PlayMemories Camera Apps is the world’s first application download service for cameras. It initially lets you install extra functions on demand to boost the capabilities of the new NEX-5R compact system camera, also announced today. New PlayMemories Camera Apps will be initially available in the UK from October 2012.

Sony have officially announced their HD sports video camera, the Action Cam HDR-AS10. Weighing in at approximately three ounces (with battery), the new Action Cam will ship with a rechargeable battery, adhesive mounts, and a ruggedised waterproof case featuring a universal tripod mount built to handle extreme environments. Within the case, the camera is waterproof down to 197 feet and has a shock resistance rating for up to five foot drops plus dirt and dust resistant seals that help make it impervious to mud, snow, rain, and grime. Sony will add a Wi-Fi® enabled version of the HD video action camcorder (HDR-AS15, pictured) to its new lineup as well. The HDR-AS10 and the HDR-AS15 will be available in September for about $199.99 and $269.99 respectively. In Europe, the HDR-AS-15 will hit the shelves in mid-October.

Canon has expanded its Cinema EOS line-up with two new cameras, the Canon EOS C100 Digital Video Camera and the Canon EOS C500 4K Digital Cinema Camera. As promised back in April, the Canon EOS C500 (pictured) is Canon’s high-end professional 4K (4096x2160-pixel) cinema camera capable of originating uncompressed raw output for external recording to meet the demands of premium cinematic productions and other top-quality production markets. The C100 digital video camera is a compact, “entry-level” model delivering Full HD video using the AVCHD codec. The C500 will be available in both EF- and PL-mount versions; while the C100 will be offered in EF mount only. The Canon EOS C500 and C500 PL 4K Digital Cinema Cameras are scheduled to be available in October for an estimated list price of $30,000. The Canon EOS C100 Digital Video Camera is scheduled to be available in November 2012 for an estimated list price of $7,999.

Canon today announced the development of two new cinema prime lenses, the EF 14mm T3.1 (pictured) and the EF 135mm T2.2. “Both the 14mm T3.1 and 135mm T2.2 cinema prime lenses will be engineered for exceptional optical performance for Canon’s latest large-format single-sensor 4K and 2K digital cinematography cameras,” the company said in a statement. “As part of the Cinema EOS System, the lenses will be compatible with standard sensor sizes including Super 35mm, the standard format in the motion picture industry, as well as HD-compatible EOS Digital SLR cameras using 35mm full frame, APS-H and APS-C image sensors.” The 14mm T3.1 and 135mm T2.2 EF cinema prime lenses are expected to be available in the first half of 2013, and will be showcased from 6-11 September 2012 at IBC2012 in Amsterdam.

Coinciding with the launch of the EOS C100 and C500 cameras, Canon has announced the addition of two new zoom lenses to its Cinema EOS system. Available in both EF- and PL-mount versions, the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP wide-angle cinema zoom lens (pictured) and the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP telephoto cinema zoom lens are engineered to deliver exceptional optical performance for the latest large-format single-sensor 4K and 2K digital cinematography cameras. The Canon CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 L S/SP wide-angle cinema zoom lens is expected to be available in November 2012 and the CN-E30-105mm T2.8 L S/SP telephoto cinema zoom lens is expected to be available in January 2013, both for an estimated list price of $24,500 each.

Adobe has updated Revel, a set of photo viewing, browsing and editing applications and cloud-based storage service formerly known as Adobe Carousel, to version 1.5. “We’ve added many great improvements to Revel with this latest update, but the one we are most excited about is the addition of Albums,” Adobe said in a blog post. “You can now organize all the photos in your library by creating albums for family vacations, photos of the kids, or even random photos you take everyday.  And just like everything else in Revel, albums are synced automatically everywhere you have the Revel app.”

Canon has posted a firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR camera. According to the company, Version 1.0.6 incorporates the following fixes:

1. Fixes a phenomenon in which the AF Microadjustment cannot be correctly carried out.
2. Fixes a phenomenon such that when using the camera with combinations of certain lens*1) and extender*2), the images captured become back-focused.

*1) EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM or EF200mm f/2L IS USM

When used with
*2) Extender EF 1.4x III or Extender EF 2x III

Website: Canon EOS-1D X Firmware Update 1.0.6 for Windows
Website: Canon EOS-1D X Firmware Update 1.0.6 for Mac

Datacolor has just announced a number of additional dates to their series of free monthly webinars on colour calibration. The next scheduled webinar in the series, taking place on 12th September from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM EDT, addresses colour management for fine art reproduction. Other webinars will highlight such topics as calibration for display devices including iPhones and iPads, using Spyder technology for colour management, and holiday gift ideas from Datacolor. Click through / scroll down for a detailed list of webinar dates and times.

Extraordinary Everyday Photography by Brenda Tharp and Jed Manwaring is a new title from Amphoto Books. Encouraging amateur photographers to slow down, open their eyes, and respond to what they see to create compelling images; the authors teach readers how to use composition, available light, colour, and point of view to create stunning photographs in any environment. The 160-page paperback is available for $25.99 through the Random House website.

Verbatim today introduced a range of SDHC and SDXC Cards with UHS-I specificationand bus interface speeds up to 104MB/s. Conforming to standards set by the SD Association, the UHS-I SDHC and SDXC Cards from Verbatim offer read speeds of up to 600x (90MB/sec) and write speeds of 166x (25MB/sec). Verbatim’s UHS-I SDHC Cards are available to buy now and cost £24.99 for a 16GB card and £39.99 for a 32GB, while the UHS-I SDXC Card (pictured) will be released in 64GB capacity later this year.

Gary Fong has announced two new products; the Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot and the Colored Dome Kit. The Lightsphere Collapsible Snoot ($49.95 on its own or $59.95 with a PowerGrid) gives photographers maximum efficiency and directional control over strobe lighting when mounted off-camera, allowing one to create cutting edge, “fashion style” special effects, while the Coloured Dome Kit (pictured)includes a Red, Blue and Green Dome for creating special effects as well as a Gray Dome for white balancing. Compatible with the renowned Lightsphere Universal and Lightsphere Collapsible, the Coloured Dome Kit is available for $24.95.

Rollei has expanded its Powerflex series with three new digital cameras offering 5x, 8x and 36x optical zoom. The range-topping Rollei Powerflex 360 (€369.99, pictured) has a 22.5-810mm equivalent lens, 18-megapixel Sony 1/2.3” sensor and 3.0-inch TFT LCD screen. The Rollei Powerflex 550 Full HD (€129.99) comes with a 14-megapixel CMOS imager, 5x optical zoom and a 2.7” display, while the Powerflex 700 (€149.99) is equipped with a 12-megapixel sensor, 3-inch screen and 1 gigabyte of internal memory. All three cameras can shoot Full HD video at 30fps, with some models offering 60-, 120- and even 240-frame-per-second shooting at reduced resolutions.

The Rollei Bullet HD Pro camcorder is now available in Motorbike, Outdoor and Ski editions. The bullet-shaped Full HD action camcorder has a waterproof aluminium housing, a 170-degree fisheye lens and the capability to take stills at an (interpolated) resolution of 20 megapixels. The new Motorbike, Outdoor and Ski editions will be available from September at a recommended retail price of €229.99 each.

RCP-Technik GmbH has unveiled two tripods made of carbon fibre and magnesium; the Rollei Fotopro X-5M and the Rollei Fotopro X-6M. With a height of 1.48 metres when extended and a folded size of just 42.5 centimetres, the X-5M carbon-fibre tripod (€599.95) weighs just a little over 1.3 kilograms, including a ball-head, yet it boasts a maximum load capacity of 15kg. The tripod shoulder is made of magnesium, which saves a great deal of weight while giving the tripod increased stability, the company says. The X-6M model (€699.95) with a height of 1.74 metres when extended, is no more than 56 centimetres long when folded, and with a weight of 1.5 kilograms it is the bigger brother of the X-5M. It has a load-bearing capacity of up to 25kg including the head. Both tripods will be available from early November 2012.

We’ve teamed up with Lovecases.co.uk to offer one lucky winner the opportunity to win a Crumpler Cupcake Slim DSLR Camera Photo Backpack.

The lucky winner is: Giacomino Parkinson.

This bag is a slim photo backpack made from super tough Chicken Tex Supreme high performance nylon. The complete section is a padded photo compartment with adjustable dividers. It’s suitable for a digital SLR camera with zoom lens attached plus approx 4 more lenses and a flashgun.

Check out the rest of Lovecases’ slr camera bag and bridge camera case ranges.

Just answer this simple question to enter the contest. (HINT - visit this Lovecases product page to get some help with the answer).

We’ve teamed up with color management specialists Datacolor to giveaway a fantastic SpyderSTUDIO worth £450!

The lucky winner is: Branislav Beliancin.

SpyderSTUDIO is a complete colour calibration solution. It provides everything needed for the utmost in accurate colour management from shoot, to edit, to print. With solutions from RAW camera calibration to quick and easy custom ICC printer profiles, the results are reliable, real-world colours.

In addition to SpyderPRINT, SpyderSTUDIO also consists Spyder4ELITE and SpyderCUBE. The former is an advanced colorimeter that automates and simplifies display calibration. It features a patented, full-spectrum, 7-colour sensor that can accurately characterise a variety of wide and normal gamut displays. The same sensor - which offers double-shielded filters for longer life and enhanced performance - is used to calibrate a monitor, laptop computer, iPad, iPhone and projector. Datacolor’s SpyderCUBE is a three-dimensional white and contrast-balancing tool. Also included in the SpyderSTUDIO is a desktop cradle/tripod mount, SpyderGuide, 6’ USB cable and Quick Start Guides. The package comes in a convenient and stylish metal case for easy transport.

SpyderSTUDIO - along with the entire Spyder range - is available at photography and consumer electronic retailers nationwide or online at www.Datacolor.com. The SpyderSTUDIO is priced at around £449.99.

Just answer this simple question to enter the contest. (HINT - visit the Datacolor Facebook page to get some help with the answer).

We’ve teamed up with MILK to give away three of their coffee table-quality books.

The three lucky winners are: T Chao, Chris Bouvard and Vasko Bujaroski.

PQ Blackwell, internationally renowned publisher of illustrated books and the creators of MILK (Moments, Inspiration, Love, Kinship) has just launched MILK Tailor Made Books (www.milkbooks.com), a new website which enables anyone to showcase their artwork or images in a personally designed, tailor-made book. 

Three subscribers now have the chance to create their own exquisite coffee table-quality book. Using MILK’s editorial and design frameworks, these beautiful books will be printed to the creator’s unique specifications on high quality art paper, professionally bound in designer fabric, and will be accompanied by digital versions that allow people to add video in the telling of their stories.

This competition ended on the 22nd August 2012 (12:00PM GMT).

Just answer this simple question to enter the contest.

Profoto has launched a new line of flash heads for professional photographers. Compatible with over 120 different Profoto Light Shaping Tools and accessories, the Profoto Pro Plus range comprises a number of products, including the Pro Head Plus, the Pro-B Head Plus, the ProRing Plus and ProRing 2 Plus. The Pro Head Plus and Pro-B Head Plus heads feature new safety lamp head connectors that help prevent dust and moisture from penetrating the generator, improved stand adapters, patent-pending Perfect Arc flash tubes that provide better color and energy stability from flash to flash on all power settings and an improved glass cover. The ProRing Plus and the ProRing 2 Plus have been updated with the new safety lamp head connector.