When Marissa Mayer was named new CEO of Yahoo recently, Los Angeles-based journalist Sean Bonner posted an appeal for her to 'please make flickr awesome again', signing it 'the Internet'. On his blog, Bonner commented that flickr, which was acquired by Yahoo in 2005, needs someone to 'put some support behind it, bring it up to date, give it an actually functional mobile app and commit to keeping it alive'. That appeal went viral, and today Flickr posted a response. Click through to read Bonner's appeal, and flickr's humerous reply. (via wired.com)

Mobile apps like Instagram are 'debasing real photography'. That's according to writer and broadcaster Kate Bevan, in an opinion article on British newspaper The Guardian's website. In the article, Bevan argues that filter effect apps like Instagram 'spoil pictures - they get in the way of the image and they distort the story the picture is telling'. Bevan calls these filter effects 'the antithesis of creativity'. What do you think? Click through for a link to the full article, and a chance to have your say. (via The Guardian)

Accessory maker Richard Franiec has unveiled his design for a custom grip for the Sony RX100. As usual for one of Franiec's grips, the anodized aluminium accessory is held in place with 3M VHB tape, which holds it firmly in place but can be removed, without damage, later. The design follows the pattern of his existing grips and doesn't protrude beyond the camera's retracted lens barrel, so that pocketability isn't reduced. The grip will be available from August 2012 at a cost of $34.95, plus shipping.

We've had a chance to use Panasonic's latest models, and have prepared previews of the DMC-LX7, DMC-G5 and DMC-FZ200. The LX7 is the company's latest pocketable enthusiast model, featuring an impressive F1.4-2.3 lens covering a 24-90mm equivalent range. We've included a real-world samples gallery, to show how it performs. We've also taken a detailed look at the G5, seeing how it compares to the G3 and what its more comprehensive feature set offers for photographers. Finally we look at the most interesting superzoom we've seen in quite some time - the DMX-FZ200 - a camera that puts lens brightness (and hence usability) ahead of offering the biggest possible zoom number. Click here for links to our previews

Canon USA has published a series of user guides for its flagship EOS-1D X full-frame DSLR, in the form of HD videos that are designed to be played-back on the camera's rear LCD. There are 18 topics covered, including a series of videos looking at how to get the best out of the AF system. Canon video tutorials are also available for the EOS-1D Mark IV, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark II, 7D and 60D. (From UnitedByPhotography, via CanonWatch)

Samsung has announced the MV900F - a flip-screen 'MultiView' camera that adds the company's range of WI-Fi-capable 'Smart' models. The MV900F is built around a 16.3MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a 5x, 25-125mm, F2.5-6.3 zoom lens. It also features a 3.3" OLED screen that can tilt up through 180° to allow for simple self-portraits. This capability is complemented by the addition of the company's app-mediated smartphone connectivity, allowing images to be easily transferred for upload to the Internet. The camera will be available from August at a recommended price of around $349.

Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-LX7 - the long-awaited update of its pocketable enthusiast compact camera. The LX7 features a slightly smaller sensor than the LX5, allowing it to offer the brightest lens of any compact camera with a really impressive F1.4-2.3 24-90mm equivalent range. The LX7 is based around a 10.1MP MOS sensor, rather than its predecessor's CCD, allowing it to offer 10 fps continuous shooting and 1080p60 movies (50p for European examples) in AVCHD Progressive format, or half that rate in MP4. It also gains an aperture ring around the lens, a 920k dot LCD, and finds room for stereo mics and a larger accessory port, allowing use with an optional high-res electronic viewfinder.

Panasonic has formally unveiled the LUMIX DMC-G5, a mid-level mirrorless interchangable lens camera. The G5 is built around a 16MP LiveMOS sensor that the company implies hasn't been used in a G-series camera before. This, combined with the company's latest 'Venus Engine' allows the capture of 1080p video at 60 frames per second (50p in European examples). It also gains an additional control lever, higher-resolution 920,000 dot rear LCD and regains the eye-sensor to automatically switch between LCD and electronic viewfinder. In principle the G5 will sit above the existing G3 in the company's lineup. For more information, read our hands-on preview.

Panasonic has revealed the Lumix DMC-FZ200 - a 24X superzoom with an impressive constant-F2.8 lens and high-resolution electronic viewfinder. That fast lens means that it should be easier to capture high-quality images at the full extent of the zoom, without having to use high ISO settings. It also has a 1.3m dot equivalent electronic viewfinder, as featured in the company's more expensive mirrorless cameras. It also has the ability to shoot at 12 frames per second and can capture 1080p video at 60fps or 720p at up to 120fps. The camera's 25-600mmm equivalent lens features an improved version of the company's highest-grade Power OIS stabilization system and 'Nano Surface Coating' to minimize lens flare. We've prepared a hands-on preview of the FZ200, which looks at what these features mean in the real world.

Panasonic has announced the LUMIX G VARIO 45-150mm F4.0-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS, a compact entry-level telephoto zoom for Micro Four Thirds cameras. At just 73mm/2.9" in length and weighing a mere 200g/7.1oz, it's the smallest lens in its class. It features a metal-clad barrel reminiscent of Sony's NEX lenses, includes optical image stabilization and Panasonic's Nano-Surface Coating to minimise flare, and will be available in either silver or black.

Panasonic is to offer the Lumix DMC-FZ60, a mid-priced 24X superzoom with MOS sensor. The FZ60 doesn't retain the FZ200's constant-F2.8 lens or high-res viewfinder but its sensor allows it to capture full-resolution images at 10 frames per second and shoot 1080i60 movies (from 30p sensor output). European versions (called DMC-FZ62) will offer 1080i50 recording from 25p capture. The camera promises 450 shots per charge and features 'Nano Surface Coating' to minimize internal reflections in its 25-600mm equivalent lens.

Panasonic has created the Lumix DMC-SZ5, a budget-conscious Wi-Fi compatible compact superzoom. The SZ5 is built around a 14MP CCD and a 10X, 25-250mm equivalent stabilized zoom, with the aim of offering the kind of zooming flexibility that a mobile phone can't match. The CCD means it can only produce 720p video at up to 30 frames per second. The SZ5 also features USB charging.

Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-LZ20, a 21x superzoom camera offering a 25-525mm equivalent lens range. The camera is based around a 16MP CCD sensor, limiting its video capabilities to 720p video at 30 frames per second. This, combined with a mid-resolution 460k dot rear screen suggest Panasonic is aiming for the more modestly-priced end of the market (though prices haven't yet been announced).

Pentax Ricoh Imaging has said no decision has yet been made about dropping the Pentax name from compact cameras. Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported the company's President Noboru Akahane as saying that the Pentax name would be used only for DSLRs. This prompted much internet speculation about Pentax stopping compact camera production. However, the company says the quote that's been widely discussed was part of a fuller discussion and that 'the final decision has not been made.'

ACD Systems has announced updates bringing support for 14 additional cameras to ACDSee Pro 5 and ACDSee 14 for Windows. ACDSee Pro v5.3 and ACDSee v14.3 both gain support for recent cameras such as the Nikon D800, Olympus OM-D E-M5, Canon PowerShot G1 X, Sony Alpha SLT-A57 and Pentax K-01. The latest builds, featuring the expanded Raw format support can be downloaded from ACD Systems' website now.