Pentax have announced a new 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 high-zoom-ratio standard zoom lens. The smc PENTAX-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL[IF] DC WR features a 7.5-times zoom ratio, simplified weather-resistant construction and extra-smooth autofocus operation. The smc PENTAX-DA 18-135mm will be available from early November 2010 for £599.99.

The Casio EX-H20G is a 14-megapixel superzoom camera that combines GPS technology with motion-sensor driven positioning, making it possible to track the camera’s position even when there is no satellite signal, such as indoors or under the ground. Casio first demoed this technology back in January when it showed a working prototype of the camera. Thanks to its “hybrid GPS” solution, the Casio EX-H20G can save location information for photos taken indoors and other places with no satellite reception. In addition to this, the camera is pre-loaded with world atlas data and information on about 10,000 landmarks around the globe. The Casio EX-H20G can display the user’s location and the photos and movies taken on a map on the screen. Other, more conventional highlights include a 24-240mm equivalent zoom lens, a 3-inch high-resolution LCD screen with good outdoors visibility and a fully automatic Premium Auto function for beginners.

The Casio EX-ZR10 is a 12-megapixel digital compact camera capable of HDR imaging through multiple exposure blending. Utilising high-speed image capture and high-speed image processing, the Casio EX-ZR10 can create high-dynamic-range images from a series of bracketed exposures taken in rapid succession. These images are not really like traditional photographs or “conventional” HDR photos - they look more like paintings or drawings. Casio calls this function “HDR Art”, and claims it “offers the fun of creating and displaying digital art”. At the core of this feature is a new Exilim Engine HS processor and a12-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Other highlights include a 28-200mm equivalent 7x zoom lens, “dramatically reduced” shot-to-shot times, a continuous shooting mode featuring up to 40 frames per second (fps), movie capture at up to 480fps, and a Slide Panorama function for creating 360° panoramic images.

The Fujifilm X100 is a surprise range-finder style camera slated for release in early 2011. Based around a 12.3 megapixel APS-C sensor and 23mm F2 Fujinon lens, the Fuji X100 is just a development announcement at the moment, but one that isn’t too far away from reality. Other key features of the X100 include a Hybrid Viewfinder which toggles between optical and electronic viewfinders, 2.8-inch rear LCD, 5fps continuous shooting and a beautiful retro design and attention to detail. No word yet on availability in the UK, US or indeed anywhere - we’ll hopefully have some hands-on, or maybe behind-glass, shots of the Fujifilm X100 when it makes its public debut at Photokina.

The Olympus Zuiko digital camera is a new flagship compact featuring the critically acclaimed ZUIKO lens system. In addition to the premium lens, the Olympus Zuiko will also be compatible with accessories for Olympus’ PEN E-P2 and E-PL1 cameras. Other than a first quarter of 2011 sale date, no other details about the new Olympus compact have been released. A mock-up of the new flagship compact will be on show at Photokina, so expect some hands-on product shots very soon.

The Novoflex MagicBalance is a new compact leveling head. Ideal as a base for 3D cameras and panorama systems, the MagicBalance can be turned 15° in all directions and fixed with only one hand by means of a fixing screw. The Novoflex MagicBalance leveling head will be available from November 2010 for 149 Euros.

The Novoflex Ball NQ is a new low profile ball-and-socket head. The easy-to-move Novoflex Ball NQ permits a 360° rotation and can be locked in any desired position by means of a winged screw. The Ball NQ will be available in November 2010 for 189 Euros.

The Wilmotte Gallery is staging the first UK retrospective of John Stewart’s still life work. “A Retrospective” will profile around 40 never before seen still life images, spanning Stewart’s vivid 60-year career. “A Retrospective” will run from 24th November 2010 – 28th January 2011 at Lichfield Studios in central London.

Viral music video pioneers OK Go’s latest video has been filmed with the new Samsung NX100 mirrorless camera. Announced last week, the NX100 was used to produce the ‘Last Leaf,’ video, a trailer of which can be viewed now on www.cre8yourworld.com . A series of behind-the-scenes episodes has also been produced using the Samsung NX100.

The Worlds’ biggest photography show, Photokina, starts on Tuesday 21st September in Cologne, Germany. Lots of exciting new cameras and photography products will be unveiled in the next few days as the manufacturers finalise their Autumn 2010 ranges. The Photography Blog team will be at Photokina to bring you all the breaking news, stand tours, interviews and hands-on previews, including tomorrow’s Press Day when several manufacturers are making announcements. So make sure to regularly visit Photography Blog this week for all the very latest news from the world of photography.

In addition to launching a 120mm tilt-shift lens for Mamiya, Schneider Kreuznach will also release two perspective control lenses for Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony digital SLR cameras. The PC-TS Super-Angulon 2.8 / 50 HM and the PC-TS Makro-Symmar 4.0 / 90 HM are predominantly targeted at product and macro photographers, and allow 12mm of lateral shift plus 8 degrees of tilt. The lenses will be officially unveiled at Photokina next week.

FotoTV has released its 1000th film – a photo shoot with master Lucien Clergue. Photographing his model Natalia on a beach near Arles, France, the artist commented, “Nudes in water is a theme for me that has practically followed me my entire life”, says Clergue. “The motifs are a recurring inspiration for me every time and I hope that connection will be well apparent in this film. I’ve been working with Natalia for years. We have created wonderful, stunning images together, and I can’t wait until our next shooting together.”

Epson and Thinxtream Technologies have announced a new mobile printing application – PrintJinni for Epson – that allows Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad users to easily print JPEGs, PDFs and other files from an e-mail account to any Wi-Fi-enabled Epson all-in-one. Providing simple set-up and e-mail attachment support for Gmail, Microsoft Exchange, Apple MobileMe, AOL and other IMPA-based e-mail accounts, PrintJinni for Epson prints over Wi-Fi without the need for an intermediate PC. Those who purchase the software - which is available now for $6.99 on the iTunes Store in the US and Canada - are entitled to a free upgrade to the upcoming iPad-native printing support scheduled for release later this autumn.

Website: PrintJinni on iTunes

According to Nikon, the total production of Nikkor lenses has reached fifty-five million. Out of these, 20 million are auto-focus lenses equipped with a Silent Wave Motor. The first F-mount Nikkor was the Nikkor-S Auto 5cm f/2, released in 1959 along with the first-ever Nikon SLR camera, the Nikon F. The 55 million lenses have thus been produced over the course of the last 50 years, with the last 5 million being manufactured over the past year.

The new Hama Daytour range of camera backpacks comprises two models, the Hama Daytour Backpack 230 (€139) and the slightly more compact Hama Daytour Backpack 180 (€99). These backpacks can accommodate an SLR camera with an arsenal of eight to eleven lenses. The variable hook-and-loop connectors inside the backpack also allow for carrying a mixture of photo equipment. Both backpacks offer direct access to the camera from above, and the larger “Backpack 230” also features a quick-access on its side. When worn on the front, both versions present themselves as an excellent support when taking photos, the manufacturer says.

Sigma Japan has announced the release date of the Sigma DP1x large-sensor compact camera. In Japan, the Sigma DP1x - an updated version of the DP1s incorporating the TRUE II image processing engine and the QS button from the DP2 / SD15 - will be released on 30th September 2010. The price of the camera has still not been announced.

The Rogue FlashBender system of flexible light modifiers has just been launched in the UK market. The system uses built in positionable rods which allow FlashBenders to be moulded and held firmly in place so that light can be directed to exactly where it’s needed. Constructed from tough Cordura nylon, FlashBenders fit quickly and easily to a wide range of shoe mount flash units using the integrated Velcro fastening strap, and when not in use the FlashBenders will fold flat and fit into a camera bag. There are three models available, the large reflector measures 25x 28cm, the small 25x 18cm and the bounce card/flag, which includes a black fabric attachment so that light can be blocked rather than reflected, measures 13x23cm.

Canon UK has released a time-lapse video shot during London Fashion Week with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV. The sequence captures the set up of the British Fashion Council (BFC) show tent at London Fashion Week between 5pm, 5th September until 7pm, 8th September. To create the video, over 4000 frames were taken on a Canon EOS-1D Mark IV with a TS-E 24mm f/3.5L tilt-shift lens. Click through / scroll down to view the footage.

Pitched as the world’s first USB 3.0 RAID storage, the LaCie 2big USB 3.0 offers speeds of up to 205MB/s. Available in up to a 4TB capacity, the LaCie 2big USB 3.0 featues two 7200rpm hot-swappable hard disk drives and three RAID modes, and is backward compatible with USB 2.0. Pricing starts at $349.99.