Apple has issued a Camera RAW compatibility update to add support for six new digital cameras. These include the following models:

Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D / Kiss X50
Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D / Kiss X5
Olympus E-5 (pictured)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
Pentax K-r
Pentax K-5

Blurb has announced its association with Anne Geddes in the creation of My First Five Years, the first personalised print?on-demand version of her popular keepsake journal to record a baby’s journey during its early years. The 80?page book features photos from Anne Geddes’ latest book Beginnings, and offers many journal pages for parents to document the precious moments of their baby’s first five years.  The book can be personalised with a baby’s name on the cover and the gift?giver’s name and message to mum or baby on an internal page. Available exclusively on the Anne Geddes website, My First Five years sells for £27.54.

The Induro Adventure AKP tripods feature non-rotating aluminum alloy legs with a quick flip lock system. The new Induro AKP series consists of three models - the compact four leg section AKP0, and the heavy-duty three leg section AKP1 and AKP2, with prices ranging from $164 - $219 depending on the model.

The Induro QRT Series Quick Release Clamp is designed for monopods, tripod heads and equipment that do not have a Quick Release System. The same solid support and locking system found on Induro heads can now be attached to any 1/4-20 or 3?8-16 threaded tripod, monopod or accessory mount. The Induro Universal QRT Quick Release Clamp is available in two sizes for $75.

Fantasea Line is introducing the Fujifilm 3D W3 Camera & Housing Set for capturing 3D underwater stills and videos. Retailing for $1,099.95, this system includes the Fujifilm 3D W3 and an underwater housing, which provides the photographer with a fun and creative 3D photography and videography experience.

iStockphoto today added a new collection of “editorial use only” stock images to its website. “iStock images are already used for editorial purposes around the world,” said Kelly Thompson, COO of iStockphoto. “By offering more editorial images, we are now able to provide a treasure trove of new content that provides real-world representation of the topics a large number of our customers cover. Editorial images also represent a tremendous new opportunity for our contributors.”

iExplore has kicked off a new contest for those who love to document their travels with photographs. The “Photo Safari Contest” winner, as judged by nine award-winning travel photographers, media writers, and popular vote, receives a $9,000 “Classic Kenya Safari” for two. You can enter the contest by submitting your best shot to the website below. The deadline for submissions is 22nd April. as always we suggest that you read the rules and regulations before entering your work.

Induro has announced its new PHT-Series 3-way panheads with folding handles. Comprised of magnesium alloy precision machined components, the new heads offer front and side tilt, and horizontal panning movements along with secure locking handles/knobs. Common features include smooth movements thanks to special bearing inserts, a built-in bubble level, patent-pending folding handles that simplify tripod packing and transport, a secure dual quick release locking system with a snap-in style quick release plate, and three fully graduated scales. The PHT0, PHT1 and PHT2 tripod heads differ from each other mainly in terms of size, weight and load capacity, the latter of which ranges from 5kg to 12kg.

Website: Induro PHT Series Panheads

At the annual Panasonic Europe Convention, held today in London, we grabbed some hands-on time with the new WA10 / DC10 dual cameras and the TA20 mobile camera. Born out of last year’s take-over of Sanyo, the WA10 and DC10 are a natural addition to Panasonic’s dual camcorder/camera range, while the TA20 is styled very much like a chunky mobile phone. None of the samples on display were functional, but our photo gallery gives you some idea of the design of the new Panasonic WA10, DC10 and TA20.

Gary Fong has unveiled two new Lightsphere Collapsible product bundles. The Lightsphere Collapsible Basic Kit includes the Lightsphere Collapsible, the White Dome, the AmberDome, the ChromeDome and the Gel Kit and retails for $119.95. The Pro Kit ($169.95, pictured) contains everything included in the Basic Kit and adds the PowerSnoot (with PowerGrid), a chrome-plated snoot with a grid that allows you to “achieve high-fashion, dramatic lighting effects, maximize strobe efficiency and gain directional control using regular speedlight equipment”.

Phase One has launched version 1.1 of the free Capture One app for iOS devices. The app enables users to use their iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch to wirelessly view, zoom and pan high resolution raw, JPEG and TIFF images while they shoot. New featyres in version 1.1 include user rating and colour tagging of images to help assist the selection and editing process, access to Capture Pilot servers outside the local network, and a number of minor enhancements and bug fixes. Do note that Capture Pilot 1.1 requires Phase One Capture One Pro version 6.1 or Capture One DB version 6.1.

The Panasonic HX-WA10 is a waterproof pistol-grip camcorder that records Full HD videos and 16-megapixel stills. Highlights of the new camcorder include a 5x optical zoom, a 2.7” wide TFT LCD monitor, a pair of stereo microphones and SDXC support. Movies are stored in MPEG-4 format, and the included HD Writer VE 1.0 software enables hassle-free videao uploads to Facebook and YouTube. Price and availability to be announced.

Panasonic are releasing the HX-DC10 and the HX-DC1 full HD camcorders. The Panasonic HX-DC10 features bright and stunning Full-HD video shooting with BSI Sensor, 16 Megapixel still picture recording and the highest class resolution among compact digital cameras. With the iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode optimal settings can be always in use. The Panasonic HX-DC1 features Full HD Recording in MP4 Format, 14-megapixel Still Picture Recording and a 3.0-inch Wide TFT LCD Monitor.

Panasonic today announced the release of the tough designed new HD Mobile Camera HM-TA20. The Panasonic TA20 features a triple tough design that is waterproof, shockproof and dustproof, and Night View mode for shooting in dim lighting. A large 3.0-inch Touch LCD enables easy and intuitive operation anywhere and anytime. The Panasonic TA20 features the MPEG-4 AVC file format (MP4), which is convenient for uploading and editing images with a PC or the Internet.

In addition to the TA20, Panasonic will also introduce the TA2 HD Mobile Camera which features Night View Mode for Bright Movie Shooting, a larger 3.0-inch LCD with Touch Operation and a bundled tripod stand for self-portraits.

Samsung has announced its new 12-megapixel CMOS imager based on a back side illuminated (BSI) pixel architecture. The new chip is designed to address an 8.5mm x 8.5mm auto focus camera module with a height dimension of 6.0mm for slim mobile phones. The tiny 1/3.2” sensor supports 12-megapixel full-resolution images at 30fps, and 1080p Full HD video at 60fps, as well as 720p at 90fps and VGA movies at 120fps for slow-motion playback. Samples of the 12Mp imager are available to smartphone manufacturers now with mass production scheduled in the third quarter of this year.

In 2010, the global digital camera market grew by a healthy 14.7% after contracting by 11.6% in 2009 due to the world economic crisis. Shipments of compact digicams increased by 13.2% versus the previous year, easily exceeding CIPA’s modest forecast of 3%. System camera shipments - including DSLRs, CSCs and interchangeable-unit cameras - grew by a whopping 30.0% (again exceeding the CIPA forecast of 11.1%). The market of photographic lenses expanded by 34.8% in terms of volume. For 2011, CIPA forecasts a total market growth of 7.8%.

Canon has issued a statement in which the Japanese giant congratulates Jodi Bieber for winning the World Press Photo of the Year award with her portrait of Bibi Aisha, a brutally mutilated Afghan girl. For her winning image, Jodi Bieber will receive a cash prize of €10,000 and a Canon EOS body and lens kit. Ms. Bieber’s photo also took the first place in the Portraits category, while the first prize in the Spot News category went to Hungary’s Péter Lakatos for his entry, “Suicide Jump”.

Earth’s Beauty Tourshas announced a new photographic workshop in the areas of Inverpolly & Assynt,Scotland. The Inverpolly National Nature Reserve is a vast area of heather and grass moorland dotted with lochs and rocky peaks in the north-west of Scotland. The workshop costs £850, including six nights full board accommodation on a non sharing basis and with no single supplement (those willing to share get a £70 discount). The course starts on 6 February 2012.

International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) has announced a photographic partnership with the National Trust. In conjunction with this, the 2011 competition sees the introduction of a new category, called ‘Breathing Spaces’ - intended to be a “celebration of the natural world as a place for people to relax, have fun and find inspiration”. Chris Lacey, the National Trust’s Photographic Manager, said. “International Garden Photographer of the Year is a great success story and the National Trust is delighted to be working together with the organisers. We are always trying to encourage our visitors to enjoy what our gardens and landscapes can offer and photography can be a huge part of that for most people. I hope that everyone who takes part has a truly inspired experience and I very much look forward to seeing the resulting imagery!” The 2011 competition launches on 1st March.