Sony today announced that user selectable compressed and uncompressed 14-bit-per-channel raw image capture will be featured in the new A7S II full-frame compact system camera. Additionally, they have announced plans to add this feature via firmware update to additional cameras, beginning with the recently introduced A7R II. Until now, Sony camera users have had to make do with raw files compressed using a lossy algorithm, leading to sub-optimal results (as compared with other manufacturers' cameras equipped with similar Sony sensors).

CyberLink today launched the latest versions of its Director series multimedia editing software applications. PowerDirector 14 (priced from $69.99) features flexible video editing modes, more than 500 effects and templates, improved 64-bit video rendering with TrueVelocity 5, precision motion tracking and a new Action Camera Center. PhotoDirector 7 ($59.99) adds support for a wide variety of new cameras and raw image formats, introduces a fresh approach to layer-based editing, and features new face and body beautification and content-aware object removal tools. ColorDirector 4 Ultra ($129.99) offers intelligent motion tracking, post-production colour grading and HDR video editing.

Epson today announced the 24-inch SureColor P6000 and P7000, plus the 44-inch SureColor P8000 and P9000 printers. The SC-P7000 and SC-P9000 are available in a Commercial Edition featuring an all-new Violet ink for expanded color gamut delivering output matching 99-percent of the PANTONE FORMULA GUIDE Solid Coated. In addition, the printers are configurable with an optional Epson SpectroProofer UVS in-line spectrophotometer designed to provide automated colour management and verification-related tasks for a range of proofing applications. The SC-P6000/P8000 leverage the eight-colour UltraChrome HD ink and the SC-P7000/P9000 use the 10-colour UltraChrome HDX ink. Both professional ink sets deliver improved black density: the new Black ink is 1.5 times denser than previous ink formulation, providing significant improvements to overall contract ratio and optical clarity, the company says. The Epson SureColor P-Series will be available in October 2015.

Hobie by Overlab Designs is a new tool for creating time-lapse videos with smartphones. Available in four colours, Hobie is a simple, fully mechanical device that works with any phone that's less than 8cm wide. Comprising a modified kitchen timer, a crossbar and a large wheel, the ingeniuous device is highly portable and features 36 different point-of-view setting options for both static and 360-degree time-lapse sequences. Interested readers are encouraged to pay a visit to Hobie's Kickstarter page for more information.

Leica Camera has announced a new programme of photography training courses and workshops at its London-based Akademie. This includes the Leica Masterclass Series (starting with a street photography workshop held from 3-4 October 2015), the Learn With Leica course designed to move novice photographers away from the ‘Auto’ setting and unleash their true potential, several one-day "Leica In London" events, a personalised one.hour workshop called "Leica Bespoke," plus several complimentary workshops aimed at Leica M and T system photographers. The Leica Akademie UK is located at the Leica Studio, 27 Bruton Place, Mayfair, London W1J 6NQ.

Schneider-Kreuznach are showcasing an FF-Prime lens with Sony E-Mount for the first time at the International Broadcast Conference (IBC). Up to now, Schneider-Kreuznach's Xenon-branded FF-Primes - which were first announced in 2013 - have been available in Canon, Nikon and PL fit. The FF Prime lenses with Sony E-Mount will become available later this year in 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm focal lengths (all with a maximum aperture of T/2.1), priced from €2,998-€4,320.

EIZO is expanding its warranty to cover bright pixel defects on select FlexScan, ColorEdge, and FORIS monitors. Under this warranty, no bright sub-pixels are allowed for six months from the date of purchase. This expanded warranty is valid on the EIZO FlexScan EV3237, EV2750, EV2736W, EV2730Q, EV2455, EV2450, EV2436W and EV2336W, ColorEdge CG318-4K, CG248-4K, CG277, CG247, CX271, CX241, CS270, CS240 and CS230 (pictured), plus the FORIS FS2735, FS2434 and FG2421 models.

The next Magnum Professional Practice event will be held from 3 - 4 October 2015 in the Magnum Print Room in London. In this two day event, leading figures of the photographic industry will deliver presentations and advice on the realities of working in their sectors. Confirmed speakers include Hannah Watson, Hamish Crooks and Neil Wissink. The tuition fee is £200 including lunch.

Atomos are showcasing the 4K/HD 3RU 2ch dual 7" Shogun Studio and the Ninja Assassin at IBC 2015 in Amsterdam. Shogun Studio (£2,595/$3,495/€3,495) is the world's first all-in-one 4K & HD, 2ch, dual 7" 3RU rack recorder, monitor and playback deck. The dual record channels provide the ability to simultaneously record 2 separate inputs in your choice of resolution up to 4K 30p or HD 120p or 2 versions of the same input for parity. Ninja Assassin (£895/$1,295/€1,295) delivers 325ppi monitoring functionality and the 7" size needed to truly master 4K along with the only true 10-bit 4:2:2 professional recording solution for Apple, AVID & Adobe workflows and all with a price & weight the lowest in the market. New pricing on Atomos's HD range has also been announced at IBC. The Samurai Blade, Ninja Blade, Ninja 2 will see a price reduction in excess of 50%, taking the Ninja 2 to the lowest price seen for a Recorder-Monitor (£209/$295/€295).

Panasonic have released a firmware upgrade for their Lumix GH4 compact system camera. Version 2.3 brings the following improvements to the camera.

1. "Activation function" is added in the menu which enables the camera to comply with "V-Log L" function by using Upgrade Software Key "DMW-SFU1".
   * Follow the Installation Guide bundled in the Upgrade Software key "DMW-SFU1".
   About extended function of V-Log L for DMC-GH4.
2. Recording can be paused or stopped with a press of Fn1 button in [Time Lapse Shot] despite the length of shooting interval.

DJI have announced two new Micro Four Thirds cameras for their DJI Inspire 1 professional aerial camera platform. Equipped with a 16-mgapixel Four Thjirds sensor and a Micro Four Thirds lens mount, the Zenmuse X5 wili initially support 4 interchangeable lenses, including the DJI MFT 15mm f/1.7 ASPH, Panasonic Lumix 15mm G Leica DG Summilux f/1.7 ASPH, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2.0 lens, and Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8. While the Zenmuse X5 is in flight, pilots can adjust both focus and aperture via the DJI GO app or through DJI's previously-announced Follow Focus system. The DJI Zenmuse X5R camera shares the same sensor and lens compatibility with the X5, but records video both to an onboard microSD card as well as to a removable 512GB SSD on the gimbal's top plate. The Zenmuse X5 is available for pre-order at store.dji.com for $4,499 (€4,999), including a DJI Inspire 1 and DJI's MFT 15mm F1.7 ASPH lens, and will begin shipping before the end of September. The Zenmuse X5R will be available in Q4 2015 for $7,999 (€8,799).

Canon have issued a firmware update for their EOS 7D Mark II digital SLR camera. Version 1.0.5 incorporates the following fixes and improvements:

1. Improves AF accuracy when used in combination with the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM lens or EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which, in very rare cases, the "Peripheral illumination correction" is applied inconsistently.
3. Fixes a phenomenon in which, while performing an EF lens firmware update, the progress bar displayed on the LCD monitor may freeze at 100% even though the update has been completed.
4. Fixes a processing error in relation to the leap second for the "Geotag information appended to image" and "Log data" GPS functions.
5. Fixes a phenomenon, where at the time of shooting in very rare cases "Err 70" occurs, or the shutter does not release.

Website: Canon Support & Drivers

The Sony PXW-FS5 is a compact interchangeable-lens Super 35mm camcorder with 4K XAVC video recording capability. Ergonomically designed for hand-held shooting, the Sony PXW-FS5 can be used in almost any location, even airborne when mounted on a drone. The camera’s Super35 Exmor CMOS sensor incorporates 11.6 million (8.3 million effective) pixels. High-quality imagery is further ensured by high frame rate cache recording at 10-bit 4:2:2 Full HD and a high frame rate of up to 240 fps, in 8 second bursts, which makes 1/10 times Super Slow Motion possible without sacrificing bit depth or loss of image quality. The PXW-FS5’s E-mount can take virtually any lens, such as SLR lenses via an adapter, as well as Sony’s E-mount and A-mount lenses. The compact power zoom E lens PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS (SELP18105G), provided in the PXW-FS5K kit model enables zoom operation with one hand. The PXW-FS5 is planned to be available in November 2015, at $6,699 (body only) and $7,299 (kit).