Combined production of Canon's compact digital and interchangeable-lens digital cameras surpassed 250 million units on 31 January 2014, the company said in a statement. Canon began producing and marketing digital cameras in the mid 1990s. The first digital SLR cameras bearing the Canon logo - such as the Canon EOS DCS 3 (pictured) - were jointly developed by Canon and Kodak; with the first "true" Canon EOS dSLR - the Canon EOS D30 - being released in 2000. The first Canon digital compact camera, the Canon Powershot 600, had been introduced four years earlier.

Wilkinson Cameras have just launched a brand new offer called The Great Camera Swap, where customers can trade in their old kit and get an extra spring bonus of 10%. In other words, if you are thinking of upgrading their camera, lens, flashgun, tripod or other quality photo accessories, Wilkinson Cameras are offering an extra 10% on top of its current value. This offer is available online until 14 April 2014 via the website below.

Lowepro has launched its new Passport Series of soft-sided and modern camera bags: Passport Backpack, Passport Messenger and Passport Sling III. The Passport Backpack ($64.99, pictured) fits a CSCor compact DSLR, extra lens or flash, 13" laptop or tablet, smartphone and personal items; and features a zippered front organiser pocket, two tall side pockets for water bottles, plus a padded mesh backpad with contoured shoulder straps for a comfortable fit. The Lowepro Passport Messenger ($69.99) includes a front organizer pocket under the flap, a quick-grab handle for an extra carrying option, and an adjustable shoulder strap with a removable shoulder pad for customized comfort while wearing. The Passport Sling III ($59.99) offers an expandable compartment that allows the user to unzip and increase interior storage space by 30% – ideal for farmers market finds and souveniers. The sling also features an adjustable shoulder strap with removable shoulder pad.

Connected Data today released its third-generation 4-bay Drobo storage system. Now featuring USB 3.0 connectivity, enhanced support for Apple’s Time Machine and significantly improved rebuild times; this model is 3x faster and more affordable than the previous release. MSRP for the new Drobo is $349, with a $50 discount available for all first and second-generation Drobo customers through Connected Data's new customer loyalty programme. This discount is available until 9th June.

Epson today introduced the newest additions to its portfolio of photography media. Designed over several years in collaboration with many of the industry’s leading professional photographers and fine artists, the Epson Metallic Photo Paper Lustre and Metallic Photo Paper Glossy provide rich colour gamut, sharpness and depth for wedding photographers, portrait studios and event photographers. Made with a resin-coated base and offering a unique surface that adds a sophisticated degree of intensity to images, the Metallic Photo Paper Glossy produces vibrant, high-quality output with a dramatic flair, while the pearl-like quality of Metallic Photo Paper Lustre yields a balanced combination of colour contrast and saturation. Pricing starts at $24 for the 8.5"x11" size and goes up to $359 for a 100-foot roll with a width of 36".

The Selfie Help Book is a humorous collection of selfie-taking tips by Laurel Kate Sittig. Published on the Photojojo website, this "book" is actually a short article broken down into three "chapters:" Selfie Classic, The Group Selfie and Extreme Selfies. Each "chapter" is full of lighthearted tips on the necessity of doing arm stretches before taking a selfie, avoiding photographing yourself in the vicinity of a toilet and so on. The article also contains links to various selfie apps and accessories such as the Pocket Spotlight, the Keyprop and a set ofJelly Camera Filters.

AnthonyEpes.com have announced a special offer for PhotographyBLOG readers: purchase a place on one of their Venice at Dawn or Paris at Dawn workshops and receive a complimentary place on their two-day London at Dawn workshop. The Venice from Dawn to Dusk event will take place from 15th - 18th May, and their Paris from Dawn to Dusk workshop is scheduled for 19th - 22nd June. "Photographing cities at dawn is a photographer's paradise," Anthony Epes says. "We will photograph the iconic views of each city as well as discovering hidden spots and interesting characters.” For more information and to book your place, email Diana Bird at AnthonyEpes.com.

Co2nscience.com have created a unique wall art product that promises to "showcase your photographs to dazzling effect." ‘Stretcher Prints’ are made of up to 22 recycled 50cl plastic bottles, making them flexible, durable and washable. The flexibility of the fabric means that Stretcher Prints are not constrained by rigid wooden frames, and can be formed into some really unique and unusual shapes. The recycled fabric is printed on using the latest textile printing processes, to create a print finish that is vibrant and "extraordinarily sharp." To view Co2nscience’s ‘Stretcher Print’ project on Kickstarter, visit the webbsite below.

Want to see exactly what the new HTC One (M8) smartphone looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the HTC One (M8) smartphone.

HTC today launched its new flagship Android smartphone. The HTC One (M8) offers a 5-inch Full HD display and a new camera module with faster auto focus and an intriguing UFocus feature that allows you to shoot first and focus later, quasi-Lytro style. The technical solution employed is completely different, though: the HTC One (M8) is not claimed to have a light-field camera - instead, it has a separate depth sensor, which collects distance information about the various elements in the frame, making it easier for the on-board software to achieve a credible background blur at the postprocessing stage. Like its predecessor, the HTC One M8's main camera has a 4-megapixel, 1/3-type BSI sensor with a 2-micron pixel pitch, and a 28mm (eq.) f/2 lens - but it no longer features optical image stabilisation. The 16GB version will set you back $199, while the 32GB variant will cost $249 (or $649/£530 unlocked).

This Spring, Ilex Photo are launching a range of photography books in the US and Canada. The first two titles are The Ilex Introduction to Photography by Haje Jan Kamps - a back-to-basics guide that explains the fundamentals of photography whilst using contemporary examples to illustrate each concept - and The Weekend Photographer by Chris Gatcum. Both volumes are scheduled to be published on 30th March.

Capa - Europe 1943-1945 is a new exhibition of vintage Robert Capa prints, hosted by the Daniel Blau Gallery in London. Many of these prints will be exhibited here for the first time, and some are newly recognised as Capa's work. The gallery is located at 51 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6PB. The exhibition will be on display from 4th April until 10th May.

Fujifilm has announced its second collaboration with luxury British luggage manufacturer Globe-Trotter. Harrods Technology will be the sole retailer for Fujifilm’s exclusive X Series Globe-Trotter cases and camera sets. The kits include X-E2 in Beige and Navy Blue Lizard in a Globe-Trotter 16” Slim Attaché Case, with a Fujinon XF23mm lens, standard hand grip, EXF-20 flash, RR-90 Remote Release, leather half case, 23mm lens filter and ‘Harrods Exclusive’ luggage tag (£2999); the Fujifilm X100S in Red Lizard, a Globe-Trotter 9” Mini Utility Case in Black and Red and ‘Harrods Exclusive’ luggage tag (£1700); the X-Pro1 Yellow Lizard CSC kit (pictured), presented within a Globe-Trotter 16” Slim Attaché Case, with XF18, 35, and 60mm Fujinon lenses, a standard hand grip, an EF-X20 Flash, 3 lens filters, and a ‘Harrods Exclusive’ luggage tag (£4499) and the Fujifilm X20 in Brown Snakeskin Effect, in a Globe-Trotter 9” Mini Utility with a ‘Harrods Exclusive’ luggage tag (£1099). The range is now available to buy from Harrods Technology Department, Level 3.

This year, Leica Camera AG is celebrating the 100th birthday of Oskar Barnack's 'Ur-Leica.' "On the occasion of this very special anniversary, 2014 will see not only numerous events, but also a series of centennial editions," the company promises.  The first of these special centennial editions is the Leica S 'Edition 100' (pictured), a kit that comprises a Leica S medium-format system camera and two of the most popular S lenses, each featuring a leaf shutter - the Leica Summarit-S 70 mm f/2.5 ASPH CS and the Leica Elmarit-S 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH CS. The second special edition is the Leica D-Lux 6 ‘Edition 100'. This centennial edition set includes a Leica D-Lux 6 compact camera in a two-colour finish with a silver lens and a high-gloss black camera body, featuring the centennial logo on the front plate.

Panasonic has unveiled a new Micro Four Thirds lens, called the Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH. Equivalent to a 30mm lens on a 35mm camera, the new Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 Asph. features 9 elements in 7 groups, including 3 aspherical elements. Panasonic's Nano Surface Coating technology is adopted to minimise reflections. The lens will be available separately for £549.99, or in a kit with the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 compact system camera, priced at £999.99. Availability is slated for June.

Panasonic today unveiled the world’s first 4K Ultra HD/25p wearable camcorder, the HX-A500. Enabled by a new high-speed image processor, the Crystal Engine Pro+; the Panasonic HX-A500 provides 4K video recording at 25 frames per second (fps). The HX-A500’s Levelling Correction function automatically detects when the recording is at a tilt and levels out final images, while the new slow motion function means the HX-A500 is also ideal for analysing sporting techniques, such as your golf swing, at one of three speeds: 200 frames per second (at 848x480 pixels); 100 frames per second (1280x720); or 50 frames per second (1920x1080). A new colour, 1.5 inch LCD monitor has been incorporated into the HX-A500’s main body so you can check the camera’s field of view during recording. Available from May 2014, the Panasonic A500 will be priced RRP £379.99.