The Nikon D7000 is a dust- and moisture-sealed 16.2-megapixel DX-format DSLR camera with a 39-point AF system, 14-bit analogue-to-digital conversion, 6fps continuous shooting, dual memory card slots and Full HD video with full-time autofocus and manual exposure control. The new AF module includes 9 cross-type sensors in the central part of the frame. Photographers can also activate 3D tracking, which continuously follows moving subjects within the 39 AF points, highlighting the activated AF point in the viewfinder - which in turn has 100% frame coverage and 0.94x magnification. Also new is the 2,016-pixel 3D Colour Matrix meter, which Nikon calls “groundbreaking”. The Nikon D7000 has a native ISO range of 100-6400 that can be expanded to ISO 25,600; another first in a Nikon DX camera. The video mode of the D7000 offers variable frame rates of 20, 24 or 30fps at 720p, and cinema-standard 24fps at the 1080p setting. In the US, the Nikon D7000 will be available from mid-October priced at $1199.95 for body only and $1499.95 for body and lens outfit that includes the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. In the UK, the body-only price will be £1099.99, while the kit will cost £1299.99.

The Nikon SB-700 is a new system flash that has a multi-step zooming head covering the angle-of-view range of a 24-120mm lens in FX format. Moreover, the new Nikon SB-700 also incorporates FX/DX-format identification that optimises zoom settings based on the user’s camera body. The flash supports Nikon’s wireless TTL operation and can also be set up as a commander unit or a remote slave. The Nikon SB-700 also features a new Quick Wireless Mode with A:B (light ratios) for quick setting of multiple flash units. This makes it easy and quick to control two remote flash units in i-TTL mode. With a guide number of 38 (in metres at ISO 100/21°) at the 120mm setting, the recycle time of the SB-700 is approximately 2.5 seconds for full power with NiMH batteries, and approximately 3.0 seconds with AA Alkaline batteries. Scheduled to be available from mid-November, the Nikon SB-700 has an MSRP of $329.95 / £289.99.

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II is is a fast telephoto lens that incorporates Nikon’s VR II image stabilisation system. Constructed of 13 elements in nine groups, the lens includes one Super ED and three ED optical elements to minimise chromatic aberrations. The AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II incorporates an internal focussing system featuring three focus modes - A/M, M/A and M. Also included is a Tripod Detection Mode, which automatically compensates for minute vibrations when mounted on a tripod. The AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II will be available early October for an MSRP of $5999.95 / £5299.99.

Updating a popular Nikkor lens, the new AF-S 35mm f/1.4G from Nikon completes the lineup of f/1.4G lenses announced in the past year. A moderate wide-angle lens on FX format, the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G becomes a fast ‘normal’ prime when mounted on a DX body. The build of the 35mm f/1.4 features 10 optical elements in seven groups with one aspherical lens element that eliminates coma and other types of aberration even when shooting at the widest available aperture. A Rear Focus (RF) system incorporating a Silent Wave Motor provides smooth and fast autofocus with full-time manual focus override, while eliminating front barrel rotation. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G lens will be available in mid-November with an MSRP of $1799.95 / £1699.99.

Olympus Malaysia has released two promotional videos showing the new Olympus E-5 being used in extreme circumstances. One of the movies sees the E-5 being used to film a sandstorm in a desert, while the other shows a photographer working the camera in a mountain stream. Both clips show the footage captured by the E-5 itself in a smaller frame embedded in the video. You can see the films after the break.

The Hähnel Combi TF is a wireless remote shutter release and flash trigger. Compact & lightweight, the wireless remote control gives you the flexibility of shutter release, auto focus, continuous shooting, bulb mode & 4-second timer delay, while the flash trigger allows you to fire several portable flashguns or mains flashes simultaneously when combined with additional receivers. The Combi TF will be on dsiplay at Photokina next week.

At Photokina, Ilford will unveil the new Infovinyl 3D Photo System co-developed with Photoplast. With this system, Ilford is targeting production houses, giving them a unique point-of-sale display option. The Infovinyl 3D process works by manipulating a traditional 2D photo into a 3D image, developing the standard Infovinyl media through regular RA4 equipment and applying the new Infoseal coating to the media. This seal is the differentiating ingredient which enables the entire 3D process, Ilford claims. Finally, the sealed Ilfovinyl is formed on a 3D mould. Ilfovinyl 3D Photo System samples will be available for preview at Photokina, and the product will be launched in October. Other Ilford products to be showcased at Photokina include Galerie fine-art papers and Omnijet commercial display solutions.

Canon USA has announced the Lucia EX Print Sample Request Programme, a service giving consumers the opportunity to receive 8.5-inch by 11-inch sample photographs printed on the new Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8300/6350/6300 large format printers. Through the program, customers will receive three printed images captured by Canon Explorer of Light photographers, which demonstrate the printing capabilities of the imagePROGRAF 12-Colour series and new Lucia EX ink set. To request a print sample, visit the website below. The finished print will be sent to your address at no cost (you need to have a US mailing address.to take advantage of this service).

Website: Canon USA
Review: Read our review of the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF6300 printer

A group of works by German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans goes on public display at the Walker Art Gallery from 18 September to 12 December. Caroline Douglas, Head of the Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre says: “We are delighted to be able to debut this outstanding new acquisition at the Walker Art Gallery.  The project is emblematic of the kind of imaginative collaboration the Arts Council Collection can have with important museums in Britain. The exhibition demonstrates that art is a continuum, across centuries, a conversation that goes on beyond generations and one that we are all a part of.”

Fujifilm has announced the development of the Fujfilm GF670W Professional, a new medium-format rangefinder camera with a wide-angle lens. Similarly to the existing Fujifilm GF670, the new GF670W uses 120/220 format roll film and features 6x6 and 6x7 dual-format shooting. Unlike that camera, though, it has a 55mm f/4.5 lens instead of an 80mm f/3.5. Fujifilm says it has received “numerous requests for the production of a series of medium-format wide-angle cameras”, and the GF670W Professional is the company’s response to these requests. Like the GF670, it features a coupled rangefinder, an electronically controlled leaf shutter Aperture Priority and Manual exposure modes, central-weighted average TTL metering and +/-2EV exposure compensation in 1/3EV steps. A prototype will be on display at Photokina 2010. No pricing information has been given but if the GF670 is any indication, the Fujifilm GF670W won’t be cheap.

Website: Fujifilm press release

The new Kodak Professional Portra 400 is claimed to be the world’s finest grained 400 speed colour negative film. Available in 135, 120/220 and 4x5” formats, the new film incorporates Kodak Vision Film Technology, plus Antenna Dye Sensitisation in the cyan and magenta emulsion layers to achieve its fine grain structure. Retaining the natural skin tones and remarkable colour reproduction the Kodak Portra line has always been noted for, the new Kodak Professional Portra 400 utilises optimised Emulsion Spectral Sensitivity and Image Modifier Chemistry, Kodak’s Proprietary DIR Couplers and Micro-Structure Optimised T-Grain Emulsions, resulting in a finely-grained negative that is easy to scan. Kodak says the new film replaces the existing Kodak Professional Portra 400NC and 400VC film offerings, meaning these emulsions will be discontinued.

Judith Stenneken, a professional photographer from Berlin, Germany, was awarded the $25,000 Grand Prize in the third annual Photography Book Now competition for her photography book, “Last Call.” The book features pictures Ms. Stenneken captured at the historic Tempelhof Airport in Berlin between February and October 2008. The airport, which was an important lifeline for residents of West Berlin during the Cold War, shut its doors for the last time on 31 October 2008. “Ms. Stenneken’s work stood apart as this year’s Grand Prize winner,” said Darius Himes, lead judge, Photography Book Now. “Her photographs combine a rigorous, large-format camera aesthetic with a quieter sensibility.”

The Canon Powershot G12 is a new premium compact with a high-sensitivity 10-megapixel CCD imager and a vari-angle LCD screen. Featuring a 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens with hybrid image stabilisation, the Canon G12 boasts features like a new front dial, multi-aspect shooting, raw image capture, a High Dynamic Range mode, 720p/24fps HD movie capture and an electronic level. The Powershot G12 is also compatible with a new optional Lens Filter Adapter, which extends with the lens when using the zoom to offer full coverage throughout the zoom range. The Canon Powershot G12 will be available from early October 2010, priced at £539.00 / €649.00 / $499.99.

The 14-megapixel Canon Powershot SX30 IS is the world’s first camera with a 35x zoom lens. Sporting a 24-840mm equivalent lens with optical image stabilisation, the Canon Powershot SX30 IS provides full manual control, HD movie recording and a 2.7” vari-angle LCD screen and flash hot shoe. The lens construction comprises multiple special lens elements including an Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) element as well as a Hi-UD element, compensating for light aberrations while maintaining high image quality across the entire zoom range. Supporting both SDHC and SDXC memory cards and Eye-Fi connected functions, the Canon SX30 IS will become available in late September / early October priced at £449.00 / €549.00 / $429.99.

Want to see exactly what the new Samsung NX100 mirrorless camera looks like in the flesh?

Here are 38 hands-on product shots of the Samsung NX100, including a look at both new i-Function lenses and the electric viewfinder, external flash and GPS module - click through to view the gallery.

Want to see exactly how the new Samsung NX100 mirrorless camera compares to some of its key rivals?

Here are 25 hands-on product shots of the Samsung NX100 and some of its main rivals, including the Panasonic GF1, Olympus E-PL1 and Samsung’s own NX10 - click through to view the gallery.

The Samsung NX100 is a new mirrorless camera equipped with the world’s first i-Function lens. The intuitive i-Function button on the lens allows users to control the NX100 by scrolling through manual settings (shutter speed, aperture, EV, WB, and ISO) and using the focus ring to change parameters for each setting. The NX100 also has a lens priority mode, selecting scene options optimized for the lens being used. The Samsung NX100 shares the same 14.6 megapixel APS-C size sensor, dust reduction system and 3-inch AMOLED screen as the NX10. In addition it boosts the ISO speed to 6400 and adds 720p HD movies and a range of smart filters.

At launch the NX100 will be joined by a new compact zoom 20-50mm F3.5-5.6 lens and an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF10), Flash (SEF15A) and GPS tracker (GPS10), and shortly afterwards a small and light 20mm f/2.8 wide angle Pancake lens. Two additional specialized lenses will be made available in the first half of 2011 - a 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens (July) and 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Super Zoom lens (April). To expand the lens line-up even further, three more lenses will be introduced by the second half of 2011. The i-Function feature will be made available for the NX10 as a firmware upgrade.

The Samsung NX100 will be available in black, white and brown and will cost £449.99 (tbc) with the 20-50mm kit lens.

Olympus Japan has posted a few full-resolution sample images captured with the new Olympus E-5 digital SLR camera. Two of these were shot using the Zuiko Digital ED 50mm f2 Macro lens (one with the EC-14 teleconverter), whilst a third was captured using the Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD, a High Grade zoom. This last photo is a demonstration of the all-new Dramatic Tone Art Filter which, according to Olympus, “generates a virtual HDR image with just one shot”. The photographs were taken at ISO 200/24° and ISO 400/27°.

Website: Olympus E-5 Samples

The Olympus E-5 is a new dustproof, splashproof DSLR camera designed for extreme photography. The successor to the E-3, the Olympus E5 features a 12.3 megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor, TruePic V+ engine, a 3 inch VGA Swivel LCD, 5fps sequential shooting IS0 6400, 720p HD Movies, and 1/8000th second high-speed shutter speed. The Olympus E-5 will be available from October 2010 for €1,699.

Phase One today updated its raw conversion and image editing workflow software, Capture One. Version 5.2 improves tethered performance and adds enhanced support for Leaf, Mamiya and Nikon digital camera systems. Additionally, the new release improves colors and tone response as well as consistency for the following Nikon camera models: D3s, D3x, D3, D2x, D700, D300, D300s, and D90. Capture One 5.2/5.2 PRO is a free service release to existing Capture One 5.x/5.x PRO owners.

Website: Phase One