Lexar today announced the new Lexar Professional 1000x microSD UHS-II cards, offering read transfer speeds up to 150MB per second. Designed for sports camcorders, tablets, and smartphones, the new microSD cards leverage Ultra High Speed II (U3) to provide faster capture, play back, and transfer of photo and video files. The cards are also an excellent choice for photographers needing multiple memory cards for extended use to capture aerial content with a quadcopter. Available in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities, the Professional 1000x microSD UHS-II cards are backwards compatible with UHS-I cameras and readers at UHS-I speeds, as well as non-UHS-I devices at Class 10 speeds. Lexar Professional 1000x microSD UHS-II cards will be available in the first calendar quarter of 2015 with a MSRP of £46.99 (32GB), £84.99 (64GB), and £145.99 (128GB).

Toshiba today introduced the FlashAir III Wireless SD Card, a third-generation memory card that serves as its own wireless LAN access point, allowing users to share images, videos and other files wirelessly. The FlashAir III Wireless SD Card’s Internet pass-through feature allows users to access the card and Internet (via your separate wireless router) simultaneously – enabling the ability to upload images in real-time. Using a wireless LAN chip, The FlashAir III Wireless SD Card is accessible to any wireless capable computers, smartphones or tablets, and can support simultaneous access from up to seven devices. In addition, the built-in Wi-Fi access point also allows for transfers without an Internet connection, as before. The Toshiba FlashAir III Wireless SD Card will be available for purchase in March for $79.99 for 16GB and $99.99 for 32GB.

This week we’re revealing our favourite products from last year in our annual awards, looking back at the essential photography kit that helped to define 2014.

The Lens of the Year 2014 award goes to the Fujifilm XF 56mm F1.2 R.

“The Fujifilm XF 56mm F1.2 R is a superb addition to the X-series range, offering a classic portraiture focal length and an ultra-fast aperture that produces simply beautiful background bokeh with a minimum of fuss.”

Read the Full Review

Congratulations to Fujifilm and the XF 56mm F1.2 R!

Panasonic is introducing its new lineup of UHS-I type SDXC/SDHC memory cards by upgrading to the latest "SDUD" that boasts maximum read speed of 95MB/s and maximum write speed of 90MB/s, in addition to compliance with UHS Speed Class 3 specifications. Additionally, the lineup now includes a 128GB model (pictured).

The Sony Handycam FDR-AXP33 is a compact 4K camcorder featuring Balanced Optical SteadyShot technology. This powerful image stabilisation system keeps 4K video exceptionally smooth and stable, the company claims. About 30% smaller and 20% lighter than the existing FDR-AX100, the new FDR-AXP33 can record 4K video at a bit rate of 100 megabits per second, and sports a manual ring and button that can be assigned to functions like zoom, focus and exposure. The EVF boasts three times the detail of predecessor models such as the HDR-PJ810 and 820. The FDR-AXP33 also features an ISO-compatible Multi Interface shoe which accepts a variety of add-ons and expands the creative opportunities for the videographer. There's even a built-in projector with auto keystone adjustment and a 50-lumen brightness. The Sony Handycam FDR-AXP33 will be available in February, priced at £1,079.

The Sony FDR-X1000VR is a wearable action camera that can record 4K footage at 30/25/24fps, Full HD at 120/100fps and 720p HD video at up to 240fps. In an Action Cam first, the FDR-X1000VR can capture high-bitrate recordings at up to 100 megabits per second,provided you have a microSDXC UHS-I Class 3 memory card inserted.. Newly-enhanced advanced SteadyShot ensures footage is clear and stable –– great for aerial shots with Action Cam rigged on a drone. The high-quality stereo microphone now features new Wind Noise Reduction. With the free Action Cam Movie Creator application, you can overlay GPS data to see your exact route and use the Video Merge function to simply bring together the best of your videos. You can also add favourite music to the edited video. Built-in Wi-Fi connects the camera with the new RM-LVR2 Live-View Remote. This waterproof wrist-mount accessory lets you check shooting angles, start/stop recording, review recorded footage and delete any scenes you don’t want. The new Action Cam FDR-X1000VR from Sony will be available from April, priced at £359.

The Nikon D5500 is a new digital SLR camera featuring a 3.2" Vari-angle touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and a 24.2-megapixel DX-format sensor with no optical low-pass filter (OLPF). Intuitively designed for easy menu navigation and intelligent operation, the D5500 allows the user to choose their focus point via Touch AF, pinch in to check focus and even activate the shutter with the touch of a fingertip. Additionally, a new Fn touch feature gives one-touch access to important settings like AF point selection, aperture, ISO sensitivity, AF area mode and more. The camera features a 39-point auto focus system with 9 cross-type sensors and 3D Focus Tracking, as well as continuous shooting speeds of up to 5fps. When shooting in low-light, D5500 users can also take advantage of an expanded wide-ranging ISO spanning 100-25,600. The Nikon D5500 will be available in early February, in black and red, as a body-only offering for £639.99 / $899.95 and in two different kit configurations: alongside the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II lens for a suggested retail price of £719.99 / $999.95 or with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens for £899.99 / $1,199.95.

The AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR from Nikon is billed as the world's lightest 300mm full-frame fixed-focal-length AF lens. Almost 30% shorter and 1.5 lbs. lighter than its predecessor, the new 300mm f/4E PF boasts Phase Fresnel optical technology to  help correct chromatic aberration and reduce the overall size and weight of the lens. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR features electromagnetic aperture control - hence the E designation in the product name - a VR Sport mode, VR tripod detection as well as a Silent Wave Motor for quiet AF operation, ED glass for further controlling chromatic aberrations and Nano Crystal Coat for superior image quality. The optical formula comprises 16 elements in 10 groups and a 9-bladed iris diaphragm. The lens takes 77mm filters and offers a minimum focus distance of 1.4m.  The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR will be available in late January / early February for £1639.99 / $1,999.99.

Compact and lightweight, the new retractable-design AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II telezoom presents an affordable way to get closer to the action. The optical formula comprises 13 elements in 9 groups - including one extra-low dispersion (ED) glass element -, with Super Integrated Coating and a 7-bladed iris diaphragm. The lens takes standard 52mm filters and has a minimum focus distance of 1.1m.  The AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR II will be available from 5th February, priced at £279.99 / $349.95.

The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR is a weather-resistant zoom lens with a constant aperture of F2.8 across the focal lengths equivalent to 24mm at wide-angle through to 84mm at medium-telephoto.

The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR lens will be available in the UK from February 2015 with a Suggested Retail Price of £899.99.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ57 camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ57 camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ70 camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ70 camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT30 camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT30 camera.

Want to see exactly what the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 camera.

Panasonic have announced two new travelzoom cameras. The Lumix TZ57 (£229.99) has a 16-megapixel sensor, a 24-480mm equivalent lens and a tilting 3" rear display with a resolution of 1,040k dots. The camera is also capable of recording Full HD movies, and includes POWER O.I.S for shake-free shots. The flagship Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ70 (£349.99, pictured) has a 12.1-megapixel imager, a 24-720mm equivalent lens, raw image capture, geotagging, Wi-Fi and NFC, as well as a small eye-level EVF with an eye proximity sensor and a resolution of 1,166k dots. Panasonic has also incorporated a 240fps auto focus sensor drive into the LUMIX TZ70, resulting in 'Light Speed' AF that lets you catch even the most split-second opportunities. The Lumix TZ70 also boasts the manufacturer's 5-axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilizer Plus system for blur-free photos and steady Full HD footage.

The Panasonic SZ10 is a new digital compact camera with a 24-288mm equivalent lens, a tiltable 2.7 inch 460K-dot LCD screen and an integrated Wi-Fi module. The camera also offers a number of beauty effect functions, including ‘Soft Skin’, ‘Defocusing’ and ‘Slimming’ modes. Soft Skin mode lets you adjust the skin tones; Defocusing mode applies a soft focus effect to the background to clearly emphasise the face in the image; and Slimming mode processes the portrait’s face to look slightly slimmer. The camera can also record HD video in 1280x720-pixel resolution, which can be started with a single press of a dedicated ‘motion picture’ button. The Panasonic Lumix SZ10 will be available from March, for a recommended retail price of £139.99.

The Panasonic Lumix FT30 is a new, ruggedly built 16.1-megapixel camera with a 25-100mm equivalent lens. Dustproof, waterproof to 8 metres, shockproof to 1.5m and freezeproof to -10 ℃; the new FT30 sports a 2.7" LCD screen and a new Torch Light function for illuminating the subject in dark underwater conditions. With the Creative Panorama function you can shoot a horizontal or vertical panoramic image, while Creative Control and Creative Retouch modes featuring a total of 12 filter effects give you the tools you need to enhance any scene you’re looking to take a picture of. The Panasonic Lumix will be available from March, at an RRP of £139.99.

The Phottix Indra500 TTL studio light is now available from the Phottix Online Store. Offering a new level of power for photographers on the move, the 500Ws Phottix Indra500 TTL studio light features through-the-lens flash exposure control with Canon and Nikon cameras, high-speed sync, manual power adjustment in 1/3EV increments, wireless radio control with Phottix Odin and Mitros+ systems, and a maximum recycle time of 2 seconds. The Phottix Indra500 TTL studio light is priced at $1,110 (AC adapter kit) and $1,199 (battery pack kit).

The Tiffen Company has announced its new product lineup for the 2015 International CES exhibition. The special star of this year’s show is CES’ newest Digital Imaging Innovation Honoree, Steadicam CURVE. Billed as a "groundbreaking camera stabilisation product," CURVE’s compact form factor gives GoPro users the freedom to shoot shake-free video. Tiffen will also be showcasing the latest updates to Tiffen Dfx. Version 4 now offers OFX plugin support for compatibility with digital intermediate workflows such as Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve and Assimilate Scratch, as well as The Foundry’s high-end NUKE visual effects program. Tiffen’s brand new XLE Series filters help colour correct images captured during long, extreme exposure shooting, producing a smooth, softening effect on objects and matter in motion. On display at CES 2015, the APEX, the ADVANTIX and the AXENT XLE filters are the ultimate imaging tools designed to provide control for these issues. The ZING imageTAKER Collection includes an innovative iPad case that gives users the ability to quickly switch from protecting to shooting, all without the trouble of removing the iPad from the case. Last but not least, the Lowel PRO Power LED is a compact focusing light available in hi-CRI tungsten or daylight color, with impressive output and a wide fresnel 8:1 focus range for lighting from a distance. You can get your hands on these products at booth #C10441.