UwP Magazine (issue 56) is available for download and is loaded with great news and travel info.
Here's what you will find in this issue:

News, Travel & Events
Need your help to stop needless shark killing here in Palm Beach, Florida!
World Festival of underwater pictures, 27-31 october 2010, Marseille, France
Epson Red Sea Full HD Live Underwater Broadcasts at the Photokina 2010 Fair!
Basking Sharks of Cornwall, England with Mauricio Handler June 2nd-7th 2011
The Nobel of the Sea to the Swiss photographer Jean-Claude Uldry
Brighton Pier with Maria Munn 23rd & 24th October 2010
2011 Raja Ampat Entrance Tag Design Contest
A Ray of Hope for Manta Rays in Brazil
Ocean Art Photo Competition 2010
Waterworld Images Dominica Sperm whale trips 6-13 and 13-20 of Nov 2011
MacGillivray Freeman Films Launches “One World Ocean”
Blue water,  white sharks  with Charles Hood 27th Sept - 4th Oct 2011
President José Ramos-Horta announces the inaugural  International Dive Photo Contest of Timor-Leste  October 9 -15th  2010

DOWNLOAD UWP MAGAZINE, ISSUE 56

Canon announced the new EOS 60D replacing the EOS 50D.
The new dSLR features an 18 MP APS-C sensor and DIGIC 4 processor and high-speed shooting at 5.3fps in bursts of 58 full-resolution JPEGs. The camera provides standard ISO range of 100-6400, extendable to 12800 which Canon claims will provide smooth images with minimal noise in low light conditions. The EOS 60D has a 9-point, all cross-type autofocus (AF) system with an extra-sensitive centre point for lenses faster than f/2.8. The EOS 60D features Canon’s iFCL metering system, first introduced with the EOS 7D, with a 63-zone Dual-Layer sensor. Information on subject location is gathered from the Auto Focus system, and is combined with colour and luminance readings for consistent accurate exposures.
A rather unnecessary extra for the underwater phpotogs is the new 7.7cm (3.0”) Vari-angle wide LCD monitor features a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 1,040k dot resolution.
The EOS 60D will be the first of this range to capture 1920x1080p HD video at including 30, 25 and 24fps, as well as 720p video at 60 and 50fps. Movie Crop mode is also available, recording with the central 640x480 pixel area of the sensor to create an effective magnification of approximately seven times the focal length of the lens. Full manual control in Movie mode allows photographers to employ their own exposure and focus settings and take advantage of the effects achieved from different lenses.

Canon unveiled the world’s first fisheye zoom lens offering both circular and full frame images, thanks to an extreme wide-angle focal range of 8-15mm. Replacing the EF 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, the new EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is the latest addition to Canon’s L-series range of professional lenses.

When paired with Canon’s full-frame DSLR bodies the photographers can choose to capture circular or full-frame fisheye images. When used with APS-C or APS-H sensor bodies, the EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM produces a more traditional, full frame fisheye view. A zoom-lock mechanism on the lens body allows the range to be limited to the focal length that ensures the best possible full-frame view without unsightly vignetting around the edge. The lens construction features 14 lens elements in 11 different groups, including one aspherical and one Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) element to correct chromatic aberration and produce high-quality, high-contrast shots. All lens elements are covered with Canon’s Super Spectra Coating to reduce ghosting and flare caused by strong light sources. The inner surface of the front element also features Canon’s SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC), which uses tiny cone-like structures, shorter than the wavelength of visible light on the surface of the lens element, to gradually slow light down until it is at the same speed as it travels through glass, removing the risk of flare occurring before the light reaches the sensor. The front and rear lens elements feature Fluorine Coating, which actively repels water, dust and dirt.
The new lens features a ring-type ultrasonic motor (USM) enabling full-time manual focus even when the AF system is activated.

Sony introduces α55 and α33 dSLRS, employing for the first time the new Translucent Mirror Technology. The Translucent Mirror Technology (TMT) is an optical system that uses a fixed, translucent mirror ‘splitting’ the optical pathway between the main image sensor and a separate phase-detection autofocus sensor. The TMT provides a high-resolution live image preview with rapid, accurate phase detection autofocus at all time via the LCD or the electronic viewfinder. According to Sony this also ensures that moving objects stay in sharp focus at all times in both stills and Full HD video shooting mode. The simplified mechanical design of the TMT allows reduction of the camera size and complexity.

The new technology provides the high-speed shooting with the announced α55 at up to 10fps (α33: 7fps) in Continuous Priority AE mode, making it the world’s fastest burst continuous AF shooting dSLR with APS-C size sensor. Both new Alphas employ new 15-point phase-detection autofocus system assuring fast and accurate AF tracking, keeping even moving subjects in focus during continuous shooting. The α55 and α33 also serve the debut of Quick AF Full HD movie shooting. The TTMT enables AVCHD 1080i video shooting with smooth, precise phase detection AF tracking of moving subjects. Real-time video image preview is now possible via the viewfinder – in contrast with DSLR cameras where the raised mirror prevents light from reaching the optical viewfinder during video shooting.

Canon announced three new PowerShot compacts: S95, SD4500 IS, and SX130 IS.

At the top of the line stands out the Canon PowerShot S95, which updates the S90 released last year. The new camera retains the ten megapixel sensor, which finally confirms that the long lasting megapixel race is finally over and the producers turn to image quality and innovations to attract new customers. The camera has a 3.8x optical zoom lens and 3.0" LCD display. The most significant update is the ability of the S95 to shoot HD 720p movies at 24 fps. The camera supports the SDXC cards.
Canon PowerShot S95 will start shipping later this month at a price of $400.

A month before Photokina 2010 Nikon announced the release of four new lenses as well as a new dSLR camera - Nikon D3100

Even though the new camera is positioned at the lowest end of the Nikon dSLR range, it holds ground with many features previously seen only in the higher end cameras. D3100 offers 1080p full HD video, 14.2 MP CMOS sensor and EXPEED 2 processor. The camera has a 3" LCD display and should perform well in low light conditions with ISO range of 100-3200 expandable to 12800. The new dSLR offers also Live View with full-time AF and facilitated Live View and video recording with a press of a button. Nikon guarantees 100,000 shutter releases with the D3100.
The price tag on the new camera in UK is £499.99 (body only) and £579.99 with 18-55mm VR kit lens.

Besides the new dSLR Nikon announced aslo four new lenses exapndig the company's Nikkor line:
- Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR,
- Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR,
- Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR and
- Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.4G è Nikon D3100.

INON released the long awaited X-2 housing for Panasonic LUMIX GF1 camera and took full advantage of the camera's compact size.
The X-2's body is manufactured of corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy with reliability and durability in mind. The front body panel is manufactured by precision casting technique while rear body panel is machined from a single aluminum block. The body shape and design allows firm grip of the right hand. The photographer may choose from two available color options: black and white. 

The lack of viewfinder on the X-2 requires different shooting style, more applicable to the compact cameras. The X-2 is specifically designed for this so the location and angle of right thumb rest and shutter release lever to supporting comfortable operation. The only controls that are not accessible on the LUMIX GF1 are the Drive mode lever and the pressing function of the Rear dial. However you can adjust that from the camera's menu. The buttons on the back of the housing are accessible without changing the right hand position. The X-2 provides also a special lever for closing the built-in flash. The back panel of the housing has a large LCD monitor window providing also provides visual control of the camera’s control buttons. The large transparent panel also helps noticing any accidental flooding.
The X-2 has four Optical D Connectors as standard feature providing S-TTL Auto exposure with up to four external strobes. As an optional feature the housing could be equipped with a leak detector.