Blocks Camera of California has introduced its Blocks+ multi-functional camera. The Blocks+ features a modular design allowing photographers to swap in components, referred to as 'blocks', for various types of recording like 3D and 360-degree video. The blocks also include battery modules that can be added for extra battery life. Learn more

Sony has unveiled a new stacked CMOS image sensor for use in smartphones. Called the IMX230, it features 21 effective megapixels, on-chip phase detection AF and 4K video recording. The chip is a 1/2.4-inch type with square pixels measuring 1.12um x 1.12um each. Video of up to 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution is available with HDR function (also available in stills mode). Read more

Ricoh's Pentax 645Z offers a level of consumer-friendliness previously unseen in its class. The 50MP CMOS medium format sensor is complemented by a number of features from the K-3 DSLR, including a 27-point AF system with 25 cross-type points. We've added it to our studio scene tool so you can compare its results to the likes of the Nikon D810. Read more

Rumors have surfaced that the Olympus E-M5 has reached the end of its production. According to 4/3rumors, retailers in US and Europe have received notice from Olympus that it has stopped production of the camera. Olympus hasn't made an official announcement yet. Read more

A collection of photos taken in 1862 during the Prince of Wales' tour of the Middle East, showing historical figures and sites, has gone on display at Buckingham Palace in London. Taken by Francis Bedford, who was the first photographer to ever accompany a royal tour, the show comprises almost 100 original prints and documents the progress of the party as they travelled from London to Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece. See gallery

Samsung is showing off a prototype camera that captures 360-degree 3D images in an effort to provide content for its virtually reality headset, the Samsung Gear VR. Using cameras arranged into 8 stereoscopic pairs around the device's perimeter, the prototype (called Project Beyond) can capture 3D still panoramas, with single frames measuring 35MP. Learn more

JVC has introduced the GY-LS300 4KCAM Handheld S35mm camcorder, a relatively compact Micro Four Thirds model featuring Ultra HD-resolution 4K recording. JVC has incorporated a Super 35mm CMOS sensor alongside the MFT lens mount, with the maker promising full native angle of view via its proprietary Variable Scan Mapping tech. Read more

The Leica X (Typ 113) is the company's latest fixed-lens APS-C camera. While the X continues to use a 16MP APS-C sensor and a 35mm equivalent lens, at F1.7 it boasts a considerably faster aperture than the F2.8 of its forebear the X-2. We've spent some time with the new X, and we've added it to our studio comparison database. Click through to see how it compares

Samsung's NX1 is the first serious attempt by the Korean manufacturer to target high-end enthusiast and semi-pro photographers. Featuring a 28MP sensor, 15fps shooting capability, 4K video mode and an advanced AF system, the NX1 has features to spare. We've been shooting with a pre-production camera for a few days, in combination with the NX 16-50mm F2.0-2.8 S ED OIS and new 50-150mm F2.8 S. Click through for some sample images

creativeLIVE is hosting two days of 'instruction and inspiration' from renowned nature and wildlife photographer Frans Lanting. His class includes presentations about creative ideas and technical skills, and also features landscape and wildlife photography instruction during special field workshop sessions at prime photographic destinations along the California coast. Click through for a link

One of the year's most interesting compacts comes in the form of the Canon PowerShot G7 X, which bears a 20MP 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor. It's not just the bigger, likely Sony-branded sensor that's the G7 X's attraction, it's also the 24-100mm equivalent F1.8-2.8 lens. On paper it's a serious rival to Sony's RX100 series, widely considered class leaders in terms of compact camera image quality. Does the G7 X live up to its impressive spec sheet? Read review

The much-rumored replacement for Canon's aging EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L has officially arrived. Announced in 1998, the original trombone-style lens is replaced by a traditional rotating zoom design and boasts a number of optical enhancements. It's scheduled for December availability at a price of $2199. Read more

Tiffen has introduced a new range of neutral density filters that aim to allow stills photographers to shoot extreme long exposures without incurring the red colour cast that is so common with ND filters. The XLE series comprises three 10-stop ND filters with differing infrared-cut characteristics, ranging from none in the XLE Axent, to moderate in the Advantix and complete IR suppression in the Apex. Learn more

When we review high-end DSLRs, one of the most common requests we receive is to get them into the hands of professional photographers that work in the kinds of environments for which they were designed. That's why when we received the Canon EOS 7D Mark II we joined up with Adam Jones, a professional wildlife and nature photographer, to see what he makes of the new camera. Click through to watch our video

Supersense, a Vienna-based retailer of high-end goods designed to appeal to the five senses, has targeted analog fans with its new 66/6, a limited edition pinhole camera compatible with Polaroid's Instant film. Read more

An exhibition of images that were rejected by the UK's National Portrait Gallery is about to go on show in London, organized by Portrait Salon. In its fourth year, the organization will display 70 portraits from a submission of 1184 photographs, all of which have failed to make the shortlist for the 2014 Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize - a global portrait competition hosted by the National Portrait Gallery. Read more

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 joins the Lumix DMC-GM1 in that company's line of extremely small interchangeable lens cameras. They use the same 16MP Four Thirds sensor in a compact camera-like body, but the GM5 adds enthusiast touches like an EVF and rear control dial that the beginner-focused GM1 doesn't have. We've taken it for a spin and put together a collection of real-world samples. See gallery

Amazon has launched a new photo storage service called Prime Photos, and is offering Prime subscribers unlimited cloud storage for their images at no extra cost. Photos can be uploaded to Amazon's Cloud Drive with iOS or Android apps or the Cloud Drive website. Read more

Reports from Japan's Display Innovation 2014 exhibition highlight a number of advancements and prototypes in camera LCDs. Included are a high-pixel-density 3.2" display using WhiteMagic technology, a high-resolution touch screen with in-cell touch sensors and a 31" cinema 4K wide-gamut display with 99.5% AdobeRGB coverage from LG. Learn more

Our friend Jared Polin, otherwise known as the Fro behind FroKnowsPhotos, has just launched a comprehensive six-hour video guide to producing DSLR video. Aimed at both beginners and advanced photographers, the guide offers an introduction to basic concepts like selecting frame rate and shutter speed, and includes how-tos for shooting a variety of video types. Read more

Richard Franiec is now offering a Canon G7 X custom grip, joining the examples he makes for the Sony RX100 series, Panasonic Lumix GM1 and other small camera models. Like his other products, it's machined from high-grade aluminum alloy and attaches to the camera's front plate with 3M VHB transfer tape that can be safely removed without leaving residue. Read more

C&A Marketing, the company that bought photo retailer Calumet's US operation when it closed its stores in May, has announced that Calumet Rentals is now available online. Cameras, lenses, accessories video and lighting equipment are available to rent through calumetrentals.com. Read more

Sony has launched a 'Pro Support' program with the aim of offering professional photographers the levels of support available from the big DSLR makers. The move presumably comes to help persuade pros to consider switching to the company's SLT and mirrorless camera systems. The program, called Sony Imaging PRO Support, provides 'superior support' so that pros can 'ensure their Digital Imaging products are always ready'. Read more

Olympus has announced the Japan-only release of the Stylus 1s, a successor to its Stylus 1 enthusiast compact camera. Maintaining almost all of the same hardware as the Stylus 1, the Stylus 1s offers an OM-D based design with a fixed lens and provides some software upgrades. Read more

Luxury goods brand Brikk has released the price of its forthcoming 'Lux Nikon kit' that has been finished in its trademark yellow gold and which will be on sale this month. Set to cost $41,395, the kit will include a gold plated Nikon Df body, a Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 lens with gold plated lens cap and lens hood, together with the usual charger, cables and software, and will come in a specially made gold plated Zero Haliburton hard case. Read more

The first Zeiss lens and Hasselblad 500C camera to visit space will be going up for auction on November 13 via RR Auction in Boston. The unit is a piece of history, having joined Wally Schirra during the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission and, later on, Gordon Cooper during the Mercury-Atlas 9 mission. Read more

Sony has introduced a new line of XQD format version 2 memory cards, the G Series. As with other XQD cards, the G Series promises fast read and write speeds that are able to match the demanding needs of select cameras, such as the Nikon D4 and D4s. In turn, Nikon has announced that the D4s will support Sony's version 2 XQD cards, with improved write speeds and burst capacities. Read more

We've just added more detail to our Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 First Impressions Review including a summary of our shooting experience. Read our updated preview of Panasonic's latest enthusiast compact and find out how it fares in real-world shooting. Read more

A notebook containing recorded details of plates shot by explorer George Murray Levick during Captain Scott’s final expedition has been found and restored by the Antarctic Heritage Trust of New Zealand. Discovered in melted snow outside the hut that was Scott's base during the British Antarctic Expedition, the notebook is said to contain pencil-written details of 'the dates, subjects and exposure details for the photographs he took during 1911 while at Cape Adare'. Learn more