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vivo India Launches V70 & V70 Elite

vivo India has introduced the vivo V70 and V70 V70 Elite in India, focusing on camera upgrades, performance, and software support.

Both phones feature a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and a 50MP ZEISS Telephoto camera with up to 10x zoom. They support 4K 60fps video recording on both front and rear cameras, with zoom recording options. A 50MP front camera with autofocus and a 92° field of view handles selfies and group shots. Portrait modes offer multiple focal length options ranging from 23mm to 100mm.

The V70 Elite runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, while the V70 uses the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4. Both devices include LPDDR5X RAM, UFS 4.1 storage, and a 4200 mm² vapour cooling chamber. A 6500mAh battery with 90W fast charging is standard on both models. They are rated IP68 and IP69 for dust and water resistance and include an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor.

Each phone has a 6.59-inch 1.5K OLED display with slim bezels and peak brightness of up to 5000 nits. The V70 is available in Passion Red and Lemon Yellow, while the V70 Elite comes in Passion Red, Sand Beige, and Authentic Black.

Both run OriginOS 6 and will receive four OS updates and six years of security patches. The devices are manufactured in India.

Prices:
V70: ₹45,999 (8GB+256GB), ₹49,999 (12GB+256GB)
V70 Elite: ₹51,999 (8GB+256GB), ₹56,999 (12GB+256GB), ₹61,999 (12GB+512GB)

Both phones are available to preorder now with offers Online & Offline, and they ship from February 26th onwards.

Samsung to Unveil AI-Powered “Seamless” Galaxy Camera Experience

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Samsung is set to redefine mobile photography with a major update to its Galaxy camera system, debuting next week at Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, 2026 (11:30PM IST). The new experience promises to “democratize” professional-grade editing through advanced Galaxy AI, allowing users to perform complex creative tasks simply by describing them.

Key capabilities teased include transforming photos from day to night in seconds, restoring missing details in objects (such as fixing a bite taken out of a cake), and seamlessly merging multiple photos into a single cohesive image.

Described as the “brightest Galaxy camera system ever,” the update aims to unify capturing, editing, and sharing into one intuitive platform. By removing the need to switch between apps or master technical skills, Samsung claims the new system will make everything from cinematic video creation to low-light astrophotography faster and more natural for all users.

ZEISS Launches “Aatma” Cinema Prime Lenses

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ZEISS has unveiled Aatma – a new series of full-frame cinema prime lenses, at the BSC Expo World Premiere. Designed to combine modern optical precision with a nostalgic visual character, the Aatma lineup draws inspiration from some of ZEISS’s most iconic 20th-century lenses while meeting the technical demands of contemporary productions.

The Aatma series comprises T/1.5 prime lenses in nine focal lengths: 18mm, 25mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm, 65mm, 85mm, 100mm, and 135mm. The name “Aatma,” derived from the Sanskrit word for “soul,” reflects the lenses’ focus on emotional rendering. ZEISS says the lenses deliver softly rendered skin tones, reduced contrast, smooth focus fall-off, and rich bokeh with a subtle soap-bubble character, offering a refined yet expressive aesthetic suited to narrative filmmaking.

Despite their vintage-inspired look, the lenses are built to ZEISS’s modern cinema standards, maintaining consistent size, weight, and ergonomics for streamlined on-set operation. They feature ZEISS eXtended Data (XD) technology and integrate with the ZEISS CinCraft ecosystem, supporting visual effects, camera tracking, and virtual production workflows.

ZEISS also announced Panoptes 65, a separate 65mm-format lens series scheduled for delivery in summer 2026. The set will include ten T2.2 focal lengths ranging from 25mm to 180mm and is designed for large-format cameras such as the ARRI Alexa 265 and Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65.

The Aatma lenses are available to order now, with deliveries beginning in June 2026 through authorized ZEISS Cinema dealers. More details are available on their website: https://zeiss.com/aatma.

Canon Unveils New RF Ultra-Wide L-Series Fisheye Zoom and 14mm f/1.4 Prime

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Canon has announced two new ultra-wide-angle L-series RF mount lenses for its EOS R system, expanding options for professional photographers and filmmakers working at extreme wide perspectives.

The RF7-14mm f/2.8-3.5L Fisheye STM is Canon’s first native RF mount fisheye zoom lens and the world’s first lens to offer a circular 190° angle of view. With a wider 7mm focal length on full-frame cameras, it captures more of the scene than the EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, enabling distinctive circular and diagonal fisheye effects. The lens features an f/2.8–3.5 aperture for improved low-light performance, an updated optical design for better aberration control, and weighs approximately 476g, making it lighter than its EF predecessor. It also supports 2D 180° VR image creation using Canon’s EOS VR Utility software and uses equidistant projection for more uniform image compression.

Alongside it, Canon introduced the RF14mm f/1.4L VCM, its widest and fastest non-fisheye RF prime lens to date. Weighing around 578g, it is lighter than the EF14mm f/2.8L II USM while offering a brighter f/1.4 aperture. Designed as a photo-video hybrid, it features a VCM motor, iris ring, reduced focus breathing, and specialized optical elements to minimize coma flare and colour fringing. A rear filter holder supports sheet-type filters.

Both lenses feature L-series dust and drip-resistant construction and advanced coatings to reduce flare and ghosting. The RF14mm f/1.4L VCM is priced at ₹2,19,995, while the RF7-14mm f/2.8-3.5L Fisheye STM costs ₹1,52,995.

Fujifilm India Launches Instax mini Evo Cinema

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Fujifilm India has launched the Instax mini Evo Cinema, the latest addition to its instax hybrid instant camera Evo series. Designed to combine cinematic expression with instant photography, the camera allows users to capture both still images and short videos, which can be transformed into physical instax prints.

In India, the instax mini Evo Cinema Premium Edition will be available in a Combo Box priced at INR 47,999. The package includes the camera and two packs of instax mini glossy film. Pre-bookings will be open till the 27th of January 2026 on their website, with customers receiving two additional film packs as a pre-booking benefit. The product will be available for purchase from 28 January 2026.

The camera introduces video-to-print functionality, enabling users to convert up to 15-second videos into instax prints embedded with QR codes. Scanning the QR code allows the video to be replayed or shared digitally. A key feature is the new Eras Dial, offering 10 effects inspired by different time periods from 1930s all the way to 2020, each with adjustable levels for varied creative expression.

The design draws inspiration from Fujifilm’s 1960s-era FUJICA Single-8 camera, featuring a vertical grip and analog-style controls. A dedicated smartphone app supports video editing, clip combination, and direct printing from mobile devices.

According to FUJIFILM India, the instax mini Evo Cinema aims to offer a hybrid photography experience that blends digital creativity with the emotional appeal of instant prints.

HIPA Announces Theme For 15th Edition – Family

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The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) has announced “Family” as the main theme for its Fifteenth season competition, which launched on 13 January 2026 and will run until 31 May 2026.

This season includes five main categories: Family, Sports Photography, General (Black & White and Colour), Portfolio (Story-Telling), and a new category titled Dreams Through AI. Submissions must be made through HIPA’s official website, www.hipa.ae, by 11:59 pm (UAE time) on 31 May 2026.

According to HIPA Secretary General Ali Bin Thalith, the Family theme aligns with the UAE leadership’s designation of 2026 as the “Year of the Family,” highlighting the role of family in social stability, cohesion and quality of life. The theme is open to broad interpretation, encouraging photographers to explore family both in its human sense and as a wider concept of connection and belonging.

The Sports Photography category continues to focus on capturing athletic performance and emotion, while the General category offers creative freedom across black and white and colour photography. The Portfolio category invites photographers to present a cohesive visual story through a series of images.

The newly introduced “Dreams Through AI” category combines traditional photography with artificial intelligence. Participants are required to submit an original photograph alongside an AI-generated image that represents a dream-like interpretation of the original work.

HIPA will also present its Photographer of the Year award, alongside special awards given by invitation only.

Nikon India Launches 24-105 F/4-7.1 Lens

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Nikon India has announced the NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1, a compact zoom lens designed for a wide range of everyday photography needs. Covering focal lengths from 24mm wide-angle to 105mm medium telephoto, the lens is suited for landscapes, travel, close-ups, and portraits.

Weighing approximately 350 grams, the lens is designed for portability, making it practical for extended shoots and travel. It offers a minimum focus distance of 0.2m at 24mm and 0.28 m at 105mm, enabling close-up shooting with a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.5× between 70mm and 105mm.

The lens uses a stepping motor (STM) for fast and quiet autofocus, supporting both stills and video recording. It also features a customisable control ring that can be assigned to functions such as focus, aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation. The lens comes with dust and drip resistant construction.

The NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 will be available in India from mid-January 2026, priced at ₹49,995.

Ashutosh Kumar continues his journey

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Ashutosh Kumar, IFS, a senior career diplomat and Special Secretary (Vigilance) with the Government of India, continues to serve in public life with distinction. A Matrix Level 16 officer, he brings over 33 years of experience across both State and Central Government administrations.

Over the course of his career, he has worked with a wide range of ministries, including Parliamentary Affairs, Labour & Employment, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Home Affairs, Rural Development, and Chemicals and Fertilizers. His work has combined administrative responsibility with policy engagement at the highest levels of governance.

Internationally, he has represented the Government of India at global platforms such as the United Nations and has served in diplomatic capacities in countries including the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, and Austria.

Known for his academic excellence, Ashutosh Kumar was a consistent gold medallist and was awarded the President’s Medal for outstanding service. His professional journey is widely regarded as an example of integrity, discipline, and commitment to public service.

Through his career, he has often emphasised values such as honesty, perseverance, disciplined effort, and ethical leadership—principles that continue to resonate with young aspirants preparing for civil services and other competitive examinations. His life in public service underscores the enduring importance of integrity and responsibility in governance. He has been a chief guest at the Asian Photography Awards in the past.

Sony Launches A7 V in India

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Sony India has introduced the A 7V, the fifth-generation model in the Alpha 7 full-frame mirrorless series. It features a newly developed partially stacked 33.0MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor and the latest BIONZ XR2 image processing engine with an integrated AI unit. The camera delivers enhanced autofocus performance, including faster and more accurate Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking. With 759 phase-detection points covering up to 94% of the frame and low-light operation down to EV -4.0, the A7 V offers reliable subject detection in challenging conditions. High-resolution RAW processing is now supported through Imaging Edge Desktop.

The A7 V achieves blackout-free continuous shooting up to 30 fps with 60 AF/AE calculations per second and includes a Pre-Capture function that records up to one second before the shutter is pressed. It offers up to 16 stops of dynamic range and improved Auto White Balance using AI-driven scene and light source analysis.

For video creators, the camera supports 7K oversampled 4K 60p recording in full-frame mode and 4K 120p in APS-C/Super 35mm mode, with full pixel readout and no pixel binning. Dynamic Active Mode stabilization and AI-based Auto Framing further enhance handheld and content-focused shooting. Updated noise reduction and improved internal microphones support cleaner audio.

Sony also launched the FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II, a compact lens optimized for high-speed continuous shooting and coordinated stabilization.

Both products support Sony’s sustainability goals, with manufacturing powered by renewable energy and eco-friendly packaging. The A7 V body will be available from 10 December 2025, with the M-kit following in February 2026.

vivo Launches X300 Series in India

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vivo India has unveiled its latest flagship duo — the vivo X300 and X300 Pro — with a strong spotlight on next-gen mobile imaging co-engineered with ZEISS. The series introduces a 200MP Ultra-Clear camera system, promising significant leaps in portrait, telephoto, and low-light photography.

The vivo X300 Pro leads the lineup with a 200 MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera, India’s first Telephoto Bird Shots mode, and compatibility with the new ZEISS 2.35x Telephoto Extender Kit, enabling up to 8.5x optical zoom. It also features a 50MP ZEISS Main Camera with CIPA 5.5-rated stabilization (for main and telephoto cameras), dual imaging chips (V3+ and VS1), and 4K 120 FPS dual-focal-length recording with Dolby Vision and 10-bit Log support. AI-driven imaging additions include AI Storyboard, AI Landscape Master, Stage Mode 2.0, and improved Live Photos, with features tailored for Indian photography preferences.

The compact vivo X300 sports a 200MP ZEISS Main Camera, 50MP telephoto, 50MP wide-angle AF camera, and CIPA 4.5-rated stabilization (for main and telephoto cameras). Both models introduce an enhanced Adaptive Flash System for brighter and more natural illumination across focal lengths, along with upgraded portrait and cinematic video tools including 4K 60 FPS portrait video.

The smartphones run OriginOS 6 out of the box, offer up to 7 years of security updates, and are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset. The X300 and X300 Pro pack 6040mAh and 6510mAh batteries respectively, both supporting 90W wired charging and 40W wireless charging capability.

Pricing starts at ₹75,999 for the X300 and ₹1,09,999 for the X300 Pro, available from December 10 across major online and offline platforms with multiple launch offers.