such as 10 or more stops. Our PowerXND 2000 family of variable ND filters will be able to satisfy this requirement with additional benefits such as superior image quality that rivals fixed ND filters and a slim frame profile to prevent vignetting in wide angle lenses.” The Aurora PowerXND 2000 filter will be available through Kickstarter crowdfunding in February 2016, and to general public as well as dealers in Summer 2016. List prices will start from $159.

Sony has announced the commercialisation of a new Exmor RS imager billed as the World's first stacked CMOS sensor with built-in hybrid AF and "3-axis" image-stabilisation. The 1/2.6"-type Sony Exmor RS IMX318 has a pixel pitch of 1μm and a resolution of 22.5 effective megapixels. The dimensions and pixel size make this sensor suitable for inclusion into smartphones and ultra-compact cameras. Sony aims to begin shipments for this new CMOS image sensor in May 2016.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, LG will bring to Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016 a new series of smartphones offering one exceptional feature at a price that rivals mid-range models. The first two handsets in the X series — X cam and X screen — will debut at MWC in Barcelona on February 22. The X cam and X screen are designed for customers who do not want or need all the bells and whistles that come with today’s high-end phones but still desire a great camera or advanced display. The X cam sports dual cameras on the rear and delivers "one of the most advanced camera experience in a mass-tier smartphone," the company says. What this means in practice remains to be seen - the only camera-related specifications LG has shared so far are the resolution figures (13 megapixels for the main unit and 5 megapixels for the front-facing camera). Visitors to MWC can see the new X series for themselves at LG’s booth in Hall 3 of Fira Gran Via from February 22-25.

Independent software developer, Reggie Ashworth, announced version 1.6.4 of VidConvert, his popular video converter for Mac OS X. New features include full compatibility with El Capitan, a refreshed GUI, full 64-bit support for the fastest possible conversion, compatibility with Retina displays, and much more. VidConvert 1.6.4 is available for $7.99.