Phase One today released Capture One Pro 7. This is a major release built on a new processing engine with new and advanced professional tools that are claimed to “dramatically boost” out-of-the-box image quality, offering exquisite detail and colour rendition as well as improved noise reduction. Additionally, Capture One Pro now includes Live View support for selected DSLRs in tethered mode, and adds expanded asset management functionality lifted from Phase One Media Pro (formerly known as Microsoft Expression Media). Phase One Capture One Pro 7 is available now for Mac OS X and Windows for $299/€229.  Owners of Capture One Pro 3/4/5/6 may upgrade for $99/€69. Owners of Capture One Express may upgrade to Capture One Pro 7 for $249/$199.

Samsung Electronics America today announced pricing for the new Samsung NX 12-24mm f/4-5.6 ED and Samsung NX 45mm f/1.8 i-Function lenses. First shown at Photokina, the lenses are on display now at Photo Plus Expo. The Samsung NX 12-24mm f/4-5.6 ED ultra-wide angle zoom carries an MSRP of $599.99, whilst the Samsung NX 45mm f/1.8 short telephoto lens will cost $299.99.

Nikon has issued a call for entries to the 2012-2013 Nikon Photo Contest. Held since 1969, the Nikon Photo Contest (NPC), formally known as the Nikon Photo Contest International (NPCI), was created with the goal of “contributing to the development of photographic culture by providing a venue of communication among photographers from around the world, be they professionals or amateurs.” For this year’s contest, Nikon is seeking entries in four categories including single photo, composite photo, video and Motion Snapshot. The entry period begins on 1 December 2012 and runs until 28 February 2013. To submit your work, visit the Nikon Photo Contest 2012-2013 website, complete the entry form and submit your work.

Polaroid is showcasing a wide range of photographic accessories at Photo Plus Expo. Offered by C&A Marketing, an authorised Polaroid licensee, the Polaroid line of photo accessories on display at Photo Plus Expo feature LED lighting solutions, tripods, flash units and filters. The products on display at Photo Plus Expo inclde a 112-bulb LED light bar ($79.99), a dual flash-LED combination ($129.99), a variable neutral density filter ($49.99)and a carbon fibre tripod ($149.99).

Samsung today announced an expanded line of advanced SD and microSD cards with the introduction of a new Pro Series. Offering capacities up to 64GB, write speeds up to 40MB/s and transfer speeds up to 80MB/s, the new cards are currently on display at the PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo. Available now, the Samsung Pro Series memory cards sport a unique high-end design while being water resistant, shockproof (up to 3,200 lbs.), and magnet proof (up to 10,000 gauss ).

Announced seven weeks ago, the new Epson XP-850 “small-in-one” printer is launching in the US this November. The Wi-Fi enabled printer, which usesEpson’s new six-colour Claria Photo HD Ink Set (black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan and light magenta), Other highlights include a scanning resolution of 4800ppi, duplex ADF for double-sided scanning, copying and faxing; and a motorised control panel and output tray, which open automatically before printing so all users have to do is collect their printouts. The Epson Expression Photo XP-850 is expected to hit the shelves at an estimated street price of $299.99.

Tiffen has unveiled the new Lowel GL-1 Power LED Light at the 2012 PDN PhotoPlus Expo (booth 545), held at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. The Lowel GL-1 Power LED is a battery-powered, focusable and dimmable, photo-quality tungsten colour (3000-Kelvin) LED light. This means users can control the diameter of the light beam, focusing from a tight spot to a wide flood. The beam is very even, from edge to edge, with no hot spots. A “what you see is what you get” lighting tool, with the Lowel GL-1 shooters always know exactly what their image will look like. With an MSRP of “less than $800,” the Lowel GL-1 Light will be released in Q4 2012

Canon is showcasing a range of digital cameras and printers at PhotoPlus Expo 2012. Opening today and running until Saturday, this year’s PhotoPlus Expo is taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Canon products on display include the Canon EOS 6D digital SLR camera, various Powershot models — the G15, S110, and SX50 HS —, three new imagePROGRAF large-format printers and the PIXMA PRO-10 and PIXMA PRO-100 inkjet printers. The booth (#119) includes a hands-on shooting set where visitors can try Canon’s latest DSLR cameras and Cinema EOS equipment.

DxO Labs have announced the upcoming release of DxO Optics Pro. The program, which will be available for Mac and Windows on 29th October, introduces DxO Smart Lighting, a new feature that intelligently adapts to image content and allows users to easily adjust image contrast using a single slider. DxO Smart Lighting automatically recovers details both in highlights and shadows under even the most extreme shooting conditions, the company claims. For more advanced users, DxO Optics Pro 8 offers a new Selective tone tool that allows them to apply precise corrections separately to highlights, midtones, and dark zones. The Standard and Elite editions of DxO Optics Pro 8 for Mac and Windows will be available at a special introductory discount valid until 15th November - click through / read on for the details.

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon 1 V2 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of the innovative Nikon V2, including both the black and white versions.

The Nikon 1 V2 is a new compact system camera. Offering new levels of speed and more accurate performance, as well as clever next-generation features, full creative control, and wireless methods of image transfer, the Nikon V2 has an advanced hybrid AF system, 15 fps burst mode with continuous autofocus and 60 fps with fixed-point AF, 14.2-megapixel resolution and 160 to 6400 ISO light sensitivity. The Nikon V2 will cost £799.99 / €999.00 / $899.95 in the 10-30mm Kit, and £969.99 / €1199.00 in the 10-30mm and 30-110mm kit.

Launching alongside the Nikon 1 V2 is Nikon’s new Speedlight SB-N7 flash unit. This powerful i-TTL compatible Speedlight boasts a guide number of 18/59 (at ISO 100 m/ft), the flash head tilts up to 120°, and an external wide panel is included. The SB-N7 will cost £149.99 / €179.00 / $159.95.

Nikon today announced the development of three new 1 NIKKOR lenses. The new lenses being developed are a 32mm medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens with a fast maximum aperture of f/1.2, a vibration-reduction (VR) equipped 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, and a compact and lightweight 10x zoom lens covering the 10-100mm range of focal lengths with maximum apertures of f/4-5.6. An on-sale date, suggested retail price and further specifications will be announced by Nikon Corporation at a later date.

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR is a new FX-format zoom lens with versatile 70-200mm focal range and constant f/4 aperture. The Nikon 70-200mm f/4 is the first NIKKOR to be equipped with Nikon’s next-generation Vibration Reduction system that allows for up to 5-stop compensation. The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR costs £1,172.99 / €1,430.00 / $1399.95 and will be available from 29th November, 2012.

BosStrap has announced a new Ultra Light Hand Band (ULHB). “It attaches to the right camera strap lug, without the cumbersome bulk of a typical had strap,” the company explains. “Like all BosStrap product, the ULHB does not use the tripod socket as an attachment point, so does not need to be removed to when connecting a camera to a tripod.  The unobtrusive ULHB can be used with or without the BosStrap Sliding Sling Strap System, since the ULHB attaches to the right camera strap lug only.” The BosStrap Ultra Light Hand Band is available for $11.95.

The Fujifilm Student Awards 2013 is now open for entries. Run in conjunction with ChooseFilm.com and Metroprint, the theme for this year’s Award is ‘The Colour Of….’ with students being briefed to capture an image that that illustrates how colour lights up their world. In a new twist to this year’s awards, entries are open to all students in the UK, not just those undertaking courses involving photography. This decision was taken following several requests from students who are keen photographers but not actually studying photography. For further details and examples of previous winners, visit the website below.

Cokin has announced a new Snap! Kit for Compact System Cameras (CSCs). Including an adaptor ring, a filter holder, a full Neutral Density filter (ND4) and a graduated Sunset filter, the kit is available in five different sizes: Ø37, Ø40.5, Ø43, Ø49 and Ø52. The Cokin Snap! Kit will be available in stores early November 2012.

Cokin’s new Pure Harmonie filters are billed as the smallest and lightest photo filters in the world. With a thickness of 3.3mm for the Multi-Coated Anti-UV (UV MC), 4.5mm for the Circular Polarizer (C PL) and 9.5mm for the Variable Density Neutral Gray (ND X), Cokin Pure Harmonie filters are super-lightweight and cause no vignetting. The new line-up will be available in stores by the end of the year, in a variety of sizes.