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.

An image by Budapest-based Australian photojournalist Warren Richardson has been selected as the World Press Photo of the Year 2015. Taken at night on 28 August 2015, the photograph (above) shows migrants crossing the frontier from Serbia into Hungary across a temporary razor wire obstacle deployed before the completion of a taller and more robust border fence. "I was exhausted by the time I took the picture," Richardson says. "It was around three o’clock in the morning and you can’t use a flash while the police are trying to find these people, because I would just give them away. So I had to use the moonlight alone." The 2016 contest drew entries from around the world: 5,775 photographers from 128 countries submitted 82,951 images. The jury gave prizes in eight categories to 41 photographers from 21 countries including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, and the USA.

Jessops have announced a one-day workshop hosted by Italian fashion photographer Tommy Napolitano. Taking place from 10.30-16.30 on 28 February 2016 in the retailer’s flagship store on Oxford Street, London, the Jessops Commercial Fashion Workshop aims to provide an overview of the fashion photography trade and processes, from creatively interpreting a brief to selecting the final images. Priced at £249, the workshop will cover everything you need to know to co-ordinate your own commercial fashion shoot.

Canon have published four full-resolution sample photos and a reduced-resolution sample video recorded with their new EOS 80D digital SLR camera. Captured using a variety of EF and EF-S lenses including the Canon EF600mm f/4L IS II USM, EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM and EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM; these Canon EOS 80D samples can be downloaded as full-resolution JPEG images from the website below. Note that unlike the stills, the sample movie has been resized for the Web.

Website: Official Canon EOS 80D Sample Images & Movies

Ricoh have posted four full-resolution sample photos taken witht the new Pentax K-1 full-frame digital SLR camera. Captured using a variety of lenses including the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mmF4.5-5.6ED DC AW, the HD Pentax-D FA★70-200mmF2.8ED DC AW, the HD Pentax-D FA 28-105mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR and the HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mmF2.8ED SDM WR; these Pentax K-1 samples were all shot at the camera's base sensitivity setting of ISO 100/21°.

Website: Ricoh Imaging Japan

Not content with launching 10 new photo products at CES, Vegas, at the start of the year, followed by the surprise announcement of the 1DX Mark II weeks later, photo stalwart Canon has launched a further five new products with May 2016 availability.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon EOS 80D DSLR camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II compact camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II compact camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon PowerShot SX720 HS compact camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS compact camera.

The Canon EOS 80D is a new mid-range DSLR camera designed for capturing stills and video. The 80D features a  24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 processor, alongside a new 45 all cross-type point AF system, native ISO 100-16,000 range, expandable to ISO 25,600, and fast responsive 7fps shooting rate.

Canon is also unveiling an all-purpose lens – the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM – with new Nano USM technology, and an optional Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1, for smooth zoom control when shooting movies and remote operation via Wi-Fi.

The EOS 80D is available from April 2016 with an RRP of £999.99/€769.99 body only. The EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is available from April 2016 with an RRP of £439.99/€610. The Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 is available from May 2016 with an RRP of £129.99/€179.99.

In the US, the Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR camera and EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens are currently scheduled to be available in March 2016 for an estimated retail price of $1,199.00 for the body only, $1,799.00 with the new EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens and $599.99 for the lens only.

The Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 and Directional Stereo Microphone DM-E1 are currently scheduled to be available in June 2016, for estimated retail prices of $149.99 and $249.99 respectively.  

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II is an advanced compact camera with a 1.0-type 20.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and 4.2x optical zoom lens. The first camera to include Canon’s new DIGIC 7 processor, the G7 X Mark II  also features super-fast AF speeds, 8 fps RAW continuous shooting, improved optical Image Stabilizer with Dual Sensing IS technology, Full HD movie recording, and built-in wi-fi and NFC connectivity.

The PowerShot G7 X Mark II is available from April 2016 with an RRP of £549.99/€769.99.

In he US the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II digital camera is currently scheduled to be available in May 2016 for an estimated retail price of $699.99.

The Canon PowerShot SX720 HS is a new 40x superzoom camera. The SX720 HS combines a 20.3 MP CMOS sensor with DIGIC 6 processing and a 40x optical zoom (24-960mm). 

The PowerShot SX720 HS is available from April 2016 with an RRP of £299.99/€419.99.

In the US the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS digital camera is currently scheduled to be available in March 2016 for an estimated retail price of $379.99.  

Want to see exactly what the new Pentax K-1 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Pentax K-1 DSLR camera.

Want to see exactly what the new HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm F2.8ED SDM WR lens looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm F2.8ED SDM WR lens.