The Apple iPhone 5 is a new smartphone with a 4-inch, not-quite-HD (1136x640-pixel) Retina display, 8-megapixel sensor, f/2.4 lens with sapphire crystal cover and a new “dynamic low light” mode. Weighing in at 112 grams, the Apple iPhone 5 is 20% lighter and 18% thinner than the iPhone 4S. It’s also claimed to be “40% faster” at capturing photos, and its screen offers “44% more colour saturation.” The iPhone 5 features Apple’s version of a “sweep panorama” mode, which enables users to capture a 28-megapixel panoramic image with ease. Other photo/video related highlights include a new Shared Photo Stream feature, improved face detection, enhanced movie stabilisation and the ability to take photographs while recording a video clip. The Apple iPhone 5 will be available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions, priced at $199, $299 and $399, respectively, all on a 2-year contract. The first 9 countries/markets - including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong - will get the iPhone 5 on 21st September, with pre-orders starting as early as this Friday.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony A99 full-frame DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony A99 SLT camera, including a break-down of the camera’s components and with the new 300mm F2.8 G SSM II lens (which costs a cool £6700).

Want to see exactly what the new Sony RX1 compact digital camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the full-frame Sony RX1 compact digital camera, including a break-down of the camera’s components and a side-by-side comparison with the Cyber-shot RX100.

Want to see exactly what the new Sony NEX-6 compact system camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our hands-on gallery of photos of the Sony NEX-6 mirrorless camera and the innovative 16-50mm Power Zoom lens.

The World Photography Organisation (WPO) has announced the inaugural Student Focus conference dedicated to the subject of photography education, The World Photo Educators’ Symposium. Taking place at Photokina, Cologne, Germany from the 22-23 September, the conference will bring together leading professors of photography from across Europe and the US to discuss the future of photography education. Executive Director of the US-based Society of Photographic Education (SPE), Virginia Morrison, commented: “We are looking forward to a rich conversation that will include such topics as students, teaching and making art; online learning; thinking digital; curriculum; the Internet; impact of photographic imagery; and community and collaboration.”

The Sony Alpha SLT-A99 is a 35mm full-frame camera with a Dual AF system and pro-style video features. The Sony A99 has a newly developed 24.3 megapixel full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor, Dual AF System with 19 sensors (including 11 cross sensors) and 102 AF point system (focal plane), ISO 50-25600, Full HD 50p progressive movie shooting with non-stop Continuous AF and pro audio, and an XGA OLED Tru-Finder with 100% frame coverage. The Sony SLT-A99 is available from early November 2012 priced at around £2500.

The new 300mm F2.8 G SSM II (SAL300F28G2) lens is designed for demanding sports and wildlife applications. A new wide-aperture Carl Zeiss A-mount prime lens is now under development. Optimised for superb results with the camera’s 35mm full frame image sensor, the Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM will be available in Spring 2013.

The Sony NEX-6 is a new enthusiast compact system camera. The NEX-6 features a 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, ISO 100-25600, Fast Hybrid AF for optimal fast and precise autofocus, 10fps burst shooting with continuous focusing, XGA OLED Tru-Finder, wi-fi connectivity, PlayMemories Camera Apps, a built-in flash and new Multi Interface Shoe. The Sony NEX-6 will be available from mid-November 2012 priced at around £710 body only, £830 with the new 16-50mm Power Zoom lens, and £1030 with the 16-50mm Power Zoom and the 55-210mm lenses.

The SELP1650 is an extremely light, compact 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 powered zoom lens, priced at £310 / $350. The SEL35F18 is a fast 35mm prime / fixed focal length lens with a bright maximum aperture of F1.8, costing £400 / $450. The SEL1018 is a super-wide angle zoom with a maximum aperture of F4 right across its 10-18mm range, retailing for £750 / $850. All three new lenses have Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation built-in.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 is the world’s first compact camera with a 35mm full-frame sensor. Featuring an Exmor CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixels, the Sony RX1 has a Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm F2 prime lens, ISO range from ISO 100-25600, 5fps burst shooting, 14-bit RAW, and Full HD movies at 50p/60p or 25p/24p. The Sony DSC-RX1 will be available in December 2012 for around £2600 / $2800.

The Sony NEX-VG900 is the first Handycam with a 35mm full-frame sensor. The VG900 has a 24.3 megapixel Exmor full-frame CMOS sensor, Full HD 50p/25p/24p progressive movie recording, XGA OLED Tru-Finder, 3 inch XtraFine touch panel LCD and is compatible with full-frame A-mount lenses via a supplied adaptor. The Sony NEX-VG900 will be available in November for around £3000 / $3,300.

The NEX-VG30 has a 16.1 Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and can shoot Full HD video footage at either 50p, 25p or 24p. Available in December, the Sony VG30 costs $1800 body-only or $2700 with the new E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Power Zoom lens.

Sony have launched no less than 10 new digital imaging products today, including three 35mm full-frame cameras. They are the:

- NEX-6, A99, DSC-RX1 cameras
- NEX-VG900, NEX-VG30 camcorders
- 10-18mm, 16-50mm Power Zoom, 35mm f1.8 (all E-mount), 300mm f2.8, Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM full-frame lenses

In early October 2012 M-Rock’s new line of camera bags, camcorder bags, lens bags, sling-backpacks and accessory items will be arriving in the USA, featuring the original Double Access Camera Bags. The company’s top and front opening Double Access Notebook Camera Bags 5000 series consists of four sizes; The Cascade 5020 for compact system cameras with a MSRP of $100, The Glacier 5040 and Grand Canyon 5060 for a regular SLR camera body with MSRPs of $107 and $112 respectively and the Everglades 5080 for a Pro SLR Camera or a regular SLR camera with battery grip attached with a MSRP of $118. The Cascade 5020 and Glacier 5040 include a rear pocket that can hold an iPad sized tablet and the larger Grand Canyon 5060 and Everglades 5080 can hold a small notebook.

Canon has issued a firmware upgrade for its EOS 7D digital SLR camera. According to the company, version 2.0.3 incorporates the following and fixes:

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the camera stops working when the auto power off setting takes effect.

2. Fixes a phenomenon in which the maximum number of images that can be captured in a burst may be less than the actual number displayed in the viewfinder.

3. Corrects some errors in the message displayed on the LCD screen when saving RAW images developed in the camera (these errors do not appear in the Japanese and Korean language displays).

The fixes listed above are corrections for the phenomena experienced with firmware version 2.0.0. These phenomena will not occur in firmware version 1.2.5 or before.

Website: Canon UK

Manfrotto School of Xcellence as announced a new webinar hosted by Steve Gosling. Taking place from 4pm-5pm BST on Wednesday, 19th September, Imperfect Impressions will teach participants how to modify the truthful rendition of an image and create unique and captivating images through the use of toy cameras, plastic optics, long exposures etc. The webinar is free and open to all. For more details and to register visit the website below.

Akvis has released version 3.0 of Akvis HDRFactory Windows and Macintosh. This update adds the new Remove Noise parameter, provides compatibility with Mac OS X 10.8, fixes bugs, and updates the list of the ready-to-use presets. The Deluxe and Business variants offer a special feature - the Ghost Removal tool which helps repair the so-called “ghosts” that sometimes appear when creating an HDR image. Akvis HDRFactory sells for $69 for the Home version (either Plugin or Standalone), $99 for the Home Deluxe variant (Plugin and Standalone) and $189 for the Business edition.

Photodex has released its video slideshow app for the Apple iPad and iPhone, ProShow Web. The app lets users easily mix photos, videos, text and music together into professional-quality video slideshows. It integrates with popular photo sharing platforms so users can create videos by importing their photos from their Camera Roll, Instagram, Facebook, Flickr, 500px and SmugMug. The app is free to use for a 15-photo video. Unlimited, full-length videos start at $4.99/ month and plans can be purchased in-app. Photodex Proshow Web for iOS is available now on iTunes

Hasselblad celebrates this year’s Masters award winners with the unveiling of the Hasselblad Masters Book Vol. 3 - a portfolio collection of the work the award winners created during their tenure as Hasselblad Masters interpreting the theme “Evoke.” All eleven winners will be attending Photokina and will receive their awards at the Hasselblad booth (Hall 2.1, Stand A-021/B-020). The book will be available for €79.90/$95/£65.

Hasselblad’s ‘next generation’ H System camera series, the Hasselblad H5D, will be showcased at the company’s press conference at Photokina, Cologne, Germany. Featuring a modernised design and a complete new electronic engine, the Hasselblad H5D Series will be available in 40-, 50- and 60-megapixel editions as well as 50- and 200-megapixel Multi-Shot versions, and will start shipping in December 2012. The cameras offer the largest and brightest optical viewfinder in the market, simultaneous raw+JPEG shooting, True Focus II technology providing accurate focus and immediate focus confirmation, larger and more ergonomic buttons, new sealing for improved weatherproofing and an optional battery adapter for standalone operation. In addition to the Hasselblad H5D Series cameras, the company also announced the HCD 24mm f/4.8 H System lens. which is equivalent to a 17mm lens in a 35mm system.

Dutch tripod brand Redged will launch a range of new products at this year’s Photokina. The line-up includes the Redged TSB-527 travel and macro tripod, the Redged RTA-532 five-section tripod that extends to a maximum height of 2m, the RNB-360 ballhead made for panoramic photography, the ultra-compact RNB-0 ballhead with a maximum load capacity of 4kg and two “monopoles,” i.e. extra-long extendible,monopods with maximum heights of 4m and 6m. In addition, the company also announced the launch of its new website.

Sunbounce will be presenting its newest innovation for creative lighting at the Photokina trade show held next week in Cologne, Germany. The Sunbounce Bounce-Wall is a compact system consisting of a supporting arm, flexible bracket and replaceable reflectors. It can be used not only with a hotshoe-mounted flash, as seen in the illustration above, but also with the sun as the light source. The Bounce-Wall is available from authorized retailers beginning 18th September, manufacturer’s suggested retail price €98.50.