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Olympus has revealed its new flagship camera, the OM-D E-M1. While the mirrorless camera builds on the success of the E-M5, it's actually been designed as the successor to the last DSLR the firm produced, the E-5. As such, the camera boasts a chunky grip and manual controls galore. There's also a 16 megapixel sensor with no optical low-pass filter, a speedy autofocus system and built-in Wi-Fi.

The OM-D E-M5 was a big hit for Olympus, which is presumably why it will remain on sale alongside the new camera. It charmed people with its retro good looks, and introduced many people to the potential of mirrorless cameras. Now, a year later, Olympus thinks it's created a truly DSLR-beating camera in the OM-D E-M1, which combines the portability of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras with the manual controls and image quality normally associated with DSLRs. It's hard to imagine the company releasing another mirrored camera after this.

Everything about the Olympus OM-D E-M1 screams high-end. Its 4/3-inch, 16 megapixel Live MOS sensor is anti-aliasing filter free, meaning it should be capable of shooting more detailed images. This is paired with a new TruePic VII image processor enabling an ISO range of 100 - 25,600. Also present is the impressive 5-axis image stabilization from the PEN E-P5, which helps to bag sharp hand-held shots, even at large zoom ratios.

The new shooter is also capable of continuous shooting at a not-too-shabby 10 fps (though this drops to 6.5 fps with continuous AF), and can record up to 50 RAW files at this pace. A new Dual Fast AF system is also said to be the fastest ever seen on an Olympus camera. However, while it combines both phase detection (as seen on DSLRs) and contrast AF (used in mirrorless and compact cameras) it does so differently to hybrid systems like that on the Sony NEX.

When using Micro Four Thirds lenses to shoot stills, the E-M1 uses 81-point contrast detection in Single AF, and a combination of contrast and phase detection to shoot in Continuous AF. However, when using older Four Thirds lenses – which can be mounted with an adapter – it only makes use of its 37 phase detection points. This is good news for Four Thirds DSLR shooters who should be able to get the same sort of speed performance out of their older lenses on the new mirrorless camera as they do their DSLRs. Only contrast detection is used when shooting video with Micro Four Thirds lens (so no Canon 70D-like magic) and it's manual focus only for Four Thirds lens.

The construction of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 is another area where it can rival all but the toughest of DSLRs. Featuring a rugged magnesium casing and 60 gasket rings, it is dust, splash and freezeproof down to -10 degrees Celsius (14° F). Thanks to use of a 2x2 Dial Control system (as seen in the PEN E-P5) and addition buttons, there's all the access to manual settings that most photographers are going to need or want.

Sitting at the top of the camera is a new electronic viewfinder which covers 100 percent of the frame, has a 2,360K dot resolution and boasts a 1.48x magnification, meaning it's as big as the optical viewfinders on many Full Frame DSLRs. Unlike slow EVFs of old, it has a lag of just 0.029 seconds, which Olympus says is quick enough that you won't even notice it. There's also a 3-inch tiltable LCD touchscreen on the rear with a 1,037K dot resolution which comes into its own for shooting in awkward positions or video. The OM-D E-M1 can shoot Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps and is the first Olympus camera to feature a standard external microphone input.

Other things worth noting about the new flagship camera include that fact that it has a shutter speed that goes to 1/8000 second, this is important if shooting with fast lenses in bright conditions. The TruePic VII image processor can also help to get the best out of older Olympus lenses by automatically recognizing them and adjusting processing to deliver the best quality images.

Wi-Fi capabilities are also built in, allowing not just the wireless sharing of images, but also remote shooting with the ability to mirror the Live View LCD on your phone’s touch screen and switch between shooting modes and make adjustments to things like aperture and shutter speed.

Measuring 130.4 x 93.5 x 63.1 mm (5.1 x 3.7 x 2.5 in), the Olympus OM-D E-M1 is available to pre-order now, ahead of release in October. It will cost US$1,400 body-only.

Here's a fun little toy that might be of interest to playful photography enthusiasts and tinkerers. The Enjofer, described as a "portable smartphone photographic enlarger," is a stand that lets you create good quality black and white photographic prints directly from your smartphone, though you'll need your own darkroom set up to do it.

It's a simple case of finding the image you want to print and displaying it (after making any desired edits in the accompanying app) on your phone's screen. You then insert it into the Enfojer's enclosure screen side down. Adjustable lenses focus the image from the screen onto photographic paper placed underneath, and, at the push of a button, development commences. The Enfojer is compatible with any smartphone under 141 x 71 mm (5.55 x 2.80 in) in size.

The team says that the stand can be used to enlarge smartphone pictures (or traditional photographic negatives for that matter) up to 6 x 6 format. It takes 6 minutes to expose a photograph onto the silver halide photographic paper, and every print will be unique, albeit in the detail, due to imperfections in the paper and the chemistry of the development process. The Enfojer app walks you through the steps involved.

Most of the equipment you'll need to develop photographs is included in the Enfojer kit, including a battery-powered red light returning hotel bathrooms into makeshift dark rooms. Chemicals for developing photographs and not included due to the complexities of shipping chemicals overseas. However, once you've all the gear, the team maintains this is a cheaper way to print photographs than using a standard home printer.

The Enfojer team has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for production. An Enfojer stand can be secured from US$200, and the early bird kit (with useful extras included) for $250. Though the team is hoping to raise $100,000 this is a flexible campaign so production should go ahead if the target isn't reached. The first wave of Enfojers is due to be shipped in February if all goes to plan.

The Lexar Professional Workflow HR1 is a four-bay USB 3.0 card reader hub designed for professional photographers who need to import images and video from multiple cards quickly. The modular device enables users can mix-and-match depending on whether they shoot on SD, CompactFlash or XQD memory cards.

Stacking card readers in the vertical hub, the Workflow HR1 will save desk space for anyone who needs to use multiple card readers. Given that up to four readers can be used and connected to a computer by a single USB, it could also be useful for photographers short on USB 3.0 slots who don't want to be constantly switching between readers.

As the device uses USB 3.0, it's capable of shifting data at speed, which is important if you are shooting large image files, HD or even 4K video. The Workflow HR1 can also transfer data from all four card readers at the same time, meaning users don't have to wait to import one card then another after a large shoot.

The modular design means that after buying the Workflow HR1 reader hub, users can then add their selection of compatible card readers, which are sold separately. If you need to transfer while out and about, the card readers can be used individually by simply by removing them from the hub and connecting a USB cable into the rear.

The Lexar Professional Workflow HR1 and respective card readers are available now. The four-bay hub costs US$80, the SD and CompactFlash card readers will set you back $30 and if you shoot on XQD, that reader comes in at $45.

Nikon has announced two new updates to its line-up of Coolpix cameras. The P7800, which introduces an electronic viewfinder to the enthusiast-focused P7000 series, and the S02, which brings an improved resolution and Full HD video recording to Nikon's line of itty-bitty point-and-shoots

An update to the P7700, the Coolpix P7800 is aimed squarely at enthusiasts and interchangeable lens camera users who don't want to carry all their gear around with them, but do want to tinker with settings while shooting. As such, it offers easy access to manual controls which are laid out in much the same way as on most Nikon DSLRs.

The biggest upgrade over previous models is the inclusion of an electronic viewfinder with 921,000 dots which covers 100 percent of the frame. Nikon had previously dropped the optical viewfinder with the P7700, so it's nice to again have an alternative to composing shots solely on the rear LCD screen.

The camera also features a 12 megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor, and a 28-200-mm (35-mm format equivalent) f/2.0-4.0 lens with a seven blade iris aperture for better background blur. It's capable of continuous shooting up to 8 fps, has an ISO range of 80-1600 and, being aimed at more experienced photographers, shoots RAW files as well as JPEG.

Full HD 1080p video can now be recorded at 25 or 30 fps, and a three inch vari-angle screen on the rear is designed to cater for shooting from otherwise awkward positions. While there's still no built-in Wi-Fi, like that of Canon's comparable G16 , the P7800 is compatible with the WU-1a adapter for wireless sharing of images or remotely controlling the camera.

The Nikon Coolpix P7800 will be available this month for a retail price of US$550.

Nikon Coolpix S02

Another camera which offers a modest upgrade to the previous model, is the tiny Coolpix S02, which has a resolution bump compared to the S01. It now uses a 13 megapixel 1/3.1 inch CMOS sensor (up from a 10 megapixel CCD) paired with a 30-90 mm (35-mm format equivalent) f/3.3-5.9 lens. Video recording has also jumped from 720p to full HD 1080p.

Still smaller than pretty-much all but spy cameras, the S02 measures 77.1 x 51.3 x 17.5 mm (3.1 x 2.1 x 0.7 inches) meaning it can fit in most bags or pockets and can be (if you take Nikon's dubious fashion advice) worn around the neck as a fashion accessory. Because of size restrictions, the camera features 7.3GB of built-in memory and the battery is not removable. That said, Nikon still found space for a 2.7 inch touch sensitive screen on the rear.

Nikon is clearly hoping that the camera’s built-in Xenon flash will give enough of a boost to images for users to justify carrying around a separate camera to their LED light toting smartphones. However, without the inclusion of built-in wireless capabilities it could be a hard sell. Those shots from restaurants and nightclubs are stuck in the camera until you connect to a computer.

The Nikon Coolpix S02 will be available this month in silver, while, pink or blue and will cost $180.

LD-1000 LED

Also announced is the LD-1000 LED light which has been designed to work with both the Nikon 1 system and Coolpix cameras, and is styled like the former. The device is an LED light which attaches to the tripod socket via a plate, but can also be used off-camera.

Because the LED is a continuous light source, Nikon says it's particularly useful if shooting video or from close-up and that you're able to see the effect of the light before you shoot. It also states that the light can be good for shooting portraits of people who are not used to having their photo taken and might be distracted by a bright flash, which is one way of looking at it.

The LD-1000 will be available from October in black or white and will cost $100.

Toshiba has gone and thrown its hat (or helmet, perhaps) into the actioncam ring. Today at IFA 2013, the company unveiled its new Camileo X-Sports model. The rugged little camcorder bears more than a passing resemblance to the GoPro HERO, although it boasts one extra key feature – a built-in 2-inch LCD viewfinder/playback screen.

The Camileo shoots 1080p HD video at a rate of up to 60 fps, via an “ultra-wide” lens (no exact figure is provided) and a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor.

Like the HERO, it comes with a removable watertight housing that allows it to be submerged to a maximum depth of 60 meters (197 ft). Even without that housing, the bare camera is shockproof to a drop height of 1.5 meters (4.9 ft).

Along with what look like some fairly simple and easy-to-understand buttons on the camera itself, the Camileo can also be controlled via a wrist-mounted wireless remote that is waterproof to 3 meters (9.8 ft). Alternatively, users can also operate the camcorder using Toshiba’s Wi-Fi Connect app, on an iOS or Android mobile device. That app also lets users access content recorded on the Camileo via their smartphone or tablet.

Images are stored on a user-supplied SD card, and can be viewed on a TV or transferred to a computer via Micro-USB or Mini-HDMI ports.

Along with straight-up continuous video recording, other shooting modes include photo burst, time lapse, continuous photo, and video looping. In that last mode, it records short stretches of video back-to-back, each one overwriting the one that came before it. If something “epic” happens, however, the user can instruct the camera to save that particular bit of footage. It’s also possible to shoot stills while simultaneously recording video.

There’s no word on battery life.

One feature that the Camileo could stand not to have is its 10x digital zoom. Most actioncam users almost always want the shot to be as wide as possible, and all that a digital zoom will do is enlarge the pixels in the center of the shot. Additionally, it’s entirely possible that the zoom control on the camera or remote could be pushed accidentally, thus ruining the resulting footage.

The Toshiba Camileo X-Sports actioncam will be available in Europe as of the fourth quarter of this year, bundled with a variety of mounts, for €249 (about US$327).

If an all-round view of the world is your kind of thing then Ricoh has got just the device for you. Called the Theta, it's a slim, hand-held, pocket-friendly stick sporting two fish-eye lenses, one at the front and one at the back. There's no need to aim, focus or point the camera, users just hold it at any angle and press the shutter button on the front. The one shot spherical image produced can then be viewed on a synced iPhone, uploaded to social networks or transferred to a computer.

Theta tips the scales at 95 g (3 oz) and measures 1.65 x 5 x 0.69 - 0.9 in (42 x 129 x 17.4 - 22.8 mm), which is a lot less bulky than the hammerhead concept model we spotted at CES back in January. It features something Ricoh is calling an ultra-small twin-lens folded optical system, where a prism at the center directs light to two image sensors. The unit's power button and wireless on/off switch are on the side, and there's a micro-USB port and tripod mount hole to the bottom. The device has a shooting distance of 10 cm from the front of the lens to infinity, benefits from auto exposure control, and has ISO100 - 1600 sensitivity.

The production model syncs with smartphones via Wi-Fi and a dedicated free app. At launch, Theta will be compatible with the iPhone 4S and 5 running iOS 6 or later (and presumably any upcoming version of Apple's smartphone that may or may not be announced shortly), but Ricoh hasn't forgotten the Android community, and has promised compatibility with Goolge's popular mobile platform by the close of 2013.

Using the Theta for iPhone app, users can edit the size and shape of the captured shot before uploading it to the product's website and then pushing it onto social networks. The device makes use of the iPhone's GPS technology to geo-tag images, if desired, and caters for remote shutter release, so you can position the camera in the ideal spot and then use the app on the iPhone to snap the scene.

It's not necessary to sync with a smartphone in order to use the device. Theta comes with 4 GB of built-in storage, enough for about 1,200 images (depending on shooting conditions). Captured scenes can be transferred to an iPhone at the next sync, or to a computer via USB. Theta's Li-ion battery is also charged via USB, and promises to last for up to 200 JPEG format images (with the Wi-Fi is switched on and the device synced with an iPhone) before needing to be topped up.

The only thing we can't tell you at the moment is the actual resolution of the captured images. The company rep at Ricoh's IFA booth told us that Theta is designed for comfortable viewing on a mobile device, and that images are compressed before being transmitted to the phone.

Theta will be available for pre-order at Ricoh's online sales channels this month in France and Germany for €399 (tax included), the UK for £329 (tax also included) and the US for a pre-tax base price of US$399. A strap attachment is available separately.

The ability to shoot Ultra HD 4K video is no longer limited just to cinema- or broadcast-specific video cameras – or to the GoPro HERO3 Black edition, for that matter. Today at IFA 2013, Sony unveiled the FDR-AX1E, which is the first of the company’s 4K-capable Handycams.

The camera’s 1/2.3-type Exmor R CMOS sensor captures full 4K (3840p) video at 60 or 30 fps, which is recorded in the XAVC S format using MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Long GOP for video and Linear PCM for audio compression. Files are ultimately saved as MP4s. This setup allows almost two hours of 4K video to be stored on one of Sony’s 64GB XQD memory cards – which were also announced just today. If shooting regular 1080p HD (which the camera can also do, at 60 or 30 fps), that figure jumps up to three hours.

A firmware update that will allow for compatibility with the AVCHD format is planned for the middle of next year.

Up front is an F1.6 - F3.4 Sony G Lens with a 20x optical zoom, and an integrated stereo mic. Sony’s Optical SteadyShot technology helps minimize the operator-induced shakes, and images are viewed through a 3.5-inch LCD screen.

Several of the FDR-AX1E’s features indicate that it’s aimed at more than just people who want really sharp-looking home movies. Some of these features include dual stereo XLR external mic jacks, dual memory card slots that allow users to change one card while the other is recording, four neutral density filter settings, and the ability to manually control a number of key shooting parameters.

Footage can be viewed on a TV using an HDMI cable, that footage appearing in 4K on Ultra HD TVs. For regular HD televisions, a setting on the camera can be adjusted in order to change its output to 1080p. Support for HDMI 2.0 is also planned, via another firmware update.

There’s no word yet on when the FDR-AX1E will be commercially available, although we do know that it will be priced at a home-movie-unfriendly US$4,500.

The problem is, no matter how good those lenses may be, the light ultimately ends up having to squeeze through the phone’s own tiny lens, to be processed by the phone’s tiny sensor. Sony is taking a fresh approach, however, with its much-rumored but just-officially-announced Cyber-shot QX series of lens-style cameras.

The two QX models may look like lenses, but they’re actually self-contained cameras that are mounted on the user’s iOS or Android smartphone or tablet via different adapters. They communicate with a mobile device via Wi-Fi, with NFC allowing one touch setup on compatible devices. Once connected, the cameras utilize the mobile device's screen as a viewfinder, and as a means of accessing functions such as shutter release/video record, shooting mode, zoom and focus.

They can even be used detached from the mobile device. As long as they’re still within Wi-Fi range, the phone can be used as a remote control unit. If they’re out of range, though, they can still be used on their own – both models are equipped with their own shutter release, rechargeable battery and memory card (they're compatible with Memory Stick Micro/Memory Stick Micro Mark 2 and Class 4 or higher Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards) ... they just don’t have a viewfinder.

In the regular with-the-phone configuration, images are saved to both the phone and the camera.

Users who want high-quality images above all other considerations will probably want to go with the US$500 DSC-QX100 model. It features a 1.0-inch, 20.2-megapixel Exmor RCMOS sensor (which is also found in the Cyber-shot RX100 II camera), and a wide-aperture Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 3.6x optical zoom and a BIONZ image processor. It also has a physical control ring for manual control of focus and zoom, along with a variety of shooting modes including a Superior Auto setting that recognizes and adjusts for up to 33 different types of shooting conditions.

If telephoto shots and/or portability are more of a priority, the smaller and lighter $250 DSC-QX10 might be a better choice. It has a 10x optical zoom Sony G Lens, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, and an 18.2 effective megapixel Exmor RCMOS sensor.

Action shots used to be hard to acquire, with camcorders and digital cameras not exactly up to the task. Now, with the rise in popularity of cameras like the GoPro, anyone can get the shots they want with minimal effort. Though these cameras are good at capturing action, some shots are still difficult to acquire and keep stable, and that's where the Gyromatic Go2X Gimbal Stabilizer comes into play, as it keeps those shots clean and smooth.

What makes this particular stabilizer so interesting is the way it's held. Basically, a user holds it like a flashlight, with the camera at the end. Building it this way allows users to get lower angles to generate exactly the kinds of shots they want.

So what exactly does this do to stabilize recordings? It uses a Simple Brushless Gimble Controller, which is made up of small electronic motors that detect shake and movement from the user with the help of gyroscopes and accelerometers. This data is fed through a processor that uses an algorithm to define the angle and make corrections on the fly.

According to the manufacturers, the main advantage of this versus other kinds of stabilization is that it's lighter, which is perfect for action shots, as the less equipment a user has to carry, the easier it will be get the footage in difficult places. It's also faster, so it is able to respond to changes instantly, which, of course, will make for better shots.

Gyromatic is seeking funding for its mount on Indiegogo. It is still in the beginning of its funding stage, and is seeking US$25,000. However, it is a flexible funding campaign, so it will move forward with the project whether it receives full funding or not. Buyers interested in getting an action mount for themselves can do so for $550 for a limited time. The standard backer price will go to $650 once the early specials run out.

If you’re a fairly serious videographer, you may well use a mini tripod, a brace, a camera stabilizing rig, and a monopod. Well, VariZoom’s new Stealthy combines all of those functions in one folding device.

The Stealthy is made from aluminum, and can support camcorders, DSLRs or point-and-shoots weighing up to 3 lb (1.4 kg) – although an optional adaptor boosts that limit up to 5 lb (2.3 kg).

When used as a brace, you extend its single leg horizontally, so that the foot rests against your chest while you hold onto the Stealthy by its handle. You then grab the camera itself with your other hand and there you go – three points of contact, as opposed to one shaky extended arm.

If the Stealthy is placed on a flat surface in that same configuration, it can serve as a table-top tripod.

Tilt its leg down and extend it farther, and it becomes what the company describes as a “lap monopod.” This means that you can rest it on your thigh while shooting from a seated position. A longer leg is also available, should you wish to use it as a full-length monopod.

By disconnecting the bottom end of the handle from the rest of the unit, the Stealthy becomes a Steadicam Smoothee-like stabilizing rig. The leg serves as a counterweight, while the handle’s gimbal mount allows it to be jiggled around without causing the camera to jiggle with it.

When not in use, the device folds up and can be hung from an included hip hook. Additionally, while in that folded configuration, it can also be used as a pistol grip-style camcorder handle.

Stealthy is available through the company website, for US$299. A limited-edition fancier StealthyPro model is also currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of $424 will get you one, when and if they reach production – the planned retail price is $589.