News / Other Product News

Phase One and lighting maker Profoto have announced the Profoto Studio light-control plug-in for the Capture One Pro 6 raw processing and editing software. Currently available only to Mac users, the free plug-in works with the $499 Profoto Air USB transceiver to wirelessly control Profoto lighting equipment.

Sony has released the MRW-F3 pocketable USB memory card reader that accepts both Memory Stick and SD, including the latest fast UHS-I and large capacity SDXC cards. The company has also announced the cabled MRW-EA7, MRW-S2 and MRW-T2 USB readers.

Panasonic has announced the HX-WA10 and HM-TA20 weatherproof pocket camcorders. Both are designed to be waterproof up to depths 3 meters while the smaller TA20 is also dustproof and shockproof. The WA10 is part of a range of pistol-grip zoom pocket camcorders that also includes the non-weatherproof HX-DC10 and HX-DC1 models. The HX-TA20 meanwhile sits alongside the less resilient HX-T2. The pistol-grip models offer 1080 Full HD recording while the smaller pocket models shoot 720p.

CP+ 2011: Canon has introduced the Speedlite 320EX and Speedlite 270EX II flashguns. With a guide number of 32 and a bounce, swivel and manual zoom head, the 320EX is the company's first Speedlite model to feature a video light complementing its HD-enabled DSLRs. It also gains the ability to be wirelessly operated by a controller such as the one built into the 600D. It can be controlled on one of four 'channels' to allow groups of flashes with different output levels. The 270EX II meanwhile, replaces the 270EX, and also gains wireless slave mode but without the ability to work in channels. Both models also feature a built-in infrared Remote Release function to trigger the shutter release of compatible EOS models. Powered by four and two AA batteries respectively, the flashguns are compatible with all recent Canon DSLRs. The flashguns will be available at retail prices of $249.99 and $169.99 in the US market, and £249.99 and £179.99 in the UK market respectively.

JVC has announced the GC-PX1 hybrid camcorder that records 1080p60 Full HD videos at 36Mbps and 10MP stills. It incorporates a 10x zoom lens, a 1/2.3" back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 3.0" tilting touchscreen LCD and the company's latest 'FalconBrid' processor. Features include P/A/S/M shooting modes, 32GB of internal memory and up to 300fps continuous shooting. It will be released end of February in Japan at a price to be confirmed, we have no details of US plans.

onOne Software is offering more than 300 free album templates and layouts aimed at portrait and wedding photographers. After registering in the company's website, the templates can be downloaded and used in Adobe Photoshop, and do not require the use or ownership of any onOne product.

Sandisk has announced its UHS-I comaptible Extreme Pro SDHC memory cards are now available in 8GB to 32GB capacities with retail prices of $109.99 to $349.99. Complying to the SD 3.0 specification, the cards offer maximum read/write speeds of 45MB/s and adhere to latest UHS Class 1 video rating, offering 10MB/s minimum write speed for recording 1080p HD videos or 3D content.

DxO Labs has updated its DxO Optics Pro raw converter for Windows and Mac. Version 6.5.3 extends Raw support to Panasonic DMC-GH2 and Sony SLT-A55 in both its Standard and Elite editions. It also includes 90 additional camera/lens optical modules. The latest versions are available at retail prices of $299 and $169 respectively or as a free upgrade to existing users.

Nik Software has released version 2 of its Silver Efex Pro black and white conversion plug-in for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Apple Aperture. The upgraded version includes a history palette and better control for adjusting detail, contrast, and tonality. It is available from February 2011 at a suggested retail price of $199.95 or $99.95 to version one users.

Sony has officially announced a 5-inch clip-on LCD monitor for tasks such as shooting HD video with interchangeable lens cameras. The CLM-V55 attaches to either a Sony or ISO-standard hot shoe and takes an HDMI input. The 1,152K dot (800 x 480 pixel) display features a tilt and swivel mount and a control wheel to adjust monitor settings such as aspect ratio, brightness/contrast and colour temperature.Other features include Pixel Magnification for accurate focusing and a 'Colour Peaking' function that highlights edges of focused subjects.

PocketWizard makers LPA Design has begun a patent infringement case against Hong Kong-based manufacturer Phottix. LPA Design claims patents covering aspects of its radio communication technology and the auto-switching transceiver technology introduced for the first time in the PocketWizard's Plus II wireless trigger are being infringed by Phottix.

Lexar has released a behind-the-scenes YouTube video of its memory card production process. While the rather corportate-friendly video is unlikely to give you the ability to go out and make your own memory cards, it does provide some interesting information you might not have known.

Pre-CES 2011: SanDisk has unveiled the 128GB Extreme Pro, world's fastest high-capacity CompactFlash card with 100MB/s write speed. The card is designed for cameras with full HD video recording capabilities of up to 50Mbps bit rate and 4:2:2 color sampling, as well as full hi-resolution continuous shooting speeds. The card is available for pre-order from the company's website at a suggested retail price of $1,499.99.

Pre-CES 2011: Kingston Technology has released the UltimateXX 233x SDHC UHS-I memory cards in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities. They offer maximum read speeds of up to 60MB/s and up to 35MB/sec. of write speeds. The performance of the cards is optimized when paired with UHS-I compatible devices, and supports 3D and full HD video recording features of recently released cameras.

Apple has slashed the price of its Aperture 3 raw-conversion and photo management software for Mac OS to $79.99 (originally priced at $199), when purchased as an app from its latest Mac App store. It is available for £44.99 in UK and €62.99 the European App store.
Update: Speaking to dpreview.com an Apple spokesperson would not comment on whether or not the Aperture 3 App store pricing is permanent, or part of a time-limited introductory offer. At present however, there is nothing to indicate either that the App store pricing is temporary, or that the version of Aperture 3 available from the App store differs in any way from the normal retail version.

Pre-CES 2011: Samsung has announced the HMX-P300 and HMX-P100 pocket camcorders. They are built around 1/3.2" 8Mp and 5Mp back-illuminated CMOS sensors and are capable of full 1080p HD movies at 30fps. The P300 offers a 3.0" touchscreen LCD and 3x optical zoom lens while the P100 comes with a slightly smaller 2.7" touchscreen LCD and 1x optical zoom lens. They are priced at $199 and $149 respectively.

Pre-CES 2011: Lexar has released the industry's first 128GB Class 10 SDXC (Extended capacity) memory card. With a maximum data transfer speed of 20MB/s, it complements full HD video recording and continuous shooting speeds of the latest SDXC compatible cameras. The Professional 133x SDXC 128GB card will start shipping from the first quarter of 2011 at a suggested retail price of $699.99. The company has also announced a 64GB version of the same card that will ship at an SRP of $399.99.

Pre-CES 2011: Samsung has launched the HMX-Q10 consumer camcorder with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Capable of recording full HD (1080i60) videos and 5MP still images, it features Switch Grip technology that adjusts display and control options according to the angle at which the camcorder is held while filming. Features include F1.8 10x optical zoom lens, 2.7" touch screen LCD and image stabilization. The HMX-Q10 will be available at a retail price of $299 from February 2011.

Topaz Labs has released ReMask 3, the latest version of its masking plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. Compared to the previous version, it offers a re-engineered masking engine, enhanced color decontamination technology and an updated user interface including new brushes, toolsets and split-screen viewing options. Compatible with Windows and Intel-based Mac OS, it is available at an introductory price of $49.99.

Sekonic has announced the DigiCineMate L-308DC light meter for photographers and videographers. The lightweight entry-level light meter offers HD Cine, Cine and Photo metering modes and three options to measure incident and reflected light - both ambient and flash. It will be available from January 2011 at a retail price of £239.99 in UK. The US price is to be confirmed.