Breathing Color recently launched the “Go Lyve” international print competition with $10,000 worth of prizes. Entrants are required to purchase a roll, box or trial roll of of Breathing Color’s Lyve Canvas between 15 August through 31 December 2011, print their favourite image on it at a size of 16x20 inches or less, and send the print to Breathing Color, Att: “Go Lyve Print Contest”, 18552 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 100. Irvine, California, 92612. For contest rules and a detailed list of prizes, visit the website below.

Sony have unveiled plans to release three new E-Mount lenses for the NEX compact camera system in 2012. In addition to announcing 3 new lenses for 2011 yesterday (the Carl Zeiss 24mm f/1.8, Sony 50mm f/1.8 and 55-210mm), a Sony spokeman also revealed that a high performance standard zoom lens, wide angle zoom lens and mid telephoto lens will be added to the ever-expanding NEX system during 2012, bringing the total number of E-mount lenses to 10.

Want to see what the new Sony A65 camera looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the Sony A65, including the 18-55mm kit lens, new 16-50mm f/2.8 lens, and a side-by-side comparison with its big brother, the A77.

Want to see what the exciting new Sony NEX-7 camera looks like in the flesh?

We braved the media scrum to bring you a gallery of hands-on photos of the World’s only working sample of the Sony NEX-7, which was on display for the first time at Sony’s European press event in Athens, Greece.

Want to see what the new Sony A77 camera looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the Sony A77, including the new 16-50mm f/2.8 lens, vertical grip, and a breakout of all the component parts.

Want to see what the new Sony NEX-5N camera looks like in the flesh?

Here’s a gallery of hands-on photos of the Sony NEX-5N, including the new Sony 55-210mm and Carl Zeiss 24mm lenses, and various accessories.

Kodak has unveiled a robust special edition of the Kodak Playsport pocket video camera. “The BURTON Edition of the Playsport Camera goes where you want to go, even in the harshest winter conditions,” said Phil Scott, Vice President of Marketing, Digital Capture and Accessories, Kodak. “This little pocket-sized video camera is waterproof, and shockproof so no need to worry about carving through fresh powder or hitting a rail or hard pack in a terrain park. The easy to read interface and buttons are large enough to use even with gloves on.” Capable of shooting 1080p Full HD video footage as well as 5-megapixel stills, the Kodak Playsport BURTON Edition comes with an HDMI cable, remote control, 4GB SDHC memory card, a gripping tripod and carry case and retails for £179, with availability slated for autumn.

Fantasea Line has announced its plans to launch an underwater (UW) housing for the new Nikon Coolpix P7100. The company says it is working closely with Nikon to deliver a housing that “will be desgined to meet the same high standards as featured by the successful FP7000 Housing and will be compatible with the complete FP7000 dedicated accessory line”. As of writing, there is no firm release date set for the underwater housing. The Nikon P7100 will be available from mid-September.

Update: Availability for the Fantasea Line FP7100 underwater housing is slated for the beginning of 2012.

Nikon UK has announced a new promotion on the Nikon D300S digital SLR camera, open to residents of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Those who buy a new Nikon D300S (supplied and distributed by Nikon UK), either as a body or part of a kit, are entitled to claim a free Transcend StoreJet 25M 750Gb portable hard drive worth £99.99. The offer is available from today to 31st October 2011 (inclusive), and all claims must be received by 30th November 2011. For more information and to download the claim form or read the terms and conditions, visit the website below.

Olympus has announced the recommended retail prices of the Olympus E-PM1 (a.k.a. PEN Mini) compact system camera in the UK and the US. The smallest digital PEN, which boasts features like an ultra-fast 35-point auto-focus system, wireless flash control via a bundled clip-on unit, Multi Exposure, 1080i Full HD movie recording with stereo sound and compatibility with 20 Micro Four Thirds, 27 Four Thirds and more than 500 other lenses (via adapters), will be available in early autumn for £449.99/$499.95 including a kit zoom and a tiltable external flash.

Today at 7.30pm BST, Sony UK will be hosting a live Web chat on its Facebook page. The company’s photography expert, Paul Genge, will be there to answer any questions you might have about the products announced today. If interested, visit the website below, hit the “Like” button, and join the conversation.

Website: Sony UK - Facebook

The Sony A65 and A77 digital SLT cameras both feature a newly developed, APS-C sized 24.3-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor and extremely fast burst shooting with continuous auto focus. Billed as the quickest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras in their class, the Sony A77 and the Sony A65 feature shooting speeds of 12 and 10fps, respectively, with uninterrupted continuous phase-detection auto focus for tracking fast-moving subjects with ease. Additionally, the Sony A77 comes with a new 19-point AF module with 11 cross-sensors, while the A65 offers 15-point auto focus with 3 cross-hatched sensors. The other main difference between the two models is that the A77 has double control dials and a separate top-mounted LCD data display. Both cameras showcase the world’s first XGA OLED electronic viewfinder with 2359k dot resolution and 100% frame coverage. The sensor has a sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000, with ISO 50 available as an “expanded” setting on the Sony A77. Both cameras offer 1080p Full HD video recording with AF and a choice of 50fps or 25fps, and both will be available from October.

Pricing update: The Sony A77 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of £1150, or £1650 with the also-new Sony DT-16-50mm f/2.8 SSM lens. The optional VG-C77AM Vertical Grip will be available for £270. The Sony A65’s recommended retail price is £800 (£900 with a 18-55mm zoom lens).

The Sony DT 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM is a high-performance standard zoom lens for Sony’s A-mount digital SLT and SLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors. Featuring a dust- and moisture-resistant design, the lens boasts two aspherical elements and three ED glass elements to minimise aberration at all focal lengths. An internal SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) drive assures fast, quiet auto focus and enables full-time manual override. Priced at £550/$700 and available from October, the Sony DT 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM has a circular diaphragm with 7 rounded blades for a pleasing rendition of the out-of-focus areas.

The Sony NEX-7 is a 24.3-megapixel compact system camera with an eye-level electronic viewfinder, responsive autofocus and world’s shortest shutter lag. Using the same Exmor APS HD sensor as the Sony A77 and A65 “SLT” cameras, the Sony NEX-7 offers a combination of ultra-high resolution and a sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000. The NEX-7 also features quick, easy control over creative settings via an intuitive new TRINAVI control. Two control dials on the top of the camera are complemented by a control wheel. Pushing the navigation button cycles quickly through various shooting modes, allowing enthusiasts to make adjustments swiftly and easily. The NEX-7 is also the world’s first compact camera that features an XGA OLED electronic viewfinder with approximately 100% frame coverage. In speed priority mode, the NEX-7 captures fast-moving action at up to 10fps (though AF performance remains to be seen). The NEX-7 introduces an Auto-lock Accessory Shoe that supports accessories including HVL-F58AM, F43AM and F20AM Flash, the HVL-MT24AM Macro Twin Flash Kit and CLM-V55 Clip-on LCD Monitor. Also capable of shooting full HD video at either 50fps or 25fps, the Sony NEX-7 will be available from November for about £1000/$1200. A kit comprising the NEX-7 camera and Sony E 18-55mm zoom lens will also be offered, for £1100/$1350.