Panasonic has developed a new kind of sensor that does away with the colour filrer array (CFA) found in most digital cameras manufactured today, relying instead on ‘micro colour splitters’ that separate the light that falls on image sensors by exploiting light’s wavelike properties. “Conventional colour image sensors use a Bayer array, in which a red, green, or blue light-transmitting filter is placed above each sensor,” the company says. “These filters block 50 - 70% of the incoming light before it even reaches the sensor.” The development of ‘micro colour splitters” not only makes CFAs unnecessary but also allows sensors to achieve approximately double the colour sensitivity in comparison with conventional imagers that use colour filters.

White Knight Press has released its newest camera guidebook, the Photographer’s Guide to the Panasonic Lumix LX7: Getting the Most from Panasonic’s Advanced Compact Camera. Using a patient, tutorial-like approach, the book provides guidance to beginning and intermediate photographers about how to accomplish things with the LX7, as well as when and why to use the camera’s numerous controls, menus options, and other features. The book contains approximately 400 photographs, almost all in full colour, illustrating the LX7’s controls, shooting screens, and menus. The images also provide examples of the various types of photographs that can be taken using the many creative settings of the camera. In addition, the book goes beyond the bounds of everyday photography, and introduces more advanced topics such as infrared photography, street photography, astrophotography, and High Dynamic Range photography. The Photographer’s Guide to the Panasonic Lumix LX7: Getting the Most from Panasonic’s Advanced Compact Camera, is available for $9.95 as a PDF.

X-Rite has announced its schedule of free webinars for February. Taking place from 1pm and 3pm EST on 5th February, the first online seminar is entitled “Creating Compelling Photographs with X-Rite Coloratti Chris Orwig.” Chris teaches the importance of ensuring that camera, monitor, projector, and printers are calibrated and profiled to ensure accurate color across the entire workflow using the latest X-Rite i1Display Pro, ColorMunki Photo, and ColorChecker Passport. The second session, “Professional Monitor Calibration for Still & Video,” starts at 11am and 1pm EST on 13th February and provides a brief overview of how to access and utilise the video presets in the i1Profiler software and looks at the use of ColorCheckers in the video footage as a visual reference. The third webinar, “Simply Amazing Color. Take control of your monitor, printer and camera!,” gives users the opportunity to ask questions and understand each solution in detail so they can make the right decision on what ColorMunki family solution is for them. The live webinar will commence at 11am and again at 1pm EST on 20 February 2013.

Fuji has released a firmware update for the Fujifilm X-E1 compact system camera. Version 1.04 adds full compatibility with the Fujinon XF14mm f/2.8R, improves AF performance in various shooting conditions, and enables the use of the shutter release when an external microphone or a remote release is connected via the camera’s USB port or MIC/REMOTE terminal. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm X-E1 Firmware Update Ver.1.04

Fuji has posted a firmware update for the Fujifilm X-Pro1 compact system camera. Version 2.03 adds full compatibility with the Fujinon XF14mm f/2.8R lens and improves the auto focus performance of the camera in various shooting conditions. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Fujifilm X-Pro Firmware Update Ver.2.03

Nikon has posted a new firmware update for the Nikon D4 digital SLR camera. This release improves subject tracking performance in AF-C mode. You can download the firmware upgrade from the website below.

Website: Nikon USA Support

onOne Software has announced a special upgrade offer for owners of Nik Software plug-ins. Anyone who owns any version of Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, HDR Efex Pro, Dfine, Viveza, Sharpener Pro, or the Nik Software Complete Collection may upgrade to onOne Software’s all-in-one image editing solution, Perfect Photo Suite 7 Premium Edition for $149.95, which is a 50% discount off the regular price. Perfect Photo Suite 7 Premium Edition includes the new Perfect B&W for black and white conversion, Perfect Portrait 2 for simply easy portrait retouching, Perfect Layers 3 for a layered workflow without Photoshop, Perfect Effects 4 for creative effects, Perfect Mask 5.2 for background replacement, Perfect Resize 7.5 for image enlargement and print preparation, and FocalPoint 2 for depth of field control after the shot. The Perfect Photo Suite 7 Premium Edition Upgrade for Nik Customers is now available from onOne Software.

Issue 13 of David Noton’s Chasing the Light eZine is now available. This special anniversary edition includes Garry Ridsdale’s exploration into the intricacies of auto focusing, David Noton’s account of his travels in Myanmar and Peru, an in-depth analysis of how useful the speed and auto focus performance of cameras like the Canon EOS 1DX are for general photography, and much more. Do note that the full contents of Chasing the Light eZine are available to f11 subscribers only.

Optrix has unveiled the XD5, a rugged wide-angle camera case for the Apple iPhone 5. Optrix’s XD5 camera case is made with a thinner, lighter and stronger body when compared to the Optrix XD Sports Case, but boasts a higher waterproof rating of up to fifteen feet. In addition, the XD5 incorporates a second door to access charging connectors and headphone jack, has an interchangeable conversion lens system and can be removed from the mounting system. The phone’s 1080p HD video is captured through our three layer, all glass, wide-angle lens. The kit includes the ultra-rugged main housing, iPhone 5 sled, 2 mounts (curved and flat) and the quick release rail system to securely mount the XD5 “just about anywhere.” The XD5 is available for pre order now at £89.95 to include delivery and will ship the second week in February.

Issue 24 of landscape photography magazine is now available for purchase. This month’s edition includes a guide to live view, a feature on Namibia, a review of the book “Unleashed 3,” a test of the Sigma SD1 Merrill digital SLR camera, an interview with Jeff Cable, and more. Do note that the full contents of Landscape Photography Magazine are available to subscribers only.

The 51st and 52nd issues of “On Landscape” magazine are now available for download. “On Landscape” is both a community and an editorial publication representing photographic styles from Ansel Adams to Andreas Gursky, Marc Adamus to Jem Southam, Eliot Porter to John Blakemore. January’s articles cover a wide variety of topics including the landscape of Morocco, variations in camera colour rendering, 3D photography, organising your images, an interview with Marc Adamus, and much more.

Photoshelter has just released The Photographer’s Outlook on 2013, a guide containing insights from more than 5000 members of the PhotoShelter community. Available as a PDF, The Photographer’s Outlook on 2013 reveals that photographers are optimistic about this year. Although many are still challenged to find new clients, they feel encouraged about their business prospects and plan to dedicate time and resources to marketing, solidifying their online presence, and improving their photography skills. To claim your free copy of The Photographer’s Outlook on 2013, visit the website below.

Website: PhotoShelter

After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Connected Data today launched Transporter, a private data sharing and storage solution that gives users ownership and complete control of their data and files. “What sets Transporter apart from all other solutions is the ability to communicate and share files with other Transporter devices located anywhere in the world,” the company says. “This ability eliminates all complexity associated with syncing files and delivers fast, local copies of data without having to move it into or out of the cloud. Compatible with any 2.5” SATA II/III hard drive, Transporter is available starting at a suggested retail price of $199 from a network of partners including Adorama, Amazon, B&H Photo, Datavision, J&R, Newegg, and PC Mall.

onOne has released Standard Editions of Perfect B&W, Perfect Effects 4, Perfect Portrait 2, and Perfect Mask 5.2. These Standard Editions work as standalone applications and allow for direct photo editing without the need for additional software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, or Apple Aperture. “We all would like our pictures to look their best, whether we take them with our DSLRs or with our phones, but don’t always have a lot of time to work on them or even know where to start on how to make them better.” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. “These new Standard Editions of our onOne Software products help every photographer make their pictures look better and inspire their creative process to create unique images they love.” Each of these Standard Editions may be purchased for $29.95 and delivered via download from ononesoftware.com.

Chrome has launched a new camera bag. Designed and built for day shooting and travel with a tough weatherproof denier nylon outer shell and military grade truck tarpaulin liner, the Niko camera pack has a fully customisable interior compartment for lenses and flashes, a padded laptop compartment and multiple pockets for cable and gear storage. The Chrome Niko Camera Pack has a suggested retail price of $180 and is available from select retailers or chromebagsstore.com.