Sony has developed a new next-generation back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with higher image quality, faster speeds, lower power consumption and better functionality. This image sensor layers the pixel section containing formations of back-illuminated structure pixels onto chips containing the circuit section for signal processing, which is in place of supporting substrates for conventional back-illuminated CMOS image sensors. Models have been developed with Sony’s unique “RGBW Coding” function, which facilitates low noise, high quality image capture even in low light condition, and the proprietary “HDR (High Dynamic Range) Movie” function, which achieves brilliant color even when taking pictures against bright light. Samples of the new Sony BSI sensor will be shipped from March 2012.

TetherPro Cables, a division of Tether Tools, have introduced a range of high-quality cables that eliminate two of the greatest challenges photographers face when shooting connected: equipment security and port compatibility. The orange coloured high-visibility USB Male-A to Mini-B and Active Extension tethering cables (pictured) and high-visibility Cat6 network cables help ensure cables can be seen throughout the studio or during on-location shoots. Additionally, TetherPro’s new low-profile casing for FireWire 800 9-pin to 9-pin cables ensures photographers shooting with digital backs from Phase One, Hasselblad or Mamiya will have properly sized tethering cables that fit their equipment.

Rollei has announced three new Bullet HD action camcorders. The Rollei Bullet HD Pro (€199.95) is a Full HD device in a waterproof black aluminium housing boasting a 170-degree fisheye lens and the capability to take stills at an (interpolated) resolution of 20 megapixels. The Rollei Bullet HD 2 (€149.95) is a 720p HD camcorder that’s also shock- and waterproof, and comes with a similar lens and a 12-megapixel sensor. Finally, the Rollei Bullet HD Lite 2 (€99.95) is an HD camcorder with a 135-degree ultra-wideangle lens and a 5-megapixel sensor. Each new Rollei Bullet HD model ships with a travel case and a comprehensive accessory pack, and each is compatible with the optional (€69.95) Rollei Bullet Remote kit. Availability is slated for April.

Nikon Japan has quietly added the Nikon D700 and Nikon D300s to the official list of discontinued cameras. This means that the Japanese manufacturer has ceased the production of these DSLRs, but they are still available from a number of on- and off-line vendors around the world. The cameras are being phased out without any successor in sight (although as you’d expect, rumours abound about a D800 being just around the corner).

Source: Nikon Japan

In a statement released today, Olympus has reaffirmed its commitment to developing new products for both Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds (MFT). Welcoming the newly announced support of the latter by three new companies, including Astrodesign, Kenko Tokina and Tamron, Olympus declared that “[a]s the originator of the Four Thirds System and Micro Four Thirds System standards, Olympus Imaging Corp. will continue to develop and enhance the product lineup for both standards” to meet the “diverse needs” of their customers. N.B.: while Olympus has been busy expanding its range of MFT product offerings throughout the last couple of years, the last major addition to the “regular” Four Thirds system was the launch of the Olympus E-5 digital SLR camera (read review) back in 2010.

Pentax Ricoh has announced a new superzoom camera called the Pentax Optio VS20. The 16-megapixel Optio VS20 features a 28-560mm equivalent zoom lens and a second vertical shutter-release button with zoom lever for effortless portrait oriented shooting. The Optio VS20 even includes a vertical tripod socket for better vertical support. Other highlights include sensor-shift image stabilisation, a digital level gauge, a 3” display, a new Handheld Night Snap mode and a range of creative digital filters. The Pentax Optio VS20 will be available in February for $249.95 / £199.99.

Tokina has announced a new version of its 11-16mm f/2.8 DX lens. Available for Nikon (in March) and Canon (July), the Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX ? 11-16mm f/2.8 (IF) Aspherical comes with a newly developed Silent Drive Motor for quiet auto focus and a GMR magnetic AF sensor similar to the one found in the 16-28mm FX lens. The optical formula comprises 13 lens elements arranged in 11 groups, including aspherical and ultra-low-dispersion elements as well as improved multi-coating. In Japan, the lens carries an MSRP of 90,000 yen including a petal-shaped hood but excluding taxes.

Source: Tokina

DxO Labs have released DxO Optics Pro v7.2 for Mac and Windows. Today’s update adds support for four new (and not-so-new) cameras, including the Canon S100 and the Panasonic G1, G2, and GF3 models, and includes a tool that allows users to import all their projects and image processing information from DxO Optics Pro 6, and to integrate them into DxO Optics Pro 7 by merging both databases. DxO Optics Pro for Windows and Mac is available in the DxO Labs online boutique and at photo resellers at a special discount price good through 31st January:

Dallas-based Tripad LLC has recently launched two new products, the Tripad and Tripad Traveller. Made from recycled glass and plastics, the Tripad turnsany tripod into a sturdy, portable workspace for photographers, video and creative professionals by safely connecting a laptop to a camera. Plus, the Tripad allows for instant uploads of video and photographs to enable editing on the fly. The Tripad Traveller attaches to any standard-sized suitcase and stows away easily in a laptop bag. The Tripad costs $99.95, while the Tripad Traveller is available for $59.95 plus shipping and handling through the website below.

The second London Photo Festival will be held from 16th - 19th May in The Crypt, Borough High St, London SE1 1JA. This year, organisers have developed ‘ImageInfo’ using QR codes to allow visitors access to the image information and biography of the photographer, and hope that this will help enable the sales of exhibited works. Entry is free for the public and the Festival will be open from 10am on all three days and will remain open late on Friday’s ‘Click ‘n Clique’ evening when the public are invited to come and meet the photographers behind the works. To tie in with the Jubilee and the Olympics the theme will be ‘Your London’. Organisers will be looking for creative, personal images as opposed to standard shots of the capital. Exhibitors do not need to live in London (or even the UK). Further details for visitors and exhibitors can be found at the website below.

Zwijndrecht-based Galarina has released GeoLogTag 4.0, a major update to their geotagging app for iOS devices. Featuring the ability to continuously track the user’s location just like a traditional GPS data logger, version 4.0 adds geotagging of iPad and Google+ photos. Locations recorded with an iPhone are seamlessly used by the iPad app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Another new option is to import a GPX track file via Mail, Dropbox or any other file management app. GeoLogTag 4.0 is available on iTunes for $4.99.

FlarePresets.com is a new website offering a range of presets designed for users of the popular Mac app Flare. The company is currently offering its Retro Preset Collection for free, with other collections like Artist, City, Movie, Popstar and Romance being available for $10 each.

Website: FlarePresets.com

The Velbon V4 Boom Arm is a new mechanism combining a geared/slide elevator with a 180 degree tilt arm and a 360 degree horizontal pan. Manufactured from aluminium, the Velbon V4 Boom Arm fits almost any tripod, thanks to the included choice of 1/4” or 3/8” mounting threads. Uses include macro work, copying and any application where fine adjustment of the camera position is an advantage. The product carries a suggested retail price of £79.99.

Arthur Tress: San Francisco 1964 is a monograph by James A. Ganz, which presents for the first time a collection of newly discovered pictures Tress took in 1964 as a young man. The photographs reveal a theme familiar to Tress’s many fans: the intersection of the absurd and the mundane. Formally posed portraits on the streets of San Francisco as well as candid views of shop windows, signs and other idiosyncrasies of the local landscape capture the vibrant scene in the Bay Area at the dawn of a chaotic era. An introductory essay discusses the historical context of the works while an interview with Tress illuminates the making and rediscovery of these brilliant images. The 112-page hardback is going on sale on 12th March for £22.50.

Writer and videographer Wiley Davis has launched a Kickstarter project to raise funds for the commercialisation of his invention, the 50-dollar follow focus. “Just because you can’t drop a grand or more on a high-end follow focus, doesn’t mean you don’t need precise control,” says Davis, who has produced the prototypes in his own garage, using a home-made CNC mill that he calls The Robot. “Instead of using lens gears, we use an off-the-shelf industrial belt that will fit around most lenses (though we also have an adapter kit for larger lenses if necessary)... The money we raise [on Kickstarter] will help us purchase some production tooling and will allow us to buy material in the quantities needed to hit our $50 price point.” For more information, visit the website below.

Website: 50-Dollar Follow Focus by Wiley Davis

AFP has launched ‘Eye on a New Century,’ the first in a series of photography apps for the Apple iPad. The app features 130 photos from the past 12, alongside commentary from the photographers. Also released today is ‘Rugby 2011,’ another AFP app, which celebrates the best of last November’s Rugby World Cup through the lenses of Agence France-Presse’s award-winning photographers. Future “AFP Photo Books” applications will be devoted to highlights of current events and key personalities. AFP also plans a number of other photo apps on the environment, faith rituals and traditions.

The Vienna International Photographic Awards (VIPA) are now open for entries. Open to professionals, amateurs and photography students from any country, the VIPA 2012 competition is focussed on documentary photography. You may submit either a single entry or a series of photos with a social, cultural, political or environmental theme. The first prize is €4,000, the second is €2,000, while the recipient of the third prize will be awarded €1,000. Additionally, the short-listed winners will be published in the VIPA?s official catalogue. The works of the three finalists will be featured in a group exhibition held in November 2012 in Vienna. Entrants can register through the website below.