The Canon PowerShot SX400 IS is a CCD-based, 16-megapixel digital compact camera with 30x optical zoom and 720p movies. The camera has a Smart AUTO mode that identifies an ideal image setting by intelligently selecting from one of 32 pre-defined modes for still shots and 21 scenes for video, while the updated grip design improves handling comfort. The PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera's High Speed AF, also upgraded from the previous model, helps to reduce lag time so that the perfect shot can be captured quickly and with ease. The PowerShot SX400 IS digital camera will be available in August 2014 in black or red for an estimated retail price of £259.00/€315.00/$249.99.

Sony Professional has launched a "business" camcorder with a 1"-type sensor and 12x optical zoom. Equipped with a 13.2×8.8mm, 20-megapixel Exmor-R branded CMOS imager and a 29-348mm equivalent Carl Zeiss T* lens, the Sony XDCAM PXW-X70 camcorder weighs in at 1.4kg and measures 180.9×287×130.3mm. Supporting multiple video recording formats, the Sony XDCAM PXW-X70 features an XLR terminal, dual memory card slots as well as HDMI and 3G-SDI interfaces, and records video at up to 1080p resolution at up to 60fps, with Sony promising 4K recording capabilities via a future firmware upgrade. In addition, the Sony XDCAM PXW-X70 has an integrated Wi-Fi module and supports NFC, making it possible to control the camera via your smartphone. Availability and pricing have yet to be confirmed.

Source: Sony Professional - Japan

Phase One Industrial today released Phase One iX Capture, an image capture and raw conversion application designed specifically for aerial photography. The software enables operators to track each capture and utilize real-time feedback to be confident that each image has been captured correctly. Dov Kalinski, General Manager of Phase One Industrial said, “Our new iX Capture application has been designed to boost efficiency — enabling inflight picture review, ensuring high quality image results and streamlining the inflight capture process." Compatible with the Windows 8.1 operating system, the Phase One iX Capture application was created for use exclusively with Phase One aerial cameras. It is a free application available immediately from the website below.

Canon broadcast lenses were the most widely used broadcast lenses covering the matches of the recent World Cup in Brazil, the company said in a statement. Furthermore, the professional photographers tasked with capturing the events utilised Canon DSLR cameras and lenses more than any other brand. Throughout the tournament, approximately 70 percent of imaging professionals chose Canon DSLRs and lenses to capture and share the memorable moments of the matches, the company claims. At each of the 12 stadiums that hosted football matches in Brazil, Canon Professional Service had teams of technical and professional representatives providing imaging professionals with access to product support, equipment maintenance, and product loans.

Blackmagic Design has released version 1.9 of its Camera software which includes new “heads up display” on-screen metering that provides customers with histogram, peak audio meters and recording time remaining for the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K (pictured). The update is available now free of charge from the Blackmagic Design website. Existing customers can download this update now and install it onto their camera from either Mac or Windows computers using a simple USB cable connection to the camera. Once the update is complete, customers can view the new on-screen menus by simply swiping their finger up from the bottom of the capacitative touch screen.

The new Lima from Pompidoo is a mid-sized camera bag for a modern woman-photographer or a keen amateur. Available in three vibrant colours – Aqua Dreams, Fiesta Dreams and Nougat Dreams –  the Lima bag can hold up to 1.8kg of weight and one of the following gear sets: a compact camera; a CSC or a mid-sized dSLR camera with lens attached; and one additional lens. Pompidoo Lima bags are available from €199.

Lastolite has just intoduced the Out of Focus Background range. Lastolite Out of Focus backgrounds enable photographers to create the out of focus look instantly whether in the studio or in a client’s home, regardless of the aperture of the lens used. The Out of Focus Backgrounds are available in two reversible options, Summer Foliage & City Lights (pictured) or Autumn Foliage & Seascape. Measuring 1.2m x 1.5m (4’ x 5’) the Lastolite Out of Focus backgrounds are available now and priced at £118.95.

Iridient Digital has released version 2.4.4 of Iridient Developer. This update adds raw image file support for the Samsung NX3000 and also includes support for automatic lens corrections based on raw image metadata for all Samsung NX mirrorless models. This release is a paid upgrade for users who originally purchased a license prior to 1 November 2012. Upgrades are available for the discounted price of $45. New licenses can be purchased for $75.

VSN Mobil has unveiled its V.360° camera - the first device to capture 360 degrees of video in full 1080p high definition. “The V.360° camera finally makes it possible to capture life’s most astonishing moments at every angle simultaneously,” explained Matt Gordon, VP of Strategic Marketing for VSN Mobil. “This unprecedented device truly changes the game for anyone who wants to shoot videos or capture still images.” The camera features an f/2.8 lens, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 SoC with a 2.3GHz quad-core CPU - and Wi-Fi connectivity, which enables it to be controlled through a free companion app for Android and iOS phones and tablets. The V.360° camera is currently on display at the Sin City: A Dame To Kill For experience at Comic-Con 2014, which is open from 9am-6pm every day until 27th July in the Petco Park car park by the footbridge leading to the Convention Center in San Diego.

Chugai Photo Chemical Co. Ltd of Tokyo, Japan and C. R. Kennedy & Company Pty Ltd of Melbourne, Australia, are planning to relaunch a range of Ilford branded inkjet papers. The two companies purchased the Ilford trademarks and associated assets related to consumables for inkjet printing and other coated products after Ilford Imaging Switzerland had gone bankrupt last year. The soon-to-be-relaunched product range, which consists of a large proportion of the previous Ilford inkjet media line-up, will continue to be exclusively distributed in the United Kingdom by Tetenal. Chugai and C. R. Kennedy have established a joint venture called Ilford Imaging Europe, which is tasked with managing the relaunch and supplying distributors with Ilford products. Do note that this company is not to be confused with Ilford Photo, a UK-based firm that produces black-and-white photographic film, papers and chemicals.

Sony has announced that it plans to invest in Sony Semiconductor Corporation's Nagasaki Technology Center and Kumamoto Technology Center to increase its production capacity for stacked (back-illuminated) CMOS image sensors. This investment of approximately 35 billion yen is primarily intended to reinforce Nagasaki TEC's layering process production capabilities, as well as Kumamoto TEC's mastering process facilities. Sony expects to increase the current capacity of approximately 60,000 wafers per month to approximately 68,000 wafers per month in August 2015.

Kenko Tokina USA has announced a new series of Hoya filters featuring an antistatic coating. Acting like a force field around the filter to repel dust, the hardened, antistatic layer is water-repellent, stain- and scratch-resistant, and cleans easily when smudges or fingerprints are introduced to the surface. The Hoya EVO Antistatic filters utilise a lightweight, one-piece, low-profile aluminium frame to house the glass. This one-piece design allows the filter to maintain perfect parallel alignment to the sensor plane for maximum sharpness, while the low-profile frame eliminates vignetting when used on ultra-wide-angle lenses. The Hoya EVO Antistatic series of filters consist of a Protector, UV, and Circular Polarizer in common sizes ranging from 37mm to 82mm. These filters are intended solely for the USA distribution.

CASE Remote - formerly known as CASE - is a light, small, easy-to-use and smart wireless camera controller, which enables you to wirelessly control DSLR camera from your mobile devices. Developed by CheeringTech, CASE Remote slots into your camera's hot-shoe and offers remote live view, touch focus, exposure control, interval shooting and wireless file transfer. The second round of financing is currently ongoing on IndieGoGo. "The purpose of this campaign is to give many of you who missed out on the first one the chance to hop in, and to give original backers a way to add funds for shipping or choose additional perks," the company says. You can check out the project's IndieGoGo page by following the link below.

Website: CASE Remote on IndieGoGo

The new MPortable is billed as the world first portable wireless SSD (solid state drive) designed with photographers in mind. Built to withstand "severe shaking and dropping," the MPortable drive is capable of automatically transmitting photos from a connected camera and supports various image file types including most raw image file formats. "With write speeds of 200MB/second and read speeds of 400MB/second, the MPortable [SSD] easily outperforms virtually all USB flash disk technologies used by photographers," says Bond Wong, an engineer working for MAJC IT, the Zhuhai, China-based company that developed the device. Interested readers are encouraged to pay a visit to the project's IndieGoGo page.

The iPatch Case is a smartphone case with an integrated lens cap for the built-in camera. "Before iPatch, the only way to protect your always-on camera was with a piece of tape. Not exactly high-tech," the inventors say. "Our case blocks the camera but not the all-important sensors on your phone. You’ll notice a tiny opening on the front iPatch cover – that allows for the phone’s proximity and light sensors to remain fully functional while completely blacking out the camera." The comercial launch of the iPatch Case is financed through a crowdfunding campaign on HeadFunder.

Lightricks has announced Facetune for Android, an app that promises to enable every smartphone user to transform everyday mugshots into high-end portraits. “The tremendous success and rave reviews with Facetune for iOS (4.8 stars out of 5 on the App store over thousands of reviews) led to countless requests for the app from Android users,” says Zeev Farbman, Lightricks' CEO. “Today, we are just as excited to release this product to Android as our users are to receive it, and we are eagerly awaiting their reaction." Facetune for Android is offered at the introductory price of $2.99 and available worldwide exclusively on the Google Play Store.

X-Rite today launched a photographic competition, challenging photographers all over the world to capture their ColorChecker Passport in some of the locations they will be visiting during the summer holiday season. The “Where in the World is Your ColorChecker Passport” photo contest runs until 15th September, with weekly judging taking place every Thursday. The weekly pirizes include X-Rite products such as the critically acclaimed ColorMunki Display, i1Display Pro and ColorMunki Photo. At the end of the competition, X-Rite Coloratti and world-renowned portrait photographer Greg Gorman will select one final winner. The winner will have the opportunity to have a personal conversation with Greg to choose a signed 13” x 19” print of one of Greg’s masterpieces. Entries can be submitted via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #ColorCheckerContest as well as that of the location of the shot, for example #greatwallofchina.

Ricoh has just launched a Prestige edition of the Pentax K-3 digital SLR camera. The K-3 Prestige features a stylish, high grade, gunmetal gray shade and comes complete with a detachable BG-5 battery grip designed exclusively for the K-3. The Pentax K-3 Prestige Gunmetal Edition* will be made available in a limited quantity with only 2,000 units being offered worldwide. Shipments start in August 2014. The camera will be available for £1,099/$1399.95.